encarregar in 30 Seconds
- To entrust someone with a task.
- Assigning responsibility or duty.
- Giving someone a job to do.
- Delegate a responsibility or task.
- Verb
- encarregar (to entrust, to charge with)
- Meaning
- The Portuguese verb 'encarregar' is a versatile word that signifies giving someone a responsibility, a task, or a duty. It implies a delegation of authority or a trust placed in an individual to perform a certain action or manage a specific matter. Think of it as assigning a job or officially putting someone in charge of something.
- Usage Scenarios
- You'll commonly hear 'encarregar' in various contexts: in the workplace when a manager assigns a project to an employee ('O chefe me encarregou de organizar a reunião.'); in family settings when parents give a child a chore ('Mamãe me encarregou de arrumar meu quarto.'); in official capacities where someone is formally given a role ('O diretor encarregou a professora de coordenar o evento.'); or even in more casual situations where one person asks another to handle a task ('Você pode me encarregar de comprar o pão?'). It's a word that speaks to delegation and the act of assigning duties.
O gerente vai me encarregar de preparar a apresentação para a próxima semana.
Fui encarregado de cuidar dos convidados durante a festa.
Eles nos encarregaram de entregar os pacotes pessoalmente.
- Verb Conjugation
- 'Encarregar' is a regular verb in the -ar conjugation. Present tense examples: eu encarrego, tu encarregas, ele/ela encarrega, nós encarregamos, vós encarregais, eles/elas encarregam. Past participle: encarregado(a).
A diretora encarregou o professor de organizar a excursão.
- Synonym Hint
- Think of 'assigning a duty' or 'giving a task'.
Você foi encarregado de levar os convites.
- Nuance
- While it implies a formal assignment, 'encarregar' can also be used in less formal contexts to mean 'asking someone to take care of something'. The key is the act of passing on a responsibility.
Por favor, encarregue-se de avisar a todos sobre a mudança de horário.
- Basic Structure
- The most common structure is 'encarregar alguém de algo' or 'encarregar alguém de fazer algo'. 'Alguém' is the person being entrusted, and 'algo' or 'fazer algo' is the task or responsibility.
O professor encarregou os alunos de pesquisar sobre o tema.
- Direct Object
- The person being entrusted with the task is the direct object of the verb 'encarregar'. For example, in 'Eu encarreguei Maria', Maria is the direct object.
Nós encarregamos o João da organização do evento.
- Indirect Object (Less Common)
- While less frequent, you might encounter 'encarregar algo a alguém', meaning to entrust something to someone. However, the 'de' construction is far more prevalent.
A empresa encarregou a agência de publicidade da campanha.
- Reflexive Form: Encarregar-se
- The reflexive form 'encarregar-se de' means 'to take charge of', 'to be responsible for', or 'to see to it'. This is very common and emphasizes the subject taking on the responsibility.
Eu vou encarregar-me de resolver este problema.
- Past Participle Usage
- The past participle 'encarregado' (masculine) or 'encarregada' (feminine) is used to describe someone who has been entrusted with a task. It functions as an adjective or part of a passive construction.
Ele é o responsável, foi encarregado de tudo.
- Formal vs. Informal
- 'Encarregar' can be used in both formal and informal settings. In formal contexts, it denotes official appointments or significant responsibilities. In informal contexts, it's often used for everyday tasks.
O CEO encarregou o diretor financeiro de analisar os resultados.
- Future Tense Example
- In the future, someone will be entrusted with a task.
Amanhã, o chefe encarregará você de receber os clientes.
- Workplace
- In professional environments, 'encarregar' is used frequently. Managers and supervisors often 'encarregar' employees with specific projects, tasks, or responsibilities. For instance, 'O gerente me encarregou de liderar a equipe neste projeto.' (The manager entrusted me with leading the team on this project.) This signals a formal delegation of duty.
O diretor encarregou o departamento de marketing de criar uma nova campanha.
- Educational Settings
- Teachers and professors use 'encarregar' when assigning homework, research projects, or specific roles within a class. 'A professora encarregou os alunos de apresentar seus trabalhos na próxima aula.' (The teacher assigned the students to present their work in the next class.)
Fui encarregado de apresentar o resumo do capítulo.
- Family and Home
- Even in casual family conversations, the verb appears. Parents might 'encarregar' a child with a household chore. 'Mãe, você pode me encarregar de regar as plantas?' (Mom, can you assign me to water the plants?) Or, 'Eu encarreguei meu filho de comprar o pão.' (I tasked my son with buying the bread.)
Os pais encarregaram os filhos de arrumar a casa.
- Official Announcements and News
- In news reports or official statements, you might hear about someone being 'encarregado' with a specific duty, especially in government or organizational contexts. 'O novo ministro foi encarregado de reformar o sistema de saúde.' (The new minister was tasked with reforming the healthcare system.)
O comitê foi encarregado de investigar o incidente.
- Service Industries
- In hotels or event planning, staff might be 'encarregados' with specific guest services or event coordination. 'O recepcionista foi encarregado de ajudar os hóspedes com informações turísticas.' (The receptionist was tasked with helping guests with tourist information.)
A equipe de segurança foi encarregada de manter a ordem.
- Everyday Conversations
- In casual chats among friends or acquaintances, one might ask another to 'encarregar-se' of something. 'Podes encarregar-te de trazer as bebidas?' (Can you take charge of bringing the drinks?). This is a common way to delegate small favors.
Eu me encarreguei de comprar os ingressos.
- Forgetting 'de'
- A very common mistake for learners is to forget the preposition 'de' after 'encarregar' when specifying the task. For example, saying 'Eu encarreguei ele fazer o relatório' instead of the correct 'Eu encarreguei ele de fazer o relatório'. The 'de' is crucial for connecting the verb to the action or responsibility.
Incorrect: Ele me encarregou comprar o pão.
- Incorrect Pronoun Usage (Direct Object)
- When 'encarregar' is used transitively, the person being entrusted is the direct object. This means using object pronouns like 'me', 'te', 'o', 'a', 'nos', 'vos', 'os', 'as'. A mistake might be using an indirect object pronoun. For example, saying 'Eu encarreguei a ele' instead of 'Eu o encarreguei' or 'Eu encarreguei ele' (colloquial, but correct). Using 'a ele' is more common with verbs that take indirect objects.
Incorrect: Eu encarreguei a ela para fazer o trabalho.
- Confusing with 'incumbir'
- The verb 'incumbir' also means to entrust or assign a task. However, 'incumbir' is generally more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. Using 'encarregar' in such formal situations might sound slightly less appropriate, though not entirely wrong. The main difference is register.
Incorrect: O juiz me encarregou de apresentar as provas (sounds a bit informal for a judge).
- Misusing the Reflexive Form
- The reflexive form 'encarregar-se de' means 'to take charge of'. A mistake would be to use it when you are the one assigning the task to someone else. For example, saying 'Eu me encarreguei de organizar a festa' when you are actually asking someone else to do it. The correct way to assign would be 'Eu encarreguei ele de organizar a festa'.
Incorrect: Eu me encarreguei de que você fizesse o trabalho (meaning: I took charge of you doing the work).
- Incorrect Verb Tense
- Like any verb, using the wrong tense can lead to miscommunication. Ensure you are using the correct conjugation for the time of the action (present, past, future).
Incorrect: Amanhã eu encarreguei ele de trazer o relatório.
- Designar
- 'Designar' means to designate or appoint someone to a position or task. It's very similar to 'encarregar' but often implies a more official or formal appointment to a role, rather than just a single task.
Example: 'O rei designou seu filho como sucessor.' (The king designated his son as successor.)
Example: 'O diretor designou a Maria para liderar o projeto.' (The director appointed Maria to lead the project.)
- Atribuir
- 'Atribuir' means to attribute, assign, or allocate something. It can be used for assigning tasks, responsibilities, or even credit. It's slightly broader than 'encarregar' and can imply giving something its due or assigning a cause.
Example: 'O professor atribuiu uma nota alta ao trabalho do aluno.' (The teacher attributed a high grade to the student's work.)
Example: 'O gerente atribuiu novas tarefas à equipe.' (The manager assigned new tasks to the team.)
- Responsabilizar
- 'Responsabilizar' means to make someone responsible or to hold someone accountable. It's closely related to 'encarregar' as entrusting someone with a task inherently makes them responsible for it.
Example: 'A empresa responsabilizou o funcionário pelo erro.' (The company held the employee responsible for the mistake.)
Example: 'É importante responsabilizar as crianças por suas ações.' (It's important to make children responsible for their actions.)
- Confiar
- 'Confiar' means to trust or confide. While 'encarregar' implies entrusting someone with a task, 'confiar' focuses more on the element of trust itself. You might 'encarregar' someone because you 'confia' in them.
Example: 'Eu confio em você para fazer este trabalho.' (I trust you to do this job.)
Example: 'Ele me confiou um segredo importante.' (He confided an important secret to me.)
- Cometer
- 'Cometer' can mean to commit or to entrust, especially in a more formal or archaic sense, often used with 'a'. It's less common in everyday speech for assigning tasks compared to 'encarregar'.
Example: 'O general cometeu a missão ao capitão.' (The general entrusted the mission to the captain.)
- Incumbir
- As mentioned in common mistakes, 'incumbir' is a more formal synonym for 'encarregar', often used in legal, official, or academic contexts.
Example: 'A comissão foi incumbida de investigar as causas do acidente.' (The commission was tasked with investigating the causes of the accident.)
- Delegar
- 'Delegar' is a direct cognate and means to delegate. It's very similar to 'encarregar' and is commonly used in professional and organizational settings.
Example: 'O chefe delegou a responsabilidade de gerenciar a equipe para mim.' (The boss delegated the responsibility of managing the team to me.)
How Formal Is It?
"O conselho de administração encarregou o CEO de apresentar um plano de reestruturação."
"O professor encarregou os alunos de escreverem um ensaio."
"Mãe, me encarregas de ir ao mercado?"
"Mamãe te encarrega de arrumar seus brinquedos."
Fun Fact
The root 'carro' (cart) links 'encarregar' to words like 'carroça' (cart) and even 'carregamento' (load). The initial idea was about putting a burden or load onto something or someone.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'e' in 're' too strongly.
- Misplacing the stress.
- Not clearly enunciating the final 'r' sound.
Difficulty Rating
The verb itself is common, but understanding its various constructions (with 'de', reflexive form, passive voice) can be challenging. Recognizing its synonyms and nuances requires practice.
Correctly using the preposition 'de' and appropriate object pronouns is key. Mastering the reflexive form 'encarregar-se de' is also important for fluency.
Pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but spontaneous use in conversation, especially with correct grammar, takes practice.
The word is frequently used, so listening comprehension is important. Distinguishing it from synonyms and understanding the context are crucial.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Preposition 'de' after verbs
Many verbs in Portuguese are followed by the preposition 'de' before an infinitive verb or a noun, such as 'precisar de', 'gostar de', and 'encarregar de'.
Direct Object Pronouns
When 'encarregar' takes a direct object pronoun (me, te, o, a, nos, vos, os, as), it refers to the person being entrusted. E.g., 'Eu o encarreguei' (I entrusted him).
Reflexive Verbs
Verbs like 'encarregar' can become reflexive ('encarregar-se') when the subject performs the action on itself or takes on the responsibility. E.g., 'Eu me encarreguei de tudo'.
Passive Voice
The passive voice is formed using 'ser' + past participle. 'Fui encarregado' means 'I was entrusted/assigned'.
Verb Conjugation (-ar verbs)
'Encarregar' follows the regular conjugation pattern for -ar verbs, making it predictable in different tenses.
Examples by Level
Eu encarrego você de arrumar o quarto.
I entrust you with tidying the room.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'você'.
Ele encarregou a irmã de comprar pão.
He tasked his sister with buying bread.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Nós encarregamos o João de levar os convites.
We tasked João with delivering the invitations.
Simple present tense, proper noun as direct object.
A professora encarregou o aluno de ler o livro.
The teacher assigned the student to read the book.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela se encarregou de fazer o bolo.
She took charge of making the cake.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', simple present.
Você pode me encarregar de buscar a encomenda?
Can you entrust me with picking up the package?
Question form, infinitive 'buscar'.
O pai encarregou o filho de cuidar do cachorro.
The father tasked the son with taking care of the dog.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Eu encarreguei meu amigo de me ajudar.
I entrusted my friend with helping me.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O chefe me encarregou de preparar a reunião.
The boss tasked me with preparing the meeting.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'me'.
Fui encarregado de organizar a festa de aniversário.
I was tasked with organizing the birthday party.
Past participle used in passive voice.
Eles encarregaram a equipe de encontrar uma solução.
They tasked the team with finding a solution.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Você se encarregou de comprar os ingressos?
Did you take charge of buying the tickets?
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', interrogative, simple past (pretérito perfeito).
A diretora encarregou os professores de supervisionar os alunos.
The director assigned the teachers to supervise the students.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela encarregou o irmão de cuidar do jardim.
She tasked her brother with taking care of the garden.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O gerente encarregou a mim de apresentar os resultados.
The manager tasked me with presenting the results.
Emphatic direct object pronoun 'a mim' (colloquial, often replaced by 'me').
Nós nos encarregamos de toda a logística.
We took care of all the logistics.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', simple present.
O supervisor me encarregou de gerenciar o novo projeto.
The supervisor entrusted me with managing the new project.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'me'.
Fui encarregado de representar a empresa na conferência.
I was assigned to represent the company at the conference.
Past participle in passive voice.
Eles encarregaram o comitê de investigar o incidente.
They tasked the committee with investigating the incident.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Você já se encarregou de enviar os e-mails?
Have you already taken care of sending the emails?
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', interrogative, present perfect tense.
A presidente encarregou os ministros de propor novas leis.
The president assigned the ministers to propose new laws.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela encarregou o advogado de defender seus interesses.
She entrusted the lawyer with defending her interests.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O cliente encarregou a agência de criar a campanha publicitária.
The client commissioned the agency to create the advertising campaign.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Nós nos encarregaremos de garantir a segurança do evento.
We will take care of ensuring the security of the event.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', future tense.
O diretor me encarregou de reestruturar o departamento financeiro.
The director entrusted me with restructuring the finance department.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'me'.
Fui encarregado de negociar os termos do contrato.
I was assigned to negotiate the terms of the contract.
Past participle in passive voice.
O conselho encarregou o consórcio de realizar as obras públicas.
The council commissioned the consortium to carry out the public works.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Você se encarregou de verificar todos os detalhes?
Did you take charge of checking all the details?
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', interrogative, past perfect tense.
A embaixada encarregou o cônsul de resolver a crise diplomática.
The embassy tasked the consul with resolving the diplomatic crisis.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela encarregou o especialista de analisar os dados científicos.
She entrusted the specialist with analyzing the scientific data.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O cliente encarregou a equipe de desenvolvimento de criar um novo software.
The client commissioned the development team to create new software.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Nós nos encarregaremos de implementar as novas políticas.
We will take charge of implementing the new policies.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', future tense.
O CEO me encarregou de liderar a transformação digital da empresa.
The CEO entrusted me with leading the company's digital transformation.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'me'.
Fui encarregado de supervisionar a fusão das duas corporações.
I was assigned to oversee the merger of the two corporations.
Past participle in passive voice.
O governo encarregou a força-tarefa de combater a corrupção.
The government tasked the task force with combating corruption.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Você já se encarregou de obter as licenças necessárias?
Have you already taken charge of obtaining the necessary licenses?
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', interrogative, present perfect tense.
A organização encarregou seus representantes de negociar o acordo de paz.
The organization commissioned its representatives to negotiate the peace agreement.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela encarregou a equipe de pesquisa de desenvolver uma nova vacina.
She entrusted the research team with developing a new vaccine.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O cliente encarregou a consultoria de otimizar seus processos operacionais.
The client commissioned the consultancy to optimize its operational processes.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Nós nos encarregaremos de garantir a sustentabilidade do projeto a longo prazo.
We will take charge of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', future tense.
O conselho de administração me encarregou de reestruturar toda a cadeia de suprimentos global.
The board of directors entrusted me with restructuring the entire global supply chain.
Simple present tense, direct object pronoun 'me'.
Fui encarregado de mediar o conflito intergovernamental.
I was assigned to mediate the intergovernmental conflict.
Past participle in passive voice.
A Assembleia Geral encarregou a comissão de investigar as causas da crise econômica.
The General Assembly tasked the commission with investigating the causes of the economic crisis.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Você já se encarregou de obter as aprovações regulatórias internacionais?
Have you already taken charge of obtaining the international regulatory approvals?
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', interrogative, present perfect tense.
A organização encarregou seus enviados especiais de negociar um cessar-fogo permanente.
The organization commissioned its special envoys to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Ela encarregou a equipe multidisciplinar de conceber uma solução inovadora para o problema da poluição.
She entrusted the multidisciplinary team with conceiving an innovative solution to the pollution problem.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
O cliente encarregou a consultoria estratégica de redesenhar seu modelo de negócios para o mercado asiático.
The client commissioned the strategic consultancy to redesign its business model for the Asian market.
Simple present tense, 'de' + infinitive.
Nós nos encarregaremos de garantir a resiliência da infraestrutura crítica diante de futuras ameaças.
We will take charge of ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of future threats.
Reflexive verb 'encarregar-se', future tense.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— I took care of that. / I handled that.
Não se preocupe com a comida, me encarreguei disso.
— Who is in charge? / Who is responsible?
Quem está encarregado de receber os convidados?
— I was tasked with... / I was assigned to...
Fui encarregado de apresentar os resultados trimestrais.
— Take it upon yourself to inform. / Make sure to inform.
Encarregue-se de avisar a todos sobre a mudança de data.
— He took care of everything. / He handled everything.
Desde que ele chegou, ele se encarregou de tudo.
— They assigned me a difficult task.
Encarregaram-me de uma tarefa difícil: convencer o cliente.
— She handles the household matters.
Ela se encarrega dos assuntos da casa enquanto ele viaja.
— Can you entrust me with something? / Can you give me something to do?
Estou livre, você pode me encarregar de algo?
— The boss assigned him an important mission.
O chefe encarregou-o de uma missão importante: fechar o negócio.
— I took it upon myself to solve the problem.
Ninguém mais queria, então me encarreguei de resolver o problema.
Often Confused With
'Atribuir' can mean to assign, but it often implies giving credit or cause, whereas 'encarregar' is more about delegation of a task or responsibility.
'Designar' is similar but usually implies a more formal appointment to a specific role or position, rather than just a task.
'Incumbir' is a more formal synonym, often used in legal or official contexts, whereas 'encarregar' is more broadly applicable.
Idioms & Expressions
— To entrust a task to someone completely unsuitable or untrustworthy, often with disastrous results. It's like asking a fox to guard the henhouse.
Dar o controle financeiro a ele seria encarregar o diabo de tomar conta.
Informal— This is not a true idiom but a common phrasing where 'encarregar' is used with 'responsabilidade' to mean assigning responsibility.
O comitê foi encarregado da responsabilidade de fiscalizar o orçamento.
Neutral— To take on all responsibilities or handle every aspect of a situation. It implies a comprehensive management of tasks.
Ele é tão dedicado que se encarrega de tudo no escritório.
Neutral— Don't take on a responsibility or problem that isn't yours to handle.
É um problema deles, não se encarregue de algo que não é seu.
Informal— To take on a mission or a significant task, often with a sense of purpose or importance.
O soldado se encarregou de uma missão perigosa.
Neutral— To take on a burden or a heavy responsibility, often implying difficulty or hardship.
Ela se encarregou de um fardo pesado ao cuidar de toda a família.
Figurative— To take charge of ensuring that something is carried out or enforced.
O inspetor se encarregou de fazer cumprir as novas regras.
Formal— To take on the responsibility of handling a specific case, often in legal or investigative contexts.
O detetive se encarregou de um caso complicado.
Neutral— To take on the management and execution of a project.
A engenheira se encarregou de um projeto de grande escala.
Professional— To take on an unpleasant or thankless task.
Alguém precisa fazer, então me encarreguei de uma tarefa ingrata.
FigurativeEasily Confused
Both verbs can mean 'to assign'.
'Encarregar' is primarily about giving someone a task or responsibility to perform. 'Atribuir' can also mean assigning blame, credit, or cause, and is often used for allocating resources or tasks in a more general sense.
O juiz <strong>encarregou</strong> o perito de analisar as provas. (The judge tasked the expert with analyzing the evidence.) vs. O juiz <strong>atribuiu</strong> a culpa ao réu. (The judge attributed the blame to the defendant.)
Both mean to appoint or assign.
'Encarregar' focuses on the task or responsibility given. 'Designar' often implies appointing someone to a specific position, office, or role, and can be more formal. You can 'designar' someone to a committee, and then 'encarregar' them with a specific duty within that committee.
O rei <strong>designou</strong> seu filho como príncipe herdeiro. (The king designated his son as crown prince.) vs. O rei <strong>encarregou</strong> o príncipe de liderar a defesa do reino. (The king tasked the prince with leading the kingdom's defense.)
Entrusting someone with a task inherently makes them responsible.
'Encarregar' is the act of giving the task. 'Responsabilizar' is about making someone accountable for the outcome or consequences, or holding them liable. You 'encarregar' someone *to do* something, and then you might 'responsabilizar' them *for* the result.
O gerente <strong>encarregou</strong> o funcionário de completar o relatório até sexta-feira. (The manager tasked the employee with completing the report by Friday.) vs. O gerente <strong>responsabilizou</strong> o funcionário pelo atraso na entrega do relatório. (The manager held the employee responsible for the delay in submitting the report.)
Both mean to assign tasks or authority.
'Delegar' is a direct cognate and is very common in professional settings, often implying the transfer of authority. 'Encarregar' is a more general term for assigning any task or responsibility, whether formal or informal, and doesn't necessarily imply a transfer of authority.
O diretor <strong>delegou</strong> a autoridade de decisão ao gerente de projetos. (The director delegated decision-making authority to the project manager.) vs. O diretor <strong>encarregou</strong> o gerente de projetos de apresentar os resultados. (The director tasked the project manager with presenting the results.)
Both mean to assign a duty or task.
'Incumbir' is a more formal and often more solemn term, typically used in official, legal, or academic contexts. 'Encarregar' is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, from formal to informal.
O tribunal <strong>incumbiu</strong> o perito de fornecer um laudo técnico. (The court charged the expert with providing a technical report.) vs. A mãe <strong>encarregou</strong> o filho de comprar o pão. (The mother tasked the son with buying the bread.)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + encarregou + Object + de + infinitive verb
O professor encarregou o aluno de ler o capítulo.
Eu + me encarreguei + de + infinitive verb
Eu me encarreguei de comprar os bilhetes.
Fui + encarregado + de + infinitive verb
Fui encarregado de organizar a festa.
Subject + encarregou + Object + de + noun
A empresa encarregou o departamento de marketing da nova campanha.
Subject + encarregou + Object + de + infinitive verb (future tense)
O gerente encarregará a equipe de finalizar o relatório.
Subject + se encarregará + de + infinitive verb
Nós nos encarregaremos de resolver o problema.
Subject + encarregou + Object + de + complex infinitive phrase
O CEO encarregou o diretor de desenvolver uma estratégia de expansão global.
Fui encarregado de + noun phrase
Fui encarregado da liderança da equipe de projeto.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
-
Forgetting the preposition 'de'
→
O professor encarregou o aluno de ler o livro.
A common error is omitting 'de' when specifying the task. The correct structure requires 'de' before the infinitive verb or noun.
-
Using incorrect object pronouns
→
O chefe me encarregou da tarefa.
Using 'eu encarreguei ele' is common colloquially, but in more formal Portuguese, the direct object pronoun should precede the verb or be attached to the infinitive if used. 'Eu o encarreguei' is the formal equivalent.
-
Confusing 'encarregar' with 'encarregar-se'
→
Eu me encarreguei de comprar os ingressos.
Using 'Eu encarreguei' implies you assigned someone else the task. 'Eu me encarreguei' means you took on the task yourself.
-
Using 'encarregar' in a context where 'designar' or 'incumbir' would be more appropriate
→
O tribunal incumbiu o perito de analisar as provas.
While 'encarregar' can be used formally, 'incumbir' or 'designar' are often preferred in highly official or legal settings for greater precision in formality.
-
Incorrect verb conjugation
→
Amanhã, o gerente encarregará o funcionário de apresentar o relatório.
Using the wrong tense or person can lead to miscommunication. Ensure you are conjugating 'encarregar' correctly for the subject and the intended time frame.
Tips
Master the 'de'
The preposition 'de' is almost always required after 'encarregar' when specifying the task. Make sure to include it: 'encarregar alguém de fazer algo'. Forgetting it is a common mistake.
Use Reflexively for Self-Assignment
When you are taking on a task yourself, use the reflexive form 'encarregar-se de'. This clearly indicates you are the one taking responsibility. Example: 'Eu me encarreguei de trazer o bolo.'
Know Your Synonyms
Familiarize yourself with synonyms like 'designar', 'atribuir', and 'delegar'. Understanding their nuances will help you choose the most appropriate word for different contexts and formality levels.
Stress the Third Syllable
The stress in 'encarregar' falls on the third syllable: en-ca-RRE-gar. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural.
Write Your Own Sentences
Actively write sentences using 'encarregar' in different tenses and structures. This hands-on practice is crucial for internalizing the verb's usage.
Listen Actively
When listening to Portuguese speakers, try to identify when they use 'encarregar'. Note the context and the specific task or responsibility being assigned.
Avoid Pronoun Errors
Be mindful of using the correct direct object pronouns (me, te, o, a, etc.) when 'encarregar' refers to the person being tasked. 'Eu o encarreguei' is more formal than 'Eu encarreguei ele'.
Use Mnemonics
Connect 'encarregar' to 'carro' (cart). Imagine loading someone with a task, like loading a cart. This visual link can help you remember the meaning.
Explore 'Encarregado'
The past participle 'encarregado' is very common as an adjective meaning 'in charge' or 'responsible'. Learn phrases like 'encarregado da segurança' (in charge of security).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone 'carrying' a big 'cart' full of responsibilities. You 'en-CAR-regar' someone by giving them that cart to carry.
Visual Association
Picture a person physically handing a heavy box labeled 'Responsibility' to another person, who looks a bit overwhelmed but accepts it. The 'en-CAR-regar' action is like loading that box onto them.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'encarregar' in three different sentences today: one where you assign a task, one where you take on a task using the reflexive form, and one where you describe someone else being assigned a task.
Word Origin
The word 'encarregar' comes from the Latin 'in' (in, on) and 'carrus' (cart, carriage), suggesting the idea of loading something onto a cart or vehicle. Over time, this evolved to mean loading someone with a task or responsibility.
Original meaning: To load, to burden, to entrust.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > PortugueseCultural Context
While 'encarregar' is a neutral verb, the context in which it's used can imply power dynamics. Assigning a difficult or undesirable task to someone might be perceived negatively if not handled with care.
In English, equivalents like 'to entrust', 'to assign', 'to charge with', 'to commission', and 'to delegate' capture different facets of 'encarregar'. The reflexive 'to take charge of' maps well to 'encarregar-se de'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Workplace assignments
- O chefe me encarregou de...
- Fui encarregado de...
- Quem está encarregado deste projeto?
Family chores
- Mamãe me encarregou de...
- Ele se encarregou de arrumar o quarto.
Official duties
- O comitê foi encarregado de...
- A embaixada encarregou o cônsul de...
Taking personal responsibility
- Eu me encarreguei disso.
- Eu me encarregarei de resolver o problema.
Educational tasks
- O professor encarregou os alunos de...
- Fui encarregado de apresentar o trabalho.
Conversation Starters
"What kind of tasks has your boss recently 'encarregado' you with?"
"If you could 'encarregar' anyone in the world with a task, who would it be and what would it be?"
"Have you ever had to 'encarregar-se de' a big event? How did it go?"
"What's a responsibility you were 'encarregado' with that you really enjoyed?"
"How do you feel when you are 'encarregado' of something important?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were 'encarregado' with a significant responsibility. What did you learn from the experience?
Write about a situation where you had to 'encarregar-se de' a difficult task. What steps did you take?
Imagine you are a manager. How would you 'encarregar' your team members with different tasks to ensure success?
Reflect on a time you felt overwhelmed by a task you were 'encarregado' with. How did you cope?
Consider the phrase 'encarregar o diabo de tomar conta'. Can you think of a real-life or fictional example where this happened?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common structure is 'encarregar alguém de fazer algo' (to entrust someone with doing something) or 'encarregar alguém de algo' (to entrust someone with something). For example, 'Eu encarreguei meu irmão de lavar o carro' (I tasked my brother with washing the car).
The reflexive form 'encarregar-se de' means 'to take charge of', 'to be responsible for', or 'to see to it'. It indicates that the subject is taking on the responsibility themselves. For example, 'Eu me encarreguei de organizar a festa' means 'I took charge of organizing the party'.
Yes, 'designar' is usually more formal and implies appointing someone to a specific position or role, whereas 'encarregar' is more about assigning a task or responsibility, which can be formal or informal.
The past participle is 'encarregado' (masculine) or 'encarregada' (feminine). It is used to describe someone who has been assigned a task, often in passive constructions like 'Fui encarregado de...' (I was tasked with...).
While less common in formal Portuguese, in colloquial speech, you might hear 'encarregar alguém fazer algo' without 'de'. However, the standard and recommended form is to use 'de'.
'Encarregar' is about giving a task or responsibility. 'Atribuir' can also mean assign, but it's also used for assigning blame, credit, or cause, and for allocating resources.
Like other regular -ar verbs, the future tense is formed by adding the future endings to the infinitive. For 'eu', it's 'encarregarei'; for 'você/ele/ela', it's 'encarregar'; for 'nós', it's 'encarregaremos'. For example: 'Eu encarregarei você de trazer os documentos.'
'O encarreguei' uses the direct object pronoun and is grammatically correct, especially in formal writing. 'Encarreguei ele' is very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and is considered acceptable in informal contexts, though some grammarians prefer the pronoun placement before the verb or the object pronoun after the verb with the infinitive.
It means 'in charge of security' or 'responsible for security'. It's a common phrase to describe someone's role.
Yes, while it often involves tasks for people, you can 'encarregar' a committee with a duty or a department with a goal. For example, 'O conselho encarregou a comissão de investigar o caso.'
Test Yourself 10 questions
/ 10 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'encarregar' means to entrust someone with a task or responsibility. It's often used with the preposition 'de' followed by the action, like 'encarregar alguém de fazer algo'. The reflexive form 'encarregar-se de' means to take charge of something.
- To entrust someone with a task.
- Assigning responsibility or duty.
- Giving someone a job to do.
- Delegate a responsibility or task.
Master the 'de'
The preposition 'de' is almost always required after 'encarregar' when specifying the task. Make sure to include it: 'encarregar alguém de fazer algo'. Forgetting it is a common mistake.
Use Reflexively for Self-Assignment
When you are taking on a task yourself, use the reflexive form 'encarregar-se de'. This clearly indicates you are the one taking responsibility. Example: 'Eu me encarreguei de trazer o bolo.'
Know Your Synonyms
Familiarize yourself with synonyms like 'designar', 'atribuir', and 'delegar'. Understanding their nuances will help you choose the most appropriate word for different contexts and formality levels.
Stress the Third Syllable
The stress in 'encarregar' falls on the third syllable: en-ca-RRE-gar. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural.
Related Content
More work words
a curto prazo
A2Over a short period of time; short-term.
à exceção de
B1With the exception of; apart from.
a longo prazo
A2Over a long period of time; long-term.
a não ser que
A2Unless; except if; only if not.
a partir de
A2Starting from; from a certain point in time or place.
a prazo
A2For a period of time; on credit or payment terms.
a tempo inteiro
B1Full-time; working the full number of hours considered normal for a job.
a tempo parcial
B1Part-time; working less than full-time hours.
abdicar
A2To give up, to abdicate; to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, or claim.
acessível
B1Available, accessible; easy to approach or use.
