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A2 verb 10 min read

mensurar

Examples Notes & Tips mensurar in 30 Seconds
Explanation mensurar in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'mensurar' is a bit advanced, but you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'medir' (to measure). Imagine you are using a ruler to see how long a pencil is. That is the basic idea. At this stage, you don't need to use 'mensurar' often, but you might see it in simple instructions. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'estudar'. For example, 'Eu mensuro' (I measure), 'Você mensura' (You measure). Just remember it is about finding out 'how much' or 'how big' something is. It is like asking 'Quanto?' (How much?) and getting a number as an answer.
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At the A2 level, you start to see 'mensurar' in more specific contexts, like school or work. It moves beyond just using a ruler. You might use it to talk about measuring the time it takes to do something or measuring how many people are in a room. You should begin to notice that 'mensurar' sounds more official than 'medir'. If you are talking about a science project or a simple business task, 'mensurar' is a great word to use to show you are learning more professional vocabulary. You can use it with words like 'tempo' (time), 'distância' (distance), and 'quantidade' (quantity).
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'mensurar' for abstract things, not just physical objects. You can now talk about 'mensurar o sucesso' (measuring success) or 'mensurar o impacto' (measuring the impact). At this stage, you understand that 'mensurar' involves a process of analysis. You might hear it in news reports about the economy or in discussions about social issues. You can also start using it in the past and future tenses to describe plans and results. For example: 'Nós mensuramos os resultados do teste' (We measured the test results). It helps you describe evaluation processes more clearly.
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At the B2 level, 'mensurar' becomes an essential part of your professional and academic vocabulary. You use it to discuss data, metrics, and complex evaluations. You understand the nuance between 'mensurar' (quantifying) and 'avaliar' (qualifying). You can use it in the passive voice—'Os dados foram mensurados'—and in more complex grammatical structures. You are also likely to use related words like 'mensurável' (measurable) and 'imensurável' (unmeasurable) to add depth to your arguments. You can participate in business meetings and use 'mensurar' to talk about KPIs and performance growth without hesitation.
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At the C1 level, you use 'mensurar' with precision and stylistic flair. You recognize its role in formal discourse and use it to maintain a high register in writing and speaking. You can discuss the philosophical implications of trying to 'mensurar' things that are inherently subjective, like human happiness or artistic value. You are aware of technical synonyms like 'aferir' or 'dimensionar' and choose between them based on the exact context. Your usage of 'mensurar' is fluid, and you can use it in hypothetical situations using the subjunctive mood: 'Se pudéssemos mensurar a dor...' (If we could measure the pain...).
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At the C2 level, 'mensurar' is a tool for nuanced expression in the highest levels of literature, science, and philosophy. You can use the word to critique methodologies or to explore the limits of human knowledge. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to concepts of 'mensurabilidade' in quantum physics or advanced economics. You can use the word in complex rhetorical devices, perhaps contrasting the 'mensurável' with the 'transcendental'. Your mastery is such that you can use the word even in slightly ironic or highly specialized ways, fully aware of every subtle connotation it carries in different Lusophone cultures.
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Examples Notes & Tips

mensurar in 30 Seconds

  • Mensurar means to measure or quantify, often in a formal or technical context.
  • It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
  • Commonly used in business, science, and academic settings to discuss data and results.
  • More sophisticated than the everyday word 'medir', though they share the same basic meaning.
The Portuguese verb mensurar is a sophisticated and precise term that translates most directly to 'to measure' or 'to quantify' in English. While the common word for measuring physical objects is medir, mensurar often carries a more formal, technical, or analytical weight. It is used when the act of measuring involves calculation, assessment, or the use of specific metrics to determine the extent, value, or impact of something. In modern Portuguese, especially in Brazil and Portugal, you will encounter this word frequently in professional, scientific, and academic environments. It is the preferred term when discussing data, performance indicators, or abstract concepts that require a numerical value to be understood properly.
Technical Accuracy
Mensurar implies a methodological approach to measurement, often involving tools, software, or complex formulas rather than just a simple ruler.
Formal Register
Using mensurar instead of medir signals a higher level of education or a professional context, such as a business meeting or a research paper.
When a manager asks a team to determine the success of a marketing campaign, they will likely say they need to mensurar os resultados. This suggests not just looking at numbers, but analyzing them deeply.

É fundamental mensurar o impacto ambiental antes de iniciar a construção da nova fábrica para garantir a sustentabilidade do projeto.

This word is particularly useful because it covers both tangible and intangible measurements. You can mensurar the height of a wall, but you can also mensurar the level of satisfaction among employees or the risk associated with a financial investment. In the digital age, mensurar has become a staple in the vocabulary of technology and social media, where everything from user engagement to click-through rates must be quantified. Furthermore, the verb is often associated with the concept of 'metrics' (métricas). In a data-driven world, the ability to mensurar is seen as a vital skill for decision-making.
Abstract Usage
It is commonly used to describe the evaluation of performance, feelings, or social phenomena that are not easily visible but can be tracked through indicators.

Os cientistas tentam mensurar a radiação emitida pelas estrelas distantes usando telescópios de alta precisão.

Understanding mensurar also involves understanding its limitations; some things, like love or art, are often described as imensuráveis (unmeasurable), highlighting the word's connection to the quantifiable world. Whether you are a scientist, a business person, or a student, mastering this verb will allow you to describe the process of quantification with the nuance it deserves in Portuguese-speaking cultures. .
Using mensurar correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive direct verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the thing being measured. Because it is a regular verb ending in -ar, its conjugation follows the standard patterns of the first conjugation in Portuguese, making it relatively easy for learners to apply across different tenses.
Business Context
Often used with 'resultados', 'lucros', or 'desempenho'. Example: 'Precisamos mensurar o desempenho da equipe trimestralmente.'
Scientific Context
Used with 'pressão', 'temperatura', or 'volume'. Example: 'O laboratório vai mensurar a pureza da água coletada no rio.'
In the present tense, you might say, 'Eu mensuro os riscos antes de investir.' (I measure the risks before investing). In the past (pretérito perfeito), it would be 'Eles mensuraram o terreno ontem.' (They measured the plot of land yesterday).

Como você pretende mensurar o sucesso deste novo projeto social na comunidade?

One of the most common sentence structures involves the infinitive following an auxiliary verb like precisar (to need), poder (can/may), or dever (should). This is very common in planning stages. For instance, 'Não podemos mensurar o que não conhecemos.' (We cannot measure what we do not know). In more complex sentences, mensurar can be used in the passive voice to emphasize the object: 'A eficiência do motor foi mensurada pelos engenheiros.' (The engine's efficiency was measured by the engineers).
Comparison with 'Medir'
While you 'mede' your height, you 'mensura' the economic growth of a country. The latter sounds more analytical.

O aplicativo consegue mensurar a quantidade de passos que você dá por dia com precisão.

You will also see it in the gerund form (mensurando) when describing an ongoing process of data collection: 'Estamos mensurando os efeitos colaterais do medicamento.' (We are measuring the side effects of the medication). This use highlights the systematic and continuous nature of the task.

É difícil mensurar o quanto a tecnologia mudou nossas vidas nos últimos dez anos.

By incorporating mensurar into your active vocabulary, you move from basic Portuguese to a level where you can discuss strategy, science, and metrics with ease.
You are most likely to hear mensurar in professional and intellectual settings. If you watch a news program focusing on economics, the anchors will use it to discuss inflation rates or GDP growth. In a corporate boardroom in São Paulo or Lisbon, executives use it to talk about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Corporate Meetings
'Precisamos de métricas para mensurar o ROI desta campanha de marketing.'
Academic Lectures
Professors use it when explaining research methodologies: 'O objetivo do estudo é mensurar a variável dependente.'
It is also a favorite in the world of sports science and high-performance athletics. Coaches talk about mensurar o cansaço (measuring fatigue) or mensurar a velocidade (measuring speed) using wearable technology.

Na entrevista, o diretor disse que é impossível mensurar a dor das famílias após a tragédia.

In this context, it is used rhetorically to express that something is so large or intense that no scale could possibly capture it. You will also find it in legal documents and insurance policies, where the value of damages must be mensurado for compensation.
Digital Marketing
In the 'Data Science' world, 'mensurar' is the standard verb for tracking conversions and user behavior.

O Google Analytics ajuda os donos de sites a mensurar o tráfego de visitantes de forma detalhada.

If you listen to podcasts about productivity or self-improvement, you'll hear speakers talk about mensurar o progresso (measuring progress) in your habits. It conveys a sense of discipline and scientific approach to one's life.

Durante o debate, o político tentou mensurar os benefícios da nova reforma para a classe média.

In summary, if the conversation involves data, analysis, or formal assessment, mensurar is the word you will hear resonating through the room.
Even though mensurar is a standard verb, learners and even native speakers sometimes stumble in its application. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with the verb mencionar (to mention). Because they sound somewhat similar to a non-native ear, learners might accidentally say 'Eu mensurei o seu nome' when they mean 'I mentioned your name'.
Confusion with 'Mencionar'
Mensurar = to measure. Mencionar = to mention. Never use 'mensurar' to talk about speaking or citing someone.
Overuse in Casual Situations
Using 'mensurar' to measure a piece of string or ingredients for a cake sounds overly dramatic or robotic. Use 'medir' for everyday physical tasks.
Another mistake is related to the prepositional use. Mensurar is a direct transitive verb, so it does not usually require a preposition like 'de' or 'com' before the object. Saying 'mensurar de algo' is incorrect; it should be 'mensurar algo'.

Errado: Eu vou mensurar do tamanho da sala. Correto: Eu vou mensurar o tamanho da sala.

Spelling errors also occur, particularly with the 's'. Some might try to spell it with a 'z' because of the English 'measure', but in Portuguese, it is always with an 's', derived from the Latin mensurare.
Spelling Trap
Avoid 'menzurar'. The 's' is the only correct way to spell it.

Muitos alunos confundem mensurar com 'dimensionar'. Dimensionar is specifically about determining physical dimensions or the scope of a problem.

Finally, be careful with the word imensurável. While it means 'unmeasurable', it is often used poetically. Some learners try to say 'não mensurável', which is grammatically okay but less natural than using the dedicated adjective imensurável. By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the common pitfalls that mark a beginner speaker.
To truly master mensurar, you must understand its relationship with its synonyms. The most common alternative is medir. While they are often interchangeable, medir is the everyday choice for physical length, weight, or volume. If you are at a tailor, you 'mede' the waist; you don't 'mensura' it.
Medir vs. Mensurar
Medir: General, physical, common. Mensurar: Formal, analytical, abstract or technical.
Avaliar
Focuses on the quality or value. You evaluate (avalia) a student's performance, but you measure (mensura) their test score.
Another close relative is quantificar. This word is almost identical to 'quantify' in English and is used when you want to emphasize turning something into a number. For example, 'É difícil quantificar a felicidade'.

O engenheiro precisou aferir os instrumentos antes de começar a mensurar a pressão da caldeira.

In the sentence above, aferir is used. Aferir specifically means to calibrate or check the accuracy of a measurement against a standard. It is a very precise technical term.
Calcular
Used when the measurement involves math rather than a physical tool. 'Vou calcular o custo total'.

Podemos estimar o valor, mas para mensurar com exatidão, precisamos de mais dados.

Estimar (to estimate) is used when you don't have exact numbers, while mensurar implies a quest for accuracy. Lastly, contabilizar is often used in finance or when counting items. 'Vamos contabilizar os votos'. Understanding these subtle differences will help you choose the right word for the right context, making your Portuguese sound natural and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Slang

""

Fun Fact

The word 'dimension' and 'measure' in English share the same ancient Indo-European root (*me-) as 'mensurar'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mẽ.su.ˈɾaɾ/
US /mẽ.su.ˈɾaɾ/
The stress is on the last syllable: men-su-RAR.
Rhymes With
falar estudar cantar olhar pensar chegar andar lugar
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' (men-zu-rar) - it should be 's'.
  • Forgetting the nasal sound of the first 'e'.
  • Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'measure' or 'mensuration'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 's' and the formal context.

Speaking 3/5

Nasal 'e' and final 'r' require practice.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but don't confuse with 'mencionar'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

medir número tamanho quanto régua

Learn Next

aferir dimensionar proporção estatística variável

Advanced

comensurável incomensurável mensurabilidade
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Examples by Level

1

Eu vou mensurar a mesa.

I am going to measure the table.

Simple future with 'ir' + infinitive.

2

Você mensura o papel?

Do you measure the paper?

Present tense, 2nd person singular.

3

Nós mensuramos a água.

We measure the water.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

4

Eles mensuram o tempo.

They measure the time.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

5

Ela quer mensurar o livro.

She wants to measure the book.

Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.

6

O menino mensura o brinquedo.

The boy measures the toy.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

7

É fácil mensurar isto.

It is easy to measure this.

Impersonal expression 'é fácil'.

8

Eu mensuro com a régua.

I measure with the ruler.

Use of the preposition 'com'.

1

Precisamos mensurar a distância entre as cidades.

We need to measure the distance between the cities.

Verb 'precisar' + infinitive.

2

O médico vai mensurar sua pressão agora.

The doctor is going to measure your pressure now.

Standard medical context for 'mensurar'.

3

Como mensurar o peso desta caixa?

How to measure the weight of this box?

Interrogative sentence with 'como'.

4

Eles mensuraram a sala para o novo sofá.

They measured the room for the new sofa.

Pretérito Perfeito (past tense).

5

Você pode mensurar a temperatura da sopa?

Can you measure the temperature of the soup?

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

6

O aplicativo mensura seus passos diários.

The app measures your daily steps.

Modern technological context.

7

Vamos mensurar o tamanho da janela.

Let's measure the size of the window.

Imperative-like use of 'vamos' + infinitive.

8

É importante mensurar a quantidade de sal.

It is important to measure the amount of salt.

Impersonal expression 'é importante'.

1

É difícil mensurar o impacto da nova lei.

It is difficult to measure the impact of the new law.

Abstract direct object 'impacto'.

2

A empresa busca mensurar a satisfação do cliente.

The company seeks to measure customer satisfaction.

Business context with abstract noun.

3

Eles estão mensurando os riscos do investimento.

They are measuring the risks of the investment.

Gerund 'mensurando' for ongoing action.

4

Não mensuramos o valor sentimental das coisas.

We don't measure the sentimental value of things.

Negative sentence with abstract object.

5

O cientista mensurou a radiação no local.

The scientist measured the radiation at the site.

Scientific context, past tense.

6

Como você mensura o seu progresso no português?

How do you measure your progress in Portuguese?

Reflexive use of progress.

7

Precisamos mensurar a eficácia deste remédio.

We need to measure the effectiveness of this medicine.

Health and science context.

8

O governo tentou mensurar a inflação do mês.

The government tried to measure the month's inflation.

Economic context.

1

A equipe de marketing deve mensurar o ROI da campanha.

The marketing team must measure the ROI of the campaign.

Professional acronym 'ROI' (Return on Investment).

2

É possível mensurar a produtividade sem pressão?

Is it possible to measure productivity without pressure?

Abstract concept in a question.

3

O software mensura automaticamente o tráfego do site.

The software automatically measures the website traffic.

Adverb 'automaticamente' modifying the verb.

4

Mensuramos a qualidade do ar em diferentes bairros.

We measured the air quality in different neighborhoods.

Environmental science context.

5

A pesquisa visa mensurar o comportamento do consumidor.

The research aims to measure consumer behavior.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

6

Se mensurarmos os ganhos, ficaremos surpresos.

If we measure the gains, we will be surprised.

Future Subjunctive 'mensurarmos'.

7

A eficiência energética foi mensurada pelo técnico.

The energy efficiency was measured by the technician.

Passive voice construction.

8

Não se pode mensurar a criatividade com números.

One cannot measure creativity with numbers.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

1

O desafio reside em mensurar o imensurável.

The challenge lies in measuring the unmeasurable.

Philosophical and sophisticated use.

2

A metodologia para mensurar a pobreza é complexa.

The methodology to measure poverty is complex.

Academic register.

3

Eles buscaram mensurar a influência política do grupo.

They sought to measure the group's political influence.

Abstract power dynamics context.

4

Ao mensurar os danos, o juiz determinou a multa.

Upon measuring the damages, the judge determined the fine.

Gerund-like 'ao' + infinitive construction.

5

É imperativo mensurar os efeitos a longo prazo.

It is imperative to measure the long-term effects.

Formal adjective 'imperativo'.

6

A empresa falhou em mensurar a insatisfação interna.

The company failed to measure internal dissatisfaction.

Corporate failure context.

7

Mensurar a felicidade nacional bruta é um objetivo real.

Measuring Gross National Happiness is a real goal.

Complex economic/social metric.

8

O estudo mensura a correlação entre dieta e saúde.

The study measures the correlation between diet and health.

Statistical term 'correlação'.

1

A hermenêutica tenta mensurar o alcance do texto.

Hermeneutics tries to measure the reach of the text.

Philosophical/Literary context.

2

É pretensioso mensurar a vastidão do conhecimento humano.

It is pretentious to measure the vastness of human knowledge.

High-level vocabulary like 'pretensioso'.

3

O físico tentou mensurar a flutuação quântica do vácuo.

The physicist tried to measure the quantum fluctuation of the vacuum.

Advanced scientific terminology.

4

Mensurar a alma é uma tarefa para poetas, não matemáticos.

Measuring the soul is a task for poets, not mathematicians.

Metaphorical and contrastive use.

5

A dificuldade de mensurar a subjetividade é notória.

The difficulty of measuring subjectivity is notorious.

Formal noun 'subjetividade'.

6

Os dados permitem mensurar a entropia do sistema social.

The data allows for measuring the entropy of the social system.

Scientific concept 'entropia' applied socially.

7

Não logramos mensurar a magnitude da crise à época.

We did not succeed in measuring the magnitude of the crisis at the time.

Sophisticated verb 'lograr' (to achieve/succeed).

8

A estética busca mensurar a harmonia das formas naturais.

Aesthetics seeks to measure the harmony of natural forms.

Artistic/Philosophical context.

Common Collocations

mensurar resultados
mensurar o impacto
mensurar o desempenho
mensurar o risco
mensurar o sucesso
mensurar a pressão
mensurar o tempo
mensurar a temperatura
mensurar a satisfação
mensurar o valor

Common Phrases

É impossível mensurar

— Used to describe something vast or priceless.

É impossível mensurar a gratidão que sinto.

Difícil de mensurar

— Something that lacks clear metrics.

A beleza de um quadro é difícil de mensurar.

Mensurar com precisão

— To measure something very accurately.

Temos que mensurar com precisão milimétrica.

Capacidade de mensurar

— The ability or tool to perform measurement.

Não temos capacidade de mensurar isso agora.

Formas de mensurar

— Methods used for quantification.

Existem várias formas de mensurar o crescimento.

Fácil de mensurar

— Something quantifiable with ease.

O peso é uma variável fácil de mensurar.

Mensurar a cada passo

— To measure continuously during a process.

Devemos mensurar a cada passo do projeto.

Tentar mensurar

— The act of attempting to quantify something complex.

Vou tentar mensurar o seu esforço.

Mensurar o progresso

— Tracking how much one has advanced.

Mensurar o progresso é vital para a motivação.

Métricas para mensurar

— The specific standards used for measurement.

Quais são as métricas para mensurar a eficiência?

Idioms & Expressions

"Não se mensura o que não se gerencia"

— A business proverb: if you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

Lembre-se: não se mensura o que não se gerencia.

Professional
"Mensurar as palavras"

— To choose words carefully to avoid offense (related to 'medir as palavras').

Ele sempre mensura as palavras antes de falar.

Formal
"Mensurar forças"

— To test who is stronger or more powerful.

Os dois times vão mensurar forças na final.

Journalistic
"Além de qualquer mensuração"

— Something so large it cannot be measured.

A tragédia foi além de qualquer mensuração.

Formal
"Mensurar o terreno"

— To check the situation before acting (metaphorical).

Vou mensurar o terreno antes de fazer a proposta.

Informal/Neutral
"Régua para mensurar"

— A standard or criteria for judgment.

Qual é a sua régua para mensurar o caráter?

Literary
"Mensurar o vazio"

— To try to do something pointless or impossible.

Tentar convencê-lo é como mensurar o vazio.

Poetic
"Mensurar a gota"

— To be overly meticulous or stingy.

Ele mensura a gota de cada despesa.

Informal
"Peso e medida (mensura)"

— Fairness and balance in judgment.

Tudo deve ser feito com peso e mensura.

Formal
"Mensurar o invizível"

— To try to quantify the spiritual or emotional.

A arte tenta mensurar o invisível.

Philosophical

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'MENS' (men) with a 'RULER' (mensurar) measuring a 'STAR' (ar). Men-su-rar.

Visual Association

Imagine a scientist in a lab coat holding a digital meter that displays the word 'MENSURAR' on the screen.

Word Web

Dados Métricas Números Precisão Cálculo Escala Resultado Análise

Challenge

Try to use 'mensurar' in three different sentences today: one about work, one about science, and one about your personal progress.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'mensurare', which comes from 'mensura' (measure).

Original meaning: To measure or to estimate the size of something.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral, technical term.

English speakers often use 'measure' for everything. Learning 'mensurar' helps you distinguish between 'measuring a wall' and 'quantifying a strategy'.

Peter Drucker's famous quote (often translated): 'O que não se pode mensurar, não se pode gerenciar.' Scientific papers in Portuguese always use 'mensurar' for variables. Economic reports from the Banco de Portugal.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

  • Mensurar o ROI
  • Mensurar lucros
  • Mensurar metas
  • Mensurar KPIs

Science

  • Mensurar a massa
  • Mensurar a velocidade
  • Mensurar a pressão
  • Mensurar a dose

Education

  • Mensurar o aprendizado
  • Mensurar o QI
  • Mensurar o progresso
  • Mensurar notas

Construction

  • Mensurar o terreno
  • Mensurar a área
  • Mensurar a altura
  • Mensurar o volume

Psychology

  • Mensurar o estresse
  • Mensurar a ansiedade
  • Mensurar o trauma
  • Mensurar o bem-estar

Conversation Starters

"Como você costuma mensurar o seu sucesso profissional?"

"Você acha que é possível mensurar a felicidade de um povo?"

"Quais métricas você usa para mensurar o seu progresso no português?"

"É importante mensurar tudo o que fazemos no dia a dia?"

"Como as empresas mensuram a nossa atenção nas redes sociais?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre algo na sua vida que você considera imensurável.

Como você mensuraria o impacto de uma boa amizade na sua saúde mental?

Descreva um projeto onde você teve que mensurar muitos dados diferentes.

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