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A1 verb #4,000 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

obrigar

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Erklärung obrigar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn 'obrigar' in its most literal sense: to force someone to do something. You'll see it in simple sentences about family rules or school requirements. It's important to recognize that 'obrigado' (thank you) comes from this verb, but at this stage, you treat them as separate vocabulary items. Focus on the structure 'obrigar + person + a + verb'. For example, 'Minha mãe me obriga a estudar.' This level is about understanding basic authority and the simple fact of being forced to perform an action. You should also learn the masculine and feminine forms of the past participle when used as an adjective: 'Eu estou obrigado' vs 'Eu estou obrigada', though this is less common than just using 'obrigado' for thanks.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'obrigar' in more social and professional contexts. You might talk about work requirements or social obligations. You'll learn to use it in different tenses, like the past (pretérito perfeito): 'Eles nos obrigaram a sair cedo.' You also begin to understand the passive construction 'ser obrigado a', which is very common in news and official announcements. You'll notice that 'obrigar' can be used with non-human subjects, like 'A chuva nos obrigou a ficar em casa.' This expands your ability to describe how circumstances beyond your control affect your decisions and actions.

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By B1, you should be comfortable with the reflexive form 'obrigar-se a'. This allows you to talk about self-discipline and personal commitments, such as 'Eu me obrigo a ler dez páginas por dia.' You also start to distinguish between 'obrigar' and its synonyms like 'forçar' or 'exigir' based on the context. You'll encounter 'obrigar' in more complex sentence structures involving conjunctions and relative pronouns. You should also be able to use it in the subjunctive mood to express desires or hypothetical situations involving compulsion, such as 'Eu não quero que você me obrigue a fazer isso.'

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At the B2 level, you use 'obrigar' to discuss abstract concepts like social pressure, economic forces, and legal mandates. You can handle nuanced discussions about whether certain laws 'obrigam' citizens in a way that is fair or just. You'll also see it used in more formal writing and news reporting where the agent of the force might be a government body or a set of circumstances. You should be able to use the verb in all its forms, including the conditional and the future subjunctive: 'Se a lei nos obrigar, teremos que cumprir.' This level requires a deeper understanding of the word's weight in formal discourse.

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At C1, you explore the rhetorical and literary uses of 'obrigar'. You might analyze how authors use the verb to describe characters driven by fate, passion, or moral duty. You'll understand the subtle difference between 'obrigar' and more academic terms like 'compelir' or 'coagir'. You can use the verb in sophisticated structures, such as 'A conjuntura sociopolítica acabou por obrigar o país a uma mudança de paradigma.' You are also sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when it sounds too harsh and when it is the precisely correct legal or formal term to use in a professional report or an academic essay.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'obrigar' and its place in the history of the Portuguese language. You understand its etymological roots in Latin (obligare) and how it evolved into the modern expression of gratitude. You can use it with precision in legal arguments, philosophical debates, and high-level diplomatic communication. You are aware of regional variations in its usage across the Lusophone world and can interpret the word's nuances in archaic or highly specialized texts. For you, 'obrigar' is not just a verb but a tool for expressing the complex web of human and institutional relationships that define society.

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obrigar in 30 Sekunden

Obrigar means to force or oblige someone to do something.
It requires the preposition 'a' before the following verb.
It is the root of 'obrigado', the Portuguese word for 'thank you'.
Used in contexts ranging from rules and laws to social pressure.

The Portuguese verb obrigar is a cornerstone of expressing necessity, compulsion, and duty. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to oblige' or 'to force.' However, its usage spans a vast spectrum from physical coercion to the gentle social 'obligation' that underpins the common Portuguese word for 'thank you' (obrigado). When you use this word, you are describing a situation where an external force, a person, a law, or even an internal moral compass makes an action unavoidable. In everyday conversation, it is frequently used to discuss rules, parental guidance, and professional requirements. Understanding this word is essential because it helps learners navigate the nuances of authority and responsibility in Lusophone cultures.

Direct Compulsion: This refers to when someone is forced to do something against their will. For example, 'A polícia obrigou o suspeito a parar.' (The police forced the suspect to stop).

A lei nos obriga a pagar impostos todos os anos para manter os serviços públicos.

Beyond the physical or legal, obrigar is used in social contexts. If you invite someone to dinner and they feel they must return the favor, they might say they feel 'obrigados' to host you. This sense of social reciprocity is deeply embedded in the language. It is also common in the reflexive form, obrigar-se, which means to force oneself or to commit oneself to a task. For instance, 'Eu me obrigo a acordar cedo para estudar' (I force myself to wake up early to study). This shows a level of self-discipline and internal agency that is very common in personal development discussions.

Legal and Formal Contexts: In contracts and official documents, 'obrigar-se' is used to define the duties of the parties involved. 'A empresa obriga-se a entregar o produto em trinta dias.'

Ninguém pode ser obrigado a fazer algo que não esteja previsto na constituição federal.

In a domestic setting, parents often use this verb when talking about their children's chores or schoolwork. 'Minha mãe me obrigava a comer vegetais' (My mother forced me to eat vegetables). It carries a weight of authority but isn't necessarily negative; it simply describes the dynamic of power or necessity. In literature, you might see it used to describe fate or destiny forcing a character's hand, adding a layer of dramatic inevitability to the narrative. It is a versatile verb that transitions smoothly from the playground to the courtroom, making it a vital addition to any Portuguese learner's vocabulary at the A1 level and beyond.

Social Pressure: It can also describe peer pressure or social norms. 'A sociedade nos obriga a seguir certos padrões de beleza e comportamento.'

O mau tempo nos obrigou a cancelar o evento ao ar livre que havíamos planejado.

Eles foram obrigados a evacuar a área devido ao risco iminente de inundação severa.

Using obrigar correctly requires attention to its grammatical structure. The most frequent pattern is obrigar alguém a fazer alguma coisa (to force someone to do something). Note the essential preposition a that connects the object to the infinitive verb. Without this 'a', the sentence will feel incomplete to a native speaker. For example, 'O professor obrigou os alunos a ler o livro' (The teacher forced the students to read the book). This structure is consistent across all tenses, whether you are talking about the past, present, or future.

The Preposition 'A': The verb 'obrigar' almost always takes the preposition 'a' when followed by another verb. Example: 'Obriguei-o a sair.'

Se você não terminar o trabalho, o seu chefe vai obrigar você a ficar até mais tarde hoje.

Another common usage is the passive voice: ser obrigado a. This is used when the person subject to the force is the focus of the sentence. 'Eu fui obrigado a mudar de cidade' (I was forced to change cities). In this case, 'obrigado' must agree in gender and number with the subject. A woman would say 'Eu fui obrigada', and a group of people would say 'Nós fomos obrigados'. This passive construction is extremely common in news reports and formal explanations of why a certain action was taken. It shifts the responsibility from the actor to the circumstances or the entity imposing the will.

Reflexive Usage: When you force yourself to do something, use 'obrigar-se'. Example: 'Ela se obrigou a terminar o curso apesar das dificuldades.'

Nós nos obrigamos a manter a calma durante toda a negociação difícil com os clientes.

Finally, consider the nuances of 'obrigar' in the imperative (commands). While 'Obrigue-o!' (Force him!) is grammatically correct, it is quite strong. In more polite contexts, you might hear 'Não se sinta obrigado' (Don't feel obliged), which is a common way to tell someone they have a choice and shouldn't feel pressured by social etiquette. This demonstrates the verb's flexibility in managing social expectations and boundaries. Whether you are constructing a simple sentence about daily chores or a complex legal argument, mastering the interaction between the verb, the object, and the preposition 'a' is the key to fluency with 'obrigar'.

Common Tenses: Present: Eu obrigo. Past: Eu obriguei. Future: Eu obrigarei. Imperfect: Eu obrigava. Conditional: Eu obrigaria.

O juiz obrigou a empresa a pagar uma multa pesada por danos ambientais causados no rio.

As circunstâncias atuais nos obrigam a repensar toda a nossa estratégia de marketing para este ano.

You will encounter obrigar in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. In the news, it is a staple for reporting on government mandates, court rulings, and international treaties. Headlines often read like 'Governo obriga uso de máscaras' (Government mandates mask use) or 'Justiça obriga banco a ressarcir cliente' (Court forces bank to reimburse client). In these contexts, the word emphasizes the power of the state or the law to dictate behavior and ensure compliance. It provides a clear sense of who holds the authority in the situation described.

News and Media: Frequent in reports about laws, regulations, and judicial decisions where enforcement is the main topic.

O decreto municipal obriga todos os estabelecimentos comerciais a fechar as portas às dez da noite.

In the workplace, obrigar is heard during discussions about safety protocols, contract obligations, and company policies. A manager might say, 'As normas de segurança nos obrigam a usar capacete' (Safety standards force us to wear helmets). It is also common in negotiations when one party feels they have no other choice but to accept a deal: 'A falta de opções me obrigou a aceitar a proposta' (The lack of options forced me to accept the proposal). Here, the 'force' isn't a person, but the economic or situational reality, showing how the word adapts to abstract pressures.

Social and Family Life: Used by parents with children or between friends discussing social commitments and expectations.

Meus pais sempre me obrigaram a estudar música, mas eu sempre preferi praticar esportes coletivos.

In social etiquette, the word appears in phrases like 'Não quero te obrigar a nada' (I don't want to force you into anything). This is a polite way to extend an invitation while giving the other person an 'out'. It shows respect for their autonomy. Conversely, in historical or political discussions, obrigar is used to describe the actions of oppressive regimes or the constraints of war. 'O conflito obrigou milhares de pessoas a fugir de suas casas' (The conflict forced thousands of people to flee their homes). This breadth of usage—from a mother forcing a child to eat broccoli to a global crisis displacing populations—makes it one of the most powerful and descriptive verbs in the Portuguese language.

Legal Documents: Contracts use the reflexive form 'obrigar-se' to list the responsibilities each party agrees to uphold.

O contrato obriga o locatário a devolver o imóvel no mesmo estado em que o recebeu inicialmente.

A forte chuva obrigou o árbitro a interromper a partida de futebol logo no início do segundo tempo.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with obrigar is forgetting the preposition a. In English, we say 'I forced him to go,' where 'to' is part of the infinitive. In Portuguese, the 'a' is a required preposition that follows the object. Saying 'Eu obriguei ele sair' is incorrect; it must be 'Eu o obriguei a sair' or 'Eu obriguei ele a sair' (in informal Brazilian Portuguese). This small letter 'a' is the bridge that makes the sentence grammatically sound.

Missing Preposition: Incorrect: 'Ele me obrigou trabalhar.' Correct: 'Ele me obrigou a trabalhar.' Always include the 'a' before the next verb.

Não podemos obrigar ninguém a aceitar uma opinião com a qual eles não concordam fundamentalmente.

Another mistake involves confusing obrigar with precisar (to need) or ter que (to have to). While they all deal with necessity, obrigar implies an external force or a specific command. If you say 'Eu obrigo comer', it sounds like you are forcing someone else to eat. If you mean 'I have to eat', use 'Eu tenho que comer'. Beginners often over-use obrigar when they mean they simply have a task to do. Use obrigar only when there is a sense of compulsion or mandate involved.

Gender Agreement in Passive: When using 'ser obrigado a', you must change the ending. 'Ela foi obrigada' (feminine) vs 'Ele foi obrigado' (masculine).

As crianças foram obrigadas a fazer silêncio durante a cerimônia solene na escola.

Confusion also arises with the reflexive form. Students sometimes say 'Eu obrigo-me' instead of 'Eu me obrigo' (in Brazil) or 'Obrigo-me' (in Portugal). The placement of the reflexive pronoun depends on the dialect and the presence of 'attractor' words like 'não' or 'que'. Also, avoid using obrigar when you mean 'to promise'. Though 'obrigar-se' involves a commitment, the verb prometer is better for simple promises. Lastly, ensure you don't confuse obrigar with obviar (to obviate), which is a much rarer academic term. Stick to the 'force/oblige' meaning for 99% of your conversations.

Misusing for 'Thanks': Do not say 'Eu obrigo você' when you mean 'Thank you'. Say 'Obrigado' or 'Muito obrigado'.

Ele se obrigou a caminhar cinco quilômetros todos os dias para melhorar sua saúde cardiovascular.

A nova regulamentação obriga as fábricas a reduzir a emissão de gases poluentes na atmosfera.

Portuguese offers several synonyms for obrigar, each with its own subtle flavor. Forçar is perhaps the closest, but it often implies physical strength or a more aggressive type of pressure. While you can 'obrigar' someone through a rule, you 'forçar' a door open or 'forçar' someone into a corner. Compelir is a more formal, literary alternative often found in legal or philosophical texts. It suggests an irresistible urge or a high-level mandate that leaves no room for negotiation.

Obrigrar vs. Forçar: 'Obrigrar' is more about duty/rules; 'Forçar' is more about physical or intense psychological pressure.

A situação econômica compeliu o governo a tomar medidas de austeridade extremamente impopulares.

Another useful word is Exigir (to demand/require). While 'obrigar' focuses on the person being forced, 'exigir' focuses on the requirement itself. 'O cargo exige experiência' (The job requires experience) is different from 'O cargo me obriga a viajar' (The job forces me to travel). Impor (to impose) is used when a rule, a will, or a condition is placed upon someone, often used with 'vontade' (will) or 'condições' (conditions). Understanding these differences helps you choose the right level of intensity and focus for your sentence.

Obrigrar vs. Exigir: 'Obrigrar' = to force a person to act. 'Exigir' = to demand a specific quality or action as a condition.

O diretor impôs novas regras que obrigam todos os funcionários a chegar às oito horas.

For milder situations, you might use Levar a (to lead to) or Induzir (to induce). These suggest influence rather than outright force. 'Isso me levou a crer...' (This led me to believe...) is much softer than 'Isso me obrigou a crer'. In academic writing, Vincular (to link/bind) is often used to show a legal or logical connection that creates an obligation. By mastering these alternatives, you can express exactly how much pressure is being applied and whether that pressure is physical, legal, social, or moral.

Obrigrar vs. Coagir: 'Coagir' is specifically for coercion, often involving threats or illegal force.

Ninguém deve ser coagido a assinar um contrato sob qualquer tipo de ameaça física ou moral.

A evidência científica vincula o consumo de açúcar a diversos problemas de saúde crônicos.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'obrigado' for 'thank you' is literally the past participle 'obliged'. It implies 'I am bound to you by this favor'. In the past, people said 'Fico-lhe muito obrigado' (I remain very much obliged to you).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /u.βɾi.ˈɡaɾ/

US /o.bɾi.ˈɡaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable 'gar' because it is a verb ending in -ar.

Reimt sich auf

falar amar andar chegar lugar mar olhar pensar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'o' like the 'o' in 'hot' (it should be more like 'oh').
Stress on the first syllable.
Forgetting to tap the 'r' in the middle.
Making the 'i' sound too short (it should be like 'ee' in 'see').
Over-pronouncing the final 'r' in a way that sounds like English 'r'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because of its similarity to 'obligation'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'a' and correct conjugation.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires correct stress placement.

Hören 2/5

Commonly used and usually clear in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

fazer ter lei querer poder

Als Nächstes lernen

exigir forçar dever precisar permitir

Fortgeschritten

compelir coagir vincular prescrever estipular

Wichtige Grammatik

Prepositional Verbs

Obrigar sempre pede a preposição 'a' antes de outro verbo.

Passive Voice with Ser

O sujeito sofre a ação: 'Eu fui obrigado'.

Reflexive Pronouns

Uso de 'me, te, se, nos' para indicar que a ação volta ao sujeito.

Subjunctive after 'Obrigar que'

A lei obriga que todos *estejam* presentes.

Direct Object Pronouns

Substituindo a pessoa: 'Eu o obriguei' (I forced him).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Minha mãe me obriga a comer sopa.

My mother forces me to eat soup.

Uses 'obrigar' + person + 'a' + infinitive.

O professor obriga os alunos a estudar.

The teacher forces the students to study.

Regular -ar verb conjugation in the present tense.

Eles me obrigam a acordar cedo.

They force me to wake up early.

Direct object 'me' comes before the verb in Brazil.

Você não pode me obrigar!

You can't force me!

Negative sentence with the modal verb 'poder'.

O pai obriga o filho a limpar o quarto.

The father forces the son to clean the room.

The preposition 'a' is essential here.

Nós obrigamos o cachorro a tomar banho.

We force the dog to take a bath.

First person plural conjugation 'obrigamos'.

Ela obriga a irmã a dividir os brinquedos.

She forces her sister to share the toys.

Third person singular conjugation 'obriga'.

Eu não obrigo ninguém a ficar aqui.

I don't force anyone to stay here.

Use of the indefinite pronoun 'ninguém'.

A chuva nos obrigou a cancelar o piquenique.

The rain forced us to cancel the picnic.

Past tense 'obrigou' with a non-human subject.

Eu fui obrigado a trabalhar no sábado.

I was forced to work on Saturday.

Passive voice 'ser obrigado a'.

O médico me obrigou a fazer uma dieta.

The doctor forced me to go on a diet.

Past tense of 'obrigar' in the third person.

Eles foram obrigados a fechar a loja.

They were forced to close the store.

Passive voice plural 'foram obrigados'.

O trânsito me obrigou a mudar de rota.

The traffic forced me to change my route.

Abstract subject 'o trânsito' causing the action.

Nós fomos obrigadas a esperar lá fora.

We (fem.) were forced to wait outside.

Feminine plural agreement 'obrigadas'.

O chefe obrigou a equipe a terminar o relatório.

The boss forced the team to finish the report.

Direct object 'a equipe' followed by 'a' + infinitive.

A lei obriga o uso de cinto de segurança.

The law mandates the use of seat belts.

Present tense used for a general rule or law.

Eu me obrigo a correr todas as manhãs.

I force myself to run every morning.

Reflexive use 'obrigar-se' for self-discipline.

Não se sinta obrigado a vir à festa.

Don't feel obliged to come to the party.

Negative imperative with the verb 'sentir-se'.

O contrato nos obriga a entregar a obra em janeiro.

The contract obliges us to deliver the work in January.

Professional context using 'obrigar'.

Ela se obrigou a aprender japonês para o novo emprego.

She forced herself to learn Japanese for the new job.

Reflexive past tense 'se obrigou'.

Se você me obrigar, eu vou ficar muito triste.

If you force me, I will be very sad.

Conditional sentence with 'se' + future subjunctive.

Nós nos obrigamos a economizar dinheiro este ano.

We committed ourselves to saving money this year.

Reflexive plural 'nós nos obrigamos'.

A empresa se obriga a oferecer treinamento gratuito.

The company commits to offering free training.

Formal reflexive use in a corporate context.

A falta de tempo me obrigou a desistir do curso.

The lack of time forced me to give up the course.

Abstract cause 'falta de tempo' + 'obrigou'.

A crise econômica obrigou muitas empresas a demitir.

The economic crisis forced many companies to lay off [workers].

Usage in an economic context.

O governo obriga os cidadãos a votar nas eleições.

The government obliges citizens to vote in elections.

Political/Legal context.

As circunstâncias nos obrigam a tomar uma decisão rápida.

Circumstances force us to make a quick decision.

Abstract plural subject 'as circunstâncias'.

Ele foi obrigado a pedir demissão por motivos éticos.

He was forced to resign for ethical reasons.

Passive voice with an adverbial phrase of cause.

A nova norma obriga que todos usem equipamentos de proteção.

The new regulation mandates that everyone uses protective equipment.

Use of 'obrigar que' followed by the subjunctive.

A sociedade muitas vezes nos obriga a seguir certos padrões.

Society often forces us to follow certain standards.

Sociological context.

A pressão dos colegas o obrigou a mudar de comportamento.

Peer pressure forced him to change his behavior.

Psychological/Social context.

Ninguém deve ser obrigado a testemunhar contra si mesmo.

No one should be forced to testify against themselves.

Legal principle in the passive voice.

A escassez de recursos obrigou a uma reestruturação total.

The scarcity of resources forced a total restructuring.

Formal use with 'obrigar a' followed by a noun.

A conjuntura atual nos obriga a repensar nossos valores.

The current situation forces us to rethink our values.

Philosophical/Reflective context.

O destino o obrigou a enfrentar seus maiores medos.

Fate forced him to face his greatest fears.

Literary use with 'destino' as the subject.

A evidência empírica obriga o cientista a rejeitar a hipótese.

Empirical evidence forces the scientist to reject the hypothesis.

Scientific/Academic context.

O autor se obriga a manter a neutralidade na narrativa.

The author forces himself to maintain neutrality in the narrative.

Meta-textual/Reflexive use.

A lei não pode obrigar o impossível aos cidadãos.

The law cannot mandate the impossible for citizens.

Legal maxim.

A dignidade humana nos obriga a agir contra a injustiça.

Human dignity obliges us to act against injustice.

Ethical/Moral context.

O rigor da pesquisa nos obriga a verificar cada detalhe.

The rigor of the research forces us to verify every detail.

Academic context emphasizing precision.

A ontologia do ser obriga a uma reflexão sobre a finitude.

The ontology of being forces a reflection on finitude.

Highly abstract philosophical usage.

O tratado internacional obriga os signatários à cooperação mútua.

The international treaty obliges the signatories to mutual cooperation.

Diplomatic/Legal context with contraction 'à'.

A complexidade da alma humana obriga a nuances interpretativas.

The complexity of the human soul necessitates interpretive nuances.

Literary/Psychological depth.

A história nos obriga a não repetir os erros do passado.

History obliges us not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Moral lesson from history.

A necessidade de sobrevivência obrigou-os a medidas extremas.

The need for survival forced them to [take] extreme measures.

Enclitic pronoun placement (Portugal style).

O imperativo categórico obriga a agir por dever, não por inclinação.

The categorical imperative obliges one to act out of duty, not inclination.

Kantian ethics context.

A dinâmica do mercado obriga a uma constante inovação tecnológica.

Market dynamics force constant technological innovation.

Economic/Business theory context.

A retórica do político obrigou a oposição a uma defesa vigorosa.

The politician's rhetoric forced the opposition into a vigorous defense.

Political strategy context.

Häufige Kollokationen

obrigar a fazer

ser obrigado a

obrigar por lei

sentir-se obrigado

obrigar-se a

obrigar ao erro

nada me obriga

obrigar a recuar

obrigar a repensar

obrigar a pagar

Häufige Phrasen

Não me obrigue!

— Don't force me! Used when someone is pressuring you.

Não me obrigue a contar seu segredo!

Sinto-me obrigado.

— I feel obliged. Used to express a sense of duty.

Sinto-me obrigado a ajudar minha família.

Obrigado por nada.

— Thanks for nothing. Sarcastic expression.

Você não ajudou em nada, obrigado por nada.

Muito me obriga.

— I am very much obliged. Very formal way of saying thanks.

Sua gentileza muito me obriga.

Por obrigação.

— Out of obligation. Doing something only because you have to.

Ele foi à festa apenas por obrigação.

Sem obrigação.

— Without obligation. No strings attached.

Pode levar o livro, sem obrigação de devolver logo.

Obrigação moral.

— Moral obligation. A duty based on ethics.

É uma obrigação moral ajudar os pobres.

Sob obrigação.

— Under obligation. Being bound by a rule or contract.

Estamos sob obrigação contratual de terminar hoje.

Isento de obrigação.

— Free from obligation. Not required to do something.

Ele está isento de obrigação militar.

Cumprir a obrigação.

— To fulfill the obligation. To do what is required.

Finalmente consegui cumprir minha obrigação.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

obrigar vs obrigado

The past participle used for 'thank you'. Don't use the full verb when you just want to say thanks.

obrigar vs precisar

Means 'to need'. Use 'obrigar' only for force/compulsion.

obrigar vs ter que

Means 'to have to'. More common for general tasks without external force.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Obrigado é quem deve."

— A humorous response to 'obrigado', implying that the person who owes money/favors is the one truly obliged.

— Obrigado! — Obrigado é quem deve!

informal

"Fazer das tripas coração."

— To force oneself to do the impossible or show courage when afraid (related to internal 'obrigar').

Ele teve que fazer das tripas coração para terminar a maratona.

informal

"Engolir sapo."

— To force oneself to accept something unpleasant without complaining.

No trabalho, às vezes temos que engolir sapos.

slang/informal

"À força."

— By force. Doing something because you were forced to.

Ele aprendeu a lição à força.

neutral

"Contra a vontade."

— Against one's will. Synonymous with being forced.

Ela casou-se contra a vontade.

neutral

"Dar o braço a torcer."

— To force oneself to admit one is wrong.

Ele finalmente deu o braço a torcer e pediu desculpas.

informal

"Pôr contra a parede."

— To force someone into a difficult situation where they must decide.

O chefe o pôs contra a parede sobre o atraso.

informal

"Entrar pelo cano."

— To be forced into a bad situation (often by one's own mistake).

Se não pagarmos, vamos entrar pelo cano.

slang

"Bater o pé."

— To force a point or insist stubbornly.

Ela bateu o pé e disse que não ia sair.

informal

"Faca na caveira."

— To force oneself to be extremely tough and determined.

O treino hoje foi faca na caveira.

slang

Leicht verwechselbar

obrigar vs forçar

Both mean to force.

Forçar is more physical; obrigar is more duty-based.

Obriguei-o a vir vs Forcei a porta.

obrigar vs exigir

Both relate to requirements.

Exigir is about the demand; obrigar is about the compulsion.

Exijo respeito vs Obrigo-o a respeitar.

obrigar vs prometer

Reflexive 'obrigar-se' is like a promise.

Prometer is a simple promise; obrigar-se is a binding commitment.

Prometo ir vs Obrigo-me a ir.

obrigar vs mandar

Both involve orders.

Mandar is to give an order; obrigar is the act of forcing compliance.

Mandei ele sair vs Obriguei ele a sair.

obrigar vs dever

Both involve obligation.

Dever is 'ought to' (moral); obrigar is 'must' (forced).

Devo estudar vs Sou obrigado a estudar.

Satzmuster

[Subject] obriga [Object] a [Infinitive]

Eu obrigo meu filho a estudar.

[Subject] foi obrigado a [Infinitive]

Ele foi obrigado a sair.

[Subject] se obriga a [Infinitive]

Ela se obriga a ler muito.

[Abstract Subject] obriga a [Noun]

A crise obriga a cortes.

Obrigar que [Subjunctive]

A lei obriga que se pague.

Obrigar alguém ao [Noun]

Obrigar o réu ao silêncio.

[Concept] obriga a uma [Noun]

A ética obriga a uma reflexão.

Obrigar-se perante [Entity]

Obrigar-se perante o juiz.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

obrigação obligation, duty

obrigatoriedade mandatory nature

Verben

desobrigar to exempt, to release from duty

reobrigar to oblige again

Adjektive

obrigatório mandatory, compulsory

obrigado obliged, grateful

Verwandt

ligar

ligação

religião

aliar

aliança

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high, especially in its past participle form 'obrigado'.

Häufige Fehler

Eu obrigo ele sair. → Eu o obrigo a sair.
Missing the preposition 'a' and using the subject pronoun 'ele' as an object (informal).
Ela foi obrigado a ficar. → Ela foi obrigada a ficar.
The past participle must agree with the feminine subject 'Ela'.
Eu obrigo de estudar. → Eu obrigo a estudar.
Using 'de' instead of 'a' as the connecting preposition.
Obrigado por me obrigar. → Obrigado por me forçar (if negative) or simply 'Obrigado'.
Using 'obrigar' as a way to say 'thank' is incorrect; it only means 'to force'.
Nós obrigamos ele fazer. → Nós o obrigamos a fazer.
Again, the missing 'a' is the most frequent error.

Tipps

The 'A' Rule

Always pair 'obrigar' with 'a' when a verb follows. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

Softening the Blow

In casual settings, use 'pedir' (to ask) instead of 'obrigar' to sound more polite and less demanding.

Stress the End

Focus on the 'GAR' sound at the end. It's where the emphasis belongs in the infinitive form.

Word Family

Learn 'obrigação' (noun) and 'obrigatório' (adjective) alongside the verb to expand your range.

Gratitude Roots

Remember that saying 'obrigado' is like saying 'I am forced to return the favor'—it helps you remember the verb's meaning.

Passive Precision

Use 'ser obrigado a' in formal reports to describe necessary actions without blaming a specific person.

News Context

Listen for this word in news broadcasts; it's almost always used when talking about new laws or court cases.

Reflexive Power

Use 'obrigar-se a' when talking about your goals. It sounds much more determined than just saying 'I want to'.

Legal Link

Associate 'obrigar' with a judge's gavel. It's a word of authority and rules.

Brazilian Pronouns

In Brazil, it's very common to say 'Ele me obrigou' instead of 'Obrigou-me'. Both are correct, but the first is more natural there.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of an 'OBLIGation' that 'BRINGS' (obrig-) you to do something you 'GAR-den' (gar) even if you don't want to.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person tied with a rope (ligare) to a task they must complete, like a ball and chain labeled 'obrigar'.

Word Web

obrigação obrigatório obrigado lei força dever compromisso vínculo

Herausforderung

Try to write three sentences using 'obrigar' in the past, present, and future about your job or school requirements.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin verb 'obligare', which is a combination of 'ob-' (towards, against) and 'ligare' (to bind or tie).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To bind, tie around, or put under a legal or moral constraint.

Romance (Latin root)

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'obrigar' with friends as it can sound bossy. Use 'Você poderia...' (Could you...) instead of 'Vou te obrigar a...' (I will force you to...).

English speakers often struggle with the 'obrigado' gender agreement (men say obrigado, women say obrigada), which is a direct result of the word being the past participle of 'obrigar'.

The Portuguese Constitution uses 'obrigar' frequently to define the duties of the state and citizens. The song 'Obrigado' by various artists often explores the theme of gratitude as a social bond. Legal codes in all Lusophone countries rely on 'obrigar' to establish the mandatory nature of laws.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At Home

Obrigar a comer
Obrigar a dormir
Obrigar a estudar
Obrigar a limpar

At Work

Obrigar a fazer horas extras
Obrigar a seguir as normas
Obrigar a usar uniforme
Obrigar ao silêncio

Legal

Obrigar ao pagamento
Obrigar a testemunhar
Obrigar à reparação
Obrigar ao cumprimento

Weather

Obrigar a cancelar
Obrigar a adiar
Obrigar a mudar o plano
Obrigar a ficar

Social

Sentir-se obrigado
Não quero te obrigar
Obrigação social
Obrigado pela ajuda

Gesprächseinstiege

"O que seus pais te obrigavam a fazer quando você era criança?"

"Você já foi obrigado a fazer algo que não queria no trabalho?"

"Você se obriga a seguir uma rotina rigorosa de exercícios?"

"A lei deveria obrigar as pessoas a serem mais gentis?"

"Você se sente obrigado a responder mensagens imediatamente?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre uma vez que as circunstâncias te obrigaram a mudar de vida completamente.

Quais são as obrigações que você sente que tem com a sua comunidade hoje em dia?

Você acha que a escola obriga os alunos a aprenderem coisas inúteis? Explique sua visão.

Descreva um dia em que você se obrigou a ser produtivo apesar de estar muito cansado.

Como você lida com pessoas que tentam te obrigar a fazer o que elas querem?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, when used as an adjective or to say thank you. Men say 'obrigado' and women say 'obrigada'. This is because it literally means 'I am obliged'.

Yes, abstract things like 'chuva' (rain) or 'lei' (law) can be the subject of 'obrigar'. Example: 'A chuva nos obrigou a parar'.

'Obrigar' usually implies a moral, legal, or social obligation. 'Forçar' usually implies physical strength or a more aggressive type of pressure.

Yes, when 'obrigar' is followed by another verb (an infinitive), you must use 'a'. Example: 'Obrigar a sair'.

Use the passive voice: 'Eu sou obrigado a...' (masculine) or 'Eu sou obrigada a...' (feminine).

No, the verb 'obrigar' means to force. The past participle 'obrigado' is used to express gratitude, but you wouldn't use the verb 'obrigar' to mean 'to thank'.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs in Portuguese (Eu obrigo, você obriga, nós obrigamos, etc.).

Common antonyms include 'libertar' (to free), 'permitir' (to permit), or 'desobrigar' (to release from obligation).

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meaning, though pronoun placement may vary.

No, 'obrigar' always takes the preposition 'a', never 'de', when followed by an action.

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