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A2 verb 8 min read

dar alta

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dar alta in 30 Seconds

Explanation dar alta in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the very basic meaning of 'dar alta'. Think of it as 'The doctor says you can go home.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'dar' means 'to give' and 'alta' in this case means 'discharge'. If you are in a hospital, and the doctor says 'Vou dar alta', it is good news! It means you are better. You might see this in simple stories or basic dialogues. Example: 'O médico dá alta.' (The doctor gives discharge). It is a simple subject-verb-object structure. Don't worry about the prepositions 'a' or 'para' too much at this stage; just recognize the phrase as a single unit of meaning related to leaving the hospital.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'dar alta' in more complete sentences. You should learn the past tense of 'dar' because most people talk about when they *were* discharged. 'O médico deu alta' (The doctor gave discharge). You should also start using the preposition 'a' or 'para' to say who is being discharged. For example, 'O médico deu alta ao meu pai' (The doctor discharged my father). This is the level where you distinguish between 'dar alta' (what the doctor does) and 'ter alta' (what the patient experiences). You should be able to understand this phrase in a simple medical appointment context or in a short news snippet about a celebrity.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'dar alta' in various tenses, including the future and the conditional. You understand that 'alta' is a feminine noun and can use it in more complex sentences like 'Se ele melhorar, o médico daria alta amanhã' (If he improves, the doctor would discharge him tomorrow). You also begin to recognize the phrase in more formal contexts, such as hospital forms or slightly more detailed news reports. You should be aware of the difference between 'alta médica' (medical discharge) and 'alta hospitalar' (hospital discharge), although they are often used interchangeably. You can explain the process of being discharged using this phrase and related vocabulary like 'exames', 'melhoria', and 'recuperação'.

At the B2 level, you use 'dar alta' with nuance. You understand the administrative implications of the phrase. You can use it in the passive voice: 'Foi dada alta ao paciente' (Discharge was given to the patient). You also know related idiomatic expressions and can use the term in professional settings, such as discussing a patient's case in a medical or social work environment. You are aware of regional differences, such as the preference for certain prepositions in Brazil versus Portugal. You can participate in a debate about hospital efficiency and use 'dar alta' correctly when discussing discharge rates or bed turnover. Your pronunciation and flow when using the irregular verb 'dar' should be natural.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'dar alta'. You understand its use in legal and insurance contexts, where 'a data da alta' (the date of discharge) is a critical piece of information. You can use the phrase in complex hypothetical situations and understand subtle jokes or metaphors involving the term. You are familiar with technical variations like 'alta a pedido' (discharge at own risk) or 'alta por transferência' (discharge for transfer). You can write formal reports using the term and understand the bureaucratic process that 'dar alta' represents. Your use of indirect object pronouns (e.g., 'O médico deu-lhe alta') is seamless and conforms to the specific regional standard you are following.

At the C2 level, you understand 'dar alta' in all its complexity, including its historical development and its place within the broader medical terminology of the Lusophone world. You can distinguish between the medical act of 'dar alta' and the administrative act of 'fechar a conta' (closing the bill). You are capable of discussing the ethics of 'dar alta' prematurely due to hospital overcrowding. You understand the term's use in literature and high-level academic discourse. You can navigate any medical situation in Portuguese with the same level of sophistication as a native speaker, using 'dar alta' and its synonyms with perfect precision and cultural awareness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dar alta in 30 Seconds

Dar alta is the Portuguese term for discharging a patient from a hospital or medical care.
It combines the verb 'dar' (to give) with the feminine noun 'alta' (discharge).
It is used primarily by medical staff, while patients 'recebem alta' (receive discharge).
Grammatically, it often requires the preposition 'a' or 'para' before the patient's name.

The Portuguese verbal expression dar alta is a fundamental medical term used primarily in clinical and hospital settings. At its core, it translates to 'to discharge' or 'to release a patient from medical care.' While the word alta often means 'high' or 'tall' in other contexts, in the medical world, it refers to the formal authorization given by a physician for a patient to leave the healthcare facility because their condition has stabilized or improved sufficiently. This expression is used daily in hospitals, clinics, and health centers across all Portuguese-speaking countries, from Brazil to Portugal and Angola. Understanding this phrase is crucial for anyone navigating the healthcare system, whether as a professional, a patient, or a family member.

Medical Context: This is the most common usage. It signifies that the medical team has concluded that the patient no longer requires inpatient care. For example, 'O médico deu alta ao João ontem' (The doctor discharged João yesterday).
Psychological Context: In therapy or psychiatric treatment, it means the patient has completed their course of treatment or is ready to continue without regular sessions.
Administrative Context: It involves the paperwork and formal processing of a patient's exit from a facility.

The phrase is composed of the verb dar (to give) and the noun alta (discharge). Grammatically, the doctor 'gives' the discharge to the patient. It is important to note that the patient 'recebe alta' (receives discharge) or 'tem alta' (has discharge). You will hear this in television dramas, news reports about famous people leaving the hospital, and in personal conversations about family health. It carries a generally positive connotation, as it implies recovery, although it can also be used in more somber contexts like 'alta a pedido' (discharge at the patient's request, often against medical advice).

Depois de três dias em observação, o doutor finalmente resolveu dar alta à minha avó.

O hospital informou que vai dar alta aos sobreviventes do acidente ainda hoje.

Espero que me deem alta antes do final de semana.

A enfermeira disse que o médico está prestes a dar alta para o seu pai.

Infelizmente, eles não podem dar alta ao paciente enquanto a febre persistir.

Using dar alta correctly requires an understanding of the irregular verb dar (to give). Because the action is usually performed by a doctor or a hospital (the subject) upon a patient (the indirect object), you must pay attention to sentence structure and prepositions. In Portuguese, the person being discharged is typically preceded by the preposition a (to) or para (for/to), or indicated by an indirect object pronoun like lhe or me.

Present Tense: Used for current or habitual actions. 'O médico dá alta aos pacientes todas as manhãs' (The doctor discharges patients every morning).
Preterite (Past) Tense: The most common tense for this phrase. 'Eles deram alta à Maria na segunda-feira' (They discharged Maria on Monday).
Future Tense: Used for planned discharges. 'O hospital dará alta ao paciente amanhã' (The hospital will discharge the patient tomorrow).

When using pronouns, the structure changes slightly. If you want to say 'The doctor discharged him,' you would say 'O médico deu-lhe alta' (Portugal) or 'O médico deu alta para ele' (common in Brazil). It is essential to remember that 'dar alta' is a transitive relative phrase, meaning it connects the giver (doctor), the thing given (discharge/alta), and the recipient (patient). You will frequently see this in the passive voice in news headlines: 'O jogador recebeu alta' (The player was discharged/received discharge), which is the counterpart to 'O médico deu alta ao jogador'.

Se os exames estiverem bons, eu vou dar alta para você logo.

A equipe médica decidiu não dar alta ao ferido por precaução.

Quem tem autoridade para dar alta neste setor?

In the Lusophone world, dar alta is a phrase that permeates both professional and domestic life. You will hear it most frequently in the corridors of the 'hospital' or 'posto de saúde'. Nurses use it when coordinating bed availability, and doctors use it during morning rounds. However, its reach extends far beyond the sterile walls of a clinic. In the realm of Brazilian 'novelas' (soap operas), a character being discharged from the hospital is a classic plot point, often accompanied by dramatic music and a family reunion at the hospital entrance. In these scenes, the phrase 'O médico já deu alta!' is a joyous exclamation signaling a return to normalcy.

News and Media: Journalists use it when reporting on the health of public figures. 'O Presidente recebeu alta após a cirurgia' (The President was discharged after surgery).
Workplace: Employees use it to explain their return to work. 'O médico me deu alta, então volto a trabalhar amanhã' (The doctor discharged me, so I return to work tomorrow).

Furthermore, the phrase is common in insurance and legal discussions. When discussing 'seguro saúde' (health insurance) or 'licença médica' (sick leave), the date of 'alta' is the crucial marker for when benefits might change or when an employee is expected back at their post. In Portugal, you might hear 'dar alta hospitalar' to be more specific, distinguishing it from other types of medical clearance. In casual conversation, friends might ask, 'Quando é que te dão alta?' (When are they discharging you?), showing that the phrase is deeply integrated into how Portuguese speakers discuss the timeline of illness and recovery.

O telejornal confirmou que o cantor vai dar alta para a imprensa às 14h (Note: here it means the hospital will release the news of discharge).

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with dar alta is attempting a literal translation of the English word 'discharge.' They might try to use verbs like 'descarregar' or 'liberar.' While 'liberar' is sometimes used informally in Brazil ('O médico me liberou'), 'descarregar' refers to unloading cargo or a battery and would be completely nonsensical in a medical context. Another common pitfall involves the gender of the word alta. Since alta is feminine, it must always be 'a alta' and 'dar alta.' Using the masculine 'alto' changes the meaning to 'loud' or 'tall,' which does not fit the medical idiom.

Confusing 'Dar Alta' with 'Estar Alto': 'Estar alto' means to be tall or, in slang, to be high (intoxicated). It has nothing to do with leaving a hospital.
Preposition Errors: Learners often forget the 'a' or 'para.' You don't 'dar alta o paciente'; you 'dar alta AO paciente'.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse dar alta with dar à luz (to give birth). While both happen in hospitals, they are distinct actions. It's also important not to confuse 'dar alta' with 'ter alta'. The doctor dá (gives), the patient tem (has/gets). If a patient says 'Eu dei alta,' it sounds like they are the doctor discharging someone else. Instead, the patient should say 'Eu recebi alta' or 'Eu tive alta.' Lastly, avoid using 'alta' to mean 'exit' (saída). While you exit the hospital, the formal process is always 'alta'.

While dar alta is the standard term, there are other ways to express similar concepts depending on the level of formality and the specific situation. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise in different Lusophone environments.

Liberar (Informal/Common in Brazil): Often used casually. 'O médico já me liberou' (The doctor already let me go/discharged me). It feels slightly less formal than 'dar alta'.
Mandar para casa (Colloquial): Literally 'to send home.' 'Finalmente me mandaram para casa' (They finally sent me home).
Desospitalização (Technical/Academic): A more complex term used in healthcare management and academic papers to describe the process of moving a patient out of hospital care.
Concluir o tratamento (General): 'To finish treatment.' This is broader and can apply to outpatient care where no 'discharge' from a physical building is necessary.

Comparing dar alta with its synonyms: dar alta is the most 'correct' and professional term you will find in medical records. Liberar is what you'll say to your boss on the phone. Mandar para casa is what you'll tell your family when you're tired of hospital food. Knowing when to use each is a sign of high linguistic competence.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O corpo clínico deliberou por dar alta ao paciente."

Neutral

"O médico deu alta para ele ontem."

Informal

"O doutor me liberou e deu alta!"

Child friendly

"O médico disse que você está bem e deu alta para irmos para casa!"

Slang

"Ganhei alta e tô vazando do hospital!"

Fun Fact

The word 'alta' in this context is actually a shortening of 'alta médica'. It shares the same root as 'altitude' and 'altar'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /daɾ ˈaɫ.tɐ/

US /daʁ ˈaw.tɐ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable of 'alta' (AL-ta).

Rhymes With

falta malta salta asfalta exalta ressalta planalta pernalta

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'alta' as 'alto' (masculine).
Using an English 'l' sound in 'alta' instead of the Portuguese dark 'l' or 'w' sound.
Not tapping the 'r' in 'dar' (European) or over-rolling it.
Confusing the nasal vowels if they were present (none in this phrase, but common in others).
Stressing the second syllable of 'alta' (al-TA).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'dar'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'alta' needs care.

Listening 2/5

Clear and distinct phrase.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dar médico hospital bom casa

Learn Next

internar exame receita sintoma dor

Advanced

prognóstico diagnóstico convalescença morbidade triagem

Grammar to Know

Irregular verb 'dar'

Eu dou, tu dás, ele dá, nós damos, eles dão.

Indirect object pronouns

O médico deu-lhe alta (gave him/her discharge).

Contractions with 'a'

Dar alta à paciente (a + a = à).

Subjunctive after expressions of hope

Espero que ele dê alta.

Passive voice with 'ser'

A alta foi dada pelo médico.

Examples by Level

O médico vai dar alta.

The doctor is going to discharge.

Simple future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Eles dão alta hoje.

They discharge today.

Present tense of 'dar' (third person plural).

Quando você dá alta?

When do you discharge?

Interrogative sentence in the present tense.

O doutor dá alta agora.

The doctor discharges now.

Present tense singular.

Eu quero dar alta.

I want to discharge (as a doctor).

Verb 'querer' + infinitive.

Ela dá alta amanhã.

She discharges tomorrow.

Present used for near future.

O hospital dá alta.

The hospital discharges.

Noun as subject.

Não dar alta ainda.

Do not discharge yet.

Negative infinitive.

O médico deu alta ao João.

The doctor discharged João.

Preterite of 'dar' + preposition 'ao'.

Minha mãe teve alta ontem.

My mother was discharged yesterday.

Using 'ter alta' for the patient's perspective.

Eles vão dar alta para ela?

Are they going to discharge her?

Future with 'ir' + 'para' (common in Brazil).

O doutor não me deu alta.

The doctor didn't discharge me.

Negative past with object pronoun 'me'.

Você já deu alta ao paciente?

Have you already discharged the patient?

Preterite with adverb 'já'.

Nós daremos alta logo.

We will discharge soon.

Future simple (more formal).

O médico deu alta cedo.

The doctor discharged early.

Preterite with adverb 'cedo'.

Quem deu alta para ele?

Who discharged him?

Interrogative with 'quem'.

Espero que o médico dê alta ao meu filho hoje.

I hope the doctor discharges my son today.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Se ele estivesse melhor, o médico daria alta.

If he were better, the doctor would discharge him.

Conditional mood with imperfect subjunctive.

O hospital costuma dar alta pela manhã.

The hospital usually discharges in the morning.

Verb 'costumar' + infinitive.

Depois de dar alta, o médico saiu.

After discharging, the doctor left.

Preposition 'depois de' + infinitive.

Eles deram alta sem fazer os exames.

They discharged without doing the exams.

Preposition 'sem' + infinitive.

A enfermeira disse que iam dar alta.

The nurse said they were going to discharge.

Reported speech with imperfect.

É preciso dar alta para liberar o leito.

It is necessary to discharge to free up the bed.

Impersonal expression 'é preciso'.

O médico deu alta, mas ele continuou mal.

The doctor discharged, but he continued to be unwell.

Adversative conjunction 'mas'.

O médico deu alta à paciente, apesar das dúvidas.

The doctor discharged the patient, despite the doubts.

Contraction 'à' (a + a) and concessive phrase 'apesar de'.

Dificilmente darão alta para ele este final de semana.

They will hardly discharge him this weekend.

Adverb 'dificilmente' influencing the future tense.

A equipe decidiu dar alta após a estabilização.

The team decided to discharge after stabilization.

Noun 'estabilização' in a temporal clause.

O médico deu-lhe alta assim que os resultados chegaram.

The doctor discharged him as soon as the results arrived.

Enclitic pronoun 'lhe' and temporal conjunction 'assim que'.

Não deram alta por falta de acompanhante.

They didn't discharge due to lack of a companion.

Causal phrase 'por falta de'.

O médico hesitou em dar alta devido à idade.

The doctor hesitated to discharge due to age.

Verb 'hesitar em' + infinitive.

Antes que dessem alta, ele teve uma recaída.

Before they discharged, he had a relapse.

Conjunction 'antes que' + imperfect subjunctive.

O procedimento para dar alta é burocrático.

The procedure to discharge is bureaucratic.

Infinitive used as a noun phrase.

O diretor clínico recusou-se a dar alta ao detento.

The clinical director refused to discharge the inmate.

Pronominal verb 'recusar-se a' + infinitive.

Caso o médico dê alta, os custos cessarão.

In case the doctor discharges, the costs will cease.

Conditional 'caso' + present subjunctive.

A pressa em dar alta pode gerar complicações.

The rush to discharge can generate complications.

Noun 'pressa' followed by preposition 'em'.

O médico deu alta sob a condição de repouso absoluto.

The doctor discharged under the condition of absolute rest.

Prepositional phrase 'sob a condição de'.

Não obstante a melhora, o médico não deu alta.

Despite the improvement, the doctor did not discharge.

Formal concessive 'não obstante'.

O hospital foi processado por dar alta precocemente.

The hospital was sued for discharging prematurely.

Passive voice 'foi processado' + 'por' + infinitive.

A decisão de dar alta cabe exclusivamente ao médico.

The decision to discharge rests exclusively with the doctor.

Verb 'caber a' (to be up to).

Ao dar alta, o médico prescreveu novos remédios.

Upon discharging, the doctor prescribed new medicines.

Contraction 'ao' + infinitive (temporal).

A relutância em dar alta prendia-se ao quadro clínico instável.

The reluctance to discharge was tied to the unstable clinical picture.

Pronominal verb 'prender-se a' in the imperfect.

O médico deu alta a pedido, eximindo-se de responsabilidade.

The doctor discharged upon request, exempting himself from responsibility.

Gerund 'eximindo-se' for simultaneous action.

Conquanto o paciente pedisse, o médico não deu alta.

Although the patient asked, the doctor did not discharge.

Formal conjunction 'conquanto' + subjunctive.

A alta dada pelo médico foi questionada pela junta.

The discharge given by the doctor was questioned by the board.

Past participle 'dada' used as an adjective.

Dar alta sem o devido acompanhamento é negligência.

Discharging without proper follow-up is negligence.

Infinitive as a subject of a definition.

O médico viu-se compelido a dar alta por falta de verbas.

The doctor found himself compelled to discharge due to lack of funds.

Passive construction 'viu-se compelido a'.

Mal o médico deu alta, o paciente sentiu-se mal de novo.

Hardly had the doctor discharged when the patient felt ill again.

Temporal conjunction 'mal' (hardly/as soon as).

A prudência dita que não se deve dar alta prematuramente.

Prudence dictates that one should not discharge prematurely.

Impersonal 'se' with modal 'deve'.

Common Collocations

dar alta hospitalar

dar alta médica

dar alta a pedido

dar alta precoce

prestes a dar alta

recusar-se a dar alta

dar alta definitiva

dar alta administrativa

dar alta condicional

decidir dar alta

Common Phrases

O médico já deu alta?

— A common question asked by family members to check if a patient can go home.

Liguei para o hospital para saber: o médico já deu alta?

Receber alta

— The patient's side of the action; being discharged.

Espero receber alta antes do Natal.

Ter alta

— Similar to 'receber alta', meaning to be discharged.

Meu avô teve alta esta manhã.

Dar alta para si mesmo

— A humorous or figurative way to say one is stopping treatment or rest on their own.

Eu mesmo me dei alta e voltei a correr.

Assinar a alta

— The physical act of the doctor signing the discharge papers.

O doutor ainda precisa assinar a alta.

Aguardar a alta

— To wait for the discharge process to be completed.

Estamos apenas aguardando a alta para sair.

Alta definitiva

— When treatment is completely finished, not just the hospital stay.

Depois da fisioterapia, ele teve alta definitiva.

Dar alta por telefone

— Discharging a patient via a phone call (rare/informal).

O médico deu alta por telefone após ver os resultados online.

Negar a alta

— When a doctor refuses to let a patient leave.

O hospital negou a alta por causa da infecção.

Dar alta em massa

— Discharging many patients at once, usually during an emergency or bed clearing.

O hospital deu alta em massa para abrir espaço para os feridos do desastre.

Often Confused With

dar alta vs dar a luz

Means to give birth, not to discharge.

dar alta vs dar um alto

Means to stop someone or command silence.

dar alta vs estar alto

Means to be tall or high (intoxicated).

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar alta às preocupações"

— A figurative way to say 'to stop worrying'.

Você precisa dar alta às suas preocupações e relaxar.

figurative

"Dar alta ao passado"

— To move on from past events.

Finalmente dei alta ao passado e comecei uma vida nova.

figurative

"Estar de alta"

— To be in a state of improvement or success (often in markets).

As ações da empresa estão de alta.

financial (related word)

"Dar alta à tristeza"

— To stop being sad.

Hoje eu decidi dar alta à tristeza.

poetic

"Dar alta ao juízo"

— To lose one's mind or act crazy (very rare/slang).

Ele deu alta ao juízo e fez aquela loucura.

slang

"Alta temporada"

— High season (tourism), using the word 'alta'.

Estamos na alta temporada e tudo está caro.

tourism

"Alta sociedade"

— High society.

Eles pertencem à alta sociedade de Lisboa.

social

"Em alta"

— Popular or trending.

Esse estilo de música está em alta agora.

informal

"Alta voltagem"

— High voltage.

Cuidado, este cabo é de alta voltagem.

technical

"Dar uma de..."

— Not related to 'alta', but 'dar' is used in many idioms.

Ele deu uma de médico e tentou me diagnosticar.

informal

Easily Confused

dar alta vs alto

Masculine version of the same root.

Alto is an adjective (tall); Alta is the noun (discharge).

O prédio é alto, mas a alta do paciente foi hoje.

dar alta vs saída

Both mean leaving.

Saída is the physical exit; Alta is the medical permission.

Após a alta, ele foi para a saída do hospital.

dar alta vs liberação

Used for releasing.

Liberação is more general (goods, people); Alta is specific to health.

A liberação da carga demorou, mas a alta do motorista foi rápida.

dar alta vs demissão

Both involve leaving a place.

Demissão is for a job (firing/quitting); Alta is for a hospital.

Ele recebeu alta do hospital e depois pediu demissão do emprego.

dar alta vs licença

Both involve permission.

Licença is time off; Alta is the end of treatment.

Ele está de licença médica até o doutor dar alta.

Sentence Patterns

O médico dá alta.

O médico deu alta ao [nome].

O médico deu alta ao Paulo.

Espero que o médico dê alta.

Espero que o médico dê alta hoje.

O médico deu-lhe alta assim que...

O médico deu-lhe alta assim que ele melhorou.

A decisão de dar alta cabe a...

A decisão de dar alta cabe ao diretor.

Conquanto pedisse, não deram alta.

Conquanto pedisse, não lhe deram alta.

Vou dar alta para você.

Vou dar alta para você agora.

Não pode dar alta sem...

Não pode dar alta sem os exames.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in medical and daily life contexts.

Common Mistakes

O médico deu alto. → O médico deu alta.
Alta is a feminine noun in this context.
Eu dei alta do hospital. → Eu tive alta do hospital.
The patient 'has' discharge; the doctor 'gives' it.
O médico descarregou o paciente. → O médico deu alta ao paciente.
Descarregar is for cargo/batteries, not people.
Vou dar alta o João. → Vou dar alta ao João.
Requires the preposition 'a' (plus article 'o').
O médico deu alta para eu. → O médico me deu alta.
Use object pronouns correctly with 'dar'.

Tips

Verb Dar

Review the irregular conjugation of 'dar' in the preterite (dei, deu, demos, deram).

Alta vs Alto

Always use the feminine 'alta' for medical discharge.

Brazilian Usage

In Brazil, 'liberar' is a very common informal synonym for 'dar alta'.

Paperwork

The document itself is often called 'a guia de alta' or 'o relatório de alta'.

Dark L

Practice the 'l' in 'alta' as a soft 'w' for a more Brazilian sound.

Patient's View

Remember: Doctors 'give' (dar), patients 'have' (ter) or 'receive' (receber).

Medical Accuracy

In a hospital, always use 'dar alta' for formal situations.

Mnemonic

Think: 'The doctor gives me the HIGH sign to leave' (Alta = High).

False Friends

Do not use 'descarregar' for discharging a person.

Prepositions

Don't forget the 'a' in 'dar alta ao paciente'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the doctor giving you a 'High' (Alta) Five because you are healthy enough to leave! 'Dar' (Give) 'Alta' (High/Discharge).

Visual Association

Imagine a hospital door opening and a doctor handing a bird a 'high' perch to fly away from a cage.

Word Web

médico enfermeira hospital leito remédio exame casa saúde

Challenge

Try to use 'dar alta' in a sentence about a famous person who was recently in the news for a health issue.

Word Origin

The phrase comes from the Latin 'dare' (to give) and 'altus' (high). In a medical context, 'alta' refers to the 'high' state of recovery or the 'lifting' of restrictions.

Original meaning: To give the state of being 'high' or 'finished' with treatment.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Always use 'dar alta' respectfully; it is a serious medical event.

In English, we just say 'discharge'. The Portuguese 'give high' sounds strange but is very standard.

Novela 'Amor à Vida' (hospital setting) Song 'Alta Noite' (uses alta but in different context) News reports on Pelé's health

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the hospital

O médico já deu alta?
Preciso da folha de alta.
Quando dão alta?
Ele teve alta.

At work

Recebi alta e volto amanhã.
O médico me deu alta médica.
Apresentar a alta.
Licença termina com a alta.

Insurance

Data da alta.
Relatório de alta.
Cobertura até a alta.
Alta administrativa.

News

Recebeu alta hoje.
Expectativa de alta.
Boletim médico e alta.
Alta após cirurgia.

Family

Vão dar alta para vovó.
Finalmente deu alta!
Festa da alta.
Cuidar após a alta.

Conversation Starters

"O seu médico já deu alta para você sair do hospital?"

"Você sabe quando o hospital costuma dar alta aos pacientes?"

"A sua avó já recebeu alta depois daquela cirurgia no joelho?"

"O que você sentiu quando o médico finalmente te deu alta?"

"É difícil conseguir que o médico dê alta em um final de semana?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um dia em que você ou alguém que você conhece recebeu alta do hospital.

Como você se sentiria se fosse um médico e tivesse que decidir se deve dar alta a um paciente?

Descreva a rotina de um hospital no momento em que os médicos dão alta aos pacientes.

Por que a 'alta médica' é um momento tão importante na vida de uma pessoa doente?

Imagine que você recebeu alta, mas ainda não se sente bem. O que você diria ao médico?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Grammatically, no. Only a doctor 'dá alta'. If a patient leaves without permission, it is called 'evasão' or 'alta a pedido' (if they sign a form).

Yes, it is the standard term in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though the prepositions used might vary slightly.

The opposite is 'internar' or 'admitir' (to hospitalize or admit).

No, it can also mean 'high' (feminine) or 'increase' (like in price hikes). Context is key.

You should say 'Eu tive alta' or 'Eu recebi alta'.

Usually, only a doctor has the legal authority to 'dar alta', though nurses handle the paperwork.

Both are used. 'A' is more formal and common in Portugal; 'para' is very common in Brazil.

Yes, psychiatrists and psychologists also 'dão alta' to their patients.

It means the patient asked to be discharged, often against medical advice.

Yes, when a player is cleared by the medical department to play again.