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B1 noun 10 Min. Lesezeit

alastrar

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At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'alastrar' very often, but you might hear it in simple news reports. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'to grow' or 'to go everywhere' for things like fire or water. Imagine you have a glass of water and it falls on the table. The water moves and covers the whole table. That movement is 'alastrar'. At this level, just remember that it is used for things that move across a floor or ground. You can use 'espalhar' as a simpler alternative. If you see a fire in a movie, you can say 'O fogo alastra' to mean 'The fire is spreading'. It is a good word to recognize when you watch the news about the weather or nature.

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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'alastrar' to describe physical things that spread out. You might use it to talk about a stain on your clothes or a fire in a garden. It is important to know that 'alastrar' is usually about things that spread by themselves. You don't 'alastrar' your toys; the toys 'espalham' (spread) if you throw them. But if you spill oil, the oil 'alastra' because it moves on its own. You can also start using it for simple social things, like a cold (gripe) spreading in a classroom. 'A gripe alastrou-se pela escola.' Notice the '-se' at the end; it's very common when talking about diseases.

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As a B1 learner, 'alastrar' becomes a very useful word for describing news, rumors, and social trends. You are now moving beyond just physical things. You can talk about how a secret 'alastrou-se' through your group of friends. You should also recognize 'o alastrar' as a noun. For example, 'O alastrar da notícia foi rápido' (The spreading of the news was fast). This level requires you to understand the difference between 'alastrar' and 'espalhar'. Use 'alastrar' when you want to sound more descriptive and emphasize that something is covering a large area or affecting many people. It's a great word for writing short essays about current events or social media.

At the B2 level, you should use 'alastrar' with confidence in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it to describe economic phenomena, such as a crisis spreading from one country to another, or political movements gaining ground. You should be comfortable using the nominalized form 'o alastrar' in complex sentences with prepositions. For example, 'Devido ao alastrar da crise financeira, o desemprego aumentou.' You also start to use it for more abstract concepts like 'the spreading of influence' or 'the spreading of a new philosophy'. Your vocabulary should now distinguish between 'alastrar' (covering a surface) and 'propagar' (reproducing or transmitting through a medium).

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At the C1 level, 'alastrar' is a tool for precision. You use it to describe the subtle expansion of ideologies, cultural shifts, or complex scientific processes. You might use it in a literary way to describe how light 'alastra' across a landscape at dawn. You are expected to use the word in academic writing to describe the 'alastramento' (the more formal noun version) of urban areas into the countryside (urban sprawl). You understand the etymological connection to 'lastro' and can use the word to evoke that specific image of a base layer being laid down. Your usage is nuanced, recognizing when 'alastrar' is more evocative than 'difundir' or 'circular'.

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For a C2 speaker, 'alastrar' is part of a sophisticated repertoire. you use it to discuss the 'alastrar' of nihilism in modern society or the 'alastrar' of geopolitical tensions. You can play with the word's physical origins to create metaphors in high-level literature or journalism. You might use it to describe the way a silence 'alastra' through a room, giving it a physical, almost liquid quality. You are also fully aware of regional variations in its use between Portugal, Brazil, and Angola, and you can adapt your choice of synonyms (like 'grassar' or 'proliferar') to perfectly match the register and tone of your discourse. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a brushstroke in a complex linguistic painting.

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Alastrar refers to the rapid and wide spreading of something, typically fire, disease, or information, across a surface or population.
It is commonly used as a verb (alastrar-se) but can also function as a noun (o alastrar) to describe the process itself.
In environmental contexts, it specifically describes the dangerous expansion of forest fires or oil slicks in the ocean.
Metaphorically, it captures the viral nature of rumors, social trends, or economic crises moving through society.

The term alastrar, while primarily recognized as a verb in the Portuguese language, frequently functions as a nominalized infinitive—essentially a noun—referring to the act or process of spreading, expansion, or proliferation. When we talk about o alastrar, we are discussing the phenomenon of something extending its reach across a surface or through a population. This word carries a heavy visual and physical weight, rooted in the concept of 'lastro' or ballast. Just as ballast is spread across the bottom of a ship to provide stability, alastrar describes a movement that is wide, continuous, and often difficult to contain. In contemporary Portuguese, you will encounter this word most frequently in contexts involving environmental issues, public health, and the rapid dissemination of information or sentiment.

Physical Expansion: The most literal use involves substances or elements covering a ground area. Think of oil spilling on the ocean or fire moving through a dry forest. It implies a horizontal growth that consumes the space it touches.
Epidemiological Context: In the world of medicine and biology, it refers to the transmission of viruses or bacteria. When a disease starts to alastrar, it moves from person to person, often reaching a state of outbreak or pandemic.
Abstract and Social Spread: Metaphorically, it is used for news, rumors, or ideologies. A secret might alastrar through a small town, or a new fashion trend might alastrar across a continent thanks to social media.

O alastrar das chamas foi impossível de conter devido aos ventos fortes que sopravam do norte.

Understanding the nuance of alastrar requires recognizing its momentum. Unlike the simple verb 'espalhar' (to spread), alastrar often suggests an organic or uncontrolled progression. It is the preferred term when the subject is a force of nature or a social phenomenon that has gained its own life. For a B1 learner, mastering this word means being able to describe complex situations like a news story going viral or a stain growing on a piece of fabric. It is a word that paints a picture of movement across a plane, emphasizing the area covered rather than the point of origin.

Assistimos ao alastrar da corrupção em vários setores do governo local.

Culturally, in Portugal and Brazil, this word is deeply tied to the summer months. Every year, news headlines are dominated by 'o alastrar dos incêndios' (the spreading of fires). This has given the word a somewhat ominous or serious connotation in daily life. However, it can also be used positively, such as 'o alastrar da alegria' (the spreading of joy), though this is less common than its use for crises. It is a versatile tool for any speaker looking to describe how things grow and occupy space in the world.

O alastrar do boato causou pânico desnecessário entre os moradores do bairro.

Using alastrar correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as both a verb and a nominalized noun. As a noun, it typically appears as the subject or the object of a preposition, often followed by the preposition 'de' (of) to specify what is spreading. For example, 'o alastrar da notícia' (the spreading of the news). This structure allows you to treat the action as a concrete concept, which is very common in formal writing, journalism, and academic Portuguese.

As a Subject: When 'o alastrar' is the subject, it usually triggers a singular verb. 'O alastrar da doença preocupa os médicos.' (The spreading of the disease worries the doctors.)
Following Prepositions: It often follows 'com' (with), 'pelo' (by/through), or 'durante' (during). 'Com o alastrar da crise, as pessoas gastam menos.' (With the spreading of the crisis, people spend less.)

Ninguém conseguiu prever o rápido alastrar da nova variante do vírus.

When using the verbal form, you must decide between the intransitive 'alastrar' and the pronominal 'alastrar-se'. In European Portuguese, the pronominal form is almost always used when referring to diseases or feelings that spread through a group. In Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear the pronominal 'se' omitted in informal speech, but for B1 learners, using 'se' is the safest and most grammatically correct path. For instance, 'A mancha alastrou-se pela toalha' (The stain spread across the tablecloth).

A notícia do casamento começou a alastrar por todo o escritório ainda de manhã.

In more advanced usage, you can use the past participle 'alastrado' as an adjective. 'Uma epidemia alastrada' would mean an epidemic that has already spread. However, the noun form 'o alastrar' remains the most elegant way to describe the ongoing movement. It captures the dynamic nature of the event. Whether you are writing a report on environmental changes or describing how a rumor ruined a party, 'alastrar' provides the necessary gravity and scale.

O alastrar da influência digital mudou a forma como consumimos produtos.

If you turn on the television news in a Portuguese-speaking country, you are almost guaranteed to hear alastrar within the first fifteen minutes, especially during the summer or a health crisis. It is the language of reporting. Journalists use it to describe the path of forest fires in the Pedrogao Grande region of Portugal or the Pantanal in Brazil. They speak of 'o alastrar das chamas' to convey the urgency and the geographical scale of the disaster. It sounds more professional and precise than simply saying the fire is 'growing'.

News Media: Used to describe the spread of protests, strikes, or economic instability. 'O alastrar da greve aos outros portos' (The spreading of the strike to other ports).
Scientific Reports: Used in biology to describe invasive species or the growth of fungi. 'O alastrar do fungo nas plantações' (The spreading of the fungus in the plantations).

No noticiário, o repórter alertou para o perigoso alastrar da mancha de óleo na costa brasileira.

In everyday conversation, you might hear it in a more figurative sense. Friends talking about a rumor might say, 'Viste o alastrar daquele boato no Facebook?' (Did you see that rumor spreading on Facebook?). It implies that the rumor is out of control and everyone is talking about it. It is also common in workplace environments when discussing the 'alastrar de ideias' (spreading of ideas) or the 'alastrar de descontentamento' (spreading of discontent) among employees.

O alastrar da nova moda entre os jovens foi surpreendentemente rápido.

Finally, in literature and history books, alastrar is used to describe the expansion of empires or the diffusion of cultural movements like the Renaissance or the Enlightenment. It suggests a steady, unstoppable flow that changes the landscape it enters. For a learner, hearing this word should trigger an image of something moving outward from a center, filling up the available space like water flowing onto a flat floor.

O livro descreve o alastrar do Império Romano por toda a bacia do Mediterrâneo.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using alastrar is confusing it with the more general verb 'espalhar'. While 'espalhar' means 'to spread' in almost any context (like spreading butter on toast or spreading toys on the floor), alastrar is specific to things that spread outward and over an area. You would never say 'alastrar manteiga no pão' because butter doesn't spread itself uncontrollably across the bread; you are the one doing the spreading. Alastrar requires the subject to have a sense of self-expansion.

Misuse with Direct Objects: Avoid using 'alastrar' as a transitive verb where you are the agent spreading something else. Correct: 'O fogo alastrou-se'. Incorrect: 'Eu alastrei o fogo'.
Confusion with 'Estender': 'Estender' means to stretch or extend something in a line. 'Alastrar' is about covering a surface. If a road is getting longer, it's 'estender'. If a flood is covering a field, it's 'alastrar'.

Errado: Vou alastrar a toalha na mesa. (Correto: Vou estender/espalhar a toalha).

Another mistake involves the reflexive pronoun 'se'. Many learners forget that when something spreads by itself, it usually 'se alastra'. Without the 'se', it can sound incomplete in certain dialects, particularly in Portugal. However, when using it as a noun ('o alastrar'), you do not use the 'se'. This distinction is crucial. You say 'O vírus alastra-se' (verb) but 'O alastrar do vírus' (noun). Mixing these up is a tell-tale sign of a lower proficiency level.

Cuidado: Não confunda alastrar com 'atrasar' (to delay). Elas soam parecidas mas têm significados opostos.

Finally, watch out for the intensity. 'Alastrar' is a strong word. If you use it for something trivial, like a single drop of water on a desk, it might sound overdramatic. Use it when the spreading is significant, worrisome, or impressive in its scale. Overusing it for small things can make your Portuguese sound unnatural. Save it for the big fires, the viral news, and the sweeping changes.

O alastrar da mancha de vinho foi tão rápido que estragou o tapete inteiro.

To truly master alastrar, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in flavor and context. The Portuguese language is rich with verbs of movement and expansion, and choosing the right one can change the entire tone of your sentence. While alastrar is excellent for surface expansion and uncontrolled growth, other words might be more appropriate for specific situations like biological growth or the sharing of information.

Espalhar vs. Alastrar: 'Espalhar' is the most common and neutral word for 'to spread'. It can be intentional (spreading seeds) or unintentional (spreading a rumor). 'Alastrar' is more dramatic and usually implies a continuous, flowing expansion over an area.
Propagar vs. Alastrar: 'Propagar' is often used for waves, sound, light, or plants. It has a more technical or biological feel. You 'propagate' a species or a signal. 'Alastrar' is more about the physical space being covered.
Grassar vs. Alastrar: 'Grassar' is a very formal literary term used specifically for diseases or evils that spread. 'A peste grassava na cidade.' While 'alastrar' can also be used for diseases, 'grassar' sounds much more sophisticated and archaic.

Enquanto o boato se espalhava pelas redes sociais, o medo começava a alastrar pelas ruas.

If you are looking for an antonym, consider words like 'conter' (to contain), 'restringir' (to restrict), or 'limitar' (to limit). These represent the opposite action—stopping the flow or keeping something within a small area. In a news report, you might hear: 'Os bombeiros tentam conter o alastrar do fogo' (The firefighters are trying to contain the spreading of the fire). This pairing of conter and alastrar is very common in journalistic Portuguese.

O objetivo da campanha é difundir o conhecimento e impedir o alastrar da desinformação.

In summary, 'alastrar' is your go-to word for physical, uncontrolled, and significant expansion. By comparing it to 'espalhar', 'propagar', and 'grassar', you can see that it occupies a specific niche of 'covering ground'. Whether you are describing a physical liquid, a raging fire, or a viral social trend, 'alastrar' adds a layer of descriptive power that simpler words lack. It is a key term for moving from basic B1 communication to more descriptive and precise B2/C1 levels.

A nova tecnologia permitiu o alastrar da rede 5G por todo o território nacional.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word is related to 'lastro' in ships. Just as ballast must be spread evenly to keep a ship stable, 'alastrar' describes anything that spreads out to cover a base or surface.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɐ.lɐʃˈtɾaɾ/

US /a.lasˈtɾaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'trar'.

Reimt sich auf

cantar falar andar mar lugar olhar pensar chegar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the first 'a' too clearly in European Portuguese.
Forgetting the 'sh' sound for 's' in Portugal.
Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.
Mispronouncing the 'tr' cluster.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'atrasar'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize contextually.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive 'se' and nominalization.

Sprechen 4/5

Pronunciation of 'str' and 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in broadcast media.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

espalhar fogo doença notícia chão

Als Nächstes lernen

grassar propagar difundir conter irradiar

Fortgeschritten

proliferação disseminação capilaridade vulnerabilidade

Wichtige Grammatik

Nominalization of Infinitives

O alastrar (The spreading) vs Alastrar (To spread).

Reflexive Pronouns with Intransitive Meaning

A notícia alastrou-se (The news spread itself/became spread).

Prepositional Phrases with 'De'

O alastrar *de* boatos (The spreading of rumors).

Placement of 'Se' in European vs Brazilian Portuguese

EP: Alastrou-se. BP: Se alastrou (informal).

Adverbial Modification

Alastrar rapidamente vs Alastrar lentamente.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O fogo alastra na mata.

The fire spreads in the woods.

Simple present tense.

A água alastra pelo chão.

The water spreads across the floor.

Intransitive usage.

O óleo alastra no mar.

The oil spreads in the sea.

Focus on surface expansion.

A mancha alastra na mesa.

The stain spreads on the table.

Subject is 'a mancha'.

O fumo alastra na sala.

The smoke spreads in the room.

Describing a gas covering space.

A notícia alastra rápido.

The news spreads fast.

Adverb 'rápido' modifying the action.

O medo alastra na vila.

Fear spreads in the village.

Abstract noun as subject.

A luz alastra no quarto.

The light spreads in the room.

Poetic but simple use.

A gripe alastrou-se pela escola inteira.

The flu spread through the whole school.

Pronominal form 'alastrou-se'.

O lixo começou a alastrar pela praia.

The trash started to spread across the beach.

Infinitive after 'começou a'.

A tinta alastrou-se no papel molhado.

The ink spread on the wet paper.

Reflexive 'se' used for physical process.

O boato alastrou-se entre os vizinhos.

The rumor spread among the neighbors.

Preposition 'entre' used for social spread.

As flores vão alastrar pelo jardim.

The flowers are going to spread through the garden.

Future with 'ir + infinitive'.

A mancha de café alastrou na minha camisa.

The coffee stain spread on my shirt.

Common daily life context.

O pânico alastrou-se após o barulho.

Panic spread after the noise.

Temporal clause with 'após'.

A notícia do feriado alastrou depressa.

The news of the holiday spread quickly.

Adverb 'depressa'.

O alastrar da doença foi contido pelas autoridades.

The spreading of the disease was contained by the authorities.

Noun form 'o alastrar'.

A revolta começou a alastrar-se pelas cidades vizinhas.

The revolt started to spread to the neighboring cities.

Compound verb with reflexive.

O alastrar da mancha de óleo ameaça a vida marinha.

The spreading of the oil slick threatens marine life.

Noun used as a subject.

As ideias de liberdade alastraram-se por todo o país.

Ideas of freedom spread throughout the country.

Metaphorical usage.

Não podemos permitir o alastrar da desinformação.

We cannot allow the spreading of misinformation.

Noun form as a direct object.

O fogo alastrou devido à falta de chuva.

The fire spread due to the lack of rain.

Causal clause with 'devido à'.

A nova moda alastrou-se rapidamente entre os adolescentes.

The new fashion spread rapidly among teenagers.

Social context.

O alastrar do deserto é um problema ambiental grave.

The spreading of the desert is a serious environmental problem.

Scientific/Environmental context.

O alastrar da crise financeira afetou os mercados globais.

The spreading of the financial crisis affected global markets.

Noun form in a formal context.

A corrupção alastrou-se por várias instituições públicas.

Corruption spread through several public institutions.

Abstract social issue.

O alastrar do descontentamento levou à greve geral.

The spreading of discontent led to the general strike.

Cause and effect structure.

A vegetação rasteira ajuda o fogo a alastrar mais depressa.

The low vegetation helps the fire spread faster.

Infinitive after 'ajuda... a'.

O alastrar da influência cultural americana é visível aqui.

The spreading of American cultural influence is visible here.

Sociological usage.

A mancha de humidade alastrou-se pelo teto da sala.

The damp stain spread across the living room ceiling.

Physical domestic context.

Vimos o alastrar da tecnologia digital em todos os setores.

We saw the spreading of digital technology in all sectors.

Positive abstract use.

O pânico alastrou-se mal a notícia foi confirmada.

Panic spread as soon as the news was confirmed.

Conjunction 'mal' meaning 'as soon as'.

O alastrar do niilismo na juventude é um tema recorrente.

The spreading of nihilism among youth is a recurring theme.

High-level philosophical context.

A ideologia alastrou-se de forma insidiosa pela sociedade.

The ideology spread insidiously through society.

Use of the adverb 'insidiosa'.

O alastrar das zonas urbanas consome os terrenos agrícolas.

The spreading of urban areas consumes agricultural land.

Urban planning context.

A epidemia alastrou-se silenciosamente antes do primeiro caso.

The epidemic spread silently before the first case.

Scientific hypothesis.

O alastrar do protesto surpreendeu o governo central.

The spreading of the protest surprised the central government.

Political analysis.

A influência do autor alastrou-se para além das fronteiras.

The author's influence spread beyond borders.

Literary prestige.

O alastrar da mancha de petróleo foi um desastre ecológico.

The spreading of the oil slick was an ecological disaster.

Formal environmental reporting.

A desconfiança alastrou-se entre os membros da equipa.

Distrust spread among the team members.

Psychological/Workplace context.

O alastrar da entropia é uma lei fundamental da física.

The spreading of entropy is a fundamental law of physics.

Scientific/Philosophical absolute.

A melancolia alastrou-se pela sua alma como um veneno lento.

Melancholy spread through his soul like a slow poison.

Literary simile.

O alastrar do deserto do Saara ameaça a subsistência no Sahel.

The spreading of the Sahara desert threatens subsistence in the Sahel.

Geopolitical environmental crisis.

A corrupção alastrou-se até aos mais altos escalões do poder.

Corruption spread even to the highest echelons of power.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'escalões'.

O alastrar da dúvida metódica é a base do pensamento cartesiano.

The spreading of methodical doubt is the basis of Cartesian thought.

History of philosophy.

A revolução alastrou-se como pólvora por todo o continente.

The revolution spread like wildfire across the continent.

Idiomatic expression 'como pólvora'.

O alastrar da mancha urbana descaracteriza as vilas históricas.

The spreading of the urban stain decharacterizes historic villages.

Sociocultural criticism.

A influência bizantina alastrou-se pela arte sacra russa.

Byzantine influence spread through Russian sacred art.

Art history context.

Häufige Kollokationen

alastrar das chamas

alastrar da doença

alastrar da mancha

alastrar do boato

alastrar da crise

alastrar da influência

alastrar do deserto

alastrar do conflito

alastrar da moda

alastrar do medo

Häufige Phrasen

Impedir o alastrar

— To prevent the spreading of something dangerous.

É preciso impedir o alastrar da infecção.

Assistir ao alastrar

— To watch something spread without being able to stop it.

Assistimos ao alastrar do pânico sem saber o que fazer.

Rápido alastrar

— A very fast expansion.

O rápido alastrar da notícia surpreendeu todos.

Alastrar como fogo

— To spread very quickly (simile).

A novidade alastrou como fogo em palha seca.

O alastrar urbano

— The expansion of cities into rural areas.

O alastrar urbano destrói a natureza.

Alastrar-se pelo mundo

— To become a global phenomenon.

A internet alastrou-se pelo mundo em poucos anos.

Tentar conter o alastrar

— To attempt to stop the expansion.

Os médicos tentam conter o alastrar do vírus.

O alastrar do mal

— The spread of evil or something negative.

Devemos lutar contra o alastrar do mal.

Alastrar por todo o lado

— To spread everywhere.

A humidade alastrou por todo o lado na casa.

O alastrar da greve

— The expansion of a labor strike to other sectors.

O alastrar da greve parou o país.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

alastrar vs atrasar

Sounds similar but means 'to delay'. Don't confuse 'the spreading' with 'the delaying'.

alastrar vs espalhar

Espalhar is more general. Alastrar is specifically for covering an area.

alastrar vs arrastar

Means 'to drag'. Phonetically similar but completely different meaning.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Alastrar como rastro de pólvora"

— To spread incredibly fast, usually a rumor or news.

A notícia do escândalo alastrou como rastro de pólvora.

Informal/Idiomatic

"Alastrar-se como uma mancha de óleo"

— To spread slowly but surely and irreversibly.

O descontentamento alastrou-se como uma mancha de óleo.

Metaphorical

"Fazer alastrar a palavra"

— To make sure everyone hears the news.

Ele fez alastrar a palavra sobre a festa.

Informal

"Deixar alastrar"

— To allow a situation to get worse by not intervening.

Não podes deixar alastrar esse problema familiar.

Neutral

"Alastrar horizontes"

— A variation of 'expandir horizontes', to learn new things.

Viajar ajuda a alastrar os nossos horizontes.

Poetic

"O alastrar da maré"

— The inevitable coming of a change.

Sentimos o alastrar da maré de mudança política.

Literary

"Alastrar raízes"

— To become firmly established in a place.

A tradição alastrou raízes naquela região.

Metaphorical

"Alastrar o pano"

— To cover a large area with a cloth (literal), often used for setting a big stage.

Eles alastraram o pano para o piquenique.

Regional

"Alastrar a rede"

— To expand one's influence or contacts.

A empresa quer alastrar a sua rede de contactos.

Business

"Ver o fogo alastrar"

— To watch a disaster happen without helping.

Ele apenas ficou a ver o fogo alastrar sem chamar a polícia.

Idiomatic

Leicht verwechselbar

alastrar vs espalhar

Both mean 'to spread'.

Espalhar can be a deliberate act (spreading seeds). Alastrar is usually an organic, uncontrolled expansion over a surface.

Espalhei as sementes (I spread the seeds). O fogo alastrou (The fire spread).

alastrar vs propagar

Both involve expansion.

Propagar often implies reproduction or transmission through a medium (sound waves, plants). Alastrar is more about physical surface coverage.

O som propaga-se no ar. A mancha alastra no tecido.

alastrar vs estender

Both involve increasing size.

Estender is often linear (stretching a rope). Alastrar is area-based (covering a floor).

Estendi o braço. A inundação alastrou pelo campo.

alastrar vs grassar

Both used for diseases.

Grassar is much more formal and literary. Alastrar is common in journalism and daily life.

A peste grassava. A gripe alastrou-se.

alastrar vs difundir

Both used for information.

Difundir is usually positive or neutral (spreading knowledge). Alastrar often has a more urgent or negative connotation (spreading rumors or panic).

Difundir a ciência. Alastrar o medo.

Satzmuster

O [noun] alastra.

O fogo alastra.

O [noun] alastra-se por [place].

A gripe alastra-se pela escola.

O alastrar de [noun] é [adjective].

O alastrar do boato é perigoso.

Devido ao alastrar de [noun], [consequence].

Devido ao alastrar da crise, as lojas fecharam.

Assistimos ao alastrar de uma [abstract noun] insidiosa.

Assistimos ao alastrar de uma ideologia insidiosa.

O alastrar da [noun] descaracteriza o [object].

O alastrar da mancha urbana descaracteriza o campo.

Impedir o alastrar de [noun].

Temos de impedir o alastrar da violência.

O [noun] começou a alastrar-se rapidamente.

O pânico começou a alastrar-se rapidamente.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

alastramento

lastro

alastradora

Verben

alastrar

alastrar-se

lastrar

Adjektive

alastrado

alastrante

Verwandt

espalhar

propagar

difundir

proliferar

estender

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High in news and formal writing; medium in daily speech.

Häufige Fehler

Eu alastrei a manteiga. → Eu espalhei a manteiga.
Alastrar is for things that spread themselves or describe a process over an area. You don't 'alastrar' something manually like butter.
O fogo alastrou o campo. → O fogo alastrou-se pelo campo.
Alastrar is usually intransitive or reflexive. It doesn't take a direct object like 'the field'. Use 'pelo' (through/across).
O atrasar da notícia. → O alastrar da notícia.
Phonetic confusion. 'Atrasar' is to delay. 'Alastrar' is to spread.
A notícia alastrou-se para todos. → A notícia alastrou-se por todos / entre todos.
While 'para' is okay, 'por' or 'entre' are much more common for the medium through which something spreads.
O alastramento de a mancha. → O alastramento da mancha.
Always contract the preposition 'de' with the article 'a'.

Tipps

Nominalization

To turn 'alastrar' into a noun, simply use the definite article 'o'. This is a powerful way to sound more fluent and formal in your writing.

Visual Cues

Associate 'alastrar' with a floor (lastro). Imagine covering a floor with tiles. This helps you remember that it's about covering an area.

Avoid Small Things

Don't use 'alastrar' for a tiny drop of water. Use it for things that cover a significant amount of space or affect many people.

News Keywords

Listen for 'alastrar' whenever you hear words like 'fogo', 'vírus', or 'boato'. They are best friends in Portuguese media.

Pronunciation

Practice the 'str' sound. It should be crisp. In Portugal, remember the 's' is 'sh' [ʃ].

Collocations

Always follow 'o alastrar' with 'de' or 'da/do'. 'O alastrar da notícia' is the standard structure.

Summer Context

Understand that in Portugal, this word has a strong emotional connection to the summer fire season.

Synonym Choice

If you are talking about a virus, use 'alastrar-se' to sound like a news reporter. If you are talking about butter, use 'espalhar'.

Etymology Link

Link it to 'ballast'. Ballast spreads across the bottom of a ship. Alastrar spreads across the bottom of a space.

Abstract Use

Try using it for 'sentimentos' (feelings) like 'O medo alastrou-se' to add drama to your storytelling.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'a last straw' that breaks the camel's back, but imagine it's not just one straw, but a whole field of straw catching fire and spreading everywhere: A-LASTR-AR.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a bucket of red paint spilled on a white floor, slowly moving outward in all directions to cover the tiles. That is 'alastrar'.

Word Web

fogo doença notícia mancha crise boato água influência

Herausforderung

Try to use 'alastrar' in three different sentences today: one about a physical liquid, one about a piece of news, and one about a feeling.

Wortherkunft

From the Portuguese word 'lastro', meaning 'ballast'. The verb 'alastrar' originally meant to cover the bottom of a ship with ballast.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To spread out ballast or to cover a surface with a layer of material.

Romance (Latin root 'lastra' for stone slab).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using it for social groups (e.g., immigrants) as it can sound dehumanizing, similar to 'infesting' if used incorrectly. Stick to ideas, diseases, or physical elements.

English speakers often use 'spread' for everything. 'Alastrar' is more specific than 'spread'—it's like 'to sweep across' or 'to overrun'.

News headlines during the 2017 Portugal wildfires. Scientific papers on the Amazon rainforest deforestation. Literary descriptions in Eça de Queirós' novels.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Forest Fires

alastrar das chamas
conter o alastrar
fogo a alastrar
risco de alastrar

Public Health

alastrar do vírus
evitar o alastrar
alastrar da infecção
alastrou-se pela população

Social Media

alastrar do boato
vídeo a alastrar
notícia alastrou
alastrar-se na rede

Economy

alastrar da crise
alastrar da inflação
efeito a alastrar
alastrar do pânico financeiro

Home/DIY

alastrar da mancha
humidade a alastrar
tinta a alastrar
limpar antes de alastrar

Gesprächseinstiege

"Viste como o alastrar daquela notícia foi rápido nas redes sociais?"

"Achas que o governo consegue impedir o alastrar da crise económica?"

"Como podemos evitar o alastrar de notícias falsas entre os nossos amigos?"

"O alastrar dos incêndios no verão preocupa-te muito?"

"Já viste como a mancha de óleo está a alastrar na costa?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreve uma situação em que viste um boato alastrar-se na tua escola ou trabalho.

Escreve sobre a importância de conter o alastrar de doenças numa cidade grande.

Como é que o alastrar da tecnologia mudou a tua rotina diária nos últimos cinco anos?

Reflete sobre o alastrar da influência de uma cultura estrangeira no teu país.

Imagina que és um repórter a descrever o alastrar de um fogo florestal.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Not necessarily, but it often describes things that are hard to control, like fires or diseases, which are negative. However, you can use it for 'alegria' (joy) or 'tecnologia' (technology), which are positive. The key is the 'wide coverage' aspect.

No, that sounds very strange. For butter, use 'untar' or 'barrar' or 'espalhar'. 'Alastrar' is for things that spread by themselves over an area.

As a verb, 'alastrar' is intransitive (O fogo alastra). 'Alastrar-se' is pronominal and used when the subject is spreading itself (A notícia alastrou-se). In practice, they are often interchangeable, but 'alastrar-se' is more common for social/health contexts.

Just put 'o' in front of the infinitive: 'o alastrar'. It then means 'the act of spreading'. Example: 'O alastrar da mancha foi rápido.'

Yes, 'alastramento' is the formal noun. 'O alastrar' is the nominalized infinitive. Both mean the same thing, but 'alastramento' is slightly more academic.

Yes, it is very common in Brazil, though Brazilians might use the reflexive 'se' slightly differently or prefer 'espalhar' in very informal speech.

No, a person doesn't 'alastrar' unless they are somehow covering a whole floor, which is physically impossible. It's for elements, groups, or abstract things.

The past participle is 'alastrado'. You can use it as an adjective: 'Um incêndio alastrado' (A spread fire).

It is a B1 level word, meaning it's common enough that every native speaker knows it, and you'll see it in newspapers every day.

Yes, all Portuguese verbs ending in -ar rhyme with each other in the infinitive.

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