medição
medição in 30 Seconds
- Medição is the Portuguese noun for the act of measuring. It is feminine and commonly used in technical and everyday contexts.
- Use medição to describe the process of using tools like rulers or scales to find dimensions or quantities.
- Common examples include measuring temperature, land, or performance. It is more formal than simply 'taking measures'.
- Remember that the plural is 'medições' and it always takes feminine articles like 'a' or 'uma' in a sentence.
The Portuguese word medição is a versatile and essential noun that primarily translates to "measurement" or "the act of measuring." At its most fundamental level, it describes the physical process of using a tool—like a ruler, scale, or thermometer—to determine the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of an object. For a beginner at the A2 level, you will most likely encounter this word in contexts involving home improvement, cooking, or basic health checks. However, as you progress, you will see that medição expands into more abstract territories, such as evaluating performance, assessing economic indicators, or conducting scientific research. It is a feminine noun, so it is always accompanied by feminine articles and adjectives, such as a medição (the measurement) or uma medição precisa (a precise measurement).
- Physical Context
- In construction or tailoring, medição is the first step. Before a carpenter cuts wood, they perform a medição of the space to ensure the furniture fits perfectly. Similarly, a tailor performs a medição of the body to create a custom suit.
O engenheiro finalizou a medição do terreno para a nova construção.
Beyond the physical, the word is indispensable in the scientific and technical realms. Scientists rely on the medição of variables to prove their hypotheses. Whether it is the medição of atmospheric pressure in meteorology or the medição of glucose levels in a medical lab, the word implies a systematic and rigorous approach to gathering data. It differs slightly from the word medida; while medida often refers to the result or the unit (like "the measure of the room is five meters"), medição emphasizes the action or the process itself. If you are currently holding the measuring tape, you are engaged in the medição.
- Abstract Context
- In business, you might hear about the medição de desempenho (performance measurement), which involves analyzing KPIs to see if a company is meeting its goals.
A medição da inflação é essencial para a política econômica do país.
In everyday conversation, you might use it when talking about your health. If you have a fever, the medição da temperatura is the act of putting the thermometer in your mouth. If you are monitoring your blood pressure, you are performing a medição da pressão arterial. The word carries a sense of objectivity and precision. It is rarely used for "guessing" or "estimating" (which would be estimativa). When someone says medição, they imply that a standard unit of measure is being applied to a specific subject. This makes the word very common in professional reports, academic papers, and technical manuals. For example, a water bill often includes a section about the medição do consumo, which is the process the company uses to determine how much water you used during the month. In summary, use medição whenever you are focusing on the procedural aspect of determining size, quantity, or degree using a standard scale.
Using medição correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun and its typical placement within a sentence. Because it ends in the suffix -ção, it follows the standard rule of being feminine and having a plural form ending in -ções (medições). In a sentence, it often functions as the subject or the direct object. For example, "A medição foi difícil" (The measurement was difficult) or "Nós fizemos a medição" (We did the measurement). It is frequently followed by the preposition de (of) to specify what is being measured.
- Common Structure
- [Article] + [medição] + [de/do/da] + [Noun]. Example: A medição da sala (The measurement of the room).
A medição precisa do tempo é vital para os atletas olímpicos.
When talking about the tools used for medição, you might use the preposition com (with). For instance, "Fizemos a medição com uma régua" (We did the measurement with a ruler). It is also very common to see this word paired with adjectives that describe the quality of the process. Words like precisa (precise), errada (wrong), manual (manual), or automática (automatic) are frequent companions. These adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of medição. If you are talking about multiple instances, remember to change the adjective to plural: medições precisas.
In more complex sentence structures, medição can be part of a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial of manner or purpose. "Para fins de medição, usaremos este sensor" (For measurement purposes, we will use this sensor). In technical writing, you might find it as part of a compound noun or a specific terminology like unidade de medição (unit of measurement). It is also common in passive voice constructions, especially in formal reports: "A medição foi realizada pelo técnico" (The measurement was performed by the technician). This emphasizes the objectivity of the action. You will also see it used in comparative structures: "A medição deste ano foi mais exata que a do ano passado" (This year's measurement was more exact than last year's). By mastering these patterns, you can use medição to describe everything from a simple DIY project at home to a sophisticated laboratory experiment.
You will hear medição in a surprisingly wide variety of real-world scenarios in Portuguese-speaking countries. One of the most common places is at the doctor's office or a pharmacy. In Portugal and Brazil, it is very common for people to go to a pharmacy to check their blood pressure. The pharmacist might ask, "Quer fazer a medição da tensão?" (Portugal) or "Quer fazer a medição da pressão?" (Brazil). In this context, the word is synonymous with a routine health check. Another very common setting is during home renovations. If you hire a pedreiro (bricklayer) or a marceneiro (carpenter), the first thing they will do is the medição of the walls or the kitchen space. You will hear them say things like, "Vou tirar as medições agora" (I'm going to take the measurements now).
- In the Media
- On the news, you will frequently hear about the medição da audiência (audience measurement/ratings). TV channels in Brazil, like Globo, are constantly obsessed with the medição do IBOPE, which tells them how many people are watching their shows.
A medição da audiência mostrou que o jogo de futebol foi um sucesso.
In the corporate world, medição is a buzzword during performance reviews. Managers talk about the medição de resultados (measuring results) to determine bonuses or promotions. If you work in a tech company or a factory, you'll hear about medição de qualidade (quality measurement) to ensure products meet standards. Environmental news also uses this word often, specifically regarding the medição do desmatamento (measuring deforestation) in the Amazon or the medição do nível dos rios during the rainy season. These are high-stakes measurements that impact government policy and international relations. Finally, in schools and universities, students are familiar with the medição do conhecimento, a somewhat formal way to describe exams and assessments. Whether it's a physical, social, or economic metric, medição is the go-to word for the act of putting a number to a phenomenon.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Portuguese is confusing medição with the word medida. While both relate to measuring, they are not interchangeable in many contexts. As mentioned before, medição is the action, while medida is often the result, the unit, or even a "measure" taken to solve a problem (like a political measure). For example, you would say "A medição da mesa levou cinco minutos" (The act of measuring took five minutes), but "A medida da mesa é dois metros" (The measurement/dimension of the table is two meters). Confusing these two can make your Portuguese sound slightly "off" or imprecise.
- Gender Errors
- Because it ends in 'o' (if you don't look closely at the 'ção'), some beginners mistakenly think it is masculine. Remember: all words ending in -ção are feminine. It is always a medição, never o medição.
Errado: O medição do terreno está pronto.
Correto: A medição do terreno está pronta.
Another common pitfall is the pluralization. The plural of medição is medições. Some students try to say "mediçãos," which is incorrect. This is a common pattern in Portuguese where -ão changes to -ões for nouns derived from verbs (medir -> medição). Additionally, watch out for the verb agreement. Since medição is singular, the verb must be singular. "As medições foram feitas" is correct, but "A medição foram feitas" is a common error when students think about the multiple measurements they took. Lastly, avoid using medição when you mean "size" in a general sense. If you are asking for your shoe size, you should use tamanho or número, not medição. You only use medição if you are referring to the actual act of measuring your foot with a device. Being aware of these subtle distinctions will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.
To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to medição but carry slightly different connotations. Depending on the context—scientific, casual, or administrative—you might choose a more specific term. The most common alternative is mensuração. This word is more formal and academic than medição. You will find it in scientific papers, psychological assessments, or high-level economic reports. While medição is perfectly fine, mensuração adds a layer of intellectual sophistication to your speech or writing.
- Aferição vs. Medição
- Aferição is specifically used for the calibration or checking of an instrument's accuracy. If you are checking if your scale is correct, you are doing an aferição. If you are using the scale to see how much you weigh, you are doing a medição.
A mensuração do impacto social do projeto foi complexa.
Another related term is contagem (counting). While medição usually involves continuous units (like meters or liters), contagem is used for discrete units (like people or cars). You wouldn't do a "medição" of the people in a room; you would do a contagem. However, you would do a medição of the room's temperature. Then there is avaliação (evaluation/assessment). This is used when the "measurement" involves a judgment of value or quality. For example, a teacher does an avaliação of a student's work. While this might involve some medição (like counting correct answers), the overall process is an evaluation. In the construction industry, you might also hear levantamento. A levantamento topográfico is a very specific type of medição of land. Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more precise and adapt your language to the specific environment you are in, whether it's a construction site, a laboratory, or a business meeting.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The suffix '-ção' is the Portuguese equivalent of '-tion' in English, making it one of the easiest patterns for English speakers to recognize in Portuguese vocabulary.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ção' like 'shun' (it must be nasal).
- Stress on the first syllable (ME-di-ção).
- Ignoring the nasal 'ã' sound entirely.
- Pronouncing the 'd' as 'j' (common in some Brazilian accents, 'me-ji-ção', which is actually acceptable but can confuse learners).
- Treating it as a masculine word due to the 'o' at the end.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize due to the suffix '-ção' which is similar to English '-tion'.
Requires remembering the tilde (~) and the 'ç'.
Nasal 'ção' sound is challenging for English speakers.
Clear sound, but can be confused with 'medida' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nouns ending in -ção are always feminine.
A medição
Examples by Level
A medição da mesa é fácil.
The measurement of the table is easy.
Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.
Eu faço a medição agora.
I do the measurement now.
Use of the verb 'fazer' with the noun.
A medição está certa?
Is the measurement right?
Basic question structure.
Esta é uma medição pequena.
This is a small measurement.
Feminine agreement: uma, pequena.
Onde está a medição?
Where is the measurement?
Interrogative word 'onde'.
A medição da água.
The measurement of the water.
Noun phrase with 'de + a'.
Não temos a medição.
We don't have the measurement.
Simple negation.
A medição é para a escola.
The measurement is for school.
Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.
A medição da febre foi feita de manhã.
The fever measurement was done in the morning.
Passive voice with 'foi feita'.
Precisamos de uma medição mais precisa.
We need a more precise measurement.
Comparative 'mais' with adjective.
O técnico terminou a medição do gás.
The technician finished the gas measurement.
Compound subject and object.
As medições da sala estão no papel.
The measurements of the room are on the paper.
Plural form 'medições'.
Você pode ajudar com a medição?
Can you help with the measurement?
Modal verb 'pode' with infinitive 'ajudar'.
A medição da pressão é importante.
Measuring blood pressure is important.
Abstract noun as subject.
Fiz a medição, mas esqueci o número.
I did the measurement, but I forgot the number.
Conjunction 'mas' connecting two clauses.
A medição manual leva muito tempo.
Manual measurement takes a lot of time.
Adjective 'manual' following the noun.
A medição de desempenho ocorre a cada seis meses.
Performance measurement occurs every six months.
Professional terminology 'medição de desempenho'.
Eles estão usando um novo software para a medição.
They are using new software for the measurement.
Present continuous 'estão usando'.
A medição da audiência da TV caiu este mês.
The TV audience measurement fell this month.
Noun phrase as a complex subject.
É necessário garantir a medição correta dos ingredientes.
It is necessary to ensure the correct measurement of ingredients.
Impersonal expression 'É necessário'.
A medição do terreno revelou um erro no mapa.
The measurement of the land revealed an error in the map.
Verb 'revelou' indicating a result.
Sem uma medição clara, não podemos avançar.
Without a clear measurement, we cannot move forward.
Prepositional phrase 'Sem uma medição'.
A medição acústica do teatro foi excelente.
The acoustic measurement of the theater was excellent.
Specific technical adjective 'acústica'.
Quais são os critérios de medição para este projeto?
What are the measurement criteria for this project?
Plural interrogative 'Quais são'.
A medição da inflação impacta o poder de compra.
The measurement of inflation impacts purchasing power.
Economic context.
A precisão da medição depende da calibração do aparelho.
The precision of the measurement depends on the calibration of the device.
Verb 'depender de'.
Realizamos uma medição exaustiva de todos os riscos.
We carried out an exhaustive measurement of all risks.
Formal verb 'realizar'.
A medição automatizada reduziu os erros humanos.
Automated measurement reduced human errors.
Past tense 'reduziu' with 'erros humanos'.
Houve uma falha na medição da pressão atmosférica.
There was a failure in the measurement of atmospheric pressure.
Existential 'Houve' (there was).
A medição de poluentes no ar é feita diariamente.
The measurement of pollutants in the air is done daily.
Adverb 'diariamente'.
A medição do IBOPE é a mais respeitada no Brasil.
The IBOPE measurement is the most respected in Brazil.
Superlative 'a mais respeitada'.
A medição do tempo de resposta do servidor foi rápida.
The measurement of the server response time was fast.
Technical IT context.
A medição da eficácia das políticas públicas é complexa.
Measuring the effectiveness of public policies is complex.
Abstract political context.
A medição espectrográfica revelou a composição da estrela.
Spectrographic measurement revealed the star's composition.
Highly scientific terminology.
Critica-se a medição do progresso apenas pelo PIB.
The measurement of progress solely by GDP is criticized.
Passive voice with 'se' (impersonal).
A medição psicométrica exige validade e confiabilidade.
Psychometric measurement requires validity and reliability.
Academic psychological context.
As medições de fluxo de caixa são vitais para a solvência.
Cash flow measurements are vital for solvency.
Advanced financial terminology.
A medição da radiação foi feita com contadores Geiger.
The radiation measurement was made with Geiger counters.
Specific scientific instrument.
A medição da subjetividade é um desafio para as ciências sociais.
Measuring subjectivity is a challenge for social sciences.
Philosophical/Academic context.
A norma ISO define os padrões para a medição industrial.
The ISO standard defines the patterns for industrial measurement.
Regulatory/Industrial context.
A medição quântica altera o estado da partícula observada.
Quantum measurement alters the state of the observed particle.
Advanced physics context (Observer Effect).
A medição da densidade demográfica exige dados censitários precisos.
Measuring population density requires precise census data.
Demographic and statistical context.
O autor refuta a medição puramente quantitativa da arte.
The author refutes the purely quantitative measurement of art.
Literary/Critical context.
A medição da dilatação temporal é prevista pela relatividade.
The measurement of time dilation is predicted by relativity.
Theoretical physics context.
A medição de resistividade do solo precede a fundação.
The measurement of soil resistivity precedes the foundation.
Specific civil engineering terminology.
A medição da pegada de carbono é um imperativo ético.
Measuring the carbon footprint is an ethical imperative.
Environmental/Philosophical context.
Houve controvérsia sobre a medição da margem de erro eleitoral.
There was controversy over the measurement of the electoral margin of error.
Political science context.
A medição da entropia em sistemas fechados é fundamental.
Measuring entropy in closed systems is fundamental.
Thermodynamics context.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To take a measurement (common in construction/tailoring).
Vou tirar a medição da parede.
— A tool used for measuring (ruler, scale, etc.).
A régua é um instrumento de medição.
— A benchmark or standard unit used for measuring.
Seguimos o padrão de medição internacional.
— A professional specialized in taking measurements.
O técnico de medição chega amanhã.
— A document recording the results of measurements.
Assine o relatório de medição, por favor.
— Measuring something without intermediate steps.
Fizemos uma medição direta da altura.
— Measuring something through related variables.
A medição indireta foi necessária aqui.
Idioms & Expressions
— In the right proportion or amount (often used for cooking or mixing).
Coloque o sal na medição certa.
informal— Without limit or control; excessively.
Ele gasta dinheiro sem medição.
informal/poetic— Metaphorically, the standard by which something is judged.
A medição do sucesso dele é o dinheiro.
neutral— Immeasurable; beyond what can be quantified.
O amor dela é além da medição.
literary— To lose track of quantities or limits.
Perdi a medição de quanto já bebi.
informal— A power struggle or a test of strength between two parties.
Houve uma medição de forças entre os diretores.
neutral— Custom-made; made to specific measurements.
Este terno foi feito sob medição.
neutral— The way one perceives or tracks time.
A medição do tempo é relativa.
philosophical— Lack of moderation or caution.
Sua falta de medição nas palavras causou briga.
neutral— A situation where people compete to show who is more important.
A reunião virou uma medição de egos.
informalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Med-i-ção' as 'Medical Action'. When a doctor takes your temperature, they are performing a 'medição'.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant tape measure wrapping around the Earth. The act of pulling that tape is 'medição'.
Word Web
Challenge
Go around your room and find three things to measure. Say out loud in Portuguese: 'Vou fazer a medição desta [coisa].'
Word Origin
From the Latin 'metiatio' or 'mētiri', meaning 'to measure'. It shares the same root as the English words 'measure' and 'dimension'.
Original meaning: The act of distributing or measuring land or goods.
Romance (Latin origin).Cultural Context
Be careful when talking about 'medição' of people's bodies; use 'tamanho' or 'medidas' for clothing to avoid sounding like a scientist.
Unlike in the US where inches and feet are used, 'medição' in Portuguese-speaking countries always uses the metric system.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Health
- medição da pressão
- medição da febre
- medição de glicose
- medição de peso
Construction
- medição do terreno
- medição de parede
- medição de área
- medição de volume
Business
- medição de desempenho
- medição de resultados
- medição de produtividade
- medição de lucros
Environment
- medição de chuva
- medição de poluição
- medição de vento
- medição de radiação
Science
- medição exata
- medição laboratorial
- medição de dados
- medição experimental
Conversation Starters
"Você já fez a medição do seu novo apartamento?"
"Qual é o instrumento de medição mais preciso que você conhece?"
"A medição da audiência de TV ainda é importante hoje em dia?"
"Como é feita a medição da inflação no seu país?"
"Você prefere a medição manual ou a medição digital?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva uma situação em que uma medição errada causou um problema engraçado ou sério.
Como a medição de desempenho no trabalho afeta a sua motivação?
Por que a medição precisa do tempo é tão importante na sociedade moderna?
Se você pudesse inventar um novo tipo de medição para sentimentos, como seria?
Escreva sobre a importância da medição da pegada de carbono para o futuro do planeta.
Summary
The word 'medição' refers specifically to the *process* of measuring, rather than the result itself. For example, 'A medição levou uma hora' (The act of measuring took an hour) focuses on the activity. It is an essential A2-level word for practical and professional communication.
- Medição is the Portuguese noun for the act of measuring. It is feminine and commonly used in technical and everyday contexts.
- Use medição to describe the process of using tools like rulers or scales to find dimensions or quantities.
- Common examples include measuring temperature, land, or performance. It is more formal than simply 'taking measures'.
- Remember that the plural is 'medições' and it always takes feminine articles like 'a' or 'uma' in a sentence.
Related Content
More academic words
a despeito de
A2Despite; in spite of.
a fim
A2In order to; for the purpose of. (Followed by 'de')
a saber
A2Namely; that is to say.
a título de exemplo
A2By way of example; for example.
abordagem
A2A way of dealing with something; an approach.
abordar
B1To deal with (a matter or problem); to approach a topic.
abreviar
B1To shorten (a word, phrase, or text).
abreviatura
B1A shortened form of a word or phrase.
abstração
B1The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
abstracto
B1Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.