verificar
verificar en 30 segundos
- Verificar means to check or confirm the accuracy or status of something.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
- Commonly used in travel, work, technology, and daily household tasks.
- Can also mean 'to occur' when used reflexively (verificar-se) in formal contexts.
The Portuguese verb verificar is a fundamental pillar of communication, especially when dealing with accuracy, safety, and confirmation. At its core, it means to ascertain the truth, correctness, or existence of something. Whether you are a traveler checking your passport or a scientist validating a hypothesis, verificar is your go-to action. It stems from the Latin verificare, a combination of verus (true) and facere (to make), literally meaning 'to make true' or 'to prove true'. In modern usage, it spans from casual daily checks to rigorous professional audits.
- Everyday Context
- Checking if the door is locked or if the oven is off.
- Digital Context
- Verifying an email address or a two-factor authentication code.
- Formal Context
- An official inspection of documents or a legal audit of accounts.
"Por favor, não se esqueça de verificar a validade do seu passaporte antes da viagem."
In the realm of logic and science, to verificar is to provide empirical evidence for a claim. It is less about 'seeing' (ver) and more about 'proving' or 'confirming' (comprovar). While in English 'to check' can be very informal, verificar maintains a slightly more structured tone in Portuguese, though it is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation. It implies a process, however brief, of comparison against a standard or a reality.
"O técnico precisa verificar a conexão da internet."
Furthermore, verificar is often used reflexively as verificar-se, meaning 'to occur' or 'to happen' in formal or literary contexts, such as 'Verificou-se um erro no sistema' (An error occurred in the system). This nuance is vital for advanced learners who wish to navigate technical reports or news articles. It suggests that the occurrence was observed or noted through a process of monitoring.
"É necessário verificar se todos os dados foram inseridos corretamente."
- Technical Precision
- Calibration of instruments requires constant verification.
- Safety Protocols
- Pilots verify flight controls before every takeoff.
"Vou verificar a temperatura da água."
"O auditor vai verificar as contas da empresa amanhã."
Ultimately, mastering verificar allows you to express a sense of responsibility and attention to detail. It is a word that builds trust; when you say you will verify something, you are promising a level of scrutiny that goes beyond a simple glance. It is the bridge between uncertainty and certainty.
Using verificar correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns and the prepositions that often follow it. As a regular -ar verb, its conjugation is straightforward, making it accessible even for beginners. However, the complexity lies in its syntax. Most commonly, it is used as a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object: Verificar algo (To verify something).
- Direct Object: "Vou verificar o óleo do carro." (I will check the car's oil.)
- With 'se' (if/whether): "Verifique se a janela está fechada." (Check if the window is closed.)
- With 'que' (that): "O inspetor verificou que as regras foram seguidas." (The inspector verified that the rules were followed.)
In formal writing, you will frequently encounter the passive voice or the reflexive form. For instance, "Verificou-se que..." is a standard way to start a conclusion in a report, translating to "It was found that..." or "It was verified that...". This impersonal construction is highly valued in academic and professional Portuguese.
"Verifique a pressão dos pneus regularmente para sua segurança."
When discussing time or schedules, verificar is used to confirm availability. "Vou verificar a minha agenda" (I'll check my schedule) is a polite way to delay a commitment while showing you take the request seriously. It sounds more professional than just saying "Vou ver".
In the digital age, verificar is ubiquitous in UI/UX. Buttons labeled 'Verificar' are used for validating coupons, checking for updates, or confirming identity. This has solidified the word's association with 'validation' in the minds of modern speakers. If you are developing an app for a Lusophone audience, this is the term you need.
"O sistema está a verificar a integridade dos ficheiros."
To sound more natural, pay attention to the regional differences in auxiliary verbs. In Brazil, you'll hear "estou verificando", while in Portugal, "estou a verificar" is the standard. Both are correct, but using the local preference will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic.
You will encounter verificar in a vast array of environments, ranging from the highly technical to the mundane. It is a 'high-frequency' verb that bridges the gap between different social registers. Understanding where you'll hear it helps in predicting the context of the conversation.
1. At the Airport and Travel
Airports are hotspots for verification. You will hear announcements like: "Por favor, verifiquem os seus cartões de embarque" (Please check your boarding passes). Security personnel will verificar your luggage, and gate agents will verificar your identity against your passport.
2. In the Workplace
In an office setting, verificar is the language of quality control. A manager might ask: "Você pode verificar estes números para mim?" (Can you check these numbers for me?). It implies a need for accuracy. It is also used in IT: "O suporte está a verificar o problema no servidor.".
"Antes de enviar o relatório, é preciso verificar as fontes."
3. Healthcare and Science
Doctors verificam vital signs. "Vou verificar a sua tensão arterial" (I'm going to check your blood pressure). Scientists verificam results through experiments. In these contexts, the word carries the weight of professional responsibility and scientific method.
4. Customer Service
When you call a bank or a utility company, the agent will often say: "Um momento, vou verificar a sua conta" (One moment, I'll check your account). Here, it serves as a polite transition while they look up information on their screen.
"Pode verificar se o meu pedido já foi enviado?"
In summary, whenever there is a need for confirmation, status updates, or accuracy, verificar is the word that will likely be used. It is a word of 'doing' that provides 'knowing'.
Even though verificar is a cognate for English speakers (verify), there are several pitfalls that learners should avoid to sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation machine.
1. Overusing it for 'to see'
A common mistake is using verificar when the simple verb ver (to see) or olhar (to look) is more natural. For example, if you want to say "Look at that bird!", you should never say "Verifique aquele pássaro!". Verificar requires an element of investigation or confirmation. Use it when you are looking for a specific result or status.
2. Confusing with 'Checar'
In Brazil, the loanword checar is very common. However, in Portugal, it is much rarer and can sound like an unnecessary 'Anglicism'. While checar is fine in casual Brazilian Portuguese, verificar is always safer and more universally accepted across all Lusophone countries and registers.
Incorrect: "Eu verifiquei o filme ontem à noite." (I verified the movie last night.)
Correct: "Eu vi o filme ontem à noite." (I saw the movie last night.)
3. Preposition Errors
Learners often try to put a preposition after verificar when it's not needed. It is a direct transitive verb. You don't 'verificar para' or 'verificar em' something; you just verificar algo.
Correct: Verificar o documento.
Incorrect: Verificar ao documento.
4. The Reflexive Trap
As mentioned, verificar-se means 'to occur'. Beginners often use this thinking it means 'to check oneself'. While 'verificar-se ao espelho' (to check oneself in the mirror) is grammatically possible, it sounds very clinical. Usually, 'ver-se' or 'olhar-se' is better.
Mistake: "Verificou-se um acidente." (An accident checked itself? No, an accident occurred.)
By avoiding these common errors, you will use verificar with the precision of a native speaker, ensuring your communication is both accurate and stylistically appropriate.
Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for the concept of 'checking'. Understanding the nuances between verificar and its synonyms will elevate your fluency.
- Conferir
- This is perhaps the closest synonym. Conferir often implies checking a list or comparing two things to see if they match. Think of 'checking off' items on a grocery list.
Example: "Vou conferir os itens da fatura." (I'll check/cross-reference the invoice items.) - Checar
- Common in Brazil, this is an informal direct import from the English 'to check'. It is used for quick, casual checks.
Example: "Checa aí se ele mandou mensagem." (Check if he sent a message.) - Comprovar / Validar
- These are stronger than verificar. They imply proving something is true or making it legally valid.
Example: "Preciso de documentos para comprovar a minha residência." (I need documents to prove my residence.) - Examinar / Inspecionar
- These imply a much deeper, more detailed look than verificar. An inspection is a formal process.
Example: "O mecânico vai examinar o motor." (The mechanic will examine the engine.)
"Enquanto verificar é confirmar um estado, conferir é validar uma lista ou comparação."
Another interesting comparison is with Averiguar. This verb is more investigative, often used by police or journalists. It suggests digging deeper to find the truth behind a mystery or a complex situation.
"A polícia está a averiguar as causas do incêndio."
Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the specific nature of the 'check' you are performing. For most general purposes of ensuring something is correct, verificar remains the most versatile and reliable choice.
How Formal Is It?
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Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
Ejemplos por nivel
Eu verifico o meu e-mail todos os dias.
I check my email every day.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Você pode verificar a hora?
Can you check the time?
Question with 'pode' (can).
Ela verifica o preço da fruta.
She checks the price of the fruit.
Present tense, 3rd person singular.
Nós verificamos a porta da casa.
We check the door of the house.
Present tense, 1st person plural.
Eles verificam o mapa.
They check the map.
Present tense, 3rd person plural.
O menino verifica a mochila.
The boy checks the backpack.
Subject-verb agreement.
Por favor, verifique o seu nome.
Please, check your name.
Imperative (formal).
Eu vou verificar a mensagem.
I am going to check the message.
Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Verifique se a luz está apagada.
Check if the light is off.
Imperative + 'se' clause.
Eu verifiquei a reserva do hotel ontem.
I checked the hotel reservation yesterday.
Pretérito Perfeito (Past).
Você verificou o óleo do carro?
Did you check the car oil?
Past tense question.
O médico vai verificar a sua pressão.
The doctor will check your pressure.
Future with 'ir'.
Nós precisamos verificar o horário do voo.
We need to check the flight time.
Infinitive after 'precisar'.
Verifique os documentos antes de sair.
Check the documents before leaving.
Imperative + prepositional phrase.
Ela verificou que o mercado estava fechado.
She verified that the market was closed.
Past tense + 'que' clause.
Eles estão a verificar a morada.
They are checking the address.
Present continuous (European style).
Se você verificar o contrato, verá o erro.
If you check the contract, you will see the error.
Future Subjunctive in 'if' clause.
É importante verificar a fonte da notícia.
It is important to check the news source.
Impersonal expression + infinitive.
Eu já tinha verificado a lista duas vezes.
I had already checked the list twice.
Past Perfect (Mais-que-perfeito composto).
O técnico verificaria o computador se pudesse.
The technician would check the computer if he could.
Conditional mood.
Verificou-se uma falha no sistema de segurança.
A failure was found in the security system.
Reflexive used as 'occurred' or passive.
Espero que eles verifiquem os dados logo.
I hope they check the data soon.
Present Subjunctive after 'esperar que'.
Ao verificar o saldo, percebi que faltava dinheiro.
Upon checking the balance, I realized money was missing.
Prepositional infinitive (Ao + infinitive).
Pode verificar se há mesas disponíveis?
Can you check if there are tables available?
Polite request with 'se'.
O auditor verificou minuciosamente as contas anuais.
The auditor thoroughly verified the annual accounts.
Adverbial modification.
Embora tenha verificado tudo, ainda estou ansioso.
Although I checked everything, I am still anxious.
Past Subjunctive after 'embora'.
A empresa deve verificar a identidade de todos os funcionários.
The company must verify the identity of all employees.
Modal verb 'deve' + infinitive.
Verificar-se-á uma mudança no clima na próxima década.
A change in the climate will be observed in the next decade.
Future reflexive (Mesoclisis - formal).
O cientista verificou a hipótese através de várias experiências.
The scientist verified the hypothesis through several experiments.
Scientific context.
Caso verifique algum erro, por favor avise-nos.
In case you find any error, please let us know.
Future Subjunctive after 'caso'.
A veracidade dos factos precisa de ser verificada.
The veracity of the facts needs to be verified.
Passive voice.
O sistema verifica automaticamente as atualizações.
The system automatically checks for updates.
Adverb placement.
Cumpre verificar a legalidade de tais procedimentos administrativos.
It is necessary to verify the legality of such administrative procedures.
Formal expression 'Cumpre' + infinitive.
Verificou-se, outrossim, uma lacuna na legislação vigente.
Furthermore, a gap was observed in the current legislation.
Formal reflexive + connective 'outrossim'.
Insta verificar se os pressupostos fáticos se mantêm inalterados.
It is urgent to verify if the factual assumptions remain unchanged.
High-level formal vocabulary.
A despeito de ter verificado os riscos, ele prosseguiu com o plano.
Despite having verified the risks, he proceeded with the plan.
Concessive phrase 'A despeito de'.
O historiador procurou verificar a autenticidade do manuscrito.
The historian sought to verify the authenticity of the manuscript.
Academic context.
Pela análise dos dados, verifica-se uma correlação positiva.
From the data analysis, a positive correlation is observed.
Impersonal reflexive in research.
Não se pode verificar a eficácia do fármaco sem testes clínicos.
The drug's efficacy cannot be verified without clinical trials.
Negative impersonal construction.
É imperativo que se verifiquem as condições de segurança da mina.
It is imperative that the mine's safety conditions be verified.
Subjunctive with passive 'se'.
A fenomenologia busca verificar a essência da percepção humana.
Phenomenology seeks to verify the essence of human perception.
Philosophical context.
Verificou-se, no decurso da investigação, uma intrincada rede de corrupção.
During the investigation, an intricate network of corruption was uncovered.
Complex sentence structure.
Cabe ao poder judiciário verificar a constitucionalidade das leis.
It is up to the judiciary to verify the constitutionality of laws.
Constitutional law terminology.
Resta verificar se a ontologia proposta resiste ao escrutínio lógico.
It remains to be seen if the proposed ontology withstands logical scrutiny.
Abstract academic register.
A verificação empírica é o cerne do método científico contemporâneo.
Empirical verification is the core of the contemporary scientific method.
Noun form usage.
Malgrado os esforços, não se verificou qualquer melhoria no estado do paciente.
Despite the efforts, no improvement was observed in the patient's condition.
Formal connective 'Malgrado'.
O autor pretende verificar a subsistência de paradigmas obsoletos na arte moderna.
The author intends to verify the survival of obsolete paradigms in modern art.
Literary/Art criticism register.
Urge que se verifique a integridade estrutural do edifício após o sismo.
It is urgent that the structural integrity of the building be verified after the earthquake.
Urgency + passive subjunctive.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Vou verificar.
Pode verificar para mim?
Deixe-me verificar.
Verifique antes de usar.
É preciso verificar.
Verificou-se um erro.
Verificar a conexão.
Verificar a agenda.
Verificar os factos.
Verificar a segurança.
Se confunde a menudo con
Modismos y expresiones
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Fácil de confundir
To check for correctness.
To certify or guarantee.
To formally confirm/ratify a treaty.
To correct an error.
To calibrate or measure against a standard.
Patrones de oraciones
Cómo usarlo
In formal contexts, 'verificar-se' means 'to happen'.
No preposition is needed before the direct object.
- Using 'verificar' for 'watching' a movie.
- Forgetting the 'qu' in 'verifiquei'.
- Adding unnecessary prepositions like 'verificar em'.
- Using 'verificar' when 'ver' (to see) is sufficient.
- Confusing 'verificar-se' (to occur) with 'verificar' (to check).
Consejos
The 'QU' Rule
When conjugating in the Pretérito Perfeito (Eu), change 'c' to 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound: Verifiquei.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'verificar' in emails and 'dar uma olhada' when talking to friends.
Polite Delay
If you don't know an answer, say 'Vou verificar e já lhe digo' (I'll check and tell you shortly).
Regional Choice
In Portugal, use 'verificar' for everything; in Brazil, feel free to use 'checar' casually.
Avoid Repetition
Alternate between 'verificar', 'analisar', and 'examinar' in long essays.
Airport Alerts
Listen for 'verificar' during security announcements; it usually precedes 'bagagem' or 'documentos'.
Check if...
Always use 'se' after 'verificar' when the result is a yes/no condition (e.g., Verifique se chove).
Audit Language
In business, 'verificar as contas' is the standard way to say 'audit the accounts'.
Pre-flight/drive
Use 'verificar' for safety checks like tire pressure or gas levels.
App Buttons
If you see a button 'Verificar', it usually means 'Submit' or 'Validate' a code.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Verify' + 'Car'. You need to 'verificar' your 'car' before a long trip.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Contexto cultural
Common in administrative and formal contexts.
Often replaced by 'checar' in informal speech.
More formal and strictly used; 'checar' is rare.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"Você pode verificar se o café está pronto?"
"Como você verifica as notícias hoje em dia?"
"Você já verificou o seu saldo bancário hoje?"
"Pode verificar se eu deixei as chaves na mesa?"
"O que precisamos verificar antes de viajar?"
Temas para diario
Escreva sobre algo que você verifica todos os dias.
Descreva uma situação em que você esqueceu de verificar algo importante.
Como a tecnologia ajuda você a verificar informações?
Liste cinco coisas que um piloto deve verificar antes de voar.
Por que é importante verificar as fontes de informação na internet?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, you can say 'Vou verificar o menu' or 'Pode verificar se a mesa está pronta?'. It is polite and clear.
It is not wrong, but it is very informal and mostly used in Brazil. In Portugal, 'verificar' or 'conferir' are preferred.
It is regular: verifiquei, verificaste, verificou, verificámos, verificastes, verificaram. Note the 'qu' in the first person.
Verificar is general checking; conferir is usually checking a list or comparing two things.
Yes, but only in the reflexive form 'verificar-se' and usually in formal writing.
Extremely common. It is used daily in almost every context from home to work.
Usually 'Veja isso' or 'Olha só'. 'Verifique isso' sounds like you want someone to inspect it for errors.
No. You 'verificar algo', not 'verificar de algo'.
The noun is 'verificação' (verification).
Yes, it is the standard word for verifying hypotheses or experimental results.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
Listen and write: 'Verifique a porta.'
Listen and write: 'Você verificou o saldo?'
Listen and write: 'Espero que verifiquem tudo.'
Listen and write: 'Verificou-se uma mudança climática.'
Listen and write: 'Resta verificar a autenticidade.'
Listen and write: 'Verificou-se uma intrincada rede.'
Listen: 'Eu verifico a hora.'
Listen: 'Verifique os documentos.'
Listen: 'Verificou-se uma falha.'
Listen: 'A veracidade precisa de ser verificada.'
Listen: 'Insta verificar os pressupostos.'
Listen: 'Verificou-se uma intrincada rede de corrupção.'
Listen: 'Por favor, verifique.'
Listen: 'Verifique se a janela está fechada.'
Listen: 'Pode verificar se há mesas?'
Listen: 'O auditor verificou as contas.'
Listen: 'Cumpre verificar a legalidade.'
Listen: 'Urge que se verifique a integridade.'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Verificar is the essential Portuguese verb for 'checking' and 'confirming'. It bridges the gap between seeing and knowing, ensuring that facts are accurate and actions are safe.
- Verificar means to check or confirm the accuracy or status of something.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
- Commonly used in travel, work, technology, and daily household tasks.
- Can also mean 'to occur' when used reflexively (verificar-se) in formal contexts.
The 'QU' Rule
When conjugating in the Pretérito Perfeito (Eu), change 'c' to 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound: Verifiquei.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'verificar' in emails and 'dar uma olhada' when talking to friends.
Polite Delay
If you don't know an answer, say 'Vou verificar e já lhe digo' (I'll check and tell you shortly).
Regional Choice
In Portugal, use 'verificar' for everything; in Brazil, feel free to use 'checar' casually.
Ejemplo
Vou verificar se as informações estão corretas.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
a cerca de
B1About; approximately.
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
A2in order to
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
A2Around.
abaixo
A1Debajo de; más abajo.