Portuguese Phrase
A água estava quente demais ou fria demais.
Meaning
The sentence states that the water’s temperature was either excessively hot or excessively cold. It emphasizes that the water was uncomfortable because it was at an extreme of the temperature scale.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to comment on the temperature of water in everyday situations – a shower that’s too hot, a bath that’s too cold, coffee, or even a swimming pool. It works well in informal conversation and can be a polite way to suggest adjusting the temperature.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aáguaestavaquentedemaisoufriademais
Definite article (A)
The feminine singular article 'a' agrees with the noun 'água' (feminine, singular).
Noun gender (água)
‘água’ is a feminine noun; adjectives and articles must match its gender.
Imperfect of estar (estava)
‘estava’ is the 3rd‑person singular imperfect of ‘estar’, used for a past state that was ongoing.
Adjectives (quente / fria)
Both adjectives agree in gender with ‘água’: ‘quente’ is neutral (same for masculine/feminine), ‘fria’ is feminine.
Adverb ‘demais’
‘demais’ means ‘too, excessively’. Placed after the adjective it intensifies the quality.
Coordinating conjunction (ou)
‘ou’ links two alternatives – here the two possible extreme temperatures.
🗨In Conversation
A água estava quente demais ou fria demais?
Was the water too hot or too cold?
Estava fria demais, então tive que esperar o aquecedor ligar.
It was too cold, so I had to wait for the heater to turn on.
✕Common Mistakes
A água estava quente demais ou frio demais.
‘frio’ is masculine; the noun ‘água’ is feminine, so the correct adjective is ‘fria’.
A água estava muito quente demais ou muito fria demais.
‘muito’ and ‘demais’ both intensify; using them together is redundant.
A água estava quente ou fria demais.
If you place ‘demais’ after only one adjective, the intensity applies only to that side.
↔Alternatives
A água estava muito quente ou muito fria.
The water was very hot or very cold.
A água estava excessivamente quente ou fria.
The water was excessively hot or cold.
A água ficou quente demais ou fria demais.
The water became too hot or too cold.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, people often talk about water temperature when taking a shower, making coffee, or preparing a bath. Using ‘demais’ adds a colloquial, expressive tone, but in formal writing you might prefer ‘excessivamente’ or ‘muito’. Also, remember that ‘água’ is feminine, so adjectives must match (e.g., ‘fria’, not ‘frio’).