In 15 Seconds
- Owning your actions and their consequences.
- Used in both professional and personal serious contexts.
- Shows maturity, leadership, and reliability.
Meaning
It means stepping up to own your actions, whether you did something great or made a mess. It is about saying 'I've got this' or 'This was my fault' in a mature way.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a professional meeting
Eu assumo a responsabilidade por este projeto.
I take responsibility for this project.
Admitting a mistake to a partner
Eu assumo a responsabilidade, eu esqueci de pagar a conta.
I take responsibility, I forgot to pay the bill.
Texting a friend about a broken item
Cara, eu quebrei seu copo e assumo a responsabilidade. Compro outro!
Man, I broke your glass and I take responsibility. I'll buy another!
Cultural Background
In Brazilian corporate culture, 'chamar a responsabilidade' is a highly praised trait in leaders. It suggests someone who doesn't wait for orders but takes action during a crisis. The concept of 'palavra de honra' (word of honor) is closely tied to assuming responsibility. If you say you will do something, failing to 'assumir' the consequences of not doing it is a major social slight. In Luanda's business environment, assuming responsibility is often linked to 'respeito' (respect). Younger professionals are encouraged to 'assumir o seu lugar' (take their place/responsibility) to gain seniority. The phrase is frequently used in 'textões' (long posts) on Facebook or LinkedIn where people publicly admit to personal growth or mistakes, often using the hashtag #AssumoAResponsabilidade.
Use 'Total'
Adding 'total' or 'plena' before 'responsabilidade' makes your apology sound 10x more sincere in a professional setting.
The 'Assume' Trap
Never use 'assumir' to mean 'to guess'. It's the #1 mistake English speakers make in Portuguese.
In 15 Seconds
- Owning your actions and their consequences.
- Used in both professional and personal serious contexts.
- Shows maturity, leadership, and reliability.
What It Means
Assumir responsabilidade is the Portuguese way of saying you are the one in charge of a result. It is more than just admitting a mistake. It is about ownership. When you use this, you are telling the world you are accountable. It sounds mature and decisive. It is the opposite of making excuses or pointing fingers at others.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb. You can assumir the responsibility for a project, a mistake, or even a pet. Usually, you follow the phrase with the preposition por (for). For example, Eu assumo a responsabilidade por isso. It is a strong statement. Use it when you want to show you are a reliable person.
When To Use It
Use it in your professional life during meetings. It works perfectly when a project succeeds or fails. Use it in your personal life when you forget to do the dishes. It is great for serious conversations with a partner. If you break something at a friend's house, this phrase saves your reputation. It shows you have character.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny, accidental things like sneezing. That would be weirdly dramatic. Avoid it in very high-energy slang environments where it might sound too stiff. If someone asks 'Who ate the last brigadeiro?', saying Eu assumo a responsabilidade sounds like a court hearing. Just say Fui eu (It was me) instead. Keep it for things that actually matter.
Cultural Background
In Brazil and Portugal, being 'responsável' is a highly valued trait in a friend. There is a cultural push toward 'jeitinho' (finding a way), but assumir responsabilidade is the 'adult' counter-balance. It is often seen as a sign of leadership. Historically, it carries a weight of honor. People respect someone who doesn't hide behind others when things go south.
Common Variations
You might hear chamar a responsabilidade para si. This means 'to pull the responsibility to oneself'. It is a bit more active and heroic. There is also dar a cara a tapa. This is a more colorful way of saying you are ready to be criticized for your actions. If you want to be simpler, just use se responsabilizar.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile. In professional settings, it marks you as a leader. In personal settings, it acts as a mature apology or commitment. Always pair it with the preposition 'por'.
Use 'Total'
Adding 'total' or 'plena' before 'responsabilidade' makes your apology sound 10x more sincere in a professional setting.
The 'Assume' Trap
Never use 'assumir' to mean 'to guess'. It's the #1 mistake English speakers make in Portuguese.
The Brazilian 'Jeitinho'
While 'jeitinho' is about flexibility, 'assumir a responsabilidade' is the antidote that builds long-term trust in Brazil.
Verb Agreement
Remember that 'assumir' is a regular verb. If 'we' are taking responsibility, it's 'Nós assumimos'.
Examples
6Eu assumo a responsabilidade por este projeto.
I take responsibility for this project.
Shows leadership and confidence in a work setting.
Eu assumo a responsabilidade, eu esqueci de pagar a conta.
I take responsibility, I forgot to pay the bill.
Used to stop an argument by admitting a fault.
Cara, eu quebrei seu copo e assumo a responsabilidade. Compro outro!
Man, I broke your glass and I take responsibility. I'll buy another!
Informal but still shows accountability.
Quem comeu o bolo todo? Eu assumo a responsabilidade!
Who ate the whole cake? I take responsibility!
Using a serious phrase for something trivial and delicious.
Como gerente, eu assumo a responsabilidade pelos erros da equipe.
As a manager, I take responsibility for the team's errors.
A classic leadership statement.
Eu assumo a responsabilidade pelo atraso, não vai acontecer de novo.
I take responsibility for the delay, it won't happen again.
Direct and avoids making excuses about traffic.
Test Yourself
Preencha a lacuna com a forma correta do verbo 'assumir' no presente.
Eu ________ a responsabilidade por este erro.
The sentence requires the first-person singular present tense.
Qual é a preposição correta para completar a frase?
Ela assumiu a responsabilidade ________ atraso.
'Pelo' is the contraction of 'por' (required by the phrase) and 'o' (the article for 'atraso').
Complete o diálogo com a opção mais adequada.
Chefe: 'Quem quebrou a impressora?' Funcionário: '________________________.'
This is the most professional and natural way to admit a mistake.
Combine a frase com o contexto correto.
Frase: 'Estou pronto para assumir novas responsabilidades.'
This phrase is a classic way to show ambition and readiness for promotion.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Assumir vs. Supor
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ________ a responsabilidade por este erro.
The sentence requires the first-person singular present tense.
Ela assumiu a responsabilidade ________ atraso.
'Pelo' is the contraction of 'por' (required by the phrase) and 'o' (the article for 'atraso').
Chefe: 'Quem quebrou a impressora?' Funcionário: '________________________.'
This is the most professional and natural way to admit a mistake.
Frase: 'Estou pronto para assumir novas responsabilidades.'
This phrase is a classic way to show ambition and readiness for promotion.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is understood, but 'assumir' is much more natural and common in Portuguese.
Usually, yes. If you are talking about a specific situation, use the article. If talking about 'taking on responsibilities' in general (like at a new job), you can say 'assumir responsabilidades'.
You say 'Eu não assumo a responsabilidade' or 'Eu me isento de responsabilidade' (more formal).
'Culpa' is 'fault' or 'blame' (emotional/legal), while 'responsabilidade' is the 'duty' or 'accountability'. You can have responsibility without being 'guilty' of a crime.
Yes! 'Assumir um cargo' or 'assumir uma posição' are very common.
Use: 'Assumo inteira responsabilidade pelos atos praticados.'
Yes, it's a great way to teach them accountability: 'Você precisa assumir a responsabilidade pela bagunça.'
Use 'por' for the cause ('pelo erro') and 'de' for the action ('de limpar').
Absolutely. It is standard across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
No, use 'achar', 'supor', or 'presumir'.
Related Phrases
arcar com as consequências
similarTo bear the consequences
chamar a responsabilidade
similarTo call the responsibility (to oneself)
dar a cara a tapa
idiomTo face the music
eximir-se de responsabilidade
contrastTo exempt oneself from responsibility
ter responsabilidade
builds onTo have responsibility
