aliviar
aliviar 30초 만에
- The verb 'aliviar' means to ease, lighten, or reduce the intensity of something negative like pain, stress, or a heavy load.
- It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and it is very high-frequency.
- It can be used for physical sensations, emotional states, and even abstract concepts like economic pressure or traffic congestion.
- The noun form is 'alívio', which means 'relief', and the adjective is 'aliviado', which means 'relieved'.
The Portuguese verb aliviar is a versatile and essential word that every learner should master early in their journey. At its core, the word means to make something lighter, less heavy, or less burdensome. This can apply to physical weight, emotional stress, or physiological pain. Derived from the Latin root 'levis', meaning 'light', the word literally translates to 'bringing lightness to' a situation. In daily life, you will hear it most frequently in medical contexts, such as when a doctor asks if a medication helped to reduce pain, or in emotional contexts, such as when a friend expresses relief after sharing a secret. It is a word that carries a sense of comfort and improvement, indicating that while a problem might not be entirely gone, its intensity has been significantly reduced. Understanding the nuances of aliviar allows you to communicate feelings of progress and comfort effectively.
- Physical Relief
- Used when a physical sensation like pain, pressure, or heat becomes more bearable. For example, applying ice to a burn to reduce the stinging sensation.
- Emotional Unburdening
- Commonly used to describe the feeling of 'getting something off your chest' or reducing anxiety after a difficult period.
- Logistical Reduction
- Applying to workloads, traffic, or financial burdens. When a manager hires a new employee to 'aliviar' the workload of the current team.
O médico receitou um analgésico para aliviar a sua dor nas costas.
Falar sobre os meus problemas ajudou a aliviar a minha mente.
A chuva finalmente chegou para aliviar o calor intenso do verão.
Precisamos de novas medidas para aliviar o trânsito no centro da cidade.
O governo decidiu aliviar os impostos para as pequenas empresas.
Furthermore, aliviar is used in meteorology to describe a break in extreme weather, such as a cool breeze that makes a humid day more tolerable. It is also used in economics when discussing the easing of financial pressures or the reduction of interest rates. The verb is inherently positive because it implies a transition from a state of suffering or difficulty toward a state of relative ease. While it doesn't always imply a complete cure (like 'curar'), it always implies a positive shift in the level of intensity of a negative stimulus. This makes it a crucial word for expressing empathy, discussing health, and managing expectations in personal and professional relationships.
Using aliviar correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the thing that is being relieved. The structure is typically [Subject] + [aliviar] + [The Burden/Pain]. For instance, 'O remédio (Subject) aliviou (Verb) a dor (Object)'. You can also use it in a pronominal form, aliviar-se, though this is less common and often refers to relieving oneself of a burden or, euphemistically, going to the bathroom. In most daily conversations, the non-reflexive form is what you will need. It is important to note that you 'aliviar' a negative state, not a positive one. You wouldn't 'aliviar' joy, but you would certainly 'aliviar' sadness or tension.
- Direct Object Usage
- The most common structure where the verb acts directly on the noun. Example: 'Aliviar a pressão' (To relieve the pressure).
- Infinitive with Auxiliary Verbs
- Often used with 'pode' (can), 'vai' (will), or 'ajuda a' (helps to). Example: 'Isso pode aliviar o estresse'.
- Passive Voice
- Used to describe the state of the object. Example: 'A dor foi aliviada' (The pain was relieved).
Você pode usar esta pomada para aliviar a coceira.
O novo funcionário vai aliviar a carga de trabalho do departamento.
Espero que estas notícias ajudem a aliviar a sua preocupação.
Another interesting way to use aliviar is in the context of sports or physical activity. If a runner is pushing too hard, a coach might say 'alivia o passo' (lighten the pace/slow down). This shows that the verb is not just about internal feelings, but also about external, measurable actions. In terms of conjugation, it is a regular -ar verb, making it relatively easy to use across different tenses. Whether you are saying 'eu alivio' (I relieve) or 'nós aliviamos' (we relieve), the pattern remains consistent. Mastery of this verb also involves knowing its related noun, 'alívio' (relief). Using them together, like 'Senti um grande alívio quando a dor aliviou', is a natural way to express a significant change in state.
In Brazil and Portugal, you will encounter aliviar in a wide variety of everyday scenarios. One of the most common places is the pharmacy (farmácia). Pharmacists will often ask, 'O que você está tomando para aliviar a dor?' (What are you taking to relieve the pain?). It is also a staple in news broadcasts, particularly when discussing the economy or public infrastructure. News anchors might report on how a new bridge will 'aliviar o tráfego' (ease traffic) or how a change in interest rates will 'aliviar o bolso do consumidor' (ease the consumer's pocket/finances). This metaphorical use of 'bolso' (pocket) to mean financial situation is very common.
- In the Workplace
- Managers use it when redistributing tasks. 'Vou pedir ao estagiário para aliviar a sua carga de trabalho'.
- In Social Circles
- Friends use it when offering support. 'Quer conversar? Isso pode ajudar a aliviar a tensão'.
A abertura da nova pista deve aliviar o congestionamento na hora do rush.
O feriado serviu para aliviar o estresse acumulado durante o mês.
In literature and music, aliviar often appears in lyrics about heartbreak or the struggles of life. It conveys a deep human desire for respite. For instance, in Samba or Fado, you might hear about seeking a way to 'aliviar a saudade' (to ease the longing/yearning). This suggests that the word isn't just clinical or functional; it has a poetic dimension that touches on the most profound human emotions. Whether it's the relief of a cool breeze on a hot Lisbon afternoon or the relief of a deadline being pushed back in a busy São Paulo office, aliviar is the word that captures that moment of letting go and breathing easier.
One common mistake English speakers make is confusing aliviar with 'acalmar' (to calm) or 'melhorar' (to improve). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 'Acalmar' is specifically for agitation or noise, whereas aliviar is for burdens or pain. You 'acalmar' a crying baby, but you 'aliviar' the baby's colic. Another frequent error involves the prepositional usage. Some learners try to use 'aliviar' with 'para' when they should use 'de'. For example, if you want to say 'relieve someone of their duties', the correct Portuguese is 'aliviar alguém de seus deveres', not 'para seus deveres'.
- Aliviar vs. Curar
- 'Curar' means to heal or solve the problem entirely. 'Aliviar' only means to make it less intense. Don't say you 'aliviou' a disease if it's completely gone; say you 'curou' it.
- Confusion with 'Soltar'
- Sometimes learners use 'soltar' (to release) when they mean 'aliviar' (to ease). While releasing a grip can relieve pressure, the verb 'aliviar' is more appropriate for the resulting feeling.
Errado: O remédio acalmar a dor de dente. (Wrong word choice)
Correto: O remédio aliviou a dor de dente. (Correct: The medicine eased the toothache)
Finally, be careful with the context of 'aliviar-se'. In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, 'vou me aliviar' is a polite but clear euphemism for going to the bathroom. If you use the reflexive form in a professional meeting when you just meant you were going to take a break to 'ease your mind', it might cause some giggles. Stick to 'aliviar a mente' or 'descansar um pouco' to avoid any awkward misunderstandings. Also, remember that 'aliviar' is a regular verb, so don't try to make it irregular in the past tense—'eu aliviei' is the correct form for 'I relieved', not 'eu aliviei' (though the pronunciation is similar, the spelling matters).
Portuguese is a rich language with many synonyms for aliviar, each with its own specific flavor. If you want to sound more sophisticated, you might use mitigar, which is often used in legal, environmental, or scientific contexts. If you are talking about making something softer or less harsh, suavizar is your best bet. For instance, you 'suavizar' a criticism or 'suavizar' the edges of a photo. Another great alternative is atenuar, which is perfect for describing the reduction of light, sound, or the severity of a crime.
- Mitigar
- More formal than 'aliviar'. Used for reducing the negative impact of something, like climate change or risks.
- Abrandar
- Literally 'to make soft'. Used for intensity, like slowing down a car or making a storm less fierce.
- Suavizar
- Used for aesthetics or interpersonal communication. To 'smooth over' or 'soften' a blow.
O governo busca formas de mitigar os efeitos da seca.
Você deve abrandar a velocidade ao chegar na curva.
In more casual Portuguese, especially in Brazil, you might hear the expression dar uma folga (to give a break) or baixar a bola (to lower the ball/ego). While these are not direct synonyms for 'aliviar', they convey the same spirit of reducing pressure. Understanding these alternatives will help you navigate different social registers. For example, in a medical report, you would see 'aliviar os sintomas', but in a casual chat with a friend who is working too hard, you might say 'você precisa de algo para aliviar essa tensão'. Choosing the right synonym shows a deeper command of the language and helps you express precisely how much 'relief' is being provided.
수준별 예문
O gelo ajuda a aliviar a dor.
Ice helps to relieve the pain.
Simple present tense with a direct object.
Eu quero aliviar o meu calor.
I want to relieve my heat.
Infinitive form after 'querer'.
O café alivia o sono?
Does coffee relieve sleepiness?
Interrogative sentence using the present tense.
Essa música alivia o estresse.
This music relieves stress.
Subject-verb-object structure.
Ela toma remédio para aliviar a tosse.
She takes medicine to relieve the cough.
Use of 'para' + infinitive to show purpose.
O banho frio alivia a febre.
The cold bath relieves the fever.
Physical relief context.
Você pode aliviar este peso?
Can you lighten this weight?
Modal verb 'pode' with infinitive.
A chuva alivia o tempo seco.
The rain relieves the dry weather.
Describing weather conditions.
Nós aliviamos a carga do caminhão.
We lightened the truck's load.
Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) of a regular -ar verb.
O feriado ajudou a aliviar a mente.
The holiday helped to clear the mind.
Metaphorical use for emotional state.
Eles querem aliviar o trânsito aqui.
They want to ease the traffic here.
Third person plural present tense.
Você se sente aliviado agora?
Do you feel relieved now?
Using the past participle 'aliviado' as an adjective.
O médico aliviou a minha preocupação.
The doctor eased my worry.
Emotional relief context.
Vamos aliviar o trabalho da Maria.
Let's lighten Maria's work.
Imperative-style 'vamos' + infinitive.
A pomada aliviou a picada de inseto.
The ointment relieved the insect bite.
Specific medical relief.
O ar condicionado alivia o mormaço.
The air conditioning relieves the damp heat.
Environmental relief.
Espero que estas medidas aliviem a crise.
I hope these measures ease the crisis.
Present subjunctive 'aliviem' after 'espero que'.
Se você falar a verdade, vai aliviar a consciência.
If you tell the truth, you will ease your conscience.
Conditional sentence with future intent.
O governo tenta aliviar a pressão dos impostos.
The government is trying to ease the tax pressure.
Abstract noun 'pressão' as an object.
Ela aliviou o passo ao chegar perto de casa.
She slowed her pace as she got close to home.
Idiomatic expression 'aliviar o passo'.
O riso é a melhor forma de aliviar a tensão.
Laughter is the best way to relieve tension.
Gerund-like use of the infinitive.
O técnico aliviou o treino dos jogadores hoje.
The coach lightened the players' training today.
Professional context.
Precisamos de algo para aliviar o sofrimento deles.
We need something to relieve their suffering.
Empathic context.
A notícia aliviou o clima pesado da reunião.
The news lightened the heavy atmosphere of the meeting.
Metaphorical use for 'atmosphere'.
A dívida externa foi aliviada por um novo acordo.
The external debt was eased by a new agreement.
Passive voice construction.
O juiz decidiu aliviar a pena do réu.
The judge decided to lighten the defendant's sentence.
Legal context.
Eles buscam mitigar e aliviar os danos ambientais.
They seek to mitigate and alleviate environmental damage.
Using synonyms for emphasis.
O banco central aliviou as taxas de juros.
The central bank eased interest rates.
Financial/Economic context.
Não podemos aliviar a vigilância neste momento.
We cannot relax our vigilance at this time.
Metaphorical use meaning 'to relax' or 'lower'.
A massagem ajuda a aliviar as tensões musculares.
Massage helps to relieve muscle tension.
Anatomical context.
O autor usa o humor para aliviar o drama da história.
The author uses humor to lighten the drama of the story.
Literary analysis context.
Aliviar a pobreza é o principal objetivo do projeto.
Alleviating poverty is the main goal of the project.
Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.
O diplomata tentou aliviar as tensões fronteiriças.
The diplomat tried to ease border tensions.
Geopolitical context.
Suas palavras doces aliviariam qualquer coração amargurado.
Her sweet words would ease any bitter heart.
Conditional tense 'aliviariam'.
A reforma visa aliviar o peso burocrático do estado.
The reform aims to lighten the state's bureaucratic burden.
Political/Administrative context.
É fundamental que o governo alivie a carga tributária.
It is essential that the government eases the tax burden.
Present subjunctive in a noun clause.
O silêncio da noite aliviou a agitação da metrópole.
The night's silence eased the metropolis's agitation.
Poetic/Descriptive use.
Nada parecia aliviar a sua melancolia profunda.
Nothing seemed to ease his deep melancholy.
Abstract emotional state.
A medicação foi ajustada para aliviar os efeitos colaterais.
The medication was adjusted to ease the side effects.
Technical medical context.
Aliviando-se das culpas passadas, ele pôde seguir em frente.
Relieving himself of past guilts, he was able to move on.
Pronominal gerund 'aliviando-se'.
O tratado logrou aliviar o imbróglio diplomático.
The treaty managed to ease the diplomatic imbroglio.
High-level vocabulary integration.
A síncope serviu para aliviar a saturação sonora da peça.
The syncopation served to ease the sound saturation of the piece.
Music theory context.
Há que se aliviar o rigor da lei em casos excepcionais.
The rigor of the law must be eased in exceptional cases.
Impersonal 'se' with infinitive.
A descompressão súbita aliviou a integridade estrutural.
The sudden decompression eased the structural integrity.
Engineering/Physics context.
O filósofo busca aliviar o peso da existência através da arte.
The philosopher seeks to ease the burden of existence through art.
Philosophical context.
A medida aliviou, conquanto temporariamente, a inflação.
The measure eased, albeit temporarily, the inflation.
Complex sentence with concessive conjunction.
O bálsamo aliviou a epiderme flagelada pelo sol.
The balm eased the epidermis scourged by the sun.
Highly descriptive/Literary.
Pudesse eu aliviar a tua dor, fá-lo-ia sem hesitar.
Could I ease your pain, I would do it without hesitating.
Inverted subjunctive and mesoclisis.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
— A phrase used to reassure someone that a treatment or change will help. It suggests that relief is coming soon.
Tome este chá, isso vai aliviar.
— An informal expression meaning to help someone out or to stop being so hard on them. It is very common in Brazil.
Alivia a barra dele, ele está cansado.
— To do something that helps you stop worrying or thinking about stressful things. It is synonymous with relaxing.
Eu viajo para aliviar a mente.
— Can be literal (removing physical weight) or metaphorical (removing responsibilities). It implies making life easier.
Vamos dividir as tarefas para aliviar o peso.
— To feel better after a period of sadness or anxiety. Often involves sharing feelings with someone else.
Chorar às vezes ajuda a aliviar o coração.
— A modern, somewhat slangy way (especially in Brazil) to talk about easing romantic or emotional pain. Often linked to music.
Essa música é para aliviar a sofrência.
— To reduce one's expenses or debt. It is a common goal for families and businesses.
Ele vendeu o carro para aliviar as contas.
— To make a tense or awkward social situation more relaxed. Usually done through humor or a change of topic.
Ele contou uma piada para aliviar o clima.
— To remove items from a suitcase, or metaphorically, to let go of past traumas or unnecessary items in life.
Preciso aliviar a bagagem antes do voo.
— To drink something or take a lozenge to stop an itch or pain in the throat. Very common in winter.
Mel com limão é bom para aliviar a garganta.
관용어 및 표현
— A very informal and somewhat old-fashioned way to say 'to take a break' or 'to stop working hard'. Literally 'to ease the back'.
Finalmente vou aliviar o lombo neste fim de semana.
informal— To reduce the force or intensity of an action, or to be less strict. Often used in cooking or discipline.
Você precisa aliviar a mão no sal.
neutral— A crude or very informal way to say 'to eat' or 'to go to the bathroom'. Literally 'to ease the belly'.
Vou ali aliviar o bucho.
slang— From horse riding; meaning to take the pressure off. Used metaphorically to mean giving someone a break.
Summary
The word 'aliviar' is your go-to verb for describing any situation where a burden becomes lighter. Whether you are at the doctor's office saying 'isso alivia a dor' or at work saying 'vamos aliviar o projeto', it always conveys a positive shift toward comfort.
- The verb 'aliviar' means to ease, lighten, or reduce the intensity of something negative like pain, stress, or a heavy load.
- It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and it is very high-frequency.
- It can be used for physical sensations, emotional states, and even abstract concepts like economic pressure or traffic congestion.
- The noun form is 'alívio', which means 'relief', and the adjective is 'aliviado', which means 'relieved'.
관련 콘텐츠
이 단어를 다른 언어로
emotions 관련 단어
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2동요된, 충격을 받은. 그녀는 사고 소식에 깊이 동요되었다.
abalar
A2흔들다, 동요시키다. 그 소식은 그녀를 깊이 동요시켰다.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1낙담하여, 풀이 죽어서. 깊은 좌절감이나 심신이 지친 상태에서 어떤 행동을 하는 방식을 묘사할 때 사용됩니다.
abatido
A2그는 소식을 듣고 매우 낙담한 표정이었다.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2공공연하게, 솔직하게, 숨김없이.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.