desistir in 30 Seconds
- Desistir means to give up or quit.
- Used when stopping effort due to difficulty or loss of interest.
- Often followed by the preposition 'de'.
- Common in motivational contexts: 'Não desista!' (Don't give up!).
The Portuguese verb desistir means 'to give up' or 'to quit'. It's used when someone decides to stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult, they are discouraged, or they have lost interest. It implies a cessation of effort or a withdrawal from a commitment.
- Core Meaning
- To cease an effort, to abandon a goal, to surrender.
- Common Scenarios
- This word comes up frequently in situations involving challenges, perseverance, and determination. For example, someone might desistir a difficult race, a demanding project at work, or even a personal goal like learning a new language if they feel overwhelmed. It can also be used in contexts of relationships, like deciding to desistir of trying to convince someone of something.
- Nuances
- While often associated with negative outcomes like failure, desistir isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes, it's wise to desistir from a situation that is harmful or no longer serves you. The context is key to understanding the implication. It can be a sign of weakness or a sign of self-awareness and prioritizing one's well-being.
Não desista dos seus sonhos, mesmo que eles pareçam impossíveis.
Understanding when and why someone might desistir is crucial for grasping its full meaning. It’s a word that touches upon themes of resilience, perseverance, and the difficult decision to let go. Whether it's a personal challenge, a professional endeavor, or a relationship dynamic, the act of giving up is a significant one.
Consider a student struggling with a complex mathematical problem. They might spend hours trying to solve it, but eventually, feeling frustrated and exhausted, they decide to desistir for the day, hoping to approach it with fresh eyes later. In this case, desistir is a temporary pause, not a permanent surrender.
Conversely, someone might desistir of a toxic friendship. This is a more definitive act of quitting, where the individual recognizes the negative impact of the relationship and chooses to end it to protect their mental health. The decision to desistir in such a scenario is a positive step towards self-care.
The word desistir is often used in motivational contexts, encouraging people not to give up. Phrases like 'Nunca desista!' (Never give up!) are common. It highlights the value placed on perseverance in many cultures. However, it also acknowledges the reality that sometimes, letting go is the bravest and most sensible choice.
In sports, an athlete might desistir from a competition due to injury. This is a decision made out of necessity, to prevent further harm. The word here signifies an enforced withdrawal rather than a lack of will.
In business, a company might desistir from a particular market if it proves unprofitable. This is a strategic decision based on financial viability. Here, desistir is a business term for cutting losses.
The verb desistir is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of situations, from the mundane to the profound. It’s a fundamental word for expressing the act of stopping an action or pursuit.
Using desistir correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the prepositions it often pairs with. As a regular -ir verb, its conjugations follow a predictable pattern in most tenses. The most common prepositions used with desistir are 'de' and 'a', although 'de' is far more frequent when indicating what is being given up.
- Basic Structure
- The basic structure is Subject + desistir + de + Noun/Infinitive Verb. For example, 'Eu desisti do projeto' (I gave up on the project) or 'Ele desistiu de tentar' (He gave up trying).
- Present Tense
- In the present tense, it might be used to describe a current state of not giving up: 'Não desisto facilmente' (I don't give up easily). Or, to express someone else's action: 'Ela desiste de tudo quando fica difícil' (She gives up on everything when it gets difficult).
- Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito)
- This is where the verb is most commonly used to describe a past action of quitting: 'Nós desistimos da competição' (We gave up on the competition). 'O atleta desistiu da prova por causa de uma lesão' (The athlete gave up the race because of an injury).
- Future Tense
- 'Eles desistirão se a situação não melhorar' (They will give up if the situation doesn't improve). This tense expresses a potential future action of quitting.
- Imperative Mood
- The imperative is often used in motivational contexts: 'Desista!' (Give up!) - used ironically or in a challenging way. More commonly, 'Não desista!' (Don't give up!).
- Gerund
- 'Ele está desistindo do seu emprego' (He is giving up his job). This shows an ongoing process of quitting.
Apesar das dificuldades, ela decidiu não desistir da sua meta.
Let's look at more examples to solidify the usage:
Describing a past decision:
'Ele desistiu de fumar há dois anos.' (He gave up smoking two years ago.)
'Nós desistimos da ideia porque era muito cara.' (We gave up on the idea because it was too expensive.)
Expressing encouragement:
'Nunca desistas dos teus sonhos, por mais difíceis que pareçam.' (Never give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult they seem.)
'A equipa lutou até ao fim e não desistiu.' (The team fought until the end and didn't give up.)
In a more formal context:
'O réu desistiu do recurso apresentado.' (The defendant withdrew the appeal filed.)
'A empresa desistiu do projeto de expansão devido a incertezas económicas.' (The company abandoned the expansion project due to economic uncertainties.)
Reflexive usage:
'Ele desistiu-se de tudo e foi viver para o campo.' (He gave up everything and went to live in the countryside.) - This usage is less common and can sound a bit archaic or literary.
The key is to remember the preposition 'de' when specifying what is being given up. This preposition connects the action of quitting with the object or activity being abandoned.
The verb desistir is a very common and versatile word used across various aspects of daily life in Portuguese-speaking countries. You will hear it in casual conversations, motivational speeches, news reports, and even in literature.
- Everyday Conversations
- In casual chat, people use desistir to talk about giving up on small tasks or larger life goals. For instance, a friend might say, 'Tentei fazer pão em casa, mas desisti. É muito complicado!' (I tried to make bread at home, but I gave up. It's too complicated!). Or, discussing a difficult period, 'Ele pensou em desistir da faculdade, mas a família o apoiou.' (He thought about quitting college, but his family supported him.)
- Sports and Competitions
- In sports commentary and discussions, desistir is frequently used. 'O tenista sentiu uma dor e decidiu desistir do jogo' (The tennis player felt a pain and decided to give up the match). Or, 'A equipa nunca desiste, mesmo quando está a perder.' (The team never gives up, even when losing.)
- Motivational Contexts
- Speeches, self-help books, and even song lyrics often feature the imperative form of desistir, usually in the negative: 'Não desista dos seus sonhos!' (Don't give up on your dreams!). This is a powerful and common exhortation.
- News and Current Affairs
- Journalists use desistir to report on withdrawals from races, political campaigns, or business ventures. 'O candidato desistiu da corrida presidencial' (The candidate withdrew from the presidential race). 'A empresa desistiu do projeto de infraestrutura.' (The company abandoned the infrastructure project.)
- Educational Settings
- Teachers might encourage students not to give up on difficult subjects: 'Sei que matemática é difícil, mas não desista. Peça ajuda!' (I know math is difficult, but don't give up. Ask for help!).
- Personal Challenges
- People often share their experiences of overcoming challenges by not giving up. 'Eu estava prestes a desistir da minha dieta, mas consegui continuar.' (I was about to give up on my diet, but I managed to continue.)
- Legal and Formal Contexts
- In legal proceedings, one might desistir of a claim or an appeal. 'O advogado informou que seu cliente desistiu da ação judicial.' (The lawyer informed that his client withdrew the lawsuit.)
O treinador disse à equipa para não desistir, mesmo em desvantagem.
The ubiquity of desistir makes it a vital word for anyone learning Portuguese. It appears in contexts ranging from personal struggles and triumphs to formal pronouncements and everyday decisions.
Learners of Portuguese might make a few common errors when using the verb desistir. These often stem from interference with their native language or misunderstanding grammatical nuances.
- Incorrect Preposition Usage
- The most frequent mistake is omitting or using the wrong preposition after desistir. While English might say 'give up X', Portuguese almost always requires 'de' before the object or infinitive verb being given up. For example, saying 'Eu desisti o projeto' instead of 'Eu desisti do projeto' (I gave up on the project). Similarly, when giving up an action, it should be 'desistir de + infinitive', not just 'desistir + infinitive'.
- Confusing with Similar Verbs
- Sometimes learners confuse desistir with verbs like 'abandonar' (to abandon) or 'parar' (to stop). While they share some overlap, desistir specifically implies giving up a pursuit due to difficulty, discouragement, or loss of will. 'Abandonar' can be more general, and 'parar' simply means to cease an activity without the same implication of quitting a goal.
- Incorrect Conjugation
- Like any verb, desistir can be misconjugated, especially in less common tenses or moods. For instance, mixing up the endings for the subjunctive or future tenses. However, for beginners, the most common conjugations in the present and past (pretérito perfeito) are generally straightforward.
- Overuse or Underuse
- Some learners might avoid using desistir altogether, opting for simpler phrasing, thus missing opportunities to sound more natural. Conversely, others might overuse it in situations where a more neutral verb like 'parar' would be more appropriate. For example, saying 'Eu desisti de comer' (I gave up eating) might sound overly dramatic unless the context is a specific diet or a serious eating disorder.
- Misunderstanding Reflexive Usage
- While desistir can be used reflexively ('desistir-se de'), this is less common and often sounds more formal or literary. Learners might incorrectly apply the reflexive pronoun in everyday contexts where it's not needed, or conversely, avoid it when it might add a subtle nuance.
Incorrecto: Ele desistiu o trabalho. Correto: Ele desistiu do trabalho.
Paying attention to these common pitfalls will help you use desistir more accurately and confidently in your Portuguese communication.
While desistir is the primary verb for 'to give up', Portuguese offers several other words and phrases that can convey similar meanings, each with its own nuances and contexts.
- Abandonar
- Abandonar means 'to abandon' or 'to desert'. It can be used for giving up a task, a place, or even a person. While it can overlap with desistir, abandonar often implies leaving something behind completely, sometimes with a sense of neglect or finality. Example: 'Ele abandonou o carro na estrada.' (He abandoned the car on the road.) Desistir is more about ceasing effort towards a goal.
- Parar
- Parar simply means 'to stop'. It's a neutral term indicating the cessation of an activity. It doesn't necessarily carry the implication of giving up due to difficulty or discouragement that desistir does. Example: 'Por favor, pare de falar.' (Please, stop talking.) You could say 'Eu parei de estudar' (I stopped studying), which might imply giving up, but it could also just mean you paused or finished. Desistir de estudar would more strongly suggest quitting the pursuit of education.
- Renunciar
- Renunciar means 'to renounce' or 'to give up' a claim, a right, or a position, often formally or deliberately. It carries a sense of relinquishing something important. Example: 'Ele renunciou ao trono.' (He renounced the throne.) It's less about giving up on a task and more about formally stepping away from something significant.
- Entregar-se
- Entregar-se means 'to surrender' or 'to give oneself up'. It's often used in contexts of defeat, like surrendering to an enemy or admitting fault. Example: 'O ladrão se entregou à polícia.' (The thief surrendered to the police.) While it implies giving up, it's usually in a context of defeat or capitulation, not necessarily a personal decision to quit a challenge.
- Desistir de lutar
- This is a common phrase, literally 'to give up fighting'. It emphasizes the struggle aspect and is a direct synonym for desistir when the context involves a conflict or a difficult battle. Example: 'Ele decidiu desistir de lutar contra a doença.' (He decided to give up fighting the illness.)
- Dar-se por vencido
- This phrase means 'to consider oneself defeated' or 'to give up'. It's similar to desistir but highlights the internal acknowledgment of defeat. Example: 'Depois de tantos esforços, ele se deu por vencido.' (After so many efforts, he considered himself defeated.)
Ele desistiu do projeto, mas não abandonou a ideia completamente.
Understanding these subtle differences allows for more precise and natural expression in Portuguese.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 's' in the second syllable as 'z'.
Examples by Level
Eu desisto.
I give up.
Simple present tense, first person singular.
Não desisto.
I don't give up.
Simple present tense, negative, first person singular.
Ele desiste.
He gives up.
Simple present tense, third person singular.
Ela desiste de jogar.
She gives up playing.
Simple present tense with 'de' + infinitive.
Nós não desistimos.
We don't give up.
Simple present tense, negative, first person plural.
Vocês desistem?
Do you (plural) give up?
Simple present tense, interrogative, second person plural.
Eles desistem.
They give up.
Simple present tense, third person plural.
Eu desisto de tentar.
I give up trying.
Simple present tense with 'de' + infinitive.
Eu desisti do meu emprego.
I gave up my job.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple), first person singular, with 'de'.
Não desista do seu sonho!
Don't give up on your dream!
Imperative negative, second person singular (informal 'tu'), with 'de'.
Ele desistiu de aprender português.
He gave up learning Portuguese.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de' + infinitive.
Nós desistimos da corrida.
We gave up the race.
Pretérito Perfeito, first person plural, with 'de'.
Ela desistiu de vir à festa.
She decided not to come to the party.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de' + infinitive.
Por que você desistiu?
Why did you give up?
Pretérito Perfeito, interrogative, second person singular (informal 'tu').
Eles desistiram da ideia.
They gave up on the idea.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person plural, with 'de'.
Não desista, continue tentando!
Don't give up, keep trying!
Imperative negative + imperative positive.
Apesar das dificuldades, ele não desistiu do projeto.
Despite the difficulties, he didn't give up on the project.
Pretérito Imperfeito do Indicativo (imperfect past) in the negative, emphasizing ongoing effort that was overcome.
Se a situação piorar, talvez tenhamos que desistir.
If the situation worsens, perhaps we will have to give up.
Presente do Subjuntivo (present subjunctive) used in a conditional clause, followed by infinitive.
Ela desistiu de fumar há um ano e se sente muito melhor.
She gave up smoking a year ago and feels much better.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de' + infinitive.
É importante não desistir de aprender coisas novas.
It's important not to give up learning new things.
Presente do Subjuntivo (negative) after impersonal expression 'É importante'.
O atleta desistiu da maratona devido a uma lesão.
The athlete gave up the marathon due to an injury.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de'.
Você acha que devo desistir deste curso?
Do you think I should give up this course?
Presente do Subjuntivo after 'Você acha que...'
Eles desistiram de lutar pela causa.
They gave up fighting for the cause.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person plural, with 'de' + infinitive.
Nunca desista dos seus objetivos, mesmo quando o caminho for difícil.
Never give up on your goals, even when the path is difficult.
Imperative negative, emphasizing persistence.
Apesar de todos os prognósticos negativos, a equipa recusou-se a desistir da competição.
Despite all the negative forecasts, the team refused to give up the competition.
Pretérito Perfeito, reflexive verb 'recusar-se', followed by 'de'.
Seria imprudente desistir agora, quando estamos tão perto do sucesso.
It would be imprudent to give up now, when we are so close to success.
Infinitivo impessoal (impersonal infinitive) after 'Seria imprudente'.
Muitos empreendedores desistem em face dos primeiros obstáculos, sem perceberem o potencial do seu negócio.
Many entrepreneurs give up in the face of the first obstacles, without realizing the potential of their business.
Presente do Indicativo, third person plural, describing a general truth.
Ela ponderou seriamente desistir da sua carreira para se dedicar à família.
She seriously considered giving up her career to dedicate herself to her family.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, followed by infinitive.
O governo decidiu desistir do plano de privatização devido à forte oposição pública.
The government decided to abandon the privatization plan due to strong public opposition.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de'.
Será que vale a pena desistir de tudo por uma causa incerta?
Is it worth giving up everything for an uncertain cause?
Presente do Subjuntivo after 'vale a pena'.
Ele se arrependeu de ter desistido da luta.
He regretted having given up the fight.
Pretérito Perfeito Composto (past perfect) of 'ter' + infinitive, expressing a past action that preceded another past action.
A persistência é fundamental; nunca se deve desistir diante do primeiro sinal de fracasso.
Persistence is fundamental; one should never give up at the first sign of failure.
Presente do Subjuntivo (negative) after 'nunca se deve'.
A despeito das adversidades esmagadoras, a sua determinação em não desistir da empreitada era palpável.
Despite the overwhelming adversities, her determination not to give up the undertaking was palpable.
Use of 'em não desistir' (in not giving up) for emphasis.
Seria um erro crasso desistir de explorar novas fronteiras científicas apenas por receio do desconhecido.
It would be a grave error to give up exploring new scientific frontiers merely out of fear of the unknown.
Infinitivo impessoal followed by a noun phrase, conveying a reasoned argument.
A tentação de desistir da luta pela justiça social era imensa, mas a sua convicção o impedia.
The temptation to give up the fight for social justice was immense, but her conviction prevented her.
Use of 'A tentação de desistir' (The temptation to give up).
Ele optou por não desistir do seu ideal, mesmo quando o mundo parecia conspirar contra ele.
He chose not to give up his ideal, even when the world seemed to conspire against him.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de' + infinitive.
A decisão de desistir de um projeto ambicioso, embora dolorosa, pode ser um ato de sabedoria estratégica.
The decision to abandon an ambitious project, though painful, can be an act of strategic wisdom.
Nominalization ('A decisão de desistir') starting the sentence.
Não se deve jamais desistir de buscar a verdade, por mais árduo que seja o caminho.
One should never give up seeking the truth, however arduous the path may be.
Presente do Subjuntivo (negative) after 'Não se deve jamais'.
O artista sentiu-se tentado a desistir da sua obra-prima, considerando-a imperfeita demais.
The artist felt tempted to give up his masterpiece, considering it too imperfect.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, followed by infinitive.
Houve um momento em que ele quase desistiu de tudo, mas a memória de seus entes queridos o reergueu.
There was a moment when he almost gave up everything, but the memory of his loved ones lifted him up.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de'.
A renúncia aos próprios anseios, a desistência de um futuro planejado, pode ser a mais dolorosa das concessões.
The renunciation of one's own desires, the giving up of a planned future, can be the most painful of concessions.
Nominalization ('a desistência') used in parallel with another nominalization ('A renúncia').
Em tempos de crise existencial, a tentação de desistir da própria vida pode assaltar até os corações mais resilientes.
In times of existential crisis, the temptation to give up on life itself can assail even the most resilient hearts.
Use of 'desistir da própria vida' for profound impact.
O pragmatismo exacerbado pode levar à desistência prematura de projetos visionários, sufocando a inovação antes mesmo que ela floresça.
Exaggerated pragmatism can lead to the premature abandonment of visionary projects, stifling innovation before it even blossoms.
Nominalization ('a desistência prematura') as the subject of the sentence.
A arte, em sua essência, por vezes exige a coragem de desistir do óbvio para abraçar o inexplorado.
Art, in its essence, sometimes demands the courage to give up the obvious to embrace the unexplored.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, followed by infinitive, in a philosophical statement.
É uma falácia supor que a desistência de um ideal é sempre um sinal de fraqueza; por vezes, é um ato de profunda maturidade.
It is a fallacy to suppose that giving up an ideal is always a sign of weakness; sometimes, it is an act of profound maturity.
Nominalization ('a desistência de um ideal') as the subject of a subordinate clause.
A história da humanidade é pontuada por momentos em que a desistência parecia inevitável, mas a perseverança prevaleceu.
The history of humanity is punctuated by moments when giving up seemed inevitable, but perseverance prevailed.
Nominalization ('a desistência') used as part of a prepositional phrase.
O filósofo argumentou que a verdadeira liberdade reside na capacidade de não se deixar abater, de não desistir da própria essência.
The philosopher argued that true freedom lies in the ability not to be discouraged, not to give up one's own essence.
Presente do Subjuntivo (negative) after 'de não desistir'.
A arte de governar, por vezes, requer a difícil decisão de desistir de certas políticas que se provaram ineficazes, mesmo com grande investimento.
The art of governing sometimes requires the difficult decision to abandon certain policies that have proven ineffective, even with great investment.
Pretérito Perfeito, third person singular, with 'de' + infinitive.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Don't give up! This is a very common motivational phrase used to encourage someone facing difficulties.
Estou achando este trabalho muito difícil, mas meu amigo me disse: 'Não desista!'
— To give up on everything. This implies a total abandonment of all efforts or responsibilities.
Ele estava tão cansado que pensou em desistir de tudo e ir morar no campo.
— To give up the fight. Used in contexts of struggle, conflict, or perseverance against adversity.
Apesar de tudo, ele se recusou a desistir da luta pela justiça.
— To give up trying. This specifically refers to ceasing the act of attempting something.
Eu tentei consertar o computador várias vezes, mas acabei desistindo de tentar.
— To give up on a dream. This refers to abandoning a long-held aspiration or ambition.
É doloroso, mas às vezes é preciso desistir de um sonho para seguir em frente.
— To almost give up. Indicates being very close to quitting but managing to continue.
Houve um momento em que eu quase desisti, mas continuei.
— To have to give up. Implies a situation where giving up is unavoidable or necessary.
Por falta de dinheiro, tivemos que desistir da viagem.
— To give up on life. This is a very serious phrase referring to suicidal ideation or profound despair.
Em momentos de profunda tristeza, algumas pessoas podem pensar em desistir da vida.
— To give up on something. A general phrase for abandoning any object, plan, or idea.
Ele desistiu do seu plano de negócios.
— To give up on oneself. This refers to losing faith in one's own abilities or worth.
É perigoso desistir de si mesmo; é preciso acreditar no seu potencial.
Idioms & Expressions
— To give up on the world; to become completely disillusioned and withdraw from society or its concerns.
Após tantas decepções, ele parecia ter desistido do mundo.
Literary/Figurative— To give up at the very first obstacle; to lack perseverance.
Ele não é um bom colega de equipa, desiste à primeira.
Informal— Literally 'to give up rowing'. Figuratively, it means to stop making an effort, to stop trying to improve a situation.
Se você não tentar mais, é como desistir de remar.
Figurative— To give up one's skin; to give up one's identity or essential nature; to surrender completely.
Ele lutou com todas as suas forças, sem nunca desistir da pele.
Figurative/Literary— To give up the boat; to abandon a difficult or precarious situation.
Quando a situação ficou crítica, eles decidiram desistir do barco.
Figurative— To give up the game; to quit a competition or a challenging situation.
Ele percebeu que não tinha hipóteses e decidiu desistir do jogo.
Figurative— To give up the battle; to cease fighting or struggling for a cause.
Apesar da dor, ela não desistiu da batalha contra a doença.
Figurative— To give up hope.
Nunca desista da esperança, mesmo nas horas mais sombrias.
Figurative— To give up the path; to abandon one's course or journey.
Ele sentiu-se perdido e pensou em desistir do caminho que escolheu.
Figurative— To give up on oneself; to lose self-respect or self-worth.
É um sinal de desespero quando alguém começa a desistir de si.
FigurativeSummary
The Portuguese verb 'desistir' is essential for expressing the act of giving up or quitting. It's used when someone stops pursuing a goal or task, typically because it's too challenging or they've lost motivation. Remember to use the preposition 'de' after 'desistir' when specifying what is being given up, for example, 'desistir do projeto' (to give up on the project) or 'desistir de tentar' (to give up trying). It's a versatile verb found in everyday conversations, sports, and motivational messages.
- Desistir means to give up or quit.
- Used when stopping effort due to difficulty or loss of interest.
- Often followed by the preposition 'de'.
- Common in motivational contexts: 'Não desista!' (Don't give up!).
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a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
