Portuguese Phrase
Se agasalha, tá congelando lá fora.
Meaning
A friendly, informal warning telling someone to bundle up because the temperature outside is extremely low. The speaker uses colloquial language typical of everyday Brazilian Portuguese.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, family, or coworkers when you notice the weather is bitterly cold and you want to remind someone to put on a coat, scarf, or hat. It’s not appropriate for formal settings or written communication.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Seagasalha,tácongelandoláfora.
Se (reflexive pronoun)
In this context, 'se' is a reflexive pronoun attached to the verb, indicating that the subject is doing the action to themselves (to dress oneself).
agasalha (present indicative / informal imperative)
The verb 'agasalhar' means 'to bundle up' or 'to dress warmly'. Here it appears in the third‑person singular present indicative, often used colloquially as a gentle command: 'Se agasalha!'
tá (colloquial contraction)
'Tá' is the informal spoken contraction of 'está', the third‑person singular of 'estar' (to be).
congelando (gerund)
The gerund of 'congelar' expresses an ongoing action: 'it is freezing'.
lá fora (locative phrase)
'Lá fora' literally means 'out there', i.e., outside the current location.
🗨In Conversation
Se agasalha, tá congelando lá fora.
Dress warmly, it's freezing outside.
Vou colocar meu casaco agora.
I'll put on my coat right now.
✕Common Mistakes
Se agasalha, está congelado lá fora.
Use the gerund 'congelando' to describe ongoing cold; 'congelado' means something is frozen solid.
Agasalha, tá congelando lá fora.
The verb should stay reflexive (se agasalha) when giving a suggestion; dropping 'se' changes the meaning.
Se agasalha, tá congelando fora.
In very formal writing you might omit the colloquial 'lá' and just say 'fora', but in speech 'lá fora' is natural.
↔Alternatives
Vista um casaco, está muito frio lá fora.
Put on a coat, it's very cold outside.
Cuidado, o tempo está gelado lá fora.
Careful, the weather is icy outside.
Não esqueça o cachecol, está congelando.
Don't forget the scarf, it's freezing.
Cultural Tip
Brazilian Portuguese is rich in informal contractions like 'tá' for 'está' and colloquial imperatives such as 'Se agasalha!'. When speaking with strangers or in a professional context, replace 'tá' with 'está' and use the full verb form: 'Por favor, agasalhe‑se, está congelando lá fora.' The phrase also reflects the Brazilian habit of using 'lá fora' to refer to the outside environment, even when the speaker is already outside.