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C1 noun 10 min read

diligência

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips diligência in 30 Seconds

Explanation diligência in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'diligência' in your daily life, as it is very formal. However, it's good to know that it relates to working hard. At this stage, you should focus on the idea that 'diligência' means doing your homework or your job with a lot of care. Imagine a student who never forgets their books and always finishes their exercises perfectly; that student is acting with 'diligência'. You might see this word in very basic stories about people who work in offices or schools. It is a feminine word, so you say 'a diligência'. Even though you won't use it to ask for a coffee or say hello, knowing it exists helps you understand that Portuguese has special words for being a 'good worker'. Just remember: 'diligência' equals 'good work and care'. It is a big word for a simple idea at this level. You can think of it as a synonym for 'trabalho cuidadoso'. If you see it in a book, don't be afraid! It just means someone is being very responsible. Most A1 students will use the word 'cuidado' (care) instead, and that is perfectly okay. 'Diligência' is like the 'super' version of 'cuidado'.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to see more formal language in news headlines or short articles. You might encounter 'diligência' when reading about a successful project or a person who won an award. At this level, you should recognize that 'diligência' is a formal way to say 'hard work' or 'attention to detail'. If you are writing a simple letter to a boss, you might say 'Vou fazer o meu trabalho com diligência' to sound more professional. It shows you are serious. You should also be aware that in historical contexts, like in a museum or a history book, 'diligência' can mean an old carriage with horses. It’s like a bus from 200 years ago. So, if you see a picture of horses and the word 'diligência', now you know why! At A2, focus on the 'work' meaning. It is about being 'diligente' (the adjective). You can practice by saying 'Eu estudo português com diligência'. This means you study with a plan and you don't give up. It is a step above just saying 'Eu estudo muito'. It implies quality, not just quantity.

At the B1 intermediate level, you should start using 'diligência' in formal writing, such as emails to a university or a job application. You are moving beyond simple adjectives and using more sophisticated nouns. You should understand that 'diligência' is not just 'hard work', but 'thoroughness'. It means you check your work twice and you follow all the rules. This is also the level where you might start hearing the word in the news. If there is a police investigation, the reporter might say 'A polícia está em diligência'. You should understand this means they are 'on the job' or 'out in the field' doing an investigation. It’s a very common phrase in Brazilian and Portuguese news. You should also know the common expression 'com a devida diligência' (with due diligence/care). For example, 'Tudo foi feito com a devida diligência'. This is a standard way to say that everything was handled correctly and professionally. At B1, you are expected to know that this word is feminine and to use it with the correct articles and adjectives, like 'muita diligência' or 'uma diligência importante'.

At the B2 level, you need to master the different contexts of 'diligência'. You should be comfortable using it in professional discussions about project management or legal issues. You should know that 'diligência' is a key part of the 'Oficial de Justiça's' job—the person who delivers legal papers. If you are living in a Portuguese-speaking country and have any legal business, you will hear this word often. You should also be able to use the verb 'diligenciar'. This verb means 'to take steps' or 'to see to it' that something happens. For example, 'Vou diligenciar para que o documento chegue a tempo'. This sounds very professional and shows a high level of fluency. You should also understand the nuance between 'diligência' and 'zelo'. While 'zelo' is about the heart and care, 'diligência' is more about the mind and the process. In a B2 exam, you might have to compare these two words. You should also be familiar with 'diligência prévia' in a business context, which is the standard translation for 'due diligence'. If you work in finance or law, this is a term you will use every week.

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a full grasp of 'diligência' in all its complexities. You should understand its etymological roots in the Latin 'diligentia' (love/careful choice) and how that history informs its modern usage. You should be able to use the word in academic essays to describe a researcher's methodology or in a legal brief to describe the actions of a client or an official. You should also recognize the word in 19th-century literature and understand its historical meaning as a stagecoach without needing a dictionary. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'diligência' as an abstract quality and 'diligências' as a plural noun referring to specific, concrete administrative or judicial acts. You should also be able to use the word idiomatically and in complex sentence structures, such as 'A despeito da diligência empregada, o resultado foi insatisfatório'. This shows you can handle contrast and formal vocabulary simultaneously. You should also be aware of the register: 'diligência' is almost never used in slang or very informal street talk, and using it there might sound sarcastic or overly stiff. You are now refining your 'linguistic feel' for when the word is appropriate.

At the C2 level, 'diligência' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You understand its philosophical implications as one of the cardinal virtues in Western thought, contrasting it with 'acidia' or 'preguiça'. You can use it in highly technical legal arguments, perhaps discussing 'diligência de busca e apreensão' or the 'dever de diligência' (duty of care) in corporate law. You are also aware of regional variations; for instance, how the word might be used slightly differently in a legal context in Portugal versus Brazil or Angola. You can appreciate the word's use in poetry or high-level journalism to create a specific tone of seriousness and authority. You might even use it metaphorically to describe the 'diligence' of nature or the 'diligence' of time. At this stage, you don't just know the word; you know its weight. You can use it to modulate the formality of your speech perfectly. Whether you are reading a complex supreme court ruling or a classic novel, 'diligência' is a familiar friend whose every nuance you recognize. You can also teach others the difference between 'diligência' as a process and 'diligência' as a virtue, explaining the subtle shift in meaning that occurs between a police report and a performance review.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

diligência in 30 Seconds

Diligência means persistent effort and careful attention to detail in any task.
In law, it refers to specific official actions like police searches or court summons.
Historically, it was a horse-drawn carriage for public transportation (a stagecoach).
It is a formal, high-level word essential for business, law, and academic Portuguese.

The Portuguese word diligência is a high-level, multi-faceted noun that every advanced learner must master. At its core, it refers to the quality of being persistent, careful, and thorough in one's work or duties. It is the opposite of negligence or laziness. When you act with diligência, you are not just doing a job; you are doing it with a level of attention to detail that ensures no mistakes are made. This moral and professional virtue is highly valued in Lusophone cultures, often associated with academic success, professional excellence, and ethical integrity. However, the word is not limited to a personality trait. In the legal and administrative spheres, diligência takes on a technical meaning: it refers to a specific action, procedure, or investigation carried out by a public official, lawyer, or police officer. For instance, if the police conduct a search at a suspect's house, that entire operation is called a diligência policial. Furthermore, for those interested in history or classic literature, a diligência was also a large horse-drawn carriage used for public transport before the advent of trains and cars, similar to the English 'stagecoach'.

Moral Virtue: The persistent and careful effort to accomplish a task correctly and efficiently.
Legal Procedure: A specific task or investigation performed by an authority outside of the courtroom or office.
Historical Transport: A horse-drawn stagecoach used for transporting passengers and mail over long distances.

O juiz ordenou uma diligência para coletar novas provas no local do crime.

In business contexts, you will frequently encounter the term diligência prévia, which is the direct translation of 'due diligence'. This refers to the comprehensive appraisal of a business undertaken by a prospective buyer, especially to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its commercial potential. Whether you are discussing the meticulous nature of a scientist's research or the tactical execution of a warrant, diligência implies a proactive, intentional, and structured approach to a goal. It is a word that commands respect; saying someone works with diligência is one of the highest compliments you can pay to their professional character. It suggests reliability, speed, and accuracy combined.

A sua diligência nos estudos permitiu que ele passasse no exame em primeiro lugar.

Understanding the polysemy of this word—the fact that it has multiple related meanings—is key to reaching C1 proficiency. You must be able to distinguish between 'diligence' as a character trait and 'a diligence' as an administrative act. When a news anchor says 'A Polícia Federal está em diligência', they aren't just saying the police are being careful; they are saying the police are currently 'in the field' executing a specific legal mission. This distinction is vital for accurate comprehension of Portuguese media and legal discourse.

Using diligência correctly requires an understanding of its typical grammatical patterns. Most commonly, it appears in prepositional phrases like com diligência (with diligence) or as the object of verbs like fazer, realizar, cumprir, or empregar. When used to describe a person's work ethic, it acts as an abstract noun. For example, 'Ele sempre tratou os clientes com a máxima diligência' (He always treated clients with the utmost diligence). Here, the word highlights the quality of the service provided.

Realizar uma diligência: To carry out a legal or administrative task/investigation.
Empregar diligência: To apply effort or care to a specific endeavor.
Diligência prévia: The process of 'due diligence' in business and law.

É necessário agir com diligência para evitar erros fatais no projeto.

In the context of the historical carriage, the word is used as a countable noun. You might read in a 19th-century novel: 'A diligência chegou à cidade ao pôr do sol' (The stagecoach arrived in town at sunset). While this usage is rare in modern daily life, it is essential for reading the works of great Portuguese-language authors like Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis. In modern legal writing, however, it is almost always countable when referring to specific acts: 'Foram realizadas três diligências ontem' (Three legal procedures were carried out yesterday).

O advogado solicitou uma diligência externa para verificar os fatos.

When talking about 'due diligence' in a corporate setting, the term due diligence is often used in its English form in Brazil and Portugal, but the formal Portuguese term remains diligência prévia. If you are preparing a contract or a report, using the Portuguese term demonstrates a sophisticated command of the language. Remember that the verb associated with the person is diligenciar, which means to act with diligence or to take the necessary steps to achieve something. For example: 'O governo está diligenciando para resolver a crise' (The government is taking the necessary steps to resolve the crisis).

The word diligência is a staple of formal Portuguese communication. You will most frequently encounter it in the following three environments: the news, the legal system, and corporate management. In the news, specifically in crime reporting, journalists often use the phrase em diligência to describe police officers who are currently out on a mission. If you hear a reporter say, 'A polícia realiza diligências para encontrar os suspeitos', they are informing the public that active searches and investigations are underway right now. It conveys a sense of official, organized action.

Police Reports: Used to describe active investigations, searches, and seizures (e.g., 'Diligência de busca e apreensão').
Judicial Documents: Refers to any act performed by a court official outside the court's physical premises.
Corporate Meetings: Discussing 'diligência prévia' (due diligence) during mergers, acquisitions, or audits.

Durante a diligência, os agentes encontraram documentos importantes escondidos.

In a professional office environment, a manager might use the word to emphasize the need for precision. Instead of saying 'Do this carefully', they might say 'Peço que este relatório seja feito com a devida diligência'. This elevates the request, signaling that the task is of high importance and requires a professional standard of care. It is also common in academic feedback; a professor might praise a student's diligência na pesquisa, meaning their thoroughness in researching a topic. This usage is particularly common in Portugal and Brazil in higher education settings.

O sucesso da fusão das empresas depende de uma diligência prévia rigorosa.

Finally, you might encounter the word in religious or philosophical texts. Since diligência is traditionally one of the seven virtues (the opposite of sloth/preguiça), it appears in sermons and ethical treatises. In this context, it refers to the spiritual and moral fervor one applies to their duties toward God or humanity. While this is less common in modern street slang, it remains a pillar of formal and literary Portuguese, appearing in everything from 17th-century poetry to modern supreme court rulings.

For English speakers, the primary mistake when using diligência is failing to recognize its technical, legal application. In English, 'diligence' is almost exclusively used to mean 'careful effort'. In Portuguese, however, if you hear someone say 'O policial saiu em diligência', and you translate it as 'The police officer left in careful effort', you will be confused. The correct translation is 'The police officer went out on a mission/task'. You must treat the word as both a quality and a concrete action depending on the context.

Mistake: Using it for simple effort: While not grammatically wrong, using 'diligência' for washing dishes or playing a video game sounds overly dramatic. Use 'cuidado' or 'esforço' for mundane tasks.
Mistake: Confusing with 'Agência': Because they sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear, some students confuse 'agência' (agency) with 'diligência'. They are entirely unrelated.
Mistake: Gender errors: Saying 'um diligência' instead of 'uma diligência'. Like most words ending in -ência, it is feminine.

Errado: O juiz pediu um diligência. Correto: O juiz pediu uma diligência.

Another common pitfall is the pronunciation of the 'g'. In Portuguese, 'g' before 'ê' or 'i' sounds like the 's' in 'pleasure' or the 'j' in 'journal'. English speakers often try to pronounce it with a hard 'g' (like 'game') or a 'dg' sound (like 'judge'). To sound like a native C1 speaker, ensure the 'g' is soft and fluid. Also, remember that the stress is on the penult syllable (di-li-GÊN-cia), and the 'ia' at the end is a semi-vowel dipthong, making it sound almost like one syllable.

O funcionário foi demitido por falta de diligência no cumprimento de suas tarefas.

Finally, be careful with the plural. Diligências (plural) often implies a series of official actions. If you say 'Estou fazendo diligências', it sounds like you are a detective or a lawyer. If you just mean you are working hard on several things, it is better to say 'Estou me esforçando muito' or 'Estou sendo muito diligente'. Use the noun form diligência for the abstract quality and the plural diligências for the concrete administrative acts.

To expand your vocabulary at the C1 level, you should know the synonyms and nuances that distinguish diligência from related terms. While esforço is the most common word for 'effort', it lacks the connotation of 'care' and 'precision' that diligência carries. Esforço can be brute force, whereas diligência is refined and purposeful. Another close synonym is zelo, which implies a sense of devotion or even affection for the task at hand. You use zelo when someone takes care of something as if it were their own.

Empenho vs Diligência: 'Empenho' is about dedication and commitment; 'Diligência' is about thoroughness and procedural correctness.
Presteza vs Diligência: 'Presteza' focuses on speed and readiness; 'Diligência' focuses on the quality and detail of the action.
Cuidado vs Diligência: 'Cuidado' is the general word for care; 'Diligência' is its formal, professional, or legal counterpart.

Ela demonstrou grande zelo e diligência ao organizar o arquivo histórico.

In the legal context, alternatives to diligência might include procedimento (procedure), trâmite (step/process), or investigação (investigation). However, diligência is the specific term for an 'out-of-office' task. If you are talking about the historical carriage, you might use carruagem or sege, though diligência specifically refers to the public, multi-passenger version. Knowing these distinctions allows you to choose the word that fits the exact 'register' or formality of your situation.

A presteza no atendimento foi acompanhada de uma diligência impecável.

For business students, 'Due Diligence' is almost always diligência prévia. Using investigação profunda is okay but sounds less professional. In summary, use diligência when you want to sound precise, formal, and authoritative about the quality of work or the execution of a specific official task. It is a word that bridges the gap between moral philosophy and technical law, making it a powerful tool in your Portuguese linguistic arsenal.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'diligere' literally means 'to choose apart' (di- + legere). This implies that true diligence is about choosing to focus on what matters most and treating it with love.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /di.li.ˈʒẽ.si.ɐ/

US /di.li.ˈʒẽ.sjɐ/

The stress is on the third syllable: di-li-GÊN-cia.

Rhymes With

paciência ciência ausência prudência vivência essência urgência confluência

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' like 'game' (hard G).
Stressing the first or last syllable.
Forgetting the nasal sound on the 'ê'.
Pronouncing 'cia' as 'ka' or 'cha'.
Treating it as a four-syllable word (ci-a) instead of three (cia) in some dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of context to distinguish between legal, moral, and historical meanings.

Writing 5/5

High-level word that requires proper collocation with verbs like 'realizar' or 'empregar'.

Speaking 4/5

Nasal 'gên' and final 'cia' dipthong can be tricky for native English speakers.

Listening 4/5

Common in news broadcasts, where it might be spoken quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

trabalho cuidado justiça polícia fazer

Learn Next

negligência imprudência imperícia zelo presteza

Advanced

jurisprudência acórdão subpoena mandado procrastinação

Grammar to Know

Substantivos terminados em -ência

Diligência, paciência, urgência (all feminine).

Contração de preposição + artigo

Na diligência (em + a), da diligência (de + a).

Colocação Pronominal com o verbo Diligenciar

Diligenciar-se-á para que tudo corra bem.

Concordância Adjetival

Diligência extrema (feminine adjective).

Uso do Infinitivo Pessoal com 'Diligenciar'

É preciso diligenciarmos para obter o visto.

Examples by Level

Eu faço o meu trabalho com diligência.

I do my work with diligence.

Uses 'com' + noun to form an adverbial phrase.

Ela estuda com muita diligência.

She studies with a lot of diligence.

'Muita' agrees with the feminine noun 'diligência'.

A diligência é importante na escola.

Diligence is important in school.

Feminine article 'A' is used.

O professor gosta da sua diligência.

The teacher likes your diligence.

'Da' is the contraction of 'de' + 'a'.

Trabalhar com diligência traz bons resultados.

Working with diligence brings good results.

Infinitive verb 'Trabalhar' as a subject.

Você tem diligência nos estudos?

Do you have diligence in your studies?

Direct question structure.

A Maria faz tudo com diligência.

Maria does everything with diligence.

Subject-Verb-Object-Adverbial phrase.

Meu pai trabalha com diligência todos os dias.

My father works with diligence every day.

Simple present tense.

O projeto exige muita diligência da equipe.

The project requires a lot of diligence from the team.

Verb 'exigir' (to require).

Antigamente, as pessoas viajavam de diligência.

In the past, people traveled by stagecoach.

Historical meaning of the word.

Sua diligência foi notada pelo gerente.

Your diligence was noticed by the manager.

Passive voice: 'foi notada'.

Precisamos agir com diligência para terminar logo.

We need to act with diligence to finish soon.

Modal verb 'Precisamos' + infinitive.

A diligência dela é um exemplo para todos.

Her diligence is an example for everyone.

Possessive 'dela' after the noun.

Ele limpou a casa com grande diligência.

He cleaned the house with great diligence.

Adjective 'grande' modifying 'diligência'.

Sem diligência, é difícil aprender uma língua.

Without diligence, it is hard to learn a language.

Preposition 'Sem' (Without).

A diligência chegou à vila com as cartas.

The stagecoach arrived at the village with the letters.

Use of 'à' (contraction of a + a).

A polícia realizou uma diligência no bairro esta manhã.

The police carried out an investigation in the neighborhood this morning.

Legal/Police context.

É fundamental tratar este assunto com a devida diligência.

It is essential to handle this matter with due diligence.

Fixed phrase 'devida diligência'.

O oficial de justiça veio fazer uma diligência aqui.

The court official came to perform a legal procedure here.

Specific legal role mention.

A empresa agiu com diligência para resolver o problema técnico.

The company acted with diligence to solve the technical problem.

Corporate context.

Sempre admirei a diligência com que você organiza os eventos.

I have always admired the diligence with which you organize events.

Relative clause 'com que'.

Houve falta de diligência na manutenção do prédio.

There was a lack of diligence in the building's maintenance.

Noun phrase 'falta de diligência'.

Eles estão em diligência para capturar o fugitivo.

They are out on a mission to capture the fugitive.

Idiomatic 'em diligência'.

A diligência dos funcionários garantiu o sucesso da feira.

The employees' diligence ensured the fair's success.

Possessive 'dos funcionários'.

O governo deve diligenciar no sentido de proteger o ambiente.

The government must take steps to protect the environment.

Use of the verb 'diligenciar'.

A diligência prévia revelou dívidas ocultas na empresa.

The due diligence revealed hidden debts in the company.

Business term 'diligência prévia'.

O processo foi anulado por falta de diligências essenciais.

The process was annulled due to a lack of essential legal procedures.

Plural 'diligências' meaning legal acts.

Empregamos toda a nossa diligência para satisfazer o cliente.

We employed all our diligence to satisfy the client.

Verb 'empregar' (to employ/use).

A diligência policial resultou na apreensão de materiais ilícitos.

The police operation resulted in the seizure of illicit materials.

Compound noun 'diligência policial'.

O advogado solicitou novas diligências ao tribunal.

The lawyer requested new legal procedures from the court.

Indirect object 'ao tribunal'.

Ela é uma pesquisadora conhecida por sua extrema diligência.

She is a researcher known for her extreme diligence.

Adjective 'extrema' for emphasis.

A viagem na velha diligência era desconfortável e lenta.

The trip in the old stagecoach was uncomfortable and slow.

Historical narrative style.

A celeridade processual não deve comprometer a diligência necessária.

Procedural speed should not compromise the necessary diligence.

Formal legal principle.

O auditor agiu com a diligência de um bom pai de família.

The auditor acted with the diligence of a good head of household.

Legal metaphor 'bom pai de família' (bonus pater familias).

As diligências efetuadas não foram suficientes para esclarecer o crime.

The procedures carried out were not sufficient to clarify the crime.

Past participle 'efetuadas' as an adjective.

É mister que se proceda com diligência na análise dos dados.

It is necessary that one proceeds with diligence in the data analysis.

Formal expression 'É mister que' + subjunctive.

A diligência é o antídoto mais eficaz contra a procrastinação.

Diligence is the most effective antidote to procrastination.

Philosophical/Abstract subject.

O sucesso da operação dependeu da diligência dos agentes infiltrados.

The operation's success depended on the diligence of the undercover agents.

Genitive 'dos agentes'.

A carruagem de diligência atravessava as montanhas sob a neve.

The stagecoach carriage crossed the mountains under the snow.

Literary description.

Ele diligenciou pessoalmente a obtenção de todos os vistos.

He personally saw to the obtaining of all the visas.

Verb 'diligenciar' used transitively.

A diligência, enquanto virtude cardeal, pressupõe uma ascese da vontade.

Diligence, as a cardinal virtue, presupposes an asceticism of the will.

Philosophical register.

O acórdão ressaltou a negligência crassa em oposição à diligência exigível.

The court ruling highlighted gross negligence as opposed to the required diligence.

High-level legal terminology.

Nada obsta a que se realizem novas diligências instrutórias.

Nothing prevents new instructional procedures from being carried out.

Complex negative construction 'Nada obsta a que'.

A diligência do historiador permitiu resgatar factos há muito olvidados.

The historian's diligence allowed for the recovery of long-forgotten facts.

Archaic/Literary 'olvidados' (forgotten).

Exige-se do gestor uma diligência pautada pela ética e pela transparência.

A manager is required to have a diligence guided by ethics and transparency.

Passive 'Exige-se'.

A diligência, outrora meio de transporte, é hoje relíquia de museu.

The stagecoach, once a means of transport, is today a museum relic.

Adverb 'outrora' (formerly).

O autor descreve com diligência quase doentia cada detalhe do cenário.

The author describes with almost sickly diligence every detail of the setting.

Metaphorical/Literary use.

Diligenciar-se-á para que a justiça seja feita com equidade.

Steps will be taken so that justice is done with equity.

Future tense with mesoclisis (formal Portuguese).

Common Collocations

Com diligência

Diligência prévia

Diligência policial

Cumprir uma diligência

Em diligência

Máxima diligência

Falta de diligência

Diligência necessária

Diligência externa

Diligência devida

Common Phrases

Fazer diligências

— To take the necessary steps to achieve a goal or investigate something.

Estamos fazendo diligências para resolver o problema.

Baixar em diligência

— A legal expression where a higher court sends a case back to a lower court for more evidence.

O processo baixou em diligência para ouvir a testemunha.

Diligência de busca e apreensão

— The specific legal act of searching a place and taking items as evidence.

A diligência de busca e apreensão ocorreu às 6 da manhã.

Com a diligência de um bom pai de família

— A legal standard implying the level of care a responsible person would take.

O administrador deve agir com a diligência de um bom pai de família.

Diligência administrativa

— A procedure carried out within a government department.

A diligência administrativa confirmou a fraude.

Solicitar diligência

— To formally ask for an investigation or procedure to be done.

O promotor solicitou diligência adicional.

Diligência de campo

— Work done outside the office, 'in the field'.

A equipe está em diligência de campo coletando amostras.

Falta de diligência

— Failure to apply the required effort or care.

A falta de diligência causou o atraso.

Diligência pessoal

— An action taken personally by an official or individual.

O diretor fez uma diligência pessoal na fábrica.

Diligência instrutória

— A legal procedure used to build the evidence for a case.

A diligência instrutória é a fase mais longa do processo.

Often Confused With

diligência vs Indulgência

Indulgência means forgiveness or leniency, while diligência means effort and care. They sound similar but are opposites in spirit.

diligência vs Agência

Agência is an office or agency. Beginners often swap the first letters.

diligência vs Diligente

This is the adjective form. Use 'diligência' for the noun and 'diligente' for the person.

Idioms & Expressions

"Diligência não é pressa"

— Doing things well is not the same as doing them fast. Quality matters more than speed.

Lembre-se: diligência não é pressa; faça com cuidado.

Proverbial

"Correr a diligência"

— To travel by stagecoach (archaic).

Eles correram a diligência por três dias.

Archaic

"A diligência do diabo"

— Sometimes used metaphorically for something that moves very fast or a situation that is out of control.

Aquele carro parecia a diligência do diabo.

Literary/Informal

"Pôr em diligência"

— To put something into motion or start a formal process.

O plano foi posto em diligência imediatamente.

Formal

"Com pés de diligência"

— To move quickly and with purpose (rare).

Ele saiu com pés de diligência.

Archaic

"Diligência de formiga"

— Small, persistent, and constant work.

Ela tem uma diligência de formiga, nunca para.

Informal

"Diligência cega"

— Working hard without thinking or knowing why.

A diligência cega pode levar ao erro.

Philosophical

"Diligência de ferro"

— Unshakeable persistence.

Ele tem uma diligência de ferro nos seus objetivos.

Literary

"Diligência de ouro"

— Perfect, highly valuable care/effort.

O serviço foi feito com uma diligência de ouro.

Informal

"Diligência de última hora"

— A last-minute frantic effort or procedure.

Foi uma diligência de última hora para salvar o contrato.

Neutral

Easily Confused

diligência vs Esforço

Both relate to working hard.

Esforço is generic and can be just physical; diligência implies a systematic, careful, and professional approach.

Fiz um esforço para levantar o peso; Fiz o relatório com diligência.

diligência vs Cuidado

Both imply paying attention.

Cuidado is every day; diligência is formal and often implies a duty or an official task.

Tenha cuidado com o copo; A diligência do auditor foi exemplar.

diligência vs Zelo

Both mean taking care of something.

Zelo has an emotional component of devotion; diligência is more about the procedural correctness and persistence.

Ela trata o jardim com zelo; O advogado cumpriu a diligência.

diligência vs Presteza

Both relate to how a task is done.

Presteza is about speed and readiness; diligência is about thoroughness and persistence.

Agradeço a presteza na resposta; A diligência na investigação foi total.

diligência vs Carruagem

Both can mean a horse-drawn vehicle.

Carruagem is any carriage; diligência is specifically the public stagecoach for passengers and mail.

A carruagem da rainha; A diligência das seis horas.

Sentence Patterns

[Sujeito] trabalha com diligência.

O João trabalha com diligência.

A diligência de [Pessoa] é [Adjetivo].

A diligência dela é incrível.

A polícia está em diligência para [Verbo].

A polícia está em diligência para prender o ladrão.

É necessário realizar uma diligência de [Tipo].

É necessário realizar uma diligência de busca.

Pautar-se pela diligência no [Contexto].

Ele pauta-se pela diligência no exercício da profissão.

A despeito da diligência, [Consequência].

A despeito da diligência, o prazo foi perdido.

Diligenciar no sentido de [Infinitive].

Diligenciamos no sentido de mitigar os riscos.

O dever de diligência impõe [Ação].

O dever de diligência impõe a verificação dos dados.

Word Family

Nouns

diligência

diligenciamento

Verbs

diligenciar

Adjectives

diligente

zelo

cuidado

esforço

presteza

agilidade

How to Use It

frequency

High in Law, News, and Business; Low in casual street talk.

Common Mistakes

Using 'o diligência'. → a diligência.
Diligência is a feminine noun. All nouns ending in -ência are feminine in Portuguese.
Saying 'Polícia está em esforço' when they are on a mission. → Polícia está em diligência.
In a police context, 'diligência' is the technical term for an active investigation or task.
Pronouncing the 'g' like 'go'. → Pronouncing the 'g' like the 's' in 'pleasure'.
In Portuguese, 'g' followed by 'e' or 'i' always has a soft 'zh' sound.
Using 'diligência' for 'due diligence' without the word 'prévia'. → diligência prévia.
While 'diligência' can imply care, 'diligência prévia' is the specific term for the business process of due diligence.
Confusing 'diligência' with 'indulgência'. → diligência (effort) / indulgência (leniency).
These are 'false friends' in terms of sound. Ensure you use the right one for the right context.

Tips

Use for Professionalism

If you want to sound more professional in a Portuguese-speaking office, use 'diligência' instead of just 'trabalho'. It shows you understand the importance of quality and process.

Legal Awareness

When reading news about 'Operação Lava Jato' or similar, notice how 'diligência' is used for every police action. It helps you map the word to real-world events.

Adjective Agreement

Always pair 'diligência' with feminine adjectives. Example: 'diligência extrema', not 'diligência extremo'.

The Detective and the Coach

Imagine a detective in an old stagecoach. He is doing a job (diligence) while traveling in a carriage (diligence). This links the two main meanings.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use 'diligência' for small things like making a sandwich. Keep it for tasks that actually require significant effort or formal status.

The Nasal Sound

The 'ê' in 'diligência' is nasal. Try to push some air through your nose when you say it to sound more authentic.

Due Diligence

If you are in a merger or acquisition, always use 'diligência prévia'. It's the mark of a C1/C2 business professional.

Reading Classics

When reading 19th-century authors, always assume 'diligência' refers to the carriage unless the context clearly points to work ethic.

Diligenciar

Use the verb 'diligenciar' to say you are taking care of something. 'Vou diligenciar isso' sounds much more proactive than 'Vou fazer isso'.

Contrast with Negligence

In reports, contrast 'diligência' with 'negligência' to show you've considered both sides of a performance issue.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Diligence' (stagecoach) carrying a 'Diligent' worker who is doing 'Due Diligence' on a legal 'Diligência'.

Visual Association

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass (care) getting out of an old horse-drawn carriage (historical) to search a house (legal).

Word Web

Trabalho Polícia Cuidado Justiça Carruagem Empresa Estudo Virtude

Challenge

Write three sentences using 'diligência' in three different ways: as a virtue, as a legal act, and as a carriage.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'diligentia', which is derived from the verb 'diligere'.

Original meaning: To value highly, to love, or to choose carefully.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using the legal term casually if you are not in a legal context, as it sounds very official.

English speakers use 'diligence' mainly for work ethic. They use 'mission' or 'search' for what Portuguese calls 'diligência policial'.

Machado de Assis often mentions 'diligências' (carriages) in his novels set in 19th-century Rio. The term 'Due Diligence' is globally used in business, but the Portuguese 'Diligência Prévia' is the formal standard. In the Seven Deadly Sins, 'Diligência' is the virtue that defeats 'Preguiça' (Sloth).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Law Office

Protocolar a diligência
Oficial em diligência
Relatório de diligência
Novas diligências

Corporate Environment

Diligência prévia (Due diligence)
Diligência profissional
Agir com diligência
Falta de diligência

University/Research

Diligência na pesquisa
Trabalho diligente
Diligência acadêmica
Empregar diligência

Police/News

Polícia em diligência
Diligência de busca
Cumprir diligência
Diligência no local

Literature/History

Viagem de diligência
A velha diligência
Caminho da diligência
Diligência de cavalos

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que a diligência é a qualidade mais importante em um funcionário?"

"Como você demonstra diligência no seu aprendizado de português?"

"Você já ouviu o termo 'diligência prévia' em reuniões de negócios?"

"O que acontece quando um oficial de justiça faz uma diligência na sua rua?"

"Você prefere trabalhar com rapidez ou com máxima diligência?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que a sua diligência evitou um grande erro no trabalho.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre trabalhar muito e trabalhar com diligência.

Se você vivesse no século XIX, como seria uma viagem de diligência entre duas cidades?

Escreva sobre a importância da diligência policial para a segurança da sociedade.

Como a falta de diligência pode afetar os seus objetivos pessoais a longo prazo?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, extremely common, especially in legal news and corporate settings. You will hear it every time the police conduct a 'busca e apreensão' (search and seizure).

Yes, it is very appropriate. Saying 'Ele estuda com diligência' means he is a very thorough and persistent student.

In Portuguese, 'diligência prévia' is the formal translation of the English business term 'due diligence'. They mean the same thing: a thorough investigation before a transaction.

No. While common in police work, its primary meaning is the quality of being careful and persistent. The police meaning is just one specific application.

It is feminine: 'a diligência', 'uma diligência', 'as diligências'.

You say 'fazer uma diligência prévia' or 'realizar uma diligência prévia'.

Only in the sense of the horse carriage. In law and professional life, it is a very modern and active word.

The professional opposite is 'negligência' (negligence), and the moral opposite is 'preguiça' (laziness).

The noun is 'diligência'. The related verb is 'diligenciar'.

It is a dipthong. It sounds like 'ya' in 'yard', but very short: /sjɐ/.