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A2 verb #5,000 most common 11 min read

confiar

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confiar in 30 Seconds

  • Confiar means to trust or believe in someone/something.
  • It requires faith in reliability and capability.
  • Often used with the preposition 'em' (confiar em alguém/algo).
  • Essential for relationships and evaluating situations.

The Portuguese verb 'confiar' is a fundamental word that translates directly to 'to trust' or 'to believe in' in English. It signifies a deep sense of reliance, faith, or confidence in someone or something. You use 'confiar' when you feel secure and assured about the integrity, capability, or truthfulness of another person, a situation, a plan, or even an object.

Imagine a friend telling you a secret; you 'confiar' in them to keep it safe. When you invest your money, you 'confiar' in the financial institution. If you believe your team will win the game, you 'confiar' in their abilities. This verb encapsulates the feeling of placing your faith and expectations in a positive outcome or reliable action.

It's a versatile verb used in both personal and professional contexts. You might 'confiar' in a doctor's diagnosis, 'confiar' in a parent's advice, or 'confiar' in a new technology to perform as advertised. The act of 'confiar' implies a willingness to be vulnerable, to open yourself up to the possibility that the object of your trust will not let you down. It's the opposite of suspicion or doubt.

The strength of 'confiar' can vary. You might 'confiar' a little in a new acquaintance, but you would likely 'confiar' deeply in a lifelong best friend or a spouse. The context often dictates the depth of the trust being expressed. The verb is crucial for building and maintaining relationships, as trust is a cornerstone of human interaction. Without the ability to 'confiar', social bonds would be fragile and uncertain. It’s about having assurance, security, and a positive expectation.

Consider the feeling of relief when you can finally 'confiar' in someone after a period of doubt. This verb is deeply connected to our emotional and social well-being. It’s about feeling safe and secure in the actions or promises of others, or in the reliability of systems and processes. The act of giving your trust is a powerful gesture, and 'confiar' is the word that articulates this.

Core Meaning
To place faith, belief, or reliance in someone or something.
Key Concept
Security, reliability, assurance, belief.
Usage Context
Personal relationships, professional settings, evaluating reliability of systems or plans.

Eu confio em você para cuidar do meu cachorro. confio.

I trust you to take care of my dog. I trust.

Mastering 'confiar' involves understanding its grammatical structure and common sentence patterns. The verb is typically followed by the preposition 'em' (in) when referring to the person or thing being trusted. This is a crucial detail for English speakers, as English often uses 'in' or no preposition at all ('I trust him').

Let's explore various ways to integrate 'confiar' into your Portuguese vocabulary:

Trusting a Person
The most common construction is 'confiar em alguém'.

Eu confio em meus pais para me dar bons conselhos. confio.

I trust my parents to give me good advice. I trust.
Trusting a Thing or Situation
You can also 'confiar em' objects, abstract concepts, or situations.

Não confio neste aplicativo para proteger meus dados. confio.

I don't trust this application to protect my data. I don't trust.
Expressing Lack of Trust
Use 'não confio em' to express doubt or disbelief.

Ela não confia em promessas vazias. confia.

She doesn't trust empty promises. She trusts.
Using Different Verb Tenses
'Confiar' conjugates like other regular -ar verbs. Pay attention to the tense.

Eu confiei nele no passado, mas ele me decepcionou. confiei.

I trusted him in the past, but he disappointed me. I trusted.

Nós confiaremos na sua capacidade para resolver este problema. confiaremos.

We will trust in your ability to solve this problem. We will trust.
Trusting Oneself
The reflexive form, 'confiar-se', is less common but means to trust oneself or to confide in oneself.

É importante confiar em si mesmo para alcançar seus objetivos. confiar.

It is important to trust yourself to achieve your goals. To trust.

'Confiar' is a word that permeates everyday Portuguese conversations, from casual chats among friends to more formal discussions in business and media. You'll encounter it frequently in various real-life scenarios, making it essential for understanding natural Portuguese communication.

In personal relationships, it's common to hear:

Family and Friends
Parents might tell their children, 'Pode confiar em mim, eu sempre vou te ajudar' (You can trust me, I will always help you). Friends often share their deepest secrets, saying, 'Eu confio em você mais do que em qualquer outra pessoa' (I trust you more than anyone else).

A mãe disse à filha: 'Confie em seus instintos.' Confie.

The mother told her daughter: 'Trust your instincts.' Trust.
Professional Settings
In a work environment, a manager might say, 'Eu confio na sua capacidade para liderar este projeto' (I trust in your ability to lead this project). Clients often express their reliance on a company's services: 'Nós confiamos na qualidade dos seus produtos' (We trust the quality of your products).

O chefe disse ao funcionário: 'Confio que você terminará o relatório a tempo.' Confio.

The boss told the employee: 'I trust that you will finish the report on time.' I trust.
Media and Public Discourse
News reports might discuss a government's actions: 'Os cidadãos não confiam nas promessas políticas' (The citizens do not trust political promises). In sports, commentators discuss players: 'O treinador confia no jovem atacante para marcar o gol da vitória' (The coach trusts the young forward to score the winning goal).

O analista disse: 'Confio que a economia vai melhorar.' Confio.

The analyst said: 'I trust that the economy will improve.' I trust.
Everyday Scenarios
When asking for a favor, someone might say, 'Posso confiar em você para me ajudar com esta mudança?' (Can I trust you to help me with this move?). Or when discussing a plan, 'Eu confio que tudo dará certo' (I trust that everything will turn out right).

Ele perguntou: 'Você confia em mim para guardar este segredo?' confia.

He asked: 'Do you trust me to keep this secret?' trusts.

Learners of Portuguese often make a few common mistakes when using the verb 'confiar'. Being aware of these pitfalls can significantly improve your accuracy and fluency.

One of the most frequent errors is omitting the preposition 'em' after 'confiar'. In English, we often say 'I trust him' without a preposition. However, in Portuguese, it is almost always 'Eu confio em ele'. Forgetting 'em' sounds unnatural and can sometimes alter the meaning.

Another mistake is using the wrong personal pronoun after 'em'. For example, saying 'Eu confio em eu' (I trust in I) is incorrect. You must use the object pronoun form, such as 'mim' (me), 'ti' (you, informal), 'ele' (him), 'ela' (her), 'nós' (us), 'vós' (you all, archaic/regional), 'eles' (them, masculine/mixed), or 'elas' (them, feminine). So, it should be 'Eu confio em mim' (I trust myself) or 'Eu confio nele' (I trust him).

Confusion can also arise with the verb 'acreditar' (to believe). While related, 'acreditar' generally implies believing something is true or possible, whereas 'confiar' implies a deeper reliance and faith in someone's character or capabilities. For instance, you might 'acreditar' that it will rain, but you 'confiar' in a friend to keep a promise. Using them interchangeably can lead to awkward phrasing.

Incorrect verb conjugation is another common issue, especially for beginners. Remember that 'confiar' is a regular -ar verb, but errors can occur in different tenses. For instance, confusing the present tense 'confio' (I trust) with a past tense form like 'confiei' (I trusted) can alter the intended meaning significantly.

Finally, some learners might mistakenly use 'confiar' in situations where 'depender de' (to depend on) is more appropriate. While there's an overlap, 'depender de' emphasizes reliance due to necessity, whereas 'confiar' emphasizes faith and belief in reliability.

Mistake 1: Omitting 'em'
Incorrect: Eu confio você. Correct: Eu confio em você.
Mistake 2: Wrong Pronoun
Incorrect: Eu confio em eu. Correct: Eu confio em mim.
Mistake 3: Confusing with 'acreditar'
Incorrect: Eu acredito em seu caráter. (Implies believing his character exists) Correct: Eu confio em seu caráter. (Implies belief in his integrity)
Mistake 4: Incorrect Conjugation
Incorrect: Eu confiava ele ontem. Correct: Eu confiei nele ontem.
Mistake 5: Overuse where 'depender de' is better
Less natural: Eu confio do transporte público para chegar a tempo. More natural: Eu dependo do transporte público para chegar a tempo.

While 'confiar' is the primary verb for 'to trust', Portuguese offers several other words and phrases that convey similar meanings or nuances. Understanding these alternatives will enrich your vocabulary and allow for more precise expression.

The most closely related verb is 'acreditar' (to believe). Both verbs involve a form of acceptance, but their focus differs. 'Acreditar' often pertains to believing that something is true, possible, or real. 'Confiar', on the other hand, emphasizes reliance, faith, and confidence in someone's character, ability, or trustworthiness.

Acreditar (To believe)
Focuses on accepting something as true or possible. Can be used with 'em' or directly with a clause.
Example Comparison
'Eu acredito que ele virá.' (I believe that he will come.) - Assentimiento de una posibilidad. 'Eu confio nele para vir.' (I trust him to come.) - Fe en su acción o fiabilidad.

Another useful term is 'depositar confiança' (to place trust). This phrase is a more formal way of expressing the act of trusting someone or something. It highlights the deliberate action of giving one's trust.

Depositar confiança (To place trust)
A more formal and deliberate way to express trust. Often used in professional or serious contexts.
Example
'O governo depositou confiança nos novos planos econômicos.' (The government placed trust in the new economic plans.)

The verb 'depender de' (to depend on) is also related, especially when trust stems from necessity or reliance for a task. However, 'confiar' carries a stronger emotional and relational component of faith.

Depender de (To depend on)
Implies reliance due to need or expectation of support. Less about faith, more about necessity.
Example
'Eu dependo de você para me ajudar com o projeto.' (I depend on you to help me with the project.) - Implies necessity. 'Eu confio em você para me ajudar.' (I trust you to help me.) - Implies faith in your willingness and ability.

In informal contexts, 'ter fé em' (to have faith in) can be used, similar to 'confiar', but often with a slightly more spiritual or philosophical connotation.

Ter fé em (To have faith in)
Expresses strong belief, often in a higher power, destiny, or the inherent goodness of someone.
Example
'Tenho fé em que um dia tudo vai melhorar.' (I have faith that one day everything will get better.)

Finally, 'estar seguro de' (to be sure of) can be used to express confidence in a situation or outcome, which is a result of trust.

Estar seguro de (To be sure of)
Indicates certainty, often derived from trust or evidence.
Example
'Estou seguro de que ele fará um bom trabalho.' (I am sure that he will do a good job.) - This implies trust.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Fun Fact

The root 'fŏveō' also gave rise to words related to warmth and care, suggesting that trust was historically seen as something nurtured and protected, like a warm ember. This connection highlights the emotional aspect of trust.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kõˈfjaɾ/
US /kõˈfiɑɾ/
The stress falls on the second syllable: con-FI-ar.
Rhymes With
desconfiar ampliar avaliar iniciar obter receber participar estudar
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'õ' as a regular 'o'.
  • Separating the 'ia' diphthong into two distinct sounds.
  • Omitting or mispronouncing the final 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

At the A2 CEFR level, learners can understand simple texts and common phrases related to trust. Difficulty increases with complex sentence structures, abstract concepts, and nuanced meanings found in higher levels.

Writing 3/5
Speaking 3/5
Listening 3/5

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Eu Você Ele/Ela Nós Eles/Elas Em Sim Não Bem Mal

Learn Next

confiança confiável desconfiar acreditar depender de seguro

Advanced

fidedigno lealdade integridade vulnerabilidade credibilidade

Grammar to Know

Prepositional Phrases with 'em'

In Portuguese, many verbs require specific prepositions. 'Confiar' almost always uses 'em' when followed by a noun or pronoun indicating what or whom is being trusted (e.g., 'confiar em alguém').

Pronoun Placement

Object pronouns can precede or follow the verb. With 'confiar', when the pronoun is direct object (rare) or indirect object (common, e.g., 'lhe'), placement rules apply. 'Ele me confiou um segredo' (He entrusted me with a secret).

Verb Conjugation (-ar verbs)

'Confiar' follows the regular conjugation pattern for -ar verbs in most tenses (e.g., eu confio, tu confias, ele confia, nós confiamos, vós confiais, eles confiam).

Subjunctive Mood

When expressing doubt or uncertainty about a future event, the subjunctive mood might be used after 'confiar que', although the indicative is more common for expressing belief. 'Eu confio que ele virá' (Indicative) vs. 'Não tenho certeza se ele virá, mas confio que ele virá.' (less common, but possible).

Contractions

The preposition 'em' combines with definite articles: 'em + o' becomes 'no', 'em + a' becomes 'na', 'em + os' becomes 'nos', 'em + as' becomes 'nas'. E.g., 'Confio no meu irmão' (I trust my brother).

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Examples by Level

1

Eu confio em você.

I trust in you.

Present tense, first person singular of 'confiar'.

2

Não confio neste jogo.

I don't trust this game.

Negative form of 'confiar' in the present tense.

3

Confio no meu amigo.

I trust my friend.

'no' is a contraction of 'em o' (in the).

4

Você confia em mim?

Do you trust me?

Question form, second person singular informal.

5

Ele confia na sua sorte.

He trusts in his luck.

Third person singular present tense.

6

Nós confiamos na professora.

We trust the teacher.

First person plural present tense.

7

Confio em Deus.

I trust in God.

Common expression of faith.

8

Ela confia no carro novo.

She trusts the new car.

Third person singular present tense.

1

Eu confio em sua honestidade.

I trust in your honesty.

Expressing trust in an abstract quality.

2

Não confio em pessoas que mentem.

I don't trust people who lie.

Using a relative clause to define the object of distrust.

3

Podemos confiar neste plano?

Can we trust this plan?

Modal verb 'poder' combined with 'confiar'.

4

Confiei nele para me ajudar, mas ele não veio.

I trusted him to help me, but he didn't come.

Past tense (preterite perfect) of 'confiar'.

5

Ela confia que vai chover amanhã.

She trusts that it will rain tomorrow.

Using 'confiar que' followed by a subordinate clause.

6

Confiar em si mesmo é o primeiro passo.

Trusting in oneself is the first step.

Using the infinitive as a noun.

7

Eles confiam na tecnologia moderna.

They trust modern technology.

Plural subject, present tense.

8

Por que você não confia em mim?

Why don't you trust me?

Interrogative sentence, informal second person.

1

Confio plenamente na sua capacidade de resolver o problema.

I fully trust in your ability to solve the problem.

Adverb 'plenamente' adds emphasis.

2

É difícil confiar em alguém depois de ter sido traído.

It is difficult to trust someone after having been betrayed.

Gerund construction 'ter sido traído'.

3

O cliente confiou ao banco a gestão de seus investimentos.

The client entrusted the bank with the management of his investments.

Using 'confiar algo a alguém' (to entrust something to someone).

4

Confiava que a situação melhoraria, mas as coisas pioraram.

I trusted that the situation would improve, but things got worse.

Imperfect tense 'confiava' for ongoing trust in the past.

5

As crianças confiam cegamente em seus pais.

Children blindly trust their parents.

Adverb 'cegamente' emphasizes the depth of trust.

6

Ele me pediu para confiar nele com um segredo importante.

He asked me to trust him with an important secret.

Infinitive construction after 'pedir'.

7

Não confio em previsões meteorológicas muito exatas.

I don't trust very exact weather forecasts.

Adjective 'exatas' modifying 'previsões'.

8

Confiaremos na sua palavra para resolvermos este mal-entendido.

We will trust your word to resolve this misunderstanding.

Future tense of 'confiar'.

1

A confiança em instituições democráticas tem diminuído.

Trust in democratic institutions has been decreasing.

Using the noun 'confiança' (trust).

2

É fundamental confiar na ciência para combater a desinformação.

It is fundamental to trust in science to combat disinformation.

Infinitive used as the subject of the sentence.

3

Ele confiou-me um plano secreto para salvar a empresa.

He entrusted me with a secret plan to save the company.

Direct object pronoun 'me' before the verb.

4

A experiência nos ensinou a não confiar em promessas fáceis.

Experience has taught us not to trust easy promises.

Infinitive 'confiar' after a negative construction.

5

Seu testemunho é digno de confiança.

Your testimony is trustworthy.

Adjective phrase 'digno de confiança' (worthy of trust).

6

Confiei que a nova política traria benefícios, mas os resultados foram desanimadores.

I trusted that the new policy would bring benefits, but the results were discouraging.

Past subjunctive in the subordinate clause 'traria'.

7

A empresa confia na lealdade de seus funcionários de longa data.

The company trusts in the loyalty of its long-term employees.

Trust in an abstract quality (loyalty).

8

Será que podemos confiar nas estatísticas apresentadas?

Can we really trust the statistics presented?

Interrogative with future tense, questioning reliability.

1

A fragilidade das relações humanas muitas vezes reside na dificuldade em confiar plenamente.

The fragility of human relationships often lies in the difficulty of trusting fully.

Abstract concepts and complex sentence structure.

2

Ele buscou refúgio na fé, confiando que o destino lhe reservava algo melhor.

He sought refuge in faith, trusting that destiny held something better for him.

Gerund 'confiando' expressing simultaneous action.

3

A diplomacia exige um delicado equilíbrio entre desconfiança e a necessidade de confiar.

Diplomacy requires a delicate balance between distrust and the need to trust.

Juxtaposition of opposing concepts.

4

Confiei-lhe a tarefa mais delicada, sabendo que sua discrição era inquestionável.

I entrusted him with the most delicate task, knowing that his discretion was unquestionable.

Use of 'lhe' as indirect object pronoun and participial phrase 'sabendo'.

5

A ascensão de novas tecnologias levanta questões sobre em quem e em quê devemos confiar.

The rise of new technologies raises questions about whom and what we should trust.

Complex sentence with multiple interrogative pronouns.

6

Apesar das adversidades, ele continuou a confiar na resiliência humana.

Despite the adversities, he continued to trust in human resilience.

Abstract noun 'resiliência' as object of trust.

7

O historiador investigou os documentos, confiando que eles revelariam a verdade oculta.

The historian investigated the documents, trusting that they would reveal the hidden truth.

Gerund 'confiando' followed by a subordinate clause.

8

A sociedade moderna depende de um complexo sistema de confiança mútua.

Modern society depends on a complex system of mutual trust.

Abstract noun 'confiança mútua' (mutual trust).

1

A arte de governar reside, em grande parte, na habilidade de inspirar e manter a confiança do povo.

The art of governing lies, in large part, in the ability to inspire and maintain the people's trust.

Sophisticated vocabulary and abstract concepts.

2

A desconfiança generalizada em relação às elites políticas corroeu a base sobre a qual se constrói a confiança.

Widespread distrust towards political elites has eroded the foundation upon which trust is built.

Complex sentence with abstract nouns and passive voice.

3

Ele depositou em mim uma confiança que eu jamais ousaria trair, pois sabia do peso de tal responsabilidade.

He placed in me a trust that I would never dare to betray, as I knew the weight of such responsibility.

Use of 'ousaria' (conditional) and subordinate clause with 'pois'.

4

A veracidade de suas declarações era questionável, mas todos, por algum motivo, sentiam-se compelidos a confiar.

The veracity of his statements was questionable, but everyone, for some reason, felt compelled to trust.

Complex sentence with subordinate clauses and nuanced vocabulary.

5

A filosofia moral frequentemente explora a natureza da confiança e os dilemas éticos que surgem quando ela é quebrada.

Moral philosophy frequently explores the nature of trust and the ethical dilemmas that arise when it is broken.

Academic and philosophical terminology.

6

A reconstrução da confiança após um período de conflito é um processo árduo que exige paciência e compromisso mútuo.

The rebuilding of trust after a period of conflict is an arduous process that requires patience and mutual commitment.

Abstract nouns and formal vocabulary.

7

Em um mundo saturado de informações, discernir em quem ou em quê confiar torna-se uma habilidade de sobrevivência essencial.

In a world saturated with information, discerning whom or what to trust becomes an essential survival skill.

Complex sentence structure and metaphorical language.

8

Ele se viu em um paradoxo: para avançar, precisava confiar, mas a própria natureza da situação o impelia à desconfiança.

He found himself in a paradox: to advance, he needed to trust, but the very nature of the situation pushed him towards distrust.

Exploration of paradox and abstract conflict.

Common Collocations

confiar em alguém
confiar em algo
confiar cegamente
confiar plenamente
confiar na palavra de alguém
confiar em si mesmo
confiar que
confiar algo a alguém
confiar na justiça
confiar na sorte

Common Phrases

Confio em você.

— I trust you. This is a direct and common expression of trust in a person.

Pode me contar tudo, confio em você.

Não confio nisso.

— I don't trust that. Used when expressing doubt about a thing, situation, or plan.

Esse atalho parece perigoso, não confio nisso.

Posso confiar?

— Can I trust (you/this)? A question seeking assurance or confirmation of trustworthiness.

Ele me prometeu, mas posso confiar?

Confia em mim.

— Trust me. Often said to reassure someone or to ask them to believe you.

Vai dar tudo certo, confia em mim.

Confiar na sorte.

— To trust in luck. To rely on chance rather than planning or skill.

Ele não estudou, vai confiar na sorte para passar.

Confiar em si mesmo.

— To trust oneself. To have self-confidence and believe in one's own abilities.

Para ter sucesso, é fundamental confiar em si mesmo.

Confia que vai dar certo.

— Trust that it will work out. An expression of optimism and faith in a positive outcome.

Não se preocupe com os detalhes, confia que vai dar certo.

Confiar nos instintos.

— To trust one's instincts. To rely on one's intuition or gut feeling.

Seu instinto te avisou, deveria ter confiado nos instintos.

Confio na sua palavra.

— I trust your word. To believe what someone says without needing further proof.

Não preciso de um contrato, confio na sua palavra.

Confiar em Deus.

— To trust in God. A common expression of faith and reliance on a higher power.

Em tempos difíceis, é importante confiar em Deus.

Often Confused With

confiar vs Acreditar

'Acreditar' means 'to believe'. While related, 'confiar' implies a deeper reliance and faith in someone's character or capability, whereas 'acreditar' is more about accepting something as true or possible.

confiar vs Depender de

'Depender de' means 'to depend on'. It emphasizes reliance due to necessity, which can be a consequence of trust, but 'confiar' focuses more on faith and belief in reliability.

confiar vs Confidenciar

'Confidenciar' means 'to confide' or 'to tell a secret'. It is an action performed by someone who trusts, but it is not the act of trusting itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"Confiar cegamente"

— To trust blindly. To trust someone or something completely, without any doubt or questioning, often to an extent that might be unwise.

Ele confia cegamente em todas as promessas do político, o que é perigoso.

Neutral
"Confiar a alma"

— To entrust one's soul. To confide one's deepest feelings, secrets, or vulnerabilities to someone, implying a very profound level of trust.

Naquele momento de desespero, ela sentiu que podia confiar a alma à sua amiga.

Literary/Emotional
"Confiar no fígado"

— Literally 'to trust the liver'. This is an informal and somewhat humorous idiom that means to rely on one's gut feeling or intuition, much like trusting your instincts.

Não sei explicar, mas meu fígado me diz para não ir. (colloquial, meaning 'I have a bad feeling about this.')

Informal/Colloquial
"Confiar na sorte"

— To trust in luck. To rely on chance or good fortune rather than preparation or skill.

Ele não estudou para a prova, vai confiar na sorte.

Neutral/Informal
"Confiar as chaves"

— To entrust the keys. Symbolically, this means to give someone significant responsibility or access, implying a high level of trust.

O chefe confiou as chaves da empresa ao seu braço direito.

Figurative
"Confiar no anjo da guarda"

— To trust in one's guardian angel. Similar to 'confiar em Deus', it expresses faith and belief in protection from a higher power or benevolent force.

Mesmo no meio do caos, ela conseguia confiar no anjo da guarda para guiá-la.

Figurative/Spiritual
"Confiar o destino"

— To entrust one's destiny. To surrender oneself to fate or a higher power, believing that things will unfold as they are meant to.

Após a perda, ela decidiu confiar o destino e seguir em frente.

Figurative/Philosophical
"Confiar no bom senso"

— To trust common sense. To rely on practical judgment and reasonable thinking.

Em situações complicadas, é melhor confiar no bom senso.

Neutral
"Confiar a vida"

— To entrust one's life. To place absolute faith and reliance on someone, often in a life-or-death situation.

Os alpinistas confiaram a vida ao guia experiente.

Figurative/Intense
"Confiar no resultado"

— To trust the outcome. To accept and believe in the result of a process, competition, or decision, even if it's not what was hoped for.

Independentemente do resultado, confiaremos no veredito.

Neutral

Easily Confused

confiar vs Acreditar

Both verbs relate to mental acceptance and belief.

'Acreditar' is about believing something is true or possible ('I believe it will rain'). 'Confiar' is about placing faith and reliance on someone or something's character or ability ('I trust you to fix it'). You can 'acreditar' that a car will start, but you 'confiar' in the mechanic to repair it.

Eu acredito que o carro vai funcionar. (I believe the car will work.) Eu confio no mecânico para consertá-lo. (I trust the mechanic to fix it.)

confiar vs Desconfiar

It's the direct opposite, making it easy to confuse the concepts.

'Confiar' is to trust, to have faith. 'Desconfiar' is to distrust, to suspect, to have doubts. One is about positive belief, the other about negative suspicion. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of belief in reliability.

Confio em você. (I trust you.) Não confio em você. (I don't trust you.)

confiar vs Depender de

Both imply reliance on something or someone.

'Confiar' implies faith in capability and integrity. 'Depender de' implies necessity and reliance due to need. You might 'confiar' in a friend's advice, but you 'depender de' public transport to get to work.

Eu confio em sua ajuda. (I trust your help - implies belief in willingness/ability.) Eu dependo de sua ajuda. (I depend on your help - implies necessity.)

confiar vs Seguro

Trust often leads to a feeling of security.

'Seguro' is an adjective meaning 'safe', 'secure', or 'sure'. 'Confiar' is a verb meaning 'to trust'. You feel 'seguro' because you 'confiar' in something or someone. 'Confio nele, por isso me sinto seguro.' (I trust him, so I feel safe.)

Este lugar é seguro. (This place is safe.) Eu confio neste lugar. (I trust this place.)

confiar vs Confiança

This is the noun form of the verb.

'Confiar' is the action of trusting (verb). 'Confiança' is the state or feeling of trust or confidence (noun). You 'confiar' (verb) to build 'confiança' (noun).

Eu confio em você. (I trust you.) A sua confiança é importante para mim. (Your trust is important to me.)

Sentence Patterns

A1

Eu confio em [pronoun/noun].

Eu confio em você.

A2

Não confio em [pronoun/noun].

Não confio em estranhos.

B1

Confio que [clause].

Confio que ele chegará a tempo.

B1

Confio em [noun] para [infinitive verb].

Confio em você para me ajudar.

B2

[Subject] confia em [noun/pronoun] + gerund.

Ela confia em mim para guiá-la.

B2

A confiança em [noun] é alta/baixa.

A confiança em novas tecnologias é alta.

C1

Confiar + [indirect object pronoun] + [direct object noun].

Confiei-lhe um segredo importante.

C2

Complex sentence structures involving conditional or subjunctive moods with 'confiar'.

Embora desconfiasse, ele sentiu-se obrigado a confiar.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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How to Use It

frequency

High

Common Mistakes
  • Forgetting the preposition 'em'. → Eu confio em você.

    In English, we often say 'I trust you' without a preposition. However, in Portuguese, 'confiar' typically requires 'em' before the object of trust. Incorrect: 'Eu confio você.' Correct: 'Eu confio em você.'

  • Using the wrong pronoun after 'em'. → Eu confio nele.

    After 'em', you need object pronouns. 'Eu confio em eu' is incorrect. It should be 'Eu confio em mim' (I trust myself) or 'Eu confio nele' (I trust him) or 'Eu confio nela' (I trust her).

  • Confusing 'confiar' with 'acreditar'. → Eu acredito que vai chover. Eu confio no guarda-chuva.

    'Acreditar' means to believe something is true or possible. 'Confiar' means to trust in someone's ability or reliability. You 'acreditar' in a forecast, but 'confiar' in the tool (umbrella) to protect you.

  • Incorrect verb conjugation in past tenses. → Eu confiei nele ontem.

    Beginners might struggle with past tense conjugations. The simple past is 'confiei' (I trusted), not 'confiava' (I used to trust/was trusting) for a completed past action.

  • Using 'confiar' where 'depender de' is more appropriate. → Eu dependo do transporte público para chegar a tempo.

    'Confiar' implies faith and belief. 'Depender de' implies necessity. If your arrival is contingent on public transport running, you 'depender de' it, rather than strictly 'confiar' in its perfect functioning.

Tips

The Essential 'em'

Always remember to use the preposition 'em' after 'confiar' when specifying who or what you are trusting. This is a fundamental rule. Practice forming sentences like 'Eu confio em você', 'Nós confiamos na equipe', 'Eles confiam no sistema'.

Trust vs. Believe

Distinguish between 'confiar' (to trust, rely on) and 'acreditar' (to believe, think something is true). While related, 'confiar' implies a deeper reliance on character or capability, whereas 'acreditar' is more about accepting a statement or possibility.

Nasal Vowel 'õ'

The 'õ' sound in 'confiar' is nasal. Practice saying it by letting air pass through your nose as you pronounce 'o'. It's similar to the 'on' sound in French 'bon'.

Connect with Confidence

Link 'confiar' to the English word 'confidence'. When you have confidence in someone, you trust them. The Portuguese verb 'confiar' directly relates to this concept.

Sentence Building

Actively create your own sentences using 'confiar' in different tenses and with various subjects and objects. This hands-on practice solidifies your understanding and usage.

Value of Trust

In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, trust is a cornerstone of relationships. Expressing 'confiar' is a significant gesture that builds social bonds. Understand its importance in interpersonal dynamics.

Opposites Matter

Learn the antonyms 'desconfiar' (to distrust) and 'duvidar' (to doubt). Understanding opposites helps define the boundaries of the word's meaning and usage.

Common Expressions

Familiarize yourself with common phrases like 'Confio em você', 'Confia em mim', and 'Não confio nisso'. These are frequently used in everyday conversation.

Nuance with Adverbs

Enhance your sentences by using adverbs like 'cegamente' (blindly) or 'plenamente' (fully) with 'confiar' to express the degree of trust. For example, 'Confio plenamente em sua decisão'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'con'necting with someone and you 'fi'nd them to be so good, you 'ar'gue they are trustworthy. 'Con-fi-ar' - connecting, finding good, arguing they're trustworthy.

Visual Association

Picture a person holding a delicate bird in their cupped hands, showing great care and trust that they won't harm it. The hands represent 'confiar'.

Word Web

Trust Believe Reliance Faith Security Confidence Dependence Assurance

Challenge

Write five sentences using 'confiar' about people or things you trust in your daily life. Then, write five sentences about things you do not trust.

Word Origin

The Portuguese verb 'confiar' originates from the Latin word 'confidĕre', which itself is derived from 'fŏveō' meaning 'to cherish, foster, keep warm'. The prefix 'con-' means 'with' or 'together'.

Original meaning: The original Latin meaning revolved around the idea of 'fostering trust' or 'cherishing confidence' in someone.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Portuguese

Cultural Context

When expressing distrust ('desconfiar'), be mindful of the tone, as it can be perceived as an accusation. Conversely, offering trust ('confiar') is a gesture of openness and vulnerability.

In English-speaking cultures, trust is also fundamental, but the emphasis might sometimes lean more towards contractual agreements and demonstrable reliability rather than inherent faith in character, though both are important.

The phrase 'Confia em Portugal' (Trust in Portugal) has been used in nationalistic contexts. Many Fado songs explore themes of betrayal and the difficulty of trusting again, highlighting the emotional weight of 'confiar'. Brazilian telenovelas frequently feature plotlines revolving around broken trust and the struggle to rebuild it, using 'confiar' extensively.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Personal Relationships

  • Confio em você.
  • Posso confiar?
  • Confia em mim.

Evaluating Reliability

  • Não confio nesta máquina.
  • Confio na sua capacidade.
  • É confiável?

Expressing Belief in Future Events

  • Confio que vai dar certo.
  • Confio que ele virá.
  • Confiamos que a situação melhore.

Entrusting Something/Someone

  • Confiei-lhe o segredo.
  • Confiei meu carro ao mecânico.
  • Confiar a tarefa a alguém.

Self-Reliance

  • Confiar em si mesmo.
  • É importante confiar nos próprios instintos.

Conversation Starters

"What is something or someone you trust deeply, and why?"

"Have you ever been betrayed? How did it affect your ability to trust others?"

"In what situations is it most important to trust your instincts?"

"Do you believe it's better to be trusting or cautious in new relationships?"

"What does 'trustworthy' mean to you in a friend or a partner?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you placed your trust in someone and it was rewarded. How did that feel?

Reflect on a situation where your trust was broken. What did you learn from that experience about trust?

Write about the importance of self-trust. How can you build more confidence in your own judgment?

Consider the role of trust in society. What happens when trust between people or in institutions breaks down?

Imagine you are creating a motto about trust. What would it be and why?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The most direct and common way is 'Eu confio em você'. Remember to include the preposition 'em' after 'confio'.

Almost always, yes. When you are expressing trust in a person, thing, or idea, you typically use 'confiar em'. For example, 'confiar em Deus', 'confiar no sistema', 'confiar em meus amigos'.

'Acreditar' means 'to believe' (in something being true or possible), while 'confiar' means 'to trust' (to rely on someone's character or ability). You might 'acreditar' that it will rain, but you 'confiar' in a person to help you during the rain.

Yes, you can. For example, 'Eu confio nesta marca' (I trust this brand) or 'Eu confio neste carro' (I trust this car). It implies you believe in its quality or reliability.

You say 'Confiar em si mesmo' (if referring to a third person) or 'Confiar em mim' (if referring to yourself). For example, 'É importante confiar em si mesmo para ter sucesso.' (It's important to trust yourself to succeed.)

The simple past (preterite perfect) is 'confiei' (I trusted), 'confiaste' (you trusted), 'confiou' (he/she/it trusted), etc. The imperfect past is 'confiava' (I used to trust/was trusting).

Yes, 'confiar-se' exists but is less common. It generally means to confide in oneself or to be confident. The more common usage is 'confiar em si mesmo'.

'Confiar cegamente' means 'to trust blindly'. It implies trusting someone or something completely, without question, which can sometimes be unwise.

Yes, the noun is 'confiança', which means 'trust' or 'confidence'.

The direct opposite is 'desconfiar'. So, 'Eu desconfio dele' means 'I distrust him'.

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