solar en 30 secondes
- Solar means 'relating to the sun' in Portuguese.
- It is used for energy, science, and health (sunscreen).
- It can also mean a historic manor house (noun).
- The adjective is gender-neutral and pluralizes as 'solares'.
The Portuguese word solar functions primarily as an adjective, though it has a distinct noun form that learners should be aware of. As an adjective, it is directly equivalent to the English 'solar', derived from the Latin solaris, meaning 'pertaining to the sun'. In the context of modern Portugal and Brazil, this word has gained immense importance due to the global shift toward renewable energy and the geographical advantage these regions have in terms of sunlight hours.
- Scientific Context
- In astronomy and physics, 'solar' describes anything originating from or relating to the star at the center of our system. This includes the sistema solar (solar system), radiação solar (solar radiation), and manchas solares (sunspots).
Portugal é um dos países europeus com maior exposição solar anual.
- Energy and Technology
- In the 21st century, the most common use of the word is in energia solar. This refers to the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either through photovoltaic panels or solar thermal collectors. It is a cornerstone of the green economy in Lusophone countries.
O eclipse solar será visível na próxima segunda-feira.
- The Noun Form (Cultural Note)
- As a noun, um solar refers to an ancestral manor house or a stately home, typically belonging to a noble family. This usage is very common in Portuguese history and literature, referring to the 'solar de família'.
Visitámos um antigo solar do século XVIII no Minho.
O creme solar é essencial para proteger a pele no verão.
A arquitetura da casa maximiza a luz solar.
Using 'solar' correctly in Portuguese requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a qualifying adjective. Unlike many Portuguese adjectives that change endings to match gender (o/a), 'solar' belongs to the group of adjectives ending in -ar, which are generally gender-neutral. This simplifies its application significantly for learners at the A2 level.
- Placement
- In Portuguese, 'solar' almost always follows the noun it modifies. You would say 'energia solar' (solar energy) or 'raio solar' (solar ray). Placing it before the noun is rare and usually reserved for poetic or highly stylistic writing.
Instalamos novos painéis solares no telhado.
- Pluralization
- While 'solar' is gender-neutral, it does change for number. The plural form is 'solares'. For example: 'os sistemas solares' or 'as radiações solares'. Note the addition of 'es' to the end of the word.
O relógio solar indicava o meio-dia com precisão.
- Metaphorical Use
- While primarily technical, 'solar' can describe a person's personality—meaning bright, cheerful, or radiant. 'Ela tem uma personalidade solar' suggests she brings light to those around her.
O brilho solar refletia-se nas águas do rio Tejo.
A tempestade solar afetou as comunicações por satélite.
O ano solar é ligeiramente diferente do ano civil.
The word 'solar' is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies, appearing in contexts ranging from daily weather reports to high-level economic discussions. Because of the climate in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, the sun is a central part of life, making 'solar' a high-frequency word.
- The News and Environment
- Journalists frequently use 'energia solar' when discussing climate change and the energy transition. Portugal, for instance, often breaks records for the percentage of its electricity generated by solar and wind power, making this a common headline topic.
O governo anunciou novos subsídios para a instalação de kits solares.
- Health and Wellness
- In pharmacies and supermarkets, you will see 'protetor solar' everywhere. Health campaigns in Brazil and Portugal emphasize the importance of protection against 'radiação ultravioleta solar' to prevent skin cancer.
Este protetor solar tem um fator de proteção 50.
- Education and Science
- Children learn about the 'sistema solar' early in school. Documentaries on RTP or Globo frequently explore the mysteries of the sun using this adjective in every other sentence.
Marte é o quarto planeta do nosso sistema solar.
A luz solar é a principal fonte de vitamina D.
O carro solar atravessou o deserto em tempo recorde.
Even though 'solar' is a cognate with English, there are specific pitfalls for Portuguese learners, particularly regarding its noun form and its relationship with other sun-related words.
- Confusing Adjective and Noun
- The biggest mistake is not realizing that 'um solar' is a house. If someone says 'Eu moro num solar', they aren't living in the sun; they are living in a historic mansion. As an adjective, it always needs a noun to describe.
Incorreto: A energia sol é boa. Correto: A energia solar é boa.
- Solar vs. Ensolarado
- Learners often use 'solar' to describe the weather. While 'um dia solar' is technically possible in a poetic sense, the correct word for 'a sunny day' is 'um dia ensolarado'. 'Solar' is for things of the sun, while 'ensolarado' is for things full of sun.
Incorreto: Hoje está muito solar. Correto: Hoje está muito ensolarado.
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- In Portuguese, the 'r' at the end of 'solar' is often pronounced with a soft flap (like the 'tt' in 'better' in American English) or a guttural sound depending on the region. English speakers often make the 'r' too hard or 'r-colored', which can sound foreign.
O plexo solar situa-se na zona do estômago.
A luz solar demora 8 minutos a chegar à Terra.
O aquecimento solar é uma solução ecológica.
To truly master 'solar', it helps to understand the constellation of words that surround it in the Portuguese language. These synonyms and related terms provide nuance and help you avoid repetition.
- Ensolarado
- As mentioned, this is the adjective for 'sunny'. While 'solar' is technical/relational, 'ensolarado' is descriptive of the state of the environment. 'Uma tarde ensolarada' (A sunny afternoon).
Prefiro o tempo ensolarado ao tempo chuvoso.
- Radiante
- This means 'radiant'. It can be used for the sun's rays or metaphorically for a person's happiness. It captures the 'shining' aspect of 'solar'.
O brilho radiante do sol ofuscava a vista.
- Luminoso
- Meaning 'luminous' or 'bright'. It is often used to describe rooms with good 'exposição solar'. A 'quarto luminoso' is a room filled with light.
A sala é muito luminosa durante a manhã.
A energia fotovoltaica é um tipo de energia solar.
O calor solar foi aproveitado para aquecer a água.
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Adjectives ending in -ar
Pluralization of words ending in -r
Adjective placement in Portuguese
Exemples par niveau
O sistema solar tem oito planetas.
The solar system has eight planets.
Solar follows the noun 'sistema'.
Eu preciso de protetor solar.
I need sunscreen.
Protetor solar is a fixed phrase.
A luz solar é forte hoje.
The sunlight is strong today.
Luz is feminine, but solar stays the same.
O sol é uma estrela solar.
The sun is a solar star.
Redundant but grammatically correct.
O relógio solar é antigo.
The sundial is old.
Relógio solar = sundial.
Gosto de energia solar.
I like solar energy.
Basic noun + adjective structure.
O calor solar aquece a água.
Solar heat warms the water.
Calor is masculine.
Olha o eclipse solar!
Look at the solar eclipse!
Eclipse is masculine in Portuguese.
Os painéis solares estão no telhado.
The solar panels are on the roof.
Plural form: solares.
Esta casa tem boa exposição solar.
This house has good sun exposure.
Common real estate term.
A radiação solar pode ser perigosa.
Solar radiation can be dangerous.
Radiação is feminine.
O carro funciona com energia solar.
The car runs on solar energy.
Use of 'com' to indicate source.
Eles vivem num antigo solar.
They live in an old manor house.
Here, solar is a noun.
O ano solar tem 365 dias.
The solar year has 365 days.
Scientific adjective.
O creme solar é para o rosto.
The solar cream is for the face.
Creme solar = sunscreen.
A luz solar entra pela janela.
The sunlight comes in through the window.
Verb 'entrar' with 'pela'.
A energia solar é uma fonte renovável.
Solar energy is a renewable source.
Renovável is another A2/B1 adjective.
O plexo solar fica no abdómen.
The solar plexus is in the abdomen.
Anatomical term.
Ela tem um sorriso solar e contagiante.
She has a bright and contagious smile.
Metaphorical use.
O ciclo solar dura cerca de onze anos.
The solar cycle lasts about eleven years.
Scientific context.
Instalámos um sistema de aquecimento solar.
We installed a solar heating system.
Compound noun phrase.
A tempestade solar causou interferências.
The solar storm caused interference.
Tempestade is feminine.
O solar da família foi restaurado.
The family manor was restored.
Noun usage: manor house.
A proteção solar é obrigatória na praia.
Sun protection is mandatory at the beach.
Proteção is the noun form.
A eficiência dos painéis solares aumentou.
The efficiency of solar panels has increased.
Abstract noun 'eficiência'.
O vento solar interage com a atmosfera.
Solar wind interacts with the atmosphere.
Astrophysics term.
A arquitetura solar passiva poupa energia.
Passive solar architecture saves energy.
Technical term 'passiva'.
O brilho solar era quase insuportável.
The solar glare was almost unbearable.
Insuportável = unbearable.
O calendário solar baseia-se nas estações.
The solar calendar is based on the seasons.
Baseia-se = is based.
Houve uma explosão solar massiva ontem.
There was a massive solar flare yesterday.
Explosão is feminine.
O investimento em energia solar é rentável.
Investment in solar energy is profitable.
Rentável = profitable.
A luz solar direta danifica os móveis.
Direct sunlight damages the furniture.
Direta agrees with luz.
A constante solar é medida no topo da atmosfera.
The solar constant is measured at the top of the atmosphere.
Scientific measurement.
O solar brasonado evocava tempos passados.
The coat-of-arms manor evoked past times.
Brasonado = having a coat of arms.
A radiação solar incide perpendicularmente.
Solar radiation falls perpendicularly.
Incidir = to fall upon/strike.
A variabilidade solar afeta o clima terrestre.
Solar variability affects the Earth's climate.
Variabilidade = variability.
O aproveitamento solar é crucial para a sustentabilidade.
Solar utilization is crucial for sustainability.
Aproveitamento = utilization/harnessing.
A personalidade solar dele iluminava a sala.
His radiant personality lit up the room.
Highly metaphorical.
A física solar estuda a coroa do sol.
Solar physics studies the sun's corona.
Field of study.
O refluxo solar pode ser observado em certas lentes.
Solar flare/backflow can be observed in certain lenses.
Technical optics.
A hegemonia da energia solar é inevitável.
The hegemony of solar energy is inevitable.
Hegemonia = hegemony.
O solar ruiu sob o peso da negligência.
The manor house collapsed under the weight of neglect.
Ruir = to collapse.
A atividade solar modula o fluxo de raios cósmicos.
Solar activity modulates the flow of cosmic rays.
Modula = modulates.
A exequibilidade de um projeto solar de grande escala.
The feasibility of a large-scale solar project.
Exequibilidade = feasibility.
O zénite solar ocorre ao meio-dia solar verdadeiro.
The solar zenith occurs at true solar noon.
Zénite = zenith.
A dialética entre o progresso e o solar tradicional.
The dialectic between progress and the traditional manor.
Philosophical context.
A radiação solar ultravioleta é um agente mutagénico.
Solar ultraviolet radiation is a mutagenic agent.
Mutagénico = mutagenic.
A imensidão do sistema solar desafia a compreensão.
The vastness of the solar system defies comprehension.
Imensidão = vastness.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Used for a manor house, mostly in Portugal.
Used for anything related to the sun.
- Using 'sol' as an adjective (e.g., 'energia sol' instead of 'energia solar').
- Forgetting to pluralize to 'solares'.
- Using 'solar' for 'sunny' (e.g., 'está solar' instead of 'está ensolarado').
- Confusing the manor house (noun) with the sun (adjective) in literature.
- Mispronouncing the 'o' as an open 'aw' sound in European Portuguese.
Astuces
Gender Neutrality
Don't try to change 'solar' to 'solara'. It doesn't exist! Use 'solar' for everything.
The House Noun
If you see 'Solar' on a sign in a Portuguese village, it's likely a historic house you can visit.
The Final R
Keep the final 'r' soft. It's a single tap of the tongue, not a long trill.
Energy Talk
When talking about green energy, 'solar' is your best friend. 'Energia solar' is the standard term.
Beach Ready
Always look for 'protetor solar' on the label when shopping in Portugal or Brazil.
Bright Houses
Check for 'orientação solar' when renting a house to ensure it's not too dark or cold.
Space Vocabulary
'Sistema solar' is one of the first science terms you should learn in Portuguese.
Be Positive
Call a friend 'solar' if they make you feel happy. It's a very nice compliment.
Easy Cognate
It's spelled exactly like in English. One less word to worry about spelling!
Multiple Panels
Remember: one painel solar, two painéis solares. The noun changes, and the adjective adds 'es'.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Latin
Contexte culturel
Brazil has some of the highest solar radiation levels in the world.
The 'Solar de Mateus' is one of the most famous manor houses.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Tens painéis solares em casa?"
"Qual é o teu planeta favorito do sistema solar?"
"Já visitaste algum solar antigo em Portugal?"
"Que fator de protetor solar usas?"
"Achas que a energia solar é o futuro?"
Sujets d'écriture
Descreve como a luz solar entra no teu quarto pela manhã.
Escreve sobre a importância da energia solar para o planeta.
Se tivesses um solar antigo, como o decorarias?
Relata um dia ensolarado que passaste na praia.
Explica como funciona o sistema solar a uma criança.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'solar' is a uniform adjective. You say 'o sistema solar' and 'a energia solar'. It remains the same regardless of the gender of the noun it describes.
The plural is 'solares'. For example, 'os painéis solares'. You add 'es' because the word ends in 'r'.
Not really. To say 'It is sunny', you should say 'Está sol' or 'Está um dia ensolarado'. 'Solar' is more for things that belong to the sun.
A 'solar' is a traditional manor house or stately home, often found in the north of Portugal. It usually belonged to noble families.
Yes, it is used in the same way as in Portugal, though the noun form (manor house) is more common in Portuguese history than in modern Brazil.
It describes someone who is very cheerful, bright, and positive, much like a sunny day.
You can say 'protetor solar' or 'creme solar'. In Brazil, 'protetor solar' is the most common term.
It is a neutral word. It is used in scientific textbooks (formal) and when buying sunblock at the beach (informal).
It refers to how much sunlight a person or a building receives. It's a very common term in real estate and health.
Yes, 'lunar' (relating to the moon) and 'estelar' (relating to the stars) follow the same grammatical rules.
Teste-toi 185 questions
Escreve uma frase sobre o sistema solar.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Descreve as vantagens da energia solar.
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Por que devemos usar protetor solar?
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O que é um 'solar' na cultura portuguesa?
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Imagina que tens uma personalidade solar. Como és?
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Explica como os painéis solares ajudam a poupar dinheiro.
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Descreve um eclipse solar que tenhas visto.
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Qual a importância da luz solar para as plantas?
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Escreve um anúncio para vender uma casa com boa exposição solar.
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Comenta a frase: 'O futuro é solar'.
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Faz uma lista de 5 coisas que usam energia solar.
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Descreve um solar antigo que visitaste.
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Como a radiação solar afeta o clima?
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O que sentes num dia com muita luz solar?
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Escreve um pequeno texto científico sobre o vento solar.
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Qual a diferença entre solar (adjetivo) e solar (nome)?
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Cria um diálogo sobre instalar painéis solares.
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Por que o sistema solar é importante para a humanidade?
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Descreve o relógio solar mais bonito que já viste.
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Qual o papel da energia solar na transição energética?
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Diz 'sistema solar' três vezes rápido.
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Explica o que é energia solar em 30 segundos.
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Descreve um dia ensolarado ideal.
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Fala sobre a importância do protetor solar.
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O que farias se vivesses num solar antigo?
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Explica a diferença entre solar e ensolarado.
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Fala sobre o teu planeta favorito.
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Como está a exposição solar da tua casa?
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Apresenta uma vantagem e uma desvantagem da energia solar.
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Descreve uma pessoa com personalidade solar que conheças.
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O que acontece durante um eclipse solar?
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Fala sobre o clima no teu país.
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Por que os painéis solares são azuis ou pretos?
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Como podemos usar a luz solar para cozinhar?
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Qual a importância do sol para a história da humanidade?
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Diz uma frase com 'solares'.
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Como a atividade solar afeta os satélites?
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Fala sobre o solar mais famoso da tua região.
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O que é o plexo solar?
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A energia solar é cara ou barata?
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Ouve e escreve: 'A energia solar é renovável.'
Ouve e escreve: 'O sistema solar tem oito planetas.'
Ouve e escreve: 'Precisamos de protetor solar.'
Ouve e escreve: 'Os painéis solares são eficientes.'
Ouve e escreve: 'O solar era muito grande.'
Ouve e escreve: 'A radiação solar é invisível.'
Ouve e escreve: 'Houve um eclipse solar total.'
Ouve e escreve: 'A exposição solar é excelente.'
Ouve e escreve: 'O vento solar sopra no espaço.'
Ouve e escreve: 'Ela tem um sorriso solar.'
Ouve e escreve: 'O relógio solar marca as horas.'
Ouve e escreve: 'A luz solar é vida.'
Ouve e escreve: 'O ano solar é preciso.'
Ouve e escreve: 'A arquitetura solar é moderna.'
Ouve e escreve: 'Cuidado com as manchas solares.'
/ 185 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'solar' is essential for discussing renewable energy (energia solar) and sun protection (protetor solar). Remember it's gender-neutral: 'o painel solar' and 'a luz solar'.
- Solar means 'relating to the sun' in Portuguese.
- It is used for energy, science, and health (sunscreen).
- It can also mean a historic manor house (noun).
- The adjective is gender-neutral and pluralizes as 'solares'.
Gender Neutrality
Don't try to change 'solar' to 'solara'. It doesn't exist! Use 'solar' for everything.
The House Noun
If you see 'Solar' on a sign in a Portuguese village, it's likely a historic house you can visit.
The Final R
Keep the final 'r' soft. It's a single tap of the tongue, not a long trill.
Energy Talk
When talking about green energy, 'solar' is your best friend. 'Energia solar' is the standard term.
Contenu associé
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur nature
à beira
B1On the edge or brink of.
à beira de
B1Sur le point de; au bord de. Utilisé pour une position physique ou un état imminent.
à distância
A2À distance, de loin.
a favor de
B1In favor of; supporting.
à sombra
A2À l'ombre. 'Il fait bon à l'ombre.' / 'Le chien se repose à l'ombre do mur.'
à volta
A2« À volta » signifie autour ou dans les environs. Il est utilisé pour décrire une zone générale ou un endroit à proximité. Exemple : Le café est <strong>à volta</strong> de la place. (Le café est autour de la place.) Il indique aussi un mouvement circulaire. Exemple : Nous allons faire un tour <strong>à volta</strong> du parc. (Nous allons faire un tour autour du parc.)
abanar
A2To wave or swing back and forth, like an animal's tail; to wag.
abater
B11. Abattre (un arbre, un animal). 2. Déduire (une somme). 'Il faut abattre cet arbre.' 'Vous pouvez abattre ces frais de vos impôts.'
Abelha
A2Bee; a stinging winged insect that produces honey.
abeto
A2L'« abeto » est un type d'arbre à feuilles persistantes, souvent en forme de cône, avec des aiguilles plates. On l'appelle sapin en français.
