Como digo em inglês: Eu me acostumei, agora estou acostumada

By Ana | Podcast Inglês Online

Feb 09
Como digo em inglês Eu me acostumei, agora estou acostumada

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Hoje no podcast eu falo sobre being used to something e getting used to something.

Transcrição

Hi, how are you? This is another episode of the Inglesonline podcast. To listen to and download previous episodes and transcripts, go to inglesonline.com.br and click Inglesonline podcast.

Ok, so, every once in a while I get an email from a reader with this question: What’s the difference between ‘be used to’ and ‘get used to’? I wrote a short tip about that two years ago, but I thought it would be great to do a podcast with more examples on being used to something, and getting used to something. And, just to clarify, before we begin… I’m not going to talk about I used to do this or that when I was a child… “I used to do this” describes the past; it’s something you did repeatedly at some point in your life.

So today, I’m not gonna talk about stuff I used to do when I was a child, or stuff my friends used to do when they were in school, no. I’m gonna talk about being used to something, or being used to doing something. For example, I’m used to warm weather. I think most of you guys are too. We’re used to warm weather, we’re accustomed to warm weather. Warm weather is familiar to us. Most of us live in a tropical country, so we’re used to warm weather. I’m not very used to really cold weather.

Here’s another example of something I’m used to. Actually, here’s another example of something I’m used to doing: I’m used to working from home now. A few years ago, when I started working from home… It felt strange, you know? I mean, my home was the place where I watched TV, where I slept, where I had dinner…. So it felt strange when I began working from home. But over the years, I got used to working from home. I got used to working from home. What does that mean? I got used to working from home means… Eu me acostumei a trabalhar em casa. I got used to working from home. So nowadays I’m used to working from home. I’m used to working from home – in Portuguese we say Eu tô acostumada a trabalhar em casa.

So here are a few more examples with being used to something and getting used to something:

  • My friend Fernando is Brazilian. He grew up in Brazil and he lived here his entire life. Until last year, that is. Last year, he moved to England. The thing is, in Brazil we drive on the right side of the road, right? In England, it’s the opposite: people drive on the left side of the road. Fernando had a hard time with that. He was very careful in the beginning, but after a year driving on the left side, he got used to it. He got used to driving on the left side. Nowadays, he is used to driving on the left side.
  • My sister lived in São Paulo all her life, and then a few years ago she moved to Italy. She actually moved to a very small town in Italy. In São Paulo, my sister was used to the traffic, to the noise, to the shopping malls, to the bars and restaurants. So when she moved to this small Italian town, everything changed. People there have a different way of life, there aren’t many places to go, there isn’t a lot to do, and in the beginning, my sister wasn’t used to it. But, over the years, she got used to this new way of life. She made new friends, she found interesting things to do, and she got used to it. So nowadays, she is used to this new way of life.
  • And here’s one more example: a new restaurant opened in my neighborhood some time ago. Actually this restaurant is right across the street from my building. And guess what? This restaurant is always busy, always crowded and it stays open until one or two in the morning every night. I remember in the beginning I couldn’t sleep because it was so noisy. I wasn’t used to all that noise. At one point though, I got used to the noise because I was so tired at night. So eventually I got used to the noise and went back to sleeping like a baby. Now, I’m used to all that noise. When I’m really tired, I can’t even hear the noise! I’m so used to it.

OK, that’s it for today! Tell us in the comments about something that felt strange at first, and then, overtime, you got used to. Tell us. Talk to you next time.

Key expressions

  • be used to something (or be used to doing something)
  • get used to something (or get used to doing something)

Glossary

it felt strange = era estranho

right across the street from my building = do outro lado da rua, bem na frente do meu prédio

at one point though = mas chegou uma hora

Ana
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André Luis 16/01/2013

Hi, everyone! A few years ago if I had to read a text or book in english, I don’t even try because I wasn’t used to. I thought it was very difficult. But over years I figured it’s very easy and intuitive. I got used to read texts in english. But I’ve difficulty in write and speak yet.

Wallace Rodrigo 21/03/2011

I’ve enjoyed a lot this tip, Ana. I always listen to your podcasts and understand almost everything. You speak clearly. A while ago, I wasn’t used to understand anything, but I am used with idiom for about 60% or more, today. Your tips and podcasts help us a lot each day. Thank you very much!

Marleide Monteiro 23/02/2011

This podcast is perfect. I´ve learnig very much with them. I loved it! Everyday I see https://www.inglesonline.com.br. It´s amazing.
Congratulations.

suely 17/02/2011

preciso aprender mais pode me ajudar.

Ana Luiza 16/02/2011

Hi all!

As always, I’m enjoying reading your comments and examples of stuff you’re used to doing and stuff you got used to doing.

@Rogerio Batalha: glad to hear you’re getting the hang of it!

@Luciano: you + my sister had opposite experiences. We usually end up getting used to life in a new city, right? Just give it some time…

Luciano Buzzacaro 16/02/2011

Hi Ana
terrific podcast again! Congratulations! You’ve a increadible voice.

Ok, let’s start at start. My experience was I lived in small village all my life. For years ago I moved to Curitiba. Curitiba have about two million people. Was a strange sense because the streets and avenues are a lot of people. People have here diferent way of life. The streets are congested traffic and noisy. It’s crazy life!
So nowadays, I am used to this new way of life. I like it!

George 16/02/2011

Hi, I’m new here.
Well, I’m drummer. When I started to play drums my hands and fingers ached but now I’m use to it!

It’s amazing trading experiences with you guys!

Guilherme 15/02/2011

Hey Ana! Congratulations for this Podcast.
I always come to your site and never get tired because the content is just amazing, to me is the best and most comprehensive site for those interested in English language.

Thanks !

Veronica 13/02/2011

Thanks a lot! This post was so perfect! Your podcast helps me a lot improving my English! *—-*

Daniel 13/02/2011

Hi, now i´m a listener of yours.
I got used to listen to podcast when I read your tips about how to learn English by listening podcasts. Actually I can say “I´m used to download and listen to different podcasts and get my knowledge better!

Carlos 13/02/2011

I usually work at night.I’m used to working at night,but in the very beginning it felt so strange when I began working at night…next day I was completely destroyed,but over the years I got used to working at night,nowadays I’m used to working at night.

ana sousa 12/02/2011

muito util, envie-me sempre

NILZA 11/02/2011

I always lived in Tijuca. Five years ago, I moved to Copacabana, but I didn’t like it.
Nowadays I Love it a lot, because I’m used to living here.

Susan 11/02/2011

One year ago i moved to Spain , in the beginning all was strange to me , the language , the food,i was not used with it .The people seemed so cold,maybe different but now i got used with them and with the way to live here.I dont have idea how will be my life when i come back to Brazil again.

Rogerio Batalha 10/02/2011

Hi Ana,

When I bought my first notebook, I had a huge difficulty to use it because I was used to using mouse, but after a few weeks I started to get a hang of it and today I’m completely used to it. Now I have to get used to using my new Ipad.

Vera Abreu 10/02/2011

Dear Teacher.

I got used to read your Pdcast, So nowadays I used to read every day.
Thanks for help us with your tips.
Vera Abreu.

Camila 10/02/2011

I’m used to go to the bed until 10 pm. A few years ago, when I studied at night I used to go to the bed after 11 pm, but nowadays I got used to go to the bed early.

Ana, please correct me if I wrote something wrong. This is important to me, I want to improve my English each day.

    Vania 12/01/2013

    Firstly, I’d like to thanks for the help on the grammar. It really helps a lot improving my English. At the beginning, I felt confuse but not any more. I have to say ‘I am used to watching my favorite TV series at night ‘ (for a habit in the present), “I used to watch my favorite TV series at night”( for the past) and finally, “I got used to watching my favorite TV series since then.” ( like to be used to do something that I was not before).
    Is that right?

amanda 10/02/2011

quero curso d ingles

Rogério 09/02/2011

you have a sexy voice ! i liked it

Vanessa Lima Buiatte 09/02/2011

Really usefull tips! Thnks a lot!

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