subir en 30 segundos
- Primary meaning: To go up or ascend physically.
- Commonly used for price and temperature increases.
- Essential for daily tasks like taking the stairs or boarding a bus.
- Used metaphorically for career success and social mobility.
The Portuguese verb subir is a cornerstone of the language, primarily denoting the act of moving from a lower position to a higher one. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to go up', 'to climb', or 'to ascend'. Whether you are physically walking up a flight of stairs, watching a balloon float into the sky, or observing the mercury rise in a thermometer, subir is the verb you need. It is a regular '-ir' verb, making it relatively straightforward for beginners to conjugate in the present tense, though its utility extends far into abstract and metaphorical domains as one progresses in fluency.
- Physical Elevation
- Moving upwards in space, such as climbing a mountain or taking an elevator.
- Numerical Increase
- Used when values, prices, or temperatures increase.
- Social/Professional Advancement
- Rising through the ranks of a company or social hierarchy.
Eu preciso subir as escadas para chegar ao meu quarto.
Beyond the physical, subir captures the essence of growth and intensification. When the volume of music increases, it 'sobe'. When the sun rises in the morning, it 'sobe' in the sky (though 'nascer' is more common for the act of rising, 'subir' describes the trajectory). In the context of technology, 'subir um arquivo' is a common way to say 'to upload a file', mirroring the English concept of 'up'-loading. This versatility makes it an essential verb for daily communication, covering everything from basic needs to complex economic discussions.
O preço da gasolina vai subir amanhã.
In a metaphorical sense, subir is used to describe emotional or physiological states. If someone's blood pressure rises, it 'sobe'. If someone becomes arrogant, we might say the success 'subiu à cabeça' (went to their head). This demonstrates how the physical concept of 'up' is universally linked to intensity, status, and quantity in the Lusophone mind. Understanding 'subir' is not just about learning a verb; it's about understanding the spatial logic of the Portuguese language.
- Volume
- Pode subir o som? (Can you turn up the volume?)
- Technology
- Vou subir as fotos para a nuvem. (I will upload the photos to the cloud.)
O nível da água continuou a subir durante a chuva.
Using subir correctly involves understanding its transitivity and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a regular verb ending in -ir, its conjugation follows a predictable pattern (eu subo, tu sobes, ele sobe, nós subimos, eles sobem). Note the stem change in the first person singular ('subo' vs 'sobe'). This is a common feature in Portuguese verbs where the 'i' or 'e' changes to 'o' or 'a' to maintain phonetic balance.
- Direct Object (Transitive)
- When you climb something directly: 'Subir a montanha' (To climb the mountain).
- With Prepositions
- 'Subir em' (to get on top of something) or 'Subir para' (to go up to a destination).
Ela subiu no telhado para consertar a antena.
When discussing prices or abstract values, subir is usually intransitive. You don't 'subir' the price (usually you 'aumentar' the price), rather the price 'sobe' on its own. However, in informal speech, you might hear 'subir o preço'. In technical contexts like IT, 'subir' is the standard translation for 'to deploy' or 'to upload'. For example, 'subir o servidor' means to bring the server up or start it.
O dólar subiu novamente esta semana.
In terms of register, subir is neutral. It is appropriate in a business meeting ('Os lucros subiram') as well as in a casual conversation ('Sobe aqui!'). One common mistake for English speakers is using 'levantar' when they mean 'subir'. 'Levantar' is to lift something or to get up from bed, while 'subir' is the act of ascending. If you are going to the second floor, you 'sobe'; you don't 'levanta'.
- Subir de nível
- To level up (common in gaming and professional contexts).
- Subir ao palco
- To go up on stage.
Vamos subir pelo elevador ou pela escada?
You will encounter subir in almost every environment in a Portuguese-speaking country. In public transport, you might hear 'Pode subir!' as the bus driver invites passengers to board. In shopping malls, signs for 'Escada Rolante (Subida)' indicate the upward escalator. In the news, financial anchors constantly report on 'a subida dos preços' or 'o mercado subiu'. It is a high-frequency verb that permeates both the physical and digital landscape.
O menino subiu na árvore para pegar a bola.
In the workplace, subir is used to discuss career progression. 'Ele quer subir na empresa' means he wants to rise within the company. It's also common in the kitchen: 'Deixe a massa subir' (Let the dough rise). In music, a singer might be told to 'subir o tom' (raise the pitch/key). The verb is so ubiquitous that it forms the basis for many daily interactions that involve any form of increase or upward movement.
- Public Transport
- 'Subir no ônibus' (To get on the bus).
- Cooking
- 'O bolo subiu bem' (The cake rose well).
O sol sobe às seis da manhã nesta época do ano.
One of the most frequent errors for learners is the confusion between subir and aumentar. While both can mean 'to increase', subir is more about the movement or the result, whereas aumentar is often the action of making something bigger. For example, you 'aumenta o volume' (action), and as a result, the volume 'sobe' (result). However, in casual speech, 'subir o volume' is perfectly acceptable.
Errado: Eu vou subir meu salário. (I will rise my salary.)
Correto: Meu salário vai subir.
Another mistake involves the preposition after subir. English speakers often want to say 'subir as escadas' (which is correct) but then struggle with 'subir no ônibus' (get on the bus). In Portuguese, you 'subir em' something when you are getting on top of it. If you say 'subir o ônibus', it might sound like you are physically lifting the bus or climbing the outside of it like Spider-Man!
- Subir vs. Levantar
- 'Levantar' is to lift or to stand up; 'Subir' is to ascend.
- Subir vs. Escalar
- 'Escalar' is specifically for technical climbing (like rock climbing).
While subir is the general term for going up, several synonyms and related words offer more precision. Ascender is a more formal version, often used in scientific, literary, or highly professional contexts. Elevar implies raising something to a higher level, often used for emotions or physical objects being lifted. Escalar is the go-to word for climbing mountains or ladders where hands are required.
O balão ascendeu rapidamente aos céus.
In a business context, you might use progredir (to progress) or prosperar (to prosper) instead of 'subir na vida', although 'subir' remains the most common idiomatic expression. For numerical increases, incrementar or valorizar (for assets) are excellent alternatives that add variety to your vocabulary.
- Montar
- To get on (a horse or bike), specifically straddling.
- Aumentar
- To increase (size, volume, intensity).
How Formal Is It?
Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
Prepositions with movement verbs
Regular -ir verb conjugations
Stem-changing verbs in the present tense
Transitive vs Intransitive verbs
Future Subjunctive with 'se'
Ejemplos por nivel
Eu subo as escadas.
I go up the stairs.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Você sobe o elevador?
Do you go up the elevator?
Present tense, 2nd/3rd person singular.
Nós subimos a rua.
We go up the street.
Present tense, 1st person plural.
O gato sobe na mesa.
The cat climbs on the table.
Use of preposition 'na' (em + a).
Eles sobem o morro.
They go up the hill.
Present tense, 3rd person plural.
O sol sobe cedo.
The sun rises early.
Describing natural movement.
Eu quero subir.
I want to go up.
Infinitive after an auxiliary verb.
Sobe aqui!
Come up here!
Imperative mood.
O preço do leite subiu.
The price of milk went up.
Pretérito Perfeito (Past tense).
Ontem eu subi a montanha.
Yesterday I climbed the mountain.
Past tense of 'subir'.
O termômetro subiu para 30 graus.
The thermometer rose to 30 degrees.
Describing numerical increase.
Ela subiu no ônibus rapidamente.
She got on the bus quickly.
Preposition 'no' (em + o).
Os balões subiram ao céu.
The balloons rose to the sky.
Plural past tense.
Nós subimos de nível no jogo.
We leveled up in the game.
Idiomatic usage.
O nível da água subiu muito.
The water level rose a lot.
Describing quantity.
Você pode subir o som?
Can you turn up the sound?
Colloquial use for volume.
Ele subiu na vida com muito trabalho.
He rose in life with a lot of work.
Idiom: 'subir na vida'.
Vou subir o arquivo para o servidor.
I will upload the file to the server.
Tech vocabulary.
Se o preço subir, não compraremos.
If the price rises, we won't buy.
Future Subjunctive.
Ela subiu ao palco para receber o prêmio.
She went on stage to receive the award.
Formal physical movement.
O cheiro do café subiu pelo ar.
The smell of coffee rose through the air.
Sensory description.
Eles subiram de cargo este ano.
They got a promotion this year.
Professional context.
A febre subiu durante a noite.
The fever rose during the night.
Medical context.
Não deixe o sucesso subir à cabeça.
Don't let success go to your head.
Idiom: 'subir à cabeça'.
A inflação subiu além do esperado.
Inflation rose beyond what was expected.
Economic register.
O tom da discussão subiu rapidamente.
The tone of the discussion rose quickly.
Metaphorical use for intensity.
O ator subiu nas pesquisas de popularidade.
The actor rose in the popularity polls.
Abstract increase.
Subir a ladeira foi um grande desafio.
Climbing the slope was a great challenge.
Gerund/Infinitive as subject.
A maré subiu e cobriu a areia.
The tide rose and covered the sand.
Natural phenomenon.
É necessário subir os padrões de qualidade.
It is necessary to raise the quality standards.
Formal business use.
O vapor sobe quando a água ferve.
Steam rises when water boils.
Scientific observation.
Ela subiu os degraus da hierarquia social.
She climbed the rungs of the social hierarchy.
Metaphorical/Literary.
O descontentamento subiu de tom nas ruas.
Dissatisfaction grew louder in the streets.
Nuanced political register.
A adrenalina subiu assim que ele saltou.
Adrenaline surged as soon as he jumped.
Physiological description.
O autor faz o suspense subir gradualmente.
The author makes the suspense rise gradually.
Literary analysis.
Subir ao poder exige alianças estratégicas.
Rising to power requires strategic alliances.
Political idiom.
Uma sensação de paz subiu por sua alma.
A feeling of peace rose through his soul.
Abstract/Poetic.
O advogado decidiu subir o recurso ao STF.
The lawyer decided to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Legal terminology.
A massa deve subir até dobrar de volume.
The dough must rise until it doubles in volume.
Precise culinary instruction.
O brilho subiu nos olhos dela ao vê-lo.
A spark rose in her eyes upon seeing him.
Descriptive/Emotive.
A retórica subiu a patamares insustentáveis.
The rhetoric rose to unsustainable levels.
High-level political discourse.
O eflúvio subia da terra após a chuva.
The scent rose from the earth after the rain.
Sophisticated vocabulary (eflúvio).
Subir a pulso na vida é um mérito raro.
Rising in life by one's own strength is a rare merit.
Idiom: 'subir a pulso'.
A tensão subiu a um ponto de ruptura.
Tension rose to a breaking point.
Abstract climax.
O fumo subia em espirais preguiçosas.
The smoke rose in lazy spirals.
Literary imagery.
A cotação das ações subiu vertiginosamente.
The stock price rose dizzyingly.
Financial precision.
Subir o Everest é o ápice do montanhismo.
Climbing Everest is the pinnacle of mountaineering.
Ultimate physical application.
O clamor popular subiu até os governantes.
The popular outcry reached the rulers.
Metaphorical reach.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
Modismos y expresiones
Fácil de confundir
To lift something or stand up.
To wake up.
To increase the size or quantity.
To be left over.
To climb using hands/equipment.
Patrones de oraciones
Cómo usarlo
More likely to use 'ascender' in formal writing.
Often used for uploading files.
- Saying 'subir para cima' (redundant).
- Confusing 'subir' with 'levantar'.
- Forgetting the stem change in 'eu subo'.
- Using 'subir' for plants growing (use 'crescer').
- Using the wrong preposition (subir no vs subir o).
Consejos
Stem Change
Remember 'Eu subo' instead of 'Eu subiu' in the present tense.
Opposites
Always learn 'subir' and 'descer' together to remember them better.
Hills
If you are in Lisbon, 'subir' will be your most used verb.
Prices
Use 'subir' when talking about inflation and the economy.
Success
'Subir na vida' is a great phrase to use when someone does well.
Uploading
Use 'subir' for putting files on the internet.
Baking
Use 'subir' for dough or cakes rising in the oven.
Transport
Say 'subir no ônibus' to mean getting on the bus.
Volume
Ask 'Pode subir o som?' at a party.
Growth
Plants don't 'subir', they 'crescer'.
Memorízalo
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Contexto cultural
Social mobility is often described using 'subir'.
Known as the city of seven hills, you will be 'subindo' constantly.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"Você prefere subir de escada ou elevador?"
"O preço da carne subiu na sua cidade?"
"Você já subiu alguma montanha famosa?"
"Como você faz para subir na vida?"
"Você já viu o sol subir no mar?"
Temas para diario
Descreva a última vez que você subiu uma montanha.
O que você sente quando os preços sobem?
Quais são seus planos para subir de cargo no trabalho?
Escreva sobre um momento em que algo subiu à sua cabeça.
Descreva a vista depois de subir um prédio alto.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, in modern Portuguese, especially in Brazil, 'subir um arquivo' is very common.
Yes, it follows the -ir pattern, except for the 'eu subo' form.
The opposite is 'descer', which means to go down.
Usually 'montar' is used for bikes and horses, but 'subir na bike' is heard.
It depends. 'Subir as escadas' (no preposition) vs 'Subir no ônibus' (preposition 'em').
You can say 'subir a montanha' or 'escalar a montanha'.
It means to become arrogant or for alcohol to affect you.
This is a pleonasm (redundancy). It's common in speech but considered incorrect in formal writing.
Eu subi, você subiu, nós subimos, eles subiram.
Yes, 'subir o som' or 'subir o volume' is very common.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Subir is a versatile Portuguese verb that covers all forms of upward movement, whether physical (climbing stairs), numerical (rising prices), or metaphorical (career advancement), making it indispensable for learners at all levels.
- Primary meaning: To go up or ascend physically.
- Commonly used for price and temperature increases.
- Essential for daily tasks like taking the stairs or boarding a bus.
- Used metaphorically for career success and social mobility.
Stem Change
Remember 'Eu subo' instead of 'Eu subiu' in the present tense.
Opposites
Always learn 'subir' and 'descer' together to remember them better.
Hills
If you are in Lisbon, 'subir' will be your most used verb.
Prices
Use 'subir' when talking about inflation and the economy.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
a cerca de
B1Significa 'a unos' o 'aproximadamente' al hablar de distancia o tiempo futuro.
à direita
A2A la derecha. Se usa para dar direcciones o indicar ubicación.
à esquerda
A2A la izquierda. Se usa para dar direcciones o describir una ubicación.
a fim de
A2A fin de; tener ganas de. 'Estudia a fin de aprobar.' / 'Tengo ganas de salir.'
à frente
A2En frente de; delante de. 'Ella está à frente del grupo.'
a frente
A2Al frente; delante.
À frente de
A2Delante de o al frente de. 'El coche está à frente de la casa' (El coche está delante de la casa).
a tempo
A2A tiempo, puntualmente. Indica que algo sucede dentro del plazo necesario.
à volta de
A2Alrededor de. Se usa para espacio (alrededor de la mesa) o aproximaciones (alrededor de las cinco).
abaixo
A1Debajo de; más abajo.
