At the A1 level, you should think of desequilibrar as a word about movement and physical objects. It is the opposite of 'equilibrar' (to balance). Imagine you have a glass of water on a table and you push the table; the glass might lose its balance. That is desequilibrar. You will mostly use this word when talking about falling or almost falling. For example, 'Eu me desequilibrei' means 'I lost my balance.' This is very useful when you are learning to describe physical actions or accidents. At this stage, don't worry about the complex emotional meanings. Just focus on the physical act of things or people becoming 'un-balanced.' Remember to use the 'me' (myself) when you are the one who is wobbling. It's a long word, so practice saying it slowly: des-e-qui-li-brar. The 'qui' sounds like 'key' in English. If you see a child playing on a bicycle and they are about to fall, you might use this word to describe what is happening to their balance. It is a fundamental word for describing the physical world around you.
At the A2 level, you can start using desequilibrar in slightly more varied contexts, like simple daily routines or health. You might hear it when talking about carrying heavy bags or walking on uneven ground. 'As sacolas pesadas me desequilibraram' (The heavy bags unbalanced me). You can also use it to describe simple emotional reactions, like when a loud noise surprises you and makes you lose your focus. It's important to start noticing the difference between the verb (desequilibrar) and the adjective (desequilibrado). If something is 'desequilibrado,' it means it is not stable right now. You can use this for a table with one short leg: 'Esta mesa está desequilibrada.' In A2, you are building your vocabulary to describe your environment more accurately, and desequilibrar helps you explain why things are not steady. You should also be comfortable with the past tense: 'Ontem, eu me desequilibrei na rua' (Yesterday, I lost my balance in the street). This allows you to recount simple stories about your day.
At the B1 level, you are ready to use desequilibrar in more abstract and professional ways. This is where the word becomes very interesting, especially in the context of sports and work. In Brazil and Portugal, if you are watching a football match, you will hear that a great player can 'desequilibrar o jogo.' This means they are so good that they break the balance between the two teams and create a winning chance. You can also use it for your personal finances: 'Uma conta inesperada pode desequilibrar o meu orçamento' (An unexpected bill can unbalance my budget). At this level, you should be able to use the word to describe how one factor affects another. It's not just about falling down anymore; it's about how a small change can have a big impact on a system. You can also use it to talk about emotional stability in a more nuanced way, like how stress at work can 'desequilibrar a vida familiar' (unbalance family life). This shows you can handle complex topics using more sophisticated vocabulary.
At the B2 level, desequilibrar becomes a key tool for discussing social, economic, and political issues. You will use it to describe how new laws, market shifts, or social movements can 'destabilize' or 'unbalance' the status quo. For example, 'A nova política pode desequilibrar as relações diplomáticas' (The new policy can unbalance diplomatic relations). You should be able to use it fluently in debates and written essays to explain cause-and-effect relationships in complex systems. You will also encounter it in literature and high-level journalism, where it might describe a character's psychological journey or the shifting power dynamics in a story. At this stage, you should also be very comfortable with its reflexive and passive forms, and understand the subtle difference between desequilibrar and synonyms like 'destabilizar' or 'abalar.' You are now using the word to describe the delicate 'balance of power' or the 'balance of nature' (o equilíbrio da natureza) and how humans or events can disrupt it.
At the C1 level, your use of desequilibrar should reflect a deep understanding of its stylistic and metaphorical potential. You can use it to describe subtle psychological manipulations or the intricate ways in which an author might 'desequilibrar a narrativa' to keep the reader on edge. It's about the intentional disruption of harmony or expectation. In a professional or academic setting, you might use it to describe how a specific variable 'desequilibra a amostra' (unbalances the sample) in a scientific study. You are sensitive to the word's weight and can use it to create precise, evocative descriptions. For instance, describing a piece of music that 'desequilibra os sentidos' (unbalances the senses) implies a profound, perhaps unsettling, aesthetic experience. Your vocabulary is now rich enough to choose desequilibrar over simpler words to convey a specific sense of lost equilibrium, whether in a philosophical argument, a complex financial analysis, or a sophisticated piece of creative writing.
At the C2 level, you master desequilibrar as a versatile instrument of expression, capable of conveying the most delicate shifts in thought, emotion, and structure. You understand its role in the grander scheme of Portuguese rhetoric, using it to describe the existential 'desequilíbrio' of the human condition or the systemic 'desequilíbrio' of global structures. You can use it with irony, metaphor, and precision in high-level discourse, whether you are analyzing the 'desequilíbrio de forças' in a historical conflict or the 'desequilíbrio estético' in a modern art installation. You are also fully aware of its etymological roots and its relationship to other words in the Romance family, allowing you to use it with a sense of historical and linguistic depth. At this level, the word is no longer just a verb; it is a concept you can manipulate to explore the boundaries of stability and chaos in any field of human endeavor, from quantum physics to abstract philosophy.

desequilibrar في 30 ثانية

  • To cause a loss of balance or stability in physical objects or people.
  • To act as a game-changer in sports or competitive situations.
  • To disrupt the organization or harmony of abstract systems like finance or emotions.
  • To lose one's own balance (when used reflexively as desequilibrar-se).

The Portuguese verb desequilibrar is a multifaceted term that primarily describes the action of causing something or someone to lose its balance, stability, or equilibrium. At its core, it is the direct opposite of 'equilibrar' (to balance). In a literal sense, you might use it when talking about a physical object, such as a ladder that is poorly placed or a person walking on a tightrope. However, its usage extends far beyond the physical realm into the emotional, financial, and competitive spheres of life. For English speakers, it translates most directly to 'to unbalance,' 'to destabilize,' or 'to upset the balance.' Understanding this word requires recognizing that it can be used both transitively (doing it to something else) and reflexively (losing one's own balance).

Physical Context
This is the most basic application. If you push a chair while someone is sitting on it, you might desequilibrar the chair. In construction or sports, maintaining balance is crucial, and any external force that disrupts this state is said to desequilibrar the system.

O vento forte acabou por desequilibrar o ciclista durante a descida da montanha.

Translation: The strong wind ended up unbalancing the cyclist during the mountain descent.
Competitive and Strategic Context
In the world of sports, particularly football (soccer), this word is used as a high compliment for a star player. A player who can desequilibrar o jogo is one who changes the dynamic of the match, breaks through the opponent's defense, and creates a decisive advantage that shifts the 'balance' of the game in their team's favor.

A entrada do novo atacante serviu para desequilibrar a defesa adversária, resultando em dois gols rápidos.

Furthermore, in economics and politics, desequilibrar refers to the disruption of a previously stable system. For instance, a sudden change in interest rates can desequilibrar as contas públicas (unbalance public accounts) or desequilibrar o mercado (destabilize the market). It implies a shift from a state of harmony or 'zero-sum' to a state of volatility and unpredictability. In social interactions, a provocative comment might desequilibrar an opponent in a debate, making them lose their composure and focus. The word carries a weight of suddenness and impact, suggesting that the change from balance to imbalance was noticeable and significant.

Emotional and Psychological Nuance
When someone is described as 'desequilibrado' (the past participle used as an adjective), it can mean they are mentally unstable or behaving erratically. Therefore, the act of desequilibrar someone mentally is to push them toward a state of confusion, anger, or irrationality.

As críticas constantes começaram a desequilibrar o seu estado emocional, afetando o seu rendimento no trabalho.

Não deixe que pequenos problemas consigam desequilibrar a sua paz interior hoje.

Using desequilibrar correctly involves understanding its grammatical transitivity. It is a regular '-ar' verb, making its conjugation predictable, but its application varies based on whether you are the cause of the imbalance or the one experiencing it. When acting as a transitive verb, it requires a direct object—the thing or person being unbalanced. For example, 'O peso extra vai desequilibrar a carga.' (The extra weight will unbalance the load). Here, the extra weight is the subject acting upon the load.

Transitive Usage (To Unbalance Something)
In this form, the verb describes an external force acting on a stable system. It is common in engineering, sports, and financial discussions. 'A notícia inesperada pode desequilibrar as negociações.' (The unexpected news might unbalance the negotiations).

Um pequeno erro de cálculo pode desequilibrar toda a estrutura do edifício.

Reflexive Usage (To Lose One's Balance)
When you add the reflexive pronoun 'se', the meaning shifts to the subject losing their own balance. 'Eu desequilibrei-me na escada.' (I lost my balance on the stairs). This is essential for describing accidents or moments of dizziness.

Ao tentar pegar o livro na prateleira alta, ela desequilibrou-se e quase caiu.

Consider the tense being used. In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), it often describes a completed action of falling or a specific event that ruined a plan: 'O aumento dos preços desequilibrou o orçamento mensal.' (The price increase unbalanced the monthly budget). In the future tense, it serves as a warning: 'Se você carregar tudo de um lado só, vai desequilibrar a sacola.' (If you carry everything on one side only, you will unbalance the bag). The word is also frequently used in the infinitive form after auxiliary verbs like 'pode' (can), 'vai' (will), or 'consegue' (manages to).

Using the Gerund
The gerund form 'desequilibrando' describes an ongoing process of destabilization. 'A inflação está desequilibrando a economia nacional.' (Inflation is unbalancing the national economy).

Ele está sempre desequilibrando as discussões com comentários sarcásticos e irrelevantes.

O jogador habilidoso continuava desequilibrando a partida com seus dribles rápidos.

In daily Brazilian and Portuguese life, you will encounter desequilibrar in several distinct environments. Perhaps the most frequent is in the world of sports media. Commentators on channels like Globo Esporte or SportTV use the term constantly. When a player like Vinícius Júnior or Neymar does something spectacular, they are said to be 'jogadores que desequilibram.' This doesn't mean they are literally falling; it means they are so good that they break the tactical balance of the opposing team. This usage has made the word synonymous with 'game-changer' in a sporting context.

News and Finance
In the 'Caderno de Economia' (Economy section) of newspapers like Folha de S.Paulo or Público, the word describes market volatility. You'll hear about how a 'crise política' (political crisis) can desequilibrar the exchange rate of the Real or the Euro. It suggests a move away from the 'meta' (goal) of stability.

'O novo imposto pode desequilibrar o setor industrial,' afirmou o analista financeiro na rádio.

In a medical or therapeutic setting, a doctor might ask if you feel like you are 'se desequilibrando' (losing your balance) when walking, which could indicate a problem with the inner ear or a neurological issue. In yoga or pilates classes, which are very popular in Brazil and Portugal, the instructor (instrutor) will frequently warn you not to desequilibrar during a difficult pose. They might say, 'Mantenha o foco para não se desequilibrar.' Here, the word is used in its most literal, physical sense, emphasizing the importance of core strength and concentration.

Politics and Debate
During political debates, if one candidate makes a particularly sharp retort that leaves the other speechless or flustered, political pundits might say that the comment 'desequilibrou o adversário.' This refers to the psychological advantage gained by disrupting the opponent's composure.

A revelação do escândalo serviu para desequilibrar a campanha do candidato favorito.

Cuidado para não desequilibrar a mesa ao colocar esse vaso pesado no canto.

Learning desequilibrar involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls. The first and most common mistake for English speakers is forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'se' when they mean 'I lost my balance.' If you say 'Eu desequilibrei na rua,' it sounds incomplete to a native ear, as if you unbalanced 'something' on the street. To say you personally stumbled or lost your footing, you must say 'Eu me desequilibrei' or 'Desequilibrei-me.' This distinction between transitive and reflexive use is a hallmark of European and Brazilian Portuguese grammar.

Confusing with 'Cair' (To Fall)
While desequilibrar often leads to falling, it is not the same as falling. Desequilibrar is the act of losing stability. You can desequilibrar-se and then recover without falling. Using 'caí' (I fell) when you only 'me desequilibrei' (I lost my balance) is a common oversimplification for learners.

Errado: Eu desequilibrei a escada (meaning I lost my balance on the ladder).
Correto: Eu me desequilibrei na escada.

Another mistake relates to the word's intensity. In its adjectival form, 'desequilibrado,' it is quite a strong term when applied to people. Calling someone 'desequilibrado' is much more serious than calling them 'upset' or 'stressed'; it implies they are mentally unstable or lack emotional control. Learners sometimes use it casually to mean 'I'm a bit stressed today,' which can lead to social awkwardness. Instead, for mild stress, use 'estressado' or 'nervoso.' Reserve desequilibrar for situations involving a significant loss of stability or a major disruption.

Spelling and Pronunciation
Because it is a long word, learners often trip over the 'qui' (pronounced 'kee') and the 'li' syllables. Ensure you emphasize the 'bra' in 'desequilibrar' (the stressed syllable in the infinitive). A common mistake is putting the stress on the 'li' or 'qui' syllables, which sounds unnatural.

Atenção: Não confunda desequilibrar com 'deslocar' (to dislocate/displace). Desequilibrar is about balance, not position.

Lembre-se: O prefixo 'des-' indica a inversão da ação de 'equilibrar'.

While desequilibrar is a powerful and specific verb, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker. If you are talking about physically shaking something or making it less steady, you might use 'abalar.' If you are talking about upsetting someone's peace or routine, 'transtornar' or 'perturbar' might be more appropriate. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' of instability.

Desequilibrar vs. Destabilizar
'Destabilizar' is very close in meaning and often used in political or economic contexts. However, desequilibrar is more common in sports and physical contexts. You would say a player desequilibra a game, but a scandal destabiliza a government. 'Destabilizar' feels slightly more formal and structural.

O escândalo serviu para destabilizar a confiança dos investidores no país.

Desequilibrar vs. Abalar
'Abalar' means to shake or to shock. While desequilibrar suggests a loss of balance, 'abalar' suggests a strong vibration or a deep emotional impact. 'A notícia abalou a família' means the news shocked them deeply, whereas 'A notícia desequilibrou a família' might mean it threw their organized life into chaos.

In more casual settings, particularly when talking about plans or schedules, you might use 'atrapalhar' (to hinder or mess up). For example, 'A chuva vai atrapalhar nossos planos' (The rain will mess up our plans). While desequilibrar could be used there, it would sound much more dramatic, as if the rain is causing a fundamental collapse of the plan's structure. For physical stumbling, 'tropeçar' (to trip) is a more specific action that often leads to desequilibrar-se. Understanding when to use the specific action (trip) versus the resulting state (unbalance) is key to fluency.

Desequilibrar vs. Transtornar
'Transtornar' is often used for emotional upheaval. If someone is 'transtornado,' they are extremely upset or agitated. Desequilibrar is the process of getting to that state, but 'transtornar' implies a more complete loss of emotional control.

O trânsito intenso acabou por transtornar todo o meu dia de trabalho.

O vento forte pode balançar o barco, mas raramente vai desequilibrá-lo totalmente.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The root 'libra' in 'equilibrium' refers to scales or pounds, the same root used for the zodiac sign Libra and the British Pound currency symbol (£).

دليل النطق

UK /dɨ.zɛ.ki.li.ˈβɾaɾ/
US /de.ze.ki.li.ˈbɾaɾ/
The stress is on the last syllable: 'brar'.
يتقافى مع
cantar falar andar chegar olhar pensar estudar trabalhar
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing the 'qui' as 'kwee' instead of 'kee'.
  • Putting the stress on the 'li' syllable instead of the 'brar' syllable.
  • Forgetting to voice the 's' as a 'z' sound.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'e' in 'des-'.
  • Failing to tap the 'r' in 'brar' correctly.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

The word is long but follows regular spelling and prefix patterns.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns and regular -ar verb conjugation.

التحدث 5/5

The multiple syllables and 'qui' sound can be a challenge for beginners.

الاستماع 3/5

Easily recognizable once the 'qui' and 'brar' sounds are mastered.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

equilibrar balança cair peso estável

تعلّم لاحقاً

destabilizar transtornar oscilar abalar compor

متقدم

homeostase volatilidade equanimidade contrapeso estática

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Reflexive verbs in Portuguese

Eu me desequilibrei (I unbalanced myself).

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Ele desequilibra, nós desequilibramos.

Placement of reflexive pronouns

Não se desequilibre (Don't unbalance yourself).

Using 'para' with the infinitive

Ele treina para não se desequilibrar.

Adverb formation from adjectives

Desequilibrado -> Desequilibradamente.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Eu me desequilibrei na cadeira.

I lost my balance on the chair.

Uses the reflexive 'me' because the person lost their own balance.

2

O vento pode desequilibrar a mesa.

The wind can unbalance the table.

Transitive use; the wind is the subject, the table is the object.

3

Cuidado para não se desequilibrar!

Be careful not to lose your balance!

Imperative-style warning with the reflexive 'se'.

4

A bola desequilibrou os copos.

The ball unbalanced the cups.

Simple past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).

5

Ela se desequilibrou e caiu.

She lost her balance and fell.

Sequence of two actions in the past.

6

O gato desequilibrou o vaso de flores.

The cat unbalanced the flower vase.

Subject (gato) + Verb + Object (vaso).

7

Você vai se desequilibrar com esses sapatos.

You are going to lose your balance with those shoes.

Future construction with 'vai' + infinitive.

8

O peso está desequilibrando a caixa.

The weight is unbalancing the box.

Present continuous using the gerund 'desequilibrando'.

1

As compras pesadas podem desequilibrar a bicicleta.

Heavy groceries can unbalance the bicycle.

Plural subject and modal verb 'podem'.

2

Eu quase me desequilibrei no gelo.

I almost lost my balance on the ice.

'Quase' (almost) modifies the verb action.

3

Não coloque tudo de um lado, vai desequilibrar.

Don't put everything on one side, it will unbalance (it).

Intransitive-style usage where the object is implied.

4

O barulho alto desequilibrou o meu sono.

The loud noise unbalanced (disturbed) my sleep.

Metaphorical use for a state of rest.

5

Ela se desequilibrou ao descer do ônibus.

She lost her balance when getting off the bus.

'Ao' + infinitive expresses 'when' or 'upon doing'.

6

O terreno irregular desequilibra os caminhantes.

The uneven terrain unbalances the hikers.

Present tense describing a general fact.

7

O mastro começou a se desequilibrar com a tempestade.

The mast started to lose its balance with the storm.

Reflexive used for an inanimate object to show its own movement.

8

Tente não desequilibrar a estrutura de madeira.

Try not to unbalance the wooden structure.

Negative imperative with 'tente não'.

1

A ausência do capitão pode desequilibrar o time.

The captain's absence can unbalance the team.

Abstract use referring to team morale/tactics.

2

Um pequeno erro pode desequilibrar todo o orçamento.

A small error can unbalance the entire budget.

Common financial context for B1 learners.

3

O jogador entrou para desequilibrar a partida.

The player came in to unbalance (change) the match.

'Para' + infinitive indicates purpose.

4

As críticas constantes desequilibraram o seu foco.

The constant criticism unbalanced his focus.

Psychological context: focus/concentration.

5

O excesso de trabalho acabou por desequilibrar sua saúde.

The excess of work ended up unbalancing his health.

'Acabou por' indicates a final resulting state.

6

A nova lei pode desequilibrar o mercado imobiliário.

The new law might unbalance the real estate market.

Economic context: market stability.

7

Ela se desequilibrou emocionalmente após a notícia.

She became emotionally unbalanced after the news.

Adverb 'emocionalmente' specifies the type of imbalance.

8

O vento forte desequilibrou a balança da justiça.

The strong wind unbalanced the scales of justice.

Metaphorical idiom for fairness/legal balance.

1

A volatilidade do dólar tende a desequilibrar as exportações.

The volatility of the dollar tends to unbalance exports.

'Tende a' indicates a tendency or likelihood.

2

Fatores externos podem desequilibrar o ecossistema local.

External factors can unbalance the local ecosystem.

Scientific/Environmental context.

3

A falta de investimento desequilibrou o desenvolvimento regional.

The lack of investment unbalanced regional development.

Socio-economic context.

4

Sua atitude impulsiva desequilibrou a harmonia do grupo.

His impulsive attitude unbalanced the group's harmony.

Social context: group dynamics.

5

O governo teme que o protesto desequilibre a ordem pública.

The government fears the protest might unbalance public order.

Subjunctive mood 'desequilibre' after a verb of fear/emotion.

6

O escândalo desequilibrou as forças políticas no parlamento.

The scandal unbalanced the political forces in parliament.

Political context: power balance.

7

É fácil desequilibrar um sistema que já está fragilizado.

It is easy to unbalance a system that is already weakened.

Impersonal construction 'É fácil...'.

8

O autor usa o mistério para desequilibrar as expectativas do leitor.

The author uses mystery to unbalance the reader's expectations.

Literary/Artistic context.

1

A introdução de uma nova variável pode desequilibrar a amostra estatística.

The introduction of a new variable can unbalance the statistical sample.

Technical/Scientific register.

2

O desfecho inesperado serviu para desequilibrar a lógica da narrativa.

The unexpected ending served to unbalance the logic of the narrative.

Advanced literary analysis.

3

A retórica agressiva visava desequilibrar o oponente durante o debate.

The aggressive rhetoric aimed to unbalance the opponent during the debate.

'Visava' (aimed at) + infinitive.

4

Mudanças climáticas abruptas desequilibram os ciclos biogeoquímicos.

Abrupt climate changes unbalance biogeochemical cycles.

Highly technical scientific context.

5

O minimalismo busca não desequilibrar a percepção visual do espaço.

Minimalism seeks not to unbalance the visual perception of space.

Aesthetic/Philosophical context.

6

A disparidade salarial desequilibra a coesão social a longo prazo.

The wage disparity unbalances social cohesion in the long run.

Sociological context.

7

O trauma pode desequilibrar permanentemente a psique humana.

Trauma can permanently unbalance the human psyche.

Psychological/Medical register.

8

A descoberta arqueológica veio desequilibrar as teorias vigentes.

The archaeological discovery came to unbalance (challenge) current theories.

'Veio' + infinitive to show a resulting impact.

1

A sutil ironia do texto desequilibra a autoridade do narrador onisciente.

The text's subtle irony unbalances the authority of the omniscient narrator.

Meta-literary criticism.

2

O colapso financeiro desequilibrou as fundações da ordem geopolítica mundial.

The financial collapse unbalanced the foundations of the global geopolitical order.

High-level political analysis.

3

A dissonância cognitiva tende a desequilibrar a estabilidade do ego.

Cognitive dissonance tends to unbalance the stability of the ego.

Philosophical/Psychological terminology.

4

Obras que desequilibram a simetria clássica costumam gerar desconforto.

Works that unbalance classical symmetry tend to generate discomfort.

Art history/Architecture context.

5

A intervenção externa desequilibrou a frágil balança de poder na região.

The external intervention unbalanced the fragile balance of power in the region.

International relations context.

6

O gênio criativo muitas vezes reside no ato de desequilibrar o convencional.

Creative genius often resides in the act of unbalancing the conventional.

Abstract philosophical statement.

7

A entropia é a força que invariavelmente desequilibra os sistemas fechados.

Entropy is the force that invariably unbalances closed systems.

Physics/Thermodynamics context.

8

O luto tem o poder de desequilibrar a própria percepção da realidade.

Grief has the power to unbalance one's very perception of reality.

Existential/Literary register.

تلازمات شائعة

desequilibrar o jogo
desequilibrar o orçamento
desequilibrar a balança
se desequilibrar e cair
desequilibrar o sistema
desequilibrar as contas
desequilibrar emocionalmente
desequilibrar a defesa
desequilibrar a estrutura
desequilibrar o mercado

العبارات الشائعة

Isso me desequilibrou.

— Used when something surprises you or makes you lose your focus.

O comentário dele realmente me desequilibrou durante a reunião.

Não se desequilibre!

— A command to stay steady, either physically or mentally.

Mantenha a calma e não se desequilibre com as provocações.

Ele é um jogador que desequilibra.

— Refers to a highly talented player who changes the game.

Sempre que ele joga, ele desequilibra a partida a favor do time.

O peso vai desequilibrar a carga.

— Warning that uneven weight will cause a tilt.

Distribua melhor os livros ou vai desequilibrar a caixa.

Isso desequilibrou tudo.

— Used when a single event ruins a whole plan or system.

A chuva desequilibrou toda a nossa logística para o evento.

Ela se desequilibra fácil.

— Can refer to physical clumsiness or emotional sensitivity.

Cuidado com ela, ela se desequilibra fácil com críticas.

Desequilibrar a balança comercial.

— A specific economic term regarding imports and exports.

O aumento das importações pode desequilibrar a balança comercial.

Desequilibrar o meio de campo.

— Sports term for dominating the center of the pitch.

Eles precisam de um volante que consiga desequilibrar o meio de campo.

A notícia desequilibrou a família.

— The news caused chaos or distress within the family unit.

Infelizmente, a notícia da doença desequilibrou a família inteira.

Cuidado para não desequilibrar a prateleira.

— Physical warning about placing items.

Se você colocar mais peso aí, vai desequilibrar a prateleira.

يُخلط عادةً مع

desequilibrar vs cair

'Cair' is the result (falling), 'desequilibrar' is the loss of stability leading to it.

desequilibrar vs destabilizar

'Destabilizar' is more formal and often used for governments or markets.

desequilibrar vs deslocar

'Deslocar' means to move something from its position, not necessarily losing its balance.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Desequilibrar a balança"

— To tip the scales; to provide the deciding factor in a situation.

O depoimento da testemunha desequilibrou a balança a favor do réu.

Legal/Formal
"Perder o equilíbrio"

— To lose one's cool or to physically fall.

Ele perdeu o equilíbrio após ser insultado.

Neutral
"Estar na corda bamba"

— To be on a tightrope; to be in a precarious, unbalanced situation.

Com essas dívidas, a empresa está na corda bamba.

Informal
"Dar um nó na cabeça"

— To confuse someone so much it 'unbalances' their thinking.

Esse problema de matemática deu um nó na minha cabeça.

Informal
"Sair do eixo"

— To go off the rails; to lose one's normal balance or routine.

Depois que ele perdeu o emprego, sua vida saiu do eixo.

Neutral
"Pisar em falso"

— To take a wrong step, leading to a loss of balance.

Ele pisou em falso e se desequilibrou na calçada.

Neutral
"Virar o jogo"

— To turn the game around (often by 'unbalancing' the opponent).

Eles estavam perdendo, mas conseguiram virar o jogo no final.

Neutral
"Quebrar o ritmo"

— To break the rhythm, which unbalances a performance or process.

A interrupção quebrou o ritmo e desequilibrou o palestrante.

Neutral
"Perder o chão"

— To lose one's ground; to be extremely shocked or unbalanced emotionally.

Quando ela partiu, ele sentiu que perdeu o chão.

Poetic/Informal
"Ficar de queixo caído"

— To be so surprised it unbalances your composure.

Fiquei de queixo caído com a revelação.

Informal

سهل الخلط

desequilibrar vs desequilibrado

It is the adjective form.

Desequilibrar is the action; desequilibrado is the state of being unstable.

O homem desequilibrado começou a gritar.

desequilibrar vs desequilíbrio

It is the noun form.

Desequilibrar is the verb; desequilíbrio is the noun 'imbalance'.

Existe um grande desequilíbrio social.

desequilibrar vs tropeçar

Both involve losing balance.

Tropeçar is the specific action of hitting your foot; desequilibrar is the loss of balance that follows.

Eu tropecei na pedra e me desequilibrei.

desequilibrar vs balançar

Both involve movement.

Balançar is to sway (often intentionally); desequilibrar is to lose stability (usually unintentionally).

A rede balança com o vento.

desequilibrar vs tombar

Both involve falling.

Tombar is to tip over or fall; desequilibrar is the loss of balance before the fall.

O caminhão tombou na curva.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

Eu me [verb]

Eu me desequilibrei.

A2

O [noun] [verb] o [noun]

O vento desequilibrou o vaso.

B1

[Noun] pode [verb] o [noun]

A dívida pode desequilibrar o orçamento.

B1

[Noun] entrou para [verb]

O jogador entrou para desequilibrar.

B2

Ao [infinitive], eu me [verb]

Ao correr, eu me desequilibrei.

C1

A [noun] visa [verb] o [noun]

A estratégia visa desequilibrar o mercado.

C1

[Noun] tende a [verb]

A inflação tende a desequilibrar as contas.

C2

O ato de [verb] o [noun]

O ato de desequilibrar o convencional exige coragem.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

o desequilíbrio (imbalance)
o equilibrista (tightrope walker)
o equilíbrio (balance)

الأفعال

equilibrar (to balance)
reequilibrar (to rebalance)

الصفات

desequilibrado (unbalanced/unstable)
equilibrado (balanced)

مرتبط

a balança (scale)
estável (stable)
instável (unstable)
a queda (fall)
o tombo (tumble)

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Moderate to High (Very high in sports and news)

أخطاء شائعة
  • Eu desequilibrei na rua. Eu me desequilibrei na rua.

    You need the reflexive pronoun 'me' because you are the one who lost balance.

  • O jogador desequilibrou o balanço. O jogador desequilibrou o jogo.

    'Balanço' means a swing or a balance sheet, but in sports, we use 'jogo' or 'partida'.

  • Pronouncing 'qui' as 'kwee'. Pronouncing 'qui' as 'kee'.

    The 'u' is silent in the 'qui' syllable in Portuguese.

  • Ele está muito desequilibrado hoje (meaning stressed). Ele está muito estressado hoje.

    'Desequilibrado' implies mental instability, which is too strong for just being stressed.

  • A mesa desequilibrou (when it's just uneven). A mesa está desequilibrada.

    Use the adjective 'desequilibrada' to describe a constant state of being uneven.

نصائح

Reflexive Mastery

Always use the reflexive form 'desequilibrar-se' when a person loses their own balance. Without the pronoun, the verb expects an object (something else that is being unbalanced).

Sports Lingo

If you want to sound like a native football fan, use 'desequilibrar' to describe a star player's performance. It's the ultimate compliment for a creative attacker.

The 'QUI' Rule

Remember that 'QUI' and 'QUE' in Portuguese almost always have a silent 'U'. Think 'Key' and 'Keh'. This will help you say 'desequilibrar' correctly every time.

Sensitivity Check

Be careful calling someone 'desequilibrado'. It's much stronger than 'crazy' or 'silly' in English; it implies a serious lack of mental or emotional stability.

Formal Alternatives

In academic or business writing, consider 'destabilizar' or 'comprometer o equilíbrio' as more formal ways to express the same idea as 'desequilibrar'.

Context Clues

When you hear 'desequilibrar' on the news, it’s likely about the 'orçamento' (budget) or 'mercado' (market). Context will tell you if it's physical or metaphorical.

Prefix Power

Focus on the 'DES-' prefix. Just like 'un-' in English (unbalance), 'des-' in Portuguese reverses the action. If you know 'equilibrar', you know 'desequilibrar'!

The 'Wobble' Effect

Use 'desequilibrar' for the moment of wobbling. If the person actually hits the floor, follow it up with 'cair' (to fall).

Tense Choice

Use the Pretérito Perfeito (desequilibrei) for a sudden trip, and the Imperfeito (desequilibrava) if you are describing a state of instability over time.

Global Usage

This word is used identically in Brazil and Portugal, making it a very safe and useful addition to your vocabulary regardless of which dialect you are learning.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Des-' (Destroy) + 'Equilibrium'. You are destroying the equilibrium! DES-EQUILIBRAR.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person on a tightrope (equilibrista) and a sudden gust of wind (desequilibrar) making them wobble.

Word Web

futebol queda orçamento mente balança vento tropeçar estabilidade

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'desequilibrar' in three different ways today: once about a physical object, once about sports, and once about your feelings.

أصل الكلمة

From the Latin 'aequilibrium' (even balance), combined with the Portuguese prefix 'des-' which denotes negation or reversal of an action.

المعنى الأصلي: To take away the state of being equally weighted on both sides.

Romance (Latin-derived).

السياق الثقافي

Avoid calling a person 'desequilibrado' unless you mean to be very insulting or are discussing clinical mental health, as it is quite strong.

In English, we often say 'game-changer' or 'clutch player'. In Portuguese, 'desequilibrar' captures this same essence of shifting the momentum.

Pelé was often described as a player who could 'desequilibrar' any defense. The economic crisis of 2008 is frequently cited in Portuguese texts as having 'desequilibrado' the global market.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Sports

  • desequilibrar a partida
  • jogador decisivo
  • quebrar a marcação
  • mudar o jogo

Physical Safety

  • perder o equilíbrio
  • cuidado para não cair
  • superfície escorregadia
  • me desequilibrei

Finance

  • desequilibrar as contas
  • gastos imprevistos
  • crise financeira
  • orçamento apertado

Psychology

  • desequilibrar o emocional
  • perder a calma
  • ficar transtornado
  • estabilidade mental

Engineering

  • desequilibrar a estrutura
  • distribuição de peso
  • centro de gravidade
  • falha técnica

بدايات محادثة

"Você já viu algum jogador desequilibrar um jogo sozinho?"

"O que costuma desequilibrar o seu orçamento no final do mês?"

"Você já se desequilibrou em público e passou vergonha?"

"Como você faz para não se desequilibrar emocionalmente em situações de estresse?"

"Você acha que as redes sociais podem desequilibrar a sociedade?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Escreva sobre uma vez que você se desequilibrou fisicamente. O que aconteceu?

Pense em um talento que você tem que poderia 'desequilibrar' uma competição.

Como as notícias mundiais desequilibram a sua paz de espírito?

Descreva um momento em que um pequeno detalhe desequilibrou todos os seus planos para o dia.

Reflita sobre a importância de manter o equilíbrio e o que acontece quando o perdemos.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but use it carefully. Saying someone is 'desequilibrado' is a strong way to say they are mentally unstable. As a verb, 'desequilibrar alguém' means to make them lose their composure or emotional control, which is common in debates or arguments.

You should say 'Eu me desequilibrei'. Always remember the reflexive pronoun 'me' for yourself, 'se' for him/her/them, and 'nos' for us.

Not necessarily. In sports, 'desequilibrar o jogo' is a positive thing for your team! It means you are playing so well that you are breaking the opponent's defense and changing the game for the better.

They are very similar. 'Destabilizar' is usually more formal and used for large systems like 'destabilizar um governo' or 'destabilizar a economia'. 'Desequilibrar' is more common for physical balance and sports.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation patterns as 'falar' or 'cantar'. For example: eu desequilibro, tu desequilibras, ele desequilibra, nós desequilibramos, eles desequilibram.

Yes, it is very common. 'Desequilibrar o orçamento' means to spend more than you have or to have an unexpected expense that ruins your financial planning.

It means 'to tip the scales'. It can be literal, but it is often used metaphorically to mean that one factor has become more important or decisive than others in a situation.

It is pronounced like 'kee' in English. The 'u' is silent. So it sounds like 'deh-zeh-kee-lee-brar'.

Absolutely. 'O vento desequilibrou o guarda-sol' (The wind unbalanced the parasol) is a perfect sentence.

No, the stress is on the very last syllable 'brar'. Brazilian and Portuguese speakers will always emphasize the end of the word in its infinitive form.

اختبر نفسك 200 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence about losing your balance on the street.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a warning to someone not to unbalance a table.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe an uneven chair using 'desequilibrada'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Say that the wind unbalanced the umbrella.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Explain how a star player changes a game.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Say that an unexpected bill unbalanced your budget.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write about a scandal destabilizing a government.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe how stress affects your emotional balance.

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writing

Use 'desequilibrar' in a sentence about scientific data.

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writing

Write about a book that challenges conventional logic.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'The ball unbalanced the cups.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'I almost fell because I lost my balance.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'The captain's absence unbalances the team.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'The crisis unbalanced the housing market.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'His rhetoric aimed to unbalance the opponent.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'Don't unbalance the box.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'He lost his balance on the ice.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'The news unbalanced the whole family.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'The new law might unbalance the exports.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write: 'Grief unbalances our perception of reality.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Pronounce 'desequilibrar' slowly.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'I lost my balance'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'Be careful not to lose your balance'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Describe an uneven table.

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speaking

Say 'The player changed the game'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'Inflation unbalances the budget'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'The crisis destabilized the market'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'He is emotionally unbalanced'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Explain how a variable affects a sample.

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speaking

Say 'Ironia desequilibra a narrativa'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Repeat: 'O vento desequilibrou a mesa'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Repeat: 'Eu quase me desequilibrei no gelo'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Repeat: 'A notícia desequilibrou a família'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Repeat: 'Cuidado para não desequilibrar a balança'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Repeat: 'O luto desequilibra a percepção da realidade'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'O gato desequilibrou o vaso'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'As sacolas me desequilibraram'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'A expulsão desequilibrou o time'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'O protesto desequilibrou a ordem'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'A retórica visa desequilibrar o oponente'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the sound of someone stumbling. What verb describes this?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to a description of a wobbly chair. What adjective is used?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to a sports commentator shouting about a goal. What did the player do to the game?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to someone complaining about prices. What happened to their budget?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to a news report about a market crash. What did the crisis do?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to a person crying. How are they feeling?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to a lecture about statistics. What happens to the sample?

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listening

Listen to a literary analysis. What does irony do?

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listening

Identify the word: 'des-e-qui-li-brar'.

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listening

Is the sentence 'Eu desequilibrei' complete?

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listening

What is the synonym of 'unbalance' in Portuguese?

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listening

What is the noun form of 'desequilibrar'?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

What is a formal synonym for 'desequilibrar' in politics?

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listening

Does 'desequilibrar' mean to fall or to lose balance?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Which is correct: 'mesa desequilibrada' or 'mesa desequilibrado'?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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