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B1 noun 9 Min. Lesezeit

cidadão

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At the A1 level, you should learn 'cidadão' as a basic noun meaning 'citizen'. You might use it in very simple sentences to describe your nationality or where you live in a formal way. For example, 'Eu sou um cidadão brasileiro' (I am a Brazilian citizen). At this stage, the focus is on recognizing the word in documents like passports or identity cards. You should also learn that the word refers to a person. It is important to notice the '-ão' ending, which is very common in Portuguese. Don't worry too much about complex legal meanings yet; just think of it as a formal way to say 'person from a country'. You will mostly see this word in basic forms or when someone asks for your 'documento de cidadão' (identity document). Remember that 'cidadão' is masculine and 'cidadã' is feminine.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'cidadão' in broader contexts, such as describing rights and duties in a simple way. You might say, 'O cidadão tem deveres' (The citizen has duties). You will also learn the plural form 'cidadãos' and should be careful not to say 'cidadões'. At this level, you can start to understand the concept of 'cidadania' (citizenship) as an abstract noun. You will encounter the word in public service announcements or simple news stories. You should be able to distinguish between a 'cidadão' and a 'turista' (tourist). In Portugal, you will definitely learn about the 'Cartão de Cidadão'. You are expected to use the word in sentences that describe a person's relationship to their city or country in a more structured way, using basic adjectives like 'bom' (good) or 'consciente' (conscious).

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'cidadão' in discussions about society, voting, and basic politics. You can explain what a 'bom cidadão' does, such as 'Um bom cidadão respeita as leis e cuida do meio ambiente' (A good citizen respects the laws and takes care of the environment). You will start to see the word in more complex phrases like 'cidadão comum' (ordinary citizen) or 'direitos do cidadão' (citizen's rights). You should understand the difference between being a 'cidadão' and a 'residente'. Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'voto' (vote) and 'impostos' (taxes). You can participate in conversations about the importance of citizenship and how people can contribute to their communities. You should also be able to read short newspaper articles that use the term in a social or political context.

At the B2 level, you can use 'cidadão' to discuss more nuanced topics like 'cidadania europeia' (European citizenship) or 'cidadão do mundo' (global citizen). You understand the legal implications of the term and can use it in formal debates or essays. You are aware of the historical context of the word, such as the 'Constituição Cidadã' in Brazil. You can use the word in idiomatic or more formal structures, such as 'exercer a cidadania' (to exercise citizenship). Your pronunciation of the nasal plural 'cidadãos' should be accurate. You can follow news reports about changes in citizenship laws or debates about the rights of foreign citizens. You should also be able to use the word to critique social issues, discussing how certain groups might be treated as 'cidadãos de segunda classe' (second-class citizens).

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'cidadão' as a legal, social, and philosophical concept. You can use it in academic or professional settings to discuss constitutional law, sociology, or political science. You understand the nuances between 'cidadão', 'nacional', and 'sujeito de direitos'. You can discuss complex concepts like 'cidadania digital' (digital citizenship) or the 'estatuto do cidadão'. You are comfortable using the word in high-level discourse, such as analyzing the responsibilities of the state toward the citizen. You can write detailed reports or essays that explore the evolution of the concept of citizenship in Lusophone countries. You also recognize the word's use in literature and historical documents, understanding its weight in the context of democratic transitions and social movements.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'cidadão' is equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. You can use the word with all its subtle connotations, including irony or specific legal precision. You can participate in high-level legal arguments or philosophical debates about the nature of the citizen in the 21st century. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence current usage. You can effortlessly switch between formal, legal, and colloquial registers involving the word. You are capable of analyzing the word's role in the national identity of various Portuguese-speaking nations. Whether you are reading a supreme court ruling or a complex piece of political theory, you grasp every nuance. You can also use the word creatively in literature or rhetoric to evoke specific emotions or historical parallels.

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cidadão in 30 Sekunden

Refers to a legal member of a nation with rights and duties.
The plural is 'cidadãos' and the feminine is 'cidadã'.
Used in formal, legal, and everyday social contexts.
Essential for discussing democracy, identity, and public services.

The Portuguese word cidadão is a fundamental pillar of social and political vocabulary. At its core, it refers to a 'citizen'—a person who belongs to a state and possesses the rights and duties defined by that state's laws. However, its usage extends far beyond simple legal definitions. In everyday Portuguese, calling someone a 'cidadão' can evoke a sense of dignity, responsibility, or even a generic reference to an individual in a public space. It is a word that bridges the gap between the private individual and the public collective. When you use this term, you are often discussing the relationship between a person and their country, their city, or their community's legal framework.

Legal Context: Refers to a person recognized under the custom or law as being a legal member of a sovereign state or belonging to a nation. It implies the possession of a passport and the right to vote.
Social Context: Describes a participant in society who exercises their 'cidadania' (citizenship) by engaging in community activities, following laws, and demanding their rights.
Generic Reference: Occasionally used in a slightly formal or even slightly ironic way to refer to 'a guy' or 'an individual' in public, such as 'Aquele cidadão ali' (That citizen/guy over there).

Todo cidadão tem o direito de expressar sua opinião livremente.

Every citizen has the right to express their opinion freely.

Historically, the term evolved from the Latin 'civitas', mirroring the development of democratic ideals in the Lusophone world. In Brazil and Portugal, the transition from subjects of a monarchy to citizens of a republic deeply embedded this word into the national psyche. It carries the weight of the struggles for democracy and civil liberties. To be a 'cidadão de bem' (a 'good citizen' or 'citizen of good standing') is a phrase often used in political discourse, though it has become somewhat polarized in recent years. Understanding 'cidadão' is essential for anyone wishing to navigate Portuguese-speaking news, legal systems, or formal social discussions.

Nós somos cidadãos do mundo.

We are citizens of the world.

In more abstract terms, 'cidadão' is used to define the 'Global Citizen' (cidadão do mundo), reflecting a person who identifies with the global community rather than just a specific nation. This usage is common in educational and humanitarian contexts. Furthermore, in administrative settings, you will frequently encounter the term 'Cartão de Cidadão' in Portugal, which is the national identity card. Thus, the word is both a high-level philosophical concept and a practical everyday label for identity documentation. Whether you are filling out a form or discussing constitutional law, 'cidadão' is the indispensable term for the individual as a legal entity.

Using cidadão correctly requires attention to gender and number, as Portuguese is a highly inflected language. The masculine singular is 'cidadão', the feminine singular is 'cidadã', the masculine plural is 'cidadãos', and the feminine plural is 'cidadãs'. While the masculine plural 'cidadãos' is generally used as the default for mixed-gender groups, contemporary inclusive language might use 'cidadãos e cidadãs' to be explicitly gender-neutral.

Subject of a Sentence: 'O cidadão deve cumprir as leis.' (The citizen must obey the laws.) Here, it acts as the primary actor responsible for an action.
Object of a Sentence: 'O governo deve proteger o cidadão.' (The government must protect the citizen.) Here, the citizen is the recipient of the action.

Como cidadã consciente, ela sempre vota nas eleições locais.

As a conscious (female) citizen, she always votes in local elections.

In formal writing, such as essays or legal briefs, 'cidadão' is often paired with adjectives that qualify the type of citizenship being discussed. Common pairings include 'cidadão ativo' (active citizen), 'cidadão pleno' (full citizen), and 'cidadão estrangeiro' (foreign citizen). These adjectives help specify the legal or social status of the individual within the context of the sentence.

Os direitos dos cidadãos estão garantidos na Constituição.

The rights of citizens are guaranteed in the Constitution.

When using 'cidadão' in a more colloquial sense, it often appears with a demonstrative pronoun like 'este' or 'aquele'. For example, 'Aquele cidadão não sabe dirigir' (That guy/citizen doesn't know how to drive). This usage is slightly more common in Brazil than in Portugal. In Portugal, the term 'cidadão' remains slightly more tethered to formal or official contexts, whereas 'indivíduo' or 'sujeito' might be used for 'guy' in informal speech. Regardless of the register, the word always maintains a core meaning of 'a person within the social order'.

You will encounter the word cidadão in several distinct environments. The most frequent is in the news and media. Journalists often use it when discussing public policy, rights, or the impact of government decisions on the population. For instance, a headline might read 'Novas leis beneficiam o cidadão comum' (New laws benefit the ordinary citizen). This sets a tone of objective reporting on society.

O Cartão de Cidadão é o documento de identidade em Portugal.

The Citizen Card is the identity document in Portugal.

In governmental and administrative offices (the 'repartições públicas'), 'cidadão' is the standard term used to address the public. You might see signs like 'Atendimento ao Cidadão' (Citizen Service/Customer Service for the public). In this context, it is a respectful and formal way to refer to the people the government serves. It emphasizes the service-provider relationship between the state and its members.

Political Rallies: Politicians frequently address their audience as 'Meus concidadãos' (My fellow citizens) to create a sense of shared identity and duty.
Schools and Education: Teachers talk about 'formação do cidadão' (the formation of the citizen), referring to the process of educating children to be responsible members of society.

In legal settings, such as courtrooms or when reading the Constitution, 'cidadão' is the precise term used to define a person's standing before the law. In Brazil, the 'Constituição Cidadã' (Citizen Constitution) of 1988 is a famous term referring to the current supreme law, which earned this nickname because it greatly expanded civil rights. Finally, in social activism, you will hear the word used as a call to action: 'Cidadão, exija seus direitos!' (Citizen, demand your rights!). It is a word that carries the spirit of democracy and active participation in every corner of the Lusophone world.

The most glaring and frequent mistake made with cidadão involves its plural form. Portuguese has several ways to pluralize words ending in '-ão' (-ãos, -ões, -ães), and 'cidadão' is one of the tricky ones. Many people, including native speakers in informal settings, mistakenly say 'cidadões'. This is incorrect. The only correct plural is cidadãos.

Incorrect Plural: Saying 'Os cidadões' instead of 'Os cidadãos'. This error is so common it's often used in grammar quizzes.
Gender Confusion: Using 'cidadão' for a female subject. While 'o cidadão' can be generic, if you are referring specifically to a woman, you must use 'a cidadã'.

Errado: Os cidadões votaram.
Correto: Os cidadãos votaram.

Another mistake is confusing 'cidadão' with 'habitante' (inhabitant) or 'residente' (resident). While they can refer to the same person, their legal meanings differ. A 'residente' lives in a place but may not have the rights of a 'cidadão' (like voting). For example, an expat is a 'residente' but not necessarily a 'cidadão' of the host country. Using these interchangeably in a legal or formal context can lead to significant misunderstandings.

Finally, learners often struggle with the pronunciation of the nasal '-ão' sound. It is not 'oh' or 'own', but a nasal sound produced by letting air escape through both the nose and mouth. If you pronounce it like 'cidadom', you might be understood, but it won't sound natural. Practicing the nasalization is key to mastering this word and its various forms. Avoid over-nasalizing the 'i' or 'd'—the focus should be entirely on the final syllable.

While cidadão is the standard term for a citizen, several other words can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these alternatives will make your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and precise.

Nacional: Refers specifically to someone who has the nationality of a country. It is more clinical and legalistic than 'cidadão'. Example: 'Os nacionais deste país...'
Indivíduo: A more generic and scientific term for a person or 'individual'. It lacks the political and social rights connotations of 'cidadão'.
Sujeito: In a legal sense, 'sujeito de direitos' (subject of rights). In a colloquial sense, it means 'fellow' or 'guy', often used dismissively.
Compatriota: Means 'fellow countryman'. It is used to emphasize a shared national bond between two people.

Ele é um nacional angolano vivendo em Lisboa.

He is an Angolan national living in Lisbon.

The choice between 'cidadão' and 'habitante' is particularly important. An 'habitante' is simply someone who lives in a specific place (a city, a building, a country). You can be an 'habitante' of a city without being a 'cidadão' of the country it belongs to. Similarly, 'residente' is the term used for someone who has legal permission to live in a country (residency) but may not yet have citizenship. In political science, you might also hear the term 'povo' (the people), which refers to the collective body of citizens as a single political entity.

Lastly, consider the word 'civil'. While 'cidadão' is a noun, 'civil' is often the adjective used to describe things related to citizens, such as 'direitos civis' (civil rights) or 'sociedade civil' (civil society). These terms are part of the same conceptual family. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are emphasizing legal status (nacional), physical presence (habitante), individual identity (indivíduo), or social/political rights (cidadão).

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

In the Middle Ages, being a 'cidadão' was a privilege reserved for those who lived within the city walls, distinguishing them from rural peasants.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /si.ðɐ.ˈðɐ̃w̃/

US /si.dɐ.ˈdɐ̃oʊ/

The stress is on the last syllable: ci-da-DÃO.

Reimt sich auf

mão pão chão ação irmão nação estação coração

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'ão' like 'on' or 'own'.
Forgetting the nasalization.
Stress on the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'd' too harshly.
Mixing up 'ão' with 'am'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'citizen' and frequent use in news.

Schreiben 4/5

Difficult because of the plural 'cidadãos' and the nasal 'ão' spelling.

Sprechen 4/5

The nasal 'ão' sound is one of the hardest for English speakers.

Hören 3/5

Clear in formal speech but can be fast in colloquial contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

pessoa cidade país lei viver

Als Nächstes lernen

cidadania votar governo constituição direitos

Fortgeschritten

soberania jurisdição prerrogativa legitimidade democracia

Wichtige Grammatik

Plural of words ending in -ão

Cidadão -> Cidadãos (not cidadões).

Gender of nouns ending in -ão

Cidadão (M) vs. Cidadã (F).

Nasalization of vowels

The 'ão' in cidadão requires air through the nose.

Agreement with 'Todo'

Todo cidadão (Every citizen) vs. Todos os cidadãos (All citizens).

Position of adjectives

Cidadão comum (Noun + Adjective).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Eu sou um cidadão brasileiro.

I am a Brazilian citizen.

Masculine singular noun.

Ela é uma cidadã portuguesa.

She is a Portuguese citizen.

Feminine singular form: cidadã.

O cidadão mora na cidade.

The citizen lives in the city.

Basic subject-verb-object structure.

Você é um cidadão?

Are you a citizen?

Interrogative sentence.

Onde está o cidadão?

Where is the citizen?

Using 'onde' for location.

Ele é um bom cidadão.

He is a good citizen.

Adjective 'bom' precedes or follows the noun.

O cidadão tem um passaporte.

The citizen has a passport.

Verb 'ter' (to have).

Nós somos cidadãos.

We are citizens.

Masculine plural: cidadãos.

Todo cidadão deve ter documentos.

Every citizen must have documents.

Use of 'todo' meaning 'every'.

A cidadã precisa de ajuda.

The (female) citizen needs help.

Feminine singular noun.

Os cidadãos votam hoje.

The citizens vote today.

Plural verb agreement.

O cidadão comum quer paz.

The ordinary citizen wants peace.

Compound term 'cidadão comum'.

Ela é uma cidadã do mundo.

She is a citizen of the world.

Metaphorical use of the term.

O governo ajuda o cidadão.

The government helps the citizen.

Direct object usage.

Muitos cidadãos vivem aqui.

Many citizens live here.

Quantifier 'muitos' with plural noun.

O cidadão não pode entrar.

The citizen cannot enter.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

O cidadão tem o dever de votar nas eleições.

The citizen has the duty to vote in the elections.

Focus on 'dever' (duty).

Ser um cidadão consciente é importante para a democracia.

Being a conscious citizen is important for democracy.

Infinitive 'ser' as a subject.

Os cidadãos exigem melhores serviços públicos.

Citizens demand better public services.

Verb 'exigir' (to demand).

O Cartão de Cidadão é obrigatório em Portugal.

The Citizen Card is mandatory in Portugal.

Proper noun/Official document title.

Como cidadão, eu quero participar da reunião.

As a citizen, I want to participate in the meeting.

Prepositional phrase 'como cidadão'.

A lei protege todos os cidadãos igualmente.

The law protects all citizens equally.

Adverb 'igualmente' (equally).

O cidadão estrangeiro deve solicitar o visto.

The foreign citizen must apply for the visa.

Adjective 'estrangeiro' qualifying the noun.

Eles são cidadãos exemplares na comunidade.

They are exemplary citizens in the community.

Adjective 'exemplares' in the plural.

A cidadania plena é um direito de todo cidadão.

Full citizenship is a right of every citizen.

Abstract noun 'cidadania'.

Os cidadãos europeus podem viajar livremente pela UE.

European citizens can travel freely through the EU.

Adjective 'europeus' in the plural.

O cidadão deve ser o centro das políticas públicas.

The citizen should be the center of public policies.

Passive/Modal structure 'deve ser'.

Muitos cidadãos estão descontentes com a economia.

Many citizens are unhappy with the economy.

Adjective 'descontentes' with 'estar'.

O conceito de cidadão evoluiu ao longo dos séculos.

The concept of citizen has evolved over the centuries.

Present perfect 'evoluiu'.

Ser cidadão implica ter responsabilidades sociais.

Being a citizen implies having social responsibilities.

Verb 'implicar' (to imply).

O cidadão honorário recebeu a chave da cidade.

The honorary citizen received the key to the city.

Specific legal/honorific title.

A voz do cidadão precisa ser ouvida pelo governo.

The voice of the citizen needs to be heard by the government.

Passive voice 'ser ouvida'.

A Constituição de 1988 é conhecida como a Constituição Cidadã.

The 1988 Constitution is known as the Citizen Constitution.

Adjectival use of 'Cidadã'.

O estatuto de cidadão confere prerrogativas inalienáveis.

The status of citizen confers inalienable prerogatives.

Formal vocabulary like 'prerrogativas'.

É dever do Estado garantir a segurança de seus cidadãos.

It is the State's duty to guarantee the safety of its citizens.

Possessive pronoun 'seus'.

O cidadão digital deve estar atento à privacidade online.

The digital citizen must be attentive to online privacy.

Modern compound term 'cidadão digital'.

A exclusão social priva o indivíduo de sua condição de cidadão.

Social exclusion deprives the individual of their status as a citizen.

Verb 'privar' (to deprive).

Os cidadãos ativos participam da vida política do país.

Active citizens participate in the political life of the country.

Classification of citizenship types.

A relação entre o cidadão e o Estado é complexa.

The relationship between the citizen and the State is complex.

Noun-noun relationship.

Nenhum cidadão está acima da lei.

No citizen is above the law.

Negative quantifier 'nenhum'.

A ontologia do cidadão na modernidade líquida é fluida.

The ontology of the citizen in liquid modernity is fluid.

Philosophical register.

A erosão dos direitos do cidadão ameaça a estabilidade democrática.

The erosion of citizen rights threatens democratic stability.

Metaphorical and academic vocabulary.

O cidadão, enquanto sujeito político, detém a soberania.

The citizen, as a political subject, holds sovereignty.

Conjunction 'enquanto' meaning 'as'.

A dialética entre deveres e direitos define o cidadão contemporâneo.

The dialectic between duties and rights defines the contemporary citizen.

Academic term 'dialética'.

Reivindicar a condição de cidadão é um ato de resistência.

Claiming the status of citizen is an act of resistance.

Nominalization of the verb 'reivindicar'.

A transnacionalidade desafia a definição clássica de cidadão.

Transnationality challenges the classical definition of citizen.

Prefix 'trans-' and academic tone.

O cidadão é o artífice da sua própria história coletiva.

The citizen is the architect of their own collective history.

Metaphorical noun 'artífice'.

A subjetividade do cidadão é moldada pelas instituições sociais.

The subjectivity of the citizen is shaped by social institutions.

Passive voice with academic focus.

Häufige Kollokationen

Cidadão comum

Cidadão exemplar

Cidadão honorário

Direitos do cidadão

Deveres do cidadão

Cartão de Cidadão

Cidadão do mundo

Cidadão estrangeiro

Cidadão ativo

Cidadão digital

Häufige Phrasen

Todo cidadão

— Every single citizen.

Todo cidadão tem voz.

Como cidadão

— In the capacity or role of a citizen.

Como cidadão, protesto.

Ser cidadão

— To possess citizenship or act like one.

Ser cidadão exige ética.

Voz do cidadão

— The public opinion or collective input.

A voz do cidadão importa.

Serviço ao cidadão

— Public services provided by the state.

O portal de serviço ao cidadão.

Participação do cidadão

— Civic engagement.

A participação do cidadão é vital.

Segurança do cidadão

— Public safety.

A segurança do cidadão é prioridade.

Consciência de cidadão

— Civic awareness.

Ele tem forte consciência de cidadão.

O papel do cidadão

— The role/responsibility of a citizen.

Qual é o papel do cidadão?

Igualdade entre cidadãos

— Equality among citizens.

A lei prega a igualdade entre cidadãos.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

cidadão vs Habitante

A resident vs. a legal citizen with voting rights.

cidadão vs Povo

The collective people vs. the individual citizen.

cidadão vs Nacional

A technical legal term for nationality vs. the social role of a citizen.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Cidadão de bem"

— Originally meaning a law-abiding person, now often used with political undertones.

Ele se diz um cidadão de bem.

Social/Political

"Cidadão de segunda classe"

— A person who is treated as having fewer rights than others.

Ninguém quer ser tratado como cidadão de segunda classe.

Social

"Cidadão do mundo"

— Someone who doesn't feel tied to one nation.

Ele é um verdadeiro cidadão do mundo.

Global

"Exercer a cidadania"

— To act on one's rights and duties.

Votar é exercer a cidadania.

Formal

"Plena cidadania"

— The state of having all legal rights active.

Ele finalmente conquistou a plena cidadania.

Formal/Legal

"Cidadão honorário"

— A title given to someone as an honor.

O cantor foi nomeado cidadão honorário.

Formal

"Direito de cidadão"

— A fundamental right.

O acesso à saúde é um direito de cidadão.

Common

"Dever de cidadão"

— A moral or legal obligation.

Pagar impostos é um dever de cidadão.

Common

"Cidadão consciente"

— Someone aware of their social role.

Seja um cidadão consciente.

Educational

"Cidadão comum"

— The average person in society.

O que o cidadão comum pensa?

Media

Leicht verwechselbar

cidadão vs Cidadão

Sounds like 'city' in English.

'Cidadão' is the person, 'cidade' is the place.

O cidadão mora na cidade.

cidadão vs Cidadania

Similar root.

'Cidadania' is the abstract concept of citizenship.

Ele luta pela cidadania.

cidadão vs Concidadão

Rarely used in English.

Means 'fellow citizen'.

Meus caros concidadãos.

cidadão vs Civil

Related meaning.

'Civil' is an adjective, 'cidadão' is a noun.

Direitos civis do cidadão.

cidadão vs Residente

Often overlaps in meaning.

A resident lives there; a citizen belongs there legally.

Ele é residente, mas não cidadão.

Satzmuster

Eu sou um cidadão [nacionalidade].

Eu sou um cidadão americano.

O cidadão tem [substantivo].

O cidadão tem direitos.

É dever do cidadão [verbo].

É dever do cidadão votar.

Como cidadão, eu [verbo].

Como cidadão, eu exijo respeito.

O conceito de cidadão envolve [conceito].

O conceito de cidadão envolve responsabilidade social.

A subjetividade do cidadão é [adjetivo].

A subjetividade do cidadão é complexa.

O cidadão comum [verbo].

O cidadão comum paga impostos.

Os cidadãos vivem em [lugar].

Os cidadãos vivem em cidades.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in news, law, and social discussions.

Häufige Fehler

cidadões → cidadãos
This is the most common plural mistake in Portuguese.
o cidadão (for a woman) → a cidadã
Portuguese requires gender agreement for specific people.
cidadão (meaning only city-dweller) → habitante da cidade
'Cidadão' is a legal/social status, not just a location.
cidadão (pronounced like 'cidadon') → cidadão (nasal)
The nasal sound is essential for correct pronunciation.
using 'cidadão' for a tourist → turista / visitante
A citizen has legal rights in the country; a tourist does not.

Tipps

Plural Rule

Memorize 'cidadãos' by grouping it with 'irmãos' and 'mãos'. It never ends in -ões.

Nasal Power

The nasal 'ão' is key. If you don't nasalize it, you might be saying 'cidadom', which sounds like a different word.

Portuguese ID

In Portugal, always carry your 'Cartão de Cidadão' (or ID). It's a central part of life.

Feminine Form

Don't forget 'cidadã'. Using the correct gendered form makes you sound much more fluent.

Public Service

When you see 'Atendimento ao Cidadão', it's just 'Customer Service' for the public.

Formal Essays

Use 'cidadão' when discussing social responsibility. It's a very 'heavy' and respected word.

News Keywords

When you hear 'cidadão' on the news, pay attention; they are usually talking about your rights.

Inclusive Language

To be inclusive, say 'cidadãos e cidadãs' in formal speeches.

City-Dan

Recall 'City-Dan' to remember the word for a person in the city/state.

Rights and Duties

Remember: 'direitos' (rights) and 'deveres' (duties) always go with 'cidadão'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'City-Dan' (Dan from the city). A 'cidadão' is a person from the city/state.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person holding a ballot box in one hand and a passport in the other.

Word Web

voto lei país direitos deveres passaporte identidade governo

Herausforderung

Try to write three duties and three rights of a 'cidadão' in Portuguese.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin word 'civitas' (city/state) via the Old Portuguese 'cidadam'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A person who lives in a city and has the rights associated with it.

Romance (Latin)

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful with the term 'cidadão de bem' in Brazil, as it has become politically charged and can imply specific conservative alignments.

In English, 'citizen' is often more formal than in Portuguese, where 'cidadão' can be used more broadly in public services.

Constituição Cidadã (Brazil, 1988) Cartão de Cidadão (Portugal) Cidadão Quem (Brazilian Rock Band)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the Passport Office

Sou cidadão português.
Preciso renovar meu documento.
Onde está o formulário?
Aqui está meu Cartão de Cidadão.

During an Election

O cidadão deve votar.
Qual é a sua seção eleitoral?
Sou um cidadão consciente.
Votar é um dever.

In a Courtroom

O cidadão tem direito a um advogado.
A lei é igual para todo cidadão.
O cidadão foi absolvido.
Direitos civis do cidadão.

In a School

Estamos formando o cidadão.
Educação para a cidadania.
O que é ser um cidadão?
Deveres do pequeno cidadão.

In the News

O cidadão comum está preocupado.
Novas leis para o cidadão.
A voz do cidadão nas ruas.
Protestos dos cidadãos.

Gesprächseinstiege

"O que você acha que define um bom cidadão hoje em dia?"

"Você se considera um cidadão do mundo ou é mais ligado ao seu país?"

"Quais são os principais deveres de um cidadão na sua opinião?"

"Você já usou o Cartão de Cidadão em Portugal?"

"Como a tecnologia está mudando o papel do cidadão na sociedade?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre uma vez que você exerceu sua cidadania de forma ativa.

O que significa para você ser um 'cidadão do mundo'?

Descreva os direitos que você considera mais importantes para um cidadão.

Como você pode ajudar sua comunidade a ser composta por cidadãos mais conscientes?

Reflita sobre a diferença entre ser um residente e ser um cidadão.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The plural is 'cidadãos'. Avoid the common mistake 'cidadões'.

No, but it is the masculine form. For a woman, use 'cidadã'.

It is the national identity card in Portugal, used for ID, social security, and health services.

Yes, in a slightly formal or ironic way, e.g., 'Aquele cidadão ali'.

It's a nasal sound. Try to say 'ow' while closing the back of your throat and letting air out of your nose.

It is neutral to formal. It's the standard term in news and government.

A 'citizen of the world'—someone who identifies with global humanity.

It literally means 'good citizen', but in Brazil, it often has political connotations.

Usually, yes, in a legal sense. In a social sense, it implies participation in society.

'Cidadão' emphasizes rights and duties; 'nacional' emphasizes the legal bond of nationality.

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