Portuguese Phrase
Dá cinco palmadas nas costas.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Give five pats on the back.’ In everyday Portuguese it is a friendly way of congratulating or encouraging someone, similar to saying ‘Give yourself a pat on the back!’ in English.
When to use
Use this informal phrase when you want to cheer up a friend, celebrate a small victory, or motivate a teammate. It works best in casual settings among peers, family members, or teammates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Dácincopalmadasnascostas.
Imperative (tu) – Dá
‘Dá’ is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb *dar* (to give). It is used when speaking to someone you address as ‘tu’.
Cardinal number – cinco
‘cinco’ is the number five. In Portuguese numbers placed before a noun agree in gender and number only when they are part of a quantifier phrase.
Noun – palmadas
‘palmadas’ is the plural of *palmada* (a slap or pat). Here it refers to light pats, not a violent slap.
Prepositional phrase – nas costas
‘nas’ = ‘em + as’, meaning ‘on the’. ‘costas’ is a feminine plural noun meaning ‘back(s)’. The whole phrase means ‘on the back(s)’.
Punctuation – period
The final period marks the sentence as a complete statement, often used in written encouragement.
🗨In Conversation
Dá cinco palmadas nas costas!
Give yourself five pats on the back!
Obrigado! Você também merece uma!
Thanks! You deserve one too!
✕Common Mistakes
Dê cinco palmadas nas costas.
‘Dê’ is the formal ‘você’ imperative; using it with ‘tu’ speakers sounds stiff. The sentence is meant for informal ‘tu’.
Dá cinco palmadas na costas.
‘nas’ contracts ‘em + as’; writing ‘na costas’ is grammatically incorrect.
Dá palmadas nas costas.
Learners sometimes omit the number, losing the playful emphasis. Keep ‘cinco’ unless you intentionally want a different quantity.
↔Alternatives
Dá um tapinha nas costas.
Give a little tap on the back.
Parabéns, merece um tapinha nas costas.
Congratulations, you deserve a pat on the back.
Merece um reconhecimento nas costas.
You deserve a recognition on the back.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, a ‘palmada nas costas’ is a completely non‑violent, supportive gesture. It’s common in sports, school celebrations, and informal workplaces. The number ‘cinco’ is often added just for emphasis; you could also say ‘uma palmada’ or ‘duas palmadas’ and the meaning stays the same. Avoid using this phrase with strangers or in formal contexts, as it can sound overly familiar.