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A2 verb #4,000 most common 12 min read

engordar

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips engordar in 30 Seconds

Explanation engordar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'engordar' as a simple action word. It means 'to get fat' or 'to gain weight'. Think of it as the opposite of 'comer pouco' (to eat little). At this stage, focus on the present tense: 'Eu engordo' (I gain weight), 'Você engorda' (You gain weight). You might use it to talk about food, like 'Chocolate engorda' (Chocolate makes you fat). It's a useful word for basic conversations about food and health. Just remember that it is a regular '-ar' verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'estudar'. Keep your sentences short and direct. Don't worry about the metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the physical process of gaining weight. For example, 'No Natal, as pessoas engordam' (At Christmas, people gain weight). This is a very common observation that everyone understands.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'engordar' in more varied tenses, like the past (Pretérito Perfeito) and the future. You will often use it to describe changes that have already happened: 'Eu engordei dois quilos' (I gained two kilos). You should also understand its transitive use—when something *causes* weight gain. 'Comer muito pão engorda' (Eating a lot of bread is fattening). At this level, you might also encounter it in simple advice or health contexts. You can start to use it with frequency adverbs: 'Eu engordo facilmente' (I gain weight easily). You should also be aware that 'ganhar peso' is a more polite synonym that you can use in more formal situations. Practice connecting 'engordar' with reasons, such as 'engordar por causa do estresse' (to gain weight because of stress). This helps you build more complex sentences and express cause and effect.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'engordar' in all main tenses, including the subjunctive. For example, 'Minha mãe não quer que eu engorde' (My mother doesn't want me to gain weight). You will also start to see the word used in more specific contexts, like agriculture or finance. You might read a news headline about 'engordar a economia' or 'engordar os lucros' (fattening profits). At this stage, you should recognize that 'engordar' can be used metaphorically to mean 'to increase' or 'to expand'. You will also learn idiomatic expressions like 'engordar o olho' (to be greedy). You should be able to discuss the social implications of weight gain in a conversation, using 'engordar' to describe trends or personal experiences with more nuance. You'll also learn the noun 'engorda', used mainly in farming: 'O gado está no pasto para a engorda'.

At the B2 level, you can use 'engordar' with sophistication, understanding its subtle connotations in different Portuguese-speaking cultures. You can use it to describe complex processes, such as 'engordar o currículo' (to beef up a resume) or 'engordar o caixa da empresa' (to increase company cash reserves). You should be able to debate topics like health, body image, and the food industry using this verb and its derivatives. You will understand the difference between 'engordar' (the process) and 'estar gordo' (the state) and use them correctly in narrative writing. You'll also encounter the word in more formal or literary texts where it might describe the 'fattening' of a plot or the 'swelling' of a crowd. Your ability to switch between literal and metaphorical uses should be fluid, allowing you to express both physical and abstract growth with ease.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the stylistic uses of 'engordar'. You can use it to create vivid imagery in writing, perhaps describing a 'rio engordado pelas chuvas' (a river swollen/fattened by the rains). You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word, including how its meaning has shifted from a sign of prosperity to a modern health concern. You can use the verb in complex grammatical structures, such as 'Se não fosse pela dieta, ele teria engordado significativamente'. You are also familiar with rare or regional synonyms and can choose 'engordar' over them for specific rhetorical effects. You can analyze how the word is used in marketing or political discourse to manipulate perceptions of growth and abundance. Your use of the word is precise, culturally sensitive, and contextually appropriate in both high-level academic and professional settings.

At the C2 level, 'engordar' is a tool you use with near-native precision and creativity. You can masterfully employ it in irony, sarcasm, or poetic descriptions. You might use it to describe the 'engordar' of a philosophical argument or the 'fattening' of a bureaucratic process with a critical edge. You have a complete grasp of its etymological roots and how they connect to other Romance languages, allowing you to appreciate the word's place in the broader linguistic landscape. You can handle the most sensitive social situations involving weight gain with perfect tact, choosing between 'engordar' and its many euphemisms with ease. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural, recognizing how it functions in the collective psyche of various Lusophone societies. You use 'engordar' not just as a verb, but as a reflection of your profound immersion in the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

engordar in 30 Seconds

Engordar means to gain weight or become fatter, serving as the direct antonym to 'emagrecer'. It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese.
It can be used for people, animals (fattening for market), or metaphorically for things like bank accounts, resumes, or profit margins.
Commonly used in both transitive ('Sugar fattens') and intransitive ('I gained weight') forms, making it highly versatile in daily conversation.
While direct, it can be sensitive in social contexts; 'ganhar peso' is often a more polite alternative when discussing someone's physical appearance.

The Portuguese verb engordar is a fundamental term used to describe the process of gaining weight, becoming fatter, or increasing in volume. At its core, it is the direct opposite of emagrecer (to lose weight). While the primary application is biological—referring to humans or animals putting on body mass—the word carries significant cultural and metaphorical weight in the Lusophone world. Understanding when to use it requires a grasp of both its literal mechanics and its social nuances. In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, discussing weight can be more direct than in some English-speaking contexts, though it still requires sensitivity depending on the relationship between speakers.

Biological Process: The most common usage refers to the physical act of an organism accumulating fat. It is an intransitive verb when describing the state of a person (e.g., 'Eu engordei'), but it can also be transitive when something makes someone else gain weight (e.g., 'Doces engordam').

Comer muito fast food faz a pessoa engordar rapidamente se não houver exercício físico.

Beyond the physical, engordar is frequently used in financial contexts. You might hear someone talk about 'engordar a conta bancária' (fattening the bank account) or 'engordar o orçamento' (increasing the budget). This metaphorical use mirrors the English 'to fatten up' and implies growth, accumulation, and prosperity. In agricultural settings, it is the technical term for preparing livestock for market, focusing on the quality and quantity of the animal's mass.

Metaphorical Growth: Used to describe the expansion of non-physical entities, such as profits, lists, or even a collection of items. It suggests a process of filling out or making something more substantial.

O bônus de Natal serviu para engordar as economias da família para a viagem de verão.

Socially, the verb can be sensitive. While 'Você engordou?' (Did you gain weight?) might be a neutral observation between close relatives in some regions, it can be perceived as rude in professional or formal settings. It is often used in the reflexive form 'se engordar' in certain regional dialects, though 'engordar' as a simple intransitive verb is the standard. The word is deeply tied to the concept of 'fartura' (abundance), where historically, being 'gordo' was a sign of health and wealth, though modern health standards have shifted this perception significantly.

O gado precisa engordar antes de ser levado para o leilão no próximo mês.

Culinary Context: In cooking, 'engordar o molho' can mean adding cream or butter to thicken and enrich a sauce, making it 'fatter' in texture and flavor.

Muitas pessoas reclamam que costumam engordar durante as férias de inverno.

In summary, engordar is more than just a biological verb; it is a versatile tool for describing growth across physical, financial, and culinary domains. Its usage reflects a transition from a historical view of abundance to a modern preoccupation with fitness, making it a rich word for learners to master in various registers of speech.

Mastering the use of engordar involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-ar' verb and its role in different sentence structures. It can function as an intransitive verb, where the subject undergoes the change, or as a transitive verb, where the subject causes the change in something else. This flexibility is key to sounding natural in Portuguese.

Intransitive Usage (Personal): When the subject is the one gaining weight. 'Eu engordei cinco quilos' (I gained five kilos). Here, the focus is entirely on the result of the process.

Desde que parei de fumar, eu sinto que comecei a engordar um pouco mais.

When used transitively, engordar describes the cause of the weight gain. 'O açúcar engorda' (Sugar makes [one] fat). This is extremely common in health and nutrition discussions. You can also use it to describe the intentional act of fattening something up, like livestock: 'O fazendeiro engorda os porcos com milho' (The farmer fattens the pigs with corn).

Causative Usage: Used when an object or food item is the subject that causes the weight gain. 'Massas e pães engordam muito' (Pasta and bread are very fattening).

Dizem que comer tarde da noite pode engordar mais do que comer durante o dia.

The verb also appears in passive constructions or with pronouns to emphasize the process. 'Ele se deixou engordar' (He let himself get fat). In more formal writing, you might see the noun form 'engorda' (the fattening), particularly in agriculture: 'O período de engorda do gado é crucial para a qualidade da carne'.

A nova dieta foi desenhada especificamente para não deixar o paciente engordar após a cirurgia.

Metaphorical Use in Finance: 'Engordar o caixa' is a common business idiom meaning to increase cash reserves. 'A empresa vendeu ativos para engordar o caixa' (The company sold assets to boost its cash).

Se você continuar a engordar o seu currículo com cursos, logo terá uma promoção.

Whether you are talking about health, animals, or money, the structure remains consistent. The verb is highly adaptable, allowing you to describe both the natural progression of weight gain and the deliberate effort to increase substance or value in various aspects of life.

In daily life across Brazil, Portugal, and other Lusophone nations, engordar is a word that surfaces in a variety of environments—from the dinner table to the doctor's office, and from the gym to the financial news. Its prevalence is a testament to how weight and growth are central themes in human conversation.

The Family Dinner Table: You will often hear elders encourage children to eat more so they 'engordem' (gain weight/get strong). In many traditional families, a bit of extra weight is still seen as a sign of health and vitality.

Coma mais um pouco, meu filho, você está muito magro e precisa engordar!

In the medical and fitness world, the word is used clinically. Nutritionists discuss 'dietas de engorda' for patients who are underweight, while fitness trainers might warn about 'alimentos que engordam' (foods that make you gain weight). Here, the tone is objective and focused on health outcomes. You'll see it in health magazines, on food packaging (often in the negative, 'não engorda'), and in television segments about lifestyle.

Financial News and Business: Journalists use the term to describe expanding profit margins or increasing state revenues. 'O governo busca medidas para engordar a arrecadação' (The government seeks measures to fatten tax collection).

As exportações de soja ajudaram a engordar o superávit comercial do país este ano.

In rural areas, engordar is part of the professional jargon of 'pecuária' (cattle ranching). Ranchers discuss the 'fase de engorda' (fattening phase) of their livestock. This is a critical economic period where the value of the animal is determined by how much weight it can gain before slaughter. The word here is entirely utilitarian and economic.

O preço do milho subiu, o que torna mais caro engordar o gado no confinamento.

Informal Slang and Idioms: Among friends, someone might say 'vou engordar só de olhar para esse bolo' (I'll gain weight just by looking at this cake), a common hyperbolic expression used when faced with tempting, high-calorie treats.

Parei de comer pão porque não quero engordar antes do meu casamento.

Ultimately, engordar is woven into the fabric of Portuguese life. Whether it's a concern about health, a strategy for business, or a casual remark at a bakery, you will hear it frequently, reflecting the universal human experiences of growth, consumption, and the passage of time.

For English speakers learning Portuguese, engordar can present a few hurdles, primarily due to how it differs from English weight-related idioms and its grammatical behavior. Avoiding these common pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker and prevent awkward misunderstandings.

Mistake 1: Using 'Pôr' or 'Ganhar' incorrectly: English speakers often try to translate 'to put on weight' literally as 'pôr peso'. While 'ganhar peso' is correct and common, 'pôr peso' is almost never used in this context. The most natural choice is usually the single verb engordar.

Errado: Eu pus peso no inverno.
Correto: Eu engordei no inverno.

Another frequent error is confusing engordar with the adjective gordo. Learners might say 'Eu estou engordando' when they mean they are already fat, or 'Eu sou engordar' which is grammatically incorrect. Remember: engordar is the action or process, while gordo is the state. Use 'estou gordo' for 'I am fat' and 'estou engordando' for 'I am currently gaining weight'.

Mistake 2: Preposition Pitfalls: When specifying how much weight was gained, use 'em' or no preposition at all. 'Engordei cinco quilos' is perfect. Avoid using 'por' or 'com' in this specific numeric context.

Errado: Ela engordou por dez libras.
Correto: Ela engordou cinco quilos.

Socially, the biggest mistake is overusing the word in direct conversation. In English, we might say 'You've filled out', which sounds slightly more polite than 'You've gotten fat'. In Portuguese, 'Você engordou' is very direct. Unless you are very close to the person, it is safer to use 'Você parece mais forte' (You look stronger) or 'Você parece mais saudável' (You look healthier) if you mean it as a compliment.

Cuidado: Dizer 'Nossa, como você engordou!' pode ser considerado uma ofensa grave.

Mistake 3: Transitive vs. Intransitive Confusion: Some learners forget that foods 'engordam' (transitive). They might try to say 'A pizza é engordar', which is wrong. It should be 'A pizza engorda' (Pizza is fattening).

Muitos estudantes confundem engordar com o verbo 'encher' (to fill), mas eles têm usos bem distintos.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—focusing on the process, using the correct prepositions, and maintaining social awareness—you will use engordar accurately and effectively in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

While engordar is the most direct way to talk about gaining weight, Portuguese offers a variety of synonyms and related terms that can add nuance to your speech. Depending on the context—whether it's medical, informal, or metaphorical—choosing the right alternative can significantly enhance your fluency.

Ganhar Peso: This is the most common and polite alternative to 'engordar'. It is equivalent to 'to gain weight'. It sounds slightly more clinical or neutral and is often preferred in health-conscious discussions.

O médico disse que eu preciso ganhar peso para recuperar minha energia.

For a more positive or aesthetic connotation, you might use encorpar. This verb suggests 'filling out' or 'becoming more robust' rather than just 'getting fat'. It is often used to describe someone who has gained muscle or whose physique has become more impressive. Similarly, arredondar (to round out) can be used euphemistically to describe someone gaining a bit of weight in a way that makes them look softer or more 'rounded'.

Cebar: Specifically used in agriculture for fattening up animals for slaughter. It is rarely used for humans unless it is intended as a harsh insult, implying the person is being treated like livestock.

Eles estão a cevar os porcos com uma mistura especial de grãos.

In a metaphorical sense, especially regarding money or resources, you can use avolumar (to increase in volume) or acrescentar (to add to). While engordar is more colorful, these terms are more formal. For example, 'avolumar a dívida' (to increase the debt) sounds more professional than 'engordar a dívida', although both are understood.

O constante acúmulo de juros fez avolumar o montante total que ele devia ao banco.

Nutrir: While 'to nourish', it is sometimes used as a positive alternative when weight gain is the result of better health and nutrition. 'Ele se nutriu bem e finalmente parou de emagrecer'.

Depois de meses doente, ele finalmente começou a encorpar e a ter mais disposição.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to navigate social situations with more grace and describe growth in a way that is perfectly suited to the topic at hand, whether you are talking about a person's health, an animal's progress, or a company's financial growth.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O aumento das exportações permitiu engordar as reservas internacionais."

Neutral

"Eu engordei um pouco durante o inverno."

Informal

"Cara, eu engordei pra caramba nessas férias!"

Child friendly

"O porquinho precisa comer para engordar e ficar fortinho."

Slang

"Ele engordou o olho no meu lanche."

Fun Fact

The root 'gurdus' is also the ancestor of the Spanish word 'gordo'. In ancient times, being 'gordo' was often associated with being slow or dull, but also with wealth and health.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ẽ.ɡoɾ.ˈdaɾ/

US /ẽ.ɡoɾ.ˈdaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: en-gor-DAR.

Rhymes With

andar falar estudar amar lugar mar olhar pensar

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'en' as a clear English 'en' without nasalization.
Stressing the second syllable (en-GOR-dar) instead of the last.
Making the 'g' soft like a 'j' (it should always be hard).
Pronouncing the final 'r' like an English 'r' (it should be a flap or a soft h-sound).
Failing to close the 'o' sound (it should not be open like 'got').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize in text, especially with the context of food or money.

Writing 2/5

It is a regular verb, making it easy to conjugate in most tenses.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the nasal 'en' and the final 'r' requires some practice for native English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Easily identified due to its distinct 'g-o-r' sound in the middle.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gordo comer comida muito peso

Learn Next

emagrecer saudável exercício dieta corpo

Advanced

adiposo metabolismo hipertrofia superávit arrecadação

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu engordo, tu engordas, ele engorda, nós engordamos, eles engordam.

Causative Verbs

Comer açúcar faz (faz com que) as pessoas engordem.

Subjunctive Mood for Desires

Eu espero que você não engorde com esse bolo.

Reflexive Pronouns for Personal Change

Ele se viu engordar diante do espelho.

Past Participle as Adjective

O gado engordado foi vendido por um bom preço.

Examples by Level

Eu não quero engordar.

I don't want to gain weight.

Simple present negative.

O gato engorda muito.

The cat gains a lot of weight.

Third person singular present.

Chocolate engorda?

Is chocolate fattening?

Interrogative sentence.

Eles engordam no inverno.

They gain weight in the winter.

Third person plural present.

Você engordou um pouco.

You gained a little weight.

Pretérito perfeito (past tense).

Comer muito faz engordar.

Eating a lot makes you gain weight.

Infinitive used after 'faz'.

Eu engordo se comer pizza.

I gain weight if I eat pizza.

Conditional 'se' clause.

Ela quer engordar cinco quilos.

She wants to gain five kilos.

Infinitive with a direct object.

Se você comer doces todos os dias, vai engordar.

If you eat sweets every day, you will gain weight.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Eu engordei durante as férias na casa da minha avó.

I gained weight during the holidays at my grandmother's house.

Past tense with time expression.

O médico disse que eu não posso engordar mais.

The doctor said I cannot gain any more weight.

Reported speech.

Muitas pessoas engordam quando param de fazer exercícios.

Many people gain weight when they stop exercising.

Complex sentence with 'quando'.

Este remédio pode fazer você engordar um pouco.

This medicine can make you gain a little weight.

Modal verb 'pode'.

Nós engordamos porque a comida era deliciosa.

We gained weight because the food was delicious.

Causal conjunction 'porque'.

Você acha que pão integral engorda menos?

Do you think whole grain bread is less fattening?

Comparative 'menos'.

Eu preciso de uma dieta para engordar.

I need a diet to gain weight.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.

É difícil não engordar quando se trabalha em uma padaria.

It's hard not to gain weight when you work in a bakery.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

Duvido que ele engorde com essa dieta tão rigorosa.

I doubt that he will gain weight with such a strict diet.

Present subjunctive after 'duvido que'.

O fazendeiro está engordando o gado para a feira.

The farmer is fattening the cattle for the fair.

Present continuous (gerund).

Ela engordou a conta bancária com o novo emprego.

She fattened her bank account with the new job.

Metaphorical usage.

Se eu não fizesse academia, já teria engordado muito.

If I didn't go to the gym, I would have already gained a lot of weight.

Conditional perfect.

O objetivo do investimento é engordar o patrimônio da família.

The goal of the investment is to increase the family's assets.

Abstract noun 'patrimônio' as object.

Muitos animais engordam para sobreviver ao inverno rigoroso.

Many animals gain weight to survive the harsh winter.

Infinitive of purpose.

Não engorde o olho no que não é seu.

Don't be greedy for what isn't yours.

Imperative idiom 'engordar o olho'.

A empresa conseguiu engordar suas margens de lucro este trimestre.

The company managed to fatten its profit margins this quarter.

Financial register.

Embora coma muito, seu metabolismo impede que ele engorde.

Although he eats a lot, his metabolism prevents him from gaining weight.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

O governo quer engordar a arrecadação sem aumentar os impostos.

The government wants to boost revenue without raising taxes.

Political/Economic context.

Ela se deixou engordar por causa da depressão pós-parto.

She let herself gain weight because of postpartum depression.

Reflexive causative 'se deixar'.

O roteirista decidiu engordar a trama com novos personagens.

The screenwriter decided to thicken the plot with new characters.

Metaphorical literary use.

A fase de engorda é a mais cara na criação de suínos.

The fattening phase is the most expensive in pig farming.

Noun form 'engorda'.

É provável que a inflação engorde o custo de vida nos próximos meses.

It is likely that inflation will increase the cost of living in the coming months.

Subjunctive after 'É provável que'.

Ele engordou o currículo com diversas certificações internacionais.

He beefed up his resume with several international certifications.

Professional metaphor.

O rio, engordado pelas chuvas torrenciais, transbordou e inundou a vila.

The river, swollen by torrential rains, overflowed and flooded the village.

Past participle used as an adjective.

A retórica do político serviu apenas para engordar o descontentamento popular.

The politician's rhetoric only served to fuel popular discontent.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Não convém engordar as fileiras daqueles que criticam sem propor soluções.

It is not wise to join the ranks of those who criticize without proposing solutions.

Idiomatic 'engordar as fileiras'.

A empresa de tecnologia está a engordar sua base de dados com informações de usuários.

The tech company is expanding its database with user information.

European Portuguese 'estar a' + infinitive.

O autor utiliza adjetivos para engordar o texto, tornando-o por vezes prolixo.

The author uses adjectives to pad the text, making it sometimes verbose.

Literary criticism context.

A especulação imobiliária ajudou a engordar a bolha de preços no setor.

Real estate speculation helped inflate the price bubble in the sector.

Economic metaphor.

É imperativo que não se permita engordar o déficit público este ano.

It is imperative that the public deficit is not allowed to grow this year.

Passive 'se' with subjunctive.

O gado de corte passa por um processo de engorda intensiva antes do abate.

Beef cattle undergo an intensive fattening process before slaughter.

Technical agricultural terminology.

A suntuosidade dos banquetes reais visava engordar a imagem de poder do monarca.

The sumptuousness of the royal banquets aimed to inflate the monarch's image of power.

High-level historical/sociological context.

Ao engordar o seu discurso com metáforas obscuras, o filósofo perdeu o seu público.

By padding his speech with obscure metaphors, the philosopher lost his audience.

Gerund 'Ao engordar' indicating cause.

O sistema tributário atual parece desenhado para engordar os cofres do Estado em detrimento do cidadão.

The current tax system seems designed to fatten the State's coffers at the expense of the citizen.

Complex prepositional phrase 'em detrimento de'.

A biografia do artista foi engordada com detalhes apócrifos para atrair mais leitores.

The artist's biography was padded with apocryphal details to attract more readers.

Passive voice with past participle.

A proliferação de burocracias inúteis apenas serve para engordar a máquina administrativa.

The proliferation of useless bureaucracies only serves to bloat the administrative machine.

Institutional metaphor.

O rio engordado pelo degelo das montanhas corria impetuoso pelo vale.

The river, swollen by the melting snow from the mountains, ran impetuously through the valley.

Poetic use of 'engordado'.

Não podemos permitir que o ego engorde a ponto de obscurecer a nossa visão da realidade.

We cannot allow the ego to swell to the point of obscuring our view of reality.

Abstract psychological metaphor.

A estratégia de mercado focou em engordar o portfólio de clientes premium.

The market strategy focused on expanding the portfolio of premium clients.

Business strategic register.

Common Collocations

engordar a conta

fase de engorda

engordar o currículo

engordar o olho

engordar muito

dieta para engordar

alimentos que engordam

engordar o caixa

deixar engordar

engordar o porquinho

Common Phrases

Isso engorda?

— Is this fattening? Used when asking about the calorie content of food.

Este bolo de chocolate engorda muito?

Engordar de medo

— To be extremely greedy or envious (regional). More commonly 'engordar o olho'.

Ele engordou o olho no prêmio do vizinho.

Para não engordar

— In order not to gain weight. Used when explaining healthy habits.

Eu corro todos os dias para não engordar.

Engordar a vista

— To please the eyes with abundance. Used when seeing something beautiful or plentiful.

Aquela vitrine de doces engorda a vista.

Engordar o caldo

— To make a situation more serious or complicated. Similar to 'thickening the plot'.

A nova evidência veio engordar o caldo do processo.

Engordar a fila

— To join a long line of people. Often used for people waiting for something.

Mais pessoas chegaram para engordar a fila do banco.

Engordar o gado

— To fatten the cattle. A literal agricultural phrase often used in business contexts.

É tempo de engordar o gado para a venda.

Vou engordar só de olhar

— I'll gain weight just by looking. A common joke when seeing delicious food.

Nossa, vou engordar só de olhar para esse pudim!

Engordar as economias

— To increase one's savings. Used when talking about financial planning.

Ele investe em ações para engordar as economias.

Engordar o bolso

— To make money, often implying profit at someone else's expense.

O dono da loja quer apenas engordar o bolso.

Often Confused With

engordar vs Encher

Encher means to fill a container. Engordar means to gain body mass or increase value. You fill (enche) a glass, but you fatten (engorda) a pig.

engordar vs Crescer

Crescer means to grow in height or general size. Engordar specifically refers to width/fat. A child grows (cresce) tall, but might also gain weight (engordar).

engordar vs Aumentar

Aumentar is a general verb for 'to increase'. Engordar is a specific type of increase (fat/wealth). You increase (aumenta) the volume of the radio, but you fatten (engorda) the budget.

Idioms & Expressions

"Engordar o olho"

— To be greedy, envious, or to desire something that belongs to others.

Não engorde o olho no carro do seu irmão.

informal

"O olho do dono engorda o cavalo"

— The owner's presence and attention make things thrive. Business/management proverb.

Ele sempre está na loja porque sabe que o olho do dono engorda o cavalo.

proverb

"Engordar o porquinho"

— To save money in a piggy bank or generally to save for a goal.

Estou engordando o porquinho para comprar um celular novo.

informal/child-friendly

"Engordar o caldo"

— To intensify a situation, making it more complex or difficult.

A discussão engordou o caldo e agora ninguém se fala.

informal

"Engordar as fileiras"

— To join a group, often a political party or a protest movement.

Muitos jovens decidiram engordar as fileiras do partido.

neutral/journalistic

"Engordar a conta"

— To significantly increase the amount of money in a bank account.

O prêmio da loteria vai engordar a conta dele.

neutral

"Engordar o currículo"

— To add skills or experiences to a resume to make it more impressive.

Trabalho voluntário ajuda a engordar o currículo.

neutral/professional

"Engordar a arrecadação"

— To increase tax collection or revenue for a government or entity.

Novas taxas foram criadas para engordar a arrecadação municipal.

formal/political

"Engordar o bicho"

— To increase a bribe or a tip (regional/slang).

Ele teve que engordar o bicho para conseguir a licença.

slang

"Engordar a vista"

— To see something in great abundance that is pleasing or tempting.

O mercado de peixes engorda a vista dos turistas.

informal

Easily Confused

engordar vs Gordura

Both relate to fat.

Gordura is the noun (fat/grease), while engordar is the verb (the process of becoming fat). You eat gordura and then you engorda.

A gordura da carne faz a gente engordar.

engordar vs Engordurar

They sound very similar.

Engordar is to gain weight. Engordurar is to make something greasy or oily (like a kitchen counter).

Não engordure a mesa com esses dedos sujos de batata frita.

engordar vs Emagrecer

They are often discussed together.

They are total opposites. Emagrecer is to lose weight; engordar is to gain it.

Eu quero emagrecer, mas o chocolate me faz engordar.

engordar vs Encorpar

Both mean getting bigger.

Encorpar is usually positive (getting a better body/muscles/more substance). Engordar is usually neutral or negative (getting fat).

O vinho encorpou depois de aberto.

engordar vs Cebar

Both used for animals.

Cebar is technical/agricultural. Engordar is general. You don't 'cebar' yourself, but you might 'engordar'.

Eles cebam o gado com ração especial.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + engorda.

O cachorro engorda.

[Food] + engorda.

Pizza engorda.

[Subject] + engordou + [Amount].

Eu engordei dois quilos.

Fazer + [Someone] + engordar.

O remédio faz ele engordar.

Engordar o/a + [Noun].

Vou engordar o porquinho.

Embora + [Subjunctive engordar].

Embora ele coma muito, não engorda.

[Noun] + engordado(a) por + [Cause].

A conta foi engordada por bônus.

Engordar a ponto de + [Result].

Ele engordou a ponto de precisar de roupas novas.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life, health, and business.

Common Mistakes

Eu pus peso. → Eu engordei / Eu ganhei peso.
English speakers translate 'put on weight' literally. In Portuguese, we use 'engordar' or 'ganhar peso'.
A pizza é engordar. → A pizza engorda.
You don't need 'ser'. The food itself is the subject that performs the action of 'fattening'.
Eu estou muito engordar. → Eu estou engordando muito / Eu sou gordo.
Confusing the verb 'engordar' (process) with the adjective 'gordo' (state).
Engordar por cinco quilos. → Engordar cinco quilos.
You don't need the preposition 'por' when stating the amount of weight gained.
O boi está engordurado. → O boi está engordado.
Confusing 'engordurar' (to make greasy) with 'engordar' (to make fat).

Tips

Regularity

Engordar is a perfectly regular -ar verb. If you know how to conjugate 'falar', you know how to conjugate 'engordar'.

The Root

The root 'gordo' (fat) is the key. Any word with 'gord-' in it usually has to do with fatness or grease.

Politeness

Use 'ganhar peso' when talking to people about their health to avoid sounding too blunt or critical.

Greed

Remember 'engordar o olho' when you want to describe someone being greedy or envious of others' possessions.

Financial Growth

Don't be afraid to use 'engordar' when talking about increasing profits or savings; it sounds very native.

Thickening

In some regions, 'engordar o molho' means adding something to make a sauce richer and thicker.

Livestock

If you are in a rural setting, 'engorda' is the standard term for preparing animals for market.

The Gourd

Visualize an expanding gourd to remember the sound and meaning of 'engordar'.

Opposites

Always learn 'engordar' alongside 'emagrecer' to have the full pair of weight-related verbs.

Hyperbole

Use 'vou engordar só de olhar' when someone offers you a very decadent dessert.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'ENormous GOURD' (a large vegetable). If you eat too much GOURD, you will EN-GOURD-AR (engordar) and become enormous.

Visual Association

Imagine a balloon being filled with air until it becomes 'gordo'. The process of air entering the balloon is 'engordar'.

Word Web

gordo comida peso ganhar açúcar dieta academia saúde

Challenge

Try to use 'engordar' in three different ways today: one about food, one about yourself or a pet, and one about money.

Word Origin

From the Vulgar Latin 'ingordare', derived from 'gurdus', meaning 'heavy' or 'dull-witted'. The prefix 'en-' suggests moving into a state.

Original meaning: To become heavy or to fill with substance.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Avoid telling someone 'Você engordou' unless you have a very intimate relationship. Even though it's common, it can still hurt feelings in modern urban settings.

In English, 'to get fat' can sound very harsh. We often say 'put on weight'. In Portuguese, 'engordar' is the standard verb, but 'ganhar peso' is the polite equivalent.

The song 'Comida' by Titãs mentions the need for more than just food to satisfy hunger. The character 'Dona Redonda' in Brazilian soap operas is a famous caricature of someone who 'engordou' to the point of exploding. The expression 'O olho do dono engorda o cavalo' is a staple of Brazilian business philosophy.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Gym/Doctor

Eu quero engordar massa magra.
Como posso engordar de forma saudável?
Eu engordo muito fácil.
Este remédio faz engordar?

At a Restaurant

Cuidado, esse molho engorda!
Vou engordar só de olhar o cardápio.
Sobremesa sempre engorda.
Não quero engordar hoje.

Business Meeting

Precisamos engordar nossa base de clientes.
Isso vai engordar nossos lucros.
O objetivo é engordar o caixa.
A estratégia engordou os resultados.

At Home

Você engordou o gato demais.
Preciso engordar o porquinho para o Natal.
Nossa, como você engordou!
Vou engordar se continuar comendo assim.

In the Countryside

O gado está pronto para engordar.
A ração ajuda a engordar rápido.
É a época de engorda.
O boi engordou bem este ano.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que é mais fácil engordar ou emagrecer?"

"Quais são os alimentos que mais fazem você engordar?"

"Você já teve que fazer uma dieta específica para engordar?"

"Como você faz para não engordar durante as viagens de férias?"

"Você conhece a expressão 'o olho do dono engorda o cavalo'?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma época em que você engordou e como se sentiu em relação a isso.

Como a sociedade trata as pessoas que engordam em comparação com as que emagrecem?

Pense em algo não físico que você gostaria de 'engordar' (como conhecimento ou economias).

Descreva a sua comida favorita que você sabe que faz engordar, mas não consegue resistir.

Reflita sobre a expressão 'engordar o olho'. Você já se sentiu assim por algo?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be. While it's a standard verb, telling someone 'Você engordou' is often considered rude or insensitive, just like 'You got fat' in English. It's better to use 'ganhar peso' or avoid the topic.

Yes! 'Engordar a conta' is a very common and natural expression in Portuguese to mean saving more money or receiving a large payment.

The opposite is 'emagrecer', which means to lose weight or become thinner.

It's a regular -ar verb: eu engordei, você engordou, nós engordamos, eles engordaram.

Primarily, yes. But metaphorically it applies to anything that increases in volume or value, like a resume, a budget, or a crowd.

It means to be greedy or envious. It's like your eye is 'getting fat' with desire for something someone else has.

In formal or polite contexts, yes. 'Ganhar peso' sounds more like a clinical or neutral observation, whereas 'engordar' is more blunt.

Yes, in Portuguese we say 'A pizza engorda' (Pizza is fattening). The food is the subject that causes the action.

It usually refers to the 'fattening phase' of livestock in agriculture, or sometimes to a specific diet meant to help someone gain weight.

You can say 'Estou engordando' or 'Estou ganhando peso'.