movimentar in 30 Sekunden
- Movimentar means to move or set in motion, often in a structured way.
- Commonly used for physical exercise, banking, and logistics.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate.
- Can be used reflexively (movimentar-se) to mean 'to be active'.
The Portuguese verb movimentar is a versatile and dynamic word that primarily translates to "to move," "to set in motion," or "to handle." While the basic verb mover refers to the physical displacement of an object, movimentar often implies a more complex, continuous, or organized form of movement. It is frequently used in contexts involving physical exercise, financial transactions, logistics, and social activity. For instance, when you talk about moving money in a bank account, you use movimentar. When you talk about keeping a crowd active or a business running, you use movimentar. It suggests a sense of flow and operation rather than just a simple change in coordinates.
- Physical Action
- The act of putting something into motion or keeping it active, like a limb or a machine.
- Financial Activity
- The process of performing transactions, such as deposits or withdrawals, within an account.
- Social Dynamics
- To stir up energy or participation within a group of people or an event.
"É importante movimentar o corpo todos os dias para manter a saúde em dia." (It is important to move the body every day to keep health up to date.)
"A empresa conseguiu movimentar milhões de euros no último trimestre." (The company managed to move millions of euros in the last quarter.)
"O DJ sabe como movimentar a pista de dança." (The DJ knows how to get the dance floor moving.)
"Precisamos movimentar as peças do estoque para o novo galpão." (We need to move the stock items to the new warehouse.)
"O governo quer movimentar a economia com novos incentivos." (The government wants to stimulate/move the economy with new incentives.)
- Etymology
- Derived from the noun 'movimento' (movement), which comes from the Latin 'movimentum'.
- Usage Frequency
- Highly common in business, sports, and daily logistics in both Brazil and Portugal.
In a broader sense, movimentar can also be used reflexively (movimentar-se) to describe a person's general physical activity or their ability to navigate through a space. For example, "Ele se movimenta com dificuldade" (He moves with difficulty). This reflexive form emphasizes the subject's own effort in the action of moving. In professional settings, you might hear about "movimentação de carga" (cargo handling), which refers to the entire logistics process of moving goods. This highlights that the word is not just about the change in location, but the management and execution of that change. Whether you are talking about a chess piece, a bank balance, or a crowd at a festival, movimentar captures the essence of life and activity in progress.
Using movimentar correctly requires understanding its transitive and reflexive forms. As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object—the thing being moved. As a reflexive verb, it describes the subject moving themselves. This distinction is crucial for natural-sounding Portuguese.
1. Financial Contexts
This is perhaps the most common formal use. When you deposit, withdraw, or transfer money, you are movimentando your account. It implies activity and flow.
- "Eu movimento minha conta poupança raramente." (I move/use my savings account rarely.)
- "O banco detectou uma tentativa de movimentar fundos suspeitos." (The bank detected an attempt to move suspicious funds.)
2. Physical Exercise and Health
In health contexts, it's used to encourage activity. It's less about going from point A to point B and more about the act of being active.
- "Você precisa movimentar as pernas após a cirurgia." (You need to move your legs after the surgery.)
- "Movimentar-se é essencial para uma vida longa." (Moving oneself is essential for a long life.)
3. Business and Logistics
In industry, it refers to the handling of goods, inventory, or resources. It suggests a professional or systematic movement.
- "A logística foca em como movimentar produtos de forma eficiente." (Logistics focuses on how to move products efficiently.)
- "Movimentamos mais de mil caixas por dia." (We move more than a thousand boxes per day.)
When conjugating, remember it's a regular verb: eu movimento, tu movimentas, ele movimenta, nós movimentamos, vós movimentais, eles movimentam. In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), it remains regular: eu movimentei, você movimentou.... This predictability makes it a safe choice for A2 learners who are expanding their vocabulary beyond basic verbs like dar or ir.
You will encounter movimentar in a variety of everyday and specialized settings. Its versatility means it bridges the gap between casual conversation and technical jargon.
At the Bank
If you visit a bank in a Lusophone country, the clerk might ask: "Como o senhor costuma movimentar sua conta?" (How do you usually use/move your account?). You will also see this word on ATM screens and banking apps under sections like "Movimentações" (Transactions/Movements).
In the News
Economic reports frequently use this verb. "O setor de serviços movimentou o PIB este ano" (The service sector moved/boosted the GDP this year). It is also common in sports news: "O jogador se movimentou bem em campo" (The player moved well on the field).
In the Gym
Personal trainers and physical therapists use it constantly. "Tente movimentar o braço sem sentir dor" (Try to move your arm without feeling pain). It sounds more clinical and precise than just saying mexer (to stir/move).
In Logistics and Warehousing
If you work in a warehouse or factory, movimentar is the standard term for handling materials. "É proibido movimentar cargas pesadas sem equipamento" (It is forbidden to move heavy loads without equipment).
Whether you're listening to a financial podcast, reading a health blog, or working in a Brazilian office, this verb will appear as a way to describe activity that is purposeful and dynamic.
Even though movimentar is regular, learners often trip up on its usage compared to similar verbs like mover or mexer.
1. Confusing with 'Mover'
While often interchangeable, mover is more basic. You move a chair (mover uma cadeira), but you movimentar a business (movimentar um negócio). Using mover for bank accounts sounds unnatural; always use movimentar for financial activity.
2. Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
When you are talking about a person moving themselves, you must use the reflexive form movimentar-se. Saying "Eu movimento muito" sounds like you are moving objects, whereas "Eu me movimento muito" means you are physically active.
3. Overcomplicating Simple Actions
Don't use movimentar for tiny, simple movements. If you just wiggle your finger, use mexer. Movimentar implies a more significant or structured action. Using it for a tiny twitch sounds overly formal or robotic.
4. Preposition Errors
Learners sometimes add unnecessary prepositions. It is "movimentar algo" (direct object), not "movimentar de algo" or "movimentar para algo" (unless indicating direction). Correct: "Movimentar a peça." Incorrect: "Movimentar com a peça."
Understanding the synonyms and related terms for movimentar helps you choose the most precise word for the context.
- Mover
- The most direct synonym. Focuses on the change of position. "Mova o carro" (Move the car).
- Mexer
- Commonly used for small movements, stirring (like soup), or touching things. "Não mexa nas minhas coisas" (Don't touch/mess with my things).
- Deslocar
- To displace or move something from its usual spot. Often used in medical contexts (dislocated joint) or physics. "O vento deslocou as telhas" (The wind displaced the tiles).
- Agitar
- To shake or stir up vigorously. Often used for liquids or social unrest. "Agite antes de usar" (Shake before using).
- Circular
- To move in a circle or to spread (like news or blood). "O sangue circula pelo corpo" (Blood circulates through the body).
While movimentar is formal and broad, mexer is very informal and versatile. Deslocar is more technical. Choosing movimentar often adds a layer of professionalism or intentionality to your speech. For example, in a gym, a trainer says "movimente as articulações" (move the joints) to sound professional, whereas a friend might say "mexe esse corpo!" (move that body!) to be encouraging and casual.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se)
Direct objects with transitive verbs
Pretérito Perfeito vs Imperfeito
Infinitive after modal verbs (querer, precisar, poder)
Adverb placement with verbs
Beispiele nach Niveau
Eu movimento as mãos.
I move my hands.
Simple present tense, 1st person singular.
Você movimenta a cadeira?
Do you move the chair?
Simple present tense, 2nd person singular (formal/common).
Nós movimentamos o corpo.
We move the body.
Simple present tense, 1st person plural.
Eles movimentam as caixas.
They move the boxes.
Simple present tense, 3rd person plural.
Ela movimenta o braço devagar.
She moves her arm slowly.
Adverb 'devagar' modifies the verb.
O menino movimenta o brinquedo.
The boy moves the toy.
Subject-verb-object structure.
Eu não movimento a mesa.
I don't move the table.
Negative sentence with 'não'.
Você quer movimentar a perna?
Do you want to move your leg?
Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.
Eu me movimento todos os dias.
I move (myself) every day.
Reflexive form 'me movimento'.
Ele movimenta a conta pelo celular.
He manages his account via mobile.
Financial context of 'movimentar'.
Precisamos movimentar esses móveis hoje.
We need to move these pieces of furniture today.
Use of 'precisamos' + infinitive.
Como você se movimenta na cidade?
How do you get around in the city?
Reflexive use for transportation/navigation.
O mercado movimenta muito dinheiro.
The market moves a lot of money.
Abstract use for economic activity.
Ela movimentou os dedos após o gesso.
She moved her fingers after the cast (was removed).
Pretérito Perfeito (past tense).
Eles se movimentam bem no palco.
They move well on stage.
Reflexive plural form.
Vou movimentar minha poupança.
I'm going to use my savings.
Future with 'vou' + infinitive.
O evento movimentou toda a vizinhança.
The event stirred up the whole neighborhood.
Figurative use for social activity.
É difícil movimentar a carga sem ajuda.
It is difficult to move the cargo without help.
Impersonal 'é difícil' + infinitive.
Se você se movimentar mais, perderá peso.
If you move more, you will lose weight.
Future subjunctive 'se movimentar'.
O governo tenta movimentar a economia local.
The government tries to stimulate the local economy.
Economic context.
Ela movimentava a empresa com energia.
She used to run the company with energy.
Pretérito Imperfeito (habitual past).
Os alunos movimentaram a escola com o projeto.
The students energized the school with the project.
Metaphorical use for engagement.
Não é seguro movimentar o paciente agora.
It is not safe to move the patient now.
Medical context.
O vento movimentava as folhas das árvores.
The wind was moving the leaves of the trees.
Descriptive past tense.
A nova lei movimentou os bastidores da política.
The new law stirred things up behind the scenes of politics.
Idiomatic 'bastidores' context.
O fluxo de caixa permite movimentar os investimentos.
The cash flow allows for moving/managing investments.
Technical financial terminology.
Eles movimentaram uma ação judicial contra a firma.
They initiated a lawsuit against the firm.
Legal context (initiating a process).
O treinador pediu para o time se movimentar mais.
The coach asked the team to move more (off the ball).
Sports tactical context.
A peça de teatro movimenta emoções profundas.
The play stirs up deep emotions.
Abstract/Emotional context.
Como podemos movimentar esses recursos parados?
How can we mobilize these idle resources?
Business optimization context.
O protesto movimentou milhares de pessoas nas ruas.
The protest mobilized thousands of people in the streets.
Social mobilization context.
Ele movimentou as peças do xadrez com maestria.
He moved the chess pieces with mastery.
Literal but sophisticated context.
A estratégia visa movimentar o mercado imobiliário.
The strategy aims to stimulate the real estate market.
Formal business 'visa' + infinitive.
Sua fala movimentou a opinião pública negativamente.
His speech swayed public opinion negatively.
Abstract influence on public opinion.
O autor consegue movimentar a narrativa com agilidade.
The author manages to drive the narrative with agility.
Literary criticism context.
É imperativo movimentar os ativos para evitar perdas.
It is imperative to move assets to avoid losses.
High-level financial advice.
A descoberta movimentou a comunidade científica.
The discovery caused a stir in the scientific community.
Context of academic excitement.
Ela se movimenta com uma elegância aristocrática.
She moves with an aristocratic elegance.
Reflexive use with descriptive adverbs.
O diretor soube movimentar as massas no filme.
The director knew how to handle the crowds in the film.
Cinematic/Artistic context.
Movimentar-se politicamente exige cautela e astúcia.
Moving politically requires caution and cunning.
Gerund-like infinitive use as a subject.
A sutil movimentação das sombras alterava a percepção.
The subtle movement of the shadows altered perception.
Noun form 'movimentação' used in a complex sentence.
O filósofo discute como o desejo movimenta o ser.
The philosopher discusses how desire moves the being.
Ontological/Philosophical context.
Movimentar fundos ilícitos é um crime transnacional.
Moving illicit funds is a transnational crime.
Legal/Criminology context.
A coreografia movimentava os corpos em perfeita simetria.
The choreography moved the bodies in perfect symmetry.
Artistic/Technical description.
O escândalo movimentou as engrenagens da justiça.
The scandal set the gears of justice in motion.
Metaphorical 'engrenagens da justiça'.
Ela movimentou influências para conseguir o cargo.
She pulled strings (moved influences) to get the position.
Idiomatic use for social manipulation.
O texto movimenta-se entre o realismo e o fantástico.
The text moves between realism and the fantastic.
Reflexive use for literary style.
A logística moderna movimenta trilhões em mercadorias.
Modern logistics moves trillions in goods.
Macroeconomic scale.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Mover is simpler; Movimentar is more systematic.
Mexer is informal or for stirring; Movimentar is formal.
Deslocar is for displacement; Movimentar is for general activity.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Movimentar is more about the 'process' than the 'result' compared to mover.
High in professional and health contexts.
- Using 'movimentar' for moving to a new home.
- Forgetting the 'se' in 'movimentar-se' when referring to personal activity.
- Using it for small actions like 'movimentar a colher' (stirring a spoon).
- Misspelling the stem as 'moviment-'.
- Confusing it with 'motivar' (to motivate).
Tipps
Use for Business
Always use 'movimentar' when discussing bank accounts or stock.
Reflexive Rule
If you are the one moving, use 'me movimento', 'se movimenta', etc.
Sound Professional
Replace 'mexer' with 'movimentar' in professional emails.
Gym Talk
Use it to describe your workout routine.
Shipping
Use it for handling packages or inventory.
Parties
Use it to describe a lively, busy event.
Endings
Don't forget to emphasize the final 'ar'.
Variety
Use the noun 'movimentação' to vary your sentences.
Context Clues
If you hear 'conta', it likely means financial movement.
Root Word
Remember 'movimento' (movement) to recall the verb.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Movement' + 'Tar' (like a road being built). To 'movimentar' is to create the movement on that road.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Kultureller Kontext
Often used in slang for partying or being socially active.
Common in administrative and formal contexts.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Como você movimenta seu corpo durante a semana?"
"Você costuma movimentar sua conta bancária por aplicativo?"
"O que movimenta a economia da sua cidade?"
"Como podemos movimentar mais pessoas para nossa causa?"
"Qual foi a última vez que você movimentou todos os móveis da casa?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Descreva como você se movimentou hoje.
Pense em um projeto que você quer movimentar. Quais são os primeiros passos?
Como a tecnologia mudou a forma como movimentamos dinheiro?
Escreva sobre um lugar muito movimentado que você visitou.
O que movimenta suas emoções ultimamente?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for moving house use 'mudar-se'.
No, use 'mexer' for stirring liquids.
Yes, if you are moving it as part of a job or logistics.
'Movimentar' is formal and systematic; 'mexer' is informal and simple.
Yes, it follows the standard -ar conjugation.
Use 'movimentar dinheiro' or 'movimentar a conta'.
Yes, it can mean to stir up emotions.
Extremely common in all contexts.
No, it is a direct transitive verb.
It is 'movimentar-se'.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Movimentar is your go-to verb for 'moving' when there is a system involved—whether it's your body's health, your bank account's balance, or a company's inventory.
- Movimentar means to move or set in motion, often in a structured way.
- Commonly used for physical exercise, banking, and logistics.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate.
- Can be used reflexively (movimentar-se) to mean 'to be active'.
Use for Business
Always use 'movimentar' when discussing bank accounts or stock.
Reflexive Rule
If you are the one moving, use 'me movimento', 'se movimenta', etc.
Sound Professional
Replace 'mexer' with 'movimentar' in professional emails.
Gym Talk
Use it to describe your workout routine.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr body Wörter
artéria
A2Ein Blutgefäß, das Blut vom Herzen wegführt. Metaphorisch bezeichnet eine Arterie auch eine wichtige Hauptstraße in einer Stadt.
articulação
A2Das Kniegelenk ist eine wichtige Artikulation im Körper.
auditivo
A2Bezieht sich auf das Gehör oder das Hörsystem.
circulação
A2Der Blutkreislauf ist wichtig für die Gesundheit.
cutâneo
B1Auf die Haut bezogen oder die Haut betreffend.
esqueleto
A2Das Skelett ist das innere Knochengerüst, das den Körper eines Tieres stützt und schützt. Es gibt ihm Form und schützt lebenswichtige Organe.
gustativo
B1Bezieht sich auf den Geschmackssinn. Es wird in technischen oder wissenschaftlichen Kontexten verwendet, wie zum Beispiel 'Geschmacksknospen'.
intestino
A2Der Darm ist ein wichtiger Teil des Verdauungssystems.
muscular
A2Auf die Muskeln bezogen oder diese betreffend.
olfativo
B1Bezogen auf den Geruchssinn. 'Das olfaktorische System ist komplex.' 'Olfaktorische Reize sind wichtig.'
