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B1 verb #3,500 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

competir

Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces competir en 30 secondes

Explication competir in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'competir' as a word for sports and simple games. It is one of the basic verbs to describe what people do in a race or a match. You don't need to worry about the complex legal meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of 'playing to win'. For example, 'Eu compito no futebol' (I compete in soccer). Remember that it is an '-ir' verb, similar to 'abrir' or 'partir', but it has a small change in the 'eu' form: 'Eu compito'. At this stage, use it with 'com' to say who you are playing with. It's a great word to use when talking about your hobbies or sports you like. You might see it on posters for local sports events or in simple stories about athletes. Keep it simple: person + competir + preposition + activity/person. This will help you build the foundation for more complex sentences later. Even at this early stage, knowing 'competir' helps you understand the concept of rivalry which is very common in everyday Portuguese conversation.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'competir' in more varied contexts, like at school or in the office. You should be comfortable with the basic past tense (pretérito perfeito): 'Nós competimos ontem' (We competed yesterday). You will also notice that 'competir' is often used with the preposition 'por' to indicate the goal: 'Eles competem por um prêmio' (They compete for a prize). At this level, you should also be able to recognize the noun form 'competição' (competition). You might hear people talking about 'competitividade' in the news. Start paying attention to how 'competir' is used in advertisements, especially those comparing two products. It's a useful verb for describing situations where there is more than one person wanting the same thing. You can also use it to talk about your company's rivals in a simple way: 'Minha empresa compete com outras empresas locais'. This level is about expanding the 'where' and 'why' of competition beyond just sports.

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As a B1 learner, you are expected to handle the irregular present tense forms perfectly, especially 'eu compito' and 'eles competem'. You should also begin to understand the second meaning of 'competir': to be someone's duty or responsibility. This is often seen in the construction 'compete a [alguém] + [verbo]'. For example: 'Compete ao professor explicar a matéria' (It is the teacher's duty to explain the subject). This is a very common structure in formal Portuguese and will help you understand official announcements and professional emails. You should also be able to distinguish 'competir' from 'concorrer'. Remember that 'concorrer' is more specific to things like job applications or elections. At B1, you can use 'competir' to discuss more abstract concepts, like competing for attention or competing for time. Your sentences should become more complex, using adverbs like 'ferozmente' (fiercely) or 'lealmente' (fairly) to describe how the competition is happening. This is the level where 'competir' becomes a tool for more nuanced communication.

At the B2 level, you should use 'competir' fluently in both its meanings (rivalry and duty). You should be able to use it in the subjunctive moods, such as 'É importante que nós compitamos de forma justa' (It is important that we compete fairly). You will encounter 'competir' in complex texts about economics, law, and sociology. You should understand expressions like 'competir em pé de igualdade' (to compete on equal footing). In business contexts, you will use it to discuss market dynamics and competitive advantages. You should also be able to use the verb in the future subjunctive and personal infinitive: 'Se eles competirem bem, ganharão'. At this level, you are expected to understand the subtle differences between 'competir', 'disputar', and 'rivalizar' and choose the most appropriate one for the context. You can participate in debates about whether competition is good or bad for society, using 'competir' and its derivatives (competitivo, competência, competidor) to express your ideas clearly and persuasively.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'competir' should be sophisticated and precise. You should be able to use the verb in highly formal and academic contexts. For instance, in a legal analysis, you might discuss which entity a specific task 'compete' to. You should also be familiar with the historical and etymological roots of the word, which relate to 'seeking together'. This level involves understanding the philosophical implications of 'competir' in Lusophone cultures—how it relates to 'mérito' (merit) and 'esforço' (effort). You should be able to write essays or reports using 'competir' to analyze market trends or legal jurisdictions without hesitation. You will also recognize the word in classical literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'competition' between ideas or historical forces. Your mastery of the verb's prepositions and its secondary 'duty' meaning should be absolute, allowing you to navigate even the most complex bureaucratic or legal documents in Portuguese-speaking countries.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of 'competir'. You can use it to convey subtle irony, emphasis, or formal authority. You understand the nuances of its use in different Portuguese-speaking regions, such as the slight preference for 'concorrer' in certain European Portuguese contexts versus 'competir' in Brazil. You can use the verb in complex rhetorical structures and appreciate its use in poetry or high-level oratory. For a C2 learner, 'competir' is not just a verb but a conceptual tool. You can discuss the evolution of the word and its role in defining professional 'competência'. You can switch effortlessly between its meaning of 'rivalry' and 'jurisdiction', often in the same conversation or document, without any risk of confusion. You are also aware of very rare or archaic uses and can identify when the word is being used in a non-standard way for creative effect. At this level, your command of 'competir' is part of a deep, intuitive understanding of the Portuguese language's structure and its cultural weight.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

competir en 30 secondes

Competir means to strive against others for a prize or goal.
It also formally means 'to be someone's duty' (compete a alguém).
The first person singular present is irregular: 'eu compito'.
Commonly used with prepositions 'com', 'por', 'em', and 'contra'.

The Portuguese verb competir is a versatile term primarily used to describe the act of striving against others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority in a specific field. While its most direct English equivalent is 'to compete', its application in Portuguese spans across sports, business, legal responsibilities, and everyday personal ambitions. At its core, competir involves a dynamic of rivalry where multiple parties seek the same outcome. In the world of sports, it is the standard word for participating in tournaments or matches. In a commercial context, it describes how companies vie for market share or customer loyalty. However, a unique and often overlooked aspect of competir in Portuguese is its use in formal or legal settings to mean 'to be within someone's jurisdiction' or 'to be someone's duty'. This secondary meaning is crucial for intermediate learners to master, as it shifts the focus from rivalry to responsibility. For instance, when a judge says 'Compete ao tribunal decidir', they aren't saying the court is in a race; they are stating that the decision falls under the court's authority. Understanding this duality is key to achieving fluency.

Sports Context: Athletes compete for medals, trophies, or personal bests. Example: 'Eles vão competir nos Jogos Olímpicos.'

Business Context: Companies compete for price, quality, and innovation. Example: 'Pequenas empresas têm dificuldade em competir com gigantes.'

Legal/Formal Context: Defining duties or rights. Example: 'Não me compete questionar as ordens.'

Para vencer o campeonato, você precisa estar preparado para competir ao mais alto nível.

As duas marcas de refrigerante competem ferozmente pela preferência do público.

Não lhe compete julgar as ações alheias sem conhecer os fatos.

Os nadadores vão competir na piscina olímpica amanhã cedo.

É saudável competir, desde que haja respeito mútuo entre os adversários.

In Brazilian Portuguese, you will hear 'competir' in almost every news broadcast regarding the economy or sports. It carries a sense of active engagement. Whether it's a child playing a board game or a multinational corporation launching a new product, 'competir' is the action of entering the arena. It implies effort, strategy, and the possibility of both victory and defeat. Unlike 'jogar' (to play), which can be recreational, 'competir' always carries a slight edge of seriousness and comparison against a standard or an opponent. In the modern world, the word is also heavily linked to 'competitividade' (competitiveness), a trait highly valued in labor markets. To say someone knows how to 'competir' is often a compliment to their drive and resilience.

Using competir correctly requires attention to the prepositions that follow it, as they change the meaning of the relationship between the subjects. The most common preposition is com (with), used when you are identifying your opponent or peer. For example, 'Eu compito com ele' (I compete with him). If you want to specify what you are fighting for, use por (for). For example, 'Eles competem por uma vaga' (They compete for a spot). To indicate the location or category of the competition, use em (in), such as 'Ela compete em natação' (She competes in swimming). Finally, contra (against) is used to emphasize the adversarial nature of the struggle.

Competir com: Used for the opponent. 'A empresa compete com marcas estrangeiras.'

Competir por: Used for the prize or goal. 'Todos competem por atenção no mercado.'

Competir em: Used for the field or modality. 'Ele gosta de competir em maratonas.'

Nós competimos amigavelmente para ver quem termina o trabalho primeiro.

A seleção brasileira vai competir contra a Argentina na final.

Muitos candidatos competem por apenas uma vaga de emprego nesta multinacional.

Se você quiser competir seriamente, precisa treinar todos os dias sem falta.

Compete ao governo competir por investimentos estrangeiros para o país.

When conjugating 'competir', watch out for the stem change in the present indicative. The 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' in the first person singular: 'Eu compito'. This is a common pattern for many '-ir' verbs in Portuguese (like 'servir' -> 'sirvo'). In other persons, it remains 'e': 'tu competes', 'ele compete'. In the past tense (pretérito perfeito), it is regular: 'eu competi', 'ele competiu'. Mastery of these forms ensures that you sound natural. In professional writing, 'competir' is frequently paired with adverbs of manner like 'ferozmente' (fiercely), 'lealmente' (fairly), or 'diretamente' (directly). This adds color to the action. For instance, 'As empresas competem diretamente pelo mesmo nicho de mercado' (The companies compete directly for the same market niche). This verb is essential for discussing any scenario involving choice, ranking, or restricted resources.

You will encounter competir in a variety of real-world scenarios in Lusophone countries. In Brazil, during the 'Jornal Nacional' or other news programs, the sports segment is filled with this verb. Anchors will discuss which athletes are 'competindo' for a gold medal or which teams are 'competindo' in the Libertadores cup. It’s also a staple of business news. When analysts talk about the 'guerra dos preços' (price war), they often use 'competir' to explain how supermarkets or airlines are trying to underbid each other. In a more formal setting, such as a law office or a government building, you might hear 'Não compete a esta secretaria resolver este problema'. Here, the speaker is defining the boundaries of their authority. This 'jurisdictional' use is very common in official documents and bureaucracy. In social circles, you might hear friends talking about 'competir' in a board game night or even in dating, though the latter is often more metaphorical. The word is ubiquitous because the concept of competition is central to modern life.

News & Media: Reporting on elections, sports results, and economic shifts.

Workplace: Discussing promotions, sales targets, and market positioning.

Education: Students competing for university spots (o vestibular).

O narrador gritou: 'Eles estão competindo ombro a ombro nesta reta final!'

Na reunião, o gerente disse que precisamos competir com mais agressividade no setor digital.

O documento afirma que compete ao síndico a manutenção das áreas comuns do prédio.

Não adianta competir se você não tem as ferramentas certas para o sucesso.

Eles sempre competiram para ver quem tirava a melhor nota na escola.

Understanding the context is vital. If you are in a courtroom, 'competir' is likely about legal standing. If you are at a stadium, it's about the game. If you are at a job interview, it's about your skills relative to others. The word adapts to the environment while maintaining the core idea of 'belonging'—either belonging to a race or belonging to a duty. This makes it a high-frequency, high-value word for any learner aiming for a B1 level or higher.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using competir is failing to use the correct preposition. In English, we 'compete for' something, and while 'competir por' is correct in Portuguese, learners often try to use 'competir para', which sounds unnatural in most contexts. Another major pitfall is the conjugation of the first person singular in the present tense. Many learners say 'eu competo' (following the pattern of 'comer'), but the correct form is 'eu compito'. This 'e' to 'i' shift is a classic hurdle. Furthermore, students often confuse 'competir' with 'concorrer' or 'disputar'. While they are synonyms, 'concorrer' is specifically used for elections or job applications, and 'disputar' implies a more direct, physical, or intense struggle for a specific object (like 'disputar a bola'). Using 'competir' in a context where 'caber' or 'incumbir' (to be one's duty) is more appropriate is another sophisticated mistake.

Conjugation Error: Saying 'eu competo' instead of 'eu compito'.

Preposition Error: Using 'competir a' when you mean 'compete with'. Remember: 'competir a' is for duty, 'competir com' is for opponents.

Context Confusion: Using 'competir' for a job opening when 'concorrer' is the standard term.

Errado: Eu competo na corrida. Correto: Eu compito na corrida.

Errado: Ele compete para o prêmio. Correto: Ele compete pelo prêmio.

Cuidado: 'Compete ao diretor' significa que o diretor tem a responsabilidade, não que ele está em uma corrida.

Não confunda competir com completar (to complete). Eles soam parecidos mas têm sentidos opostos.

Evite usar competir quando a ação é apenas uma brincadeira leve; 'jogar' é mais comum.

To avoid these mistakes, practice the present tense conjugation repeatedly. Remember that 'competir' is about the 'competência' (competence) or 'competição' (competition). If you are talking about a responsibility, think of it as 'caber a alguém'. By distinguishing between the rivalrous 'competir com' and the responsible 'competir a', you will avoid the most common traps that catch even advanced learners. Always double-check your prepositions when writing formal emails or reports.

Portuguese offers several verbs that overlap with competir, and knowing when to use each one will significantly elevate your speech. Concorrer is the most common alternative, especially in business and formal applications. While 'competir' focuses on the act of struggle, 'concorrer' often implies an application process, such as 'concorrer a uma bolsa de estudos' (applying for a scholarship). Disputar is more intense and localized; you 'disputar' a specific trophy or a specific point in a game. It suggests a head-to-head fight. Rivalizar is used when two parties are very close in skill or status, often used in literary or high-level contexts. For the 'duty' meaning of 'competir', alternatives include caber, incumbir, and tocar.

Competir vs. Concorrer: 'Competir' is the general act; 'concorrer' is specifically for prizes, jobs, or elections.

Competir vs. Disputar: 'Disputar' implies a more direct and often physical or aggressive contest for something specific.

Competir vs. Caber: Both mean 'to be the duty of', but 'caber' is more common in everyday speech ('Cabe a você decidir').

Eles vão disputar a final do campeonato no próximo domingo.

Muitos jovens concorrem a vagas em universidades públicas todos os anos.

A beleza daquela paisagem rivaliza com as obras de arte mais famosas.

Não me cabe opinar sobre sua vida pessoal.

Incumbe ao presidente sancionar ou vetar o projeto de lei.

Choosing the right word depends on the nuance you wish to convey. If you want to sound more formal, 'incumbir' or 'competir a' are great choices for responsibility. If you want to talk about sports, 'disputar' and 'competir' are your best friends. In business, 'concorrer' and 'competir' are often interchangeable but 'concorrer' is slightly more focused on the market competition specifically. Expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms will help you avoid repetition and make your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally meant 'to meet' or 'to coincide'. Over time, the idea of two people 'seeking the same thing at the same time' evolved into the modern sense of rivalry.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kõ.peˈtiɾ/

US /kõ.peˈtiʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: com-pe-TIR.

Rime avec

repetir admitir sentir partir abrir sorrir subir ferir

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'm' in 'com' fully (it should just nasalize the 'o').
Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.
Making the 'e' sound like 'ee' (it should be more like 'eh').
Failing to flap or gutturalize the final 'r'.
Pronouncing 'compito' as 'competo'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'compete'.

Écriture 4/5

Difficult due to the 'eu compito' shift and the 'duty' meaning.

Expression orale 3/5

Nasalization of 'com' and the final 'r' require practice.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with 'concorrer' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

ganhar perder jogo contra com

Apprends ensuite

concorrer disputar vencer desafiar superar

Avancé

jurisdição incumbência prerrogativa litigar pleitear

Grammaire à connaître

Stem-changing verbs in -ir

competir -> eu compito; servir -> eu sirvo

Indirect object pronouns with 'compete a'

Compete-me, Compete-lhe, Compete-nos

Prepositional usage with verbs of rivalry

Lutar por, disputar com, competir contra

Future Subjunctive for hypothetical competition

Se eles competirem, nós assistiremos.

Personal Infinitive after prepositions

Para eles competirem, precisam de inscrição.

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Exemples par niveau

Eu compito no time de futebol.

I compete in the soccer team.

Present tense, 1st person singular 'compito'.

Você compete com seu irmão?

Do you compete with your brother?

Present tense, 2nd person singular 'competes' (or 3rd person 'compete' for você).

Eles competem na escola.

They compete at school.

Present tense, 3rd person plural 'competem'.

Nós vamos competir amanhã.

We are going to compete tomorrow.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Ela não gosta de competir.

She doesn't like to compete.

Infinitive after 'gostar de'.

Onde eles competem?

Where do they compete?

Interrogative sentence.

Eu compito para ganhar.

I compete to win.

Use of 'para' + infinitive for purpose.

Vocês competem muito?

Do you (plural) compete a lot?

Present tense, 2nd person plural 'competem' (vocês).

Eles competiram no ano passado.

They competed last year.

Pretérito Perfeito, 3rd person plural.

Ela compete por uma medalha de ouro.

She competes for a gold medal.

Preposition 'por' indicating the prize.

Nós competimos em várias cidades.

We competed in several cities.

Pretérito Perfeito, 1st person plural.

Quem vai competir nesta categoria?

Who is going to compete in this category?

Interrogative with future 'ir'.

Eu nunca competi profissionalmente.

I have never competed professionally.

Negative sentence with 'nunca'.

Eles competem contra o tempo.

They compete against time.

Preposition 'contra' for an abstract opponent.

Você já competiu em natação?

Have you ever competed in swimming?

Pretérito Perfeito with 'já'.

Nós não competimos para perder.

We don't compete to lose.

Present tense negative.

Compete ao diretor assinar os documentos.

It is up to the director to sign the documents.

Use of 'compete a' meaning 'duty'.

É difícil competir com grandes empresas.

It is difficult to compete with large companies.

Infinitive as subject complement.

Eu compito com ele desde a infância.

I have been competing with him since childhood.

Present tense indicating a continuous action from the past.

Não me compete decidir quem tem razão.

It is not up to me to decide who is right.

Negative 'duty' meaning with indirect object pronoun 'me'.

Eles competem ferozmente pelo mercado.

They compete fiercely for the market.

Use of adverb 'ferozmente'.

Se você competir, terá uma chance.

If you compete, you will have a chance.

Future subjunctive 'competir'.

Compete a nós proteger o meio ambiente.

It is up to us to protect the environment.

Duty meaning with 'a nós'.

A empresa compete em nível internacional.

The company competes on an international level.

Preposition 'em' for the level of competition.

É essencial que todos compitam de forma ética.

It is essential that everyone competes ethically.

Present subjunctive 'compitam'.

A quem compete a responsabilidade pelo erro?

To whom does the responsibility for the error belong?

Interrogative with 'compete a'.

Embora compitam, eles são bons amigos.

Although they compete, they are good friends.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

A marca compete diretamente com a líder do setor.

The brand competes directly with the sector leader.

Use of adverb 'diretamente'.

Quando você competir, lembre-se das regras.

When you compete, remember the rules.

Future subjunctive 'competir' in a temporal clause.

Não compete a este tribunal julgar o caso.

It is not for this court to judge the case.

Formal 'duty' meaning in a legal context.

Eles competiram até o último segundo da prova.

They competed until the last second of the test.

Pretérito Perfeito with 'até'.

Compete ao Estado garantir a segurança pública.

It is up to the State to guarantee public safety.

Formal duty meaning with abstract subject.

A competência para legislar compete à União.

The power to legislate belongs to the Union.

Highly formal legal usage.

Raramente vi atletas competirem com tamanha garra.

I have rarely seen athletes compete with such grit.

Personal infinitive 'competirem'.

A empresa busca competir em novos nichos de mercado.

The company seeks to compete in new market niches.

Infinitive after 'buscar'.

Não lhe compete interferir em assuntos privados.

It is not up to you/him/her to interfere in private matters.

Indirect object 'lhe' with duty meaning.

Os dois filósofos competem pela primazia da ideia.

The two philosophers compete for the primacy of the idea.

Abstract usage in intellectual history.

Caso eles compitam, o nível do evento subirá.

Should they compete, the level of the event will rise.

Hypothetical 'caso' + subjunctive.

Compete-nos refletir sobre as consequências dos nossos atos.

It is up to us to reflect on the consequences of our actions.

Pronominal placement 'compete-nos'.

O mercado exige que as empresas compitam por inovação.

The market demands that companies compete through innovation.

Subjunctive after a verb of demand.

Compete exclusivamente ao Supremo Tribunal Federal a guarda da Constituição.

The protection of the Constitution belongs exclusively to the Supreme Federal Court.

Legal technical language.

A existência humana parece competir incessantemente com o nada.

Human existence seems to compete incessantly with nothingness.

Philosophical/Literary usage.

Pudesse eu competir, não estaria aqui apenas observando.

Were I able to compete, I would not be here just observing.

Imperfect subjunctive used rhetorically.

A quem, senão ao povo, compete o destino da nação?

To whom, if not the people, does the destiny of the nation belong?

Rhetorical question with duty meaning.

As teorias competem no campo das ideias sem nunca se excluírem totalmente.

The theories compete in the field of ideas without ever totally excluding each other.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Compete-lhe, por força do cargo, manter a imparcialidade.

It is incumbent upon him, by virtue of his office, to maintain impartiality.

Formal pronominal usage with legal nuances.

Ainda que as marcas compitam, o consumidor é quem dita as regras.

Even if the brands compete, the consumer is the one who dictates the rules.

Concessive 'ainda que' + subjunctive.

Não competindo a nós a decisão, resta-nos apenas aguardar.

Since the decision does not belong to us, all that remains for us is to wait.

Gerund used in a causal/circumstantial sense.

Collocations courantes

competir ferozmente

competir em pé de igualdade

competir por mercado

competir com lealdade

competir a nível mundial

competir contra o relógio

competir por atenção

competir em uma modalidade

competir por recursos

competir na final

Phrases Courantes

Não me compete

— It's not my business or responsibility.

Não me compete dizer o que você deve fazer.

Compete a quem?

— Whose responsibility is it?

Compete a quem limpar a sala?

Competir para ganhar

— To compete with the sole intention of winning.

Eu sempre compito para ganhar.

Saber competir

— To know how to be a good sport or be effective in rivalry.

É importante saber competir.

Competir com os melhores

— To challenge oneself against top-tier opponents.

Se quer crescer, deve competir com os melhores.

Vontade de competir

— Competitive drive or spirit.

Ele tem uma grande vontade de competir.

Competir em desvantagem

— To compete with a handicap or at a loss.

Eles estão competindo em desvantagem numérica.

Compete ao juiz

— It is the judge's duty.

Compete ao juiz aplicar a lei.

Deixar de competir

— To stop competing or drop out.

A equipe deixou de competir por falta de verba.

Pronto para competir

— Ready to take on the challenge.

O atleta está pronto para competir.

Souvent confondu avec

competir vs completar

Means 'to complete'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

competir vs comportar

Means 'to behave' or 'to hold/contain'.

competir vs comprometer

Means 'to compromise' or 'to commit'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Competir pau a pau"

— To compete head-to-head or very closely.

Os dois carros estavam competindo pau a pau.

Informal

"Entrar na briga"

— To start competing in a market or situation.

A nova empresa entrou na briga para competir com as grandes.

Informal

"Medir forças"

— To test one's strength or skills against another.

Eles vão medir forças no próximo torneio.

Neutral

"Correr por fora"

— To be a dark horse or compete from an unexpected position.

Aquele candidato está correndo por fora, mas pode ganhar.

Informal

"Dar o sangue"

— To compete with extreme effort and sacrifice.

Ele deu o sangue para competir naquela final.

Informal

"Estar no páreo"

— To be in the running or have a chance to win.

Ainda estamos no páreo para o título.

Neutral

"Bater de frente"

— To compete directly and aggressively.

Não vale a pena bater de frente com o chefe.

Informal

"Vestir a camisa"

— To compete with total dedication to one's team or company.

Ele veste a camisa e compete com garra.

Informal

"Jogar a toalha"

— To stop competing (to give up).

Depois de tantas perdas, a empresa jogou a toalha.

Informal

"Pisar no calo"

— To compete in a way that bothers or threatens a rival.

A nova loja está pisando no calo da concorrência.

Informal

Facile à confondre

competir vs concorrer

Both mean to compete.

'Concorrer' is specifically for applications (jobs, scholarships) or elections.

Vou concorrer a uma vaga de estágio.

competir vs disputar

Both involve rivalry.

'Disputar' implies a more direct, often physical or intense fight for a specific thing.

Os jogadores disputam a posse de bola.

competir vs rivalizar

Both involve being rivals.

'Rivalizar' focuses on the quality being equal between two things.

Este vinho rivaliza com os melhores franceses.

competir vs caber

Both can mean responsibility.

'Caber' is more common in informal speech for 'duty'.

Cabe a você fazer o café.

competir vs incumbir

Both mean duty.

'Incumbir' is more formal and often implies a task given by someone else.

Incumbiram-me de organizar a festa.

Structures de phrases

Eu compito em [esporte].

Eu compito em natação.

Eles competem por [objeto].

Eles competem por um troféu.

Compete a [pessoa] [verbo].

Compete ao pai cuidar do filho.

Não me compete [verbo].

Não me compete falar sobre isso.

É necessário que [sujeito] compita.

É necessário que a empresa compita.

A competência para [ação] compete a [entidade].

A competência para julgar compete ao STF.

Embora compitam, [consequência].

Embora compitam, eles se respeitam.

Pudesse eu competir, [condicional].

Pudesse eu competir, ganharia o prêmio.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in sports and professional contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Eu competo → Eu compito
The first person singular of 'competir' is irregular in the present tense.
Compete para mim fazer isso. → Compete a mim fazer isso.
The 'duty' meaning of 'competir' requires the preposition 'a', not 'para'.
Eles competem com o prêmio. → Eles competem pelo prêmio.
Use 'com' for opponents and 'por' (pelo/pela) for the object of the competition.
Eu competi em a corrida. → Eu competi na corrida.
Remember to contract 'em + a' into 'na'.
Não compete de você julgar. → Não compete a você julgar.
The preposition for responsibility is 'a', never 'de'.

Astuces

The 'i' Shift

Remember that '-ir' verbs with an 'e' in the stem often change to 'i' in the first person singular present. Practice 'eu compito' until it feels natural.

Duty vs. Rivalry

Always check if there is an 'a' after 'compete'. If there is, you are talking about whose job it is, not a race.

Business Portuguese

In business, use 'competir por mercado' or 'competir em preços'. These are standard industry terms.

Sports Talk

In sports, 'competir em' is used for the category (e.g., 'competir em judô').

Formal Documents

When writing formally, 'Compete a esta instância...' is a great way to define jurisdiction.

Nasal 'O'

The 'com' in 'competir' is a nasal vowel. Don't pronounce it like the English 'com' in 'computer'.

Comp-I-to

Think: 'I' compete, so 'Eu comp-I-to'. The 'I' is for you!

Try Concorrer

If you are talking about an election or a job, 'concorrer' will make you sound more like a native.

Against the Odds

Use 'competir contra' when you want to sound more determined or when the opponent is difficult.

Not Just Winning

'Competir' is about the process of striving, not just the result of winning (vencer).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Competition' where you 'Pet' the prize. Com-Pet-ir. You and others seek (petere) it together (com).

Association visuelle

Imagine two athletes running toward a single trophy. Above them, write 'COMPETIR'.

Word Web

Sports Business Duty Rivalry Prize Effort Win Lose

Défi

Write three sentences: one about a sport, one about your job, and one using the 'duty' meaning.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'competere', which is a combination of 'com-' (together) and 'petere' (to seek, to aim at).

Sens originel : To seek together or to coincide/meet.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to sound overly aggressive when using 'competir' in social situations; 'jogar' is often friendlier.

In English, 'compete' is almost always about rivalry. In Portuguese, the 'duty' meaning is much more common in formal writing than the English equivalent 'it falls to...'.

Ayrton Senna often spoke about the drive to 'competir' at the limit. The 'Lei de Diretrizes e Bases' in Brazil frequently uses 'compete à União' to define education duties. Neymar's interviews often feature the verb 'competir' when discussing top-level football.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

Vou competir amanhã
Competir em natação
Competir pela medalha
Competição acirrada

Business

Competir por mercado
Preços competitivos
Competir com rivais
Vantagem para competir

Legal/Official

Compete ao juiz
Não me compete
Compete à União
Esfera de competência

School/Education

Competir por uma vaga
Competir na olimpíada de matemática
Saber competir
Ambição de competir

Social/Games

Competir entre amigos
Vamos competir?
Competir de brincadeira
Gosto de competir

Amorces de conversation

"Você gosta de competir em esportes ou prefere jogar por diversão?"

"Na sua opinião, as empresas devem competir mais ferozmente?"

"A quem compete a limpeza da casa na sua família?"

"Você já competiu em algum torneio importante na sua vida?"

"É saudável as crianças competirem desde cedo na escola?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva uma situação em que você teve que competir por algo que desejava muito.

Reflita sobre a frase: 'Não me compete julgar os outros'. O que isso significa para você?

Escreva sobre as vantagens e desvantagens de competir no ambiente de trabalho.

Como você se sente quando está competindo contra alguém muito mais forte?

Explique quais são as responsabilidades que competem a um bom cidadão.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'eu competo' is a common mistake. The correct first person singular present is 'eu compito'.

They are very similar. 'Competir com' is more general and can imply peers working in the same field. 'Competir contra' emphasizes the adversarial nature of the rivalry.

You say 'Compete a você'. For example: 'Compete a você escolher o restaurante'.

Yes, for example: 'Duas marcas competem pela liderança'. However, 'rivalizar' is often used for qualities of objects.

Yes, it is regular in the pretérito perfeito: eu competi, tu competiste, ele competiu, etc.

The main noun is 'competição' (competition). Other nouns include 'competidor' (competitor) and 'competência' (competence).

No, 'to fit' is 'caber'. While 'caber' and 'competir' share the meaning of 'responsibility', only 'caber' means 'to fit inside something'.

Yes, it is widely used in Portugal with the same meanings, though 'concorrer' is also very frequent there for business competition.

The stem change 'i' persists: que eu compita, que tu compitas, que ele compita, que nós compitamos, que vós compitais, que eles compitam.

Use 'por'. Example: 'Eles competem por um troféu'.

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