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A2 verb 12 min de lectura

postergar

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos postergar en 30 segundos

Explicación postergar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'postergar' might seem a bit advanced, but it's helpful to recognize it as a formal way to say 'later'. Imagine you have a plan to meet a friend at 5:00 PM, but you need to change it to 6:00 PM. In simple Portuguese, you might say 'depois' or 'mais tarde'. However, as you start learning verbs, you will learn 'adiar' (to postpone). 'Postergar' is just a fancier version of 'adiar'. You don't need to use it in your daily life yet, but if you see it on a sign at a train station or in a simple news headline, just remember: it means something is being moved to a later time. It's a regular verb, so it follows the same patterns as 'falar' or 'estudar'. If you can say 'eu falo', you can say 'eu postergo'. Just think of it as a 'bonus' word that makes you sound very smart when you finally use it. For now, focus on the fact that it ends in -ar and describes moving an event in time.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more everyday situations and can begin to use 'postergar' in slightly more formal contexts, like at work or school. You should know that it is a direct synonym of 'adiar'. When you need to tell your teacher that you can't finish a project today, you could say 'Eu preciso postergar a entrega'. This shows you are building a more professional vocabulary. You should also start noticing the spelling change in the past tense: 'eu posterguei'. This 'u' is important! At this level, you can use 'postergar' with simple nouns: postergar a reunião, postergar a festa, postergar o almoço. It's a great way to expand your 'time' vocabulary beyond just using 'depois'. You will also start to see it in the passive voice in simple announcements, like 'O voo foi postergado'. Understanding this helps you navigate travel and official schedules in Portuguese-speaking countries.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'postergar' in both speech and writing, particularly in professional or academic settings. You understand the difference between 'postergar' (neutral/formal delay) and 'procrastinar' (lazy delay). You can use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Se nós postergarmos a reunião, teremos mais tempo para preparar os slides'. Notice the use of the future subjunctive here! You are also beginning to see how 'postergar' fits into business culture—it's the polite way to handle delays. You should be able to conjugate it in most tenses, including the conditional ('Eu postergaria o evento se pudesse') and the imperfect subjunctive ('Se eles postergassem o prazo, seria melhor'). At this level, you are no longer just recognizing the word; you are using it as a strategic tool to vary your register and sound more like a professional adult.

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At the B2 level, 'postergar' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You understand its nuances compared to 'protelar' or 'delongar'. You can use it fluently in debates or discussions about social and political issues, such as 'O governo não deve postergar as reformas necessárias'. You are also aware of how the word is used in literature and high-level journalism. You can use the personal infinitive effortlessly: 'O fato de eles postergarem a decisão causou muitos problemas'. Your spelling is perfect, even in the tricky 'posterguei' or 'posterguemos' forms. You can also use the noun form 'postergação' (postponement), although it is less common than the verb. At this stage, you are using the word not just for logistical delays, but also to express abstract concepts, like postergando a felicidade or postergando o inevitável. You are reaching a level where your choice of 'postergar' over 'adiar' is a conscious stylistic decision.

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For C1 learners, 'postergar' is a word you use with precision and authority. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning in legal, academic, and corporate contexts. You might use it in a complex legal argument or a philosophical essay. You are comfortable with all its derived forms and can use it in any grammatical structure, including archaic or highly formal ones. You can analyze why an author chose 'postergar' instead of 'adiar' to convey a specific mood or social class. You are also likely to use it in the context of 'prioritization'—explaining how postergando one task allows for the execution of another. Your use of the word is seamless, and you can even use it ironically or metaphorically in sophisticated conversation. You are essentially at a native-like level with this verb, understanding its weight and its place in the broader landscape of the Portuguese language.

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At the C2 level, 'postergar' is just one of many tools in a vast linguistic arsenal. you use it with total mastery of its historical and etymological baggage. You might explore the word's relationship with Latin 'post-tergum' in a linguistic discussion or use it to describe complex temporal shifts in a narrative. You are aware of regional variations in its usage (though it's fairly standard across the Lusosphere) and can use it in highly technical fields like contract law or project management theory. You can use the word to create rhythm and tone in your writing, perhaps pairing it with other formal verbs to create a specific 'high-style' atmosphere. For you, 'postergar' is not just a verb; it's a reflection of a deep, intuitive understanding of Portuguese culture and the way it handles time, formality, and social hierarchy. You are capable of teaching the nuances of this word to others, explaining exactly when its use is mandatory and when it might be considered overkill.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

postergar en 30 segundos

Postergar is a formal Portuguese verb meaning to postpone or delay an event or task to a later time.
It is a sophisticated alternative to the common word 'adiar', frequently used in professional, legal, and academic settings.
The verb follows regular -ar conjugation, but requires a 'u' in the 'eu' past tense form (posterguei) to keep the hard 'g' sound.
It differs from 'procrastinar' because it is usually a neutral logistical choice rather than a negative habit of laziness.

The Portuguese verb postergar is a sophisticated and formal term used to describe the act of delaying, postponing, or putting something off to a later time or date. While the most common word for 'to postpone' in daily Portuguese is adiar, postergar carries a weight of formality and intentionality that makes it a staple in professional, academic, and legal environments. When you use this word, you are not just saying that something is late; you are indicating a deliberate decision to reschedule an event, a task, or even a feeling. It implies a shift in the timeline of priorities.

Formal Rescheduling: In business contexts, managers might postergar a deadline due to unforeseen circumstances. It sounds more professional than simply saying the deadline was missed.

A diretoria decidiu postergar o lançamento do novo produto para o próximo trimestre.

Understanding the nuance of postergar involves recognizing its Latin roots. Coming from 'post' (after) and 'tergum' (back), it literally suggests putting something behind or after something else. This etymological background explains why it is often used when one thing is prioritized over another. In a philosophical sense, one might postergar their personal happiness for the sake of their career, or postergar a difficult conversation because of fear. It is a verb that deals with the management of time and the human tendency to avoid immediate pressure.

Legal and Bureaucratic Use: In legal documents, a judge might postergar a hearing. This specific usage ensures there is no ambiguity about the official nature of the delay.

Não podemos mais postergar a resolução deste conflito jurídico.

In everyday speech, while adiar is the king of convenience, postergar is the queen of precision. If a doctor tells a patient that they need to postergar a surgery, it conveys a sense of clinical necessity. If a government posterga a tax increase, it suggests a strategic political move. The word allows the speaker to distance themselves slightly from the negative connotation of 'procrastinating' (which is procrastinar) by focusing on the logistical act of moving the date. It is a versatile tool for any Portuguese learner aiming for a B2 or C1 level of fluency, as it demonstrates a command over the register of the language.

Social Contexts: Even in social circles, using postergar can be a way to soften the blow of a cancellation. 'Eu tive que postergar nossa viagem' sounds more regrettable and planned than 'Eu cancelei'.

Eles resolveram postergar o casamento por causa da pandemia.

Finally, it is important to distinguish postergar from its synonyms like delongar or protelar. While they all mean to delay, postergar is arguably the most common 'high-level' version. Protelar often has a negative nuance of dragging something out unnecessarily, whereas postergar is more neutral regarding the reason for the delay. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to navigate complex professional environments in Brazil, Portugal, or any Lusophone country with confidence and linguistic flair.

O professor decidiu postergar a entrega do trabalho acadêmico.

É perigoso postergar cuidados com a saúde mental.

Using postergar effectively requires understanding its grammatical structure and the common objects it takes. As a transitive direct verb, it usually acts directly upon a noun—the thing being delayed. You don't typically need a preposition between 'postergar' and the object. For example, 'postergar a reunião' (to postpone the meeting) or 'postergar o pagamento' (to postpone the payment). This simplicity in structure makes it a powerful tool for learners who want to elevate their speech without getting bogged down in complex syntax.

Direct Object Usage: The most common way to use the verb is followed immediately by the event or task being moved. 'Vou postergar meu compromisso'.

Precisamos postergar a discussão sobre o orçamento.

When conjugating postergar, remember it follows the standard pattern for first-conjugation verbs ending in -ar. In the present tense: eu postergo, tu postergas, ele/ela posterga, nós postergamos, vós postergais, eles/elas postergam. In the past tense (pretérito perfeito), it is: eu posterguei (note the 'u' added to maintain the hard 'g' sound), tu postergaste, ele postergou, nós postergamos, eles postergaram. This spelling change in the first person singular of the past tense is a crucial detail for writing correctly.

Passive Voice: In formal reports, the passive voice is frequently used. 'A decisão foi postergada' (The decision was postponed).

O evento foi postergado indefinidamente pelos organizadores.

Another advanced way to use the word is in the infinitive personal form, which is unique to Portuguese. 'Para postergarmos o prazo, precisamos de uma justificativa' (In order for us to postpone the deadline, we need a justification). This allows for very specific and nuanced sentence construction. Furthermore, the word can be used with a gerund to describe an ongoing state of delay: 'Eles estão postergando a obra há meses' (They have been delaying the construction for months). This emphasizes the duration and perhaps the frustration associated with the delay.

Using with Prepositions: Often followed by 'para' to indicate the new date. 'Postergar o exame para segunda-feira'.

Não é bom postergar para amanhã o que se pode fazer hoje.

In summary, whether you are using it in the indicative, subjunctive, or imperative, postergar functions as a standard verb but brings a layer of sophistication. It is highly compatible with temporal expressions like 'por tempo indeterminado' (for an indefinite time), 'sine die' (without a set day - very formal), and 'para uma data posterior' (to a later date). By practicing these combinations, you will sound much more like a native speaker who is comfortable in professional settings.

Se você postergar demais, perderá a oportunidade.

Eles postergaram o início das aulas em uma semana.

While you might not hear postergar shouted across a football pitch or in a casual bar conversation, it is ubiquitous in other areas of Lusophone life. One of the primary places you will encounter it is in the news, especially political and economic reporting. News anchors frequently use it when discussing government reforms, voting sessions in parliament, or the implementation of new laws. It provides a neutral, objective tone that fits the journalistic style perfectly.

The Corporate Office: In emails (e-mails) and corporate meetings, 'postergar' is the standard for discussing project timelines. It sounds decisive and planned.

Devido a problemas técnicos, teremos que postergar a videoconferência.

Academic settings are another stronghold for this word. Professors use it when rescheduling exams or deadline submissions. In academic papers, researchers might write about how certain variables 'postergaram' the results of a study. It is a word that signals intellectual rigor. If you are a student in a Portuguese-speaking country, hearing this word from your dean or professor is common, and using it in your own essays will certainly impress your evaluators.

Legal and Judicial Systems: Lawyers and judges use 'postergar' to refer to the stay of proceedings or the delay of a sentence. It is a technical term in this field.

O juiz decidiu postergar o julgamento para colher mais provas.

In the medical field, doctors might use postergar when talking about treatments that can wait versus those that are urgent. For instance, 'Podemos postergar a fisioterapia por duas semanas'. This usage conveys a professional assessment of time sensitivity. Even in literature and high-quality cinema, characters might use this verb to express a sophisticated sense of angst or hesitation, adding depth to their dialogue. It is a word that bridges the gap between the purely functional and the expressive.

Literature and Philosophy: Authors often use the word to describe the human condition of putting off important life choices. It adds a poetic touch to the concept of delay.

Ele vivia a postergar a busca pela sua verdadeira vocação.

In summary, postergar is the 'adult' version of 'adiar'. It is the word of the boardroom, the courtroom, the classroom, and the clinic. While it may feel a bit stiff for a lunch with friends, it is the perfect choice for any situation where you want to show respect, professionalism, or a high level of education. Understanding where it is used helps you calibrate your own register and understand the social dynamics at play in a conversation.

A companhia aérea teve que postergar o voo devido à tempestade.

Não podemos postergar a manutenção preventiva das máquinas.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with postergar is confusing it with procrastinar. While both involve delay, 'procrastinar' usually implies a negative habit or a psychological struggle—delaying something out of laziness or anxiety. 'Postergar', on the other hand, is often a neutral or even strategic logistical decision. You 'postergar' a meeting because the room is booked; you 'procrastinar' writing a report because you are afraid of failing. Using 'procrastinar' in a professional email to your boss might accidentally imply you are being lazy!

Confusing with 'Adiar': While they are synonyms, using 'postergar' in a very casual setting (like 'vou postergar nosso café') can sound overly pretentious or strange to native speakers.

Errado: Eu vou postergar lavar a louça. (Too formal for dishes!)

Spelling and pronunciation errors are also common. The 'g' in postergar must stay hard throughout the conjugation. As mentioned in the grammar section, the 'Eu' form in the past tense is 'posterguei'. Many students forget the 'u' and write 'postergei', which changes the pronunciation to a 'j' sound (like in 'gelo'). Similarly, in the subjunctive present, it's 'que eu postergue', not 'posterge'. Always keep that silent 'u' in mind when the 'g' is followed by 'e' or 'i'.

Incorrect Prepositions: Some students try to use 'de' or 'em' after postergar. Remember it is a direct transitive verb. You postergar *something*, not *of* something.

Correto: Eles querem postergar a viagem. (No preposition needed.)

Another mistake is using postergar when you actually mean 'cancelar'. Postponing means it will still happen, just later. If you use 'postergar' and then never do the thing, you are technically using the word incorrectly. In business, this can lead to confusion about whether a project is still 'live' or has been scrapped entirely. Clarity is key, and choosing the right verb ensures your colleagues know exactly what the status of a task is.

Overuse: Avoid using 'postergar' in every sentence where you mean delay. Variety is the spice of life; mix it up with 'adiar' or 'dar um tempo'.

Não tente postergar o inevitável. (A common dramatic cliché.)

Lastly, be careful with the word postergado (the past participle). It must agree in gender and number when used as an adjective. 'As reuniões foram postergadas' (plural feminine). Many learners forget this agreement, which is a hallmark of basic Portuguese grammar. Paying attention to these small details will separate a beginner from an intermediate or advanced speaker.

As metas foram postergadas para o final do ano.

É um erro postergar o pagamento de impostos.

Portuguese is rich with synonyms for 'delaying', and choosing the right one depends entirely on the context and the 'vibe' you want to project. Adiar is the most common and versatile synonym. It is neutral and can be used in any situation, from a doctor's appointment to a date with a friend. If you are unsure which word to use, adiar is always a safe bet. However, if you want to sound more precise or formal, postergar is the way to go.

Postergar vs. Adiar: Adiar is everyday; Postergar is professional. Use 'adiar' for lunch; use 'postergar' for a board meeting.

Podemos adiar o cinema? vs. Devemos postergar o investimento?

Another interesting alternative is protelar. This word often carries a negative connotation of delaying something on purpose, perhaps to avoid a duty or to gain a tactical advantage. In legal contexts, 'protelar' is used to describe stall tactics. Then there is delongar, which is more poetic and literary, focusing on the extension of time. If a sunset is 'delongado', it means it is lasting a long time. It’s less about rescheduling and more about the stretching of time itself.

Procrastinar: Used specifically for the psychological act of putting off tasks. It is almost always seen as a negative trait.

Ele costuma procrastinar seus deveres de casa.

For something even more specific, consider diferir. This is very formal and often used in financial or technical contexts to mean 'to defer'. For example, 'diferir impostos' (to defer taxes). It implies a legal or systematic postponement. On the other end of the spectrum, casual phrases like deixar para depois (leave for later) or empurrar com a barriga (an idiom meaning to procrastinate or deal with something lazily) are perfect for informal chats.

Empurrar com a barriga: A colorful idiom! Literally 'to push with the belly'. It means to keep delaying a problem instead of solving it.

Pare de empurrar com a barriga e resolva isso logo!

In conclusion, while postergar is a specific tool in your linguistic toolbox, knowing its 'neighbors' allows you to be much more expressive. You can choose to be formal (postergar), neutral (adiar), critical (protelar), psychological (procrastinar), or casual (deixar para depois). This range of options is what makes learning Portuguese such a rewarding experience, as it allows you to match your language to your exact intent and social situation.

Eles decidiram postergar a decisão final.

Não é prudente postergar reformas estruturais.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word is a 'cultismo' in Portuguese, meaning it was borrowed directly from Latin in a more scholarly way, which explains its formal tone compared to the more 'organic' word 'adiar'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /pɔʃ.tɛɾ.ˈɡaɾ/

US /pos.teɾ.ˈɡaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: pos-ter-GAR.

Rima con

chegar falar olhar andar pensar lugar mar esperar

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound (like in 'giant') before 'e' or 'i' in conjugated forms.
Stress on the second syllable instead of the third.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'r' at the end in formal speech.
Confusing the 'o' sound with a 'u' sound in the first syllable.
Making the 'e' too closed in the second syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'post' and -ar verb patterns.

Escritura 4/5

Requires attention to the 'u' in 'posterguei'.

Expresión oral 4/5

A bit of a mouthful with the 'r' and 'g' sounds.

Escucha 3/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

adiar depois tarde reunião tempo

Aprende después

protelar antecipar procrastinar cronograma prazo

Avanzado

diferimento sine die moratória procrastinação tempestividade

Gramática que debes saber

Orthographic change in -gar verbs

Eu postergo -> Eu posterguei (to keep the hard G sound).

Transitive Direct Verbs

Postergar + [Object] (No preposition).

Future Subjunctive

Quando nós postergarmos...

Passive Voice Agreement

As reuniões foram postergadas.

Personal Infinitive

Para postergarmos o prazo, precisamos de um motivo.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Eu vou postergar o meu café.

I am going to postpone my coffee.

Simple future construction with 'ir' + infinitive.

Eles querem postergar a aula.

They want to postpone the class.

Verb 'querer' followed by the infinitive 'postergar'.

Você pode postergar o jogo?

Can you postpone the game?

Interrogative sentence using the modal 'poder'.

Nós vamos postergar o jantar.

We are going to postpone dinner.

First person plural with future 'ir' + infinitive.

Não postergue o seu dever.

Do not postpone your duty.

Negative imperative form.

Ela posterga a leitura do livro.

She postpones reading the book.

Present tense, third person singular.

O médico vai postergar a consulta.

The doctor will postpone the appointment.

Simple future structure.

É melhor postergar a viagem.

It is better to postpone the trip.

Impersonal expression 'é melhor' followed by the infinitive.

Eu posterguei a reunião para amanhã.

I postponed the meeting until tomorrow.

Pretérito Perfeito with the necessary 'u' in the 'eu' form.

O gerente decidiu postergar o projeto.

The manager decided to postpone the project.

Past tense of 'decidir' followed by the infinitive.

A festa foi postergada por causa da chuva.

The party was postponed because of the rain.

Passive voice with feminine agreement ('postergada').

Precisamos postergar o pagamento da conta.

We need to postpone the payment of the bill.

Verb 'precisar' followed by the infinitive.

Eles postergaram o início das obras.

They postponed the start of the works.

Third person plural in the Pretérito Perfeito.

Você não deve postergar sua saúde.

You should not postpone your health.

Modal verb 'dever' in the negative.

O professor postergou a data do exame.

The professor postponed the date of the exam.

Third person singular, Pretérito Perfeito.

Vamos postergar a discussão para outro dia.

Let's postpone the discussion to another day.

First person plural future using 'ir'.

Se nós postergarmos a entrega, teremos problemas.

If we postpone the delivery, we will have problems.

Future Subjunctive used in a conditional 'se' clause.

Duvido que eles posterguem o lançamento.

I doubt that they will postpone the launch.

Present Subjunctive after a verb of doubt ('duvidar').

Seria melhor se você não postergasse tanto.

It would be better if you didn't postpone so much.

Imperfect Subjunctive in a conditional 'se' clause.

A empresa está postergando a contratação de novos funcionários.

The company is postponing the hiring of new employees.

Present continuous using 'estar' + gerund.

Ele postergaria a viagem se o chefe pedisse.

He would postpone the trip if the boss asked.

Conditional tense ('postergaria').

Não é bom ficar postergando as decisões importantes.

It is not good to keep postponing important decisions.

Gerund used to indicate a repetitive or ongoing action.

Para postergarmos o evento, precisamos de autorização.

In order for us to postpone the event, we need authorization.

Personal Infinitive ('postergarmos').

O diretor já havia postergado a reunião duas vezes.

The director had already postponed the meeting twice.

Pretérito Mais-Que-Perfeito Composto.

A tendência de postergar reformas estruturais é preocupante.

The tendency to postpone structural reforms is worrying.

Infinitive used as a noun phrase.

Embora tenham postergado o prazo, o trabalho continua difícil.

Although they have postponed the deadline, the work remains difficult.

Concessive clause with 'embora' and the Pretérito Perfeito Composto do Subjuntivo.

O governo optou por postergar o aumento dos impostos.

The government opted to postpone the tax increase.

Verb 'optar por' followed by the infinitive.

Muitas pessoas postergam a felicidade em busca de sucesso financeiro.

Many people postpone happiness in search of financial success.

Abstract usage of the verb.

Caso eles posterguem a votação, haverá protestos.

In case they postpone the vote, there will be protests.

Conditional clause with 'caso' + present subjunctive.

A decisão de postergar o tratamento foi um erro médico.

The decision to postpone the treatment was a medical error.

Infinitive acting as a complement to the noun 'decisão'.

Não podemos permitir que interesses políticos posterguem a justiça.

We cannot allow political interests to postpone justice.

Subjunctive mood after a verb of permission/influence.

Ela se arrependeu de ter postergado a conversa com o pai.

She regretted having postponed the conversation with her father.

Compound infinitive ('ter postergado').

A postergação sistemática de investimentos compromete o futuro da nação.

The systematic postponement of investments compromises the nation's future.

Use of the noun form 'postergação'.

O autor utiliza o verbo postergar para enfatizar a hesitação do protagonista.

The author uses the verb 'postergar' to emphasize the protagonist's hesitation.

Metalinguistic commentary on word choice.

É imperativo que não se posterguem mais as medidas de proteção ambiental.

It is imperative that environmental protection measures are no longer postponed.

Impersonal 'é imperativo que' + passive subjunctive.

O réu tentou postergar o desfecho do processo com recursos protelatórios.

The defendant tried to postpone the outcome of the process with stalling appeals.

Usage in a legal context with the related adjective 'protelatório'.

A filosofia existencialista discute o ato de postergar a própria essência.

Existentialist philosophy discusses the act of postponing one's own essence.

Philosophical/Abstract application.

Postergadas as formalidades, passemos ao que realmente interessa.

Formalities having been postponed, let's move on to what really matters.

Absolute participial construction ('Postergadas as...').

Não convém postergar indefinidamente uma decisão de tamanha magnitude.

It is not advisable to indefinitely postpone a decision of such magnitude.

Formal impersonal expression 'não convém'.

A estratégia consistia em postergar o confronto até que as tropas estivessem prontas.

The strategy consisted of postponing the confrontation until the troops were ready.

Imperfect indicative expressing a past plan/strategy.

A procrastinação é o vício de postergar o dever, enquanto a prudência é a virtude de postergar a ação.

Procrastination is the vice of postponing duty, while prudence is the virtue of postponing action.

Parallelism and philosophical contrast.

Subsiste na burocracia estatal uma tendência atávica de postergar o atendimento ao cidadão.

There remains in the state bureaucracy an atavistic tendency to postpone service to the citizen.

High-level vocabulary ('subsiste', 'atávica').

O dilema de Hamlet reside, em grande parte, em sua incapacidade de não postergar a vingança.

Hamlet's dilemma lies, in large part, in his inability not to postpone revenge.

Literary analysis.

Tal medida visa postergar os efeitos deletérios da crise inflacionária.

Such a measure aims to postpone the deleterious effects of the inflationary crisis.

Economic/Technical register.

Ao postergar o inevitável, o sujeito apenas prolonga sua própria agonia existencial.

By postponing the inevitable, the subject only prolongs their own existential agony.

Gerund used as a temporal/causal clause.

A historiografia sugere que postergar a entrada na guerra foi uma decisão estratégica crucial.

Historiography suggests that postponing entry into the war was a crucial strategic decision.

Academic/Historical register.

Não se pode postergar a verdade sob o manto da conveniência política.

Truth cannot be postponed under the cloak of political convenience.

Metaphorical/Rhetorical usage.

A postergação da sentença gerou um clamor público por justiça e transparência.

The postponement of the sentence generated a public outcry for justice and transparency.

Noun form in a complex social context.

Colocaciones comunes

postergar a decisão

postergar o prazo

postergar a reunião

postergar indefinidamente

postergar o pagamento

postergar o lançamento

postergar a entrega

postergar o inevitável

postergar para amanhã

postergar o início

Frases Comunes

Não postergue mais.

— A command or advice telling someone to stop delaying and take action immediately.

Você precisa resolver isso agora. Não postergue mais.

Postergar por tempo indeterminado.

— To delay something without setting a new date for when it will happen.

A greve foi postergada por tempo indeterminado.

Tivemos que postergar.

— A common explanation used when a plan has changed and something is moved to later.

Desculpe, tivemos que postergar nosso encontro.

Sem mais postergar.

— A formal way to say 'without further delay' or 'let's get to the point'.

Sem mais postergar, vamos começar a apresentação.

Postergar o sonho.

— A metaphorical phrase about putting off one's goals or aspirations.

Ela não queria postergar o sonho de ser médica.

Postergar por necessidade.

— When a delay is forced by external circumstances rather than choice.

Postergamos a obra por necessidade financeira.

Evite postergar.

— A tip or warning often found in productivity advice.

Para ser produtivo, evite postergar suas tarefas.

Postergar a dor.

— A psychological phrase about avoiding dealing with difficult emotions.

Ele estava apenas postergando a dor do luto.

Postergar o compromisso.

— To reschedule an appointment or engagement.

Preciso ligar para postergar o compromisso.

Postergar a votação.

— A specific political phrase used when a legislative body delays a vote.

O senado decidiu postergar a votação da lei.

Se confunde a menudo con

postergar vs procrastinar

Procrastinar is about laziness; postergar is about scheduling.

postergar vs atrasar

Atrasar means to be late (often unplanned); postergar is a planned rescheduling.

postergar vs cancelar

Cancelar means it won't happen at all; postergar means it will happen later.

Modismos y expresiones

"Empurrar com a barriga"

— To deal with a problem in a lazy, slow way, constantly delaying the solution.

Ele está empurrando a dívida com a barriga.

Informal

"Deixar para as calendas gregas"

— To postpone something to a date that will never arrive (the Greeks had no 'calends').

Esse projeto foi deixado para as calendas gregas.

Literary/Old-fashioned

"Dar um tempo"

— To take a break or delay a relationship/decision to think.

Eles decidiram dar um tempo no namoro.

Informal

"Ficar em banho-maria"

— To keep something on hold or 'on the back burner' for a long time.

A promoção dele ficou em banho-maria por meses.

Informal/Neutral

"Dormir sobre o assunto"

— To delay a decision until the next day to think about it (sleep on it).

Vou dormir sobre o assunto e te respondo amanhã.

Neutral

"Chutar para frente"

— To kick the problem down the road; to delay a difficult task.

Eles estão apenas chutando o problema para frente.

Informal

"Ganhar tempo"

— To act in a way that creates a delay for one's own benefit.

O advogado falou por horas apenas para ganhar tempo.

Neutral

"Marcar passo"

— To delay progress; to stay in the same place without moving forward.

A economia está marcando passo há anos.

Informal

"Fazer hora"

— To waste time or delay starting something.

Pare de fazer hora e entre no carro!

Informal

"Enrolar"

— To stall, to be vague, or to delay someone on purpose.

Não me enrole, me diga a verdade!

Informal/Slang

Fácil de confundir

postergar vs Postegar

Common misspelling.

There is an 'r' after the 'e'. It is 'postergar'.

Errado: Vou postegar. Correto: Vou postergar.

postergar vs Protelar

Similar meaning.

Protelar usually implies a negative intent to stall or waste time.

Ele protelou o divórcio por anos.

postergar vs Diferir

Formal synonym.

Diferir is often used in finance or logic, whereas postergar is more general.

Diferir impostos é comum em crises.

postergar vs Retardar

Translation of 'delay'.

Retardar is making something slow; postergar is moving it to a later slot.

O frio retarda o crescimento das plantas.

postergar vs Adiar

Direct synonym.

Adiar is simpler and more common; postergar is more sophisticated.

Vamos adiar o café.

Patrones de oraciones

Eu vou postergar [noun].

Eu vou postergar o almoço.

Eles decidiram postergar [noun] para [time].

Eles decidiram postergar a festa para sábado.

Se você postergar [noun], [consequence].

Se você postergar o estudo, vai reprovar.

[Noun] foi postergado(a) devido a [reason].

O voo foi postergado devido à neblina.

Não convém postergar [abstract noun].

Não convém postergar a justiça.

Postergado(a) o(a) [noun], [action].

Postergada a reunião, fomos todos para casa.

All

É preciso postergar.

É preciso postergar a decisão.

All

Pare de postergar!

Pare de postergar seus deveres!

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

postergação (the act of postponing)

postergador (someone who postpones)

Verbos

postergar (to postpone)

Adjetivos

postergado (postponed)

postergável (postponable)

Relacionado

posterior (later)

posteriormente (later on)

posteriorside (back side)

post-data (post-date)

postumamente (posthumously)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in professional and media contexts; less common in casual street talk.

Errores comunes

Eu postergei a reunião. → Eu posterguei a reunião.
You must include the 'u' to maintain the hard 'g' sound in the first person singular of the preterite.
Vou postergar de fazer o trabalho. → Vou postergar o trabalho.
Postergar is a transitive direct verb; it doesn't need the preposition 'de'.
O evento foi postergado para ontem. → O evento foi antecipado para ontem.
You cannot 'postergar' (delay) something to a time that has already passed or is earlier than planned.
Eu postergo lavar a louça. → Eu deixo para depois a louça.
Using 'postergar' for trivial household chores sounds unnaturally formal.
Eles estão postergando a meses. → Eles estão postergando há meses.
When talking about time that has passed, use 'há' (verb haver), not the preposition 'a'.

Consejos

Level Up Your Emails

Next time you need to reschedule a meeting, use 'postergar'. It sounds professional and shows you have a high level of Portuguese.

The Silent U

Remember the 'u' in 'posterguei'. It’s a common mistake that even native speakers sometimes make in quick texts.

Business Etiquette

In Brazil, 'postergar' is the polite way to say a deadline won't be met. It focuses on the new date rather than the failure.

Time Perception

Understanding 'postergar' helps you navigate the bureaucratic culture of Lusophone countries where delays are common.

Stress the End

Always stress the last syllable. Pronouncing it 'POS-ter-gar' will make it hard for locals to understand you.

Agreement Matters

If you say 'As aulas foram...', make sure to use 'postergadas' (feminine plural).

News Keywords

If you hear 'postergar' on the news, get ready to hear a new date or a reason like 'crise' or 'falta de verba'.

Post-It Note

Think of a Post-It note. You use it to remind you of something you've moved to later. Poster-gar.

Don't Overdo It

While it's a great word, don't use it for everything. Use 'adiar' for small things to sound more natural.

Procrastinar vs Postergar

If you're talking about your own bad habits, use 'procrastinar'. If you're talking about a schedule change, use 'postergar'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'poster'. You put a poster on the wall *after* the paint is dry. Poster-gar is for things that happen *after*.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person physically pushing a giant clock into the future with their back (tergum).

Word Web

Time Schedule Deadline Delay Future Meeting Priority Formal

Desafío

Try to use 'postergar' in three different tenses (past, present, future) during your next Portuguese practice session.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin verb 'postergare', which is a combination of 'post' (after/behind) and 'tergum' (the back).

Significado original: Literally, to put something behind one's back or to leave it for later.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid using it sarcastically with someone who is struggling with deadlines, as it can sound condescending.

English speakers often use 'postpone' or 'delay'. 'Postergar' is the perfect formal equivalent for 'postpone'.

Commonly found in Brazilian legislation (Constituição Federal). Used in academic titles of theses regarding time management. Appears in Portuguese news headlines about EU budget delays.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Work/Office

Postergar o prazo
Postergar a reunião
Postergar o projeto
Postergar o feedback

University/School

Postergar o exame
Postergar a entrega
Postergar a matrícula
Postergar a formatura

Legal/Official

Postergar o julgamento
Postergar a audiência
Postergar a sentença
Postergar a votação

Travel

Postergar o voo
Postergar a viagem
Postergar o embarque
Postergar o check-in

Personal Life

Postergar o casamento
Postergar a conversa
Postergar a decisão
Postergar a compra

Inicios de conversación

"Você acha que deveríamos postergar nossa viagem por causa do tempo?"

"Por que as pessoas costumam postergar decisões tão importantes?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você teve que postergar um compromisso?"

"Você prefere antecipar ou postergar suas tarefas difíceis?"

"O que acontece se a empresa decidir postergar o pagamento do bônus?"

Temas para diario

Escreva sobre uma vez que você decidiu postergar algo e se arrependeu ou ficou feliz com a decisão.

Como você se sente quando alguém decide postergar um encontro com você no último minuto?

Reflita sobre os perigos de postergar cuidados com a saúde física e mental.

Se você pudesse postergar o envelhecimento, você o faria? Por quê?

Liste três coisas que você está postergando agora e planeje como resolvê-las.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

You can, but it sounds very formal. Your friend might think you are being a bit stiff or joking. 'Adiar' is much better for social plans.

The noun is 'postergação'. For example: 'A postergação do prazo foi necessária'.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, although European Portuguese speakers might use 'adiar' or 'diferir' slightly more often in formal contexts.

You say: 'Não deixe para amanhã o que você pode fazer hoje'. You can use 'postergar' to be more formal: 'Não postergue para amanhã...'

It is 'posterguei'. You need the 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding like 'get' instead of like 'gem'.

Yes, 'postergar-se' can be used in formal writing to say that something 'is being delayed', though it's more common to use the passive voice.

'Postpor' also exists and means to place after, but 'postergar' is much more common for time-related delays.

It is a legal term for an appeal filed solely to delay the final judgment of a case.

No, it is strictly for events, tasks, decisions, or abstract concepts. You can't 'postergar' a chair.

It is common in written Portuguese and formal speech, but rare in casual street slang.

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