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B1 noun 11 min read

economia

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips economia in 30 Seconds

Explanation economia in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'economia' primarily in the context of 'fazer economia' (saving money). It is a useful word for basic daily life, such as shopping or managing a small budget. At this stage, don't worry about complex economic theories. Just remember that it is a feminine noun ('a economia') and that it usually means being careful with your money. You might see it on signs in supermarkets for 'economy packs' or hear it when someone explains why they aren't buying something expensive. It is one of the first abstract nouns related to society that you will encounter, but its practical application in 'saving' is what matters most for a beginner. Try to use it in simple sentences like 'Eu faço economia' (I save money) or 'A economia é importante' (Economy/Saving is important). Focus on the 'saving' aspect first, as it's the most tangible way to use the word in basic conversations about hobbies, travel, and shopping.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'economia' to talk about the general state of things. You might say 'A economia do meu país está bem' (The economy of my country is doing well) or 'A economia está difícil' (The economy is difficult/tough). You will also start encountering the plural form 'economias' to refer to savings. For example, 'Eu uso minhas economias para viajar' (I use my savings to travel). You should also be familiar with 'economia doméstica' (household economy/budgeting). This level requires you to distinguish between the act of saving and the broader economic system. You'll likely see the word in simple news headlines or social media posts about the cost of living. It is also the time to learn the adjective 'econômico/a' and ensure you don't confuse it with the noun. Practice phrases like 'modo de economia de energia' (power saving mode) on your phone, as this is a very common A2-level practical usage.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand 'economia' in its more formal and academic senses. You should be able to follow news reports about the 'economia nacional' or 'economia mundial'. You will learn collocations like 'economia de mercado' (market economy) and 'crise na economia' (economic crisis). At this stage, you should also know that 'Economia' is the name of the university subject. You can discuss more complex topics like 'economia circular' or 'economia sustentável'. Your ability to use the word should expand to include business contexts, such as 'economia de escala' (economies of scale). You should be comfortable using the word in both its macro (national) and micro (personal/business) senses. B1 learners should also start using the word in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Se a economia melhorar, haverá mais empregos' (If the economy improves, there will be more jobs). This level is where the word becomes a bridge to discussing social and political issues in Portuguese.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'economia'. You can participate in debates about 'políticas de economia' (economic policies) and understand the implications of 'economia informal' (the informal economy) in developing countries. You should be able to read analytical articles in newspapers like 'Folha de S.Paulo' or 'Público' that use 'economia' as a central theme. You will understand idiomatic expressions and the subtle difference between 'economia' and 'finanças'. B2 learners should be able to explain the relationship between 'economia' and other social factors like 'desigualdade' (inequality) or 'inflação' (inflation). You should also be able to use the word in professional reports, such as 'Apresentamos uma proposta de economia de custos para o próximo trimestre' (We present a cost-saving proposal for the next quarter). Your vocabulary should now include related terms like 'economista', 'econometria', and 'economizar' without hesitation.

At the C1 level, your use of 'economia' should be sophisticated and precise. You can discuss 'teorias de economia' (economic theories) in detail, using terms like 'macroeconomia' and 'microeconomia'. You understand the historical development of the word and its role in shaping public discourse. You can write academic essays or business white papers using 'economia' in complex contexts, such as 'economia comportamental' (behavioral economics) or 'economia do conhecimento' (knowledge economy). At this level, you recognize the word's use in various registers, from the highly technical to the colloquial. You can identify when 'economia' is used metaphorically, such as 'economia de palavras' (economy of words/conciseness) in literature. You are expected to have a deep grasp of the socio-economic reality of Lusophone countries and how their specific 'economias' function within the global system. You can critique economic measures and propose alternatives using high-level vocabulary and complex grammar.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'economia' and all its derivatives. You can engage in high-level academic or professional discourse about 'sistemas de economia política' (political economy systems). You understand the finest nuances of the word, including its use in legal texts, philosophical treatises, and specialized financial reports. You can effortlessly switch between the scientific meaning of 'Economia' and its everyday applications. You are aware of the regional differences in how the word is used across the Lusophone world (e.g., Brazil vs. Portugal vs. Angola). You can appreciate and use the word in creative writing, playing with its multiple meanings for rhetorical effect. Your understanding of 'economia' is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural and contextual, allowing you to interpret the underlying economic philosophies of various Portuguese-speaking societies. You are capable of translating complex economic concepts from English to Portuguese while maintaining the exact tone and technical accuracy required.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

economia in 30 Seconds

Economia means 'economy' (the system) or 'economics' (the study). It is a vital word for understanding news and finance in Portuguese-speaking countries.
It also means 'savings' or 'frugality'. The phrase 'fazer economia' is commonly used when someone is trying to save money for a specific goal.
Grammatically, it is a feminine noun ('a economia'). The plural 'economias' typically refers to a person's life savings or accumulated wealth.
It is used in various contexts, from 'economia de combustível' (fuel efficiency) to 'economia de mercado' (market economy) and 'economia doméstica' (household budgeting).

The Portuguese word economia is a multifaceted noun that primarily translates to 'economy' or 'economics' in English. It is a fundamental term used to describe the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services within a country or region. However, its usage extends far beyond macroeconomics. In everyday Portuguese, economia frequently refers to the act of saving money or being thrifty. When a Brazilian or Portuguese person says they are 'fazendo economia,' they aren't managing a nation; they are cutting back on expenses to save for a future goal. This dual nature makes it one of the most versatile words in the Luso-finance vocabulary.

Macroeconomic Context: Used to discuss the financial health of a nation, including GDP, inflation, and trade balances. For example, 'A economia brasileira cresceu no último trimestre' (The Brazilian economy grew in the last quarter).

A economia global enfrenta desafios sem precedentes este ano devido à instabilidade geopolítica.

Beyond the national scale, the word is deeply embedded in household management, known as economia doméstica. This refers to how a family manages its budget, pays bills, and allocates resources. The cultural emphasis on 'economia' in Portuguese-speaking countries often stems from periods of high inflation or economic volatility, where the ability to manage one's personal economias (savings) became a vital survival skill. You will hear this word in news broadcasts, bank advertisements, university lectures, and around the dinner table when discussing the rising cost of rice or electricity.

Personal Finance Context: Refers to personal savings or the act of being frugal. 'Minhas economias acabaram' means 'My savings have run out.'

Ele decidiu estudar economia na Universidade de Coimbra para entender melhor os mercados financeiros.

Furthermore, the word can describe efficiency in other resources, such as economia de tempo (saving time) or economia de espaço (saving space). This broader sense of 'avoiding waste' is central to the word's etymology, derived from the Greek word for household management. Whether you are talking about the stock market or simply turning off the lights to save on the power bill, 'economia' is the word you need. It bridges the gap between the complex mathematical models of professors and the practical, everyday wisdom of a grandmother managing a tight budget.

Resource Efficiency: Using the minimum amount of resources necessary. 'O novo motor oferece uma grande economia de combustível.'

Fizemos uma economia de energia desligando todos os aparelhos eletrônicos durante a noite.

Guardei todas as minhas economias em uma conta poupança para comprar minha primeira casa.

Using economia correctly requires understanding its role as a feminine noun. It is always preceded by feminine articles like a, uma, esta, or aquela. When discussing the general concept of the economy, we use the definite article: 'A economia estável atrai investimentos.' When referring to the act of saving, we often use it with the verb fazer. For example, 'Estamos fazendo economia para viajar no fim do ano.' This is a common idiomatic construction that every learner should master early on.

Common Verb Pairings: Fazer economia (to save money), Gerir a economia (to manage the economy), Estudar economia (to study economics), Estimular a economia (to stimulate the economy).

Para comprar o carro novo, ele teve que fazer muita economia durante dois anos inteiros.

In academic or journalistic writing, economia is often modified by adjectives to specify the type of system being discussed. Common examples include economia de mercado (market economy), economia planificada (planned economy), or economia circular (circular economy). Note that the adjective always follows the noun and must agree in gender (feminine). For instance, 'A economia globalizada' (The globalized economy). If you are referring to a person's life savings, you must use the plural form economias, often accompanied by a possessive pronoun: 'Minhas economias', 'Suas economias'.

Adjective Agreement: Economia sustentável (sustainable economy), Economia emergente (emerging economy), Economia informal (informal economy).

A economia circular é essencial para o futuro do nosso planeta e a preservação dos recursos.

When discussing the results of an action, economia can be used with prepositions like de to indicate what is being saved. 'Uma economia de 20%' (A saving of 20%). In a sentence: 'O novo sistema resultou em uma economia de tempo considerável para a equipe.' This usage is very common in business environments where efficiency is measured and reported. Remember that while 'economizing' is a verb in English, in Portuguese, you can either use the verb economizar or the noun phrase fazer economia. Both are equally natural, though the noun phrase feels slightly more idiomatic in casual conversation.

Prepositional Phrases: Economia de escala (economy of scale), Economia de custos (cost saving), Economia de meios (economy of means).

O uso de lâmpadas LED gera uma economia de energia significativa no final do mês.

Infelizmente, a crise financeira corroeu grande parte das economias daquela família.

In the Portuguese-speaking world, economia is a constant presence in the media. Turn on any news channel like GloboNews in Brazil or RTP in Portugal, and you will find a dedicated segment called 'Jornal da Economia' or 'Economia Hoje'. Reporters use it to discuss everything from the price of the dollar to the unemployment rate. It is a word that carries weight; when the 'economia' is doing well, there is a sense of national relief, and when it is 'em crise', it becomes the primary topic of public debate and political campaigning.

In the News: Frequent headlines include 'A economia mundial desacelera' or 'Governo anuncia medidas para salvar a economia'.

O ministro da economia convocou uma coletiva de imprensa para explicar o novo orçamento.

You will also hear this word frequently in a professional office setting. Managers might talk about 'economia de recursos' when trying to reduce overhead costs. In a more casual setting, such as a supermarket, you might hear one shopper saying to another, 'Este produto está em promoção, é uma boa economia!' Here, the word is synonymous with a 'bargain' or a 'good deal'. It reflects a cultural value placed on being smart with money. In Brazil, especially, where economic cycles can be volatile, the ability to 'fazer economia' is seen as a practical virtue.

In Daily Life: Heard at the supermarket, the bank, or when discussing monthly bills with family members.

Comprei o pacote maior de sabão em pó porque a economia de preço era muito grande.

Universities and educational institutions are another prime location for this word. It is one of the most popular majors in Lusophone countries. When a student says 'Eu faço Economia', they mean they are studying for a degree in economics. This is a very common shorthand. Additionally, in the tech world, you'll hear about 'economia de dados' (data saving mode) on smartphones or 'economia de bateria' (battery saver). The word has successfully transitioned from the dusty ledgers of 19th-century merchants to the high-tech interfaces of the 21st century.

Technological Context: Used in settings menus for power management and data usage: 'Ativar modo de economia de energia'.

Meu celular entrou automaticamente no modo de economia porque a bateria está em 10%.

A faculdade de economia daquela cidade é considerada a melhor do país.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is confusing the noun economia with the adjective econômico (masculine) or econômica (feminine). In English, 'economic' and 'economy' are distinct, but learners often try to use 'economia' where an adjective is required. For example, saying 'um plano economia' instead of 'um plano econômico'. Always remember: economia is the 'thing', and econômico is the 'description' of that thing.

Noun vs. Adjective: Mistake: 'A situação é economia'. Correct: 'A situação é econômica'. Mistake: 'O crescimento economia'. Correct: 'O crescimento da economia'.

Não confunda: 'Eu estudo economia' (noun) com 'Este carro é muito econômico' (adjective).

Another common error involves the gender of the word. Since many abstract nouns in Portuguese ending in '-ia' are feminine, this might seem intuitive, but English speakers often forget the article entirely or use 'o' by mistake because 'the economy' in English feels neutral. Always pair it with 'a'. Additionally, when talking about personal savings, beginners often use the singular 'minha economia'. While not strictly 'wrong' if you are talking about the act of saving, if you mean the actual money in the bank, the plural minhas economias is much more natural.

Gender and Number: Always 'A economia' (singular) for the system. Usually 'As economias' (plural) for your saved cash.

Dizer 'O economia do país' é um erro gramatical comum entre iniciantes; o correto é sempre 'A economia'.

Finally, watch out for the translation of 'Economics' vs. 'Economy'. In English, these are two different words. In Portuguese, they are both economia. Learners often search for a word like 'Economicismo' (which exists but means something else entirely—the reduction of all social facts to economic factors) when they want to say 'Economics'. Just use 'Economia'. For example: 'Economia é uma ciência social' (Economics is a social science). Context will always clarify whether you mean the science or the system. Avoid overcomplicating the translation by looking for a one-to-one match for every English variation.

The 'Economics' Trap: In English: Economics (subject) vs. Economy (system). In Portuguese: Economia (both). Don't look for a third word!

Muitos alunos tentam inventar a palavra 'economismo' para falar da matéria, mas o certo é apenas economia.

Se você disser 'eu quero fazer uma economia', as pessoas entenderão que você quer poupar dinheiro.

While economia is the most common term, there are several synonyms and related words that can add nuance to your Portuguese. If you are specifically talking about saving money, the word poupança is a very strong alternative, especially in Portugal. In Brazil, 'poupança' often refers specifically to a savings account (caderneta de poupança), whereas 'economia' is the act of saving. Another related term is finanças (finances), which is broader and includes the management of money, investments, and liabilities.

Economia vs. Poupança: Economia: The act of saving or the system. Poupança: The accumulated money or the specific bank account type.

Ele tem uma economia guardada, mas ela prefere investir na conta poupança.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter parcimônia or frugalidade. These words emphasize the character trait of being careful with resources. Parcimônia suggests a extreme care or even stinginess with words or money, while frugalidade implies a simple, non-wasteful lifestyle. In a professional setting, when discussing the state of the economy, experts might use terms like conjuntura econômica (economic situation/outlook) or cenário financeiro (financial scenario) to sound more precise and technical.

Formal Alternatives: Conjuntura: The current state of affairs. Frugalidade: The quality of being economical with food or lifestyle.

A economia de meios é fundamental em tempos de guerra, onde tudo deve ser aproveitado.

When discussing the 'economy' of a specific device, such as a car's fuel consumption, the word eficiência (efficiency) or consumo (consumption) are often better fits. For example, instead of saying 'a economia do carro é boa', it is more common to say 'o carro tem um baixo consumo' or 'o carro é muito eficiente'. However, 'economia de combustível' remains a perfectly standard technical term. Understanding these subtle shifts in vocabulary will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation software. Always consider whether you are talking about the system, the science, the savings, or the trait.

Technical Nuances: Eficiência: Focuses on the output relative to input. Consumo: Focuses on the amount used. Economia: Focuses on the amount NOT used.

Para melhorar a economia de escala, a empresa decidiu fundir-se com a sua maior concorrente.

A economia solidária propõe uma alternativa ao capitalismo tradicional, focando na cooperação.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'household' origin is still seen in the term 'economia doméstica'. In the past, managing a house and managing a kingdom were seen as similar tasks of resource allocation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌiːkəˈnɒmi/

US /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/

The stress is on the second to last syllable: e-co-no-MI-a.

Rhymes With

academia alegria dia bacia freguesia magia poesia teoria

Common Errors

Stressing the 'no' instead of 'mi' (e-co-NO-mi-a is wrong).
Pronouncing the final 'a' as a schwa like in English; in Portuguese, it is a clear 'ah' sound.
Treating the 'e' at the start like 'ee'; it should be a closed 'eh' or 'ay' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with the adjective 'econômico' which has a nasal 'ô'.
Not pronouncing the 'ia' as two distinct vowel sounds (i-a).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of 'economy'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the accent in the adjective form.

Speaking 3/5

The stress on 'mi' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Clearly articulated in news and formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dinheiro comprar preço banco país

Learn Next

investimento inflação mercado imposto lucro

Advanced

PIB taxa de juros déficit superávit balança comercial

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ia are usually feminine.

A economia, a alegria, a padaria.

Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun.

Economia brasileir**a**.

The plural of nouns ending in -ia is -ias.

Uma economia -> Duas economias.

Verbs like 'fazer' are used to form idiomatic expressions with nouns.

Fazer economia, fazer as pazes, fazer compras.

Definite articles are used before names of sciences/subjects.

Eu gosto de estudar **a** economia.

Examples by Level

Eu faço economia para comprar um livro.

I save money to buy a book.

Uses the common phrase 'fazer economia'.

A economia é importante para a família.

Economy is important for the family.

Feminine noun with the definite article 'a'.

Esta loja tem muita economia.

This store has a lot of savings/deals.

Used here to mean 'savings' or 'value'.

Minha mãe faz economia no mercado.

My mother saves money at the market.

Subject-verb-object structure.

A economia do país é pequena.

The country's economy is small.

Simple adjective agreement.

Eu preciso de economia agora.

I need to save money now.

Abstract usage for 'saving'.

Onde está a sua economia?

Where is your saving/money?

Possessive pronoun 'sua' matches feminine 'economia'.

Não gasto muito, faço economia.

I don't spend much, I save.

Contrast between 'gastar' and 'fazer economia'.

As minhas economias estão no banco.

My savings are in the bank.

Plural 'economias' refers to saved money.

O carro tem uma boa economia de combustível.

The car has good fuel economy.

Compound concept 'economia de combustível'.

Eles estudam economia na escola.

They study economics at school.

Refers to the subject/science.

A economia brasileira está crescendo.

The Brazilian economy is growing.

Adjective 'brasileira' follows the noun.

Você faz economia de energia em casa?

Do you save energy at home?

Common everyday question.

Ela perdeu todas as suas economias.

She lost all her savings.

Plural feminine agreement.

O governo fala sobre a economia todo dia.

The government talks about the economy every day.

Prepositional phrase 'sobre a economia'.

É uma economia de tempo usar o metrô.

It is a time saving to use the subway.

Metaphorical use for efficiency.

A economia de mercado baseia-se na oferta e procura.

The market economy is based on supply and demand.

Technical term 'economia de mercado'.

Houve uma grande economia de custos na empresa.

There was a great cost saving in the company.

Business context.

O curso de economia dura quatro anos.

The economics course lasts four years.

Refers to university major.

A economia global está interconectada.

The global economy is interconnected.

B1 level abstract concept.

Precisamos estimular a economia local.

We need to stimulate the local economy.

Use of the verb 'estimular'.

A inflação afeta diretamente a economia.

Inflation directly affects the economy.

Cause and effect relationship.

Ele é um especialista em economia política.

He is an expert in political economy.

Specific field of study.

Fizemos uma economia de escala ao comprar em grandes quantidades.

We achieved economies of scale by buying in large quantities.

Advanced business concept.

A economia informal representa uma grande parte do PIB.

The informal economy represents a large part of the GDP.

Socio-economic terminology.

As medidas de austeridade impactaram a economia real.

Austerity measures impacted the real economy.

Political/economic discourse.

O país vive uma transição para uma economia verde.

The country is undergoing a transition to a green economy.

Modern environmental context.

A economia digital transformou o mercado de trabalho.

The digital economy transformed the labor market.

Technological economic term.

Houve uma economia de meios na execução do projeto.

There was an economy of means in the project's execution.

Formal expression for efficiency.

A volatilidade da economia preocupa os investidores.

The economy's volatility worries investors.

Abstract noun usage.

O banco central tenta estabilizar a economia nacional.

The central bank tries to stabilize the national economy.

Institutional context.

A economia de partilha está a ganhar terreno na Europa.

The sharing economy is gaining ground in Europe.

Contemporary economic model.

A economia comportamental analisa as decisões irracionais dos agentes.

Behavioral economics analyzes the irrational decisions of agents.

Advanced scientific field.

A economia do conhecimento exige investimentos em educação.

The knowledge economy requires investment in education.

High-level policy discussion.

O autor utiliza uma economia de palavras invejável no seu romance.

The author uses an enviable economy of words in his novel.

Literary/metaphorical usage.

A economia política clássica foi desafiada por novas correntes.

Classical political economy was challenged by new currents.

Historical academic context.

A resiliência da economia face a choques externos é notável.

The economy's resilience in the face of external shocks is notable.

Complex formal sentence structure.

O relatório foca na economia circular e na gestão de resíduos.

The report focuses on circular economy and waste management.

Specialized technical report style.

A economia subterrânea foge ao controlo das autoridades fiscais.

The underground economy escapes the control of tax authorities.

Criminology/Economic term.

A economia da atenção é o novo paradigma das redes sociais.

The attention economy is the new paradigm of social networks.

Modern sociological economic term.

A economia de escala é, amiúde, o principal motor das fusões transnacionais.

Economies of scale are often the primary driver of transnational mergers.

Use of advanced adverb 'amiúde'.

O paradigma da economia da dádiva subverte a lógica mercantilista.

The paradigm of the gift economy subverts mercantilist logic.

Highly abstract philosophical/economic concept.

A economia de guerra exige a mobilização total dos recursos produtivos.

The war economy requires the total mobilization of productive resources.

Historical/Political term.

A economia criativa floresce em centros urbanos com elevada diversidade cultural.

The creative economy flourishes in urban centers with high cultural diversity.

Sophisticated sociological term.

A economia institucional enfatiza o papel das normas no desempenho económico.

Institutional economics emphasizes the role of norms in economic performance.

Specialized academic theory.

A economia de subsistência ainda é a realidade de muitas comunidades rurais.

Subsistence economy is still the reality for many rural communities.

Anthropological/Economic term.

O governo implementou uma economia de guerra para combater a pandemia.

The government implemented a war economy to fight the pandemic.

Metaphorical political usage.

A economia do bem-estar procura conciliar crescimento e justiça social.

Welfare economics seeks to reconcile growth and social justice.

Ethical economic theory.

Common Collocations

economia de mercado

economia doméstica

economia global

economia de escala

fazer economia

economia de energia

economia de combustível

economia circular

economia informal

economia política

Common Phrases

Por uma questão de economia

— Doing something to save money. Used to justify a cheaper choice.

Viajamos de ônibus por uma questão de economia.

Economia de palito

— Brazilian expression for saving a tiny amount while wasting much more elsewhere.

Ele não quer comprar papel, mas gasta fortunas em café; é economia de palito.

A economia vai mal

— A common way to say the country is in a recession or financial trouble.

As pessoas estão preocupadas porque a economia vai mal.

Minhas economias

— Referring to all the money one has saved over time.

Usei todas as minhas economias na viagem.

Modo de economia

— A setting on devices to preserve battery or data.

Coloque o celular no modo de economia.

Economia de guerra

— Strict resource management, often metaphorical for a very tight budget.

Estamos em economia de guerra até o fim do mês.

Fazer uma economia

— To save a specific amount of money on a purchase.

Fiz uma economia de dez reais hoje.

Ciências Econômicas

— The formal name of the Economics major in universities.

Ele se formou em Ciências Econômicas.

Economia solidária

— A cooperative economic model focused on social benefit.

A feira promove a economia solidária.

Crescimento da economia

— Economic growth, a key metric for politicians.

O crescimento da economia foi de 2%.

Often Confused With

economia vs Econômico

This is the adjective. You can't say 'um plano economia'.

economia vs Economista

This is the profession. An 'economista' studies 'economia'.

economia vs Poupança

While similar, 'poupança' is more about the money itself, 'economia' is the act or the system.

Idioms & Expressions

"Tempo é dinheiro"

— Time is money. Related to the concept of time economy.

Não se atrase, tempo é dinheiro!

Neutral

"Pão-duro"

— A stingy person who does 'economia' to an extreme.

Ele é muito pão-duro, nunca paga nada.

Informal

"Apertar o cinto"

— To tighten the belt; to start doing serious 'economia' due to lack of money.

A crise chegou, vamos ter que apertar o cinto.

Idiomatic

"Viver de brisa"

— To live on air; the opposite of having good 'economias'.

Sem emprego, ele está vivendo de brisa.

Slang

"Dar um passo maior que a perna"

— To overextend oneself financially; the opposite of 'economia'.

Ele comprou a mansão e deu um passo maior que a perna.

Idiomatic

"Fazer das tripas coração"

— To make a huge effort with very few resources ('economia de meios').

Ela fez das tripas coração para criar os filhos.

Idiomatic

"Dinheiro não dá em árvore"

— Money doesn't grow on trees; a reason to do 'economia'.

Apague a luz, dinheiro não dá em árvore!

Informal

"Estar na lona"

— To be completely broke; having zero 'economias'.

Depois do cassino, ele ficou na lona.

Slang

"Segurar os cordões à bolsa"

— To hold the purse strings; to control the 'economia doméstica' strictly.

O pai segura os cordões à bolsa naquela casa.

Portuguese (PT)

"Mão de vaca"

— Stingy/frugal person (similar to pão-duro).

Ele é muito mão de vaca com comida.

Informal

Easily Confused

economia vs Economato

Sounds similar.

Economato is a supply store or office; Economia is the system.

Fui ao economato buscar papel.

economia vs Economicismo

Related root.

Economicismo is a specific ideology; Economia is the general science.

O autor critica o economicismo da sociedade.

economia vs Econômica

Feminine adjective vs Noun.

Econômica describes something; Economia is the thing.

A classe econômica do avião é barata.

economia vs Economizar

Verb vs Noun.

Economizar is the action; Economia is the result or concept.

Eu gosto de economizar.

economia vs Finanças

Related domain.

Finanças is about managing money; Economia is about the whole system of production.

Ele trabalha na secretaria de finanças.

Sentence Patterns

Eu faço economia.

Eu faço economia para o carro.

A economia está [Adjetivo].

A economia está difícil.

A economia de [Lugar] cresceu.

A economia de Portugal cresceu.

Devido à economia de [Recurso]...

Devido à economia de tempo, terminamos cedo.

No âmbito da economia [Tipo]...

No âmbito da economia circular, reciclamos tudo.

A economia de meios é [Adjetivo]...

A economia de meios é imperativa nesta fase.

Estudar economia é [Adjetivo].

Estudar economia é fascinante.

Minhas economias são para [Objetivo].

Minhas economias são para a faculdade.

Word Family

Nouns

economista

economicismo

econometria

economato

Verbs

economizar

reeconomizar

Adjectives

econômico

antieconômico

econométrico

poupança

finanças

mercado

capital

lucro

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; used daily in news and conversation.

Common Mistakes

O economia do Brasil → A economia do Brasil
Economia is a feminine noun.
Eu estudo econômico → Eu estudo economia
Use the noun for the subject, not the adjective.
Minha economia está no banco → Minhas economias estão no banco
Use plural for personal savings.
Um plano de economia → Um plano econômico
In many contexts, the adjective is more natural for 'economic plan'.
Economia de tempo é importante → A economia de tempo é importante
Don't forget the definite article in general statements.

Tips

Gender Check

Always use 'a' or 'uma'. Never 'o'. Even if you are a man talking about your savings, they are 'as minhas economias'.

Adjective usage

Remember to use 'econômico/a' for adjectives. 'Uma crise econômica', not 'Uma crise economia'.

Stress

The stress is on the 'mi'. Practice saying 'academia', 'teoria', and 'economia' together as they rhyme.

News context

In Brazil, the economy is often discussed in terms of 'inflação' (inflation). In Portugal, look for 'crise' or 'crescimento'.

Fazer economia

Use 'fazer economia' when you want to sound like a local. It sounds more natural than just saying 'guardar dinheiro'.

Savings

When talking about your bank balance, use the plural: 'Minhas economias'.

Business

In business, use 'economia de custos' to talk about saving the company money.

Phone settings

Look for 'Economia de bateria' in your phone settings to practice reading the word daily.

Major

If you are an economics student, say 'Eu faço Economia'.

Sharing

Learn 'economia de partilha' to talk about apps like Uber or Airbnb.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ECO-NO-MY'. In Portuguese, it's 'ECO-NO-MIA'. Just remember that 'MIA' (like a cat's meow) is where you save your 'ME-OW'ney.

Visual Association

Imagine a globe (macro economy) inside a piggy bank (personal economy). Both represent the same word 'economia'.

Word Web

Dinheiro Banco Poupança Brasil Mercado Trabalho Preço Investimento

Challenge

Try to spend a whole day without spending a single cent. At the end of the day, write a sentence in Portuguese: 'Hoje eu fiz uma grande economia'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'oeconomia', which comes from the Ancient Greek 'oikonomía' (οἰκονομία).

Original meaning: The word originally meant 'household management'. It is a combination of 'oikos' (house) and 'nomos' (law/rule).

Indo-European -> Greek -> Latin -> Romance (Portuguese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing someone's 'economias' (savings), as money can be a private or sensitive topic in some Lusophone social circles.

English speakers often distinguish 'Economics' (the class) and 'Economy' (the country). In Portuguese, remember it's the same word.

The 'Ministério da Economia' is one of the most powerful government bodies in Brazil. Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' is translated as 'A Riqueza das Nações' in the study of 'Economia'. The 'Plano Real' is a famous historical event that stabilized the Brazilian 'economia'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the University

Qual é a sua média em Economia?
O professor de Economia é rigoroso.
Vou ler o livro de Economia.
Economia é uma matéria difícil.

At the Bank

Quero guardar minhas economias.
Qual é o rendimento da economia?
Preciso de uma conta para economia.
Minhas economias estão seguras?

In the News

A economia global recuou.
Novas leis para a economia.
O ministro da economia falou.
A economia é o tema do dia.

At Home

Precisamos fazer economia de luz.
A economia doméstica está apertada.
Filho, faça economia!
Nossa economia de água funcionou.

Shopping

Este pacote é uma economia.
Fiz uma boa economia hoje.
Onde há mais economia?
Economia de dez reais!

Conversation Starters

"Como está a economia no seu país atualmente?"

"Você costuma fazer economia para viajar no verão?"

"Você acha que estudar economia é importante hoje em dia?"

"Qual é a sua melhor dica para fazer economia no supermercado?"

"Você prefere investir ou apenas guardar suas economias no banco?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um momento em que você teve que fazer muita economia para comprar algo especial.

Como a economia global afeta a sua vida cotidiana e os seus planos para o futuro?

Descreva como você organiza a sua economia doméstica todos os meses.

Se você fosse o ministro da economia, qual seria a sua primeira medida?

Reflexão: É melhor ter muitas economias ou aproveitar a vida gastando o que se ganha?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can say 'Estou fazendo economia' or 'Estou economizando dinheiro'. Both are common, but 'fazer economia' is very idiomatic.

Yes, it is always 'a economia'. There is no masculine form of this noun.

It refers to household budgeting and managing family expenses efficiently.

Yes, 'Eu estudo economia' means 'I study economics'.

The plural is 'economias'. It usually means a person's life savings.

You say 'economia de combustível'.

The meaning is the same, but Portugal uses 'poupança' more frequently for personal savings.

It's a Brazilian idiom for being 'penny wise and pound foolish'.

It is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.

It is 'mee-ah' (two syllables), with the stress on 'mee'.