datilografar
datilografar در ۳۰ ثانیه
- A formal verb meaning to type on a typewriter.
- Rooted in Greek words for 'finger' and 'writing'.
- Largely replaced by 'digitar' for modern computer use.
- Commonly found in historical, legal, and literary contexts.
The Portuguese verb datilografar is a fascinating linguistic relic that bridges the gap between the mechanical past and the digital present. Etymologically derived from the Greek roots dáktylos (finger) and gráphein (to write), it literally means 'to write with the fingers' through the mediation of a machine. Historically, this word was the absolute standard for the act of using a typewriter (máquina de escrever). In the mid-20th century, being able to datilografar with speed and precision was a prerequisite for almost any office job, leading to the rise of 'datilografia' schools across Brazil and Portugal.
- Mechanical Specificity
- Strictly speaking, datilografar refers to the physical act of striking keys on a mechanical or electric typewriter. While modern speakers often use 'digitar' for computers, 'datilografar' carries a weight of formality and physical effort.
O secretário precisou datilografar o contrato três vezes para evitar rasuras.
In contemporary Portuguese, the word has seen a decline in daily usage in favor of digitar (to type/digitize). However, it remains deeply embedded in legal, administrative, and nostalgic contexts. If you are reading a classic Brazilian novel by Machado de Assis or Clarice Lispector, or perhaps watching a period drama set in the 1950s, datilografar is the word you will encounter. It evokes the sound of clacking keys and the ding of a carriage return. Even today, some older professionals in conservative law firms or government registries might still use the term to describe the formal preparation of documents, regardless of whether they are using a computer or a vintage Remington.
- Professional Context
- In the past, 'datilógrafo' was a specific job title. Today, the action is decentralized, but the verb persists as a marker of high-level document creation.
Ela aprendeu a datilografar sem olhar para o teclado aos dez anos.
Furthermore, the word is often associated with the concept of 'blind typing' (datilografia às cegas). Because typewriters required significant force and had specific layouts, the skill of datilografar was seen as a technical craft. When an English speaker says 'I am typing a report,' they could translate it as 'Estou digitando um relatório' (modern/neutral) or 'Estou datilografando um relatório' (if they want to emphasize the formal, perhaps tedious, mechanical nature of the task). In a B2 level context, understanding this distinction shows a sophisticated grasp of Portuguese register and history.
Antigamente, as teses de doutorado eram todas datilografadas.
To wrap up this section, remember that while technology changes, the language often preserves the 'ghosts' of previous tools. Datilografar is one such ghost—a word that carries the ink, the paper, and the rhythmic percussion of the 20th-century office into the 21st century. It is less about the 'digital' bits and more about the 'dactyl' (finger) hitting a physical surface to leave a permanent mark.
Using datilografar correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature and its specific nuances. As a regular -ar verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy to integrate into your speech once you master the context. It is almost always used with a direct object—the thing being typed—such as a letter (carta), a document (documento), or a text (texto).
- Transitive Usage
- The verb requires a complement. You don't just 'datilografar'; you 'datilografar algo'. Example: 'Ele datilografou a petição'.
Eu costumava datilografar meus poemas em uma Olivetti antiga.
One of the most common ways to use this verb is in the imperfect tense (Pretérito Imperfeito) to describe habits of the past. Since typewriters are now rare, sentences often take the form of 'In the old days, we used to type...' (Antigamente, nós datilografávamos...). This sets a nostalgic or historical scene. However, if you find yourself in a very traditional Portuguese or Brazilian government office (a cartório), you might still hear it in the present tense as a formal synonym for entering data into a system.
In the passive voice, the word is frequently used to describe the state of a document. 'The document was typed' becomes 'O documento foi datilografado'. This is particularly common in academic or legal citations referring to older manuscripts. If a researcher says, 'Esta é uma cópia datilografada,' they are clarifying that the document is not handwritten (manuscrita) but was produced via a machine, which adds a layer of formal validity to the artifact.
- Adverbial Pairings
- It is often paired with adverbs of manner like 'rapidamente' (quickly), 'lentamente' (slowly), or 'cuidadosamente' (carefully).
Você consegue datilografar quantas palavras por minuto?
Finally, consider the imperative. In older instructional settings, a teacher might command: 'Datilografe este parágrafo agora!' While rare today, it appears in literature to show authority. In a modern setting, if someone jokingly tells you to 'datilografar' an email, they are likely teasing you about your age or the formality of your writing style. Understanding these social cues is essential for a B2 learner to navigate different registers of Portuguese conversation.
Não se esqueça de datilografar o cabeçalho corretamente.
While datilografar might seem like a word destined for the museum, it survives in several vibrant 'pockets' of Portuguese society. The most prominent place you will hear it today is within the older generation (the Baby Boomers and Silent Generation). For them, the transition to 'digitar' was a late-life shift, and the motor memory of the typewriter remains linked to the word 'datilografar'. If you are speaking with a Portuguese person over 60, they will almost certainly use datilografar to refer to any kind of keyboard work.
- Legal and Notary Offices
- In Brazil, 'Cartórios' (Notary offices) are famous for their traditionalism. Even when using the latest software, the official terminology in some regions still refers to 'datilografar' records.
O tabelião pediu para datilografar a certidão de nascimento.
Another place where this word thrives is in the world of vintage collecting and 'hipster' culture. In neighborhoods like Vila Madalena in São Paulo or Bairro Alto in Lisbon, there has been a resurgence of interest in analog technology. Young writers and artists often host 'type-ins' where they gather to datilografar manifestos or letters. In these circles, using the word 'digitar' would feel too sterile; datilografar provides the necessary aesthetic and tactile weight.
Cinema and Television are also major conduits for the word. Brazilian 'Novelas' (soap operas) often feature historical plots. When a character in a 1920s setting sits down at a desk, the narrator or the script will inevitably use datilografar. For a learner, watching these shows is a great way to hear the word used in its 'natural' habitat. You might also find it in song lyrics from the MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) era, where the typewriter sound was sometimes used as a rhythmic element in the background of songs about journalists or lonely writers.
- Literature and Academia
- When discussing the 'espólio' (estate/archives) of famous authors like Fernando Pessoa, scholars will distinguish between 'manuscritos' and 'textos datilografados'.
Naquela época, era um luxo ter alguém para datilografar seus manuscritos.
In summary, while you might use 'digitar' 90% of the time at your modern tech job in Lisbon, datilografar is the word that will appear in the news when an old archive is discovered, in the theater when a historical play is performed, or at home when your 'avó' asks you why you are 'datilografando' so loudly on your laptop.
The most common mistake learners make with datilografar isn't grammatical, but rather a matter of social register and semantic mismatch. Many students learn 'datilografar' as the primary translation for 'to type' and then use it in contexts where it sounds absurdly outdated. For instance, saying 'Vou datilografar uma mensagem no WhatsApp' (I'm going to type a message on WhatsApp) is technically understandable but sounds like something a time-traveler from 1940 would say. The correct word for digital devices is always digitar.
- The 'Digitar' vs. 'Datilografar' Trap
- Mistake: Using 'datilografar' for any screen-based input. Correction: Use 'digitar' for keyboards/screens, and reserve 'datilografar' for typewriters or formal documents.
Incorrect: Preciso datilografar minha senha no celular.
Another common error is the spelling of the root. English speakers might be tempted to use a 'y' (as in 'dactylography' in some older English texts) or a 'ph' (as in 'photograph'). In Portuguese, the spelling is strictly d-a-t-i-l-o-g-r-a-f-a-r. There is no 'y' and the 'ph' was replaced by 'f' decades ago in the spelling reforms. Also, pay attention to the stress: it is a regular paroxytone verb (stress on the 'fa'), but the related noun datilografia has the stress on the 'i'.
Learners also sometimes confuse datilografar with redigir. While both involve producing text, redigir focuses on the act of composing and editing the language (drafting), whereas datilografar is purely the mechanical act of inputting characters. You can 'redigir' a letter in your head, but you can only 'datilografar' it when your fingers hit the keys. Don't use 'datilografar' if you mean 'to write/compose' in a creative sense unless you want to emphasize the physical production.
- Preposition Pitfalls
- Sometimes students use 'em' (in) when they should use nothing. It's 'datilografar um texto', not 'datilografar em um texto'.
Ele passou a tarde a datilografar (correct) vs. datilografando em (redundant).
Finally, avoid using the verb in the reflexive form. You cannot 'datilografar-se'. It is an action performed upon an external object. If you find yourself wanting to say 'I typed myself a note,' the correct Portuguese structure is 'Datilografei uma nota para mim mesmo' or simply 'Escrevi um lembrete'. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you sound like a native speaker who understands the history of the language.
To truly master datilografar, you must understand its place within the 'writing' family of verbs. Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for the act of putting words on paper or screen, and choosing the right one is key to reaching C1/C2 levels of fluency. The most obvious alternative is digitar, which has become the universal verb for typing on computers, tablets, and phones. If you are in a modern office, digitar is your best friend.
- Digitar vs. Datilografar
- 'Digitar' is technological and modern. 'Datilografar' is mechanical and historical. Use 'digitar' for IT, 'datilografar' for the typewriter era.
Hoje em dia, quase ninguém mais precisa datilografar; todos preferem digitar.
Another close relative is teclar. This verb comes from tecla (key) and specifically means 'to hit the keys'. It is often used more informally than 'digitar'. For example, if someone is chatting on a messaging app, you might say they are 'teclando'. It emphasizes the physical action of fingers moving on a keyboard without necessarily focusing on the document being produced. It's the Portuguese equivalent of 'tapping away' or 'keying in'.
For more formal or literary contexts, consider redigir or escrever. While escrever is the generic 'to write' (covering everything from pens to computers), redigir implies a level of professional composition. You 'redigir' a contract or an article. If you want to say you typed it out specifically, you might say 'Redigi o texto e depois o datilografei' (I drafted the text and then typed it up), showing a clear two-step process of creation and production.
- Technical Alternatives
- 'Processar' (to process text) or 'Transcrever' (to transcribe). These are used in specific professional workflows.
O estagiário teve que transcrever as notas que estavam datilografadas.
Lastly, there is the antonym manuscrever (to write by hand). In a world where datilografar and digitar dominate, manuscrever has become a rare and often intentional act of personal touch. Comparing these words helps you understand the evolution of communication: from the hand (manuscrever), to the mechanical finger (datilografar), to the digital input (digitar). By knowing all three, you can accurately describe any era of human history in Portuguese.
Prefiro manuscrever meus diários em vez de datilografá-los.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
Eu quero datilografar uma carta.
I want to type a letter.
Simple present with 'querer' (to want).
Ela não sabe datilografar.
She doesn't know how to type.
Using 'saber' to express a skill.
O menino gosta de datilografar.
The boy likes to type.
Verb 'gostar' followed by 'de' + infinitive.
Você pode datilografar meu nome?
Can you type my name?
Modal verb 'poder' (can/may).
É fácil datilografar aqui.
It is easy to type here.
Impersonal 'é' + adjective + infinitive.
Nós vamos datilografar hoje.
We are going to type today.
Immediate future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Eles datilografam muito rápido.
They type very fast.
Present tense, 3rd person plural.
Por favor, tente datilografar isto.
Please, try to type this.
Imperative 'tente' (try).
Antigamente, as pessoas precisavam datilografar tudo.
In the past, people needed to type everything.
Pretérito Imperfeito for past habits.
Meu pai datilografou seu primeiro livro em 1980.
My father typed his first book in 1980.
Pretérito Perfeito for a completed action.
Enquanto eu estudava, ela ia datilografar os relatórios.
While I was studying, she was going to type the reports.
Past continuous context.
Eu nunca datilografei em uma máquina de escrever.
I have never typed on a typewriter.
Negative sentence in the past.
Nós datilografávamos as provas da escola.
We used to type the school exams.
Imperfect tense for repetitive past actions.
Você já tentou datilografar com dez dedos?
Have you ever tried to type with ten fingers?
Use of 'já' (already/ever) with past tense.
Ela datilografava sem olhar para as teclas.
She used to type without looking at the keys.
Adverbial phrase 'sem olhar'.
O documento que ele datilografou era muito importante.
The document he typed was very important.
Relative clause with 'que'.
Se eu tivesse uma máquina, eu iria datilografar este conto.
If I had a machine, I would type this short story.
Conditional sentence (Imperfeito do Subjuntivo + Futuro do Pretérito).
É necessário que você datilografe o formulário com cuidado.
It is necessary that you type the form carefully.
Present Subjunctive after 'é necessário que'.
Eles estão datilografando o contrato final agora mesmo.
They are typing the final contract right now.
Present continuous (Gerúndio).
Depois de datilografar a carta, ele a enviou pelo correio.
After typing the letter, he sent it by mail.
Preposition 'depois de' followed by infinitive.
Eu gostaria que você me ensinasse a datilografar melhor.
I would like you to teach me how to type better.
Subjunctive used to express a wish.
Embora fosse difícil, ela conseguiu datilografar o texto todo.
Although it was difficult, she managed to type the whole text.
Concessive clause with 'embora'.
Ele parou de datilografar quando ouviu o barulho.
He stopped typing when he heard the noise.
Verb 'parar de' + infinitive.
Nós tínhamos o hábito de datilografar nossos diários.
We had the habit of typing our diaries.
Past perfect habit description.
O autor preferia datilografar seus originais para sentir o ritmo das palavras.
The author preferred to type his originals to feel the rhythm of the words.
Infinitive used to express purpose/preference.
Caso o secretário datilografe o documento errado, teremos que refazer tudo.
In case the secretary types the wrong document, we will have to redo everything.
Future Subjunctive expressing possibility.
A técnica de datilografar evoluiu muito com o passar das décadas.
The technique of typing evolved a lot over the decades.
Abstract noun phrase as subject.
Ao datilografar o relatório, percebi vários erros de digitação.
Upon typing the report, I noticed several typing errors.
'Ao' + infinitive to indicate 'when/upon'.
Muitos escritores famosos ainda se recusam a parar de datilografar.
Many famous writers still refuse to stop typing.
Reflexive verb 'recusar-se a'.
A certidão foi datilografada conforme as normas do cartório.
The certificate was typed according to the notary's standards.
Passive voice with 'ser' + past participle.
Não basta apenas datilografar; é preciso revisar o conteúdo.
It's not enough just to type; it's necessary to review the content.
Impersonal construction 'não basta'.
Sempre que ela começava a datilografar, o gato pulava na mesa.
Whenever she started to type, the cat would jump on the table.
Temporal clause with 'sempre que'.
A transição do manuscrever para o datilografar alterou a estrutura do pensamento literário.
The transition from handwriting to typing altered the structure of literary thought.
Substantivized infinitives used as philosophical subjects.
Duvido que ainda existam profissionais capazes de datilografar com tamanha precisão.
I doubt there are still professionals capable of typing with such precision.
Subjunctive mood after a verb of doubt.
O ato de datilografar exige uma coordenação motora que está se perdendo na era digital.
The act of typing requires a motor coordination that is being lost in the digital age.
Relative clause with 'que' and passive reflexive 'se perdendo'.
Pudesse ele datilografar seus desejos, talvez o destino os atendesse.
Could he but type his desires, perhaps fate would grant them.
Inverted 'pudesse' (if he could) for literary effect.
A secretária passava horas a datilografar laudos médicos complexos.
The secretary spent hours typing complex medical reports.
European Portuguese style 'a + infinitive' for continuous action.
O som de datilografar preenchia o silêncio da redação do jornal.
The sound of typing filled the silence of the newspaper newsroom.
Infinitive used as a noun (gerundial use in English).
Apesar de datilografar velozmente, ele cometia pouquíssimos erros.
Despite typing rapidly, he made very few mistakes.
Preposition 'apesar de' + infinitive.
Instruiu o estagiário a datilografar a petição seguindo o modelo antigo.
He instructed the intern to type the petition following the old template.
Verb 'instruir' followed by object + 'a' + infinitive.
Há uma certa poética no ato de datilografar que a frieza do digital jamais alcançará.
There is a certain poetics in the act of typing that the coldness of the digital will never reach.
Complex relative clauses and abstract nouns.
O autor via-se compelido a datilografar suas memórias antes que o esquecimento as levasse.
The author felt compelled to type his memoirs before forgetfulness took them.
Passive reflexive 'via-se compelido' and subjunctive temporal clause.
Não obstante a obsolescência da máquina, o desejo de datilografar persistia no velho jornalista.
Notwithstanding the machine's obsolescence, the desire to type persisted in the old journalist.
Formal connector 'não obstante'.
A materialidade do papel datilografado confere uma aura de autenticidade ao arquivo.
The materiality of the typed paper bestows an aura of authenticity upon the archive.
Sophisticated verb 'conferir' (to bestow/give).
Datilografar, para ele, era uma forma de meditação percussiva.
Typing, for him, was a form of percussive meditation.
Infinitive as a philosophical subject.
A burocracia estatal outrora exigia que todos os requerimentos fossem datilografados.
State bureaucracy formerly required that all requests be typed.
Archaic adverb 'outrora' and past subjunctive passive.
Ao datilografar, os dedos tornam-se extensões mecânicas da vontade criadora.
When typing, the fingers become mechanical extensions of the creative will.
Pronominal verb 'tornar-se' and abstract subject.
Raramente se vê alguém datilografar com tamanha maestria e elegância.
Rarely does one see someone type with such mastery and elegance.
Indefinite 'se' and formal syntax.
مترادفها
متضادها
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
— To have the skill of typing, usually referring to the formal technique.
Naquela época, saber datilografar era essencial.
— Someone who is extremely fast and accurate at typing.
Ele é um mestre em datilografar, nunca erra uma tecla.
— To type without looking at the keys (touch typing).
Ela aprendeu a datilografar às cegas na escola de secretariado.
— A typed copy of a document, often distinguished from a handwritten one.
Por favor, entregue uma cópia datilografada do seu trabalho.
— The steady sound or speed of someone typing.
O ritmo de datilografar dele era constante e relaxante.
— To type out a rough draft of a text.
Vou datilografar um rascunho antes da versão final.
— Words per minute; typing speed.
Qual é a sua velocidade de datilografar?
— To type using carbon paper to create duplicates (very old school).
Era comum datilografar em papel carbono para ter cópias extras.
— To take a break from other tasks to focus on typing.
Vou parar para datilografar esses dados agora.
— To type without any typos or strikes-overs.
É difícil datilografar com perfeição em uma máquina manual.
اصطلاحات و عبارات
— To do something in a very rhythmic, mechanical, or repetitive way.
Ele trabalha como se estivesse cantando no ritmo da datilografia.
figurative— To type inefficiently using only two index fingers ('hunt and peck').
Apesar de anos no escritório, ele ainda datilografa com dois dedos.
informal/critical— To hit a key on the typewriter (often used when the machine jams).
A máquina travou, tive que dar um teco nela.
slang/old-fashioned— To move on from an old way of doing things (metaphorical).
A empresa finalmente virou a página da datilografia e comprou computadores.
metaphorical— To determine or write one's own future with permanence.
Ele sentia que estava datilografando o seu próprio destino com aquele contrato.
literary— To be busy typing for a long time (onomatopoeic).
Ela ficou a tarde toda no clack-clack da máquina.
informalSummary
Datilografar is the specific, often nostalgic verb for typing on a mechanical typewriter. While 'digitar' is for computers, using 'datilografar' correctly adds historical depth and formal precision to your Portuguese, especially when discussing 20th-century documents or literature.
- A formal verb meaning to type on a typewriter.
- Rooted in Greek words for 'finger' and 'writing'.
- Largely replaced by 'digitar' for modern computer use.
- Commonly found in historical, legal, and literary contexts.
مثال
Minha avó aprendeu a datilografar na máquina de escrever.
محتوای مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر work
a curto prazo
A2کوتاه مدت. ما به یک راه حل کوتاه مدت نیاز داریم.
à exceção de
B1With the exception of; apart from.
a longo prazo
A2Over a long period of time; long-term.
a não ser que
A2به معنای 'مگر اینکه' یا 'جز در صورتی که' است.
a partir de
A2از؛ به بعد از. 'از فردا شروع به مطالعه خواهم کرد.' 'قیمتها از ده یورو شروع میشود.'
a prazo
A2For a period of time; on credit or payment terms.
a tempo inteiro
B1Full-time; working the full number of hours considered normal for a job.
a tempo parcial
B1کار پاره وقت به او اجازه می دهد تا به کلاس های نقاشی برود.
abdicar
A2To give up, to abdicate; to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, or claim.
acessível
B1قابل دسترسی، مقرون به صرفه. نزدیک شدن، درک کردن یا پرداختن به آن آسان است.