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B1 verb 10 min read

ampliar

Examples ampliar in 30 Seconds
Explanation ampliar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that ampliar means to make something bigger, especially photos or a house. It is a regular verb ending in -ar. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Eu quero ampliar esta foto' (I want to enlarge this photo). Focus on the physical meaning first. Think of it as 'zoom in' or 'make bigger.' It's a useful word when you're looking at pictures on a phone or computer. You might also hear it in a simple context like 'ampliar a casa' (to add more space to the house). At this stage, don't worry about complex metaphorical uses; just remember that it involves making something larger in size. It's a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as falar or trabalhar. For example, 'Eu amplio,' 'Você amplia,' 'Nós ampliamos.' This makes it very predictable and easy to use once you know the basic meaning. Always associate it with visual or spatial growth.
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At the A2 level, you can start using ampliar for more than just physical photos. You might use it to talk about expanding your vocabulary or your small business. For example, 'Vou ampliar meu vocabulário' (I'm going to expand my vocabulary). You will encounter it in simple instructions or news headlines. It's common to see it in the context of 'ampliar o acesso' (expanding access) to something, like a park or a service. You should be able to conjugate it in the present and the simple past (pretérito perfeito). 'Ontem, eu ampliei a imagem' (Yesterday, I enlarged the image). Understanding that ampliar is more formal than aumentar is a good step at this level. While aumentar is for numbers and volume, ampliar is for space and scope. Practice using it with nouns like conhecimento (knowledge) or espaço (space). This will help you sound more precise when describing growth or improvement in your daily life or studies.
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At the B1 level, ampliar becomes a key verb for expressing abstract ideas and professional goals. You should be comfortable using it in phrases like 'ampliar horizontes' (broadening horizons) or 'ampliar a rede de contatos' (expanding your networking). You will see it frequently in business contexts, such as 'ampliar a participação no mercado' (increasing market share) or 'ampliar a produção.' At this level, you should distinguish between ampliar and expandir. While they are often interchangeable, ampliar often implies adding to an existing structure or making a specific area larger, whereas expandir suggests a more general, outward growth. You should also be familiar with the noun form, ampliação. For instance, 'A ampliação do museu ficou pronta' (The expansion of the museum is finished). You can use it in conditional sentences too: 'Se tivéssemos mais dinheiro, poderíamos ampliar o projeto.' This level requires you to use the word to discuss future plans, professional development, and societal changes in a more nuanced way.
At the B2 level, you should use ampliar with precision in academic and professional discussions. It is frequently used to describe the scope of a debate or the range of a study. For example, 'É necessário ampliar o debate sobre a sustentabilidade' (It is necessary to broaden the debate on sustainability). You should understand its role in technical contexts, like 'ampliar o sinal de rádio' (to amplify the radio signal) or 'ampliar a capacidade de processamento.' You will encounter it in formal writing, such as reports or essays, where it replaces more basic verbs to provide a clearer sense of 'broadening' or 'enlarging.' You should also be aware of its usage in the passive voice: 'A oferta de cursos foi ampliada este semestre' (The range of courses offered was expanded this semester). At B2, you are expected to use ampliar to connect complex ideas, such as how a new policy might 'ampliar as desigualdades' (widen inequalities) or 'ampliar as oportunidades.' It becomes a tool for sophisticated analysis of growth and its consequences.
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At the C1 level, your use of ampliar should reflect a deep understanding of its stylistic nuances. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in perspective or the deepening of theoretical frameworks. For instance, 'O autor busca ampliar o conceito de cidadania' (The author seeks to broaden the concept of citizenship). You should be able to identify when ampliar is used rhetorically to emphasize the scale of a problem or the ambition of a solution. In high-level professional environments, you'll use it to discuss strategic growth, such as 'ampliar a vantagem competitiva.' You should also be comfortable with related terms like amplificável or ampliativo. At this level, you can use the word in complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive mood in hypothetical or formal contexts: 'Caso a empresa decida ampliar sua atuação, precisará de novos sócios.' Your ability to use ampliar instead of more common synonyms will demonstrate a high command of Portuguese register and a keen eye for precise vocabulary in both written and spoken discourse.
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At the C2 level, ampliar is used with total mastery, often in literary, philosophical, or highly specialized contexts. You might use it to discuss the 'ampliação do ser' (the expansion of the self) in a philosophical essay or the 'ampliação semântica' (semantic expansion) of a word over time. You understand its historical roots and how it interacts with other verbs of movement and growth to create rich, textured prose. You can use it with irony or metaphor, such as 'ampliar o silêncio' (to amplify the silence), creating powerful imagery. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, employing it in legal documents, scientific papers, or complex creative writing. You are aware of its synonyms' most obscure nuances and can choose ampliar specifically for its rhythmic or formal properties within a sentence. At this stage, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile instrument for articulating the most complex dimensions of expansion, perception, and conceptual development in the Portuguese language.
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Examples

ampliar in 30 Seconds

  • Ampliar primarily means to enlarge, expand, or broaden in size or scope.
  • It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
  • Use it for physical things like photos and houses, or abstract things like knowledge.
  • It is more formal and specific than the general verb 'aumentar'.

The Portuguese verb ampliar is a sophisticated and versatile term that primarily translates to "to enlarge," "to expand," or "to broaden" in English. While it shares a common ancestor with the English word "amplify," its usage in Portuguese is significantly broader, touching upon physical dimensions, abstract concepts, and technical processes. At its core, ampliar suggests the act of making something bigger or more extensive than its current state. Whether you are talking about renovation, personal growth, or digital media, this verb is essential for expressing growth and extension.

Physical Expansion
In a physical sense, ampliar is frequently used in architecture and urban planning. If a family decides to add a new room to their house, they are going to ampliar a casa. It implies a structural increase in volume or area. This is distinct from simply 'adding' something; it suggests an integration into the existing structure to create a larger whole.

A prefeitura decidiu ampliar a rede de metrô para atender aos bairros periféricos.

Abstract and Intellectual Growth
In academic and professional contexts, ampliar is the go-to verb for broadening one's horizons, knowledge, or influence. You might ampliar seus conhecimentos (expand your knowledge) by reading more or ampliar sua rede de contatos (expand your networking) at a conference. It carries a positive connotation of progress and development.

Viajar é a melhor forma de ampliar nossos horizontes culturais.

Technical and Scientific Usage
In the realms of physics and technology, ampliar refers to the intensification of signals or effects. An amplifier (amplificador) is a device that performs this action. In a laboratory setting, a microscope might be used to ampliar a visão of a microscopic organism. It denotes the enhancement of perception or signal strength.

O cientista precisou ampliar a amostra para identificar a bactéria.

A empresa planeja ampliar sua produção no próximo semestre.

Precisamos ampliar o debate sobre as mudanças climáticas.

In summary, ampliar is a high-frequency verb that bridges the gap between the tangible and the intangible. It is more formal than aumentar (to increase) and carries a nuance of planned, deliberate expansion. Understanding its various contexts—from photos to philosophy—will greatly enrich your Portuguese fluency and allow you to describe growth in a sophisticated manner.

Using ampliar correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a regular -ar verb and identifying the types of direct objects it typically takes. As a transitive verb, it almost always requires an object—the thing that is being expanded. Because it is a regular verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy to master once you know the base meaning.

Conjugation Patterns
In the present tense, it follows the pattern: eu amplio, você amplia, nós ampliamos, eles ampliam. Note the stress in the first person singular amplio (am-PLI-o). In the past tense (pretérito perfeito): eu ampliei, você ampliou, nós ampliamos, eles ampliaram. It is a stable verb with no irregular stem changes, which allows you to focus more on its contextual application than on memorizing tricky forms.

Eu amplio esta foto no computador para ver os detalhes.

Common Collocations with 'Ampliar'
To use ampliar naturally, you should learn its common partners. Ampliar horizontes is a classic metaphorical use. Ampliar o leque (to broaden the range/fan) is used when discussing options or variety. Ampliar a discussão is common in academic or political settings when one wants to include more perspectives or topics in a debate.

Eles pretendem ampliar o leque de serviços oferecidos pela agência.

Sentence Structure with Infinitives
Often, ampliar is used in its infinitive form following auxiliary verbs like querer (to want), precisar (to need), or pretender (to intend). For example: "Nós queremos ampliar o impacto social do nosso projeto." This structure is very common in business proposals and mission statements.

O governo deve ampliar o investimento em educação básica.

Com as novas medidas, a empresa conseguiu ampliar sua base de clientes.

Se você ampliar o zoom, verá a placa do carro.

Mastering ampliar requires paying attention to the context of the growth. It is rarely used for simple quantities (like "ampliar o preço," where aumentar is better) but is perfect for scope, scale, and vision. By practicing these collocations and structures, you will move from basic Portuguese to a more nuanced, professional level of expression.

In the Portuguese-speaking world, ampliar is a staple of news broadcasts, business meetings, and educational environments. It is a word that signals growth and progress, making it a favorite for politicians and CEOs alike. However, it is also found in everyday technology and personal development conversations, making it a truly versatile part of the lexicon.

In the News and Media
Journalists frequently use ampliar when reporting on government initiatives or economic shifts. You might hear a news anchor say, "O governo federal anunciou medidas para ampliar o acesso à saúde pública." In this context, it implies making a service available to a larger portion of the population. It sounds formal and authoritative.

O telejornal informou que a polícia vai ampliar o policiamento nas praias.

In Corporate and Tech Settings
If you work in a tech-savvy environment or a startup in Brazil or Portugal, you will hear ampliar regarding scalability. Phrases like ampliar a infraestrutura (expand the infrastructure) or ampliar a capacidade do servidor (expand server capacity) are common. In software, buttons for zooming in on maps or photos are often labeled Ampliar.

Durante a reunião, o diretor falou sobre ampliar a presença digital da marca.

In Education and Personal Growth
Teachers and mentors use ampliar to encourage students to look beyond their current understanding. A professor might say, "Este livro vai ampliar sua visão sobre a história do Brasil." It suggests an intellectual stretching that is highly valued in academic circles.

Fazer um intercâmbio é uma oportunidade única para ampliar horizontes.

O museu decidiu ampliar seu acervo com obras de artistas locais.

Precisamos ampliar o sinal de Wi-Fi para o segundo andar.

Whether you're reading a newspaper, attending a lecture, or simply using a smartphone app, ampliar is omnipresent. It is a word that conveys ambition and clarity, helping you describe how things—and ideas—get bigger and better.

While ampliar is a straightforward verb, English speakers often stumble when choosing between it and its close cousins like aumentar, expandir, or alongar. Understanding the subtle boundaries of ampliar will help you avoid sounding slightly "off" in conversation.

Ampliar vs. Aumentar
The most common mistake is using ampliar for simple numerical increases. In English, we say "increase the price," and a learner might say "ampliar o preço." This is incorrect in Portuguese. For numbers, prices, volume (sound), or speed, aumentar is the correct choice. Use ampliar for space, scope, vision, and detail. You aumentam the volume of the TV, but you ampliam the image on the screen.

Errado: O supermercado vai ampliar os preços. (Use aumentar)

Confusing with 'Amplo'
Learners sometimes try to use the adjective amplo (wide/broad) as a verb. Remember that ampliar is the action. You cannot say "eu amplo a casa" if you mean "I widen the house" (though amplio is the conjugation, the root adjective is amplo). Also, don't confuse ampliar with alargar, which specifically means to make something physically wider, like a pair of trousers or a road.

Cuidado: Não use ampliar para falar de roupas apertadas; use alargar.

Overusing it in Informal Speech
Ampliar can sound a bit formal. In very casual conversation, Brazilians might just use aumentar or dar uma geral for many things. However, using ampliar correctly will make you sound more educated and precise. Just avoid using it for things that are small and trivial, like "ampliar a porção de batatas fritas." That would sound very strange!

Correto: Vamos ampliar a sala de estar para ter mais espaço.

Evite: Ampliar o som. Prefira: Aumentar o som.

Ao ampliar o projeto, considere os custos adicionais.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the boundary between ampliar and aumentar—you will communicate your ideas more effectively and avoid the linguistic pitfalls that trap many intermediate learners.

Portuguese is rich with verbs that describe growth and expansion. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about physical width, mathematical increase, or conceptual spreading. Here is how ampliar compares to its closest synonyms.

Ampliar vs. Expandir
Expandir is often used for businesses or physical gases. It suggests a movement from a center outwards in all directions. Ampliar is more about making something larger or more comprehensive in a specific way. You ampliam a house (add a wing), but a company expande to other countries.
Ampliar vs. Aumentar
Aumentar is the most generic and common term. It can replace ampliar in many cases, but it lacks the nuance of 'broadening' or 'enlarging detail.' Use aumentar for quantity (money, items) and ampliar for quality or scope.
Ampliar vs. Alargar
Alargar specifically means to make wider (from largo - wide). It’s used for clothes, roads, or shoes. Ampliar is more general; it can mean making something taller, wider, and deeper all at once.

A empresa vai expandir seus negócios para a Europa.

Precisamos alargar a avenida para diminuir o trânsito.

Ampliar vs. Desenvolver
Desenvolver (to develop) is used when you are adding complexity or maturity to something. While ampliar makes a project bigger, desenvolver makes it more sophisticated. You might ampliar the team size but desenvolver the team's skills.

O professor quer ampliar a discussão sobre o tema.

Vamos aumentar o investimento em tecnologia este ano.

Ela quer ampliar sua coleção de livros raros.

By learning these distinctions, you will be able to choose the exact word that fits your meaning, whether you are talking about stretching a sweater, growing a business, or deepening a conversation.

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Examples by Level

1

Eu quero ampliar esta foto.

I want to enlarge this photo.

Present tense, first person singular.

2

Você pode ampliar a imagem?

Can you enlarge the image?

Question using the auxiliary verb 'poder'.

3

Nós vamos ampliar a nossa sala.

We are going to expand our living room.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

4

O fotógrafo amplia as fotos antigas.

The photographer enlarges the old photos.

Present tense, third person singular.

5

Eles ampliam o mapa no celular.

They enlarge the map on the phone.

Present tense, third person plural.

6

Eu ampliei o desenho para colorir.

I enlarged the drawing to color it.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past tense).

7

Ela amplia o texto para ler melhor.

She enlarges the text to read better.

Present tense, third person singular.

8

Vamos ampliar o jardim da escola.

Let's expand the school garden.

Imperative/Suggestion with 'Vamos' + infinitive.

1

Eu preciso ampliar meu vocabulário de português.

I need to expand my Portuguese vocabulary.

Infinitive after 'precisar'.

2

A loja vai ampliar o horário de atendimento.

The store will expand its service hours.

Future with 'ir'.

3

Eles ampliaram a casa no ano passado.

They expanded the house last year.

Pretérito Perfeito, third person plural.

4

O professor quer ampliar a aula de hoje.

The teacher wants to extend today's class.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

5

Você ampliou o seu conhecimento sobre o Brasil?

Did you expand your knowledge about Brazil?

Past tense question.

6

Nós ampliamos a nossa rede de amigos na viagem.

We expanded our network of friends on the trip.

Pretérito Perfeito, first person plural.

7

A empresa amplia sua equipe todos os meses.

The company expands its team every month.

Present tense, habitual action.

8

O artista ampliou sua coleção de pinturas.

The artist expanded his collection of paintings.

Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular.

1

Viajar ajuda a ampliar os nossos horizontes.

Traveling helps to broaden our horizons.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

2

A prefeitura quer ampliar o acesso ao transporte público.

The city hall wants to expand access to public transport.

Abstract usage of 'ampliar'.

3

Eles decidiram ampliar a discussão sobre o projeto.

They decided to broaden the discussion about the project.

Infinitive after 'decidir'.

4

A fábrica vai ampliar a sua capacidade de produção.

The factory will expand its production capacity.

Business context.

5

O museu foi ampliado para receber mais visitantes.

The museum was expanded to receive more visitors.

Passive voice (foi ampliado).

6

Precisamos ampliar a nossa visão sobre este problema.

We need to broaden our view of this problem.

Metaphorical usage.

7

O governo ampliou o prazo para o pagamento de impostos.

The government extended the deadline for tax payments.

Usage with 'prazo' (deadline).

8

A rede de Wi-Fi foi ampliada para todo o prédio.

The Wi-Fi network was expanded to the whole building.

Passive voice.

1

O debate serviu para ampliar o entendimento entre as partes.

The debate served to broaden the understanding between the parties.

Focus on mutual understanding.

2

A empresa busca ampliar sua participação no mercado global.

The company seeks to expand its share in the global market.

Formal business term: 'participação no mercado'.

3

O cientista conseguiu ampliar a amostra da pesquisa.

The scientist managed to expand the research sample.

Scientific context.

4

É fundamental ampliar o leque de opções para os jovens.

It is essential to broaden the range of options for young people.

Idiom: 'ampliar o leque'.

5

A nova lei visa ampliar a proteção ambiental na região.

The new law aims to expand environmental protection in the region.

Usage with 'visa' (aims to).

6

O projeto social foi ampliado para atender mais famílias.

The social project was expanded to serve more families.

Passive voice.

7

Se ampliarmos o zoom, poderemos ver as estrelas.

If we zoom in, we will be able to see the stars.

Future Subjunctive (ampliarmos).

8

Eles pretendem ampliar a infraestrutura da cidade.

They intend to expand the city's infrastructure.

Formal usage.

1

O autor tenta ampliar o escopo da sua análise sociológica.

The author attempts to broaden the scope of his sociological analysis.

Academic register.

2

A conferência ajudou a ampliar a cooperação internacional.

The conference helped to broaden international cooperation.

Usage in international relations.

3

É imperativo ampliar as garantias de direitos fundamentais.

It is imperative to expand the guarantees of fundamental rights.

Legal/Political register.

4

O investimento em P&D visa ampliar a vantagem competitiva.

Investment in R&D aims to broaden the competitive advantage.

Business strategy context.

5

A leitura de clássicos amplia nossa percepção da condição humana.

Reading classics broadens our perception of the human condition.

Philosophical/Literary usage.

6

O governo deve ampliar a transparência na gestão pública.

The government must expand transparency in public management.

Usage with abstract nouns.

7

A rede elétrica será ampliada para as zonas rurais.

The electrical grid will be expanded to rural areas.

Future passive voice.

8

Buscamos ampliar a representatividade feminina na política.

We seek to broaden female representation in politics.

Social justice context.

1

A obra do filósofo busca ampliar os limites do pensamento lógico.

The philosopher's work seeks to expand the limits of logical thought.

High-level intellectual discourse.

2

O fenômeno da globalização ampliou as discrepâncias econômicas.

The phenomenon of globalization has widened economic discrepancies.

Usage describing negative expansion.

3

A mutação genética pode ampliar a resistência a certas doenças.

Genetic mutation can broaden resistance to certain diseases.

Scientific/Biological context.

4

A proposta visa ampliar a eficácia das políticas de inclusão.

The proposal aims to expand the effectiveness of inclusion policies.

Policy analysis register.

5

A descoberta arqueológica ampliou nosso conhecimento da pré-história.

The archaeological discovery expanded our knowledge of prehistory.

Usage with historical knowledge.

6

O uso de metáforas serve para ampliar a expressividade do texto.

The use of metaphors serves to broaden the expressiveness of the text.

Literary analysis.

7

A empresa optou por ampliar seu capital social mediante novas ações.

The company chose to expand its share capital through new shares.

Specific financial terminology.

8

A expansão urbana ampliou a pressão sobre os recursos hídricos.

Urban expansion has increased the pressure on water resources.

Environmental/Urban planning context.

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