Meaning
To consider something as significant or valuable.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian corporate culture, using 'conferir importância' in a LinkedIn post or a formal email can significantly boost the perceived 'professionalism' of the writer. Portuguese media (like RTP or SIC) frequently use this phrase in political commentary to discuss the 'relevância' of European Union directives. In formal diplomatic relations between Lusophone African countries, this phrase is used to signal mutual respect and the weight of bilateral agreements. In any Lusophone university, 'conferir importância' is a 'power phrase' used by professors to guide students toward critical variables in their research.
The 'Crase' Trap
Always check if the word after 'importância a' is feminine. 90% of C1 errors with this phrase are missing the 'à'.
Don't Overuse
If you use this phrase three times in one paragraph, you'll sound like a robot. Alternate with 'atribuir' or 'destacar'.
Meaning
To consider something as significant or valuable.
The 'Crase' Trap
Always check if the word after 'importância a' is feminine. 90% of C1 errors with this phrase are missing the 'à'.
Don't Overuse
If you use this phrase three times in one paragraph, you'll sound like a robot. Alternate with 'atribuir' or 'destacar'.
The Brazilian 'Dar'
In Brazil, even in semi-formal meetings, people might stick to 'dar importância'. Use 'conferir' to really stand out as an advanced speaker.
Test Yourself
Preencha a lacuna com a forma correta (a, ao, à, às).
O diretor decidiu conferir importância ____ novas regras de segurança.
'Regras' is feminine plural, so 'a' (preposition) + 'as' (article) = 'às'.
Qual frase está em um registro adequado para um artigo científico?
Escolha a opção mais formal:
Option 'c' uses 'imperativo', 'conferir importância', and correct 'crase', fitting the C1 academic profile.
Combine o verbo com o contexto de uso mais provável.
Verbos: 1. Conferir, 2. Dar, 3. Ligar para
'Conferir' is the most formal, 'Dar' is neutral, and 'Ligar para' is informal.
Complete a fala do advogado no tribunal.
Juiz: 'Por que este documento é relevante?' Advogado: 'Meritíssimo, devemos _________ a este contrato, pois ele prova a fraude.'
In a courtroom, 'conferir importância' is the expected formal collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesO diretor decidiu conferir importância ____ novas regras de segurança.
'Regras' is feminine plural, so 'a' (preposition) + 'as' (article) = 'às'.
Escolha a opção mais formal:
Option 'c' uses 'imperativo', 'conferir importância', and correct 'crase', fitting the C1 academic profile.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Conferir' is the most formal, 'Dar' is neutral, and 'Ligar para' is informal.
Juiz: 'Por que este documento é relevante?' Advogado: 'Meritíssimo, devemos _________ a este contrato, pois ele prova a fraude.'
In a courtroom, 'conferir importância' is the expected formal collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it sounds very formal. 'O rei conferiu importância ao seu conselheiro' means the king gave the advisor a significant role or status.
Always 'a'. Using 'para' is a common mistake influenced by English ('importance for').
No. Its most common everyday meaning is 'to check' (e.g., 'conferir os resultados'). The 'to give' meaning is specific to certain collocations like this one.
Yes, it is very common in Portuguese legal and academic texts, perhaps even more so than in Brazil.
The formal opposite would be 'desconsiderar' or 'negligenciar'.
Yes, adding intensifiers like 'muita', 'extrema', or 'capital' is very common to show the degree of value.
Frequently. Headlines like 'Mercado confere importância à nova meta fiscal' are standard in financial journalism.
Only if you are being ironic or talking to a lawyer/professor about something very serious.
Almost. 'Conferir' feels slightly more like an 'official grant', while 'atribuir' feels like a 'logical assignment'.
In Brazil, it's often a soft 'h' sound at the end of words, but in formal speech, it's a light tap. In Portugal, it's always a tap.
Related Phrases
Atribuir valor
similarTo assign value to something.
Dar destaque
similarTo highlight or give prominence.
Fazer pouco caso
contrastTo ignore or treat as unimportant.
Conceder primazia
specialized formTo give something the highest priority.
