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A2 adjective #4,500 most common 13 min read

lucrativo

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips lucrativo in 30 Seconds

Explanation lucrativo in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to describe things. 'Lucrativo' might seem like a big word, but it is simple to understand: it means something makes money. Think of it as 'money-making'. At this stage, you should focus on the basic masculine and feminine forms: 'lucrativo' for masculine things like 'trabalho' (work) or 'negócio' (business), and 'lucrativa' for feminine things like 'venda' (sale) or 'loja' (shop). You can use it in very short sentences to describe simple activities. For example, if you sell lemonade, you can say 'Meu negócio é lucrativo'. It is an important word because even at a basic level, people talk about jobs and money. You will often see it in simple advertisements or when talking about why someone chose a certain profession. Don't worry about the complex financial nuances yet; just remember that 'lucrativo' = 'good for my wallet'. Practice saying it with the verb 'ser' (to be) to make simple statements about the world around you.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'lucrativo' to describe more specific situations and compare different activities. You should be comfortable with the plural forms: 'lucrativos' and 'lucrativas'. You will start to see this word in short news clips or articles about local businesses. At this stage, it's helpful to learn the phrase 'sem fins lucrativos', which describes charities and NGOs. This is a very common expression in Portuguese-speaking countries. You can also start using adverbs like 'muito' (very) or 'pouco' (little/not much) to modify the word. For example, 'Vender café é muito lucrativo'. You are beginning to understand that 'lucrativo' is an adjective that describes the result of an action. You might use it when talking about your hobbies or why you are learning Portuguese (maybe for a 'carreira lucrativa'). It's also a good time to notice that 'lucrativo' usually comes *after* the noun it describes. This is a key rule for Portuguese adjectives that you are mastering at this level.

By the B1 level, you are moving into more abstract and professional topics. You can use 'lucrativo' to discuss investments, market trends, and economic news. You should be able to explain *why* something is lucrativo using 'porque' and other connectors. At this level, you start to distinguish between 'lucrativo' (making profit) and 'rentável' (having a good return). You will encounter 'lucrativo' in podcasts about entrepreneurship or in business meetings. You can use it in the conditional tense to talk about potential: 'Este projeto seria lucrativo se tivéssemos mais clientes'. You should also be familiar with related nouns like 'lucro' (profit) and verbs like 'lucrar' (to profit). Your vocabulary is expanding, and you can now use 'lucrativo' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Embora seja um setor arriscado, ele é extremamente lucrativo'. This shows you can handle nuance and contrast, which is a hallmark of the B1 level.

At the B2 level, you can use 'lucrativo' with a high degree of precision in professional and academic settings. You understand the socio-economic implications of the word. For instance, you can discuss the ethics of a 'negócio lucrativo' that might have negative environmental impacts. You are comfortable using the word in formal reports, presentations, and debates. You can use advanced structures like 'Quanto mais lucrativo for o investimento, maior será o risco'. You also recognize the word in idiomatic expressions and can use synonyms like 'profícuo' or 'vantajoso' to avoid repetition. At this stage, you are likely reading newspapers like 'Expresso' or 'Valor Econômico', where 'lucrativo' appears in almost every article about the stock market or corporate strategy. You can also use the word to describe abstract concepts, like a 'parceria lucrativa' between two countries or organizations, where the 'profit' might be political or strategic rather than just financial.

At the C1 level, your use of 'lucrativo' is sophisticated and natural. You can use it to express subtle irony or sarcasm, or to delve into deep economic analysis. You understand the historical context of 'atividades lucrativas' in the Lusophone world, such as the colonial spice trade or the modern-day 'agronegócio'. You can use the word in complex grammatical constructions, including the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive, with ease. You are able to critique the 'modelo lucrativo' of a company and suggest alternatives. Your vocabulary includes very specific business terms that often accompany 'lucrativo', such as 'margem líquida', 'dividendos', and 'sustentabilidade'. You can write long essays or give detailed speeches where 'lucrativo' is just one part of a complex argument about finance, society, or law. You are also aware of the regional differences in how profit and wealth are discussed in different Portuguese-speaking cultures.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the word 'lucrativo' and all its nuances. You can use it in any context, from a high-level board meeting to a literary analysis of a novel. You understand the most obscure synonyms and can use 'lucrativo' to create poetic or highly rhetorical effects. You are capable of interpreting the 'silences' around the word—for instance, when a company describes itself as 'sustentável' instead of 'lucrativo' to manage its public image. You can navigate the most complex legal documents involving 'fins lucrativos' and understand the tax implications perfectly. You can also use the word to discuss philosophy or ethics, questioning the very nature of what makes an activity 'lucrativa' for humanity as a whole. Your mastery is such that you can play with the word, using it in puns or complex metaphors, and you can switch between formal and informal registers effortlessly when discussing financial success.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

lucrativo in 30 Seconds

Lucrativo means 'profitable' or 'lucrative' in Portuguese.
It describes activities, businesses, or investments that produce profit (lucro).
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (lucrativo/a/os/as).
It is commonly used in business, finance, and everyday talk about money.

The Portuguese adjective lucrativo is a fundamental term for anyone navigating the worlds of business, finance, or personal development in a Lusophone context. At its core, it translates to "lucrative" or "profitable" in English. However, its usage extends beyond just the simple balance sheet of a corporation. It describes any activity, venture, or investment that results in a significant financial gain or a surplus of resources after costs have been accounted for. In the vibrant economic landscapes of Brazil and Portugal, understanding this word is key to discussing everything from street food startups to multi-billion dollar energy contracts.

Financial Return: The primary use of 'lucrativo' is to describe a business model or a specific deal that generates 'lucro' (profit). If the income exceeds the expenses, the venture is deemed lucrativo.

Investir em imóveis no centro de Lisboa provou ser um negócio altamente lucrativo nos últimos dez anos.

When you hear a Brazilian entrepreneur talking about a "nicho lucrativo," they are referring to a market segment that is currently underserved and offers high margins. In Portugal, the word might appear in formal government reports regarding the "setor lucrativo" (the private sector or for-profit sector) as opposed to the "setor não lucrativo" (non-profit organizations). The word is versatile; it can describe a small side hustle, like selling homemade brigadeiros, or a massive industrial operation like deep-sea oil drilling. It is an objective word, focusing on the result rather than the effort involved. You wouldn't typically call a person 'lucrativo', but rather their actions or the entities they manage.

Efficiency and Advantage: Beyond money, 'lucrativo' can sometimes hint at something being advantageous or worthwhile in terms of time and energy, though 'proveitoso' is more common for non-monetary gains.

In a cultural sense, the pursuit of a "vida lucrativa" is often discussed in the context of the rising middle class in Brazil. People are constantly looking for "oportunidades lucrativas" to escape economic instability. Therefore, the word carries a weight of aspiration and success. It is not just a cold accounting term; it is a marker of a successful strategy. When a project is described as "pouco lucrativo," it is a polite way of saying it might be a waste of resources or that it needs a serious pivot to survive in the competitive market.

A exportação de soja é uma das atividades mais lucrativas para a economia brasileira.

Finally, it is important to distinguish 'lucrativo' from its synonyms. While 'rentável' focuses on the yield or the rate of return over time, 'lucrativo' focuses on the sheer fact that profit is being made. You might have a 'negócio lucrativo' that isn't very 'rentável' if the initial investment was so high that it takes decades to pay off. However, in casual conversation, these nuances are often blurred, and 'lucrativo' remains the go-to word for anything that puts more money in your pocket than it takes out.

Usage in Media: In newspapers like 'Folha de S.Paulo' or 'Público', you will see 'lucrativo' used to describe quarterly results of banks or the success of a new blockbuster film at the box office.

Using 'lucrativo' correctly requires a basic understanding of Portuguese adjective-noun agreement. Since it ends in '-o', it follows the standard pattern: lucrativo (masculine singular), lucrativa (feminine singular), lucrativos (masculine plural), and lucrativas (feminine plural). It typically follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese. However, for emphasis, it can occasionally be placed before the noun in literary or highly rhetorical contexts, though this is rare in everyday speech.

Eles encontraram um mercado lucrativo na venda de carros elétricos.

One of the most common structures involves the verb 'ser' (to be). Because profitability is often seen as a characteristic or a status of a business, 'ser' is the natural choice. For example, "O negócio é lucrativo" (The business is profitable). If you are talking about a temporary state, perhaps a business that is profitable right now but might not be later, you might occasionally see 'estar', but 'ser' is overwhelmingly more frequent as profitability is viewed as an inherent quality of the business model.

Agreement Examples: Masculine: O projeto lucrativo. Feminine: A empresa lucrativa. Plural Masculine: Os investimentos lucrativos. Plural Feminine: As parcerias lucrativas.

You will also frequently find 'lucrativo' paired with adverbs of degree to specify just how much money is being made. Words like 'muito' (very), 'extremamente' (extremely), 'altamente' (highly), or 'pouco' (little/not very) are common companions. For instance, "Esta é uma atividade altamente lucrativa" emphasizes the high margins involved. Conversely, "O setor de livrarias físicas tornou-se pouco lucrativo" suggests a decline in profitability.

Não é lucrativo manter a fábrica aberta durante o feriado.

In more complex sentences, 'lucrativo' can be part of a comparative or superlative structure. "Este novo método é mais lucrativo do que o anterior" (This new method is more profitable than the previous one). Or, "É o empreendimento mais lucrativo da minha carreira" (It is the most profitable venture of my career). These structures are vital for business presentations and financial reporting where comparisons are the norm.

Prepositional Phrases: Often used with 'para' to indicate who benefits: 'lucrativo para a empresa' (profitable for the company) or 'lucrativo para os acionistas' (profitable for the shareholders).

As apostas online tornaram-se um passatempo lucrativo para alguns, mas arriscado para muitos.

Finally, consider the placement in questions. "O seu negócio é lucrativo?" is a direct way to ask if someone's business is making money. In a more formal setting, one might ask, "Quão lucrativo é este investimento?" (How profitable is this investment?). Mastery of these variations allows you to discuss financial health with confidence in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

Common Nouns Modified: Negócio, investimento, contrato, setor, mercado, atividade, empresa, parceria, venda, projeto.

You will encounter 'lucrativo' in several distinct environments, each providing a different flavor to the word. The most obvious place is in the financial news. If you turn on 'Globo News' in Brazil or 'SIC Notícias' in Portugal, the anchors will use 'lucrativo' when discussing the annual reports of major banks like Itaú or Santander. They will analyze which sectors of the economy are currently the most 'lucrativos' and which are struggling. It's a staple of the 'Caderno de Economia' (Economy Section) in any major newspaper.

O setor de tecnologia continua sendo o mais lucrativo da bolsa de valores este ano.

In the world of entrepreneurship and startups—a very hot topic in cities like São Paulo and Lisbon—'lucrativo' is a buzzword. You'll hear it in 'pitch decks' where founders try to convince investors that their app or service will be highly lucrativo. Influencers on YouTube and TikTok who focus on 'finanças pessoais' (personal finance) frequently use the word when giving advice on how to make your 'dinheiro render' (make your money work for you). They might say, "Cinco ideias de negócios lucrativos para começar com pouco dinheiro" (Five lucrative business ideas to start with little money).

Professional Environment: In office meetings, managers use 'lucrativo' to justify cutting costs or investing in new software. 'Precisamos tornar este processo mais lucrativo' (We need to make this process more profitable).

Legal and administrative contexts are also heavy users of the term. When registering a company in Brazil (opening a CNPJ), you must specify if the entity is 'com fins lucrativos' (for-profit) or 'sem fins lucrativos' (non-profit). This distinction determines the tax bracket and the legal obligations of the organization. Therefore, anyone working in law, accounting, or administration will use this word daily. In Portugal, the same distinction is vital for 'associações' and 'fundações'.

A organização foi registrada como uma entidade sem fins lucrativos.

In more casual settings, you might hear it when people talk about their hobbies or side projects. A friend might say they started selling plants online and it's surprisingly 'lucrativo'. Or, in a more cynical tone, someone might describe a popular but low-quality trend as just a 'esquema lucrativo' (a lucrative scheme) for the people at the top. This shows that the word can carry a slight negative connotation if the profit is perceived as being made unfairly or at the expense of quality.

Academic Context: In universities, particularly in Business (Administração) or Economics (Economia) courses, students study 'modelos lucrativos' and the history of 'atividades lucrativas' throughout the centuries.

O agronegócio é o pilar mais lucrativo das exportações nacionais.

Lastly, you'll hear it in documentaries or podcasts about history or true crime. For instance, a narrator might describe the 'comércio lucrativo' of spices in the 16th century that led Portuguese explorers to India, or a 'esquema lucrativo de lavagem de dinheiro' (a lucrative money-laundering scheme) in a modern crime investigation. In all these cases, 'lucrativo' serves as the primary descriptor for the accumulation of wealth.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 'lucrativo' is failing to adjust for gender and number. In English, "lucrative" is static. In Portuguese, if you are talking about "vendas" (sales, feminine plural), you must say "vendas lucrativas." Saying "vendas lucrativo" is a jarring error that immediately marks you as a beginner. Always identify the gender of the noun you are describing first.

Gender Mismatch: Incorrect: Uma ideia muito lucrativo. Correct: Uma ideia muito lucrativa. (Idea is feminine).

Muitas pessoas acham que ter um canal no YouTube é sempre lucrativo, mas requer muito esforço.

Another common pitfall is confusing 'lucrativo' with 'rico' (rich). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. A person is 'rica', but a business is 'lucrativo'. You would never say "O João é lucrativo" unless you were jokingly implying that João is a business asset that generates money. Similarly, don't confuse it with 'caro' (expensive). Something can be 'caro' but not 'lucrativo' if the costs of producing it are even higher than the price.

Confusing with 'Rentável': While often used as synonyms, 'rentável' implies a good return on investment (ROI) over time, whereas 'lucrativo' simply means it produces profit. A business with 1% profit is lucrativo, but it might not be considered rentável by an investor.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the preposition that follows the word. If you want to say something is lucrative *for* someone, use 'para'. Example: "Isso é lucrativo para mim." Some learners mistakenly try to use 'a' or 'com'. Stick to 'para' when indicating the beneficiary of the profit. Also, be careful with the phrase 'sem fins lucrativos'. Some students forget the 's' in 'fins' (ends/purposes) and say 'sem fim lucrativo', which sounds like 'without a lucrative end' rather than the standard 'non-profit'.

O projeto não foi lucrativo o suficiente para atrair novos investidores.

Finally, there is the issue of intensity. In English, we often say "very lucrative." In Portuguese, 'muito lucrativo' is perfect, but avoid using 'bastante' if you mean 'extremely'. 'Bastante' usually means 'enough' or 'considerably', but 'muito' or 'altamente' are better for emphasizing high profitability. Using 'lucrativo' in the wrong context, like describing a fun party, is also a mistake. For a party, use 'divertido'; 'lucrativo' would only apply if you were the one selling the tickets and making a profit!

Spelling Note: Ensure you don't add an extra 'i' like in some other Romance languages. It is 'lucrativo', not 'lucrativio'.

To sound more like a native speaker, it's essential to have a toolkit of synonyms for 'lucrativo' that you can swap in depending on the context. While 'lucrativo' is the most direct translation of "profitable," other words can add nuance to your speech. The most common alternative is rentável. While 'lucrativo' focuses on the existence of profit, 'rentável' focuses on the efficiency of the capital used. An investment that returns 20% is more 'rentável' than one that returns 5%, even if the 5% one makes more total money.

Rentável vs. Lucrativo: Rentável: Focuses on yield/ROI. Lucrativo: Focuses on the presence of profit (lucro). Use 'rentável' for investments and 'lucrativo' for business operations.

Manter dinheiro na poupança não é muito rentável hoje em dia.

Another useful word is vantajoso (advantageous). This is broader than 'lucrativo'. A deal might be 'vantajoso' because it gives you strategic market position, even if it isn't immediately 'lucrativo'. Use 'vantajoso' when the benefit isn't strictly monetary, or when you want to emphasize that the terms of a deal are in your favor. Similarly, proveitoso (fruitful/profitable) is often used for experiences, time, or study. "Uma reunião proveitosa" is a meeting where a lot was accomplished, not necessarily one where money was made.

Profícuo: This is a very formal, literary synonym for 'lucrativo' or 'productive'. You might see it in academic writing or formal speeches: 'Um debate profícuo'.

In business jargon, you might hear the word monetizável (monetizable). This is used for ideas or assets that *can* be turned into profit, even if they aren't currently. For example, a popular blog is 'monetizável' if it has the potential to sell ads. For something that is consistently making money over a long period, the word sustentável (sustainable) is often paired with 'lucrativo' to indicate that the profitability isn't just a flash in the pan.

Esta parceria será vantajosa para ambas as partes envolvidas.

On the opposite side, if a business is losing money, you wouldn't just say 'não lucrativo'; you might use the more technical term deficitário. A 'empresa deficitária' is one that is running at a loss. In casual speech, people say the business is 'dando prejuízo' (giving loss). Knowing these opposites helps define 'lucrativo' by what it is not. By mastering these alternatives, you can tailor your Portuguese to be as precise as a financial analyst or as casual as a street vendor.

Productive: Produtivo: Means productive. A farm can be 'produtiva' (yielding many crops) without being 'lucrativa' if the price of crops is too low to cover costs.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The Latin root 'lucrum' is also the source of the English word 'lucre' (often used negatively as in 'filthy lucre') and 'lucrative'. In Portuguese, however, 'lucrativo' is generally neutral or positive.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /lu.kɾɐ.ˈti.vu/

US /lu.kɾa.ˈtʃi.vu/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: lu-kra-TI-vo.

Rhymes With

objetivo incentivo ativo passivo cativo nativo relativo substantivo

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'u'.
Missing the 'r' sound or making it too guttural like a French 'r'.
In Brazil, forgetting the 'chi' sound for 'ti' (though this varies by region).
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., LU-kra-ti-vo).
Adding an extra vowel sound between 'c' and 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word 'lucrative'.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement (lucrativo/a/os/as).

Speaking 3/5

The 'r' and 'ti' sounds require some practice for a native-like accent.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects makes it easy to spot in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dinheiro lucro negócio muito ser

Learn Next

rentável investimento prejuízo capital mercado

Advanced

dividendos superavitário liquidez amortização proventos

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

A ideia (f) é lucrativa (f). O negócio (m) é lucrativo (m).

Adjective Placement

Um negócio lucrativo (Standard) vs. Um lucrativo negócio (Emphatic/Poetic).

Use of 'Ser' for permanent characteristics

O setor petrolífero é lucrativo.

Pluralization of adjectives ending in -o

Lucrativo -> Lucrativos.

Adverbs modifying adjectives

Extremamente lucrativo.

Examples by Level

O meu trabalho é lucrativo.

My job is profitable.

Simple subject + verb 'ser' + adjective.

Vender pão é lucrativo.

Selling bread is profitable.

Infinitive verb used as a subject.

A loja é lucrativa.

The shop is profitable.

Feminine agreement: 'loja' (f) -> 'lucrativa'.

É um negócio lucrativo.

It is a profitable business.

Adjective following the noun 'negócio'.

Eles têm atividades lucrativas.

They have profitable activities.

Plural feminine agreement: 'atividades' (f.pl) -> 'lucrativas'.

O mercado não é lucrativo.

The market is not profitable.

Negative sentence using 'não'.

Esta ideia é lucrativa?

Is this idea profitable?

Question form with rising intonation.

O projeto é muito lucrativo.

The project is very profitable.

Use of 'muito' as an intensifier.

O setor de turismo é muito lucrativo em Portugal.

The tourism sector is very profitable in Portugal.

Prepositional phrase 'em Portugal' adding context.

Ela quer abrir uma empresa lucrativa.

She wants to open a profitable company.

Verb 'querer' + infinitive 'abrir'.

Investir em ações pode ser lucrativo.

Investing in stocks can be profitable.

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive 'ser'.

Este é um passatempo lucrativo para ele.

This is a lucrative hobby for him.

Preposition 'para' indicating the beneficiary.

Muitos negócios pequenos não são lucrativos no início.

Many small businesses are not profitable at the beginning.

Plural masculine agreement: 'negócios' (m.pl) -> 'lucrativos'.

O contrato parece lucrativo para a nossa firma.

The contract seems profitable for our firm.

Linking verb 'parecer' + adjective.

Nós procuramos mercados mais lucrativos.

We are looking for more profitable markets.

Comparative 'mais' used with the adjective.

A venda de bolos foi lucrativa hoje.

The sale of cakes was profitable today.

Past tense 'foi' (pretérito perfeito) of 'ser'.

O investimento imobiliário tornou-se lucrativo após a crise.

Real estate investment became profitable after the crisis.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' indicating a change of state.

Não creio que este projeto seja lucrativo a curto prazo.

I don't believe this project is profitable in the short term.

Subjunctive mood 'seja' after 'não creio que'.

Para ser lucrativo, o negócio precisa de mais clientes.

To be profitable, the business needs more customers.

Preposition 'para' + infinitive 'ser' expressing purpose.

Eles descobriram uma forma lucrativa de reciclar plástico.

They discovered a profitable way to recycle plastic.

Noun 'forma' (f) modified by 'lucrativa'.

A parceria entre as duas empresas provou ser lucrativa.

The partnership between the two companies proved to be profitable.

Verb 'provar' followed by 'ser'.

Se o mercado crescer, o investimento será lucrativo.

If the market grows, the investment will be profitable.

Future subjunctive 'crescer' + future indicative 'será'.

Ela abandonou o emprego para seguir um caminho mais lucrativo.

She left her job to follow a more lucrative path.

Comparative 'mais lucrativo'.

A exploração de recursos naturais é altamente lucrativa.

The exploitation of natural resources is highly profitable.

Adverb 'altamente' used for emphasis.

A empresa diversificou o seu portfólio para se manter lucrativa.

The company diversified its portfolio to remain profitable.

Pronominal verb 'manter-se' + adjective agreement.

Embora o setor seja lucrativo, as barreiras à entrada são altas.

Although the sector is profitable, the barriers to entry are high.

Conjunction 'embora' triggering the subjunctive 'seja'.

O relatório indica que a operação no Brasil é a mais lucrativa.

The report indicates that the operation in Brazil is the most profitable.

Superlative 'a mais lucrativa'.

É fundamental encontrar um equilíbrio entre ser lucrativo e ser ético.

It is fundamental to find a balance between being profitable and being ethical.

Parallel structure with 'ser' + adjectives.

A estratégia de marketing revelou-se extremamente lucrativa.

The marketing strategy proved to be extremely profitable.

Reflexive verb 'revelar-se'.

Duvido que a fusão das empresas venha a ser lucrativa.

I doubt that the merger of the companies will come to be profitable.

Subjunctive 'venha' after 'duvido que'.

O agronegócio continua a ser o pilar mais lucrativo da economia.

Agribusiness continues to be the most profitable pillar of the economy.

Verb 'continuar a' + infinitive.

Eles operam num nicho pouco lucrativo, mas muito estável.

They operate in a niche that is not very profitable, but very stable.

Contrast using 'pouco... mas muito'.

A análise detalhada sugere que o modelo de subscrição é o mais lucrativo a longo prazo.

Detailed analysis suggests that the subscription model is the most profitable in the long run.

Complex subject and prepositional phrase 'a longo prazo'.

A exploração desenfreada, embora lucrativa, acarreta custos ambientais severos.

Unbridled exploitation, although profitable, entails severe environmental costs.

Parenthetical clause with 'embora' and sophisticated verb 'acarretar'.

Não obstante ser um mercado lucrativo, a volatilidade afasta os investidores.

Despite being a profitable market, volatility drives investors away.

Formal conjunction 'não obstante' followed by the infinitive.

A empresa logrou tornar-se lucrativa em apenas dois trimestres.

The company managed to become profitable in just two quarters.

Formal verb 'lograr' (to manage/achieve).

Questiona-se se a indústria do tabaco poderá continuar a ser lucrativa sob novas leis.

It is questioned whether the tobacco industry can continue to be profitable under new laws.

Passive voice 'questiona-se' and modal 'poderá'.

O setor farmacêutico é, por definição, um dos mais lucrativos do mundo.

The pharmaceutical sector is, by definition, one of the most profitable in the world.

Parenthetical phrase 'por definição'.

O seu percurso académico foi pautado por escolhas lucrativas e pragmáticas.

His academic career was marked by lucrative and pragmatic choices.

Passive voice 'foi pautado por'.

A rentabilidade de um negócio não o torna necessariamente lucrativo se o passivo for elevado.

The profitability of a business does not necessarily make it lucrative if the liabilities are high.

Conditional 'se' + future subjunctive 'for'.

A dialética entre o socialmente responsável e o puramente lucrativo domina o debate corporativo atual.

The dialectic between the socially responsible and the purely profitable dominates current corporate debate.

Use of adjectives as abstract nouns with the article 'o'.

A despeito das previsões pessimistas, a subsidiária revelou-se a joia da coroa, sendo a mais lucrativa do grupo.

Despite pessimistic predictions, the subsidiary proved to be the crown jewel, being the most profitable of the group.

Complex prepositional phrase 'a despeito de' and metaphor 'joia da coroa'.

A arquitetura financeira do projeto foi desenhada para ser lucrativa mesmo sob cenários de recessão profunda.

The financial architecture of the project was designed to be profitable even under scenarios of deep recession.

Passive voice 'foi desenhada' and preposition 'sob'.

Resta saber se a exploração espacial se tornará lucrativa antes do esgotamento dos recursos terrestres.

It remains to be seen whether space exploration will become profitable before the exhaustion of terrestrial resources.

Impersonal expression 'resta saber se'.

A hegemonia deste modelo lucrativo tem sido contestada por novas formas de economia circular.

The hegemony of this lucrative model has been contested by new forms of circular economy.

Compound tense 'tem sido contestada'.

A lucratividade, embora desejável, não deve obliterar os valores fundamentais da instituição.

Profitability, though desirable, should not obliterate the fundamental values of the institution.

Sophisticated verb 'obliterar' and noun form 'lucratividade'.

O cariz lucrativo daquela transação foi camuflado por uma retórica de ajuda humanitária.

The lucrative nature of that transaction was camouflaged by a rhetoric of humanitarian aid.

Noun 'cariz' (nature/character) and passive 'foi camuflado'.

Subsiste a dúvida sobre quão lucrativa pode ser uma empresa que negligencia o capital humano.

The doubt persists about how profitable a company that neglects human capital can be.

Verb 'subsistir' and relative clause 'que negligencia'.

Synonyms

rentável profícuo vantajoso proveitoso ganhoso produtivo frutuoso remunerador

Antonyms

deficitário prejudicial ruinoso improdutivo

Common Collocations

negócio lucrativo

setor lucrativo

mercado lucrativo

investimento lucrativo

atividade lucrativa

contrato lucrativo

parceria lucrativa

venda lucrativa

empresa lucrativa

nicho lucrativo

Common Phrases

sem fins lucrativos

— Non-profit; used to describe organizations that do not operate for money.

Trabalho numa organização sem fins lucrativos.

altamente lucrativo

— Highly profitable; used for very successful ventures.

O tráfico de armas é um negócio altamente lucrativo e ilegal.

pouco lucrativo

— Not very profitable; used when the margins are low.

Atualmente, o comércio de rua está pouco lucrativo.

potencial lucrativo

— Lucrative potential; used for ideas that might make money later.

Esta nova tecnologia tem um grande potencial lucrativo.

modelo lucrativo

— Profit model; how a business intends to make money.

O modelo lucrativo da empresa baseia-se em anúncios.

esquema lucrativo

— Lucrative scheme; often implies something slightly dishonest.

Ele foi preso por um esquema lucrativo de pirâmide.

caráter lucrativo

— Lucrative nature; the profit-oriented aspect of something.

Apesar do caráter lucrativo, a empresa ajuda a comunidade.

mais lucrativo

— Most profitable; used in comparisons.

Este é o ramo mais lucrativo da medicina.

tornar-se lucrativo

— To become profitable; indicating a change in status.

O site só se tornou lucrativo após três anos.

com fins lucrativos

— For-profit; the opposite of non-profit.

Todas as empresas com fins lucrativos devem pagar este imposto.

Often Confused With

lucrativo vs Lucroso

An older, less common synonym for lucrativo. Use lucrativo instead.

lucrativo vs Rico

Rico describes a person; lucrativo describes an activity or business.

lucrativo vs Caro

Caro means expensive; something can be expensive but not profitable.

Idioms & Expressions

"mina de ouro"

— A gold mine; something that is extremely profitable.

Aquele terreno é uma verdadeira mina de ouro.

Informal

"galinha dos ovos de ouro"

— The goose that lays the golden eggs; a constant source of profit.

Não vendas essa empresa, ela é a tua galinha dos ovos de ouro.

Informal

"dar dinheiro"

— To give/make money; a common way to say something is profitable.

Este negócio dá muito dinheiro no verão.

Informal

"encher os bolsos"

— To fill one's pockets; to make a lot of profit (often implies greed).

Eles estão a encher os bolsos com a crise.

Informal

"fazer fortuna"

— To make a fortune; to become very wealthy through profit.

Ele fez fortuna no mercado imobiliário.

Neutral

"lavar as mãos em ouro"

— To wash one's hands in gold; to be extremely profitable/wealthy.

Com esse contrato, vais lavar as mãos em ouro.

Informal

"negócio da China"

— A 'China deal'; an exceptionally good and profitable bargain.

Comprar aquele carro por esse preço foi um negócio da China.

Informal (Portugal)

"mão de Midas"

— The Midas touch; the ability to make everything profitable.

Tudo o que ele toca vira ouro; ele tem a mão de Midas.

Literary/Informal

"nadar em dinheiro"

— To swim in money; to have massive profits.

A empresa está a nadar em dinheiro este ano.

Informal

"custar os olhos da cara"

— To cost the eyes in one's head; very expensive (related to the cost side of profit).

A manutenção daquela máquina custa os olhos da cara.

Informal

Easily Confused

lucrativo vs Rentável

Both mean profitable.

Rentável focuses on the return on investment (percentage), while lucrativo focuses on the existence of profit (absolute).

A poupança não é rentável, mas o meu negócio é lucrativo.

lucrativo vs Proveitoso

Both mean 'beneficial'.

Proveitoso is for non-monetary benefits like time or learning. Lucrativo is for money.

A aula foi proveitosa, mas não foi lucrativa.

lucrativo vs Vantajoso

Both mean 'advantageous'.

Vantajoso is broader and can refer to better conditions or strategic gains.

É vantajoso morar perto do trabalho.

lucrativo vs Produtivo

A productive business is often profitable.

Produtivo refers to efficiency and output. A farm can be productive (many tomatoes) but not lucrative (low prices).

O funcionário é muito produtivo.

lucrativo vs Especulativo

Often associated with making money.

Especulativo implies high risk and betting on price changes, not necessarily a solid profit model.

O mercado de ações é muito especulativo.

Sentence Patterns

O/A [Noun] é lucrativo/a.

O trabalho é lucrativo.

É um/uma [Noun] muito lucrativo/a.

É uma venda muito lucrativa.

Eu acho que [Noun] pode ser lucrativo/a.

Eu acho que este curso pode ser lucrativo.

Para ser lucrativo, [Noun] precisa de...

Para ser lucrativo, o café precisa de mais clientes.

Embora seja lucrativo, [Noun] tem riscos.

Embora seja lucrativo, o negócio tem riscos.

Tornar-se lucrativo é o objetivo de...

Tornar-se lucrativo é o objetivo da empresa.

O cariz lucrativo de [Noun] é evidente.

O cariz lucrativo da transação é evidente.

A despeito de não ser lucrativo, o projeto...

A despeito de não ser lucrativo, o projeto continuará.

Word Family

Nouns

lucro profit

lucratividade profitability

lucrador one who profits

Verbs

lucrar to profit / to gain

Adjectives

lucrativo profitable

locupletar

lucroso

lucratividade

lucrativismo

lucrativista

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, news, and adult conversation.

Common Mistakes

O empresa é lucrativo. → A empresa é lucrativa.
'Empresa' is feminine, so it needs 'a' and 'lucrativa'.
Eu tenho um trabalho lucrativa. → Eu tenho um trabalho lucrativo.
'Trabalho' is masculine, so it needs 'lucrativo'.
Este é um lucrativo negócio. → Este é um negócio lucrativo.
In Portuguese, adjectives usually come after the noun.
A ONG é sem fim lucrativo. → A ONG é sem fins lucrativos.
The standard phrase uses the plural 'fins' and 'lucrativos'.
O meu salário é lucrativo. → O meu salário é alto / bom.
'Lucrativo' is for businesses/activities, not usually for salaries.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always match 'lucrativo' with the noun. 'Negócio lucrativo', 'Empresa lucrativa'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Use 'Lucro'

The noun form is 'lucro'. If you want to say 'to profit', use the verb 'lucrar'. This helps you build a word family.

Business Context

In a professional setting, 'lucrativo' is very standard. Use it in presentations to describe successful projects.

Non-Profits

Remember 'sem fins lucrativos'. It's a very common phrase for NGOs and charities in the Portuguese-speaking world.

Stress the Penultimate

The stress is on the 'TI'. lu-kra-TI-vo. Practice saying it out loud to get the rhythm right.

Swap for 'Rentável'

If you are talking about stocks or bank accounts, 'rentável' sounds more professional than 'lucrativo'.

Casual Alternative

Use 'dá dinheiro' (gives money) when talking to friends about a job or business. It sounds more natural.

Adverb Boost

Use 'altamente' or 'extremamente' before 'lucrativo' to make your writing more impactful.

News Watch

Watch Portuguese or Brazilian financial news. You will hear 'lucrativo' constantly when they discuss quarterly results.

Lucrative Link

Just remember it's almost the same as 'Lucrative' in English. The root is identical.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Lucrative'. They look and sound almost identical. 'Lucra-' (Lucre/Profit) + '-tivo' (Active). It is an 'active' way to get 'lucre'.

Visual Association

Imagine a green 'up' arrow made of gold coins. Next to it, a business owner is smiling. This visual links the word to financial growth and success.

Word Web

Lucro (Profit) Dinheiro (Money) Negócio (Business) Venda (Sale) Investimento (Investment) Sucesso (Success) Riqueza (Wealth) Economia (Economy)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your daily life that are 'lucrativas' and three that are 'sem fins lucrativos' and name them in Portuguese.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'lucrativus', which stems from the noun 'lucrum' meaning 'profit', 'gain', or 'advantage'.

Original meaning: In Latin, it referred to something that brings gain or is acquired through profit.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'lucrativo' to describe public services like healthcare or education, as this can be a politically sensitive topic regarding privatization.

English speakers might use 'profitable' more often in casual speech, whereas 'lucrative' sounds slightly more formal. In Portuguese, 'lucrativo' is common in both casual and formal business talk.

The phrase 'sem fins lucrativos' appears in the Brazilian Constitution regarding tax exemptions. Business magazines like 'Exame' (Brazil) and 'Exame' (Portugal) frequently use it on their covers. Economic historians use it to describe the 'Ciclo do Ouro' (Gold Cycle) in Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meeting

Como podemos tornar este projeto mais lucrativo?
Esta margem não é lucrativa.
A nossa empresa é lucrativa.
Buscamos parcerias lucrativas.

Personal Finance

Qual é o investimento mais lucrativo?
É lucrativo comprar dólares agora?
Ter uma horta pode ser lucrativo.
Poupe para algo lucrativo.

News/Politics

O setor é altamente lucrativo.
Uma organização sem fins lucrativos.
O contrato foi muito lucrativo.
A economia está menos lucrativa.

Job Search

Procuro uma carreira lucrativa.
É um cargo lucrativo?
Trabalho lucrativo nas horas vagas.
Habilidades lucrativas para o currículo.

Real Estate

Alugar casas é lucrativo.
Um imóvel lucrativo.
A revenda foi lucrativa.
O mercado imobiliário está lucrativo.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que investir em criptomoedas ainda é lucrativo?"

"Qual foi o negócio mais lucrativo que você já fez?"

"Você prefere um trabalho lucrativo ou um trabalho que você ama?"

"Como uma empresa sem fins lucrativos sobrevive no seu país?"

"Você conhece algum nicho de mercado que seja pouco explorado e lucrativo?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma ideia de negócio que você acha que seria muito lucrativa hoje em dia.

Reflita sobre se o dinheiro é o único fator que torna uma atividade 'lucrativa' na sua vida.

Escreva sobre uma experiência onde você teve um retorno lucrativo por um esforço que fez.

Como você equilibraria uma empresa lucrativa com a responsabilidade social?

Pense no setor mais lucrativo do seu país. Por que ele é tão bem-sucedido?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'rico' or 'bem-sucedido'. 'Lucrativo' is for activities, businesses, or investments. If you say a person is 'lucrativo', it sounds like you are treating them as a financial asset.

The direct opposite is 'não lucrativo'. In business, you can use 'deficitário' (running at a loss) or 'prejudicial' (causing loss/harm).

It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly fine in a business meeting, but also used by friends talking about their side jobs. In very formal writing, you might see 'profícuo'.

The standard phrase is 'sem fins lucrativos'. For example, 'Uma associação sem fins lucrativos'.

95% of the time, yes. Occasionally it might refer to a 'gain' in a broader sense, but 'proveitoso' or 'vantajoso' are much better for non-monetary gains.

It is 'lucrativo'. Do not add an extra 'i' before the 'o'.

Yes! If your hobby makes you money, you can call it a 'passatempo lucrativo'.

Not better, just different. 'Rentável' is more technical and used by investors. 'Lucrativo' is more general.

Simply add an 's': 'lucrativas'. Example: 'atividades lucrativas'.

It comes from the Latin 'lucrativus', from 'lucrum' (profit).