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B2 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

conceder

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips conceder in 30 Seconds

Explanation conceder in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'conceder' very often, but you might see it in very formal signs or documents. Think of it as a very fancy way to say 'to give' (dar). Imagine you are asking for permission to do something. Usually, you would use 'dar' or 'pode'. But in a very official book, you might see 'O professor concede permissão' (The teacher grants permission). For an A1 learner, just remember that if you see a word that looks like 'concede' in English, it probably means someone is 'giving' something official. You don't need to use it in your daily conversations yet. Stick to 'dar' for now, but keep 'conceder' in your mind for when you read official papers or watch the news. It's like the difference between saying 'give' and 'grant'. You give a cookie, but a king grants a wish. 'Conceder' is for the king, the judge, or the boss. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'comer' or 'beber'. For example: 'Eu concedo' (I grant), 'Você concede' (You grant). If you are in a museum and see a sign that says 'Não é concedida permissão para fotografar', it simply means 'Photos are not allowed'. Knowing this word helps you understand these formal instructions even if you are just starting your Portuguese journey. It's a 'bonus' word for your vocabulary at this stage, helping you feel more confident when looking at official Portuguese text.

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more formal situations, like visiting a government office or dealing with a bank. 'Conceder' becomes more useful here. You might hear it when people talk about 'conceder um desconto' (granting a discount) at a store or 'conceder um prazo' (granting a deadline extension). It is still quite formal, but it's part of the 'business' side of life. When you use 'conceder', you are showing that you understand the difference between a casual favor and a formal agreement. For example, if you are at work and your boss says, 'Vou conceder o seu pedido de férias', it means your vacation request is officially approved. You can also use it to talk about giving someone your attention: 'Conceder atenção'. In A2, you should practice the past tense: 'Ele concedeu' (He granted). This is very common in news headlines. You might read 'O governo concedeu ajuda' (The government granted help). By learning 'conceder' now, you are preparing yourself for the more complex texts you will read at the B1 level. It helps you distinguish between simple actions and those that involve a decision by someone in charge. Remember the structure: 'conceder [thing] a [person]'. Use the 'a' or 'ao/à' to show who is getting the thing. Even if you still prefer using 'dar' in your own speaking, being able to recognize 'conceder' will make you much better at understanding formal announcements and professional emails.

At the B1 intermediate level, you should begin incorporating 'conceder' into your formal writing and professional speech. This is the level where you move beyond basic communication and start focusing on 'register'—choosing the right word for the right situation. In a job interview, instead of saying 'A minha antiga empresa me dava muitos benefícios', you could say 'A minha antiga empresa me concedia muitos benefícios'. This sounds much more professional and polished. You will also encounter 'conceder' in the context of debates. If you are discussing a topic and you want to admit that the other person has a good point, you can say, 'Eu concedo que esse ponto é importante' (I concede/admit that this point is important). This shows a high level of linguistic control. You should also be comfortable with the passive voice: 'Foi concedido um crédito ao cliente' (A credit was granted to the client). At B1, you are expected to understand more than just the literal meaning; you should feel the 'weight' of the word. 'Conceder' implies a certain power dynamic where one party has the authority to give and the other is receiving a privilege. It is very common in Portuguese media, especially when discussing legal rights or political decisions. Practice using it in sentences involving 'permissão', 'direitos', 'bolsas de estudo', and 'entrevistas'. This will help your Portuguese sound more natural and less like a direct translation from simple English.

At the B2 level, 'conceder' should be a standard part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it fluently in various contexts, including legal, academic, and professional settings. At this stage, you understand that 'conceder' is not just 'to give', but specifically 'to grant a request' or 'to bestow a right'. You are expected to use it correctly with complex objects and in various tenses, including the subjunctive. For example: 'Espero que o juiz conceda a liminar' (I hope the judge grants the injunction). This requires knowing the irregular subjunctive form 'conceda'. You should also be familiar with common collocations like 'conceder o benefício da dúvida' (to give the benefit of the doubt) or 'conceder asilo político'. At B2, you should also be able to distinguish between 'conceder' and more formal synonyms like 'outorgar'. While 'conceder' is formal, 'outorgar' is strictly legal. Using 'conceder' in an essay about social rights or in a business report shows that you have a sophisticated command of the language. You can also use it to describe the act of yielding in an argument with more nuance: 'Ainda que eu conceda que a economia está crescendo, os problemas sociais persistem'. This structure (Ainda que + subjunctive) is a hallmark of B2 level proficiency. You are no longer just communicating; you are articulating complex thoughts with precision. Pay attention to how 'conceder' is used in literature and high-level journalism to see how it adds a layer of authority and formality to the narrative.

At the C1 advanced level, you use 'conceder' with total precision, capturing all its subtle nuances. You are aware of its etymological roots and how it functions as a tool for creating a formal, authoritative tone. You use it not just for physical or legal granting, but also for abstract concepts. For instance, in a philosophical or literary analysis, you might discuss how a specific author 'concede voz' (gives voice) to marginalized groups. You are also comfortable using the verb in its more rare meanings, such as 'conceder-se' (to allow oneself something), though this is more common in literary contexts. Your mastery of the 'se' passive and the 'se' impersonal with 'conceder' is flawless: 'Concedeu-se aos cidadãos o direito de petição'. You can effortlessly switch between 'conceder', 'outorgar', 'deferir' (a legal term for granting a request), and 'bestow' equivalents like 'agraciara'. You understand the rhythmic and stylistic impact of using 'conceder' in a long sentence to maintain a formal register. In professional negotiations, you use 'conceder' to frame concessions strategically: 'Estamos dispostos a conceder certas condições em troca de um contrato mais longo'. This level of usage shows that you are not just a learner, but a sophisticated user of the Portuguese language who can navigate the most formal and complex social structures with ease. You also recognize the word in historical texts, where it might have a slightly broader meaning of 'yielding' or 'submitting', and you can interpret these correctly based on context.

At the C2 level of mastery, 'conceder' is a tool you use with stylistic flair. You understand its place within the broader history of the Portuguese language and its legal and liturgical overtones. You can use it to create irony by applying such a formal verb to a trivial situation, or to reinforce the absolute authority of a statement. You are familiar with its use in classical literature and can use it in your own high-level creative or academic writing to evoke a specific atmosphere. For example, you might use 'conceder' in a complex sentence involving multiple subordinate clauses to discuss the 'concessão' (the noun form) of rights in a constitutional framework. You can analyze the difference between 'conceder' and 'ceder' in deep linguistic detail, noting how 'conceder' implies a formal act of granting while 'ceder' often implies a reluctant yielding or a physical transfer. You are also proficient in using the verb in fixed archaic or highly formal expressions that most native speakers might only recognize but not use. Your use of 'conceder' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, such as a lawyer, a diplomat, or a scholar. You can manipulate the register of your speech or writing perfectly, knowing exactly when 'conceder' provides the necessary gravitas and when it might be too heavy. You also have a deep understanding of the noun form 'concessão' and how it applies to public services (like 'concessão de rodovias'), using the verb and noun interchangeably to discuss complex socio-economic topics.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

conceder in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to grant or allow a right or privilege.
Commonly used in legal, political, and professional contexts in Portuguese.
Follows the grammatical pattern of 'conceder algo a alguém'.
Can also mean to admit a point or acknowledge a defeat.

The Portuguese verb conceder is a sophisticated and versatile term that primarily translates to "to grant," "to allow," or "to bestow." It originates from the Latin concedere, which combined the prefix com- (together/completely) with cedere (to go/to yield). In modern Portuguese, it carries a weight of authority and formality that the simpler verb dar (to give) lacks. When you use conceder, you are usually describing an action where someone in a position of power or ownership provides something—a right, a privilege, a permit, or even an interview—to someone else. It is the language of legal documents, official government decrees, and high-level corporate communication. However, it also finds its way into daily life when discussing formal permissions or admitting a point in an argument.

Formal Granting: This is the most common use in professional settings. For example, a judge might conceder uma liminar (grant an injunction) or a manager might conceder um aumento (grant a raise). It implies that the recipient requested something and the authority figure decided to fulfill that request after consideration.
Bestowing Honors: When a university gives a degree or a city gives an award, conceder is the verb of choice. It elevates the act from a mere transaction to a ceremonial event. A universidade concedeu o título de Doutor Honoris Causa ao escritor. (The university bestowed the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon the writer.)
Yielding or Admitting: In debates or sports, conceder can mean to admit defeat or to acknowledge the validity of an opponent's point. While admitir is more common for personal faults, conceder is used when you allow the other side to have a particular advantage or point. In football (soccer), you might hear conceder um golo (to concede a goal), particularly in European Portuguese contexts.

O diretor decidiu conceder o pedido de transferência do funcionário após analisar seu excelente desempenho.

Example: Granting a transfer request.

Understanding the nuance between conceder and its synonyms is crucial for reaching B2 and C1 levels of proficiency. While dar is neutral, outorgar is even more formal (often used for legal powers), and permitir is strictly about permission. Conceder sits in the sweet spot of formal interaction, making it indispensable for business meetings, academic writing, and understanding Portuguese news broadcasts. It suggests a deliberate act of will from the granter.

A rainha vai conceder uma audiência privada aos embaixadores amanhã de manhã.

Granting Interviews: In journalism, celebrities or politicians don't just 'give' interviews; they concedem entrevistas. This implies that their time is valuable and they are 'allowing' the journalist access.

O autor raramente concede entrevistas à imprensa internacional.

Using conceder correctly requires attention to its grammatical structure. It is a transitive verb, often appearing with both a direct object (the thing granted) and an indirect object (the person receiving it). The typical pattern is conceder algo a alguém. For example, O governo concedeu asilo aos refugiados (The government granted asylum to the refugees). Here, 'asilo' is the direct object and 'aos refugiados' is the indirect object marked by the preposition 'a'.

O juiz deve conceder o benefício da dúvida ao réu neste caso específico.

Passive Voice Usage: In formal writing, the passive voice is very common with this verb. Phrases like foi concedido or serão concedidos appear frequently in reports. O prêmio foi concedido postumamente. (The award was granted posthumously.)
The 'Se' Particle: Sometimes conceder is used with the 'se' particle to indicate that something was granted without specifying who did it. Concedeu-se a permissão necessária. (The necessary permission was granted.)

When using conceder in the sense of admitting a point, it can be followed by a clause starting with que. For instance: Eu concedo que você tem razão em alguns pontos. (I concede that you are right on some points.) This usage is slightly less common than the 'granting' meaning but is essential for high-level argumentative Portuguese. It shows a level of intellectual honesty and sophistication.

A prefeitura não vai conceder novos alvarás de construção este ano.

In a professional context, you might use it to discuss benefits. A empresa concede vale-refeição a todos os colaboradores. This implies a formal provision of benefits. Note that while dar would be understood, conceder sounds much more appropriate for a contract or a human resources handbook. It emphasizes the structural nature of the benefit.

Podemos conceder um desconto de dez por cento se o pagamento for à vista.

You will encounter conceder most frequently in environments that demand precision and formality. If you turn on a Portuguese news channel like SIC, RTP, or Globo, you will hear it during the political segment. News anchors use it to describe government actions: O Presidente da República concedeu o indulto de Natal. (The President granted the Christmas pardon.) This specific usage is almost never replaced by dar because the legal weight of a pardon requires a verb of equal gravitas.

Legal and Judicial Settings: If you are ever in a Portuguese-speaking courtroom or reading legal documents, conceder is omnipresent. Judges concedem liminares (grant injunctions), concedem liberdade condicional (grant parole), and concedem a palavra (grant the floor/permission to speak) to the lawyers.
Academic and Scientific Discourse: In academic journals, researchers might write about how a certain theory concede importância (grants importance) to a specific variable. It is used to describe the allocation of weight or value in an intellectual framework.

O conselho universitário decidiu conceder a bolsa de estudos integral ao aluno.

In business, conceder is used during negotiations. A salesperson might say, Não posso conceder mais descontos (I cannot grant any more discounts). This phrasing sounds more professional and firm than saying Não posso dar mais descontos, which sounds a bit more colloquial and perhaps less authoritative. It frames the discount as a formal concession rather than just a price change.

A empresa vai conceder férias coletivas a todos os funcionários em dezembro.

Finally, in sports commentary—especially in Portugal—you might hear about a team concedendo um pênalti (conceding a penalty). This usage mirrors English closely and is a staple of sports journalism. It implies that the team's error 'gave' the opportunity to the opponent.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using conceder where concordar (to agree) should be used. While they look similar to the English 'concede' (which can mean 'to agree' in some contexts), in Portuguese, conceder is primarily about the act of giving/granting, not just agreeing. If you want to say 'I agree with you,' say Eu concordo com você, not Eu concedo com você (which is grammatically incorrect).

Confusing with 'Considerar': Some learners confuse conceder with considerar (to consider). While you might 'consider' a request before you 'grant' it, the two verbs are distinct. Eu estou considerando o seu pedido (I am considering your request) vs. Eu concedi o seu pedido (I granted your request).
Overusing it in Casual Speech: Using conceder when you are giving a friend a piece of gum or a simple gift sounds very strange and overly dramatic. Stick to dar for casual, everyday objects. Reserve conceder for things that have institutional or formal value.

Errado: Eu concedo com a sua opinião.
Correto: Eu concordo com a sua opinião.

Another mistake is forgetting the preposition a when mentioning the recipient. Because conceder is a bit like 'to give,' it requires that indirect object marker. Concedi o prêmio ao vencedor (I granted the prize to the winner). Leaving out the 'ao' makes the sentence sound incomplete to a native ear.

Não se deve conceder privilégios a apenas um grupo de pessoas.

Lastly, be careful with the spelling. It is conceder with a 'c' in the middle, not 'conseder'. Since 'c' and 's' can sound the same before 'e', this is a common spelling error even for some native speakers in informal writing.

Portuguese has several verbs that overlap with conceder, each with its own specific register and nuance. Choosing the right one depends entirely on the context of the 'giving'.

Dar: The most common and neutral alternative. Use dar for everything from giving a present to giving a high-five. It lacks the 'official' feel of conceder.
Outorgar: Even more formal than conceder. It is almost exclusively used in legal and constitutional contexts, such as outorgar uma procuração (to grant power of attorney) or outorgar uma constituição (to promulgate/grant a constitution).
Permitir: Focuses on the lack of prohibition. While conceder implies giving something positive (a right), permitir simply means saying 'yes' to an action. Eu permito que você saia (I allow you to leave).
Atribuir: Used when assigning a value, a cause, or a responsibility. Atribuir um valor ao imóvel (To assign/attribute a value to the property). It overlaps when 'granting' a grade or a score.

Comparação:
1. Dar um presente (Casual)
2. Conceder uma bolsa (Formal/Institutional)
3. Outorgar poderes (Legal)

In some contexts, ceder (without the prefix) can be an alternative, but it usually means 'to give in' or 'to yield' in a physical or emotional sense, like ceder o lugar no ônibus (to give up one's seat on the bus). Conceder is the more active, authoritative version of this yielding.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O magistrado houve por bem conceder o <i>habeas corpus</i>."

Neutral

"A empresa vai conceder um bônus aos funcionários."

Informal

"O professor concedeu um tempinho a mais pra gente."

Child friendly

"A fada madrinha vai conceder o seu desejo!"

Slang

"Não vou conceder nada pra aquele vacilão."

Fun Fact

The word 'conceder' and 'concessão' share the same root as the English word 'concession' (like a snack stand), because a 'concession' is a right granted by a venue to sell goods.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kõ.sɨ.ˈdeɾ/

US /kõ.se.ˈdeʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: con-ce-DER.

Rhymes With

vencer comer beber correr perder saber trazer ver

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound (it should be 's').
Forgetting to nasalize the first syllable 'con'.
Stressing the middle syllable instead of the last.
Pronouncing the 'e' in 'ce' as a hard 'ee' instead of 'eh'.
In Brazil, making the final 'r' too hard like an English 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like 'concede' in English.

Writing 6/5

Requires knowledge of when to use formal register.

Speaking 5/5

The nasal 'con' and the 'ce' sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 4/5

Common in news and formal speech, usually clearly articulated.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dar permitir aceitar pedir direito

Learn Next

outorgar deferir concessão privilégio legitimidade

Advanced

aquiescer anuir transigir condescender

Grammar to Know

Direct and Indirect Objects

Conceder [objeto direto] a [objeto indireto].

Present Subjunctive for Wishes/Necessity

Espero que ele me conceda o favor.

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

A autorização foi concedida pelo diretor.

Impersonal 'Se'

Concedeu-se o prêmio ao melhor aluno.

Preposition 'a' before recipients

Concedi o desconto ao cliente.

Examples by Level

O professor pode conceder um minuto.

The teacher can grant a minute.

Simple use of 'pode' + infinitive.

Eu concedo o meu tempo para você.

I grant my time to you.

Present tense: eu concedo.

A mãe não concede o doce agora.

The mother does not grant the sweet now.

Negative sentence in the present tense.

Você concede um favor?

Do you grant a favor?

Question form with 'você'.

Nós concedemos ajuda aos amigos.

We grant help to friends.

Present tense: nós concedemos.

Eles concedem o lugar para a senhora.

They grant the seat to the lady.

Present tense: eles concedem.

O rei concede o desejo.

The king grants the wish.

Third person singular.

Ela concede um sorriso.

She grants a smile.

Metaphorical use of 'granting'.

A loja vai conceder um desconto especial.

The store is going to grant a special discount.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O chefe concedeu dois dias de folga.

The boss granted two days off.

Preterite tense: ele concedeu.

Eles não concederam a permissão de entrada.

They did not grant entry permission.

Preterite tense: eles não concederam.

O banco pode conceder o empréstimo amanhã.

The bank can grant the loan tomorrow.

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

Nós concedemos o benefício aos novos sócios.

We grant the benefit to new members.

Present tense with indirect object.

O juiz concedeu a palavra ao advogado.

The judge granted the floor to the lawyer.

Formal usage in a legal context.

A escola vai conceder bolsas de estudo.

The school is going to grant scholarships.

Future tense with 'ir'.

Eu concedi a minha autorização por escrito.

I granted my authorization in writing.

Preterite tense: eu concedi.

A empresa decidiu conceder um bônus de Natal.

The company decided to grant a Christmas bonus.

Infinitive after 'decidir'.

O governo concedeu asilo aos perseguidos políticos.

The government granted asylum to the politically persecuted.

Formal political context.

Eu concedo que a situação é difícil, mas há solução.

I concede that the situation is difficult, but there is a solution.

Meaning 'to admit' or 'to acknowledge'.

Foi concedido um prazo maior para o projeto.

A longer deadline was granted for the project.

Passive voice: 'foi concedido'.

A rainha concedeu uma audiência ao primeiro-ministro.

The queen granted an audience to the prime minister.

High register usage.

Não podemos conceder mais adiamentos.

We cannot grant any more delays.

Negative modal 'não podemos'.

O autor concedeu uma entrevista exclusiva.

The author granted an exclusive interview.

Common collocation 'conceder entrevista'.

Eles concederam o prêmio à cientista.

They granted the prize to the scientist.

Preterite with indirect object.

O tribunal deve conceder a liminar em breve.

The court should grant the injunction soon.

Legal terminology: 'liminar'.

É necessário que o diretor conceda a autorização.

It is necessary that the director grants the authorization.

Present subjunctive: 'conceda'.

A universidade concedeu o título de doutor honoris causa.

The university bestowed the honorary doctorate title.

Ceremonial usage.

O réu espera que lhe concedam a liberdade condicional.

The defendant hopes they grant him parole.

Subjunctive with 'esperar que'.

A prefeitura concedeu a exploração do serviço de transporte.

The city hall granted the operation of the transport service.

Public administration context.

Conceder privilégios a poucos gera revolta.

Granting privileges to a few generates revolt.

Infinitive as a subject.

O técnico concedeu que a equipe adversária foi superior.

The coach conceded that the opposing team was superior.

Usage meaning 'to admit' in sports.

Se o governo concedesse o subsídio, o preço baixaria.

If the government granted the subsidy, the price would drop.

Imperfect subjunctive: 'concedesse'.

O palestrante concedeu a palavra aos ouvintes para o debate.

The speaker granted the floor to the listeners for the debate.

Formal expression: 'conceder a palavra'.

A obra de arte concede uma nova perspectiva sobre a guerra.

The work of art grants/provides a new perspective on the war.

Abstract/metaphorical usage.

Não se pode conceder importância a boatos sem fundamento.

One cannot grant importance to groundless rumors.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

O tratado concede direitos de pesca em águas territoriais.

The treaty grants fishing rights in territorial waters.

Diplomatic/Legal context.

Apesar de ter concedido a derrota, o candidato criticou o processo.

Despite having conceded defeat, the candidate criticized the process.

Meaning 'to admit defeat'.

A lei concede ao cidadão o direito de ampla defesa.

The law grants the citizen the right to a full defense.

Constitutional language.

O historiador concede que as fontes são limitadas.

The historian concedes that the sources are limited.

Academic acknowledgement.

Que o destino nos conceda a paz que tanto buscamos.

May destiny grant us the peace we seek so much.

Optative subjunctive (expressing a wish).

A outorga foi concedida mediante rigorosa análise técnica.

The grant was conceded upon rigorous technical analysis.

Highly formal administrative language.

Conceder-se-á o benefício apenas aos que cumprirem os requisitos.

The benefit shall be granted only to those who meet the requirements.

Mesoclisis (conceder-se-á), extremely formal future.

A narrativa concede ao leitor a tarefa de decifrar o enigma.

The narrative grants the reader the task of deciphering the enigma.

Literary analysis usage.

O filósofo não concede espaço para ambiguidades em sua tese.

The philosopher grants no space for ambiguities in his thesis.

Abstract academic usage.

Foi-lhe concedida a graça do perdão imperial.

The grace of imperial pardon was granted to him.

Archaic/Historical tone.

A empresa logrou que lhe fosse concedida a isenção fiscal.

The company succeeded in having the tax exemption granted to it.

Complex structure with passive subjunctive.

Concedamos, por um momento, que a premissa seja verdadeira.

Let us concede, for a moment, that the premise is true.

First person plural imperative/subjunctive for hypothesis.

A magnitude do evento concede-lhe um lugar na história.

The magnitude of the event grants it a place in history.

Elevated rhetorical style.

Common Collocations

conceder uma entrevista

conceder um desconto

conceder asilo

conceder a palavra

conceder um empréstimo

conceder o benefício da dúvida

conceder uma bolsa

conceder um prazo

conceder liberdade

conceder honrarias

Common Phrases

Conceder a mão de alguém

— An old-fashioned way to say giving permission for marriage.

O pai concedeu a mão da filha em casamento.

Conceder um desejo

— To make a wish come true, often in fairy tales.

O gênio concedeu três desejos ao rapaz.

Conceder importância

— To treat something as important or significant.

Não conceda importância ao que ele diz.

Conceder espaço

— To provide room or opportunity for something.

A revista concede espaço para novos escritores.

Conceder crédito

— To give financial credit or to believe someone's words.

O banco concedeu crédito para a pequena empresa.

Conceder acesso

— To allow someone to enter or see something.

O sistema concedeu acesso ao usuário.

Conceder privilégios

— To give special rights to someone.

O rei concedeu privilégios à nobreza.

Conceder autorização

— To formally allow an action.

O diretor concedeu autorização para o evento.

Conceder o perdão

— To formally forgive someone, often in a legal sense.

O presidente concedeu o perdão ao prisioneiro.

Conceder a vitória

— To admit that the opponent has won.

O candidato concedeu a vitória ao seu rival.

Often Confused With

conceder vs concordar

Means 'to agree'. English 'concede' can mean 'agree', but Portuguese 'conceder' is mostly 'grant'.

conceder vs considerar

Means 'to consider'. You consider a request before you concede it.

conceder vs ceder

Means 'to yield' or 'to give up'. 'Conceder' is more formal and active.

Idioms & Expressions

"Conceder o benefício da dúvida"

— To believe someone is innocent or telling the truth until proven otherwise.

Eu não tenho certeza, mas vou conceder o benefício da dúvida.

Neutral

"Conceder a vez"

— To let someone else go first or take your turn.

Ele concedeu a vez para o colega falar.

Neutral

"Não conceder um palmo"

— To not yield or give in even a tiny bit in an argument or battle.

Na negociação, ele não concedeu um palmo de terreno.

Formal/Idiomatic

"Conceder as honras da casa"

— To welcome someone and show them around as a host.

O anfitrião concedeu as honras da casa aos convidados.

Formal

"Conceder ouvidos"

— To listen to someone, often implying they might not deserve it.

Não conceda ouvidos a fofocas.

Literary

"Conceder tréguas"

— To give someone a break or a pause from pressure.

A chuva não concedeu tréguas durante todo o dia.

Neutral

"Conceder fôlego"

— To give someone time to recover or think.

O novo investimento concedeu fôlego à empresa.

Neutral

"Conceder luz"

— To clarify something or provide insight (metaphorical).

A explicação concedeu luz sobre o problema.

Literary

"Conceder a primazia"

— To give someone or something the first place or highest importance.

O autor concede a primazia aos sentimentos sobre a razão.

Academic

"Conceder foro"

— To give something legitimacy or status.

A descoberta concedeu foro de cidade ao pequeno vilarejo.

Formal/Historical

Easily Confused

conceder vs Conceder

Sounds like English 'concede'.

In Portuguese, it primarily means 'to grant' (authority giving to someone). English 'concede' often means 'to admit defeat' or 'to admit something is true'. Portuguese uses 'admitir' or 'concordar' more often for those.

O juiz concedeu a liberdade.

conceder vs Ceder

Root word of conceder.

Ceder is used for physically giving up space or giving in to pressure. Conceder is used for formal granting of rights or favors.

Ele cedeu o lugar no ônibus.

conceder vs Conciliar

Starts with 'con-'.

Conciliar means to reconcile or balance two things (like work and life).

É difícil conciliar trabalho e estudo.

conceder vs Conceder vs Outorgar

Both mean 'to grant'.

Outorgar is even more formal, used for legal powers, contracts, or constitutions. Conceder is the standard formal word for grants, interviews, and discounts.

A constituição foi outorgada em 1824.

conceder vs Conceder vs Proporcionar

Both involve giving.

Proporcionar means to provide an opportunity or a feeling. Conceder is about a formal act of allowing or giving a right.

O curso proporciona novos conhecimentos.

Sentence Patterns

Sujeito + vai conceder + substantivo.

O banco vai conceder o crédito.

Sujeito + concedeu + substantivo + a + alguém.

O professor concedeu o prazo ao aluno.

Foi concedido + substantivo.

Foi concedido um desconto.

Espero que + sujeito + conceda + substantivo.

Espero que o juiz conceda a liminar.

Sujeito + concedeu que + frase.

Ele concedeu que estava errado.

Substantivo + concedido + por + agente.

O asilo concedido pelo governo salvou vidas.

Conceder-se-á + substantivo.

Conceder-se-á a licença amanhã.

Lograr que + lhe seja concedido + substantivo.

Logrou que lhe fosse concedido o prêmio.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal contexts, medium in general media, low in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu concedo com você. → Eu concordo com você.
You cannot 'conceder' with someone. 'Conceder' is granting something, 'concordar' is agreeing.
O juiz concedeu o réu. → O juiz concedeu a liberdade ao réu.
You don't grant the person; you grant the right *to* the person.
Eu consedi o pedido. → Eu concedi o pedido.
Spelling error: it is spelled with 'c', not 's'.
A empresa concedeu um presente para mim. → A empresa me deu um presente. / A empresa concedeu-me um bônus.
'Conceder' is too formal for a simple 'presente' (gift). Use it for 'bônus' or 'benefício'.
Conceder uma pergunta. → Permitir uma pergunta. / Conceder a palavra para uma pergunta.
We don't usually 'grant a question' directly. We grant the floor or allow the question.

Tips

Upgrade your 'dar'

In any professional writing, look for instances of 'dar' and see if 'conceder' fits. It immediately makes your writing sound more advanced.

Watch the Preposition

Always remember to use 'a' before the person receiving the grant. 'Concedi o bônus AO funcionário'.

Business Meetings

When negotiating, use 'conceder um desconto' to sound firm but professional.

News Keywords

If you hear 'concedeu' on the news, pay attention—it's usually followed by a major government or legal decision.

The Word 'Palavra'

In a meeting, say 'Vou conceder a palavra ao...' to introduce the next speaker. It sounds very polite.

Academic Essays

Use 'conceder importância' instead of 'dar importância' when discussing theories or authors.

Legal Rights

In Brazil, 'conceder' is the key verb for talking about constitutional rights.

Grant/Concede

Since it looks like 'concede', just remember that in Portuguese it's mostly about the 'giving' part of conceding.

Avoid Casual Overuse

Don't say 'Eu concedo esta cerveja a você' unless you are being funny.

The 'C' Rule

It's 'conceder' with a 'c', not an 's'. Think of 'concession' in English to remember the 'c'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CON' (with) 'CEDER' (yielding). When you CONCEDER, you are 'with-yielding' or granting something formal.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge in a black robe handing a signed paper to a person. The paper says 'GRANT' in big letters.

Word Web

Direito Permissão Bolsa Entrevista Desconto Prazo Asilo Favor

Challenge

Write three things you would CONCEDER to your best friend if you were the president of a country.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'concedere', which means to yield, to withdraw, or to allow.

Original meaning: To completely yield or give up a position.

Romance (Latin-derived)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too arrogant by using 'conceder' for small things you do for others, as it implies you are in a position of power.

English speakers often use 'give' for everything. Learning 'conceder' helps you match the formal register of 'grant' or 'bestow'.

The Portuguese Constitution often uses 'conceder' regarding citizen rights. Nobel Prize announcements in Portuguese use 'conceder o prêmio'. Historical documents of the Brazilian Empire.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Legal / Judicial

conceder liminar
conceder liberdade
conceder perdão
conceder a palavra

Business / Corporate

conceder bônus
conceder desconto
conceder aumento
conceder férias

Academic / Education

conceder bolsa
conceder título
conceder prazo
conceder nota

Politics / Government

conceder asilo
conceder entrevista
conceder subsídio
conceder direitos

Daily Formal Interactions

conceder licença
conceder atenção
conceder favor
conceder espaço

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que o governo deveria conceder mais bolsas de estudo?"

"A sua empresa costuma conceder bônus no final do ano?"

"Você já teve que conceder a vitória a alguém em um debate?"

"Em que situações você concederia o benefício da dúvida a um estranho?"

"Se você fosse um gênio, quais desejos você iria conceder?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que alguém lhe concedeu uma oportunidade importante na vida.

Reflita sobre a importância de conceder o benefício da dúvida nas relações humanas.

Descreva um cenário onde você teria que conceder um desconto difícil em uma negociação.

Imagine que você é um juiz. Que tipo de pedidos você costuma conceder?

Discuta se as redes sociais concedem voz a quem realmente precisa ser ouvido.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not exactly. While you can say 'Eu concedo que você está certo' (I concede that you are right), it is very formal. For 'I agree', you should usually use 'Eu concordo'.

Yes, it is used in both, primarily in formal contexts like news, law, and business. The meaning is the same.

The noun form is 'concessão'. For example, 'A concessão de bolsas' (The granting of scholarships).

Yes, it is a regular -er verb. It follows the same conjugation as 'vencer' or 'comer'.

Only if the gift is very official or ceremonial. For a birthday gift to a friend, use 'dar'.

You say 'conceder uma entrevista'. This is the standard way to express this in Portuguese media.

'Permitir' is simply 'to allow'. 'Conceder' is more about 'giving' something positive, like a right or a discount.

Both are possible, but 'conceder a' (or 'ao/à') is much more common and formal.

Yes, especially in European Portuguese, to mean 'conceding' a goal or a penalty.

It is the exact equivalent of the English idiom 'to give the benefit of the doubt'.