Portuguese Phrase
Ao saltear usa‑se menos gordura.
Meaning
The sentence explains that when you sauté food you need to add less fat (oil or butter) compared to other cooking methods. It highlights a health‑oriented cooking tip.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving cooking advice, describing a healthier preparation method, or comparing sautéing with frying in a recipe discussion.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aosaltearusa-semenosgordura
Ao + infinitivo
The preposition “Ao” + infinitive expresses “when/while doing something”. It creates a temporal clause without a subject.
Uso do pronome apassivador “se”
“Usa‑se” is an impersonal passive construction; the action is performed without specifying who does it.
Comparativo de quantidade – menos
“Menos” is used to compare quantities, meaning “less” in this context.
Posição do pronome enclítico
In formal written Portuguese the clitic pronoun attaches to the verb (usa‑se). In spoken language you may hear “se usa”.
🗨In Conversation
Ao saltear usa‑se menos gordura.
When you sauté, you use less fat.
É verdade, o prato fica mais leve e saboroso.
That’s true, the dish ends up lighter and tastier.
✕Common Mistakes
Ao saltear se usa menos gordura.
In formal written Portuguese the clitic should precede the verb (usa‑se). “Se usa” is acceptable in speech but sounds less polished in recipes.
Ao saltear usa‑se menos a gordura.
Learners sometimes add the article “a” ("menos a gordura"), which is incorrect because “menos” already functions as a comparative quantifier.
Ao saltear‑e usa‑se menos gordura.
The verb is often misspelled as “saltear” with an extra “e” at the end ("saltear"). The correct infinitive is “saltear”.
↔Alternatives
Ao fritar, usa‑se menos óleo.
When frying, you use less oil.
Quando se saltea, usa‑se menos gordura.
When you sauté, you use less fat.
Salteando, emprega‑se menos gordura.
Sautéing, you employ less fat.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian cuisine, “saltear” (to sauté) is a common technique for quickly cooking vegetables, meats or seafood. Because the food stays in contact with the pan for a short time, chefs often add only a drizzle of oil, making the dish healthier and preserving the natural flavors. Using the impersonal “se” construction is typical in written recipes and cooking blogs.