This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb 11 min read

multar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips multar in 30 Seconds

Explanation multar in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'multar' is introduced in the context of simple rules and public services. Students learn that 'multar' means 'to fine'. The focus is on the present tense and the most basic scenarios, such as traffic or parking. A1 learners should recognize the word on signs and understand that it involves paying money as a punishment. Examples are kept simple: 'O polícia multa o carro' (The police fines the car). At this stage, the distinction between the verb 'multar' and the noun 'multa' is emphasized to avoid basic confusion. Learners are taught that this is an -ar verb, following the most common conjugation pattern in Portuguese. The goal is for the student to understand the immediate consequence of an action in a public space. They might also learn the phrase 'pagar a multa' (to pay the fine) to complete the conceptual loop of the action. Simple sentences like 'Você não pode parar aqui, o guarda vai multar' are typical for this level, providing a practical warning that learners can use or understand while traveling.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'multar' to include the past tense (pretérito perfeito) and the passive voice, which is very common with this verb. The A2 student learns to say 'Fui multado' (I was fined) and understands how to agree the participle with gender and number. They also begin to use the preposition 'por' to explain the reason for the fine, such as 'por excesso de velocidade' (for speeding). The context expands beyond just traffic to include other everyday situations like library fines or late payments. At this level, students should be able to describe a simple event involving a fine. They learn that 'multar' is a transitive verb and starts to use object pronouns like 'Ele me multou'. The focus is on practical communication: being able to explain that you received a fine, asking how much the fine is, and understanding warnings in public places. The vocabulary surrounding 'multar' also grows to include words like 'guarda', 'estacionamento', and 'lei'.

Intermediate B1 learners use 'multar' in more complex sentence structures, including the conditional and the subjunctive. They can discuss the fairness of a fine: 'Se eu não tivesse parado lá, ele não me teria multado' (If I hadn't stopped there, he wouldn't have fined me). At this stage, students understand the social and administrative implications of 'multar'. They can read news articles about municipal fines and environmental penalties. The B1 learner begins to distinguish between 'multar' and its synonyms like 'penalizar' or 'punir' in various contexts. They are also introduced to more specific vocabulary such as 'infração' (infraction) and 'recurso' (appeal). The B1 student can write a short paragraph or letter contesting a fine, using 'multar' correctly in a formal context. They also start to recognize the word in more abstract settings, such as corporate or environmental law. Understanding the nuances of the verb in different Lusophone regions (like the use of 'coimar' in Portugal) becomes part of their linguistic repertoire.

At the B2 level, 'multar' is used fluently in debates and formal writing. Students can discuss the effectiveness of 'multar' as a deterrent for crime or environmental damage. They are comfortable with the passive voice in all tenses and can use complex structures like 'O fato de terem sido multados não os impediu de repetir o erro' (The fact that they were fined did not stop them from repeating the error). B2 learners understand the administrative process behind 'multar', including 'autuação' and 'notificação'. They can use 'multar' in figurative ways or in high-level discussions about ethics and law. Their vocabulary is rich enough to use related terms like 'reincidência' (repeat offense) and 'valor pecuniário' (monetary value). At this level, the student can understand sophisticated news reports and legal summaries that involve multiple parties being fined for different reasons. They can also navigate the bureaucracy of paying or contesting a fine in a Portuguese-speaking country with confidence, using the verb 'multar' and its derivatives accurately in both speech and writing.

Advanced C1 learners have a near-native grasp of 'multar'. They understand its placement within the broader legal system of Lusophone countries. They can analyze the nuances between 'multar' and 'sancionar' in a legal text and understand the constitutional limits of who has the power to 'multar'. C1 students can use the verb in highly formal and academic contexts, such as 'A autoridade administrativa detém o poder de multar os infratores nos termos da lei' (The administrative authority holds the power to fine violators under the terms of the law). They are also aware of the historical etymology of the word and its evolution in Portuguese. In conversation, they can use 'multar' with subtle irony or within complex metaphors. Their understanding of the word includes its use in international law and treaty violations. They can participate in deep discussions about public policy, such as whether 'multar' is an equitable form of punishment. The C1 learner's use of the verb is precise, contextually appropriate, and grammatically flawless, even in the most complex and infrequent tenses like the 'Pretérito Mais-que-perfeito'.

At the C2 level, the mastery of 'multar' is absolute. The learner understands every subtle connotation and legal implication of the word. They can interpret and draft legal documents where 'multar' is a key action. They are familiar with the specific jargon of different sectors—traffic, environment, finance—where 'multar' is applied differently. A C2 learner can appreciate the word's use in literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used to critique the state's 'indústria da multa' (fine industry). They can navigate the most complex administrative appeals with native-level linguistic precision. The distinction between 'multa' (as a criminal penalty) and 'coima' (as an administrative one in Portugal) is second nature to them. They can switch registers effortlessly, from explaining a parking fine to a child to debating the merits of fiscal penalties in a graduate-level law seminar. For the C2 student, 'multar' is not just a vocabulary word but a versatile tool used to describe one of the fundamental ways authority interacts with the individual in modern society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

multar in 30 Seconds

Multar is the Portuguese verb for 'to fine', used when an authority imposes a financial penalty for a rule violation.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses for beginners and intermediate learners.
Commonly used in traffic, library, and environmental contexts, often appearing in the passive voice 'ser multado'.
Always requires the preposition 'por' to indicate the reason for the fine, such as 'multar por excesso de velocidade'.

The Portuguese verb multar is a fundamental term used within the realms of law, civic duty, and daily administration. At its core, it means to impose a financial penalty on someone who has violated a specific rule, regulation, or law. While in English we simply say 'to fine', the Portuguese 'multar' carries with it a sense of official reprimand. It is almost always used in contexts where an authority figure—be it a police officer, a government agency, or a regulatory body—identifies a transgression and issues a formal ticket or notice. For a learner at the A2 level, understanding 'multar' is essential for navigating public life, especially if you plan on driving or interacting with municipal services in a Lusophone country.

Legal Authority: The act of 'multar' requires a legal basis. You cannot 'multar' a friend for being late to dinner in a literal sense; that would be 'cobrar' or 'pedir uma compensação'. Only entities with the power of the state or specific contractual authority can 'multar'.
Financial Implication: Unlike a 'pena de prisão' (prison sentence), 'multar' specifically targets the wallet. The result is always a 'multa' (a fine), which is the noun form of the action.

O guarda de trânsito teve que multar o motorista por excesso de velocidade.

Translation: The traffic warden had to fine the driver for speeding.

In social contexts, 'multar' is frequently discussed in the passive voice. People often say 'Fui multado' (I was fined) rather than 'O guarda me multou' (The guard fined me), as the focus is usually on the unfortunate event of receiving the fine rather than the person who issued it. It is a word that evokes a sense of frustration for the recipient but represents order and law enforcement for the community. Whether it is for littering, parking in the wrong spot, or failing to pay taxes on time, 'multar' is the mechanism by which society enforces its financial boundaries.

A prefeitura vai multar quem não reciclar o lixo corretamente.

Translation: The city hall will fine those who do not recycle trash correctly.

Furthermore, 'multar' is not limited to individuals. Large corporations are often 'multadas' for environmental damage or anti-competitive behavior. In these cases, the verb takes on a more serious, institutional tone. It signifies the state's power to regulate the economy and protect public interests. The frequency of its use in the media highlights its importance in the administrative life of Portuguese-speaking nations. Understanding its conjugation and its relationship with the noun 'multa' is a major step in moving from basic to intermediate Portuguese proficiency.

Transitive Nature: The verb 'multar' is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object—the person or entity being fined. You multar 'alguém' (someone).

Using multar correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence and the typical prepositions that follow it. Most commonly, we use the structure: [Subject] + multar + [Object] + [Preposition 'por'] + [Reason]. The preposition 'por' (because of/for) is the standard way to introduce the cause of the fine. For example, 'O policial multou o condutor por falta de cinto' (The officer fined the driver for lack of a seatbelt). This structure is consistent across various levels of formality.

Eles foram multados por estacionar em local proibido.

Translation: They were fined for parking in a prohibited place.

In conversational Portuguese, especially in Brazil, you might encounter the phrase 'levar uma multa' (to take/get a fine) as a common alternative to the passive 'ser multado'. However, 'multar' as an active verb remains the standard for describing the action of the authority. It is a regular -ar verb, which makes its conjugation relatively straightforward for learners. In the present tense, it follows the pattern: eu multo, tu multas, ele multa, nós multamos, eles multam. In the past (pretérito perfeito), it is: eu multei, você multou, nós multamos, eles multaram.

The Passive Voice: Because the person being fined is often the subject of our story, the passive voice 'ser multado' is extremely common. Remember to agree the participle 'multado' in gender and number with the subject: 'Ela foi multada', 'Eles foram multados'.

When discussing future possibilities, the conditional or future tenses are used to warn someone. 'Se você parar aqui, o guarda vai te multar' (If you stop here, the guard is going to fine you). This use of 'ir + infinitive' is very natural in spoken Portuguese. In more formal writing, such as a legal warning, you might see 'Sujeito a multa' (Subject to a fine), which uses the noun form, but the underlying action is still 'multar'.

Não podemos multar sem provas concretas da infração.

Translation: We cannot fine without concrete evidence of the infraction.

Another nuance is the use of 'multar' in sports. While 'penalizar' is more common for on-field actions, a league might 'multar' a club or a player for off-field behavior or technical violations. This expands the word's domain from strictly legal/traffic contexts to administrative disciplinary actions in various organizations. Always remember that the core of 'multar' is the financial penalty; without money being involved, other verbs like 'repreender' (to reprimand) or 'castigar' (to punish) are more appropriate.

You will encounter the word multar in various real-life scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the high-stakes. The most frequent environment is undoubtedly the road. Traffic police (polícia de trânsito) and automated cameras (radares) are the primary agents of 'multar'. If you are driving in Lisbon, São Paulo, or Luanda, you will see signs warning that 'fiscalização eletrônica' (electronic monitoring) is in place to 'multar' speeders. In this context, the word is a deterrent, a reminder of the consequences of breaking traffic laws.

O radar vai multar qualquer carro acima de 80 km/h.

Translation: The radar will fine any car above 80 km/h.

Another common place to hear 'multar' is in the news. Economic journalists often report on regulatory agencies that 'multam' banks or telecommunications companies for failing to meet service standards. You might hear: 'A Anatel multou a operadora em milhões de reais' (Anatel fined the operator millions of reais). Here, 'multar' is associated with large sums of money and corporate accountability. It sounds formal and authoritative, emphasizing the power of the state over private entities.

In Public Transport: In many cities, ticket inspectors on buses or trains have the authority to 'multar' passengers who travel without a valid ticket. You might see stickers saying 'Viajar sem bilhete dá multa' (Traveling without a ticket results in a fine).

In residential settings, 'multar' appears in the context of 'condomínios' (apartment complexes). The 'síndico' (building manager) may have the power to 'multar' residents who violate the 'regimento interno' (internal rules), such as making noise after hours or misusing common areas. In these situations, 'multar' is part of the social friction of urban living. Residents might complain, 'O síndico quer me multar por causa do meu cachorro' (The manager wants to fine me because of my dog).

A biblioteca costuma multar os alunos que atrasam a devolução dos livros.

Translation: The library usually fines students who delay the return of books.

Finally, you will hear 'multar' in environmental contexts. With increasing focus on sustainability, government agencies are more active in 'multando' individuals or companies for illegal burning, deforestation, or dumping waste. In these reports, 'multar' is used to signal a commitment to environmental protection. Whether it's a small fine for littering on the beach or a massive penalty for an oil spill, the verb 'multar' is the primary tool for financial punishment in the Portuguese language.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with multar is confusing it with the English word 'to charge' in a general sense. While 'to fine' is a type of charge, 'multar' cannot be used for commercial transactions. You don't 'multar' someone for a cup of coffee; you 'cobra' (charge) them. 'Multar' is strictly for penalties. If you tell a waiter 'Pode me multar?', you are literally asking him to issue you a legal fine, which will certainly cause confusion.

Confusion with 'Mudar': To a beginner's ear, 'multar' and 'mudar' (to change) can sound similar. However, their meanings are worlds apart. 'Eu mudei o carro' means 'I changed the car', while 'Eu multei o carro' (if you were a policeman) would mean 'I fined the car'. Pay close attention to the 'l' sound.
Preposition Errors: Learners often try to use 'com' (with) or 'de' (of) after 'multar'. The correct preposition to indicate the reason is almost always 'por'. Using 'multar de' is a common interference from other languages, but in Portuguese, it sounds unnatural.

Errado: O guarda multou ele de correr muito.

Correct: O guarda o multou por correr muito.

Another mistake involves the gender and number agreement in the passive voice. Since 'multar' is often used as 'ser multado', learners sometimes forget that 'multado' is an adjective in this structure and must change. 'As empresas foram multadas' (The companies were fined) is correct, while 'As empresas foram multado' is a grammatical error. This is a common pitfall for those whose native languages do not have gendered participles.

Errado: Vou multar meu filho sem videogame.

Correct: Vou castigar meu filho deixando-o sem videogame.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse the noun 'multa' with the verb 'multar'. You 'paga uma multa' (pay a fine) but 'o guarda multa você' (the guard fines you). Using the noun where the verb should be, or vice versa, is a sign of A1/A2 level interference. For example, saying 'Eu vou multa o motorista' is incorrect; it must be 'Eu vou multar o motorista'. The infinitive 'r' is crucial here.

While multar is the most common verb for issuing a fine, several other words share its semantic space, each with specific nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more precise and professional in your Portuguese. The most direct synonym is 'penalizar', but 'penalizar' is broader—it can refer to any kind of penalty, including time penalties in sports or points deducted in an exam, whereas 'multar' is almost exclusively financial.

Multar vs. Sancionar: 'Sancionar' is a formal, legal term. While 'multar' is the act of giving the fine, 'sancionar' refers to the broader legal process of applying a sanction. A 'multa' is a type of 'sanção'. You will see 'sancionar' in legislative texts and high-level news reports.
Multar vs. Coimar: In Portugal, 'coimar' is used in administrative law. A 'coima' is a specific type of fine for administrative infractions (like parking), while 'multa' can refer to criminal fines. However, in everyday speech, 'multar' has largely replaced 'coimar' for most people.

A empresa foi penalizada com uma multa pesada.

Translation: The company was penalized with a heavy fine.

Another related verb is 'taxar'. While 'taxar' usually means to tax (as in income tax), it can sometimes be used metaphorically to mean 'to label' or 'to impose a fee'. However, it is never a direct substitute for 'multar' when a law has been broken. Similarly, 'cobrar' means 'to charge' or 'to collect'. You 'cobra uma dívida' (collect a debt) or 'cobra o preço' (charge the price), but you 'multa uma infração' (fine an infraction).

O juiz decidiu sancionar o comportamento da defesa.

Translation: The judge decided to sanction the defense's behavior.

Finally, consider 'autuar'. This is a very common term in Brazilian administrative and traffic law. When a guard 'autua' someone, they are officially recording the infraction, which then leads to the person being 'multado'. You might hear, 'Fui autuado, mas ainda não fui multado' (I was cited/issued a notice, but I haven't been fined yet). For a learner, 'multar' is the safest and most understood word, but being aware of 'autuar' and 'penalizar' will greatly improve your comprehension of official documents.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

In ancient times, a 'multa' wasn't always money; it could be sheep or oxen. The word has transitioned from agricultural penalties to digital bank transfers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mulˈtaɾ/

US /mulˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: mul-TAR.

Rhymes With

cantar falar andar olhar pensar chegar levar parar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'l' like 'w' (muwtar) - common in casual Brazilian speech but should be avoided in formal learning.
Stressing the first syllable (MUL-tar).
Confusing the pronunciation with 'mudar' (changing the 'lt' for 'd').
Making the 'u' sound like the English 'uh' (mʌltar).
Forgetting to tap or roll the final 'r' in European Portuguese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its similarity to 'multa'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of -ar verb endings and the preposition 'por'.

Speaking 3/5

The 'l' followed by 't' can be tricky for some English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Clearly audible in most contexts, especially in news.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

carro polícia pagar dinheiro lei

Learn Next

infração recorrer fiscalização sancionar guarda

Advanced

jurisprudência pecuniário contumaz autuação preceito

Grammar to Know

Passive Voice with Ser

O motorista foi multado.

Preposition 'por' for reason

Multar por falta de atenção.

Direct Object Pronouns

O guarda multou-o (Portugal) / O guarda o multou (Brazil).

Future with 'ir'

Eles vão multar todos os carros.

Agreement of past participle

As mulheres foram multadas.

Examples by Level

O guarda vai multar o carro.

The guard is going to fine the car.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Não pare aqui ou eles vão te multar.

Don't park here or they will fine you.

Imperative 'Não pare'.

A multa é de dez euros.

The fine is ten euros.

Using the noun 'multa'.

Eu não quero levar uma multa.

I don't want to get a fine.

Idiom 'levar uma multa'.

O polícia multa quem corre muito.

The police fines those who run (drive) fast.

Present tense 'multa'.

Eles multam os carros na rua.

They fine the cars on the street.

Third person plural 'multam'.

Você multa meu carro?

Are you fining my car?

Question form.

Pagar a multa é necessário.

Paying the fine is necessary.

Infinitive as subject.

Eu fui multado porque estacionei mal.

I was fined because I parked badly.

Passive voice 'fui multado'.

A biblioteca multou o aluno pelo atraso.

The library fined the student for the delay.

Past tense 'multou'.

Nós fomos multados no centro da cidade.

We were fined in the city center.

Plural passive voice.

Ela foi multada por não usar o cinto.

She was fined for not using the seatbelt.

Preposition 'por' + infinitive.

O guarda me multou ontem à tarde.

The guard fined me yesterday afternoon.

Direct object pronoun 'me'.

Se você não pagar, eles vão te multar de novo.

If you don't pay, they will fine you again.

Conditional 'Se... não pagar'.

Eles multaram todos os carros na calçada.

They fined all the cars on the sidewalk.

Past tense 'multaram'.

A prefeitura multou a empresa por poluição.

The city hall fined the company for pollution.

Noun 'prefeitura' as subject.

Espero que o guarda não me multe hoje.

I hope the guard doesn't fine me today.

Present subjunctive 'multe'.

Se eu soubesse, não teria sido multado.

If I had known, I wouldn't have been fined.

Conditional perfect.

A polícia está multando muitos motoristas nesta rodovia.

The police are fining many drivers on this highway.

Present continuous 'está multando'.

É justo multar quem joga lixo no chão.

It is fair to fine those who throw trash on the ground.

Impersonal 'É justo'.

A empresa foi multada em mais de mil reais.

The company was fined more than a thousand reais.

Preposition 'em' for the amount.

Eles queriam nos multar, mas nós tínhamos o bilhete.

They wanted to fine us, but we had the ticket.

Imperfect 'queriam'.

O síndico decidiu multar o vizinho barulhento.

The manager decided to fine the noisy neighbor.

Verb 'decidir' + infinitive.

Não é permitido multar sem uma notificação prévia.

It is not allowed to fine without prior notification.

Passive infinitive.

A autoridade ambiental multou a mineradora por danos irreparáveis.

The environmental authority fined the mining company for irreparable damage.

Formal vocabulary 'mineradora', 'irreparáveis'.

Caso você seja multado, tem o direito de recorrer.

In case you are fined, you have the right to appeal.

Subjunctive after 'Caso'.

O governo pretende multar pesadamente a evasão fiscal.

The government intends to heavily fine tax evasion.

Adverb 'pesadamente'.

Muitos condutores reclamam de serem multados injustamente.

Many drivers complain about being fined unfairly.

Gerund after preposition 'de'.

A nova lei permite multar estabelecimentos que não reciclam.

The new law allows fining establishments that do not recycle.

Relative clause 'que não reciclam'.

A federação decidiu multar o jogador por conduta imprópria.

The federation decided to fine the player for improper conduct.

Context of sports administration.

Embora tenha sido multado, ele continuou a infringir as regras.

Although he was fined, he continued to break the rules.

Concessive clause with 'Embora'.

A fiscalização visa multar quem não cumpre as normas de segurança.

The inspection aims to fine those who do not comply with safety standards.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

A jurisprudência atual impede que se multe sem provas periciais.

Current jurisprudence prevents fining without expert evidence.

Use of 'se' impersonal with subjunctive.

A agência reguladora multou a concessionária por descumprimento contratual.

The regulatory agency fined the concessionaire for breach of contract.

High-level administrative terms.

É imperativo que o Estado multe as corporações que poluem os rios.

It is imperative that the State fines the corporations that pollute the rivers.

Subjunctive after 'É imperativo'.

O valor irrisório da multa não desencoraja as empresas de serem multadas.

The derisory value of the fine does not discourage companies from being fined.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Ao multar o cidadão, o agente deve agir com estrita legalidade.

When fining the citizen, the agent must act with strict legality.

'Ao' + infinitive (temporal).

A decisão de multar o banco gerou controvérsia no mercado financeiro.

The decision to fine the bank generated controversy in the financial market.

Nominalization 'A decisão de multar'.

Raramente se vê uma instituição pública ser multada por má gestão.

One rarely sees a public institution being fined for mismanagement.

Passive infinitive structure.

A eficácia de multar como medida educativa é frequentemente questionada.

The effectiveness of fining as an educational measure is often questioned.

Abstract philosophical context.

A sanção pecuniária visa multar a reincidência contumaz do infrator.

The monetary sanction aims to fine the habitual recidivism of the offender.

Extremely formal vocabulary.

Subsiste a dúvida se a autarquia tem competência para multar nesse caso.

The doubt remains whether the local authority has the competence to fine in this case.

Inverted subject 'Subsiste a dúvida'.

O acórdão confirmou a legitimidade da prefeitura em multar a publicidade abusiva.

The court ruling confirmed the legitimacy of the city hall in fining abusive advertising.

Legal term 'Acórdão'.

Não se pode multar arbitrariamente sem o devido processo legal.

One cannot fine arbitrarily without due process of law.

Adverb 'arbitrariamente'.

A faculdade de multar deve ser exercida com proporcionalidade e razoabilidade.

The power to fine must be exercised with proportionality and reasonableness.

Legal principles as nouns.

A aplicação da multa exsurge da necessidade de coibir práticas anticoncorrenciais.

The application of the fine arises from the need to curb anti-competitive practices.

Literary verb 'exsurge'.

Poder-se-ia multar a empresa, caso houvesse previsão legal específica.

The company could be fined, should there be specific legal provision.

Mesoclisis 'Poder-se-ia' and past subjunctive.

A hermenêutica jurídica sugere cautela ao multar em situações de ambiguidade normativa.

Legal hermeneutics suggests caution when fining in situations of normative ambiguity.

Academic philosophical jargon.

Common Collocations

multar por

ser multado

multar em

ameaçar multar

decidir multar

poder multar

multar injustamente

multar pesadamente

voltar a multar

multar preventivamente

Common Phrases

Levar uma multa

— To receive a fine from an authority.

Cuidado para não levar uma multa!

Dar uma multa

— To issue a fine (often used by the recipient).

O guarda me deu uma multa enorme.

Indústria da multa

— A critical term for excessive fining by the state.

Muitos reclamam da indústria da multa na cidade.

Multa pesada

— A very expensive fine.

Ele recebeu uma multa pesada por dirigir bêbado.

Multa leve

— A small, less serious fine.

Foi apenas uma multa leve por estacionamento.

Recorrer da multa

— To appeal against a fine officially.

Vou recorrer da multa porque o sinal estava quebrado.

Notificação de multa

— The official document informing you of a fine.

A notificação de multa chegou pelo correio.

Pagar a multa

— To settle the financial penalty.

É melhor pagar a multa logo para ter desconto.

Isenção de multa

— Being cleared of the need to pay a fine.

Ele conseguiu a isenção de multa no tribunal.

Valor da multa

— The specific amount of money to be paid.

O valor da multa subiu este ano.

Often Confused With

multar vs mudar

Mudar means to change. Multar means to fine. One letter makes a huge difference.

multar vs cobrar

Cobrar is to charge for a service. Multar is to punish for a crime/infraction.

multar vs molhar

Molhar means to wet. The sound is different but beginners sometimes mix them up.

Idioms & Expressions

"Estar com a multa no bolso"

— To be in a situation where a fine is inevitable.

Estacionei na frente da garagem, já estou com a multa no bolso.

informal

"Multa de matar"

— An extremely expensive or 'killer' fine.

Aquela multa por excesso de velocidade foi de matar.

slang

"Cair na multa"

— To get caught and fined.

Muitos caíram na multa durante a blitz.

informal

"Fugir da multa"

— To successfully avoid being fined.

Ele conseguiu fugir da multa conversando com o guarda.

informal

"Multa salgada"

— A very 'salty' (expensive) fine.

A conta veio com uma multa salgada.

informal

"Tomar uma multa"

— To 'take' (receive) a fine.

Tomei uma multa por falar ao celular.

informal

"Multa de estimação"

— A fine that someone gets so often it's like a pet (humorous).

Ele já tem sua multa de estimação por parar ali.

slang

"Livrar-se da multa"

— To get out of paying or receiving a fine.

Consegui me livrar da multa provando que o carro estava quebrado.

neutral

"Multa por nada"

— A fine given for a very minor or non-existent reason.

O guarda me deu uma multa por nada, só para implicar.

informal

"Chuva de multas"

— A situation where many fines are being issued at once.

Foi uma chuva de multas naquela avenida hoje.

informal

Easily Confused

multar vs Multa

Noun vs Verb

Multa is the fine itself (noun). Multar is the action of giving the fine (verb).

Eu paguei a multa (noun). O guarda vai multar (verb).

multar vs Taxa

Both involve money

Taxa is a fee for a service or a tax. Multa is a punishment.

Eu pago a taxa de lixo, mas recebi uma multa por poluir.

multar vs Castigo

Both are punishments

Castigo is general (like no TV). Multa is specifically financial.

O castigo do menino foi ficar sem celular, não uma multa.

multar vs Sancionar

Synonyms

Sancionar is the legal act of approving or punishing. Multar is specifically the act of fining.

O presidente sancionou a lei que permite multar empresas.

multar vs Autuar

Related to traffic

Autuar is to document the infraction. Multar is the resulting penalty.

Ele foi autuado no local e será multado em breve.

Sentence Patterns

O [sujeito] multa o [objeto].

O guarda multa o carro.

[Sujeito] foi multado por [motivo].

Eu fui multado por correr.

Se você [verbo], eles vão te multar.

Se você parar aqui, eles vão te multar.

A autoridade decidiu multar a [entidade] em [valor].

A prefeitura decidiu multar a empresa em mil reais.

É necessário multar para que se cumpra a lei.

Apesar de multado, o infrator reincidiu.

A faculdade de multar é discricionária.

Exsurge o dever de multar ante a infração.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in legal, traffic, and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Eu multei de correr. → Eu fui multado por correr.
You need the passive voice if you were the one punished, and 'por' for the reason.
O garçom vai me multar. → O garçom vai me cobrar.
Fines are for laws; bills are for services. Use 'cobrar' for bills.
As empresas foram multado. → As empresas foram multadas.
The participle must agree with the feminine plural subject 'empresas'.
Eu vou multa você. → Eu vou multar você.
Don't forget the 'r' in the infinitive after the auxiliary verb 'vou'.
Ele multou com 100 reais. → Ele multou em 100 reais.
When specifying the amount, the preposition 'em' is typically used.

Tips

Regular Verb

Multar follows the standard -ar pattern. If you know 'falar', you know how to conjugate 'multar'.

Traffic

This is where you will use the word most. Learn 'estacionamento' and 'velocidade' along with it.

Brazil Context

In Brazil, people often complain about the 'indústria da multa'. It's a great conversation topic.

The 'L' sound

Don't let the 'l' disappear. It's 'mul-tar', not 'mu-tar'.

Noun vs Verb

Remember: A multa (the fine), Multar (to fine). Don't mix them up!

Legal

In legal texts, look for 'sancionar' as a more formal partner to 'multar'.

Passive Voice

Get used to saying 'Fui multado'. It's more common than saying 'O guarda me multou'.

Prepositions

Always use 'por' for the reason. 'Multar por...' is the golden rule.

News

News anchors love this word when talking about big companies. Listen for the word 'milhões'.

Multi-dollars

Multi-dollars = Multar. Easy to remember!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MULTI-ple dollars'. When you get 'multar-ed', you have to pay MULTI-ple dollars as a fine.

Visual Association

Imagine a police officer handing a piece of paper (a multa) to a driver. The paper has a large 'M' for Multar on it.

Word Web

Polícia Trânsito Dinheiro Lei Infração Carro Guarda Pagamento

Challenge

Try to use 'multar' in three different tenses today: present (Eles multam), past (Eles multaram), and future (Eles vão multar).

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'multare', which shares the same meaning: to fine or to punish.

Original meaning: In Roman law, 'multa' was a fine paid in cattle or later in money.

It is a Romance language word, appearing similarly in Spanish (multar), Italian (multare), and French (amender - though derived differently).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing fines with officials; using the verb 'multar' correctly shows respect for the process, but arguing aggressively about being 'multado' can lead to more trouble.

In English, 'to fine' is used similarly, but we often use 'ticket' as a verb (to ticket someone). In Portuguese, you almost always use 'multar'.

The song 'Blitz' by various Brazilian artists often mentions being stopped by the police. News reports on 'Operação Lei Seca' (Drunk driving enforcement). Comedy sketches about traffic wardens in 'Porta dos Fundos'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traffic Stop

O senhor vai me multar?
Qual o motivo da multa?
Posso ver a infração?
Não me multe.

Library

Atrasar o livro dá multa.
Quanto vocês multam por dia?
Fui multado por uma semana.
Paguei a multa do livro.

Apartment Rules

O síndico pode multar?
Fui multado pelo barulho.
Vou multar quem deixar lixo.
A multa do condomínio é cara.

Business/Legal

A empresa foi multada.
Multar por quebra de contrato.
O valor para multar é alto.
Eles pretendem nos multar.

Environment

Multar quem polui o rio.
A fiscalização vai multar.
Multar por desmatamento.
Fui multado por jogar lixo.

Conversation Starters

"Você já foi multado por excesso de velocidade alguma vez na vida?"

"O que você acha da polícia multar pessoas que não usam máscara?"

"Você acha justo a biblioteca multar os alunos que entregam livros com atraso?"

"Quanto custa a multa se o guarda multar alguém por estacionar na calçada?"

"Na sua cidade, a polícia costuma multar muitos motoristas no fim de semana?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você foi multado ou viu alguém ser multado. Como foi a situação?

Você acha que multar as pessoas é a melhor maneira de fazê-las seguir as leis?

Imagine que você é um guarda de trânsito. Quem você decidiria multar hoje e por quê?

Descreva as regras do seu condomínio ou escola. O que acontece se eles decidirem te multar?

Reflita sobre a 'indústria da multa'. Você acha que o governo multa apenas para ganhar dinheiro?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

O verbo multar é regular: eu multo, tu multas, ele multa, nós multamos, vós multais, eles multam.

'Multar' é o verbo direto. 'Dar uma multa' é uma expressão comum que significa o mesmo, mas soa um pouco mais informal.

Geralmente não, a menos que seja uma brincadeira sobre dinheiro. Para crianças, usamos 'castigar'.

Você diz 'Eu fui multado' (se for homem) ou 'Eu fui multada' (se for mulher).

Significa aplicar uma multa com um valor muito alto.

Use a preposição 'por'. Exemplo: Multar por excesso de velocidade.

Sim, o tribunal eleitoral pode multar quem não vota e não justifica.

'Multar' é sempre financeiro. 'Penalizar' pode ser qualquer tipo de punição.

Sim, é amplamente usado, embora em contextos jurídicos se use também 'coimar'.

Diz-se 'recorrer de uma multa'.