Tampouco vs. Tão Pouco: Neither or So Little — Practice

Use tampouco to add another negative

Tampouco means ‘neither,’ ‘nor,’ or ‘not either.’ It adds a second negative idea to one already present, often translating English ‘either’ in a negative sentence. It is one word and tends to sound more formal than também não in casual conversation.

Tampouco does not usually need another não immediately before it. In a sequence, it links a new negative fact or preference to the previous one.

Use tão pouco to describe a small amount

Tão pouco is two words: tão modifies pouco and means ‘so little’ or ‘such a small amount.’ It can describe time, money, food, or effort. The word pouco may change form when it modifies a feminine or plural noun: tão pouca água, tão poucos dias.

If you can replace the phrase with muito pouco, write tão pouco as two words. Unlike tampouco, it is not a negative connector by itself.

Remember: Tampouco adds a negative meaning like ‘neither’ or ‘not either.’ Tão pouco describes a small amount or degree.

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.

1. I don’t know the city, and I don’t know how to get to the hotel either.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não conheço a cidade e tampouco sei chegar ao hotel.

2. She didn’t confirm the time; I didn’t receive a message either.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela não confirmou o horário; eu tampouco recebi uma mensagem.

3. I don’t want coffee or tea either.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não quero café, tampouco chá.

4. I slept so little that I’m tired.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Dormi tão pouco que estou cansado.

5. We have so little time before the flight.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Temos tão pouco tempo antes do voo.

6. She spent so little energy on that task.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela gastou tão pouca energia nessa tarefa.

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.

Tampouco adds a negative meaning like ‘neither’ or ‘not either.’ Tão pouco describes a small amount or degree.

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 Tampouco vs. Tão Pouco: Neither or So Little? 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.