Portuguese Phrase
Você ainda tá estudando?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to check if someone is continuing their studies or if they are still busy with academic work. It uses the colloquial contraction 'tá' instead of the formal 'está' and employs the gerund form 'estudando' to indicate an ongoing process.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings when checking in on a friend, classmate, or family member who you know was busy with school or a project. It is perfect for a quick text message or a casual verbal check-in.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêaindatáestudando?
Ainda
This adverb means 'still' and is placed before the verb to indicate that an action has not yet finished.
Tá
A colloquial contraction of 'está' (from the verb 'estar'), used universally in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Gerúndio (-ando)
The ending '-ando' is added to the stem of -ar verbs to create the gerund, similar to '-ing' in English.
🗨In Conversation
Você ainda tá estudando?
Are you still studying?
Sim, tenho uma prova difícil amanhã.
Yes, I have a difficult exam tomorrow.
✕Common Mistakes
Você ainda é estudando?
Use the verb 'estar' (or its contraction 'tá') for continuous actions, never 'ser'.
Você ainda tá estuda?
In Portuguese, the present continuous requires the gerund ending '-ando' for -ar verbs.
↔Alternatives
Ainda está nos livros?
Still in the books?
Você continua estudando?
Do you continue studying?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the verb 'estar' is almost always shortened to 'tá' in spoken conversation. Using the full 'está' in a casual chat might make you sound like a textbook, so embrace the contraction to sound more like a local.