Portuguese Phrase
Trouxe sobras.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I/He/She brought leftovers.’ The subject is often omitted in Portuguese, so the sentence can refer to the speaker or someone else, depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone that you have brought extra food from a previous meal, or when you’re offering leftovers to a friend, roommate, or family member.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Trouxesobras
Verb 'trazer' (past)
‘Trouxe’ is the 3rd person singular preterite of ‘trazer’, meaning ‘brought’. It is used for completed actions in the past.
Noun 'sobras'
‘Sobras’ is the plural of ‘sobra’, meaning ‘leftovers’ or ‘remnants’. It is a feminine noun, so adjectives would agree in gender and number.
🗨In Conversation
Oi, o que você trouxe para o jantar?
Hey, what did you bring for dinner?
Trouxe sobras do almoço de ontem.
I brought leftovers from yesterday’s lunch.
✕Common Mistakes
Vou trouxe sobras.
If you want to say ‘I will bring leftovers’, use the future ‘trarei sobras’ instead of the past ‘trouxe’.
Trouxe as sobras.
Do not add an article before ‘sobras’ unless you specify quantity, e.g., ‘as sobras’ for ‘the leftovers’.
↔Alternatives
Levei sobras.
I took leftovers.
Tenho sobras.
I have leftovers.
Trago sobras.
I bring leftovers.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, sharing food is a common way to show hospitality. Offering ‘sobras’ to a neighbor or coworker is seen as friendly and frugal. However, be mindful of the context: in formal settings it’s better to say you ‘trouxe um prato extra’ rather than ‘sobras’. Also, note that in some regions the word ‘sobras’ can refer to any leftover material, not just food.