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B1 verb #9,500 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

demolir

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At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'demolir' very often. It is a more advanced word for specific situations. Instead, you might use simpler words like 'partir' (to break) or 'cair' (to fall). However, if you see it in a picture of a construction site, just remember it means 'to take down a building'. You might hear it in very simple sentences about a house being old and needing to be removed. Focus on the fact that it involves big machines and houses. Don't worry about the hard conjugations yet; just recognize the word 'demolir' as 'to demolish'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'demolir' when talking about your city or home renovations. You might say 'Eles vão demolir a casa' (They are going to demolish the house). You should notice that it's a verb ending in -ir. You can use it in the future with 'vou' or 'vai'. It's also useful to know its opposite, 'construir' (to build). If you are describing a neighborhood that is changing, 'demolir' is a great word to explain why the old buildings are disappearing. You are starting to see that 'demolir' is more formal than 'derrubar'.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'demolir' in both physical and some metaphorical contexts. You can talk about 'demolir argumentos' (demolishing arguments) in a debate. You should also be aware that in European Portuguese, this verb is 'defectivo' (defective), so you might avoid the first person present (*eu demolo) and use 'estou a demolir' instead. You can use it in the past tense (demoli, demoliram) to talk about history or changes in your town. This is the level where you distinguish between 'demolir' (intentional) and 'desmoronar' (accidental collapse).

At the B2 level, you should use 'demolir' with precision in professional or academic discussions. You can discuss urban planning policy, heritage preservation (not wanting to 'demolir' historic sites), and technical aspects of construction. You should be able to use the passive voice naturally: 'O edifício foi demolido para dar lugar a um shopping'. You also understand the nuance of using 'demolir' to describe the total failure of a plan or a business strategy. Your vocabulary should include related words like 'demolição' (demolition) and 'demolidor' (demolishing/devastating).

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At the C1 level, you use 'demolir' to add weight and authority to your speech. You might use it in literary analysis to describe how an author 'demolishes' social norms or traditional narratives. You are fully aware of the regional differences in conjugation between Brazil and Portugal and can adapt your usage accordingly. You can use 'demolir' in complex sentence structures, such as 'Ainda que quisessem demolir o prédio, não tinham a autorização necessária'. You appreciate the word's Latin roots and how it fits into a broader family of words related to 'moles' (mass/structure).

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'demolir' and its most subtle connotations. You can use it in high-level legal, political, or philosophical discourse without hesitation. You might use it ironically or with deep metaphorical intent, such as 'demolir o próprio ego'. You understand its place in the history of the Portuguese language and can identify it in archaic texts where its usage might have been slightly different. You can effortlessly switch between 'demolir', 'arrasar', 'subverter', and 'desconstruir' to convey the exact shade of destruction or dismantling you intend.

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Demolir is a Portuguese verb meaning to tear down or dismantle structures like buildings or walls in a planned and intentional manner.
It is also frequently used metaphorically to describe the complete refutation of arguments, theories, reputations, or even sports records.
Historically a defective verb in European Portuguese, it is often replaced by 'derrubar' in certain present tense forms to avoid sounding unnatural.
Commonly heard in construction contexts, news reports about urban renewal, and academic debates where established ideas are being challenged.

The Portuguese verb demolir is a powerful and specific word used to describe the act of pulling down or tearing down a structure, typically a building or a large construction. Derived from the Latin demoliri, it carries a sense of organized or intentional destruction, rather than accidental damage. While it is most frequently encountered in the context of architecture and urban development, its reach extends far into metaphorical territories, where one might 'demolish' an argument, a theory, or even a long-standing reputation. Understanding demolir requires recognizing that it implies a complete removal, leaving a space where something once stood, often to make way for something new.

Physical Destruction: The primary use of demolir is in construction and civil engineering. It refers to the deliberate process of dismantling a structure using tools, machinery, or explosives. For example, when a city council decides that an old stadium is no longer safe, they will issue an order to demolir the facility. This is distinct from 'destruir' (to destroy), which can be accidental or chaotic; demolir usually suggests a planned, often legal, action.

A prefeitura decidiu demolir o antigo hospital para construir um parque moderno.

Metaphorical Impact: In intellectual and social contexts, demolir is used to describe the total refutation of an idea. If a scientist presents a paper that proves a previous theory entirely false, they are said to demolir that theory. Similarly, in a legal setting, a lawyer might demolir a witness's testimony by proving they are lying, effectively 'tearing down' their credibility until nothing remains.

O advogado conseguiu demolir o argumento da acusação com provas irrefutáveis.

Grammatical Nuance: It is important to note that demolir is historically classified as a 'verbo defectivo' (defective verb) in some traditional grammars, meaning it was not conjugated in certain forms where the 'o' or 'a' would follow the stem 'demol-'. However, in modern usage, especially in Brazil, many of these forms are now accepted and used regularly. Understanding this history helps explain why you might see variations in conjugation charts across different sources.

Eles vão demolir o muro que separava as duas propriedades.

Furthermore, demolir can be used in sports or competitions. When a team defeats another by a huge margin, commentators might say they 'demolished' the opponent (demoliram o adversário). This conveys a sense of total dominance and the collapse of the other team's defense. In every sense, demolir implies that what was once a solid structure—be it physical, logical, or competitive—has been systematically reduced to nothing.

A crítica de cinema foi tão ácida que serviu para demolir a carreira do diretor.

Precisamos de uma licença especial antes de demolir qualquer parte da casa.

Using demolir correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the common objects it takes. As a transitive verb, it almost always requires a direct object—the thing being demolished. Whether you are talking about a physical building or a metaphorical concept, the sentence structure remains relatively straightforward: [Subject] + [Conjugated form of demolir] + [Object].

Physical Structures: When referring to buildings, demolir is often used in the future tense or with auxiliary verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'precisar' (to need). For instance, 'Eles vão demolir o prédio' (They are going to demolish the building). It is also common in the passive voice: 'O prédio foi demolido' (The building was demolished).

A ponte velha será demolida no próximo mês por razões de segurança.

Metaphorical Use: In figurative speech, demolir often pairs with abstract nouns like 'argumento' (argument), 'teoria' (theory), 'reputação' (reputation), or 'preconceito' (prejudice). When you demolir a prejudice, you are essentially breaking it down until it no longer exists. Example: 'O documentário ajudou a demolir muitos preconceitos sobre a doença'.

Suas palavras foram capazes de demolir toda a minha confiança.

The 'Defective' Nature: In European Portuguese, demolir was traditionally not used in the first person singular of the present indicative (*eu demolo) or in the present subjunctive. Instead, speakers would use synonyms like 'derrubar' or 'deitar abaixo'. However, in Brazilian Portuguese, 'eu demolo' is widely used and accepted. As a learner, it is safer to use the infinitive or past tenses until you are comfortable with regional variations.

Nós demolimos a parede para criar um conceito aberto na sala.

When writing, remember that demolir is a formal and technical word. If you are describing a child knocking over a tower of blocks, you would use 'derrubar'. Demolir is reserved for the heavy lifting—the wrecking balls, the structural collapses, and the devastating logical refutations. It carries a weight of finality that other verbs of destruction lack.

O furacão não apenas danificou a casa, ele pareceu demolir a estrutura inteira.

Eles tiveram que demolir as favelas para abrir caminho para a nova rodovia.

You will encounter demolir in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the word's 'vibe' and appropriate usage levels. It is not a word used every day in casual conversation unless you work in construction or are discussing a major news event.

The Evening News: News reports frequently use demolir when discussing urban planning, illegal constructions, or the aftermath of natural disasters. A reporter might say, 'As autoridades começaram a demolir as casas construídas em áreas de risco' (The authorities began to demolish houses built in high-risk areas). It sounds official and authoritative.

O jornal anunciou que vão demolir o antigo cinema do centro.

Academic and Intellectual Debates: In universities or high-level discussions, demolir is used to describe the process of deconstructing a theory. A professor might ask students to 'demolir o mito da neutralidade científica' (demolish the myth of scientific neutrality). Here, it implies a rigorous, point-by-point dismantling of an established idea.

A tese de doutorado dele visa demolir os fundamentos da economia clássica.

Real Estate and Renovation: If you are buying a house in Portugal or Brazil that needs work, you might hear a contractor say, 'Precisamos demolir esta parede para ampliar a cozinha' (We need to demolish this wall to enlarge the kitchen). In this context, it is a practical, everyday term for renovation work.

O arquiteto sugeriu demolir o anexo para ganhar mais espaço no jardim.

Finally, in literature and high-end journalism, demolir is used for dramatic effect. An author might describe a character's world being 'demolished' by a single piece of news. It conveys a profound sense of loss and the destruction of one's reality. Whether physical or emotional, demolir is about the end of an era or a structure.

A notícia da traição serviu para demolir o que restava do casamento.

O exército recebeu ordens para demolir os esconderijos dos rebeldes.

Even for intermediate learners, demolir can present a few hurdles. These mistakes usually stem from confusing it with similar verbs or applying English logic where Portuguese has its own rules. Avoiding these will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing 'Demolir' with 'Destruir': While both mean to destroy, demolir is specific to structures and intentionality. You wouldn't say 'Eu demoli o meu celular' if you dropped your phone. You would say 'Eu destruí o meu celular'. Use demolir for buildings, walls, and systematic refutations. Use 'destruir' for everything else, especially accidental damage.

Não use demolir para objetos pequenos; prefira 'quebrar' ou 'destruir'.

Conjugation Pitfalls (Defective Verb): As mentioned, demolir is a defective verb. In strict European Portuguese, the forms 'eu demolo', 'tu demoles', 'ele demole' are often avoided. Learners often try to conjugate it like 'partir' (eu parto), but 'eu demolo' sounds strange to some ears. To avoid this, use 'estão a demolir' or 'vão demolir'. In Brazil, however, you can usually conjugate it fully without issue.

Muitos estudantes erram ao tentar conjugar demolir no presente do indicativo.

Overusing it for 'Breaking': In English, we might say 'the news demolished him'. While Portuguese uses demolir metaphorically, it often sounds a bit too 'civil engineering' for personal feelings. For emotional 'breaking', Portuguese speakers prefer 'arrasou' (devastated) or 'destruiu'. Demolir is better for breaking down someone's *reputation* or *arguments* rather than their heart.

Para sentimentos, 'arrasou' é mais comum do que demolir.

Another mistake is forgetting the preposition 'para' when expressing purpose. 'Eles demoliram o prédio *para* construir um novo' is correct. Some learners omit the 'para', which makes the sentence sound incomplete. Also, ensure you use the correct past participle: demolido. It is a regular -ir participle, so it shouldn't cause too much trouble, but don't confuse it with irregular forms like 'feito' or 'dito'.

O prédio foi demolido em menos de dez segundos com dinamite.

Eles estão demolindo a estrutura antiga com muito cuidado.

Portuguese is rich with verbs that describe the end of a structure. While demolir is your 'go-to' for buildings, knowing the alternatives will help you navigate different registers and contexts more effectively.

Derrubar vs. Demolir: Derrubar is the most common alternative. It literally means 'to knock down' or 'to trip'. It is less formal than demolir. You 'derrubar' a tree, a glass of water, or a wall. Demolir implies a more thorough, often professional process. If you're doing DIY at home, you 'derruba uma parede'. If a company is doing it, they 'demolem o prédio'.

O vento forte conseguiu derrubar a cerca, mas não a demoliu.

Arrasar: Arrasar means 'to level with the ground' or 'to devastate'. It is much more emotional and intense. In slang, it can also mean 'to slay' or 'to do a great job' (e.g., 'Ela arrasou no palco!'). However, in its literal sense, it means to leave nothing standing. Use it for war zones or total destruction.

O furacão arrasou a cidade costeira.

Desconstruir: Desconstruir (to deconstruct) is the intellectual cousin of demolir. While you might demolir an argument to prove it wrong, you desconstruir a concept to analyze its parts and reveal its hidden meanings. It is very common in philosophy, sociology, and literary criticism.

A aula de hoje foi sobre desconstruir as narrativas históricas oficiais.

Other words include desmoronar (to crumble/collapse on its own) and abater (to bring down/slaughter). If a building falls because it's old and weak, use desmoronar. If you are tearing it down on purpose, use demolir. Understanding these nuances will prevent you from sounding like a 'wrecking ball' in every conversation!

O prédio antigo começou a desmoronar antes mesmo de o demolirem.

A polícia teve que derrubar a porta para entrar no apartamento.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'moles' is also where we get the word 'molecule' (a little mass) and 'mole' (a massive structure in a harbor).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /dɨ.mu.ˈliɾ/

US /de.mo.ˈliʁ/

The stress is on the final syllable: de-mo-LIR.

Reimt sich auf

partir dormir abrir sorrir subir pedir mentir sentir

Häufige Fehler

Stressing the second syllable (de-MO-lir) like in English 'demolish'.
Using a closed 'o' sound instead of an open one in Brazil.
Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly in an English style.
Mumbling the 'i' sound so it sounds like 'demoler'.
Confusing the pronunciation with the Spanish 'demoler'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'demolish'.

Schreiben 5/5

Tricky due to its status as a defective verb in some grammars.

Sprechen 4/5

Requires correct placement of stress on the final syllable.

Hören 3/5

Clear sound, but watch out for regional 'r' variations.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

casa prédio quebrar construir velho

Als Nächstes lernen

licença estrutura entulho arquiteto engenheiro

Fortgeschritten

obsoleto infraestrutura paradigma refutar desconstrução

Wichtige Grammatik

Verbos Defectivos

Demolir lacks certain forms in the present tense in traditional grammar.

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

O muro foi demolido.

Future with 'Ir'

Eles vão demolir a ponte.

Personal Infinitive

Para eles demolirem a casa, precisam de autorização.

Subjunctive Mood

Espero que não demoliam o cinema.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Eles vão demolir a casa velha.

They are going to demolish the old house.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O trator vai demolir o muro.

The tractor is going to demolish the wall.

Subject + auxiliary verb + infinitive.

Não podemos demolir o prédio.

We cannot demolish the building.

Negative sentence with 'poder'.

Eles querem demolir a escola?

Do they want to demolish the school?

Interrogative sentence.

O homem vai demolir a garagem.

The man is going to demolish the garage.

Simple future structure.

É perigoso demolir casas antigas.

It is dangerous to demolish old houses.

Adjective + infinitive.

Eles demoliram a parede ontem.

They demolished the wall yesterday.

Preterite tense (past).

Vamos demolir tudo hoje.

We are going to demolish everything today.

First person plural future.

A prefeitura vai demolir o mercado.

The city council is going to demolish the market.

Noun phrase as subject.

Eles precisam de uma licença para demolir.

They need a license to demolish.

Preposition 'para' + infinitive.

O prédio foi demolido rapidamente.

The building was demolished quickly.

Passive voice (ser + past participle).

Por que eles demoliram a estátua?

Why did they demolish the statue?

Question word 'Por que'.

Eles estão a demolir o cinema antigo.

They are demolishing the old cinema.

Present continuous (European style).

É mais barato demolir e construir de novo.

It is cheaper to demolish and build again.

Comparative structure.

Eles nunca demoliram nada nesta rua.

They never demolished anything on this street.

Negative adverb 'nunca'.

O arquiteto disse para demolir o anexo.

The architect said to demolish the annex.

Indirect speech.

O advogado tentou demolir o testemunho.

The lawyer tried to demolish the testimony.

Metaphorical use of 'demolir'.

Se demolirem a ponte, o trânsito vai parar.

If they demolish the bridge, traffic will stop.

Future subjunctive (demolirem).

Eles demoliram o estádio para as Olimpíadas.

They demolished the stadium for the Olympics.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.

A notícia demoliu as esperanças da família.

The news demolished the family's hopes.

Figurative use with abstract noun.

Não é fácil demolir um preconceito antigo.

It is not easy to demolish an old prejudice.

Infinitive as a subject noun phrase.

O governo decidiu demolir as construções ilegais.

The government decided to demolish the illegal constructions.

Verb 'decidir' + infinitive.

A parede foi demolida para ampliar a sala.

The wall was demolished to enlarge the room.

Passive voice with purpose clause.

Eles já demoliram metade do quarteirão.

They have already demolished half of the block.

Use of 'já' with preterite.

A crítica demoliu o novo filme do diretor.

The review demolished the director's new film.

Subject is a collective noun (a crítica).

O projeto prevê demolir toda a zona portuária.

The project plans to demolish the entire port area.

Verb 'prever' + infinitive.

Eles demoliram o recorde mundial de natação.

They demolished the world swimming record.

Idiomatic use for records.

A empresa foi multada por demolir sem permissão.

The company was fined for demolishing without permission.

Gerund/Infinitive after 'por'.

Seria um erro demolir este patrimônio histórico.

It would be a mistake to demolish this historical heritage.

Conditional mood (seria).

O exército recebeu ordens para demolir o forte.

The army received orders to demolish the fort.

Noun + preposition + infinitive.

O escândalo serviu para demolir sua reputação política.

The scandal served to demolish his political reputation.

Verb 'servir para' + infinitive.

A tempestade ameaça demolir as casas na encosta.

The storm threatens to demolish the houses on the slope.

Verb 'ameaçar' + infinitive.

O autor busca demolir as convenções literárias.

The author seeks to demolish literary conventions.

Literary/Abstract usage.

Ao demolir a teoria, ele abriu novos caminhos.

By demolishing the theory, he opened new paths.

Gerundial 'Ao' + infinitive.

É imperativo demolir os obstáculos ao progresso.

It is imperative to demolish the obstacles to progress.

Formal 'É imperativo' structure.

A empresa optou por demolir em vez de restaurar.

The company opted to demolish instead of restoring.

Contrastive 'em vez de'.

Suas palavras demoliram qualquer chance de acordo.

His words demolished any chance of an agreement.

Metaphorical finality.

O incêndio acabou por demolir o que restava do teto.

The fire ended up demolishing what remained of the roof.

Verb 'acabar por' + infinitive.

A tese foi escrita para demolir mitos urbanos.

The thesis was written to demolish urban myths.

Passive voice with purpose.

Eles temem que a prefeitura queira demolir a vila.

They fear that the city council wants to demolish the village.

Subjunctive mood (queira demolir).

A obra visa demolir a própria estrutura do ego.

The work aims to demolish the very structure of the ego.

Highly abstract/philosophical usage.

Nada restou após a fúria demolidora do invasor.

Nothing remained after the invader's demolishing fury.

Adjective 'demolidora' derived from verb.

O passar dos séculos encarregou-se de demolir a torre.

The passing of centuries took care of demolishing the tower.

Personification of time.

Seria necessário demolir as bases do sistema atual.

It would be necessary to demolish the foundations of the current system.

Radical political/social context.

A descoberta demoliu séculos de certezas científicas.

The discovery demolished centuries of scientific certainties.

Historical impact.

O crítico não hesitou em demolir a performance medíocre.

The critic did not hesitate to demolish the mediocre performance.

Houve quem quisesse demolir o monumento à infâmia.

There were those who wanted to demolish the monument to infamy.

Complex relative clause with subjunctive.

A retórica demolidora do orador silenciou a plateia.

The speaker's demolishing rhetoric silenced the audience.

Adjective use in formal context.

Häufige Kollokationen

demolir um prédio

demolir um argumento

demolir por completo

mandar demolir

demolir a reputação

licença para demolir

demolir e reconstruir

demolir o muro

máquina de demolir

demolir um recorde

Häufige Phrasen

Colocar abaixo

— To pull down or demolish something, often used colloquially.

Eles vão colocar o barraco abaixo.

Vir ao chão

— To come down to the ground, often describing a building falling.

O prédio veio ao chão em segundos.

Não deixar pedra sobre pedra

— To leave no stone unturned, implying total destruction.

A guerra não deixou pedra sobre pedra.

Botar abaixo

— Similar to 'colocar abaixo', very common in Brazil.

Botei a parede abaixo para ampliar o quarto.

Ir para o chão

— To be leveled or demolished.

A velha fábrica vai para o chão amanhã.

Reduzir a escombros

— To reduce to rubble.

A explosão reduziu a casa a escombros.

Passar o trator

— To run over with a tractor, often meaning to demolish or ignore opposition.

O governo passou o trator e demoliu tudo.

Fazer desaparecer

— To make disappear, sometimes a euphemism for demolition.

Eles fizeram desaparecer o casarão antigo.

Limpar o terreno

— To clear the land, which often involves demolishing structures.

Antes de construir, temos que limpar o terreno.

Abrir espaço

— To make room, the common motivation for demolishing something.

Demoliram a loja para abrir espaço para o prédio.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

demolir vs destruir

Destruir is general destruction; demolir is specific to structures/plans.

demolir vs desmoronar

Desmoronar is to collapse by itself; demolir is to tear down on purpose.

demolir vs derrubar

Derrubar is more casual and can apply to small objects or people.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Demolir castelos de areia"

— To destroy illusions or unrealistic plans.

A realidade demoliu seus castelos de areia.

Literary

"Demolidor de corações"

— A heartbreaker (literal: heart demolisher).

Ele sempre foi um demolidor de corações.

Informal

"Demolir a casa"

— To party very hard or cause a huge mess (figurative).

A festa foi tão boa que quase demoliram a casa.

Slang

"Demolir por dentro"

— To be emotionally destroyed or broken from within.

A notícia o demoliu por dentro.

Poetic

"Mão demolidora"

— Refers to someone who breaks everything they touch.

Cuidado com ele, tem uma mão demolidora.

Informal

"Demolir mitos"

— To debunk long-held false beliefs.

O livro serve para demolir mitos sobre a dieta.

Academic

"Demolir pontes"

— To destroy relationships or connections (burning bridges).

Ao sair da empresa, ele demoliu todas as pontes.

Metaphorical

"Demolir o altar"

— To reject a sacred or highly respected tradition.

O novo diretor quer demolir o altar da burocracia.

Figurative

"Força demolidora"

— An unstoppable force of destruction or change.

A tecnologia teve uma força demolidora no mercado.

Formal

"Demolir a concorrência"

— To completely outperform rivals in business.

Eles lançaram o produto e demoliram a concorrência.

Business

Leicht verwechselbar

demolir vs demoler

Spanish influence.

In Portuguese, it is 'demolir' (ends in -ir).

Eu quero demolir (PT) vs Yo quiero demoler (ES).

demolir vs demorar

Similar spelling.

Demorar means 'to take time' or 'to be late'.

Não demore a demolir a parede!

demolir vs demolhar

Very similar spelling.

Demolhar means 'to soak' (like beans in water).

Ponha o feijão de demolhar, não vá demolir a cozinha!

demolir vs demonstrar

Starts with 'demo-'.

Demonstrar means 'to demonstrate' or 'to show'.

Ele demonstrou como demolir o muro.

demolir vs demover

Similar prefix and length.

Demover means 'to dissuade' or 'to talk someone out of something'.

Tentei demovê-lo de demolir a casa.

Satzmuster

Eu vou demolir X.

Eu vou demolir o muro.

Eles demoliram X ontem.

Eles demoliram a casa ontem.

X foi demolido para Y.

O prédio foi demolido para fazer um parque.

É preciso demolir X.

É preciso demolir o preconceito.

Embora quisessem demolir X, Y.

Embora quisessem demolir o teatro, o povo protestou.

Ao demolir X, o autor sugere Y.

Ao demolir a tradição, o autor sugere o caos.

A força demolidora de X.

A força demolidora do furacão assustou a todos.

Nada obsta a que se demola X.

Nada obsta a que se demola a velha estrutura.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

demolição (demolition)

demolidor (demolisher)

Verben

demolir (to demolish)

Adjektive

demolido (demolished)

demolidor (devastating/demolishing)

Verwandt

molde

moles

molécula

muralha

muro

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frequency

Common in news and technical contexts, rare in casual daily chat.

Häufige Fehler

Eu demolo a casa (in Portugal) → Estou a demolir a casa
In Portugal, the present tense of demolir is usually avoided.
O prédio demoliu → O prédio desmoronou
Buildings don't 'demolir' themselves; they are 'demolidos' by someone, or they 'desmoronam' on their own.
Demolir um copo → Quebrar um copo
'Demolir' is for large structures, not small glassware.
Demolir um erro → Corrigir um erro
You correct an error; you don't demolish it, unless it's a massive conceptual mistake.
Demolir a luz → Apagar a luz
You 'apagar' (turn off) the light. 'Demolir' would mean physically destroying the lamp.

Tipps

Defective Verb Alert

Remember that in Portugal, speakers often use 'derrubar' or 'deitar abaixo' in the present tense to avoid the tricky forms of 'demolir'.

Metaphorical Power

Use 'demolir' when you want to sound strong in a debate. It sounds much more decisive than just saying 'discordar' (to disagree).

Construction Zones

If you see a sign that says 'Cuidado: Demolição', stay away! It means a building is being actively torn down.

Urban Renewal

In Brazil, 'demolir' is a hot topic in city planning. Use it when discussing social issues related to housing.

Stress the End

Always stress the last syllable. de-mo-LIR. This is the golden rule for most verbs ending in -ir.

Passive Voice

The passive voice 'foi demolido' is very common in newspaper headlines. Practice using it for a more journalistic style.

Eating Habits

Impress your Brazilian friends by using 'demolir' when you're about to eat a big, delicious meal.

Demolir vs Construir

Always learn a word with its opposite. 'Construir' is the perfect partner for 'demolir'.

Image Association

Associate the word with the color of dust and the sound of falling bricks.

Adjective Form

Use 'demolidor' as an adjective to describe something devastating, like 'um argumento demolidor'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Demo' (Demonstration) of 'Li' (Leveling) 'R' (Real estate). Demolir = Leveling Real estate.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant wrecking ball hitting a wall with the word 'DEMOLIR' painted on it in bright red.

Word Web

prédio máquina construir ruínas argumento licença parede poeira

Herausforderung

Try to use 'demolir' in a sentence about a bad movie review and then in a sentence about a home renovation.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'demoliri', which is composed of 'de-' (down from) and 'moliri' (to build/strive/construct), from 'moles' (mass/structure).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To throw down a mass or a large structure.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'demolir' regarding people's homes or neighborhoods, as it can be a traumatic topic related to forced evictions.

English speakers use 'demolish' similarly, but 'tear down' is more common in casual speech. In Portuguese, 'demolir' is the standard for buildings.

The 'Demolidor' (Daredevil) character from Marvel comics is known as 'Demolidor' in Brazil. Historical demolition of the Berlin Wall is often described with this verb. The song 'Demolir' by various Brazilian artists often uses the word as a metaphor for passion.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Construction Site

Cuidado com a demolição!
Onde está o entulho?
Precisamos de marretas.
A estrutura está instável.

Legal/City Council

A ordem de demolição chegou.
O prédio é ilegal.
Não temos a licença.
O juiz suspendeu a obra.

Academic Debate

Vou demolir essa tese.
Não há provas suficientes.
O argumento é fraco.
Sua lógica é falha.

Sports Commentary

Uma vitória demolidora!
O time foi demolido.
Não tiveram chance.
O ataque foi implacável.

Home Renovation

Quero demolir esta parede.
Vai fazer muita poeira?
Quanto custa demolir?
É uma parede mestra?

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você acha que deveriam demolir os prédios antigos da cidade?"

"Você já teve que demolir alguma coisa na sua casa?"

"Como você reagiria se visse alguém demolir um monumento histórico?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de demolir um argumento sem ser rude?"

"Você prefere restaurar coisas velhas ou demolir e começar do zero?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva um momento em que você sentiu que sua confiança foi demolida por alguém.

Escreva sobre um prédio na sua cidade que você gostaria de ver demolido e por quê.

Imagine que você é uma bola de demolição. Como é o seu dia de trabalho?

Reflita sobre a ideia de 'demolir' preconceitos na sociedade moderna.

Se você pudesse demolir uma lei ou regra chata, qual seria?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but it's very dramatic. It implies a systematic destruction of the bond. 'A mentira demoliu a relação' is powerful and correct.

Yes, it is the first person present of 'demolir'. However, it is often avoided in European Portuguese because the verb is considered defective. In Brazil, it's fine.

The noun is 'demolição'. For example, 'A demolição vai começar às oito horas'.

It is usually called 'bola de demolição' or 'bola demolidora'.

In slang, yes! 'Demolir um prato' means to eat everything very quickly and with great appetite.

It is always 'demolido'. 'Demolito' does not exist in Portuguese.

'Quebrar' is 'to break' (general). 'Demolir' is 'to tear down' (specific to structures).

Yes, to describe destroying competition or a failing department. 'Vamos demolir esse setor da empresa'.

Rarely. You 'deletar' or 'apagar' files. But you might 'demolir' a website's structure if you are a developer starting over.

Usually, yes, as it involves destruction. But it can be positive if it's 'demolishing' something bad like prejudice.

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