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medida

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At the CEFR A1 level, the word medida is introduced primarily in its most literal and concrete sense: as a physical measurement or size. Beginners learning Portuguese need this word to navigate everyday survival situations, such as shopping for clothes, buying furniture, or following simple cooking recipes. At this stage, learners are taught to associate the word with numbers, units of measurement like centimeters (centímetros) or meters (metros), and basic questions about dimensions. For example, an A1 learner might learn to ask 'Qual é a medida?' (What is the measurement?) when looking at a table or a window. They also learn that it is a feminine noun, requiring the article 'a' (a medida). Furthermore, the word appears frequently in basic instructional contexts, such as 'uma medida de açúcar' (one measure of sugar) in a beginner's cooking class. The focus at the A1 level is entirely on tangible, visible concepts. The figurative uses of the word, such as political measures or the concept of moderation, are generally too complex for this stage and are reserved for higher levels. By mastering the literal use of this word, A1 learners build a crucial foundation for describing the physical world around them, allowing them to engage in basic transactional conversations in stores, markets, and homes. It is a highly practical, high-frequency vocabulary item that provides immediate real-world utility for anyone starting their Portuguese language journey.
As learners progress to the CEFR A2 level, their understanding of the word medida begins to expand slightly beyond simple physical dimensions, although practical, everyday usage remains the primary focus. At this stage, students are engaging in more detailed conversations about shopping, personal preferences, and daily routines. They learn to use the word in slightly more complex sentences, such as comparing the sizes of different objects: 'A medida desta sala é maior que a da outra' (The measurement of this room is larger than the other one). Additionally, A2 learners are introduced to the highly useful fixed expression 'sob medida', which means custom-made or tailored. This allows them to talk about clothing that fits perfectly or services that are personalized, such as 'um terno sob medida' (a custom-made suit). They also start to encounter the word in the context of basic health and fitness, such as taking body measurements ('tirar as medidas') when joining a gym or going to a doctor. While the abstract political meanings are still mostly avoided, A2 learners might begin to recognize the phrase 'tomar medidas' (to take measures) in very simple, everyday contexts, like a teacher taking measures to keep a classroom quiet. The A2 level bridges the gap between basic vocabulary identification and the ability to use the word to describe personal needs, preferences, and simple actions in a more nuanced and grammatically correct manner.
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At the CEFR B1 level, learners experience a significant leap in how they use and understand the word medida. This is the stage where the figurative and abstract meanings of the word become just as important as the literal ones. B1 students are expected to discuss current events, express opinions, and describe abstract concepts. Therefore, they must master the collocation 'tomar medidas' (to take measures/actions) in the context of solving problems, implementing rules, or reacting to situations. For instance, a B1 learner should be able to say, 'O governo precisa tomar medidas para proteger o meio ambiente' (The government needs to take measures to protect the environment). This usage is essential for reading news articles, watching television reports, and participating in debates. Furthermore, B1 learners are introduced to the concept of 'medida' as moderation. They learn expressions like 'beber com medida' (to drink in moderation) or 'na medida certa' (just right/in the right proportion). This allows them to discuss lifestyle choices, health, and personal habits with greater sophistication. The transition at the B1 level is crucial; the word evolves from a simple tool for measuring physical objects into a versatile noun used to discuss human behavior, societal rules, and strategic actions, reflecting the learner's growing ability to handle abstract thought in Portuguese.
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Reaching the CEFR B2 level means the learner has achieved a high degree of fluency and can handle complex, nuanced language. At this stage, the usage of medida becomes highly grammatical and structural. The most critical addition to the B2 learner's repertoire is the conjunction 'à medida que', which translates to 'as' or 'while' in the sense of proportion or simultaneous progression. Mastering this phrase is a hallmark of upper-intermediate proficiency. A B2 student will comfortably construct sentences like, 'À medida que a tecnologia avança, a sociedade muda' (As technology advances, society changes). This structure is essential for writing essays, giving presentations, and expressing complex relationships between different variables. Additionally, B2 learners must confidently distinguish between 'à medida que' and 'na medida em que' (inasmuch as / to the extent that), understanding the subtle difference between proportional progression and causal justification. They also use the word in sophisticated professional and academic contexts, discussing 'medidas preventivas' (preventive measures), 'medidas de segurança' (security measures), or 'medidas econômicas' (economic measures) with ease. At the B2 level, the word is fully integrated into the learner's active vocabulary, serving not just as a noun for objects or actions, but as a core structural component for building complex, compound sentences that express advanced logical relationships.
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At the CEFR C1 level, learners possess an advanced, near-native command of the Portuguese language. Their use of the word medida reflects this deep understanding of nuance, register, and idiomatic expression. C1 students effortlessly navigate highly formal, legal, and bureaucratic texts where the word is ubiquitous. They understand specific legal terminology such as 'medida cautelar' (precautionary measure/injunction) or 'medida provisória' (provisional decree), which are essential for understanding political and legal discourse in Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil. Furthermore, C1 learners use the word in highly abstract and philosophical contexts. They might discuss 'a medida do sucesso' (the measure of success) or debate whether a certain punishment is 'desproporcional à medida do crime' (disproportionate to the measure of the crime). They also master subtle idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, using phrases like 'passar da medida' (to cross the line / go too far) to describe inappropriate behavior. At this level, there is no confusion about prepositions, collocations, or synonyms. The C1 learner knows exactly when to use 'medida' versus 'dimensão', 'proporção', or 'providência', selecting the precise word to convey the exact tone and meaning required by the context, whether they are writing a formal academic thesis or engaging in a heated intellectual debate.
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At the CEFR C2 level, the learner's mastery of the word medida is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, the focus is on the artistic, literary, and deeply cultural applications of the word. C2 users appreciate the word's etymological roots and its resonance in classic Portuguese literature and poetry. They can play with the word's multiple meanings to create rhetorical effects, puns, or metaphors in their writing and speech. They understand archaic or highly regional uses of the word and can seamlessly integrate it into complex, spontaneous discourse on any topic, from quantum physics (discussing the 'medida' of subatomic particles) to sociology. They use expressions like 'encher a medida' (to reach one's limit of patience) with perfect comedic or dramatic timing. Furthermore, C2 learners can critically analyze how the concept of 'medida' shapes cultural narratives, such as the Brazilian concept of finding the 'jeitinho' (workaround) within the strict 'medidas' (rules) of society. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item to be translated; it is a conceptual tool used to explore the human condition, express profound philosophical thoughts, and communicate with absolute precision, elegance, and cultural authenticity in the Portuguese language.
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  • Physical size or dimensions of an object.
  • An action or policy taken to solve a problem.
  • The concept of moderation or balance.
  • Custom-made or tailored (sob medida).
The Portuguese word medida is a feminine noun that translates primarily to measure or measurement in English. It is an absolutely essential vocabulary word for learners at the A1 level because it appears in a wide variety of everyday contexts, from shopping for clothes to cooking and discussing general sizes. Understanding the concept of medida is fundamental for anyone looking to achieve fluency in the Portuguese language. When we talk about physical dimensions, this word is the standard term used to express the size, length, width, height, or amount of something. For instance, when you are buying a new table for your dining room, you need to know its exact dimensions to ensure it fits perfectly in the available space. In this specific context, you would ask the salesperson for the medida of the table. Beyond physical dimensions, the word is also used figuratively to refer to an action or a step taken to achieve a specific goal or to solve a complex problem. Governments, corporations, and organizations frequently take measures to address economic, environmental, or social issues. In Portuguese, these strategic actions are called medidas.

O governo anunciou uma nova medida provisória hoje de manhã.

This figurative use is extremely common in daily news broadcasts, formal writing, and political discourse. Another highly important nuance of the word is its deep connection to the concept of moderation, balance, or proportion. When someone does something na medida certa, they are doing it in the exact right amount, neither too much nor too little, achieving perfect harmony.
Physical Size
The quantifiable dimensions of an object, often measured in standard units like meters, liters, or grams.

Você sabe qual é a medida exata da sua cintura?

Action or Policy
A decisive step taken to deal with a situation, often used in political, legal, or administrative contexts.

Nós precisamos tomar uma medida urgente para resolver este problema.

Moderation
The quality of being reasonable and avoiding extremes in behavior, consumption, or emotional expression.

Ele gosta de beber vinho aos finais de semana, mas sempre com medida.

To fully grasp the incredible depth of this vocabulary item, learners should actively practice using it in various sentence structures. Whether you are at a traditional tailor shop asking for an elegant suit made sob medida, or reading a complex newspaper article about the latest economic medidas implemented by the state, the word is truly ubiquitous. Furthermore, the plural form medidas is just as common, if not more so in certain contexts, as the singular form. When baking a delicious chocolate cake, a recipe might call for very specific medidas of flour, sugar, and cocoa powder.

Por favor, siga todas as medidas da receita com muito cuidado para não errar.

In summary, mastering this versatile word opens up a significant portion of both everyday conversational Portuguese and more formal, academic, or journalistic language. It beautifully bridges the gap between the tangible, physical world of sizes, weights, and amounts, and the abstract, conceptual world of actions, policies, and moderation. By seamlessly integrating this word into your active daily vocabulary, you will undoubtedly be able to express yourself much more precisely, naturally, and confidently in any Portuguese-speaking environment. The concept of measurement is a universal human experience, and knowing how to articulate it correctly in your target language is a massive step forward in your language learning journey.
Learning how to correctly use the word medida in a sentence involves understanding its grammatical properties, its common collocations, and the various prepositions that frequently accompany it. As a feminine noun, it strictly dictates the gender of the words that modify it. You will always say a medida, uma medida, or as medidas. When you want to describe a measurement as large or small, you use feminine adjectives, such as uma medida exata (an exact measure) or uma medida drástica (a drastic measure). One of the most common ways to use this word is in the context of asking for or giving dimensions.
Asking for Dimensions
Use the verb ser (to be) or ter (to have) to inquire about the size of an object or space.

Qual é a medida desta sala de estar?

Another highly frequent usage pattern involves the verb tomar (to take). Just as in English, where we take measures, in Portuguese, we tomar medidas. This is the standard collocation when discussing actions, policies, or precautions.
Taking Action
The combination of tomar + medidas is essential for expressing the implementation of a solution or rule.

A escola vai tomar uma medida disciplinar contra os alunos.

There are also several fixed expressions and prepositional phrases that rely on this word. The phrase à medida que is a crucial conjunction that translates to as or while, indicating that two actions are happening simultaneously or proportionally. For example, À medida que o tempo passa, eu aprendo mais (As time passes, I learn more). This structure is slightly more advanced but incredibly useful for sounding like a native speaker.

À medida que estudamos, o português fica mais fácil.

Another vital expression is sob medida, which translates to custom-made, tailored, or made to measure. You can use this for clothing, furniture, or even abstract concepts like a customized learning plan.
Customization
The phrase sob medida indicates that something was created specifically to fit certain specifications or needs.

Eu comprei um terno feito sob medida para o casamento.

Additionally, the phrase na medida do possível is a wonderful conversational tool. It translates to as much as possible or within the realm of possibility. It is often used to manage expectations or agree to do something under constraints.

Vou tentar te ajudar na medida do possível.

Finally, the expression na medida certa means just right or in the perfect amount. It is frequently used in culinary contexts, fashion, or when praising someone's balanced behavior. By mastering these grammatical structures, collocations, and idiomatic expressions, you will elevate your Portuguese from basic vocabulary recognition to active, fluent usage. Practice writing your own sentences using tomar medidas, à medida que, and sob medida to solidify your understanding of how this versatile noun functions within the broader mechanics of the Portuguese language.
The word medida is incredibly versatile, which means you will encounter it in a vast array of real-world contexts, ranging from the most casual daily conversations to highly formal professional and academic environments. One of the most immediate places a language learner will hear this word is in the context of shopping, particularly for clothing, shoes, or furniture. When you walk into a clothing store in Brazil or Portugal, the shop assistant might ask you about your size using this term.
Retail and Fashion
Used constantly in stores to discuss sizes, tailoring, and whether an item of clothing fits properly.

Moça, você tem esta calça em uma medida maior?

In the realm of home improvement, construction, and interior design, the word is absolutely indispensable. Carpenters, architects, and everyday people buying a new sofa will constantly talk about taking measurements. If you are renovating a house, you will hear professionals asking for the exact dimensions of walls, windows, and doors.

O carpinteiro tirou a medida da porta antes de cortar a madeira.

Another extremely common domain where this word reigns supreme is the kitchen. Cooking and baking rely heavily on precise quantities, and recipes in Portuguese will frequently use this word to refer to cups, spoons, or grams. Whether you are watching a Brazilian cooking show on YouTube or reading a traditional recipe passed down from a Portuguese grandmother, you will see instructions detailing the exact amounts required.
Culinary Arts
Essential for recipes, cooking shows, and discussing the correct proportions of ingredients for a dish.

Adicione uma medida de açúcar e duas de farinha de trigo.

Moving away from physical dimensions, you will hear the plural form, medidas, every single day if you watch the news, listen to the radio, or read newspapers. In journalism, politics, and economics, the word is the standard term for policies, laws, interventions, or strategic actions taken by authorities. During times of crisis, such as a pandemic or an economic downturn, the government will announce emergency measures.
News and Politics
The go-to noun for describing government policies, legal actions, or institutional strategies to combat issues.

O presidente assinou uma nova medida para combater a inflação no país.

Furthermore, you will hear this word in casual social settings when people are discussing behavior, moderation, or personal limits. If someone is drinking too much at a party, a friend might advise them to drink with moderation. In the workplace, a manager might praise an employee for handling a difficult client with the perfect amount of tact and professionalism.

Ela soube falar com o cliente na medida certa, sem ser rude.

Because it spans so many different areas of life—from the highly practical act of measuring a piece of wood to the abstract concept of government policy—medida is a high-frequency word that you will encounter constantly. Paying attention to the context in which you hear it will help you understand whether the speaker is talking about a physical size, a recipe ingredient, a political action, or the concept of moderation.
When learning the word medida, Portuguese learners often make a few predictable mistakes, usually stemming from direct translation issues from their native languages or confusion with similar Portuguese words. One of the most frequent errors is confusing medida with the word tamanho (size). While they are related and sometimes interchangeable in casual conversation, they have distinct primary meanings. Tamanho generally refers to the overall size or magnitude of something (small, medium, large), whereas medida refers to the specific, quantifiable dimensions (centimeters, inches, liters). For example, you would ask for a shoe size using tamanho, not medida.
Medida vs. Tamanho
Use tamanho for general sizes (P, M, G) and medida for exact numerical dimensions or actions.

Qual é o tamanho da sua camisa? (Correct) vs. Qual é a medida da sua camisa? (Usually incorrect unless asking for exact tailoring numbers).

Another common mistake occurs when English speakers try to translate the phrase to take measures. In English, we use the verb to take. In Portuguese, the direct translation of to take is pegar (to grab/take) or levar (to take away/carry). However, neither of these verbs is used with medidas in this context. The correct verb is tomar (which can mean to take, but is used specifically for liquids, transportation, and abstract actions). Saying pegar medidas or levar medidas sounds completely unnatural and confusing to a native speaker.
The Verb Tomar
Always use tomar when translating the English concept of taking action or taking measures.

Nós precisamos tomar uma medida agora. (Correct) / Nós precisamos pegar uma medida agora. (Incorrect).

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the prepositional phrase à medida que (as/while). Because it looks similar to the phrase na medida em que (inasmuch as / to the extent that), learners often mix them up, creating grammatically incorrect hybrid phrases like à medida em que or na medida que. It is crucial to memorize these two conjunctions as fixed, distinct phrases with different meanings.

À medida que chove, o rio enche. (Correct - As it rains, the river fills).

Conjunction Confusion
Do not mix à medida que (proportion/time) with na medida em que (cause/justification).

Ele é culpado na medida em que sabia do crime. (Correct - He is guilty to the extent that he knew about the crime).

Lastly, English speakers might incorrectly use the word medição instead of medida. While medição is a valid Portuguese word, it refers specifically to the act or process of measuring something, not the result of the measurement or an action taken. For example, A medição do terreno demorou horas (The measuring of the land took hours). You would not say O governo anunciou uma nova medição (The government announced a new measuring). By being aware of these common pitfalls—distinguishing it from tamanho, using the correct verb tomar, mastering the fixed conjunctions, and avoiding confusion with medição—you will significantly improve the accuracy and natural flow of your Portuguese.
Expanding your vocabulary involves not just learning a single word, but also understanding its synonyms, related terms, and how they differ in nuance and context. The word medida has several synonyms depending on which of its multiple meanings is being used. When referring to physical size or dimensions, words like dimensão, proporção, and tamanho are frequently used. Dimensão (dimension) is a slightly more formal or technical term than medida. It is often used in mathematics, physics, or when describing the sheer scale of an object or an event.
Dimensão
A formal synonym used for physical dimensions or the abstract scale and impact of a situation.

A medida do problema é enorme. / A dimensão do problema é enorme.

Proporção (proportion) is another related word, used when comparing the size or amount of one thing to another. It emphasizes the relationship between different measurements rather than a single absolute value.

A medida de água para arroz é dois para um. / A proporção de água para arroz é dois para um.

When the word is used in its figurative sense to mean an action, policy, or step taken to solve a problem, the most common synonyms are providência, ação, and resolução. Providência is a highly useful word that translates to precaution, measure, or arrangement. It is very frequently used with the verb tomar, just like medida.
Providência
A formal synonym for an action taken to prevent a problem or organize a solution.

O diretor tomou uma medida severa. / O diretor tomou uma providência severa.

Ação (action) is a broader, more general term. While every medida (in the political/administrative sense) is an ação, not every ação is a formal medida. Ação simply implies doing something, whereas a medida implies a calculated step designed to achieve a specific regulatory or corrective outcome.
Ação
A general term for any kind of action or deed, less specific than a formal measure.

Precisamos de uma medida rápida. / Precisamos de uma ação rápida.

When discussing the concept of moderation or restraint (doing something com medida), synonyms include moderação, cautela, and equilíbrio. Moderação is the most direct synonym in this context, translating perfectly to moderation. Equilíbrio (balance) is also excellent for describing a state where things are in the correct proportion or where behavior is well-regulated.

Ele come doces com medida. / Ele come doces com moderação.

By familiarizing yourself with these similar words—dimensão, proporção, providência, ação, moderação, and equilíbrio—you can significantly enrich your Portuguese vocabulary. This allows you to avoid repeating the same word constantly and helps you express subtle nuances in meaning. Knowing when to use a technical term like dimensão versus a practical term like medida, or when to use a formal word like providência instead of a general word like ação, is a hallmark of an advanced and articulate language learner.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Gender agreement with feminine nouns.

Use of the verb 'tomar' vs 'pegar/levar'.

Conjunctions of proportion (à medida que).

Prepositional phrases (sob, na, com).

Pluralization of nouns ending in vowels.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

A medida da mesa é dois metros.

The measurement of the table is two meters.

Uses the feminine article 'a' and the verb 'ser' for description.

2

Eu preciso de uma fita de medida.

I need a measuring tape.

'Fita de medida' or 'fita métrica' is a common compound noun phrase.

3

Qual é a medida da janela?

What is the measurement of the window?

Question word 'Qual' used to ask for specific information.

4

A receita pede uma medida de leite.

The recipe asks for one measure of milk.

Used here to indicate a portion or quantity in cooking.

5

Esta roupa não tem a minha medida.

This clothes do not have my measurement/size.

Possessive pronoun 'minha' agrees in gender with 'medida'.

6

O carpinteiro tirou a medida da porta.

The carpenter took the measurement of the door.

The verb 'tirar' is used for taking physical measurements.

7

A medida exata é muito importante.

The exact measurement is very important.

Adjective 'exata' agrees with the feminine noun.

8

Nós usamos o metro como medida.

We use the meter as a measurement.

Used to define a standard unit.

1

Eu comprei um terno feito sob medida.

I bought a custom-made suit.

The fixed expression 'sob medida' means custom-made.

2

A professora tomou uma medida severa com o aluno.

The teacher took a severe measure with the student.

Introduction of 'tomar uma medida' for taking an action.

3

As medidas de segurança são necessárias no aeroporto.

Security measures are necessary at the airport.

Plural form 'medidas' used for rules or protocols.

4

Ele sempre come doces, mas com medida.

He always eats sweets, but in moderation.

'Com medida' translates to 'in moderation'.

5

Qual é a medida de farinha para o bolo?

What is the measure of flour for the cake?

Used to ask for specific recipe proportions.

6

As medidas da caixa estão na etiqueta.

The measurements of the box are on the label.

Plural form used for length, width, and height combined.

7

O sapato serviu na medida certa.

The shoe fit just right.

'Na medida certa' is an idiom for 'perfectly' or 'just right'.

8

Precisamos de novas medidas para economizar água.

We need new measures to save water.

Used to describe strategies or plans.

1

O governo anunciou medidas para combater o desemprego.

The government announced measures to combat unemployment.

Common political collocation: anunciar medidas.

2

À medida que o tempo passa, a dor diminui.

As time passes, the pain decreases.

Crucial B1 conjunction: 'À medida que' meaning 'as' or 'while'.

3

Tomaremos todas as medidas cabíveis neste caso.

We will take all appropriate measures in this case.

Formal phrasing using the future tense of 'tomar'.

4

O sucesso não tem uma medida única para todos.

Success does not have a single measure for everyone.

Abstract use of the word meaning 'standard' or 'definition'.

5

A empresa adotou medidas drásticas para evitar a falência.

The company adopted drastic measures to avoid bankruptcy.

Collocation 'adotar medidas' is a synonym for 'tomar medidas'.

6

Ele agiu na medida do possível para ajudar a família.

He acted as much as possible to help the family.

Fixed expression 'na medida do possível' (as much as possible).

7

A nova lei é uma medida provisória.

The new law is a provisional measure.

Specific legal/political term in Portuguese.

8

A paciência dela já passou da medida.

Her patience has already crossed the line/limit.

Idiom 'passar da medida' means to go beyond acceptable limits.

1

À medida que a economia cresce, a inflação também pode aumentar.

As the economy grows, inflation can also increase.

Complex sentence structure showing proportional relationship.

2

As medidas preventivas foram fundamentais para conter a crise.

The preventive measures were fundamental to contain the crisis.

Advanced vocabulary collocation: medidas preventivas.

3

O projeto foi desenhado sob medida para atender às exigências do cliente.

The project was custom-designed to meet the client's demands.

Metaphorical use of 'sob medida' for abstract concepts.

4

Ele é culpado na medida em que participou do planejamento do crime.

He is guilty to the extent that he participated in planning the crime.

Crucial distinction: 'na medida em que' means 'inasmuch as' or 'because'.

5

A eficácia da vacina superou todas as medidas esperadas.

The vaccine's efficacy surpassed all expected measures/standards.

Used to mean standards or benchmarks.

6

O pacote de medidas econômicas gerou polêmica no congresso.

The package of economic measures generated controversy in congress.

Journalistic phrasing: pacote de medidas.

7

A punição deve ser aplicada na exata medida da infração.

The punishment must be applied in the exact measure of the infraction.

Philosophical/legal concept of proportionality.

8

Faremos os ajustes necessários na medida do possível.

We will make the necessary adjustments as much as possible.

Fluent use of the mitigating phrase 'na medida do possível'.

1

A implementação de medidas de austeridade provocou protestos massivos.

The implementation of austerity measures provoked massive protests.

Highly formal political terminology.

2

O juiz deferiu a medida cautelar solicitada pela defesa.

The judge granted the precautionary measure requested by the defense.

Specific C1 legal jargon: medida cautelar.

3

A obra literária deve ser avaliada pela sua própria medida estética.

The literary work must be evaluated by its own aesthetic measure/standard.

Abstract, academic use of the word as 'standard of evaluation'.

4

A retórica do candidato foi, em grande medida, populista.

The candidate's rhetoric was, in large measure, populist.

Adverbial phrase 'em grande medida' meaning 'largely' or 'mostly'.

5

O governo editou uma medida provisória com força de lei imediata.

The government issued a provisional measure with immediate force of law.

Specific Brazilian political context (Medida Provisória - MP).

6

A tragédia tomou proporções que ultrapassaram qualquer medida humana.

The tragedy took proportions that surpassed any human measure.

Poetic/dramatic use indicating something beyond comprehension.

7

A liberdade de expressão é a medida de uma verdadeira democracia.

Freedom of expression is the measure of a true democracy.

Philosophical statement using 'medida' as the ultimate test or standard.

8

Ele tentou justificar o erro, mas a desculpa soou fora de medida.

He tried to justify the mistake, but the excuse sounded out of proportion/inappropriate.

Idiom 'fora de medida' meaning inappropriate or excessive.

1

A vaidade do monarca encheu a medida da tolerância de seus súditos.

The monarch's vanity filled the measure of his subjects' tolerance.

Literary idiom 'encher a medida' meaning to exhaust patience.

2

Na medida em que a ontologia define o ser, a ética define a sua ação.

Inasmuch as ontology defines being, ethics defines its action.

Highly academic, philosophical use of 'na medida em que'.

3

O poeta encontrou na métrica clássica a medida exata para sua angústia.

The poet found in classical meter the exact measure for his anguish.

Play on words combining poetic meter and emotional expression.

4

A diplomacia exige que se reaja com a medida certa de firmeza e concessão.

Diplomacy requires reacting with the right measure of firmness and concession.

Nuanced discussion of abstract behavioral balance.

5

O pacote de medidas saneadoras foi um divisor de águas na economia nacional.

The package of sanitizing measures was a watershed in the national economy.

Advanced economic jargon ('medidas saneadoras').

6

A incomensurabilidade do universo desafia qualquer medida terrena.

The incommensurability of the universe defies any earthly measure.

Use of complex vocabulary (incomensurabilidade) contrasting with 'medida'.

7

Ele é, à sua própria medida, um gênio incompreendido.

He is, by his own measure, an misunderstood genius.

Idiomatic phrasing 'à sua própria medida' meaning in his own unique way.

8

A lei foi aplicada sem meias medidas, punindo todos os envolvidos.

The law was applied without half measures, punishing all involved.

Idiom 'sem meias medidas' meaning uncompromisingly or completely.

Häufige Kollokationen

tomar medidas
medida provisória
sob medida
medida de segurança
na medida certa
medida drástica
tirar as medidas
medida cautelar
medida preventiva
passar da medida

Häufige Phrasen

à medida que
na medida do possível
na medida em que
sob medida
na medida certa
sem meias medidas
encher a medida
tomar medidas cabíveis
medida de precaução
além da medida

Wird oft verwechselt mit

medida vs tamanho

medida vs medição

medida vs dimensão

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"passar da medida"
"encher a medida"
"sem meias medidas"
"feito sob medida para"
"na medida do impossível"
"dar a medida de"
"perder a medida"
"medir forças (related)"
"a medida de todas as coisas"
"tomar a medida de alguém"

Leicht verwechselbar

medida vs

medida vs

medida vs

medida vs

medida vs

Satzmuster

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formality levels

'Medida' is neutral. 'Providência' is more formal. 'Tamanho' is more casual when discussing general size.

regional differences

Pronunciation varies (BR: /meˈdʒi.dɐ/, PT: /mɨˈdi.dɐ/). Political term 'Medida Provisória' is specific to Brazil.

literal vs figurative

Literal: physical dimensions (tape measure). Figurative: actions taken to solve a problem (laws, rules).

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'tamanho' when asking for exact dimensions.
  • Saying 'pegar medidas' instead of 'tomar medidas'.
  • Writing 'à medida em que' (mixing the two conjunctions).
  • Using masculine adjectives like 'medida exato' instead of 'exata'.
  • Confusing 'medição' (the act of measuring) with 'medida' (the result/action).

Tipps

Always Feminine

Never forget that 'medida' is feminine. Say 'a medida', 'uma medida', 'esta medida'. Adjectives must also match: 'medida drástica', not 'drástico'.

Tomar vs. Pegar

When translating 'to take measures', always use 'tomar medidas'. Never use 'pegar' or 'levar', as these refer to physically grabbing or carrying objects.

Sob Medida

Memorize the phrase 'sob medida'. It makes you sound very fluent when describing something that is custom-made or perfectly suited for a situation.

Conjunction Warning

Do not mix up 'à medida que' (as) with 'na medida em que' (because). A common mistake is saying 'à medida em que', which is grammatically incorrect.

Tamanho vs. Medida

Use 'tamanho' for general sizes (P, M, G). Reserve 'medida' for exact numbers (centimeters, meters) or abstract political actions.

News Vocabulary

When watching Portuguese or Brazilian news, listen for the plural 'medidas'. It is the standard word for government policies or economic interventions.

Na medida do possível

Use the phrase 'na medida do possível' (as much as possible) to sound polite and native-like when agreeing to help someone under constraints.

Academic Writing

In formal essays, use 'medida' to discuss the extent or proportion of an issue. It elevates your writing far beyond basic vocabulary.

Medida Provisória

If you are interested in Brazilian politics, learn the term 'Medida Provisória' (MP). It is a presidential decree that is constantly debated in the media.

The Brazilian 'D'

If you are focusing on Brazilian Portuguese, practice pronouncing the 'di' as 'dji'. Saying 'me-DJI-da' will make your accent sound much more authentic in places like Rio or São Paulo.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a ME-DI-cal Doctor (ME-DI-da) taking your MEASUREMENTS and then taking MEASURES to improve your health.

Wortherkunft

Latin

Kultureller Kontext

'Medida Provisória' is a crucial political term. Also, 'tirar as medidas' is common in fitness culture.

Used similarly, but pronunciation differs significantly (/mɨˈdi.dɐ/). Tailoring 'sob medida' is a respected traditional craft.

Used in standard administrative and educational contexts, often emphasizing government 'medidas' for development.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Qual é a medida da sua camisa?"

"Você acha que o governo deve tomar medidas mais severas?"

"Você costuma cozinhar usando medidas exatas ou 'a olho'?"

"O que significa para você ter sucesso 'sob medida'?"

"Você acha que a tecnologia avança à medida que perdemos nossa privacidade?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva uma vez em que você teve que tomar uma medida drástica em sua vida.

Escreva uma receita simples, focando em usar a palavra 'medida' corretamente.

O que significa viver a vida 'na medida certa' para você?

Como as medidas de segurança mudaram no seu país nos últimos anos?

Descreva uma roupa que você gostaria de ter feita sob medida.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but it usually implies you want exact numerical dimensions (like inches or centimeters) for tailoring. If you just want to know if a shirt is Small, Medium, or Large, it is much more natural to use the word 'tamanho'.

In Portuguese, the verb 'tomar' (to take) is the standard collocation for abstract actions, decisions, or precautions. 'Fazer' (to make/do) sounds unnatural in this context. It perfectly mirrors the English phrase 'to take measures'.

'Sob medida' translates directly to 'under measure', but it idiomatically means 'custom-made' or 'tailored'. You can use it for clothing (um terno sob medida) or metaphorically for a perfect solution (um plano sob medida).

This is a very common point of confusion. 'À medida que' indicates proportion or simultaneous time, translating to 'as' or 'while' (e.g., As I study, I learn). 'Na medida em que' indicates cause or justification, translating to 'inasmuch as' or 'because'.

It is a feminine noun. Therefore, it must always be accompanied by feminine articles (a, uma, as, umas) and feminine adjectives (exata, drástica, provisória).

In recipes, 'uma medida' refers to a specific portion or ratio. For example, a recipe might call for 'uma medida de arroz para duas medidas de água' (one measure of rice for two measures of water), often referring to a cup or a specific container.

It is a common idiom that means to go too far, cross the line, or exceed acceptable limits. If someone makes an offensive joke, you might say 'ele passou da medida' (he crossed the line).

Yes, especially in journalistic and political contexts. A 'medida' is a policy, rule, or decree implemented by an authority. In Brazil, a 'Medida Provisória' is a specific type of presidential decree with the force of law.

A very good formal synonym is 'providência'. You can say 'tomar providências' just as you would say 'tomar medidas'. Both mean to take action to resolve a situation.

In most of Portugal and some parts of Brazil, it is pronounced as a hard 'd' (like in the English word 'deep'). However, in many parts of Brazil (like São Paulo and Rio), the 'di' is palatalized and sounds like 'dji' (like the 'j' in 'jeep').

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