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A2 verb #3,000 most common 11 min read

concertar

Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips concertar in 30 Seconds

Explanation concertar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the sound of the word. 'Concertar' sounds exactly like 'consertar'. For now, simply remember that 'concertar' with a 'C' is related to music, like a 'concert'. If you are at a very basic level, you might not use this word often, but you will hear it. It means to make things work together nicely. Imagine two people singing together; if they sing well, they are in harmony. That is the basic idea of 'concertar'. Don't worry about the complex diplomatic meanings yet. Just think: C = Concert = Music/Harmony. Most of the time, when you want to say 'fix my toy', you will need the other word, 'consertar' with an S. But if you see 'concertar' in a book about music, you will know it means to make the instruments sound good together. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'estudar'. Eu concerto, você concerta. It is a good word to know to show you are paying attention to spelling!

At the A2 level, you can start using 'concertar' in simple sentences about agreements and music. You are now learning that some words in Portuguese sound the same but have different meanings. 'Concertar' (with C) is one of these. You use it when you want to say 'to arrange' or 'to harmonize'. For example, if you and your friends are planning a trip, you might 'concertar' the details, meaning you are bringing all the different ideas into one plan. It is slightly more formal than 'combinar'. You should also know it in the context of tuning instruments. In A2, you are expanding your vocabulary beyond just physical actions to more abstract ones. 'Concertar' is a perfect example of an abstract 'fixing'—fixing a plan, fixing a schedule, or fixing a song. Remember the 'C' for 'Concert' and you will never get it wrong in your writing assignments. It is a great way to impress your teacher by showing you know the difference between 'fixing a car' (consertar) and 'fixing an agreement' (concertar).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable distinguishing between 'concertar' and 'consertar' in both reading and writing. You now understand that 'concertar' implies a collaborative effort or a systemic harmony. You might use it in a professional context, such as 'concertar uma reunião' (to arrange/harmonize a meeting time) or 'concertar interesses' (to align interests). At this stage, you should also be aware of the noun form 'concerto' (a musical concert or an agreement) versus 'conserto' (a repair). B1 learners often start to engage with more formal texts, such as news articles or business emails, where 'concertar' appears frequently in discussions about politics or economics. For example, 'Os governos precisam concertar suas políticas ambientais.' This means they need to make their policies work together. You are moving away from simple translations and starting to understand the 'flavor' of words. 'Concertar' has a flavor of order, balance, and mutual agreement that 'consertar' simply does not have.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'concertar' with precision in formal writing and debates. You understand its etymological connection to the Latin 'concertare', which means to contend or work together. You can use it to describe complex processes like the 'concertação social' (social dialogue/agreement between government, employers, and unions). At this level, you should not be making the mistake of using 'concertar' for physical repairs. You use it to describe the harmonization of laws, the coordination of international efforts, or the artistic arrangement of a complex musical piece. You can also use it metaphorically to describe mending a fractured social group or bringing dissenting voices into a unified 'concert'. Your vocabulary is now sophisticated enough to choose 'concertar' over 'harmonizar' when you want to imply a more structured or formal arrangement. You also recognize it in classical literature where characters 'concertam' marriages or alliances, reflecting the word's long history in the Portuguese language as a tool for describing social and political order.

At the C1 level, 'concertar' becomes a tool for nuanced expression in academic and professional discourse. You understand the subtle difference between 'concertar' and synonyms like 'pactuar' or 'coordenar'. While 'pactuar' focuses on the final agreement, 'concertar' emphasizes the process of bringing disparate elements into a harmonious whole. You can use it in high-level analyses of international relations—for instance, discussing the 'concertação de forças' in a geopolitical conflict. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the word and how its meaning has remained stable in its core of 'harmony' despite the common confusion with 'consertar'. In a C1 context, you might use the verb to describe the intricate work of a diplomat or a high-level strategist. Your use of the word reflects a deep grasp of Portuguese orthography and semantics, allowing you to navigate formal environments with confidence. You can also appreciate the word's use in poetry or classical prose, where it often describes the 'concert' of nature or the 'concerted' movements of the heavens.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the verb 'concertar' and its various connotations. You can use it in highly specialized fields such as musicology, international law, or philosophy. You might discuss the 'concertação' of different philosophical schools or the way a composer 'concerta' dissonant elements into a cohesive symphony. You are fully aware of the linguistic history and the potential for wordplay between 'concertar' and 'consertar', perhaps using them intentionally in a literary piece to highlight the difference between fixing something broken and harmonizing something disparate. Your command of the word is such that you can identify its use even in archaic texts where the boundaries between 's' and 'c' were less defined, yet you maintain perfect modern standards. For a C2 speaker, 'concertar' is not just a verb; it is a concept of order and beauty, representing the human effort to find unity in diversity. You use it naturally and correctly in every context, from the most formal state ceremony to the most detailed technical manual on orchestral arrangement.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

concertar in 30 Seconds

Concertar means to harmonize or arrange elements into a unified whole, often used in music or formal agreements.
It is a homophone of 'consertar' (to repair), but 'concertar' with a C is strictly for harmony and coordination.
You will mostly hear this word in formal contexts, music schools, or when discussing international treaties and social pacts.
Using it correctly demonstrates high literacy and an understanding of the Latin roots shared with the English word 'concert'.

The Portuguese verb concertar is a fascinating word that often acts as a linguistic trap for both learners and native speakers. At its core, to concertar means to harmonize, to bring into agreement, to arrange, or to mend a situation through coordination. While it is frequently confused with its homophone 'consertar' (spelled with an 's'), which specifically refers to repairing physical objects like a broken car or a torn shirt, 'concertar' with a 'c' deals with the alignment of elements, ideas, or sounds. When you concertar something, you are essentially 'acting in concert' with others or with a specific plan. This distinction is vital for English speakers because the English word 'concert' carries the same Latin root, implying a performance where many parts work together as one. In a professional or diplomatic context, you might hear about parties trying to concertar their interests, meaning they are trying to find a middle ground or a harmonious path forward. It is a word of refinement, order, and collective agreement.

Musical Context: Used when musicians tune their instruments together or when a composer arranges parts to create harmony. It is about the 'concerto' (the concert) itself.

Diplomatic Usage: Refers to the act of reaching an agreement or a 'pact' between different nations or political entities to ensure a unified action.

General Arrangement: Mending a broken relationship or a disordered schedule by aligning the parts correctly through dialogue or systematic adjustment.

Eles precisam concertar os ponteiros antes da reunião começar.

Imagine a group of people trying to sing a song but everyone is in a different key. To 'concertar' the group is to bring them into the same key so the music sounds pleasant. This metaphorical 'mending' of discord is the primary domain of this verb. It is less about using a hammer and more about using a baton or a diplomatic pen. In modern Portuguese, you will see this word used in high-level news reports regarding international treaties or in classical music reviews. However, because it sounds exactly like 'consertar' (to fix), many people use the spelling interchangeably in informal writing, which is considered a grammatical error. Mastering the 'c' version shows a high level of literacy and an understanding of the word's Latin heritage. It evokes a sense of balance and intentional design rather than just a quick fix of a mechanical failure.

O maestro vai concertar a orquestra para a apresentação final.

As nações tentam concertar um plano de paz duradouro.

É necessário concertar as opiniões divergentes no comitê.

Nós vamos concertar nossas agendas para o próximo mês.

Using 'concertar' correctly requires a shift from thinking about 'broken objects' to thinking about 'disordered systems'. In a sentence, 'concertar' usually takes a direct object that represents something that can be harmonized or agreed upon. For instance, you can concertar prices (agree on a fixed price among sellers), concertar instruments (tune them), or concertar efforts (coordinate work). The verb follows the regular first conjugation (-ar), making it relatively easy to conjugate. However, the context must always imply a sense of 'bringing together' rather than 'repairing a defect'. If you say 'Eu vou concertar o rádio', a native might think you are going to include the radio in a musical arrangement rather than fix its broken speaker. Therefore, precision is key. Use it when you are talking about teamwork, music, or strategic alignment.

With Abstract Nouns: Ideal for words like 'ideias' (ideas), 'interesses' (interests), or 'votos' (votes). 'Eles concertaram seus votos' means they agreed to vote the same way.

In Professional Settings: Common in legal or business Portuguese to describe the act of harmonizing different clauses in a contract or different departments in a company.

As a Reflexive Verb: Although rare, 'concertar-se' can imply making oneself in agreement with something or someone else. 'Ele concertou-se com o grupo' (He aligned himself with the group).

Os músicos passaram horas a concertar os violinos para o espetáculo.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the preposition 'com' (with) which often follows the verb when indicating who the agreement is being made with. 'Concertar algo com alguém' is a standard structure. For example, 'O governo precisa concertar as novas medidas com o setor privado'. Here, 'concertar' acts as a bridge-builder. It suggests a process of negotiation and fine-tuning. In English, we might translate this as 'to coordinate' or 'to harmonize'. It is a high-register word, so using it in everyday casual conversation about fixing a leaky faucet will sound strange and incorrect. Reserve it for situations where complexity meets coordination. The beauty of the word lies in its ability to describe the invisible work of making things function together as a whole.

Vamos concertar uma estratégia comum para o projeto.

O diretor tentou concertar o conflito entre os funcionários.

É difícil concertar tantos interesses diferentes em uma só lei.

Eles conseguiram concertar um acordo de última hora.

In the real world, you won't hear 'concertar' at a mechanic's shop or while someone is fixing a broken window. Instead, you will encounter it in environments where 'harmony' is the goal. One of the most common places is the conservatory or the opera house. When musicians are preparing for a performance, the act of 'concertar' is the process of ensuring every instrument is in tune and every player is on the same page. You might hear a conductor say, 'Precisamos concertar as cordas com os sopros' (We need to harmonize the strings with the brass). This usage is very literal and directly related to the musical 'concerto'. In these settings, the word carries a weight of artistic precision and technical mastery.

News and Politics: Journalists often use 'concertar' when discussing international relations. 'Os líderes europeus vão se reunir para concertar uma resposta à crise.' (European leaders will meet to coordinate a response to the crisis.)

Legal and Formal Documents: Contracts might use the term to describe the synchronization of different obligations or the alignment of various legal frameworks across borders.

High-Level Business Meetings: Executives might use it when talking about 'concertar estratégias' between different regional branches of a global corporation.

Na rádio, o locutor anunciou que a orquestra estava a concertar os tons para a abertura.

Another interesting place you hear this word is in historical or literary discussions. Portuguese literature often uses 'concertar' to describe the 'mending' of social order or the 'arrangement' of a marriage in centuries past. It evokes a time when social life was a series of carefully 'concerted' moves. In modern speech, if someone uses 'concertar' correctly in a social setting, they likely have a very refined vocabulary or are discussing something intellectual. It is not a 'street' word. If you hear it in the street, there is a 90% chance the person actually meant 'consertar' (to repair) but is unaware of the spelling difference. This makes it a great 'marker' word for learners—knowing when to use it (and when others are using it 'wrongly' for repair) puts you ahead of the curve.

O embaixador conseguiu concertar os termos do tratado de paz.

É preciso concertar o passo para marcharmos juntos.

Os países do Mercosul buscam concertar suas tarifas alfandegárias.

O governo e os sindicatos tentam concertar o reajuste salarial.

The single most common mistake involving 'concertar' is using it when you actually mean 'consertar'. This is a classic 'paronym' problem in Portuguese—words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Because they are both verbs that imply 'making something right' (one through repair, one through harmony), the confusion is deeply rooted. For an English speaker, the best way to avoid this is to associate 'Concertar' with 'Concert' (music/agreement) and 'Consertar' with 'Service' (repairing/fixing). If you write 'Eu vou concertar meu computador', you are technically saying you are going to make your computer sing in harmony with others, which makes no sense in a repair context.

The 'Repair' Trap: Mistake: Using 'concertar' for physical fixes. Correction: Use 'consertar' for cars, appliances, and clothes.

The 'Agreement' Trap: Mistake: Using 'consertar' for treaties or musical tuning. Correction: Use 'concertar' for harmony and coordination.

Spelling in Writing: Many students forget that 'c' and 's' before 'e' sound identical. Always double-check the 'c' for 'concert' and 's' for 'service/repair'.

Errado: Vou concertar o meu carro quebrado. (Incorrect spelling for repair)

Another mistake is overusing 'concertar' in casual speech. Even when used correctly to mean 'harmonize', it can sound overly formal or academic. If you are just agreeing with a friend on where to eat, saying 'Vamos concertar nosso jantar' sounds like you are planning a state banquet. Instead, use 'combinar' (to arrange/agree). 'Concertar' should be reserved for formal, musical, or complex coordination contexts. Furthermore, learners often forget the prepositional requirements. When 'concertar' means to agree with someone, it usually needs 'com'. Omitting the 'com' can change the sentence's flow or make it sound incomplete. Lastly, avoid confusing it with 'conectar' (to connect), which is about physical or digital links, not necessarily harmony or agreement.

Certo: O sapateiro vai consertar o sapato. (S for repair)

Certo: Os músicos vão concertar os tons. (C for harmony)

Errado: Vamos consertar um plano de paz. (S is wrong for agreements)

Certo: Vamos concertar uma estratégia. (C for coordination)

Because 'concertar' is a specific, high-register word, you often need alternatives for daily life or to express slightly different nuances of harmony and repair. The most obvious alternative is its twin 'consertar', but remember they are not synonyms—they are phonetically identical but functionally distinct. If your goal is to say 'fix', 'consertar' is almost always what you want. If your goal is 'harmonize', then 'harmonizar' is a very common and clear alternative that avoids the S/C confusion altogether. In business contexts, 'coordenar' (to coordinate) or 'ajustar' (to adjust) are often more natural than 'concertar'. Understanding these subtle shifts helps you sound more like a native and less like a textbook.

Harmonizar vs. Concertar: 'Harmonizar' is more common for food/wine pairings or general peace. 'Concertar' is more technical for music or formal agreements.

Ajustar vs. Concertar: 'Ajustar' is used for physical settings (like a chair height) or small changes. 'Concertar' implies a larger, more collaborative alignment.

Pactuar vs. Concertar: 'Pactuar' specifically means to make a pact or deal. 'Concertar' is broader, covering the harmony leading up to that deal.

Em vez de concertar, você pode usar 'combinar' para planos simples.

Other words to consider include 'reparar' (to repair/notice), which is a great synonym for 'consertar' (with S) but never for 'concertar' (with C). If you are talking about fixing a relationship, you might use 'reconciliar' (to reconcile), which captures the 'harmony' aspect of 'concertar' but with a more emotional weight. In music, 'afinar' (to tune) is much more common than 'concertar' when talking about a single instrument. You 'afinar' a guitar, but the orchestra 'concerta' their collective sound. By choosing the right word, you show that you understand the context. 'Concertar' is the 'orchestra conductor' of verbs—it's about the big picture, the shared agreement, and the perfect harmony of multiple moving parts.

A empresa decidiu ajustar (em vez de concertar) os detalhes do contrato.

Precisamos harmonizar as cores da decoração.

Eles vão combinar o horário da festa por telefone.

O técnico vai reparar o vazamento no banheiro.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally had a sense of 'competition' (striving together), but over time, it shifted to the 'harmony' of that joint effort, leading to the modern musical 'concert'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kõ.seɾ.ˈtaɾ/

US /kõ.seɾ.ˈtaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: con-cer-TAR.

Rhymes With

cantar falar amar andar olhar chegar pensar mudar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'c' like a 'k'. It is always soft before 'e'.
Failing to nasalize the first 'o'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Pronouncing it differently from 'consertar' (they should sound identical).
Over-enunciating the 'r' at the end in a way that sounds unnatural.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Easy to read but requires context to distinguish from its homophone.

Writing 7/5

Hard because of the S/C confusion. Requires conscious effort.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to say as it is a regular -ar verb.

Listening 5/5

Challenging because it sounds exactly like 'consertar'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

acordo música plano falar com

Learn Next

consertar harmonizar coordenar pactuar desconcertar

Advanced

concertação sintonia convergência diplomacia orquestração

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verbs in the present tense.

Eu concerto, Tu concertas, Ele concerta...

Homophones (Palavras Homófonas).

Concertar (harmonize) vs. Consertar (repair).

Preposition 'com' with verbs of agreement.

Concertar os detalhes com o cliente.

Nasalization of 'on' before consonants.

The 'con' in 'concertar' is nasal.

Soft 'c' before 'e' and 'i'.

Concertar sounds like 'con-ser-tar'.

Examples by Level

Eles vão concertar a música.

They are going to harmonize the music.

Simple future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Eu concerto o meu violão com o seu.

I tune my guitar with yours.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Nós concertamos as vozes.

We harmonize our voices.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Você precisa concertar o tom.

You need to adjust the tone.

Infinitive after 'precisa'.

O piano está a concertar com a flauta.

The piano is harmonizing with the flute.

Continuous action (European Portuguese style).

Eles concertam o som.

They harmonize the sound.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Vamos concertar os planos?

Shall we coordinate the plans?

Imperative/Suggestion form.

Ela concerta a melodia.

She harmonizes the melody.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Precisamos concertar nossas agendas para o almoço.

We need to coordinate our schedules for lunch.

Use of 'concertar' for abstract coordination.

Eles concertaram um encontro para amanhã.

They arranged a meeting for tomorrow.

Preterite tense.

O maestro ajuda a concertar os instrumentos.

The conductor helps to tune/harmonize the instruments.

Present tense.

Vamos concertar as ideias antes da aula.

Let's align our ideas before class.

Metaphorical use of 'harmonizing'.

Eles tentam concertar o horário do trem.

They are trying to coordinate the train schedule.

Infinitive after 'tentam'.

Ela quer concertar o ritmo da dança.

She wants to harmonize the rhythm of the dance.

Infinitive after 'quer'.

Nós concertamos os preços na feira.

We agreed on the prices at the market.

Preterite tense.

O grupo concertou uma resposta comum.

The group coordinated a common answer.

Preterite tense.

As empresas decidiram concertar uma estratégia de marketing.

The companies decided to coordinate a marketing strategy.

Formal business usage.

É importante concertar os interesses de todos os sócios.

It is important to align the interests of all partners.

Impersonal expression 'É importante'.

O governo vai concertar as novas leis com o parlamento.

The government will coordinate the new laws with parliament.

Future tense with 'ir'.

Eles concertaram os detalhes do contrato por e-mail.

They finalized/harmonized the contract details via email.

Preterite tense.

A orquestra passou a tarde a concertar a sinfonia.

The orchestra spent the afternoon harmonizing the symphony.

Compound time expression.

Precisamos concertar o passo para não nos perdermos.

We need to synchronize our pace so we don't get lost.

Reflexive 'perdermos'.

O sindicato quer concertar o aumento com o patrão.

The union wants to negotiate/harmonize the raise with the boss.

Social dialogue context.

Eles concertaram os votos para a eleição do clube.

They coordinated their votes for the club election.

Political/Group usage.

Os países europeus buscam concertar uma política externa comum.

European countries seek to coordinate a common foreign policy.

High-level political vocabulary.

Foi difícil concertar tantas opiniões divergentes em um só documento.

It was difficult to harmonize so many diverging opinions into a single document.

Passive/Impersonal structure.

O diretor conseguiu concertar a crise entre os departamentos.

The director managed to resolve/harmonize the crisis between departments.

Management context.

Eles tentam concertar os ponteiros antes da grande fusão.

They are trying to align their views (synchronize watches) before the big merger.

Idiomatic use of 'ponteiros'.

A conferência serve para concertar esforços globais contra a fome.

The conference serves to coordinate global efforts against hunger.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

O tratado foi concertado após meses de negociações intensas.

The treaty was agreed upon/harmonized after months of intense negotiations.

Passive voice.

É necessário concertar a teoria com a prática.

It is necessary to align theory with practice.

Philosophical/Academic usage.

O compositor concertou os elementos eletrônicos com a orquestra.

The composer harmonized the electronic elements with the orchestra.

Modern musical context.

A concertação social é fundamental para a estabilidade do país.

Social dialogue/coordination is fundamental to the country's stability.

Noun form 'concertação'.

O embaixador agiu para concertar as posições dos aliados.

The ambassador acted to align the positions of the allies.

Diplomatic register.

Não se pode concertar o inconcertável sem concessões mútuas.

One cannot harmonize the unharmonizable without mutual concessions.

Complex word formation 'inconcertável'.

O historiador descreve como os reis concertaram o destino da Europa.

The historian describes how the kings orchestrated/harmonized the destiny of Europe.

Literary/Historical register.

A obra busca concertar o clássico com o contemporâneo.

The work seeks to harmonize the classical with the contemporary.

Art criticism context.

Eles concertaram um plano de fuga meticuloso.

They coordinated a meticulous escape plan.

Implies detailed coordination.

É preciso concertar a exploração de recursos com a preservação.

It is necessary to balance/harmonize resource extraction with preservation.

Environmental policy context.

O autor concertou as várias tramas em um final surpreendente.

The author wove/harmonized the various plots into a surprising ending.

Narrative analysis.

A fenomenologia busca concertar a percepção com a essência do ser.

Phenomenology seeks to harmonize perception with the essence of being.

Philosophical register.

Houve uma tentativa de concertar os regimes fiscais em toda a federação.

There was an attempt to harmonize the fiscal regimes throughout the federation.

Legal/Economic register.

O bardo concertava suas rimas com o som da lira.

The bard harmonized his rhymes with the sound of the lyre.

Archaic/Poetic usage.

A concertação de esforços bélicos definiu o rumo da guerra.

The coordination of war efforts defined the course of the war.

Strategic military context.

É um desafio concertar a liberdade individual com a segurança coletiva.

It is a challenge to harmonize individual liberty with collective security.

Political philosophy.

O cientista concertou os dados de várias fontes para a sua tese.

The scientist synthesized/harmonized data from various sources for his thesis.

Academic research context.

A natureza parece concertar o ciclo das águas com as estações.

Nature seems to harmonize the water cycle with the seasons.

Poetic/Naturalistic usage.

Eles concertaram o ataque com uma precisão cirúrgica.

They coordinated the attack with surgical precision.

Implies high-level synchronization.

Synonyms

harmonizar acordar ajustar coordenar pactuar afinar combinar conciliar

Antonyms

desconcertar divergir desafinar confrontar

Common Collocations

concertar esforços

concertar interesses

concertar vozes

concertar um plano

concertar o passo

concertar preços

concertar agendas

concertar ideias

concertar um tratado

concertar instrumentos

Common Phrases

Concertar os ponteiros

— To synchronize watches or, more commonly, to align opinions/goals. It means making sure everyone is on the same page.

Antes da reunião, vamos concertar os ponteiros.

Esforço concertado

— A coordinated effort where everyone works together towards one goal. It implies high organization.

Foi um esforço concertado de toda a equipe.

Vozes concertadas

— Voices singing in harmony or people speaking with a unified message. It suggests agreement.

Ouvimos as vozes concertadas do coral.

Plano concertado

— A plan that has been carefully agreed upon and coordinated between parties. It is not a solo effort.

Eles agiram conforme o plano concertado.

Concertação social

— A formal dialogue between government and social partners. It is a key term in European politics.

A concertação social falhou este ano.

Concertar a paz

— To arrange or establish peace through negotiation and harmony. It is a very formal expression.

Os líderes tentam concertar a paz na região.

Concertar o tom

— To find the right musical key or to adjust the 'vibe' of a conversation to be appropriate. It is about social or musical fitting.

Tente concertar o tom da sua fala.

Ação concertada

— An action taken in coordination with others. Often used in legal or military contexts.

A polícia realizou uma ação concertada.

Interesses concertados

— Interests that have been aligned to work together. It implies the removal of conflict.

Eles têm interesses concertados no negócio.

Concertar o ritmo

— To synchronize the speed or tempo of something, like music or a work process. It ensures consistency.

Precisamos concertar o ritmo de produção.

Often Confused With

concertar vs consertar

The most common confusion. Spelled with S, it means to repair or fix broken objects.

concertar vs conectar

Means to connect physically or digitally, whereas concertar is about harmony/agreement.

concertar vs contatar

Means to contact someone, which is a step before concertar an agreement.

Idioms & Expressions

"Concertar os ponteiros"

— Literally 'to fix the clock hands', but idiomatically 'to align views'. Used when people need to agree before acting.

Eles se reuniram para concertar os ponteiros sobre o projeto.

Informal/Neutral

"Em concerto"

— Working together in perfect harmony or agreement. Not just about music, but about synchronized action.

Os departamentos trabalharam em concerto.

Formal

"Fora de concerto"

— Out of sync or out of harmony. Used when something feels disordered or 'off'.

As ideias dele estão fora de concerto com a realidade.

Literary

"Concertar a vida"

— To put one's life in order or bring balance to personal affairs. Not used for fixing things, but for harmonizing lifestyle.

Ele precisa concertar a vida antes de casar.

Neutral

"Fazer um concerto"

— While it can mean 'to perform a concert', it can also mean 'to make an arrangement/agreement'.

Fizeram um concerto para dividir os bens.

Neutral

"Cantar em concerto"

— To sing in harmony. Often used metaphorically for people saying the same thing.

Todos os jornais cantam em concerto hoje.

Journalistic

"Andar em concerto"

— To walk or act in step with others or with a specific rule.

Ele anda em concerto com as leis.

Formal

"Concertar o fôlego"

— To catch one's breath or to synchronize breathing/effort in a group task.

Eles pararam para concertar o fôlego.

Neutral

"Pôr em concerto"

— To organize or put something into a state of harmony.

Puseram em concerto as finanças da casa.

Formal

"Voz do concerto"

— The main voice or the leading idea that brings others into harmony.

Ela foi a voz do concerto naquela reunião.

Poetic

Easily Confused

concertar vs consertar

Homophones (same sound).

Consertar (S) is for physical repair; Concertar (C) is for harmony/agreement.

Vou consertar o rádio (fix it) vs. Vou concertar o rádio (tune it with other instruments).

concertar vs concerto

Noun form of concertar.

Concerto (C) is a show or agreement; Conserto (S) is a repair job.

Vou ao concerto (show) vs. O conserto ficou caro (the repair was expensive).

concertar vs acordar

Both mean to agree.

Acordar is more general for any agreement; Concertar implies a process of harmonization.

Acordamos o preço vs. Concertamos os interesses.

concertar vs ajustar

Both imply making things fit.

Ajustar is for small mechanical or logistical changes; Concertar is for systemic harmony.

Ajustar o cinto vs. Concertar o plano.

concertar vs harmonizar

Synonyms.

Harmonizar is more common for aesthetics or food; Concertar is more formal or technical.

Harmonizar vinhos vs. Concertar vozes.

Sentence Patterns

Eu vou [verb] [noun].

Eu vou concertar a música.

Nós precisamos [verb] [noun].

Nós precisamos concertar as agendas.

[Subject] decidiu [verb] [noun] com [someone].

O diretor decidiu concertar o plano com a equipe.

É necessário [verb] [abstract noun].

É necessário concertar os interesses divergentes.

A [noun] foi [past participle] após [noun].

A estratégia foi concertada após a reunião.

[Philosophical concept] busca [verb] [noun] com [noun].

A ética busca concertar a ação com a virtude.

Eles estão a [verb] [noun].

Eles estão a concertar os tons.

Vamos [verb] os ponteiros.

Vamos concertar os ponteiros.

Word Family

Nouns

concerto (concert/agreement)

concertação (coordination/dialogue)

concertista (concert performer)

Verbs

concertar (to harmonize)

desconcertar (to confuse/disorder)

Adjectives

concertado (coordinated/harmonious)

concertante (harmonizing)

inconcertável (unharmonizable)

concerto

acordo

pacto

harmonia

sintonia

How to Use It

frequency

Low in daily speech, high in formal/musical/political writing.

Common Mistakes

Eu vou concertar o meu relógio quebrado. → Eu vou consertar o meu relógio quebrado.
You use 'S' for physical repairs of objects like watches.
Eles querem consertar as vozes do coral. → Eles querem concertar as vozes do coral.
You use 'C' for musical harmony and coordination.
O governo vai consertar um novo tratado. → O governo vai concertar um novo tratado.
Diplomatic agreements are 'concertados' (harmonized/arranged), not 'consertados' (repaired).
Vou concertar meu erro. → Vou consertar meu erro.
While 'concertar' means to harmonize, 'fixing an error' is usually seen as a repair of a mistake, so 'consertar' is more common.
A orquestra está a consertar os tons. → A orquestra está a concertar os tons.
Musical tuning and harmony always use the 'C' spelling.

Tips

The Music Rule

If you can imagine a conductor waving a baton, use the 'C' version. 'Concertar' is for the harmony of the orchestra.

Check the S

Before you write 'concertar', ask: 'Am I fixing a machine?' If yes, change that 'C' to an 'S' immediately.

Use 'Combinar' for Friends

Don't use 'concertar' for casual hangouts. It sounds too formal. Use 'combinar' when you want to agree on a time for coffee.

Latin Roots

Remember the English word 'Concerted'. A 'concerted effort' is exactly what 'concertar' describes—everyone working in harmony.

Nasal 'O'

The first 'o' in 'concertar' is nasal. Don't say 'kon', say 'kõ' (like the 'on' in the French word 'bon').

Preposition Power

Use 'com' when you are harmonizing with something or someone else. It makes your Portuguese sound much more natural.

Business Polish

In a job interview, saying you can 'concertar interesses' (align interests) sounds much more professional than just saying you can 'resolver problemas'.

Context Clues

When reading, if you see 'concertar', look for words like 'música', 'acordo', or 'plano' nearby to confirm the meaning.

The 'Concerto' Noun

Remember that 'concerto' (the noun) also uses a 'C'. If you are going to a 'concerto', you are seeing a 'concert'.

Social Coordination

Learn the term 'concertação social'. It is a high-frequency phrase in Portuguese news and will help you understand political discussions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'C' in 'Concertar' as standing for 'Choir' or 'Conductor'. Both need harmony. If you see a 'C', think of a musical concert.

Visual Association

Imagine a conductor's baton. It 'concertas' (harmonizes) the orchestra. The baton looks like a long 'C'.

Word Web

música acordo harmonia plano coordenar maestro paz votos

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'concertar' for a plan, a song, and an agreement. Then, write three using 'consertar' for a car, a phone, and a shoe.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'concertare', which is a combination of 'con-' (together) and 'certare' (to contend, strive, or join).

Original meaning: In Latin, it meant to contend or fight together, which evolved into 'working together' or 'acting in concert'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but using the wrong spelling in a formal job application could make you look less professional.

English speakers often find it easy to remember because of the word 'concert', but they must be careful not to use it for physical repairs just because it sounds like 'fix'.

The 'Concertação Social' in Portugal. Classical music reviews in 'O Globo' or 'Público'. Diplomatic treaties signed by the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Music Class

Concertar os violinos.
Concertar o tom da música.
Concertar com o piano.
Vamos concertar as vozes.

Business Meeting

Concertar as agendas.
Concertar uma estratégia.
Concertar os interesses.
Concertar o plano de ação.

Politics/News

Concertação social.
Concertar um tratado.
Concertar esforços globais.
Concertar posições diplomáticas.

Daily Planning

Concertar os ponteiros.
Concertar o horário.
Concertar as ideias.
Concertar o passo.

Legal/Contracts

Concertar cláusulas.
Concertar termos.
Concertar obrigações.
Concertar o acordo.

Conversation Starters

"Como podemos concertar nossos horários para estudar português juntos?"

"Você acha difícil concertar opiniões diferentes em um grupo de trabalho?"

"Qual é a melhor forma de concertar esforços para ajudar a comunidade?"

"Você já viu uma orquestra a concertar os instrumentos antes do show?"

"Como o governo pode concertar os interesses de todos os cidadãos?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um momento em que você teve que concertar interesses conflitantes entre amigos.

Descreva como você concertaria uma estratégia para aprender uma nova língua em seis meses.

Imagine que você é um maestro. Como você concertaria uma orquestra que está desafinada?

Pense em um problema global. Como as nações poderiam concertar seus esforços para resolvê-lo?

Reflita sobre a diferença entre 'consertar' algo quebrado e 'concertar' um plano. Qual é mais difícil?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'consertar' with an 'S'. 'Concertar' with a 'C' is for harmony, like in a musical concert. If you write 'concertar' for a phone, it's considered a spelling mistake in Portuguese.

Not always, but it's very common in music. It can also mean to coordinate plans, agree on prices, or align diplomatic positions. Think of it as 'acting in concert' with others.

Use the 'C' for 'Concert' and 'S' for 'Service'. A concert needs harmony (concertar), and a service station fixes your car (consertar). This is the easiest way for English speakers.

It is common in formal writing, news, and music circles. In daily conversation, people often say 'combinar' or 'ajustar' instead of 'concertar', and they use 'consertar' (S) for repairs.

It is a formal negotiation process between the government and social groups (like unions) to reach agreements on economic and social policies. You will see this term often in Portuguese and Brazilian news.

Yes, it is a regular verb of the first conjugation (-ar). It follows the same pattern as 'amar', 'falar', and 'estudar'. This makes it easy to conjugate once you know the stem.

Yes, you can 'concertar' a relationship if you mean bringing it back into harmony or agreement. However, 'reconciliar' is more common for emotional situations.

It's an idiom that means 'to get on the same page' or 'to align views'. It literally means to set clock hands to the same time so they are synchronized.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meaning and the same S/C distinction. The pronunciation might vary slightly, but the grammar remains the same.

Because they sound exactly the same! In Portuguese, 'c' before 'e' and 's' before 'e' both make the /s/ sound. Since both words involve 'making something right', the brain easily swaps the spellings.