empratar 30秒で
- Empratar is a regular Portuguese verb meaning 'to plate food,' specifically focusing on the artistic and visual arrangement of a meal before serving.
- It comes from the word 'prato' (plate) and is widely used in professional kitchens, cooking competitions, and by modern home cooks who value presentation.
- Unlike the general verb 'servir' (to serve), 'empratar' implies a deliberate effort to make the dish look aesthetically pleasing and professional.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and it is a key term for anyone interested in Portuguese gastronomy.
The Portuguese verb empratar is a specialized culinary term that has gained significant popularity in recent years, largely due to the global explosion of gastronomic television shows and the professionalization of home cooking. At its most basic level, the word is a derivative of the noun prato (plate), combined with the prefix em- (into or onto) and the verbal suffix -ar. It literally means 'to put onto a plate,' but in practice, it implies a much higher degree of intentionality than simply serving food. When you empratar, you are not just transferring food from a pot to a dish; you are carefully arranging, styling, and presenting the components of a meal to ensure they are visually appealing and professionally structured. It is the final stage of the cooking process where the chef's aesthetic vision comes to life.
- Professional Context
- In a restaurant setting, the 'empratamento' (the act of plating) is the responsibility of the chef or the sous-chef at the 'pass.' It involves using tools like tweezers, squeeze bottles for sauces, and rings to create geometric shapes. If a chef says, 'Vamos empratar agora,' they are signaling that the dish is ready for its final visual assembly before being sent to the customer.
O segredo de um bom restaurante não é apenas o sabor, mas também a forma como o chef decide empratar cada ingrediente com precisão e elegância.
- Everyday Social Usage
- While historically a technical term, you will now hear home cooks use this word when hosting dinner parties. Using the word 'empratar' instead of 'servir' (to serve) suggests that the host has put effort into the presentation. It reflects a modern culinary culture where 'we eat with our eyes first' (comemos primeiro com os olhos).
Para o jantar de hoje, eu quero empratar a salada de uma forma mais moderna, usando flores comestíveis.
The term is also used in culinary competitions. Judges often evaluate the 'empratamento' as a specific category of scoring. If a dish is messy or lacks balance, the judge might comment that the contestant failed to empratar correctly. This verb encapsulates the intersection of art and science in the kitchen. It requires knowledge of color theory, temperature control (so the food doesn't get cold while being arranged), and spatial awareness. To master the art of empratar is to master the art of the first impression in dining.
- Cultural Nuance
- In traditional Portuguese 'tascas' (taverns), you rarely hear this word. Food there is served in large, hearty portions. However, in the 'Nova Cozinha Portuguesa' movement, empratar is the most important verb in the kitchen, as chefs redefine traditional recipes with contemporary plating techniques.
Depois de cozinhar a carne por doze horas, o chef demorou cinco minutos a empratar o prato final.
Using the verb empratar effectively requires understanding its role as a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the food being plated. However, it can also be used more generally to describe the process. Because it is a regular verb ending in -ar, it follows the standard conjugation patterns of the first conjugation in Portuguese, which is great news for A2 level learners. Whether you are talking about the past, present, or future, the structure remains consistent with verbs like falar or cozinhar.
- Present Tense Usage
- In the present tense, you use it to describe a current action or a habitual one. For example: 'Eu sempre emprato a comida com cuidado.' (I always plate the food with care). This indicates a habit or a characteristic of your cooking style.
Nesta cozinha, nós empratamos cada pedido individualmente para garantir a qualidade visual.
- Imperative and Instructions
- When giving orders in a kitchen or following a recipe, the imperative is common. 'Emprate o peixe sobre a cama de legumes' (Plate the fish on the bed of vegetables). This provides a specific spatial instruction for the assembly of the dish.
Você deve empratar a sobremesa imediatamente após retirá-la do forno.
In more complex sentences, empratar can be used in the infinitive form following auxiliary verbs like querer (to want), precisar (to need), or poder (to be able to). For example, 'Eu quero empratar isto como um profissional' (I want to plate this like a professional). This usage is very common in learning environments and culinary workshops. Furthermore, the gerund form 'empratando' is used to describe the action as it happens: 'O chef está empratando os pratos principais agora' (The chef is plating the main courses right now).
- Past Tense Nuances
- Using the Pretérito Perfeito (Perfect Past) is common when describing a completed action: 'Ela empratou o risoto com muita elegância.' This focuses on the successful result of the plating process.
Antigamente, as pessoas não se preocupavam tanto em empratar a comida em casa.
The word empratar has moved from the sterile environment of professional kitchens into the living rooms of millions of Portuguese speakers. If you turn on the TV in Portugal or Brazil today, you are almost certain to encounter this word on channels like RTP, SIC, or Globo during their mid-day lifestyle segments or evening reality competitions. Shows like 'MasterChef Portugal' or 'Hell's Kitchen' have made empratar a household term. In these contexts, you'll hear judges critiquing the 'empratamento,' often focusing on the 'equilíbrio' (balance), 'altura' (height), and 'cores' (colors) of the dish.
- Television and Media
- On television, a judge might shout: 'Faltam dois minutos para empratar!' (Two minutes left to plate!). This creates a sense of urgency and highlights that plating is the final, high-pressure step of a culinary challenge. Food bloggers and YouTubers also use the word constantly in tutorials, showing viewers how to 'empratar' simple meals to make them look expensive.
No MasterChef, o júri é muito rigoroso com a forma como os concorrentes decidem empratar.
- Fine Dining Restaurants
- If you visit a Michelin-starred restaurant in Lisbon or Porto, the word is part of the internal language of the staff. While the waiter might not use it when talking to you (they prefer 'servir'), if you overhear the kitchen staff, 'empratar' will be everywhere. It signifies the transition from the 'back of house' (cooking) to the 'front of house' (presentation).
Eu vi um vídeo no YouTube que ensina a empratar massas de forma profissional usando um garfo grande.
Beyond the media, you will hear this word in culinary schools and workshops. When a teacher is showing students how to finish a dish, they will say, 'Agora, vamos aprender a empratar.' It is treated as a skill just as important as knife skills or sauce making. In modern Portuguese culture, being able to empratar well is seen as a sign of sophistication and a deep appreciation for the culinary arts. It's no longer just about the taste; it's about the 'experiência gastronómica' (gastronomic experience).
- Catering and Events
- At weddings or corporate events, the catering manager might discuss how to empratar for 200 people simultaneously. Here, the word implies efficiency combined with consistency, ensuring every guest receives a dish that looks exactly like the prototype.
While empratar is a straightforward verb, its specific culinary context leads to several common errors among Portuguese learners. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with other verbs related to serving or preparing a table. Because English often uses 'to serve' or 'to plate' interchangeably, learners might use empratar in situations where it doesn't quite fit the level of effort or the specific action being performed.
- Confusing with 'Pôr a mesa'
- Many learners mistakenly use 'empratar' when they mean 'to set the table.' In Portuguese, setting the table with plates, cutlery, and glasses is pôr a mesa or arrumar a mesa. Empratar only refers to the food going onto the plate, not the plate going onto the table.
Errado: Eu vou empratar a mesa para o jantar. (Incorrect usage for setting the table).
- Overusing it for Simple Meals
- Another mistake is using empratar for very casual actions. If you are just putting cereal into a bowl or a sandwich on a napkin, servir or pôr is more appropriate. Using empratar for a bowl of cereal might sound sarcastic or overly formal unless you are actually trying to make it look like a piece of art.
Correto: Eu vou empratar o prato principal com cuidado, mas vou servir a sopa normalmente.
Learners also struggle with the prepositional use. Remember that you empratar 'algo' (something). You don't 'empratar para o prato' (plate to the plate) because the verb already contains the 'plate' concept. It is redundant. Instead, you say 'empratar o peixe' or 'empratar a comida.' Also, be careful with the word 'pratear,' which means to coat something in silver—a completely different verb!
- Preposition Errors
- Avoid saying 'empratar no prato.' While technically understood, it's like saying 'plating on the plate.' It's better to describe the arrangement: 'empratar em camadas' (plate in layers) or 'empratar com elegância' (plate with elegance).
In the rich vocabulary of Portuguese cooking, several words share a semantic field with empratar. Depending on the level of formality and the specific action you want to emphasize, you might choose one over the other. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.
- Servir vs. Empratar
- Servir is the most common and versatile term. It means 'to serve.' You can 'servir' a drink, 'servir' a table, or 'servir' yourself. It doesn't imply any artistic effort. Empratar is a subset of 'servir' that specifically focuses on the aesthetic arrangement on a single plate.
Podemos servir a comida em travessas ou podemos empratar individualmente na cozinha.
- Dispor vs. Empratar
- Dispor means 'to arrange' or 'to place out.' It is often used for buffets or appetizers. 'Dispor os queijos numa tábua' (Arrange the cheeses on a board). While empratar is specific to plates, dispor can be used for any surface or container.
O chef gosta de montar o prato com cores vibrantes para atrair os clientes.
Another interesting alternative is decorar (to decorate). However, decorar usually refers to adding non-essential elements like parsley or edible flowers. Empratar refers to the arrangement of the main components themselves. For a more technical, almost architectural feel, some chefs use estruturar (to structure), especially when building tall, vertical dishes. Finally, apresentar (to present) is a broader term that encompasses the whole visual experience, including the choice of plate and the way it's brought to the table.
- Summary of Alternatives
- Servir: General serving.
- Montar: Building/assembling the plate (common in Brazil).
- Dispor: Strategic arrangement on any surface.
- Apresentar: The overall presentation.
レベル別の例文
Eu vou empratar o meu jantar.
I am going to plate my dinner.
Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Você emprata a salada?
Do you plate the salad?
Present tense question.
O prato está pronto para empratar.
The dish is ready to plate.
Infinitive after 'para'.
Eles empratam a comida na cozinha.
They plate the food in the kitchen.
3rd person plural present.
Nós gostamos de empratar com flores.
We like to plate with flowers.
Infinitive after 'gostar de'.
Ela emprata o bolo agora.
She is plating the cake now.
Simple present used for current action.
Onde eu posso empratar isto?
Where can I plate this?
Infinitive after 'poder'.
Por favor, emprate o peixe.
Please, plate the fish.
Imperative (formal 'você').
Ontem, eu empratei a massa com queijo.
Yesterday, I plated the pasta with cheese.
Pretérito Perfeito (Past).
O chef está a empratar os bifes.
The chef is plating the steaks.
Present continuous (European Portuguese style).
Precisamos de empratar tudo rapidamente.
We need to plate everything quickly.
Infinitive after 'precisar de'.
Como você vai empratar a sobremesa?
How are you going to plate the dessert?
Future with 'ir'.
Ela sempre emprata a comida de forma bonita.
She always plates the food beautifully.
Adverbial phrase 'de forma bonita'.
O meu irmão não sabe empratar bem.
My brother doesn't know how to plate well.
Infinitive after 'saber'.
Eles emprataram o risoto em pratos fundos.
They plated the risotto in deep plates.
Pretérito Perfeito plural.
Você deve empratar o frango ao lado do arroz.
You should plate the chicken next to the rice.
Preposition 'ao lado de'.
Se eu tivesse tempo, eu emprataria melhor.
If I had time, I would plate better.
Conditional tense.
O segredo é empratar enquanto a comida está quente.
The secret is to plate while the food is hot.
Conjunction 'enquanto'.
Eu vi o chef a empratar na televisão.
I saw the chef plating on television.
Perception verb + infinitive.
É importante empratar com elegância para os convidados.
It is important to plate with elegance for the guests.
Impersonal expression 'É importante'.
Ela tinha empratado tudo antes de eu chegar.
She had plated everything before I arrived.
Pretérito Mais-que-Perfeito Composto.
Eles sugeriram que nós empratássemos individualmente.
They suggested that we plate individually.
Imperfect Subjunctive after a suggestion.
O restaurante é famoso pela forma como emprata o peixe.
The restaurant is famous for the way it plates the fish.
Relative clause.
Ao empratar, tenha cuidado com as bordas do prato.
When plating, be careful with the edges of the plate.
Gerundial use of 'Ao' + infinitive.
O empratamento requer uma mão muito firme.
Plating requires a very steady hand.
Noun form 'empratamento'.
Mesmo que você não queira, terá de empratar assim.
Even if you don't want to, you will have to plate like this.
Concessive clause with Subjunctive.
O chef insistiu em empratar a sobremesa na hora.
The chef insisted on plating the dessert on the spot.
Verb 'insistir em' + infinitive.
A técnica de empratar evoluiu muito na última década.
The technique of plating has evolved a lot in the last decade.
Present Perfect (evoluiu).
Não basta cozinhar bem; é preciso saber empratar.
It's not enough to cook well; it's necessary to know how to plate.
Negative 'Não basta' structure.
O júri criticou a pressa com que ele empratou.
The jury criticized the haste with which he plated.
Relative pronoun 'com que'.
Espero que eles empratem a comida com mais cor.
I hope they plate the food with more color.
Present Subjunctive after 'esperar que'.
A maioria dos chefs prefere empratar em pratos brancos.
Most chefs prefer to plate on white plates.
Collective subject 'A maioria de'.
A sofisticação do prato reside na forma de o empratar.
The sophistication of the dish lies in the way of plating it.
Object pronoun 'o' attached to infinitive.
Houve quem criticasse a audácia de empratar o polvo assim.
There were those who criticized the audacity of plating the octopus like that.
Indefinite pronoun 'quem' with subjunctive.
A arte de empratar transcende a mera função de alimentar.
The art of plating transcends the mere function of feeding.
Abstract subject.
Por mais que tente, ele não consegue empratar com fluidez.
No matter how much he tries, he can't plate with fluidity.
Concessive 'Por mais que' + subjunctive.
O empratamento é o diálogo final entre o chef e o cliente.
Plating is the final dialogue between the chef and the customer.
Metaphorical usage.
Raramente vemos alguém empratar com tanta naturalidade.
Rarely do we see someone plate with such naturalness.
Negative adverb 'Raramente' causing inversion (implied).
Ao empratarmos, devemos considerar a temperatura da louça.
When we plate, we must consider the temperature of the dishware.
Personal infinitive 'empratarmos'.
A estética de empratar mudou com a influência minimalista.
The aesthetics of plating changed with minimalist influence.
Noun phrase subject.
A minúcia exigida para empratar tal iguaria é exaustiva.
The meticulousness required to plate such a delicacy is exhaustive.
High-level vocabulary (minúcia, iguaria).
Subjaz à decisão de empratar assim uma vontade de chocar.
Underlying the decision to plate like this is a desire to shock.
Inversion with 'Subjaz'.
Ousou empratar a tradição com uma roupagem vanguardista.
He dared to plate tradition with a vanguardist appearance.
Metaphorical/Literary usage.
O ato de empratar torna-se uma performance coreografada.
The act of plating becomes a choreographed performance.
Pronominal verb 'tornar-se'.
Não se pode negligenciar o vácuo visual ao empratar.
One cannot neglect the visual vacuum when plating.
Impersonal 'se'.
A efemeridade do empratar confere-lhe um valor quase sagrado.
The ephemerality of plating gives it an almost sacred value.
Nominalization of the infinitive.
Empratar é, em última análise, um exercício de semiótica.
Plating is, in the final analysis, an exercise in semiotics.
Philosophical register.
Tanto se lhe deu o dever de cozinhar como o de empratar.
He was given the duty to cook as much as the duty to plate.
Complex correlative structure.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— When the cooking is finished and the assembly begins.
O peixe está pronto para empratar.
— The skill or discipline of food presentation.
Ele domina a arte de empratar como ninguém.
— The specific moment in the kitchen workflow for plating.
Chegou o tempo de empratar as sobremesas.
— Plating the dish in the presence of the diner (guéridon service).
Alguns restaurantes gostam de empratar à frente do cliente.
— Having trouble with the presentation aspect.
Tenho sempre dificuldade em empratar molhos.
— Using oversized plates for aesthetic reasons.
Eles preferem empratar em pratos grandes para destacar a comida.
— To take lessons or practice food styling.
Quero aprender a empratar como um chef profissional.
— To fulfill the order by plating it.
O cozinheiro já está a empratar o seu pedido.
— A phrase often found on menus describing the accompaniments.
O bife vem empratado com batata frita e salada.
慣用句と表現
— To 'eat with one's eyes'; when the presentation (empratamento) is so good you are satisfied just looking.
Summary
The verb 'empratar' is your go-to word for 'plating' like a pro. Use it when you want to emphasize the beauty of a dish, not just the act of eating. Example: 'Vou empratar o risoto agora' (I'm going to plate the risotto now).
- Empratar is a regular Portuguese verb meaning 'to plate food,' specifically focusing on the artistic and visual arrangement of a meal before serving.
- It comes from the word 'prato' (plate) and is widely used in professional kitchens, cooking competitions, and by modern home cooks who value presentation.
- Unlike the general verb 'servir' (to serve), 'empratar' implies a deliberate effort to make the dish look aesthetically pleasing and professional.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and it is a key term for anyone interested in Portuguese gastronomy.
関連コンテンツ
foodの関連語
a conta
A1The bill or check (in a restaurant).
a gosto
A2「お好みで」という意味です。
à la carte
A2個々の料理をメニューから注文すること。各品目に独自の価格が設定されており、食事の選択に柔軟性があります。
à mão
A2手作りの、または手元にある。手作業で行われることや、物がすぐ近くにあることを表す表現です。
à mesa
A2食卓についていること、食事をしている状態。
à parte
A2別に添えられた、または脇に置かれた。
à pressa
A2時間がなく、非常に速く行動または実行される。
à saúde
A2A toast, meaning 'to health' or 'cheers'.
a vapor
A2蒸された、または蒸気で動く。
à vontade
A2くつろいで、遠慮なく。
