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A2 verb #7,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

desdobrar

Top 7,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces desdobrar en 30 secondes

Explication desdobrar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic, physical meaning of 'desdobrar'. It means to 'unfold' something. Think of simple objects you use every day: a piece of paper, a map, or a napkin. If you have a piece of paper that is folded in half, and you open it so it is flat again, you are 'desdobrando' that paper. It is a regular verb ending in -ar, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'trabalhar'. For example: 'Eu desdobro o papel' (I unfold the paper). At this level, you don't need to worry about the complex figurative meanings. Just remember it as the opposite of 'dobrar' (to fold). If you go to a store and see a folded shirt, and you want to see the whole shirt, you 'desdobrar' it. It’s a very useful word for basic physical actions in the house or while shopping. Try to practice it with common nouns like 'mapa' (map), 'carta' (letter), or 'roupa' (clothes). This will help you build a solid foundation for the more complex uses you will learn later.

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At the A2 level, you start to see 'desdobrar' used in more daily contexts beyond just paper. You might hear it in relation to furniture, like a 'mesa desdobrável' (folding table) that you need to 'desdobrar' to use. More importantly, at this level, you should be introduced to the reflexive form 'desdobrar-se'. While its main metaphorical use is more advanced, you might see it in simple sentences about things unfolding or opening up. For example, 'A flor desdobra-se' (The flower unfolds/opens up). You should also be comfortable with the past tense: 'Eu desdobrei o mapa ontem' (I unfolded the map yesterday). You might use it when giving or following instructions, such as 'Desdobre o pano e coloque-o na mesa' (Unfold the cloth and place it on the table). This level is about expanding the range of objects you can 'desdobrar' and starting to recognize that the verb can describe natural processes like a flower opening.

At the B1 level, the figurative meanings of 'desdobrar' become much more important. You will frequently encounter it in news reports or stories to describe how a situation 'unfolds' or develops. This is almost always reflexive: 'A situação desdobrou-se de forma rápida' (The situation unfolded quickly). You should also learn the very common idiomatic use of 'desdobrar-se' to mean working extremely hard or multitasking. For instance, 'Ela desdobrou-se para terminar o projeto a tempo' (She worked incredibly hard/multiplied herself to finish the project on time). This is a very common way to express high levels of effort in Portuguese. You will also see the noun form 'desdobramento', which means 'consequence' or 'development'. For example, 'Estamos à espera dos desdobramentos da reunião' (We are waiting for the developments of the meeting). At B1, you are moving from simple physical actions to describing complex human efforts and event progressions.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'desdobrar' and 'desdobrar-se' with nuance in professional and academic contexts. It can be used to describe the breakdown or decomposition of a complex idea into smaller parts. For example, 'Vamos desdobrar este conceito em três pontos principais' (Let's break down/unfold this concept into three main points). This is very useful for presentations and essays. You should also be familiar with its use in more technical fields like mathematics, military strategy (deployment of troops), or even biology. The word takes on a more formal tone here. You should also be able to distinguish between 'desdobrar' and similar verbs like 'desenrolar' (to unroll) or 'estender' (to extend/spread), choosing the most precise one for the situation. Your use of the reflexive form to describe personal effort should feel natural and be used to add color and emphasis to your descriptions of hard work or dedication.

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At the C1 level, you will encounter 'desdobrar' in high-level literature and philosophical texts. Authors use it to describe the unfolding of time, the expansion of the soul, or the intricate layers of a character's personality. It becomes a tool for poetic and abstract expression. For example, 'O tempo desdobra-se em memórias' (Time unfolds into memories). You should be able to appreciate and use these metaphorical layers in your own advanced writing. You will also see it used in complex legal or political discussions to describe the cascading effects of a law or a policy. At this level, you should also be aware of the noun 'desdobramento' in its more technical sense in fields like finance (e.g., stock splits are sometimes referred to using this root). Your mastery should include the ability to use the verb in all moods, including the subjunctive in complex hypothetical sentences: 'Caso a situação se desdobre negativamente, teremos um plano B' (Should the situation unfold negatively, we will have a Plan B).

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At the C2 level, 'desdobrar' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. you understand its deep etymological roots and how it relates to concepts of duality and expansion. You can use it in highly specialized discourse, such as discussing the 'desdobramento' of a philosophical argument or the 'desdobrar' of a complex architectural structure. You are comfortable with its most obscure uses, perhaps in older literary texts or specific regional dialects. You can play with the word's meanings, using it in puns or sophisticated metaphors that rely on the listener's deep understanding of both the physical and figurative layers. Your command of the verb is such that you can use it to describe the most subtle shifts in a situation or the most profound efforts of a human spirit, always choosing the exact preposition and reflexive structure to convey the perfect shade of meaning. It is no longer just a verb; it is a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

desdobrar en 30 secondes

Desdobrar primarily means to unfold physical objects like paper, maps, or clothes that were previously folded.
The reflexive form 'desdobrar-se' is used to describe how situations or stories develop and unfold over time.
Idiomatically, 'desdobrar-se' means to work extremely hard, often doing the work of multiple people to achieve a goal.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate, but its power lies in its diverse figurative meanings.

The Portuguese verb desdobrar is a fascinating and versatile word that every learner should master early on. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the physical act of unfolding something that has been previously folded. Imagine taking a neatly folded map, a letter, or a piece of clothing and opening it up to its full size—that action is desdobrar. However, like many Portuguese verbs, its utility extends far beyond the physical realm into figurative and idiomatic territory, making it an essential component of both daily conversation and formal writing.

Physical Action: The primary use involves objects like paper, fabric, or maps. When you arrive at a campsite and need to open your tent, or when you take a shirt out of a suitcase and flatten it out, you are performing the act of desdobrar. It is the direct opposite of dobrar (to fold).

Preciso desdobrar o mapa para encontrar o caminho certo para a aldeia.

Beyond the physical, desdobrar is frequently used to describe the way events or situations develop over time. In this context, it is often used reflexively (desdobrar-se). When a news story breaks and new details emerge hour by hour, we say the situation is 'unfolding.' This implies a natural progression where layers of information are revealed, much like the layers of a folded paper being opened one by one. This usage is common in journalism, literature, and serious discussions about politics or social issues.

Figurative Development: This refers to how a plot in a movie, a historical event, or a complex negotiation progresses. It suggests a sequence of consequences or related events that stem from an initial action.

Os acontecimentos desdobraram-se de uma forma totalmente inesperada para todos.

Perhaps the most culturally significant use of the word is the reflexive form desdobrar-se applied to people. In Portuguese, if you say someone is 'desdobrando-se,' it means they are working incredibly hard, often multitasking or going well beyond their normal duties to achieve a goal or help someone. It carries a connotation of 'multiplying oneself' or 'stretching oneself thin' to meet demands. This is a high compliment in professional and personal contexts, highlighting dedication and resilience.

Human Effort: Used to describe a person who is doing the work of two or three people, or someone who is making a massive effort to overcome a difficult situation.

A mãe desdobrou-se em cuidados para garantir que o filho recuperasse rápido.

O projeto vai desdobrar-se em várias fases ao longo do próximo ano letivo.

Não te esqueças de desdobrar as mangas da camisa antes de a lavares.

Using desdobrar correctly requires understanding its transitive and reflexive forms. As a regular '-ar' verb, its conjugation is predictable, which is great for learners. However, the nuance lies in whether you are unfolding an object or whether a situation (or yourself) is doing the unfolding. Let's look at the different syntactic structures where this verb thrives.

Direct Object Usage: Here, the subject acts upon an object. 'Eu desdobro o papel' (I unfold the paper). This is the most straightforward way to use the verb, common in household chores or technical tasks.

Podes ajudar-me a desdobrar esta mesa de jantar para o Natal?

When we talk about events, we use the reflexive pronoun 'se'. 'A crise desdobrou-se em protestos' (The crisis unfolded into protests). Notice how the preposition 'em' (into/in) often follows the verb in these cases to indicate the result or the subsequent state of the unfolding process. This indicates a transformation or a sequence of related occurrences.

Reflexive for Events: Used when a situation leads to further consequences. It gives the impression that the event has its own internal logic or energy that is being revealed.

A história desdobrou-se perante os nossos olhos como um filme de suspense.

The reflexive use for people is particularly expressive. When you say 'Eu me desdobro' (I multiply myself/I work extra hard), you are using a metaphorical device to explain that you are giving 200% effort. This is common in workplace reviews or when talking about parents who manage many responsibilities simultaneously. It is usually followed by 'para' (to/in order to) or 'em' (in terms of/into).

Reflexive for Effort: Describes extreme dedication. 'Ela desdobra-se em mil' is a common idiom meaning she is doing a thousand things at once.

Eles desdobraram-se para que o evento fosse um sucesso absoluto.

O general ordenou que as tropas se desdobrassem pelo terreno.

Ao desdobrar o lençol, percebi que ainda estava húmido.

You will encounter desdobrar in a variety of real-world settings, from the mundane to the highly professional. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the 'vibe' of the word and use it naturally. It’s a word that bridges the gap between simple everyday actions and complex abstract concepts.

At Home and Shopping: You'll hear this when dealing with laundry, furniture, or packaging. If you buy a 'sofá-cama' (sofa bed), the salesperson might explain how to 'desdobrar' it. If you're helping someone with housework, they might ask you to unfold the tablecloth (toalha de mesa).

Cuidado ao desdobrar esse vestido; o tecido é muito delicado.

In the news and media, desdobrar is a staple. Journalists use it to describe the evolution of a political scandal, a natural disaster, or a sporting tournament. It sounds more sophisticated than simply saying 'what happened next' (o que aconteceu depois). It suggests a multi-layered process where one thing leads to another.

Journalism and Politics: Used to report on the 'unfolding' of events. Headlines often read: 'Acompanhe os desdobramentos da crise' (Follow the developments/unfoldings of the crisis).

A investigação pode desdobrar-se em novas buscas policiais amanhã.

In a professional environment, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, the reflexive se desdobrar is very common during performance reviews or when discussing team dynamics. A manager might say, 'A equipa teve de se desdobrar para cumprir o prazo' (The team had to multiply themselves/work incredibly hard to meet the deadline). It shows appreciation for effort that goes above and beyond.

Workplace and Productivity: Refers to multitasking or extreme dedication. It’s a very positive way to describe hard work without just using the word 'trabalhar'.

Eu desdobro-me entre o trabalho e os estudos todos os dias.

A paisagem desdobrava-se infinita diante dos viajantes cansados.

O monitor de papel pode ser desdobrado para facilitar o transporte.

While desdobrar is relatively straightforward, English speakers often make mistakes by over-relying on more basic verbs like 'abrir' (to open) or by misusing the reflexive form. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing with 'Abrir': While you can 'abrir' a map, 'desdobrar' is more specific. Using 'abrir' for something that was specifically folded sounds a bit childish or imprecise. Use 'desdobrar' when the action involves removing folds.

Errado: Vou abrir o lençol.
Correto: Vou desdobrar o lençol.

Another common error is forgetting the reflexive pronoun when talking about events or effort. In English, we say 'The situation unfolded.' In Portuguese, you cannot just say 'A situação desdobrou.' You must say 'A situação se desdobrou.' Without the 'se', the verb expects a direct object (you unfolding something). This is a classic 'false friend' of English grammar structure.

Missing Reflexive Pronoun: Always remember the 'se' when the subject is the thing being unfolded or the person making the effort. It’s essential for grammatical correctness.

A história desdobrou-se (NOT: A história desdobrou) em várias direções.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse desdobrar with revelar (to reveal). While unfolding something often reveals what is inside, the verbs are not interchangeable. Desdobrar focuses on the physical or structural expansion, while revelar focuses on the discovery of hidden information. Use desdobrar for the process and revelar for the result.

Desdobrar vs. Revelar: Use 'desdobrar' for the physical act of opening folds; use 'revelar' for showing a secret or a photo.

Ao desdobrar a carta, ele revelou o segredo da família.

Eles desdobraram (Past) as toalhas, mas não as guardaram.

Não te desdobres tanto; tu precisas de descansar um pouco.

To truly master desdobrar, you should know its neighbors in the Portuguese vocabulary. Depending on the context, you might want a word that is more specific, more formal, or more casual. Here are the most common alternatives and how they compare to our main word.

Estender vs. Desdobrar: 'Estender' means to stretch or spread out. You 'estender' the laundry on the line. 'Desdobrar' is about the act of opening the folds specifically. You might desdobrar a sheet and then estender it on the bed.

Depois de desdobrar o tapete, vamos estendê-lo no meio da sala.

When talking about events unfolding, you could use decorrer or suceder. Decorrer refers to the passage of time ('during the unfolding'), while suceder refers to things happening one after another. Desdobrar-se is more descriptive of the complexity and the 'layers' of the event.

Desenrolar vs. Desdobrar: 'Desenrolar' means to unroll (like a scroll or a rug). It is very similar to 'desdobrar' but specific to things that are rolled rather than folded. Figuratively, 'desenrolar' is often used for the 'development' of a plot.

O desenrolar da trama foi muito mais lento do que o esperado.

For the reflexive meaning of 'working very hard,' you could use esforçar-se (to make an effort) or matar-se de trabalhar (to kill oneself working - very informal). However, desdobrar-se is the most elegant way to describe someone managing multiple difficult tasks at once.

Multiplicar-se vs. Desdobrar-se: 'Multiplicar-se' is almost a literal synonym for the figurative 'desdobrar-se'. It means to multiply oneself. It is slightly more dramatic but used in very similar contexts.

O gerente teve de se multiplicar para atender todos os clientes.

Vamos desdobrar o plano de marketing em ações semanais.

O tecido desdobra-se facilmente se for passado a ferro.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'dobra' is also the name of the currency in São Tomé and Príncipe, though that comes from the gold coin 'dobrão'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /dɨʒ.duˈβɾaɾ/

US /dez.doˈbɾaɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable '-rar'.

Rime avec

falar cantar andar olhar chegar pensar amar lugar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a 'z' or 'zh' sound.
Putting the stress on the first or second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'o' as a long 'oh' instead of the Portuguese 'u' or 'o' sound.
Forgetting the 'r' sound at the end in European Portuguese.
Confusing the 'des-' prefix with 'dis-'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'dobrar'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires correct use of reflexive pronouns.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation of 'des-' and the final 'r' can be tricky.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with 'desenrolar' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

dobrar abrir papel fazer trabalhar

Apprends ensuite

desenrolar estender consequência esforço etapa

Avancé

desdobramento heterónimo jurisprudência multiplicidade

Grammaire à connaître

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Em Portugal diz-se 'desdobrar-se', no Brasil 'se desdobrar'.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu desdobro, tu desdobras, ele desdobra...

Preposition 'em' with desdobrar-se

A situação desdobrou-se em algo novo.

Negative Imperative

Não desdobres o papel ainda!

Passive Voice with 'ser'

O mapa foi desdobrado pelo guia.

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Exemples par niveau

Eu vou desdobrar este papel.

I am going to unfold this paper.

Simple future with 'vou' + infinitive.

Podes desdobrar o mapa, por favor?

Can you unfold the map, please?

Request using 'Podes' (informal 'you').

Ela desdobra a toalha de mesa.

She unfolds the tablecloth.

Present tense, third person singular.

Nós desdobramos as roupas do saco.

We unfold the clothes from the bag.

Present tense, first person plural.

O menino desdobra a carta do avô.

The boy unfolds the letter from his grandfather.

Direct object 'a carta'.

Eles desdobram o guardanapo antes de comer.

They unfold the napkin before eating.

Present tense, third person plural.

Não desdobres o jornal agora.

Don't unfold the newspaper now.

Negative imperative (informal).

Eu desdobrei o convite ontem.

I unfolded the invitation yesterday.

Preterite (past) tense.

A mesa desdobra-se para caberem mais pessoas.

The table unfolds to fit more people.

Reflexive use for a functional object.

A flor desdobrou-se com o sol da manhã.

The flower unfolded with the morning sun.

Reflexive use for a natural process.

Precisamos de desdobrar as cadeiras para a festa.

We need to unfold the chairs for the party.

Infinitive after 'precisamos de'.

Ele desdobrou o sofá-cama para o hóspede.

He unfolded the sofa-bed for the guest.

Compound word 'sofá-cama' as object.

Ela desdobra-se em sorrisos quando nos vê.

She breaks into/unfolds into smiles when she sees us.

Figurative reflexive use.

O lençol é fácil de desdobrar.

The sheet is easy to unfold.

Adjective + 'de' + infinitive.

Vou desdobrar o meu casaco porque está calor.

I'm going to unfold my jacket because it's hot.

Context of temperature change.

Eles desdobraram o toldo da loja.

They unfolded the shop's awning.

Specific vocabulary 'toldo'.

A situação política desdobrou-se em novos protestos.

The political situation unfolded into new protests.

Reflexive 'se desdobrar' + 'em'.

O professor desdobrou-se para ajudar todos os alunos.

The teacher worked extra hard to help all the students.

Reflexive meaning 'to exert oneself'.

O plano vai desdobrar-se em várias etapas mensais.

The plan will unfold in several monthly stages.

Future tense with 'vai' + reflexive.

Quais serão os desdobramentos desta decisão?

What will be the consequences of this decision?

Noun form 'desdobramentos'.

Ele desdobrou-se em explicações para se desculpar.

He went to great lengths to explain himself and apologize.

Reflexive meaning 'to provide many'.

A história desdobra-se num cenário medieval.

The story unfolds in a medieval setting.

Describing a narrative setting.

Ela desdobra o seu tempo entre o trabalho e a família.

She divides/unfolds her time between work and family.

Figurative use for time management.

Os cientistas desdobraram o código genético.

The scientists unfolded/decoded the genetic code.

Technical figurative use.

O projeto desdobra-se em três vertentes principais.

The project branches out into three main areas.

Formal organizational description.

O governo desdobrou-se em esforços para conter a inflação.

The government made immense efforts to contain inflation.

Reflexive for institutional effort.

A investigação desdobrou-se em múltiplas frentes.

The investigation unfolded across multiple fronts.

Abstract development of a process.

É necessário desdobrar a análise para entender os detalhes.

It is necessary to break down the analysis to understand the details.

Academic use for 'to decompose'.

A fita desdobrou-se ao longo da estrada.

The ribbon unfolded along the road.

Poetic description of geography.

O exército desdobrou-se pela fronteira.

The army deployed along the border.

Military technical term.

Ela desdobrou o seu talento em várias artes.

She applied/unfolded her talent across various arts.

Metaphorical use for talent.

O autor desdobra a narrativa através de flashbacks.

The author unfolds the narrative through flashbacks.

Literary analysis context.

A consciência desdobra-se na percepção do eu.

Consciousness unfolds in the perception of the self.

Philosophical usage.

A tragédia desdobrou-se com uma inevitabilidade cruel.

The tragedy unfolded with a cruel inevitability.

High-level narrative description.

O diplomata desdobrou-se em cortesia para evitar o conflito.

The diplomat went to extremes of courtesy to avoid conflict.

Nuanced description of behavior.

As consequências desdobrar-se-ão por gerações.

The consequences will unfold over generations.

Future conditional/long-term prediction.

O texto desdobra-se em múltiplas camadas de significado.

The text unfolds in multiple layers of meaning.

Literary criticism term.

A paisagem desdobrava-se em vales e montanhas sem fim.

The landscape unfolded in endless valleys and mountains.

Imperfect tense for description.

O conceito de liberdade desdobra-se em direitos e deveres.

The concept of liberty unfolds into rights and duties.

Political philosophy context.

Ele desdobrou o seu argumento com uma lógica impecável.

He unfolded his argument with impeccable logic.

Rhetorical usage.

O ser desdobra-se na sua própria existência temporal.

Being unfolds in its own temporal existence.

Ontological philosophical usage.

A sinfonia desdobra-se num crescendo de emoção.

The symphony unfolds in a crescendo of emotion.

Musicology and aesthetic description.

A complexidade da lei desdobra-se em inúmeras jurisprudências.

The complexity of the law unfolds into countless legal precedents.

Legal technical discourse.

A alma desdobra-se perante o absoluto.

The soul unfolds before the absolute.

Mystical or spiritual context.

O cosmos desdobra-se segundo leis matemáticas universais.

The cosmos unfolds according to universal mathematical laws.

Scientific/Philosophical synthesis.

A narrativa desdobra-se numa polifonia de vozes.

The narrative unfolds in a polyphony of voices.

Advanced literary theory term.

O artista desdobra a matéria em formas transcendentes.

The artist unfolds matter into transcendent forms.

Art criticism context.

A história desdobra-se como um palimpsesto de culturas.

History unfolds like a palimpsest of cultures.

Metaphorical historical analysis.

Collocations courantes

desdobrar o mapa

desdobrar-se em esforços

desdobrar-se em mil

desdobrar o papel

desdobrar a narrativa

desdobrar o plano

mesa desdobrável

desdobrar as mangas

desdobrar a bandeira

desdobrar a análise

Phrases Courantes

Desdobrar o jogo

— To open up the game, usually in soccer, by using the full width of the field.

O treinador pediu para desdobrar o jogo pelas alas.

Desdobrar-se para ajudar

— To go out of one's way or make an extraordinary effort to assist someone.

Ele desdobrou-se para ajudar o vizinho doente.

Desdobrar a roupa

— To unfold clothes, usually to wear them or inspect them.

Vou desdobrar a minha t-shirt favorita.

Desdobrar o orçamento

— To break down a budget into specific categories or items.

O contabilista vai desdobrar o orçamento anual.

Desdobrar a toalha

— To unfold a towel or tablecloth.

Podes desdobrar a toalha de praia?

Desdobrar as pernas

— To stretch one's legs after sitting for a long time (less common than 'esticar').

Preciso de desdobrar as pernas depois desta viagem.

Desdobrar o evento

— To organize or detail the sequence of an event.

Vamos desdobrar o evento em três sessões.

Desdobrar o segredo

— To gradually reveal or explain a secret (poetic).

A vida acaba por desdobrar os seus segredos.

Desdobrar o pensamento

— To elaborate on or expand a thought.

Ela desdobrou o seu pensamento num longo ensaio.

Desdobrar a tenda

— To set up/unfold a tent.

Demoramos uma hora a desdobrar a tenda.

Souvent confondu avec

desdobrar vs abrir

Abrir is general; desdobrar is specifically for removing folds.

desdobrar vs desenrolar

Desenrolar is for unrolling; desdobrar is for unfolding.

desdobrar vs revelar

Revelar is the act of showing a secret; desdobrar is the process that might lead to it.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Desdobrar-se em mil"

— To do many things at once or to work extremely hard, as if multiplying oneself.

Ela desdobra-se em mil para dar conta de tudo.

informal

"Desdobrar-se em atenções"

— To be extremely attentive or polite to someone.

Os anfitriões desdobraram-se em atenções com os convidados.

formal

"Desdobrar o coração"

— To open up emotionally (poetic).

Ele desdobrou o coração naquela carta de amor.

poetic

"Desdobrar-se em desculpas"

— To apologize profusely.

Ele desdobrou-se em desculpas pelo atraso.

neutral

"Desdobrar a língua"

— To start speaking more or to reveal things (regional/informal).

Depois de um copo, ele desdobrou a língua.

informal

"Desdobrar-se em cuidados"

— To take extreme care of someone or something.

O enfermeiro desdobrou-se em cuidados com o paciente.

neutral

"Desdobrar o tempo"

— To manage time so well it seems like there is more of it.

Não sei como ela consegue desdobrar o tempo assim.

figurative

"Desdobrar as asas"

— To start showing one's potential or to begin a journey.

Chegou a hora de desdobrar as asas e voar.

poetic

"Desdobrar o pano"

— To reveal the full scope of a situation (similar to 'unveil').

Vamos desdobrar o pano sobre este assunto.

neutral

"Desdobrar-se em elogios"

— To praise someone excessively or at length.

O crítico desdobrou-se em elogios ao novo filme.

neutral

Facile à confondre

desdobrar vs desdobrar

Looks like 'double' but means the opposite (unfold).

Dobrar is to double/fold; des- is the reversal.

Vou desdobrar o mapa.

desdobrar vs desdobrar-se

Idiomatic meaning is not obvious.

Means working very hard, not literally unfolding your body.

Ela desdobrou-se no trabalho.

desdobrar vs desenrolar

Similar physical action.

Specific to rolls (like rugs or scrolls).

Desenrolar o pergaminho.

desdobrar vs estender

Often happens at the same time as unfolding.

Estender is to stretch out; desdobrar is to remove folds.

Vou estender a toalha.

desdobrar vs explicar

Metaphorical overlap in 'unfolding' an idea.

Explicar is verbal; desdobrar is structural.

Ele explicou a lição.

Structures de phrases

Eu vou desdobrar [objeto].

Eu vou desdobrar o papel.

[Objeto] desdobra-se.

A mesa desdobra-se.

Ela desdobrou-se para [verbo].

Ela desdobrou-se para ajudar.

A situação desdobrou-se em [consequência].

A situação desdobrou-se em festa.

Vamos desdobrar [conceito] em [partes].

Vamos desdobrar o plano em fases.

[Abstrato] desdobra-se em [abstrato].

A alma desdobra-se em luz.

Desdobrar-se em [substantivo plural].

Desdobrar-se em elogios.

Consoante o desdobrar de [evento]...

Consoante o desdobrar dos factos...

Famille de mots

Noms

desdobramento (development/unfolding)

dobra (fold)

dobragem (folding/dubbing)

dobradura (origami/folding)

Verbes

dobrar (to fold)

redobrar (to redouble)

desdobrar-se (to exert oneself)

Adjectifs

desdobrável (foldable/unfoldable)

dobrado (folded)

dobrável (foldable)

Apparenté

desenrolar

estender

explicar

multiplicar

revelar

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

Eu desdobro a porta. → Eu abro a porta.
You cannot unfold a door; you open it. Use 'abrir' for doors, windows, and boxes.
A situação desdobrou rapidamente. → A situação desdobrou-se rapidamente.
In this context, the verb must be reflexive. The situation unfolds 'itself'.
Eu vou desdubrar o papel. → Eu vou desdobrar o papel.
The spelling is with an 'o', not a 'u', despite the pronunciation in some regions.
Ela desdobrou-se de trabalhar. → Ela desdobrou-se a trabalhar / para trabalhar.
The preposition 'de' is incorrect here; use 'para' or 'a' to indicate the purpose or action.
Vou desdobrar o meu segredo. → Vou revelar o meu segredo.
While poetic, 'desdobrar' is usually for processes; 'revelar' is the standard word for secrets.

Astuces

Reflexive Pronouns

Remember that when the situation is unfolding itself, you must use 'se desdobrar'. Forgetting the 'se' is a common mistake for English speakers.

Opposites

Learn 'dobrar' and 'desdobrar' together. This helps you remember both verbs as a pair of related actions.

Hard Work

Use 'desdobrar-se' in job interviews or cover letters to describe your dedication. It sounds very professional and impressive.

Stress the End

Portuguese verbs in the infinitive always have the stress on the last syllable. Say it: des-do-BRAR.

News Reports

When listening to the news, look out for the word 'desdobramentos'. It's the standard way to say 'further developments'.

Keep the O

Even though it sounds like a 'u' in some accents, always spell it with 'o' as it comes from 'dobra'.

Desdobrar vs Abrir

If there are folds involved, choose 'desdobrar'. It makes your Portuguese sound more advanced than just using 'abrir'.

Poetic Flair

In creative writing, use 'desdobrar' to describe landscapes or the passage of time for a more lyrical feel.

Mental Image

Visualize an origami swan being slowly unfolded back into a flat square of paper whenever you say the word.

Multiplication

Think of 'desdobrar-se' as 'multiplying yourself' to remember its meaning of working extremely hard.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'DES' as 'undo' and 'DOBRAR' as 'double/fold'. To des-dobrar is to undo the double/fold.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant map of the world being unfolded on a table until it covers everything.

Word Web

mapa papel esforço situação acontecimento mesa roupa etapas

Défi

Try to use 'desdobrar-se' in a sentence about your favorite hobby or your job this week.

Origine du mot

From the Portuguese prefix 'des-' (expressing reversal or negation) and the verb 'dobrar' (to fold).

Sens originel : Literally 'to un-fold'.

Romance (Latin root 'duplus' for double/fold).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but 'desdobrar-se' can imply someone is being overworked, so use it with empathy.

The English 'unfold' is a very close match, but 'desdobrar-se' for hard work is more common in Portuguese than 'unfolding oneself' is in English.

Fernando Pessoa's poetry often deals with the 'desdobramento' of the self. News headlines about the 'Lava Jato' investigation frequently used 'desdobramentos'. Brazilian songs often use 'desdobrar' to describe the opening of a heart or a path.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Household chores

Desdobrar os lençóis
Desdobrar a toalha
Desdobrar a mesa
Desdobrar a roupa lavada

Professional work

Desdobrar-se em esforços
Desdobrar o projeto
Desdobrar o orçamento
Desdobrar as tarefas

News and Current Events

Acompanhar os desdobramentos
A situação desdobra-se
Desdobrar-se em violência
Novos desdobramentos da crise

Travel and Navigation

Desdobrar o mapa
Desdobrar o folheto
Desdobrar a tenda
Desdobrar o assento

Emotional/Personal

Desdobrar-se em desculpas
Desdobrar-se em elogios
Desdobrar o coração
Desdobrar a alma

Amorces de conversation

"Podes ajudar-me a desdobrar este mapa gigante?"

"Como é que tu consegues desdobrar-te entre tantas tarefas?"

"Já viste os últimos desdobramentos daquela notícia?"

"Sabes como se desdobra este sofá-cama?"

"Achais que o plano se vai desdobrar como planeado?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreve uma situação em que tiveste de te desdobrar para ajudar alguém.

Como é que os teus planos para este ano se estão a desdobrar?

Escreve sobre a última vez que usaste um mapa de papel e tiveste de o desdobrar.

Quais são os possíveis desdobramentos da tua carreira nos próximos cinco anos?

Reflete sobre como a tua personalidade se desdobra em diferentes contextos sociais.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'abrir' for doors. 'Desdobrar' is only for things that are folded.

Yes, usually. It implies great effort and dedication. However, it can also suggest someone is doing too much and might be exhausted.

'Desdobrar' is the verb (to unfold), while 'desdobramento' is the noun (development, consequence, or the act of unfolding).

It's regular: eu desdobrei, tu desdobraste, ele desdobrou, nós desdobrámos, eles desdobraram.

Yes, 'A história desdobra-se' is a very common and elegant way to say a story unfolds.

Yes, it is common in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meanings.

Yes, it can mean to expand an equation or break down a formula.

It's a folding table, one that you can unfold to make larger or to use.

You use 'desdobrar-se em mil' (to unfold/multiply oneself into a thousand).

It is neutral. It can be used in the kitchen or in a high court of law.

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