Portuguese Phrase
Usa sempre uma faca afiada.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘Always use a sharp knife.’ It is a piece of practical advice, especially relevant in cooking, emphasizing safety and efficiency when cutting ingredients.
When to use
You would say this when teaching someone how to handle kitchen tools, giving safety instructions in a cooking class, or reminding a friend to keep their knives in good condition before they start preparing a meal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Usasempreumafacaafiada
Usa (imperative)
‘Usa’ is the informal tu imperative of the verb ‘usar’ (to use). It is used for giving a direct command or advice.
sempre (adverb)
‘Sempre’ means ‘always’ and is placed before the verb or the phrase it modifies.
uma (indefinite article)
‘Uma’ is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of ‘faca’.
faca (noun, feminine)
‘Faca’ means ‘knife’; it is a feminine noun, so adjectives and articles must agree in gender.
afiada (adjective)
‘Afiada’ is the feminine form of the adjective ‘afiado’ (sharp) and agrees with ‘faca’.
🗨In Conversation
Você está pronto para começar a cortar os legumes?
Are you ready to start cutting the vegetables?
Sim, mas antes lembro: usa sempre uma faca afiada.
Yes, but first I remind you: always use a sharp knife.
✕Common Mistakes
Usa sempre um faca afiada.
‘Faca’ is feminine, so the correct indefinite article is ‘uma’, not ‘um’.
Usa sempre uma faca afiado.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun ‘faca’; use ‘afiada’, not ‘afiado’.
Sempre usa uma faca afiada.
In the informal imperative, the verb comes first; ‘Usa sempre…’ is preferred over ‘Sempre usa…’ for natural advice.
↔Alternatives
Mantenha sempre a faca bem afiada.
Always keep the knife well sharpened.
Sempre utilize uma faca afiada.
Always use a sharp knife.
Não se esqueça de usar uma faca afiada.
Don’t forget to use a sharp knife.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian kitchens, a sharp knife is considered a sign of professionalism and respect for the food. Chefs often say that a dull knife is more dangerous because it requires more force, increasing the risk of slips. When learning Portuguese culinary vocabulary, note that ‘faca’ is always feminine, so adjectives like ‘afiada’ must match its gender.