At the A1 level, learners focus on very basic weather terms. While 'nublar' might be slightly advanced, you will definitely learn the adjective 'nublado' (cloudy). At this stage, you should understand that 'nublar' is the action of the sky getting covered in clouds. You might hear it in simple weather forecasts. Think of it as 'becoming cloudy'. You don't need to worry about the complex reflexive uses yet. Just focus on identifying the word in the context of the sky and rain. For example, if someone points at the sky and says 'vai nublar', they mean 'it's going to get cloudy'. This level is about recognizing the root 'nuvem' (cloud) within the verb 'nublar'. It's a useful word to know for basic survival Portuguese, like deciding whether to take an umbrella when you go out.
At the A2 level, you start to use more verbs to describe changes in the environment. You should be able to conjugate 'nublar' in the present and simple future tenses. You'll learn phrases like 'O tempo vai nublar' (The weather will get cloudy). You are beginning to notice that Portuguese uses verbs where English might use 'to get' + adjective. Instead of just saying 'está nublado', you can now describe the process: 'O céu está a nublar' (The sky is clouding over). You might also encounter it in simple stories or descriptions of a day at the beach. At this level, you should also be aware that 'nublar' can be used with 'se' (reflexive), though you might not master the placement of 'se' yet. It's a step toward more dynamic descriptions of the world.
The B1 level is where 'nublar' really becomes a part of your active vocabulary. You are now expected to understand and use its figurative meanings. You can describe how someone's vision might 'nublar' due to tiredness or how a difficult situation might 'nublar' someone's judgment. You should be comfortable with the reflexive form 'nublar-se' and its various tenses, including the preterite ('nublou-se') and the imperfect ('nublava-se'). This level requires you to distinguish between 'nublar' and its synonyms like 'escurecer' or 'enevoar'. You should also be able to use the past participle 'nublado' as an adjective in more complex sentences. B1 learners use 'nublar' to add texture to their speaking and writing, moving beyond simple facts to describe processes and moods.
At the B2 level, you use 'nublar' with nuance and precision. You understand the subtle difference between 'o céu nublou' and 'o céu toldou-se'. You can use the verb in formal contexts, such as a written report or a professional presentation, to describe a lack of clarity in a project or a market trend. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can recognize 'nublar' in literature and poetry. Your pronunciation is more natural, capturing the nasal vowels and the correct stress on the final syllable. You also understand the causative use—how one thing can 'nublar' another. For instance, 'A burocracia nubla o progresso' (Bureaucracy clouds progress). You are now using the word to express abstract concepts with ease.
C1 learners have a sophisticated grasp of 'nublar'. You can use it to describe very specific states of being or environmental conditions. You might use it in a literary analysis to discuss how a character's internal state is reflected in the 'nublar' of the landscape (pathetic fallacy). You are comfortable with all reflexive placements and can use the verb in complex hypothetical sentences ('Se o céu não tivesse nublado, teríamos visto o eclipse'). You also recognize the word in technical contexts, such as medical descriptions of cataracts or atmospheric science. At this level, 'nublar' is not just a word for the weather; it's a tool for precise, evocative communication. You can play with the word's connotations to create specific effects in your writing and speech.
At the C2 level, 'nublar' is used with the mastery of a native speaker. You understand its historical roots and how it has evolved in different Lusophone cultures (Portugal, Brazil, Angola, etc.). You can use it in the most formal academic writing or the most informal slang, understanding the register perfectly. You might use the verb in a philosophical discussion about the 'nublar' of truth in the modern age. You are also aware of very rare or archaic forms and can use the word in wordplay or complex metaphors. For a C2 learner, 'nublar' is part of a vast, interconnected web of vocabulary, and you choose it over 'obscurecer' or 'toldar' because of the specific rhythmic or emotional weight it carries in a sentence. You have complete control over its transitive, intransitive, and reflexive applications.

nublar en 30 segundos

  • Nublar is a Portuguese verb meaning to become cloudy or to obscure clarity.
  • It is commonly used for weather, vision, and mental judgment.
  • The reflexive form 'nublar-se' is frequently used to describe a change of state.
  • It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate for learners.

The Portuguese verb nublar is a versatile term primarily associated with the transition of the sky from clear to cloudy. At its most literal level, it describes the meteorological process where clouds begin to cover the sun or the expanse of the firmament. However, its utility extends far beyond simple weather reporting. In the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language, nublar serves as a powerful metaphor for the obscuring of clarity, whether that be physical vision, mental judgment, or emotional state. When you use this word, you are often describing a shift from transparency to opacity. It is a B1-level word because while its root 'nuvem' (cloud) is learned early on, the verbal application and its reflexive forms require a more nuanced understanding of Portuguese syntax and metaphorical thought. For instance, one might say 'o tempo vai nublar' to predict rain, but a poet might say 'a tristeza nublou seus olhos' to describe a person about to cry or lost in thought. This duality makes it an essential verb for learners who wish to move beyond basic descriptions and into more expressive, descriptive Portuguese.

Literal Usage
Used to describe the sky becoming covered with clouds. It is often used in the third person singular or with the reflexive 'se'.

Prepare o guarda-chuva, pois o céu começou a nublar rapidamente.

Figurative Usage
Refers to the clouding of senses, memory, or reason. It implies a loss of focus or the onset of confusion.

A raiva pode nublar o julgamento de qualquer pessoa sensata.

Understanding the frequency of 'nublar' is key. In coastal regions of Portugal or the mountainous areas of Brazil, you will hear this word constantly in daily conversation. It carries a certain weight of anticipation—usually of rain or a change in mood. When the sky 'nubla', the light changes, the temperature often drops, and the atmosphere becomes more somber. This atmospheric shift is mirrored in its figurative use. If someone's vision 'nubla' (se nubla), it might indicate a medical condition or a sudden surge of emotion. The verb is inherently transitional; it describes a process of change rather than a static state. This is why it is so frequently paired with auxiliary verbs like 'começar a' or 'ir'. By mastering 'nublar', you gain a tool to describe both the world around you and the internal world of feelings and thoughts with the same evocative precision used by native speakers.

Using nublar correctly involves understanding its transitivity and its reflexive nature. As an intransitive verb, it often appears in impersonal constructions regarding the weather. For example, 'Vai nublar hoje à tarde' (It's going to get cloudy this afternoon). Here, the subject is the weather itself, which is implied. However, when applied to objects or people, it often becomes reflexive: 'A vista nublou-se' (The view became cloudy/blurred). This reflexive 'se' is crucial because it indicates that the change is happening to the subject itself. In European Portuguese, the 'se' follows the verb (nublar-se), whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, it often precedes it (se nublar) or is omitted in favor of 'ficar nublado'.

Weather Contexts
Focus on the transition of the sky. Often used in the future or present continuous.

Sempre que subimos a serra, o tempo costuma nublar de repente.

Emotional/Mental Contexts
Used to describe the loss of clarity in thought or emotion.

As lágrimas começaram a nublar a sua visão enquanto ela lia a carta.

Another important aspect is the causative use of 'nublar'. This occurs when an external force causes something to become cloudy. For instance, 'A fumaça nublou o horizonte' (The smoke clouded the horizon). In this case, 'fumaça' is the subject and 'horizonte' is the direct object. This structure is common in descriptive writing and journalism. When discussing health, specifically ophthalmology, you might hear 'visão nublada' (cloudy vision), which uses the past participle as an adjective. This is a very common way to encounter the word in medical or daily physical contexts. Understanding these three patterns—impersonal (weather), reflexive (becoming cloudy), and transitive (causing cloudiness)—will allow you to use 'nublar' with the confidence of a native speaker in a variety of social and professional settings.

The most common place to encounter nublar is undoubtedly the daily weather forecast. Meteorologists on channels like RTP, SIC, or TV Globo will use it to describe approaching fronts. You'll hear phrases like 'o céu irá nublar-se durante a tarde' (the sky will cloud over during the afternoon). However, its reach extends into the realm of literature and music. Portuguese fado and Brazilian MPB often use 'nublar' to set a melancholic tone. In a song, a singer might lament how 'o passado nublou o presente' (the past clouded the present), using the verb to evoke a sense of nostalgia or confusion. This makes it a high-frequency word in artistic and expressive contexts.

News & Media
Common in reports about weather changes or environmental issues like smog.

A previsão indica que o dia pode nublar antes do festival começar.

Daily Conversation
Used when discussing plans that depend on the sun, or when someone looks visibly upset or confused.

Cuidado para não deixar que o cansaço nuble as suas decisões hoje.

Furthermore, in professional environments, 'nublar' might appear in discussions about data or transparency. A manager might say that certain factors 'nublam a nossa visão do mercado' (cloud our view of the market). It suggests that there is a lack of clarity that prevents a full understanding of the situation. In medical settings, if you're visiting a doctor in a Lusophone country and you say 'minha vista está nublada', the doctor immediately understands that you are experiencing blurred vision. This wide range of applications—from the literal sky to the metaphorical market and the physical eye—demonstrates why 'nublar' is a foundational verb for intermediate students. It bridges the gap between simple descriptive language and the more complex, abstract communication required for fluency.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using nublar is confusing it with the noun 'nuvem' (cloud). While they are related, you cannot use 'nuvem' as a verb. Another common error is failing to use the reflexive 'se' when the context requires it. In Portuguese, many verbs that describe a change of state in the subject must be reflexive. Saying 'O céu nublou' is acceptable in many regions, but 'O céu se nublou' (BR) or 'O céu nublou-se' (PT) is often considered more grammatically complete when emphasizing the process of becoming cloudy.

Mistake: Using 'Nuvem' as a Verb
Incorrect: 'Vai nuvemar hoje.' Correct: 'Vai nublar hoje.'

Não diga 'o tempo está nuvem', diga 'o tempo está nublado'.

Mistake: Confusing with 'Escurecer'
While 'escurecer' (to darken) often happens when it clouds over, they are not synonyms. 'Nublar' specifically refers to clouds.

O céu pode nublar sem necessariamente escurecer totalmente.

Another nuance is the difference between 'nublar' and 'enevoar'. 'Enevoar' specifically refers to fog (névoa), whereas 'nublar' refers to clouds (nuvens). Using 'nublar' to describe a foggy morning might be understood, but it's technically imprecise. Furthermore, learners often struggle with the figurative use, sometimes translating 'to cloud my mind' too literally. In Portuguese, 'nublar a mente' or 'nublar o juízo' is perfect, but ensure you conjugate the verb correctly. Forgetting the nasal 'u' sound in the first syllable is also a common pronunciation slip; it should sound like 'noo-BLAHR', not 'nuh-BLAHR'. Paying attention to these small details will elevate your Portuguese from sounding like a direct translation to sounding natural and precise.

If you find yourself using nublar too often, there are several synonyms and related terms that can add variety to your speech. Depending on the intensity and the specific phenomenon you are describing, you might choose 'encobrir', 'toldar', or 'obscurecer'. Each of these carries a slightly different connotation. 'Encobrir' means to cover up or hide, often used when clouds completely hide the sun. 'Toldar' is a more poetic or old-fashioned term, often used for liquids becoming cloudy (like wine) or the sky becoming overcast. 'Obscurecer' focus on the loss of light, emphasizing the darkness that follows the clouds.

Nublar vs. Encobrir
'Nublar' is the process of clouds appearing; 'Encobrir' is the result of something being hidden by those clouds.

As nuvens começaram a nublar o céu e acabaram por encobrir o sol.

Nublar vs. Toldar
'Toldar' is often used for the eyes becoming 'clouded' with emotion or for a liquid becoming turbid.

A emoção toldou-lhe o olhar, de forma semelhante a como o tempo costuma nublar.

For the opposite effect, you should know 'limpar' (to clear) or 'desanuviar' (to un-cloud). 'Desanuviar' is particularly interesting because it is the direct antonym of 'nublar' and is used both for the weather and for 'clearing one's head' after a period of stress or confusion. If you say 'Vou caminhar para desanuviar a mente', you are using a sophisticated term that perfectly balances the metaphorical weight of 'nublar'. Understanding this spectrum of 'cloudiness'—from the light 'toldar' to the heavy 'encobrir' and the restorative 'desanuviar'—will give you a much richer vocabulary for describing both the environment and the human experience in Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'nubile' in English actually shares the same Latin root 'nubes', originally referring to the veil worn by a bride (covering her like a cloud).

Guía de pronunciación

UK /nuˈblaɾ/
US /nuˈblaɹ/
The stress is on the last syllable: nu-BLAR.
Rima con
falar cantar andar olhar mar lugar pensar chegar
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'up'. It should be 'oo'.
  • Stress on the first syllable (NU-blar).
  • Ignoring the final 'r' in European Portuguese.
  • Making the 'bl' sound too soft.
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'nublado'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'nuvem'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive 'se' placement.

Expresión oral 3/5

Nasal 'u' and final 'r' need practice.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

nuvem céu tempo sol chuva

Aprende después

desanuviar toldar nevoeiro tempestade clima

Avanzado

obnubilar enevoar obscurecer turvação

Gramática que debes saber

Reflexive verbs for change of state

O céu nublou-se (The sky became cloudy).

Future with 'ir' + infinitive

Vai nublar amanhã.

Subjunctive after verbs of emotion/desire

Espero que não nuble.

Placement of reflexive pronouns in BP vs EP

Se nublar (BP) vs Nublar-se (EP).

Use of past participle as adjective

O dia está nublado.

Ejemplos por nivel

1

O céu vai nublar hoje.

The sky is going to get cloudy today.

Future construction: ir + infinitive.

2

Pode nublar à tarde.

It might get cloudy in the afternoon.

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

3

O dia começou a nublar.

The day started to get cloudy.

Verb 'começar' + preposition 'a' + infinitive.

4

Não gosto quando vai nublar.

I don't like when it's going to get cloudy.

Subordinate clause with 'quando'.

5

O tempo nublou muito rápido.

The weather got cloudy very fast.

Past tense (pretérito perfeito).

6

Vai nublar antes da chuva.

It will get cloudy before the rain.

Preposition 'antes de' + noun.

7

O sol sumiu porque ia nublar.

The sun disappeared because it was going to get cloudy.

Conjunction 'porque' showing cause.

8

Sempre nubla nesta cidade.

It always gets cloudy in this city.

Adverb of frequency 'sempre'.

1

O céu está a nublar-se agora.

The sky is clouding over now.

Present continuous (European style) with reflexive 'se'.

2

Se nublar, vamos para casa.

If it gets cloudy, we are going home.

Conditional 'if' clause (future subjunctive).

3

O horizonte começou a se nublar.

The horizon started to cloud over.

Reflexive 'se' placed before the infinitive (Brazilian style).

4

A vista nublou com o vapor.

The view blurred with the steam.

Figurative use meaning 'to blur'.

5

Costuma nublar no fim do dia.

It usually gets cloudy at the end of the day.

Verb 'costumar' indicating habit.

6

A fumaça fez o céu nublar.

The smoke made the sky get cloudy.

Causative construction with 'fazer'.

7

Espero que não vá nublar amanhã.

I hope it won't get cloudy tomorrow.

Subjunctive mood after 'espero que'.

8

O tempo nublava todos os dias no inverno.

The weather used to get cloudy every day in winter.

Imperfect tense (pretérito imperfeito) for habits.

1

A notícia nublou o semblante dele.

The news clouded his countenance (made him look sad).

Metaphorical use affecting a person's expression.

2

As lágrimas começaram a nublar a sua visão.

Tears began to blur her vision.

Infinitive after 'começar a'.

3

Não deixe que a raiva nuble o seu julgamento.

Don't let anger cloud your judgment.

Negative imperative + subjunctive.

4

O céu nublou-se de repente, assustando os banhistas.

The sky clouded over suddenly, frightening the swimmers.

Reflexive verb in the preterite.

5

A montanha costuma nublar-se rapidamente no outono.

The mountain usually clouds over quickly in autumn.

Reflexive infinitive with 'costumar'.

6

A poluição pode nublar o horizonte das grandes cidades.

Pollution can cloud the horizon of big cities.

Transitive use of 'nublar'.

7

Sinto a minha memória nublar quando tento lembrar disso.

I feel my memory clouding when I try to remember that.

Verb of perception + infinitive.

8

O vidro do carro começou a nublar com o frio.

The car window started to fog up (cloud) with the cold.

Physical process description.

1

A incerteza política acabou por nublar o futuro econômico.

Political uncertainty ended up clouding the economic future.

Idiomatic 'acabar por' + infinitive.

2

O cansaço extremo pode nublar a percepção da realidade.

Extreme fatigue can cloud the perception of reality.

Abstract transitive usage.

3

A vista se nublou assim que ele entrou na sala escura.

His vision blurred as soon as he entered the dark room.

Reflexive 'se' with 'assim que'.

4

Embora o céu nublasse, eles decidiram continuar a caminhada.

Although the sky was clouding over, they decided to continue the hike.

Concessive 'embora' + imperfect subjunctive.

5

A fumaça dos incêndios nublou o sol por vários dias.

The smoke from the fires clouded the sun for several days.

Transitive preterite.

6

É comum o tempo nublar-se antes de uma tempestade tropical.

It is common for the weather to cloud over before a tropical storm.

Impersonal construction 'É comum'.

7

A melancolia nublou o tom da conversa.

Melancholy clouded the tone of the conversation.

Metaphorical transitive use.

8

A catarata estava a nublar a visão da paciente.

The cataract was clouding the patient's vision.

Continuous aspect in medical context.

1

A complexidade do assunto tende a nublar o entendimento dos alunos.

The complexity of the subject tends to cloud the students' understanding.

Verb 'tender' + preposition 'a' + infinitive.

2

O autor utiliza o nublar do céu como metáfora para a depressão.

The author uses the clouding of the sky as a metaphor for depression.

Substantive use of the infinitive.

3

Caso o tempo nuble, a observação astronômica será cancelada.

Should the weather cloud over, the astronomical observation will be canceled.

Conditional 'caso' + future subjunctive.

4

A paixão súbita nublou-lhe completamente o discernimento.

Sudden passion completely clouded his discernment.

Reflexive pronoun used as a dative of interest ('lhe').

5

As contradições do depoimento nublaram a verdade dos fatos.

The contradictions in the testimony clouded the truth of the facts.

Abstract transitive use in a legal context.

6

O horizonte parecia nublar-se com as cinzas vulcânicas.

The horizon seemed to be clouding over with volcanic ash.

Reflexive infinitive with 'parecer'.

7

Não permitas que a nostalgia nuble o teu presente.

Do not allow nostalgia to cloud your present.

Negative imperative (2nd person singular) + subjunctive.

8

A névoa matinal começou a nublar a superfície do lago.

The morning mist began to cloud the surface of the lake.

Descriptive transitive use.

1

A ideologia, por vezes, nubla a percepção empírica da realidade social.

Ideology sometimes clouds the empirical perception of social reality.

Formal academic register.

2

O nublar das águas indicava a presença de sedimentos no rio.

The clouding of the waters indicated the presence of sediments in the river.

Nominalization of the verb.

3

A velhice veio nublar as lembranças outrora vívidas.

Old age came to cloud memories that were once vivid.

Poetic transitive usage.

4

Oxalá o céu não nuble durante o eclipse total.

May the sky not cloud over during the total eclipse.

Optative 'Oxalá' + subjunctive.

5

A retórica política visa nublar as intenções reais do governo.

Political rhetoric aims to cloud the government's real intentions.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

6

O seu olhar nublou-se de uma tristeza ancestral.

His gaze clouded over with an ancestral sadness.

Highly literary reflexive usage.

7

A poeira levantada pela manada nublou o sol do meio-dia.

The dust raised by the herd clouded the midday sun.

Complex descriptive sentence.

8

A distância e o tempo tendem a nublar a precisão dos relatos históricos.

Distance and time tend to cloud the accuracy of historical accounts.

Abstract transitive usage in history.

Colocaciones comunes

o céu nublou
nublar a visão
nublar o julgamento
nublar o horizonte
nublar o semblante
nublar a mente
nublar o futuro
tempo nublado
nublar de repente
nublar os olhos

Frases Comunes

Vai nublar.

— It's going to get cloudy. Used as a simple weather prediction.

Leva o casaco, acho que vai nublar.

O tempo está para nublar.

— The weather looks like it's about to get cloudy.

Olha aquelas nuvens, o tempo está para nublar.

Nublou tudo.

— Everything got cloudy or blurry. Can be literal or figurative.

Entrei na sauna e nublou tudo nos meus óculos.

Deixar nublar.

— To allow something to become unclear.

Não podemos deixar nublar o objetivo principal.

Começar a nublar.

— To start becoming cloudy.

O dia estava lindo, mas começou a nublar.

Nublar a vista.

— To make one's vision blurry.

A luz forte pode nublar a vista por um momento.

Nublar o raciocínio.

— To cloud one's reasoning.

O cansaço nublou o raciocínio do cientista.

Nublar a transparência.

— To obscure transparency (often in politics/business).

Novas regras podem nublar a transparência do processo.

Vê se não nuble.

— See that it doesn't get cloudy (informal/hopeful).

Vamos à praia, vê se não nuble!

Nublar as ideias.

— To cloud one's ideas.

Muitas opiniões diferentes podem nublar as suas ideias.

Se confunde a menudo con

nublar vs nevoeiro

Nevoeiro is fog; nublar is for clouds.

nublar vs nuvem

Nuvem is the noun (cloud); nublar is the verb (to cloud).

nublar vs toldar

Toldar is more specific to liquids or poetic descriptions.

Modismos y expresiones

"nublar o juízo"

— To lose one's ability to think clearly or make good decisions.

A ganância nublou o juízo do empresário.

common
"nuvens a nublar o horizonte"

— Signs of trouble or uncertainty ahead.

Há nuvens a nublar o horizonte da nossa economia.

journalistic
"nublar o olhar"

— To become sad or to have eyes fill with tears.

Ao ver a foto, o seu olhar nublou-se instantaneamente.

literary
"céu nublado, coração pesado"

— A folk-style association between gray weather and sadness.

Como dizem, céu nublado, coração pesado.

informal
"nublar a estrela"

— To diminish someone's fame or success.

O escândalo acabou por nublar a estrela do ator.

metaphorical
"nublar a verdade"

— To hide or distort the truth.

Eles tentaram nublar a verdade com mentiras.

formal
"nublar o brilho"

— To make something less impressive or bright.

A poeira nublou o brilho do diamante.

descriptive
"nublar a memória"

— To forget details or have a fuzzy recollection.

O tempo nublou a memória daqueles dias.

neutral
"nublar as esperanças"

— To make future prospects seem dim.

A derrota nublou as esperanças do time.

journalistic
"nublar a percepção"

— To prevent someone from seeing a situation as it really is.

O medo pode nublar a percepção do perigo real.

psychological

Fácil de confundir

nublar vs enevoar

Both relate to poor visibility.

Enevoar is specifically about fog or mist at ground level, while nublar is about clouds in the sky.

A estrada enevoou, mas o céu não nublou.

nublar vs obscurecer

Both mean making something less clear.

Obscurecer focus on darkness and lack of light; nublar focus on the presence of clouds.

O eclipse obscureceu a terra, mas as nuvens nublaram o céu.

nublar vs escurecer

Often happen together.

Escurecer is 'to get dark' (like at night); nublar is 'to get cloudy'.

Pode nublar sem escurecer muito.

nublar vs turvar

Both describe a loss of clarity.

Turvar is usually for liquids (muddy water) or physical vision (blurry eyes).

A areia turvou a água, e as nuvens nublaram o dia.

nublar vs toldar

Very similar meaning.

Toldar is more literary or used for the 'clouding' of wine or the mind.

A emoção toldou-lhe a vista.

Patrones de oraciones

A1

O [tempo/céu] vai nublar.

O céu vai nublar.

A2

Começou a nublar [adverb].

Começou a nublar cedo.

B1

[Subject] nublou a minha [visão/mente].

O cansaço nublou a minha mente.

B1

O céu [reflexive] nublou.

O céu se nublou.

B2

Não deixe que [noun] nuble [noun].

Não deixe que o medo nuble o seu futuro.

C1

Caso [weather] nuble, [consequence].

Caso nuble, ficaremos em casa.

C1

O nublar de [noun]...

O nublar das águas foi estranho.

C2

[Abstract noun] tende a nublar [abstract noun].

A paixão tende a nublar o discernimento.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

nuvem (cloud)
nublado (cloudiness/overcast state)
nublosidade (cloudiness - technical)

Verbos

nublar (to cloud)
desanuviar (to clear clouds)
toldar (to cloud/make turbid)

Adjetivos

nublado (cloudy)
núbio (cloudy - poetic/rare)
nubiloso (cloudy/dark)

Relacionado

chuva
céu
tempo
clima
nevoeiro

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in daily life, especially in weather-dependent regions.

Errores comunes
  • O tempo está nuvem. O tempo está nublado.

    You can't use the noun 'nuvem' as an adjective. You must use the adjective 'nublado'.

  • Eu vou nuvemar hoje. Vai nublar hoje.

    'Nuvemar' is not a word. Use the verb 'nublar'.

  • A raiva nublou meu julgamento. A raiva nublou o meu julgamento.

    Remember to use the definite article 'o' before 'meu julgamento' in most Portuguese contexts.

  • O céu nublou de repente. O céu nublou-se de repente.

    While the first is common in Brazil, the reflexive form is more precise for a change of state.

  • A névoa nublou a estrada. A névoa enevoou a estrada.

    'Nublar' is for clouds; 'enevoar' is for fog (névoa).

Consejos

Reflexive Practice

Practice adding 'se' to 'nublar' to describe natural processes. 'O céu se nublou' sounds very natural in Brazil.

The Root Word

Always remember 'nuvem'. If you see 'nub-', think 'cloud'. This works for 'nublado', 'nublar', and 'nebulosidade'.

Weather Reports

Watch the weather forecast on a Portuguese-speaking news channel. You will hear 'nublar' or 'nublado' almost every day.

Mental Clarity

Use 'nublar' when you want to describe being confused. 'Minha cabeça nublou' is a great way to say you're overwhelmed.

Nasal 'U'

The 'u' in 'nublar' is slightly nasal. Don't let it sound too much like 'new' in English; keep it short and closed.

Avoid Repetition

If you've already used 'nublar', try 'toldar' for a more poetic touch in your writing.

City Life

In big cities, 'nublar' can refer to smog. 'A poluição nublou a cidade' is a common complaint.

Reading Clues

In books, if the sky 'nubla', pay attention to the character's mood. It usually signals a coming conflict.

Doctor Visits

If you ever have eye trouble in a Portuguese-speaking country, 'Minha vista nublou' is the phrase you need.

Clearing Up

Learn 'desanuviar' alongside 'nublar'. It's a great word for 'clearing your head' after a long day.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'NEW BLANKET' (NU-BLAR) of clouds covering the sky.

Asociación visual

Imagine a bright blue sky being slowly covered by a grey 'blanket' of clouds.

Word Web

nuvem céu chuva cinza escuro visão mente tempo

Desafío

Try to use 'nublar' in three different ways today: once for the weather, once for your vision, and once for a thought.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin word 'nubilare', which comes from 'nubes' (cloud).

Significado original: To cover with clouds or to be cloudy.

Romance (Italic branch of Indo-European).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities; 'nublar' is a neutral, descriptive verb.

In English, we often say 'it's clouding over', which is the direct equivalent of 'está a nublar'.

Commonly used in weather reports on RTP (Portugal) and Globo (Brazil). Appears in various Fado lyrics to describe a sad state of mind. Used in Brazilian 'Bossa Nova' songs to describe the shifting light of Rio.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Weather Forecast

  • Céu a nublar-se
  • Probabilidade de nublar
  • O dia vai nublar
  • Nublar gradualmente

Medical/Health

  • Visão a nublar
  • Vista nublada
  • Sentir a vista nublar
  • O que faz a vista nublar?

Emotional States

  • A tristeza nublou o olhar
  • Nublar o semblante
  • Coração nublado
  • Pensamento nublado

Decision Making

  • Nublar o juízo
  • Nublar o discernimento
  • Não deixe nublar
  • Fatos que nublam a verdade

Photography/Art

  • Luz de céu nublado
  • O efeito de nublar
  • Nublar o fundo
  • Cores que nublam

Inicios de conversación

"Você acha que vai nublar antes de chegarmos na praia?"

"A sua vista costuma nublar quando você lê por muito tempo?"

"O que você faz para desanuviar quando sente a mente nublar?"

"Você prefere quando o dia começa a nublar ou prefere sol o dia todo?"

"Já aconteceu de a raiva nublar o seu julgamento em uma discussão?"

Temas para diario

Descreva um dia em que o céu começou a nublar e mudou os seus planos.

Escreva sobre uma situação em que as emoções nublaram a sua visão da realidade.

Como você se sente quando o tempo começa a nublar? Isso afeta o seu humor?

Pense em um livro ou filme onde o clima nublar serviu para criar suspense.

Reflita sobre como o excesso de informação pode nublar o nosso entendimento do mundo.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, 'nublar' just means it will get cloudy. While clouds often precede rain, the verb itself only describes the covering of the sky. You would need to say 'vai chover' to specify rain.

Yes, but 'desfocar' (to defocus) or 'ficar embaçado' (to be blurred/foggy) is more common for photography. 'Nublar' might be used if the blur looks like a cloud or mist.

In European Portuguese, the reflexive 'se' is standard for the sky clouding over. In Brazil, 'nublar' is often used alone or as 'ficar nublado'. Both are understood.

'Nublado' is an adjective (cloudy) or the past participle. 'Nublar' is the verb (to cloud). Example: 'O céu está nublado' vs 'O céu vai nublar'.

Absolutely. It's very common to say someone's judgment or mind is 'nublado' by anger, love, or sadness.

It's a regular verb: eu nublei, tu nublaste, ele/ela nublou, nós nublamos, eles/elas nublaram.

Yes, 'nublado' can act as a noun in some contexts, but 'nuvem' (cloud) or 'nebulosidade' (cloudiness) are more common nouns.

Native speakers would usually say 'embaçar' for steam on a mirror or glasses, but 'nublar' is metaphorically possible.

Yes, it is a very common B1 level word used daily in weather and emotional contexts.

The most direct opposite is 'desanuviar' (to clear clouds) or 'limpar' (to clear).

Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Write a sentence using 'nublar' to describe the weather tomorrow.

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writing

Describe how you feel when the sky starts to 'nublar'.

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writing

Use 'nublar' in a metaphorical sense about someone's judgment.

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writing

Create a short dialogue between two people at the beach when it starts to 'nublar'.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'nublar' and 'enevoar' in Portuguese.

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writing

Write a formal sentence about how pollution 'nubla' the horizon.

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writing

Use the reflexive form 'nublar-se' in a sentence about the mountains.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'nublar' and 'desanuviar' in the same context.

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writing

Describe a character whose 'olhar nublou-se' because of a sad memory.

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writing

Write a weather forecast for a rainy day using the verb 'nublar'.

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writing

How would you tell someone not to let anger 'nublar' their decisions?

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writing

Write a sentence about how steam 'nublou' the bathroom mirror.

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writing

Describe the transition of a clear sky to a cloudy one using 'nublar'.

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writing

Use 'nublar' in the past tense to describe a change in the atmosphere of a party.

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writing

Write a poem line using 'nublar' to evoke a feeling of 'saudade'.

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writing

Explain why 'nublar' is a useful word for intermediate learners.

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writing

Translate: 'The tears began to cloud her vision.'

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writing

Translate: 'It usually clouds over in the afternoon.'

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writing

Write a sentence using the subjunctive 'nuble'.

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writing

Use 'nublar' to describe a scientific phenomenon (e.g., volcanic ash).

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speaking

Pronounce 'nublar' focusing on the stress on the last syllable.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'O céu vai nublar' three times quickly.

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speaking

Describe the weather in your city using 'nublar' or 'nublado'.

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speaking

Explain a time when your judgment was 'nublado' by an emotion.

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speaking

Practice saying 'O céu nublou-se' with the European Portuguese 'r'.

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speaking

Tell a friend that it looks like it's about to 'nublar'.

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speaking

Use 'nublar' in a sentence about pollution in a big city.

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speaking

Explain the difference between 'nublar' and 'desanuviar' aloud.

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speaking

Say 'A minha mente nublou com tanto trabalho.'

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speaking

Record yourself saying 'O semblante dela nublou-se de tristeza.'

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speaking

Use 'nublar' in a hypothetical sentence: 'Se o céu nublar...'

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speaking

Practice the nasal 'u' sound in 'nublar' vs the 'u' in 'nuvem'.

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speaking

Describe a blurry photo using the verb 'nublar'.

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speaking

Tell a story about a trip where the weather 'nublou' every day.

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speaking

Give a weather report for an imaginary city.

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speaking

Say: 'Não deixe que nada nuble a sua felicidade.'

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speaking

Practice the reflexive pronoun placement: 'Se nublar' vs 'nublar-se'.

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speaking

Describe the physical sensation of vision 'nublando'.

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speaking

Say: 'O horizonte nublou com as cinzas do vulcão.'

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speaking

Use 'nublar' in a sentence about a political situation.

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listening

Listen for 'nublar' in a weather report clip.

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listening

Identify if the speaker says 'nublar' or 'nublado'.

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listening

Listen to a song and identify when the word 'nublar' is used.

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listening

Listen to a news report about smog and identify the use of 'nublar'.

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listening

Determine the context of 'nublar' (weather vs emotion) in a short audio.

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listening

Listen for the reflexive pronoun 'se' in 'O céu se nublou'.

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listening

Identify the tense of 'nublar' used in a sentence (past, present, or future).

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listening

Listen for 'nublar' in a poem being read aloud.

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listening

Distinguish between 'nublar' and 'enevoar' in a descriptive passage.

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listening

Listen to a doctor explaining 'visão nublada' and identify the verb root.

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listening

Identify the speaker's accent (BR vs PT) based on the pronunciation of 'nublar'.

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listening

Listen for synonyms like 'toldar' used alongside 'nublar'.

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listening

Determine if the use of 'nublar' is formal or informal.

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listening

Listen for 'nublar' in a conversation about a business market.

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listening

Identify the subject of 'nublou' in a complex sentence.

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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