Portuguese Phrase
Reprovei na prova de matemática.
Meaning
Literally ‘I failed the math test.’ The speaker is reporting a negative result in a school assessment, often with a tone of disappointment or frustration.
When to use
Use this sentence right after receiving a grade, when talking about your academic performance, or when a friend asks how you did on a math exam. It’s common in informal conversation among students.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Reproveinaprovadematemática
Reprovei
First‑person singular of the verb *reprovar* in the pretérito perfeito, meaning ‘I failed’ or ‘I was not approved’.
na
Contraction of the preposition *em* + the feminine singular article *a*; used before feminine nouns like *prova*.
de
Preposition that links the noun *prova* with the subject matter (*matemática*).
matemática
Feminine noun meaning ‘mathematics’; the adjective form is the same as the noun.
🗨In Conversation
Como foi a prova de matemática?
How did the math test go?
Reprovei na prova de matemática.
I failed the math test.
✕Common Mistakes
Reprovei a prova de matemática.
The verb *reprovar* takes the preposition *em* (or its contraction *na*) when referring to a test, not a direct object.
Na prova de matemática eu reprovei.
While grammatically possible, the natural order in spoken Portuguese places the verb first: *Reprovei na prova de matemática.*
↔Alternatives
Desaprovado na prova de matemática.
Failed the math test.
Não passei na prova de matemática.
I didn’t pass the math test.
Fiquei reprovado na prova de matemática.
I ended up failing the math test.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the word *reprovar* is used for any school subject where the student does not reach the passing grade. It carries a slightly stronger negative connotation than simply ‘tirar nota baixa’ (to get a low grade). When speaking with teachers or parents, you might soften it with *não consegui* (I couldn’t manage) to sound less blunt.