suspender

§ What does "suspender" mean?

The Portuguese verb "suspender" (CEFR A2) is a versatile word that can cause some confusion for English speakers because its most common meaning in Portuguese isn't a direct translation of the English "to suspend." While it *can* mean to suspend something in the air, its primary use, especially in everyday conversation, is to convey the idea of causing someone to feel suspense or anxiety. Think of it as putting someone on edge, making them curious, or leaving them in a state of anticipation, often with a hint of uncertainty or worry.

When someone uses "suspender" in this context, they are describing an action that creates a sense of unresolved tension. This could be in a story, a movie, a conversation, or even a real-life situation where the outcome is not yet clear. It's about building that feeling of "what's going to happen next?"

DEFINITION

To cause to feel suspense or anxiety.

§ When do people use "suspender"?

You'll hear and use "suspender" in various situations where there's a build-up of anticipation or a feeling of being on tenterhooks. Here are some common scenarios:

• In storytelling: When a writer or speaker wants to keep their audience guessing about the plot or the fate of characters.
• In news or announcements: When information is revealed gradually, leaving people eager or nervous for the full disclosure.
• In personal interactions: When someone's actions or words create an uncertain atmosphere, making others anxious about the outcome.
• Describing emotions: While "suspender" itself is an action, it directly relates to the emotion of suspense or anxiety it evokes in others.

It's important to differentiate this from the English "to suspend" as in hanging something, or temporarily stopping something (like a service or a student from school). While "suspender" *can* have those meanings in Portuguese, they are less frequent. When in doubt, consider the context. If it's about a feeling of anticipation or anxiety, then you're on the right track with this definition.

English hint: The end of the book managed to make me feel suspense until the last page.

English hint: The news about the election result is causing the population to feel anxious/in suspense.

English hint: He loves movies that manage to keep the audience in suspense from beginning to end.

§ What Does "Suspender" Mean?

Definition

To cause to feel suspense or anxiety; to suspend, to hang, to postpone, to cancel.

The Portuguese verb "suspender" is pretty versatile. While it can mean to cause suspense or anxiety, you'll more often hear it in other contexts. Think of it as a word that means to stop something, to hang something, or to postpone something. It's a common word, so let's break down where you'll actually encounter it.

§ "Suspender" at Work

In a work environment, "suspender" is often used when something is halted, paused, or canceled. This could be a project, a meeting, or even someone's employment.

• Stopping a project or activity:

  A empresa decidiu suspender o projeto por tempo indeterminado.

  The company decided to suspend (stop) the project indefinitely.

• Suspending an employee: This is a serious use of the word, indicating a temporary removal from duties, usually due to misconduct.

  Ele foi suspenso do trabalho por uma semana.

  He was suspended (from) work for a week.

§ "Suspender" in School

In an academic setting, "suspender" can refer to postponing classes, canceling events, or, unfortunately, failing a student in a subject.

• Postponing or canceling classes/events:

  As aulas foram suspensas devido ao mau tempo.

  Classes were suspended (canceled/postponed) due to bad weather.

• Failing a student (colloquial): This is a common, though informal, use, especially in Portugal.

  O aluno suspendeu a matemática novamente.

  The student failed (literally, suspended) math again.

§ "Suspender" in the News

News reports frequently use "suspender" to talk about official decisions to stop, halt, or temporarily put something on hold, such as laws, services, or investigations.

• Suspending services or operations:

  O governo decidiu suspender a aplicação da nova lei.

  The government decided to suspend (halt) the application of the new law.

• Suspending investigations or trials:

  O juiz ordenou suspender o julgamento até nova data.

  The judge ordered to suspend (postpone) the trial until a new date.

§ Other Common Uses

Beyond these specific contexts, you might also hear "suspender" when talking about:

• Hanging something: While "pendurar" is more common for simply hanging, "suspender" can be used for things that are literally suspended in the air.

  Eles usaram cabos para suspender a ponte.

  They used cables to suspend (hang) the bridge.

• Suspending disbelief: This is closer to the "causing suspense" definition, but it's more about voluntarily setting aside skepticism.

  Para aproveitar o filme, é preciso suspender a descrença.

  To enjoy the movie, you need to suspend (set aside) disbelief.

As you can see, "suspender" is a word with several practical applications in Portuguese. The key is to pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.

§ Don't Confuse with English "Suspend"

The word "suspender" in Portuguese often trips up English speakers because it looks and sounds very similar to the English word "suspend." However, their primary meanings are quite different. While English "suspend" usually means to temporarily stop or hang something, Portuguese "suspender" primarily means to cause a feeling of suspense or anxiety. It's a common false friend!

§ "Suspender" vs. "Parar" or "Interromper"

If you want to say "to stop" or "to interrupt" in Portuguese, do not use "suspender." Use verbs like "parar" (to stop) or "interromper" (to interrupt) instead. "Suspender" focuses on the emotional effect, not the action of halting.

DEFINITION

To cause to feel suspense or anxiety.

Let's look at some correct and incorrect uses to make this clear.

§ Incorrect Usage: Trying to Say "Suspend a Meeting"

• Incorrect: Eu vou suspender a reunião. (Literal: I will cause the meeting to feel suspense/anxiety.)

  This sentence sounds strange because meetings don't feel suspense. You mean you want to stop or postpone it.

Correct alternatives:

• Eu vou adiar a reunião. (I will postpone the meeting.)

• Eu vou cancelar a reunião. (I will cancel the meeting.)

• Eu vou interromper a reunião. (I will interrupt the meeting.)

§ Correct Usage: Causing Suspense/Anxiety

Use "suspender" when you are talking about creating a feeling of anticipation or worry, often in narratives or dramatic situations.

• O filme conseguiu suspender a audiência até o final. (The movie managed to keep the audience in suspense until the end.)

• A notícia inesperada suspendeu a todos. (The unexpected news left everyone in suspense/anxious.)

§ Common Mistake: Using "Suspender" for Physical Suspension

Another common error is to use "suspender" when you want to talk about hanging something physically, like clothes on a line or a picture on a wall. In Portuguese, this is incorrect.

• Incorrect: Eu vou suspender a roupa no varal. (Literal: I will cause the clothes on the line to feel suspense.)

  This sentence makes no sense in Portuguese.

Correct alternative:

• Eu vou pendurar a roupa no varal. (I will hang the clothes on the clothesline.)