1
Listen to the episode
Áudio: COERLL · University of Texas at Austin · Ver a lição completa no COERLL →
2
Read the dialogue
A couple opens the electric bill and is shocked by how high it is this month.
A: A conta da eletricidade chegou, bem.
The electric bill has arrived, dear.
B: Ah é, quanto foi?
Oh yeah, how much was it?
A: Nossa, mas que coisa! 230 reais!
No way, oh my gosh! 230 reais!
B: De jeito nenhum! Por que é tanto assim?
No way! Why is it so much?
A: Boa pergunta, o que é que você fez esse mês?
Good question, what did you do this month?
B: Eu! Nada, não tenho a mínima ideia por que me cobrariam tanto assim.
Me! Nothing, I have no idea why they would charge me so much.
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Language focus
Focus 1
Mas que coisa! — Exclamations of disbelief
English: an exclamation of shock or disbelief
Mas que coisa! (literally "but what a thing!") is a very natural exclamation used when reacting to surprising or frustrating news — similar to "no way!" or "oh my gosh!" in English.
Nossa, mas que coisa! 230 reais!
Wow, no way! 230 reais!De jeito nenhum, mas que coisa!
No way, that's crazy!
Wow, no way! 230 reais!De jeito nenhum, mas que coisa!
No way, that's crazy!
Focus 2
Não ter a mínima ideia — To have no idea
English: to have no idea at all
Não ter a mínima ideia emphasizes total lack of knowledge — stronger than just não sei (I don't know). Very common in everyday complaints and excuses.
Não tenho a mínima ideia por que cobrariam tanto.
I have no idea why they'd charge so much.Não tenho a mínima ideia de onde ele está.
I have no idea where he is.
I have no idea why they'd charge so much.Não tenho a mínima ideia de onde ele está.
I have no idea where he is.
Focus 3
O condicional — Cobrariam (especulação)
English: the conditional mood, used here to speculate about a cause
Cobrariam (conditional of cobrar) expresses speculation about a hypothetical reason — "why would they charge..." This is a common use of the conditional for guessing or wondering.
Por que me cobrariam tanto assim?
Why would they charge me so much?O que ele faria nessa situação?
What would he do in this situation?
Why would they charge me so much?O que ele faria nessa situação?
What would he do in this situation?
💡 Contas no Brasil
Utility bills (contas) in Brazil often vary significantly month to month based on usage tiers and seasonal rates — a high bill is a very relatable complaint!
🔊 Cobrariam
Notice the conditional ending -riam (3rd person plural): cobrar → cobrariam. Stress falls on the syllable right before the ending.
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Exercises
Exercise 1 — Comprehension check
Choose the correct answer based on the dialogue.
Exercise 2 — Mas que coisa, não ter a mínima ideia, ou cobrariam?
Fill in each gap to complete the sentence with the correct word(s).
1. 1. Nossa, 230 reais!
2. 2. Eu não por que seria tanto.
3. 3. Por que me tanto assim?
4. 4. ! Isso é um absurdo.
5. 5. Não tenho a mínima de onde ele está.
Exercise 3 — Vocabulário de contas e casa
Match each Portuguese word to its English meaning.
Exercise 4 — Your turn
Write 4–6 sentences in Portuguese about a surprising bill or expense you've had. Use mas que coisa, não ter a mínima ideia, and the conditional (seria, cobrariam) at least once each.
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