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A2 verb #7,000 most common 10 min read

nevar

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips nevar in 30 Seconds

Explanation nevar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'nevar' means 'to snow'. You should learn it as part of your basic weather vocabulary. Remember that it is used in the 3rd person singular: 'Neva' (It snows). You will mostly use it in simple sentences to describe the weather or a picture. For example, 'No inverno, neva' (In winter, it snows). You don't need to worry about complex tenses yet, just focus on the present and the idea that it is a natural action that doesn't have a person as the subject.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'nevar' in the past and future. You will learn to say 'Nevou ontem' (It snowed yesterday) and 'Acho que vai nevar' (I think it's going to snow). You should also know the difference between the verb 'nevar' and the noun 'neve' (snow). At this stage, you might use it to describe a past vacation or to make simple plans for a trip to a cold country. You'll also start using it with 'estar' to describe what is happening right now: 'Está a nevar' (PT) or 'Está nevando' (BR).

At the B1 level, you can use 'nevar' in more complex sentence structures, including the conditional and the subjunctive. For example, 'Se nevasse, eu ficaria feliz' (If it snowed, I would be happy). You are also becoming aware of regional differences in how weather is discussed. You can describe the intensity of the snow using adverbs like 'intensamente' or 'fortemente'. You might also encounter the verb in news reports or simple stories, where it sets the scene for a narrative. You should be comfortable discussing weather forecasts in detail.

At the B2 level, you understand the metaphorical uses of 'nevar'. You might see it in literature to describe something turning white or falling like snow. You are also familiar with the Brazilian slang 'nevar' (to bleach hair). Your use of the verb is grammatically perfect, and you can handle impersonal constructions in all moods. You can participate in discussions about climate and geography, using 'nevar' to talk about historical weather patterns or the impact of global warming on snowfall in the mountains.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the poetic and archaic uses of 'nevar'. You can analyze how authors use the verb to create atmosphere or symbolism. You understand the nuances between 'nevar', 'granizar', and 'cair geada' in technical or literary contexts. You can use the verb in formal writing, such as a report on environmental changes or a creative essay. You are also aware of rare or regional expressions and can use the verb with sophisticated modal constructions to express varying degrees of certainty.

At the C2 level, 'nevar' is a versatile tool in your vocabulary. You can use it in highly specialized scientific contexts or in the most elevated literary styles. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other Romance languages. You can effortlessly switch between the literal weather meaning and the most abstract metaphors. You might use it in a philosophical sense to describe the 'snowing' of ideas or the 'snowing' of time. Your mastery allows you to use the verb with a level of precision and creativity that matches a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

nevar in 30 Seconds

A verb meaning 'to snow'.
Used impersonally (3rd person singular).
Common in Portugal's winter; rare in Brazil.
Modern Brazilian slang for bleaching hair white.

The Portuguese verb nevar is a primary meteorological term used to describe the atmospheric process where water vapor freezes into ice crystals and falls to the earth as snow. Unlike English, where 'snow' can be both a noun and a verb, Portuguese distinguishes between the noun neve and the verb nevar. In a grammatical sense, nevar belongs to a special class of verbs known as 'verbos impessoais' (impersonal verbs). These verbs typically lack a human subject because the action is performed by nature itself. Therefore, you will almost exclusively encounter nevar conjugated in the third person singular (neva, nevou, nevará), as there is no 'I', 'you', or 'we' that can perform the act of snowing.

Meteorological Context: In Portugal, the verb is most frequently associated with the Serra da Estrela region during the winter months. In Brazil, while snow is much rarer, the term is used during cold snaps in the southern states like Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
Grammatical Restriction: Because it is impersonal, attempting to conjugate it in the first person ('Eu nevo') is logically and grammatically incorrect, unless used in a highly stylized, poetic, or metaphorical sense where the speaker personifies the weather.

Dizem que vai nevar nas montanhas este fim de semana.

Translation: They say it is going to snow in the mountains this weekend.

Culturally, for many Portuguese speakers in tropical climates, the act of nevar is often associated with travel, fairy tales, or international news. When it does happen in the Lusophone world, it becomes a major media event. In recent years, a new slang usage has emerged in Brazilian urban culture, particularly in 'funk' and 'trap' circles, where 'nevar' refers to bleaching one's hair completely white, mimicking the appearance of snow. This metaphorical extension shows the verb's evolution from a simple weather description to a cultural marker of style.

Nunca vi nevar na minha cidade natal.

Translation: I have never seen it snow in my hometown.

The verb also appears in literature to describe silence, purity, or the passage of time. To say that 'the years are snowing on someone's head' (os anos nevam sobre a sua cabeça) is a poetic way to describe hair turning white with age. Understanding nevar requires an appreciation for both its literal cold reality and its evocative potential in the Portuguese language. Whether you are checking a weather app before a trip to Lisbon in January or discussing the latest trends in Rio, this verb provides a window into how Portuguese speakers conceptualize the rare beauty of winter.

Using nevar correctly involves mastering the impersonal 3rd person singular across various tenses. Since the verb describes a natural phenomenon, the 'subject' is implied. In English, we use the dummy subject 'it' ('It snows'), but in Portuguese, the verb stands alone or is preceded by an adverb or a time expression. Let's look at the most common temporal applications.

Present Tense (Presente): Used for general truths or habitual actions: 'Neva muito na Sibéria' (It snows a lot in Siberia).
Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito): Used for a specific completed event: 'Ontem nevou o dia todo' (Yesterday it snowed all day).
Future Tense (Futuro do Presente): Used for predictions: 'Acho que nevará amanhã' (I think it will snow tomorrow).

Se nevar, as estradas ficarão perigosas.

Translation: If it snows, the roads will become dangerous.

In continuous actions, Portuguese uses the auxiliary verb estar. In Portugal, you use estar a + infinitive: Está a nevar. In Brazil, you use the gerund: Está nevando. This is one of the most practical ways to use the verb during a conversation about current weather. Additionally, when using 'nevar' in the subjunctive mood, it often follows expressions of doubt or desire: 'Espero que não neve' (I hope it doesn't snow).

Costuma nevar nesta região durante o mês de janeiro?

Translation: Does it usually snow in this region during the month of January?

Another important structure is the use of nevar with modal verbs like pode (can/may) or deve (must/should). For example, 'Pode nevar à noite' (It might snow at night). This construction is common in weather forecasts and casual planning. Remember that unlike 'rain' (chover), which has many idiomatic uses (like 'chover canivetes'), 'nevar' is more literal, though it can describe anything falling in white flakes, such as ash or confetti, in a descriptive narrative.

The environment in which you hear nevar depends heavily on geography. In Portugal, the word is a winter staple. You will hear it on the evening news (Telejornal) when reporters travel to the north of the country to film the first snowfall of the year. It is a word associated with tourism, skiing, and cozy weekends in mountain cabins. In the Serra da Estrela, the phrase 'vai nevar' acts as a signal for tourists to flock to the region, and for locals to prepare their fireplaces.

The Brazilian 'Nevou' Trend: In modern Brazilian social media (TikTok, Instagram), you will hear the past tense 'Nevou!' used as a caption for photos of people with bleached white hair. This is a massive cultural phenomenon among young people during school holidays or the end of the year.

O barbeiro disse que hoje vai nevar na minha cabeça!

Translation: The barber said today it's going to 'snow' on my head! (Slang for bleaching hair).

In academic or scientific settings, you will hear nevar in discussions about climate change. Scientists might say, 'Está a nevar menos do que há vinte anos' (It is snowing less than twenty years ago). This context is more sober and factual. In literature and fado (Portuguese traditional music), 'nevar' often appears in lyrics to evoke a sense of coldness, distance, or the 'whiteness' of a lost love's skin or the shroud of silence. It is a word that carries a certain 'saudade' (longing) for the landscapes of the north for those living in the warmer south.

Começou a nevar assim que chegámos à estância de esqui.

Translation: It started to snow as soon as we arrived at the ski resort.

Travel agencies are another place where you will frequently encounter the verb. Promotions for trips to the Swiss Alps, Canada, or even the south of Argentina (Ushuaia) will use nevar to entice customers looking for a 'white winter' experience. In these contexts, the word is synonymous with adventure and exoticism. Finally, in children's stories, especially translations of classics like 'The Snow Queen' or 'Frozen', the verb nevar is central to setting the magical, wintry scene that captivates young imaginations across the Portuguese-speaking world.

For English speakers, the most frequent error when using nevar is trying to force a subject into the sentence. In English, we must say 'IT is snowing'. In Portuguese, 'it' (ele/isso) is not used. Saying 'Ele está a nevar' sounds as if a specific person or object is performing the act of snowing, which is nonsensical. The correct form is simply 'Está a nevar'.

Confusion with the Noun: Learners often confuse the verb 'nevar' with the noun 'neve'. You cannot say 'Tem muita nevar no chão'; you must say 'Tem muita neve no chão' (There is a lot of snow on the ground).
Over-conjugation: Avoid using 'nevamos' (we snow) or 'nevam' (they snow). Unless you are writing a surrealist poem, stick to the 3rd person singular.

Eu vi que eles nevaram ontem.
Eu vi que nevou ontem.

Correcting the 'they snowed' error to 'it snowed'.

Another mistake involves the preposition used with the verb. In English, we say 'snow on the mountains'. In Portuguese, we often use 'em' (in/on), but learners sometimes use 'sobre' (over) in contexts where 'em' is more natural. While 'nevar sobre a cidade' is correct and poetic, 'nevar na cidade' is the standard conversational form. Furthermore, be careful with the distinction between 'nevar' and 'gelar' (to freeze). Snowing involves precipitation; 'gelar' refers to the temperature or the formation of ice.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of 'nevar' in complex sentences. For example, in the phrase 'Começou a nevar', the 'a' is essential. Forgetting the preposition between the auxiliary verb and the infinitive is a common slip-up. Also, ensure you don't confuse 'nevar' with 'navio' (ship) or 'nevoeiro' (fog) due to phonetic similarity. While they all relate to the sea or weather in some loose way, they are distinct concepts. Fog (nevoeiro) often accompanies snow, but it is not the same thing.

While nevar is the specific term for snow falling, several other verbs describe similar or related weather phenomena. Understanding these will help you describe a winter scene more accurately. The most frequent companion is chover (to rain), which often happens alongside or instead of snowing in temperate climates.

Granizar (To Hail): This refers to the falling of small balls of ice. It is much more common in Brazil than 'nevar'.
Gelar (To Freeze): Used when the temperature drops below zero: 'A água gelou' (The water froze).
Chuviscar (To Drizzle): A light rain that can sometimes turn into 'água-neve' (sleet).

Não está a nevar, está apenas a cair água-neve.

Translation: It's not snowing, it's just sleeting (water-snow).

In a more descriptive or literary sense, you might use branquear (to whiten) or cobrir de branco (to cover in white) to describe the effect of snowing without using the verb itself. For instance, 'A neve branqueou os telhados' (The snow whitened the rooftops). Another related term is geada (frost), though this is a noun. The verb for frost forming is usually cair geada or geou.

When the snow is very light and barely visible, you might hear the expression 'está a cair uns farrapos' (flakes are falling) in Portugal. In Brazil, if it's just a light dusting that doesn't settle, someone might say 'está apenas chuviscando gelo'. These nuances are important for sounding like a native speaker. Finally, the verb derreter (to melt) is the natural 'antonym' in terms of the snow's lifecycle, often used when the sun comes out after it has finished snowing.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Prevê-se que nevará nas cotas acima dos mil metros."

Neutral

"Acho que vai nevar amanhã."

Informal

"Olha, tá nevando!"

Child friendly

"O céu está a mandar pedacinhos de algodão: está a nevar!"

Slang

"Mano, o meu cabelo vai nevar hoje!"

Fun Fact

The word 'nevar' has remained remarkably stable for over two thousand years, retaining its core meaning and form from Latin to modern Portuguese.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ne.'vaɾ/

US /ne.'vaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: ne-VAR.

Rhymes With

cantar falar andar mar lugar olhar estar chegar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'e' too open like 'nay'.
Stressing the first syllable (NE-var).
Pronouncing the 'v' like a 'b' (common for Spanish speakers).
Making the final 'r' silent.
Not making the 'a' open enough.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize due to 'neve' and English 'snow' associations.

Writing 3/5

Difficult because of the impersonal rules and avoiding 'ele'.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce but requires remembering the 3rd person.

Listening 2/5

Clearly audible, though regional 'r' sounds vary.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

neve frio inverno tempo chuva

Learn Next

chover ventar trovejar geada clima

Advanced

precipitação cristalização meteorologia estância esqui

Grammar to Know

Impersonal Verbs

Verbs like 'nevar', 'chover', and 'trovejar' do not have a subject.

Present Continuous in PT vs BR

PT: Está a nevar. BR: Está nevando.

Subjunctive with Weather Doubts

Duvido que neve hoje.

Future with 'Ir'

Vai nevar amanhã.

Infinitive after Prepositions

Depois de nevar, o ar fica limpo.

Examples by Level

Hoje não vai nevar.

Today it is not going to snow.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Gosto quando neva.

I like when it snows.

Present tense, impersonal.

Onde neva em Portugal?

Where does it snow in Portugal?

Interrogative sentence.

Neva muito no Canadá.

It snows a lot in Canada.

Adverb 'muito' modifying the verb.

Olha, está a nevar!

Look, it is snowing!

Present continuous (European Portuguese).

Não neva no Brasil.

It doesn't snow in Brazil.

Negative present tense.

A neve é branca.

The snow is white.

Noun 'neve' used as a subject.

Vai nevar amanhã?

Is it going to snow tomorrow?

Simple future question.

Ontem nevou na montanha.

Yesterday it snowed on the mountain.

Pretérito Perfeito (past).

Nunca vi nevar antes.

I have never seen it snow before.

Infinitive after 'vi'.

Eles disseram que ia nevar.

They said it was going to snow.

Past future (ia nevar).

Está nevando agora mesmo.

It is snowing right now.

Present continuous (Brazilian Portuguese).

Se nevar, vamos esquiar.

If it snows, we are going to ski.

Future subjunctive with 'se'.

Costuma nevar em janeiro?

Does it usually snow in January?

Verb 'costumar' + infinitive.

Parou de nevar às cinco.

It stopped snowing at five.

Preposition 'de' after 'parar'.

Acho que nevará em breve.

I think it will snow soon.

Futuro do Presente (formal).

Espero que não neve durante a viagem.

I hope it doesn't snow during the trip.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Duvido que neve em Lisboa.

I doubt it will snow in Lisbon.

Present subjunctive after 'duvidar que'.

Se tivesse nevado, teríamos ficado em casa.

If it had snowed, we would have stayed home.

Conditional perfect.

Dizem que pode nevar esta noite.

They say it might snow tonight.

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive.

Embora esteja a nevar, vou sair.

Although it is snowing, I am going out.

Concessive clause with subjunctive.

Quando nevar, as crianças vão brincar.

When it snows, the children will play.

Future subjunctive with 'quando'.

O céu está tão escuro que parece que vai nevar.

The sky is so dark it looks like it's going to snow.

Consecutive clause.

Continuou a nevar durante toda a noite.

It continued to snow throughout the night.

Preposition 'a' after 'continuar'.

O topo da montanha começou a nevar de repente.

The mountain top started to 'snow' (become white) suddenly.

Inchoative construction.

Ele decidiu nevar o cabelo para a festa.

He decided to bleach his hair white for the party.

Brazilian slang usage.

A cinza vulcânica parecia nevar sobre a aldeia.

The volcanic ash seemed to snow over the village.

Simile using the verb.

Não convém conduzir se estiver a nevar muito.

It is not advisable to drive if it is snowing a lot.

Personal infinitive context.

Caso neve, o evento será cancelado.

In case it snows, the event will be canceled.

Subjunctive after 'caso'.

O poeta descreveu o tempo como se visse nevar no coração.

The poet described the weather as if he saw it snowing in his heart.

Metaphorical use.

Apesar de ter nevado, o sol apareceu logo.

Despite having snowed, the sun appeared soon.

Compound infinitive after 'apesar de'.

Deveria ter nevado mais este inverno.

It should have snowed more this winter.

Modal perfect.

A alvura das pétalas fazia nevar o jardim.

The whiteness of the petals made the garden 'snow'.

Causative 'fazer' + infinitive.

Oxalá neve o suficiente para encher as barragens.

Hopefully it snows enough to fill the dams.

Interjection 'Oxalá' with subjunctive.

Viu-se nevar intensamente por trás da vidraça.

One saw it snowing intensely behind the windowpane.

Passive 'se' construction.

A velhice começou a nevar as suas têmporas.

Old age began to snow (whiten) his temples.

Literary metaphor.

Por muito que neve, o espírito permanece quente.

No matter how much it snows, the spirit remains warm.

Concessive structure 'Por muito que'.

Raramente se vê nevar com tal intensidade nesta latitude.

It is rarely seen snowing with such intensity at this latitude.

Impersonal 'se' with infinitive.

O silêncio parecia nevar sobre a cidade adormecida.

Silence seemed to snow over the sleeping city.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Haveria de nevar justamente no dia do casamento.

It just had to snow precisely on the wedding day.

Idiomatic 'haver de' expressing fate/irony.

O fumo das chaminés parecia nevar partículas de fuligem.

The smoke from the chimneys seemed to snow particles of soot.

Transferred epithet/action.

Ainda que nevasse fogo, ele não desistiria.

Even if it snowed fire, he would not give up.

Hyperbolic subjunctive.

A brancura do linho nevava a mesa de jantar.

The whiteness of the linen 'snowed' (covered) the dining table.

Metonymical verb use.

A história regista que nevou em Lisboa em 2006.

History records that it snowed in Lisbon in 2006.

Fact-based narrative past.

Fenómenos meteorológicos como o nevar são raros aqui.

Meteorological phenomena such as snowing are rare here.

Substantivated infinitive.

A memória, como um manto, começou a nevar sobre o passado.

Memory, like a mantle, began to snow over the past.

Simile with temporal abstraction.

Não obstante nevar, a caravana prosseguiu a marcha.

Notwithstanding the snowing, the caravan continued its march.

Formal 'Não obstante' with infinitive.

O nevar constante obliterou qualquer rasto de vida.

The constant snowing obliterated any trace of life.

Nominalized infinitive as subject.

Common Collocations

nevar muito

nevar intensamente

começar a nevar

parar de nevar

nevar nas montanhas

nevar pela primeira vez

nevar forte

voltar a nevar

prometer nevar

ver nevar

Common Phrases

Está a nevar

— It is snowing (Portugal). Used to describe current weather.

Olha pela janela, está a nevar!

Está nevando

— It is snowing (Brazil). Used to describe current weather.

Está nevando muito em Gramado hoje.

Vai nevar

— It is going to snow. A prediction.

O meteorologista disse que vai nevar.

Se nevar

— If it snows. Used for conditions.

Se nevar, não podemos viajar.

Antes de nevar

— Before it snows. Temporal reference.

Temos de chegar a casa antes de nevar.

Depois de nevar

— After it snows. Temporal reference.

Tudo fica branco depois de nevar.

Costuma nevar

— It usually snows. Habitual action.

Aqui costuma nevar todos os anos.

Pode nevar

— It might snow. Possibility.

Pode nevar a qualquer momento.

Deixar de nevar

— To stop snowing. Change of state.

Quando deixar de nevar, limpamos a entrada.

Vi nevar

— I saw it snow. Personal experience.

Vi nevar quando estive na Argentina.

Often Confused With

nevar vs neve

Neve is the noun (snow); nevar is the verb (to snow).

nevar vs nevoeiro

Nevoeiro means fog, which is common during snow but not the same.

nevar vs gelar

Gelar means to freeze; nevar specifically means falling snow.

Idioms & Expressions

"Nevou na cabeça"

— Referring to hair turning white with age or, in Brazil, bleaching hair.

Os anos passaram e nevou na cabeça dele.

metaphorical/slang

"Esperar que neve no deserto"

— To hope for something impossible.

Esperar que ele mude é como esperar que neve no deserto.

informal

"Fazer nevar"

— To cause a great mess or a flurry of activity (rare/regional).

Aquelas crianças fizeram nevar papel pela sala toda.

informal

"Quando nevar em Lisboa"

— An expression for 'never' (since it rarely snows there).

Eu te empresto dinheiro quando nevar em Lisboa!

informal

"Nevado de branco"

— Completely covered in snow or white.

O campo estava nevado de branco.

poetic

"Coração de neve"

— Someone who is cold and unemotional.

Ela tem um coração de neve, nada a comove.

literary

"Branco como a neve"

— Pure white.

O vestido era branco como a neve.

neutral

"Cair como neve"

— To fall softly and silently.

As folhas caíam como neve sobre o lago.

poetic

"Vender neve ao esquimó"

— To be a very persuasive salesperson (similar to selling ice to an Eskimo).

Aquele vendedor consegue vender neve ao esquimó.

informal

"Mundo de neve"

— A winter wonderland.

A cidade transformou-se num mundo de neve.

literary

Easily Confused

nevar vs neve

Both relate to snow.

'Neve' is the substance; 'nevar' is the action.

A neve cai quando começa a nevar.

nevar vs navio

Phonetic similarity.

'Navio' is a ship; 'nevar' is weather.

O navio navegou enquanto começou a nevar.

nevar vs novar

Spelling similarity.

'Novar' (rare) means to innovate/renew; 'nevar' is snow.

Eles querem novar o contrato, mas está a nevar.

nevar vs nevarca

Sounds like 'nevasca'.

'Nevasca' is a blizzard; 'nevar' is the verb.

Durante a nevasca, não parou de nevar.

nevar vs nevoa

Sounds like 'neva'.

'Névoa' is mist/fog; 'neva' is the 3rd person of nevar.

Há muita névoa, mas não neva.

Sentence Patterns

No [Estação], neva.

No inverno, neva.

Não vai nevar.

Hoje não vai nevar.

Está [a nevar/nevando].

Está a nevar lá fora.

Ontem [nevou].

Ontem nevou muito.

Espero que [neve].

Espero que neve logo.

Se [nevar], eu [V-Futuro].

Se nevar, eu ficarei em casa.

Dizem que [ia nevar].

Dizem que ia nevar à tarde.

Por muito que [neve]...

Por muito que neve, eu vou trabalhar.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Low (due to climate), but high in winter contexts.

Common Mistakes

Ele neva. → Neva.
Portuguese weather verbs are impersonal and do not use subject pronouns.
Está muito nevar. → Está a nevar muito.
'Nevar' is a verb, so you need the continuous construction or the simple present.
Eu vi a neva. → Eu vi a neve.
'Neva' is the verb form; 'neve' is the noun.
Nevou-se ontem. → Nevou ontem.
You don't need the reflexive 'se' for simple weather descriptions.
Vai a nevar. → Vai nevar.
The future with 'ir' does not take the preposition 'a' before the infinitive.

Tips

No Dummy Subject

Never use 'ele' or 'isso' as a subject for 'nevar'. The verb stands alone.

Verb vs Noun

Distinguish 'neve' (noun) from 'neva' (verb). 'Muita neve' is correct; 'Muita neva' is wrong.

Brazilian Slang

If a Brazilian teen says 'vou nevar', they are going to the barber, not to the mountains.

Final R

In Portugal, the 'r' is a tap. In Brazil, it can be a soft 'h' sound.

Location Matters

In Portugal, 'nevar' is usually associated with 'Serra da Estrela'.

Continuous Forms

Use 'estar a nevar' to sound more natural in Lisbon.

Weather Reports

Listen for 'nevar' followed by 'cotas' (altitudes).

Mnemonic

Nevar = New Ever-white Rain.

Clothing

When you hear 'nevar', think of 'casaco' (coat) and 'luvas' (gloves).

Poetic Use

Use 'nevar' to describe anything falling softly and white.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think: 'NEVer say NEVA' (never say it snows in the tropics). The word 'nevar' starts like 'never'.

Visual Association

Imagine a mountain peak that looks like a giant 'V' (the 'v' in nevar) covered in white snow.

Word Web

neve frio inverno gelo montanha esqui branco nevar

Challenge

Try to say 'Está a nevar' five times fast while imagining snowflakes falling on your nose.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'nivare', which comes from 'nix, nivis' (snow).

Original meaning: To fall as snow.

Romance language (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

Be aware that for speakers in Africa (Angola, Mozambique), 'nevar' is a purely theoretical or travel-related concept.

English speakers are used to 'snow' being a common occurrence. In Portuguese, treat 'nevar' with more wonder or as a specific travel destination term.

'Neve' by Maxence Fermine (translated into Portuguese). The Serra da Estrela (Portugal's snow hub). The song 'Noite de Natal' which mentions snow.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Forecasting

previsão de neve
vai nevar
cota de neve
neve acumulada

Winter Sports

estância de esqui
pista nevada
neve fresca
equipamento de inverno

Travel Planning

viagem para a neve
ver nevar
roupa quente
cadeias para a neve

Poetry/Literature

nevar silêncio
manto branco
pétalas a nevar
frio na alma

Brazilian Social Media

nevou
cabelo nevado
lançou o nevado
barbeiro

Conversation Starters

"Já viste nevar alguma vez na vida?"

"Gostarias que nevasse na tua cidade no Natal?"

"Qual é o melhor lugar para ver nevar em Portugal?"

"O que fazes quando começa a nevar lá fora?"

"Preferes quando está a chover ou quando está a nevar?"

Journal Prompts

Descreve a primeira vez que viste nevar. Se nunca viste, como imaginas que seja?

Escreve sobre um dia perfeito de inverno numa montanha onde está a nevar.

Quais são as vantagens e desvantagens de nevar numa grande cidade?

Como é que o ato de nevar muda a paisagem urbana?

Se pudesses fazer nevar em qualquer lugar do mundo agora, onde seria?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In mythology or highly creative fiction, yes. Grammatically, however, 'nevar' is impersonal and doesn't take a first-person subject in standard Portuguese.

'Nevar' is the general verb for snowing. 'Neviscar' refers specifically to very light snow or sleet, similar to 'drizzling' versus 'raining'.

Literally, it's used only for the southern regions or when talking about other countries. Slang-wise, it's very popular right now for bleaching hair white.

You say 'Está a começar a nevar' in Portugal or 'Está começando a nevar' in Brazil.

Yes, metaphorically. You can say it is 'snowing petals' (nevar pétalas) or 'snowing ash' (nevar cinzas).

The most common past tense is 'nevou' (it snowed).

Only in very rare poetic cases where multiple things are 'snowing'. Otherwise, it is always singular: 'neva'.

'Vai nevar' is the most common way. 'Nevará' is the more formal future form.

No, both Portuguese 'nevar' and Spanish 'nevar' come from the same Latin root 'nivare'.

Connect it to the noun 'neve'. If you know 'neve' is snow, 'nevar' is just the action of that snow falling.