Portuguese Phrase
Os mesmos de sempre.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "the same ones of always." It's used to refer to people, situations, or things that are predictably recurring, often with a connotation of resignation, annoyance, or a lack of surprise. It implies that nothing new or different has happened.
When to use
You can use this phrase when you're talking about a recurring problem, a predictable group of people, or a situation that always unfolds in the same way. It's often said with a sigh or a tone of mild exasperation, indicating that you're not surprised by the outcome.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Osmesmosdesempre
Os
'Os' is the masculine plural definite article, meaning 'the'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to (even if implied, as in this phrase).
mesmos
'Mesmos' is the masculine plural form of the adjective 'mesmo', meaning 'same'. It agrees with 'Os' and the implied plural noun (e.g., 'people', 'things').
de
'De' is a common preposition meaning 'of' or 'from'. In this idiomatic expression, 'de sempre' functions as a fixed phrase meaning 'as always' or 'of always'.
sempre
'Sempre' is an adverb meaning 'always'. When combined with 'de', it forms the expression 'de sempre', which modifies 'os mesmos' to indicate a recurring nature.
🗨In Conversation
Quem ganhou a eleição?
Who won the election?
Ah, os mesmos de sempre.
Oh, the usual ones.
✕Common Mistakes
Os mesmos sempre.
Omitting the preposition 'de' changes the meaning or makes it grammatically incorrect in this context. 'De sempre' acts as a fixed expression meaning 'of always' or 'as always'.
Os mesmos de sempre são.
While grammatically correct in some sentences, 'Os mesmos de sempre.' is often used as a standalone, elliptical phrase. Adding 'são' (are) makes it a full sentence, but it's less common for the idiomatic expression itself.
↔Alternatives
Sempre os mesmos.
Always the same ones.
Os habituais.
The usual ones.
A mesma coisa de sempre.
The same thing as always.
Cultural Tip
This phrase is very common in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal. It often carries a sense of fatalism or a wry acceptance of recurring patterns, whether in politics, daily life, or social interactions. It's a way of acknowledging that some things just don't change, and it's understood that the speaker is likely expressing a mild complaint or a lack of enthusiasm for the predictability.