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A2 verb 11 min read

concorrer

Examples concorrer in 30 Seconds
Explanation concorrer in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should think of 'concorrer' simply as 'to enter a contest' or 'to try to win a prize'. It is a verb that describes a basic action of participation. You might see it in simple advertisements or on social media. The most important thing to learn at this stage is that it is a regular '-er' verb, meaning it follows the same conjugation pattern as 'comer' (to eat) or 'beber' (to drink). For example: 'Eu concorro' (I compete), 'Você concorre' (You compete). You should also start noticing the preposition 'a' that usually follows it. If you enter a lottery, you 'concorre a um prêmio'. Don't worry about the more complex meanings like 'contributing to a result' yet. Just focus on the idea of trying to win something. Imagine you are at a fair and you want to win a stuffed animal; you are 'concorrendo' for that prize. Keep your sentences short and direct. 'Eu quero concorrer.' (I want to compete.) 'Ele concorre ao prêmio.' (He competes for the prize.) This basic foundation will help you as you move into more specific uses of the word in later levels. Remember the sound: 'con-cor-rer', with a strong 'r' at the end.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'concorrer' in more practical, everyday situations, especially concerning work and simple competitions. You should be able to say that you are applying for a job vacancy: 'Eu vou concorrer a uma vaga de emprego'. Notice the use of 'à' (a + a) when the target is feminine, like 'vaga'. This level requires you to understand the difference between 'concorrer a' (the goal) and 'concorrer com' (the person you are competing against). For example, 'Eu concorro com muitos candidatos' (I compete with many candidates). You will also hear this word in the context of local sports or school events. You might say 'Meu filho vai concorrer na corrida da escola' (My son will compete in the school race). At A2, you are expanding your ability to describe your intentions and actions in the professional world. You should also be familiar with the noun form, 'concorrência', which means 'competition' or 'the competitors'. If a store has a sale, they might be doing it because of the 'concorrência'. Understanding 'concorrer' at this level allows you to participate in basic conversations about your career goals and your hobbies, such as games or sports. It's a key verb for expressing ambition and participation in social structures.
At the B1 level, your use of 'concorrer' becomes more nuanced and flexible. You start to move beyond simple prizes and jobs into the realm of politics and business strategy. You should be comfortable using 'concorrer' to talk about elections: 'O político decidiu não concorrer este ano' (The politician decided not to run this year). You also begin to see the 'contribute to' meaning, though it might still feel a bit formal. For instance, 'Vários fatores concorrem para o sucesso de uma empresa' (Several factors contribute to the success of a company). At this intermediate stage, you should be able to use the verb in different tenses, such as the imperfect ('Eu concorria sempre') or the future ('Eu concorrerei'). You also start to recognize the word in news articles about market competition. You might read about how 'A Apple concorre com a Samsung' (Apple competes with Samsung). You should also be able to use the word in the conditional to talk about possibilities: 'Se eu tivesse dinheiro, concorreria ao leilão' (If I had money, I would bid/compete in the auction). B1 learners should also distinguish 'concorrer' from 'competir' in terms of formality, using 'concorrer' for official processes and 'competir' for the general spirit of rivalry. This level is about refining your choice of words to fit the specific context of the conversation.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'concorrer' with precision in professional, academic, and social discussions. You understand the abstract sense of 'concurrence' where multiple events or factors happen at once to produce a result. For example, 'A falta de investimento e a crise econômica concorreram para a falência da fábrica' (The lack of investment and the economic crisis contributed to the factory's bankruptcy). You can participate in debates about 'concorrência desleal' (unfair competition) and explain why certain business practices are harmful. Your grasp of prepositions should be flawless: 'concorrer a', 'concorrer com', 'concorrer para', and 'concorrer em'. You can also use the verb in complex sentence structures, such as passive voices or with relative pronouns: 'A vaga à qual pretendo concorrer é muito disputada' (The vacancy for which I intend to compete is very sought after). At B2, you also recognize the idiomatic uses and can identify 'concorrer' in literature where it might mean 'to converge'. You are capable of discussing the pros and cons of 'concursos públicos' in Brazil or Portugal, using the verb to describe the intense preparation required. This level marks the transition from using the word as a simple action to using it as a tool for analysis and detailed description of cause-and-effect relationships.
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At the C1 level, your command of 'concorrer' is near-native. You use it effortlessly in high-level academic or professional writing to describe complex causalities. You might write a thesis statement like: 'Diversas correntes ideológicas concorrem para a formação da identidade nacional' (Various ideological currents converge/contribute to the formation of national identity). You understand the legal implications of the word, such as 'concorrer para o crime' (to contribute to the commission of a crime), which is a specific term in criminal law. You can also appreciate the stylistic uses of the verb in classic Portuguese literature, where it might be used to describe the meeting of rivers or the alignment of stars. Your vocabulary includes all related forms: 'concorrente' (competitor), 'concorrência' (competition), 'concursal' (related to bankruptcy or contests), and you use them with perfect collocations. You can discuss the nuances between 'concorrer', 'pleitear', and 'litigar' in a legal or business context without hesitation. At C1, the word is no longer just a verb; it's a concept that you can manipulate to express subtle differences in intent, contribution, and convergence. You are also sensitive to the register, knowing that 'concorrer' adds a level of professional gravitas to your speech compared to more common verbs like 'tentar' or 'entrar'.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'concorrer' and its entire etymological and semantic history. You can use it with poetic flair or surgical precision. You might use it in a philosophical context to discuss the 'concorrência de vontades' (concurrence of wills) or in a scientific context to describe forces 'concorrendo' at a single point. You are fully aware of the archaic meanings and can use them for stylistic effect in creative writing. Your understanding of the word is so deep that you can identify its use in any Lusophone dialect, from the 'concursos' of Angola to the 'concorrência' of Macau. You can lead high-level negotiations or academic seminars where the term is central to the discussion of market dynamics, legal responsibility, or historical causality. At this level, you can also play with the word, using it in puns or sophisticated metaphors. You understand how the word has evolved from its Latin roots to its current status as a pillar of Portuguese business and political language. There is no context—be it a complex legal trial, a technical engineering report, or a nuanced literary critique—where you cannot use 'concorrer' or its derivatives with total confidence and accuracy. You are essentially indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker in your use of this verb.
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Examples

concorrer in 30 Seconds

  • Concorrer primarily means to compete for a prize, job, or political office in a formal or organized setting.
  • It requires prepositions: 'a' for the goal, 'com' for opponents, and 'para' for contributing factors.
  • Commonly heard in news regarding elections, business rivalries, and lottery advertisements across the Portuguese-speaking world.
  • Crucial for professional contexts, especially when applying for 'concursos públicos' or corporate vacancies.

The Portuguese verb concorrer is a multifaceted gem in the Lusophone linguistic crown. At its core, it signifies the act of running together with others toward a common goal, originating from the Latin concurrere. While many English speakers immediately jump to 'compete' as the primary translation, the word carries a broader semantic load that encompasses applying for positions, contributing to a specific outcome, and even the simultaneous occurrence of events. Understanding 'concorrer' requires a shift from viewing competition as mere conflict to viewing it as a shared pursuit of a finite resource or objective.

Professional Context
In the job market, 'concorrer' is the standard verb for applying for a vacancy or a promotion where other candidates are present. It implies a selection process.

Vou concorrer a uma vaga na Google este mês.

Beyond the job market, 'concorrer' is the lifeblood of political discourse. When a politician decides to 'run' for office, they are 'concorrendo ao cargo'. This usage highlight's the word's connection to the race (corrida). It is also vital in the world of business and economics, where companies 'concorrem' for market share or consumer attention. Interestingly, the word also has a more abstract, almost mathematical sense: when several factors 'concorrem para' a result, they are working together or converging to make that result happen. This 'contribution' aspect is often overlooked by beginners but is essential for reaching a B2 or C1 level of fluency.

Convergent Factors
Used with the preposition 'para', it describes how different elements contribute to a single effect.

Vários problemas concorreram para o fracasso do projeto.

In everyday life, you might hear this word at a lottery stand ('concorrer ao prêmio acumulado') or in a classroom setting where students are vying for the best grades. It is a word that encapsulates the human drive for excellence and the reality of limited resources. Whether you are talking about the Olympics, a local election, or the various reasons why a cake didn't rise, 'concorrer' provides the linguistic framework to describe things moving toward a point of impact or resolution. It is less aggressive than 'lutar' (to fight) but more active than 'esperar' (to wait).

Sports and Games
Athletes 'concorrem' in championships to win medals and recognition.

Eles vão concorrer na categoria de natação livre.

Muitas marcas concorrem pela nossa atenção nas redes sociais.

Using concorrer correctly involves mastering its relationship with prepositions. This verb is rarely used alone; it almost always reaches out to an object or a goal. The most common pattern is concorrer a. This 'a' often merges with articles, becoming 'ao' (masculine), 'à' (feminine), or 'aos/às' (plural). When you say 'Eu concorro ao cargo', you are literally saying 'I compete to the position'. This is the standard way to express running for office or applying for a specific role. If you are competing against someone, you switch the preposition to 'com'. For instance, 'Eu concorro com ele' means 'I am competing with him'.

The Preposition 'Para'
Used to indicate contribution or convergence toward a result. Often used in formal or analytical writing.

Estes fatores concorrem para o aquecimento global.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter 'concorrer em'. This usually specifies the field, category, or location of the competition. For example, 'concorrer em igualdade de condições' means to compete on equal terms. This is a vital phrase in legal and ethical discussions in Portuguese-speaking countries. Another interesting nuance is the use of 'concorrer' in the sense of 'to meet' or 'to coincide'. While rarer in modern speech, you might see it in older literature where two roads or two ideas 'concorrem' at a certain point. This reflects the original Latin meaning of running together toward a center.

The Preposition 'Com'
Indicates the opponent or the entity one is vying against. It can also mean 'alongside' in very specific contexts.

A nossa empresa concorre com grandes multinacionais.

When talking about the lottery or sweepstakes, the phrasing is almost always 'concorrer a prêmios'. Note how the preposition 'a' stays simple here because 'prêmios' is masculine and plural, so it becomes 'aos prêmios' or just 'a prêmios' if indefinite. In a business context, you might say 'concorrer no mercado', using 'no' (in the) to specify the arena of competition. The flexibility of 'concorrer' is what makes it so useful—it can describe the macro-economic struggle between nations or the micro-level competition between two siblings for the last piece of pizza.

Specific Categories
Using 'em' to denote the specific area of activity.

Ela vai concorrer na categoria de melhor atriz.

Os candidatos concorrem entre si por uma única vaga.

If you turn on a Portuguese news channel like Globo (Brazil) or RTP (Portugal), concorrer will likely appear within the first ten minutes. It is the fundamental verb of political reporting. During election cycles, the phrase 'candidatos que vão concorrer' is ubiquitous. It’s used to list everyone from local councilors to the president. You'll also hear it during the commercial breaks, specifically in advertisements for 'títulos de capitalização' or 'loterias', where the announcer invites you to 'concorra a milhões de reais'. In these contexts, the word sounds exciting and full of possibility, associated with winning and changing one’s life.

News Headlines
Commonly used to describe political races and corporate battles.

Três candidatos vão concorrer à presidência do clube.

In the corporate world, HR departments and LinkedIn posts frequently use 'concorrer'. When a recruiter says, 'Você está concorrendo com profissionais qualificados', they are setting the stage for the level of effort required. In business meetings, executives discuss how to 'concorrer de forma agressiva' (to compete aggressively) against rivals. It’s also a key term in public bidding processes, known as 'licitações'. In this formal setting, companies 'concorrem' to win government contracts. Understanding this word is therefore crucial for anyone doing business in a Portuguese-speaking country, as it defines the competitive landscape.

Sports Commentary
Used when discussing athletes qualifying for finals or competing for medals.

O Brasil vai concorrer ao ouro no vôlei de praia.

Social media also sees a lot of this verb. Influencers often run 'sorteios' (giveaways) where they tell their followers: 'Comente aqui para concorrer!'. This has made the word extremely common in informal, digital spaces. Even in casual conversation, if someone is deciding whether to apply for a job or enter a contest, they might ask, 'Vale a pena concorrer?'. This simple question captures the essence of the word: the evaluation of effort versus potential reward in a competitive environment. From the high-stakes world of international diplomacy to a simple Instagram giveaway, 'concorrer' is the bridge between desire and achievement.

Social Media Giveaways
Influencers use it to invite participation in contests.

Siga o perfil e marque um amigo para concorrer ao iPhone.

Não podemos concorrer com esses preços tão baixos.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with concorrer is confusing it with the English word 'concur'. While they share a Latin root, 'concur' in English usually means 'to agree'. In Portuguese, 'to agree' is concordar. If you say 'Eu concorro com você' meaning 'I agree with you', a native speaker will think you are saying 'I am competing with you'. This can lead to some very confusing, and sometimes unintentionally aggressive, social interactions! Always remember: Concordar = Agree; Concorrer = Compete/Contribute.

False Cognate Alert
Avoid using 'concorrer' when you mean to express agreement.

Errado: Eu concorro com sua opinião. (I compete with your opinion.)

Another common pitfall is the misuse of prepositions. Many learners forget the 'a' after 'concorrer' when referring to the prize. They might say 'Eu concorro o prêmio', which is grammatically incomplete. It must be 'Eu concorro ao prêmio'. Similarly, learners often struggle with the 'crase' (the back-tick on the 'à'). Because 'concorrer' requires 'a' and many words like 'vaga' (vacancy) or 'eleição' (election) are feminine, you must use 'à'. Forgetting this is a hallmark of a beginner level. 'Concorrer à vaga' is the only correct way to write it.

Preposition Omission
Always include 'a', 'com', or 'para' depending on the context.

Correto: Ela vai concorrer à prefeitura este ano.

A third mistake involves the nuance between 'concorrer' and 'competir'. While often interchangeable, 'concorrer' is more common for formal applications and official races, while 'competir' is more common in pure sports or general rivalry. Saying 'Eu vou competir a uma vaga' sounds slightly off; 'concorrer a uma vaga' is much more natural. Conversely, in a 100m sprint, 'competir' is very common, although 'concorrer' is also used. Using the wrong one won't always make you misunderstood, but it will mark you as a non-native speaker. Lastly, be careful with the 'para' usage. 'Concorrer para' means 'to contribute to'. If you say 'Eu concorro para o prêmio', it sounds like you are helping the prize happen, rather than trying to win it.

Nuance Confusion
Distinguish between contributing to a result and trying to win a prize.

Vários motivos concorreram para que eu tomasse essa decisão.

Não se esqueça da preposição 'a' antes do objeto de concorrência.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use concorrer and when to reach for a synonym. The most direct synonym is competir. While 'concorrer' often implies a formal entry into a race or application process, 'competir' is more about the act of rivalry itself. You 'competir' on the field, but you 'concorrer' for the trophy. Another close relative is disputar. 'Disputar' is more intense; it implies a struggle or a fight for something. You might 'disputar a bola' (fight for the ball) in soccer, whereas 'concorrer' would sound too formal there.

Concorrer vs. Disputar
'Concorrer' is the application/entry; 'Disputar' is the active struggle.

Eles estão disputando a liderança do campeonato.

In the context of jobs and positions, pleitear is a more formal, sophisticated alternative. It suggests making a formal case or petition for something. You'll see 'pleitear' in legal documents or high-level corporate news. If you want to sound very educated, you might say 'Estou pleiteando uma promoção'. On the other hand, if you are talking about simply participating in a contest, participar is a safe, though less specific, alternative. If you say 'vou participar do sorteio', it's essentially the same as 'vou concorrer ao sorteio', but slightly less focused on the winning aspect.

Concorrer vs. Pleitear
'Concorrer' is standard; 'Pleitear' is formal and implies advocacy for oneself.

O advogado vai pleitear a liberdade do réu.

When 'concorrer' is used in the sense of 'to converge' or 'to meet', synonyms like convergir or encontrar-se are more common in modern speech. 'As ruas convergem na praça' is much more natural today than using 'concorrem'. Finally, rivalizar is used when you want to emphasize the parity between two competitors. 'A qualidade deste vinho rivaliza com os franceses' means it competes on the same level. Knowing these distinctions allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of competition you want to express, making your Portuguese sound rich and precise.

Summary of Alternatives
Competir (general), Disputar (intense), Pleitear (formal), Rivalizar (equal quality).

Ninguém pode rivalizar com o talento dela.

Vou participar de todas as etapas do processo.

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Examples by Level

1

Eu concorro ao prêmio.

I compete for the prize.

Simple present tense of a regular -er verb.

2

Você quer concorrer?

Do you want to compete?

Infinitive form after the verb 'querer'.

3

Ela concorre no jogo.

She competes in the game.

Use of 'no' (em + o) to show the location/context.

4

Nós concorremos juntos.

We compete together.

First person plural present tense.

5

Eles concorrem hoje.

They compete today.

Third person plural present tense.

6

Eu não concorro mais.

I don't compete anymore.

Negative sentence structure.

7

O menino concorre à vaga.

The boy competes for the spot.

Use of 'à' (preposition 'a' + article 'a').

8

Vocês concorrem ao ouro?

Are you (plural) competing for the gold?

Question form in the present tense.

1

Ela decidiu concorrer à prefeitura.

She decided to run for mayor.

Compound verb structure with 'decidiu'.

2

Vou concorrer com o meu irmão.

I am going to compete with my brother.

Use of 'com' to indicate the opponent.

3

Muitas pessoas concorrem a este emprego.

Many people are competing for this job.

Agreement between subject 'pessoas' and verb 'concorrem'.

4

Eles concorreram no ano passado.

They competed last year.

Preterite (past) tense.

5

Você vai concorrer ao sorteio?

Are you going to enter the giveaway?

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

6

Nós vamos concorrer em várias categorias.

We are going to compete in several categories.

Use of 'em' to denote categories.

7

Ele não pode concorrer por causa da idade.

He cannot compete because of his age.

Negative modal 'não pode'.

8

Quem vai concorrer com ela?

Who is going to compete with her?

Interrogative pronoun 'Quem'.

1

Se eu ganhar, não precisarei mais concorrer.

If I win, I won't need to compete anymore.

Future subjunctive 'ganhar' with future indicative.

2

Os fatores concorrem para o aumento dos preços.

The factors contribute to the price increase.

Abstract use of 'concorrer para' (contribute to).

3

Ela sempre concorria aos concursos da escola.

She always used to enter the school contests.

Imperfect tense for habitual past actions.

4

É importante concorrer de forma justa.

It is important to compete fairly.

Impersonal expression 'É importante'.

5

Eles estão concorrendo pela primeira vez.

They are competing for the first time.

Present continuous tense.

6

A empresa concorre com marcas globais.

The company competes with global brands.

Business context usage.

7

Espero que você concorra à bolsa.

I hope you apply for the scholarship.

Present subjunctive after 'Espero que'.

8

Não vale a pena concorrer sem treinar.

It's not worth competing without training.

Idiomatic expression 'vale a pena'.

1

A precariedade do sistema concorreu para a tragédia.

The precariousness of the system contributed to the tragedy.

Formal use of 'concorrer para' in causal analysis.

2

O candidato concorre sob uma plataforma de reformas.

The candidate is running on a platform of reforms.

Political context with prepositional phrase.

3

As duas empresas concorrem ferozmente pelo mercado.

The two companies compete fiercely for the market.

Adverbial modification 'ferozmente'.

4

Embora concorra, ele sabe que as chances são pequenas.

Although he is competing, he knows the chances are slim.

Concessive clause with 'Embora' + subjunctive.

5

Vários crimes concorreram para a sua condenação.

Several crimes contributed to his conviction.

Legal context: concurrence of crimes.

6

A tecnologia concorre para a melhoria da saúde.

Technology contributes to the improvement of health.

Positive abstract contribution.

7

Ele se recusou a concorrer contra o amigo.

He refused to run against his friend.

Reflexive verb 'recusar-se' + 'a'.

8

É necessário concorrer em igualdade de condições.

It is necessary to compete on equal terms.

Formal phrase 'igualdade de condições'.

1

Tais circunstâncias concorreram inexoravelmente para o desfecho.

Such circumstances inexorably contributed to the outcome.

High-level vocabulary: 'inexoravelmente', 'desfecho'.

2

O autor discute como as ideias concorrem no espaço público.

The author discusses how ideas compete in the public sphere.

Metaphorical use of 'espaço público'.

3

Não se pode permitir que monopólios impeçam outros de concorrer.

One cannot allow monopolies to prevent others from competing.

Economic/Legal discussion structure.

4

As linhas de força concorrem para o centro da gravidade.

The lines of force converge toward the center of gravity.

Technical/Scientific usage (to converge).

5

Pleitear o cargo exige mais do que apenas concorrer.

Vying for the position requires more than just competing.

Contrast between 'pleitear' and 'concorrer'.

6

A sua negligência concorreu decisivamente para o acidente.

His negligence contributed decisively to the accident.

Attributing responsibility in formal terms.

7

O filme concorre à Palma de Ouro em Cannes.

The film is competing for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Cultural/Arts context.

8

As vontades individuais devem concorrer para o bem comum.

Individual wills should contribute to the common good.

Philosophical/Social ethics context.

1

A convergência de interesses faz concorrer as nações em prol da paz.

The convergence of interests makes nations work together toward peace.

Sophisticated use of 'concorrer' as 'working together/converging'.

2

Naquela encruzilhada, as veredas concorrem para o mesmo destino.

At that crossroads, the paths meet at the same destination.

Archaic/Literary use meaning 'to meet/converge'.

3

O réu concorreu para o ilícito na qualidade de cúmplice.

The defendant contributed to the illegal act as an accomplice.

Precise legal terminology.

4

Sob a égide da lei, todos podem concorrer livremente.

Under the aegis of the law, everyone can compete freely.

Formal/Literary 'Sob a égide'.

5

A pletora de dados concorre para a desinformação.

The plethora of data contributes to misinformation.

Advanced vocabulary and abstract causality.

6

Nada obsta a que o magistrado concorra ao tribunal superior.

Nothing prevents the magistrate from running for the higher court.

Complex 'Nada obsta a que' + subjunctive.

7

A sua genialidade concorre com a dos grandes mestres do passado.

His genius rivals that of the great masters of the past.

Use of 'concorrer com' as 'to rival'.

8

As diversas causas concorreram simultaneamente para o colapso.

The various causes contributed simultaneously to the collapse.

Emphasis on simultaneous causality.

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