Portuguese Phrase
Deixa o tofu marinar antes de cozinhar.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to let the tofu sit and absorb flavors (marinate) before it is cooked. It emphasizes the importance of a resting period for better taste and texture.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving cooking instructions, especially in a recipe or while teaching someone how to prepare tofu dishes. It’s common in informal kitchen talk or cooking videos.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Deixaotofumarinarantesdecozinhar.
Imperative (tu) - Deixa
‘Deixa’ is the informal affirmative imperative of the verb ‘deixar’ (to let/allow) used with the second‑person singular (tu).
Definite article ‘o’
‘o’ is the masculine singular definite article, agreeing with ‘tofu’, which is masculine in Portuguese.
Infinitive complement – marinar
After ‘deixa’, the verb that follows stays in the infinitive (marinar) to express the action that is allowed.
Temporal clause – antes de + infinitive
‘antes de’ introduces a time reference and is followed by an infinitive (cozinhar) meaning ‘before cooking’.
Verb ‘cozinhar’
‘Cozinhar’ is a regular -ar verb meaning ‘to cook’; here it appears in infinitive after ‘antes de’.
🗨In Conversation
Deixa o tofu marinar antes de cozinhar.
Let the tofu marinate before cooking.
Boa ideia, assim ele vai ficar mais saboroso!
Good idea, that way it’ll be more flavorful!
✕Common Mistakes
Deixe o tofu marinar antes de cozinhar.
‘Deixe’ is the formal imperative (você/tu formal). In casual kitchen talk, ‘Deixa’ (tu) sounds more natural.
Deixa o tofu marinar antes de cozinhar
Missing the final period can make the sentence look incomplete in written Portuguese.
Deixa o tofu a marinar antes de cozinhar.
Using ‘marinar’ as a noun (e.g., ‘a marinar’) is incorrect; it must stay as the infinitive verb after ‘deixa’.
↔Alternatives
Permita que o tofu marine antes de cozinhar.
Allow the tofu to marinate before cooking.
Deixe o tofu absorver a marinada antes de levar ao fogo.
Leave the tofu to absorb the marinade before putting it on the heat.
É melhor deixar o tofu marinar antes de fritar.
It’s better to let the tofu marinate before frying.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian cuisine, tofu is often used in vegan versions of traditional dishes like ‘strogonoff’ or ‘feijoada’. Marinating tofu with soy sauce, lime, and herbs is a common technique to give it a richer, meat‑like flavor. When cooking for a mixed audience, remember that “deixa” is informal; use “deixe” for a more polite or formal tone.