Portuguese Phrase
Vamos pegar um sorvete em vez disso.
Meaning
This phrase is a casual suggestion to do something different, specifically to get ice cream, as an alternative to a previously discussed plan or activity. 'Em vez disso' directly translates to 'instead of that' or 'instead of this,' making the suggestion clear.
When to use
You would use this phrase when you want to propose an alternative activity, especially if the current plan is not appealing or if you're looking for a change. It's a friendly and informal way to suggest a new idea, often used among friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vamospegarumsorveteem vez disso
Vamos (Imperative/Subjunctive)
'Vamos' is the first-person plural (we) form of the verb 'ir' (to go). When used alone or followed by an infinitive, it functions as a suggestion meaning 'Let's...'. It's a very common way to propose an activity.
Pegar (To get/take)
'Pegar' is a versatile verb meaning 'to get,' 'to take,' 'to pick up.' In this context, it means 'to get' or 'to have' an ice cream. It's widely used in Brazilian Portuguese for obtaining food or drinks.
Um sorvete (An ice cream)
'Um' is the indefinite masculine article 'a/an'. 'Sorvete' is a masculine noun for 'ice cream'. In Portuguese, nouns have gender, and articles must agree with them.
Em vez disso (Instead of that/this)
This is a fixed expression meaning 'instead of that' or 'instead of this'. 'Em vez de' means 'instead of', and 'isso' refers to 'that/this' (the previously mentioned idea or plan). It's crucial for proposing an alternative.
🗨In Conversation
Acho que não quero ir ao cinema hoje.
I don't think I want to go to the cinema today.
Ah, tudo bem. Vamos pegar um sorvete em vez disso?
Oh, okay. Let's get an ice cream instead?
✕Common Mistakes
Nós vamos pegar um sorvete em vez disso.
While grammatically correct, 'Nós vamos' is often omitted in informal Brazilian Portuguese when 'Vamos' already implies 'we'. 'Vamos' alone is more natural for 'Let's'.
Vamos tomar um sorvete em vez disso.
While 'tomar' (to take/drink) can be used for some foods/drinks, 'pegar' (to get/take) is more commonly used for 'getting' an ice cream in Brazil. 'Tomar sorvete' is also acceptable, but 'pegar' is very common.
↔Alternatives
Que tal um sorvete?
How about an ice cream?
Podíamos ir tomar um sorvete.
We could go get an ice cream.
Vamos comer um sorvete, então.
Let's eat an ice cream, then.
Cultural Tip
Ice cream (sorvete) is a very popular treat in Brazil, often enjoyed year-round due to the warm climate. Brazilians have a wide variety of unique tropical fruit flavors in addition to classic ones. Suggesting 'sorvete' is a universally pleasant and often welcome idea, especially in social settings. The phrase 'em vez disso' is a polite way to pivot to a new suggestion without directly rejecting the previous one.