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A2 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

autorizar

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips autorizar in 30 Seconds

Explanation autorizar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'autorizar' as a word that means 'to say yes' in an official way. You might see it on websites or signs. For example, 'Autorizar cookies' on a website. At this stage, just remember that it is a regular verb like 'falar' or 'estudar'. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just know that if someone asks for an 'autorização', they want you to say it is okay for them to do something. Think of it as a more serious version of 'OK'. You might hear a teacher say 'Não autorizo o uso de celulares', which means you cannot use your phone in class. Focus on the present tense: 'Eu autorizo', 'Você autoriza'.

At the A2 level, you start using 'autorizar' in simple sentences about daily life, especially regarding work or school. You should be able to say things like 'Meu chefe autorizou minhas férias' (My boss authorized my vacation) or 'Eu preciso autorizar este documento' (I need to authorize this document). You are learning that this verb often needs a person as an object. You also start to see it in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), which is very common: 'Quem autorizou isso?' (Who authorized this?). You should also be aware of the noun form, 'autorização', as in 'Eu tenho uma autorização'. This level is about moving from recognition to basic, active use in predictable contexts.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'autorizar' with the preposition 'a' and an infinitive verb: 'Eles nos autorizaram a entrar'. You also begin to use it in professional emails and more formal situations. You understand the difference between 'autorizar' (formal/official) and 'deixar' (informal). You can handle situations at the bank or a government office where 'autorização' is required. You should also be able to use the passive voice: 'A entrada não é autorizada'. At this level, you start to see 'autorizar' in the future tense and the conditional: 'Eu autorizaria se tivesse os documentos'. You are becoming more precise with who is giving the permission and what exactly is being permitted.

At the B2 level, you use 'autorizar' with nuance and in complex grammatical structures. You should be able to use it with the subjunctive mood: 'Eu não autorizo que eles façam isso'. You understand its use in legal and administrative texts, such as contracts or terms of service. You can discuss abstract concepts of authority and authorization. You are also aware of regional differences, such as pronoun placement (Brazil vs. Portugal). You can use synonyms like 'consentir' or 'outorgar' in appropriate contexts to vary your vocabulary. You understand that 'autorizar' implies a delegation of power and can use it to describe organizational hierarchies effectively. Your sentences are longer and include more detail about the conditions of the authorization.

At the C1 level, 'autorizar' is a tool for professional and academic precision. You use it in contexts like 'autorizar o uso de imagem' (authorizing the use of one's likeness) or in discussions about constitutional law. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to 'autoridade' (authority) and 'autoria' (authorship). You can use the verb in highly formal settings, such as during a legal testimony or in a high-level business negotiation. You are familiar with idiomatic or semi-idiomatic uses in literature. You can distinguish between 'autorizar' and 'legitimar' (to legitimize). Your use of the verb is seamless, and you can manipulate its various forms (participles, gerunds) to create sophisticated prose.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'autorizar'. You can use it in philosophical debates about the nature of power—who 'authorizes' the state to act? You are comfortable reading 19th-century Portuguese literature where the word might be used in archaic ways. You understand the most subtle differences between 'autorizar', 'substabelecer', and 'delegar' in a legal framework. You can write official decrees or high-level policy documents using the verb with absolute grammatical and stylistic accuracy. You can play with the word's meaning in creative writing, perhaps personifying 'Authority' or using the verb metaphorically to describe natural processes (e.g., 'a primavera autoriza o florescer'). Your understanding is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

autorizar in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to give permission or power.
Commonly used in banking, law, and digital permissions.
Follows the pattern 'autorizar alguém a fazer algo'.
Essential for professional and administrative Portuguese communication.

The Portuguese verb autorizar is a fundamental pillar of communication when dealing with permission, legality, and official actions. At its core, it means to give someone the power or the right to do something. It is a cognate of the English word 'to authorize', which makes it relatively easy for English speakers to grasp, yet its usage nuances in Portuguese culture are worth exploring deeply. In everyday life, you encounter this word when signing documents, dealing with bureaucracy, or even in casual settings where one person grants leave to another.

O Contexto Formal: In formal Portuguese, 'autorizar' is the standard verb for administrative and legal processes. Whether it is a bank authorizing a transaction or a government official authorizing a permit, the word carries the weight of authority. It implies a hierarchy where an entity with power grants a right to a subordinate or a client. For example, 'O diretor autorizou o projeto' (The director authorized the project) sounds definitive and professional.
O Contexto Digital: In the modern era, 'autorizar' is ubiquitous in technology. Every time you download an app and it asks for permission to access your camera or location, the button usually says 'Autorizar'. It is the digital equivalent of giving a 'thumbs up' to a system process. This usage is common across all Portuguese-speaking countries, from Brazil to Portugal and Angola.

Preciso que você assine este documento para me autorizar a representar a empresa na reunião de amanhã.

Example: Authorizing legal representation.

Furthermore, the word is deeply tied to the concept of 'autoria' (authorship). To authorize is to act as the 'author' of a permission. This connection helps learners remember that the person authorizing is the one who has the 'original' power to allow the action. In Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear this word in the context of parents authorizing children for school trips: 'Meus pais não autorizaram a minha viagem'. In Portugal, the tone might be slightly more formal, often appearing in the passive voice in official signage: 'Não é autorizada a entrada de pessoas estranhas ao serviço'.

O sistema não pôde autorizar o seu pagamento devido a um erro de segurança.

Parental Consent: In school environments, 'autorizar' is the verb of choice for permission slips. If a student wants to participate in an extracurricular activity, they need their guardians to 'autorizar' the participation. This is often followed by the preposition 'a' when followed by an infinitive verb.

Using 'autorizar' correctly involves understanding its syntactic structure. The most common pattern is autorizar alguém a fazer algo (to authorize someone to do something). Note the presence of the preposition 'a'. Unlike in English, where we 'authorize someone to do', in Portuguese, that 'a' is essential for the sentence to flow naturally and correctly. For example: 'O médico autorizou o paciente a sair do hospital'. Without the 'a', the sentence would feel incomplete to a native speaker's ear.

O gerente me autorizou a tirar férias em dezembro.

Direct Object Usage: Sometimes, 'autorizar' takes a direct object that is an action rather than a person. For instance, 'O governo autorizou o aumento dos impostos'. Here, the government is authorizing the 'increase', not a specific person. This is common in news reports and economic contexts.
Passive Voice: In formal writing, the passive voice is very frequent. 'A venda de bebidas alcoólicas não é autorizada para menores'. This construction emphasizes the rule rather than the person enforcing it. It is very common on signs in shops and public buildings.

Another important aspect is the reflexive use or the use with pronouns. 'Eu me autorizo a errar' (I authorize myself to make mistakes) is a more philosophical or psychological use of the word. While less common in administrative settings, it shows the versatility of the verb in expressing self-permission and personal agency. In professional emails, you might see 'Fico à espera de que autorize o pagamento', which is a polite way of asking for someone's approval.

Eles não foram autorizados a entrar no edifício sem identificação.

When dealing with 'autorizar' in the past tense, be mindful of the difference between the Pretérito Perfeito ('autorizou' - a completed action) and the Pretérito Imperfeito ('autorizava' - a continuous or habitual action). 'Ele sempre autorizava as minhas saídas' implies a habit in the past, whereas 'Ele autorizou a minha saída ontem' refers to a specific instance of permission.

You will hear 'autorizar' in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the high-stakes. One of the most common places is the bank. When a transaction is pending, the bank clerk might say, 'Estamos aguardando o sistema autorizar a transferência'. If you are using a credit card and it gets declined, the message on the screen often says 'Transação não autorizada'. This is perhaps the most frequent way modern speakers interact with the word.

O banco ainda não autorizou o limite de crédito solicitado.

In the Workplace: In corporate environments, 'autorizar' is part of the daily jargon. Managers 'autorizam' expenses, human resources 'autorizam' leave, and IT departments 'autorizam' access to specific software. If you work in a Portuguese-speaking office, you will likely ask, 'Quem pode autorizar este pedido?' (Who can authorize this request?).
In Healthcare: Hospitals and insurance companies use 'autorizar' constantly. In Brazil, for example, health insurance plans (planos de saúde) must 'autorizar' exams or surgeries before they take place. A patient might say, 'O plano de saúde demorou três dias para autorizar a minha ressonância'.

At the airport, you might hear announcements regarding authorized personnel: 'Apenas pessoal autorizado pode entrar nesta área'. Security guards and airport staff use this word to maintain order and enforce regulations. Similarly, in the context of law enforcement, a judge must 'autorizar' a search warrant (mandado de busca). You will hear this in crime dramas or news reports: 'O juiz autorizou a quebra do sigilo bancário'.

Você está autorizado a prosseguir com a operação.

Even though 'autorizar' is a cognate, learners often trip over specific Portuguese grammatical rules. The most frequent error is omitting the preposition 'a'. English speakers want to say 'Eu autorizo você ir', but in Portuguese, it must be 'Eu autorizo você a ir'. This 'a' is the bridge between the object and the following action. Without it, the sentence sounds 'broken' to native ears.

Errado: O chefe autorizou ele sair cedo.
Correto: O chefe o autorizou a sair cedo.

Confusing with 'Deixar': Learners often use 'autorizar' when 'deixar' would be more natural. 'Deixar' is the casual 'let'. If you are at a dinner party and want to ask if you can smoke, saying 'Você me autoriza a fumar?' sounds incredibly stiff and robotic. Instead, use 'Você me deixa fumar?' or 'Posso fumar?'. Use 'autorizar' for official or serious permissions.
Spelling Errors: Because of the 'z' sound, some learners mistakenly write it with an 's' (*autorisar). In Portuguese, words derived from 'autor' (author) consistently use 'z' when forming verbs ending in '-izar'. This is a helpful rule for many verbs like 'realizar', 'organizar', and 'autorizar'.

Another mistake involves the use of object pronouns. In Brazil, it's common to hear 'Eu autorizei ele', but in formal writing or in Portugal, 'Eu o autorizei' or 'Autorizei-o' is required. Using 'ele' or 'ela' as direct objects is a common colloquialism that should be avoided in formal exams or business writing. Furthermore, don't confuse 'autorizar' with 'autenticar' (to authenticate). While related in a security context, 'autenticar' is about proving identity, while 'autorizar' is about granting permission.

Cuidado: Não diga 'Eu autorizo que você vai'. Diga 'Eu autorizo que você vá' (Subjunctive).

Portuguese offers several synonyms for 'autorizar', each with its own flavor and level of formality. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native and less like a textbook. The most common alternative is permitir. While 'autorizar' suggests a formal grant of power, 'permitir' is broader. It can mean to allow, to let, or to make possible. For example, 'O tempo permitiu a viagem' (The weather permitted the trip) is more natural than using 'autorizar' here.

Consentir vs. Autorizar: 'Consentir' is closer to 'to consent' or 'to agree'. It implies a more passive form of permission. If you 'autoriza', you are taking an active step to grant a right. If you 'consente', you are simply not objecting to something. Example: 'Ela consentiu em participar da pesquisa'.
Outorgar: This is a very formal, legal term often translated as 'to grant' or 'to bestow'. You will see this in contracts or when talking about constitutional rights. 'O presidente outorgou a nova lei'. It is much more formal than 'autorizar'.
Deixar: The everyday 'let'. Used with friends, family, and in informal settings. 'Deixa eu ver isso' (Let me see this). Using 'autorizar' in these cases would be grammatically correct but socially awkward.

In a professional setting, you might also use aprovar (to approve). While 'autorizar' gives the right to do something, 'aprovar' says that the thing itself is good or acceptable. Often, an 'aprovação' leads to an 'autorização'. For instance, a manager 'aprova' a budget and then 'autoriza' the purchase. Another sophisticated alternative is facultar, which means to provide the means or the opportunity for something to happen, often used in academic or highly formal bureaucratic texts.

A lei faculta ao cidadão o direito de permanecer em silêncio.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is related to 'augment' (aumentar) because an 'auctor' was someone who made something grow or increase in authority.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /aʊ.tɔ.ɾi.ˈzaɾ/

US /aʊ.tɔ.ɾi.ˈzaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: au-to-ri-ZAR.

Rhymes With

realizar organizar falar andar cantar pensar olhar chegar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'au' as a single 'o' sound.
Stressing the 'ri' syllable instead of the 'zar'.
Making the 'z' sound like an 's'.
Omitting the final 'r' sound in European Portuguese.
Pronouncing the 't' with too much aspiration.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it is a cognate of 'authorize'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'z' and the preposition 'a'.

Speaking 3/5

Stress on the final syllable is key.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

poder querer fazer dar pessoa

Learn Next

autoridade permissão consentimento proibir legitimar

Advanced

outorgar substabelecer anuir aquiescer chancelar

Grammar to Know

Prepositional Government

Autorizar exige a preposição 'a' antes de um infinitivo.

Subjunctive Mood

Usa-se o subjuntivo após 'autorizar que'.

Direct Object Pronouns

O gerente 'o' autorizou (e não 'autorizou ele').

Passive Voice

A entrada 'foi autorizada' pelo segurança.

Regular -ar Conjugation

Eu autorizo, tu autorizas, ele autoriza...

Examples by Level

Eu autorizo o pagamento.

I authorize the payment.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Você autoriza a entrada?

Do you authorize the entry?

Question form in the present tense.

Eles autorizam o uso de cookies.

They authorize the use of cookies.

3rd person plural.

O pai autoriza o filho.

The father authorizes the son.

Subject-Verb-Object structure.

Nós autorizamos a saída.

We authorize the exit.

1st person plural.

Ela não autoriza isso.

She does not authorize this.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

Quem autoriza o acesso?

Who authorizes the access?

Interrogative pronoun 'Quem'.

O sistema autoriza você.

The system authorizes you.

Direct object pronoun usage.

O médico autorizou a minha cirurgia.

The doctor authorized my surgery.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past tense).

Preciso que você me autorize.

I need you to authorize me.

Present Subjunctive after 'Preciso que'.

Meus pais autorizaram a viagem escolar.

My parents authorized the school trip.

Plural subject with past tense verb.

O banco não autorizou o cartão.

The bank did not authorize the card.

Negative past tense.

Você pode autorizar este pedido?

Can you authorize this request?

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

Ela autorizou o uso do carro.

She authorized the use of the car.

Direct object 'o uso'.

Eles autorizaram a festa no prédio.

They authorized the party in the building.

Location context.

O diretor autorizou a nova regra.

The director authorized the new rule.

Noun phrase as direct object.

O gerente me autorizou a sair mais cedo hoje.

The manager authorized me to leave earlier today.

Pattern: autorizar [alguém] a [fazer algo].

Não estamos autorizados a dar informações pelo telefone.

We are not authorized to give information over the phone.

Passive voice with 'estar' + participle.

Se você assinar aqui, estará autorizando a transferência.

If you sign here, you will be authorizing the transfer.

Future continuous construction.

O juiz autorizou a busca e apreensão na empresa.

The judge authorized the search and seizure at the company.

Legal terminology.

A empresa autoriza o reembolso de despesas de viagem.

The company authorizes the reimbursement of travel expenses.

Business context.

Eles não me autorizaram a falar sobre o assunto.

They didn't authorize me to speak about the matter.

Negative with object pronoun.

O aplicativo pede para autorizar a localização.

The app asks to authorize the location.

Digital context.

O conselho autorizou a venda das ações.

The board authorized the sale of the shares.

Collective noun subject.

Duvido que o governo autorize tal medida agora.

I doubt the government will authorize such a measure now.

Subjunctive mood after 'Duvido que'.

Apenas pessoal devidamente autorizado pode acessar o laboratório.

Only duly authorized personnel can access the laboratory.

Adverbial modification 'devidamente'.

O autor não autorizou a tradução de sua obra para o chinês.

The author did not authorize the translation of his work into Chinese.

Intellectual property context.

Embora tenha sido avisado, ele autorizou a operação de risco.

Although he was warned, he authorized the risky operation.

Concessive clause with 'Embora'.

A prefeitura autorizou a construção do novo shopping center.

The city hall authorized the construction of the new shopping mall.

Administrative context.

O paciente deve autorizar o procedimento por escrito.

The patient must authorize the procedure in writing.

Modal 'deve' + infinitive.

Não se autoriza a reprodução total ou parcial deste texto.

Total or partial reproduction of this text is not authorized.

Passive 'se' construction.

O site solicita que você autorize o envio de notificações.

The site requests that you authorize the sending of notifications.

Subjunctive after 'solicita que'.

A autoridade competente autorizou a extradição do suspeito.

The competent authority authorized the extradition of the suspect.

Formal legal terminology.

O estatuto da empresa autoriza o presidente a vetar decisões do conselho.

The company's bylaws authorize the president to veto board decisions.

Complex subject and object structure.

Ao autorizar a biografia, o artista abriu mão de sua privacidade.

By authorizing the biography, the artist gave up his privacy.

Gerundial clause 'Ao autorizar'.

Resta saber se o congresso autorizará a verba para a saúde.

It remains to be seen if congress will authorize the funds for health.

Future tense in a complex sentence.

A legislação vigente não autoriza a exploração mineral nesta reserva.

Current legislation does not authorize mineral exploration in this reserve.

Environmental/Legal context.

O diretor-geral autorizou expressamente a quebra de protocolo.

The director-general expressly authorized the breach of protocol.

Adverb 'expressamente' for emphasis.

Ninguém está autorizado a falar em nome da instituição sem prévio aviso.

No one is authorized to speak on behalf of the institution without prior notice.

Prepositional phrase 'em nome de'.

O contrato autoriza a rescisão unilateral em caso de inadimplência.

The contract authorizes unilateral termination in case of default.

High-level legal vocabulary.

A outorga de poderes autoriza o mandatário a agir em plena autonomia.

The granting of powers authorizes the proxy to act in full autonomy.

Extremely formal/Archaic legal tone.

O soberano autorizou a expedição, movido por interesses expansionistas.

The sovereign authorized the expedition, moved by expansionist interests.

Historical narrative style.

Questiona-se a legitimidade de quem autorizou tal intervenção drástica.

The legitimacy of whoever authorized such a drastic intervention is questioned.

Reflexive passive with philosophical tone.

A hermenêutica jurídica autoriza uma interpretação mais extensiva da norma.

Legal hermeneutics authorizes a more extensive interpretation of the rule.

Academic/Legal jargon.

O conselho tutelar foi autorizado a intervir na dinâmica familiar.

The guardianship council was authorized to intervene in the family dynamics.

Specific social/legal entity context.

A cláusula pétrea não autoriza emendas que visem abolir direitos fundamentais.

The unamendable clause does not authorize amendments aimed at abolishing fundamental rights.

Constitutional law terminology.

O autor, em seu leito de morte, autorizou a publicação de seus diários íntimos.

The author, on his deathbed, authorized the publication of his intimate diaries.

Literary/Dramatic context.

Não obstante a oposição, o comitê autorizou a implementação do protocolo experimental.

Notwithstanding the opposition, the committee authorized the implementation of the experimental protocol.

Use of 'Não obstante' (formal transition).

Common Collocations

autorizar o pagamento

autorizar o acesso

autorizar a entrada

autorizar o uso

autorizar por escrito

autorizar a venda

autorizar despesas

autorizar a saída

expressamente autorizado

devidamente autorizado

Common Phrases

Quem te autorizou?

— A direct way to ask who gave permission, often used when someone does something they shouldn't.

Quem te autorizou a mexer no meu computador?

Estou autorizado a...

— Used to state your official capacity to do something.

Estou autorizado a assinar este contrato.

Não estou autorizado.

— A common professional way to say you don't have permission to do or say something.

Não estou autorizado a falar sobre os lucros da empresa.

Autorização prévia

— Permission that must be obtained before an action is taken.

A viagem requer autorização prévia do diretor.

Termo de autorização

— A formal document where permission is granted.

Assine o termo de autorização para a cirurgia.

Autorizar o débito

— To allow a bank to take money from an account.

Vou autorizar o débito automático da conta de luz.

Acesso autorizado

— The state of being allowed to enter a place or system.

Acesso autorizado. Seja bem-vindo.

Autorizar cookies

— The standard digital phrase for web tracking permission.

Este site usa cookies. Clique em autorizar.

Autorizar a publicação

— To give the green light for something to be printed or posted.

O autor ainda não autorizou a publicação do livro.

Devidamente autorizado

— Having all the necessary official permissions.

O evento está devidamente autorizado pela prefeitura.

Often Confused With

autorizar vs Autenticar

Autenticar is to verify identity; Autorizar is to grant permission.

autorizar vs Aprovar

Aprovar means to like or sanction; Autorizar means to give the right to act.

autorizar vs Outorgar

Outorgar is much more formal and usually restricted to law or high office.

Idioms & Expressions

"Carta branca"

— To give someone 'blank check' authority, full permission to do as they wish.

O chefe me deu carta branca para organizar o evento.

Informal/Neutral

"Dar o sinal verde"

— To give the green light; to authorize an action to proceed.

A diretoria deu o sinal verde para o projeto.

Neutral

"Bater o martelo"

— To make a final decision, often implying authorization.

O gerente bateu o martelo e autorizou a compra.

Informal

"Lavar as mãos"

— While not directly authorization, it implies letting something happen without taking responsibility.

Ele lavou as mãos e autorizou que fizéssemos o que quiséssemos.

Neutral

"Dar o braço a torcer"

— To finally give in and grant permission or agree.

Meu pai deu o braço a torcer e autorizou a festa.

Informal

"Fazer vistas grossas"

— To pretend not to see something, effectively authorizing it through inaction.

O guarda fez vistas grossas e autorizou a passagem.

Informal

"Dar trela"

— To give someone enough rope/permission to talk or act freely.

Não dê muita trela, senão ele vai se sentir autorizado a tudo.

Informal

"Passar o bastão"

— To delegate authority to someone else.

O diretor passou o bastão e autorizou o vice a decidir.

Neutral

"Estar com a faca e o queijo na mão"

— To have the authority and the means to do something.

Você está com a faca e o queijo na mão para autorizar a mudança.

Informal

"Abrir as portas"

— To authorize or allow access to new opportunities.

Este diploma vai autorizar você a abrir muitas portas.

Neutral

Easily Confused

autorizar vs autoritário

Similar root.

Autorizar is a verb (to permit); autoritário is an adjective (bossy/dictatorial).

O chefe é muito autoritário, mas ele autorizou meu bônus.

autorizar vs autoridade

Similar root.

Autorizar is the action; autoridade is the quality or the person holding power.

A autoridade policial autorizou a passagem.

autorizar vs autoria

Related to 'author'.

Autoria is about who wrote something; autorizar is about permission.

A autoria do livro é desconhecida, mas o editor autorizou a cópia.

autorizar vs automático

Starts with 'auto'.

Automático means happening by itself; autorizar requires a conscious grant of permission.

O pagamento automático foi autorizado pelo cliente.

autorizar vs autêntico

Starts with 'aut'.

Autêntico means real/genuine; autorizar means permitted.

Este é um documento autêntico e autorizado pelo governo.

Sentence Patterns

Eu autorizo [objeto].

Eu autorizo o plano.

Pode autorizar [objeto]?

Pode autorizar o meu cartão?

[Sujeito] autorizou [alguém] a [verbo].

O médico autorizou a Maria a caminhar.

Não se autoriza [ação].

Não se autoriza fumar aqui.

Ao autorizar [ação], [consequência].

Ao autorizar a obra, o prefeito gerou polêmica.

Resta ao [sujeito] autorizar [ação].

Resta ao juiz autorizar a soltura.

Espero que você autorize.

Espero que você autorize o meu pedido.

Embora autorizado, ele não foi.

Embora autorizado, ele não foi à reunião.

Word Family

Nouns

autorização (authorization)

autoridade (authority)

autor (author)

autoria (authorship)

Verbs

autorizar (to authorize)

reautorizar (to reauthorize)

Adjectives

autorizado (authorized)

autoritário (authoritarian)

autorizável (authorizable)

autêntico

autonomia

automático

autógrafo

autodidata

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in administrative, financial, and digital contexts.

Common Mistakes

Eu autorizo ele sair. → Eu o autorizo a sair.
Missing the preposition 'a' and using 'ele' as a direct object pronoun.
O banco não autorisou. → O banco não autorizou.
Spelling error: using 's' instead of 'z'.
Você me autoriza de entrar? → Você me autoriza a entrar?
Using the wrong preposition ('de' instead of 'a').
Eu autorizo que você vai. → Eu autorizo que você vá.
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive mood after 'que'.
Autorizar um livro. → Escrever um livro.
Confusing 'to authorize' with 'to author'.

Tips

The 'A' Bridge

Always remember the preposition 'a' when connecting 'autorizar' to another verb. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'autorizar' in emails and 'deixar' in the kitchen. Register matters in Portuguese culture.

The Z Rule

Think of 'Organization' and 'Authorization'. Both use 'z' in Portuguese: Organizar, Autorizar.

Final Stress

Portuguese verbs in the infinitive always stress the last syllable. au-to-ri-ZAR.

Bank Speak

If your card fails, look for 'Não autorizado' on the screen. It's the most common real-world use.

Legal Weight

In legal documents, 'autorizar' is a powerful word that delegates legal responsibility.

App Permissions

Change your phone language to Portuguese to see 'autorizar' in action every day.

School Notes

If you have kids in a Portuguese school, you will sign 'autorizações' for every trip.

Requesting

To be extra polite, use 'Seria possível autorizar...?' (Would it be possible to authorize...?).

Managerial Duty

Managers spend half their day 'autorizando' things. Master this word for career growth.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

To **AUTHOR**ize is to be the **AUTHOR** of a 'yes'.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge hitting a gavel (the 'z' sound in 'zar') to give permission.

Word Web

Poder Permissão Lei Assinatura Documento Chefe Banco Acesso

Challenge

Write three things you were authorized to do this week using 'Eu fui autorizado a...'.

Word Origin

From Medieval Latin 'autorizare', which comes from 'auctor' (author, creator, increaser).

Original meaning: To give authority to, to confirm, or to act as an author/creator of a permission.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too 'autoritário' (authoritarian) when using the verb in a command form.

English speakers might find 'autorizar' more formal than 'to let' but should use it whenever 'to authorize' fits in English.

Legal codes (Código Civil) Banking apps (Nubank, Revolut) Government portals (e-CAC, Portal do Cidadão)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking

Autorizar transferência
Pagamento não autorizado
Autorizar débito
Limite autorizado

Work

Autorizar férias
Autorizar despesas
Quem autoriza?
Pedido autorizado

Legal

Autorizar busca
Autorizar extradição
Poderes autorizados
Documento autorizado

Digital

Autorizar localização
Autorizar cookies
Autorizar acesso
Aplicativo autorizado

Medical

Autorizar cirurgia
Autorizar alta
Exame autorizado
Termo de autorização

Conversation Starters

"Você poderia me autorizar a usar sua vaga de garagem hoje?"

"O seu banco costuma demorar para autorizar compras internacionais?"

"Quem é a pessoa que autoriza as novas contratações na sua empresa?"

"Você acha que os pais devem autorizar tudo o que os filhos fazem na internet?"

"Você já teve algum documento importante que não foi autorizado?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você precisou de uma autorização importante e foi difícil conseguir.

Se você fosse o presidente, que novas leis você autorizaria imediatamente?

Descreva o processo de autorização de um projeto no seu trabalho atual.

Você se sente confortável em autorizar aplicativos a rastrearem sua localização? Por quê?

Como você se sente quando alguém faz algo sem te autorizar primeiro?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It sounds too formal. Use 'deixar' or 'deixar que' instead. For example, say 'Deixa eu ver' instead of 'Autorize-me a ver'.

Yes, if it is followed by another verb. 'Autorizo você a sair'. If it's a noun, no: 'Autorizo o pagamento'.

Always with a 'z'. Verbs ending in '-izar' from nouns usually take a 'z' in Portuguese.

They are close, but 'autorizar' is more official/administrative. 'Permitir' is more general.

Use 'Não autorizado' or 'Desautorizado'. 'Acesso não autorizado' is very common.

Yes, it is used identically in both, though pronoun placement varies.

No, 'to author' a book is 'escrever' or 'ser o autor de'. 'Autorizar' is only for permission.

It is 'autorizado'. It can also function as an adjective meaning 'allowed'.

Yes, it is the standard word for 'Allow' or 'Authorize' in software.

Yes, after 'que'. 'Eu autorizo que você vá'.