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A2 noun 11분 분량

Represa

예시 Represa 30초 만에
설명 Represa in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'represa' is an excellent introduction to the concept of man-made structures and nature. You should think of it simply as a 'big lake made by people.' In Portuguese, we use the feminine article 'a' with it: 'a represa.' At this stage, you only need to know how to say where it is and what it is. For example, 'A represa é grande' (The dam is big) or 'A água está na represa' (The water is in the dam). You might see this word on a map while traveling. It is important to remember that it is not a 'mar' (sea) or a 'rio' (river), but a place where the water stays still because of a wall. Learning 'represa' helps you describe landscapes and understand basic directions when people talk about going to the countryside for a vacation. Focus on simple sentences using the verb 'ser' (to be) and 'estar' (to be located/state). Don't worry about the technical details of how a dam works yet; just recognize it as a place with lots of water where people can go to see nature or fish.
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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'represa' in more practical, everyday contexts. You are now able to talk about activities you do at the reservoir. Common phrases include 'pescar na represa' (to fish in the reservoir) or 'nadar na represa' (to swim in the reservoir). You should also be comfortable using the word with prepositions like 'perto de' (near) or 'longe de' (far from). For example, 'Minha casa fica perto da represa' (My house is near the dam). You will also notice that 'represa' appears in news about the weather, especially when it rains. If it rains a lot, 'a represa enche' (the dam fills up). If there is no rain, 'a represa seca' (the dam dries up). This level is about connecting the word to your life and the world around you. You can also start to use adjectives like 'poluída' (polluted) or 'limpa' (clean) to describe the state of the water. It is a very common word in Brazil because many cities are built near these reservoirs for water supply, so knowing it helps you understand the local environment and urban geography.
At the B1 level, you should understand the social and economic importance of a 'represa.' You are now moving beyond just seeing it as a place to swim and starting to see it as a source of 'energia elétrica' (electric energy) and 'abastecimento de água' (water supply). You will hear terms like 'nível do reservatório' and 'crise hídrica' (water crisis) in the news. You should be able to explain why a 'represa' is important for a city. For example, 'As represas são fundamentais para evitar a falta de água nas grandes cidades.' You can also use the word in more complex sentence structures, including the past tense and the conditional. 'Se não chover, o nível da represa vai cair' (If it doesn't rain, the dam level will fall). You should also become aware of the regional differences, such as the use of 'açude' in Northeastern Brazil. This level requires you to discuss the word in the context of the environment and the economy, showing that you understand its role in modern society.
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At the B2 level, you can engage in debates about the environmental and social impacts of building a 'represa.' You should be able to discuss the 'impacto ambiental' (environmental impact) and the 'deslocamento de populações' (displacement of populations). You will encounter the word in more academic or journalistic texts that analyze the pros and cons of hydroelectric power. You should also understand the metaphorical use of the related verb 'represar' and the adjective 'represado.' For instance, talking about 'sentimentos represados' (repressed feelings) or 'demanda represada' (pent-up demand) in an economic context. Your vocabulary should expand to include technical parts of a dam, like 'comportas' (floodgates) and 'vertedouro' (spillway). You should be able to distinguish between a 'represa de água' and a 'represa de rejeitos' (tailings dam), the latter being a significant topic in Brazilian mining safety discussions. At this level, you are expected to use the word with precision and understand its various connotations in different professional and social fields.
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At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'represa' and can use it with high levels of precision in professional, legal, or literary contexts. You can analyze the legal frameworks surrounding 'represas,' such as water rights and environmental licensing. In literature, you might encounter 'represa' as a powerful symbol of human control over nature or as a metaphor for a breaking point. You should be comfortable discussing the history of major projects like Itaipu or Belo Monte, using sophisticated vocabulary to describe the political and social tensions involved. You can also use the word in idiomatic expressions and understand its subtle differences from 'barragem' and 'reservatório' in technical discourse. Your ability to use the derived verb 'represar' should be seamless, applying it to abstract concepts like 'conhecimento represado' or 'inflação represada.' This level implies a deep cultural awareness of how water management has shaped the history and economy of Lusophone countries, particularly Brazil, where the 'represa' is a central figure in the national narrative of development.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of the word 'represa' is equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. You can use it in any context, from a casual conversation about a weekend trip to a highly technical engineering seminar or a complex political analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its regional variations across the entire Lusophone world, including the specific uses in Portugal (where 'albufeira' and 'barragem' are more common). You can write persuasive essays or technical reports that involve the concept of water containment, using a wide array of synonyms and related technical jargon without effort. You are also sensitive to the emotional and cultural weight the word carries in different regions, such as the poetic and tragic associations of 'açudes' in the Brazilian 'Sertão.' At this stage, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for complex thought, allowing you to bridge gaps between ecology, engineering, sociology, and philosophy. You can play with the word's metaphorical potential in creative writing, using it to describe the human condition or the dynamics of power in society.
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예시

Represa 30초 만에

  • A 'represa' is a dam or reservoir used for water storage and hydroelectric power.
  • It is a feminine noun (a represa) and is very common in Brazilian environmental discussions.
  • People use 'represa' for both the physical wall and the resulting artificial lake.
  • Metaphorically, it can refer to something being held back, like emotions or economic demand.

The Portuguese word represa is a fundamental term for anyone learning the language, especially when discussing geography, infrastructure, or environmental issues. At its core, a represa refers to a dam or a reservoir—a structure built across a river or stream to hold back water, or the body of water created by such a structure. While English speakers often distinguish between the physical wall (the dam) and the body of water (the reservoir), Portuguese frequently uses represa to encompass both concepts, though barragem is a common technical synonym for the physical barrier itself.

Geographic Context
In Brazil, many large cities rely on a represa for their water supply. For example, São Paulo is famous for the Represa de Guarapiranga and the Represa Billings. These are not just functional sites; they are landmarks that define the urban and suburban landscape.
Energy Production
Since Brazil and Portugal generate a significant portion of their electricity through hydroelectric power, the word represa appears constantly in news reports regarding energy levels, rainfall, and the economy.

A represa está com o nível de água muito baixo devido à seca prolongada que atingiu a região sudeste este ano.

You will use this word most frequently when talking about the environment, weekend trips to the countryside, or when listening to the weather and utility reports on the news. If you tell a Brazilian friend you are going to the represa for the weekend, they will likely imagine you going fishing, boating, or staying at a house near a large artificial lake. It carries a connotation of both industrial utility and recreational leisure.

Nós costumamos pescar na represa todo final de semana durante o verão.

Environmental Impact
When discussing the construction of a new represa, the conversation often turns to the displacement of local communities or the flooding of forests, making it a politically charged word in environmental activism.

A construção daquela represa causou um grande impacto na fauna local e na vida dos ribeirinhos.

In a metaphorical sense, the verb derived from this noun, represar, means to hold back or suppress. You might hear someone say they are represando emoções (suppressing emotions). Understanding the noun represa provides the visual foundation for this metaphor: a massive wall holding back a powerful, surging force of water that wants to break free.

Não é saudável manter tanta raiva represada dentro de você por tanto tempo.

Eles construíram uma pequena represa no sítio para garantir água para o gado durante o inverno.

Technical Nuance
While represa is the general term, engineers might use reservatório to refer specifically to the storage capacity and barragem for the engineering project of the wall itself.

Using the word represa correctly involves understanding its gender—it is feminine (a represa)—and the common verbs associated with it. Since it refers to a large body of water, you will often find it paired with verbs of movement, construction, and environmental observation. In everyday conversation, it is treated like any other location, often preceded by the preposition na (em + a) or da (de + a).

Location and Travel
When talking about going to a dam or reservoir for leisure, you use the preposition 'para' or 'a'. For example: 'Vamos à represa este fim de semana'. If you are already there, you use 'na': 'Estamos na represa'.

A represa fica a cerca de trinta quilômetros da cidade principal.

In more formal or technical contexts, you will see represa as the subject of sentences describing water levels or energy output. Verbs like transbordar (to overflow), esvaziar (to empty), and abastecer (to supply/provide) are quintessential collocations for this noun. If the water levels are high, the represa might 'sangrar' (literally 'bleed', a regionalism for overflowing) or simply 'estar cheia'.

Se a chuva continuar forte, a represa pode transbordar e inundar as casas vizinhas.

When describing the purpose of a dam, use the preposition para. For instance, 'uma represa para geração de energia' or 'uma represa para abastecimento de água'. This clarifies the function of the reservoir. You might also encounter the adjective represado, which describes something that has been held back, whether it is water, air, or even money in an economic sense (e.g., preços represados - frozen prices).

Esta represa foi construída especificamente para evitar enchentes no vale.

Environmental Descriptions
Adjectives like poluída (polluted), limpa (clean), profunda (deep), or extensa (extensive) are often used to describe the quality and scale of a represa.

Infelizmente, a represa local está muito poluída por causa do esgoto doméstico.

Finally, in literature or journalism, you might see the word used to describe the accumulation of items or people. While less common than the literal sense, it illustrates the concept of a blockage. For example, 'uma represa de processos judiciais' suggests a backlog of court cases. This versatility makes represa a powerful noun to have in your vocabulary arsenal as you move from A2 to B1 levels of proficiency.

O governo decidiu abrir as comportas da represa para aliviar a pressão da estrutura.

In Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil, the word represa is a staple of daily news and casual conversation. Because of Brazil's heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, the national conversation often revolves around the 'nível das represas' (the level of the reservoirs). During the dry season, you will hear meteorologists and news anchors discussing whether the represas are at a critical level, which directly affects the price of electricity and the risk of water rationing.

News and Media
Headline: 'Nível da represa Cantareira sobe após chuvas de verão'. This is a common sight on news portals, as the Cantareira system is vital for millions of people.

O jornal informou que a represa atingiu sua capacidade máxima pela primeira vez em cinco anos.

Beyond the news, you will hear this word in the context of tourism and real estate. Many Brazilians own or rent 'casas de veraneio' (summer houses) near a represa. If someone says, 'Vou para a represa', they are likely referring to a weekend of jet skiing, swimming, or barbecuing by the water. It’s a synonymous experience to 'going to the lake' in the United States or Canada, though the 'lake' in this case is artificial.

Muitas pessoas praticam esportes náuticos na represa de Ibiúna durante os feriados.

In rural areas, farmers use the term represa when discussing irrigation systems and livestock. A 'pequena represa' on a farm is a vital asset for survival during the 'período de seca'. You might hear a farmer say, 'A represa secou', which is a serious statement indicating a loss of water supply for their crops or animals.

O fazendeiro limpou a represa para aumentar o volume de armazenamento para o próximo ano.

Environmental Activism
In documentaries and political debates, represa is often linked to the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of the Amazon, as large-scale dams often require flooding vast areas of rainforest.

O documentário discute os riscos de romper uma represa de rejeitos de mineração.

Lastly, in the context of mining—a major industry in Brazil—the term represa de rejeitos (tailings dam) has become tragically common in recent years due to high-profile disasters like those in Mariana and Brumadinho. In these cases, represa refers to a reservoir of industrial waste. This specific usage carries a very different, much more somber tone than the recreational represa where one might go for a swim.

When learning Portuguese, English speakers often encounter a few hurdles with the word represa. The most common mistake is confusing it with its synonyms or related terms like barragem, lago, and açude. While they all involve water, their usage is context-specific and regional.

Represa vs. Lago
A lago (lake) is typically natural. A represa is man-made. If you call a reservoir a 'lago', people will understand you, but it sounds less precise. In Brazil, however, artificial lakes in parks are often called 'lagos', while larger industrial or regional reservoirs are 'represas'.

Errado: O lago de Itaipu é imenso. (Itaipu is a dam, so 'represa' or 'reservatório' is better.)

Another frequent error involves gender. Since represa ends in 'a', many students correctly identify it as feminine, but then they mistakenly use masculine articles or adjectives when they are thinking of the English word 'dam' (which feels 'neutral' to them). Remember: A represa está cheia, never O represa está cheio.

Certo: A represa é profunda.

There is also the confusion between represa and barragem. In casual Brazilian Portuguese, they are often interchangeable. However, technically, the barragem is the wall and the represa is the water. A common mistake is using barragem when you want to talk about swimming. You swim na represa (in the reservoir), not na barragem (in the wall structure).

Certo: Vamos nadar na represa?

Spelling and Pronunciation
Some learners confuse the spelling with 'repreza' (with a 'z'). It is always spelled with an 's'. The 's' between vowels has a /z/ sound, which leads to this common orthographic error.

Finally, watch out for the metaphorical usage. While in English you might 'dam up' your feelings, in Portuguese you use the verb represar. A common mistake is trying to translate 'dam up' literally using fazer uma represa for emotions. Instead, use the participle represado or the verb represar directly.

Sentimentos represados podem causar estresse.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding water management in Portuguese, it is helpful to compare represa with its synonyms and related terms. Each word has a specific nuance that can change the meaning of your sentence depending on the geographical location or the technicality of the subject.

Barragem vs. Represa
As mentioned, barragem usually refers to the physical engineering structure (the wall). Represa is more common for the resulting lake. In Portugal, barragem is used more broadly for both the structure and the project.
Reservatório
This is a more formal and technical term. You will see it in scientific reports, utility bills, and engineering plans. It emphasizes the function of storing water for future use.

O reservatório de água da cidade está em níveis críticos.

In the semi-arid regions of Brazil (the Northeast), the term açude is king. An açude is essentially a represa, but it carries deep cultural weight. It represents survival in a land where rain is scarce. When you read Brazilian literature (like that of Graciliano Ramos), you will see açude used exclusively to describe these water sources.

O gado bebeu a última água do açude antes da seca total.

If the body of water is small and perhaps not created by a large dam but rather a small obstruction, you might call it a represinha or a tanque. In many rural properties, a tanque de peixes is a small artificial pond for fish farming. While technically a form of represa, the scale is much smaller.

Eles fizeram um pequeno tanque nos fundos da casa para criar tilápias.

Dique and Eclusa
A dique is a levee or dike. An eclusa is a lock, the mechanism that allows ships to move between different water levels in a represa or river system. These are more specific infrastructure terms.

Finally, when discussing natural bodies of water, remember lagoa (lagoon/small lake) and lago (lake). A represa is always the result of human intervention, whereas a lago is a gift from nature. Using these terms correctly shows a high level of environmental and geographic awareness in Portuguese.

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수준별 예문

1

A represa é muito bonita.

The dam is very beautiful.

Feminine noun 'represa' matches with the feminine adjective 'bonita'.

2

Tem muita água na represa.

There is a lot of water in the dam.

The preposition 'na' is a contraction of 'em' (in) + 'a' (the).

3

Eu vejo a represa do carro.

I see the dam from the car.

Direct object 'a represa' follows the verb 'vejo'.

4

A represa é grande ou pequena?

Is the dam big or small?

Asking a basic question about the properties of the noun.

5

O sol brilha na represa.

The sun shines on the dam.

Present tense of the verb 'brilhar'.

6

Nós vamos para a represa.

We are going to the dam.

Using 'para a' to indicate destination.

7

A represa azul é calma.

The blue dam is calm.

Adjectives 'azul' and 'calma' describe the noun.

8

Onde está a represa?

Where is the dam?

Using 'onde' for location.

1

Nós gostamos de caminhar perto da represa.

We like to walk near the dam.

'Perto de' + 'a' becomes 'perto da'.

2

A represa abastece toda a cidade.

The dam supplies the whole city.

The verb 'abastecer' means to supply.

3

Eles estão pescando na represa hoje.

They are fishing in the dam today.

Present continuous tense 'estão pescando'.

4

A água da represa está muito fria.

The water from the dam is very cold.

Possessive 'da' relates water to the dam.

5

Você já visitou aquela represa famosa?

Have you already visited that famous dam?

Use of 'aquela' as a demonstrative pronoun.

6

A represa fica cheia no verão.

The dam gets full in the summer.

Verb 'ficar' used to describe a state resulting from a process.

7

Não é permitido nadar nesta represa.

Swimming is not allowed in this dam.

Passive construction 'não é permitido'.

8

A represa tem muitos peixes diferentes.

The dam has many different fish.

Verb 'ter' expressing possession/containment.

1

O nível da represa baixou por causa da seca.

The dam level dropped because of the drought.

Past tense 'baixou' indicates a completed action.

2

A construção da represa durou muitos anos.

The construction of the dam lasted many years.

Noun 'construção' followed by 'da represa'.

3

Precisamos economizar água porque a represa está vazia.

We need to save water because the dam is empty.

Conjunction 'porque' introducing a reason.

4

A represa gera energia para milhares de casas.

The dam generates energy for thousands of homes.

Verb 'gerar' (to generate) in the present tense.

5

Muitas árvores foram submersas quando a represa foi criada.

Many trees were submerged when the dam was created.

Passive voice 'foram submersas'.

6

O governo vai ampliar a capacidade da represa.

The government is going to expand the dam's capacity.

Future construction 'vai ampliar'.

7

A represa é um lugar popular para esportes náuticos.

The dam is a popular place for water sports.

Adjective phrase 'popular para'.

8

Se a represa transbordar, haverá inundações.

If the dam overflows, there will be floods.

Conditional 'se' with future subjunctive 'transbordar'.

1

O impacto ambiental da represa foi subestimado pelos engenheiros.

The environmental impact of the dam was underestimated by the engineers.

Passive voice with agent 'pelos engenheiros'.

2

A represa de rejeitos rompeu, causando um desastre ecológico.

The tailings dam broke, causing an ecological disaster.

Specific term 'represa de rejeitos' for mining waste.

3

Eles estão preocupados com a segurança estrutural da represa.

They are concerned about the structural safety of the dam.

Adjective 'preocupados' followed by the preposition 'com'.

4

A represa serve como um regulador do fluxo do rio.

The dam serves as a regulator of the river flow.

Verb 'servir como' (to serve as).

5

A comunidade local protestou contra a nova represa.

The local community protested against the new dam.

Preposition 'contra' expressing opposition.

6

A água represada exerce uma pressão enorme sobre a parede.

The dammed water exerts enormous pressure on the wall.

Adjective 'represada' derived from the verb 'represar'.

7

O ecossistema mudou drasticamente após a formação da represa.

The ecosystem changed drastically after the formation of the dam.

Adverb 'drasticamente' modifying the verb 'mudou'.

8

O nível da represa é monitorado em tempo real.

The dam level is monitored in real time.

Adverbial phrase 'em tempo real'.

1

A gestão hídrica exige que as represas sejam mantidas em níveis seguros.

Water management requires that dams be maintained at safe levels.

Subjunctive mood 'sejam mantidas' after the verb 'exigir'.

2

A represa tornou-se um símbolo da modernização do país.

The dam became a symbol of the country's modernization.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' (to become).

3

Sentimentos represados por anos finalmente vieram à tona.

Feelings held back for years finally came to the surface.

Metaphorical use of 'represados'.

4

O licenciamento da represa foi contestado na justiça.

The dam's licensing was contested in court.

Legal terminology 'licenciamento' and 'contestado na justiça'.

5

A sedimentação pode reduzir a vida útil de uma represa.

Sedimentation can reduce the useful life of a dam.

Technical term 'vida útil' (useful life).

6

A represa alterou o regime de cheias naturais do rio.

The dam altered the river's natural flood regime.

Technical phrase 'regime de cheias'.

7

Houve uma represa de investimentos durante a crise econômica.

There was a holding back of investments during the economic crisis.

Noun 'represa' used metaphorically for a backlog.

8

A manutenção das eclusas da represa é vital para a navegação.

Maintaining the dam's locks is vital for navigation.

Specific term 'eclusas' (locks).

1

A magnitude da represa evoca uma sensação de sublime tecnológico.

The magnitude of the dam evokes a sense of technological sublime.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'magnitude' and 'sublime'.

2

A represa atua como um baluarte contra as variações sazonais do clima.

The dam acts as a bulwark against seasonal climate variations.

Metaphorical noun 'baluarte' (bulwark/stronghold).

3

A dialética entre progresso e preservação é intrínseca a qualquer represa.

The dialectic between progress and preservation is intrinsic to any dam.

Philosophical terminology 'dialética' and 'intrínseca'.

4

A represa obliterou vestígios arqueológicos de valor inestimável.

The dam obliterated archaeological remains of inestimable value.

Strong verb 'obliterar' and adjective 'inestimável'.

5

O vertedouro da represa criava uma névoa perene sobre o vale.

The dam's spillway created a perennial mist over the valley.

Technical term 'vertedouro' and adjective 'perene'.

6

A represa é o epicentro de uma complexa rede de interesses geopolíticos.

The dam is the epicenter of a complex network of geopolitical interests.

Metaphorical use of 'epicentro'.

7

A porosidade do solo sob a represa exigiu injeções de cimento.

The soil's porosity under the dam required cement injections.

Geological and engineering vocabulary.

8

A represa, outrora motivo de orgulho, tornou-se um passivo ambiental.

The dam, once a source of pride, became an environmental liability.

Economic/legal term 'passivo ambiental' (environmental liability).

자주 쓰는 조합

Nível da represa
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