Portuguese Phrase
Nas culturas ocidentais, a gente costuma apertar as mãos.
Meaning
The sentence states that in Western cultures people usually greet each other by shaking hands. It highlights a social custom that is considered normal in many countries of Europe and the Americas.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are comparing greeting habits across cultures, explaining etiquette to a foreign visitor, or describing a typical behavior you have observed in a Western setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nasculturasocidentais,agentecostumaapertarasmãos.
Nas = em + as
‘Nas’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘em’ (in) with the feminine plural article ‘as’, meaning ‘in the’.
a gente
Informal way to say ‘we’; it takes third‑person singular verb forms (costuma, não costumamos).
costumar + infinitive
The verb ‘costumar’ expresses a habitual action; it is followed by an infinitive (apertar).
apertar as mãos
A set phrase meaning ‘to shake hands’; the noun ‘mãos’ stays plural.
🗨In Conversation
Nas culturas ocidentais, a gente costuma apertar as mãos.
In Western cultures, we usually shake hands.
Sim, é um sinal de respeito e de profissionalismo.
Yes, it’s a sign of respect and professionalism.
✕Common Mistakes
Nos culturas ocidentais, a gente costuma apertar as mãos.
‘Culturas’ is feminine plural, so the correct preposition‑article contraction is ‘nas’, not ‘nos’.
A gente costumamos apertar as mãos.
‘A gente’ is grammatically third‑person singular, so the verb must stay singular (costuma).
A gente costuma apertar a mão.
The idiomatic expression uses the plural ‘as mãos’ because a handshake involves both hands.
↔Alternatives
Nos países ocidentais, costuma‑se apertar as mãos.
In Western countries, people usually shake hands.
Em países ocidentais, a prática comum é apertar as mãos.
In Western countries, the common practice is to shake hands.
Na maioria das culturas ocidentais, apertar as mãos é o cumprimento padrão.
In most Western cultures, shaking hands is the standard greeting.
Cultural Tip
While a handshake is the default greeting in many Western settings, the firmness, duration, and even whether a handshake is used can vary by country, age group, and context. In Brazil, for example, a lighter grip is common among friends, whereas in the United States a firm handshake is often seen as a sign of confidence. Always observe the other person’s cue; if they extend a hand, follow suit, otherwise a simple nod or verbal greeting is acceptable.