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A2 verb #2,000 most common 8 min read

comprometer

Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips comprometer in 30 Seconds

Explanation comprometer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'comprometer' often, but you will hear it in very simple contexts related to making plans. Think of it as a 'strong promise'. If a teacher says 'Você se compromete a fazer o dever?', they are asking if you promise to do the homework. At this stage, just focus on the reflexive form 'se comprometer' and remember it means you are saying 'yes' to a task. It is a bit more serious than 'prometer'. You can use it to show you are a serious student or a reliable friend. Don't worry about the 'risk' meaning yet; just focus on the 'commitment' part. Practice saying 'Eu me comprometo' (I commit) followed by a simple action like 'estudar' or 'ajudar'. This will help you build the habit of using the reflexive pronoun, which is a key part of Portuguese grammar. Even at A1, using this word correctly shows a high level of respect and intention in your conversations.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'comprometer-se' to talk about your daily responsibilities and social life. You are now learning to connect sentences, so you can use the pattern 'comprometer-se a + infinitive'. For example: 'Eu me comprometo a chegar cedo'. This is very useful for work or school. You also begin to see the non-reflexive version in simple warnings, like 'Isso pode comprometer a sua saúde' (This can jeopardize your health). At A2, the goal is to distinguish between doing something yourself (reflexive) and something affecting another thing (transitive). You will also encounter the noun 'compromisso', which means an appointment or a commitment. 'Eu tenho um compromisso às 14h' is a phrase you will use constantly. Understanding the verb 'comprometer' helps you understand the weight of the noun 'compromisso'. Start practicing with your friends: 'Vamos nos comprometer a falar apenas português hoje?' (Shall we commit to speaking only Portuguese today?).

By B1, you are expected to use 'comprometer' in more professional and nuanced social situations. You should be comfortable using it to describe complex responsibilities. For instance, you might explain why you can't take on a new project: 'Já me comprometi com muitas tarefas este mês'. You also start to use the verb to describe how one thing impacts another in a negative way, especially in discussions about the environment, politics, or health. 'A poluição compromete a qualidade da água'. At this level, you should also be aware of the passive voice: 'A segurança do prédio foi comprometida'. This is common in news articles and formal reports. You are moving beyond simple promises to understanding systemic risks and formal obligations. You can also use it to talk about personal values: 'Eu me comprometo com a verdade'. This shows a deeper level of expression and a better grasp of Portuguese abstract concepts.

At the B2 level, you use 'comprometer' with precision in professional and academic settings. You understand the subtle difference between 'comprometer' (to jeopardize) and 'implicar' (to imply/involve). You can participate in debates and use the verb to argue a point: 'Essa decisão pode comprometer o futuro da empresa'. You are also fluent in using the reflexive form to express high-level dedication. In business negotiations, you might say: 'A nossa empresa se compromete a fornecer todo o suporte necessário'. You also understand the idiomatic and metaphorical uses, such as 'estar comprometido' meaning to be in a serious relationship or to be 'taken'. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms like 'pôr em perigo' or 'vincular-se' depending on the desired register. You are now sensitive to the tone of the word—it carries a sense of gravity and consequence that you can leverage to make your speech more persuasive and professional.

At the C1 level, you master the legal and formal nuances of 'comprometer'. You can read complex legal documents where 'termos de compromisso' define the boundaries of liability and obligation. You use the verb to describe intricate relationships between variables in scientific or sociological contexts: 'A falta de investimento compromete a coesão social'. You are also adept at using the verb to describe social and political scandals, understanding how 'provas comprometedoras' (incriminating evidence) can change the course of an investigation. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of placement and prepositional choice. You can use the verb in the future subjunctive or personal infinitive without hesitation: 'Caso eles se comprometam, poderemos avançar'. You also appreciate the etymological roots and how they influence the word's current semantic range, allowing you to use it creatively in literature or high-level journalism.

At the C2 level, 'comprometer' is a tool for philosophical and highly technical discourse. You can explore the existential implications of 'commitment' (o compromisso) in literature, perhaps discussing how a character's actions 'comprometem sua integridade moral'. You understand the most obscure uses of the verb, including its historical applications in diplomacy and ancient law. You can use it to describe the most subtle 'compromises' in engineering or systems design, where one feature is sacrificed for another. Your mastery includes the ability to use the verb in highly stylized or archaic ways if the context demands it. You can navigate the most intense professional crises using this verb to define boundaries of responsibility and risk with absolute clarity. For a C2 learner, 'comprometer' is not just a word, but a concept that you can manipulate to express the finest shades of human obligation and the fragility of systems.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

comprometer in 30 Seconds

Reflexive (se comprometer) means to commit or promise.
Non-reflexive (comprometer) means to jeopardize or risk.
It is a regular -er verb like 'comer'.
Common in work, news, and health contexts.

The verb comprometer is a cornerstone of Portuguese social and professional interaction. At its core, it signifies the act of binding oneself or something else to a specific outcome. In an A2 context, you most frequently encounter it in its reflexive form, comprometer-se, which translates to 'to commit oneself' or 'to pledge'. This is the language of appointments, social contracts, and personal goals. However, as your proficiency grows, you will discover its darker, more cautionary side: the act of jeopardizing or endangering something. This duality makes it a fascinating study in linguistic balance.

The Positive Pledge: When you use the reflexive form, you are saying 'I give my word'. It is stronger than a simple 'prometer' (to promise) because it implies a formal tie or a serious intention. For example, 'Eu me comprometo a estudar todos os dias' (I commit myself to studying every day) suggests a structured plan rather than a vague hope.

Não quero me comprometer com uma data que não posso cumprir.

The Risk Factor: In its non-reflexive form, 'comprometer' often means to put something at risk. If you drive too fast, you 'compromete a segurança' (jeopardize safety). If a politician is caught in a lie, they 'comprometem a sua reputação' (compromise their reputation). This nuance is vital for understanding news reports and formal warnings.

O escândalo acabou por comprometer toda a operação financeira.

Furthermore, the word extends into the realm of involvement. To 'comprometer alguém' can mean to implicate someone in a situation, often a negative one. If you tell a secret that involves a friend in a prank, you are compromising them. This multifaceted nature requires learners to pay close attention to the presence of the reflexive pronoun 'se'. Without 'se', the verb is usually acting upon an external object or situation, often with a negative or risky connotation. With 'se', it is an internal decision of the subject to take responsibility. Understanding this distinction is the first step toward mastering the verb in various social registers, from a casual dinner invitation to a high-stakes business negotiation. In the following sections, we will explore the specific grammatical structures and common collocations that will help you use 'comprometer' with the confidence of a native speaker.

Using comprometer correctly depends heavily on whether you are talking about a commitment you are making or a risk you are creating. Let's break down the grammatical patterns that govern this verb's behavior in everyday Portuguese.

Reflexive Usage (Comprometer-se): When you want to say 'to commit to', you must use the reflexive form followed by the preposition a or com. Use 'a' before an infinitive verb (e.g., comprometer-se a fazer) and 'com' before a noun (e.g., comprometer-se com o projeto).

Eles se comprometeram a entregar o relatório na segunda-feira.

Transitive Usage (Comprometer algo/alguém): When used without the reflexive pronoun, the verb takes a direct object. This is common in professional or medical contexts. 'O fumo compromete os pulmões' (Smoking compromises the lungs). Here, no preposition is needed between the verb and the object.

A chuva forte pode comprometer a colheita deste ano.

In terms of conjugation, 'comprometer' is a regular '-er' verb. This is good news for learners! It follows the same pattern as 'comer' or 'beber'. In the present tense: eu comprometo, tu comprometes, ele compromete, nós comprometemos, eles comprometem. In the past (pretérito perfeito): eu comprometi, você comprometeu, nós comprometemos, eles comprometeram. Mastering these basics allows you to express complex ideas about responsibility and risk. Remember that 'comprometer' is often used in the passive voice in news reporting: 'A segurança foi comprometida' (Security was compromised). This structure is useful when the cause of the risk is unknown or less important than the result itself. Whether you are signing a contract or discussing the impact of a decision, choosing the right structure for 'comprometer' will clarify your intent and elevate your Portuguese from basic to nuanced.

You will encounter comprometer in a variety of settings, ranging from the evening news to a serious conversation between friends. Its frequency in formal speech makes it an essential word for anyone looking to work or study in a Portuguese-speaking country.

In the Workplace: This is perhaps the most common environment for the verb. Managers use it to ask for commitment: 'Você pode se comprometer com este prazo?' (Can you commit to this deadline?). It also appears in performance reviews when discussing how certain behaviors might 'comprometer o desempenho da equipe' (jeopardize the team's performance).

Precisamos de alguém que se comprometa totalmente com a empresa.

In News and Politics: Journalists frequently use 'comprometer' when reporting on scandals or structural failures. You might hear: 'As novas provas comprometem o ministro' (The new evidence implicates the minister). It is a standard term for describing how actions affect public trust or institutional integrity.

O vazamento de dados comprometeu a privacidade de milhares de usuários.

In social contexts, 'comprometer-se' is used when discussing relationships. While 'namorar' is to date, 'comprometer-se' implies a deeper level of exclusivity or intention. If someone says 'Eu não quero me comprometer agora', they are likely saying they aren't ready for a serious, committed relationship. In legal contexts, 'termo de compromisso' is a very common phrase meaning a 'commitment agreement' or 'memorandum of understanding'. Whether you're watching a legal drama on Netflix Portugal or reading the 'Folha de S.Paulo', 'comprometer' will appear as a vital link between actions and their consequences. It is a word that carries the weight of responsibility, making it indispensable for navigating the complexities of adult life in Portuguese.

For English speakers, comprometer is a classic 'false friend' or 'partial cognate' trap. While it looks like 'compromise', its usage doesn't always overlap perfectly with the English word, leading to frequent errors.

The 'Agreement' Mistake: In English, 'to compromise' often means to reach an agreement by making concessions (e.g., 'We compromised on the price'). In Portuguese, 'comprometer' does NOT mean this. To express that kind of compromise, you should use the phrase chegar a um acordo or fazer uma concessão.

Errado: Nós nos comprometemos no preço final. (Incorrect if you mean 'reached a middle ground')

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: If you say 'Eu comprometi a estudar', it sounds like you put the act of studying in danger. To say 'I committed to studying', you MUST include the 'me': 'Eu me comprometi a estudar'. This is the most common grammatical error for beginners.

Correto: Eu me comprometi a ajudar na festa.

Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. Learners often try to use 'em' (in) because of English 'commit in'. In Portuguese, it is always 'a' (to do something) or 'com' (with something/someone). For example, 'comprometer-se com o trabalho' (commit to the work). Finally, be careful with the passive voice. While 'The system was compromised' is 'O sistema foi comprometido', ensure the context is clear. In Portuguese, this almost exclusively means the system was damaged or hacked, never that the system reached a mutual agreement. By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the reflexive requirement and the 'agreement' false friend—you will avoid the most common pitfalls that plague intermediate learners.

To truly master comprometer, it helps to see it alongside its linguistic neighbors. Portuguese has several verbs that touch on promise, risk, and involvement, each with its own specific flavor.

Comprometer vs. Prometer: Prometer is a simple 'to promise'. It can be casual ('Prometo que te ligo'). Comprometer-se is more formal and implies a binding obligation or a serious plan. You 'promete' a gift, but you 'se compromete' to a career path.

Ele prometeu vir, mas não se comprometeu com um horário.

Comprometer vs. Arriscar: Arriscar means 'to risk' or 'to venture'. It is often used when the outcome is uncertain but potentially positive (e.g., arriscar a sorte). Comprometer, in the sense of risk, usually implies a negative impact on something that was previously stable or safe.

Não quero arriscar meu dinheiro nem comprometer meu futuro.

Other related words include obrigar-se (to oblige oneself), which is even more forceful than 'comprometer-se', and envolver (to involve), which is a neutral way to say someone is part of something. If you are 'envolvido' in a project, you are participating. If you are 'comprometido' with a project, you are dedicated and responsible for its success. In legal terms, you might see vincular, which means 'to bind' or 'to link' legally. Understanding these shades of meaning allows you to choose the exact word for the situation. While 'comprometer' is a versatile 'all-rounder', knowing when to switch to 'prometer' for a friend or 'arriscar' for a gamble will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se)

Prepositional verbs

Passive voice with 'ser'

Direct and indirect objects

Future subjunctive in conditional clauses

Examples by Level

Eu me comprometo a estudar.

I commit myself to study.

Reflexive 'me' + verb.

Você se compromete a ajudar?

Do you commit to help?

Question form with 'se'.

Nós nos comprometemos com você.

We commit ourselves to you.

First person plural reflexive 'nos'.

Ela se compromete a vir cedo.

She commits to coming early.

Third person singular.

Eles se comprometem a pagar.

They commit to paying.

Third person plural.

Eu não me comprometo hoje.

I don't commit today.

Negative reflexive.

Você pode se comprometer?

Can you commit?

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

O compromisso é importante.

The commitment is important.

Noun form 'compromisso'.

Eu me comprometo a terminar o trabalho amanhã.

I commit to finishing the work tomorrow.

Comprometer-se a + infinitive.

Não comprometa a sua saúde com doces.

Don't jeopardize your health with sweets.

Imperative negative (transitive).

Eles se comprometeram com o novo projeto.

They committed to the new project.

Pretérito perfeito (past tense).

Você se compromete a guardar o segredo?

Do you commit to keeping the secret?

Reflexive with 'a'.

A chuva pode comprometer o nosso piquenique.

The rain can jeopardize our picnic.

Transitive use meaning 'risk'.

Nós nos comprometemos a falar português.

We committed to speaking Portuguese.

Reflexive 'nos'.

Ele nunca se compromete com nada.

He never commits to anything.

Negative with 'nunca'.

Esta falha compromete o sistema.

This failure compromises the system.

Present tense transitive.

O governo se comprometeu a reduzir os impostos.

The government committed to reducing taxes.

Formal reflexive usage.

A falta de sono compromete a memória.

Lack of sleep compromises memory.

Scientific/General truth.

Eu me comprometi com a empresa por dois anos.

I committed to the company for two years.

Time duration with 'por'.

Sua atitude comprometeu o resultado da equipe.

Your attitude compromised the team's result.

Abstract direct object.

Precisamos nos comprometer com a sustentabilidade.

We need to commit to sustainability.

Infinitive reflexive.

O escândalo comprometeu a imagem do banco.

The scandal compromised the bank's image.

Figurative risk.

Você se comprometeria a viajar a trabalho?

Would you commit to traveling for work?

Conditional tense.

As provas comprometem o suspeito.

The evidence implicates the suspect.

Meaning 'to implicate'.

A empresa se compromete a respeitar o meio ambiente.

The company commits to respecting the environment.

Corporate register.

O uso de drogas compromete o desenvolvimento cerebral.

Drug use compromises brain development.

Technical transitive.

Ela se comprometeu seriamente com a causa social.

She committed seriously to the social cause.

Adverbial modification.

O erro técnico comprometeu a missão espacial.

The technical error compromised the space mission.

High-stakes context.

Não se comprometa com quem não é de confiança.

Don't commit yourself to someone untrustworthy.

Negative imperative.

A segurança nacional foi comprometida pelo ataque.

National security was compromised by the attack.

Passive voice.

Eles se comprometeram a manter o sigilo absoluto.

They committed to maintaining absolute secrecy.

Formal obligation.

Sua saúde está comprometida devido ao estresse.

Your health is compromised due to stress.

Adjective-like participle.

O acordo compromete as partes a uma cooperação mútua.

The agreement binds the parties to mutual cooperation.

Legal transitive.

A negligência do diretor comprometeu toda a instituição.

The director's negligence compromised the entire institution.

Institutional impact.

É imperativo que nos comprometamos com a ética.

It is imperative that we commit to ethics.

Present subjunctive.

O depoimento comprometeu irremediavelmente o réu.

The testimony irremediably implicated the defendant.

Legal implication.

A crise financeira comprometeu os planos de expansão.

The financial crisis compromised the expansion plans.

Economic context.

Se você se comprometer, terá todo o nosso apoio.

If you commit, you will have all our support.

Future subjunctive.

A integridade do arquivo foi comprometida por um vírus.

The integrity of the file was compromised by a virus.

Technical passive.

Comprometer-se é um ato de coragem existencial.

To commit oneself is an act of existential courage.

Philosophical subject.

A dialética do autor compromete a lógica tradicional.

The author's dialectic compromises traditional logic.

Philosophical critique.

O Estado compromete-se a salvaguardar os direitos civis.

The State commits to safeguarding civil rights.

Constitutional register.

Tais medidas comprometem a soberania nacional.

Such measures compromise national sovereignty.

Political discourse.

O silêncio pode ser tão comprometedor quanto a fala.

Silence can be as incriminating as speech.

Adjective 'comprometedor'.

A estrutura molecular foi comprometida pela radiação.

The molecular structure was compromised by radiation.

Scientific precision.

Comprometeram-se os recursos antes da aprovação final.

The resources were committed before final approval.

Synthetic passive.

A hesitação em agir comprometeu a eficácia do plano.

The hesitation to act compromised the plan's efficacy.

Strategic analysis.

Ele se comprometeu a uma vida de ascetismo rigoroso.

He committed himself to a life of rigorous asceticism.

Spiritual commitment.

Common Collocations

comprometer a saúde

comprometer a segurança

comprometer o futuro

comprometer a reputação

se comprometer a ajudar

se comprometer com o trabalho

comprometer o desempenho

comprometer a qualidade

comprometer o orçamento

comprometer a integridade

Common Phrases

Termo de compromisso

Compromisso assumido

Sem se comprometer

Comprometer a palavra

Estar comprometido

Comprometer o sucesso

Comprometer a vida

Comprometer a paz

Comprometer o acordo

Comprometer a verdade

Often Confused With

comprometer vs prometer (weaker)

comprometer vs arriscar (more neutral)

comprometer vs acordar (to agree)

Idioms & Expressions

"Comprometer a pele (To risk one's skin/life)"

"Estar com o nome comprometido (To have a bad credit rating/reputation)"

"Comprometer o futuro (To ruin one's prospects)"

"Se comprometer até o pescoço (To be deeply involved/committed)"

"Comprometer a honra (To stain one's honor)"

"Compromisso é dívida (A promise is a debt/must be kept)"

"Não se comprometer com ninguém (To stay neutral/single)"

"Comprometer a jogada (To ruin the play/plan)"

"Comprometer os meios (To exhaust resources)"

"Comprometer a linhagem (To dishonor the family line)"

Easily Confused

comprometer vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

false friend

Does not mean 'to reach a middle ground' (compromise).

reflexive importance

Crucial for the meaning of 'to pledge'.

Common Mistakes

Using it for 'reaching an agreement'.
Omitting the reflexive pronoun when pledging.
Using the preposition 'em' instead of 'a' or 'com'.
Confusing 'comprometer' with 'comprovar' (to prove).
Using it to mean 'to understand' (compreender).

Tips

Reflexive Rule

Always use a reflexive pronoun when you are the one making the promise.

False Friend Alert

Don't use it for 'making a compromise' in an argument.

Professionalism

Use 'se comprometer' in meetings to sound more reliable.

News Context

When you hear 'compromete' on the news, something bad usually happened.

Prepositions

Remember: comprometer-se A fazer algo.

Relationship Status

'Comprometido' is the polite way to say you're not single.

Risk vs Promise

Think: 'Comprometer' = Risk. 'SE Comprometer' = Promise.

Health

Use it to describe how habits affect health (e.g., comprometer o fígado).

Strength

It is stronger and more binding than 'prometer'.

Legal

Look for 'Termo de Compromisso' in official documents.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Using 'comprometer-se' in a job interview is highly valued.

'Comprometido' is a common status on social media.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Você se compromete a estudar comigo?"

"O que pode comprometer o seu sucesso?"

"Você já se comprometeu com algum projeto social?"

"Como não comprometer a saúde no trabalho?"

"Você se comprometeria a morar em outro país?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um compromisso que você assumiu este ano.

Como você evita comprometer a sua produtividade?

O que significa se comprometer com alguém?

Descreva uma situação onde a segurança foi comprometida.

Quais são os seus maiores compromissos na vida?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is 'chegar a um acordo'. 'Comprometer' means to pledge or to risk.

Use 'me' when you are the one making the commitment (e.g., Eu me comprometo).

No, use the noun 'compromisso' or the verb 'marcar uma consulta'.

It is more formal than 'prometer', but common in daily speech.

Usually 'a' for actions or 'com' for things/people.

It can mean 'to implicate' or 'to put in a compromising position', which is similar.

O sistema está comprometido.

Yes, it follows the regular -er conjugation pattern.

Yes, 'estar comprometido' means you are in a relationship.

The most common noun is 'compromisso'.