Phrase · 😮 Reactions & feelings
Foi cansativo, mas valeu a pena.
It was tiring, but it was worth it.
B1expressing satisfactionAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Foi1verbit wasser · past · 3rd sing.cansativo2adjectivetiringmasc. · sing.,masconjunctionbutvaleu3verbwas worthvaler · past · 3rd sing.a3determinertheo · fem. · sing. · definitepena3nountroublefem. · sing..
- Foi → cansativo: governs
- valeu → pena: fixed phrase
Word for word: “(It) was tiring, but (it) was-worth the pain.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Foi: perfeito of ser, the same form as for ir. Pretérito perfeito: irregular verbs →
- 2cansativo = tiring (it tires you). Cansado = tired (how you feel).
- 3valer a pena = to be worth it. On its own, Valeu! means "thanks!". Pretérito perfeito: regular verbs →
Variations
- Valeu muito a pena!
- Deu trabalho, mas valeu a pena.
- Foi puxado, mas valeu.