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B1 noun #5,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

contabilidade

Top 5,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces contabilidade en 30 secondes

Explication contabilidade in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'contabilidade' often. Instead, you focus on its root: 'conta'. You learn to ask for the 'conta' (the bill) at a restaurant or talk about your 'conta bancária' (bank account). You might hear 'contabilidade' and recognize it sounds like 'counting', which is a good start. At this stage, just think of it as the 'big word for money records'. You won't be expected to discuss tax laws, but you might see the word on a sign for an office and should know it has to do with business and numbers. It is a long word, so practicing its pronunciation (con-ta-bi-li-da-de) is a great way to improve your Portuguese rhythm. Remember: 'Eu pago a conta' (I pay the bill), but 'A empresa faz a contabilidade' (The company does the accounting).

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By A2, you are starting to talk about work and daily routines. You might say 'Eu trabalho no departamento de contabilidade' (I work in the accounting department) if that's your job. You understand that 'contabilidade' is a noun and that it is feminine ('a contabilidade'). You can use it in simple sentences to describe a business. For example, 'Minha empresa tem uma contabilidade organizada.' You are also learning to distinguish between 'conta' (a single bill) and 'contabilidade' (the whole system). You might begin to see the word in news headlines about the economy. It is important to start noticing the related word 'contador' (accountant), so you can say 'O meu contador é muito bom.' This level is about building the foundation of professional vocabulary.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'contabilidade' in more complex ways. You can discuss why it is important for a business: 'Sem uma boa contabilidade, é difícil saber se a empresa está lucrando.' You are moving beyond just 'money' and into 'financial health'. You can use adjectives like 'contabilidade fiscal' or 'contabilidade gerencial'. You also understand common phrases like 'fechamento de contabilidade' (closing the books). You can explain your financial situation to a professional using this word. You should also be aware of the difference between Portuguese from Portugal and Brazil regarding this term (though the word itself is the same, the tax systems it describes are very different). You are comfortable using the word in professional emails or meetings.

At B2, you are expected to have a solid grasp of 'contabilidade' and its nuances. You can discuss 'contabilidade criativa' and why it might be a legal or ethical problem. You can use the word in the context of 'auditoria' (auditing) and 'transparência' (transparency). You can explain complex concepts: 'A contabilidade de custos ajuda a definir o preço de venda dos produtos.' You are also familiar with the technical verbs associated with it, such as 'contabilizar' (to account for/to record). You can read financial reports or articles in Portuguese and understand the role of accounting in them. You might even use the word metaphorically to talk about 'accounting for one's actions', though this is less common. Your vocabulary is now specialized enough to handle business discussions.

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At C1, you use 'contabilidade' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the deep legal implications of 'contabilidade pública' versus 'contabilidade societária'. You can debate the merits of different accounting standards (like IFRS). You use the word in advanced grammatical structures, such as: 'Caso a contabilidade não tivesse sido revisada, o erro passaria despercebido.' You are aware of the historical evolution of the term and its importance in the Lusophone mercantile history. You can write professional reports that use 'contabilidade' as a framework for analysis. Your understanding of the word includes its sub-disciplines like 'perícia contábil' (forensic accounting) and 'planejamento tributário'. You are fully functional in any high-level financial environment.

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At the C2 level, 'contabilidade' is just one tool in your extensive linguistic arsenal. You can discuss the philosophical aspects of accounting as a social construct or its role in global macroeconomics. You can use the word in highly formal, academic, or legal contexts without hesitation. You understand obscure idioms or historical references related to bookkeeping. You can critique the 'contabilidade' of a nation's GDP or a multinational's complex tax-avoidance strategies. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native professional. You can also play with the word in literature or high-level journalism, using it to evoke specific tones of rigidity, order, or bureaucratic complexity. The word 'contabilidade' is no longer just a term; it's a concept you can manipulate with ease.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

contabilidade en 30 secondes

Contabilidade refers to the field of accounting and financial record-keeping.
It is a feminine noun used for both the academic study and the business department.
Essential for tax compliance and financial transparency in Portuguese-speaking countries.
Derived from 'conta' (account) and related to 'contador' (accountant).

The word contabilidade is a fundamental pillar of the business and financial world in the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) sphere. Derived from the verb contar (to count) and conta (account), it refers to the systematic and comprehensive recording of financial transactions pertaining to a business or individual. While in English we often use 'accounting' and 'accountancy' interchangeably, contabilidade serves as the umbrella term for the entire discipline, the department within a company, and the specific academic field of study. It is not merely about arithmetic; it involves the interpretation, classification, and summarization of financial data to provide a clear picture of an entity's economic health. In Portugal and Brazil, the profession is highly regulated, and the term carries a weight of formality and legal necessity.

Business Context: In a corporate setting, contabilidade refers to the department responsible for payroll, taxes, and balance sheets. If a manager says 'Fala com a contabilidade,' they mean you should contact the accounting department.
Academic Field: Students pursuing a degree in this field will say they are 'estudando contabilidade.' This covers everything from basic bookkeeping to complex international fiscal laws.
Fiscal Responsibility: It is often associated with impostos (taxes). Keeping one's contabilidade em dia (up to date) is a phrase often heard during tax season in Brazil (Leão) or Portugal (Finanças).

A contabilidade da empresa revelou um lucro inesperado no último trimestre.

Beyond the dry world of numbers, contabilidade is used metaphorically to describe the act of weighing pros and cons or keeping track of favors and slights in a relationship, though this is less common than its technical usage. It is a word that signifies transparency and order. Without contabilidade, the modern capitalist structure in Portuguese-speaking countries would cease to function, as it provides the 'truth' behind the marketing and sales figures. It is also deeply tied to the concept of patrimônio (assets/wealth), focusing on how a person or company manages what they own versus what they owe.

Para abrir um negócio no Brasil, você precisa de um bom escritório de contabilidade.

When using this word, it is important to remember that it is a feminine noun (a contabilidade). It often appears in phrases like contabilidade criativa (creative accounting), which usually has a negative connotation implying manipulation of figures. In the digital age, we see terms like contabilidade digital or contabilidade online becoming increasingly popular as software replaces traditional ledgers. Whether you are dealing with a small padaria (bakery) or a multinational corporation like Petrobras, the principles of contabilidade remain the core language of their economic existence.

Using contabilidade correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or part of a prepositional phrase. Because it is a technical term, it often pairs with verbs like fazer (to do), estudar (to study), organizar (to organize), and revisar (to review). It is also frequently modified by adjectives that specify the type of accounting being discussed, such as pública (public), privada (private), or gerencial (managerial).

As a Subject: 'A contabilidade é essencial para o sucesso financeiro.' (Accounting is essential for financial success.) Here, it describes the discipline itself.
As a Department: 'Envie as faturas para a contabilidade.' (Send the invoices to the accounting department.) In this case, it refers to a physical or organizational location.
With Adjectives: 'Ele é especialista em contabilidade tributária.' (He is a specialist in tax accounting.) Adding qualifiers helps narrow down the specific expertise.

Nós precisamos ajustar a contabilidade antes da auditoria externa.

In everyday conversation, you might hear people complain about the complexity of contabilidade, especially in Brazil, where the tax system is notoriously intricate. Phrases like 'Isso é grego para mim, parece contabilidade' (That's Greek to me, it looks like accounting) might be used to describe something overly complex, though this is informal. More commonly, you'll hear professionals discussing fechamento de contabilidade (the closing of the accounts) at the end of the month or year. This is a high-stress period for contabilistas (accountants).

O curso de contabilidade na universidade é muito concorrido.

Finally, when discussing the history or the 'books' of a company, you might use the plural contabilidades, though it is rare. You are more likely to refer to livros contábeis (accounting books). The word is versatile enough to cover the abstract concept, the practical work, and the organizational unit. Mastery of this word allows you to navigate professional environments in any Portuguese-speaking country with confidence.

You will encounter contabilidade in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from formal business meetings to casual chats about personal finances. If you work in an office in Lisbon, Maputo, or São Paulo, it is a daily staple. You'll hear it in the elevator when colleagues discuss 'o pessoal da contabilidade' (the folks from accounting), or in a boardroom when a CEO demands to see 'a contabilidade do projeto' (the project's financial records). It is also a frequent subject in news broadcasts, especially when discussing government budgets or corporate scandals.

In the Media: Financial news outlets like 'Exame' or 'Jornal de Negócios' use the word constantly to discuss fiscal transparency and corporate earnings reports.
At the Bank: When applying for a loan, a bank manager might ask for the 'contabilidade da sua empresa' to verify your income and stability.
In Education: It's one of the most popular university majors. You'll hear students saying 'Tenho prova de contabilidade amanhã' (I have an accounting exam tomorrow).

O governo anunciou novas regras para a contabilidade pública.

In a more personal context, if you hire an accountant to help with your income tax (Imposto de Renda in Brazil or IRS in Portugal), you are engaging with the world of contabilidade. You might see signs on the street for 'Escritório de Contabilidade' (Accounting Office). In these places, the word represents a service that ensures legal compliance and financial optimization. It's a word that evokes trust, precision, and sometimes, the headache of bureaucracy.

Você já enviou os recibos para o nosso escritório de contabilidade?

Lastly, in the legal system, contabilidade is used during audits (perícia contábil) to resolve disputes over money or inheritance. It is the definitive record that judges and lawyers rely on to determine the truth of financial claims. Whether it's a high-stakes legal battle or just trying to figure out where your salary went this month, contabilidade is the framework used to find the answer.

English speakers learning Portuguese often make a few specific errors when using contabilidade. The most common is confusing the noun (the discipline) with the person (the professional). In English, 'accounting' is the field and 'accountant' is the person. In Portuguese, contabilidade is the field, and contabilista or contador is the person. Saying 'Eu sou uma contabilidade' is like saying 'I am an accounting,' which is incorrect. You must say 'Eu trabalho com contabilidade' or 'Eu sou contador'.

Confusing with 'Conta': While 'conta' means 'account' or 'bill', you cannot use 'contabilidade' to mean a single bank account. 'Minha contabilidade bancária' is incorrect; use 'minha conta bancária'.
Spelling Errors: The word is long and has many syllables. A common mistake is forgetting the 'i' after 'bil' or swapping the 'd' for a 't'. It's 'con-ta-bi-li-da-de'.
Gender Agreement: Since it ends in '-ade', it is always feminine. Learners sometimes use masculine adjectives with it. Correct: 'contabilidade avançada', Incorrect: 'contabilidade avançado'.

Errado: Eu preciso pagar a contabilidade da luz.
Correto: Eu preciso pagar a conta da luz.

Another nuance is the difference between contabilidade and tesouraria (treasury). While they both deal with money, contabilidade is about recording and reporting, while tesouraria is about the actual cash flow and payments. Using them interchangeably in a professional setting can lead to confusion about which department you are actually referring to. Also, be careful with the word contagem. As mentioned before, contagem is for counting objects (like sheep or votes), not for financial records.

Errado: O contabilidade está errado.
Correto: A contabilidade está errada.

Finally, avoid translating 'accountability' as 'contabilidade'. Although they share a root, 'accountability' is better translated as responsabilidade or prestação de contas. Using contabilidade to mean 'being held responsible' is a classic 'false friend' trap for English speakers. In summary, keep contabilidade strictly in the realm of financial record-keeping and you will avoid most pitfalls.

While contabilidade is the standard term, several other words share its semantic space. Understanding the differences between them will help you choose the most precise word for your context. Some are more technical, while others are more general. Let's look at how they compare.

Contabilidade vs. Escrituração: Contabilidade is the whole science/field. Escrituração is specifically the act of 'bookkeeping' or recording entries in the ledgers. One is the theory/system, the other is the manual or digital entry process.
Contabilidade vs. Finanças: Contabilidade looks at the past (what happened?). Finanças (Finance) often looks at the future (what should we do with the money?). Accounting reports; Finance decides.
Contabilidade vs. Auditoria: Contabilidade is the creation of the records. Auditoria (Auditing) is the independent examination of those records to ensure they are accurate and legal.

A contabilidade foca no registro, enquanto a gestão financeira foca na estratégia.

Other related terms include balanço (balance sheet), which is a specific product of contabilidade. You might also hear fiscalidade in Portugal, which refers specifically to the tax-related aspects of accounting. In Brazil, tributação is more common for this. If you are talking about personal money management, controle financeiro is often used instead of contabilidade, as the latter sounds too professional for a simple household budget.

Muitas pessoas confundem contabilidade com simples matemática.

In summary, while contabilidade is the 'big' word, don't be afraid to use contas for bills, finanças for money strategy, and escrituração for the actual data entry. This variety makes your Portuguese sound more natural and precise. Just remember: when in doubt, contabilidade is the safest professional term for anything involving systematic financial records.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'conta' also gives us 'contar' (to tell a story), because telling a story is like 'counting' events in sequence.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kõ.ta.bi.li.ˈda.dɨ/

US /kõ.ta.bi.li.ˈda.dʒi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'da'.

Rime avec

felicidade cidade verdade amizade liberdade vontade idade qualidade

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'n' fully instead of nasalizing the 'o'.
Missing the 'i' after 'bil'.
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., saying con-ta-BI-li-da-de).
Pronouncing 'de' as 'day' in Brazil.
Ignoring the nasal 'o' at the start.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate, but long words can be intimidating.

Écriture 4/5

Spelling is tricky with many vowels and the 'i' in the middle.

Expression orale 4/5

Requires good control of nasal vowels and multi-syllabic rhythm.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but can be lost in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Conta Número Dinheiro Empresa Trabalho

Apprends ensuite

Contabilizar Auditoria Fiscalidade Patrimônio Lucro

Avancé

Escrituração Amortização Depreciação Passivo circulante Ativo imobilizado

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine nouns ending in -ade

A contabilidade, a felicidade, a cidade.

Nasalization of 'on'

In 'contabilidade', the 'o' is nasalized because of the 'n'.

Palatalization of 'de' (Brazil)

The final 'de' sounds like 'jee' in most Brazilian dialects.

Noun-Adjective Agreement

Contabilidade avançadA (both feminine).

Preposition 'em' with departments

Trabalho NA (em + a) contabilidade.

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Exemples par niveau

Onde fica a contabilidade?

Where is the accounting department?

Simple question with 'onde fica' (where is located).

Eu estudo contabilidade.

I study accounting.

Subject + Verb (estudar) + Object.

A contabilidade é difícil.

Accounting is difficult.

Using 'é' (is) with a feminine adjective 'difícil'.

Ela trabalha na contabilidade.

She works in accounting.

Preposition 'na' (em + a).

Eu preciso da contabilidade.

I need the accounting (records/department).

Verb 'precisar' requires the preposition 'de'.

A contabilidade está pronta.

The accounting is ready.

Using 'estar' for a temporary state.

O livro de contabilidade é azul.

The accounting book is blue.

Noun phrase 'livro de contabilidade'.

Não entendo contabilidade.

I don't understand accounting.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

A contabilidade da minha loja é simples.

The accounting of my shop is simple.

Possessive 'minha' agreeing with 'loja'.

Você faz a sua própria contabilidade?

Do you do your own accounting?

Direct question with 'própria' (own).

O escritório de contabilidade abre às nove.

The accounting office opens at nine.

Telling time with 'às'.

Nós temos muita contabilidade para fazer.

We have a lot of accounting to do.

'Muita' used as an adjective for 'contabilidade'.

A contabilidade ajuda a economizar dinheiro.

Accounting helps to save money.

Verb 'ajudar' followed by 'a' + infinitive.

Onde está o relatório de contabilidade?

Where is the accounting report?

'Onde está' for location of an object.

Eu gosto de aulas de contabilidade.

I like accounting classes.

Plural 'aulas de contabilidade'.

A contabilidade é importante para o governo.

Accounting is important for the government.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose/target.

A contabilidade gerencial é vital para a tomada de decisão.

Managerial accounting is vital for decision making.

Specific term 'contabilidade gerencial'.

Muitas empresas falham por falta de contabilidade.

Many companies fail due to a lack of accounting.

'Por falta de' expressing cause.

O software de contabilidade facilitou o nosso trabalho.

The accounting software made our work easier.

Past tense 'facilitou'.

Precisamos contratar uma empresa de contabilidade externa.

We need to hire an external accounting firm.

Infinitive 'contratar'.

A contabilidade deve ser transparente e honesta.

Accounting must be transparent and honest.

Modal verb 'deve ser'.

Ele se especializou em contabilidade tributária.

He specialized in tax accounting.

Reflexive verb 'especializar-se em'.

O erro na contabilidade foi descoberto ontem.

The error in the accounting was discovered yesterday.

Passive voice 'foi descoberto'.

A contabilidade reflete a realidade da empresa.

The accounting reflects the reality of the company.

Present tense 'reflete'.

A contabilidade criativa pode levar a sérios problemas legais.

Creative accounting can lead to serious legal problems.

Term 'contabilidade criativa' (often negative).

O fechamento da contabilidade anual exige muito esforço.

The annual accounting closing requires a lot of effort.

Noun phrase 'fechamento da contabilidade'.

As normas internacionais de contabilidade foram atualizadas.

International accounting standards have been updated.

Plural subject with passive voice.

A contabilidade de custos é essencial na indústria.

Cost accounting is essential in industry.

Specific term 'contabilidade de custos'.

O auditor revisou toda a contabilidade do último ano.

The auditor reviewed all the accounting from last year.

Subject 'auditor' with verb 'revisar'.

Uma contabilidade bem estruturada atrai investidores.

Well-structured accounting attracts investors.

Adjective 'bem estruturada' modifying the noun.

A digitalização da contabilidade é uma tendência irreversível.

The digitalization of accounting is an irreversible trend.

Abstract noun 'digitalização'.

Ela atua na área de contabilidade pública há dez anos.

She has been working in public accounting for ten years.

Using 'há' to express duration.

A contabilidade forense é crucial para desvendar fraudes financeiras.

Forensic accounting is crucial for uncovering financial fraud.

Advanced term 'contabilidade forense'.

A convergência para as normas de contabilidade globais foi um desafio.

The convergence to global accounting standards was a challenge.

Abstract noun 'convergência'.

A contabilidade nacional permite avaliar o crescimento do PIB.

National accounting allows for the assessment of GDP growth.

Technical term 'contabilidade nacional'.

O rigor na contabilidade é o que garante a confiança do mercado.

Rigor in accounting is what guarantees market confidence.

Emphasis construction 'é o que'.

A contabilidade ambiental mensura o impacto das empresas na natureza.

Environmental accounting measures the impact of companies on nature.

Modern term 'contabilidade ambiental'.

Houve uma discrepância significativa na contabilidade consolidada.

There was a significant discrepancy in the consolidated accounting.

Using 'Houve' (there was) for existence.

A contabilidade analítica foca na eficiência dos processos internos.

Analytical accounting focuses on the efficiency of internal processes.

Specific term 'contabilidade analítica'.

A ética na contabilidade é um pilar da profissão.

Ethics in accounting is a pillar of the profession.

Abstract concept 'ética'.

A contabilidade, enquanto sistema de informação, transcende meros números.

Accounting, as an information system, transcends mere numbers.

Formal usage of 'enquanto' (as/in the capacity of).

A complexidade da contabilidade fiscal brasileira é um entrave ao investimento.

The complexity of Brazilian tax accounting is a barrier to investment.

Noun 'entrave' (obstacle/barrier).

A contabilidade de seguros requer um conhecimento atuarial profundo.

Insurance accounting requires deep actuarial knowledge.

Highly specialized field.

É imperativo que a contabilidade reflita a essência econômica sobre a forma jurídica.

It is imperative that accounting reflects economic substance over legal form.

Subjunctive 'reflita' after 'é imperativo que'.

A contabilidade histórica pode ser distorcida por períodos de hiperinflação.

Historical accounting can be distorted by periods of hyperinflation.

Passive construction with 'pode ser'.

A contabilidade social visa quantificar o valor gerado para a comunidade.

Social accounting aims to quantify the value generated for the community.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

A doutrina da contabilidade evoluiu significativamente no último século.

Accounting doctrine has evolved significantly over the last century.

Formal term 'doutrina'.

A contabilidade é a linguagem universal dos negócios e da economia global.

Accounting is the universal language of business and the global economy.

Metaphorical definition.

Synonymes

Escrituração Contas Finanças Balanço Cálculo Gestão financeira Tesouraria Relatórios

Antonymes

Desorganização Caos financeiro Gasto desenfreado Omissão

Collocations courantes

Contabilidade fiscal

Escritório de contabilidade

Fazer a contabilidade

Contabilidade gerencial

Contabilidade pública

Erro de contabilidade

Contabilidade criativa

Departamento de contabilidade

Normas de contabilidade

Contabilidade de custos

Phrases Courantes

Contabilidade em dia

— When all financial records are up to date and correct.

É fundamental manter a contabilidade em dia.

Fechamento de contabilidade

— The process of finalizing the accounts at the end of a period.

Estamos na semana de fechamento de contabilidade.

Prestar contas

— To give an account of one's actions or spending; to be accountable.

O diretor teve que prestar contas à diretoria.

Balanço patrimonial

— A financial statement that summarizes assets and liabilities.

O balanço patrimonial mostra a saúde da empresa.

Livro caixa

— A simple record of cash flowing in and out.

Anote todas as vendas no livro caixa.

Plano de contas

— The list of categories used to organize financial records.

O plano de contas foi alterado este ano.

Demonstrativo de resultados

— The profit and loss statement.

O demonstrativo de resultados foi positivo.

Auditoria contábil

— A formal examination of an entity's financial accounts.

A auditoria contábil não encontrou irregularidades.

Conciliação bancária

— Matching bank statements with internal accounting records.

A conciliação bancária deve ser feita semanalmente.

Ativo e passivo

— Assets and liabilities, the core of accounting.

Precisamos equilibrar o ativo e o passivo.

Souvent confondu avec

contabilidade vs Contagem

Contagem is for counting things (1, 2, 3), while contabilidade is for financial records.

contabilidade vs Conta

Conta is a single bill or account; contabilidade is the whole system.

contabilidade vs Tesouraria

Tesouraria is about cash flow; contabilidade is about recording and reporting.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Fazer as contas do chá"

— To do very basic or simple calculations, often involving small amounts of money.

Não precisa de calculadora, são apenas as contas do chá.

Informal

"Ajuste de contas"

— A settlement of scores, often used in a revenge context but also financially.

O encontro foi um verdadeiro ajuste de contas.

Neutral

"Pôr as contas em pratos limpos"

— To clarify a situation or settle a debt transparently.

Vamos conversar e pôr as contas em pratos limpos.

Informal

"Fazer contas sem o hospedeiro"

— To plan something without considering the person who has the final say.

Eles decidiram tudo, mas fizeram contas sem o hospedeiro.

Informal

"Dar conta do recado"

— To be able to handle a task or responsibility successfully.

Ele é novo, mas vai dar conta do recado.

Informal

"Por conta da casa"

— On the house; free of charge (usually at a restaurant).

A sobremesa é por conta da casa.

Neutral

"Viver por conta própria"

— To live independently or be self-employed.

Ela decidiu trabalhar por conta própria.

Neutral

"Levar em conta"

— To take into consideration.

Você deve levar em conta o tempo de viagem.

Neutral

"No fim das contas"

— At the end of the day; ultimately.

No fim das contas, o que importa é a saúde.

Neutral

"Ter contas a ajustar"

— To have unfinished business or a grudge with someone.

Eu ainda tenho contas a ajustar com ele.

Informal

Facile à confondre

contabilidade vs Contabilista

Both start the same way.

Contabilista is the person (accountant); contabilidade is the field.

O contabilista faz a contabilidade.

contabilidade vs Contável

Similar root.

Contável means 'countable'; contabilidade is 'accounting'.

Este substantivo é contável, mas a contabilidade é complexa.

contabilidade vs Contagem

Both involve numbers.

Contagem is the act of counting units; contabilidade is financial management.

A contagem dos votos terminou antes da contabilidade da empresa.

contabilidade vs Conto

Similar spelling.

Conto is a short story or a million (old currency); contabilidade is accounting.

Ele escreveu um conto sobre a contabilidade.

contabilidade vs Responsabilidade

English 'accountability' translates here.

Responsabilidade is being responsible; contabilidade is financial recording.

Ele tem a responsabilidade de manter a contabilidade.

Structures de phrases

A contabilidade é [adjective].

A contabilidade é boa.

Eu trabalho na contabilidade de [place].

Eu trabalho na contabilidade do banco.

É preciso [verb] a contabilidade.

É preciso organizar a contabilidade.

A contabilidade [verb] que [clause].

A contabilidade mostra que perdemos dinheiro.

Devido a falhas na contabilidade, [consequence].

Devido a falhas na contabilidade, a empresa faliu.

Sob a ótica da contabilidade [adjective], [analysis].

Sob a ótica da contabilidade social, o lucro é secundário.

Mixed

Onde fica o escritório de contabilidade?

Onde fica o escritório de contabilidade mais próximo?

Mixed

Você estuda contabilidade?

Você estuda contabilidade na universidade?

Famille de mots

Noms

Contador

Contabilista

Conta

Contagem

Contabilidade

Verbes

Contabilizar

Contar

Recontar

Adjectifs

Contábil

Contável

Incontável

Apparenté

Patrimônio

Fisco

Imposto

Auditoria

Balanço

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in business, education, and legal contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Eu sou uma contabilidade. → Eu sou contador / Eu trabalho com contabilidade.
You cannot be 'an accounting'. You are an 'accountant'.
O contabilidade está certo. → A contabilidade está certa.
Contabilidade is feminine. The article and adjective must agree.
Eu preciso pagar minha contabilidade de água. → Eu preciso pagar minha conta de água.
Use 'conta' for a single bill, not 'contabilidade'.
Contabilidade criativo. → Contabilidade criativa.
Adjectives must be feminine to match 'contabilidade'.
Eu estudo contabilidate. → Eu estudo contabilidade.
The word ends with 'd', not 't'. Common spelling error.

Astuces

The 'Ability' suffix

Just remember that 'Accounting' is the 'Ability' to manage 'Accounts'. Account + Ability = Contabilidade. This helps you remember the long '-bilidade' ending.

Department vs Science

If you are in an office, 'A Contabilidade' usually means the physical room or the team. If you are in a school, it means the subject you are studying.

Nasal 'O'

Don't say 'kon-ta'. Say 'kõ-ta'. The air should come out of your nose. This is the key to sounding like a native speaker from the very first syllable.

Always Feminine

Never use 'o'. It's always 'a contabilidade'. This applies even if the accountant is a man. The field itself is feminine.

Adjective Form

Use 'contábil' for things related to accounting. For example: 'um erro contábil' (an accounting error). It sounds much more professional than 'erro de contabilidade'.

The Brazilian Context

In Brazil, accounting is so complex that 'contabilidade' is almost synonymous with 'dealing with the government'. It's a very high-stakes word there.

The 'de' Ending

In Portugal, the end sounds like 'd'. In Brazil, it sounds like 'jee'. If you hear 'contabilidajee', you are definitely listening to a Brazilian.

Spelling Check

Count the 'i's. There are two: one in 'bi' and one in 'li'. Many learners forget one of them.

Invoices

If someone says 'manda pra contabilidade', they are usually asking you to send an invoice (fatura) or a receipt (recibo) to the accounting team.

Major Choice

If you want to say you are majoring in accounting, say: 'Eu faço faculdade de contabilidade' or 'Eu curso ciências contábeis'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Count' (Conta) + 'Ability' (bilidade). It is the 'ability to count' money for a business.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant calculator sitting on top of a mountain of organized folders.

Word Web

Dinheiro Empresa Impostos Números Relatórios Balanço Contador Escritório

Défi

Try to explain your monthly expenses using the word 'contabilidade' in three different sentences.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'computare', meaning to calculate or sum up.

Sens originel : The act of calculating or reckoning accounts.

Romance (Latin root via Old Portuguese).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when discussing 'contabilidade criativa', as it implies fraud or unethical behavior.

Unlike the US where 'accounting' is often seen as just tax prep, in the Lusophone world, it is viewed as a comprehensive management science.

Luca Pacioli (The father of accounting, studied in Portuguese universities). The 'Leão' (The Lion) - symbol of the Brazilian tax authority. The 'Finanças' - the ubiquitous tax offices in Portugal.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

University/Education

Aula de contabilidade
Grau em contabilidade
Estudante de contabilidade
Teoria da contabilidade

Business/Office

Setor de contabilidade
Relatório de contabilidade
Software de contabilidade
Equipe de contabilidade

Taxes/Government

Contabilidade fiscal
Regras de contabilidade
Fisco e contabilidade
Contabilidade simplificada

Small Business

Escritório de contabilidade
Contabilidade para MEI
Serviço de contabilidade
Custos de contabilidade

Legal/Auditing

Perícia de contabilidade
Fraude na contabilidade
Revisão de contabilidade
Contabilidade forense

Amorces de conversation

"Você acha que a contabilidade é a parte mais importante de uma empresa?"

"Qual é o melhor software de contabilidade que você já usou?"

"Você prefere fazer sua própria contabilidade ou contratar um profissional?"

"Como a contabilidade mudou com a chegada da inteligência artificial?"

"Você já teve algum problema sério com a contabilidade do seu negócio?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva como você organiza a contabilidade da sua vida pessoal todos os meses.

Se você fosse um contador, qual seria a parte mais difícil do seu trabalho?

Escreva sobre a importância da transparência na contabilidade pública do seu país.

Imagine uma empresa sem contabilidade. O que aconteceria com ela em um ano?

Como o estudo da contabilidade pode ajudar uma pessoa que não trabalha com finanças?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is always feminine: 'a contabilidade'. This is because nouns ending in '-ade' in Portuguese are almost always feminine. You should say 'uma boa contabilidade' and never 'um bom contabilidade'.

In Brazil, 'contador' usually refers to someone with a university degree, while 'contabilista' can be a more general term. In Portugal, 'contabilista certificado' is the official professional title. Both refer to the person doing the accounting.

No, for a bank account you use 'conta bancária'. 'Contabilidade' refers to the system of records, not the account itself. You might say 'Eu faço a contabilidade das minhas finanças pessoais', but not 'Minha contabilidade no banco está vazia'.

You can say 'fazer a contabilidade' or more technically 'fazer a escrituração'. In a very informal way, people might say 'fazer as contas', but that's less specific to professional bookkeeping.

Yes, the word is identical in both countries. The only difference is in the pronunciation of the last syllable and some specific technical terms for taxes (e.g., IRS vs. Imposto de Renda), but the core word remains the same.

It is a euphemism for manipulating financial records to make a company look better than it is. It often implies unethical or illegal practices. Use it with caution as it has a strong negative connotation.

Very much so. Because of complex tax laws and the growth of the business sector, there is always a high demand for accounting professionals in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique.

Break it down: con-ta-bi-li-da-de. Make sure to nasalize the 'con' (like 'cone' but without the 'n' sound at the end, just the nasal air). In Brazil, the 'de' at the end is like 'jee'.

Usually, no. 'Accountability' is better translated as 'prestação de contas' or 'responsabilidade'. 'Contabilidade' is strictly about the financial discipline and records.

Common ones include 'contabilidade fiscal' (tax), 'contabilidade de custos' (cost), 'contabilidade pública' (public/government), and 'contabilidade gerencial' (managerial).

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