Ao Contrário vs. Pelo Contrário: Correct a Contrast in Portuguese
Ao contrário often describes an opposite arrangement; pelo contrário corrects or rejects the idea just mentioned.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Ao contrário means the opposite way, in reverse, or contrary to what is expected. It often describes how something is arranged or how someone acted.
Use ao contrário to describe an opposite way or order
The expression can modify an action or start a sentence that names the opposite situation.
Você abriu a caixa ao contrário.
You opened the box upside down / the wrong way around.
O elevador desceu; ao contrário do que eu esperava, não subiu.
The elevator went down; contrary to what I expected, it did not go up.
Use pelo contrário to reject a previous idea
Pelo contrário means on the contrary. Use it when you want to say that the previous assumption is wrong and offer the opposite information. The following clause should correct the point that came before.
It often follows a negative statement: Não achei difícil. Pelo contrário, achei bem simples (I didn't find it difficult. On the contrary, I found it quite simple).
Ela não está cansada. Pelo contrário, quer continuar a caminhada.
She isn't tired. On the contrary, she wants to continue the walk.
O curso não ficou mais complicado; pelo contrário, ficou mais claro.
The course did not get more complicated; on the contrary, it became clearer.
Choose based on whether you mean direction or correction
Ask yourself whether you are describing a reversed direction or correcting an earlier statement. If you are correcting an assumption, pelo contrário is usually the clearer choice.
For a gentler comparison between two perspectives, por outro lado may fit better than either expression.
A placa está virada ao contrário.
The sign is facing the wrong way.
Não quero desistir. Pelo contrário, vou tentar outra vez.
I don't want to give up. On the contrary, I'll try again.
Put it into practice
Use ao contrário for an opposite or reversed arrangement and pelo contrário to correct the idea that came before.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I don't want to give up. On the contrary, I'll try again”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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