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B1 noun #1,500 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

promoção

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the word 'promoção' primarily in the context of shopping and saving money. When you walk into a supermarket or a clothing store in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will frequently see large signs displaying this word. It simply means 'sale' or 'discount'. At this stage, you only need to know that if an item has a tag saying 'em promoção', it is cheaper than usual. You might learn basic phrases like 'Isto está em promoção?' (Is this on sale?) or 'Eu gosto de comprar em promoção' (I like to buy on sale). The focus is entirely on recognizing the word visually on signs and understanding its basic auditory form when a cashier mentions it. The concept of a job promotion is usually too complex for A1 vocabulary, so the retail meaning takes absolute precedence. Memorizing the visual cue of the word associated with a percentage sign (%) is the best way for a beginner to anchor this vocabulary word.

As learners progress to the A2 level, their ability to use 'promoção' in sentences expands. They start to construct simple narratives about their shopping experiences. You will learn to use the preposition 'em' correctly, saying 'O casaco está em promoção' (The coat is on sale). At this level, the vocabulary broadens to include related words like 'barato' (cheap) and 'caro' (expensive). You might also be introduced to the secondary meaning of the word: a job promotion. While you might not discuss complex career trajectories, you can understand a simple sentence like 'O meu pai teve uma promoção no trabalho' (My dad got a promotion at work). A2 learners practice listening to store announcements and reading simple advertisements. They learn to ask about the duration of a sale: 'Até quando é a promoção?' (Until when is the sale?). The dual meaning begins to emerge, but the shopping context remains the most frequently practiced and tested in A2 curricula.

At the B1 level, 'promoção' becomes a fully integrated part of the learner's active vocabulary, with both meanings—retail sale and career advancement—used confidently. Learners can now express opinions and narrate past events using the word. For example, 'Eu não comprei o telemóvel porque estava à espera de uma promoção' (I didn't buy the phone because I was waiting for a sale). In the professional context, B1 learners can discuss their career goals: 'Se eu trabalhar muito, talvez consiga uma promoção no próximo ano' (If I work hard, maybe I'll get a promotion next year). The grammar becomes more complex, incorporating conditional tenses and subjunctive moods. Learners also begin to distinguish 'promoção' from false friends, understanding that it doesn't mean general advertising ('publicidade'). They can read short news articles about consumer trends or business news regarding corporate restructuring and promotions. The word is no longer just a sign in a window; it is a dynamic noun used to describe economic and personal progress.

For a B2 learner, 'promoção' is used with high fluency and nuance. The discussions involving this word become more abstract and complex. In the context of retail, B2 learners can debate the ethics of consumerism, discussing whether 'promoções' like Black Friday encourage unnecessary spending ('consumismo'). They can use idiomatic expressions and complex collocations, such as 'campanha de promoção' or 'promoção enganosa' (misleading promotion). In the workplace context, the conversation shifts from simply 'getting a promotion' to discussing the criteria for advancement, meritocracy, and office politics. 'A promoção foi baseada no mérito e não no tempo de serviço' (The promotion was based on merit and not on tenure). Furthermore, B2 learners are introduced to the third, more formal meaning of the word: the promotion of a cause or idea, such as 'promoção da saúde pública' (promotion of public health) or 'promoção cultural'. This requires a strong grasp of formal register and abstract vocabulary.

At the C1 advanced level, the usage of 'promoção' is nearly indistinguishable from a native speaker. Learners can effortlessly navigate all three meanings—sales, career, and advocacy—switching between them based on subtle contextual cues. They can read complex economic reports analyzing the impact of 'promoções sazonais' (seasonal promotions) on retail profit margins. They can write formal business proposals suggesting a 'promoção interna' (internal promotion) strategy to retain talent within a corporation. The vocabulary surrounding the word is sophisticated, involving terms like 'alavancar vendas através de promoções' (leverage sales through promotions) or 'critérios de promoção na hierarquia corporativa' (promotion criteria in the corporate hierarchy). C1 learners also understand regional nuances perfectly, knowing when a Portuguese person might say 'saldos' instead of 'promoção', or when a Brazilian might use 'liquidação'. They can detect sarcasm or skepticism when someone talks about a 'falsa promoção' (fake sale) where prices were raised before being discounted.

At the C2 mastery level, the learner possesses a deep, sociolinguistic understanding of the word 'promoção'. They can analyze the cultural implications of the word in literature, academic papers, and high-level debates. They can discuss the psychological mechanisms behind retail 'promoções' and how they exploit cognitive biases. In a professional context, they can engage in complex negotiations regarding their own 'promoção', using persuasive and diplomatic language. They understand the etymological roots of the word and how it connects to broader concepts of progress and societal advancement. A C2 speaker can write a compelling op-ed on the 'promoção da igualdade de género no local de trabalho' (promotion of gender equality in the workplace), using the word not just as a descriptor of an event, but as a powerful abstract concept driving social change. The word is wielded with absolute precision, reflecting a profound mastery of the Portuguese language and its cultural underpinnings.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

promoção en 30 secondes

Career advancement or job upgrade.
A retail sale or special discount.
Fostering or advocating for a cause.
Always a feminine noun (a promoção).

The Portuguese word promoção is a highly versatile and frequently used feminine noun that primarily carries two distinct but equally important meanings depending entirely on the context in which it is used. For a CEFR B1 learner, mastering both applications is essential for navigating both professional environments and everyday consumer situations in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Meaning 1: Career Advancement: In a professional or corporate setting, 'promoção' refers to the advancement of an employee to a higher rank, position, or salary grade. It is the direct equivalent of the English word 'promotion' in the context of career growth.

Depois de cinco anos de dedicação à empresa, a Maria finalmente recebeu a sua merecida promoção a gerente de vendas.

Meaning 2: Sales and Discounts: In retail, commerce, and everyday shopping, 'promoção' translates to a 'sale', 'special offer', or 'discount'. When a store is selling items at a reduced price, the items are said to be 'em promoção'.

Comprei estes sapatos incríveis porque estavam numa promoção de cinquenta por cento de desconto no shopping.

Understanding the dual nature of this word is a significant milestone for B1 learners. The root of the word comes from the Latin 'promotio', which means a moving forward or advancement. This root logically applies to both moving forward in one's career and moving products forward in the market via special pricing strategies. In Brazil and Portugal, you will see the word plastered across store windows, often in bright red or yellow letters, signaling to consumers that prices have been temporarily slashed. Simultaneously, in corporate emails and LinkedIn updates, the word is used to celebrate professional milestones.

Grammatical Gender and Plural: As a feminine noun ending in '-ção', it requires feminine articles and adjectives (a promoção, uma promoção fantástica). The plural form changes the '-ção' to '-ções', resulting in 'as promoções'.

As promoções de fim de ano atraem milhares de consumidores às lojas do centro da cidade.

O diretor anunciou várias promoções na equipa de marketing devido aos excelentes resultados do trimestre.

Beyond these two primary meanings, 'promoção' can also refer to the act of promoting a cause, an event, or health (e.g., 'promoção da saúde'). This is more formal and aligns closely with the English concept of 'promoting' an idea or public awareness campaign. However, for daily conversational fluency at the B1 level, focusing on the career and retail aspects will cover 95% of the situations where you will encounter this word. It is a word associated with positive outcomes—either saving money or earning more money—making it a favorite among native speakers.

O evento foi organizado para a promoção da cultura local entre os jovens estudantes.

Using promoção correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs and prepositions. Because it has two main meanings, the verbs that accompany it change significantly depending on whether you are talking about a job or a sale. Let us break down the syntactic structures and common collocations you need to sound natural.

Using it for Career Advancement: When discussing a job promotion, the most common verbs are 'ganhar' (to win/get), 'receber' (to receive), 'conseguir' (to achieve/get), and 'dar' (to give). You 'receive' a promotion from your boss.

Eu trabalhei muito este ano e espero conseguir uma promoção em breve.

O chefe decidiu dar uma promoção ao funcionário mais produtivo do departamento.

Using it for Sales and Discounts: When referring to retail sales, the preposition 'em' (in/on) is crucial. Products are 'em promoção' (on sale). Stores 'fazem' (make/do) promotions. You can also 'aproveitar' (take advantage of) a promotion.

Todos os casacos de inverno estão em promoção nesta loja.

Temos que aproveitar esta promoção antes que acabe o stock.

Notice the difference in the prepositional phrases. You do not say a person is 'em promoção' unless you are making a joke about them being cheap or easy to get! Similarly, you do not say a shirt 'ganhou uma promoção'. The structural boundaries are quite rigid. Another common phrasing in retail is 'entrar em promoção' (to go on sale). For example, 'Os telemóveis vão entrar em promoção amanhã' (The mobile phones will go on sale tomorrow). This dynamic use of verbs helps convey the temporary nature of retail discounts.

Adjectives frequently used with Promoção: To add emphasis, native speakers use adjectives like 'imperdível' (unmissable), 'excelente' (excellent), 'exclusiva' (exclusive), or 'merecida' (deserved - usually for jobs).

O supermercado lançou uma promoção imperdível para o fim de semana.

By mastering these specific verb-noun pairings, your Portuguese will sound much more idiomatic. Instead of translating 'The store has a sale' literally, you will naturally say 'A loja está com uma promoção' or 'A loja está a fazer uma promoção'. This structural awareness is what separates an A2 learner from a confident B1 speaker. Always pay attention to the surrounding words when you encounter 'promoção' in reading or listening exercises.

The word promoção is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies. Because it covers both the professional ambition of individuals and the consumer habits of the general public, you will encounter it in vastly different environments. Let us explore the primary contexts where this word is spoken, written, and heavily advertised.

Retail and Commerce: This is arguably the most visible context. Walk down any commercial street in Lisbon, São Paulo, or Luanda, and you will see 'PROMOÇÃO' written in massive letters on shop windows. It is the universal sign for a bargain.

A vitrine da loja exibia um cartaz gigante anunciando uma promoção de verão.

Durante a Black Friday, quase todos os sites de eletrónica entram em promoção.

The Corporate Workplace: In offices, factories, and professional networks like LinkedIn, 'promoção' is the goal of many employees. It is discussed during performance reviews, HR meetings, and casual coffee breaks among colleagues.

Houve uma festa no escritório para celebrar a promoção do João a diretor.

A política de promoção interna da empresa motiva muito os funcionários.

You will also hear it frequently in television and radio advertisements. Announcers will use an energetic, urgent tone to declare 'Aproveite a nossa promoção exclusiva!' (Take advantage of our exclusive promotion!). The cultural impact of these sales events is significant, often dictating consumer behavior around holidays like Christmas, Mother's Day, and increasingly, imported retail events like Black Friday. In the workplace context, discussing a 'promoção' can be a sensitive topic, often tied to office politics, meritocracy, and tenure. It is a word that carries emotional weight—joy and pride when received, frustration when denied.

Public Health and Social Campaigns: A more formal but vital context is government or NGO messaging. Here, it means fostering or advancing a cause, such as 'promoção da saúde' (health promotion) or 'promoção da igualdade' (promotion of equality).

O ministério lançou uma nova campanha para a promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis.

Even though promoção is a common word, learners frequently make structural and contextual errors when using it. Because it translates to multiple English concepts, the direct translation approach often leads to awkward phrasing or grammatical mistakes. Let's review the most frequent pitfalls.

Mistake 1: Confusing the Noun with the Verb: Learners sometimes try to use 'promoção' as an action. The verb form is 'promover' (to promote). You cannot say 'O chefe vai promoção o João'. You must say 'O chefe vai promover o João' or 'O chefe vai dar uma promoção ao João'.

Incorreto: A loja está promoção os sapatos.
Correto: A loja colocou os sapatos em promoção.

Incorreto: Eu fui promoção ontem.
Correto: Eu recebi uma promoção ontem.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Prepositions: When talking about items on sale, the correct preposition is 'em'. English speakers often try to translate 'on sale' literally as 'na venda' or 'sobre promoção', which is incorrect. The fixed expression is 'em promoção'.

Incorreto: O computador está na promoção. (Though sometimes heard in informal Brazilian Portuguese, 'em promoção' is standard).
Correto: O computador está em promoção.

Another subtle mistake involves the pluralization. Words ending in '-ão' can be tricky for learners because the plural can be '-ões', '-ães', or '-ãos'. For 'promoção', the plural is strictly 'promoções'. Saying 'promoçãos' is a glaring grammatical error that immediately marks you as a beginner. Furthermore, be careful with the false friend aspect in English. While 'promotion' in English can mean a marketing campaign, in Portuguese, 'promoção' in a retail context almost exclusively implies a *price reduction* or a special deal (like buy one get one free). If a company is just advertising a product at full price, that is 'publicidade' or 'propaganda', not a 'promoção'.

Mistake 3: Pronunciation of the Nasal Vowel: English speakers often pronounce the final '-ão' as 'ow' (like in 'cow'). It must be nasalized. Failing to nasalize it can make the word difficult for native speakers to understand in rapid conversation.

Pratique o som nasal: pro-mo-ÇÃO. A promoção é válida até amanhã.

As promoções (pro-mo-SÕIS) de inverno começaram.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding promoção, it is helpful to understand its synonyms and related terms. Because 'promoção' has two distinct meanings, its synonyms are divided into two distinct categories: those related to career advancement and those related to retail sales. Let's explore these nuances.

Synonyms for Retail Sales: When talking about shopping, similar words include 'desconto' (discount), 'liquidação' (clearance sale), 'oferta' (offer), and 'saldo' (sales/clearance, more common in Portugal).

A loja não está em promoção, mas eles deram-me um pequeno desconto.

Esta oferta especial é melhor do que qualquer promoção anterior.

Synonyms for Career Advancement: In the workplace, you might hear words like 'avanço' (advancement), 'ascensão' (rise/ascension), 'crescimento' (growth), or 'progressão' (progression). However, 'promoção' remains the most direct and common term for getting a higher job title.

A sua ascensão na empresa culminou numa promoção para o conselho de administração.

O plano de carreira garante a progressão e a eventual promoção dos talentos.

It is crucial to differentiate 'promoção' from 'propaganda' or 'publicidade'. In English, 'promotion' can mean the marketing of a product in general (e.g., 'They are doing a lot of promotion for the new movie'). In Portuguese, if you say 'Eles estão a fazer muita promoção para o filme', it might imply they are selling discounted tickets. If you mean they are advertising it heavily, you should use 'publicidade' or 'divulgação'. This is a classic false friend scenario that trips up many English speakers. Understanding these boundaries allows you to express yourself with precision and clarity.

Regional Variations: While 'promoção' is universally understood, in Portugal, the seasonal clearance sales (like post-Christmas sales) are officially called 'Saldos'. In Brazil, the term 'Liquidação' or 'Queima de Estoque' is often used for massive clearance events.

Em Portugal, a época de saldos é mais regulamentada do que uma simples promoção de fim de semana.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Informel

Argot

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

A loja tem uma promoção.

The store has a sale.

Basic subject-verb-object structure.

O sapato está em promoção.

The shoe is on sale.

Use of preposition 'em'.

Eu gosto de promoção.

I like sales.

Simple present tense expressing preference.

Hoje é dia de promoção.

Today is sale day.

Basic time expression.

A promoção é muito boa.

The sale is very good.

Adjective agreement (feminine).

Onde está a promoção?

Where is the sale?

Basic question word 'onde'.

Comprei na promoção.

I bought it on sale.

Past tense of 'comprar'.

A promoção acaba hoje.

The sale ends today.

Present tense indicating future/immediate end.

Eu comprei esta camisa porque estava em promoção.

I bought this shirt because it was on sale.

Use of 'porque' to give a reason.

O meu irmão teve uma promoção no trabalho.

My brother got a promotion at work.

Introduction of the career meaning.

Vamos ao supermercado ver as promoções.

Let's go to the supermarket to see the sales.

Plural form 'promoções'.

A promoção de Natal começa amanhã.

The Christmas sale starts tomorrow.

Vocabulary related to holidays.

Eles fazem promoções todos os meses.

They have sales every month.

Use of the verb 'fazer' with 'promoções'.

Qual é o valor do desconto nesta promoção?

What is the discount value in this sale?

Asking for specific details.

Ela ficou feliz com a promoção.

She was happy with the promotion.

Expressing emotions related to the noun.

Não há nenhuma promoção interessante hoje.

There is no interesting sale today.

Negative sentence structure.

Se eu atingir os meus objetivos, talvez consiga uma promoção.

If I reach my goals, maybe I'll get a promotion.

Use of conditional 'se' and subjunctive 'consiga'.

Aproveitei a promoção para comprar os presentes de aniversário.

I took advantage of the sale to buy the birthday presents.

Use of the verb 'aproveitar'.

A promoção é válida apenas para compras online.

The promotion is valid only for online purchases.

Formal phrasing often seen in terms and conditions.

Muitas pessoas confundem promoção com publicidade.

Many people confuse promotion (sale) with advertising.

Discussing false friends and vocabulary nuances.

Ele trabalhou arduamente durante anos para merecer esta promoção.

He worked hard for years to deserve this promotion.

Use of adverbs and infinitive phrases.

As promoções de fim de estação são as melhores para poupar dinheiro.

End-of-season sales are the best for saving money.

Superlative structure 'as melhores'.

Fui informado de que a minha promoção foi aprovada pela diretoria.

I was informed that my promotion was approved by the board.

Passive voice 'foi aprovada'.

A loja lançou uma promoção imperdível de compre um, leve dois.

The store launched an unmissable buy one, get two sale.

Use of strong adjectives like 'imperdível'.

A estratégia de marketing baseou-se numa forte promoção nas redes sociais.

The marketing strategy was based on a strong promotion on social media.

Using 'promoção' in the sense of marketing/advertising.

A promoção por mérito é fundamental para manter a equipa motivada.

Promotion by merit is fundamental to keep the team motivated.

Abstract discussion of workplace policies.

Muitos consumidores queixam-se de promoções enganosas durante a Black Friday.

Many consumers complain about misleading promotions during Black Friday.

Use of complex adjectives 'enganosas'.

O governo investiu milhões na promoção do turismo sustentável.

The government invested millions in the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Using 'promoção' as 'advocacy' or 'fostering'.

Apesar de estar em promoção, o artigo continuava fora do meu orçamento.

Despite being on sale, the item remained out of my budget.

Concessive clause with 'Apesar de'.

A sua rápida promoção causou alguma inveja entre os colegas mais antigos.

His rapid promotion caused some envy among older colleagues.

Discussing complex social dynamics.

Para que a promoção seja aplicada, é necessário inserir o código promocional.

For the promotion to be applied, it is necessary to enter the promotional code.

Subjunctive mood 'seja aplicada'.

A promoção da saúde mental no local de trabalho tornou-se uma prioridade.

The promotion of mental health in the workplace has become a priority.

Formal use regarding health and well-being.

A proliferação de promoções contínuas pode desvalorizar a perceção da marca a longo prazo.

The proliferation of continuous promotions can devalue brand perception in the long term.

Advanced business and economic vocabulary.

A ascensão ao cargo de diretor executivo não foi apenas uma promoção, mas uma mudança de paradigma na sua carreira.

The rise to the position of CEO was not just a promotion, but a paradigm shift in his career.

Complex sentence structure with nuanced meaning.

O regulamento estipula que a promoção de categorias profissionais obedece a critérios de antiguidade e avaliação de desempenho.

The regulation stipulates that the promotion of professional categories obeys criteria of seniority and performance evaluation.

Highly formal, bureaucratic register.

Assistimos a uma campanha agressiva de promoção que visava monopolizar a quota de mercado.

We witnessed an aggressive promotion campaign aimed at monopolizing the market share.

Use of 'visava' (aimed at) and business terminology.

É imperativo que as políticas públicas foquem na promoção da igualdade de oportunidades.

It is imperative that public policies focus on the promotion of equal opportunities.

Subjunctive 'foquem' following 'É imperativo que'.

A suposta promoção revelou-se um engodo, visto que os preços haviam sido inflacionados na véspera.

The supposed promotion turned out to be a decoy, since the prices had been inflated the day before.

Advanced vocabulary 'engodo' (decoy/scam) and past perfect 'haviam sido'.

A promoção da literacia financeira é um pilar essencial para o desenvolvimento económico.

The promotion of financial literacy is an essential pillar for economic development.

Academic and formal phrasing.

Ele abdicou da promoção, pois não estava disposto a sacrificar o seu equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional.

He renounced the promotion, as he was not willing to sacrifice his work-life balance.

Use of 'abdicou' and complex reasoning.

A efemeridade das promoções retalhistas contemporâneas fomenta um ciclo de consumismo desenfreado e insustentável.

The ephemerality of contemporary retail promotions fosters a cycle of unbridled and unsustainable consumerism.

Highly academic vocabulary and sociological analysis.

A narrativa meritocrática frequentemente mascara os vieses inerentes aos processos de promoção corporativa.

The meritocratic narrative often masks the biases inherent in corporate promotion processes.

Critical analysis using abstract nouns.

O diploma legislativo visa a promoção da coesão territorial através de incentivos fiscais.

The legislative decree aims at the promotion of territorial cohesion through tax incentives.

Legal and governmental register.

A dialética entre a promoção do crescimento económico e a preservação ambiental continua a ser o grande desafio do século.

The dialectic between the promotion of economic growth and environmental preservation remains the great challenge of the century.

Philosophical and macroeconomic discourse.

A sua recusa em aceitar a promoção foi interpretada como um ato de insubordinação tácita pela administração.

His refusal to accept the promotion was interpreted as an act of tacit insubordination by the administration.

Nuanced psychological and professional interpretation.

A ubiquidade das promoções online dessensibilizou o consumidor, exigindo estratégias de marketing cada vez mais disruptivas.

The ubiquity of online promotions has desensitized the consumer, requiring increasingly disruptive marketing strategies.

Analysis of digital marketing trends.

A promoção da paz não se decreta; constrói-se através de um diálogo intercultural contínuo e exaustivo.

The promotion of peace is not decreed; it is built through continuous and exhaustive intercultural dialogue.

Poetic and diplomatic rhetoric.

Qualquer tentativa de promoção pessoal à custa do erário público deve ser veementemente repudiada.

Any attempt at personal promotion at the expense of the public purse must be vehemently repudiated.

Strong, formal condemnation typical of political discourse.

Collocations courantes

ganhar uma promoção

estar em promoção

fazer uma promoção

promoção imperdível

promoção de vendas

receber uma promoção

entrar em promoção

aproveitar a promoção

promoção da saúde

campanha de promoção

Phrases Courantes

em promoção

entrar em promoção

aproveitar a promoção

ganhar uma promoção

promoção de fim de ano

promoção compre um leve dois

promoção exclusiva

promoção válida até

esperar por uma promoção

promoção no trabalho

Souvent confondu avec

promoção vs promover (verb)

promoção vs publicidade (advertising)

promoção vs propaganda (advertising)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

promoção vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

general

A highly frequent word that bridges everyday consumer life and professional ambition.

regional

'Promo' is a common informal abbreviation in Brazil. In Portugal, 'saldos' is strictly regulated by law, while 'promoção' is more flexible.

Erreurs courantes

Saying 'a loja está promoção' instead of 'a loja está em promoção'.
Using 'promoção' to mean general advertising (publicidade).
Saying 'promoçãos' instead of 'promoções' for the plural.
Translating 'on sale' literally as 'na venda'.
Confusing the noun 'promoção' with the verb 'promover' (e.g., 'Ele vai promoção' instead of 'Ele vai ser promovido').

Astuces

Preposition 'em'

Always use 'em' when saying something is on sale. 'O livro está em promoção.' Avoid using 'na' or 'sobre' in this context.

Verb Collocations

Memorize 'ganhar uma promoção' for jobs and 'fazer uma promoção' for stores. Using the right verb makes you sound native.

Nasal Ending

Practice the '-ção' ending. If you say it like 'cow', native speakers might struggle to understand you. Pinch your nose to practice the nasal resonance.

Black Friday

In recent years, 'Black Friday' has become a massive 'promoção' event in both Brazil and Portugal. You will see the English term used alongside 'promoção'.

Not just advertising

Remember that a TV commercial is 'publicidade'. It's only a 'promoção' if they are offering a discount or special deal.

Cedilla and Tilde

Don't forget the special characters when writing: 'ç' and 'ã'. Without them (promocao), it is considered a spelling mistake.

Expand your vocabulary

Once you know 'promoção', learn 'desconto' and 'oferta' to avoid repeating the same word when talking about shopping.

Aumento vs Promoção

Use 'aumento' if you just got a raise. Use 'promoção' if you got a new, higher-level job title.

Master the plural

The plural '-ções' is very common in Portuguese. Mastering 'promoções' will help you pluralize hundreds of other words (ações, emoções, etc.).

Store Announcements

When in a Portuguese supermarket, listen to the overhead announcements. You will hear the word 'promoção' constantly. It's great real-world practice.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

From Latin 'promotio' or 'promotionem', meaning a moving forward, advancement.

Contexte culturel

In Brazil, 'promoção' is used for almost any discount. You will hear it shouted by street vendors and see it on massive banners.

In Portugal, 'saldos' is the legal term for seasonal clearance sales, while 'promoção' is used for temporary discounts outside those periods.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Qual foi a melhor promoção que já aproveitaste numa loja?"

"Achas que as promoções da Black Friday valem a pena?"

"O que é preciso fazer para conseguir uma promoção no teu trabalho?"

"Preferes comprar roupa em promoção ou a preço normal?"

"Como celebrarias se recebesses uma promoção amanhã?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreve sobre uma vez em que compraste algo incrível numa promoção.

Descreve os teus objetivos de carreira e quando esperas receber uma promoção.

Achas que as lojas fazem promoções falsas? Explica a tua opinião.

Como é que a promoção da saúde mental pode ser melhorada na tua escola ou trabalho?

Descreve a diferença entre 'promoção' e 'desconto' com as tuas próprias palavras.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, not usually. While in English 'promotion' can mean marketing or advertising a product, in Portuguese, that is usually called 'publicidade' or 'propaganda'. In Portuguese, 'promoção' almost always implies a discount or special offer in a retail context, or a job advancement.

You say 'em promoção'. For example, 'O carro está em promoção' (The car is on sale). Do not try to translate 'on sale' literally as 'na venda', as that is incorrect.

The plural is 'promoções'. Words ending in '-ção' in Portuguese almost always change to '-ções' in the plural. Never say 'promoçãos'.

Yes, but it implies a change in job title or rank as well. If you only got more money but kept the same job title, you should use the word 'aumento' (increase/raise).

It is a feminine noun. You must use feminine articles and adjectives with it, such as 'a promoção', 'uma promoção', or 'promoção fantástica'.

The most common verbs are 'ganhar' (to win/get) or 'receber' (to receive). You can say 'Eu ganhei uma promoção' or 'Eu recebi uma promoção'.

'Promoção' is the event or the state of the item being on sale. 'Desconto' is the specific amount of money or percentage taken off the price. You get a 'desconto' during a 'promoção'.

Yes, the word is used and understood perfectly in both countries. However, in Portugal, you will also hear 'saldos' for seasonal clearance sales, while in Brazil you might hear 'liquidação'.

It is a nasal vowel sound. It sounds a bit like the 'oun' in 'sound', but spoken through your nose. The 'ç' sounds exactly like an 's'.

Yes, in formal contexts, it means the fostering or advancement of a cause, such as 'promoção da saúde' (health promotion) or 'promoção da paz' (promotion of peace).