Estar a Fim de: Say You Feel Like Doing Something in Portuguese
Use estar a fim de to share a casual interest, suggest an activity, or ask whether someone wants to join.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Estar a fim de means to feel like doing something, want to do it, or be interested in it. It is informal and common in Brazilian speech. The expression can refer to a plan, food, rest, or—in a suitable context—romantic interest.
Understand the casual meaning of a fim de
The phrase changes with the subject: estou a fim, você está a fim, a gente está a fim. In relaxed conversation, contractions such as tô a fim are also common. Recognize the informal form, and use the full spelling in more careful writing.
Estou a fim de comer alguma coisa leve.
I feel like eating something light.
Você está a fim de caminhar no parque?
Do you feel like taking a walk in the park?
A gente está a fim de ver um filme hoje.
We feel like watching a movie today.
Keep de before a noun or an infinitive
After a fim de, use de before a noun or before a verb in the infinitive: a fim de um café (in the mood for coffee) and a fim de sair (in the mood to go out). Keeping de in the pattern helps prevent a direct word-for-word translation from English.
When the activity follows, the second verb stays in its infinitive form: estou a fim de descansar, not estou a fim de descanso if you mean “I feel like resting.” Use a noun instead when you mean the thing itself, such as a fim de uma pausa (in the mood for a break).
Você está a fim de um café?
Are you in the mood for coffee?
Não estou a fim de sair com essa chuva.
I don’t feel like going out in this rain.
Ela está a fim de aprender a cozinhar.
She feels like learning to cook.
Notice when it refers to romantic interest
With a person as the focus, estar a fim de someone can suggest romantic or sexual interest, depending on the conversation. For example, estou a fim dele may mean “I’m into him.” Because the expression can shift meaning, consider the subject and situation before interpreting a message.
If you want to avoid ambiguity, name the activity: estou a fim de conversar com ele sobre o projeto (I feel like talking with him about the project). A little extra context makes your intention clearer and more comfortable for everyone.
Acho que ela está a fim dele.
I think she’s into him. (romantic context)
Estou a fim de conversar com a equipe depois da aula.
I feel like talking with the team after class.
Você está a fim de alguém?
Are you interested in anyone?
Use the phrase to make a low-pressure invitation
A fim de is useful for invitations because it asks about interest rather than assuming a yes. You can suggest one activity and add an easy alternative: Você está a fim de jantar? Se não, a gente marca outro dia (Do you feel like having dinner? If not, we’ll plan another day).
For more everyday preferences, read the Real Life Portuguese guide to prefiro and gosto mais. I Speak Portuguese teachers can help you hear when a fim de is casual, playful, or romantic. Match the level of informality to your relationship with the listener.
Tá a fim de conhecer uma cafeteria nova?
Are you up for trying a new café? (casual)
Se você estiver a fim, podemos estudar juntos.
If you feel like it, we can study together.
Hoje não estou a fim; podemos deixar para amanhã?
I’m not in the mood today; can we leave it for tomorrow?
Put it into practice
Estar a fim de is an informal way to express a desire or interest. Keep de before a noun or infinitive, and use context when a person is the focus because the phrase may suggest romantic interest.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Are you up for trying a new café? (casual)”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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