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B1 verb #5,500 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

delegar

To delegate; to entrust a task or responsibility to another person.

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'delegar' often, but it's good to know it means 'to give a job to someone else'. You might say 'Eu dou um trabalho para você' (I give a job to you). 'Delegar' is a more professional way to say this. Think of it as 'sharing' your work with a friend or a helper. In very simple terms, it is when you are the boss and you tell someone 'Please, do this for me'. Even at this level, you can understand that it's a verb for work and helping each other. It's like 'dar' (to give) but specifically for tasks and responsibilities. You can start by recognizing it in simple business texts or signs in an office. It is a regular -ar verb, so it follows the same rules as 'falar' (to speak) or 'trabalhar' (to work). Learning it now will help you sound more advanced later.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'delegar' to describe simple situations at work or home. Instead of always using 'pedir' (to ask) or 'dar' (to give), you can use 'delegar' to show you are talking about responsibility. For example, 'Eu delego as tarefas de casa' (I delegate the house tasks). You should learn the basic structure: 'delegar [thing] para [person]'. This level is about building confidence with more specific verbs. You might see this word in simple emails or hear it in a basic office meeting. It's a great word to use when talking about your daily routine if you have a job where you work with others. Remember, it's about trust. When you delegar, you trust the other person to do a good job. It's a step up from basic vocabulary and makes your Portuguese sound more mature and organized.
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At the B1 level, 'delegar' becomes a key vocabulary item for professional and social interactions. You should be able to use it in various tenses, like the past (Eu deleguei) and the future (Eu vou delegar). You understand that delegar involves not just a task, but the 'autoridade' (authority) to do it. You can discuss the importance of delegation in a team: 'É importante delegar para não ficar cansado' (It's important to delegate so as not to get tired). You are also starting to see the noun form 'delegação' and the person 'delegado'. You can handle sentences with multiple objects, like 'O diretor delegou a responsabilidade aos funcionários'. This is the level where you move from simple actions to describing processes and management. You can explain why someone might have trouble delegating, perhaps because they are a 'perfeccionista' (perfectionist).
At the B2 level, you use 'delegar' with precision and understand its nuances compared to synonyms like 'incumbir' or 'atribuir'. You can use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive mood: 'É essencial que o gerente delegue mais tarefas' (It is essential that the manager delegates more tasks). You understand the legal and administrative contexts of the word, such as 'delegação de competência'. You can participate in debates about leadership styles, arguing for or against centralized power. You also recognize the word in formal reports and news articles. Your use of the word is natural, and you can apply it to abstract concepts like 'delegar a escolha' (delegating the choice) or 'delegar o poder de decisão'. You are aware of the cultural implications of delegation in different Portuguese-speaking countries and how it relates to hierarchy.
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At the C1 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'delegar' and its related terms. You can use it in highly formal writing, such as legal contracts or academic papers, where it might refer to the transfer of constitutional powers. You are comfortable with the passive voice ('As funções foram devidamente delegadas') and can use the word idiomatically or in sophisticated metaphors. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, linking it to the Latin 'delegare'. You can discern the subtle differences between 'delegar' and 'subdelegar' in an administrative process. Your vocabulary is rich enough to avoid repetition, using 'delegar' alongside 'outorgar' or 'cometer' in professional discourse. You can also analyze the psychological aspects of delegation in leadership, using the word to describe complex organizational dynamics without hesitation.
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At the C2 level, 'delegar' is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used with the finesse of a native speaker. You can use it to navigate the most complex legal, political, and philosophical discussions. You might discuss the 'delegação de soberania' in international law or the ethical implications of 'delegar decisões morais' to artificial intelligence. You understand all the archaic and rare uses of the word and its derivatives. Your ability to use 'delegar' in creative writing or high-level oratory is flawless, choosing it for its specific rhythmic and semantic weight. You can effortlessly switch between formal and informal contexts, knowing exactly when 'delegar' is the perfect choice and when a more colloquial alternative is needed. You are essentially indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker in your use and understanding of this term and its entire semantic field.
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Beispiele

delegar in 30 Sekunden

  • Delegar is a verb meaning to transfer authority or tasks to someone else, commonly used in professional and formal contexts in Portuguese.
  • It requires a direct object (the task) and an indirect object (the person), typically using the prepositions 'a' or 'para'.
  • This word is essential for B1 learners to describe leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills beyond simple verbs like 'dar'.

The Portuguese verb delegar is a sophisticated yet essential term that describes the act of transferring responsibility, authority, or specific tasks from one person to another. While it is heavily utilized in professional, legal, and political environments, its application extends into daily life, such as within a family dynamic or a community project. At its core, delegar implies a level of trust; you are not simply 'giving away' work, but rather empowering someone else to act on your behalf or to take ownership of a specific outcome. In a corporate setting, a manager might delegar the creation of a report to an assistant, which involves not just the task itself but the authority to gather the necessary data. This word is crucial for anyone reaching the B1 level of Portuguese because it allows for more nuanced discussions about collaboration, leadership, and time management. Unlike the simpler verb 'dar' (to give), delegar carries the weight of official transfer of duty. It suggests a structured process where the 'delegante' (the one who delegates) remains ultimately accountable, while the 'delegado' (the one who receives the task) gains the autonomy to execute it. Understanding this distinction is key to professional fluency in Portuguese-speaking cultures, where hierarchy and the clear definition of roles are often valued.

Professional Context
In the office, you will hear this when discussing project management. 'Precisamos delegar estas funções para otimizar o tempo' (We need to delegate these functions to optimize time).
Legal Authority
In legal terms, it refers to the transfer of power. 'O juiz pode delegar certas decisões ao seu assistente' (The judge can delegate certain decisions to his assistant).
Personal Life
Even at home, parents might delegar chores to children to teach responsibility. 'É importante delegar tarefas domésticas aos filhos' (It is important to delegate household tasks to children).

Um bom líder sabe exatamente quando e como delegar as suas responsabilidades para que a equipe cresça.

Não podemos centralizar tudo; é fundamental delegar autoridade aos coordenadores regionais.

Ao delegar o projeto, certifique-se de que as instruções sejam claras e objetivas.

Ela teve dificuldade em delegar porque queria controlar cada pequeno detalhe da festa.

O diretor decidiu delegar a organização do evento para o departamento de marketing.

Furthermore, the concept of delegar is deeply tied to the idea of 'competência' (competence/jurisdiction) in Portuguese. In administrative law, 'delegação de competência' is a formal act where a superior allows a subordinate to perform specific legal acts. This highlights that delegar is not just about the work, but about the legal or moral right to perform that work. If you are learning Portuguese for business, mastering this word will help you navigate hierarchies and describe your management style with precision. It is a sign of high-level fluency to use delegar instead of simply saying 'pedir para alguém fazer' (ask someone to do). It shows you understand the structural nature of the task being transferred. As you progress, you will see it used in various tenses, such as 'Eu deleguei' (I delegated) or 'Eles delegariam' (They would delegate), each maintaining the core meaning of trust-based transfer.

Using delegar correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the context of the action. As a regular verb ending in -ar, it follows the standard conjugation patterns, which makes it relatively easy to use once you know the stem. The most frequent structure is delegar + [substantivo] + a/para + [pessoa]. For instance, 'Eu deleguei o relatório ao meu colega' (I delegated the report to my colleague). Notice how the direct object is the thing being transferred and the indirect object is the recipient. You can also use it with 'em' in certain contexts, particularly when referring to the person in whom trust is placed, although this is less common than 'a' or 'para'.

The Direct Object
This is usually a task, a responsibility, or power. Common direct objects include 'tarefas' (tasks), 'funções' (functions), 'poder' (power), and 'autoridade' (authority).
The Indirect Object
This is the person or entity receiving the delegation. It is often preceded by 'a', 'ao', 'à', or 'para'. 'Deleguei a tarefa à secretária' (I delegated the task to the secretary).
Reflexive Usage
While rare, one might say 'delegar-se' in a philosophical sense of assigning oneself a role, but this is highly unusual and generally avoided in standard speech.

Se você não delegar as tarefas menores, ficará sobrecarregado rapidamente.

A diretoria resolveu delegar plenos poderes ao novo interventor da empresa.

Nós delegamos a escolha do restaurante para os nossos convidados.

O capitão delegou o comando da embarcação ao seu imediato durante a noite.

É necessário delegar com clareza para evitar mal-entendidos no futuro.

In more complex sentences, delegar can be used in the passive voice or with auxiliary verbs. 'As tarefas foram delegadas' (The tasks were delegated) is a common way to describe the status of a project. Using it with 'poder' (can/may) or 'dever' (should/must) adds layers of necessity or possibility: 'Você deve delegar mais' (You should delegate more). When writing, ensure the gender and number agreement of the past participle if using the passive voice: 'As funções foram delegadas' (feminine plural) vs 'Os poderes foram delegados' (masculine plural). This level of detail ensures your Portuguese sounds natural and professional. Whether you are talking about a small favor or a massive infrastructure project, the verb delegar remains the standard for describing the formal transfer of duty.

The word delegar is ubiquitous in the Brazilian and Portuguese professional landscapes. If you walk into a 'reunião' (meeting) at a tech startup in São Paulo or a traditional firm in Lisbon, you are almost certain to hear it. Managers frequently discuss the 'capacidade de delegar' (ability to delegate) as a core leadership trait. It is also a staple in the language of 'recursos humanos' (human resources) during performance reviews. Beyond the office, you will find it in the news, especially when political figures transfer powers to ministers or when a 'delegado de polícia' (police chief) is mentioned—though the noun 'delegado' has a specific legal meaning in that context, the root concept of delegated authority remains the same.

News & Media
Journalists use it to describe government actions: 'O presidente decidiu delegar a gestão da crise ao Ministério da Saúde.'
Academic Settings
In management or law classes, professors discuss the theory of 'delegar' as a mechanism for organizational efficiency.
Self-Help & Coaching
Productivity gurus often say: 'Aprenda a delegar para ganhar mais tempo livre' (Learn to delegate to gain more free time).

Na última conferência, o palestrante enfatizou que delegar é uma arte que exige paciência.

Ouvimos o CEO dizer que precisava delegar a expansão internacional para os diretores locais.

No rádio, o comentarista criticou o prefeito por não delegar a manutenção das vias públicas.

Durante a aula de direito, o professor explicou como delegar competência administrativa.

Ela leu em um livro que delegar é o primeiro passo para o sucesso empresarial.

Another interesting place you hear this word is in the context of international relations. When countries send 'delegados' (delegates) to a summit, they are individuals to whom the state has 'delegado' the power to represent its interests. This reinforces the idea that delegar is fundamentally about representation and the transfer of a mandate. Even in casual conversation, if someone says 'Vou delegar essa escolha para você' (I'm going to delegate this choice to you), they are using a slightly formal tone to playfully give someone else the responsibility of making a decision, like picking a movie or a restaurant. It’s a versatile word that, while formal, fits perfectly into the vocabulary of an educated speaker.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with delegar is confusing it with simply 'giving' or 'asking'. While 'dar' and 'pedir' are related, delegar specifically implies the transfer of authority or responsibility. Another frequent error involves the preposition. Many English speakers try to translate 'delegate to' directly as 'delegar para', which is correct, but they often forget that 'delegar a' is more common in formal Portuguese. Using 'em' instead of 'a/para' can also happen, usually influenced by the idea of 'placing trust in someone', but 'delegar em alguém' is much rarer and can sound slightly off in many contexts.

Confusion with 'Mandar'
Learners sometimes use 'mandar' (to order) when they mean delegar. 'Mandar' is bossy and unidirectional, while 'delegar' is professional and involves trust.
Incorrect Object Order
Sometimes students say 'Eu deleguei o João a tarefa' (I delegated John the task), which is an English structure. In Portuguese, it must be 'Eu deleguei a tarefa ao João'.
Noun/Verb Confusion
Don't confuse the verb 'delegar' with the noun 'delegado' (police chief/delegate). 'Eu vou delegado' is incorrect; it should be 'Eu vou delegar'.

Errado: Eu vou delegar o meu assistente para fazer isso. (Incorrect structure)

Correto: Eu vou delegar a tarefa ao meu assistente. (Correct structure)

Errado: Ele delegou que eu fizesse o café. (Delegar isn't usually used with 'que' clauses)

Correto: Ele delegou a preparação do café para mim. (Correct use with a noun)

Cuidado: Não confunda delegar com 'degelar' (to thaw/defrost).

Lastly, a subtle mistake is overusing delegar in very informal contexts. While it's fine to use it jokingly, using it seriously to ask a friend to pass the salt sounds overly stiff. In those cases, 'passar' or 'dar' is much better. Also, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'g'. In 'delegar', the 'g' is hard (like 'game'), but in 'delegue' (subjunctive/imperative), you need the 'u' to keep that hard sound. Forgetting the 'u' in writing would change the pronunciation and the word. Always remember that delegar is a tool of leadership and organization; use it when you want to sound professional and in control of your responsibilities.

While delegar is the most precise word for transferring authority, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the register and the specific nature of the transfer. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation. Common alternatives include 'incumbir', 'encarregar', 'confiar', and 'atribuir'. Each has a slightly different nuance. 'Incumbir' sounds more formal and often relates to a specific duty or mission. 'Encarregar' is very common in everyday professional life and implies giving someone a charge or a task. 'Confiar' emphasizes the trust aspect, often used when giving someone something precious or sensitive. 'Atribuir' is more about assigning a value, a role, or a task within a system.

Delegar vs. Encarregar
Delegar is more about authority; Encarregar is more about the task itself. 'Eu o encarreguei de comprar o papel' (I charged him with buying paper).
Delegar vs. Atribuir
Atribuir is used for assigning things like scores, blame, or specific roles in a list. 'Atribuímos a culpa ao sistema' (We attributed the fault to the system).
Delegar vs. Transferir
Transferir is a general move from A to B. 'Transferi o dinheiro' (I transferred the money). Delegar is specifically for duties and power.

Ao invés de delegar, você pode 'incumbir' alguém de uma missão especial.

Podemos 'confiar' a chave da empresa ao gerente, o que é um tipo de delegação.

O professor costuma 'atribuir' tarefas semanais aos seus alunos mais dedicados.

Em vez de delegar, ele preferiu 'passar' a responsabilidade para o sócio.

A empresa decidiu 'cometer' (formal/rare) a gestão ao novo conselho.

Finally, consider the antonyms. To 'centralizar' (centralize) or 'reter' (retain) are the opposites of delegar. A manager who doesn't delegar is said to 'centralizar as decisões' (centralize decisions), which is often seen as a negative trait in modern business. 'Assumir' (to assume/take on) is also an opposite in the sense of taking responsibility yourself rather than giving it away. Knowing these opposites helps you describe different management styles and personal habits. Whether you are choosing between 'delegar' and 'atribuir' or 'encarregar' and 'incumbir', the key is to look at the level of authority being moved and the formality of the situation. With practice, you'll be able to switch between these words to express exactly what you mean in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Eu vou delegar a limpeza.

I will delegate the cleaning.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

2

Você pode delegar o trabalho?

Can you delegate the work?

Interrogative with 'poder'.

3

Ela delega as tarefas.

She delegates the tasks.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Nós não delegamos nada.

We don't delegate anything.

Negative sentence, present tense.

5

Eles querem delegar.

They want to delegate.

Verb 'querer' + infinitive.

6

O chefe delega muito.

The boss delegates a lot.

Adverb 'muito' modifying the verb.

7

Vou delegar para você.

I'll delegate to you.

Use of 'para' for the recipient.

8

É bom delegar.

It is good to delegate.

Impersonal expression 'É bom'.

1

Eu deleguei as compras para o meu marido.

I delegated the shopping to my husband.

Preterite (past) tense.

2

Precisamos delegar melhor as funções.

We need to delegate functions better.

Adverb 'melhor' after the verb.

3

O gerente nunca delega suas tarefas.

The manager never delegates his tasks.

Frequency adverb 'nunca'.

4

Ela está aprendendo a delegar.

She is learning to delegate.

Present continuous.

5

Você deve delegar essa responsabilidade.

You must delegate this responsibility.

Modal verb 'deve'.

6

Nós vamos delegar a organização da festa.

We are going to delegate the party organization.

Compound future.

7

Eles delegaram o projeto para a equipe nova.

They delegated the project to the new team.

Preterite plural.

8

Delegar ajuda a economizar tempo.

Delegating helps to save time.

Infinitive as a subject.

1

Se eu fosse você, eu começaria a delegar as reuniões.

If I were you, I would start delegating the meetings.

Conditional mood.

2

O diretor delegou a autoridade ao seu vice.

The director delegated authority to his deputy.

Direct and indirect objects.

3

É fundamental que você delegue com clareza.

It is fundamental that you delegate clearly.

Present subjunctive.

4

Ela tem dificuldade em delegar tarefas complexas.

She has difficulty delegating complex tasks.

Noun + preposition 'em' + infinitive.

5

Nós já delegamos todas as permissões necessárias.

We have already delegated all necessary permissions.

Adverb 'já' with preterite.

6

Ao delegar, você demonstra confiança na sua equipe.

By delegating, you show trust in your team.

Preposition 'Ao' + infinitive (gerundial sense).

7

O líder deve saber delegar sem perder o controle.

The leader must know how to delegate without losing control.

Infinitive after 'saber'.

8

Eles decidiram delegar a gestão financeira para uma empresa externa.

They decided to delegate financial management to an external company.

Infinitive after 'decidir'.

1

A delegação de poderes foi feita de forma oficial.

The delegation of powers was done officially.

Noun 'delegação' related to the verb.

2

Embora seja difícil, ele precisa delegar as decisões operacionais.

Although it's difficult, he needs to delegate operational decisions.

Concessive clause with 'Embora'.

3

O projeto fracassou porque o coordenador não soube delegar.

The project failed because the coordinator didn't know how to delegate.

Causal clause.

4

Delegar competências é uma estratégia comum em grandes empresas.

Delegating competencies is a common strategy in large companies.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as subject.

5

Espero que eles deleguem o caso para um especialista.

I hope they delegate the case to a specialist.

Subjunctive after 'Espero que'.

6

A autoridade delegada não pode ser transferida novamente sem autorização.

Delegated authority cannot be transferred again without authorization.

Past participle as adjective.

7

Você deve estar disposto a delegar se quiser crescer na carreira.

You must be willing to delegate if you want to grow in your career.

Conditional 'se' clause.

8

O prefeito delegou a responsabilidade das obras ao secretário.

The mayor delegated the responsibility for the works to the secretary.

Specific professional context.

1

A incapacidade de delegar pode asfixiar o crescimento de uma startup.

The inability to delegate can stifle a startup's growth.

Metaphorical use.

2

O decreto visa delegar funções administrativas aos órgãos regionais.

The decree aims to delegate administrative functions to regional bodies.

Formal administrative language.

3

Ao subdelegar as tarefas, o gerente perdeu a visão geral do projeto.

By sub-delegating the tasks, the manager lost the overview of the project.

Use of the prefix 'sub-'.

4

É imperativo que se deleguem as responsabilidades de forma equitativa.

It is imperative that responsibilities be delegated equitably.

Passive with 'se' in subjunctive.

5

A soberania não pode ser delegada levianamente a entidades supranacionais.

Sovereignty cannot be lightly delegated to supranational entities.

High-level political context.

6

O autor delega ao leitor a tarefa de interpretar o final da obra.

The author delegates to the reader the task of interpreting the work's ending.

Literary context.

7

Delegar a outrem o que nos compete é um sinal de negligência.

Delegating to another what is our duty is a sign of negligence.

Use of 'outrem' (someone else).

8

A estrutura organizacional permite delegar decisões de baixo impacto.

The organizational structure allows for delegating low-impact decisions.

Technical business terminology.

1

A delegação de competências é o cerne da eficiência burocrática moderna.

The delegation of competencies is the core of modern bureaucratic efficiency.

Abstract noun-heavy sentence.

2

O monarca, em um ato de desespero, delegou o governo aos militares.

The monarch, in an act of desperation, delegated the government to the military.

Historical narrative style.

3

Não se deve delegar a outrem o exercício da própria consciência moral.

One should not delegate to another the exercise of one's own moral conscience.

Philosophical/Ethical register.

4

A complexidade do sistema exige que se deleguem processos a algoritmos.

The system's complexity requires that processes be delegated to algorithms.

Technological/Future context.

5

Delegar-se-ia a responsabilidade se houvesse confiança mútua absoluta.

Responsibility would be delegated if there were absolute mutual trust.

Mesoclisis (very formal/archaic future conditional).

6

O embaixador possui plenos poderes delegados pelo seu governo.

The ambassador possesses full powers delegated by his government.

Diplomatic terminology.

7

A arte de delegar reside na capacidade de discernir talentos latentes.

The art of delegating lies in the capacity to discern latent talents.

Sophisticated metaphorical prose.

8

Houve uma tentativa de delegar a culpa, mas as evidências eram claras.

There was an attempt to delegate the blame, but the evidence was clear.

Abstract use of 'delegar'.

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