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A2 verb #15,000 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

desligar-se

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At the A1 level, the verb 'desligar' is usually learned in its simplest form: turning off things. You might learn 'desligar a luz' (turn off the light) or 'desligar o telemóvel' (turn off the cell phone). The reflexive version 'desligar-se' is slightly more advanced because it involves the pronoun 'me/te/se'. At this stage, you can use it to say you are going to sleep or stopping a simple activity. Think of it as 'I am turning myself off' for the day. It is important to start noticing that in Portuguese, we often use reflexive verbs for actions that happen to us or that we do to ourselves, even if English doesn't use 'myself'.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'desligar-se' to describe your mental state and boundaries. This is the level where you learn to say 'Eu preciso me desligar do trabalho' (I need to disconnect from work). You understand that the preposition 'de' is necessary to show what you are disconnecting from. You also start to recognize the difference between the physical action (desligar a TV) and the mental action (desligar-se da TV). You can use this verb to talk about your hobbies, your weekend plans, and how you relax. It is a key verb for discussing daily routines and self-care in a simple way.

By B1, you can use 'desligar-se' in more complex sentence structures, including the past and future tenses. You can describe emotional situations, such as 'desligar-se de problemas familiares' (detaching from family problems). You understand the nuance of using this verb to describe a lack of focus or a conscious decision to ignore something for your own well-being. You might also encounter the adjective 'desligado' to describe a person who is distracted. At this level, you should be comfortable using the reflexive pronouns correctly in different positions (before the verb in Brazil, after the verb in Portugal).

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At the B2 level, you use 'desligar-se' with greater precision and in more formal contexts. You might use it to describe leaving a company ('desligar-se da empresa') or withdrawing from a social movement. You understand the subtle differences between 'desligar-se', 'afastar-se', and 'desprender-se'. You can use the verb in the subjunctive mood to express desires or recommendations, such as 'É importante que você se desligue um pouco' (It's important that you disconnect a bit). You are also aware of the cultural implications of the 'right to disconnect' in Portuguese-speaking work cultures.

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At the C1 level, 'desligar-se' is used to discuss abstract concepts, philosophy, and psychology. You can use it to describe a state of total mental detachment or spiritual transcendence. You understand the literary uses of the word and can appreciate its use in poetry or high-level journalism. You can navigate the subtle shifts in meaning when the verb is used sarcastically or metaphorically. Your use of prepositions and reflexive pronouns is flawless, and you can explain the difference between 'desligar-se de' and 'alhear-se de' to other learners. You use it to discuss complex social issues like digital detox or emotional burnout.

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At the C2 level, 'desligar-se' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to describe the most subtle shifts in human consciousness or social dynamics. You are aware of the historical evolution of the word from its electrical origins to its current psychological weight. You can use it in highly formal legal or academic writing regarding labor rights or psychological health. You understand regional dialects and slang associated with the word across the entire Lusophone world, from Angola to Macau. The word is no longer just a verb to you; it is a concept that you can manipulate to convey precise shades of meaning in any context.

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To mentally 'switch off' from stress, work, or social media to find peace.
A reflexive verb requiring pronouns (me, se) and the preposition 'de'.
Can mean 'to resign' or 'to leave' a company in a formal context.
Often used in self-care to describe setting healthy emotional boundaries.

The Portuguese reflexive verb desligar-se is a multifaceted gem in the Lusophone linguistic crown. At its core, it represents the act of severing a connection, but its application ranges from the physical act of unplugging a device to the profound psychological necessity of emotional detachment. For an English speaker, the most direct translations are 'to detach oneself,' 'to disengage,' or 'to tune out.' However, these translations often fail to capture the visceral sense of 'switching off' that the Portuguese word conveys. In a world increasingly dominated by constant connectivity, desligar-se has become a vital term for mental health and boundaries. It implies a conscious decision to withdraw from a situation, a conversation, or a stressful environment in order to preserve one's sanity or focus. This verb is particularly common when discussing work-life balance, where one must desligar-se do trabalho (disconnect from work) to enjoy family time. It is not merely about stopping an action; it is about the internal shift of attention and emotional energy away from a specific source of tension or involvement.

Emotional Detachment: This refers to the process of removing oneself from a toxic or overwhelming emotional situation, such as family drama or a failing relationship. It suggests a protective barrier built for self-preservation.
Mental Disconnection: Used when someone stops paying attention to their surroundings, often during a boring lecture or a repetitive task. It is the Portuguese equivalent of 'zoning out'.
Professional Boundaries: A crucial term in modern corporate culture, describing the act of not checking emails or thinking about projects after office hours.

Depois de uma semana estressante, eu só quero me desligar de tudo e ir para a praia.

After a stressful week, I just want to disconnect from everything and go to the beach.

The word is deeply rooted in the concept of 'ligar' (to connect/link/turn on). When you add the prefix 'des-', you are reversing that link. Unlike the English 'to ignore,' which can sound passive or rude, desligar-se often carries a connotation of self-care. It is an active, reflexive process—something you do to yourself for your own benefit. In Brazil, you might hear people say they need to 'desligar a chave' (turn off the switch) as a metaphorical way of saying they need to stop worrying. In Portugal, the usage remains similarly focused on the transition from a state of engagement to a state of rest or indifference. Whether you are avoiding the news, ignoring social media, or simply taking a nap, you are practicing the art of desligar-se. It is a verb that validates the need for silence and distance in a noisy, hyper-connected world.

Ela precisou se desligar dos problemas da família para focar nos estudos.

She needed to detach herself from family problems to focus on her studies.

Context: Technology: While 'desligar' is used for turning off a phone, 'desligar-se' is used for the person stepping away from the digital world entirely.

To truly master this word, one must understand the preposition 'de' (of/from) that almost always follows it. You don't just 'desligar-se'; you 'desligar-se de' something. This 'de' marks the anchor you are lifting, the cord you are cutting. It represents the source of the connection being severed. Without the 'de', the sentence often feels incomplete unless the context is already well-established. For example, 'Vou me desligar' (I'm going to disconnect) is common at the end of a workday, where 'do trabalho' is implied. This implicit usage is very common in casual conversation among friends or colleagues.

Using desligar-se correctly requires a solid grasp of reflexive pronouns and the preposition 'de'. Because it is a pronominal verb, the action reflects back onto the subject. If 'I' am doing the disconnecting, 'I' am disconnecting 'myself'. This structure is essential for expressing the intended meaning of mental or emotional detachment. Without the reflexive pronoun, 'desligar' simply means to turn off an external object, like a light or a television. Therefore, saying 'Eu desliguei do trabalho' is grammatically incomplete and slightly confusing compared to the correct 'Eu me desliguei do trabalho' (I detached myself from work).

Reflexive Pronoun Placement: In Brazilian Portuguese (BP), the pronoun usually precedes the verb: 'Eu me desligo'. In European Portuguese (EP), it usually follows: 'Eu desligo-me'. Both are correct, but context and location dictate the preference.
The Preposition 'De': Always use 'de' to specify what you are detaching from. Remember that 'de' contracts with articles: 'do' (de + o), 'da' (de + a), 'dos', 'das'. Example: 'Desligar-se da realidade'.

Nós precisamos nos desligar das redes sociais durante as férias.

We need to disconnect from social media during the holidays.

When used in the imperative (giving a command), the verb encourages someone to relax or stop worrying. A friend might tell you, 'Desliga-te um pouco!' (Disconnect a bit!). This is a common way to offer support when someone is overthinking a problem. In more formal settings, such as a resignation from a job, the verb is used to describe the official act of leaving an organization: 'Ele se desligou da empresa ontem' (He left/disengaged from the company yesterday). Here, it carries a professional weight, indicating a formal severance of ties rather than just 'quitting'.

É difícil se desligar de um relacionamento de dez anos.

It is hard to detach oneself from a ten-year relationship.

Furthermore, desligar-se is used in spiritual or meditative contexts. It describes the state of transcendence where one 'disconnects' from the physical world or the ego. 'Durante a meditação, ele se desligou do corpo' (During meditation, he detached from his body). This versatility—from the mundane office exit to the heights of spiritual practice—makes it a high-frequency verb for intermediate learners. It bridges the gap between physical actions and abstract emotions perfectly.

You will encounter desligar-se in various real-life scenarios, ranging from the workplace to the therapist's office. In the modern Portuguese-speaking corporate environment, particularly in cities like São Paulo or Lisbon, the concept of 'direito a desligar-se' (the right to disconnect) is a frequent topic of debate. You will hear it in HR meetings, in podcasts about productivity, and in news articles discussing labor laws. It is the term of choice for describing the healthy boundary between professional obligations and personal life.

In the Office: 'Vou me desligar por hoje, boa noite pessoal!' (I'm signing off for today, goodnight everyone!). It's a polite but firm way to signal the end of availability.
In Therapy and Self-Help: Therapists often use this verb to help patients deal with obsessive thoughts or toxic family dynamics. 'Você precisa se desligar dessa culpa' (You need to detach yourself from this guilt).

O médico recomendou que ele se desligasse das notícias por um tempo.

The doctor recommended that he disconnect from the news for a while.

In casual social settings, you might hear a friend complain about another friend who is 'desligado' (the adjective form). 'Ele é muito desligado' means he is spacey, distracted, or 'not all there.' While the verb desligar-se is an action, the state of being desligado can be a personality trait. You'll hear parents say this about children who aren't paying attention in school, or partners saying it about a spouse who forgot an anniversary. It implies a lack of connection to the current reality or expected social duties.

Para criar arte, às vezes é preciso se desligar das regras.

To create art, sometimes it is necessary to detach oneself from the rules.

Finally, in sports commentary or high-pressure situations, you might hear about an athlete who 'se desligou do jogo' (lost focus in the game). This is a negative usage, indicating a momentary lapse in concentration that led to a mistake. Whether in the boardroom, the bedroom, or the football pitch, desligar-se describes that crucial moment when the mental 'plug' is pulled, for better or for worse.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is omitting the reflexive pronoun. In English, we can simply say 'I disconnected,' but in Portuguese, 'Eu desliguei' usually requires a direct object (what did you turn off?). If you mean that *you* checked out mentally, you must include 'me'. Saying 'Eu desliguei' at the end of a workday might leave a Portuguese speaker waiting for you to finish the sentence—'You turned off... the computer? The lights?'. Using se desligar ensures the subject and object are the same.

Confusion with 'Sair': Learners often use 'sair' (to leave) when they mean 'desligar-se'. While 'Sair da empresa' means you physically left or resigned, 'Desligar-se da empresa' implies a more formal or emotional separation. 'Sair' is the physical movement; 'desligar-se' is the severance of the bond.
Wrong Preposition: Avoid using 'com' (with) or 'por' (by) after the verb. The standard preposition is always 'de'. For example, 'Desligar-se com o mundo' is incorrect; it must be 'Desligar-se do mundo'.

Incorrect: Eu preciso desligar dos problemas.
Correct: Eu preciso me desligar dos problemas.

Another nuance is the difference between 'desligar-se' and 'esquecer' (to forget). While you might 'desligar-se' from a problem to relax, you haven't necessarily 'forgotten' it. You have simply stopped giving it your attention. Using 'esquecer' implies a loss of memory or accidental omission, whereas 'desligar-se' is a more intentional, psychological state. Misusing these can change the tone of your sentence from 'I'm taking a break' to 'I'm being irresponsible'.

Não confunda:
1. Desligar o rádio (Turn off the radio)
2. Desligar-se do rádio (Stop paying attention to the radio)

Lastly, be careful with the word 'separar-se'. While both 'separar-se' and 'desligar-se' involve ending a connection, 'separar-se' is almost exclusively used for legal separations or physical distancing between two distinct entities (like a divorce). 'Desligar-se' is more about the internal, mental link. You can be physically present with someone but 'desligar-se' from the conversation. You cannot 'separar-se' from a conversation in the same way.

While desligar-se is a very common and versatile verb, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you move from a basic A2 level to a more sophisticated B2 or C1 level of fluency. Each of these words carries a slightly different 'flavor' of disconnection.

Afastar-se: This means 'to move away' or 'to distance oneself'. It is more physical than 'desligar-se'. You 'afasta-se' from a person or a place. If you 'desliga-se' from a person, it's emotional; if you 'afasta-se' from them, you are literally putting distance between you.
Distanciar-se: Very similar to 'afastar-se', but often used in more formal or abstract contexts. It implies creating a gap, often to gain perspective. 'Ele se distanciou da política' (He distanced himself from politics).
Alhear-se: A more literary and sophisticated term. It means to become 'alien' to something, to become completely indifferent or oblivious. It describes a deeper, more permanent state of disconnection than 'desligar-se'.
Desprender-se: This means 'to let go' or 'to unfasten oneself'. It is often used for letting go of the past, material possessions, or old habits. It has a more positive, liberating connotation than the neutral 'desligar-se'.

Em vez de apenas se desligar, ele decidiu se afastar definitivamente do grupo.

Instead of just disconnecting, he decided to permanently distance himself from the group.

In a work context, you might use 'demitir-se' (to resign) or 'exonerar-se' (to be discharged from a public office). While 'desligar-se da empresa' is a common way to say you're leaving, 'demitir-se' is the more direct, legal term for quitting. If you want to say you are taking a break, you might use 'dar um tempo' (to take a break/time out). For example, 'Vou dar um tempo das redes sociais' is a very natural alternative to 'Vou me desligar das redes sociais'.

Para o Budismo, o objetivo é se desapegar dos desejos mundanos.

For Buddhism, the goal is to detach (desapegar) from worldly desires.

The word 'desapegar-se' is also a very close relative. While 'desligar-se' is often about attention and mental presence, 'desapegar-se' is about emotional attachment or 'clinging.' If you are 'apegado' to your car, you need to 'desapegar-se' (let go of the attachment). If you are 'ligado' to your work, you need to 'desligar-se' (disconnect). Choosing between these depends on whether you are breaking a mental link or an emotional bond.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word evolved from physical ropes and ties to electrical circuits in the 19th century, and finally to mental states in the 20th century.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /dɨʒ.li.ˈɡaɾ.sɨ/

US /dez.li.ˈɡaʁ.si/

The primary stress is on the syllable 'gar'.

Reimt sich auf

alugar-se entregar-se lembrar-se olhar-se passar-se pensar-se sentar-se tornar-se

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 's' in 'des' as a hard 's' instead of 'z' or 'zh'.
Forgetting to stress the 'gar' syllable in the infinitive.
In Brazil, pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly (it should be a soft 'h' sound or silent).
Treating the reflexive 'se' as part of the stress pattern.
Not reducing the 'e' sounds in European Portuguese.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'ligar', but reflexive pronouns add complexity.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct pronoun placement and preposition usage.

Sprechen 4/5

Challenging to conjugate reflexively in fast speech.

Hören 3/5

Pronouns can be swallowed in European Portuguese.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

ligar de se trabalho problema

Als Nächstes lernen

afastar-se desapegar-se concentrar-se esquecer descansar

Fortgeschritten

alhear-se abstrair-se desvincular-se transcender alienar-se

Wichtige Grammatik

Reflexive Pronoun Positioning

Brasil: Eu me desligo. Portugal: Eu desligo-me.

Contraction of 'de' with Articles

Desligar-se + o trabalho = Desligar-se do trabalho.

Reflexive Pronouns with Infinitives

É difícil se desligar / É difícil desligar-se.

Use of the Subjunctive for Desires

Quero que você se desligue hoje.

Negation and Pronoun Placement

Eu não me desligo (The 'não' pulls the pronoun forward).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Eu desligo o rádio.

I turn off the radio.

Simple direct object usage of 'desligar'.

Você pode desligar a luz?

Can you turn off the light?

Interrogative with modal verb 'poder'.

Ele desliga o computador à noite.

He turns off the computer at night.

Present tense, third person singular.

Nós desligamos a televisão agora.

We are turning off the television now.

Present tense, first person plural.

Eu me desligo cedo.

I disconnect (go to sleep/rest) early.

Reflexive 'me' indicating the subject is the object.

Ela se desliga do celular.

She disconnects from her phone.

Reflexive 'se' + preposition 'do' (de + o).

Eles desligam os telefones.

They turn off the phones.

Third person plural.

Vou desligar agora.

I'm going to hang up/disconnect now.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Eu preciso me desligar do trabalho no fim de semana.

I need to disconnect from work on the weekend.

Reflexive verb with 'precisar' + infinitive.

Você se desliga facilmente das preocupações?

Do you disconnect easily from worries?

Question using reflexive 'se'.

Ela se desligou da conversa por um momento.

She tuned out of the conversation for a moment.

Preterite tense, reflexive.

Nós vamos nos desligar de tudo durante a viagem.

We are going to disconnect from everything during the trip.

Future with 'ir' + reflexive 'nos'.

É bom se desligar da internet às vezes.

It is good to disconnect from the internet sometimes.

Impersonal 'É bom' + infinitive.

Meu pai se desligou da empresa onde trabalhava.

My father left the company where he worked.

Using 'desligar-se' to mean leaving a job.

Vocês se desligam quando estão cansados?

Do you (plural) tune out when you are tired?

Reflexive 'se' for 'vocês'.

Tente se desligar dos problemas hoje.

Try to disconnect from the problems today.

Imperative 'tente' + reflexive infinitive.

Se eu não me desligar das notícias, fico ansioso.

If I don't disconnect from the news, I get anxious.

Conditional sentence with 'se' (if).

Ela sempre se desligava quando o assunto era política.

She always used to tune out when the subject was politics.

Imperfect tense indicating a habit.

É difícil se desligar de um passado doloroso.

It is difficult to detach oneself from a painful past.

Abstract usage of detachment.

Espero que você consiga se desligar nas férias.

I hope you can disconnect on your vacation.

Subjunctive mood after 'espero que'.

Eles se desligaram do grupo de amigos após a briga.

They detached themselves from the group of friends after the fight.

Preterite tense, social detachment.

Para meditar, você deve se desligar do mundo exterior.

To meditate, you must disconnect from the outside world.

Infinitive with 'deve' (must).

Gostaria de me desligar de todas as obrigações por um dia.

I would like to disconnect from all obligations for a day.

Conditional 'gostaria' + reflexive.

Mesmo barulhento, ele se desligou e dormiu.

Even though it was noisy, he tuned out and slept.

Reflexive verb used for mental focus/sleep.

O funcionário decidiu se desligar da organização por motivos pessoais.

The employee decided to leave the organization for personal reasons.

Formal usage in a professional context.

É fundamental que os jovens aprendam a se desligar das redes sociais.

It is fundamental that young people learn to disconnect from social media.

Present subjunctive 'aprendam'.

Ao se desligar da realidade, ele criou um mundo imaginário.

By detaching from reality, he created an imaginary world.

Gerund-like construction with 'Ao' + infinitive.

Não é fácil desligar-se emocionalmente de alguém que amamos.

It is not easy to emotionally detach from someone we love.

European Portuguese placement of the pronoun.

Muitas vezes, desligar-se é a única forma de preservar a saúde mental.

Often, disconnecting is the only way to preserve mental health.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

Ele se desligou totalmente da política após as últimas eleições.

He totally detached himself from politics after the last elections.

Adverb 'totalmente' modifying the verb.

Caso você se desligue do projeto, avise-nos com antecedência.

In case you leave the project, let us know in advance.

Future subjunctive 'desligue'.

Ela tem dificuldade em se desligar dos problemas alheios.

She has difficulty in detaching herself from other people's problems.

Preposition 'em' + reflexive infinitive.

A incapacidade de se desligar do trabalho pode levar ao esgotamento.

The inability to disconnect from work can lead to burnout.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

O autor se desligou de convenções literárias para escrever sua obra-prima.

The author detached himself from literary conventions to write his masterpiece.

Metaphorical use in a creative context.

Seria prudente que o governo se desligasse de interesses corporativos.

It would be prudent for the government to detach itself from corporate interests.

Imperfect subjunctive 'desligasse' for hypothetical.

A meditação profunda permite ao praticante desligar-se da consciência corporal.

Deep meditation allows the practitioner to detach from bodily consciousness.

Formal European Portuguese placement.

Desligar-se do ego é um dos princípios fundamentais de várias filosofias orientais.

Detaching from the ego is one of the fundamental principles of various Eastern philosophies.

Philosophical usage.

Apesar de estar presente, ele parecia ter-se desligado do ambiente.

Despite being present, he seemed to have detached himself from the environment.

Compound infinitive 'ter-se desligado'.

O processo de se desligar de uma seita pode ser longo e traumático.

The process of detaching oneself from a cult can be long and traumatic.

Substantive use of the verb phrase.

Se ele se desligasse menos, talvez percebesse o que está acontecendo.

If he tuned out less, maybe he would realize what is happening.

Counter-factual conditional.

A modernidade líquida exige que o indivíduo saiba desligar-se e reconectar-se incessantemente.

Liquid modernity requires that the individual knows how to disconnect and reconnect incessantly.

Sociological context (Bauman reference).

Houve um desligamento voluntário por parte dos sócios majoritários.

There was a voluntary disengagement on the part of the majority shareholders.

Noun form 'desligamento' used in legal/business context.

A personagem, em um surto psicótico, desligou-se por completo da realidade objetiva.

The character, in a psychotic break, completely detached from objective reality.

Narrative usage in literature.

É imperativo que a ciência se desligue de dogmas para evoluir.

It is imperative that science detaches itself from dogmas to evolve.

Formal imperative with subjunctive.

O místico busca desligar-se do 'eu' para fundir-se com o absoluto.

The mystic seeks to detach from the 'I' to merge with the absolute.

Mystical/theological usage.

A empresa implementou uma política de desligamento humanizado.

The company implemented a humanized termination policy.

Euphemistic business terminology.

Oxalá nos desliguemos desta apatia social que nos consome.

May we detach ourselves from this social apathy that consumes us.

Use of 'Oxalá' + present subjunctive.

Ao desligar-se das amarras do passado, ela encontrou a verdadeira liberdade.

Upon detaching herself from the shackles of the past, she found true freedom.

Poetic and metaphorical usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

Desligar-se do trabalho

Desligar-se da realidade

Desligar-se de tudo

Desligar-se da empresa

Desligar-se emocionalmente

Desligar-se das redes sociais

Desligar-se dos problemas

Desligar-se do mundo

Desligar-se da tomada

Desligar-se por completo

Häufige Phrasen

Preciso me desligar

— I need to disconnect or take a break from thinking.

Trabalhei 12 horas, agora preciso me desligar.

Não consigo me desligar

— I can't stop thinking about it or stop being involved.

Não consigo me desligar daquele erro que cometi.

Desliga-te disso!

— Stop worrying about that! (Common in Portugal).

O problema já passou, desliga-te disso!

Ele é meio desligado

— He is a bit spacey or distracted.

Não conte com ele para detalhes, ele é meio desligado.

Hora de se desligar

— Time to disconnect (usually at the end of the day).

São oito da noite, hora de se desligar.

Desligar-se da tomada

— To completely shut down and rest.

Vou para o campo me desligar da tomada.

Desligar-se de vez

— To disconnect permanently or definitely.

Ele se desligou de vez daquela religião.

Tentar se desligar

— To try to tune out or relax.

Estou tentando me desligar, mas o telefone não para.

Desligar-se para focar

— To disconnect from distractions to focus on one thing.

Me desliguei do mundo para focar no meu livro.

Direito de se desligar

— The right to disconnect (labor law concept).

A nova lei garante o direito de se desligar após o expediente.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

desligar-se vs Desligar

Only for physical objects (TV, lights). 'Desligar-se' is for people.

desligar-se vs Separar-se

Used for divorce or physical separation. 'Desligar-se' is mental/emotional.

desligar-se vs Sair

Means to physically leave. 'Desligar-se' means to sever a bond or stop thinking about.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Desligar a chave"

— To stop worrying or to stop working mentally. Similar to 'flipping a switch'.

Quando chego em casa, desligo a chave do trabalho.

Informal

"Estar no mundo da lua"

— To be completely disconnected or daydreaming.

Ei! Acorda! Você está no mundo da lua?

Informal

"Viajar na maionese"

— To say something completely disconnected from reality or to be very distracted.

Ele se desligou tanto que começou a viajar na maionese.

Slang (Brazil)

"Dar um nó na cabeça"

— To be so connected/confused that you need to disconnect.

Tanta informação me deu um nó, precisei me desligar.

Informal

"Ficar no vácuo"

— When someone 'desliga-se' from you and leaves you without a response.

Eu falei com ele, mas ele se desligou e me deixou no vácuo.

Informal

"Pisar no freio"

— To slow down and disconnect from a fast-paced life.

Preciso pisar no freio e me desligar um pouco.

Informal

"Mudar o disco"

— To change the subject because you want to disconnect from it.

Vamos mudar o disco e nos desligar desses problemas?

Informal

"Sair do ar"

— To be unavailable or to have 'switched off'.

No domingo, eu saio do ar e me desligo de tudo.

Informal

"Entrar em alfa"

— To enter a state of deep relaxation or mental disconnection.

Ele se desligou tanto na massagem que entrou em alfa.

Colloquial

"Cair a ficha"

— The moment you realize something after being 'desligado' (disconnected/unaware).

Eu estava desligado, mas depois a ficha caiu.

Informal (Brazil)

Leicht verwechselbar

desligar-se vs Afastar-se

Both involve distance.

'Afastar-se' is more about physical distance or social avoidance, while 'desligar-se' is specifically about the mental link.

Eu me afastei da multidão (physical) vs Eu me desliguei da conversa (mental).

desligar-se vs Esquecer

Both involve not thinking about something.

'Esquecer' is often accidental or a loss of memory. 'Desligar-se' is an intentional mental shift.

Esqueci a chave (accidental) vs Me desliguei do trabalho (intentional).

desligar-se vs Desapegar

Both involve letting go.

'Desapegar' is specifically about emotional attachment to things or people. 'Desligar' is about focus and attention.

Desapeguei do meu carro antigo vs Me desliguei da internet.

desligar-se vs Ignorar

Both involve not paying attention.

'Ignorar' can be rude or passive. 'Desligar-se' is often a positive act of self-preservation.

Ele ignorou meu oi vs Ele se desligou para descansar.

desligar-se vs Demitir-se

Both involve leaving a job.

'Demitir-se' is the legal action of quitting. 'Desligar-se' is a broader term for leaving a group or company.

Eu me demiti ontem vs Eu me desliguei da organização.

Satzmuster

Eu preciso me desligar de [Noun]

Eu preciso me desligar do estresse.

É bom se desligar um pouco.

É bom se desligar um pouco no domingo.

Se eu [Subjunctive], eu [Future].

Se eu me desligasse, eu seria mais feliz.

[Subject] tem dificuldade em se desligar.

Ela tem dificuldade em se desligar do passado.

O [Noun] resultou no desligamento de [Person].

O erro resultou no desligamento do gerente.

Para [Infinitive], é necessário se desligar.

Para focar, é necessário se desligar do celular.

Ao se desligar de [Concept], [Result].

Ao se desligar de dogmas, ele encontrou a verdade.

Oxalá [Subjunctive] da [Abstract Noun].

Oxalá nos desliguemos da ganância.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

desligamento (disconnection/termination)

ligação (connection/phone call)

desliga (slang for a break)

Verben

ligar (to connect/turn on)

religar (to reconnect)

interligar (to interconnect)

Adjektive

desligado (disconnected/distracted)

ligado (connected/attentive)

desligável (disconnectable)

Verwandt

interruptor (switch)

tomada (socket)

conexão (connection)

vínculo (bond)

alheamento (indifference)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High, especially in discussions about mental health and work.

Häufige Fehler

Eu desliguei do trabalho. → Eu me desliguei do trabalho.
You must use the reflexive pronoun 'me' because you are the one disconnecting yourself.
Eu preciso me desligar com os problemas. → Eu preciso me desligar dos problemas.
The verb 'desligar-se' always takes the preposition 'de', never 'com'.
Ele está se desligando a luz. → Ele está desligando a luz.
Don't use the reflexive 'se' when turning off a physical object like a light.
Eu quero me desligar de o meu emprego. → Eu quero me desligar do meu emprego.
Always contract 'de' + 'o' into 'do'.
Nós desligamos das notícias. → Nós nos desligamos das notícias.
For the first person plural (we), you must use the reflexive pronoun 'nos'.

Tipps

Don't forget the 'SE'

Always remember that this is a reflexive verb. Without 'me/te/se/nos', you are just turning off an appliance, not yourself.

Use with 'DE'

Think of 'de' as the 'from' in 'disconnect from'. It creates the necessary link to the object you are leaving behind.

Workplace etiquette

In Brazil, saying 'vou me desligar' at 6 PM is a polite way to signal you won't respond to more messages until tomorrow.

Pronunciation of 'DES'

In most dialects, the 's' in 'des' sounds like a 'z'. Make sure to buzz it slightly: 'dez-li-gar'.

Noun form

Use 'desligamento' if you are writing a formal letter of resignation. It sounds much more professional than the verb.

Context is key

If you hear 'ele desligou', look for an object. If you hear 'ele se desligou', look for a person changing their focus.

Switch off

Visualize a light switch on your forehead. When you say 'me desligo', imagine flipping it down.

Reflexive pronouns

The pronoun changes with the person: Eu me desligo, Você se desliga, Nós nos desligamos.

Being 'desligado'

Calling a friend 'desligado' is a common way to tease them for being forgetful or distracted.

Meditation

Use 'desligar-se' when practicing Portuguese meditation or yoga to describe letting go of thoughts.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'des-' as 'undo' and 'ligar' as 'link'. To 'desligar-se' is to 'undo your link' to the world.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant electrical plug coming out of the back of your head, letting you finally sleep in peace.

Word Web

Trabalho Stress Meditação Férias Celular Mente Paz Silêncio

Herausforderung

Try to spend one hour today without any electronics and say to yourself: 'Eu estou me desligando do mundo'.

Wortherkunft

From the Portuguese verb 'ligar' (to tie, bind, connect), which comes from the Latin 'ligare'. The prefix 'des-' indicates reversal or negation.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To untie or unbind a physical connection.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using 'desligado' (the adjective) to describe someone at work, as it can imply they are incompetent or lazy.

Similar to 'zoning out' or 'unplugging', but 'desligar-se' sounds more like an intentional act of health.

The song 'Desafinado' by Tom Jobim mentions being 'desligado' from traditional rules. Modern HR policies in Brazil often mention 'desligamento' as a euphemism for firing. Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa often wrote about 'alheamento', a high-level form of 'desligar-se'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Work-Life Balance

Desligar-se do trabalho
Não checar e-mails
Horário de descanso
Fim de expediente

Mental Health

Desligar-se do estresse
Paz mental
Evitar notícias ruins
Focar em si mesmo

Technology/Social Media

Detox digital
Sair das redes
Desligar o Wi-Fi
Viver o momento

Relationships

Desligar-se de alguém
Superar o passado
Cortar vínculos
Seguir em frente

Education/Focus

Não se desligar
Prestar atenção
Focar na explicação
Evitar distrações

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você consegue se desligar do trabalho facilmente quando chega em casa?"

"O que você faz para se desligar do mundo e relaxar no fim de semana?"

"Você acha que as pessoas hoje em dia têm dificuldade em se desligar do celular?"

"Você já se desligou de alguma rede social por muito tempo? Como foi?"

"Qual é o melhor lugar para se desligar de tudo na sua cidade?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre um momento em que você precisou se desligar de uma situação difícil.

Como seria o seu dia ideal se você pudesse se desligar de todas as suas obrigações?

Descreva a importância de se desligar da tecnologia para a sua saúde mental.

Você se considera uma pessoa 'desligada' ou muito atenta aos detalhes?

Quais são os três principais obstáculos que impedem você de se desligar do estresse?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you use 'desligar o telefone'. 'Desligar-se' would mean you are mentally disconnecting from the digital world, not just pushing a button. For example, 'Vou me desligar do telefone este final de semana' means you won't use it.

Both are correct. 'Me desligar' is the standard in Brazil, while 'desligar-me' is more common in Portugal. In Brazil, you only use 'desligar-me' in very formal writing or at the beginning of a sentence.

The preposition 'de' is almost always used. Remember to combine it with articles: 'do', 'da', 'dos', 'das'. Example: 'Desligar-se da rotina'.

In some poetic or medical contexts, 'desligar-se da vida' can be a euphemism for passing away, but it's not common in daily speech. It's very formal and gentle.

It means you are distracted, spacey, or not paying attention. It's like being called a 'daydreamer'. Depending on the tone, it can be a mild criticism or a neutral observation.

The best way is 'Preciso me desligar'. You can also say 'Preciso me desligar da tomada' to be more idiomatic.

Yes, it is very common in professional settings. 'Ele se desligou da empresa' sounds more formal and neutral than 'Ele saiu' or 'Ele se demitiu'.

Yes, 'desligar-se de alguém' means to emotionally detach from them. It's often used when talking about moving on after a breakup.

The most direct opposite is 'ligar-se' (to connect/pay attention) or 'envolver-se' (to get involved).

Yes, the core meaning is the same in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, etc., though pronoun placement and slang variations exist.

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