Dar uma Chance: Give a Person, Plan, or Activity a Chance
Dar uma chance means to give someone or something an opportunity. Use it with a person, idea, activity, or new experience.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Dar uma chance means to give someone or something an opportunity, or to try an activity before deciding whether you like it. The phrase can refer to a person, a course, a plan, a restaurant, or an unfamiliar experience.
Use dar uma chance before deciding
You can say dar uma chance para alguém or dar uma chance a alguém. Before an infinitive, use the pattern dar uma chance para + verb in informal speech: dar uma chance para experimentar.
Vou dar uma chance a esse curso antes de escolher outro.
I’ll give this course a chance before choosing another one.
Dá uma chance para a gente explicar a ideia.
Give us a chance to explain the idea.
Ela deu uma chance ao restaurante novo.
She gave the new restaurant a try.
Make the opportunity concrete and respectful
The phrase encourages someone to consider an option, but it should still leave them free to choose. If you are inviting someone, state what the activity involves and avoid treating a yes as guaranteed.
Tentar (try) is a direct alternative for an activity. Dar uma oportunidade can sound more formal and is common when the opportunity concerns a person’s work or ability.
Que tal dar uma chance para a comida vegetariana?
How about giving vegetarian food a try?
Podemos tentar outro caminho se você preferir.
We can try another route if you prefer.
A equipe deu uma oportunidade para a nova professora.
The team gave the new teacher an opportunity.
Put it into practice
Use dar uma chance to offer someone or something an opportunity; use tentar for the simple action of trying.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “How about giving vegetarian food a try”?
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