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B1 verb 10 min read

acusar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips acusar in 30 Seconds

Explanation acusar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn acusar as a simple way to talk about blame. Even though it's a B1 word, you might see it in basic stories or news. Think of it as 'pointing a finger'. If a child says 'Ele me acusou!', they are saying 'He blamed me!' or 'He said I did it!'. At this level, don't worry about the legal details. Just remember the basic conjugation: eu acuso, você acusa, nós acusamos. You can use it in simple sentences like 'O menino acusa o amigo'. This helps you express when someone is saying you did something wrong. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'amar' or 'falar'. Focus on the direct meaning of blaming someone for a simple action. For example, 'Ela acusa o irmão de comer o bolo'. Even at A1, you can start using the preposition 'de' (of) after the verb. This is a great way to start building more complex sentences. Remember that in Portuguese, we don't usually say 'accuse for', we say 'accuse of' (acusar de). This is a small but important rule to learn early on. By learning acusar at A1, you are preparing yourself for more formal Portuguese later. It's a very clear and direct word. You might also hear it in games, like when players accuse each other of cheating. 'Você está me acusando de roubar no jogo?'. This is a common and natural way to use the word. Keep it simple and focus on the action of pointing out a fault. As you progress, you will see how this word grows in meaning, but for now, 'to blame' or 'to point out a fault' is the best way to understand it. Practice with your friends by creating simple scenarios where someone is accused of something funny or harmless. This will make the word stick in your memory.

At the A2 level, you can start using acusar in more varied contexts, including basic news reports and social interactions. You should be comfortable with the structure acusar alguém de + substantivo (accuse someone of + noun). For example, 'A polícia acusa o homem de roubo'. This is a step up from A1 because you are now using it in a more official capacity. You should also recognize the past tense, as most accusations happen after an event: 'Eles me acusaram ontem'. At A2, you can also learn the common phrase 'acusar o recebimento'. You might see this in simple business emails or when you receive a package. It's a polite way to say 'I got it'. For instance, 'Por favor, acuse o recebimento deste e-mail'. This makes your Portuguese sound more professional and less like a beginner. Another important aspect at A2 is understanding the difference between acusar and culpar. While culpar is about the feeling of guilt, acusar is the act of saying someone is guilty. You can practice this by describing simple news stories you read or hear. 'O jornal diz que o homem foi acusado'. This use of the passive voice (foi acusado) is very common and useful. You should also start to notice how acusar can be used with objects, like a scale or a thermometer. 'A balança acusou 70 quilos'. This shows you that the word isn't just for people. It's about 'indicating' or 'showing' a result. This versatility is what makes acusar such a useful verb as you move toward intermediate Portuguese. Try to use it in your daily life when you want to be more precise than just saying 'mostrar' (to show). It adds a bit of 'official' flavor to your speech.

As a B1 learner, you are at the target level for acusar. You should now understand the nuances of this verb in legal, social, and technical contexts. You must master the prepositional requirement: acusar alguém de alguma coisa or acusar alguém de fazer algo. For example, 'Ela o acusou de ter mentido sobre o projeto'. Notice the use of the infinitive after 'de'. This is a key B1 grammar point. You should also be familiar with the reflexive form acusar-se, which means to admit one's own fault. 'Ele se acusou do erro para salvar a equipe'. This shows a deeper understanding of Portuguese syntax. In the B1 level, you should also start using idiomatic expressions like 'acusar o golpe'. This is common in sports and political commentary. It means to show that a criticism or a physical hit has affected you. 'O candidato acusou o golpe durante o debate'. This adds a layer of sophistication to your descriptions. You should also be able to use acusar in professional correspondence without hesitation. 'Acuso o recebimento dos documentos solicitados' is a perfect B1 sentence. Furthermore, you should understand how acusar is used in medical and technical fields to mean 'to indicate' or 'to detect'. 'O exame acusou a presença de açúcar no sangue'. This range of meanings—from formal legal charges to technical readings—is what defines the B1 level of mastery. You are moving beyond simple 'blaming' and into the realm of 'specification' and 'indication'. Practice by writing short reports or emails where you use acusar in at least two different ways: once for a formal charge or blame, and once for acknowledging a receipt or showing a result. This will solidify your grasp of the word's flexibility.

At the B2 level, your use of acusar should be fluid and precise. you should be able to handle complex sentence structures, such as using acusar with the subjunctive in dependent clauses or in the passive voice within intricate narratives. For example, 'É fundamental que o promotor acuse o réu com base em provas sólidas'. You should also understand the stylistic difference between acusar and its more formal synonyms like imputar or arguir. At B2, you should be able to read a legal article or a sophisticated news piece and understand the implications of the word acusado versus indiciado or condenado. Acusar is the stage of formal charging, which is a specific step in the legal process. You should also be comfortable using 'acusar o toque' or 'acusar o golpe' in metaphorical ways in conversation. For instance, 'Ela tentou fingir que não se importava, mas acabou acusando o toque'. This shows you understand the psychological aspect of the word—how it relates to involuntary reactions. In professional contexts, you should know that 'acusar a receção' (in Portugal) or 'acusar o recebimento' (in Brazil) is not just a suggestion but a requirement for formal communication. You can also use acusar to describe subtle physical changes: 'O rosto dele já acusava o peso dos anos'. This literary use of the verb to mean 'to manifest' or 'to show signs of' is a hallmark of B2 proficiency. You are no longer just communicating facts; you are using the language to paint a picture and convey subtle meanings. Practice by debating social issues where 'acusar' is a central theme, such as 'false accusations' (falsas acusações) or 'public accountability'. This will help you use the word in a broader, more abstract context.

For C1 learners, acusar is a tool for high-level analysis and formal writing. You should be able to use it in academic or legal essays with perfect precision. At this level, you understand that acusar can be used to critique a theory or a social phenomenon. For example, 'Muitos sociólogos acusam o sistema educacional de perpetuar a desigualdade'. This is an abstract use where the 'accuser' is a group and the 'accused' is a system. You should also be familiar with the noun form acusação and how it functions in complex legal phrases like 'sustentar a acusação' (to uphold the charge) or 'acusação improcedente' (unfounded accusation). Your vocabulary should include related terms like acusatório (accusatory) and acusador (accuser). In literature, you should recognize when acusar is used to describe the revelation of a character's true nature or hidden secrets. 'Seu silêncio o acusava mais do que qualquer palavra'. This is a highly sophisticated, almost poetic use of the verb. You should also be aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word, which can help you understand its use in older texts or formal speeches. At C1, you should be able to distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning when acusar is used in different Lusophone countries. While the core meaning remains the same, the bureaucratic and legal contexts can vary slightly. You should be able to navigate these differences with ease. Practice by writing a formal critique or a mock legal brief where you use acusar to build a logical argument. Your goal is to use the word not just to report an event, but to structure a complex thought or analysis.

At the C2 level, your mastery of acusar is near-native, allowing you to use it with absolute precision in any context, from the most technical legal document to the most expressive literary work. You understand the philosophical implications of 'the act of accusing' and can discuss it in depth. For example, you might analyze the 'sistema acusatório' in Brazilian law versus other systems. You can use the verb acusar to describe the way light 'points out' or 'reveals' features in a landscape or a painting: 'A luz do entardecer acusava as arestas da montanha'. This is a highly advanced, metaphorical application. You are also capable of using the word in its most archaic or formal senses, perhaps in a speech or a formal address. You understand the power of the word—how acusar can change a person's life and the weight it carries in public discourse. You can navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving acusar, including those with multiple nested clauses or rare verb tenses. You should be able to play with the word's meanings, using it in irony or satire. For example, 'A balança, sempre cruel, acusava a minha falta de disciplina'. Here, you are personifying the scale to create a specific effect. At C2, you don't just know the word; you possess it. You can use it to evoke emotion, clarify a legal point, or provide a technical reading with equal ease. Your practice should involve reading high-level literature, legal codes, and philosophical texts in Portuguese, paying close attention to how acusar and its derivatives are used to convey authority, truth, and revelation. You are a master of the word's many faces.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

acusar in 30 Seconds

Acusar primarily means to charge someone with a crime or blame them for a fault in both formal and informal Portuguese contexts.
It is also used technically to acknowledge receipt of documents ('acusar o recebimento') or to show results from instruments or tests.
Syntactically, it often requires the preposition 'de' when specifying the charge, making the structure 'acusar alguém de alguma coisa'.
In sports or emotional contexts, 'acusar o golpe' means to visibly show that a hit or criticism has had a negative impact.

The Portuguese verb acusar is a multifaceted word that primarily translates to 'to accuse' or 'to charge' in English. However, its utility extends far beyond the courtroom or a finger-pointing argument between siblings. At its core, acusar involves the act of indicating, pointing out, or formally charging someone with a fault, crime, or specific behavior. In a legal context, it is the standard term used when the state or a plaintiff brings a formal charge against a defendant. For instance, 'O promotor acusou o réu de furto' (The prosecutor charged the defendant with theft).

Legal Context: In law, acusar is the formal initiation of a criminal proceeding. It is a serious action that carries significant weight in judicial Portuguese discourse.

Beyond the law, acusar is used in everyday social interactions to attribute blame. If someone loses a pen and thinks a colleague took it, they might acusar that colleague. Interestingly, the word also has technical and physiological meanings. In logistics or formal correspondence, acusar o recebimento means to acknowledge the receipt of a document or package. This is a very common phrase in professional emails. Furthermore, it can describe showing signs of something, such as 'acusar o cansaço' (to show signs of tiredness) or 'acusar a idade' (to show one's age).

Ele não conseguiu esconder a verdade e acabou por acusar o golpe diante das perguntas difíceis.

In sports, particularly boxing or football, 'acusar um toque' or 'acusar o golpe' means that an athlete visibly felt the impact of a hit or a metaphorical setback. This demonstrates the word's versatility in describing both external actions (charging someone) and internal states (showing the effects of something).

Social Dynamics: In social settings, acusar sem provas (accusing without proof) is considered a grave social faux pas and can lead to 'calúnia' (slander).

A balança acusou um peso maior do que o esperado após as festas de fim de ano.

This example shows 'acusar' used for an instrument (a scale) indicating a value. It highlights that 'acusar' is not always about human intent; it can be about objective indication. In essence, whenever there is a revelation or a formal pointing of fingers, acusar is the verb of choice. Whether you are in a boardroom acknowledging an email, in a court hearing a verdict, or at home arguing about who ate the last brigadeiro, understanding the nuances of acusar is essential for B1 learners and beyond. It bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and sophisticated expression.

Professional Usage: 'Favor acusar o recebimento deste e-mail' is a standard closing in Portuguese business culture.

O radar acusou a alta velocidade do veículo na rodovia.

Não podemos acusar ninguém sem ter certeza absoluta dos fatos.

O rosto dele acusava uma profunda tristeza que ele tentava esconder.

Using acusar correctly requires attention to its syntactic structures, particularly the use of prepositions. The most common pattern is acusar alguém de alguma coisa (to accuse someone of something). Here, the preposition de is mandatory when specifying the charge. For example, 'Eles acusaram o vizinho de barulho excessivo' (They accused the neighbor of excessive noise). Note how 'de' merges with articles: 'acusar do crime' (de + o) or 'acusar da falha' (de + a).

Direct Object Usage: When acusar means 'to show' or 'to indicate', it takes a direct object without a preposition. Example: 'O termômetro acusou febre'.

In the passive voice, which is frequent in news reporting, the structure becomes ser acusado de. For example, 'O político foi acusado de corrupção' (The politician was accused of corruption). This is a vital structure for reading newspapers.

A testemunha acusou o suspeito de estar no local do crime.

Another important usage is the reflexive form acusar-se, meaning to confess or to blame oneself. 'Ele se acusou do erro antes que outros percebessem' (He blamed himself for the error before others noticed). This is less common than 'confessar' but still appears in formal or literary contexts. In professional settings, 'acusar o recebimento' is a fixed expression. You don't say 'acusar de recebimento'; it is simply 'acusar o recebimento'. Example: 'Solicito que acuse o recebimento deste pacote'.

Indicating Values: When a machine or instrument shows a reading, we use acusar. 'O sensor acusou a presença de fumaça'.

O exame de sangue acusou uma leve anemia.

Não me acuse sem antes ouvir a minha versão da história.

Formal Acknowledgement: In bureaucratic Portuguese, acusar a receção (common in Portugal) or acusar o recebimento (common in Brazil) are essential.

O relógio acusava meia-noite quando finalmente chegamos em casa.

Quem acusa tem o ônus da prova, ou seja, precisa provar o que diz.

The word acusar is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies, echoing through various domains from the high courts to the casual chatter of a neighborhood cafe. One of the most common places to encounter this word is in the noticiário (news). Headlines frequently feature the passive form: 'Empresário é acusado de lavagem de dinheiro' (Businessman is accused of money laundering). This legalistic use is perhaps the most frequent, as it is the standard way to report on ongoing investigations without definitively declaring someone guilty before a trial.

News and Media: Journalists use acusar to maintain neutrality, attributing the charge to a specific entity like 'o Ministério Público'.

In professional environments, you will hear it in the context of logistics and administration. When a company sends a contract, the clerk might say, 'Assim que chegar, por favor, acuse o recebimento'. This ensures a paper trail for important documents.

O sistema de segurança acusou uma entrada não autorizada no prédio às três da manhã.

In sports commentary, particularly in Brazil, 'acusar o golpe' is a favorite phrase of announcers. If a boxer takes a hard punch and his legs wobble, the commentator will shout, 'Ele acusou o golpe!'. This means the athlete is visibly hurt or shaken. In everyday life, parents might acusar their children of eating sweets before dinner. 'Não me acuse de ser injusto!' is a common defensive retort in family arguments.

Medical and Technical: Doctors might say an exam acusou a presence of a virus, meaning the test results were positive.

O painel do carro acusou falta de óleo no motor.

Muitos críticos acusam o diretor de ter copiado o roteiro de um filme antigo.

Literature: In classic novels, characters often acusam their conscience for their past misdeeds.

O radar da polícia acusou que o motorista estava a 120 km/h.

Ele sempre acusa os outros pelos seus próprios fracassos.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with acusar is forgetting the preposition de. In English, we say 'to accuse someone of something', and in Portuguese, the logic is identical, but learners often omit it or use the wrong preposition like 'por'.

Preposition Error: Wrong: 'Ele me acusou por roubo'. Correct: 'Ele me acusou de roubo'.

Another common confusion is between acusar and culpar. While both involve blame, acusar is more about the formal act of pointing or charging, whereas culpar is about assigning responsibility or guilt. If you say 'Eu te culpo', you are saying 'It's your fault'. If you say 'Eu te acuso', you are making a specific allegation.

Não confunda acusar (to charge) com desculpar (to excuse); eles são opostos!

Learners also struggle with the 'acknowledgement' meaning. They might try to use 'confirmar' or 'reconhecer' in an email when acusar o recebimento is the idiomatic standard. Using 'confirmar' isn't wrong, but 'acusar' sounds more professional and native. A subtle mistake occurs in the reflexive form. In English, we say 'he turned himself in', which in Portuguese is 'ele se entregou'. Beginners might say 'ele se acusou' thinking it means the same thing. While 'acusar-se' means to admit a fault, it doesn't necessarily mean surrendering to authorities.

Spelling and Conjugation: Learners sometimes add an extra 'c' (accuse -> accuzar), but Portuguese uses only one 'c': acusar.

Muitos alunos esquecem de contrair a preposição: acusar do crime (de + o) em vez de 'de o' crime.

Lembre-se: acusar é um verbo transitivo direto e indireto neste contexto.

False Friends: Don't confuse acusar with 'causar' (to cause). They look similar but are unrelated.

O juiz acusou a falta de provas no processo.

Ela se sente mal por acusar o irmão injustamente.

To enrich your Portuguese, it's helpful to know words related to acusar. A very close synonym is culpar. While acusar focuses on the act of naming a suspect or fault, culpar focuses on the guilt itself.

Acusar vs. Culpar: Use acusar for a formal charge. Use culpar for assigning responsibility. Example: 'Eu o acuso de mentir, mas não o culpo por tentar se proteger'.

Another alternative is denunciar. This is often used when reporting a crime or a wrongdoing to authorities. 'Ele denunciou o esquema de corrupção'. It implies a more proactive step of bringing a hidden fact to light.

O promotor decidiu incriminar o suspeito com base em novas evidências.

Incriminar is more specific than acusar; it means to make someone look guilty or to provide evidence of their guilt.

Formal Alternatives: In high-level legal Portuguese, words like imputar or arguir might be used instead of acusar.

When acusar means 'to show', you can use demonstrar, indicar, or revelar. 'O teste revelou a doença' is similar to 'O teste acusou a doença'.

A balança registrou (instead of acusou) um aumento de dois quilos.

Ele foi indiciado pela polícia antes de ser acusado pelo promotor.

Register Comparison: 'Botar a culpa' (informal) vs. 'Acusar' (neutral/formal).

O sensor detetou (instead of acusou) uma falha no sistema elétrico.

Não podemos responsabilizar (to hold responsible) ninguém sem provas.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'cause' and 'accuse' share the same root, as 'accusing' was literally bringing someone 'to the cause' in court.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.ku.ˈzaɾ/

US /a.ku.ˈzaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-cu-SAR.

Rhymes With

amar falar pensar lugar andar olhar chegar passar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound is correct, but some English speakers try to double it (accuse).
In Brazil, forgetting to aspirate the final 'r'.
In Portugal, making the first 'a' too open like in 'apple'.
Confusing the 'z' sound with an 's' sound; it should be a vibrating 'z'.
Stress on the second syllable (a-CU-sar) instead of the last.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'accuse'.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'de' and correct spelling.

Speaking 3/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy to use in speech.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, though final 'r' varies by region.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

culpa falar crime de quem

Learn Next

denunciar incriminar defender processar julgar

Advanced

imputar arguir libelo prevaricar

Grammar to Know

Regência Verbal

O verbo acusar exige a preposição 'de' quando indica o motivo.

Voz Passiva

O suspeito 'foi acusado' (ser + particípio).

Pronomes Oblíquos

Eu 'o' acusei (direct object pronoun).

Subjuntivo em pedidos

Peço que você 'acuse' o recebimento.

Contração de Preposições

Acusar 'do' crime (de + o).

Examples by Level

Ele acusa o amigo de pegar o brinquedo.

He accuses the friend of taking the toy.

Simple present tense. Note the preposition 'de'.

Eu não te acuso de nada.

I don't accuse you of anything.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

Você me acusa sem razão.

You accuse me without reason.

Use of 'sem' (without).

Nós acusamos o erro.

We point out the error.

First person plural conjugation.

Ela acusa o irmão.

She accuses her brother.

Third person singular.

Eles acusam o vizinho.

They accuse the neighbor.

Third person plural.

O menino acusa a irmã de comer o doce.

The boy accuses his sister of eating the candy.

Verb + Object + de + Infinitive.

Quem você acusa?

Who do you accuse?

Interrogative sentence.

O jornal acusou o político de mentir.

The newspaper accused the politician of lying.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past tense).

Por favor, acuse o recebimento do pacote.

Please, acknowledge receipt of the package.

Imperative form for a request.

A balança acusou um peso menor hoje.

The scale showed a lower weight today.

'Acusar' meaning 'to indicate/show'.

Ele foi acusado de roubo pela polícia.

He was accused of robbery by the police.

Passive voice: 'foi acusado'.

Não podemos acusar ninguém sem provas.

We cannot accuse anyone without proof.

Modal verb 'poder' + infinitive.

O termômetro acusou febre alta.

The thermometer showed a high fever.

Direct object without preposition.

Ela se acusou de quebrar o vaso.

She blamed herself for breaking the vase.

Reflexive form: 'se acusou'.

Eles sempre acusam os outros pelos problemas.

They always accuse others for the problems.

Adverb 'sempre' indicating frequency.

O promotor acusou o réu de fraude fiscal.

The prosecutor accused the defendant of tax fraud.

Formal legal context.

Ele acusou o golpe após a crítica do chefe.

He showed he was hurt after the boss's criticism.

Idiomatic expression 'acusar o golpe'.

O radar acusou que o carro estava acima do limite.

The radar indicated that the car was over the limit.

'Acusar que' introducing a clause.

É injusto acusar alguém sem dar chance de defesa.

It is unfair to accuse someone without giving a chance for defense.

Infinitive as a subject.

O exame de sangue acusou uma infecção viral.

The blood test indicated a viral infection.

Medical context for 'acusar'.

Solicitamos que acuse o recebimento deste ofício.

We request that you acknowledge receipt of this official letter.

Subjunctive mood: 'acuse'.

Muitos a acusam de ser ambiciosa demais.

Many accuse her of being too ambitious.

Direct object pronoun 'a' before the verb.

O sistema acusou uma falha grave no motor.

The system indicated a serious fault in the engine.

Technical usage.

O réu acusou a polícia de ter forjado as provas.

The defendant accused the police of having forged the evidence.

Compound infinitive 'ter forjado'.

O rosto dele acusava o cansaço de muitas noites sem dormir.

His face showed the tiredness of many sleepless nights.

Literary use: 'acusava' (imperfect).

Não se deve acusar ninguém levianamente.

One should not accuse anyone lightheartedly.

Impersonal 'se' with 'dever'.

O sensor de movimento acusou a presença de um intruso.

The motion sensor indicated the presence of an intruder.

Precise technical language.

Ela acusou o toque e respondeu de forma agressiva.

She felt the hit (took offense) and responded aggressively.

Idiom 'acusar o toque'.

O relatório acusa uma queda drástica na produtividade.

The report indicates a drastic drop in productivity.

Business/Analytical context.

Ele foi acusado injustamente e agora busca reparação.

He was unjustly accused and is now seeking compensation.

Adverb 'injustamente' modifying the passive verb.

A história o acusará de ter sido um líder fraco.

History will accuse him of having been a weak leader.

Future tense: 'acusará'.

A defesa argumentou que a acusação não possuía base legal.

The defense argued that the prosecution had no legal basis.

Noun form 'acusação' used in legal context.

O autor acusa a sociedade de ser indiferente ao sofrimento alheio.

The author accuses society of being indifferent to others' suffering.

Abstract/Philosophical accusation.

O silêncio do suspeito acusava-o perante os investigadores.

The suspect's silence accused him before the investigators.

Reflexive/Pronominal placement in formal style.

As estatísticas acusam um aumento na desigualdade social.

The statistics indicate an increase in social inequality.

'Acusar' meaning 'to show' in academic writing.

Ele nunca acusou o recebimento da notificação judicial.

He never acknowledged receipt of the judicial notice.

Negative 'nunca' with formal technical phrase.

A obra acusa a influência do surrealismo em cada detalhe.

The work shows the influence of surrealism in every detail.

Artistic/Critical usage.

Acusar sem provas é um ato de profunda irresponsabilidade.

Accusing without proof is an act of deep irresponsibility.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as a concept.

O Ministério Público decidiu acusar formalmente os envolvidos.

The Public Prosecutor's Office decided to formally charge those involved.

Formal administrative body as subject.

A crueza do relato acusava a negligência estatal.

The rawness of the account revealed the state's negligence.

High-level literary and political critique.

As rugas em seu rosto acusavam as intempéries de uma vida dura.

The wrinkles on his face revealed the hardships of a hard life.

Metaphorical use of 'acusar'.

O sistema acusatório brasileiro pressupõe a imparcialidade do juiz.

The Brazilian accusatory system presupposes the judge's impartiality.

Adjective 'acusatório' in legal theory.

Seu olhar, embora sereno, acusava uma mágoa profunda.

His gaze, though serene, revealed a deep hurt.

Nuanced emotional description.

A balança comercial acusou um superávit recorde este mês.

The trade balance indicated a record surplus this month.

Economic/Technical usage.

Acusar o recebimento é um dever de cortesia administrativa.

Acknowledging receipt is a duty of administrative courtesy.

Formalistic expression.

O texto acusa uma erudição que poucos conseguem alcançar.

The text reveals an erudition that few can achieve.

Intellectual/Literary critique.

Ele foi o primeiro a acusar a necessidade de reformas urgentes.

He was the first to point out the need for urgent reforms.

'Acusar' meaning 'to signal' or 'to point out'.

Common Collocations

acusar o recebimento

acusar o golpe

acusar de roubo

acusar a idade

acusar o toque

ser acusado injustamente

acusar a presença de

acusar o impacto

acusar de mentira

acusar a receção

Common Phrases

Quem acusa tem o ônus da prova.

— The person who accuses is responsible for providing evidence.

Lembre-se: quem acusa tem o ônus da prova.

Acusar o recebimento.

— To acknowledge that something was received.

Pode acusar o recebimento, por favor?

Acusar falsamente.

— To make a false accusation against someone.

É crime acusar falsamente uma pessoa.

Acusar de corrupção.

— A very common phrase in Brazilian political news.

O ex-ministro foi acusado de corrupção.

Acusar o cansaço.

— To show visible signs of being tired.

Depois da maratona, ele acusou o cansaço.

Acusar o peso dos anos.

— To show signs of aging or long-term wear.

As paredes da casa acusam o peso dos anos.

Acusar em tribunal.

— To formally charge someone in a court of law.

Eles decidiram acusar o réu em tribunal.

Acusar a falta de.

— To point out that something is missing.

O relatório acusa a falta de investimento.

Acusar a consciência.

— When one's conscience feels guilty.

Sua consciência o acusa pelo que fez.

Acusar por escrito.

— To make an accusation in a written document.

Ele fez questão de acusar o colega por escrito.

Often Confused With

acusar vs causar

Looks similar but means 'to cause'. 'Acusar' is to blame/charge.

acusar vs culpar

Culpar is about responsibility; acusar is about the formal charge.

acusar vs escusar

Means to excuse or avoid, the opposite of acusar.

Idioms & Expressions

"Acusar o golpe"

— To show that a hit, criticism, or failure has affected you deeply.

O político acusou o golpe quando o escândalo surgiu.

Informal/Neutral

"Acusar o toque"

— To react to a subtle provocation, showing it hit home.

Eu só brinquei, mas ele acusou o toque e ficou bravo.

Informal

"Não acusar nada"

— When a test or instrument shows no result or 'clear'.

O exame não acusou nada de errado.

Neutral

"Acusar a idade"

— To show signs of getting old.

Meu carro antigo já está acusando a idade.

Neutral

"Acusar de mãos vazias"

— To accuse someone without having any evidence.

Você me acusa de mãos vazias, isso é calúnia.

Literary

"Acusar o recebimento (standard)"

— Considered an idiomatic requirement in business emails.

Acuso o recebimento para fins de registro.

Formal

"Acusar a presença"

— To detect or show that someone/something is there.

O alarme acusou a presença de fumaça.

Technical

"Acusar o peso"

— To feel the burden or physical weight of something.

O atleta acusou o peso da mochila na subida.

Neutral

"Acusar o erro"

— To admit or point out a mistake immediately.

O computador acusou o erro de sistema.

Neutral

"Acusar de viva voz"

— To accuse someone directly and out loud.

Ela o acusou de viva voz na frente de todos.

Formal

Easily Confused

acusar vs Acusar

Similar to English 'Accuse'.

In Portuguese, it also means to acknowledge receipt or show a reading.

O termômetro acusou 38 graus.

acusar vs Denunciar

Both involve reporting someone.

Denunciar is the act of reporting to authorities; acusar is the act of charging.

Vou denunciar o crime à polícia.

acusar vs Indiciar

Legal terms.

Indiciar is a preliminary police step; acusar is a later prosecutorial step.

O delegado indiciou o suspeito.

acusar vs Imputar

Formal synonyms.

Imputar is much more formal and usually restricted to legal texts.

Imputaram-lhe a culpa do acidente.

acusar vs Confirmar

Both used in emails.

Confirmar is general; acusar o recebimento is the specific professional idiom.

Confirme sua presença na festa.

Sentence Patterns

[Sujeito] acusa [Pessoa].

Maria acusa João.

[Sujeito] acusa [Pessoa] de [Substantivo].

A polícia acusa o homem de furto.

[Sujeito] acusa o recebimento de [Objeto].

Eu acuso o recebimento da carta.

[Sujeito] acusa [Pessoa] de [Infinitivo].

Ele me acusou de quebrar a janela.

[Sujeito] foi acusado de [Crime].

O réu foi acusado de desvio de verbas.

[Objeto Inanimado] acusa [Estado/Qualidade].

O painel acusou uma falha crítica.

Acusar-se de [Falha].

O funcionário acusou-se do atraso.

[Conceito] acusa a necessidade de [Ação].

A crise acusa a necessidade de mudanças.

Word Family

Nouns

acusação (accusation)

acusador (accuser)

acusado (accused person)

Verbs

acusar (to accuse)

autoacusar-se (to accuse oneself)

Adjectives

acusatório (accusatory)

acusado (accused)

acusável (accusable)

culpa

crime

processo

tribunal

denúncia

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in legal, journalistic, and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Ele me acusou por roubo. → Ele me acusou de roubo.
In Portuguese, the preposition 'de' is used with 'acusar', not 'por'.
Eu accuso você. → Eu acuso você.
Portuguese spelling uses only one 'c' in 'acusar'.
Acusar de o recebimento. → Acusar o recebimento.
The phrase for acknowledging receipt does not use the preposition 'de'.
O teste mostrou positivo. → O teste acusou positivo.
While 'mostrou' is not wrong, 'acusou' is more idiomatic for test results.
Ele se acusou para a polícia. → Ele se entregou à polícia.
To 'turn oneself in' is 'entregar-se'. 'Acusar-se' is just admitting a fault.

Tips

Watch the Preposition

Always use 'de' when specifying the reason for the accusation. 'Acusar de' is the standard rule.

Email Etiquette

Use 'Acuso o recebimento' to sound like a native professional in your correspondence.

Technical Readings

Remember that 'acusar' is the best verb for when a test or a screen shows a result.

Sports Talk

Use 'acusar o golpe' to describe when someone is visibly shaken by a setback.

News Context

When reading the news, 'acusado' is the person who has been charged but not yet convicted.

Avoid Confrontation

If you want to be less aggressive, use 'culpar' or 'achar que foi' instead of 'acusar'.

One C Only

Unlike English 'accuse', Portuguese 'acusar' has only one 'c'. Don't double it!

Regional Variations

In Portugal, say 'receção' instead of 'recebimento' when acknowledging mail.

Stress the End

Always put the emphasis on the 'sar' at the end of the infinitive.

B1 Mastery

Mastering the different uses of 'acusar' is a great sign of B1 level proficiency.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A-CUE-SIR'. You are giving a 'cue' to the 'sir' (the judge) about who did the crime.

Visual Association

Imagine a finger pointing directly at a suspect in a lineup. The finger is shaped like the letter 'A' for 'Acusar'.

Word Web

Crime Culpa Dedo Tribunal Prova Réu Mentira Recebimento

Challenge

Try to use 'acusar' in three different ways today: one for blaming, one for an email, and one for a physical sign.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'accusare', which is composed of 'ad-' (to/towards) and 'causa' (cause, lawsuit).

Original meaning: To call to account or to bring a lawsuit against someone.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

Be careful when accusing someone in a Portuguese-speaking country; without proof, you can be sued for 'danos morais' (moral damages) or 'calúnia'.

English speakers often use 'blame' for everything, whereas Portuguese speakers distinguish between 'culpar' (responsibility) and 'acusar' (the act of charging).

The phrase 'Eu te acuso!' is a dramatic trope in many Brazilian telenovelas. In literature, Machado de Assis often uses 'acusar' to describe the subtle revelations of human flaws. The legal term 'Acusação' is the title of various crime shows and books.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Legal Proceedings

Acusar o réu
Apresentar a acusação
Acusar de homicídio
Provas para acusar

Professional Emails

Acuso o recebimento
Favor acusar a receção
Acusamos o seu pedido
Acusar a entrega

Social Arguments

Não me acuse!
Você está me acusando?
Acusar sem provas
Acusar de mentira

Sports/Boxing

Acusar o golpe
Acusar o toque
Sentir e acusar
O atleta acusou

Medical/Technical

O exame acusou
O sensor acusou
Acusar febre
Acusar positivo

Conversation Starters

"Você já foi acusado de algo que não fez?"

"Como você costuma acusar o recebimento de e-mails importantes?"

"Você acha que as pessoas acusam umas às outras com muita facilidade hoje em dia?"

"O que você faz quando alguém te acusa de estar errado?"

"Você já viu um atleta acusar o golpe em uma competição?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você teve que acusar alguém de um erro no trabalho.

Como você se sente quando a sua consciência te acusa de algo?

Descreva a importância de acusar o recebimento em uma comunicação profissional.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre culpar e acusar no seu dia a dia.

Imagine um diálogo em um tribunal onde um promotor acusa um réu.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. While it often refers to crimes or faults, it is also used neutrally to acknowledge receipt of an email or to show a reading on a scale or thermometer.

Acusar is the act of making a charge or pointing a finger. Culpar is assigning the guilt or responsibility. You can accuse someone (charge them) without necessarily feeling they are the only one to blame (culpar).

The most professional way is 'acusar o recebimento' in Brazil or 'acusar a receção' in Portugal.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'falar' (eu acuso, tu acusas, ele acusa, etc.).

Yes, in the idiom 'acusar o golpe', which means to show that you felt a physical or emotional hit.

Use 'de'. For example: 'Acusar alguém DE roubo' or 'Acusar alguém DE mentir'.

It is 'acusar o recebimento'. No 'de' is used in this specific idiomatic expression.

Yes, machines and instruments 'acusam' values or results. 'O radar acusou a velocidade'.

Common opposites include 'defender' (to defend), 'absolver' (to acquit), or 'inocentar' (to prove innocent).

Yes, especially when someone feels they are being blamed unfairly. 'Você está me acusando?' is a common phrase.