Check and avoid the following errors of Portuguese whether writing a simple email, a corporate letter or a translation project from English to Portuguese. Confusing these words is more common than you think. Something that happens in a professional context can tarnish our reputation.
Travel (Viajem or viagem) This word (written with “j”) is a form of the verb travel. Thus, this word can either be the 3rd person of the plural of the imperative (“Travel, please!”) or it can also be the 3rd person of the plural of the present conjunctive (“Let them travel”). Examples: “Travel early to avoid rush-hour traffic.” Or “That they travel safely, that’s what I wish.” Trip (Viagem) this word (written with “g”) is a noun, which refers to a journey or movement from one point to another. Examples: “Have a good trip! Or “I just got here from a trip can I call you back later?” Or “It was a great trip. Now I need to sleep!”
Bother (Encomodar or incomodar) This word encomodar does not exist in the Portuguese language, so using it in the course of professional duties can ruin our credibility. Therefore, you should not use “encomodar”, but we know that this often happens both in written and verbal discourse. The word incomodar is a word that comes from the Latin incommodāre, this being a transitive verb whose meaning is to annoy someone; to upset someone, to disturb someone, to burden someone. As a pronominal verb, to bother also means to get annoyed, to get angry, to get afflicted. Example: “Boss, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you, but I need to talk to you.”
“Vehicles are one of the best modes of transportation. Relationships are one of the best vehicles of transformation.”
― Kate McGahan
Hurry (Apressar or Apreçar) The word apreçar from the Latin appretiare, meaning “to evaluate”. To appreciate, as a transitive verb, means to inquire or adjust the price of something. It also means to evaluate, to estimate. In appreciating, we are defining the price of a thing or something, meaning still to negotiate or estimate that price. We can price products, but also goods or other things. Apressar from a+press+ar. Give something or someone a rush. Make something or someone faster. Push. Accelerate. Therefore, hurry is a word that refers to the act of making something happen faster. We can rush the pace to move faster and get there early. We can hurry up the work so that we can complete our tasks still today.
City Councilor (Variador or Vereador) Vareador e Veriador are words that do not exist in the Portuguese language. Variodor is an adjective for something or someone that allows for variation. It is a male name; it can also be the device used to control the speed of an induction motor. Vereador is the person you worship. Term that identifies each of the elements elected to constitute the City Council. Councillor is also the body responsible for managing the administrative services of a municipality, a city hall. So the right word to identify the political office is ” town councilor “.
“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead. Walk beside me… just be my friend.”