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B1 verb 10 min read

engraxar

Examples engraxar in 30 Seconds
Explanation engraxar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should focus on the literal meaning of 'engraxar'. It is a verb used to describe a basic action: cleaning and shining shoes. You might encounter it in a list of daily chores or when describing what a person is wearing. For example, 'Eu engraxo os sapatos' (I polish the shoes). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the figurative meaning of flattery. Just remember that it is a regular verb ending in -ar, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'trabalhar'. Focus on the connection between 'graxa' (shoe polish) and 'engraxar' (the action of using the polish). You might see this word in a picture dictionary next to a brush and a leather boot. It's a useful word for basic descriptions of personal hygiene and maintenance. Try to use it with simple nouns like 'sapatos' (shoes) or 'botas' (boots). Remember the pronunciation: the 'x' sounds like 'sh' in English 'shoe'.
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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'engraxar' in more varied sentence structures, such as using the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to describe something you did. 'Ontem, eu engraxei as minhas botas porque ia chover.' (Yesterday, I polished my boots because it was going to rain). You should also learn the word for the professional: 'o engraxador'. In many Portuguese-speaking cities, you might still see an 'engraxador' in a traditional neighborhood. At this level, you can also start to understand the concept of 'graxa' as flattery, even if you don't use the verb figuratively yet. If someone says 'Ele dá muita graxa', you should recognize that they are talking about someone being overly nice. You can also use the verb in the imperative to give simple instructions: 'Engraxa os teus sapatos antes de sair!' (Polish your shoes before leaving!). This level is about expanding the contexts in which the literal action occurs.
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As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand both the literal and the figurative meanings of 'engraxar'. This is the 'threshold' level where you start to understand social nuances. You should be able to use the verb to describe office politics or social climbing. For example, 'Ele está sempre a engraxar o professor para ter melhores notas.' (He is always flattering the teacher to get better grades). You should also be able to use it in the conditional and subjunctive moods. 'Se eu engraxasse os sapatos, eles ficariam como novos.' (If I polished the shoes, they would look like new). You should be able to distinguish between 'engraxar' (to polish) and 'limpar' (to clean) and use each appropriately. This level requires you to understand the negative connotation of the figurative use—that it implies a lack of sincerity. You might also start to notice the word in newspapers or during more complex conversations about people's behavior in professional settings.
At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the idiomatic nature of 'engraxar'. you can use it fluently in discussions about character and social behavior. You might use it to critique someone's lack of authenticity. 'Acho degradante a forma como ele engraxa os superiores.' (I find the way he flatters his superiors degrading). You should also be familiar with related nouns and adjectives, like 'engraxadela' (the act of polishing or a quick bit of flattery). You can use the verb in complex tenses, like the future subjunctive or the pluperfect. 'Quando tu engraçares os sapatos, avisa-me.' (When you polish the shoes, let me know). At this stage, you should also be aware of regional differences, such as the preference for 'puxar o saco' in Brazil versus 'dar graxa' in Portugal, and how 'engraxar' fits into that spectrum. You can use the word to add flavor and color to your descriptions of people and their motivations.
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At the C1 level, you use 'engraxar' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand the subtle difference between 'engraxar', 'bajular', and 'lisonjear', and you choose the word that best fits the tone of your discourse. You might use it in a professional analysis of workplace culture or in a literary description. You are aware of the historical weight of the 'engraxador' in Lusophone culture and might use the word as a metaphor for broader social themes like servility or class dynamics. Your use of the word is natural and incorporates complex grammatical structures without effort. 'Não obstante o seu talento, ele sentiu a necessidade de engraxar a crítica para obter uma recensão favorável.' (Notwithstanding his talent, he felt the need to flatter the critics to obtain a favorable review). You can also use the word in ironic or sarcastic ways, showing a deep understanding of Portuguese humor and social critique.
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At the C2 level, 'engraxar' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of vocabulary. You can use it to discuss the etymology of the word or its evolution in the 20th century. You might use it in academic writing about sociology or history, or in high-level creative writing. You understand every possible connotation, from the literal smell of the wax to the most subtle, unspoken social contract of flattery. You can play with the word, creating puns or using it in highly specific cultural contexts that only a native speaker would typically understand. Your mastery is such that you can use the word to describe the 'polishing' of an image or a reputation in a metaphorical sense that goes beyond simple flattery. 'A equipa de relações públicas trabalhou arduamente para engraxar a imagem do político após o escândalo.' (The PR team worked hard to polish the politician's image after the scandal).
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Examples

engraxar in 30 Seconds

  • Engraxar means to polish shoes with wax (graxa) to make them shine.
  • It is a regular -ar verb used commonly in daily life and services.
  • Figuratively, it means to flatter or 'brown-nose' someone for personal gain.
  • The noun 'engraxador' refers to the person who performs the shoe-shining task.

The Portuguese verb engraxar is a fascinating word that bridges the gap between manual labor and social dynamics. At its most literal level, it means to apply shoe polish (graxa) to footwear and buff it to a shine. Historically, this was a common sight in the plazas of Lisbon, Porto, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, where the engraxador (shoe shiner) would sit on a small stool, working diligently on the leather boots of businessmen. However, the word has evolved significantly in a figurative sense. To 'engraxar' someone, particularly a person in a position of power, is to flatter them excessively or to 'butter them up' with the intention of gaining a favor. This dual nature makes it a vital word for B1 learners who are moving beyond basic survival Portuguese into the nuances of social interaction and professional life.

Literal Use
Refers specifically to the maintenance of leather shoes using wax or cream. It implies care, professional appearance, and attention to detail.
Figurative Use
Used to describe 'brown-nosing' or sycophancy. When an employee is overly complimentary to a boss, colleagues might whisper that they are 'engraxando o chefe'.

Antes da reunião importante, ele decidiu engraxar os seus sapatos pretos para causar uma boa impressão.

Understanding the context is crucial. If you are at a traditional cobbler, the word is purely functional. If you are in an office setting and someone mentions 'engraxar', they are almost certainly talking about office politics. The verb is regular in its -ar conjugation, making it relatively easy to use once you grasp the conceptual shift between the physical act and the social metaphor. The smell of the polish, the rhythmic sound of the brush, and the shine of the finished product all serve as metaphors for the 'polished' (often fake) behavior of a flatterer.

Não adianta tentar engraxar o professor; ele só dá boas notas a quem realmente estuda.

Social Register
While the literal meaning is neutral, the figurative meaning is informal and often slightly derogatory. Calling someone an 'engraxador' in a social context is an insult to their sincerity.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the culture of the 'engraxate' (another word for shoe shiner) was historically significant in urban centers. Many famous Brazilian figures started their lives as young shoe shiners. Thus, the word carries a weight of urban history and class struggle that might not be immediately apparent to a foreign speaker. When you use this word, you are tapping into centuries of street life and labor history, even if you are just talking about your morning routine or a sycophantic co-worker.

Using engraxar correctly requires distinguishing between the direct object (the shoes) and the indirect target of flattery. When used literally, it follows the standard transitive pattern: [Subject] + [engraxar] + [Object (shoes)]. For example: 'Eu engraxo os meus sapatos todos os domingos.' Here, the action is completed by the subject on the physical object. The verb can also be used in the passive voice, though it is less common: 'Os sapatos foram engraxados pelo profissional.'

Literal Conjugation Example
Nós engraxamos as botas antes da caminhada para proteger o couro. (We polished the boots before the hike to protect the leather.)

Podes engraxar estes sapatos para mim? Tenho um casamento amanhã.

When shifting to the figurative meaning, the structure remains similar, but the object is usually a person. 'Ele está sempre a engraxar o diretor.' (He is always flattering the director.) Note the use of the 'estar a + infinitive' (European Portuguese) or 'estar + gerund' (Brazilian Portuguese: 'Ele está sempre engraxando o diretor'). This highlights the continuous, often annoying nature of the flattery. You can also use the noun 'graxa' in phrases like 'dar graxa a alguém' (to give polish to someone), which is a direct synonym for the figurative use of the verb.

In complex sentences, 'engraxar' can appear in the subjunctive to express desire or hypothetical situations. 'Eu duvido que ele engraxe os sapatos sozinho.' (I doubt he polishes his shoes by himself.) Or figuratively: 'Se tu o engraxares, talvez ele te dê o aumento.' (If you flatter him, maybe he will give you the raise.) This latter example shows how the verb is used to describe transactional social behavior. It is also common to see it in the imperative when giving instructions: 'Engraxa bem os cantos do sapato!' (Polish the corners of the shoe well!)

O menino ganhava uns trocados a engraxar sapatos na praça central da cidade.

Figurative Context
Pare de engraxar a sua chefe; toda a gente percebe o que você está a fazer.

In modern times, you are less likely to hear 'engraxar' in its literal sense on every street corner, as the profession of the street shoe shiner has dwindled. However, in luxury hotels, traditional barbershops, and specialized cobblers (sapatarias), the word remains a staple of the service industry. If you drop off leather shoes for repair, the clerk might ask: 'Também deseja que os engraxemos?' (Do you also wish for us to polish them?). In these environments, the word carries a connotation of high-end maintenance and preservation of quality goods.

No hotel de cinco estrelas, há um serviço gratuito para engraxar o calçado dos hóspedes.

In the workplace, however, the word is ubiquitous in its figurative sense. It is part of the 'office lingo' used to describe colleagues who are perceived as insincere. You will hear it in the breakroom or during lunch breaks when employees gossip. 'Viste como ele estava a engraxar o gerente durante a apresentação?' (Did you see how he was flattering the manager during the presentation?). In this context, it is often paired with an eye-roll or a cynical tone. It is a word that captures a specific type of social maneuvering that is recognized across all Lusophone cultures.

You will also encounter the word in literature and news articles that discuss political scandals or corporate hierarchies. Journalists might use it to describe a politician's subservience to a more powerful leader. In sports commentary, it might be used metaphorically when a player or coach is overly complimentary of an opponent or a referee to avoid penalties or gain favor. Even in families, a sibling might accuse another of 'engraxar os pais' (flattering the parents) to get a better Christmas present or to avoid being grounded.

O político passou a tarde a engraxar os eleitores com promessas vazias.

Regional Variation
In Portugal, 'dar graxa' is more common in speech than the verb 'engraxar' for flattery, while in Brazil, the verb 'engraxar' is used more flexibly in both literal and figurative senses.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is confusing engraxar with other cleaning verbs like 'limpar' (to clean) or 'lavar' (to wash). While you might 'limpar' your shoes to remove mud, you only 'engraxar' them when you are applying the specific colored wax to restore the shine and color. Using 'limpar' when you mean 'engraxar' will result in a loss of precision. Another mistake is using 'engraxar' for non-leather items. You wouldn't 'engraxar' sneakers or suede shoes; for those, you would use 'limpar' or 'escovar' (to brush).

Mistake: Over-generalization
Incorrect: Vou engraxar os meus ténis de corrida. (I will polish my running sneakers.) - Correct: Vou limpar os meus ténis.

Não confundas engraxar com simplesmente tirar o pó dos sapatos.

In the figurative sense, a common error is using 'engraxar' in a formal context where you actually want to be complimentary. Remember that 'engraxar' implies insincerity and ulterior motives. If you want to say that someone is genuinely praising another person, use 'elogiar' (to praise). If you tell your boss 'Estou aqui para o engraxar,' you are effectively telling them you are a fake flatterer, which is likely the opposite of what you intended. This cultural nuance is vital for B1 learners to master.

Finally, learners sometimes forget the prepositional requirements. In the literal sense, you engraxar [something]. In the figurative sense, you engraxar [someone]. Some learners try to add 'a' or 'para' where they aren't needed. For example, 'Ele engraxa ao chefe' is incorrect; it should be 'Ele engraxa o chefe'. Keeping the verb transitive is the key to grammatical accuracy. Also, watch out for the spelling; it is always with 'x', never with 'sh' or 'ch', despite the sound.

Muitos alunos escrevem 'engrachar' por erro, mas a forma correta é com x.

Correction
Correct: Eu engraxo os sapatos. Incorrect: Eu engraxo nos sapatos.

If you find yourself using engraxar too much, there are several alternatives depending on the context. For the physical act of making something shine, polir and lustrar are excellent synonyms. 'Polir' is more general and can be used for cars, silverware, or even floors. 'Lustrar' is often used for furniture or high-gloss surfaces. If you specifically mean 'to shine' in a more poetic or general sense, brilhar (intransitive) or dar brilho (transitive) are good choices.

Polir vs. Engraxar
Polir is general (metal, stone, wood). Engraxar is specific to leather and shoe polish.
Lustrar vs. Engraxar
Lustrar focuses on the final shine. Engraxar includes the application of the product.

Para além de engraxar, ele também gosta de polir os metais da casa.

In the figurative sense of flattery, the Portuguese language is incredibly rich. Bajular is a very common synonym for 'to suck up' or 'to fawn over'. It is slightly more formal than 'engraxar' but still carries a negative connotation. Lisonjear is the most formal and can sometimes be positive (to compliment/flatter in a nice way). In Brazil, you might hear puxar o saco (literally 'to pull the bag'), which is a very common and very informal idiom for the exact same behavior as 'engraxar'.

When choosing between these words, consider your audience. If you are writing a formal essay, use 'lisonjear' or 'elogiar'. If you are chatting with friends about a coworker you don't like, 'engraxar' or 'puxar o saco' are perfect. If you are describing the meticulous care of leather, 'engraxar' is the only correct choice. This lexical variety allows you to express your attitude towards the action, not just the action itself.

Ele não é apenas um colega gentil; ele gosta de bajular toda a gente que tem poder.

Puxar o saco (Brazil)
Equivalent to 'engraxar' in its figurative sense. Highly informal.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ẽ.ɡɾɐ.ˈʃaɾ/
US /ẽ.ɡɾa.ˈʃaʁ/
The stress is on the last syllable: en-gra-XAR.
Rhymes With
cantar falar andar olhar amar chegar pensar achar
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'x' as 'ks' (like in 'extra'). It should always be 'sh'.
  • Failing to nasalize the initial 'en'.
  • Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.
  • Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound.
  • Confusing the 'r' sound with the English 'r'.
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Examples by Level

1

Eu engraxo os sapatos.

I polish the shoes.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Tu engraxas as botas?

Do you polish the boots?

Present tense, 2nd person singular.

3

Ele engraxa os sapatos pretos.

He polishes the black shoes.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Nós engraxamos os sapatos hoje.

We polish the shoes today.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

5

Eles engraxam os sapatos na rua.

They polish the shoes on the street.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

6

Eu preciso de engraxar os sapatos.

I need to polish the shoes.

Infinitive after the verb 'precisar'.

7

O sapato está limpo, mas falta engraxar.

The shoe is clean, but it needs polishing.

Infinitive used as a complement.

8

Ela gosta de engraxar sapatos.

She likes to polish shoes.

Infinitive after the verb 'gostar'.

1

Ontem, eu engraxei os meus sapatos novos.

Yesterday, I polished my new shoes.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past Tense).

2

O engraxador engraxou as botas do senhor.

The shoe shiner polished the gentleman's boots.

Noun 'engraxador' and past tense verb.

3

Nós já engraçámos todos os sapatos da família.

We have already polished all the family's shoes.

Pretérito Perfeito, 1st person plural.

4

Você pode engraxar estes sapatos para amanhã?

Can you polish these shoes for tomorrow?

Infinitive with modal verb 'poder'.

5

Eles não engraxaram bem as botas.

They didn't polish the boots well.

Negative past tense.

6

Vou engraxar os sapatos antes do jantar.

I'm going to polish the shoes before dinner.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

7

Ela estava a engraxar os sapatos quando o telefone tocou.

She was polishing the shoes when the phone rang.

Past continuous (European style).

8

Tu engraxaste os sapatos para a festa?

Did you polish the shoes for the party?

Question in the past tense.

1

Pare de engraxar o seu chefe, é embaraçoso.

Stop flattering your boss, it's embarrassing.

Figurative use, imperative mood.

2

Se eu tivesse graxa, podia engraxar os sapatos.

If I had polish, I could polish the shoes.

Conditional sentence with 'se'.

3

Ele engraxa toda a gente para conseguir o que quer.

He flatters everyone to get what he wants.

Figurative use, present tense.

4

É importante engraxar o couro para que não rache.

It is important to polish the leather so it doesn't crack.

Impersonal expression with infinitive.

5

Duvido que ele engraxe os próprios sapatos.

I doubt he polishes his own shoes.

Present Subjunctive after 'duvido que'.

6

Sempre que ele quer um favor, começa a engraxar.

Whenever he wants a favor, he starts flattering.

Figurative use, habitual action.

7

Engraxar os sapatos é uma tarefa relaxante para mim.

Polishing shoes is a relaxing task for me.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

8

Não precisas de me engraxar, eu já ia ajudar-te.

You don't need to flatter me, I was already going to help you.

Figurative use, negative requirement.

1

O funcionário foi apanhado a engraxar o diretor na copa.

The employee was caught flattering the director in the breakroom.

Passive construction with 'apanhado a'.

2

Embora tenha engraxado o sapatos, eles ainda parecem velhos.

Although he polished the shoes, they still look old.

Concessive clause with Subjunctive.

3

Ela tem o hábito de engraxar os clientes mais ricos.

She has the habit of flattering the wealthiest clients.

Noun phrase followed by infinitive.

4

Caso engraxes os sapatos agora, eles estarão secos amanhã.

In case you polish the shoes now, they will be dry tomorrow.

Future Subjunctive with 'caso'.

5

A sua tentativa de engraxar o júri foi demasiado óbvia.

His attempt to flatter the jury was too obvious.

Infinitive acting as a noun modifier.

6

Engraxar sapatos exige técnica e paciência.

Polishing shoes requires technique and patience.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

7

Eles teriam engraxado as botas se tivessem tido tempo.

They would have polished the boots if they had had time.

Conditional Perfect.

8

Não suporto quem passa o dia a engraxar os outros.

I can't stand people who spend the day flattering others.

Relative clause with a continuous action.

1

A arte de engraxar sapatos está a desaparecer das nossas cidades.

The art of polishing shoes is disappearing from our cities.

Abstract noun phrase with infinitive.

2

Ele recorreu a engraxar a crítica para salvar o espetáculo.

He resorted to flattering the critics to save the show.

Preposition 'a' followed by infinitive.

3

É degradante ver um profissional de tal calibre a engraxar políticos.

It's degrading to see a professional of such caliber flattering politicians.

Complex sentence with evaluative adjective.

4

O brilho resultante de engraxar o couro é inigualável.

The shine resulting from polishing the leather is unparalleled.

Participial phrase followed by infinitive.

5

Se não tivesses passado tanto tempo a engraxar, terias trabalhado mais.

If you hadn't spent so much time flattering, you would have worked more.

Third conditional with figurative meaning.

6

A necessidade de engraxar sapatos reflete uma era de maior formalidade.

The need to polish shoes reflects an era of greater formality.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

7

Oxalá ele não sinta a necessidade de engraxar o novo administrador.

I hope he doesn't feel the need to flatter the new administrator.

Subjunctive with 'Oxalá'.

8

Engraxar, neste contexto social, é uma forma de sobrevivência.

Polishing (flattering), in this social context, is a form of survival.

Infinitive used as a philosophical subject.

1

A servilidade de engraxar os poderosos é um tema recorrente na literatura.

The servility of flattering the powerful is a recurring theme in literature.

High-level vocabulary (servilidade, poderosos).

2

Ao engraxar o calçado, ele recordava os tempos de juventude na aldeia.

While polishing the footwear, he remembered his youth in the village.

'Ao + infinitive' to express simultaneity.

3

Não se deve confundir a cortesia genuína com o ato de engraxar.

One should not confuse genuine courtesy with the act of flattering.

Passive 'se' with modal verb.

4

O verniz social exige, por vezes, a arte de saber engraxar sem parecer.

Social varnish sometimes requires the art of knowing how to flatter without appearing to do so.

Metaphorical use of 'verniz' and 'engraxar'.

5

Engraxar sapatos tornou-se uma metáfora para a manutenção das aparências.

Polishing shoes has become a metaphor for maintaining appearances.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' with infinitive subject.

6

A subtileza com que ele engraxa os seus pares é quase admirável.

The subtlety with which he flatters his peers is almost admirable.

Relative clause with 'com que'.

7

Pudesse eu engraxar a minha consciência tão facilmente como estes sapatos.

If only I could polish my conscience as easily as these shoes.

Optative Subjunctive (pudesse eu).

8

A historiografia local destaca o papel do engraxador na vida urbana.

Local historiography highlights the role of the shoe shiner in urban life.

Academic register.

Common Collocations

engraxar os sapatos
engraxar as botas
engraxar o chefe
mandar engraxar
saber engraxar
precisar de engraxar
acabar de engraxar
engraxar com cuidado
engraxar para subir
engraxar por hábito

Common Phrases

Dar graxa

— To flatter someone. This is the noun-based version of the figurative verb.

Não me dês graxa, diz a verdade.

Sapatos bem engraxados

— Shoes that are perfectly polished. A sign of neatness.

Ele apresenta-se sempre com sapatos bem engraxados.

Engraxador de serviço

— A sarcastic way to refer to someone who is always flattering others.

Lá vem o engraxador de serviço falar com o patrão.

Graxa no sapato

— Literally polish on the shoe, but can imply being prepared.

Põe um pouco de graxa no sapato para a entrevista.

Viver de graxa

— To live by flattering others rather than by merit.

Há pessoas que parecem viver de graxa.

Engraxar até brilhar

— To polish until it shines. Can be literal or a metaphor for extreme flattery.

Ele engraxou o prémio até brilhar.

Sem engraxar

— Without flattery or without polish.

Vou dizer isto sem engraxar: o teu trabalho foi mau.

Pôr a graxa

— To apply the polish.

Primeiro tens de pôr a graxa com o pano.

Tirar a graxa

— To remove the excess polish or to stop flattering.

Tira a graxa, não precisas de mentir.

Kit de engraxar

— A shoe shine kit.

Comprei um kit de engraxar sapatos novo.

Idioms & Expressions

"Engraxar as botas a alguém"

— To be extremely sycophantic to someone, usually a superior.

Ele passa o dia a engraxar as botas ao general.

informal
"Dar uma engraxadela"

— To give a quick polish or a quick, superficial compliment.

Vou dar uma engraxadela nos sapatos antes de sair.

colloquial
"Cheirar a graxa"

— To be obvious that someone is flattering for interest.

Esta conversa já cheira a graxa.

informal
"Ser um engraxador"

— To be a bootlicker or a flatterer.

Não sejas um engraxador, tem dignidade.

derogatory
"Graxa de cego"

— Low quality shoe polish, or metaphorically, very poor flattery.

Isso que disseste foi graxa de cego, ninguém acredita.

slang
"Engraxar o caminho"

— To prepare the way by making people like you first.

Ele está a engraxar o caminho para a promoção.

metaphorical
"Sair a engraxar"

— To leave a place having flattered everyone.

Ele saiu da reunião a engraxar todos os sócios.

informal
"Fazer a graxa"

— To actively work on flattering someone.

Ela está a fazer a graxa para ver se sai mais cedo.

colloquial
"Engraxar por fora"

— To care only about appearances.

Ele engraxa por fora, mas por dentro é desonesto.

philosophical
"Levar graxa"

— To be the recipient of flattery.

O professor gosta de levar graxa dos alunos.

informal

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

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