Portuguese Phrase
Tô cansado/a
Meaning
This phrase is the contracted, informal version of 'Estou cansado' or 'Estou cansada'. It is the most common way to express physical or mental exhaustion in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. The ending changes based on the gender of the speaker: '-o' for masculine and '-a' for feminine.
When to use
Use this in informal settings with friends, family, or colleagues when you feel sleepy, overworked, or generally drained. It's perfect for casual conversations after a long day or a workout.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tôcansado/a
Tô
A common contraction of 'estou' (the first-person singular of 'estar'), used to describe temporary states.
Gender Agreement
The adjective 'cansado' must match the gender of the speaker: '-o' for males and '-a' for females.
🗨In Conversation
Você quer sair hoje à noite?
Do you want to go out tonight?
Não, valeu. Tô muito cansada.
No, thanks. I'm very tired.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu sou cansado
Use 'estar' (or 'tô') for temporary states like tiredness; 'ser' implies a permanent personality trait.
Tô cansado (said by a woman)
Adjectives must match the gender of the speaker; women should use 'cansada'.
↔Alternatives
Estou exausto/a
I'm exhausted
Tô morto/a
I'm dead (tired)
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'tô' is almost universally used in spoken language instead of 'estou'. While 'estou' is for formal writing, using 'tô' makes you sound much more natural and like a local speaker. In Portugal, the contraction is less common, but still understood.