Portuguese Phrase
A chamada cai o tempo todo.
Meaning
This sentence means “The call drops all the time.” It is used to complain about a phone call that keeps getting disconnected repeatedly.
When to use
Use it when you are on a phone call that keeps cutting out, whether you are talking to a friend, a customer service representative, or during a video conference.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Achamadacaiotempotodo
Definite article (A)
The article “a” agrees in gender and number with the noun “chamada” (feminine singular).
Noun (chamada)
“Chamada” means “call” (as in a phone call) and is feminine.
Verb (cair) – present 3rd person singular
“Cai” is the present indicative of “cair” (to fall/drop) conjugated for third‑person singular.
Expression (o tempo todo)
Literally “the whole time,” this idiom means “all the time” or “continuously.”
🗨In Conversation
A chamada cai o tempo todo.
The call drops all the time.
Vou tentar outra linha, talvez melhore.
I’ll try another line, maybe it’ll improve.
✕Common Mistakes
A chamada caiu o tempo todo.
Use the present tense “cai” because the problem is ongoing, not a single past event.
A chamada cai o tempo inteiro.
While understandable, “tempo inteiro” sounds less natural than the idiom “tempo todo.”
O chamado cai o tempo todo.
“Chamado” is the past participle; the noun for a phone call is “chamada.”
↔Alternatives
A ligação cai o tempo todo.
The call drops all the time.
A chamada está caindo constantemente.
The call is constantly dropping.
A chamada desliga a cada instante.
The call disconnects every moment.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, it’s common to say “a chamada cai” when a mobile or internet connection is unstable. If you’re on a business call, you might apologize first (“Desculpe, a chamada está caindo”) before asking to repeat information. In some regions, people also use “ligação” instead of “chamada” for a more informal tone.