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A2 noun #6,500 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

expediente

Top 6,500

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Erklärung expediente in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of expediente as the 'opening hours' of a place. It is a word you see on signs. When you go to a bank or a store, you look for the 'horário de expediente.' This tells you when they open and when they close. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember: Expediente = Business hours. If a sign says 'Não há expediente,' it means the place is closed today. It is very useful for travelers who need to know if a post office or a pharmacy is open. You might hear a teacher say 'O expediente da escola termina às cinco.' This simply means the school office closes at 5:00 PM. Focus on the time aspect of the word. It is a masculine noun, so we say o expediente. In simple conversations, you can use it to ask about someone's work: 'Qual é o seu expediente?' (What are your working hours?). This is a polite way to find out when someone is busy with work.

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At the A2 level, you start using expediente to describe your daily routine. You can say 'Eu começo meu expediente às oito' (I start my workday at eight). It becomes a tool to talk about your life. You also learn common phrases like 'fim de expediente' (end of the workday). This is a very common time for friends to meet. You might say, 'Vamos ao cinema depois do expediente?' (Shall we go to the cinema after work?). At this level, you should also understand that expediente refers to the office work in general. If someone says 'Tenho muito expediente hoje,' they mean they have a lot of office tasks or a long day ahead. You are moving from just seeing the word on signs to using it in your own sentences about your schedule. It is also important to know the phrase 'horário comercial,' which is a synonym used for the standard 9-to-6 business hours. Remember to use the preposition durante: 'Não posso falar durante o expediente' (I can't talk during work hours).

By B1, you should be comfortable using expediente in professional contexts. You will use it to discuss workplace rules and administrative procedures. For example, 'O regulamento proíbe o uso de celular durante o expediente' (The regulations prohibit cellphone use during work hours). You also start to encounter the word in more formal writing, such as emails from HR or company announcements. You should know verbs that pair with it, like encerrar (to close/end) or prorrogar (to extend). If you work late, you might say 'O chefe prorrogou o expediente' (The boss extended the workday). You are also introduced to the concept of 'expediente' as a bureaucratic process. If you are applying for a visa or a permit, you might hear 'Seu expediente está em análise' (Your file/process is under review). This is a more abstract use of the word, focusing on the movement of documents. It's also the level where you distinguish it from turno or plantão more clearly.

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At the B2 level, you explore the more nuanced meanings of expediente, such as 'resource' or 'maneuver.' You might read a news article about a 'expediente político' used to pass a controversial law. Here, the word means a clever or strategic move. You understand that it can have a slightly negative or cynical connotation in these contexts, implying a trick or a loophole. In professional settings, you use it to describe the overall administrative efficiency of an office. You might say, 'Precisamos agilizar o expediente da secretaria' (We need to speed up the secretary's administrative workflow). You also recognize the word in the 'masthead' of publications, identifying the staff and editorial information. Your vocabulary includes idiomatic expressions like 'viver de expedientes,' which describes someone who lives by their wits or through temporary, sometimes shady, jobs. You can participate in debates about labor laws using terms like 'redução da jornada de expediente.'

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical and formal nuances of expediente. You recognize its use in classical literature and high-level legal documents. You understand the 'expediente' as a specific segment of a formal session in a parliament or a city council, where routine matters are handled. You can use the word metaphorically to describe any systematic way of dealing with things. For instance, 'A memória é um expediente da mente para preservar o passado.' You are sensitive to the register of the word; you know when to use expediente versus tramitação or burocracia. You can interpret complex sentences like 'Valeu-se de um expediente escuso para atingir seus fins,' understanding that 'escuso' means hidden or shady. Your mastery allows you to use the word to discuss the philosophy of work or the intricacies of administrative law with precision. You also understand its role in the history of the Portuguese language, stemming from the need to 'expedite' or move matters forward.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of expediente is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in all its polysemous glory—from the most mundane office schedule to the most complex legal maneuver. You might use it in academic writing to discuss 'expedientes narrativos' (narrative devices) in a novel, showing how an author 'expedites' the plot. You are aware of regional variations in usage across the Lusophone world, though the core meaning remains stable. You can effortlessly switch between the 'workday' meaning and the 'tactical' meaning within the same conversation without confusion. You might even use it in a self-reflective way, discussing your own 'expedientes' for learning languages. You understand the subtle irony when someone calls a very long and boring meeting a 'mero expediente' (a mere formality). Your grasp of the word's etymology and its evolution into modern administrative jargon is complete, allowing you to appreciate the word as a cornerstone of Portuguese institutional life.

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Expediente primarily means 'business hours' or the daily 'work shift' in Portuguese, essential for professional life.
It also refers to the administrative routine and the processing of official documents in offices.
Figuratively, it can mean a clever tactic, maneuver, or a resourceful way to solve a problem.
Common phrases include 'fim de expediente' (end of work) and 'horário de expediente' (business hours).

The Portuguese word expediente is a multifaceted noun that every learner must master, especially if they intend to navigate the professional landscape of Brazil or Portugal. At its core, the term refers to the period during which a business, office, or public institution is open and performing its functions. It is the 'business hours' or the 'working day.' However, its meaning stretches beyond a simple clock-in and clock-out time. It also encompasses the actual work performed during those hours, the administrative routine, and even a clever, sometimes unconventional, solution to a problem.

Business Hours: The most common usage refers to the official time a place is open. For example, 'O expediente bancário' refers to the hours banks are open to the public.

Preciso resolver isso antes que o expediente acabe.

In a more personal context, expediente refers to an individual's work shift. When a Brazilian says 'meu expediente termina às seis,' they are specifically talking about their personal work schedule. It is important to distinguish this from trabalho (work) or emprego (job). While those words describe the activity or the position, expediente focuses on the temporal and procedural aspect of the labor. It is the 'grind' or the 'daily routine' of the office.

Resourcefulness: In a more abstract sense, 'um expediente' can be a tactic, a maneuver, or a clever way to get out of a difficult situation, often used in political or legal contexts.

Eles usaram um expediente jurídico para adiar o julgamento.

Furthermore, in the public sector, expediente can refer to the official log of documents received and sent. If you are dealing with government bureaucracy, you might hear about the 'livro de expediente.' This highlights the word's connection to the Latin 'expedire,' which means to set free or to prepare—essentially, making things move forward in an administrative sense. Understanding this word is key to understanding the rhythm of life in Portuguese-speaking countries, where the boundaries of the working day are clearly defined by this specific term.

Official Correspondence: In older or very formal contexts, it refers to the section of a meeting or newspaper dedicated to routine communications and notices.

O diretor leu o expediente antes de iniciar a pauta principal.

Durante o expediente, não é permitido usar redes sociais.

In summary, expediente is the heartbeat of the professional day. Whether you are talking about the hours a store is open, the duration of your shift, or the bureaucratic process itself, this word is the standard descriptor. It is less about 'what' you do and more about 'when' and 'how' the work is officially organized and executed.

Using expediente correctly requires an understanding of its typical collocations. It is almost always used with verbs like cumprir (to fulfill), encerrar (to close/finish), or iniciar (to start). Unlike the English 'shift,' which can be a count noun ('I worked two shifts'), expediente usually refers to the general concept or the specific daily block of time. You don't usually say 'dois expedientes' unless you are referring to two distinct administrative processes.

Fulfilling Hours: Use 'cumprir expediente' to describe the act of staying at work for the required duration.

Ele cumpre expediente das nove às cinco todos os dias.

When you want to say you are 'at work' in a temporal sense, you use the prepositional phrase durante o expediente. This is equivalent to 'during office hours' or 'while on the clock.' It is a formal way to indicate that an action is happening within the professional timeframe. If you want to talk about something happening after work, you use após o expediente or fora do expediente.

After Hours: 'Fora do expediente' is the standard way to say someone is off the clock or a business is closed.

Não respondo e-mails fora do meu expediente.

Another crucial usage involves the verb fazer. While 'fazer horas extras' means to work overtime, 'fazer o expediente' can sometimes mean to simply go through the motions of the workday. However, the most common verb for ending the day is encerrar. When a shopkeeper is closing up, they might say, 'Estamos encerrando o expediente.' This sounds more official than just saying 'closing the store.'

O expediente de hoje foi muito cansativo devido à reunião.

In a legal or bureaucratic context, expediente functions as a count noun. You might hear about 'um novo expediente administrativo.' This refers to a specific file or a new method of processing information. Here, it is synonymous with 'process' or 'procedure.' It is vital to recognize the context: if you are in a courtroom, it's a procedure; if you are in a breakroom, it's the workday.

The 'Trick' Meaning: When used as 'recurso,' it often implies a clever or desperate measure taken to achieve an end.

Ele usou um expediente astuto para convencer o cliente.

Finally, remember that expediente is always masculine: o expediente. Whether you are complaining about how long it is or celebrating its end, the gender remains constant. It is a robust, versatile word that anchors the daily life of any Portuguese speaker who works in an organized setting.

You will encounter expediente most frequently in corporate environments, government offices, and retail settings. If you work in an office in São Paulo or Lisbon, you will hear it every single day. Colleagues will ask, 'A que horas termina seu expediente?' (What time does your shift end?) or comment on the 'movimento do expediente' (the workflow of the day). It is the standard professional vocabulary for discussing time management.

Public Service Announcements: Radio and TV news often announce 'alterações no expediente' during holidays, referring to changes in bank or government office hours.

Devido ao feriado, não haverá expediente nas repartições públicas.

In the retail sector, look for signs on shop windows. A very common sign reads: 'Horário de Expediente: 08:00 às 18:00.' This is the most formal and clear way to state business hours. You might also hear it in news reports concerning the government. In Brazil, the 'Expediente' is also a part of the legislative session where communications and smaller matters are read before the main debates begin.

Corporate Culture: The phrase 'happy hour pós-expediente' is a staple of Brazilian social life for office workers.

Vamos tomar uma cerveja depois do expediente?

In literary or journalistic writing, you might find the word used in its 'clever maneuver' sense. A journalist might write about a 'expediente político' to describe a politician's tricky way of passing a law. This usage is more sophisticated and less common in daily conversation, but it's essential for reading newspapers or watching political commentary.

O governo buscou um expediente para equilibrar as contas.

Lastly, you will see it in the 'masthead' of newspapers and magazines. The section that lists the staff, the publisher, and contact information is traditionally called the expediente. This is because it contains the 'administrative' details of the publication. So, from the shop door to the newspaper credits, this word is everywhere in the organized world of Lusophone societies.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing expediente with 'experience' or 'expedition.' While they sound vaguely similar, their meanings are entirely unrelated. 'Experience' is experiência, and 'expedition' is expedição. If you tell your boss you have a lot of 'expediente' in marketing, they will be very confused—they might think you mean you have a lot of 'office hours' or 'tricks' in marketing!

False Cognate Alert: Expediente is NOT experience. Use 'experiência' for your skills and 'expediente' for your schedule.

Errado: Tenho muito expediente em vendas. (Incorrect)

Another error is using expediente to mean a physical 'shift' in the way a nurse or a factory worker might. While it can be used that way, the word plantão (for medical/emergency shifts) or turno (for factory/rotating shifts) is often more accurate. Expediente has a strong connotation of office or administrative work. Using it for a midnight hospital shift might sound slightly off, though people would still understand you.

Preposition Pitfalls: Don't say 'no expediente' when you mean 'during.' Use 'durante o expediente' for clarity.

Correto: Ela me ligou durante o expediente. (Correct)

Many learners also struggle with the 'recurso' (resource/trick) meaning. They might use it in a positive way, like 'he has a great expediente for cooking.' However, expediente in this sense usually implies a solution to a problem or a way to bypass a difficulty. It's not a general word for 'talent' or 'method.' Stick to método or talento for those cases.

O expediente foi longo, mas o trabalho foi fácil.

Finally, be careful with the plural. While 'expedientes' exists, using it to mean 'working hours' in a general sense is rare. You usually talk about 'o expediente' as a singular block of time for a specific day or a general rule. Saying 'meus expedientes' sounds like you have multiple different administrative routines running simultaneously, which is rarely what a learner intends to say.

To truly master the vocabulary of work and time, you need to know how expediente compares to its synonyms and near-synonyms. While expediente is the most common for office hours, other words might be more precise depending on the context.

Expediente vs. Turno: 'Turno' is used for rotating shifts (morning, afternoon, night). 'Expediente' is usually a fixed daily routine.
Expediente vs. Horário: 'Horário' is the general word for time or schedule. 'Expediente' is specifically for working/business hours.
Expediente vs. Jornada: 'Jornada de trabalho' is the legal and technical term for the total hours worked in a day. It's more formal than 'expediente.'

Mudei meu turno para a noite, mas o expediente da empresa continua o mesmo.

In the context of 'resourcefulness' or 'tricks,' you might use recurso, artimanha, or meio. However, expediente carries a certain weight of 'administrative or official maneuver' that artimanha (which sounds more like a sneaky trick) does not. If a lawyer finds a loophole, it's an 'expediente jurídico.' If a magician does a trick, it's a 'truque.'

O horário comercial é o padrão para o nosso expediente.

For the 'administrative file' meaning, processo or protocolo are the most common alternatives. While expediente refers to the handling and movement of documents, processo usually refers to the legal or formal case itself. In a government office, the 'expediente' is the flow of all 'processos.'

Expediente vs. Plantão: 'Plantão' is for being 'on call' or on a special duty shift, like doctors or journalists on weekends.

Ele terminou o expediente e começou o plantão.

Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the clock (horário), the routine (expediente), the physical shift (turno), or the legal obligation (jornada). Expediente remains the most versatile 'all-rounder' for daily office life.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

The word originally referred to the act of clearing obstacles or making a path. This evolved into 'expediting' administrative tasks, which gave us the modern meaning of office routine.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /eks.pe.ˈdjẽ.tʃi/

US /eks.pe.ˈdjẽ.tʃi/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: ex-pe-DI-en-te.

Reimt sich auf

Ambiente Cliente Dente Gente Mente Parente Quente Sente

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'x' as 'sh' (it should be 'ks' in this word).
Pronouncing the final 'e' as a strong 'ay' (it should be 'ee' or almost silent).
Misplacing the stress on the first or last syllable.
Confusing the 'di' sound with a hard 'd' (in Brazil, it's 'jee').
Nasalizing the 'en' too much or too little.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize on signs and in documents once learned.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of specific collocations like 'cumprir' or 'encerrar'.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'x' and 'di' (in Brazil) needs practice.

Hören 2/5

Commonly used in news and workplace conversations.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

Trabalho Hora Escritório Começar Terminar

Als Nächstes lernen

Jornada Turno Plantão Burocracia Repartição

Fortgeschritten

Tramitação Escuso Paliativo Protocolar Forense

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns ending in -e are often masculine but must be learned individually.

O expediente (masculine).

Prepositions with time 'das... às...'.

O expediente é das 08:00 às 18:00.

Using 'durante' for duration of an event.

Trabalho muito durante o expediente.

Subjunctive after verbs of requirement.

O chefe exige que cumpramos o expediente.

Contraction of prepositions 'de + o = do'.

Fim do expediente.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O expediente do banco começa às dez horas.

The bank's business hours start at ten o'clock.

Simple subject + verb + complement.

Qual é o horário de expediente da loja?

What are the store's business hours?

Interrogative sentence using 'qual'.

Não há expediente hoje por causa do feriado.

There are no business hours today because of the holiday.

Use of 'haver' (there is/are) in the negative.

O expediente termina cedo na sexta-feira.

The workday ends early on Friday.

Adverb 'cedo' modifying the verb 'terminar'.

Eu procuro o expediente no site da prefeitura.

I look for the business hours on the city hall website.

Present tense of 'procurar'.

O meu expediente é das nove às cinco.

My workday is from nine to five.

Possessive pronoun 'meu' with the noun.

O expediente da biblioteca é curto no sábado.

The library's hours are short on Saturday.

Adjective 'curto' agreeing with the masculine noun.

Eles trabalham durante o expediente.

They work during business hours.

Preposition 'durante' indicating duration.

Vou te ligar depois do expediente.

I will call you after work.

Future construction 'vou + infinitive'.

O chefe encerrou o expediente mais cedo hoje.

The boss ended the workday earlier today.

Past tense 'encerrou'.

Preciso resolver este problema durante o expediente.

I need to solve this problem during work hours.

Infinitive 'resolver' after 'preciso'.

O expediente de amanhã será muito produtivo.

Tomorrow's workday will be very productive.

Future tense of 'ser'.

Nós tomamos café no fim do expediente.

We drink coffee at the end of the workday.

Prepositional phrase 'no fim do'.

O expediente da clínica é ininterrupto.

The clinic's hours are uninterrupted (open through lunch).

Adjective 'ininterrupto'.

Eles cumprem o expediente com muita dedicação.

They fulfill their work hours with much dedication.

Verb 'cumprir' meaning to fulfill/complete.

O expediente está quase acabando.

The workday is almost over.

Present continuous with 'estar + gerund'.

O regulamento exige que todos cumpram o expediente integral.

The regulation requires everyone to fulfill the full workday.

Subjunctive 'cumpram' after 'exige que'.

Houve uma alteração no expediente devido à greve.

There was a change in business hours due to the strike.

Past tense of 'haver' (there was).

O expediente administrativo foi simplificado este ano.

The administrative process was simplified this year.

Passive voice 'foi simplificado'.

Ele sempre faz horas extras após o expediente normal.

He always does overtime after the normal workday.

Adjective 'normal' modifying 'expediente'.

O diretor leu o expediente da reunião anterior.

The director read the minutes/notices of the previous meeting.

Noun used in the sense of official records.

A empresa decidiu reduzir o expediente nas vésperas de feriado.

The company decided to reduce work hours on the eve of holidays.

Verb 'reduzir' as a direct object.

É proibido receber visitas pessoais durante o expediente.

It is forbidden to receive personal visitors during work hours.

Impersonal expression 'é proibido'.

O expediente bancário é diferente do horário das lojas.

Bank hours are different from store hours.

Comparative 'diferente de'.

O advogado utilizou um expediente jurídico para ganhar tempo.

The lawyer used a legal maneuver to gain time.

Noun used in the sense of 'maneuver' or 'tactic'.

A publicação do expediente é obrigatória por lei.

The publication of the masthead/administrative info is required by law.

Passive structure with 'ser' + adjective.

Muitas pessoas vivem de pequenos expedientes para sobreviver.

Many people live off small, informal jobs/tricks to survive.

Plural use meaning 'informal means' or 'wits'.

O fluxo de expediente na prefeitura está muito lento.

The workflow of administrative tasks at city hall is very slow.

Compound noun phrase 'fluxo de expediente'.

Não podemos ignorar os expedientes burocráticos necessários.

We cannot ignore the necessary bureaucratic procedures.

Modal verb 'poder' in the negative.

O senador usou de um expediente regimental para adiar a votação.

The senator used a procedural maneuver to delay the vote.

Phrase 'usar de um expediente'.

O expediente da revista contém os nomes de todos os editores.

The magazine's masthead contains the names of all the editors.

Subject-verb agreement 'expediente contém'.

Após um longo expediente, ele só queria descansar.

After a long workday, he just wanted to rest.

Prepositional phrase 'após um longo'.

A petição foi indeferida por um mero expediente técnico.

The petition was denied due to a mere technicality/maneuver.

Use of 'mero' to diminish the importance.

O autor utiliza expedientes narrativos sofisticados em sua obra.

The author uses sophisticated narrative devices in his work.

Metaphorical use in literary criticism.

A agilidade do expediente é fundamental para a eficiência pública.

The speed of administrative processing is fundamental for public efficiency.

Abstract noun use.

Ele é conhecido por seus expedientes pouco ortodoxos nos negócios.

He is known for his rather unorthodox methods/tricks in business.

Adjective phrase 'pouco ortodoxos'.

O expediente da sessão solene foi breve e protocolar.

The routine part of the formal session was brief and procedural.

Context of parliamentary procedure.

A empresa foi multada por irregularidades no registro de expediente.

The company was fined for irregularities in the work hour records.

Noun 'registro' combined with 'expediente'.

Valer-se de tais expedientes demonstra falta de ética.

Resorting to such maneuvers demonstrates a lack of ethics.

Pronominal verb 'valer-se de'.

O expediente forense será suspenso durante o recesso judiciário.

Court business hours will be suspended during the judicial recess.

Formal adjective 'forense'.

A complexidade do expediente administrativo reflete a hipertrofia burocrática.

The complexity of the administrative process reflects bureaucratic hypertrophy.

High-level vocabulary and abstract concepts.

Não se tratava de uma solução real, mas de um expediente paliativo.

It wasn't a real solution, but a stopgap measure.

Contrast between 'solução real' and 'expediente paliativo'.

O domínio dos expedientes retóricos é essencial para a persuasão.

Mastery of rhetorical devices is essential for persuasion.

Use in the field of linguistics/rhetoric.

A reforma visa desburocratizar o expediente das repartições estatais.

The reform aims to streamline the administrative workflow of state departments.

Verb 'desburocratizar' targeting 'expediente'.

Sua vida foi pautada por expedientes escusos e ambições desmedidas.

His life was marked by shady maneuvers and boundless ambitions.

Literary and evocative language.

O expediente legislativo foi interrompido por uma questão de ordem.

The legislative routine was interrupted by a point of order.

Technical parliamentary terminology.

A fluidez do expediente cartorial garante a segurança jurídica.

The fluidity of notary procedures guarantees legal certainty.

Adjective 'cartorial' (related to notary offices).

Recorrer a expedientes procrastinatórios é uma tática comum na defesa.

Resorting to delaying tactics is a common defense strategy.

Adjective 'procrastinatórios' modifying 'expedientes'.

Häufige Kollokationen

Cumprir expediente

Encerrar o expediente

Horário de expediente

Fora do expediente

Durante o expediente

Expediente bancário

Fim de expediente

Expediente administrativo

Prorrogar o expediente

Mero expediente

Häufige Phrasen

Bater o ponto

— To clock in or out. It refers to the physical act of marking the start or end of the expediente.

Acabei de bater o ponto, vamos embora?

Happy hour pós-expediente

— Socializing with coworkers after the workday ends.

Temos um happy hour pós-expediente hoje.

Não haverá expediente

— Standard way to announce that a place will be closed.

Amanhã não haverá expediente na prefeitura.

Expediente interno

— When an office is working but not open to the public.

Hoje a biblioteca terá apenas expediente interno.

Viver de expedientes

— To live by one's wits or through informal, sometimes unstable means.

Ele não tem emprego fixo, vive de expedientes.

Abrir o expediente

— To start the business hours or the formal session.

O gerente abre o expediente às oito.

Reduzir o expediente

— To shorten the working hours for a specific reason.

A empresa reduziu o expediente no dia do jogo.

Logística de expediente

— The management of administrative tasks and flow.

Melhoramos a logística de expediente este mês.

Expediente forense

— The working hours and procedures of the court system.

O expediente forense volta ao normal amanhã.

Livro de expediente

— A formal register where administrative actions are logged.

Assine o livro de expediente ao entrar.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

expediente vs Experiência

Means 'experience' (skills/knowledge). Expediente is about time/routine.

expediente vs Expedição

Means 'expedition' or 'shipping department'. Expediente is office hours.

expediente vs Expectativa

Means 'expectation'. Sounds vaguely similar but totally different.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Usar de um expediente"

— To resort to a trick or a clever maneuver to solve a problem.

Ele teve que usar de um expediente para convencer o pai.

Neutral

"Homem de muitos expedientes"

— A resourceful person who always finds a way, sometimes slightly devious.

Não se preocupe, o João é um homem de muitos expedientes.

Informal

"Mero expediente"

— Something done only as a formality, without real importance or conviction.

A resposta dele foi um mero expediente para nos calar.

Formal

"Fora do expediente"

— Off the clock; during personal time.

Fora do expediente, eu sou músico.

Neutral

"Expediente de última hora"

— A last-minute solution or desperate measure.

Foi um expediente de última hora para salvar o projeto.

Neutral

"Em pleno expediente"

— Right in the middle of work hours (often used to point out something inappropriate).

Ele estava dormindo em pleno expediente!

Neutral

"Expediente de mestre"

— A masterstroke; a very clever solution.

Aquela jogada foi um expediente de mestre.

Informal

"Fazer o expediente"

— To go through the motions of work without much effort.

Ele só está lá fazendo o expediente, não quer nada com o trabalho.

Informal

"Expediente sujo"

— A dirty trick or unethical maneuver.

A oposição usou um expediente sujo para ganhar.

Informal

"Curto de expediente"

— Slow-witted; someone who doesn't find solutions easily (rare).

Ele é um pouco curto de expediente para este cargo.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

expediente vs Turno

Both refer to work time.

Turno is a specific shift (morning/night). Expediente is the general office hours or routine.

Meu turno é à noite, mas o expediente da empresa é de dia.

expediente vs Plantão

Both refer to being at work.

Plantão is being 'on call' or a special shift. Expediente is the standard routine.

O médico terminou o expediente e começou o plantão.

expediente vs Horário

Both involve clocks.

Horário is 'time' or 'schedule' in general. Expediente is specifically for work/business.

Qual é o seu horário de almoço no expediente?

expediente vs Processo

Both can mean an administrative file.

Processo is the legal/formal case. Expediente is the handling and flow of such cases.

O expediente de hoje focou em organizar os processos.

expediente vs Artimanha

Both can mean a 'trick'.

Artimanha is more informal and sneaky. Expediente is a more formal or clever maneuver.

Ele usou um expediente jurídico, não uma artimanha qualquer.

Satzmuster

O expediente é [time].

O expediente é das 9 às 5.

Eu [verb] depois do expediente.

Eu descanso depois do expediente.

É necessário [verb] o expediente.

É necessário cumprir o expediente.

Ele usou um expediente para [verb].

Ele usou um expediente para ganhar o caso.

O expediente da [noun] foi [adjective].

O expediente da secretaria foi exemplar.

Pautado por expedientes [adjective], ele...

Pautado por expedientes escusos, ele faliu.

Devido ao [noun], não haverá expediente.

Devido ao feriado, não haverá expediente.

Durante o expediente, eu [verb].

Durante o expediente, eu escrevo e-mails.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in professional and administrative contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Eu tenho muito expediente em Java. → Eu tenho muita experiência em Java.
You are confusing 'expediente' (work hours) with 'experiência' (experience/skill).
A expediente começa às 9h. → O expediente começa às 9h.
'Expediente' is a masculine noun. Use 'o', not 'a'.
Vou te ver no fim de trabalho. → Vou te ver no fim do expediente.
While 'fim de trabalho' is understood, 'fim de expediente' is the idiomatic standard for the end of the workday.
Eu trabalho no expediente da noite. → Eu trabalho no turno da noite.
For specific shifts (night/day), 'turno' is more accurate than 'expediente'.
Ele usou uma experiência para fugir. → Ele usou um expediente para fugir.
If you mean a 'maneuver' or 'trick', the word is 'expediente', not 'experiência'.

Tipps

Don't confuse with experience

Always remember that 'expediente' is about your schedule, not your skills. Use 'experiência' for your resume!

Watch for signs

When traveling in Brazil, look for 'expediente' on store doors to know when they are open. It's more common than 'horas de abertura'.

It's always masculine

Even though it ends in 'e', it's 'o expediente'. This is a common trap for beginners.

Use 'cumprir'

If you want to say you are working your required hours, use the verb 'cumprir'. 'Eu cumpro meu expediente' sounds very professional.

Fim de expediente

Use this phrase to invite friends out. 'Vamos sair no fim do expediente?' is a classic Brazilian invitation.

The 'X' sound

In 'expediente', the 'x' sounds like 'ks'. Listen closely to natives; it's a quick, sharp sound.

Administrative use

In emails, 'durante o expediente' is the best way to say 'during office hours'.

The 'trick' meaning

Be careful using 'expediente' to mean 'trick'. It's usually for formal/legal tricks, not for a magic show!

Fora do expediente

This is the standard way to say 'off the clock'. It's very useful for setting boundaries.

Think 'Expedite'

The word comes from the idea of making things move forward. Your 'expediente' is when you move your tasks forward.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'EXPEDITE'. When you are at your EXPEDIENTE, you are trying to EXPEDITE your work so you can go home!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a large office clock showing 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, with the word EXPEDIENTE written across the face of the clock.

Word Web

Trabalho Horas Escritório Rotina Burocracia Chefe Relógio Processo

Herausforderung

Try to write three sentences about your own job using 'durante o expediente', 'fim de expediente', and 'horário de expediente'.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'expediens', the present participle of 'expedire'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The Latin 'expedire' literally means 'to free the feet' (ex- 'out' + pes/pedis 'foot'), meaning to untangle or set free.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities; it is a standard professional term.

English speakers often just say 'work' or 'shift.' 'Expediente' is more formal and specific to the administrative/temporal block.

The term appears frequently in the 'Diário Oficial' (Official Gazette) of Brazil. Commonly used in Brazilian soap operas (novelas) to set the scene in offices. The 'Expediente' section in magazines like 'Veja' or 'IstoÉ'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the Office

A que horas termina o expediente?
Tenho muito expediente hoje.
Não use o celular no expediente.
O expediente foi produtivo.

Public Services

Qual o expediente do banco?
Não haverá expediente amanhã.
O expediente forense está suspenso.
Consulte o horário de expediente.

Socializing

Vamos sair após o expediente?
Te vejo no fim do expediente.
O expediente hoje foi cansativo.
Estou livre fora do expediente.

Legal/Bureaucratic

O expediente está em análise.
Foi um expediente jurídico.
Assine o livro de expediente.
O fluxo de expediente é lento.

Media/Publishing

Veja o expediente da revista.
O nome dele está no expediente.
O expediente foi lido na sessão.
O jornal mudou seu expediente.

Gesprächseinstiege

"A que horas você costuma encerrar o seu expediente?"

"Você prefere um expediente corrido ou mais tranquilo?"

"O que você gosta de fazer logo após o fim do expediente?"

"Sua empresa é rígida com o horário de expediente?"

"Alguma vez você já teve que usar um 'expediente' criativo para resolver um problema no trabalho?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva como foi o seu expediente hoje. Foi produtivo ou cansativo?

Se você pudesse mudar o seu horário de expediente, como ele seria?

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você usou um 'expediente' (manobra) para alcançar um objetivo.

Como você separa sua vida pessoal do seu expediente de trabalho?

Reflita sobre a importância de ter um expediente bem definido para a saúde mental.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but it's most common for office (white-collar) jobs or public services. For a factory or hospital, 'turno' or 'plantão' might be more frequent, though 'expediente' still works to describe the hours. For example, a doctor might say 'meu expediente termina às 17h' if they work in a clinic.

It is usually singular when referring to the concept of business hours ('o expediente'). You use the plural 'expedientes' when referring to multiple administrative files or various clever maneuvers. For example: 'Ele usou vários expedientes para evitar a multa.'

It literally means 'end of business hours' or 'end of the workday.' It's the time when people stop working and go home. In Brazil, it's often associated with heavy traffic or going for a drink with colleagues.

No. This is a common false cognate for English speakers. 'Experience' is 'experiência'. If you say 'Tenho expediente em TI,' people will think you mean you have 'office hours' in IT, which makes no sense.

The most common way is 'Horário de Expediente' followed by the hours. For example: 'Horário de Expediente: 09h às 18h.' You might also see 'Horário Comercial.'

It means the staff is working inside the building, but the office is closed to the public. This often happens on days dedicated to organization or inventory. You will see signs saying 'Hoje: Expediente Interno'.

Only when used to mean a 'maneuver' or 'trick.' In those cases, it can imply someone is being sneaky or using a loophole. In its primary meaning of 'work hours,' it is completely neutral.

It is a masculine noun: 'o expediente.' Always use masculine adjectives and articles with it. For example: 'um longo expediente' (a long workday).

It's the Brazilian version of going to a bar after work. 'Pós-expediente' means 'after-work.' It's a very common social practice in big cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

It describes someone who doesn't have a steady job and survives by doing odd jobs, being resourceful, or sometimes using minor tricks. It's a slightly informal and descriptive phrase.

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