“Dado a” in Portuguese means “prone to” or “given to” when describing tendencies. It requires gender agreement (masculine: dado a; feminine: dada à with contraction). The search term “dado à” is incorrect—the proper forms are “dado a” (masculine) or “dada à” (feminine). Learn the correct usage and avoid common mistakes.
You searched for “dado à” and found conflicting information. That’s because this exact form doesn’t exist in standard Portuguese. The confusion stems from gender agreement rules and preposition contractions. Understanding the correct forms will help you describe personality traits and tendencies accurately.
What Does “Dado A” Actually Mean
The expression “ser dado a” translates to “prone to,” “given to,” or “inclined toward” in English. Portuguese speakers use it to describe someone’s natural tendencies, habits, or personality traits.
When you say someone is “dado a” something, you’re pointing out a characteristic behavior pattern. For example, if your friend constantly makes jokes, you might say they are “dado a brincadeiras” (given to joking around). The expression can describe both positive and negative tendencies.
The word “dado” also means “sociable” or “outgoing” when used alone. If someone says “ele é muito dado,” they mean he’s very friendly and approachable. This usage doesn’t require the preposition “a” afterward.
You can use other expressions for similar meanings. “Propenso a” (prone to) and “inclinado a” (inclined to) work in more formal contexts. However, “ser dado a” is more common in everyday Brazilian Portuguese conversations.
How Gender Agreement Works with “Dado A”
Portuguese requires adjectives to match the gender of the subject. This rule applies to “dado” as well. You must choose between masculine and feminine forms based on who you’re describing.
For masculine subjects, use “dado a” without any contraction. The sentence “João é dado a festas” (João is fond of parties) shows the masculine form. Notice there’s no accent on the “a” because it’s just a simple preposition.
For feminine subjects, use “dada à” with the contraction. The sentence “Maria é dada à leitura” (Maria is given to reading) demonstrates this form. The à (with grave accent) results from combining the preposition “a” with the feminine article “a.”
This is why “dado à” (with masculine adjective and contracted preposition) is incorrect. You cannot mix masculine “dado” with the feminine contraction “à.” Choose either “dado a” (masculine) or “dada à” (feminine), never “dado à.”
The Preposition Contraction Explained
The contraction “à” happens when two instances of “a” combine. The first “a” is the preposition meaning “to.” The second “a” is the feminine article meaning “the.”
When you say someone is prone to reading (a leitura), the full structure would be “dada a a leitura.” Portuguese grammar contracts this to “dada à leitura.” Think of it as a + a = à.
This contraction only occurs with feminine nouns. Masculine nouns use “o” as the article, which doesn’t create a contraction. That’s why you write “dado a” before masculine nouns. The pattern helps you identify which form to use.
Using “Ser Dado A” in Real Conversations
The basic structure follows this pattern: subject + ser (conjugated) + dado/dada + a/à + noun or infinitive verb. Mastering this formula helps you create accurate sentences.
Here are five examples you might hear in daily conversations:
“Meu irmão é dado a videogames.” (My brother is into video games.) This shows the expression with a masculine subject and plural noun.
“Ela sempre foi dada à música clássica.” (She has always been fond of classical music.) The feminine subject requires “dada à” with the contraction.
“Somos muito dados a viajar.” (We are very inclined to travel.) Plural subjects follow the same gender rules as their components.
“Aquela professora é dada a explicações longas.” (That teacher is given to long explanations.) You can describe habits, not just interests.
“Carlos não é muito dado a conversar.” (Carlos isn’t very prone to talking.) The expression works in negative sentences too.
Brazilian Portuguese speakers use this expression more frequently than European Portuguese speakers. In Portugal, you might hear “ter tendência para” (to have a tendency toward) instead. Both varieties accept “ser dado a,” but frequency varies by region.
The expression works in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it in job interviews (“Sou dado a trabalhar em equipe”) or casual chats with friends. Just maintain appropriate verb conjugation and subject agreement.
Other Meanings of “Dado” You Should Know
The word “dado” serves multiple functions in Portuguese. Context determines which meaning applies. Learning these variations prevents confusion when reading or listening.
“Dado que” means “given that” or “supposing that.” This conjunction introduces conditions or assumptions. “Dado que você está ocupado, vou sozinho” (Given that you’re busy, I’ll go alone) shows this usage. Notice the word order differs from “ser dado a.”
As a noun, “dado” can mean “die” (singular of dice), “data,” or “fact.” The sentence “Jogue o dado” (Roll the die) uses the gaming meaning. “Precisamos dos dados” (We need the data) shows the information technology context.
Past participle usage comes from the verb “dar” (to give). “O presente foi dado ontem” (The gift was given yesterday) demonstrates this function. The form changes to “dada” for feminine nouns, just like the adjective.
Compare these two sentences: “Ela é dada a mentiras” (She is prone to lies) versus “Dado que ela mente, não confio” (Given that she lies, I don’t trust her). The first describes a tendency, the second introduces a condition. Word order and surrounding words clarify the intended meaning.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Language learners often write “dado à” when describing masculine subjects. This combines the masculine adjective “dado” with the feminine contraction “à.” The correct form is “dado a” without the accent.
Forgetting gender agreement creates awkward sentences. Writing “Maria é dado a festas” ignores the feminine subject. Change “dado” to “dada” and add the contraction: “Maria é dada à festas” becomes correct.
Confusing “dado a” with “dado que” happens frequently. Remember that “dado a” describes tendencies while “dado que” introduces conditions. The sentence “Ele é dado que brincadeiras” makes no sense. Change it to “Ele é dado a brincadeiras” or “Dado que ele brinca muito” depending on your intended meaning.
Here’s a quick reference table showing correct and incorrect forms:
| Subject Gender | Incorrect | Correct | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | dado à | dado a | Pedro é dado a esportes |
| Feminine | dado a | dada à | Ana é dada à dança |
| Masculine | dada a | dado a | O gato é dado a dormir |
| Feminine | dada a | dada à | A professora é dada à paciência |
Check your subject’s gender first. Then choose the matching form of “dado” or “dada.” Finally, use “a” for masculine or “à” for feminine nouns. Following this sequence prevents most errors.
Quick Tips for Remembering the Rules
Match the adjective to your subject’s gender before anything else. Ask yourself: am I describing a masculine or feminine person or thing? This question guides your choice between “dado” and “dada.”
For the preposition, remember that à (with accent) only appears before feminine nouns. If you’re describing someone’s tendency toward “futebol” (masculine), write “dado a futebol.” If it’s toward “leitura” (feminine), write “dada à leitura.”
Practice with sentence starters that reinforce the pattern. Try completing these: “Meu pai é dado a…” or “Minha mãe é dada à…” The subject’s gender immediately tells you which form to use.
When in doubt, say the sentence out loud. Native speakers naturally contract “a a” into “à” in speech. If you find yourself saying two “a” sounds together, you probably need the contraction. If you only say one “a,” skip the accent.
Create mental associations with people you know. Think of a male friend who loves sports: “João é dado a esportes.” Think of a female friend who enjoys music: “Paula é dada à música.” Personal connections make grammar rules stick better than abstract examples.
