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B1 verb #2,800 most common 15 min read

avaliar

Top 2,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips avaliar in 30 Seconds

Explanation avaliar in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are primarily focused on basic survival vocabulary, simple greetings, and immediate needs. The verb 'avaliar' is generally considered too abstract and complex for absolute beginners. However, A1 learners might encounter it passively, especially if they are using language learning apps that ask them to 'avaliar o aplicativo' (rate the app) with stars. They do not need to know how to conjugate it or use it in sentences yet, but recognizing that it means 'to rate' or 'to evaluate' in a digital context is a helpful piece of passive vocabulary. Teachers might also use the noun form 'avaliação' when announcing a simple test or quiz, so recognizing the root word helps learners understand classroom instructions.

As learners progress to the A2 level, they begin to express simple opinions and describe past and future events. At this stage, 'avaliar' can be introduced as a useful verb for talking about school, work, or shopping. A2 learners can learn to conjugate it in the present tense (eu avalio, ele avalia) and the simple past (eu avaliei, ele avaliou). They can use it to form basic sentences like 'O professor avaliou meu trabalho' (The teacher evaluated my work) or 'Eu preciso avaliar o carro antes de comprar' (I need to evaluate the car before buying). It helps them move beyond simple verbs like 'gostar' (to like) or 'achar' (to think) to express a more formal process of making a decision or giving a grade.

The B1 level is where 'avaliar' truly becomes an active and essential part of a learner's vocabulary. At this intermediate stage, learners are expected to discuss plans, give reasons for opinions, and handle situations that arise while traveling or working. 'Avaliar' is perfect for these tasks. B1 learners should master its use in professional contexts (e.g., performance reviews, project assessments) and everyday problem-solving. They should be comfortable using it with the preposition 'em' for monetary values ('avaliado em'). They will also start using it with subordinate clauses, such as 'Vamos avaliar se...' (We will evaluate if...). This verb allows B1 speakers to sound more mature, professional, and capable of analytical thought in Portuguese.

At the B2 level, learners are achieving a degree of fluency and spontaneity. They can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. For 'avaliar', this means mastering its use in the passive voice, which is highly common in news reports, academic texts, and formal business communications ('O impacto ambiental foi avaliado pelos especialistas'). B2 learners should also be able to distinguish 'avaliar' from its near-synonyms like 'analisar', 'estimar', and 'ponderar', choosing the exact right word for the context. They can use reflexive forms ('avaliar-se') to discuss self-assessment and psychology. The word becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation, allowing them to critique, review, and appraise complex situations with precision.

C1 learners possess a large vocabulary and can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. At this advanced level, 'avaliar' is used effortlessly in highly formal, academic, and professional discourse. Learners can manipulate complex sentence structures, using 'avaliar' in the subjunctive mood to express doubt, hypothetical situations, or recommendations ('É crucial que o comitê avalie a proposta com rigor'). They understand the subtle pragmatic differences between evaluating a person's character versus their performance. They can also seamlessly integrate the noun 'avaliação' and the adjective 'avaliativo' into sophisticated essays or presentations, demonstrating a complete command of the word family and its stylistic applications in high-level Portuguese.

At the C2 level, learners have mastered the language almost to the level of a highly educated native speaker. They understand nuances, cultural references, and idiomatic expressions. For 'avaliar', a C2 speaker uses it intuitively across all registers, from casual slang to dense legal or philosophical texts. They can play with the word's meaning, using it metaphorically or ironically. They are fully aware of the etymological roots and how the concept of 'value' (valia) permeates the verb. They can engage in deep literary analysis, discussing how an author 'avalia' the human condition, or participate in high-level economic debates about how markets 'avaliam' risk. At this stage, the word is just one of many precise instruments in their vast linguistic toolkit.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

avaliar in 30 Seconds

To evaluate
To assess
To appraise
To estimate

The Portuguese verb 'avaliar' is an incredibly versatile and fundamental lexical item that translates primarily to 'to evaluate,' 'to assess,' 'to appraise,' or 'to estimate' in English. Understanding the full depth of 'avaliar' requires exploring its multifaceted applications across different contexts in Portuguese-speaking societies. At its core, 'avaliar' is about determining the value, significance, worth, or condition of something or someone. This can range from a teacher grading a student's exam to a real estate agent determining the market price of a house, or even an individual pondering the pros and cons of a major life decision. The word is deeply embedded in both formal and informal registers, making it an essential vocabulary word for any learner aiming for fluency.

Academic Context: In schools and universities, 'avaliar' is the standard term used for assessing student performance through tests, projects, and participation.

O professor vai avaliar os alunos amanhã.

Beyond the classroom, 'avaliar' frequently appears in professional and corporate environments. Performance reviews, project assessments, and financial audits all rely heavily on this verb. When a manager needs to review an employee's annual output, they are engaging in the act of 'avaliar'. Similarly, when a company considers a new merger or acquisition, they must 'avaliar' the risks and potential benefits. This professional usage highlights the analytical and objective nature of the word, distinguishing it from verbs like 'julgar' (to judge), which can sometimes carry a more subjective or moralistic connotation.

Corporate Usage: Used extensively in human resources and project management to denote the systematic review of performance metrics and deliverables.

Precisamos avaliar os resultados do trimestre.

In everyday life, 'avaliar' is used when people make decisions or form opinions based on observation. For instance, if you are looking at a used car and trying to decide if the asking price is fair, you are evaluating it. If you are observing the weather to decide whether to take an umbrella, you are assessing the situation. This everyday usage shows that 'avaliar' is not restricted to high-level academic or corporate jargon; it is a practical tool for expressing cognitive processes related to judgment and estimation.

Everyday Decision Making: Refers to the mental process of weighing options, considering circumstances, or estimating the value of everyday items.

Vou avaliar a situação antes de decidir.

Another critical domain for 'avaliar' is the medical field. Doctors and nurses constantly 'avaliar' patients. This means they assess symptoms, evaluate test results, and determine the best course of treatment. In this context, the word implies a careful, professional, and scientific examination aimed at reaching a diagnosis or understanding a health condition. The noun form, 'avaliação' (evaluation/assessment), is equally common in this setting, as in 'avaliação médica' (medical assessment).

O médico precisa avaliar os exames de sangue.

Finally, in the real estate and financial markets, 'avaliar' takes on the specific meaning of 'to appraise.' An 'avaliador' (appraiser) is a professional who determines the monetary value of a property, jewelry, art, or other assets. When a bank needs to know how much a house is worth before approving a mortgage, they send someone to 'avaliar' the property. This financial nuance is crucial for anyone engaging in business or property transactions in a Portuguese-speaking country, highlighting the word's direct connection to monetary value and economic assessment.

O banco mandou um especialista avaliar o imóvel.

Using the verb 'avaliar' correctly in Portuguese sentences involves understanding its syntax, the prepositions it commonly pairs with, and its behavior in different verb tenses and voices. As a regular verb ending in '-ar', its conjugation follows the standard patterns of the first conjugation group, making it relatively straightforward for learners to memorize. However, the complexity arises in how it connects to direct objects and how it is employed in passive constructions, which are highly frequent in formal and journalistic Portuguese.

Direct Transitive Usage: Most commonly, 'avaliar' is a direct transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object without a preposition. You evaluate *something* or *someone*.

Nós vamos avaliar o projeto amanhã.

When 'avaliar' is used to express the estimated value or cost of something, it is often followed by the preposition 'em' (in/at). This structure is essential for financial and quantitative contexts. For example, if a painting is appraised at one million dollars, you would use 'avaliar em'. This specific prepositional pairing is a common stumbling block for English speakers who might be tempted to use 'a' or 'por' based on direct translation habits. Mastering 'avaliar em' is a clear marker of a B1/B2 proficiency level.

Quantitative Estimation: Use 'avaliar em' to state the specific numerical or monetary value assigned to an object during an appraisal.

O perito decidiu avaliar a joia em dez mil reais.

The passive voice is another extremely common syntactic environment for 'avaliar'. In news reports, academic papers, and official documents, you will frequently encounter constructions like 'foi avaliado' (was evaluated) or 'será avaliado' (will be evaluated). This shifts the focus from the person doing the evaluating to the object or person being evaluated. Because 'avaliar' implies a formal process of judgment, the passive voice perfectly complements its objective tone. Learners should practice forming the passive voice with the auxiliary verb 'ser' and the past participle 'avaliado/avaliada'.

Passive Voice Constructions: Used to emphasize the subject receiving the evaluation rather than the agent performing it, common in formal texts.

O desempenho do funcionário foi avaliado positivamente.

Furthermore, 'avaliar' can be used reflexively, though this is less common than its direct transitive use. 'Avaliar-se' means to evaluate oneself, to engage in self-assessment or introspection. This reflexive usage is often found in psychological contexts, self-help literature, or modern educational frameworks that encourage students to reflect on their own learning processes. When using the reflexive form, the pronoun must agree with the subject (me avalio, se avalia, nos avaliamos).

É importante saber se avaliar com honestidade.

Lastly, 'avaliar' frequently appears in complex sentences followed by a subordinate clause introduced by 'se' (if/whether) or 'como' (how). For example, 'Vamos avaliar se é possível' (We will assess whether it is possible) or 'Eles estão avaliando como resolver o problema' (They are evaluating how to solve the problem). This structure highlights the verb's role in problem-solving and critical thinking, demonstrating its utility in expressing complex cognitive tasks and strategic planning in Portuguese.

A equipe vai avaliar se a proposta é viável.

To truly master the verb 'avaliar', a learner must recognize the specific environments and daily situations where native Portuguese speakers naturally employ it. Unlike some highly specialized vocabulary, 'avaliar' bridges the gap between formal institutional language and everyday conversational Portuguese. One of the most prominent places you will hear this word is within the educational system. From elementary schools to universities in Brazil, Portugal, and other Lusophone countries, the concept of evaluation is central. Teachers will constantly talk about how they plan to 'avaliar' their students, and students will anxiously discuss how they were 'avaliados' on their final exams. The related noun 'avaliação' is the standard word for a test or assessment.

Educational Institutions: The primary verb used by educators to describe the process of grading, testing, and monitoring student progress.

A universidade usa um novo método para avaliar os candidatos.

Another ubiquitous setting for 'avaliar' is the modern workplace, particularly in corporate and office environments. Human Resources departments are built around the concept of evaluating talent. During job interviews, recruiters 'avaliam' candidates' skills and cultural fit. Once hired, employees undergo periodic performance reviews where their managers 'avaliam' their productivity, teamwork, and leadership potential. In project management meetings, teams gather to 'avaliar' the success or failure of a recent campaign. The word carries a tone of professionalism and objective measurement in these contexts.

Corporate and HR: Essential vocabulary for performance reviews, candidate interviews, and project post-mortems in the business world.

O gerente de RH vai avaliar os currículos recebidos.

The healthcare sector is another domain where 'avaliar' is indispensable. When you visit a hospital or clinic, the medical staff's primary initial task is to evaluate your condition. A triage nurse will 'avaliar' the urgency of your symptoms. A physical therapist will 'avaliar' your range of motion before designing a rehabilitation program. A psychologist will 'avaliar' a patient's mental health. In all these medical scenarios, the verb implies a clinical, systematic, and expert observation aimed at providing care. It is a word that conveys trust and professional competence.

Healthcare and Medicine: Used to describe the clinical assessment of patients, symptoms, and test results by medical professionals.

O cirurgião precisa avaliar o risco da operação.

You will also encounter 'avaliar' frequently in the news, particularly in political and economic journalism. Political commentators 'avaliam' the impact of a new law or the performance of a government administration. Economists 'avaliam' market trends, inflation rates, and the overall health of the economy. In consumer contexts, the rise of digital platforms has made 'avaliar' a daily action for millions. When you leave a star rating for an Uber driver, a restaurant on iFood, or a product on Amazon, you are asked to 'avaliar' your experience. This digital usage has cemented the word's place in modern, everyday vocabulary.

Não se esqueça de avaliar o motorista no aplicativo.

Finally, in the realm of real estate and insurance, 'avaliar' is the technical term for appraisal. If a tree falls on your car, the insurance company will send an adjuster to 'avaliar' the damage. If you want to sell your house, a real estate agent will 'avaliar' the property to set a listing price. In these situations, the verb is strictly tied to financial calculation and physical inspection, demonstrating its critical role in legal and commercial transactions.

A seguradora enviou um técnico para avaliar os danos do acidente.

While 'avaliar' is a regular verb and relatively straightforward to conjugate, English speakers and other learners of Portuguese frequently make specific semantic and syntactic errors when using it. One of the most common mistakes is confusing 'avaliar' with 'julgar' (to judge). While both involve forming an opinion, 'avaliar' is generally objective, analytical, and based on criteria or metrics (like grading a test or appraising a house). 'Julgar', on the other hand, often carries a moral, subjective, or legal weight. If you say 'Não quero avaliar você' when you mean 'I don't want to judge you', it sounds unnatural. You should say 'Não quero julgar você'. Understanding this nuance is crucial for sounding like a native speaker.

Avaliar vs. Julgar: 'Avaliar' implies objective assessment based on criteria, while 'julgar' implies moral, personal, or legal judgment.

É papel do professor avaliar a prova, não julgar o aluno.

Another frequent error involves the preposition used when stating the estimated value of something. In English, we say 'valued AT one million dollars'. Direct translation often leads learners to say 'avaliado a um milhão' or 'avaliado por um milhão'. However, the correct preposition in Portuguese for this specific construction is 'em'. You must say 'avaliado em um milhão'. Using the wrong preposition here immediately marks the speaker as a non-native and can sometimes cause momentary confusion in financial or real estate discussions.

Preposition Errors: Learners often use 'a' or 'por' instead of the correct preposition 'em' when expressing monetary appraisal.

O quadro foi avaliado em milhares de euros.

Learners also sometimes confuse 'avaliar' with 'medir' (to measure). While both involve determining a quantity or quality, 'medir' is strictly for physical dimensions (length, weight, volume) or strict quantitative metrics. You 'mede' a room's square footage, but you 'avalia' the room's aesthetic appeal or market value. If a doctor checks your blood pressure, they are measuring it (medir a pressão), but they use that measurement to evaluate (avaliar) your overall health. Mixing these up can lead to sentences that sound logically flawed to a Portuguese speaker.

Avaliar vs. Medir: 'Medir' is for physical or exact measurements, whereas 'avaliar' is for broader assessment, estimation, and qualitative analysis.

Eles vão medir o terreno e depois avaliar o seu preço.

Pronunciation can also be a subtle trap. The word 'avaliar' contains a hiatus (a-va-li-ar), meaning the 'i' and the 'a' are pronounced in separate syllables. English speakers sometimes compress this into a diphthong, making it sound like 'aval-yar'. While generally understood, it sounds slightly sloppy. Furthermore, in the present tense (eu avalio, ele avalia), the stress falls on the 'i' (a-va-LI-o). Misplacing the stress on the 'a' (a-VA-li-o) is a common phonetic error that disrupts the natural rhythm of the sentence.

Eu sempre avalio as opções com cuidado.

Finally, a syntactic mistake occurs when learners try to use 'avaliar' with an infinitive verb directly, similar to 'evaluate doing something'. In Portuguese, you cannot say 'avaliar fazer'. You must use a subordinate clause or a noun. For example, instead of 'We are evaluating buying the house', you should say 'Estamos avaliando a compra da casa' (We are evaluating the purchase of the house) or 'Estamos avaliando se vamos comprar a casa' (We are evaluating if we are going to buy the house). This structural difference is a key grammar point for intermediate learners.

A diretoria vai avaliar a possibilidade de expansão.

Expanding your vocabulary beyond 'avaliar' allows for more precise and nuanced communication in Portuguese. While 'avaliar' is an excellent all-purpose verb for assessment and estimation, several synonyms and related terms can provide specific shades of meaning depending on the context. One of the closest synonyms is 'analisar' (to analyze). While 'avaliar' focuses on determining value, grade, or outcome, 'analisar' emphasizes the process of breaking something down into its component parts to understand how it works. You might 'analisar' a complex set of data to eventually 'avaliar' the success of a marketing campaign. They are often used in tandem in professional and academic settings.

Analisar: To analyze; focuses on the detailed examination of components rather than the final judgment of value.

Vamos analisar os dados antes de avaliar a situação.

Another excellent alternative is 'estimar' (to estimate). This verb is highly useful when the evaluation involves guessing or calculating a numerical value, time, or cost without exact precision. If a mechanic looks at your broken car and gives you a rough idea of the repair cost, they are 'estimando' the cost. While 'avaliar' can also be used here, 'estimar' explicitly highlights the approximate nature of the calculation. 'Estimar' also has a secondary meaning of 'to esteem' or 'to hold in high regard', which 'avaliar' does not share.

Estimar: To estimate; used when calculating approximate values, times, or costs.

É difícil avaliar o dano, mas podemos estimar o custo.

For contexts involving careful thought, weighing pros and cons, or considering a situation deeply, the verb 'ponderar' (to ponder/weigh) is a sophisticated alternative. When a judge considers evidence, or when a family discusses whether to move to a new city, they are 'ponderando'. This word suggests a slow, deliberate, and thoughtful process of evaluation, often involving moral or complex personal variables. It elevates the register of your speech, making it sound more educated and refined compared to the more clinical 'avaliar'.

Ponderar: To ponder or weigh; implies a deep, thoughtful consideration of multiple factors or consequences.

Precisamos ponderar todas as opções antes de avaliar a proposta final.

In formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'apreciar' used in a way similar to 'avaliar'. While 'apreciar' usually means 'to appreciate' or 'to enjoy' (like enjoying a good wine or a beautiful sunset), in legal or formal administrative language, it means to examine or assess a document, a request, or a case. For instance, a judge might 'apreciar o pedido' (examine the request). This is a false friend for English speakers who only know the 'enjoy' meaning, and recognizing its evaluative function is important for advanced reading comprehension.

O comitê vai apreciar o documento e avaliar sua validade.

Lastly, 'classificar' (to classify/grade) is often used alongside 'avaliar' in educational and sports contexts. While 'avaliar' is the overarching process of assessment, 'classificar' is the specific act of assigning a grade, rank, or category based on that assessment. A teacher evaluates (avalia) an essay to classify (classificar) the student's performance. Understanding the subtle distinctions between these verbs—analisar, estimar, ponderar, apreciar, and classificar—will significantly enrich your Portuguese vocabulary and allow you to express complex analytical thoughts with precision.

Após avaliar os atletas, o técnico vai classificar os melhores.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Because 'avaliar' shares the Latin root 'valere' with words like 'valiant' and 'valor', the act of evaluating was historically tied to determining not just monetary price, but the strength, courage, and intrinsic worth of a person or object.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.vɐ.liˈaɾ/

US /a.va.liˈa(ʁ)/

a-va-li-AR (infinitive), a-va-LI-o (present tense)

Rhymes With

criar ampliar copiar esfriar variar odiar premiar policiar

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as a diphthong 'aval-yar' instead of distinct syllables 'a-va-li-ar'.
Misplacing the stress in the present tense (saying a-VA-li-o instead of a-va-LI-o).
Failing to pronounce the final 'r' in the infinitive clearly enough in formal speech.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'aliviar' (to relieve) due to similar letters.
Pronouncing the 'v' like a 'b', which is a common error for Spanish speakers learning Portuguese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Very easy to recognize in text due to its similarity to 'evaluate' and 'value'.

Writing 3/5

Moderate difficulty due to remembering the correct preposition 'em' for monetary values.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the hiatus 'i-a' and correct stress in the present tense can be tricky.

Listening 3/5

Generally clear, but can blend into surrounding words in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

valor ver pensar teste dinheiro

Learn Next

analisar estimar julgar ponderar medir

Advanced

escrutinar aquilatar mensurar arbitrar sopesar

Grammar to Know

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

O projeto foi avaliado pelo diretor. (The project was evaluated by the director.)

Prepositions with Verbs of Estimation

A casa foi avaliada em um milhão. (The house was appraised at one million.)

Reflexive Pronouns

Eu me avalio constantemente. (I evaluate myself constantly.)

Subordinate Clauses with 'Se'

Vamos avaliar se vale a pena. (We will evaluate if it's worth it.)

Present Continuous (Gerund)

Estamos avaliando as opções. (We are evaluating the options.)

Examples by Level

Por favor, avalie o aplicativo.

Please rate the app.

Imperative form used in digital interfaces.

A avaliação é amanhã.

The test is tomorrow.

Using the noun form 'avaliação' for a school test.

Eu avalio com cinco estrelas.

I rate it with five stars.

Present tense, first person singular.

Ele avalia o livro.

He evaluates the book.

Present tense, third person singular.

Nós temos uma avaliação.

We have an assessment.

Noun form used with the verb 'ter' (to have).

Avalie o motorista.

Rate the driver.

Formal imperative command.

A avaliação foi boa.

The evaluation was good.

Noun form with the verb 'ser' in the past tense.

Eu não quero avaliar.

I don't want to evaluate.

Infinitive form used after a conjugated verb.

O professor avaliou a minha prova.

The teacher evaluated my test.

Simple past tense (perfeito), third person singular.

Eu avaliei o carro antes de comprar.

I evaluated the car before buying.

Simple past tense, first person singular.

Eles vão avaliar o nosso trabalho.

They are going to evaluate our work.

Future phrase using 'ir' + infinitive.

Como você avalia o filme?

How do you rate the movie?

Present tense used to ask for an opinion.

A médica avaliou o paciente rápido.

The doctor evaluated the patient quickly.

Past tense used in a medical context.

Nós avaliamos a casa ontem.

We evaluated the house yesterday.

Past tense, first person plural.

Você precisa avaliar os riscos.

You need to evaluate the risks.

Infinitive used after the verb 'precisar' (to need).

Ela sempre avalia as opções.

She always evaluates the options.

Present tense with an adverb of frequency.

O gerente vai avaliar o desempenho da equipe.

The manager will evaluate the team's performance.

Common business collocation: avaliar o desempenho.

A casa foi avaliada em um milhão de reais.

The house was appraised at one million reais.

Passive voice with the preposition 'em' for monetary value.

Precisamos avaliar se vale a pena investir.

We need to assess if it's worth investing.

Infinitive followed by a subordinate clause with 'se'.

O perito avaliou os danos causados pela tempestade.

The expert assessed the damage caused by the storm.

Specific vocabulary: perito (expert/adjuster) and danos (damage).

Eles estão avaliando a possibilidade de mudança.

They are evaluating the possibility of moving.

Present continuous (gerund): avaliando.

É importante avaliar todas as alternativas disponíveis.

It is important to evaluate all available alternatives.

Impersonal expression 'É importante' + infinitive.

O comitê avaliou positivamente o projeto.

The committee evaluated the project positively.

Verb modified by an adverb of manner (positivamente).

Eu me avalio como um bom profissional.

I evaluate myself as a good professional.

Reflexive use of the verb.

Os impactos ambientais da obra ainda estão sendo avaliados.

The environmental impacts of the construction are still being evaluated.

Passive voice in the present continuous tense.

Caso a proposta seja avaliada negativamente, teremos um plano B.

In case the proposal is evaluated negatively, we will have a plan B.

Passive voice in the present subjunctive mood.

O psiquiatra avaliou o estado mental do réu.

The psychiatrist evaluated the defendant's mental state.

Formal medical/legal context.

A joia de família foi avaliada por uma fortuna.

The family jewel was appraised for a fortune.

Idiomatic expression of value.

Ao avaliar a conjuntura econômica, o ministro demonstrou otimismo.

Upon evaluating the economic situation, the minister showed optimism.

Infinitive used after the preposition 'Ao' to indicate time/action.

É difícil avaliar a extensão do problema sem mais dados.

It is difficult to assess the extent of the problem without more data.

Abstract usage involving scope and extent.

Os críticos avaliaram a peça teatral como uma obra-prima.

The critics evaluated the play as a masterpiece.

Using 'avaliar como' to assign a qualitative label.

Ele não soube avaliar as consequências de seus atos.

He didn't know how to evaluate the consequences of his actions.

Using 'saber' + infinitive to express ability or knowledge.

A comissão de inquérito deverá avaliar minuciosamente os documentos apreendidos.

The board of inquiry must meticulously evaluate the seized documents.

Formal administrative language with an adverb of precision.

O mercado avalia que a taxa de juros sofrerá um reajuste em breve.

The market assesses that the interest rate will undergo an adjustment soon.

Using 'avaliar que' to express a collective professional opinion or forecast.

Trata-se de um critério subjetivo, difícil de ser avaliado empiricamente.

It is a subjective criterion, difficult to be evaluated empirically.

Passive infinitive construction in an academic context.

A eficácia da vacina foi avaliada em ensaios clínicos de fase três.

The vaccine's efficacy was evaluated in phase three clinical trials.

Scientific and medical terminology.

O historiador avalia o período não como uma decadência, mas como uma transição.

The historian evaluates the period not as a decline, but as a transition.

Nuanced academic argumentation using contrast.

É imperativo que as políticas públicas sejam avaliadas periodicamente.

It is imperative that public policies be evaluated periodically.

Subjunctive mood triggered by an impersonal expression of necessity.

A capacidade de se autoavaliar criticamente é uma competência rara.

The ability to critically self-evaluate is a rare competence.

Reflexive prefix 'auto-' combined with the verb in the infinitive.

O curador avaliou o acervo do museu para a nova exposição.

The curator appraised the museum's collection for the new exhibition.

Specialized vocabulary related to art and curation.

A posteridade avaliará o peso de suas decisões com a frieza que o tempo confere.

Posterity will evaluate the weight of his decisions with the coldness that time bestows.

Literary and poetic usage, future tense.

Malgrado as críticas, o autor avalia ter cumprido seu propósito estético.

Despite the criticism, the author assesses that he has fulfilled his aesthetic purpose.

Advanced conjunction (malgrado) and complex infinitive phrase.

O viés cognitivo nos impede de avaliar a realidade de forma isenta.

Cognitive bias prevents us from evaluating reality in an unbiased manner.

Psychological and philosophical discourse.

A jurisprudência atual avalia tais infrações com inusitado rigor.

Current jurisprudence evaluates such infractions with unusual rigor.

Highly formal legal terminology.

Ao invés de precipitar-se, ele preferiu avaliar o terreno, sondando as intenções do adversário.

Instead of rushing in, he preferred to assess the terrain, probing the adversary's intentions.

Metaphorical usage ('avaliar o terreno') meaning to assess the situation.

A obra, se avaliada sob a ótica do estruturalismo, revela falhas intrínsecas.

The work, if evaluated from the perspective of structuralism, reveals intrinsic flaws.

Conditional clause with a past participle used as an adjective.

Não cabe a nós avaliar o mérito da questão, mas sim a sua legalidade.

It is not up to us to evaluate the merit of the issue, but rather its legality.

Idiomatic legal phrasing ('Não cabe a nós').

A ontologia da arte exige que avaliemos a obra além de sua materialidade.

The ontology of art demands that we evaluate the work beyond its materiality.

Present subjunctive triggered by a verb of demand in a philosophical context.

Common Collocations

avaliar o desempenho

avaliar a situação

avaliar os danos

avaliar o impacto

avaliar positivamente

avaliar negativamente

avaliar os riscos

avaliar o paciente

avaliar o imóvel

reavaliar a estratégia

Common Phrases

Avaliar com cuidado

— To evaluate carefully. Used to emphasize that the assessment should not be rushed.

Por favor, avalie com cuidado todas as propostas.

Difícil de avaliar

— Hard to evaluate. Used when a situation is complex or lacks clear data.

O impacto real da crise ainda é difícil de avaliar.

Critérios para avaliar

— Criteria to evaluate. Refers to the standards used to make a judgment.

Quais são os critérios para avaliar os candidatos?

Avaliar o custo-benefício

— To evaluate the cost-benefit. A common phrase in business and personal finance.

Antes de comprar, é bom avaliar o custo-benefício do produto.

Avaliar a viabilidade

— To evaluate the feasibility. Used in project management to see if an idea can be executed.

O engenheiro vai avaliar a viabilidade da construção.

Autoavaliar-se

— To self-evaluate. The act of assessing one's own performance or behavior.

É importante saber se autoavaliar para crescer na carreira.

Avaliar o cenário

— To evaluate the scenario. Used when looking at the broader context of a situation.

O economista está avaliando o cenário atual do país.

Avaliar o progresso

— To evaluate progress. Used in education, fitness, or project management.

O professor faz testes semanais para avaliar o progresso da turma.

Avaliar a gravidade

— To evaluate the severity. Often used in medical or emergency contexts.

Os bombeiros estão avaliando a gravidade do incêndio.

Avaliar as opções

— To evaluate the options. Used when making a choice between multiple alternatives.

Vou avaliar as opções de voo antes de comprar a passagem.

Often Confused With

avaliar vs julgar

'Julgar' means to judge, often carrying moral, legal, or subjective weight. 'Avaliar' is more objective and analytical.

avaliar vs medir

'Medir' means to measure physical dimensions (length, weight). 'Avaliar' is for broader assessment or estimation of value.

avaliar vs estimar

'Estimar' is to estimate or guess a value. 'Avaliar' implies a more formal or structured process of determining value.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avaliar o terreno"

— Literally 'to evaluate the terrain'. Metaphorically means to assess a situation cautiously before acting or making a commitment.

Antes de fazer a proposta de negócios, ele preferiu avaliar o terreno.

informal

"Pesar na balança"

— Literally 'to weigh on the scale'. Used as a synonym for evaluating the pros and cons of a situation.

Temos que pesar na balança todos os riscos antes de investir.

neutral

"Medir as palavras"

— Literally 'to measure words'. Means to evaluate carefully what you are going to say to avoid offending someone.

Você precisa medir as palavras quando for falar com o chefe.

neutral

"Dar uma nota"

— Literally 'to give a grade'. Used informally to mean evaluating or judging something, like a person's outfit or a meal.

Que nota você dá para esse restaurante?

informal

"Tirar a prova dos nove"

— An old mathematical expression meaning to double-check or finally evaluate if something is true or correct.

Vamos fazer um teste prático para tirar a prova dos nove.

informal

"Fazer um balanço"

— Literally 'to do a balance'. Means to evaluate the overall results of a period, like a year or a project.

No fim do ano, sempre gosto de fazer um balanço da minha vida.

neutral

"Ver com bons olhos"

— Literally 'to see with good eyes'. Means to evaluate something positively or favorably.

A diretoria viu com bons olhos a sua sugestão.

neutral

"Colocar na ponta do lápis"

— Literally 'to put on the tip of the pencil'. Means to evaluate the financial costs of something meticulously.

Se você colocar na ponta do lápis, alugar é mais barato que comprar.

informal

"Bater o martelo"

— Literally 'to hit the hammer'. Means to make a final evaluation and decision, like an auctioneer or a judge.

Depois de avaliar tudo, o presidente bateu o martelo e aprovou o projeto.

informal

"Passar a limpo"

— Literally 'to pass to clean'. Means to evaluate and clarify a situation, resolving any doubts or misunderstandings.

Precisamos conversar para passar essa história a limpo.

neutral

Easily Confused

avaliar vs aliviar

Visual and phonetic similarity. Both end in '-liar' and have similar vowels.

'Aliviar' means to relieve, ease, or soothe (like pain or stress). 'Avaliar' means to evaluate.

O remédio vai aliviar a dor, e o médico vai avaliar o resultado.

avaliar vs validar

Shares the 'val' root and similar professional context.

'Validar' means to validate, confirm, or approve something as correct or legal. 'Avaliar' is the process of checking it before validation.

Primeiro precisamos avaliar o documento para depois validar a assinatura.

avaliar vs valorizar

Shares the 'valor' root.

'Valorizar' means to increase in value or to appreciate/value someone's effort. 'Avaliar' is simply to determine what the value is.

O chefe soube valorizar o funcionário após avaliar seu excelente trabalho.

avaliar vs averiguar

Similar prefix and used in investigative contexts.

'Averiguar' means to investigate, verify, or find out the truth about a specific fact. 'Avaliar' is to assess the quality or value of known facts.

A polícia vai averiguar o crime e o juiz vai avaliar as provas.

avaliar vs evoluir

Slight phonetic similarity for English speakers due to the 'ev' sound in 'evaluate'.

'Evoluir' means to evolve or progress. It has nothing to do with evaluation.

O paciente conseguiu evoluir bem após o médico avaliar seu caso.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + vai/vão + avaliar + [Direct Object]

O professor vai avaliar a prova.

[Subject] + precisa/precisam + avaliar + se + [Clause]

A empresa precisa avaliar se o projeto é viável.

[Direct Object] + foi/foram + avaliado(s)/avaliada(s) + em + [Value]

O carro foi avaliado em trinta mil reais.

Ao + avaliar + [Direct Object], + [Subject] + [Verb]

Ao avaliar os dados, o cientista descobriu um erro.

[Subject] + está/estão + avaliando + a possibilidade de + [Infinitive]

O governo está avaliando a possibilidade de aumentar os impostos.

É imperativo que + [Subject] + avalie/avaliem + [Direct Object]

É imperativo que o comitê avalie a situação imediatamente.

[Subject] + avalia + que + [Clause]

O mercado avalia que a inflação vai cair.

Se + avaliado(a) + sob a ótica de + [Noun], + [Clause]

Se avaliado sob a ótica da ética, o ato é condenável.

Word Family

Nouns

avaliação (evaluation/assessment)

avaliador (appraiser/evaluator)

Verbs

reavaliar (to reevaluate)

autoavaliar-se (to self-evaluate)

Adjectives

avaliado (evaluated/appraised)

avaliativo (evaluative)

valor (value)

valia (worth)

valioso (valuable)

desvalorizar (to devalue)

superfaturar (to overprice)

How to Use It

frequency

Top 1000 most common words in Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

O carro foi avaliado por dez mil reais. → O carro foi avaliado em dez mil reais.
When expressing the monetary value assigned during an appraisal, Portuguese requires the preposition 'em', not 'por' or 'a'.
Eu não quero avaliar você por suas escolhas de vida. → Eu não quero julgar você por suas escolhas de vida.
For moral or personal judgments about life choices, 'julgar' is the correct verb. 'Avaliar' sounds too clinical or academic here.
Nós vamos avaliar sobre o novo projeto amanhã. → Nós vamos avaliar o novo projeto amanhã.
'Avaliar' is a direct transitive verb. It does not take the preposition 'sobre' (about) before the object being evaluated.
O médico vai medir o paciente. → O médico vai avaliar o paciente.
Unless the doctor is literally taking a tape measure to check the patient's height, the correct term for a clinical assessment is 'avaliar'.
Eu a-VA-li-o a situação. → Eu a-va-LI-o a situação.
Phonetic mistake. The stress in the present tense forms (avalio, avalia, avaliam) must fall on the 'i', not the 'a'.

Tips

Preposition 'Em'

Always link 'avaliar' with 'em' when stating a price or numerical value. 'Avaliado em R$ 100,00'.

Stress the 'I'

In the present tense (avalio, avalia, avaliam), the letter 'i' is the stressed syllable. Practice saying a-va-LI-o.

Corporate Lingo

Memorize the phrase 'avaliação de desempenho'. It is essential if you plan to work in a Portuguese-speaking office.

Digital World

Change your phone language to Portuguese. You will learn 'avaliar' quickly as it is the standard word for 'rate this app'.

Direct Object

Do not use 'sobre' (about) after avaliar. You evaluate the thing itself: 'avaliar o livro', not 'avaliar sobre o livro'.

Julgar vs Avaliar

Use 'avaliar' for objective metrics (tests, prices, performance) and 'julgar' for subjective or moral judgments.

Dar uma avaliada

In informal speech, use 'dar uma avaliada' (to give an evaluation) to sound like a native when you mean 'I'll take a look at it'.

Don't confuse with Aliviar

Pay attention to the spelling. 'Avaliar' (evaluate) and 'Aliviar' (relieve) look similar but mean very different things.

Subordinate Clauses

'Avaliar se' (evaluate if) is a great structure to express decision-making. 'Vou avaliar se tenho tempo'.

Medical Context

In a hospital, doctors don't just 'look' at you, they 'avaliam' you. It's the standard term for clinical assessment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'avaliar' as 'A VALUE AR'. You are looking at something to give it A VALUE.

Visual Association

Imagine an appraiser holding a magnifying glass over a diamond, trying to see its 'value'. The appraiser is 'avaliando' the diamond.

Word Web

avaliar valor avaliação avaliador nota teste preço julgar

Challenge

Next time you use a rating app (like Uber or a food delivery service), switch your phone's language to Portuguese. You will see the word 'Avaliar' every time you need to leave a star rating.

Word Origin

The verb 'avaliar' comes into Portuguese either from the French 'évaluer' or is formed directly within the Iberian Romance languages from the prefix 'a-' + the noun 'valia' (value/worth) + the verbal suffix '-ar'. The root 'valia' traces back to the Latin verb 'valere', meaning 'to be strong, to be well, to be of value'.

Original meaning: To determine the strength or worth of something.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Western Romance > Ibero-Romance > Portuguese.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 'avaliar' when talking about a person's physical appearance in a casual setting, as it can sound clinical, objectifying, or overly critical. Use verbs like 'achar' (to think) instead.

English speakers often use 'judge' in contexts where Portuguese speakers prefer 'avaliar'. In Portuguese, 'julgar' can sound harsh or legalistic, so 'avaliar' is the safer, more polite choice for giving an opinion on someone's work.

ENEM (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio) - The national high school evaluation exam in Brazil. CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) - The Brazilian government agency that rigorously 'avalia' graduate programs. Sistema de Avaliação da Educação Básica (SAEB) - The basic education evaluation system.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Education and Schooling

avaliar os alunos
fazer uma avaliação
critérios de avaliação
avaliar a prova

Business and HR

avaliar o desempenho
avaliação de resultados
avaliar o currículo
avaliar metas

Real Estate and Finance

avaliar o imóvel
avaliado em
avaliador oficial
avaliar os riscos

Medical and Healthcare

avaliar o paciente
avaliar os sintomas
avaliação clínica
avaliar exames

Digital Apps and E-commerce

avaliar o aplicativo
avaliar o motorista
deixar uma avaliação
avaliar com 5 estrelas

Conversation Starters

"Como a sua empresa costuma avaliar o desempenho dos funcionários?"

"Você acha que as provas escolares são a melhor forma de avaliar um aluno?"

"Quais critérios você usa para avaliar se um filme é bom ou ruim?"

"Você costuma avaliar os restaurantes nos aplicativos de comida?"

"Como podemos avaliar o impacto das redes sociais na nossa vida?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez em que você foi avaliado(a) no trabalho ou na escola e como se sentiu.

Quais são os critérios que você usa para avaliar o sucesso na sua vida pessoal?

Descreva o processo de avaliar um produto caro antes de decidir comprá-lo.

Como você avalia o seu próprio progresso no aprendizado de português?

Escreva sobre a diferença entre avaliar alguém objetivamente e julgar alguém injustamente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, absolutely. In the context of digital applications, Uber, food delivery, or app stores, 'avaliar' is the exact translation for 'to rate'. You will frequently see buttons saying 'Avalie-nos' (Rate us) or 'Avaliar o motorista' (Rate the driver).

You must use the preposition 'em'. The correct structure is 'avaliado em'. For example, 'A casa foi avaliada em um milhão de reais' (The house was appraised at one million reais). Do not use 'a' or 'por'.

Yes, 'avaliar' is a completely regular verb ending in '-ar'. It follows the standard conjugation rules for all tenses. The only tricky part is the pronunciation of the stress in the present tense (eu avalio, ele avalia).

It can, but it usually refers to judging their professional performance or skills objectively. If you mean judging someone's character, morals, or life choices, the verb 'julgar' is much more appropriate and common.

The most common noun form is 'avaliação', which means evaluation, assessment, or test. A person who evaluates is called an 'avaliador' (appraiser/evaluator).

The standard corporate term for a performance review is 'avaliação de desempenho'. This phrase is used in almost all HR departments across Portuguese-speaking countries.

No, 'avaliar' is a direct transitive verb when referring to the object being evaluated. You evaluate something directly. Say 'avaliar o projeto' (evaluate the project), not 'avaliar sobre o projeto'.

They are very similar and often used together. 'Analisar' focuses on breaking something down to understand its parts and how it works. 'Avaliar' focuses on determining the final value, grade, or quality of that thing.

Yes, while it is a professional word, it is also used casually. For example, you might say 'Vou avaliar se vou à festa' (I'll evaluate if I'm going to the party), meaning you will think about it and decide.

The stress falls on the 'i'. It is pronounced a-va-LI-o. Do not stress the 'a' before the 'l'. This is a common mistake for learners.