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A2 verb #2,500 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

suspender

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Erklärung suspender in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know 'suspender' in its most basic physical sense: to hang something up. While 'pendurar' is more common for clothes, 'suspender' might appear in simple instructions. You might also see it in very basic public notices like 'serviço suspenso' (service stopped), which is important for basic survival in a Portuguese-speaking country. Focus on the idea of 'stopping' or 'hanging'.
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At the A2 level, you use 'suspender' to talk about school, sports, and simple schedules. You can understand that 'o jogo foi suspenso' means the game stopped because of rain. You start to see the word in news headlines. You should be able to use it to describe a temporary pause in your daily activities, like 'vou suspender o meu estudo por dez minutos'. This level introduces the idea of a 'temporary stop'.
At the B1 level, you begin to use 'suspender' in more abstract and professional contexts. You can discuss 'suspender pagamentos' (suspending payments) or 'suspender uma lei' (suspending a law). You understand the emotional nuance of 'suspender o fôlego' (to hold one's breath) in a story. You can distinguish between 'suspender' (temporary) and 'cancelar' (permanent) and use the irregular past participle 'suspenso' correctly in sentences.
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At the B2 level, you use 'suspender' to express complex ideas like 'suspensão de descrença' (suspension of disbelief) or 'suspender o juízo' (suspending judgment). You can use the word to describe psychological states of suspense and anxiety in literature or film. Your vocabulary includes formal synonyms like 'sustar' or 'interromper', and you know exactly when 'suspender' provides the right formal tone for a business meeting or a legal discussion.
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At the C1 level, 'suspender' becomes a tool for precise stylistic expression. You use it in literary analysis to describe how an author 'suspende a narrativa' to create tension. You understand the philosophical implications of 'suspender a existência' in certain contexts. You are comfortable with the verb's role in complex grammatical structures and can use it to convey subtle shades of anxiety, anticipation, and authority in high-level academic or professional writing.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'suspender', including its most archaic and poetic uses. You can appreciate its use in classical Portuguese literature (like Camões or Pessoa) where it might describe the soul 'suspended' in contemplation. You use the word with total flexibility, moving between physical, legal, psychological, and metaphorical meanings effortlessly. You can debate the nuances between 'suspender', 'sobrestar', and 'sustar' in a high-court legal setting.
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suspender in 30 Sekunden

  • Suspender means to temporarily stop an activity or process.
  • It also means to physically hang an object from a higher point.
  • In emotional contexts, it refers to creating suspense or anxiety.
  • It is a regular -er verb with a very common irregular past participle: 'suspenso'.

The Portuguese verb suspender is a multifaceted term that primarily denotes the act of halting, interrupting, or hanging something. At its core, it suggests a temporary cessation of an activity or the physical elevation of an object. However, when applied to emotions or narratives, it aligns with the user's specific definition: to cause a state of suspense or anxiety. This nuance often manifests when an action is left unfinished, leaving the observer or participant in a state of 'hanging' expectation.

Physical Suspension
To hang something from a height so that it does not touch the ground, such as 'suspender um lustre'.
Temporal Interruption
To stop a process temporarily with the intent of resuming it later, like 'suspender uma reunião'.
Psychological Tension
To keep someone in a state of uncertainty or 'suspense', often used in literary or dramatic contexts.

O realizador decidiu suspender a cena final para criar mais impacto emocional no público.

— Example of creating suspense.

In everyday Portuguese, you will most frequently encounter this word in news reports regarding 'suspensão de voos' (flight suspensions) or in academic settings where a student might be 'suspenso' (suspended). The anxiety-inducing aspect comes from the lack of resolution. When a judge decides to suspender o julgamento, the parties involved experience a heightened state of anxiety because the outcome is no longer immediate but 'hanging' in the air.

A notícia de que iriam suspender os pagamentos deixou todos os funcionários ansiosos.

Furthermore, the word carries a weight of authority. It is rarely a voluntary pause by the person performing the action; rather, it is often an external force—a law, a boss, or a circumstance—that forces the suspension. This external imposition is what triggers the 'anxiety' or 'suspense' mentioned in the definition. If you suspend your own breath (suspender o fôlego), you are creating a physical state of tension that mirrors the psychological state of suspense.

Legal Context
Suspender os direitos constitucionais (to suspend constitutional rights).
Academic Context
O aluno foi suspenso por três dias (The student was suspended for three days).

Não me queiras suspender com essa dúvida cruel; diz-me a verdade agora!

To conclude this section, remember that 'suspender' is not just about stopping; it is about the *state* of being stopped. It is the bridge between action and resolution. Whether it is a bridge suspended over a river or a decision suspended by a committee, the essence remains: something is held up, away from its natural conclusion, creating a space of tension, anxiety, or literal elevation.

Using suspender correctly requires understanding its transitivity and the prepositions that often follow it. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object—the thing being stopped or hung. However, its usage varies significantly between physical and abstract contexts.

Grammar Structure
Subject + Suspender + Direct Object (e.g., 'A empresa suspendeu o serviço').
Passive Voice
Often used in the passive voice to describe states: 'O jogo foi suspenso devido à chuva'.

Precisamos de suspender os nossos preconceitos para entender o outro.

— Abstract usage: Suspending judgment.

When you want to express the idea of causing anxiety or suspense, you often use the verb in a way that affects the 'ânimo' (spirit) or 'atenção' (attention) of the listener. For example, 'A história suspendeu a atenção de todos'. Here, the attention is 'held' or 'hung' on the words of the storyteller. This creates the psychological effect of suspense.

In terms of conjugation, suspender is a regular verb of the second conjugation (-er). This makes it relatively easy for learners to master. The past participle has two forms: 'suspendido' (regular, used with 'ter/haver') and 'suspenso' (irregular, used with 'ser/estar'). However, in modern Portuguese, 'suspenso' is overwhelmingly more common in almost all contexts.

Eles tinham suspendido as buscas (less common) vs. As buscas estão suspensas (very common).

When using it to mean 'to hang', it is often synonymous with 'pendurar'. However, 'suspender' implies a more technical or intentional elevation. You 'pendurar' a coat on a hook, but you 'suspender' a platform with cables. This distinction is subtle but helps in sounding more like a native speaker.

Common Objects
Pagamentos, atividades, voos, descrença (suspension of disbelief), fôlego.

Finally, consider the phrase 'suspender o fôlego'. This is the literal translation of 'to hold one's breath', but it carries the same emotional weight as the English idiom—anticipation, fear, or awe. Using this phrase in your writing or speaking immediately elevates your CEFR level from A2 to B1/B2 because it demonstrates an understanding of metaphorical Portuguese.

The word suspender is a staple of formal communication in the Lusophone world. You will hear it in news broadcasts, read it in official documents, and encounter it in professional environments. Its presence signifies a break in the normal flow of events, which naturally draws the listener's attention.

In the News
'O governo decidiu suspender as negociações.' This creates immediate political suspense.
At the Airport
'Voo suspenso.' This is the phrase every traveler dreads, causing instant anxiety.

'Atenção, passageiros: devido ao mau tempo, vamos suspender as partidas temporariamente.'

In a cultural or artistic context, you might hear a critic talk about the 'suspensão da descrença' (suspension of disbelief). This is a vital concept in cinema and literature, where the audience agrees to 'suspend' their logical mind to enjoy a fantasy story. This usage is highly academic and sophisticated.

In sports, particularly football (soccer), a player can be 'suspenso' for a certain number of matches after receiving a red card. The fans often discuss how the team will perform during this 'suspensão', adding to the pre-game anxiety and tactical suspense. 'O avançado está suspenso por dois jogos' is a sentence you will hear on every sports talk show.

'O tribunal desportivo pode suspender o capitão da equipa.'

Legal and bureaucratic settings are perhaps the most common 'habitats' for this verb. A 'licença suspensa' (suspended license) or a 'processo suspenso' (suspended process) are common legal outcomes. In these cases, the word carries a heavy tone of consequence and official intervention. It is not a casual word; it is a word of action (or the stopping of action).

Social Media
'Conta suspensa' (Account suspended). A common sight on platforms like X or Instagram when rules are broken.

Lastly, in music, a 'nota suspensa' (suspended note) is one that creates a harmonic tension that needs to be resolved. This perfectly mirrors the definition of causing anxiety or suspense, as the ear 'waits' for the resolution of the chord. This shows how the word permeates even the most abstract forms of Portuguese culture.

While suspender is a versatile verb, it is often misused by learners who confuse it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words in English or other Romance languages. The most common error is using it when 'cancelar' (to cancel) or 'parar' (to stop) would be more appropriate.

Suspender vs. Cancelar
'Suspender' implies a temporary stop; 'Cancelar' implies a permanent one. Don't say 'suspender' if the event is never happening.
Suspender vs. Pendurar
'Pendurar' is for hanging a picture or a coat. 'Suspender' is for more formal or technical hanging.

Errado: Vou suspender o meu casaco no prego.
Correto: Vou pendurar o meu casaco no prego.

Another mistake involves the past participle. As mentioned before, Portuguese has two: suspendido and suspenso. While 'suspendido' is grammatically correct with auxiliary verbs 'ter' and 'haver', it sounds archaic or overly formal to many native speakers. Using 'suspenso' in all situations is a safe bet for learners and will sound much more natural.

Learners often forget that 'suspender' can be used reflexively in very specific, poetic contexts, but generally, it is a transitive verb. Avoid saying 'Eu me suspendi' unless you literally hung yourself from a rope or metaphorically stopped yourself in mid-air. To say 'I stopped', use 'Eu parei'.

Errado: O carro suspendeu no sinal vermelho.
Correto: O carro parou no sinal vermelho.

Finally, be careful with the 'anxiety' definition. While 'suspender' creates suspense, it is not a direct synonym for 'to worry' (preocupar). You don't 'suspender' a person to make them worried; you 'suspender' an *action* or a *decision*, and that *act* causes the person to feel 'suspenso' (in suspense) or 'ansioso' (anxious).

False Cognate Alert
In some contexts, 'suspender' might be confused with 'sustentar' (to support/sustain). They are opposites in terms of gravity!

To truly master suspender, you should understand the words that live in its neighborhood. These synonyms and related terms help you choose the precise level of 'stopping' or 'hanging' you want to convey.

Interromper
The most common synonym. It means to break the continuity of something. 'Interromper' is more common for conversations.
Adiar
To postpone. While 'suspender' stops something already in progress, 'adiar' moves a future event to a later time.
Sustar
A very formal/legal term. Used for 'sustar um pagamento' (to stop a check or payment).

Podemos interromper a conversa, mas vamos suspender o projeto por um mês.

— Difference between interrupting a talk and suspending a project.

When it comes to the 'suspense' aspect, words like sobrestar (to stay/delay legal proceedings) or paralisar (to paralyze/freeze) are relevant. 'Paralisar' is much stronger than 'suspender'; it implies a total lack of movement, often due to fear or technical failure, whereas 'suspender' implies a controlled, often temporary, pause.

In a literary sense, 'suspender' is related to empolgar (to thrill) or intrigar (to intrigue). A story that 'suspende o fôlego' is one that 'empolga' the reader. Understanding these connections allows you to describe emotional states with more variety.

A beleza da ópera conseguiu suspender a alma de todos os presentes.

Finally, consider the antonyms: continuar (to continue), prosseguir (to proceed), and retomar (to resume). 'Retomar' is the natural partner of 'suspender'—once a suspension is over, you 'retomar' the activity. Knowing these pairs is essential for fluid conversation.

Nuance Check
'Cessar' is to stop completely (often forever). 'Suspender' is a pause with a question mark.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Double past participles (suspendido vs suspenso)

Passive voice with 'ser' and 'estar'

Direct object pronouns with verbs

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Eles vão suspender a lâmpada no teto.

They are going to hang the lamp from the ceiling.

Simple future with 'ir' + infinitive.

2

O serviço de água está suspenso.

The water service is suspended.

Passive voice with 'estar' + past participle.

3

Podes suspender o quadro aqui?

Can you hang the picture here?

Interrogative with 'poder'.

4

Não suspendas a cortina ainda.

Don't hang the curtain yet.

Negative imperative.

5

O autocarro suspendeu a marcha.

The bus stopped its progress.

Pretérito Perfeito.

6

A escola vai suspender as aulas.

The school will suspend classes.

Future intent.

7

O menino foi suspenso da escola.

The boy was suspended from school.

Passive voice.

8

Precisamos de suspender a música.

We need to stop the music.

Verb 'precisar de' + infinitive.

1

O juiz decidiu suspender o jogo de futebol.

The referee decided to suspend the football match.

Verb 'decidir' + infinitive.

2

A ponte está suspensa por cabos de aço.

The bridge is suspended by steel cables.

Adjective use of 'suspensa'.

3

Eles suspenderam a reunião por uma hora.

They suspended the meeting for an hour.

Pretérito Perfeito, 3rd person plural.

4

Vou suspender a minha conta de Netflix.

I'm going to suspend my Netflix account.

Future with 'ir'.

5

A chuva fez suspender as obras na rua.

The rain caused the roadworks to be suspended.

Causative structure.

6

O médico disse para suspender o medicamento.

The doctor said to stop the medication.

Indirect speech.

7

O elevador está suspenso para manutenção.

The elevator is suspended for maintenance.

State with 'estar'.

8

Podes suspender o pagamento deste mês?

Can you suspend this month's payment?

Request with 'poder'.

1

A notícia suspendeu o fôlego de toda a nação.

The news took the whole nation's breath away.

Metaphorical usage.

2

O governo vai suspender o novo imposto.

The government will suspend the new tax.

Political context.

3

Ela decidiu suspender o juízo sobre o caso.

She decided to suspend judgment on the case.

Idiomatic expression 'suspender o juízo'.

4

Os voos foram suspensos devido à cinza vulcânica.

Flights were suspended due to volcanic ash.

Passive voice with 'foram'.

5

O autor suspendeu a narrativa num momento crítico.

The author suspended the narrative at a critical moment.

Literary context.

6

Temos de suspender as hostilidades imediatamente.

We must suspend hostilities immediately.

Formal/Military context.

7

A empresa suspendeu os bónus este ano.

The company suspended bonuses this year.

Corporate context.

8

A beleza da vista suspendeu-me os sentidos.

The beauty of the view suspended my senses.

Reflexive/Pronominal usage.

1

A suspensão da descrença é necessária para ver este filme.

The suspension of disbelief is necessary to watch this movie.

Noun form 'suspensão'.

2

O tribunal ordenou suspender a execução da pena.

The court ordered to suspend the execution of the sentence.

Legal terminology.

3

O projeto foi suspenso por falta de verbas.

The project was suspended due to lack of funds.

Economic context.

4

Não podemos suspender a nossa vigilância agora.

We cannot suspend our vigilance now.

Abstract direct object.

5

O aroma do café suspendeu a sua tristeza por um momento.

The aroma of coffee suspended her sadness for a moment.

Poetic usage.

6

O sindicato ameaça suspender o trabalho amanhã.

The union threatens to suspend work tomorrow.

Labor context.

7

O atleta foi suspenso por uso de substâncias proibidas.

The athlete was suspended for using prohibited substances.

Sports/Doping context.

8

A luz parecia suspensa no ar húmido da manhã.

The light seemed suspended in the humid morning air.

Descriptive participle.

1

A fenomenologia propõe suspender a atitude natural.

Phenomenology proposes to suspend the natural attitude.

Philosophical 'epoché'.

2

O silêncio suspendeu a respiração da plateia.

The silence suspended the audience's breathing.

High-level metaphorical usage.

3

É imperativo suspender qualquer juízo de valor precipitado.

It is imperative to suspend any hasty value judgment.

Formal 'É imperativo' structure.

4

A eficácia da lei foi suspensa por uma liminar.

The law's effectiveness was suspended by an injunction.

Advanced legal Portuguese.

5

O mestre conseguiu suspender a atenção dos discípulos.

The master managed to suspend the disciples' attention.

Educational/Spiritual context.

6

A incerteza política suspendeu os investimentos estrangeiros.

Political uncertainty suspended foreign investments.

Macroeconomic context.

7

O poeta suspende o tempo através das suas metáforas.

The poet suspends time through his metaphors.

Literary analysis.

8

A decisão de suspender o tratado foi unilateral.

The decision to suspend the treaty was unilateral.

Diplomatic context.

1

A alma, suspensa entre o céu e a terra, buscava paz.

The soul, suspended between heaven and earth, sought peace.

Archaic/Poetic participle.

2

Suspenderam-se as vozes ante a magnitude da tragédia.

Voices were suspended (fell silent) before the magnitude of the tragedy.

Reflexive passive voice 'se'.

3

O hiato suspendeu a harmonia da peça musical.

The hiatus suspended the harmony of the musical piece.

Technical musicology.

4

A dúvida metódica exige suspender o assentimento.

Methodical doubt requires suspending assent.

Epistemological context.

5

O fumo pairava, como se estivesse suspenso por fios invisíveis.

The smoke hovered, as if suspended by invisible threads.

Simile with 'como se'.

6

A autoridade suspendeu o edital por vício de forma.

The authority suspended the public notice due to a formal defect.

High-level administrative law.

7

Suspender o ânimo é a arte de qualquer bom romancista.

To keep the spirit in suspense is the art of any good novelist.

Subject infinitive.

8

A gravidade parecia suspensa naquele momento de êxtase.

Gravity seemed suspended in that moment of ecstasy.

Abstract physics/emotion.

Häufige Kollokationen

Suspender o pagamento
Suspender as aulas
Suspender o fôlego
Suspender o juízo
Suspender a conta
Suspender o voo
Suspender a sessão
Suspender os direitos
Suspender a descrença
Suspender o serviço

Häufige Phrasen

Ponto de suspensão
Em estado suspenso
Suspender por tempo indeterminado
Suspender a execução
Ficar com o coração suspenso
Suspender a respiração
Suspender os trabalhos
Suspender a eficácia
Suspender o trânsito
Suspender a licença

Wird oft verwechselt mit

suspender vs Cancelar (Permanent vs Temporary)

suspender vs Pendurar (Technical vs Casual hanging)

suspender vs Sustentar (Support vs Hang)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Suspender o fôlego (To hold one's breath)"
"Suspender o juízo (To reserve judgment)"
"Ficar suspenso (To be in limbo/suspense)"
"Suspender a alma (To be in awe/ecstasy)"
"Suspender a descrença (Suspension of disbelief)"
"Suspender o ânimo (To keep in suspense)"
"Suspender as orelhas (To be alert - rare/regional)"
"Suspender o passo (To stop walking suddenly)"
"Suspender a mão (To refrain from acting/punishing)"
"Suspender a voz (To stop speaking suddenly)"

Leicht verwechselbar

suspender vs

suspender vs

suspender vs

suspender vs

Satzmuster

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Nuance

It always implies a possibility of resumption.

Brazil vs Portugal

In Brazil, 'suspender' is very common for 'stopping' a check or a credit card. In Portugal, it's heavily used in legal contexts.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'suspender' for 'cancelar' (permanent stop).
  • Using 'suspender' for 'pendurar' (hanging a coat).
  • Using 'suspendido' in casual conversation.
  • Forgetting the nasal sound in the second syllable.
  • Using it as a direct synonym for 'to worry'.

Tipps

Past Participle

Always use 'suspenso' when describing a state (e.g., 'A aula está suspensa').

Business Use

Use 'suspender pagamentos' to sound professional in finance.

Public Notices

Look for this word on signs when public services are interrupted.

Metaphor

Use 'suspender o tempo' to describe a magical or intense moment.

Pronunciation

Ensure the nasal 'en' sound is clear: sus-pEN-der.

Law

In legal texts, 'suspender' is used for pausing sentences or laws.

Social Media

If your account is 'suspensa', it's usually temporary.

Suspense

The word is the root of 'suspense' in storytelling.

False Friend

Don't confuse 'suspender' with 'suspect' (suspeitar).

Context

Always look at what follows 'suspender' to know if it's physical or abstract.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

Portugal has a specific legal term 'Suspensão Provisória do Processo'.

In Brazil, 'suspensão' is a common disciplinary measure.

Football fans in both countries obsess over player 'suspensões'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Já alguma vez foste suspenso na escola?"

"O que farias se suspendessem a internet por um dia?"

"Achas que devemos suspender o juízo sobre este político?"

"Por que razão suspenderam o jogo ontem?"

"Como é que os realizadores conseguem suspender a nossa atenção?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreve sobre um momento em que tiveste de suspender um plano importante.

Descreve uma cena de um filme que suspendeu o teu fôlego.

Como te sentes quando um serviço que usas é suspenso?

Deves suspender o juízo sobre pessoas que não conheces bem?

O que aconteceria se o tempo pudesse ser suspenso?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but 'pendurar' is much more common for daily items like coats.

No, but it is rarely used in spoken Portuguese today; 'suspenso' is preferred.

Not exactly. It means to stop for a while. If a flight is 'suspenso', it might still happen later.

You can say 'um final em suspensão' or 'um ponto de suspensão'.

Yes, in a professional or academic sense (suspending a student or employee).

It means to stop judging someone or something until you have more information.

It is more formal than 'parar', but common in everyday speech.

Yes, 'suspender o fôlego' is a common and beautiful expression.

The noun form is 'suspensão'.

Not always, but the state of being 'in between' often creates a feeling of suspense or anxiety.

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