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A2 noun #4,000 most common 12 min read

diária

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips diária in 30 Seconds

Explanation diária in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'diária' as a basic travel word. It simply means 'the price for one day' at a hotel. Think of it like a label on a price tag. When you are traveling in Brazil or Portugal, you need this word to understand how much your room costs. You will mostly use it with the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'ter' (to have). For example, 'A diária é 50 euros' (The daily rate is 50 euros). It is a feminine word, so you always use 'a' or 'uma' with it. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on using it to ask for prices. You might see it on signs or websites when looking for a place to sleep. It is one of the first 'money' words you should learn for practical travel. Remember, it's about the 'day' (dia), which is why it starts with 'di-'. Keep it simple: 'diária' = hotel price per day.

As an A2 learner, you can start using 'diária' in more complete sentences and different contexts. You should know that 'diária' is not just for hotels, but also for renting cars or hiring help. You can start using it with more verbs like 'pagar' (to pay) or 'reservar' (to reserve). At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse 'a diária' (the price) with 'o diário' (the diary). You can describe the 'diária' using adjectives like 'cara' (expensive) or 'barata' (cheap). You might say, 'Eu reservei duas diárias no hotel' (I reserved two nights/daily rates at the hotel). This level is about using the word in common transactions. You will hear it at the reception desk when they explain that 'A diária termina às 12h' (The daily stay ends at 12 PM). It's a key word for being independent while traveling.

At the B1 level, you should understand the social and professional nuances of 'diária'. You can use it to talk about 'diaristas' (domestic workers paid by the day) and understand how this differs from a monthly salary ('mensalidade'). You should be comfortable using the word in the plural ('diárias') to discuss travel allowances or per diems given by a company. For example, 'A empresa paga as diárias de viagem' (The company pays the travel stipends). You can also use it in more complex sentence structures, like conditional sentences: 'Se a diária fosse mais barata, eu ficaria mais tempo' (If the daily rate were cheaper, I would stay longer). You are starting to see how 'diária' fits into the broader Portuguese economy and professional life, not just as a tourist term.

At the B2 level, you can use 'diária' in formal and business discussions. You should understand terms like 'diária média' (average daily rate - ADR) which is a common metric in the hospitality industry. You can discuss the legality of 'diárias' in labor law, such as when a daily rate counts as a regular wage. You should also be able to use the word in more abstract ways, such as discussing the 'diária' of a consultant or a specialized professional. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'tarifa' or 'honorários' and you should know when 'diária' is the more appropriate choice. You can follow news stories about 'diárias' being used by politicians and understand the cultural implications of those stories. You are now using the word with the precision of a native speaker in varied social settings.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the etymological and linguistic connections of 'diária'. You can use it in academic or highly professional contexts, such as analyzing the impact of 'diárias' on a company's balance sheet or discussing the sociology of 'diarista' work in Brazil. You understand the subtle differences between 'diária', 'pernoite', and 'estadia' and can use them to convey specific nuances in writing. You can appreciate wordplay or metaphors involving 'diária' in literature or advanced journalism. You are also aware of regional variations in how 'diária' is used across the Lusophone world, such as specific terms used in Angola or Mozambique versus Portugal. Your usage is fluid, and you can switch between formal and informal registers with ease, knowing exactly how 'diária' sounds in each.

At the C2 level, 'diária' is a tool you use with complete mastery. You can engage in complex negotiations involving 'diárias' in a business setting, understanding all the legal and financial fine print. You can write professional reports or creative pieces where 'diária' is used with perfect accuracy and stylistic flair. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Latin and how it has shaped modern Portuguese concepts of time and labor. You can detect even the slightest misuse of the word by others and can explain the correct usage with authority. Whether you are discussing high-level economic policy or reading classic Lusophone literature, you understand the full weight and history of the word 'diária' in all its forms and contexts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

diária in 30 Seconds

Diária means daily rate or fee.
Used for hotels, car rentals, and day workers.
It is a feminine noun: a diária.
Essential for travel and hiring services in Portuguese.

The Portuguese word diária is a fundamental noun for anyone navigating the worlds of travel, hospitality, and service-based labor in Lusophone countries. At its core, it refers to a daily rate or a fee charged for a single day of service or accommodation. While English speakers might use various terms like 'daily rate', 'day rate', or 'room price', Portuguese consolidates these concepts into this versatile feminine noun. It is most commonly encountered when booking a hotel room, renting a car, or hiring a domestic worker who is paid by the day rather than by the month.

Hospitality Context: In the hotel industry, 'a diária' represents the cost of one night's stay. Unlike the English 'overnight stay', the Portuguese term emphasizes the 24-hour cycle or the daily billing unit. When you ask 'Qual o valor da diária?', you are specifically asking for the price per night.

A diária deste hotel inclui o café da manhã e o acesso à piscina.

Translation: The daily rate of this hotel includes breakfast and pool access.

Beyond tourism, the word is vital in the labor market. A 'diarista' is a professional, often a house cleaner or gardener, who works and is paid on a 'diária' basis. This distinguishes them from 'mensalistas' who receive a monthly salary. Understanding this distinction is crucial for understanding social and economic structures in Brazil and Portugal. Furthermore, in corporate settings, 'diárias' can refer to per diem payments or daily allowances given to employees for travel expenses like meals and transport.

O consultor cobra uma diária muito alta pelos seus serviços técnicos.

Service Industry: When hiring freelancers or consultants, the 'diária' is the standard unit of negotiation. It covers the professional's time for one full working day.

In summary, 'diária' is a word that connects time and value. Whether you are budgeting for a vacation in the Algarve or hiring help for a renovation in São Paulo, you will constantly use this term to quantify costs. It is an essential building block for A2 learners because it moves beyond basic greetings into practical, real-world transactions. Its usage is consistent across all Portuguese-speaking countries, though the specific 'valor' (value) of a diária will vary wildly depending on the economy of the region.

Reservamos três diárias na pousada perto da praia.

Rental Agreements: Car rental companies will often display prices as 'valor da diária', which might exclude insurance or taxes, so always ask what the daily rate truly covers.

Você sabe quanto é a diária para alugar um guarda-sol?

O funcionário recebeu as diárias de viagem antes de embarcar.

Using 'diária' correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun and its typical placement in sentences related to commerce and time. Most frequently, it appears as the object of verbs like 'pagar' (to pay), 'cobrar' (to charge), or 'reservar' (to reserve). It is also commonly preceded by the preposition 'de' when describing a type of rate, or 'por' when indicating the frequency of payment.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like 'aumentar' (to increase) or 'baixar' (to lower) are used with 'diária' to discuss price fluctuations in the tourism season.

Eles decidiram aumentar a diária durante o feriado de Carnaval.

When asking for information, the structure 'Qual é o valor da diária?' is the most standard and polite way to inquire about pricing. You can specify the context by adding 'para um quarto duplo' (for a double room) or 'para o aluguel do carro' (for the car rental). Note that the word 'valor' (value/price) is often used alongside 'diária' to be more precise about the monetary aspect. In more informal settings, people might simply ask 'Quanto é a diária?'.

A diária média na região é de duzentos reais.

Plural Usage: When talking about the total duration of a stay, use the plural 'diárias'. 'Ficaremos por cinco diárias' (We will stay for five nights/daily units).

Another interesting usage is in the context of government or corporate travel. 'Receber diárias' means to receive travel stipends. In this case, the word is almost always plural because it covers multiple days of travel. The sentence 'O deputado gastou muito com diárias' refers to the daily allowances claimed for official trips. This nuance is important for reading news or professional documents in Portuguese.

Se você pagar dez diárias antecipadas, ganhará um desconto de dez por cento.

O hotel cobra a diária no momento do check-in.

Contextual Adjectives: Commonly paired with 'cara' (expensive), 'barata' (cheap), 'justa' (fair), or 'promocional' (promotional).

A diária de um motorista particular pode variar muito dependendo da cidade.

Nós não aceitamos o pagamento da diária em dinheiro, apenas cartão.

You will hear 'diária' most frequently in the service and tourism sectors. If you are standing at a hotel reception desk in Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro, the receptionist will likely use this word to explain your bill. They might say, 'O senhor tem três diárias pendentes' (You have three daily rates pending). In this environment, the word is formal and precise, referring to the legal and financial unit of your stay. You will also see it prominently on travel websites like Booking.com or Airbnb in their Portuguese versions, usually displayed next to the price.

At the Hotel: Receptionists use it to clarify check-out times. 'A diária encerra ao meio-dia' (The daily stay ends at noon).

Por favor, verifique se a diária está correta na nota fiscal.

In a completely different setting, you will hear this word in household conversations. In Brazil, many middle-class families hire 'diaristas' for cleaning. A neighbor might ask, 'Quanto você paga pela diária da sua faxineira?' (How much do you pay for your cleaner's daily rate?). Here, 'diária' is the standard way to discuss the cost of domestic help. It is a very common topic of conversation regarding household management and budgeting. It implies a day's work, usually from 8 AM to 5 PM, including a lunch break.

A diária daquela pousada é muito cara para o meu orçamento atual.

Car Rentals: When picking up a rental car, the agent will confirm: 'A diária do veículo é de cento e cinquenta reais'.

Another place you'll encounter this word is in job listings for temporary work. Positions for events, catering, or promotional staffing often list the pay as a 'diária'. For example, 'Vaga para garçom: diária de R$ 120,00 + transporte'. This tells the applicant exactly what they will earn for one day of effort. In this sense, 'diária' is the lifeblood of the 'gig economy' in Portuguese-speaking countries. Understanding this word helps you navigate not just tourism, but the actual economy and daily life of the people.

Quero saber se a diária do estacionamento tem um valor fixo ou rotativo.

O preço da diária cai bastante durante a baixa temporada.

Business Travel: Corporate travelers will ask HR: 'Como faço para solicitar o reembolso das minhas diárias?'.

A diária do hospital foi coberta integralmente pelo plano de saúde.

Eles oferecem uma diária grátis para quem reservar mais de uma semana.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 'diária' is confusing it with its masculine counterpart, o diário. In English, 'diary' and 'daily' are related but distinct words. In Portuguese, the difference is just one letter at the end, but the meanings are worlds apart. 'O diário' refers to a physical book where you write your thoughts (a diary) or a daily publication (a newspaper). If you say 'Eu paguei o diário do hotel', you are saying you paid for the hotel's personal journal, which makes no sense. Always remember: A diária is the price/stay; O diário is the book.

Gender Confusion: Mistake: 'O valor do diária'. Correct: 'O valor da diária'. Since 'diária' is feminine, it must take the feminine article 'a'.

Escrevi no meu diário (book) sobre a diária (price) cara do hotel.

Another common error is using 'diária' when you should use 'dia'. If you want to say 'I had a good day', you say 'Eu tive um bom dia', not 'Eu tive uma boa diária'. 'Diária' is almost exclusively used for commercial or professional contexts involving payment or a formal unit of time. Using it to describe the quality of your personal day sounds very robotic and strange to native speakers. It's like saying 'I had a good daily rate' in English when you mean you enjoyed your afternoon.

O preço por dia é o mesmo que a diária? (Yes, but 'diária' is the industry term).

Pluralization Mistake: Beginners often forget to pluralize 'diária' when staying for multiple nights. 'Eu fico por três diária' is incorrect; it must be 'três diárias'.

Finally, some learners confuse 'diária' with 'jornada'. 'Jornada' refers to a 'journey' or a 'workday' (the shift itself), whereas 'diária' is the compensation or the rate for that shift. If you are talking about the long hours you worked, use 'jornada de trabalho'. If you are talking about the money you made for that day, use 'diária'. Distinguishing between the time spent and the value assigned to that time is a key step in reaching intermediate proficiency.

A diária é paga no final da jornada de trabalho.

Não confunda a diária do hotel com a taxa de turismo.

Spelling Errors: Forgetting the accent on the 'i' (diária). Without the accent, the pronunciation and rhythm of the word change, though it's still usually understood.

A diária inclui o uso da garagem?

Nós cobramos uma diária extra por check-out tardio.

While 'diária' is the most common term for a daily rate, several other words can be used depending on the specific context or level of formality. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will help you sound more natural and precise. The most direct alternative is 'tarifa', which means 'tariff' or 'rate'. While 'diária' specifically implies a 24-hour period, 'tarifa' is a more general term for any set price for a service. You might see 'tarifa diária' on a contract, which is a more formal way of saying 'diária'.

Diária vs. Tarifa: 'Diária' is the time-unit of the stay/work. 'Tarifa' is the price list or the specific fee amount.

A tarifa de balcão é sempre mais cara que a reserva online.

In the context of accommodation, you might also hear the word 'pernoite'. This comes from 'pernoitar' (to spend the night). While 'diária' is the commercial term, 'pernoite' is often used in motels or simpler lodging to refer specifically to the act of staying overnight. It is less common in high-end hotels but very common in road-side travel. Another related word is 'aluguel' (rent). You use 'aluguel' for long-term stays (monthly) and 'diária' for short-term stays (daily). If you stay in an apartment for a month, you pay 'o aluguel'; if you stay for two days, you pay 'duas diárias'.

O valor do pernoite inclui apenas o uso do quarto das 22h às 8h.

Diária vs. Honorários: For highly skilled professionals like lawyers or doctors, we use 'honorários' (fees). For manual or general services, we use 'diária'.

When discussing costs in a general sense, words like 'custo' (cost), 'preço' (price), and 'valor' (value) are often used interchangeably with the context of 'diária'. For example, 'O custo por dia' is a perfect synonym for 'o valor da diária'. In more technical or academic settings, you might encounter 'estadia' or 'estada'. While 'diária' is the price unit, 'estadia' is the period of the stay itself. 'Durante a minha estadia, paguei cinco diárias'. Understanding the relationship between these words helps build a more sophisticated vocabulary for discussing travel and finance.

A estadia foi maravilhosa, apesar da diária salgada.

Quanto é o preço da diária para o final de semana?

Specific Contexts: Use 'pro labore' for partner withdrawals, 'salário' for monthly pay, and 'diária' for daily pay.

A diária do estacionamento é mais barata que a hora avulsa.

Eles cobram uma taxa de serviço sobre o valor da diária.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'diet' in English actually comes from the same root, as it originally referred to a daily allowance of food or a daily assembly.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /di.ˈa.ɾjɐ/

US /di.ˈa.ɾjə/

The stress is on the second syllable: di-Á-ria.

Rhymes With

primária secundária vária ordinária necessária voluntária itinerária literária

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (DI-ária).
Pronouncing it like 'diary' in English.
Missing the accent and pronouncing it 'di-a-ri-a' with four syllables.
Confusing the feminine ending with the masculine 'diário'.
Making the 'r' too strong like an English 'r' instead of a tap.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the 'dia' root.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'i'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'ria' ending can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clearly audible in hospitality settings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dia valor preço pagar hotel

Learn Next

diarista estadia reserva tarifa nota fiscal

Advanced

empenho glosa pernoite pro labore honorários

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ia are usually feminine.

A diária, a história, a família.

The accent on 'i' in 'diária' indicates it is a proparoxytone word.

di-Á-ri-a (phonetically treated as such in some regions).

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'a' simply adds 's'.

diária -> diárias.

Agreement of adjectives with feminine nouns.

A diária é barata (not barato).

Use of 'de' to indicate possession or category.

Diária de hotel, diária de viagem.

Examples by Level

Quanto custa a diária?

How much is the daily rate?

Basic question using 'quanto custa'.

A diária é barata.

The daily rate is cheap.

Feminine adjective 'barata' matching 'diária'.

Eu quero uma diária.

I want one daily stay.

Using the indefinite article 'uma'.

A diária inclui o café?

Does the daily rate include breakfast?

Asking about inclusions.

A diária do hotel é cara.

The hotel's daily rate is expensive.

Possessive 'do hotel'.

Não temos diárias hoje.

We don't have daily rates/availability today.

Plural 'diárias' used for availability.

A diária é cinquenta reais.

The daily rate is fifty reais.

Stating a price with 'ser'.

Onde pago a diária?

Where do I pay the daily rate?

Verb 'pagar' with direct object.

Você pode reservar duas diárias para mim?

Can you reserve two nights for me?

Using 'reservar' with a specific quantity.

A diária do carro alugado é alta.

The daily rate for the rented car is high.

Applying 'diária' to a car rental context.

A diária termina ao meio-dia.

The daily stay ends at noon.

Using 'terminar' to indicate check-out time.

Eles pagam a diária da faxineira toda sexta.

They pay the cleaner's daily rate every Friday.

Context of domestic labor.

Qual é a diária mais barata da cidade?

What is the cheapest daily rate in town?

Superlative construction.

Nós pagamos três diárias adiantadas.

We paid three daily rates in advance.

Adjective 'adiantadas' modifying 'diárias'.

A diária não inclui o estacionamento.

The daily rate does not include parking.

Negative sentence with 'não inclui'.

A diária da pousada é muito justa.

The guest house's daily rate is very fair.

Using 'justa' to mean fair price.

A diarista cobra cem reais por diária.

The day-worker charges one hundred reais per day.

Use of 'por diária' to indicate rate.

O governo aumentou o valor das diárias de viagem.

The government increased the value of travel stipends.

Formal context of travel allowances.

Se você ficar uma semana, a diária diminui.

If you stay a week, the daily rate decreases.

Conditional 'if' clause.

Preciso do recibo da diária para o reembolso.

I need the daily rate receipt for the reimbursement.

Business travel vocabulary.

A diária hospitalar é coberta pelo seguro.

The hospital daily fee is covered by insurance.

Medical context of 'diária'.

Muitos trabalhadores preferem receber por diária.

Many workers prefer to be paid by the day.

Discussing labor preferences.

A diária promocional só vale para dias úteis.

The promotional daily rate is only valid for weekdays.

Compound adjective 'promocional'.

Ela faz diárias em diferentes casas para se sustentar.

She does day-work in different houses to support herself.

Verb 'fazer' used with 'diárias' meaning 'to work shifts'.

A flutuação da diária depende da ocupação do hotel.

The fluctuation of the daily rate depends on hotel occupancy.

Abstract noun 'flutuação'.

O consultor estipulou uma diária de dois mil euros.

The consultant set a daily rate of two thousand euros.

Verb 'estipular' (to stipulate/set).

As diárias parlamentares são alvo de constantes críticas.

Parliamentary travel stipends are a target of constant criticism.

Adjective 'parlamentares' modifying 'diárias'.

O valor da diária deve ser proporcional ao serviço prestado.

The value of the daily rate should be proportional to the service provided.

Using 'proporcional ao' with 'diária'.

Eles não aceitaram a redução da diária proposta pelo sindicato.

They did not accept the reduction in the daily rate proposed by the union.

Labor negotiation context.

A diária média da região subiu dez por cento este ano.

The average daily rate in the region rose ten percent this year.

Economic term 'diária média'.

É necessário discriminar as diárias na prestação de contas.

It is necessary to itemize the daily rates in the accountability report.

Verb 'discriminar' (to itemize/detail).

O hotel cobra uma diária extra se o hóspede não sair no horário.

The hotel charges an extra day if the guest doesn't leave on time.

Conditional 'se' with 'cobra'.

A precarização do trabalho reflete-se no baixo valor da diária.

The precariousness of work is reflected in the low value of the daily rate.

Sociological context.

O acórdão definiu que as diárias tinham natureza salarial.

The court ruling defined that the daily allowances had a salary nature.

Legal terminology 'natureza salarial'.

Houve uma glosa nas diárias solicitadas pelo pesquisador.

There was a rejection (glosa) of the daily allowances requested by the researcher.

Technical term 'glosa' (refusal of payment).

A diária de sucumbência é um conceito jurídico específico.

The daily fee for losing a lawsuit is a specific legal concept.

Highly specialized legal usage.

A volatilidade das diárias em plataformas de reserva preocupa o setor.

The volatility of daily rates on booking platforms concerns the sector.

Business analysis terminology.

O custo marginal da diária adicional é praticamente nulo para o hotel.

The marginal cost of an additional daily stay is practically zero for the hotel.

Economic theory application.

A diária de internação em UTI é significativamente superior à da enfermaria.

The daily rate for ICU hospitalization is significantly higher than that of the ward.

Comparative structure with hospital terms.

A empresa optou por converter as diárias em um valor fixo mensal.

The company chose to convert the daily rates into a fixed monthly amount.

Discussing business strategy.

A semântica da 'diária' perpassa a própria noção de tempo mercadológico.

The semantics of 'diária' permeates the very notion of market-driven time.

Philosophical/Linguistic analysis.

O erário foi lesado pelo pagamento indevido de diárias a servidores fantasmas.

The public treasury was damaged by the improper payment of daily allowances to ghost employees.

High-level political/legal reporting.

A diária, enquanto unidade de medida laboral, é um resquício da era pré-industrial.

The daily rate, as a unit of labor measurement, is a remnant of the pre-industrial era.

Historical/Sociological thesis.

A exequibilidade do projeto depende da contenção das diárias operacionais.

The feasibility of the project depends on containing operational daily costs.

Project management jargon.

A jurisprudência oscila quanto à integração das diárias ao décimo terceiro salário.

Case law fluctuates regarding the integration of daily allowances into the thirteenth salary.

Advanced legal debate.

O influxo de turistas causou uma inflação galopante nas diárias locais.

The influx of tourists caused galloping inflation in local daily rates.

Economic reporting.

A diária de locação de equipamentos pesados inviabilizou a pequena empreiteira.

The daily rental rate for heavy equipment made the small contractor unviable.

Industrial business context.

A disparidade entre a diária do CEO e a do operário é um abismo ético.

The disparity between the CEO's daily rate and the worker's is an ethical abyss.

Social commentary.

Common Collocations

Valor da diária

Incluir na diária

Pagar a diária

Diária promocional

Diária de viagem

Cobrar diária

Diária hospitalar

Diária média

Meia diária

Diária cheia

Common Phrases

Quanto é a diária?

— The standard way to ask for the price per day.

Quanto é a diária para este quarto?

A diária inclui...

— Used to ask what services are part of the price.

A diária inclui o uso da academia?

Fechar a diária

— To settle the daily bill or end the daily accounting.

O sistema fecha a diária à meia-noite.

Diária de balcão

— The standard price without discounts, given at the desk.

Não aceite a diária de balcão, peça desconto.

Valor por diária

— The price calculated on a daily basis.

O valor por diária é de duzentos reais.

Solicitar diárias

— To ask for travel allowances (usually in a corporate/gov context).

Vou solicitar as diárias para o congresso.

Diária de estacionamento

— The fee for parking a car for one full day.

A diária de estacionamento no aeroporto é cara.

Ganhar uma diária

— To receive one day's stay for free as a gift or bonus.

Ficamos cinco dias e ganhamos uma diária.

Diária de locação

— The daily rental fee for equipment or vehicles.

A diária de locação da câmera é alta.

Pagar por diária

— To pay based on the number of days worked or used.

Eu prefiro pagar a diarista por diária.

Often Confused With

diária vs Diário

A diary or newspaper (masculine).

diária vs Dia

The actual 24-hour period, not the price.

diária vs Diarista

The person who works for a daily rate.

Idioms & Expressions

"Viver de diárias"

— To survive by doing day-jobs or temporary work.

Ele está sem emprego fixo, vive de diárias.

Informal

"Diária salgada"

— A very expensive daily rate (salty price).

A diária naquele resort é muito salgada.

Informal

"Diária de graça"

— Something that is very cheap or literally free.

Com esse desconto, a diária saiu quase de graça.

Informal

"Bater a diária"

— To complete a day's work and earn the rate.

Ele já bateu a diária e foi para casa.

Slang

"Diária de ouro"

— A very profitable day or a very expensive rate.

Aquele feriado foi uma diária de ouro para o hotel.

Metaphorical

"Preço de diária"

— Used to describe something that is priced daily.

Tudo aqui é preço de diária.

Neutral

"Perder a diária"

— To miss out on a day's pay or a day's stay due to a mistake.

Chegamos tarde e acabamos perdendo a diária.

Neutral

"Diária fixa"

— A rate that does not change regardless of the circumstances.

Nós trabalhamos com uma diária fixa.

Neutral

"Diária variável"

— A rate that changes according to demand.

A diária variável é comum em aplicativos.

Neutral

"Diária de mesa"

— An old term for a daily food allowance.

Ele recebia uma diária de mesa generosa.

Archaic

Easily Confused

diária vs Diário

Similar spelling and gender difference.

Diária is a price/stay (fem); Diário is a book (masc).

Eu paguei a diária e escrevi no meu diário.

diária vs Estadia

Both relate to staying somewhere.

Diária is the price unit; Estadia is the duration/stay.

Minha estadia foi de três diárias.

diária vs Tarifa

Both refer to prices.

Tarifa is a general fee; Diária is specifically for a day.

A tarifa do ônibus não é uma diária.

diária vs Jornada

Both relate to a day's work.

Jornada is the work period; Diária is the pay for it.

Trabalhei uma jornada de 10 horas por uma diária de 100 reais.

diária vs Aluguel

Both are payments for use.

Aluguel is usually monthly; Diária is daily.

O aluguel da casa é caro, mas a diária é barata.

Sentence Patterns

A diária é [preço].

A diária é 100 euros.

Quanto custa a diária de [serviço]?

Quanto custa a diária de um carro?

A diária inclui [serviço]?

A diária inclui café da manhã?

Eu preciso de [número] diárias.

Eu preciso de três diárias.

O valor da diária varia conforme [condição].

O valor da diária varia conforme a estação.

Receber diárias por [motivo].

Receber diárias por viagem de trabalho.

A cobrança da diária ocorre [tempo].

A cobrança da diária ocorre no ato da reserva.

A diária é a base do contrato de [tipo].

A diária é a base do contrato de locação temporária.

Word Family

Nouns

dia

diarista

diário

meio-dia

Verbs

diarizar

Adjectives

diário

cotidiano

jornada

estadia

tarifa

pernoite

aluguel

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in travel and service contexts.

Common Mistakes

O diária do hotel é caro. → A diária do hotel é cara.
Diária is feminine, so it takes 'A' and 'cara'.
Eu escrevi no meu diária. → Eu escrevi no meu diário.
You write in a 'diário' (diary), not a 'diária' (rate).
Eu tive uma boa diária hoje. → Eu tive um bom dia hoje.
Use 'dia' for personal time, 'diária' for commercial rates.
Quanto são as diária? → Quanto são as diárias?
The noun must be plural to match the article and verb.
A diária inclui o café de manhã? → A diária inclui o café da manhã?
Small preposition error, but 'diária' usage is correct.

Tips

Gender Matters

Always use 'a' with 'diária'. Using 'o' changes it to 'diary'.

Hotel Inclusions

Always check what's in the 'diária'. It might exclude taxes or breakfast.

Diaristas

In Brazil, hiring a 'diarista' is very common. The 'diária' is paid at the end of the day.

The Accent

The accent on the 'á' is key. It's 'di-AH-ree-ah'.

Per Diems

If you work for a Brazilian company, 'diárias' are your travel stipends.

Car Rental

Check if the 'diária' of the car includes insurance (seguro).

Negotiation

You can often ask for a lower 'diária' if you stay for many days.

Hospital Fees

Be aware that 'diária hospitalar' is a term used for hospital stays.

Not 'Dia'

Don't say 'Tenha uma boa diária' for 'Have a good day'. Say 'Tenha um bom dia'.

Word Family

Learn 'dia', 'diário', and 'diária' together to see the connections.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Diary' that keeps track of your 'Daily' hotel 'Diária'.

Visual Association

Imagine a hotel receipt with a large 'D' for Day and a price next to it.

Word Web

Hotel Dinheiro Dia Trabalho Preço Viagem Reserva Pagamento

Challenge

Try to use 'diária' in three different contexts: a hotel, a car rental, and hiring a cleaner.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'diarium', which refers to a daily allowance or a daily record.

Original meaning: A daily portion of food or money given to soldiers or workers.

Romance (Latin root 'dies' for day).

Cultural Context

Be respectful when discussing 'diaristas' in Brazil, as it is a sensitive topic regarding labor rights and social class.

In English, we often say 'nightly rate' for hotels, but in Portuguese, it is always a 'daily rate' (diária).

Commonly mentioned in Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) when discussing domestic work. Used in travel guides like 'Lonely Planet Brazil'. Frequently appears in Portuguese financial news regarding 'diárias' for politicians.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hotel Booking

A diária inclui café?
Qual o valor da diária?
Quero reservar três diárias.
A diária aceita cancelamento?

Car Rental

Quanto é a diária do seguro?
A diária tem quilometragem livre?
O valor da diária mudou.
A diária é para 24 horas.

Hiring a Cleaner

Qual sua diária de limpeza?
Vou pagar a diária hoje.
A diária inclui o almoço?
Preciso de uma diária extra.

Business Travel

Onde lanço as diárias?
Recebi as diárias de viagem.
As diárias são insuficientes.
Preciso prestar contas das diárias.

Hospital

Quanto custa a diária da UTI?
O plano cobre a diária?
A diária hospitalar é alta.
Cobraram duas diárias.

Conversation Starters

"Você sabe se a diária deste hotel é muito cara?"

"Quanto você costuma pagar pela diária de um carro alugado?"

"A diária daquela pousada inclui o passeio de barco?"

"Você acha que a diária de cem reais é justa para uma limpeza?"

"Como funcionam as diárias de viagem na sua empresa?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você pagou uma diária muito cara por um serviço.

Descreva o que estaria incluído na sua diária de hotel ideal.

Se você trabalhasse por diária, quanto você cobraria pelo seu tempo?

Compare os preços das diárias de hotéis na sua cidade com os de Portugal.

Explique a importância das diárias para quem viaja a trabalho.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. In hotels, you should always ask 'O café da manhã está incluído na diária?'. Some hotels offer 'diária simples' (room only) and others 'diária completa'.

Usually, lawyers use 'honorários'. However, if they are charging specifically for one full day of work (like a trial day), they might use the term 'diária'.

A 'diarista' is a worker, most commonly a house cleaner, who is hired for a single day at a time and paid a 'diária'. They do not have a monthly contract.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same basic meaning of a daily rate or fee.

The most common way is 'Qual é o valor da diária?'. You can also say 'Quanto custa a diária?'.

Yes, in the context of hotels, one 'diária' corresponds to one night's stay, usually from 2 PM to 12 PM the next day.

Absolutely. Car rental prices are almost always quoted as 'valor da diária'.

It is always 'a diária' because it is a feminine noun. 'O diário' is a different word meaning diary.

These are daily allowances or per diems given to employees to cover expenses like food and transport while traveling for work.

You would say 'valor semanal' or 'tarifa semanal'. Portuguese doesn't have a single word as common as 'diária' for weeks.