cobiçar

The Portuguese verb cobiçar is a powerful and evocative term that translates most directly to the English verb 'to covet' or 'to desire greedily.' While simple verbs like 'querer' (to want) or 'desejar' (to desire) describe a general state of wanting, cobiçar carries a much heavier emotional and moral weight. It implies a deep, intense, and often illicit longing for something that belongs to someone else or something that is considered a luxury or a position of high status. When you use cobiçar, you are not just saying you would like to have something; you are suggesting a level of yearning that might border on envy or obsession. This word is deeply rooted in the human experience of looking at the world and seeing things that spark a fire of acquisition within the soul.

Intensity of Desire

Cobiçar indicates a desire that is stronger than a mere preference. It is an active, often secret, yearning for possession.

Moral Connotation

In many contexts, cobiçar carries a negative or cautionary tone, suggesting that the desire might be unhealthy or unethical.

In everyday Brazilian and European Portuguese, you will encounter this word when people talk about wealth, power, beauty, or romantic interests. It is frequently used in literature, journalism, and religious contexts. For instance, a journalist might write about how several politicians 'cobiçam' a specific high-ranking seat in the government. In a more personal sense, someone might 'cobiçar' the lifestyle of a celebrity they follow on social media. The word captures that specific moment of looking at an object or a situation and feeling a profound sense of 'I must have that for myself.' It is the internal engine of consumerism and ambition, for better or worse.

Furthermore, the word is used to describe the appeal of an object. If a new smartphone is released and everyone wants it, we can say it is an 'objeto cobiçado' (a coveted object). This usage shifts the focus from the person desiring to the quality of the item being desired. It suggests that the item has a magnetic pull that attracts the attention and greed of many. Understanding cobiçar requires understanding the social dynamics of status and possession in Lusophone cultures, where the display of success is often met with both admiration and this specific type of intense desire from others.

Historically, the word has strong religious ties, appearing in the Ten Commandments as 'Não cobiçarás a mulher do próximo' (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife). This religious foundation has cemented the word's place in the language as something that touches on the fundamental human struggle between contentment and greed. When you use this word, you are tapping into centuries of moral philosophy regarding what it means to want what is not yours. It is a word that describes a movement of the heart toward the external world of things and status.

Object of Desire

The grammatical object of cobiçar is usually something tangible (money, a house) or a position of power (a job, a title).

In summary, cobiçar is more than just wanting. It is a verb of intensity, ambition, and sometimes transgression. It describes the human tendency to fixate on the possessions, qualities, or successes of others and wish to make them our own. Whether used in a sermon about the dangers of greed or in a business article about a highly sought-after market share, cobiçar remains one of the most expressive ways to describe the pull of desire in the Portuguese language.

Using cobiçar correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a transitive direct verb. This means it typically takes a direct object without the need for a preposition. You cobiçar *something* or *someone*. The structure is straightforward: [Subject] + [Conjugated form of cobiçar] + [Direct Object]. For example, 'Ele cobiça a fama' (He covets fame). Unlike some other verbs of emotion that might require 'de' or 'por', cobiçar points directly at the target of the desire.

It is essential to conjugate it as a regular '-ar' verb. In the present tense, it follows the pattern: eu cobiço, tu cobiças, ele/ela cobiça, nós cobiçamos, vós cobiçais, eles/elas cobiçam. In the past tense (pretérito perfeito), it remains regular: eu cobiçei, você cobiçou, etc. This regularity makes it easier for learners to integrate into their speech once they understand the meaning. However, the nuance lies in the context. You wouldn't usually use cobiçar for something mundane like a glass of water unless you were being hyperbolic or poetic. It is reserved for things that have a perceived high value or significance.

Direct Objects

Common objects include: riqueza (wealth), poder (power), sucesso (success), beleza (beauty), and bens materiais (material goods).

Passive Voice

It is very common to see the past participle used as an adjective: 'um cargo muito cobiçado' (a very coveted position).

When using cobiçar in more complex sentences, you can pair it with adverbs to emphasize the intensity of the feeling. 'Ele cobiçava secretamente a fortuna do tio' (He secretly coveted his uncle's fortune). The use of 'secretamente' highlights that cobiça is often an internal, hidden emotion because society generally views it as a negative trait. You can also use it in the conditional to express a hypothetical desire: 'Quem não cobiçaria uma viagem ao redor do mundo?' (Who wouldn't covet a trip around the world?). Here, the verb is used to suggest that the object is so desirable that wanting it is a universal human reaction.

In literary contexts, cobiçar can be used to describe a more abstract yearning for knowledge or spiritual enlightenment, though this is less common than its material usage. For example, 'O sábio cobiçava a verdade acima de todas as coisas' (The wise man coveted truth above all things). This elevates the verb, stripping away the negative connotation of greed and replacing it with a noble, intense pursuit. However, in most modern conversations, the word will lean toward the material or the social. If you hear someone say 'Ela cobiça o meu lugar', they are likely expressing a feeling of being threatened by someone else's ambition for their position.

Finally, consider the difference between 'cobiçar' and 'invejar' (to envy). While they are related, cobiçar focuses on the *desire for the object*, whereas invejar focuses on the *feeling toward the person* who has the object. You cobiçar the car; you invejar the neighbor who owns the car. This distinction is subtle but important for high-level Portuguese proficiency. By mastering cobiçar, you gain a tool to describe the complex intersections of desire, ambition, and social competition in a way that 'querer' simply cannot manage.

The word cobiçar might seem a bit formal or literary at first glance, but it is surprisingly common in various real-world scenarios across the Portuguese-speaking world. One of the most frequent places you will encounter it is in the media, specifically in business and entertainment news. Headlines often use the adjective form 'cobiçado' to describe high-profile job openings, prestigious awards, or luxury real estate. For example, 'O Oscar é o prêmio mais cobiçado do cinema' (The Oscar is the most coveted prize in cinema). This usage is neutral and serves to highlight the value and desirability of the subject.

Another major arena for this word is in 'telenovelas' (soap operas), which are a massive part of Brazilian and Portuguese culture. In these dramas, the plot often revolves around characters who cobiçam the wealth, partners, or social standing of others. Here, the word is used with its full emotional and often villainous weight. You might hear a character say, 'Você sempre cobiçou o que era meu!' (You always coveted what was mine!). In this context, cobiçar is a word of conflict, betrayal, and deep-seated resentment. It adds a layer of dramatic intensity that fits the heightened reality of soap operas perfectly.

News & Media

Used to describe high-value items, market positions, or prestigious awards that many people want to obtain.

Religious Contexts

Heard in sermons, Bible studies, and moral discussions regarding the sin of greed and the tenth commandment.

In religious and moralistic settings, cobiçar is a staple. Because it appears in the Ten Commandments, it is a word that every Portuguese speaker learns early on in a moral context. Priests and pastors use it to discuss the dangers of materialism and the importance of being satisfied with what one has. It isn't just a word for 'wanting'; it's a word for a spiritual state of unrest. Even for non-religious people, this cultural background gives the word a sense of 'forbidden fruit' or 'wrongful desire' that other verbs of wanting lack. It is the language of temptation.

In the workplace, you might hear cobiçar used in a more competitive but less 'sinful' way. Colleagues might talk about a 'vaga cobiçada' (a coveted vacancy) or how a particular department is 'cobiçado' because of its prestige or benefits. In this sense, it becomes a synonym for 'highly sought after.' It describes the collective desire of a group for a limited resource. When a company launches a product that everyone wants, marketing experts might describe it as a 'produto cobiçado pelo mercado.' This usage is very common in LinkedIn posts, business magazines, and corporate meetings where strategy and market appeal are discussed.

Finally, in literature and classical music (specifically Fado or older Brazilian songs), cobiçar appears as a way to describe romantic longing that is perhaps unrequited or socially difficult. A poet might write about 'cobiçar um beijo' (coveting a kiss). Here, the word adds a sense of desperation and intensity to the romance. It suggests that the kiss is not just wanted, but seen as a precious, almost unattainable prize. Whether in a high-stakes business deal, a dramatic scene in a soap opera, or a classic poem, cobiçar is the word Portuguese speakers turn to when they want to describe a desire that is powerful, focused, and deeply felt.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using cobiçar is treating it as a synonym for 'querer' (to want) in every situation. While both involve desire, they are not interchangeable. Using cobiçar for a simple, everyday desire like wanting a coffee or wanting to go for a walk sounds very strange and overly dramatic to a native speaker. You would only 'cobiçar' the coffee if it were the last cup on earth and you were looking at it with intense, greedy eyes. The mistake here is one of register and intensity; cobiçar should be reserved for objects of significant value or situations involving envy and ambition.

Another common error involves the use of prepositions. In English, we 'covet something,' and in Portuguese, we 'cobiçam algo.' However, many learners mistakenly add prepositions like 'por' or 'de' because other verbs of desire like 'ansiar por' (to long for) or 'gostar de' (to like) require them. Remember that cobiçar is a transitive direct verb. Adding a preposition makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. It is not 'Ele cobiça pelo carro,' but simply 'Ele cobiça o carro.' This is a structural mistake that can easily be avoided by remembering the verb's direct relationship with its object.

Preposition Pitfall

Never use 'de', 'por', or 'em' after cobiçar. It takes a direct object immediately.

Confusion with Invejar

Don't confuse the desire for an object (cobiçar) with the ill-will toward a person (invejar).

The confusion between 'cobiçar' and 'invejar' is a subtle mistake that even intermediate learners often make. As mentioned before, cobiçar is about the object. Invejar is about the person. If you say 'Eu cobiço você,' it sounds like you want to possess the person like an object, which can have a very creepy or overly sexualized connotation. If you want to say you are envious of someone's qualities or life, 'invejar' is the correct choice. Using cobiçar in a personal context requires careful handling to avoid sounding like you are objectifying the person you are talking to.

A final mistake involves the spelling and pronunciation of the 'ç'. Some learners forget the cedilha and write 'cobicar', which would change the pronunciation to a hard 'k' sound (like 'ko-bee-kar'), making the word unrecognizable. The 'ç' ensures the soft 's' sound ('ko-bee-sar'). Additionally, ensure you don't confuse it with 'cobiçoso' (the adjective for a greedy person). While related, they serve different grammatical functions. Saying 'Ele é cobiçar' instead of 'Ele é cobiçoso' is a common confusion between the verb and the adjective forms. Pay close attention to these endings to ensure your Portuguese remains precise and natural.

By avoiding these common pitfalls—overuse in mundane contexts, adding unnecessary prepositions, confusing it with envy of people, and spelling errors—you will be able to use cobiçar with the same nuance and impact as a native speaker. It is a word that, when used correctly, adds a layer of sophistication and emotional depth to your Portuguese vocabulary, allowing you to describe the more intense and complex sides of human desire.

While cobiçar is a unique and powerful word, there are several alternatives and synonyms that you can use depending on the level of intensity and the specific context you want to convey. Understanding the subtle differences between these words is key to reaching an advanced level of Portuguese. The most common alternative is 'desejar' (to desire). Desejar is more neutral and can be used for both small and large desires. It doesn't necessarily imply greed or that the object belongs to someone else. If you want to say you desire success without the negative baggage of 'cobiça', desejar is your best bet.

Desejar

General desire. Neutral. Used for everything from food to life goals. 'Desejo-te o melhor' (I wish you the best).

Ambicionar

To be ambitious for. Usually used for careers, status, or achievements. More positive than cobiçar. 'Ele ambiciona ser presidente'.

Another important synonym is 'almejar'. This is a more formal and often more positive word. It means to long for or to aim for something high and noble. While cobiçar might imply wanting someone else's house, almejar implies working hard to achieve a goal like 'almejar a paz mundial' (to long for world peace) or 'almejar o sucesso profissional' (to aim for professional success). It carries a sense of aspiration rather than just greed. If you are writing a cover letter or a formal essay, almejar is often a more appropriate choice than the potentially negative cobiçar.

For a more literary or poetic feel, you might encounter 'anelar'. This word describes a desire so strong it almost makes you breathless. It is frequently used in poetry and older literature to describe a yearning for love, freedom, or a lost homeland. It is much more romantic and less materialistic than cobiçar. On the other end of the spectrum, you have 'querer' (to want), which is the most basic and common verb. Querer is the workhorse of the language, used in almost every situation. If you are ever in doubt, querer is always safe, though it lacks the specific 'greedy' nuance of cobiçar.

In some contexts, you might use 'pretender' (to intend/to aim for). While it literally means to intend, in the context of a job or a prize, it can overlap with cobiçar. 'Ele pretende o cargo de gerente' means he is aiming for the manager position. It is more about the intention and the plan to get there, whereas cobiçar is more about the internal feeling of wanting it. Finally, 'invejar' (to envy) is the closest emotional relative to cobiçar. As discussed, use invejar when the focus is on the person you are jealous of, and cobiçar when the focus is on the thing they have that you want.

By learning these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to the exact emotion and social situation you are in. You can choose to be aspirational (almejar), ambitious (ambicionar), romantic (anelar), or bluntly describe greed (cobiçar). This variety is what makes Portuguese such a rich and expressive language for describing the internal world of human feelings and motivations.