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Using 'dar' for actions and events

In Portuguese, the verb dar literally translates as to give. You use it when you hand a physical object to someone, like a book or an apple. However, Portuguese also relies on dar as a very flexible verb. This means it often pairs with a noun to describe performing an action, even when no physical giving takes place.

English speakers frequently trip over these expressions because the direct translation feels wrong. Where English uses verbs like take, have, or throw, Portuguese prefers dar. You do not take a walk, you give a walk. You do not have a look, you give a look. Learning these fixed phrases will make your Portuguese sound much more natural.

Word list
festafA1 party dar uma festa = to throw a party beijomA2 kiss dar um beijo = to give a kiss passomA2 step dar um passo = to take a step abraçomB1 hug dar um abraço = to give a hug chutemB1 kick dar um chute = to kick dar banhoB1 to bathe dar banho no bebê = to give the baby a bath dar descargaB1 to flush dar a descarga = to flush the toilet dar meia-voltaB1 to turn around dar meia-volta = to turn around dar um passeioB1 to take a walk dar um passeio = to take a walk dar um pontapéB1 to kick dar um pontapé = to kick with the foot dar uma caminhadaB1 to take a walk dar uma caminhada = to take a walk dar uma olhadaB1 to glance dar uma olhada = to have a look dar uma olhadelaB1 to glance dar uma olhadela = to have a quick look dar uma voltaB1 to take a walk dar uma volta = to take a walk espirromB1 sneeze dar um espirro = to sneeze golpemB1 hit dar um golpe = to strike a blow gritomB1 shout dar um grito = to let out a shout pulomB1 jump dar um pulo = to jump risadafB1 laugh dar uma risada = to laugh saltomB1 jump dar um salto = to take a leap sorrisomB1 smile dar um sorriso = to give a smile bocejomB2 yawn dar um bocejo = to let out a yawn dar à luzB2 to give birth dar à luz = to give birth dar entradaB2 to check in dar entrada no hotel = to check in at the hotel dar os parabénsB2 to congratulate dar os parabéns a alguém = to congratulate someone dar um sustoB2 to scare dar um susto em alguém = to give someone a scare dar uma vista de olhosB2 to glance dar uma vista de olhos em = to have a look at suspiromB2 sigh dar um suspiro = to let out a sigh dar de ombrosC1 to shrug dar de ombros = to shrug soluçomC1 sob dar um soluço = to let out a sob
When English uses take, have, or throw

One of the most common ways you will see this quirk is in the construction dar followed by um or uma and a noun describing an action. When you perform a brief or specific action, dar carries the weight of the sentence.

For example, to take a walk is dar uma volta or dar um passeio. To take a step is dar um passo. To have a look at something is dar uma olhada. Even throwing a party follows this rule with the expression dar uma festa.

Vamos dar uma volta pelo parque no domingo.
(Let's take a walk through the park on Sunday.)
Posso dar uma olhada no seu jornal?
(Can I have a look at your newspaper?)
O bebê deu um passo e depois caiu.
(The baby took a step and then fell.)
Meus vizinhos vão dar uma festa amanhã.
(My neighbors are going to throw a party tomorrow.)
Replacing a single action verb

Sometimes, Portuguese uses dar plus a noun to replace what would simply be a single verb in English. This usually happens with sudden sounds or physical actions. For instance, to kick is dar um chute. To shout is dar um grito. To laugh or let out a laugh is dar uma risada.

O jogador de futebol deu um chute muito forte.
(The soccer player gave a very strong kick.)
Ela se assustou e deu um grito.
(She got scared and let out a shout.)
O menino deu uma risada quando viu o palhaço.
(The boy laughed when he saw the clown.)
Unpredictable expressions and direct matches

It is worth noting that sometimes the Portuguese usage matches English perfectly. You can literally give a kiss (dar um beijo) or give a hug (dar um abraço).

However, you must watch out for expressions where dar forms a completely unpredictable expression. These are phrases where the combination of words creates a meaning you could not guess from the individual parts. Two classic examples are dar de ombros (to shrug) and dar à luz (to give birth).

Eu queria dar um abraço na minha mãe.
(I wanted to give my mother a hug.)
A mulher vai dar à luz no hospital esta noite.
(The woman is going to give birth in the hospital tonight.)
Ele não sabia a resposta, então apenas deu de ombros.
(He didn't know the answer, so he just shrugged.)
Summary

As a rule of thumb, whenever English uses verbs like take, have, make, or throw followed by a noun to describe a quick action, Portuguese likely uses the verb dar. Memorizing these fixed expressions is a great step toward fluency.