Portuguese Phrase
Vamos dividir as lulas.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘Let’s split the squids.’ It is usually said when a group is preparing a dish that contains squid and needs to portion it among the cooks or diners.
When to use
Use this phrase in a kitchen or at a dinner table when you want to share or portion the squid among several people, or when you’re planning to cut the squid into pieces before cooking.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vamosdividiraslulas
Vamos + infinitive
‘Vamos’ is the first‑person plural of ‘ir’ used with an infinitive to mean ‘let’s …’.
Dividir
The verb ‘dividir’ means ‘to split, divide, share’. It is regular in the infinitive form.
Definite article ‘as’
‘as’ is the feminine plural definite article, matching the noun ‘lulas’.
Noun ‘lulas’
‘Lula’ (singular) = squid; ‘lulas’ (plural) = squids, a common seafood in Portuguese cuisine.
🗨In Conversation
Vamos dividir as lulas antes de grelhar.
Let's split the squids before we grill them.
Boa ideia, assim cada um tem a sua porção.
Good idea, that way everyone gets their own portion.
✕Common Mistakes
Vamos dividir o lulas.
The article must agree in gender and number with the noun; ‘as’ is correct for the feminine plural ‘lulas’.
Vamos partir as lulas.
Do not use ‘partir’ here unless you want a more informal tone; ‘dividir’ is the standard verb for sharing portions.
Vamos nos dividir as lulas.
‘Vamos’ already includes the idea of ‘let’s’; adding ‘nos’ (e.g., ‘Vamos nos dividir…’) is redundant and incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Vamos cortar as lulas.
Let's cut the squids.
Vamos partilhar as lulas.
Let's share the squids.
Vamos dividir as lulas entre nós.
Let's divide the squids among us.
Cultural Tip
Squid (lula) is a staple in Portuguese coastal cuisine – think ‘lulas à lagareiro’ (baked squid with olive oil) or ‘lulas fritas’. When cooking together, it’s common to say ‘Vamos dividir as lulas’ to indicate that the seafood will be portioned for each person, reflecting the communal spirit of Portuguese meals.