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A2 noun 10 min read

integridade

Examples
Explanation integridade in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'integridade' often, but you might see it in basic signs or very simple texts about being a 'good person'. In Portuguese, 'integridade' is a big, formal word for 'honesty' and 'being whole'. Think of it like the word 'integrity' in English. It's used when you want to say someone is really good and always does the right thing. For example, if a teacher is very fair, people might say they have 'integridade'. At this stage, just remember it is a feminine word ('a integridade') and it looks like the English word. You will mostly hear it in formal situations, like on the news or in school books. Don't worry about using it in your daily conversations yet; 'honesto' (honest) is much easier and more common for A1 learners. However, knowing 'integridade' helps you understand that Portuguese and English share many words from Latin. This word is part of a family that includes 'inteiro' (whole), which you might use to order a 'whole pizza' (uma pizza inteira). So, if you know 'inteiro', you can understand that 'integridade' is the quality of being 'whole' inside your heart and mind.
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At the A2 level, you should start recognizing 'integridade' in more varied contexts, especially in news headlines or workplace posters. You are beginning to learn about abstract nouns, and 'integridade' is a perfect example. It's not just about not lying; it's about being a complete, solid person. You might encounter the phrase 'integridade física' in safety instructions. For instance, 'Use o cinto para sua integridade física' (Use the seatbelt for your physical safety/integrity). This is a common way to say 'keep your body safe'. You should also notice how the word ends in '-dade'. In Portuguese, this suffix usually changes an adjective into a noun, similar to '-ity' in English. The adjective for 'integridade' is 'íntegro'. So, a 'homem íntegro' is a man with 'integridade'. When you write simple sentences, you can use it to describe someone you respect: 'Meu avô é um homem de muita integridade'. This sounds very polite and respectful. You might also hear it in the context of 'integridade de dados' if you work with computers, as many technical terms in Portuguese are very similar to English. Just remember to always use feminine adjectives with it, like 'grande integridade' or 'nossa integridade'.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'integridade' in discussions about ethics, society, and professional life. You should understand that 'integridade' is a key concept in 'compliance' and corporate ethics in the Lusophone world. You might be asked to talk about what makes a good leader, and using 'integridade' will make your Portuguese sound much more professional. You should also be comfortable with the legal nuance of 'integridade física'. In B1 reading materials, you might see articles about human rights where 'integridade' is used to describe the protection of individuals against violence. You should also start using collocations like 'manter a integridade' (to maintain integrity) or 'comprometer a integridade' (to compromise integrity). For example: 'A corrupção compromete a integridade das instituições'. This level requires you to move beyond simple 'good' or 'bad' and use these abstract nouns to express complex ideas. You should also be aware of the difference between 'integridade' and 'honestidade'. While 'honestidade' is about telling the truth, 'integridade' is a broader concept that includes consistency, ethics, and wholeness. It is a 'high-register' word, so using it correctly in an essay or a formal meeting will significantly improve your perceived fluency.
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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'integridade' and be able to use it in academic or technical debates. You should understand its application in 'integridade territorial' (territorial integrity) when discussing geopolitics or history. You should also be familiar with 'integridade acadêmica', which involves understanding Portuguese rules about citation and plagiarism. At this level, you can use the word to discuss structural issues: 'A integridade estrutural do prédio foi questionada pelos especialistas'. You should also be able to use its synonyms like 'retidão' or 'honradez' to avoid repetition in your writing. You will notice that 'integridade' is often used in the preamble of contracts or in the mission statements of Portuguese and Brazilian companies. You should be able to explain the concept of 'integridade' in your own words, perhaps by relating it to the Latin root 'integer' (whole/untouched). This level also requires you to understand the word in figurative contexts, such as the 'integridade de uma obra de arte' (the integrity of a work of art), meaning it hasn't been changed or damaged. Your ability to distinguish between 'integridade' (moral/structural) and 'integração' (social/mathematical) should be perfect at this stage.
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At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate the philosophical and legal depth of 'integridade'. You will encounter this word in complex legal texts, such as the Brazilian Constitution or the Portuguese Civil Code, where 'integridade moral e física' are fundamental rights. You should be able to participate in high-level discussions about 'improbidade administrativa' (administrative dishonesty) and how it relates to a lack of 'integridade'. You will also see this word in literary criticism, discussing the 'integridade narrativa' (narrative integrity) of a novel. At this level, you should be able to use the word with precision in various registers, from a formal legal brief to a deep philosophical conversation. You might explore the concept of 'integridade' in the works of Lusophone thinkers or in the context of 'Ética e Cidadania'. You should also be aware of how the word is used in international treaties written in Portuguese, such as those from the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). Your usage should include sophisticated structures like 'Zelar pela integridade' (To watch over/care for integrity) or 'Em prol da integridade' (In favor of integrity). You understand that 'integridade' is not just a trait but a systemic requirement for a functioning democracy and a safe society.
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At the C2 level, your command of 'integridade' should be indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its various applications across all professional fields—from the 'integridade de sinais' in telecommunications to the 'integridade do ego' in psychoanalysis. You can write persuasive editorials or academic papers where 'integridade' is a central theme, using it to weave complex arguments about ethics, law, and structural safety. You are sensitive to the rhetorical power of the word and can use it to evoke a sense of solemnity or non-negotiable standards. You understand the subtle differences in how 'integridade' might be perceived in different Lusophone cultures—for instance, its heavy association with anti-corruption movements in Brazil versus its traditional legal weight in Portugal. You can use the word in its rarest forms and collocations, and you are comfortable with its related forms like the adverb 'integralmente' (entirely) and the verb 'integrar' (to integrate), understanding the distinct semantic paths they have taken. At this level, 'integridade' is a tool in your linguistic arsenal that you use with absolute precision, elegance, and cultural awareness.
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Examples

The Portuguese word integridade is a sophisticated noun that resonates deeply within both moral and physical contexts. At its core, it refers to the state of being whole, undivided, or undiminished. In a moral sense, it is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; it is the alignment between one's actions and their values. When you speak of someone's integridade, you are acknowledging their incorruptibility. However, unlike some English contexts that focus purely on character, Portuguese frequently employs this word in legal and medical settings to describe the 'physical wholeness' of a person (integridade física).

Moral Usage
Refers to a person's character, honesty, and ethical consistency. It is a highly respected trait in professional and personal life.

A integridade do juiz foi louvada por todos no tribunal (The judge's integrity was praised by everyone in the court).

Physical Usage
Refers to the state of being physically unharmed or the structural soundness of an object. In law, 'direito à integridade física' is the right to not be physically harmed.

O capacete protege a integridade física do trabalhador (The helmet protects the worker's physical integrity).

Beyond humans, the word extends to the digital and structural realms. In data science, integridade de dados (data integrity) ensures that information remains accurate and consistent throughout its entire life cycle. In engineering, integridade estrutural refers to the ability of a structure to hold together under a load, including its own weight, without breaking or deforming excessively. This multi-faceted nature makes it a high-frequency word in formal news, academic papers, and legal documents. It is rarely used in casual slang, but its importance in formal conversation cannot be overstated, especially when discussing rights, ethics, or safety.

Data Science Context
The assurance that data is accurate and has not been tampered with.

A integridade do banco de dados foi comprometida pelo ataque hacker (The database integrity was compromised by the hacker attack).

Manter a integridade territorial é um dever do exército (Maintaining territorial integrity is a duty of the army).

Ele agiu com total integridade durante as negociações (He acted with total integrity during the negotiations).

Using integridade correctly requires understanding its role as a feminine noun. It is almost always preceded by the feminine article 'a' or feminine adjectives like 'nossa', 'sua', or 'completa'. Because it is an abstract noun, it is rarely used in the plural, although 'integridades' exists theoretically. In sentence construction, it often acts as the direct object of verbs like 'manter' (to maintain), 'preservar' (to preserve), 'defender' (to defend), or 'comprometer' (to compromise).

Collocation: Manter a Integridade
This is the most common pairing, used in professional, moral, and physical contexts.

É difícil manter a integridade em um ambiente corrupto (It is hard to maintain integrity in a corrupt environment).

When describing a person, you use the preposition 'de'. For example, 'um homem de integridade' (a man of integrity). This construction is formal and carries a high degree of respect. In more modern, corporate settings, you will see it in 'compliance' documents, often paired with 'ética' (ethics). For example: 'Nosso código de conduta preza pela ética e integridade'. Notice how the preposition 'pela' (por + a) is used here because 'prezar' requires the preposition 'por'.

Collocation: Integridade Física
Always used when discussing safety, violence prevention, or human rights.

O Estado deve garantir a integridade física de todos os cidadãos (The State must guarantee the physical integrity of all citizens).

In academic writing, you might use 'integridade acadêmica' to discuss plagiarism and research ethics. In this case, the adjective 'acadêmica' follows the noun and agrees in gender. If you want to say something is 'intact', the adjective form 'íntegro' or 'intacto' is used, but 'integridade' describes the concept itself. For example: 'A integridade da obra foi preservada' (The integrity of the work was preserved).

Collocation: Integridade Territorial
Common in international relations and news regarding borders and sovereignty.

A guerra ameaça a integridade territorial do país (The war threatens the country's territorial integrity).

A integridade dos dados é vital para a pesquisa (Data integrity is vital for the research).

Eles questionaram a integridade do processo eleitoral (They questioned the integrity of the electoral process).

You will encounter integridade in several distinct environments across the Portuguese-speaking world. First and foremost is the legal and judicial sphere. In Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, legal codes are filled with references to 'integridade'. When a person is assaulted, the police report often mentions 'ofensa à integridade física'. This isn't just 'injury'; it's a formal way of saying the person's physical wholeness was violated. If you watch the news (like Jornal Nacional in Brazil or RTP in Portugal), you will hear this term in reports about human rights or police conduct.

The Corporate World
Large companies have 'Programas de Integridade'. This is the formal term for anti-corruption and compliance programs.

A empresa implementou um novo programa de integridade corporativa (The company implemented a new corporate integrity program).

Another common place is Political Discourse. Politicians often run on platforms of 'integridade e transparência'. Because corruption is a significant topic of public debate in many Lusophone countries, this word is a staple of political speeches, debates, and newspaper editorials. It carries a heavy weight of public expectation. When a scandal breaks, commentators will discuss the 'falta de integridade' (lack of integrity) of the involved parties.

Engineering and Science
In technical reports, 'integridade estrutural' is used to discuss the safety of bridges, buildings, or dams.

Os engenheiros atestaram a integridade estrutural da ponte (The engineers certified the structural integrity of the bridge).

Finally, in Information Technology, Portuguese-speaking IT professionals use 'integridade de dados' constantly. Whether they are discussing blockchain technology, database management, or cybersecurity, the 'integridade' of the information is the primary concern. You'll hear it in meetings, read it in documentation, and see it in error messages (e.g., 'Erro de integridade referencial').

Social Media and Public Opinion
In 'cancel culture' or public debates, a celebrity's integrity is often the subject of intense scrutiny.

O escândalo abalou a integridade pública do artista (The scandal shook the artist's public integrity).

A integridade do sistema foi testada exaustivamente (The system's integrity was tested exhaustively).

O documento ressalta a importância da integridade moral (The document emphasizes the importance of moral integrity).

Even though integridade is a cognate of 'integrity', English speakers often make subtle mistakes when applying it in Portuguese. The most frequent error is related to gender agreement. Because 'integridade' is feminine, all associated words must match. Students often say 'um integridade' or 'o integridade' because 'integrity' in English is gender-neutral. Remember: A integridade é importante.

Mistake: Confusing 'Integridade' with 'Inteireza'
While they share roots, 'inteireza' is more about the quality of being 'whole' or 'complete' in a physical or emotional sense, while 'integridade' is more abstract and moral.

Errado: Ele é um homem de inteireza. Correto: Ele é um homem de integridade.

Another common pitfall is the overuse of the word in casual contexts. In English, we might say 'the integrity of this sandwich' to be funny or descriptive. In Portuguese, this sounds very strange. Using 'integridade' for mundane objects usually feels overly dramatic or technical. For a sandwich, you would say 'O sanduíche está inteiro' (The sandwich is whole). Keep 'integridade' for high-stakes topics like ethics, health, or engineering.

Preposition Errors
Learners often use 'com' when they should use 'de'. While 'com integridade' (with integrity) is correct for actions, 'de integridade' is the standard for character descriptions.

Ele agiu com integridade (He acted with integrity). Ele é um homem de integridade (He is a man of integrity).

Finally, avoid translating 'integrity' as 'integração'. 'Integração' means 'integration' (like social or mathematical integration). While they look similar, they are not interchangeable. Saying 'A integração do político é boa' would mean the politician's ability to integrate into a group is good, not that he is honest.

False Friend Warning
Integridade vs Integração. One is about character/wholeness; the other is about joining or combining.

A integridade (character) do novo membro é exemplar. A integração (joining) do novo membro foi rápida.

Não confunda integridade com simples honestidade; é algo mais profundo.

Sua integridade foi colocada à prova (Your integrity was put to the test).

To truly master integridade, it's helpful to know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. Depending on whether you mean 'moral honesty' or 'physical wholeness', there are several alternatives. For moral contexts, honradez and retidão are excellent choices. For physical or structural contexts, inviolabilidade or totalidade might be more precise.

Integridade vs. Honradez
'Honradez' is more about honor and reputation. 'Integridade' is more internal and systemic. You can be 'honrado' (honored) because of your 'integridade'.

Sua honradez é conhecida por todos na vila (His honor/honesty is known by everyone in the village).

Retidão (rectitude) is another strong synonym. It implies 'straightness' or 'correctness'. It is often used in religious or very formal ethical discussions. If integridade is the 'wholeness' of your character, retidão is the 'straight path' you walk. In legal terms, inviolabilidade (inviolability) is used when talking about the right to privacy or the sanctity of the home, which is a specific type of integrity.

Integridade vs. Probidade
'Probidade' is an extremely formal word, almost exclusively used in law (e.g., 'improbidade administrativa' - administrative misconduct/corruption).

O político foi acusado de falta de probidade (The politician was accused of lack of probity/integrity).

In the context of data or physical things, consistência (consistency) and solidez (solidity) are useful. While 'integridade de dados' is the technical term, you might say 'os dados são consistentes' (the data is consistent). For a building, you might praise its 'solidez' (solidity) rather than its 'integridade' in a casual conversation.

Summary of Alternatives
Honestidade (Casual), Honradez (Reputation), Retidão (Moral straightness), Probidade (Legal), Inviolabilidade (Right-based).

Buscamos a totalidade da verdade (We seek the wholeness/entirety of the truth).

A retidão de caráter é sua maior virtude (Rectitude of character is his greatest virtue).

A inviolabilidade do domicílio é um direito constitucional (The inviolability of the home is a constitutional right).

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Examples by Level

1

Ele é um homem de integridade.

He is a man of integrity.

Integridade is a feminine noun.

2

A integridade é importante para todos.

Integrity is important for everyone.

Use the article 'a' before integridade.

3

Ela trabalha com muita integridade.

She works with a lot of integrity.

'Com' means 'with'.

4

Sua integridade é admirável.

Your integrity is admirable.

'Sua' matches the feminine 'integridade'.

5

Nós queremos integridade na escola.

We want integrity in the school.

No article needed here after 'queremos' in a general sense.

6

O professor fala sobre integridade.

The teacher speaks about integrity.

'Sobre' means 'about'.

7

Honestidade e integridade são parecidas.

Honesty and integrity are similar.

Plural verb 'são' because there are two subjects.

8

Eu vejo integridade no seu olhar.

I see integrity in your eyes/look.

'No' is 'em + o' (in the).

1

O capacete protege sua integridade física.

The helmet protects your physical integrity.

'Integridade física' is a common phrase for physical safety.

2

Manter a integridade é um desafio diário.

Maintaining integrity is a daily challenge.

'Manter' is the infinitive 'to maintain'.

3

A integridade dos dados foi salva.

The data integrity was saved.

'Dos' is 'de + os' (of the).

4

Eles agiram com integridade durante o jogo.

They acted with integrity during the game.

'Agiram' is the past tense of 'agir'.

5

A integridade é a base da nossa amizade.

Integrity is the basis of our friendship.

'Base' is a feminine noun.

6

Precisamos de pessoas de integridade na política.

We need people of integrity in politics.

'Precisamos de' always requires the preposition 'de'.

7

O contrato garante a integridade do projeto.

The contract guarantees the project's integrity.

'Garante' comes from 'garantir'.

8

Sua integridade moral nunca foi questionada.

Your moral integrity was never questioned.

Passive voice: 'foi questionada'.

1

A empresa preza pela integridade em seus negócios.

The company values integrity in its business.

'Prezar por' means to value or cherish.

2

O juiz defendeu a integridade do processo judicial.

The judge defended the integrity of the judicial process.

'Defendeu' is the past tense of 'defender'.

3

A integridade territorial é fundamental para a paz.

Territorial integrity is fundamental for peace.

'Territorial' is an adjective modifying 'integridade'.

4

O escândalo comprometeu a integridade do político.

The scandal compromised the politician's integrity.

'Comprometer' means to compromise or jeopardize.

5

Devemos zelar pela integridade física dos idosos.

We must look after the physical integrity of the elderly.

'Zelar por' is a formal way to say 'to look after'.

6

A integridade acadêmica evita o plágio.

Academic integrity prevents plagiarism.

'Evita' comes from 'evitar'.

7

Ele é conhecido por sua retidão e integridade.

He is known for his rectitude and integrity.

'Retidão' is a synonym for integrity.

8

A integridade do sistema foi verificada hoje.

The system's integrity was verified today.

'Verificada' agrees with the feminine 'integridade'.

1

A integridade estrutural da ponte foi abalada pelo sismo.

The bridge's structural integrity was shaken by the earthquake.

'Abalada' means shaken or weakened.

2

O código de ética exige integridade absoluta.

The code of ethics demands absolute integrity.

'Exige' comes from 'exigir'.

3

Ela questionou a integridade das provas apresentadas.

She questioned the integrity of the evidence presented.

'Provas' in legal context means 'evidence'.

4

Manter a integridade em tempos de crise é difícil.

Maintaining integrity in times of crisis is difficult.

'Em tempos de' is a common temporal expression.

5

A integridade da biosfera é uma preocupação global.

The integrity of the biosphere is a global concern.

'Global' is an adjective for both genders.

6

O relatório foca na integridade do mercado financeiro.

The report focuses on the integrity of the financial market.

'Foca na' is 'focar + em + a'.

7

Sua integridade é seu maior patrimônio moral.

Your integrity is your greatest moral asset.

'Patrimônio' means asset or heritage.

8

A integridade dos arquivos digitais é essencial.

The integrity of digital files is essential.

'Essencial' is an adjective for both genders.

1

A integridade ontológica do ser é um tema complexo.

The ontological integrity of being is a complex theme.

'Ontológica' refers to the nature of being.

2

O Ministério Público zela pela integridade administrativa.

The Public Prosecutor's Office watches over administrative integrity.

'Ministério Público' is the state prosecution service.

3

A integridade da obra literária foi preservada na tradução.

The literary work's integrity was preserved in the translation.

'Preservada' refers back to 'integridade'.

4

A integridade do ecossistema depende da biodiversidade.

The ecosystem's integrity depends on biodiversity.

'Depende de' is the required prepositional phrase.

5

Ele renunciou para preservar sua integridade pessoal.

He resigned to preserve his personal integrity.

'Renunciou' means resigned.

6

A integridade das comunicações é protegida por lei.

The integrity of communications is protected by law.

'Por lei' means by law.

7

O conceito de integridade evoluiu ao longo dos séculos.

The concept of integrity has evolved over the centuries.

'Ao longo de' means over the course of.

8

A integridade é o cerne da conduta ética.

Integrity is the core of ethical conduct.

'Cerne' means core or heart of something.

1

A integridade dos dados genômicos é crucial para a medicina.

The integrity of genomic data is crucial for medicine.

'Genômicos' is a specialized scientific adjective.

2

O autor discorre sobre a integridade da consciência.

The author discourses upon the integrity of consciousness.

'Discorre sobre' is a high-level way to say 'discusses'.

3

A integridade estrutural subjacente garante a estabilidade.

The underlying structural integrity guarantees stability.

'Subjacente' means underlying.

4

É imperativo resguardar a integridade das instituições democráticas.

It is imperative to safeguard the integrity of democratic institutions.

'Resguardar' is a formal synonym for 'proteger'.

5

A integridade do tecido social está sob constante ameaça.

The integrity of the social fabric is under constant threat.

'Tecido social' is a metaphor for society.

6

A integridade referencial é um pilar dos bancos de dados.

Referential integrity is a pillar of databases.

A technical term in SQL and data management.

7

O ensaio aborda a integridade artística na era digital.

The essay addresses artistic integrity in the digital age.

'Aborda' means addresses or covers.

8

Sua integridade inabalável tornou-o um mártir da causa.

His unwavering integrity made him a martyr for the cause.

'Inabalável' means unshakable.

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