Desembolsar
Desembolsar in 30 Seconds
- Desembolsar means to pay out or disburse money, often implying a significant or formal transaction.
- It comes from the word 'bolso' (pocket), literally meaning to take money out of your pocket.
- Commonly used in business, news, and when complaining about high costs or unexpected fees.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate for Portuguese learners of all levels.
- Literal Meaning
- The term comes from the combination of the prefix 'des-' (indicating removal or reversal) and 'embolsar' (to put into a pocket/bolso). Thus, it literally means to un-pocket money.
- Financial Register
- In business contexts, it refers to the disbursement of capital for investments, salaries, or operational costs. It is the standard term used in accounting to describe cash outflows.
- Everyday Nuance
- When used by individuals, it often implies a sense of reluctance or the significance of the amount. For instance, if someone has to pay an unexpected fine, they might say they had to 'desembolsar' a large sum, highlighting the pain of the expense.
Para comprar o carro novo, ele precisou desembolsar todas as suas economias de uma só vez.
A empresa teve que desembolsar uma fortuna em indenizações após o processo judicial.
- Direct Object Pattern
- Subject + Desembolsar + Amount. Example: 'Eu desembolsei dez euros.' (I paid out ten euros.)
- Prepositional Use
- To indicate what the money was for, use 'para' or 'por'. Example: 'Desembolsamos muito dinheiro para a reforma.' (We disbursed a lot of money for the renovation.)
- Formal Contexts
- In government or corporate documents: 'O banco irá desembolsar o empréstimo na próxima semana.' (The bank will disburse the loan next week.)
Ninguém gosta de desembolsar dinheiro com impostos imprevistos no final do ano.
Se você quiser aquele apartamento, terá que desembolsar um sinal considerável.
O investidor decidiu desembolsar o capital necessário para a startup expandir suas operações.
- Television News
- 'O governo federal anunciou que vai desembolsar bilhões para o novo programa de infraestrutura.'
- Real Estate and Banking
- When applying for a mortgage, the bank clerk might explain when the institution will 'desembolsar' the credit into the seller's account.
- Daily Grievances
- Among friends, you'll hear it when someone complains about the price of concert tickets or a surprise car repair. 'Tive que desembolsar quinhentos reais só na bateria!'
Ao ouvir o preço da manutenção, o cliente suspirou antes de desembolsar o cartão de crédito.
O prêmio da loteria será desembolsado em parcelas anuais ao longo de uma década.
- Confusing with Pagar
- Learners often use 'pagar' for everything. While technically correct, using 'desembolsar' when discussing large sums or formal disbursements makes you sound more native. However, don't use 'desembolsar' for small, habitual things like 'desembolsar o café' unless you are being intentionally ironic about the price.
- Preposition Errors
- Do not say 'desembolsar de cem euros'. The verb is direct: 'desembolsar cem euros'. The only time you use 'de' is if you are saying 'desembolsar do próprio bolso' (to pay out of one's own pocket).
- Spelling and Pronunciation
- English speakers might try to say 'disbolsar' due to the English word 'disburse'. Remember the 'e' in 'des-'. Also, ensure the 's' sounds like a 'z' (de-zem-bol-sar) because it's between two vowels (the 'e' and the nasal 'em').
Errado: Eu
desembolsei o garçom. Correto: Eu desembolsei a gorjeta para o garçom.
Não é necessário desembolsar nada para entrar no museu; a entrada é gratuita hoje.
- Pagar vs. Desembolsar
- 'Pagar' is the generic term. 'Desembolsar' is specifically about the outflow of cash. Use 'pagar' for 'I paid the bill' (Paguei a conta) and 'desembolsar' for 'I had to shell out 200 euros for that bill' (Tive que desembolsar 200 euros por aquela conta).
- Gastar vs. Desembolsar
- 'Gastar' means to spend. It can be used for money, time, or energy. 'Desembolsar' is only for money and emphasizes the moment of payment rather than the total consumption.
- Dispender vs. Desembolsar
- 'Dispender' is very formal and often used in academic or highly technical financial reports. It is the closest synonym to 'to expend'. 'Desembolsar' is more common in both business and daily life.
- Arcar vs. Desembolsar
- 'Arcar' (usually 'arcar com') means to bear the costs or consequences. 'Ele teve que arcar com o prejuízo' (He had to bear the loss). While 'desembolsar' is the action of paying, 'arcar' is the responsibility of paying.
Ao invés de desembolsar o valor total à vista, ele preferiu parcelar a compra.
Examples by Level
Eu preciso desembolsar dez euros hoje.
I need to pay out ten euros today.
Simple present tense with the modal 'preciso' (I need).
Você desembolsa o dinheiro agora?
Do you pay out the money now?
Interrogative sentence in the present tense.
Nós desembolsamos pouco dinheiro no mercado.
We pay out little money at the market.
Present tense, 'nós' form.
Ela não quer desembolsar muito.
She doesn't want to pay out much.
Negative sentence with the verb 'querer' (to want).
Eles desembolsam o valor da entrada.
They pay out the entrance fee.
Present tense, 'eles' form.
Quanto você vai desembolsar?
How much are you going to pay out?
Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Eu desembolso cinco reais pelo café.
I pay out five reais for the coffee.
Present tense with the preposition 'pelo' (for the).
O pai desembolsa a mesada do filho.
The father pays out the son's allowance.
Third person singular present tense.
Ontem, eu desembolsei vinte euros no jantar.
Yesterday, I paid out twenty euros for dinner.
Pretérito Perfeito (past tense), first person singular.
Tivemos que desembolsar uma taxa extra no aeroporto.
We had to pay out an extra fee at the airport.
Compound past with 'ter que' + infinitive.
Ela desembolsou o valor total da viagem à vista.
She paid out the total value of the trip in cash/upfront.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular.
Vocês já desembolsaram o dinheiro para o presente?
Have you already paid out the money for the gift?
Pretérito Perfeito in a question with the adverb 'já'.
O governo vai desembolsar verbas para a saúde.
The government is going to disburse funds for health.
Future tense construction with 'vai'.
Não desembolsei nada, pois ganhei o convite.
I didn't pay out anything because I won the invitation.
Negative past tense followed by a causal clause.
Eles desembolsaram uma pequena fortuna naquela casa.
They paid out a small fortune for that house.
Use of the noun 'fortuna' as a direct object.
Você precisará desembolsar o sinal para reservar o quarto.
You will need to pay out the deposit to reserve the room.
Future tense of 'precisar'.
Se eu comprar o carro, terei que desembolsar minhas economias.
If I buy the car, I will have to pay out my savings.
First conditional sentence (Future Subjunctive + Future Indicative).
A empresa desembolsou o bônus de Natal para todos os funcionários.
The company disbursed the Christmas bonus to all employees.
Formal business context usage.
Estamos desembolsando mensalmente um valor alto pelo aluguel.
We are paying out a high amount monthly for rent.
Present continuous (Gerúndio) to show habitual action.
Duvido que ele desembolse essa quantia sem reclamar.
I doubt that he will pay out that amount without complaining.
Present Subjunctive after a verb of doubt ('duvidar').
O seguro desembolsou a indenização após o acidente.
The insurance disbursed the compensation after the accident.
Usage in a legal/insurance context.
Quanto dinheiro você já desembolsou com este projeto?
How much money have you already paid out on this project?
Pretérito Perfeito with the preposition 'com'.
É necessário desembolsar uma taxa de inscrição para o concurso.
It is necessary to pay out an application fee for the competition.
Impersonal expression 'É necessário' + infinitive.
Eles não quiseram desembolsar o valor pedido pelo vendedor.
They didn't want to pay out the amount requested by the seller.
Negative past tense with 'querer'.
O investidor desembolsou o capital inicial para a nova startup.
The investor disbursed the initial capital for the new startup.
High-level business vocabulary.
Caso o contrato seja assinado, o banco desembolsará o crédito.
If the contract is signed, the bank will disburse the credit.
Conditional sentence using 'Caso' + Subjunctive.
A prefeitura desembolsou milhões na revitalização do centro histórico.
The city hall disbursed millions in the revitalization of the historical center.
Usage in public administration context.
Não esperava ter que desembolsar tanto dinheiro em reparos domésticos.
I didn't expect to have to pay out so much money on home repairs.
Complex infinitive construction after 'esperava'.
Os acionistas exigem que a empresa desembolse os dividendos.
The shareholders demand that the company disburse the dividends.
Present Subjunctive after a verb of demand ('exigir').
Ao desembolsar o pagamento, certifique-se de pedir o recibo.
When paying out the payment, make sure to ask for the receipt.
Infinitive personal used as a temporal clause ('Ao' + infinitive).
Ele desembolsou a quantia devida para evitar o processo judicial.
He paid out the owed amount to avoid the lawsuit.
Formal legal/financial context.
Muitas famílias desembolsam fortunas com a educação dos filhos.
Many families pay out fortunes for their children's education.
General statement about societal trends.
A autarquia desembolsou os fundos europeus destinados à agricultura.
The local authority disbursed the European funds destined for agriculture.
Administrative and institutional vocabulary.
Embora relutante, o magnata desembolsou a fiança para o seu sobrinho.
Although reluctant, the tycoon disbursed the bail for his nephew.
Concessive clause ('Embora') and formal vocabulary ('magnata', 'fiança').
O erário público não pode desembolsar verbas sem a devida autorização.
The public treasury cannot disburse funds without due authorization.
Formal political/financial terminology ('erário público', 'verbas').
Seria imprudente desembolsar tal montante sem uma análise de risco prévia.
It would be imprudent to disburse such an amount without a prior risk analysis.
Conditional tense used for formal advice/observation.
O montante desembolsado pela seguradora cobriu apenas parte dos danos.
The amount disbursed by the insurer covered only part of the damages.
Passive participle used as an adjective ('montante desembolsado').
A fundação comprometeu-se a desembolsar bolsas de estudo anuais.
The foundation committed to disbursing annual scholarships.
Reflexive verb 'comprometer-se' + 'a' + infinitive.
É imperativo que o tesoureiro desembolse os salários pontualmente.
It is imperative that the treasurer disburse the salaries punctually.
Subjunctive mood after an impersonal expression of necessity.
Após a auditoria, a empresa teve que desembolsar os impostos sonegados.
After the audit, the company had to pay out the evaded taxes.
Context of tax law and corporate accountability.
O Tesouro Nacional viu-se na contingência de desembolsar verbas extraordinárias.
The National Treasury found itself in the contingency of disbursing extraordinary funds.
Highly formal, literary structure ('viu-se na contingência de').
A liquidez do mercado permitiu que os bancos desembolsassem créditos vultuosos.
Market liquidity allowed banks to disburse substantial credits.
Sophisticated financial vocabulary ('liquidez', 'vultuosos').
Não obstante a crise, a autarquia logrou desembolsar os subsídios prometidos.
Notwithstanding the crisis, the local authority managed to disburse the promised subsidies.
Formal connectors ('Não obstante') and verb 'lograr' (to manage/achieve).
A minúcia com que o contabilista desembolsa os pagamentos é admirável.
The meticulousness with which the accountant disburses payments is admirable.
Complex relative clause and high-level noun 'minúcia'.
Haverá sempre quem se recuse a desembolsar o quinhão que lhe cabe na sociedade.
There will always be those who refuse to pay out the share that falls to them in society.
Philosophical/sociological context with formal terms like 'quinhão'.
O protocolo exige que o Estado desembolse a compensação de forma célere.
The protocol requires the State to disburse the compensation in a swift manner.
Formal adjective 'célere' (swift) and administrative context.
A empresa foi compelida a desembolsar os lucros cessantes aos seus parceiros.
The company was compelled to disburse the lost profits to its partners.
Legal terminology 'lucros cessantes' (lost profits).
Dificilmente o governo desembolsaria tal soma sem o aval do parlamento.
Hardly would the government disburse such a sum without the parliament's endorsement.
Conditional tense used for high probability in formal contexts.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To be forced or required to pay a certain amount.
Tivemos que desembolsar muito dinheiro.
— Ready and willing to pay for something.
Estou pronto para desembolsar o que for preciso.
— To try not to pay or spend money.
Ele faz de tudo para evitar desembolsar um centavo.
— To pay for something unexpectedly or by mistake.
Desembolsei uma taxa que não conhecia.
— A common way to ask someone how much they spent on something.
Quanto você desembolsou por esse celular novo?
— To pay an amount in several parts over time.
Vou desembolsar o valor em dez parcelas.
— To pay a significant amount of money (colloquial).
Ele desembolsou uma nota preta naquele relógio.
— To pay in advance.
É preciso desembolsar antecipadamente para garantir a reserva.
— To pay the full amount at once.
Ela preferiu desembolsar o total para não ter dívidas.
— To pay because it is required, not because you want to.
Desembolsei o valor da multa por necessidade.
Idioms & Expressions
— To have to find money to pay for something unexpected or expensive.
A reforma da casa me fez coçar o bolso.
Informal— To stop being stingy and finally spend or give money.
Ele finalmente abriu a mão e desembolsou o jantar.
Informal— To pay a very large amount of money.
Tivemos que desembolsar uma grana preta no advogado.
Slang (Brazil)— To 'die' with a bill, meaning to have to pay a lot of money.
Morri com uma nota no mecânico hoje.
Slang— To prepare to pay for something.
Na hora de pôr a mão no bolso, todos sumiram.
Neutral/Informal— To cause a significant financial loss or high expense.
Aquele imposto está sangrando o bolso do trabalhador.
Informal— To spend more than one can afford.
Ela desembolsou até o que não tinha naquela festa.
Informal— To not want to spend a single cent (tostão is an old coin).
Ele é tão pão-duro que não quer desembolsar um tostão.
InformalSummary
The verb 'desembolsar' is a precise way to describe the act of paying out money. While 'pagar' is general, 'desembolsar' highlights the outflow of cash. Example: 'Tive que desembolsar 100 euros pelo conserto do celular' (I had to shell out 100 euros for the phone repair).
- Desembolsar means to pay out or disburse money, often implying a significant or formal transaction.
- It comes from the word 'bolso' (pocket), literally meaning to take money out of your pocket.
- Commonly used in business, news, and when complaining about high costs or unexpected fees.
- It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate for Portuguese learners of all levels.
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