relacionar
relacionar in 30 Sekunden
- Relacionar is a versatile Portuguese verb meaning to connect, list, or socially interact, essential for both logical descriptions and daily human conversations.
- It functions as a regular -ar verb, often requiring the preposition 'com' (with) or 'a' (to) to link two distinct concepts or people.
- In social contexts, it must be used reflexively (relacionar-se) to describe how individuals get along or communicate with one another in a group.
- Formal usage often involves listing items or correlating data, making it a key word for academic, professional, and administrative Portuguese communication.
The Portuguese verb relacionar is a multifaceted pillar of the language, primarily functioning as a bridge between concepts, objects, or people. At its core, it describes the act of establishing a connection, whether that connection is physical, logical, or social. When you relacionar something, you are essentially saying that 'A' has a meaningful tie to 'B'. This can manifest as a simple list (listing items) or a complex psychological interaction (how individuals behave toward one another). In a linguistic sense, it is a first-conjugation verb (-ar) that carries a sense of order and association.
- Logical Connection
- The cognitive process of identifying how two distinct ideas share a common ground or influence each other. For example, relating a cause to an effect.
- Social Interaction
- When used reflexively as relacionar-se, it describes the way humans interact, communicate, and maintain bonds within a community or relationship.
- Administrative Listing
- The act of compiling a list or inventory of items, often used in formal, academic, or bureaucratic contexts to ensure everything is accounted for.
"É fundamental relacionar os fatos históricos com a realidade atual para entender o presente."
In everyday Portuguese, you will encounter this word in schools, where teachers ask students to relate concepts; in offices, where managers relate data points; and in therapy, where people discuss how they relate to their parents. It is a word of synthesis. It moves beyond the individual parts to look at the whole system. To relate is to find the invisible threads that hold our world together. Whether you are relating a story (telling it in sequence) or relating to a friend (empathizing), the verb remains a tool for cohesion.
"O cientista tentou relacionar o aumento da temperatura com a poluição industrial."
"Ela tem dificuldade em se relacionar com pessoas desconhecidas."
"Por favor, queira relacionar todos os itens que foram perdidos no transporte."
"Não consigo relacionar uma coisa à outra; parecem totalmente independentes."
Ultimately, relacionar is about context. Nothing exists in a vacuum. By using this verb, you are inviting your listener to see the context, the history, and the logic that binds two disparate elements into a single, cohesive thought or social unit. It is the verb of the thinker and the social butterfly alike.
Using relacionar correctly requires understanding its three primary grammatical structures: the transitive direct, the transitive indirect (with prepositions), and the pronominal (reflexive) form. Each carries a slightly different nuance that changes the flavor of your sentence. Mastering these will elevate your Portuguese from basic to sophisticated.
1. The Transitive Usage (Direct and Indirect)
When you use it to connect two things, you typically use the pattern: Relacionar [Algo] com [Algo]. This is the most common way to express a logical link. You can also use Relacionar [Algo] a [Algo], though 'com' is more frequent in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
- Exemplo: "Eu relaciono o sucesso ao esforço." (I relate success to effort.)
- Exemplo: "O autor relaciona a pobreza com a falta de educação." (The author relates poverty with the lack of education.)
2. The Pronominal Usage (Relacionar-se)
This is vital for social contexts. When you want to say you 'get along' with someone or simply 'interact' with them, you must use the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se). The preposition com is mandatory here.
"Eu me relaciono bem com meus vizinhos."
(I get along well with my neighbors.)
3. The Listing Usage
In formal documents, relacionar is often a synonym for listar (to list). You will see this in exam instructions or business reports. It implies a systematic enumeration of items.
Conjugation Nuances
As a regular -ar verb, it follows the standard pattern. However, pay attention to the stress. In the present tense, the stress falls on the 'na' (relaci-O-no, relaci-O-na). This keeps the rhythm of the word fluid. In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), it becomes 'relacionei', 'relacionou', etc. Because it is a long word, beginners often stumble over the syllables—practice saying re-la-cio-nar slowly to ensure every vowel is heard.
The verb relacionar is ubiquitous across various domains of Lusophone life. From the sterile environment of a laboratory to the emotional depth of a dinner table conversation, its presence is felt wherever connections are being analyzed or experienced.
In Academic and Scientific Settings
This is perhaps where the word is most 'at home'. Researchers spend their careers trying to relacionar variáveis (relate variables). You will hear it in lectures: "Como podemos relacionar a teoria de Darwin com as descobertas genéticas modernas?" It is the language of inquiry and evidence.
In the Corporate World
Business is all about relationships. You will hear about Relacionamento com o Cliente (Customer Relationship Management - CRM). In meetings, colleagues might discuss how a drop in sales se relaciona with a new competitor's entry. It is a tool for strategic analysis.
In Media and News
Journalists use it to provide context to news stories. "A polícia tenta relacionar o suspeito a outros crimes na região." (The police are trying to link the suspect to other crimes in the region.) It helps the public see the bigger picture beyond a single isolated incident.
In Daily Social Life
On a personal level, Brazilians and Portuguese people often use the reflexive form to talk about their social lives. "Ele não se relaciona bem com a sogra" (He doesn't get along well with his mother-in-law) is a common piece of gossip. It describes the quality of human connection.
The News Anchor
"Especialistas relacionam o surto de gripe ao inverno rigoroso..."
The HR Manager
"Precisamos de alguém que saiba se relacionar em equipe."
The University Professor
"Relacionem os conceitos do capítulo 1 com o capítulo 5."
The Best Friend
"Eu não consigo me relacionar com gente mentirosa."
Whether you are reading a scientific paper or watching a 'telenovela', relacionar is the glue that explains how the world's pieces fit together.
Even for intermediate learners, relacionar can be a bit of a linguistic minefield. The errors usually stem from preposition confusion, forgetting the reflexive pronoun, or mistranslating from English 'relate'. Let's break down the most frequent pitfalls.
1. Forgetting the Reflexive 'SE'
In English, you can say "I relate well with him." In Portuguese, if you are talking about a social relationship, you must use the reflexive form. Saying "Eu relaciono bem com ele" is incorrect; it sounds like you are listing him in a document. You must say: "Eu ME relaciono bem com ele."
2. Preposition Pitfalls: 'COM' vs 'A'
While both com and a can be used, they aren't always interchangeable. Relacionar com is the standard for social interactions and general connections. Relacionar a is often more formal or used when one thing is being attributed to another. Avoid using 'em' or 'para'—these are common learner errors.
3. Confusing 'Relacionar' with 'Contar' (Relate a Story)
In older English, 'to relate' can mean 'to tell a story'. In modern Portuguese, relacionar is rarely used this way. If you want to tell a story, use contar or narrar. If you say "Vou relacionar o que aconteceu", a Portuguese speaker might expect you to provide a bulleted list of facts rather than a narrative tale.
4. The 'Relação' vs 'Relacionamento' Confusion
While these are nouns derived from the verb, learners often swap them. Relação is often used for logical connections or sexual relations. Relacionamento is the standard word for a romantic or social relationship. When using the verb, ensure you are clear on which type of 'relation' you are establishing.
Correction Table
| Incorrect | Correct | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Eu relaciono com ela. | Eu me relaciono com ela. | Needs reflexive pronoun for social context. |
| Relacionar a lista. | Fazer a relação/lista. | Relacionar already implies making a list. |
| Relacionar sobre... | Relacionar com... | Wrong preposition. |
Portuguese is rich with synonyms for relacionar, each offering a slightly different shade of meaning. Choosing the right one can make your speech more precise and natural.
- Associar
- This is the closest synonym when talking about mental connections. If you associar two things, you are linking them in your mind. It’s less about a formal list and more about a cognitive spark.
"Eu associo o cheiro de café à minha infância." - Vincular
- A much stronger word, often used in legal or formal contexts. It implies a binding tie, like a contract or a deep-rooted cause.
"O contrato vincula as duas empresas por cinco anos." - Ligar
- The most common, everyday word for 'connect'. It can be physical (connecting wires) or abstract (connecting ideas). It’s less formal than relacionar.
"Pode ligar os pontos neste desenho?" - Listar
- Specifically used for the 'making a list' aspect of relacionar. It is direct and unambiguous.
"Por favor, liste os nomes dos convidados." - Concatenar
- A highly academic or technical term (often used in computer science or logic) meaning to link things in a chain-like sequence.
"É preciso concatenar os argumentos para convencer o júri."
When deciding which to use, ask yourself: Is this a mental link (associar), a formal connection (relacionar), a binding tie (vincular), or just a simple list (listar)?
How Formal Is It?
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Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Beispiele nach Niveau
Pode relacionar as frutas que você gosta?
Can you list the fruits you like?
Relacionar used here as 'to list'.
Eu relaciono o azul com o mar.
I relate blue with the sea.
Simple association using 'com'.
Relacione os nomes às fotos.
Relate the names to the photos.
Imperative mood used for instructions.
Ele não sabe relacionar as cores.
He doesn't know how to relate the colors.
Infinitive after 'saber'.
Vamos relacionar os números de um a dez.
Let's list the numbers from one to ten.
First-person plural 'vamos' + infinitive.
Você pode relacionar os itens da mala?
Can you list the items in the suitcase?
Direct object 'os itens'.
Eu me relaciono com meus pais.
I relate with my parents.
Reflexive 'me' for social interaction.
Relacione a coluna A com a coluna B.
Match column A with column B.
Standard classroom instruction.
É fácil se relacionar com ela.
It's easy to get along with her.
Reflexive 'se' used with an impersonal 'é fácil'.
Como você relaciona o frio com a neve?
How do you relate the cold with the snow?
Interrogative sentence structure.
Eu relacionei os documentos na pasta.
I listed the documents in the folder.
Pretérito Perfeito (past tense).
Eles se relacionam bem no trabalho.
They get along well at work.
Third-person plural reflexive.
Precisamos relacionar o preço à qualidade.
We need to relate the price to the quality.
Relacionar [A] à [B] structure.
Ela se relaciona com muitas pessoas.
She interacts with many people.
Reflexive verb indicating social habit.
O professor relacionou a aula com o livro.
The teacher related the class with the book.
Past tense transitive usage.
Não consigo relacionar essas duas ideias.
I can't relate these two ideas.
Negative 'não consigo' + infinitive.
Antigamente, as pessoas se relacionavam por cartas.
In the past, people related through letters.
Pretérito Imperfeito (habitual past).
O relatório relaciona todos os gastos do mês.
The report lists all the month's expenses.
Present tense, formal administrative use.
É importante relacionar o que aprendemos com a vida real.
It's important to relate what we learn with real life.
Impersonal 'é importante' + infinitive.
Eles estão se relacionando há dois meses.
They have been dating/relating for two months.
Present continuous reflexive for romantic context.
Como podemos relacionar a poluição ao trânsito?
How can we relate pollution to traffic?
Modal 'podemos' + infinitive.
Ela se relaciona de forma muito profissional.
She interacts in a very professional way.
Adverbial phrase 'de forma muito profissional'.
O autor tenta relacionar o passado com o futuro.
The author tries to relate the past with the future.
Transitive usage with abstract concepts.
Se você se relacionar melhor, terá mais amigos.
If you relate better, you will have more friends.
Future subjunctive 'se relacionar'.
O estudo relaciona o consumo de açúcar com a ansiedade.
The study relates sugar consumption with anxiety.
Scientific/Academic usage.
Ela tem dificuldade em se relacionar em grupos grandes.
She has difficulty interacting in large groups.
Noun 'dificuldade' + preposition 'em' + reflexive infinitive.
Devemos relacionar os fatos antes de tirar conclusões.
We must relate the facts before drawing conclusions.
Modal 'devemos' + infinitive.
A empresa foca em se relacionar bem com a comunidade.
The company focuses on relating well with the community.
Verb 'focar' + preposition 'em' + reflexive.
Não é fácil relacionar esses dados estatísticos.
It's not easy to relate these statistical data.
Formal transitive usage.
O filme relaciona a solidão com a tecnologia moderna.
The movie relates loneliness with modern technology.
Thematic analysis usage.
Eles se relacionam como se fossem irmãos.
They relate as if they were brothers.
Comparative 'como se' + imperfect subjunctive.
Relacionar-se com o público exige paciência.
Relating with the public requires patience.
Reflexive infinitive as the subject of the sentence.
O filósofo busca relacionar a ética com a estética.
The philosopher seeks to relate ethics with aesthetics.
High-level abstract transitive usage.
É complexo relacionar a queda do império a fatores únicos.
It is complex to relate the fall of the empire to single factors.
Formal academic structure.
A maneira como nos relacionamos define nossa identidade.
The way we relate defines our identity.
Reflexive 'nos' in a relative clause.
O artigo relaciona a crise financeira à falta de regulação.
The article relates the financial crisis to the lack of regulation.
Transitive usage with 'à' (crasis).
Saber se relacionar é uma competência essencial hoje.
Knowing how to relate is an essential competency today.
Infinitive as a noun/subject.
Ele tentou relacionar sua experiência pessoal à teoria.
He tried to relate his personal experience to the theory.
Transitive usage with possessive 'sua'.
As variáveis se relacionam de forma interdependente.
The variables relate in an interdependent way.
Reflexive used for scientific correlation.
Não se pode relacionar sucesso apenas a dinheiro.
One cannot relate success only to money.
Passive 'se' / Impersonal construction.
A obra relaciona a finitude humana à imensidão do cosmos.
The work relates human finiteness to the immensity of the cosmos.
Poetic/Philosophical usage.
Relacionar-se com o 'outro' é o cerne da fenomenologia.
Relating with the 'other' is the core of phenomenology.
Philosophical terminology.
O historiador relaciona meticulosamente cada prova ao crime.
The historian meticulously relates each piece of evidence to the crime.
Adverb 'meticulosamente' modifying the verb.
Como relacionar a subjetividade do ser com a objetividade da ciência?
How to relate the subjectivity of being with the objectivity of science?
Rhetorical question in academic discourse.
As peças do quebra-cabeça geopolítico se relacionam sutilmente.
The pieces of the geopolitical puzzle relate subtly.
Metaphorical usage.
A patologia se relaciona intimamente com o estilo de vida.
The pathology relates intimately with the lifestyle.
Technical medical context.
Relacionar o inconciliável é o desafio do diplomata.
Relating the irreconcilable is the diplomat's challenge.
Substantive use of the infinitive.
A linguagem e o pensamento se relacionam de modo intrínseco.
Language and thought relate in an intrinsic way.
Advanced linguistic discussion.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Como você se relaciona com ele?
Não consigo relacionar as duas coisas.
Relacione os itens abaixo.
Eles se relacionam muito bem.
É preciso relacionar os custos.
Como isso se relaciona com o projeto?
Ela se relaciona com facilidade.
Relacionar o útil ao agradável.
Tente relacionar os conceitos.
Eles não se relacionam mais.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
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Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
In Brazil, 'relacionar-se' is very common for social interaction. In Portugal, 'dar-se com' is often preferred for 'getting along'.
'Relacionar' is slightly more formal than 'ligar' or 'conectar'.
- Saying 'Eu relaciono bem com ele' instead of 'Eu me relaciono bem com ele'.
- Using 'relacionar' to mean 'to tell a story' (use 'contar' instead).
- Confusing the noun 'relação' with the verb 'relacionar' in sentence structure.
- Using the wrong preposition, like 'relacionar em' or 'relacionar para'.
- Mispronouncing 'relacionar' as 'relakionar' (the 'c' is soft like 's').
Tipps
Reflexive Pronouns
Always remember to use 'me, te, se, nos' when talking about how people interact. Without them, the sentence sounds like you are making a list. It is the most common error for English speakers.
Formal Writing
In business emails, use 'relacionar' to introduce a list of attachments or points. It sounds more professional than 'aqui está'. It shows a higher level of Portuguese mastery.
Networking
The phrase 'saber se relacionar' is a huge compliment in Brazil. It means you have high emotional intelligence and social skills. Use it when describing your professional strengths.
The 'Cio' Sound
The 'cio' in 'relacionar' is two syllables (ci-o) but often flows like 'syo'. Don't over-emphasize the 'i'. Keep it quick and fluid for a more native-like rhythm.
Scientific Correlation
When reading research in Portuguese, 'relacionar' is the go-to verb for correlation. It doesn't always imply causation, just a link. Be careful not to over-interpret the strength of the link.
Preposition 'A'
While 'com' is common, 'relacionar algo a algo' is very elegant in formal writing. Use it to vary your language in essays. It sounds sophisticated and precise.
Word Mapping
Create a mind map with 'relacionar' in the center. Branch out to 'social', 'logical', and 'administrative' to remember its different uses. Visualizing the connections helps internalize the meaning.
Common Questions
Practice asking 'Como isso se relaciona com o que falamos?'. It's a great way to keep a conversation going and show you are listening. It works in both formal and informal settings.
News Reports
Listen for 'relacionar' in news about crime or economics. It's often used to link suspects to crimes or inflation to prices. It helps you understand the 'why' and 'how' of the news.
Idiom Usage
Use 'relacionar o útil ao agradável' when you find a way to enjoy a necessary task. It's a very common and well-liked expression. For example, 'Estudar português no parque é relacionar o útil ao agradável'.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
From Latin 'relatio' (a bringing back, report, relation), from 'relatus', past participle of 'referre'.
Kultureller Kontext
The word is a staple in the Brazilian 'Enem' (National High School Exam) prompts.
Brazilians often use 'relacionar-se' to emphasize the quality of social bonds.
In Portugal, 'relacionar' in a business context can be slightly more formal than in Brazil.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Como você se relaciona com seus colegas de trabalho?"
"Você consegue relacionar o que estuda com seu hobby?"
"É difícil se relacionar com pessoas muito diferentes de você?"
"Como podemos relacionar a tecnologia com a felicidade?"
"Você prefere se relacionar com poucas ou muitas pessoas?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Descreva como você se relaciona com a sua cidade.
Relacione três objetivos que você tem para este ano.
Como a sua infância se relaciona com quem você é hoje?
Escreva sobre um momento em que foi difícil se relacionar com alguém.
Relacione os prós e contras de morar no exterior.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenGenerally, no. While 'relate' in English can mean to narrate, in Portuguese, you should use 'contar' or 'relatar'. 'Relacionar' is almost always about connecting or listing.
Not always, but it is very common. You use 'com' when connecting two things or people. If you are just listing items, you don't need a preposition (e.g., 'Relacionar os nomes').
'Relacionar' is broader and can be more formal or social. 'Associar' is specifically about making a mental connection between two ideas or images.
No, it can be used for any social interaction, including friends, family, and coworkers. However, in some contexts, it can imply a romantic involvement.
You can say 'Eu me identifico com isso' or 'Eu entendo isso'. 'Relacionar' isn't usually used in that specific idiomatic English way.
Yes, it follows the standard conjugation for verbs ending in -ar, making it relatively easy to conjugate once you know the pattern.
Yes, it is very common in science and business to talk about relating variables, data points, or trends.
The two main nouns are 'relação' (relation/connection) and 'relacionamento' (relationship/interpersonal bond).
Yes, it is used throughout the Lusophone world, though regional preferences for synonyms like 'dar-se com' may exist in informal speech.
Yes, especially in educational contexts like 'relacionar as colunas' (match the columns).
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'relacionar' is the ultimate 'connector' in Portuguese. Whether you are matching items on a list, linking causes to effects, or describing how you get along with your boss, this word bridges the gap between separate entities to create a unified context.
- Relacionar is a versatile Portuguese verb meaning to connect, list, or socially interact, essential for both logical descriptions and daily human conversations.
- It functions as a regular -ar verb, often requiring the preposition 'com' (with) or 'a' (to) to link two distinct concepts or people.
- In social contexts, it must be used reflexively (relacionar-se) to describe how individuals get along or communicate with one another in a group.
- Formal usage often involves listing items or correlating data, making it a key word for academic, professional, and administrative Portuguese communication.
Reflexive Pronouns
Always remember to use 'me, te, se, nos' when talking about how people interact. Without them, the sentence sounds like you are making a list. It is the most common error for English speakers.
Formal Writing
In business emails, use 'relacionar' to introduce a list of attachments or points. It sounds more professional than 'aqui está'. It shows a higher level of Portuguese mastery.
Networking
The phrase 'saber se relacionar' is a huge compliment in Brazil. It means you have high emotional intelligence and social skills. Use it when describing your professional strengths.
The 'Cio' Sound
The 'cio' in 'relacionar' is two syllables (ci-o) but often flows like 'syo'. Don't over-emphasize the 'i'. Keep it quick and fluid for a more native-like rhythm.
Verwandte Inhalte
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à medida que
A2As; at the same time that.
abençoado
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abrigo
A2Shelter, a place providing temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
acarinhar
A2To show affection to; to caress or cuddle.
aceito
A2Accepted; generally recognized or agreed upon.
acenar
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acolher
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acolhimento
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acolitar
B2To assist or accompany.
acomodar
A2To provide lodging or space for.