argumentar in 30 Sekunden
- Argumentar is a formal Portuguese verb meaning to present logical reasons or evidence to support a claim or persuade an audience.
- It differs from 'discutir' or 'brigar' because it focuses on intellectual reasoning rather than emotional conflict or shouting.
- Commonly used with prepositions like 'com' (with someone), 'sobre' (about a topic), or 'contra' (against a specific point).
- Essential for academic writing, legal contexts, and professional negotiations where structured communication is required.
The Portuguese verb argumentar is a cornerstone of intellectual discourse, legal proceedings, and everyday persuasion. At its core, it means to present a structured set of reasons, evidence, or logic to support a specific viewpoint, proposal, or action. Unlike the English 'to argue,' which often implies a heated emotional conflict (better translated as discutir or brigar in Portuguese), argumentar leans heavily toward the cognitive and rhetorical side of debate. It is the act of building a case, brick by brick, using the mortar of logic and the foundation of facts.
- Logical Foundation
- The process of using 'argumentos' (arguments) to reach a conclusion.
- Persuasive Intent
- The goal is often to convince an interlocutor or an audience of a specific truth.
- Formal Context
- Frequently used in academic, legal, and professional writing to denote the presentation of a thesis.
"O advogado precisou argumentar durante horas para convencer o júri da inocência do réu."
In a social context, when you argumenta, you are engaging in a civil exchange of ideas. It suggests a level of sophistication and emotional control. If you are 'argumentando com o seu chefe,' you aren't necessarily yelling; you are likely presenting reasons why a project should be handled differently or why you deserve a promotion. This distinction is vital for learners: use argumentar when you want to sound constructive and intellectual.
"Não adianta apenas gritar; você precisa argumentar com base em fatos reais."
The word carries a weight of authority. When a text 'argumenta que...', it is making a formal claim. This is why you will see it constantly in news editorials, scientific papers, and philosophical essays. It bridges the gap between simple statement and complex proof.
"Muitos especialistas argumentam que a educação é o único caminho para o desenvolvimento."
- Rhetorical Strategy
- The art of selecting the most effective points to win a debate.
- Dialectical Process
- The back-and-forth of argument and counter-argument (contra-argumentar).
"Ela sabe argumentar muito bem, mesmo sob pressão."
"É difícil argumentar contra os números apresentados no relatório."
- Refutation
- The act of argumentar contra (arguing against) a specific point.
Using argumentar correctly requires understanding its prepositional patterns and the nuance of its objects. It is a regular first-conjugation verb (-ar), making it relatively easy to conjugate in all tenses. However, the 'who' and 'what' of the argument change the prepositions you use.
1. Argumentar COM (Arguing WITH someone)
When you are engaging in a dialogue or debate with another person, use the preposition com. This does not imply a fight, but rather a shared intellectual space.
- "Eu gosto de argumentar com pessoas inteligentes." (I like to argue/debate with intelligent people.)
- "Ele argumentou com o juiz educadamente." (He argued with the judge politely.)
2. Argumentar SOBRE / QUE (Arguing ABOUT / THAT)
To specify the topic or the thesis, use sobre (about) or follow the verb directly with que (that) to introduce a clause.
- "Eles estão argumentando sobre política." (They are arguing/debating about politics.)
- "O autor argumenta que a tecnologia isola as pessoas." (The author argues that technology isolates people.)
3. Argumentar CONTRA / A FAVOR DE (Arguing AGAINST / IN FAVOR OF)
To show your stance, these compound prepositions are essential.
- "Não há como argumentar contra as evidências." (There is no way to argue against the evidence.)
- "Muitos argumentam a favor da semana de quatro dias." (Many argue in favor of the four-day week.)
In formal writing, argumentar is often used in the passive voice or with impersonal 'se' to state general consensus: "Argumenta-se que..." (It is argued that...). This is a high-level structure that will make your Portuguese sound very professional.
You will encounter argumentar in various domains, each with a slightly different flavor. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the 'weight' of the word when it's used.
In the Courtroom (O Tribunal)
This is the natural habitat of the verb. Lawyers (advogados) and prosecutors (promotores) do not just talk; they argumentam. Their entire career is built on the strength of their argumentação. You'll hear: "A defesa vai argumentar que houve erro processual."
In Academia (A Universidade)
When reading a thesis (tese) or a scientific article, the verb is used to introduce the researcher's findings and logic. Professors will ask students to "argumentar seu ponto de vista" in essays. It implies a requirement for evidence, not just opinion.
In Corporate Meetings (Reuniões)
When a manager wants to change a strategy, they must argumentar why the current path is failing. It's used to describe the process of negotiation. "Precisamos argumentar melhor para conseguir mais orçamento."
In Daily News (Noticiário)
Journalists use it to report on what politicians or public figures are saying. "O ministro argumentou que a inflação está sob controle." This attributes a logical claim to the speaker rather than just a simple statement.
The most frequent error for English speakers is the 'False Friend' Trap. In English, 'to argue' is very often synonymous with 'to fight' or 'to have a row.' If you say "Eu argumentei com minha esposa ontem" in Portuguese, a native speaker might think you had a very structured, logical debate about the household budget, rather than a heated emotional disagreement.
Mistake 1: Using it for emotional fights
If you were yelling or angry, use discutir or brigar.
- ❌ "Eles argumentaram no meio da rua." (Sounds like a street philosophy debate).
- ✅ "Eles brigaram no meio da rua." (They had a fight).
Mistake 2: Forgetting the preposition 'com'
You cannot just 'argumentar alguém'. You must argumentar com someone.
- ❌ "Eu quero argumentar você."
- ✅ "Eu quero argumentar com você."
Mistake 3: Confusing 'Argumento' with 'Enredo'
While not the verb itself, the noun argumento is often confused. In cinema, argumento means the 'screenplay' or 'script' logic, but people often use it when they mean enredo (plot). In the verb form, don't use argumentar to mean 'to tell a story'.
Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for communication. Knowing the neighbors of argumentar helps you choose the right tool for the job.
1. Discutir
Often used for 'to discuss' (neutral) or 'to argue/quarrel' (negative). It is broader than argumentar. Argumentar is always about the content of the reasons; discutir can just be about the act of talking.
2. Debater
This implies a formal setting with two or more sides. You argumentar within a debate. Debater is the event; argumentar is the action you perform during it.
3. Fundamentar
A very close synonym, often used in legal and academic contexts. It means 'to provide a foundation' for an idea. If you argumentar well, you are fundamentando your thesis.
4. Arrazoar
A more literary or old-fashioned term for 'to reason' or 'to present reasons.' You might see this in classic literature or very formal legal documents.
5. Convencer
The goal of argumentar. You argumentar to convencer (convince) someone.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Conjunctions (porque, visto que, pois)
Subjunctive mood for hypothetical arguments
Indirect speech (Ele disse que...)
Passive voice (Argumenta-se que...)
Connectives for logical flow (portanto, todavia, contudo)
Beispiele nach Niveau
Eu argumento porque gosto de falar.
I argue because I like to talk.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Você argumenta bem.
You argue well.
Present tense, 2nd person singular (você).
Nós argumentamos na escola.
We argue/debate at school.
Present tense, 1st person plural.
Eles não querem argumentar.
They don't want to argue.
Infinitive after 'querer'.
Ela argumenta com a mãe.
She argues/reasons with her mother.
Preposition 'com'.
O menino argumenta sobre o brinquedo.
The boy argues about the toy.
Preposition 'sobre'.
Eu vou argumentar agora.
I am going to argue now.
Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Por que você argumenta tanto?
Why do you argue so much?
Interrogative sentence.
Ele argumentou que o preço era alto.
He argued that the price was high.
Preterite tense.
Nós precisamos argumentar com o professor.
We need to argue/reason with the teacher.
Modal verb 'precisar'.
Ela sempre argumenta a favor dos animais.
She always argues in favor of animals.
Phrase 'a favor de'.
Eles argumentaram contra a nova regra.
They argued against the new rule.
Phrase 'contra'.
Você pode argumentar melhor que isso.
You can argue better than that.
Comparative 'melhor que'.
O guia argumentou sobre o caminho mais curto.
The guide argued about the shortest path.
Preterite tense.
Eu não quero argumentar com você hoje.
I don't want to argue with you today.
Negative sentence.
Ela argumenta de forma muito clara.
She argues in a very clear way.
Adverbial phrase 'de forma clara'.
O advogado argumentou brilhantemente no tribunal.
The lawyer argued brilliantly in court.
Adverb 'brilhantemente'.
Se você argumentar bem, poderá convencê-los.
If you argue well, you will be able to convince them.
Future subjunctive 'argumentar'.
Eles estão argumentando sobre o futuro da empresa.
They are arguing/debating about the company's future.
Present continuous.
É importante argumentar com base em dados.
It is important to argue based on data.
Impersonal expression 'É importante'.
Ela argumentou que a decisão foi injusta.
She argued that the decision was unfair.
Conjunction 'que'.
Ninguém conseguiu argumentar contra ele.
No one managed to argue against him.
Preterite of 'conseguir'.
O texto argumenta a favor da sustentabilidade.
The text argues in favor of sustainability.
Personification of 'texto'.
Vamos argumentar os pontos principais da proposta.
Let's argue/discuss the main points of the proposal.
Direct object use.
O autor argumenta que a história é cíclica.
The author argues that history is cyclical.
Academic present tense.
Embora ele argumente bem, não concordo com ele.
Although he argues well, I don't agree with him.
Present subjunctive after 'embora'.
É difícil argumentar quando não se tem provas.
It is difficult to argue when one has no proof.
Impersonal 'se'.
Ela passou a tarde argumentando com o suporte técnico.
She spent the afternoon arguing with technical support.
Gerund 'argumentando'.
O relatório argumenta pela necessidade de reformas.
The report argues for the need for reforms.
Preposition 'pela' (por + a).
Eles argumentaram exaustivamente antes de votar.
They argued exhaustively before voting.
Adverb 'exaustivamente'.
Não tente argumentar se você não conhece o assunto.
Don't try to argue if you don't know the subject.
Imperative 'não tente'.
O filósofo argumenta sobre a natureza da verdade.
The philosopher argues about the nature of truth.
Abstract topic.
A tese argumenta consistentemente contra o paradigma atual.
The thesis consistently argues against the current paradigm.
Use of 'consistentemente'.
Pode-se argumentar que a arte é uma forma de resistência.
One can argue that art is a form of resistance.
Passive 'Pode-se'.
Ele argumentou com tal veemência que silenciou a sala.
He argued with such vehemence that he silenced the room.
Consecutive clause 'tal... que'.
Resta-nos argumentar a validade desses novos métodos.
It remains for us to argue the validity of these new methods.
Formal structure 'Resta-nos'.
O ensaio argumenta em prol de uma reforma tributária.
The essay argues in favor of tax reform.
Phrase 'em prol de'.
Ao argumentar, ele evita falácias lógicas comuns.
When arguing, he avoids common logical fallacies.
Gerundial clause 'Ao argumentar'.
A defesa argumentou a nulidade do processo.
The defense argued the nullity of the process.
Direct object 'a nulidade'.
Não se pode argumentar com o inevitável.
One cannot argue with the inevitable.
Philosophical usage.
O autor exacerba a polêmica ao argumentar a obsolescência do Estado.
The author exacerbates the controversy by arguing the obsolescence of the State.
Complex sentence structure.
Argumentar-se-ia, em uma análise superficial, que o lucro é o único fim.
It would be argued, in a superficial analysis, that profit is the only end.
Mesoclisis 'Argumentar-se-ia'.
A despeito do que se possa argumentar, os fatos são implacáveis.
Despite what might be argued, the facts are relentless.
Concessive 'A despeito de'.
O orador soube argumentar as nuances mais sutis da questão.
The speaker knew how to argue the subtlest nuances of the issue.
Nuanced vocabulary.
Sua capacidade de argumentar é superada apenas por sua erudição.
His ability to argue is surpassed only by his erudition.
Passive voice 'é superada'.
Argumentar a favor de tal medida seria um suicídio político.
Arguing in favor of such a measure would be political suicide.
Conditional 'seria'.
O texto argumenta a imanência do sagrado no cotidiano.
The text argues the immanence of the sacred in everyday life.
Highly abstract/philosophical.
Ele argumentou de modo a desconstruir toda a retórica adversária.
He argued in a way as to deconstruct all the opposing rhetoric.
Finality clause 'de modo a'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Discutir can be a neutral discussion or a fight; argumentar is always logical reasoning.
Brigar is to fight (physically or verbally); argumentar is to reason.
Conversar is just to talk; argumentar has a goal of persuasion.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Argumentar is more about the 'what' (the logic), while discutir is more about the 'how' (the interaction).
Very high in formal contexts; medium in daily life.
- Using 'argumentar' when you mean 'to yell at someone'.
- Saying 'argumentar alguém' instead of 'argumentar COM alguém'.
- Confusing 'argumento' with 'fight'.
- Misspelling it as 'argomentar' (influenced by other languages).
- Using it for storytelling instead of logical reasoning.
Tipps
Regularity
Since it's regular, once you know 'falar', you know 'argumentar'. Focus on the meaning.
Synonyms
Use 'fundamentar' in academic papers to sound more sophisticated than just using 'argumentar'.
Politeness
Using 'argumentar' instead of 'discutir' can make a disagreement sound more like a professional exchange.
Structure
Start your paragraphs with 'Argumenta-se primeiramente que...' to organize your thoughts.
Context Clues
If you hear 'argumentar' in a movie, look for a courtroom or a classroom scene.
Confidence
Don't be afraid to use it! It shows you have a good grasp of formal Portuguese.
Debate Culture
Brazilians love a good 'debate'. Learning to argumentar will help you join the conversation.
CELPE-Bras
This is a key verb for the Brazilian proficiency exam, especially in the written part.
Evidence
Always follow 'argumentar' with a 'porque' or 'que' to provide your evidence.
Nasalization
Make sure to nasalize the 'men' in ar-gu-MEN-tar.
Einprägen
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a lawyer building a wall of bricks, where each brick is a fact. That wall is the 'argumento' he is 'argumentando'.
Wortherkunft
From Latin 'argumentari', which means 'to bring forth proof' or 'to reason'.
Kultureller Kontext
Portuguese law is based on Civil Law, where written 'argumentação' is paramount.
Often associated with 'jeitinho' when trying to argue your way out of a situation.
Strong tradition of rhetorical excellence in classical education.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Como você costuma argumentar quando discorda de alguém?"
"Você acha fácil argumentar em português?"
"Sobre qual assunto você mais gosta de argumentar?"
"É possível argumentar com alguém que não usa a lógica?"
"Qual foi o melhor argumento que você já ouviu?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Escreva sobre uma vez que você teve que argumentar para conseguir algo.
Argumente a favor ou contra o uso de inteligência artificial na escola.
Como a habilidade de argumentar pode ajudar na sua carreira?
Descreva um debate famoso e os pontos argumentados.
Argumente por que aprender português é importante para você.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenTechnically no, it means to reason. However, in casual speech, people might use it when a debate gets heated, but 'discutir' is more common for fights.
Yes, it follows the standard -ar conjugation pattern perfectly.
The most common nouns are 'argumento' (an argument) and 'argumentação' (the act of arguing).
Yes, it's a great word to use when explaining your decisions or skills logically.
It is more formal than 'falar' or 'contar', but it's used in everyday logical contexts too.
Use 'argumentar contra'.
Debater is the whole event/process; argumentar is the specific action of presenting reasons.
Yes, in Portuguese, we often say 'O livro argumenta que...' to describe the author's thesis.
Very common, especially in news, law, and education.
There isn't a perfect single-word opposite, but 'concordar' (to agree) or 'aceitar' (to accept) are often used in contrast.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'argumentar' is your primary tool for logical persuasion in Portuguese. Use it when you want to build a case with facts and reasons, distinguishing your conversation from a simple emotional disagreement.
- Argumentar is a formal Portuguese verb meaning to present logical reasons or evidence to support a claim or persuade an audience.
- It differs from 'discutir' or 'brigar' because it focuses on intellectual reasoning rather than emotional conflict or shouting.
- Commonly used with prepositions like 'com' (with someone), 'sobre' (about a topic), or 'contra' (against a specific point).
- Essential for academic writing, legal contexts, and professional negotiations where structured communication is required.
Regularity
Since it's regular, once you know 'falar', you know 'argumentar'. Focus on the meaning.
Synonyms
Use 'fundamentar' in academic papers to sound more sophisticated than just using 'argumentar'.
Politeness
Using 'argumentar' instead of 'discutir' can make a disagreement sound more like a professional exchange.
Structure
Start your paragraphs with 'Argumenta-se primeiramente que...' to organize your thoughts.
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr academic Wörter
a despeito de
A2Ungeachtet; trotz. Dieser Ausdruck wird in formellen Kontexten verwendet, um einen Gegensatz auszudrücken.
a fim
A2Ein Ausdruck, der 'um zu' oder 'mit dem Ziel' bedeutet. Umgangssprachlich bedeutet es 'Lust haben auf'.
a saber
A2Nämlich; das heißt.
a título de exemplo
A2Ein formeller Ausdruck, der 'beispielshalber' oder 'als Beispiel' bedeutet. Er wird oft in der Schriftsprache verwendet.
abordagem
A2Eine Herangehensweise ist eine Methode, etwas anzugehen. Es beschreibt, wie man mit einer Sache umgeht. (Die Herangehensweise ist die Art und Weise, wie man ein Problem löst.)
abordar
B1Ein Thema oder eine Person ansprechen.
abreviar
B1To shorten (a word, phrase, or text).
abreviatura
B1A shortened form of a word or phrase.
abstração
B1The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
abstracto
B1In Gedanken oder als Idee existierend, aber ohne physische oder konkrete Existenz.
