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A2 verb 8 min read

enxugar

Core Meaning
The verb 'enxugar' fundamentally means to make something dry. This can be achieved through various actions like wiping, blotting, or even by allowing something to air dry. It's a very practical word used in everyday situations.
Common Applications
You'll hear 'enxugar' used when talking about drying dishes after washing them, drying your hands, or drying off after a shower or bath. It can also apply to drying clothes, whether by hanging them out or using a dryer. In a more figurative sense, it can mean to reduce or cut back, like 'enxugar gastos' (to cut expenses), though this usage is more advanced.
Beyond the Literal
While the primary meaning is physical drying, 'enxugar' can also be used metaphorically. For instance, 'enxugar as lágrimas' means to wipe away tears, which is a more emotional application. It's a versatile verb that fits into many different contexts of daily life and even abstract concepts.

After the rain, we need to enxugar the patio furniture.

Please enxugar your hands before touching anything.

The sun will help to enxugar the laundry quickly.

She used a towel to enxugar the spilled water.

It's important to enxugar the dishes properly to avoid water spots.

Basic Sentence Structure
The most straightforward way to use 'enxugar' is with a direct object, indicating what is being dried. The structure is typically: Subject + enxugar + Object. For example, 'Eu enxugo a louça' (I dry the dishes). The conjugation of 'enxugar' will change based on the subject and tense.
Using the Reflexive Form
The reflexive form, 'enxugar-se', is used when the subject is drying themselves. This requires the reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se', 'nos', 'vos', 'se') placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive. For instance, 'Ele se enxugou rapidamente' (He dried himself quickly).
With Adverbs and Prepositional Phrases
To add more detail, you can include adverbs indicating how or when something is dried, or prepositional phrases specifying the tool used. For example, 'Ela enxugou o carro cuidadosamente com um pano macio' (She carefully dried the car with a soft cloth). The preposition 'com' (with) is very common here.
Figurative Usage
In more advanced contexts, 'enxugar' can be used figuratively. 'Enxugar a dívida' means to pay off a debt, and 'enxugar os gastos' means to reduce expenses. These uses are less about literal drying and more about eliminating or diminishing something.

I need to enxugar the counter after cooking.

After the shower, he will enxugar-se with a towel.

The wind helped to enxugar the wet clothes on the line.

We must enxugar our feet before entering the house.

The chef asked the assistant to enxugar the vegetables after washing them.

In the Kitchen
The kitchen is a prime location for hearing 'enxugar'. Phrases like 'Enxuga a louça, por favor' (Dry the dishes, please) or 'Preciso enxugar os copos antes de guardá-los' (I need to dry the glasses before putting them away) are very common. You might also hear people talking about drying fruits or vegetables after washing them.
In the Bathroom
After showering or bathing, the word 'enxugar' is essential. Someone might say, 'Enxuga-te bem para não ficar com frio' (Dry yourself well so you don't get cold) or 'Onde está a toalha para eu me enxugar?' (Where is the towel for me to dry myself?). Even drying hands after washing them falls into this category.
Around the House
Beyond the kitchen and bathroom, 'enxugar' applies to general household tasks. This includes drying spills on floors or furniture, drying pets after a bath ('Enxuga o cachorro, ele está molhado' - Dry the dog, he's wet), or even drying laundry that has been washed.
Figurative and Business Contexts
While less frequent for A2 learners, you might encounter the figurative use in news or discussions about finance. 'A empresa precisa enxugar seus custos' (The company needs to cut its costs) is an example. This shows the word's adaptability beyond its literal meaning.

My mom always tells me to enxugar the dishes after washing them.

Don't forget to enxugar your hands before you eat.

The rain stopped, so we can now enxugar the car.

After swimming, the children quickly ran to enxugar-se.

The laundry is still damp; it needs more time to enxugar.

Confusing with 'secar'
The most frequent confusion is with the verb 'secar'. While both mean 'to dry', 'enxugar' often implies an active action of wiping or blotting, whereas 'secar' can be more general, including air drying or becoming dry naturally. For instance, you 'enxuga' dishes with a towel, but clothes might 'secar' on the line.
Incorrect Conjugation
Like many Portuguese verbs, 'enxugar' can be tricky to conjugate, especially in different tenses. Beginners might incorrectly use the infinitive or a wrong ending. For example, saying 'Eu enxugar' instead of 'Eu enxugo' (I dry) or 'Ele enxugou' (He dried).
Misusing Reflexive Pronouns
When using 'enxugar-se' (to dry oneself), learners might forget the reflexive pronoun or place it incorrectly. For example, saying 'Eu enxugo-me' instead of the more common 'Eu me enxugo' (I dry myself) in Brazilian Portuguese, or omitting the pronoun altogether.
Overlooking Figurative Meanings
While the literal meaning is the priority for A2 learners, sometimes learners might try to apply the literal meaning of 'enxugar' in contexts where a figurative meaning is intended, leading to confusion. For example, trying to literally 'dry' expenses instead of reducing them.

Incorrect: 'Eu seco a toalha.' Correct: 'Eu enxugo a toalha com a mão.' (Implies wiping)

Incorrect: 'Ele enxugar-se com a toalha.' Correct: 'Ele se enxugou-se com a toalha.' (Past tense)

Incorrect: 'Nós enxugamos a casa.' Correct: 'Nós vamos enxugar o chão molhado.' (Focus on the action of drying)

Incorrect: 'A empresa quer enxugar o dinheiro.' Correct: 'A empresa quer enxugar os gastos.' (Figurative meaning)

Incorrect: 'Eu me enxugar.' Correct: 'Eu preciso enxugar-me.' (Infinitive form)

Secar (to dry)
'Secar' is the most common synonym and can often be used interchangeably with 'enxugar'. However, 'enxugar' usually implies a more active process of wiping or blotting, often with a tool like a towel or cloth. 'Secar' can also refer to natural drying (e.g., clothes drying in the sun) or a process of becoming dry.

Example:
'Eu enxugo a louça.' (I dry the dishes - implies using a towel.)
'A roupa vai secar no varal.' (The clothes will dry on the clothesline - natural drying.)
Asciugar (archaic/literary, to dry)
This word is much less common in modern spoken Portuguese and is primarily found in older literature or formal contexts. It carries a similar meaning to 'enxugar' but is rarely used by learners or in everyday conversation. Stick to 'enxugar' and 'secar' for practical use.
Absorver (to absorb)
While not a direct synonym, 'absorver' is related when talking about liquids. A towel 'enxuga' by absorbing water. So, the action of 'enxugar' often involves absorption.

Example:
'O papel toalha absorve bem o líquido.' (The paper towel absorbs liquid well.)
'Use a toalha para enxugar o derramamento.' (Use the towel to dry the spill.)
Limpar (to clean)
'Limpar' means to clean. Often, drying is a part of the cleaning process. After washing something ('lavar'), you might 'enxugar' it.

Exampl
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