Portuguese Phrase
Não muito, só relaxando.
Meaning
A brief, informal reply meaning ‘Not much, just relaxing.’ It conveys that the speaker isn’t doing anything demanding and is taking it easy.
When to use
Use this sentence in casual conversations when someone asks what you’re up to, how you’re feeling, or what you’re doing. It’s perfect for friends, family, or informal chat on messaging apps.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nãomuito,sórelaxando.
Negation with Não
‘Não’ is the standard adverb for negation, placed before the word or phrase it negates.
Adverb of Quantity – muito
‘Muito’ modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a large amount or degree.
Só as ‘only/just’ adverb
‘Só’ limits the action, meaning ‘only’ or ‘just’, and is often used in casual speech.
Gerund – relaxando
The gerund form (verb + -ando) expresses an ongoing action, similar to the English ‘-ing’ form.
🗨In Conversation
O que você está fazendo agora?
What are you doing right now?
Não muito, só relaxando.
Not much, just relaxing.
✕Common Mistakes
Não muito eu só relaxando.
Missing the verb ‘estou’ and incorrect word order; the sentence should stay as a fragment or include the verb: ‘Não muito, eu só estou relaxando.’
Não muito, só relaxar.
‘Relaxar’ is the infinitive; the gerund ‘relaxando’ is needed to describe an ongoing action.
Não muito, só relaxando!
Exclamation marks are acceptable in informal chat, but in written Portuguese they can sound overly dramatic; a period is more neutral.
↔Alternatives
Não muito, só descansando.
Not much, just resting.
Pouco, só relaxando.
A little, just relaxing.
Nada demais, só relaxando.
Nothing much, just relaxing.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, speakers often downplay their activity with ‘não muito’ or ‘nada demais’ to sound modest and relaxed. The phrase is informal; avoid it in formal settings like a job interview or a business email.