Ainda por Cima: Add ‘On Top of That’ in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use ainda por cima to add another detail
Ainda por cima means “on top of that” or “to make matters worse.” It adds a second fact to a situation already described. The added fact often makes the situation more difficult, surprising, or frustrating, but context and tone determine the effect.
The phrase can introduce a new clause or appear inside it. Because it often carries emphasis, it is stronger and more conversational than simply listing another neutral point.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O ônibus atrasou e, ainda por cima, começou a chover. | The bus was late and, on top of that, it started raining. |
| Ela chegou atrasada e ainda por cima esqueceu os documentos. | She arrived late and, to make matters worse, forgot the documents. |
| O apartamento é pequeno e ainda por cima fica longe do metrô. | The apartment is small and, on top of that, it’s far from the metro. |
Compare ainda por cima with além disso
Além disso means “besides” or “in addition” and is more neutral. Ainda por cima often highlights an extra factor that intensifies the situation. Choose the connector that matches the tone you want.
Do not translate the words one by one as “still on top.” Learn ainda por cima as a complete connector and notice what detail the speaker is adding.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O hotel é bem localizado. Além disso, o café da manhã está incluído. | The hotel is well located. In addition, breakfast is included. |
| Perdi a chave e, ainda por cima, meu celular ficou sem bateria. | I lost my key and, on top of that, my phone battery died. |
| Além disso, precisamos confirmar o endereço. | Besides, we need to confirm the address. |
Remember: Use ainda por cima to emphasize an extra complication or notable detail; choose além disso for a more neutral addition.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
The bus was late and, on top of that, it started raining.
Show a Portuguese answer
O ônibus atrasou e, ainda por cima, começou a chover.
She arrived late and, to make matters worse, forgot the documents.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela chegou atrasada e ainda por cima esqueceu os documentos.
The apartment is small and, on top of that, it’s far from the metro.
Show a Portuguese answer
O apartamento é pequeno e ainda por cima fica longe do metrô.
The hotel is well located. In addition, breakfast is included.
Show a Portuguese answer
O hotel é bem localizado. Além disso, o café da manhã está incluído.
I lost my key and, on top of that, my phone battery died.
Show a Portuguese answer
Perdi a chave e, ainda por cima, meu celular ficou sem bateria.
Besides, we need to confirm the address.
Show a Portuguese answer
Além disso, precisamos confirmar o endereço.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Use ainda por cima to emphasize an extra complication or notable detail; choose além disso for a more neutral addition.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Ainda por Cima: Add ‘On Top of That’ in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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