In 15 Seconds
- Used for ideas built on logical theories or assumptions.
- Common in professional, academic, and serious debating contexts.
- Implies a structured foundation even without final proof.
Meaning
This phrase describes an idea, argument, or plan that is built upon a theoretical assumption. It means your point isn't a proven fact yet, but it has a logical foundation or a 'starting guess' behind it.
Key Examples
3 of 7Presenting a new business strategy
Nosso novo plano de marketing está embasado em hipótese de expansão digital.
Our new marketing plan is grounded in a hypothesis of digital expansion.
Writing a university thesis
Este capítulo está embasado em hipótese sociológica contemporânea.
This chapter is grounded in a contemporary sociological hypothesis.
Debating a friend about the future
Sua crítica é boa, mas está embasada em hipótese sem provas.
Your criticism is good, but it's based on a hypothesis without proof.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian legal culture, 'embasamento' is a key term. Lawyers spend pages 'embasando' their requests in both law and hypothetical interpretations of the facts. Portuguese academic culture is very traditional. Using 'embasado' or 'fundamentado' is practically mandatory in a master's or doctoral defense to show respect for the scientific method. In formal administrative contexts in these countries, the phrase is used to justify government projects or NGO initiatives based on projected social outcomes. In multinational companies in Brazil (like Petrobras or Vale), this phrase is used in risk management to distinguish between 'hard data' and 'theoretical assumptions'.
Sound like a Pro
In a job interview, use 'embasado' to explain your logic. It sounds 10x more professional than 'eu achei que'.
Agreement is Key
If you say 'Minha ideia está embasado', native speakers will immediately notice the error. Always match the 'a' for feminine nouns.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for ideas built on logical theories or assumptions.
- Common in professional, academic, and serious debating contexts.
- Implies a structured foundation even without final proof.
What It Means
Think of embasado as the foundation of a house. When you say something is embasado em hipótese, you are saying your idea isn't just floating in the air. It has a base, even if that base is just a theoretical 'maybe'. It shows you have a logical reason for your claim. It is a sophisticated way to say your thoughts are organized and intentional.
How To Use It
You will usually use this to justify a decision or a theory. It often follows a noun like argumento, projeto, or decisão. For example, Meu plano está embasado em hipótese. It sounds very intellectual and prepared. It is like telling your listener, 'I have done my homework, even if I don't have all the final answers yet.'
When To Use It
This is a star phrase for professional and academic settings. Use it during a business presentation to explain a new strategy. It works beautifully in university essays or when debating a serious topic with friends. If you want to sound like an expert who values logic, this is your go-to expression. It adds a layer of credibility to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in very casual or emotional settings. If you are telling your partner you love them, don't say it is embasado em hipótese. That sounds like a robot wrote a love letter! Also, don't use it for simple daily choices. Using it to explain why you bought chocolate instead of vanilla will make you sound unnecessarily stiff and perhaps a bit pretentious.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers, especially in Brazil and Portugal, often use formal vocabulary to establish authority. The word embasado comes from base (foundation). In legal and academic cultures, having a 'strong base' is everything. This phrase became popular because it sounds more rigorous than the simple baseado em. It suggests a deeper level of structural thinking.
Common Variations
You will frequently hear fundamentado em which means 'grounded in'. A more common, everyday version is simply baseado em (based on). If you want to sound even more technical, you might hear alicerçado em. However, embasado hits that perfect sweet spot of sounding smart without being completely archaic.
Usage Notes
This expression is firmly in the formal/neutral register. It is most effective when you need to justify a position without having absolute proof yet. Be careful not to use it in casual conversations unless you are aiming for a humorous, 'mock-intellectual' tone.
Sound like a Pro
In a job interview, use 'embasado' to explain your logic. It sounds 10x more professional than 'eu achei que'.
Agreement is Key
If you say 'Minha ideia está embasado', native speakers will immediately notice the error. Always match the 'a' for feminine nouns.
The 'H' is Silent
Never pronounce the 'H' in hipótese. It's 'ee-pó-te-ze', not 'hee-pó-te-ze'.
Examples
7Nosso novo plano de marketing está embasado em hipótese de expansão digital.
Our new marketing plan is grounded in a hypothesis of digital expansion.
Shows the plan is strategic and not just a random guess.
Este capítulo está embasado em hipótese sociológica contemporânea.
This chapter is grounded in a contemporary sociological hypothesis.
Standard academic usage to link research to theory.
Sua crítica é boa, mas está embasada em hipótese sem provas.
Your criticism is good, but it's based on a hypothesis without proof.
Used to challenge the logic of someone's argument.
O atraso está embasado em hipótese de greve nos correios.
The delay is based on the hypothesis of a postal strike.
Explaining a situation using a likely theory.
Minha escolha de namorado foi embasada em hipótese de que ele mudaria.
My choice of boyfriend was based on the hypothesis that he would change.
Using formal language for a personal failure creates a funny, ironic effect.
Infelizmente, o diagnóstico ainda está embasado em hipótese.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis is still based on a hypothesis.
Used when certainty hasn't been reached yet.
A reportagem parece estar embasada em hipótese, não em fatos.
The report seems to be grounded in hypothesis, not facts.
Critiquing the reliability of information.
Test Yourself
Complete with the correct form of 'embasado' (agree with the noun).
As decisões do diretor foram ________ em uma hipótese de lucro rápido.
'Decisões' is feminine plural, so 'embasadas' is required.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal context?
Select the best option:
This is the only sentence that fits the formal/academic register of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue between two scientists.
Cientista A: 'Sua teoria sobre Marte é interessante.' Cientista B: 'Obrigado. Ela está ________ em uma hipótese de que houve água lá.'
'Teoria' is feminine singular.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. Embasado em hipótese (Formal) | 2. É só um palpite (Informal)
'Embasado' is for formal writing; 'palpite' is for casual talk.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Embasado vs. Baseado
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAs decisões do diretor foram ________ em uma hipótese de lucro rápido.
'Decisões' is feminine plural, so 'embasadas' is required.
Select the best option:
This is the only sentence that fits the formal/academic register of the phrase.
Cientista A: 'Sua teoria sobre Marte é interessante.' Cientista B: 'Obrigado. Ela está ________ em uma hipótese de que houve água lá.'
'Teoria' is feminine singular.
1. Embasado em hipótese (Formal) | 2. É só um palpite (Informal)
'Embasado' is for formal writing; 'palpite' is for casual talk.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds weird. Use 'baseado em fatos reais' for movies. 'Embasado' is for arguments and theories.
It is common in both, but Brazilians use it slightly more in corporate settings, while the Portuguese might prefer 'fundamentado'.
A 'hipótese' is an unproven guess. A 'teoria' is a structured system of ideas. 'Embasado em hipótese' implies you are still in the testing phase.
Add an 's': 'embasados em hipóteses' or 'embasadas em hipóteses'.
No, 'embasado em' is the standard. 'Embasado por' is very rare and usually sounds incorrect.
No, it's the opposite of slang. It's very formal.
No! You might be thinking of 'embriagado'. Don't mix them up!
Yes, it's perfect for explaining the reasoning behind a proposal.
You could say 'infundado' (without foundation) or 'sem base'.
The acute accent (´) in Portuguese always indicates an open vowel sound (like 'o' in 'hot').
Related Phrases
Baseado em fatos reais
contrastBased on real facts.
Fundamentado em
synonymGrounded in.
Partir de uma premissa
builds onTo start from a premise.
Cair por terra
contrastTo fall to the ground (to be proven wrong).
