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A2 verb #1,000 most common 9 min read

aumentar

Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips aumentar in 30 Seconds

Explanation aumentar in your Level:

At the A1 level, the verb aumentar is introduced as a basic action verb for increasing quantity or intensity in everyday life. Students learn it primarily in the context of volume control and basic shopping. For example, a student might learn how to ask someone to 'aumentar o som' (turn up the sound) or notice that 'o preço aumentou' (the price increased) at a market. The focus is on the present tense and simple future. Learners are taught that it is a regular -ar verb, which makes it easy to conjugate alongside other early verbs like 'falar' or 'estudar'. At this stage, the nuances of synonyms are not yet explored; 'aumentar' serves as the 'all-purpose' word for anything getting bigger or more intense. It is essential for basic survival Portuguese, especially when dealing with physical comforts (heat, light, sound) and basic financial transactions. Teachers emphasize its direct transitive use, where the verb is followed immediately by the object, such as 'aumentar a luz' (increase the light). This simplicity allows A1 learners to start expressing changes in their environment immediately without complex grammatical structures.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use aumentar in a wider variety of tenses, including the Pretérito Perfeito (Past) and the Imperfect. The vocabulary expands to include more abstract increases, such as 'aumentar a velocidade' (increase speed) or 'aumentar o tempo' (increase time). Students also learn the important construction 'aumentar de' followed by a noun, such as 'aumentar de tamanho' (increase in size) or 'aumentar de peso' (gain weight). This level introduces the verb in the context of describing personal growth, health, and travel. For instance, a student might describe how their interest in Portuguese 'aumentou' after a trip to Brazil. The distinction between 'aumentar' and 'crescer' (for living things) is often introduced here to prevent common errors. A2 learners are expected to use the verb to describe trends in simple charts or daily news headlines, such as 'O desemprego aumentou' (Unemployment increased). The focus shifts from just 'turning things up' to describing changes in the world around them in a more structured way.

By the B1 level, students use aumentar with greater precision and in more complex grammatical structures, such as the Subjunctive mood ('Espero que as vendas aumentem'). The verb is now used to discuss social issues, professional goals, and more nuanced personal experiences. B1 learners are expected to understand and use 'aumentar' in the context of productivity, efficiency, and social statistics. They begin to pair the verb with specific adverbs like 'significativamente' (significantly), 'gradualmente' (gradually), or 'consideravelmente' (considerably) to add detail to their descriptions. At this stage, students are also introduced to the noun form 'o aumento' (the increase/raise) and how it functions in sentences like 'Recebi um aumento de salário' (I received a salary raise). The focus is on moving beyond simple descriptions to expressing opinions and hopes about growth and development. Learners are also expected to distinguish 'aumentar' from more specific synonyms like 'ampliar' or 'incrementar' in specific contexts like business or photography.

At the B2 level, aumentar is used fluently in abstract and academic contexts. Students can discuss complex topics like 'aumentar a conscientização' (increase awareness) or 'aumentar a competitividade' (increase competitiveness). They are comfortable using the verb in passive constructions ('A produção foi aumentada') and in more sophisticated rhetorical ways. B2 learners explore the metaphorical uses of the verb, such as 'aumentar a aposta' (raise the stakes) or 'aumentar a tensão' (increase the tension). The focus at this level is on stylistic variety; students are encouraged to use 'aumentar' alongside its synonyms to avoid repetition in long essays or presentations. They also learn idiomatic expressions and more formal alternatives like 'elevar' or 'intensificar'. A B2 student should be able to analyze a text about economic growth and use 'aumentar' to summarize the main points while also employing more technical terms when necessary. The verb becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation and detailed reporting.

At the C1 level, the use of aumentar is characterized by a high degree of precision and stylistic awareness. Learners understand the subtle differences between 'aumentar', 'exacerbar' (to exacerbate), 'potencializar' (to maximize/potentiate), and 'avultar' (to become bulky/increase in importance). They use 'aumentar' in complex literary or philosophical discussions, such as 'aumentar o conhecimento humano' or 'aumentar a complexidade do sistema'. C1 students are sensitive to the register of the verb, knowing when it might sound too simple and when it is the most effective choice for clarity. They can use the verb in sophisticated structures like 'Aumentando-se o investimento, os resultados aparecerão' (By increasing investment, results will appear). The focus is on absolute mastery of all collocations and the ability to use the verb to convey subtle shifts in tone or emphasis. C1 learners also explore the etymology and historical development of the word to better understand its place in the Romance language family.

At the C2 level, aumentar is used with the effortless precision of a highly educated native speaker. The learner can use the verb in any context, from high-level legal documents to avant-garde poetry. They are aware of rare or archaic uses and can play with the word's meaning for rhetorical effect. At this level, the focus is on the 'flavor' of the word within a sentence—how it interacts with rhythm, sound, and the surrounding vocabulary. A C2 learner might use 'aumentar' to describe the swelling of a river in a descriptive passage or the escalation of a diplomatic crisis in a political analysis, always choosing the exact form and placement that best suits the desired impact. They are also fully conversant with the word's role in various regional dialects of Portuguese (Brazilian, European, African) and can adjust their usage accordingly. For a C2 learner, 'aumentar' is not just a verb but a versatile instrument for expressing the infinite varieties of growth and change in the human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

aumentar in 30 Seconds

Aumentar is the primary Portuguese verb for 'to increase,' covering size, volume, price, and intensity in both formal and informal contexts.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses for learners at any level of proficiency.
The verb can be used transitively (aumentar algo), intransitively (algo aumentou), or with the preposition 'de' (aumentar de tamanho).
Commonly heard in news reports about the economy, daily household requests, and professional settings regarding productivity and growth.

The Portuguese verb aumentar is a fundamental pillar of the language, serving as the primary way to express the concept of growth, expansion, or increment. At its core, it translates to 'to increase,' 'to augment,' 'to enlarge,' or 'to grow.' Unlike some verbs that are restricted to physical size, aumentar is incredibly versatile, spanning across physical, abstract, quantitative, and qualitative domains. Whether you are talking about the volume of a radio, the price of groceries, the speed of a car, or the intensity of a feeling, this is the verb you will most likely use. It functions as both a transitive verb (where someone increases something) and an intransitive verb (where something increases by itself).

Physical Expansion: When used in a physical sense, it describes the process of making something larger in dimensions. For example, a tailor might increase the size of a coat, or a city might increase its territory through expansion. It implies a change in the physical footprint or scale of an object.

O carpinteiro precisou aumentar a mesa para acomodar mais pessoas.

Numerical and Financial Contexts: In the realm of economics and daily transactions, this verb is ubiquitous. It describes rising costs, inflation, salary hikes, and interest rates. If the price of bread goes up, you use 'aumentar'. If your boss gives you a raise, they 'aumentaram' your salary. It is the standard term for any quantitative upward movement.

O governo decidiu aumentar o salário mínimo este ano.

Intensity and Emotion: Beyond physical and numerical growth, aumentar describes the escalation of non-tangible things. Tension can increase, love can grow, and pressure can build. It captures the essence of something becoming more profound or more powerful over time.

A pressão no trabalho começou a aumentar durante o prazo final.

Eles querem aumentar a produção da fábrica no próximo semestre.

Você pode aumentar a velocidade se quiser chegar mais cedo.

Understanding 'aumentar' is essential because it is the default choice for 'upward change' in almost every context imaginable in the Portuguese-speaking world.

Using aumentar correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can be used as a direct transitive verb, an indirect transitive verb, or an intransitive verb. This means it can take an object directly, require a preposition, or stand alone to describe a state of change. Mastering these patterns will make your Portuguese sound natural and precise.

Direct Transitive Usage (Aumentar algo): This is the most common pattern. You use the verb followed directly by the noun that is being increased. For example, 'aumentar o preço' (to increase the price) or 'aumentar a voz' (to raise one's voice). There is no preposition between the verb and the object.

Por favor, não aumente a voz comigo.

Indirect Transitive Usage (Aumentar de): Sometimes, especially when referring to an inherent quality or a category that is growing, we use the preposition 'de'. For example, 'aumentar de tamanho' (to increase in size) or 'aumentar de peso' (to gain weight). This construction focuses on the dimension of the increase.

As crianças aumentaram de peso durante as férias.

Intransitive Usage (Something increases): In this case, the subject of the sentence is the thing that is growing, and no object is needed. For example, 'A procura aumentou' (Demand increased). This is used when the cause of the increase is either unknown or irrelevant to the statement.

As vendas aumentaram significativamente no mês passado.

Precisamos aumentar o investimento em educação básica.

O calor vai aumentar durante a tarde de hoje.

By understanding these three patterns—direct, indirect with 'de', and intransitive—you can navigate almost any conversation involving growth or increment. It is a highly productive verb that forms the basis of many complex expressions in Portuguese.

You will encounter aumentar in nearly every facet of Portuguese life, from the most casual conversations to the most formal news broadcasts. Its frequency is incredibly high because humans are constantly discussing changes in quantity, quality, and intensity.

In the News and Media: Journalists use this word constantly. You will hear it in reports about the economy ('a inflação aumentou'), weather forecasts ('a temperatura vai aumentar'), and social statistics ('a criminalidade aumentou'). It is the standard, objective word for reporting growth in any measurable metric.

O telejornal informou que o preço da gasolina vai aumentar amanhã.

At Home and Socially: In a domestic setting, you will hear it when someone wants the TV louder ('aumenta a TV'), when discussing a child's growth ('ele aumentou muito de tamanho'), or when cooking ('aumenta o fogo'). It is a practical, everyday word that everyone from toddlers to grandparents uses.

Pode aumentar o volume da música? Eu adoro essa canção!

In Professional and Academic Settings: In meetings, you will hear about 'aumentar a produtividade' (increasing productivity) or 'aumentar a eficiência' (increasing efficiency). In science, researchers discuss 'aumentar a dose' (increasing the dose) or 'aumentar a frequência' (increasing the frequency). It is a precise term that fits perfectly in technical discussions.

A empresa planeja aumentar o número de funcionários no próximo ano.

O professor sugeriu aumentar o tempo de estudo para a prova final.

Se você aumentar a luz, conseguirá ler melhor o contrato.

Whether you are reading a newspaper in Lisbon, watching a soap opera in Rio de Janeiro, or attending a business meeting in Luanda, 'aumentar' will be one of the most useful and frequently heard verbs in your vocabulary.

While aumentar is a straightforward verb, English speakers often make specific errors when translating directly from English or when choosing between similar Portuguese verbs. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Confusing 'Aumentar' with 'Subir': In English, we often use 'to go up' and 'to increase' interchangeably. In Portuguese, 'subir' literally means 'to go up' (physically climbing stairs or a mountain). While 'subir' can be used for prices ('os preços subiram'), 'aumentar' is more versatile. A common mistake is using 'subir' for volume or size. You don't 'subir o volume'; you 'aumentar o volume'.

Errado: Eu vou subir o som da música.
Correto: Eu vou aumentar o som da música.

Overusing 'Aumentar' for 'Adding': English speakers sometimes use 'increase' when they mean 'add'. If you are adding sugar to coffee, you should use 'adicionar' or 'pôr', not 'aumentar'. 'Aumentar o açúcar' would imply you are increasing the total amount of sugar in a recipe or a store, rather than just putting some in your cup.

Errado: Vou aumentar açúcar no meu café.
Correto: Vou adicionar açúcar no meu café.

The 'Grow' Confusion: In English, plants and children 'grow'. In Portuguese, living things 'crescer'. While 'aumentar' can mean grow in terms of size ('aumentar de tamanho'), 'crescer' is the natural verb for biological growth. Using 'aumentar' for a child's height sounds clinical or strange.

Errado: Meu filho aumentou muito este ano.
Correto: Meu filho cresceu muito este ano.

O desemprego aumentou (Correct usage for statistics).

Aumentar a velocidade (Correct usage for acceleration).

By being aware of these distinctions—especially the difference between 'aumentar', 'subir', 'adicionar', and 'crescer'—you will avoid the most common 'gringo' mistakes and communicate your ideas with much greater clarity.

Portuguese is a rich language with many synonyms for aumentar, each carrying a slightly different nuance or level of formality. Knowing when to use an alternative can help you sound more sophisticated and precise.

Incrementar vs. Aumentar: 'Incrementar' is often used in business or technical contexts. It implies a strategic or planned increase, often adding value or complexity. While 'aumentar as vendas' is general, 'incrementar as vendas' sounds like you have a specific marketing plan to boost them.

Precisamos incrementar nossos esforços de marketing.

Ampliar vs. Aumentar: 'Ampliar' is specifically related to 'amplitude' or 'scope'. You use it for things like 'ampliar horizontes' (broaden horizons), 'ampliar uma foto' (enlarge a photo), or 'ampliar o debate' (broaden the debate). It suggests a widening or expansion of boundaries rather than just a numerical increase.

O museu vai ampliar sua coleção de arte moderna.

Elevar vs. Aumentar: 'Elevar' is more formal and often used for abstract concepts like 'elevar o nível' (raise the level) or 'elevar a moral' (boost morale). It carries a sense of lifting something up to a higher standard or position.

O sucesso do projeto ajudou a elevar a reputação da empresa.

O governo quer expandir a rede de metrô.

As chamas começaram a se alastrar (spread/increase in area).

By learning these synonyms, you can tailor your speech to the specific context, whether you are writing a formal report, talking to a friend, or describing a physical change.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word has remained remarkably stable in meaning and form for over two thousand years, showing how fundamental the concept of 'increase' is to human communication.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /aʊ.mɛn.ˈtaɾ/

US /aw.mẽ.ˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: au-men-TAR.

Rhymes With

Falar Cantar Andar Estudar Pensar Olhar Chegar Lugar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'n' fully instead of nasalizing the vowel.
Putting the stress on the second syllable (au-MEN-tar).
Pronouncing the 'au' as two separate vowels instead of a diphthong.
Using an English 'r' sound at the end.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'r' in European Portuguese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'augment' and its regular spelling.

Writing 2/5

Easy to conjugate as a regular -ar verb, but requires care with prepositions.

Speaking 2/5

Simple to pronounce, though the nasal 'en' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 1/5

Very common word, easily identifiable in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Falar Grande Mais Preço Som

Learn Next

Diminuir Crescer Melhorar Reduzir Aumento

Advanced

Exacerbar Potencializar Incrementar Avultar Dilatar

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu aumento, tu aumentas, ele aumenta, nós aumentamos, eles aumentam.

Direct Transitive Verbs

Aumentar o volume (No preposition needed).

Prepositional Verbs (Aumentar de)

Aumentar de tamanho (Requires 'de' for dimensions).

Future Subjunctive in Conditionals

Se nós aumentarmos o investimento, teremos lucro.

Imperative Mood for Requests

Aumente o som, por favor.

Examples by Level

Você pode aumentar o som?

Can you turn up the sound?

Direct object 'o som' follows the verb.

O preço do pão aumentou.

The price of bread increased.

Intransitive use; the subject is 'o preço'.

Eu quero aumentar a luz.

I want to increase the light.

Infinitive form after 'quero'.

Eles aumentam a velocidade.

They increase the speed.

Present tense, third person plural.

Aumenta o volume, por favor.

Turn up the volume, please.

Imperative (informal 'tu' or 'você' depending on region).

Nós vamos aumentar a casa.

We are going to enlarge the house.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O calor aumentou hoje.

The heat increased today.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).

Ela aumenta a dose de café.

She increases the dose of coffee.

Present tense, third person singular.

As crianças aumentaram de peso.

The children gained weight.

Use of 'de' preposition for gaining weight.

O desemprego aumentou no país.

Unemployment increased in the country.

Intransitive use in a social context.

Você precisa aumentar o tempo de estudo.

You need to increase your study time.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'precisa'.

O rio aumentou depois da chuva.

The river rose after the rain.

Subject 'o rio' performs the action.

Eles aumentaram o número de quartos.

They increased the number of rooms.

Past tense, third person plural.

A pressão aumentou no trabalho.

The pressure increased at work.

Abstract use of 'aumentar'.

Vou aumentar a foto no computador.

I will enlarge the photo on the computer.

Future with 'ir'.

O preço da carne aumentou muito.

The price of meat increased a lot.

Use of the adverb 'muito' to modify the verb.

Espero que eles aumentem o meu salário.

I hope they increase my salary.

Present Subjunctive after 'Espero que'.

A empresa quer aumentar a produtividade.

The company wants to increase productivity.

Professional context.

O interesse pela cultura aumentou gradualmente.

Interest in culture increased gradually.

Use of the adverb 'gradualmente'.

Precisamos aumentar a segurança no bairro.

We need to increase security in the neighborhood.

Social context.

Se aumentarmos a produção, teremos lucro.

If we increase production, we will have profit.

Future Subjunctive in a conditional 'se' clause.

O governo aumentou os impostos sobre o álcool.

The government increased taxes on alcohol.

Political/Economic context.

Aumentar o vocabulário é essencial para fluência.

Increasing vocabulary is essential for fluency.

Infinitive used as a noun/subject.

A procura por carros elétricos aumentou.

The demand for electric cars increased.

Intransitive use with 'a procura'.

O investimento em tecnologia deve aumentar.

Investment in technology must increase.

Modal verb 'deve' + infinitive.

Aumentar a conscientização é o nosso objetivo.

Increasing awareness is our goal.

Abstract concept.

A tensão entre os países aumentou ontem.

The tension between the countries increased yesterday.

Abstract use in international relations.

Eles aumentaram a aposta no mercado asiático.

They raised the stakes in the Asian market.

Idiomatic/Business use.

O uso de plásticos aumentou drasticamente.

The use of plastics increased drastically.

Use of the adverb 'drasticamente'.

Aumentar a eficiência energética é crucial.

Increasing energy efficiency is crucial.

Technical context.

A visibilidade da marca aumentou com a campanha.

The brand's visibility increased with the campaign.

Marketing context.

Não podemos aumentar o risco do projeto.

We cannot increase the risk of the project.

Abstract use in management.

Aumentar o rigor científico é imperativo.

Increasing scientific rigor is imperative.

Formal/Academic register.

A medida visa aumentar a competitividade nacional.

The measure aims to increase national competitiveness.

Use of 'visar' + infinitive.

O autor tenta aumentar o suspense no capítulo.

The author tries to increase the suspense in the chapter.

Literary context.

Aumentar-se-á a vigilância durante o evento.

Surveillance will be increased during the event.

Mesoclisis (formal future structure).

Aumentar a complexidade pode ser contraproducente.

Increasing complexity can be counterproductive.

Philosophical/Logical context.

Aumentar a base de dados facilitará a análise.

Increasing the database will facilitate the analysis.

Technical/Data science context.

O escândalo serviu para aumentar a desconfiança.

The scandal served to increase distrust.

Abstract social impact.

Aumentar a resiliência urbana é um desafio.

Increasing urban resilience is a challenge.

Urban planning context.

Aumentar a percepção estética requer educação.

Increasing aesthetic perception requires education.

Philosophical register.

Aumentar a entropia é uma lei da termodinâmica.

Increasing entropy is a law of thermodynamics.

Scientific/Academic context.

O orador soube aumentar a clareza do discurso.

The speaker knew how to increase the clarity of the speech.

Rhetorical context.

Aumentar a longevidade é o sonho da medicina.

Increasing longevity is the dream of medicine.

Medical/Ethical context.

Aumentar a abrangência da lei é necessário.

Increasing the scope of the law is necessary.

Legal context.

Aumentar a densidade populacional gera desafios.

Increasing population density generates challenges.

Sociological context.

Aumentar a transparência institucional é vital.

Increasing institutional transparency is vital.

Political science context.

Aumentar a eficácia do fármaco é a prioridade.

Increasing the drug's efficacy is the priority.

Pharmaceutical context.

Common Collocations

Aumentar o volume

Aumentar o preço

Aumentar a velocidade

Aumentar a produção

Aumentar de peso

Aumentar a temperatura

Aumentar a confiança

Aumentar a dose

Aumentar a luz

Aumentar o zoom

Common Phrases

Aumentar a parada

— To raise the stakes in a game or situation.

Ele decidiu aumentar a parada na negociação.

Aumentar o tom

— To speak more forcefully or aggressively.

O político aumentou o tom durante o debate.

Aumentar a família

— To have a baby or add a new member to the family.

Eles estão planejando aumentar a família no próximo ano.

Aumentar o passo

— To walk faster.

Temos que aumentar o passo para não perder o trem.

Aumentar a voz

— To shout or speak louder, often in anger.

Não aumente a voz comigo!

Aumentar os horizontes

— To learn new things or experience new cultures.

Viajar ajuda a aumentar os horizontes.

Aumentar a carga

— To increase the workload or physical weight.

O treinador aumentou a carga de exercícios.

Aumentar o som

— To make the music or audio louder.

Aumenta o som, essa música é ótima!

Aumentar a expectativa

— To make people expect more from something.

O trailer serviu para aumentar a expectativa do filme.

Aumentar a eficiência

— To make a process work better with less waste.

Novas máquinas vão aumentar a eficiência da fábrica.

Often Confused With

aumentar vs Subir

Subir is for moving upwards physically; aumentar is for increasing quantity or intensity.

aumentar vs Crescer

Crescer is for biological growth (people, plants); aumentar is for general increments.

aumentar vs Adicionar

Adicionar is to add a new item; aumentar is to make an existing amount larger.

Idioms & Expressions

"Quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto"

— Every time a story is retold, the storyteller adds a little detail or exaggeration.

Não acredite em tudo; quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto.

Proverb/Informal

"Aumentar o bolo"

— To increase the total amount of money or resources available.

Precisamos de novos sócios para aumentar o bolo.

Informal/Business

"Aumentar a fervura"

— To intensify a conflict or a heated situation.

O comentário dele só serviu para aumentar a fervura.

Informal

"Aumentar a clientela"

— To get more customers.

A promoção ajudou a aumentar a clientela da loja.

Neutral

"Aumentar o cacife"

— To increase one's influence, money, or power.

Com a vitória, o partido aumentou seu cacife político.

Informal/Political

"Aumentar a dose"

— To do something with more intensity than before.

Ele aumentou a dose de ironia no segundo discurso.

Neutral

"Aumentar o sarrafo"

— To raise the bar or the level of difficulty/expectation.

A nova diretoria aumentou o sarrafo para os funcionários.

Informal

"Aumentar o volume da conversa"

— To make a discussion more public or intense.

As redes sociais aumentaram o volume da conversa sobre o clima.

Neutral

"Aumentar a aposta"

— To take a bigger risk.

A empresa aumentou a aposta em inteligência artificial.

Neutral

"Aumentar a rede"

— To expand one's social or professional connections.

O evento é ótimo para aumentar a rede de contatos.

Neutral

Easily Confused

aumentar vs Acrescentar

Both mean adding to something.

Acrescentar means to add something extra to a whole, while aumentar means to make the whole itself larger.

Vou acrescentar sal à sopa (Add salt) vs Vou aumentar a sopa (Make more soup).

aumentar vs Ampliar

Both involve making things bigger.

Ampliar is usually for physical area, scope, or photographic enlargement.

Ampliar a casa (Enlarge the house) vs Aumentar o som (Turn up the sound).

aumentar vs Elevar

Both mean going up.

Elevar is more formal and implies lifting to a higher level or standard.

Elevar o pensamento (Elevate thought) vs Aumentar o preço (Increase price).

aumentar vs Engordar

Both can mean gaining weight.

Engordar is the specific verb for getting fat; aumentar de peso is more clinical/formal.

Eu engordei (I got fat) vs Eu aumentei de peso (I gained weight).

aumentar vs Prolongar

Both involve making something 'more'.

Prolongar is specifically for time or length; aumentar is for general quantity.

Prolongar a reunião (Extend the meeting) vs Aumentar o número de reuniões (Increase the number of meetings).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + aumentar + [Object]

Eu aumento o som.

[Subject] + aumentar + de + [Noun]

O bolo aumentou de tamanho.

Espero que + [Subject] + aumente (Subjunctive)

Espero que o salário aumente.

[Subject] + aumentar + [Adverb]

As vendas aumentaram drasticamente.

Aumentar + [Abstract Noun] + é + [Adjective]

Aumentar a eficiência é fundamental.

Aumentando-se + [Object]...

Aumentando-se a dose, o efeito é maior.

Se + [Subject] + aumentarem (Future Subjunctive)

Se eles aumentarem o preço, não compro.

[Subject] + vai + aumentar

O calor vai aumentar.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'aumentar' for a child's growth. → Meu filho cresceu muito.
Living things 'crescer' (grow); 'aumentar' is for quantities or non-living dimensions.
Saying 'subir o volume'. → Aumentar o volume.
'Subir' is for physical upward movement; 'aumentar' is for intensity/volume.
Omitting 'de' in 'aumentar de peso'. → Eu aumentei de peso.
When referring to gaining weight, the preposition 'de' is grammatically required.
Using 'aumentar' to mean 'add sugar'. → Pôr/Adicionar açúcar.
'Aumentar o açúcar' means to increase the total amount of sugar in a recipe, not to add it to a cup.
Conjugating it irregularly. → Eu aumento (not eu aumento - wait, it is regular!).
Some students try to change the stem, but it is a perfectly regular -ar verb.

Tips

Master the Preposition 'de'

Remember to use 'de' when talking about categories of growth like 'aumentar de tamanho' (size) or 'aumentar de importância' (importance). This is a common mistake for English speakers who want to omit it.

Use 'Aumento' for Raises

If you want to talk about your salary going up, use the noun 'aumento'. 'Eu quero um aumento' is the standard way to ask for a raise.

Nasalize the 'EN'

The 'en' in 'aumentar' is a nasal vowel. Don't pronounce a hard 'n' like in the English word 'men'. It should sound more like a nasalized 'eh'.

Volume Control

In a car or at a party, simply saying 'Aumenta!' is enough to tell someone to turn up the music. It's very idiomatic.

Formal Synonyms

In formal essays, try to use 'elevar' or 'intensificar' occasionally to avoid repeating 'aumentar' too many times.

The Imperative

When giving a command, use 'Aumente' (formal) or 'Aumenta' (informal). 'Aumente o volume, por favor' is polite and clear.

News Keywords

When you hear 'aumentar' on the news, listen for the words 'inflação', 'preços', or 'desemprego' immediately following it to understand the topic.

Proverb Power

Using the proverb 'Quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto' will make you sound very advanced and culturally aware.

Zooming

Don't look for a specific verb for 'zoom in'. 'Aumentar o zoom' is the standard technical term used in all software.

Latin Link

Always link it to 'augment'. If you can remember 'augment', you will never forget 'aumentar'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Augment' in English. They share the same Latin root. When you 'augment' something, you 'aumentar' it.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant volume knob being turned to the right. As the knob turns, the word 'AUMENTAR' glows brighter and brighter.

Word Web

Volume Preço Tamanho Velocidade Quantidade Intensidade Salário Produção

Challenge

Try to use 'aumentar' three times today: once for a physical object, once for a sound, and once for an abstract feeling.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'augmentare', which means to increase or enlarge. This Latin root also gave rise to the English word 'augment'.

Original meaning: To make something larger or more numerous.

Romance (Latin-derived)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'aumentar de peso' (gaining weight) as it can be a sensitive topic, just like in English.

English speakers often use 'grow' or 'go up' where Portuguese speakers prefer 'aumentar'.

The phrase 'Quem conta um conto, aumenta um ponto' is one of the most famous proverbs in the Portuguese language. Economic reports in Portuguese media frequently use 'aumentar' to describe the GDP (PIB). In music, the instruction 'crescendo' is related to the concept of 'aumentar o volume'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

Aumenta a TV.
Aumenta o fogo.
Aumenta a luz.
Aumenta o ar-condicionado.

At Work

Aumentar a produtividade.
Aumentar as vendas.
Pedir um aumento.
Aumentar o prazo.

Shopping

O preço aumentou.
Aumentar a quantidade.
Aumentar o limite do cartão.
Aumentar o desconto.

Health/Fitness

Aumentar de peso.
Aumentar a carga.
Aumentar a resistência.
Aumentar a dose.

Technology

Aumentar o zoom.
Aumentar o brilho.
Aumentar a memória.
Aumentar a velocidade da internet.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que os preços vão aumentar muito no próximo mês?"

"Como podemos aumentar a nossa produtividade na equipe?"

"Você prefere aumentar o tempo de férias ou o salário?"

"O que você faz para aumentar o seu vocabulário em português?"

"Você acha que a tecnologia vai aumentar a nossa felicidade?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um momento em que você precisou aumentar o seu esforço para alcançar um objetivo difícil.

Como a sua confiança aumentou desde que você começou a aprender uma nova língua?

Descreva as mudanças na sua cidade: o que aumentou e o que diminuiu nos últimos cinco anos?

Se você pudesse aumentar qualquer coisa no mundo (paz, dinheiro, tempo), o que seria e por quê?

Reflita sobre como o uso da tecnologia aumentou na sua vida diária recentemente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'crescer'. 'Aumentar' sounds like you are making them wider or increasing their mass in a clinical way. For example, 'Meu filho cresceu muito' is correct, while 'Meu filho aumentou muito' sounds strange.

Yes, it is the most common way to say it. You can say 'aumentar o som', 'aumentar o volume', or even just 'aumenta aí!' if the context is clear.

'Aumentar' is general and common. 'Incrementar' is more formal and often used in business to mean adding value, features, or strategic growth. For example, 'incrementar o currículo' means to improve your resume.

You use the noun form: 'Eu recebi um aumento' or 'Meu chefe me deu um aumento'. You don't usually use the verb 'aumentar' as the main action for the person receiving it.

Yes, it follows the standard conjugation for all verbs ending in -ar. This makes it very easy to learn and use in different tenses like the past (aumentei) or future (aumentarei).

Absolutely. It is the standard word for price hikes. 'Os preços aumentaram' or 'O dono da loja aumentou os preços'.

It depends. If you increase something directly, no preposition: 'aumentar o som'. If you are talking about a dimension of growth, use 'de': 'aumentar de tamanho' or 'aumentar de peso'.

The most common opposite is 'diminuir'. Other opposites include 'reduzir' (reduce) and 'baixar' (lower).

Yes, you can say 'a minha raiva aumentou' (my anger increased) or 'o amor aumentou' (love grew). It is very common for abstract feelings.

In a digital context, you say 'aumentar o zoom'. To zoom out, you say 'diminuir o zoom'.