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B1 verb 11 min read

colonizar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips colonizar in 30 Seconds

Explanation colonizar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand 'colonizar' as a simple action word meaning 'to go and live in a new place' as a group. Think of it like a group of people building a new village far away. You might see it in basic history books about explorers. At this stage, just remember that it is a regular '-ar' verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' (to speak). Example: 'Eles colonizam a ilha' (They colonize the island). You don't need to worry about the complex history yet; just focus on the basic idea of making a new home in a new land. It is a long word, but easy to recognize because it looks like the English word 'colonize'. Practice saying it slowly: co-lo-ni-zar. It is a very formal word, so you won't use it to talk about moving to a new house. You use it for big groups or countries. If you are talking about your own move, use 'morar' (to live) instead.

For A2 learners, 'colonizar' is a word you will encounter when reading about the history of Portugal or Brazil. You should be able to use it in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to describe historical events. For example, 'Portugal colonizou o Brasil' (Portugal colonized Brazil). At this level, you should also notice that the word is often used in the passive voice in textbooks: 'O Brasil foi colonizado' (Brazil was colonized). Pay attention to the direct object; you colonize 'a terra' (the land) or 'o país' (the country). You don't need a preposition like 'em'. You can also start to use it in very basic science contexts, like talking about bees or ants starting a new colony. It is a useful word for expanding your vocabulary beyond daily life and into more academic or descriptive topics. Try to remember the noun 'colônia' (colony) alongside the verb.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of 'colonizar'. It isn't just about moving; it's about establishing a system. You should be able to discuss the implications of colonization in a conversation about culture or history. This is also where you learn the biological meaning—how plants or bacteria 'colonize' an area. You should be comfortable using various tenses, including the conditional ('Se pudéssemos, colonizaríamos Marte') and the present subjunctive ('É importante que eles não colonizem áreas protegidas'). You should also begin to recognize the word in more metaphorical contexts, such as 'cultural colonization'. This level requires you to distinguish between 'colonizar' and similar verbs like 'povoar' (to populate) or 'ocupar' (to occupy). 'Colonizar' implies a long-term, structured presence. Use it when discussing documentaries, news articles, or scientific reports.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'colonizar' fluently in academic and professional discussions. You can explain the difference between the historical process and the biological phenomenon with precision. You should be aware of the social and political sensitivities surrounding the word in the Lusophone world. For instance, you might use 'colonizar' to critique modern trends, like how technology companies 'colonize' our attention. Your grammar should be impeccable, including the correct use of the passive voice with 'ser' and 'estar'. You can also use related terms like 'colonizador' (colonizer) and 'descolonização' (decolonization) to build a complex argument. In a B2 level essay, you might compare the Portuguese colonization of the 16th century with the 19th-century movements in Africa. You should also understand its use in ecology, describing how invasive species might colonize a native ecosystem and the impact that has on biodiversity.

C1 learners should use 'colonizar' with a high degree of sophistication, incorporating it into discussions about post-colonial theory, globalization, and advanced biology. You should understand how the word is used in legal or administrative documents regarding land rights and historical reparations. At this level, you can use the verb to describe abstract concepts, such as the 'colonization of the mind' by dominant ideologies. You should be able to debate the ethics of future space colonization using complex grammatical structures like the future subjunctive and compound tenses. Your vocabulary should include synonyms with specific registers, such as 'radicar-se' for personal settlement or 'infestar' for negative biological establishment. You should also be sensitive to the different historical narratives in Portugal versus Brazil or Mozambique, and how the word 'colonizar' might be framed differently in each culture's national discourse.

At the C2 level, 'colonizar' is a tool for precise and nuanced expression in any context. You can use it in highly specialized fields like microbiology, sociology, or political science without hesitation. You are capable of analyzing the etymology of the word from the Latin 'colere' and how that root informs its various meanings today. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about whether the human drive to 'colonizar' is an inherent trait or a social construct. In literature, you might analyze how authors use the imagery of colonization to describe relationships or psychological states. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, including an awareness of regional variations in usage and the subtle emotional weight the word carries in different parts of the Portuguese-speaking world. You can write academic papers or give presentations where 'colonizar' is a central theme, handled with both technical accuracy and cultural empathy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

colonizar in 30 Seconds

Colonizar means to establish a colony, whether historically by nations or biologically by species.
It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
The word is used in history, biology, space exploration, and modern social criticism.
Avoid using it for simple personal moves; it implies a larger, systemic establishment.

The Portuguese verb colonizar is a multifaceted term that primarily refers to the act of establishing a colony in a specific territory or country. While its most immediate association for many Portuguese speakers is the historical era of maritime expansion, the word carries significant weight in modern scientific, sociological, and even technological contexts. To colonize is not merely to move to a place; it implies a systematic process of settlement, often involving the transplantation of culture, language, and administrative structures from a mother country to a new region. In the context of Portuguese history, this word is deeply intertwined with the formation of nations like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. However, it is essential to distinguish between the historical act and the biological process, where organisms like bacteria or plants colonizar a new habitat.

Historical Context: In history classes, you will hear how the Portuguese crown sought to colonize the coast of South America to secure land against rival European powers. This involves building infrastructure and establishing governance.

Portugal precisou colonizar o território para proteger suas rotas comerciais.

Beyond history, the word is used in biology to describe how a species spreads into a new area. For instance, after a volcanic eruption, certain hardy plants are the first to colonize the barren rock. This usage is neutral and lacks the political baggage of the historical definition. In the 21st century, we also see the term applied to space exploration. Scientists discuss the ethical and logistical challenges of how humanity might colonize Mars or the Moon. In this sense, the word represents the ultimate frontier of human expansion and survival.

Biological Usage: Bacteria can quickly colonize a surface if it is not properly disinfected. This refers to the rapid growth and establishment of a population.

As bactérias começaram a colonizar a cultura no laboratório.

Furthermore, sociologists might speak of 'cultural colonization,' where one culture's values and products dominate another's through globalization rather than physical settlement. This metaphorical use is increasingly common in academic debates about media and technology. For example, some argue that large tech companies colonize our digital lives by controlling the platforms we use for every interaction. Thus, the word has evolved from a purely territorial term to one that describes any form of systemic establishment or dominance.

Futuristic Usage: Discussing the possibility of humans living on other planets often involves the verb colonizar as a goal for the species.

Será que a humanidade conseguirá colonizar Marte neste século?

Muitas espécies de aves tentam colonizar ilhas isoladas após tempestades.

O império pretendia colonizar novas terras para extrair ouro.

Using colonizar correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. This means it almost always takes a direct object—the place or thing being colonized. In Portuguese, you do not need a preposition between the verb and the object. You simply say 'colonizar [local]'. For example, 'colonizar a ilha' (to colonize the island). When discussing history, you will often find it in the infinitive or the preterite tense, as these actions are usually viewed as completed historical events.

Direct Object Usage: The verb directly precedes the place name or the biological entity being established.

Os formadores de opinião dizem que as redes sociais querem colonizar nosso tempo livre.

In grammatical terms, because it is a regular -ar verb, it follows the pattern of 'falar' or 'estudar'. In the present tense, it is 'eu colonizo', 'tu colonizas', 'ele coloniza', etc. In the past, 'eles colonizaram'. This predictability makes it accessible for B1 learners. However, the complexity arises in the passive voice, which is very common in academic writing: 'O Brasil foi colonizado pelos portugueses' (Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese). Here, the focus shifts from the actor to the territory affected.

Scientific Sentence Structure: In biology, the subject is usually the species or organism, and the object is the environment or host.

Certos fungos podem colonizar as raízes das plantas para ajudá-las a crescer.

When using the verb in a future or hypothetical sense, such as discussing science fiction or future policy, the conditional mood is often employed. 'Nós colonizaríamos outros planetas se tivéssemos a tecnologia necessária' (We would colonize other planets if we had the necessary technology). This allows for a nuanced discussion of possibilities. Additionally, the gerund form 'colonizando' is used to describe an ongoing process: 'A empresa está colonizando o mercado digital' (The company is colonizing the digital market).

Metaphorical Application: The verb can describe the dominance of ideas or trends over a population's mind or habits.

A cultura americana acabou por colonizar o imaginário de muitos jovens ao redor do mundo.

Para colonizar uma área deserta, é preciso primeiro encontrar uma fonte de água.

O governo incentivou as famílias a colonizar o interior do país no século passado.

You are most likely to encounter colonizar in educational and intellectual settings. In any Portuguese-speaking school, history lessons about the 15th and 16th centuries revolve around this verb. Students learn how Portugal sought to colonize Africa, Asia, and South America. Consequently, documentaries on RTP (Portugal) or Globo (Brazil) frequently use the word when discussing national heritage, social structures, and the origins of modern cities. It is a foundational word for understanding the geopolitical history of the Lusophone world.

Documentaries and News: Narrators use the word to describe the movement of people and the building of colonial outposts.

O narrador explicou como os jesuítas ajudaram a colonizar o sul do Brasil.

In a completely different sphere, the word is common in scientific labs and medical discussions. If you are reading a health article in Portuguese about the 'microbiota intestinal' (gut microbiota), you will see how beneficial bacteria colonize the human digestive tract. Doctors might explain how an infection occurs when 'bad' bacteria colonize a wound. This usage is precise and clinical, stripped of the emotional weight found in historical contexts. It is about biological occupancy and survival.

Science and Health Articles: Look for the word in journals or news segments regarding ecology, medicine, and space exploration.

A reportagem científica discutia os planos da NASA para colonizar a Lua.

Finally, the word appears in contemporary social criticism. In opinion pieces in newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S.Paulo', writers might use the term to critique 'digital colonization' or 'linguistic colonization' (the influx of English words into Portuguese). In these cases, the word is a rhetorical tool used to highlight the loss of local autonomy or identity. Hearing it in this context usually signals a critical or academic tone, focusing on power dynamics in the modern world.

Opinion Pieces and Podcasts: Intellectuals use the word to describe how global trends take over local traditions.

Muitos filósofos temem que a inteligência artificial vá colonizar a criatividade humana.

Os turistas parecem colonizar este bairro histórico durante o verão.

O artigo médico explicava como os probióticos ajudam a colonizar o intestino com bactérias boas.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with colonizar is confusing it with the verb 'povoar'. While both involve people moving to a place, 'povoar' simply means 'to populate' or 'to fill with people'. You can 'povoar' a city that is already yours. 'Colonizar', however, implies establishing a new settlement where one didn't exist before (from the settler's perspective) or taking control of a territory to turn it into a colony. Using 'colonizar' when you just mean 'to move to a town' can sound overly dramatic or historically inaccurate.

Colonizar vs. Povoar: Use 'colonizar' for administrative or biological establishment; use 'povoar' for general population growth.

Errado: Eu vou colonizar o meu novo apartamento. (Unless you're starting a micronation!)

Another error is the incorrect use of prepositions. English speakers might be tempted to say 'colonizar em' or 'colonizar para', following English patterns like 'to settle in'. In Portuguese, 'colonizar' is a direct transitive verb. You colonize the place directly. 'Eles colonizaram a região' is correct. Adding a preposition like 'em' makes the sentence ungrammatical. Remember: Verb + Direct Object.

Grammatical Precision: Always treat the territory as the direct object of the verb without any intervening words.

Certo: A Grécia antiga colonizou várias partes do Mediterrâneo.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the spelling, specifically the 'z'. Since 'colônia' (colony) is spelled with an 'n' and an 'i', some might try to spell the verb with an 's' (colonisar). In Portuguese, verbs derived from nouns ending in '-ia' often use '-izar'. Keeping this rule in mind will help you avoid spelling errors in written exams or formal emails. Additionally, be careful with the word 'colono' (settler/colonist) vs 'colonizador' (colonizer). A 'colono' is often the person working the land, while a 'colonizador' is the entity or person leading the colonization process.

Spelling and Derivations: The suffix -izar is standard for this verb. Do not use -isar.

O processo de colonizar exige planejamento e recursos.

É errado dizer que os vikings conseguiram colonizar permanentemente a América do Norte.

Muitos alunos confundem colonizar com simplesmente viajar.

Depending on the context, you might want to use a word that is less politically charged or more specific than colonizar. If you are talking about people moving to a new area to live, povoar (to populate) or habitar (to inhabit) are excellent alternatives. 'Povoar' focuses on the demographic aspect—increasing the number of people—whereas 'habitar' focuses on the act of living in a place. Neither carries the implication of external control that 'colonizar' does.

Colonizar vs. Povoar: Colonizar: Focuses on administrative control and settlement. Povoar: Focuses on filling a space with people.

O governo quer povoar as regiões rurais com incentivos fiscais.

In a military or forceful context, ocupar (to occupy) or conquistar (to conquer) might be more appropriate. 'Ocupar' suggests a physical presence, often by an army, without necessarily building a permanent civilian society. 'Conquistar' implies the act of taking over by force. If you are talking about exploring a new territory without necessarily staying there, use explorar (to explore) or desbravar (to pioneer/blaze a trail). 'Desbravar' is a very positive, heroic word in Portuguese, often used for the early explorers of the Brazilian interior.

Colonizar vs. Ocupar: Colonizar: Permanent settlement and culture. Ocupar: Physical presence, often military or temporary.

O exército decidiu ocupar a fronteira por questões de segurança.

In biological sciences, you might encounter infestar (to infest) or disseminar (to disseminate). 'Infestar' is negative, used for pests or diseases. 'Disseminar' is more neutral, describing the spread of seeds or information. If you want to describe the process of becoming established in a community, integrar-se (to integrate oneself) or radicar-se (to take root/settle) are much better choices for individuals. 'Radicar-se' is a beautiful, formal way to say someone has made a place their permanent home.

Colonizar vs. Radicar-se: Colonizar: A collective or systemic effort. Radicar-se: An individual making a home in a new place.

Depois de muitos anos viajando, ele decidiu radicar-se em Lisboa.

As formigas podem infestar a cozinha se houver comida exposta.

É preciso desbravar novos mercados para a empresa crescer.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'colonizar' shares the same root as 'cultura'. This suggests that for the ancients, inhabiting a land and cultivating its soil were the same as creating culture.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɒl.ə.naɪˈzɑː/

US /koʊ.lə.naɪˈzɑːr/

The stress is on the last syllable: co-lo-ni-ZAR.

Rhymes With

analisar organizar utilizar realizar falar cantar andar amar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'z' as an 's'.
Stress on the 'ni' instead of the 'zar'.
Muting the final 'r'.
Pronouncing the 'o' like 'ow' in 'go'.
Making the 'i' too short.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate 'colonize'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct suffix spelling (-izar) and understanding of transitive usage.

Speaking 3/5

The final 'r' and the 'z' sound need practice for native-like flow.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

terra povo novo fazer ir

Learn Next

imperialismo soberania independência território povoamento

Advanced

neocolonialismo eurocentrismo microbiota exoplaneta

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Eu colonizo, tu colonizas, ele coloniza.

Passive voice with 'ser'

A ilha foi colonizada.

Direct Transitive Verbs

Colonizar a terra (no preposition).

Suffix -izar for verbs from nouns

Colônia -> Colonizar.

Subjunctive for doubt/desire

Espero que eles colonizem Marte.

Examples by Level

O rei quer colonizar a ilha.

The king wants to colonize the island.

Infinitive form after the verb 'quer'.

As abelhas colonizam o jardim.

The bees colonize the garden.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Eles vão colonizar uma terra nova.

They are going to colonize a new land.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Nós colonizamos este lugar há muitos anos.

We colonized this place many years ago.

Preterite tense, 1st person plural.

É difícil colonizar o deserto.

It is difficult to colonize the desert.

Infinitive used as a subject phrase.

Ela estuda como colonizar outros planetas.

She studies how to colonize other planets.

Infinitive after 'como'.

Os pássaros colonizam as árvores.

The birds colonize the trees.

Simple present tense.

Portugal colonizou o Brasil.

Portugal colonized Brazil.

Preterite tense, 3rd person singular.

Muitas pessoas decidiram colonizar o sul.

Many people decided to colonize the south.

Infinitive after 'decidiram'.

As bactérias podem colonizar a pele.

Bacteria can colonize the skin.

Modal verb 'podem' + infinitive.

Eles colonizaram a região no século XVIII.

They colonized the region in the 18th century.

Preterite plural.

O objetivo era colonizar toda a costa.

The goal was to colonize the entire coast.

Imperfect 'era' + infinitive.

Como podemos colonizar a Lua?

How can we colonize the Moon?

Interrogative sentence.

As formigas estão colonizando a cozinha.

The ants are colonizing the kitchen.

Present continuous (estar + gerund).

Eles não conseguiram colonizar a montanha.

They didn't manage to colonize the mountain.

Negative preterite.

Quem colonizou esta cidade?

Who colonized this city?

Question word 'Quem'.

É necessário colonizar a área para garantir a posse.

It is necessary to colonize the area to guarantee possession.

Impersonal expression 'É necessário'.

Se tivéssemos oxigênio, poderíamos colonizar Marte.

If we had oxygen, we could colonize Mars.

Conditional mood.

A empresa quer colonizar o mercado asiático.

The company wants to colonize the Asian market.

Metaphorical usage.

As plantas começam a colonizar o solo após o incêndio.

Plants begin to colonize the soil after the fire.

Biological usage.

Duvido que eles colonizem o planeta tão cedo.

I doubt they will colonize the planet so soon.

Present subjunctive after 'Duvido que'.

O país foi colonizado por diversas culturas.

The country was colonized by various cultures.

Passive voice.

Eles estão colonizando o espaço virtual.

They are colonizing the virtual space.

Modern metaphorical usage.

Para colonizar com sucesso, é preciso planejar bem.

To colonize successfully, one must plan well.

Adverb 'com sucesso' modifying the verb.

A história de como Portugal veio a colonizar estas terras é longa.

The story of how Portugal came to colonize these lands is long.

Periphrastic future 'veio a colonizar'.

Invasores tentam colonizar o ecossistema local.

Invaders try to colonize the local ecosystem.

Scientific/Ecological context.

A influência estrangeira pode colonizar a nossa língua.

Foreign influence can colonize our language.

Abstract usage.

Eles colonizaram o território sem considerar os nativos.

They colonized the territory without considering the natives.

Critical social context.

Espera-se que a tecnologia colonize todos os aspectos da vida.

It is expected that technology will colonize all aspects of life.

Passive 'Espera-se' + subjunctive.

O fungo colonizou toda a amostra em poucos dias.

The fungus colonized the entire sample in a few days.

Biological preterite.

Colonizar novos mundos exige uma ética rigorosa.

Colonizing new worlds requires a rigorous ethics.

Infinitive as subject.

Ao colonizar a região, eles mudaram o clima.

By colonizing the region, they changed the climate.

Preposition 'Ao' + infinitive (gerundial force).

A tentativa de colonizar o pensamento crítico é um perigo real.

The attempt to colonize critical thinking is a real danger.

High-level metaphorical usage.

As potências europeias lutaram para colonizar a África no século XIX.

European powers fought to colonize Africa in the 19th century.

Historical/Political context.

O microbioma humano é colonizado logo após o nascimento.

The human microbiome is colonized shortly after birth.

Medical passive voice.

Será ético colonizar Marte se houver vida microscópica lá?

Will it be ethical to colonize Mars if there is microscopic life there?

Hypothetical future.

A publicidade tenta colonizar o nosso subconsciente.

Advertising tries to colonize our subconscious.

Psychological usage.

Eles acabaram por colonizar áreas que antes eram inabitáveis.

They ended up colonizing areas that were previously uninhabitable.

Compound verb 'acabaram por'.

A narrativa oficial costuma omitir a violência de colonizar.

The official narrative often omits the violence of colonizing.

Social critique.

As espécies pioneiras são as primeiras a colonizar a ilha vulcânica.

Pioneer species are the first to colonize the volcanic island.

Ecology term 'espécies pioneiras'.

A hegemonia digital visa colonizar a subjetividade dos usuários.

Digital hegemony aims to colonize the subjectivity of users.

Advanced sociological register.

O ímpeto de colonizar parece estar inscrito no DNA da humanidade.

The impulse to colonize seems to be inscribed in humanity's DNA.

Philosophical register.

É imperativo desconstruir o desejo de colonizar o Outro.

It is imperative to deconstruct the desire to colonize the Other.

Post-colonial theory terminology.

A flora intestinal é colonizada por trilhões de microrganismos.

The intestinal flora is colonized by trillions of microorganisms.

Technical scientific passive.

O projeto de colonizar o interior do país gerou grandes deslocamentos.

The project to colonize the country's interior generated large displacements.

Historical/Sociological analysis.

Subverter a lógica de colonizar é o desafio do novo século.

Subverting the logic of colonizing is the challenge of the new century.

Abstract subject phrase.

As corporações buscam colonizar novos nichos de consumo.

Corporations seek to colonize new consumer niches.

Business/Marketing context.

A capacidade de colonizar ambientes extremos define certas arqueias.

The ability to colonize extreme environments defines certain archaea.

Specialized biological context.

Common Collocations

colonizar Marte

colonizar o território

colonizar o pensamento

colonizar o intestino

colonizar o mercado

projeto de colonizar

tentativa de colonizar

capacidade de colonizar

processo de colonizar

colonizar a Lua

Common Phrases

colonizar terras

— The act of settling in new lands.

Os exploradores queriam colonizar terras férteis.

colonizar mentes

— Metaphor for influencing how people think deeply.

A educação pode ser usada para colonizar mentes.

colonizar o espaço

— Establishing human presence beyond Earth.

O sonho da humanidade é colonizar o espaço.

colonizar áreas

— General term for settling in specific regions.

Eles foram enviados para colonizar áreas remotas.

colonizar o interior

— Moving away from the coast to settle inland.

O Brasil precisava colonizar o interior para crescer.

colonizar o litoral

— Settling along the coast for trade.

Foi mais fácil colonizar o litoral primeiro.

colonizar o novo mundo

— Historical phrase for the Americas.

Muitos europeus partiram para colonizar o novo mundo.

colonizar o ciberespaço

— Metaphor for digital expansion.

As gigantes da tecnologia buscam colonizar o ciberespaço.

colonizar o imaginário

— Influencing a culture's collective dreams or ideas.

Hollywood conseguiu colonizar o imaginário global.

colonizar a distância

— Controlling a place from far away.

Não é fácil colonizar a distância sem comunicações.

Often Confused With

colonizar vs povoar

Povoar is just about people living there; colonizar is about control and systems.

colonizar vs habitar

Habitar means to live in; colonizar means to establish a new presence.

colonizar vs ocupar

Ocupar is often military or temporary; colonizar is permanent and cultural.

Idioms & Expressions

"colonizar o tempo"

— To fill every moment of someone's life with tasks or distractions.

O trabalho excessivo acaba por colonizar o tempo da família.

Metaphorical

"colonizar a alma"

— To deeply influence someone's inner values and identity.

A religião pode colonizar a alma de um povo.

Poetic/Philosophical

"colonizar o olhar"

— To train someone to see the world through a specific lens.

A arte europeia colonizou o olhar dos artistas locais.

Art Criticism

"colonizar o futuro"

— To make decisions now that dictate how the future must look.

Nossas dívidas estão colonizando o futuro dos nossos filhos.

Economic/Critical

"colonizar o silêncio"

— To fill every quiet moment with noise or media.

Os smartphones vieram colonizar o nosso silêncio.

Modern Critic

"colonizar o desejo"

— To make people want things through intensive marketing.

O capitalismo busca colonizar o desejo humano.

Sociological

"colonizar a fala"

— When one language or dialect takes over another's natural rhythm.

As gírias da internet estão colonizando a fala dos jovens.

Linguistic

"colonizar o cotidiano"

— To make a system or ideology part of daily life.

A burocracia tenta colonizar o cotidiano das pessoas.

Academic

"colonizar a memória"

— To rewrite history from the perspective of the winner.

Os monumentos podem colonizar a memória de uma cidade.

Historical Critique

"colonizar o afeto"

— When social norms dictate how we should feel or love.

As redes sociais tentam colonizar o nosso afeto.

Psychological

Easily Confused

colonizar vs Colono

Looks like the verb.

A colono is the person (settler), colonizar is the action.

O colono foi enviado para colonizar a fazenda.

colonizar vs Colônia

Root word.

Colônia is the noun (colony), colonizar is the verb.

A colônia foi o resultado de colonizar a área.

colonizar vs Colorir

Similar spelling at the start.

Colorir means to color; colonizar means to colonize.

Ele vai colorir o mapa de onde quer colonizar.

colonizar vs Colonizador

Agent noun.

Colonizador is the person or nation doing the colonizing.

O colonizador tentou colonizar a tribo.

colonizar vs Colonial

Adjective form.

Colonial describes things related to the colony.

O estilo colonial veio de colonizar a região.

Sentence Patterns

Sujeito + coloniza + objeto.

O homem coloniza a terra.

Sujeito + colonizou + objeto + tempo.

Eles colonizaram a ilha em 1500.

É preciso + colonizar + objeto.

É preciso colonizar a região.

Se + subjuntivo + condicional.

Se tivéssemos naves, colonizaríamos Marte.

Objeto + foi colonizado por + agente.

A terra foi colonizada pelos exploradores.

A tentativa de colonizar + abstrato.

A tentativa de colonizar o pensamento é vã.

Subverter a lógica de + colonizar.

Devemos subverter a lógica de colonizar o Outro.

Gerúndio como causa.

Colonizando o interior, o país mudou.

Word Family

Nouns

colônia colony

colonizador colonizer

colonização colonization

colono settler

colonialismo colonialism

Verbs

descolonizar to decolonize

recolonizar to recolonize

Adjectives

colonial colonial

colonizado colonized

colonizável colonizable

imperialismo

expansão

território

povoamento

metrópole

How to Use It

frequency

Common in educational and scientific contexts; rare in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu colonizei no Rio. → Eu colonizei o Rio.
Do not use the preposition 'no' (em). The verb is direct.
Eles colonisaram a ilha. → Eles colonizaram a ilha.
The verb is spelled with a 'z', not an 's'.
As abelhas povoam a colmeia. → As abelhas colonizam a colmeia.
While 'povoam' is okay, 'colonizam' is more precise for establishing a new colony.
O rei quer colonizar para a África. → O rei quer colonizar a África.
Again, remove the preposition 'para'.
A colonização foi feita por colonos. → A colonização foi feita por colonizadores.
Use 'colonizadores' for the ones leading the process, 'colonos' for the workers/settlers.

Tips

Direct Object

Remember that 'colonizar' never takes a preposition. Always follow it directly with the place name.

Word Family

Learn 'colonização' and 'colonizador' at the same time to boost your academic vocabulary.

Stress the End

Focus on the 'ZAR' at the end of the word. Portuguese verbs in the infinitive almost always stress the last syllable.

Historical Sensitivity

Be aware of the historical weight of this word in Brazil and Africa. Use it carefully in social discussions.

Biology Use

In a scientific context, 'colonizar' is neutral. Use it to describe how plants grow in new areas.

Suffix -izar

Verbs like 'organizar', 'realizar', and 'colonizar' all share the same -izar suffix. It's a common pattern for verbs derived from nouns.

Metaphorical Use

Use 'colonizar' metaphorically to describe how one thing dominates another, like 'a tecnologia coloniza o nosso tempo'.

Identify in News

You'll often hear this word in news about NASA or environmental changes. It helps to predict the topic.

The Ant Rule

If you forget the meaning, think of ants. They colonize! It works in both English and Portuguese.

Passive Voice

Practice saying 'O Brasil foi colonizado'. It's a very common sentence structure in Portuguese history.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'COLONY' of ants. To 'COLONIZAR' is what the ants do when they find a new kitchen. They move in, set up shop, and stay.

Visual Association

Imagine a map of the Moon with a small Portuguese flag on it. That is the act of 'colonizar' space.

Word Web

Terra Povo Poder História Biologia Marte Cultura Língua

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'colonizar': one about history, one about science, and one about the future.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'colere', which means to till, cultivate, inhabit, or take care of. This root also gave us 'cultura' (culture) and 'culto' (cult).

Original meaning: The original sense was agricultural—to cultivate the land and live on it.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word in social settings in former colonies. It can trigger discussions about oppression and historical trauma.

English speakers often use 'settle' or 'populate' for neutral contexts, whereas 'colonize' in English is almost always political. In Portuguese, 'colonizar' is more frequently used in biological contexts than in English.

Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões (about the era of colonization). Interstellar (movie discussing colonizing other planets). The history of the 'Bandeirantes' in Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

History Class

época colonial
colonizar o Brasil
império português
conquista de terras

Biology Lab

colonizar o meio de cultura
bactérias colonizadoras
infecção bacteriana
ecossistema

Space Discussion

colonizar Marte
viagem espacial
base lunar
futuro da humanidade

Social Critique

colonizar o pensamento
influência cultural
dominação digital
globalização

Agriculture

colonizar o interior
novas fronteiras agrícolas
assentamento rural
cultivo

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que a humanidade deveria colonizar outros planetas?"

"Como a história de colonizar influenciou a cultura do seu país?"

"Você sabia que as bactérias colonizam o nosso corpo desde o nascimento?"

"É possível colonizar um lugar sem destruir a cultura local?"

"Qual seria o maior desafio para colonizar o fundo do mar?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um lugar que você gostaria de colonizar se fosse um explorador do futuro.

Reflita sobre como as redes sociais podem colonizar o seu tempo livre e sua mente.

Discuta a importância de colonizar o interior de um país para o seu desenvolvimento econômico.

Imagine que você é uma bactéria tentando colonizar um novo ambiente. Descreva sua jornada.

Analise as diferenças entre colonizar por terra e colonizar pelo espaço.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'mudar-se' for moving houses. 'Colonizar' implies a large-scale or systemic establishment, like a country or a species.

In historical contexts, it is often discussed critically today. However, in biology (bacteria) or space exploration (Mars), it is usually neutral or even positive.

'Povoar' means to fill with people (populate). 'Colonizar' means to establish a colony, which includes governance and culture. You can povoar a city that already exists, but you colonize a 'new' territory.

It is a regular verb: eu colonizei, tu colonizaste, ele colonizou, nós colonizámos, vós colonizastes, eles colonizaram.

No, it is a voiced 'z' sound, like 'zebra' in English.

Yes, in biology, we say animals or plants colonize a new habitat when they establish a population there.

Yes, 'colonizador' (the one who leads/does it) or 'colono' (the settler who lives there).

No, it is a direct transitive verb. You say 'colonizar a terra', not 'colonizar na terra'.

It is the opposite: the process of a colony becoming independent and removing colonial influence.

Yes, metaphorically, to describe a company taking over a new market or niche.