Portuguese Phrase
Tá chovendo lá fora?
Meaning
A casual way to ask whether it is raining outside right now. The phrase uses the informal ‘Tá’ and the gerund ‘chovendo’ to convey an ongoing weather condition.
When to use
Use this question in informal settings—when chatting with friends, family, or coworkers—especially when you’re about to step out or need to decide whether to bring an umbrella.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Táchovendoláfora?
Tá (está)
Informal contraction of the verb estar in the third person singular, used for present continuous actions.
Gerúndio – chovendo
The gerund form of chover (to rain) combines with estar to express an ongoing action.
Lá fora
Adverbial phrase meaning ‘outside’; ‘lá’ adds a sense of distance from the speaker.
Question intonation
In spoken Portuguese the rising intonation signals a yes‑no question; the written question mark reinforces it.
🗨In Conversation
Tá chovendo lá fora?
Is it raining outside?
Não, tá sol.
No, it’s sunny.
✕Common Mistakes
É chovendo lá fora?
The verb ser is not used for temporary weather conditions; use estar.
Tá chovendo lá fora.
Without a question mark and rising intonation this becomes a statement, not a question.
Chovendo está lá fora?
Verb‑subject order is unnatural in Portuguese; keep the verb before the adverbial phrase.
↔Alternatives
Está chovendo lá fora?
Is it raining outside?
Vai chover lá fora?
Will it rain outside?
Está fazendo chuva lá fora?
Is it raining outside?
Cultural Tip
Weather small talk is a staple of Brazilian conversation. Using ‘Tá’ signals familiarity and a relaxed tone. In more formal contexts—emails, news reports, or speaking with strangers—use ‘Está chovendo…’. Also, note that ‘chover’ is an impersonal verb; you never say *eu chovo* or *ele chove* in the sense of ‘I/He rains’. The correct construction is always ‘está chovendo’. Regional speakers may replace ‘lá fora’ with ‘do lado de fora’, but both are understood nationwide.