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A2 verb 10 min de lecture

interrogar

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces interrogar en 30 secondes

Explication interrogar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to ask questions. You will mostly use the verb 'perguntar' (to ask). However, it is useful to recognize 'interrogar' when you see it in simple stories or news headlines. Think of it as a 'big' or 'serious' version of asking. At this stage, you don't need to use it in your own speaking, but you should know that a 'ponto de interrogação' is a question mark (?). If you see the word 'interrogar' in a basic text, just remember it means someone is asking very important questions, like a police officer or a teacher. You might see it in a simple sentence like 'O policial interroga o homem.' Even if you don't know the specific legal context, you can understand that a formal conversation is happening. Focus on learning the regular -ar verb endings (o, as, a, amos, ais, am) because 'interrogar' follows them perfectly. This will help you later when you need to use more complex verbs. For now, just think of 'interrogar' as the 'detective's word' for asking questions.

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As an A2 learner, you can start to distinguish between casual and formal language. 'Interrogar' is a great word to add to your vocabulary for formal situations. You should understand that you use 'perguntar' for your friends and 'interrogar' for official business. For example, if you are reading a simple news article about a crime, you will see 'A polícia interrogou o suspeito.' You can also use it in the reflexive form 'interrogar-se' to mean 'to ask oneself' or 'to wonder' in a slightly more serious way than 'perguntar-se.' At this level, you should be able to conjugate 'interrogar' in the present and the simple past (Pretérito Perfeito). For example: 'Ontem, o juiz interrogou a testemunha.' You should also know the noun 'interrogatório' (interrogation/questioning). Understanding this word helps you follow basic news reports or police dramas, which are common resources for language learners. Remember to use the preposition 'sobre' if you want to say what the questioning is about: 'Eles interrogam sobre o acidente.' This structure is very common and will make your Portuguese sound more natural and organized.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'interrogar' in appropriate contexts. You understand that this verb implies a certain intensity or formality. You can use it to describe not just police work, but also serious academic or professional questioning. For instance, you might describe a very tough job interview as 'Parecia que eles estavam me interrogando!' (It felt like they were interrogating me!). This shows you understand the metaphorical and hyperbolic use of the word. You should also be able to use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as the Imperfeito ('Eles interrogavam o suspeito quando a luz acabou') or the Futuro do Presente ('O advogado interrogará o réu amanhã'). You are also starting to see how 'interrogar' is used in literature to describe a character's internal thoughts. The reflexive 'interrogar-se' becomes more useful here for writing short stories or describing feelings: 'Ele se interrogava sobre o sentido da vida.' At B1, you are expected to know that 'interrogar' is a direct transitive verb but often requires 'sobre' for the topic. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'questionar,' which often implies doubting or challenging something rather than just seeking information.

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At the B2 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'interrogar.' You recognize its use in legal, political, and philosophical discourses. You can follow a debate where someone says 'Precisamos interrogar as premissas deste argumento' (We need to interrogate the premises of this argument), understanding that it means a deep, critical analysis. You are proficient in using the passive voice with this verb, which is very common in formal Portuguese: 'O réu está sendo interrogado neste exato momento.' You also understand the cultural weight the word can carry, especially in historical contexts related to political interrogation. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms like 'inquirir' or 'indagar' when you want to vary your register, but you know that 'interrogar' remains the most standard term for formal questioning. You can use 'interrogar' in the subjunctive mood to express doubt, desire, or hypothetical situations: 'Espero que o juiz interrogue a testemunha com cuidado.' Your ability to use the word reflexively is also more sophisticated, allowing you to discuss complex emotional or intellectual states. You understand that 'interrogar-se' is a more formal and intense alternative to 'ficar pensando' or 'estar em dúvida.'

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At the C1 level, you use 'interrogar' with precision and stylistic flair. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'interrogar,' 'inquirir,' 'escrutinar,' and 'sondar.' You can use 'interrogar' in academic writing to describe your methodology: 'Este trabalho propõe-se a interrogar as relações de poder na sociedade contemporânea.' You are also comfortable with the personal infinitive and other advanced structures: 'Apesar de eles interrogarem o suspeito repetidamente, não obtiveram confissão.' You understand the rhetorical power of the word. In an essay, you might use it to prompt the reader: 'Devemos nos interrogar: até que ponto somos livres?' This level of usage shows a deep integration of the word into your intellectual toolkit. You can also identify and use the word in its more rare or literary forms. You are sensitive to the tone of 'interrogar' in different Lusophone cultures—for example, how it might appear in a Brazilian newspaper versus a Mozambican legal document. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also contextual and cultural, allowing you to navigate high-level discussions in law, philosophy, or social sciences where 'interrogar' is a key conceptual verb.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'interrogar' and its entire word family. You can use it with the same ease and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You might employ it in complex literary analysis, such as 'O autor interroga a própria estrutura do romance, subvertendo a cronologia.' You are familiar with technical legal terms related to it, such as 'auto de interrogatório.' You can use the verb in highly sophisticated grammatical constructions, including the 'futuro do pretérito' for hypothetical past actions: 'O promotor teria interrogado a testemunha se ela tivesse comparecido.' You also appreciate the etymological depth of the word, connecting it to its Latin roots and understanding how it functions across the Romance language family. You can use 'interrogar' ironically, metaphorically, or with extreme formality as the situation demands. Whether you are drafting a legal brief, writing a philosophical treatise, or engaging in a high-stakes political debate, 'interrogar' is a word you use to command authority and signal a deep, rigorous level of inquiry. You can also spot when the word is being used to manipulate or to exert power, showing a high level of critical discourse awareness.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

interrogar en 30 secondes

Interrogar is a formal verb used for serious questioning, primarily in legal, police, and academic contexts, implying authority and a search for specific truth.
It differs from 'perguntar' by its intensity and formality; you interrogate a suspect but ask a friend for the time or a simple favor.
The verb is regular, ending in -ar, and often uses the preposition 'sobre' to link the person being questioned to the topic of inquiry.
Reflexively, 'interrogar-se' means to wonder or reflect deeply, often used in literature to describe a character's internal struggle or philosophical doubt.

The Portuguese verb interrogar is a sophisticated and powerful word that goes far beyond the simple act of asking a question. While the common verb perguntar is used for everyday inquiries like asking for the time or a friend's plans, interrogar carries a weight of formality, authority, and often, intensity. It is most closely related to the English 'to interrogate' or 'to question formally.' When you use this word, you are describing a situation where information is being extracted or sought after in a structured, serious, or even adversarial manner. It implies a power dynamic where one person has the right or the duty to ask, and the other is expected to provide answers.

Legal and Judicial Context: This is the most common home for the word. In a courtroom or a police station, officials do not just 'ask' suspects; they interrogam them. This process involves a series of targeted questions designed to uncover the truth, find inconsistencies, or gather evidence. For example, 'O delegado vai interrogar o suspeito' (The delegate/police chief will interrogate the suspect).
Academic and Philosophical Inquiry: In a more abstract sense, scholars and philosophers interrogam a realidade (interrogate reality) or interrogam o texto (interrogate the text). Here, it means to examine something critically, looking for deeper meanings or hidden assumptions. It is a process of deep, analytical questioning that doesn't accept things at face value.

Durante horas, a polícia continuou a interrogar a testemunha sobre os detalhes do crime.

Furthermore, the word can be used reflexively: interrogar-se. This means to ask oneself, to wonder, or to reflect deeply. It suggests an internal struggle or a moment of profound doubt. If you are 'interrogando-se sobre o seu futuro,' you aren't just thinking about it; you are questioning your path with a high degree of seriousness. It is also used in education, though less commonly than 'perguntar,' to describe a teacher who is testing a student's knowledge in a formal oral exam setting. The nuance is always that the questioning is purposeful and directed toward a specific investigative goal.

O filósofo costumava interrogar as tradições mais antigas da sociedade.

Formal Education: In older or very traditional Portuguese academic settings, a teacher might 'interrogar os alunos' during an oral examination. This implies a rigorous check of their learning, where the student must answer precisely under pressure.

Historically, the word has also been associated with darker times, such as the interrogations conducted by political police (like the PIDE in Portugal or the DOI-CODI in Brazil during dictatorships). Because of this, the word can sometimes carry a chilling connotation of coercion or forced confession, depending on the historical and social context of the conversation. Understanding this gravity is key to using the word correctly in a Portuguese-speaking environment.

Using interrogar correctly requires attention to both its grammatical structure and its inherent tone. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object—the person or thing being questioned. The basic structure is interrogar alguém (to interrogate someone). However, you often want to specify what they are being questioned about, which introduces the preposition sobre (about).

The Direct Object Pattern: When the focus is simply on the act of questioning the person: 'Eles interrogaram o prisioneiro por toda a noite.' (They interrogated the prisoner all night long.) Here, 'o prisioneiro' is the direct object receiving the action.
The Prepositional Pattern: When specifying the topic: 'O advogado interrogou a testemunha sobre o seu paradeiro.' (The lawyer interrogated the witness about their whereabouts.) The use of 'sobre' is the most natural way to link the person to the subject of the inquiry.

Ao chegar em casa tarde, o filho foi interrogado pelos pais preocupados.

The verb is frequently used in the passive voice, especially in news reporting. Phrases like 'O suspeito foi interrogado e liberado' (The suspect was interrogated and released) are common. This shifts the focus from who did the questioning to the person who underwent the process. In Portuguese, the passive voice is formed with the verb ser + the past participle interrogado/a/os/as, which must agree in gender and number with the subject.

Reflexive usage is another vital aspect. When someone is in a state of deep doubt or self-reflection, they interrogam-se. For example: 'Ela interrogava-se se tinha tomado a decisão certa.' (She wondered/asked herself if she had made the right decision.) This usage is more literary and emotional, often found in novels or psychological descriptions. It conveys a sense of searching within oneself for an answer that is not easily found.

Não podemos deixar de nos interrogar sobre as causas da crise atual.

Infinitive Personal: In more complex sentences, you might see the personal infinitive: 'Para eles interrogarem o réu, precisam de uma autorização.' (For them to interrogate the defendant, they need authorization.) This is a unique feature of Portuguese that adds precision to who is performing the action.

In the daily life of a Portuguese speaker, interrogar is not a word you use to chat with your neighbor, but it is one you will encounter constantly in media, literature, and formal institutions. If you turn on the evening news in Lisbon, Luanda, or São Paulo, you are almost guaranteed to hear it in reports concerning the justice system or police investigations. It is the standard term for describing the official questioning of individuals involved in legal cases.

O Jornal Nacional informou que o ex-ministro será interrogado amanhã pelo juiz federal.

In the world of entertainment, particularly in crime dramas and 'telenovelas,' the scene of an interrogation is a staple. You will hear detectives shouting, 'Eu estou te interrogando!' (I am interrogating you!) to emphasize their authority and the seriousness of the situation. In these contexts, the word serves to heighten the drama and signal that the stakes are high. It contrasts sharply with the more polite fazer uma pergunta (to ask a question).

Journalism and Politics: Journalists often use 'interrogar' when describing how they pressed a politician for answers. 'Os jornalistas interrogaram o candidato sobre suas promessas de campanha' implies a much more aggressive and thorough questioning than 'entrevistar' (to interview).
Literature and Philosophy: In Portuguese literature, from Saramago to Machado de Assis, the word is used to describe a character's internal quest for truth. It appears in essays and philosophical texts to describe the act of deconstructing an idea. 'Interrogar o silêncio' (to interrogate the silence) is a poetic way of describing a deep search for meaning where none seems to exist.

Na sala de aula, o professor começou a interrogar os alunos sobre a matéria da prova.

Finally, you might hear it in a humorous or hyperbolic way among friends or family. A mother might say to a child who came home late, 'Pare de me interrogar!' if the child is asking too many questions, or conversely, the child might feel like they are being 'interrogated' by a parent. In this sense, it is used to complain about questioning that feels too intense or intrusive for a casual setting.

Learning to use interrogar involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter. The most frequent mistake is a lack of register awareness—using 'interrogar' when the much simpler 'perguntar' is required. Because 'interrogate' exists in English but is reserved for very specific, usually negative or legal contexts, learners sometimes over-apply it or under-apply it in Portuguese.

Mistake 1: Misusing Register: Using 'interrogar' for casual questions.
❌ Vou interrogar o garçom se tem café. (I will interrogate the waiter if there is coffee.)
✅ Vou perguntar ao garçom se tem café. This mistake makes the speaker sound unnecessarily aggressive or like they are in a movie.
Mistake 2: Preposition Confusion: Learners often forget that 'interrogar' is usually followed by 'sobre' when a topic is mentioned.
❌ Interroguei-o a sua vida.
✅ Interroguei-o sobre a sua vida. Without 'sobre', the sentence feels grammatically incomplete in Portuguese.

Muitos alunos confundem interrogar com 'entrevistar', mas os objetivos são diferentes.

Another common error is confusing interrogar with entrevistar (to interview). While both involve asking questions, an 'entrevista' is generally collaborative and for the purpose of sharing information (like a job interview or a celebrity talk), whereas an 'interrogatório' is often involuntary and aimed at uncovering something hidden. If you are a journalist doing a friendly profile, use 'entrevistar.' If you are doing a hard-hitting investigative piece where the subject is reluctant, 'interrogar' might be more appropriate, but it is much harsher.

Lastly, be careful with the reflexive form. Learners sometimes say 'Eu me interrogo' when they just mean 'I'm wondering' in a lighthearted way. In Portuguese, 'interrogar-se' is quite heavy. If you just want to say 'I wonder if it will rain,' you would use 'Será que vai chover?' or 'Pergunto-me se vai chover.' Using 'interrogar-se' for such trivial matters sounds overly dramatic.

Não confunda o ato de interrogar com o simples ato de 'pedir' informações.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to choose interrogar over its many synonyms. Each alternative carries a slightly different shade of meaning, and using the right one will make you sound much more like a native speaker. Here we compare interrogar with other common verbs of inquiry.

Perguntar vs. Interrogar: Perguntar is the neutral, everyday word. It is used 90% of the time. Interrogar is reserved for formal, legal, or intense situations.
Example: 'Perguntei o nome dele' (I asked his name) vs. 'O juiz interrogou o réu' (The judge interrogated the defendant).
Questionar vs. Interrogar: Questionar often means to challenge or to doubt something. If you 'questiona' a decision, you are expressing disagreement. 'Interrogar' is about the process of asking questions to get facts.
Example: 'Ela questionou a autoridade do chefe' (She challenged the boss's authority).
Inquirir vs. Interrogar: Inquirir is even more formal than 'interrogar.' It is often used in administrative or official investigations (inquéritos). It sounds very bureaucratic and is less common in spoken language.
Example: 'A comissão inqueriu todos os envolvidos.'

Podemos interrogar um suspeito, mas devemos 'indagar' sobre uma dúvida simples.

Other alternatives include indagar and sondar. Indagar is a more elegant way to say 'to inquire' or 'to look into.' It is common in literature and formal writing. Sondar means 'to probe' or 'to sound out.' You use 'sondar' when you are trying to find out someone's opinion or intentions indirectly, like 'sondar o terreno' (to test the waters). While interrogar is a direct frontal assault for information, sondar is a subtle, indirect approach.

Finally, there is examinar. In some contexts, like a medical or academic one, 'examinar' can overlap with 'interrogar.' A doctor might 'interrogar o paciente' about his symptoms, which is a formal part of the diagnostic process (called 'anamnese' in medical terms). However, 'examinar' is more general and can apply to physical objects, while 'interrogar' always involves a communicative exchange, even if it's with oneself.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The Latin root is composed of 'inter-' (between/among) and 'rogare' (to ask/request). So, etymologically, it means to ask among or between people to find the truth.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ĩ.tɛ.ʁu.'ɡaɾ/

US /ĩ.tɛ.ʁo.'ɡaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'gar'.

Rime avec

falar amar chegar lugar mar olhar pensar voltar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the double 'rr' as a single 'r' (like the 'tt' in 'better').
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., in-te-RRO-gar).
Forgetting the nasalization of the initial 'in-'.
Pronouncing the 'o' as 'u' (interrugar) incorrectly.
Making the 'g' sound like a 'j' (interro-jar).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate 'interrogate'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of regular -ar conjugation and proper preposition use.

Expression orale 5/5

The strong 'rr' and nasal 'in-' can be tricky for beginners.

Écoute 3/5

Common in news and TV, usually spoken clearly in those contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

perguntar resposta polícia falar verdade

Apprends ensuite

inquirir investigar testemunhar confessar julgar

Avancé

escrutinar anamnese hermenêutica dialética inquérito

Grammaire à connaître

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu interrogo, Tu interrogas, Ele interroga...

Direct Object Pronouns

Eu o interroguei (I interrogated him).

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

Ele foi interrogado (He was interrogated).

Prepositional Verbs (sobre)

Interrogar sobre algo.

Reflexive Pronouns

Interrogar-se (to wonder/ask oneself).

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Exemples par niveau

O professor interroga o aluno.

The teacher questions the student.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Eu interrogo sobre o livro.

I question about the book.

Use of 'sobre' to indicate the topic.

Você interroga o seu amigo?

Do you question your friend?

Simple question structure.

Eles interrogam o homem na rua.

They question the man on the street.

3rd person plural.

Nós interrogamos o suspeito.

We question the suspect.

1st person plural (Pretérito Perfeito or Presente).

Ela interroga a mãe sobre a comida.

She questions her mother about the food.

Subject-Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase.

Onde eles interrogam as pessoas?

Where do they question the people?

Interrogative sentence starting with 'Onde'.

O policial quer interrogar você.

The police officer wants to question you.

Infinitive form after the verb 'querer'.

O juiz vai interrogar a testemunha amanhã.

The judge is going to interrogate the witness tomorrow.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Ontem, a polícia interrogou o motorista.

Yesterday, the police interrogated the driver.

Pretérito Perfeito (simple past).

Eu me interrogo se ele vai chegar cedo.

I wonder if he will arrive early.

Reflexive use (interrogar-se).

Por que você está me interrogando?

Why are you interrogating me?

Present continuous with 'estar' + gerund.

O detetive interrogou todos no hotel.

The detective interrogated everyone in the hotel.

Use of 'todos' as a direct object.

Eles não quiseram interrogar o suspeito sem um advogado.

They didn't want to interrogate the suspect without a lawyer.

Negative sentence with 'querer' in the past.

A professora interrogou a turma sobre o dever de casa.

The teacher questioned the class about the homework.

Feminine subject 'professora'.

O suspeito foi interrogado por duas horas.

The suspect was interrogated for two hours.

Passive voice (foi interrogado).

Se a polícia me interrogar, eu direi a verdade.

If the police interrogate me, I will tell the truth.

Future Subjunctive (interrogar) + Future Indicative.

Ele se interrogava constantemente sobre suas escolhas.

He constantly questioned himself about his choices.

Pretérito Imperfeito (habitual action in the past).

É importante interrogar as fontes de informação.

It is important to interrogate the sources of information.

Impersonal 'É importante' + infinitive.

O repórter interrogou o político sobre a nova lei.

The reporter questioned the politician about the new law.

Journalistic context.

Ninguém gosta de ser interrogado logo de manhã.

Nobody likes to be interrogated first thing in the morning.

Passive infinitive (ser interrogado).

Eles estavam interrogando o prisioneiro quando o advogado chegou.

They were interrogating the prisoner when the lawyer arrived.

Past continuous + simple past.

O diretor interrogou os funcionários sobre o desaparecimento do dinheiro.

The director questioned the employees about the missing money.

Formal workplace context.

Interrogaram-no durante toda a noite sem sucesso.

They interrogated him all night without success.

Placement of the pronoun '-no' after the verb.

O juiz ordenou que o promotor interrogasse o réu.

The judge ordered the prosecutor to interrogate the defendant.

Imperfect Subjunctive (interrogasse) after a command.

Ao interrogar a natureza, o cientista descobriu novas leis.

By interrogating nature, the scientist discovered new laws.

Gerundial use of the infinitive with 'ao'.

O suspeito recusou-se a ser interrogado sem a presença do seu advogado.

The suspect refused to be interrogated without the presence of his lawyer.

Reflexive verb 'recusar-se' followed by passive infinitive.

É necessário que nós interroguemos as nossas próprias certezas.

It is necessary that we interrogate our own certainties.

Present Subjunctive (interroguemos).

O interrogatório foi conduzido de forma ética e profissional.

The interrogation was conducted in an ethical and professional manner.

Noun form 'interrogatório'.

Muitas vezes, a arte serve para interrogar a sociedade.

Often, art serves to interrogate society.

Metaphorical/Philosophical use.

Eles teriam interrogado a testemunha se ela não tivesse fugido.

They would have interrogated the witness if she hadn't fled.

Conditional Perfect (teriam interrogado) + Pluperfect Subjunctive.

O delegado decidiu interrogar o suspeito separadamente.

The delegate decided to interrogate the suspect separately.

Adverb 'separadamente' modifying the action.

A filosofia de Foucault busca interrogar os mecanismos de poder.

Foucault's philosophy seeks to interrogate power mechanisms.

Academic/Critical context.

Para que eles interroguem o prisioneiro, é preciso cumprir os protocolos.

In order for them to interrogate the prisoner, protocols must be followed.

Conjunction 'Para que' + Present Subjunctive.

O historiador deve interrogar os documentos para além da superfície.

The historian must interrogate documents beyond the surface.

Analytical usage.

Interrogaram-no exaustivamente, mas ele manteve o silêncio.

They interrogated him exhaustively, but he remained silent.

Adverb 'exaustivamente' emphasizing intensity.

Não basta observar; é preciso interrogar o fenômeno.

Observing is not enough; one must interrogate the phenomenon.

Contrast between 'observar' and 'interrogar'.

A literatura contemporânea interroga as noções de identidade e pertença.

Contemporary literature interrogates notions of identity and belonging.

Abstract subjects.

Caso o juiz o interrogue hoje, ele deve estar preparado.

Should the judge interrogate him today, he must be prepared.

Conjunction 'Caso' + Present Subjunctive.

A comissão parlamentar passou o dia a interrogar os executivos.

The parliamentary commission spent the day interrogating the executives.

European Portuguese structure 'passar o dia a' + infinitive.

Interrogar-se-ia, porventura, sobre a validade ontológica de tal argumento?

Would one, perhaps, wonder about the ontological validity of such an argument?

Mesoclisis (interrogar-se-ia) + highly formal vocabulary.

O texto, ao ser interrogado pela crítica, revelou camadas de ironia insuspeitas.

The text, when interrogated by critics, revealed unsuspected layers of irony.

Passive construction with 'ao ser'.

É imperativo que se interroguem os fundamentos da democracia liberal.

It is imperative that the foundations of liberal democracy be interrogated.

Passive 'se' + Present Subjunctive.

Se o tivessem interrogado a tempo, o desfecho teria sido outro.

Had they interrogated him in time, the outcome would have been different.

Pluperfect Subjunctive in a conditional clause.

A obra de Saramago interroga incessantemente a condição humana.

Saramago's work incessantly interrogates the human condition.

Literary analysis.

Não houve quem não se interrogasse perante tal espetáculo de crueldade.

There was no one who did not question themselves before such a display of cruelty.

Negative structure requiring the subjunctive.

O ato de interrogar pressupõe uma vontade de desvelar o oculto.

The act of interrogating presupposes a will to unveil the hidden.

Nominalized infinitive 'O ato de interrogar'.

Mal o interrogue, perceberá que ele está a mentir.

As soon as you interrogate him, you will realize he is lying.

Conjunction 'Mal' + Future Subjunctive.

Collocations courantes

interrogar o suspeito

interrogar a testemunha

interrogar-se sobre

interrogar severamente

interrogar a consciência

interrogar o texto

interrogar exaustivamente

interrogar o passado

interrogar o olhar

auto de interrogatório

Phrases Courantes

Pare de me interrogar!

— Used when someone is asking too many intrusive questions. It's a common complaint.

Eu só cheguei cinco minutos atrasado, pare de me interrogar!

Interrogar a realidade

— To look critically at the world around you. Used in intellectual contexts.

A ciência deve interrogar a realidade constantemente.

Sob interrogatório

— To be in the process of being formally questioned. Usually by police.

O criminoso confessou tudo enquanto estava sob interrogatório.

Interrogar o silêncio

— A poetic phrase meaning to search for meaning in a lack of response.

Diante da tragédia, restava apenas interrogar o silêncio.

Direito de não ser interrogado

— A legal right (the right to remain silent).

O advogado lembrou ao cliente o seu direito de não ser interrogado sem defesa.

Interrogar a fundo

— To question someone very deeply or thoroughly.

O detetive decidiu interrogar a fundo todos os vizinhos.

Interrogar-se se...

— To wonder if something is the case.

Interrogo-me se vale a pena continuar este projeto.

Ponto de interrogação

— The question mark punctuation mark (?)

Não esqueça de colocar o ponto de interrogação no final da frase.

Interrogar as estrelas

— A metaphorical expression for seeking answers from fate or the universe.

Antigamente, os homens interrogavam as estrelas para prever o futuro.

Interrogar a memória

— To try very hard to remember something specific.

Ele fechou os olhos para interrogar a memória sobre aquele dia.

Souvent confondu avec

interrogar vs perguntar

Interrogar is formal/intense; perguntar is casual/general.

interrogar vs entrevistar

Interrogar is often adversarial; entrevistar is collaborative.

interrogar vs investigar

Interrogar is a specific action (questioning); investigar is the whole process.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Colocar sob fogo cruzado de perguntas"

— To interrogate someone very aggressively from multiple sides.

Os jornalistas colocaram o ministro sob um fogo cruzado de perguntas.

Journalistic/Informal

"Apertar o cerco"

— To increase pressure during an interrogation or investigation.

A polícia apertou o cerco e começou a interrogar os cúmplices.

Informal

"Cantar como um passarinho"

— To confess everything during an interrogation.

Depois de dez minutos, o ladrão começou a cantar como um passarinho.

Slang

"Dar com a língua nos dentes"

— To accidentally reveal a secret during questioning.

Cuidado para não dar com a língua nos dentes quando eles te interrogarem.

Informal

"Passar pelo crivo"

— To be intensely examined or questioned (like being put through a sieve).

O projeto terá que passar pelo crivo do comitê técnico.

Formal

"Estar na berlinda"

— To be the center of attention and questioning, often in a negative way.

O diretor está na berlinda após as denúncias de corrupção.

Informal

"Puxar a língua"

— To try to get someone to talk or reveal information.

Ela tentou puxar a língua do irmão sobre a festa surpresa.

Informal

"Abrir o jogo"

— To tell the truth or reveal hidden facts during questioning.

O suspeito finalmente decidiu abrir o jogo e contar o que aconteceu.

Informal

"Fazer uma acareação"

— To interrogate two people face-to-face to find inconsistencies.

O juiz marcou uma acareação para interrogar os dois suspeitos juntos.

Legal

"Moer de perguntas"

— To exhaust someone with a long and difficult interrogation.

A professora moeu os alunos de perguntas sobre o livro.

Informal

Facile à confondre

interrogar vs Inquirir

Both mean to question formally.

Inquirir is even more bureaucratic and formal, often used for official inquiries.

O tribunal vai inquirir os peritos.

interrogar vs Questionar

Both involve questions.

Questionar often implies challenging the truth of something; interrogar is seeking the truth.

Eu questiono a sua honestidade.

interrogar vs Indagar

Both are formal versions of ask.

Indagar is more elegant and less aggressive than interrogar.

Indaguei o porteiro sobre as visitas.

interrogar vs Sondar

Both seek information.

Sondar is indirect and subtle; interrogar is direct and formal.

Vou sondar o terreno antes de falar com ele.

interrogar vs Examinar

Both involve checking something.

Examinar can be physical or visual; interrogar is always verbal/communicative.

O médico examinou a ferida.

Structures de phrases

O [sujeito] interroga o [objeto].

O policial interroga o homem.

O [sujeito] vai interrogar o [objeto] sobre [tópico].

O juiz vai interrogar a mulher sobre o carro.

Eu me interrogo se [frase].

Eu me interrogo se ele virá.

[Objeto] foi interrogado por [tempo].

O suspeito foi interrogado por três horas.

É preciso interrogar as [ideias] de [autor].

É preciso interrogar as ideias de Platão.

Interrogar-se-ia sobre a [abstração].

Interrogar-se-ia sobre a finitude humana.

Eles estão a interrogar (PT) / estão interrogando (BR).

Eles estão interrogando o prisioneiro.

Não me interrogue!

Não me interrogue agora!

Famille de mots

Noms

interrogatório (interrogation)

interrogação (questioning/question mark)

interrogador (interrogator)

interrogada (the female person questioned)

interrogado (the male person questioned)

Verbes

interrogar (to interrogate)

reinterrogar (to interrogate again)

Adjectifs

interrogativo (interrogative)

interrogável (interrogatable)

interrogatório (referring to the interrogation process)

Apparenté

pergunta

questão

inquérito

exame

sonda

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in formal writing and news; rare in casual conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'interrogar' for 'asking for the time'. → Perguntar as horas.
'Interrogar' is too formal and aggressive for simple requests.
Interroguei o suspeito o crime. → Interroguei o suspeito SOBRE o crime.
The preposition 'sobre' is necessary to link the topic.
Eu interrogei. → Eu interroguei.
In the Pretérito Perfeito 'eu' form, the 'g' becomes 'gu' to keep the hard 'g' sound before 'e'.
Confusing 'interrogar' with 'entrevistar'. → Entrevistar um famoso.
'Interrogar' implies an investigation; 'entrevistar' is for media or jobs.
Using 'interrogar' without a direct object. → Interrogar ALGUÉM.
It is a transitive verb; it usually needs someone to be questioned.

Astuces

Legal Context

Always use 'interrogar' when translating legal documents or news stories about the justice system.

Academic Writing

Use 'interrogar' to show you are performing a deep, critical analysis of a subject.

Prepositions

Don't forget the 'sobre'. It's the bridge between the person and the topic.

The Double R

Make sure your 'rr' is strong. It's the heart of the word's sound.

Self-Reflection

Use 'interrogar-se' for profound wondering, not just casual curiosity.

Avoid Aggression

Be careful not to sound like a cop by using this word in casual social settings.

Word Family

Learn 'interrogatório' alongside the verb; they are almost always used together.

TV Shows

Watch Portuguese police procedurals to hear the word used in its natural habitat.

Historical Context

Be aware of the word's weight in countries with a history of political repression.

Question Marks

Associate the word with the 'ponto de interrogação' to remember its basic meaning.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'Interstate' (Inter-) 'Rogue' (-rog-). You need to 'interrogate' the rogue on the interstate to find out where he's going!

Association visuelle

Imagine a dark room with a single bright light shining on a chair. This is the classic 'interrogation' (interrogar) scene from movies.

Word Web

Polícia Tribunal Juiz Pergunta Verdade Suspeito Testemunha Investigação

Défi

Try to write three sentences using 'interrogar': one for a police context, one for a school context, and one reflexive sentence about your own life.

Origine du mot

From the Latin verb 'interrogare'.

Sens originel : To ask, to question, or to examine.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be mindful of the historical trauma associated with political interrogation in former dictatorships (Portugal and Brazil).

English speakers should be careful not to use 'interrogate' as often as they might 'ask'. In Portuguese, 'interrogar' is even more restricted to formal contexts than 'interrogate' is in English.

The movie 'Tropa de Elite' features intense interrogation scenes. Machado de Assis often uses 'interrogar' to describe psychological depth in his novels. The Portuguese Constitution mentions the rights of the 'interrogado'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Police Station

Onde você estava?
Quem é o seu cúmplice?
Diga a verdade.
Assine aqui.

Courtroom

O juiz vai interrogar.
A testemunha deve jurar.
Objeção, meritíssimo.
Responda apenas sim ou não.

Academic Research

Interrogar as fontes.
Análise crítica.
Metodologia de pesquisa.
Questionar os dados.

Parenting

Onde você foi?
Com quem você estava?
Por que chegou tarde?
Não minta para mim.

Philosophy

Interrogar a existência.
Dúvida metódica.
Busca pela verdade.
Reflexão profunda.

Amorces de conversation

"Você já foi interrogado por alguém de forma muito séria?"

"O que você faria se a polícia precisasse te interrogar como testemunha?"

"Você acha que os pais devem interrogar os filhos sobre suas amizades?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de interrogar um suspeito sem ser agressivo?"

"Você costuma se interrogar sobre o sentido das suas ações diárias?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreva sobre uma vez que você se sentiu como se estivesse sendo interrogado em uma situação comum.

Interrogue suas próprias metas para este ano. Elas ainda fazem sentido para você?

Imagine que você é um detetive. Escreva o diálogo de um interrogatório sobre o roubo de um bolo.

Como a palavra 'interrogar' muda de significado quando usada por um filósofo em vez de um policial?

Descreva a sensação de se interrogar sobre uma decisão difícil que você teve que tomar.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Only if you are joking. If you use it seriously, it sounds like you are accusing them of something or being extremely aggressive. Use 'perguntar' instead.

'Interrogar' is the act of asking formal questions. 'Questionar' often means you are doubting or challenging an idea. For example, you interrogate a suspect, but you question a theory.

Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'falar' or 'amar' in all tenses.

It is called 'ponto de interrogação'. This is a very common use of the word's root.

Yes, the meaning and formal register are identical in both countries. Only the pronunciation of the 'rr' and the final 'r' might change.

Usually 'sobre' (about). For example: 'Interrogar sobre o crime.' Sometimes 'a respeito de' is used for even more formality.

Metaphorically, yes. Scholars 'interrogam o texto' or 'interrogam a história', meaning they analyze them deeply.

It is the noun form, meaning 'an interrogation' or 'a formal questioning session'.

Eu interroguei, tu interrogaste, ele interrogou, nós interrogamos, vós interrogastes, eles interrogaram.

Yes, writers use it to describe deep internal reflection ('interrogar-se') or intense dramatic scenes.

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