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A2 verb 11 min de lectura

percorrer

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos percorrer en 30 segundos

Explicación percorrer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'percorrer' very often, as you usually stick to simpler verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'andar' (to walk). However, it is helpful to recognize it in simple travel contexts. Think of it as a way to say you traveled a certain number of kilometers. For example, 'Eu percorri 5 km' means 'I went through 5 km.' It is a regular verb, so it follows the pattern of 'comer' or 'beber'. At this stage, focus on the physical meaning of traveling a distance. Don't worry about the abstract meanings like scanning a text yet. Just remember that it describes moving along a path from a start to an end. It is a very 'geographic' verb. You might see it on a map or a travel brochure. If you see 'percorrer a pé', it just means to cover a distance by walking. It is a good word to add to your vocabulary if you want to sound slightly more advanced than basic 'ir' or 'vir'.

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At the A2 level, 'percorrer' becomes more useful as you start to describe your trips and daily routines in more detail. You can use it to talk about the route you take to work or a hike you did on the weekend. 'Eu percorro este caminho todos os dias' (I go through this path every day). This level is where you should start noticing that 'percorrer' doesn't need a preposition like 'por' after it. You just 'percorrer' the place. It's also a good time to learn the difference between 'percorrer' and 'atravessar'. Remember: 'atravessar' is for crossing (like a bridge), and 'percorrer' is for traveling the length of something. You will also start encountering it in simple reading exercises, often referring to someone looking through a list or a menu. It’s a versatile word that helps you describe movement with more precision than just 'walking' or 'driving'.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'percorrer' in both physical and slightly more abstract contexts. You can use it to describe scanning a document: 'Percorri o contrato rapidamente' (I scanned the contract quickly). You should also be able to use it in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito and Imperfeito) to narrate stories. For example, 'Enquanto eu percorria a cidade, vi muitos monumentos.' This level requires you to understand the nuance of completeness that 'percorrer' provides. It implies you covered the whole area or the whole list. You can also start using it with physical sensations, like 'um calafrio percorreu o meu corpo'. This adds a lot of flavor to your descriptions. You'll hear it in news reports about events happening across a region. It's a key word for moving from basic communication to more descriptive and fluid Portuguese.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'percorrer' with precision in professional and academic settings. You might use it to describe the methodology of a study ('percorrer os dados') or to outline the steps of a project. You should also be familiar with its figurative uses, such as 'percorrer um longo caminho' in a career or emotional journey. Your understanding of synonyms like 'transitar', 'vagar', or 'escandir' (in poetry) should be developing, allowing you to choose 'percorrer' when you specifically mean a systematic traversal. You will encounter this word in more complex literature and formal speeches. You should also be able to use it in the subjunctive moods without hesitation: 'Espero que percorramos toda a trilha antes do pôr do sol.' At B2, 'percorrer' is no longer just a travel word; it's a tool for organizing information and describing processes.

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At the C1 level, 'percorrer' is used with high stylistic awareness. You might use it in literary analysis to describe how a theme 'percorre a obra' (runs through the work). You understand its etymological roots and how they influence its formal tone. You can use it to describe complex visual or mental processes with ease. In writing, you might use it to create a sense of rhythm or to emphasize the exhaustive nature of an investigation. You are also aware of very specific collocations like 'percorrer a distância que nos separa', which can be used both literally and metaphorically in romantic or diplomatic contexts. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, and you can distinguish between 'percorrer' and its more obscure synonyms based on the desired register and emotional impact. You might even see it used in technical fields like computer science (iterating through data) or law (going through the articles of a code).

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At the C2 level, 'percorrer' is a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire. You use it with total mastery, often employing it in creative writing or high-level rhetoric to evoke specific imagery. You might use it to describe the flow of time in a philosophical essay or the intricate paths of human thought in a psychological critique. You understand the subtle differences between 'percorrer', 'perpassar', and 'permear'. You can appreciate and use the word in its most archaic or poetic forms, such as in the works of classical Portuguese authors. Your command of the word allows you to play with its meanings, perhaps using it ironically or in complex metaphors. At this stage, 'percorrer' is not just a verb you know; it's a word you feel, understanding all its historical weight and contemporary utility across all Lusophone variants.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

percorrer en 30 segundos

Percorrer means to go through or traverse a space, distance, or document.
It is a regular -er verb derived from the root 'correr' (to run).
Commonly used for travel, scanning texts, and describing physical sensations.
It emphasizes completeness and covering a whole path or area.

The Portuguese verb percorrer is a sophisticated and versatile term that goes far beyond the simple English translation of 'to go through' or 'to travel.' At its core, it describes a systematic movement across a space, a distance, or even a piece of information. Derived from the Latin percurrere (where 'per' implies through or completely, and 'currere' means to run), it suggests a completion of a path or a thorough examination. In everyday Portuguese, you will encounter this word when someone is describing a road trip, a walk through a museum, or the act of scanning a document with their eyes.

Physical Movement: This is the most common use. It refers to traveling a specific distance or following a set route from beginning to end. It implies a sense of progress and coverage of territory. Whether you are driving across the country or walking through every room in a house, you are 'percorrendo' that space.
Visual and Mental Scanning: In a more abstract sense, it describes the movement of the eyes or the mind. When you 'percorrer os olhos' (run your eyes) over a text, you aren't necessarily reading every word for deep meaning, but rather scanning the surface to find something or to get a general idea. It can also apply to memory, as in 'percorrer as memórias' (going through one's memories).

Nós decidimos percorrer toda a costa de Portugal durante as nossas férias de verão para conhecer as praias mais escondidas.

The beauty of percorrer lies in its sense of completeness. It isn't just about being in a place; it's about the act of traversing it. It is frequently used in travel literature, news reports describing a search area, and in sports commentary when a player covers a lot of ground on the field. Because it is a regular -er verb, it is relatively easy for learners to conjugate once they understand the 'correr' (to run) root. However, the prefix 'per-' adds a layer of intentionality and thoroughness that 'correr' alone lacks.

Systematic Review: It is often used when reviewing a list or a series of steps. A scientist might 'percorrer os dados' (go through the data) to find an error, or a teacher might 'percorrer a lista de chamada' (go through the attendance list).

O detetive precisou percorrer todos os arquivos antigos para encontrar a pista que faltava no caso.

In formal contexts, percorrer can sound quite elegant. While a child might say they 'andaram' (walked) through the park, a writer would describe how the protagonist 'percorreu' the winding paths of the garden, suggesting a more deliberate or exhaustive journey. This distinction is crucial for learners aiming for a B1 or B2 level of fluency, where vocabulary precision becomes more important than just basic communication.

Ela sentiu um calafrio percorrer a sua espinha quando ouviu o barulho estranho vindo do sótão.

Finally, notice its use in physical sensations. A common idiomatic expression in Portuguese is to have a shiver 'percorrer a espinha' (run down the spine). This highlights the movement aspect of the verb applied to internal feelings or sensations, showing that the 'path' doesn't always have to be external or geographic.

Using percorrer correctly requires understanding that it is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You 'percorrer' something—a distance, a path, a document, or a list. It does not typically require a preposition like 'por' or 'em' immediately after it when the object is the thing being traversed. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might want to say 'percorrer através de,' which is redundant in Portuguese.

Distances and Routes: When talking about travel, the object is usually the road, the distance, or the total area covered. 'Percorremos dez quilômetros' (We covered ten kilometers). Note how 'percorrer' functions similarly to 'to cover' in this context.

O atleta percorreu a maratona em tempo recorde, surpreendendo todos os espectadores.

In the sentence above, the athlete doesn't just 'run' the marathon; they 'traverse' the entirety of the course. This emphasizes the completion of the specific route. If you were to use 'correr' (to run) instead, the sentence would still be correct, but it would lack the focus on the specific path and distance that percorrer provides.

Visual Scanning (The 'Eyes' Pattern): A very frequent structure is 'percorrer com os olhos' (to scan with the eyes). This is used when looking for a name in a directory, a specific word in a book, or checking out a room's decor. It implies a quick but comprehensive visual sweep.

Ao entrar na festa, ele percorreu o salão com os olhos à procura de rostos conhecidos.

Another important usage is in the context of technology and data. You can 'percorrer um array' (iterate through an array) in programming, or 'percorrer as pastas do computador' (go through computer folders). In these cases, it signifies a sequential check of items. This makes it a very useful word for professional and technical environments in Brazil and Portugal.

Para encontrar o erro no código, o programador teve que percorrer centenas de linhas de lógica complexa.

Finally, consider the metaphorical paths. We can 'percorrer um longo caminho' (traverse a long road) in our careers or personal development. This usage is identical to the English metaphor, making it an easy bridge for learners to cross once they are comfortable with the literal meaning.

Time and History: It can also be used to describe moving through time or history. A documentary might 'percorrer a história do Brasil' from the colonial era to the present day, suggesting a chronological journey through events.

You will hear percorrer in a variety of settings, ranging from the very formal to the quite practical. It is a staple of the Portuguese language because it fills a specific niche of 'moving through' that other verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'passar' (to pass) don't quite capture with the same detail. If you are listening to the news, traveling in a Lusophone country, or reading a novel, this word will appear frequently.

News and Media: In news broadcasts, reporters often use 'percorrer' when describing the itinerary of a politician or the path of a storm. 'O presidente vai percorrer as áreas afetadas pelas chuvas' (The president will go through the areas affected by the rains). It adds a sense of official inspection and systematic movement.

A tocha olímpica vai percorrer mais de trezentas cidades antes de chegar ao estádio principal.

In the travel industry, percorrer is everywhere. Travel blogs, brochures, and GPS navigation apps use it to describe routes. A guide might say, 'Hoje vamos percorrer o centro histórico,' which implies a guided, comprehensive walk through the old town. It sounds more professional and inviting than just saying 'walk in' the center.

Literature and Storytelling: Authors love this word for its rhythmic quality and the imagery it evokes. It suggests a journey that is not just about the destination but the path itself. In classic Portuguese literature, explorers 'percorrem os mares nunca dantes navegados' (traverse seas never before sailed), a phrase famously associated with Luís de Camões.

Naquele romance, o herói precisa percorrer um deserto vasto para provar a sua coragem e lealdade.

In a professional or academic setting, you'll hear it during presentations. A speaker might say, 'Vamos percorrer os principais pontos da nossa estratégia' (Let's go through the main points of our strategy). This usage is very common in business meetings in Lisbon or São Paulo, where 'percorrer' functions as a synonym for 'reviewing' or 'outlining' a plan.

Daily Conversations: While slightly more formal than 'passar' or 'andar', it is still used in daily life when someone wants to be precise. For instance, if you lost your keys, you might say: 'Eu já percorri a casa toda e não as encontro!' (I've already gone through the whole house and I can't find them!). Here, it emphasizes that you checked every single part of the house.

Even though percorrer is a regular verb, English speakers often stumble on its usage due to preposition interference and confusion with similar-sounding or similar-meaning verbs. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation software.

Mistake 1: Overusing Prepositions: The biggest mistake is adding 'por' or 'através de' after the verb. In English, we say 'go through the park.' In Portuguese, you simply 'percorrer o parque.' Adding 'percorrer pelo parque' is technically incorrect in most contexts because 'percorrer' already contains the 'through' meaning within it.

Errado: Eu percorri por toda a cidade.
Certo: Eu percorri toda a cidade.

Another common error is confusing percorrer with decorrer. While they look similar, 'decorrer' means 'to elapse' or 'to take place' (usually regarding time), whereas 'percorrer' is about movement through space or data. Saying 'O tempo percorreu rápido' is wrong; you should say 'O tempo decorreu rápido' or simply 'O tempo passou rápido.'

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Correr': Sometimes learners use 'percorrer' when they simply mean 'to run' (the physical exercise). If you are just running for fitness in no particular direction, use 'correr.' If you are running a specific 5km route, you can use 'percorrer os 5km.' 'Percorrer' implies a defined start and end of a path.

Inadequado: Eu gosto de percorrer de manhã para fazer exercício.
Adequado: Eu gosto de correr de manhã para fazer exercício.

Finally, be careful with the visual scanning meaning. While 'percorrer com os olhos' is perfect for scanning a page, you wouldn't use it to mean 'to watch' a movie. Use 'ver' or 'assistir' for movies. 'Percorrer' involves a movement across a surface, not a passive observation of a screen.

Mistake 3: Misconjugation in the Preterite: Because it ends in -er, the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for 'eu' is 'percorri.' Some learners accidentally use the -ar ending 'percorrei,' which doesn't exist. Always remember: 'percorrer' follows 'correr' exactly.

Portuguese offers several alternatives to percorrer, each with its own nuance. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize the speed, the obstacle, or the simple act of being in motion. Understanding these synonyms will help you vary your speech and sound more natural.

Atravessar vs. Percorrer: 'Atravessar' means 'to cross.' Use it when you are going from one side to another (like crossing a street or a bridge). 'Percorrer' is used when you are covering the length of something. You 'percorrer' a long road, but you 'atravessar' the street to get to the bakery.

Nós atravessamos a ponte para chegar ao outro lado, e depois percorremos todo o parque a pé.

In the example above, you see both in action: crossing a specific point (atravessar) versus covering the entire area (percorrer). This is a very useful distinction for giving directions.

Examinar / Analisar: When 'percorrer' is used for scanning a document, its synonyms are 'examinar' (to examine) or 'analisar' (to analyze). However, 'percorrer' is less intense; it implies a quick look-through, whereas 'analisar' implies a deep, careful study.
Cruzar: 'Cruzar' is another synonym for crossing. It is often used for crossing borders ('cruzar a fronteira') or crossing arms ('cruzar os braços'). It feels more instantaneous than 'percorrer,' which focuses on the duration of the movement.

O navio cruzou o oceano Atlântico, uma distância que levou semanas para percorrer.

Another interesting alternative is folhear. If you are 'percorrendo' a book specifically by turning the pages, 'folhear' (to leaf through) is the more precise verb. Use 'percorrer' if you are scanning the lines of text without necessarily turning the pages yet.

Summary Table

Percorrer: Covering a path or scanning a list (Focus: The whole distance/route).
Atravessar: Going from A to B across something (Focus: The crossing point).
Viajar: Moving between cities/countries (Focus: The trip itself).
Andar: Simply walking (Focus: The physical act).

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The root 'currere' is responsible for hundreds of English and Portuguese words, including 'currency', 'current', 'courier', and 'course'. 'Percorrer' literally means to give a place a 'full run'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /pɨɾ.ku.ˈʁeɾ/

US /peʁ.ko.ˈʁe(ʁ)/

The stress is on the last syllable: per-cor-RER.

Rima con

correr morrer escrever beber viver querer saber poder

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'per' like the English word 'per'. In Portuguese, it is more closed.
Mixing up the 'rr' sound with a single 'r' (which would be a tap like 'tt' in 'better').
Stressing the second-to-last syllable instead of the last.
Using an open 'o' sound instead of a closed 'u/o' sound in the middle.
Forgetting to vibrate the final 'r' in formal European Portuguese.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'correr' root.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of -er verb endings and when to avoid prepositions.

Expresión oral 3/5

The 'rr' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

correr caminho rua olhos lista

Aprende después

decorrer atravessar trajeto itinerário esquadrinhar

Avanzado

transitar perpassar permear escandir

Gramática que debes saber

Regular -er Verbs

Eu percorro, tu percorres, ele percorre...

Transitive Verbs (Direct Object)

Eu percorro [a cidade]. No preposition needed.

Future with 'ir'

Eu vou percorrer o mundo.

Pretérito Perfeito vs Imperfeito

Eu percorri (once) vs Eu percorria (habitual).

Infinitive Personal

Para percorrermos a trilha, precisamos de botas.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Eu percorro o caminho para a escola.

I go through the path to school.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Nós percorremos cinco quilômetros.

We covered five kilometers.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), 1st person plural.

Ele percorre a rua de bicicleta.

He goes through the street by bicycle.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Vocês percorrem o parque hoje?

Are you going through the park today?

Present tense, 2nd person plural (vocês).

Ela percorre a loja à procura de um casaco.

She goes through the store looking for a coat.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

O ônibus percorre a cidade inteira.

The bus goes through the whole city.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Eu quero percorrer o mundo.

I want to travel through the world.

Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.

Eles percorreram o corredor silênciosamente.

They went through the hallway silently.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), 3rd person plural.

Vamos percorrer o centro histórico amanhã.

We are going to go through the historic center tomorrow.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O carro percorreu a estrada de terra.

The car traveled the dirt road.

Pretérito Perfeito.

Ela percorre os olhos pela lista de nomes.

She runs her eyes over the list of names.

Idiomatic use for scanning.

Nós percorremos a trilha em duas horas.

We covered the trail in two hours.

Pretérito Perfeito.

O trem percorre esta rota todos os dias.

The train covers this route every day.

Present tense indicating habit.

Você já percorreu este museu?

Have you already gone through this museum?

Perfect tense used for experience.

Eles percorrem a praia no fim da tarde.

They walk along the beach in the late afternoon.

Present tense.

O carteiro percorre o bairro entregando cartas.

The mailman goes through the neighborhood delivering letters.

Present tense with gerund.

O detetive percorreu a cena do crime cuidadosamente.

The detective went through the crime scene carefully.

Focus on systematic search.

Senti um arrepio percorrer a minha espinha.

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Idiomatic expression for sensations.

Ele percorria os livros da biblioteca sem parar.

He used to go through the library books without stopping.

Imperfect tense for continuous action.

A notícia percorreu o país em poucos minutos.

The news traveled across the country in a few minutes.

Metaphorical movement of information.

Para ser um bom médico, é preciso percorrer um longo caminho.

To be a good doctor, one must go through a long road.

Metaphorical 'long road' for career.

Nós percorremos as pastas do computador à procura do arquivo.

We went through the computer folders looking for the file.

Digital context.

A água percorre os canos até chegar à torneira.

The water travels through the pipes until it reaches the tap.

Physical process.

O olhar dela percorreu a sala antes de falar.

Her gaze swept the room before she spoke.

Personification of 'olhar' (gaze).

O autor percorre temas complexos no seu novo romance.

The author explores complex themes in his new novel.

Metaphorical use in literature.

Se percorrermos a história, veremos muitos erros repetidos.

If we go through history, we will see many repeated mistakes.

Conditional sentence (Future Subjunctive).

O sangue percorre as artérias levando oxigénio.

Blood travels through the arteries carrying oxygen.

Scientific context.

Ele percorreu a lista de candidatos para encontrar o melhor perfil.

He went through the list of candidates to find the best profile.

Systematic selection process.

A caravana percorreu o deserto sob um sol escaldante.

The caravan traversed the desert under a scorching sun.

Epic/narrative tone.

O algoritmo percorre todos os nós da árvore de decisão.

The algorithm iterates through all nodes of the decision tree.

Technical/Programming context.

Um sorriso percorreu o seu rosto ao ver o filho.

A smile spread across her face upon seeing her son.

Poetic description of an emotion.

Percorremos a pé a distância entre as duas aldeias.

We covered the distance between the two villages on foot.

Emphasizing the mode of transport.

O pensamento dele percorreu caminhos tortuosos até chegar àquela conclusão.

His thought traversed winding paths until reaching that conclusion.

High-level metaphorical usage.

A influência do Barroco percorre toda a arquitetura desta região.

The influence of the Baroque runs through all the architecture of this region.

Describing a pervasive stylistic element.

O orador percorreu os pontos da agenda com uma clareza invejável.

The speaker went through the agenda points with enviable clarity.

Formal presentation context.

É fascinante percorrer as entrelinhas de um texto jurídico.

It is fascinating to go through the lines (read between the lines) of a legal text.

Abstract scanning/analysis.

A expedição percorreu territórios ainda não mapeados pela ciência moderna.

The expedition traversed territories not yet mapped by modern science.

Formal/Academic narrative.

Um sentimento de nostalgia percorreu a plateia durante o concerto.

A feeling of nostalgia swept through the audience during the concert.

Collective emotional experience.

O rio percorre o vale, serpenteando entre as montanhas.

The river runs through the valley, winding between the mountains.

Literary description of nature.

Ao percorrer as páginas do diário, ela redescobriu a sua própria voz.

Upon going through the pages of the diary, she rediscovered her own voice.

Introspective narrative.

A melancolia percorre a sua prosa como um rio subterrâneo.

Melancholy runs through his prose like an underground river.

Advanced literary metaphor.

O olhar do filósofo percorreu a vastidão da existência humana.

The philosopher's gaze traversed the vastness of human existence.

Philosophical/Abstract usage.

Percorrer os meandros da burocracia estatal exige paciência infinita.

Traversing the intricacies of state bureaucracy requires infinite patience.

Metaphorical use for complex systems.

A luz percorre o vácuo a uma velocidade constante.

Light travels through the vacuum at a constant speed.

Scientific/Technical precision.

O investigador percorreu exaustivamente todas as hipóteses antes de concluir o relatório.

The investigator exhaustively went through all hypotheses before concluding the report.

Emphasis on thoroughness (exaustivamente).

Uma certa tensão percorria o ar durante as negociações de paz.

A certain tension ran through the air during the peace negotiations.

Abstract atmosphere description.

Os peregrinos percorrem o Caminho de Santiago com fé e determinação.

The pilgrims traverse the Camino de Santiago with faith and determination.

Cultural/Religious context.

A música percorreu as décadas, mantendo-se atual e relevante.

The music traveled through the decades, remaining current and relevant.

Temporal movement.

Colocaciones comunes

percorrer a distância

percorrer com os olhos

percorrer o mundo

percorrer um caminho

percorrer a lista

percorrer a pé

percorrer a história

percorrer os dedos

percorrer a trilha

percorrer as memórias

Frases Comunes

Ainda há muito a percorrer.

— There is still a lot to go through or a long way to go. Often used for projects or goals.

O projeto está no início; ainda há muito a percorrer.

Percorrer de ponta a ponta.

— To go through from one end to the other. Implies total coverage.

Percorremos a ilha de ponta a ponta.

Percorrer o olhar.

— To scan or sweep one's gaze across something.

Percorri o olhar pela multidão.

Percorrer as ruas.

— To walk or drive through the streets, often aimlessly or for exploration.

Gosto de percorrer as ruas de Lisboa à noite.

Percorrer um roteiro.

— To follow a predefined itinerary or script.

O guia percorreu o roteiro turístico habitual.

Percorrer em silêncio.

— To traverse a path without speaking.

Eles percorreram o jardim em silêncio.

Percorrer a carreira.

— To go through the stages of a professional career.

Ele percorreu uma carreira brilhante na medicina.

Percorrer o corpo.

— Often used for sensations like shivers or heat moving through the body.

Um calor súbito percorreu o seu corpo.

Percorrer os arquivos.

— To search through files or records.

O historiador percorreu os arquivos do Vaticano.

Percorrer a passos largos.

— To traverse something with long, quick strides.

Ele percorreu o corredor a passos largos.

Se confunde a menudo con

percorrer vs decorrer

Decorrer refers to time passing, while percorrer refers to space/objects being traversed.

percorrer vs recorrer

Recorrer means to appeal or to resort to something, not to travel through.

percorrer vs correr

Correr is the act of running; percorrer is the act of covering a specific path.

Modismos y expresiones

"Percorrer um calvário"

— To go through a period of great suffering or difficulty, similar to 'carrying one's cross'.

A família percorreu um calvário até conseguir o tratamento.

formal/figurative

"Percorrer os sete mares"

— To travel all over the world, especially by sea.

O pirata dizia ter percorrido os sete mares.

literary/cliché

"Percorrer um deserto"

— To go through a period of isolation or lack of success.

O artista percorreu um deserto criativo durante anos.

figurative

"Percorrer o fio da meada"

— To follow the logic or thread of a story or investigation from the start.

Precisamos percorrer o fio da meada para entender o crime.

informal

"Percorrer com pente fino"

— To search through something with extreme detail (with a fine-toothed comb).

A polícia percorreu a casa com pente fino.

informal

"Percorrer a mil à hora"

— To go through something extremely fast.

Ele percorreu o livro a mil à hora e não entendeu nada.

slang

"Percorrer o espinhaço"

— Specifically used for a shiver running down the spine.

O medo percorreu-lhe o espinhaço.

literary

"Percorrer o mapa"

— To travel to many different places mentioned on a map.

Eles decidiram percorrer o mapa da América do Sul.

neutral

"Percorrer o labirinto"

— To navigate a very complex situation or physical structure.

Foi difícil percorrer o labirinto de leis fiscais.

figurative

"Percorrer a distância que nos separa"

— To overcome emotional or physical barriers between people.

Eles finalmente percorreram a distância que os separava.

poetic

Fácil de confundir

percorrer vs Atravessar

Both involve moving through an area.

Atravessar is for crossing a point or a side. Percorrer is for covering the entire length or area.

Atravessei a rua (crossed it), mas percorri a avenida (drove the length of it).

percorrer vs Passar

Very general verb for movement.

Passar is 'to pass'. Percorrer is more systematic and implies seeing/doing the whole thing.

Passei pela loja (passed by it). Percorri a loja (went inside and saw everything).

percorrer vs Viajar

Both used for trips.

Viajar is the general concept of travel. Percorrer is the specific act of moving through the route.

Eu viajo muito, e gosto de percorrer estradas rurais.

percorrer vs Explorar

Both imply seeing a new place.

Explorar implies discovery and study. Percorrer is just the movement through.

Percorri a caverna rapidamente, mas não tive tempo de explorá-la.

percorrer vs Circular

Both involve movement in an area.

Circular implies moving around, often in a loop or without specific end. Percorrer implies a path from start to finish.

O sangue circula no corpo, percorrendo as veias.

Patrones de oraciones

Eu percorro + [place].

Eu percorro o parque.

Nós percorremos + [distance].

Nós percorremos dez quilômetros.

Percorrer + [object] + com os olhos.

Ele percorreu o texto com os olhos.

Ainda há + [something] + a percorrer.

Ainda há muito caminho a percorrer.

Percorrer + [abstract concept].

O autor percorre a ideia de liberdade.

Um(a) [sensation] + percorreu + [body part].

Uma angústia percorreu-lhe o peito.

Any

Percorrer + [place] + a pé/de carro.

Percorrer a cidade a pé.

Any

Vamos percorrer + [itinerary].

Vamos percorrer o roteiro sugerido.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

percurso (route/path)

percorredor (one who traverses - rare)

Verbos

correr (to run)

decorrer (to elapse)

escorrer (to drip)

recorrer (to appeal/resort to)

socorrer (to help/rescue)

Adjetivos

percorrido (traversed/covered)

Relacionado

carreira (career/race)

corrida (race)

corrente (current)

corredor (hallway/runner)

correio (mail)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in travel, news, and formal writing. Moderate in casual daily speech.

Errores comunes

Eu percorri por o parque. → Eu percorri o parque.
Do not use the preposition 'por' after percorrer. It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
O tempo percorreu muito rápido. → O tempo passou/decorreu muito rápido.
Percorrer is for space or lists, not for the passage of time itself.
Eu percorrei a distância. → Eu percorri a distância.
The past tense for 'eu' in -er verbs ends in -i, not -ei (which is for -ar verbs).
Eu percorro todos os dias para saúde. → Eu corro todos os dias para saúde.
Use 'correr' for the physical exercise of running. Use 'percorrer' only if you specify the path you are covering.
Percorrer com os olhos o filme. → Ver/Assistir ao filme.
You can scan a text with your eyes, but you watch a movie. Percorrer is for static surfaces or paths.

Consejos

Direct Object

Always remember: No preposition! You 'percorrer' something directly. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

The 'Correr' Connection

If you know how to conjugate 'correr' (to run), you already know how to conjugate 'percorrer'. It's the exact same pattern.

Scanning vs. Reading

Use 'percorrer' for scanning a list or document. It sounds much more natural than 'ler' if you're just looking for a specific item.

Itineraries

In a travel plan, use 'percorrer' to describe the path between cities. It makes your Portuguese sound more descriptive.

Presentations

When starting a presentation, say 'Vamos percorrer os principais pontos'. It's a great way to sound professional and organized.

Atmosphere

Use 'percorrer' to describe how a mood or a feeling fills a room or a person. It adds a poetic touch to your writing.

Tech Talk

If you work in tech, use 'percorrer' for loops and iterations. It's the standard industry term in Lusophone countries.

Mode of Transport

You can combine it with 'a pé', 'de carro', or 'de bicicleta' to specify how you are traversing the area.

Mental Paths

Use it for 'percorrer as memórias' or 'percorrer os pensamentos' to describe deep thinking or reminiscing.

Timelines

When talking about history, use 'percorrer a linha do tempo' to describe moving through different eras.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine you are a 'PER-fect' runner 'CORRER-ing' through a path. You have to finish the whole thing to 'percorrer' it.

Asociación visual

Visualize a highlighter pen 'percorrendo' (running through) a line of text, covering every word from left to right.

Word Web

correr caminho estrada olhos lista distância viagem mapa

Desafío

Try to describe your commute to work or school using 'percorrer' instead of 'ir'. Mention the streets and the distance.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin 'percurrere', which is a combination of the prefix 'per-' (through, thoroughly) and the verb 'currere' (to run).

Significado original: To run through, to pass over, or to mention briefly.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but when used with people, it can sound objectifying (e.g., 'percorrer o corpo de alguém com o olhar' can be seen as suggestive).

English speakers often use 'go through' or 'travel', which are less specific. 'Traverse' is a closer academic match but sounds much more formal than 'percorrer' does in Portuguese.

Luís de Camões in 'Os Lusíadas' uses similar roots to describe navigation. The song 'Caminho de Rato' by various artists often uses the concept of traversing paths. Travel documentaries on RTP (Portugal) or Globo (Brazil) frequently use the word.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Travel and Tourism

Percorrer o centro histórico.
Percorrer a costa.
Qual percurso vamos fazer?
Percorrer a pé.

Office and Work

Percorrer a lista de tarefas.
Percorrer os itens da pauta.
Percorrer o relatório.
Percorrer os dados.

Everyday Life

Percorrer a casa.
Percorrer o bairro.
Percorrer as lojas.
Percorrer com os olhos.

Sports

Percorrer o campo.
Percorrer a pista.
Distância percorrida.
Percorrer o circuito.

Literature/Arts

Percorrer a obra.
Percorrer o palco.
Percorrer as páginas.
Percorrer a melodia.

Inicios de conversación

"Qual foi a maior distância que você já percorreu a pé?"

"Você prefere percorrer a cidade de carro ou de bicicleta?"

"Você costuma percorrer as notícias logo de manhã?"

"Que trilha você gostaria de percorrer nas próximas férias?"

"Você já percorreu algum museu famoso de ponta a ponta?"

Temas para diario

Descreva um caminho que você percorre todos os dias e o que você vê nele.

Escreva sobre uma viagem em que você percorreu muitos quilômetros.

Como você se sente ao percorrer as páginas de um livro antigo?

Pense em um objetivo de vida. Quanto do caminho você já percorreu?

Descreva a sensação de um arrepio percorrendo o seu corpo em um momento de medo ou alegria.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but it usually implies scanning. 'Percorrer o livro com os olhos' means you are looking for something or getting a gist. For reading every word, use 'ler'.

Yes, it is equally common in both variants, though the pronunciation of the 'rr' and the final 'r' will differ.

It is 'eu percorri'. It follows the regular -er conjugation pattern like 'comer' (comi).

No, 'percorrer' is transitive. You say 'percorrer a cidade', not 'percorrer pela cidade', although the latter is sometimes heard in very informal speech, it's technically incorrect.

Rarely. Usually 'decorrer' or 'passar' is used for time. However, you can 'percorrer a história', meaning you are looking through historical events.

It is neutral to slightly formal. It is more precise than 'ir' or 'andar', so it appears more in writing and professional speech.

You say 'percorrer 10 milhas'. It is the standard way to express covering a distance.

Yes! It is the standard term for iterating through a list, array, or database: 'percorrer a lista'.

The noun is 'percurso', which means a route, path, or course.

Yes, common feelings 'percorrem' the body, like 'um frio percorreu a minha espinha' (a cold chill ran down my spine).

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