Portuguese Phrase
Maio costuma ser assim tão frio?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether May is usually this cold, expressing surprise or curiosity about the temperature. It can be used both in a literal weather context and metaphorically to comment on any situation that feels unexpectedly chilly.
When to use
Use this question when talking about the weather in May, especially if you notice an unusually low temperature and want to confirm if it’s typical for the season. It works well in casual conversation with friends, family, or classmates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Maiocostumaserassimtãofrio?
Costumar (verb)
Costumar is a regular -ar verb meaning 'to usually do'. In the third‑person singular present it becomes costuma.
Infinitive after costumar
When costumar is followed by another verb, that verb stays in the infinitive (ser, estar, etc.).
Assim + tão
The sequence ‘assim tão’ intensifies the adjective, roughly ‘this/so …’. It is colloquial and often used in spoken Portuguese.
Adjective placement
Adjectives like frio normally follow the noun, but with intensifiers they can appear after ‘assim tão’.
🗨In Conversation
Maio costuma ser assim tão frio?
Is May usually this cold?
Sim, costuma ser bem frio, principalmente nas regiões do interior.
Yes, it’s usually quite cold, especially in the inland regions.
✕Common Mistakes
Maio é assim tão frio?
Using ‘é’ (É maio tão frio?) loses the habitual nuance; ‘costuma ser’ conveys ‘usually’.
Maio costuma ser tão frio assim?
The order ‘tão frio assim’ sounds unnatural; the idiomatic order is ‘assim tão frio’.
Maio costuma estar assim tão frio?
‘Estar’ describes a temporary state, while ‘ser’ with ‘costuma’ talks about a regular pattern.
↔Alternatives
Maio costuma ser tão frio assim?
Does May usually get this cold?
É comum que maio seja tão frio?
Is it common for May to be so cold?
Maio costuma fazer tanto frio?
Does May usually make it this cold?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, May marks the transition from autumn to winter. In the South and high‑altitude areas temperatures can drop below 10 °C, while in the North it remains warm. Because of this regional contrast, speakers often qualify statements about May’s weather with the region they’re referring to. Using ‘assim tão’ adds a colloquial, slightly informal tone, so it’s best suited for conversations with peers rather than formal writing.