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A2 verb #7,500 most common 10 min read

nomear

Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips nomear in 30 Seconds

Explanation nomear in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'nomear' is related to 'nome' (name). You might see it in very simple contexts like 'nomear as cores' (naming the colors) or 'nomear os objetos' (naming the objects). It is a regular verb ending in -ar, which is the first group of verbs you learn. Focus on the idea of identifying things by their name. You don't need to worry about complex political appointments yet.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'nomear' to talk about giving names to things like pets or folders on a computer. You will also encounter it in simple news stories about someone being 'nomeado' (appointed) to a job. You should be able to conjugate it in the present and past tenses (eu nomeio, eu nomeei). Understanding the difference between 'chamar' (to call) and 'nomear' (to give a name) is a key goal for this level.

At the B1 level, you can use 'nomear' in more professional and social contexts. You might talk about the government 'nomeando' a new official or a company 'nomeando' a project leader. You should also understand the passive voice usage: 'Ele foi nomeado' (He was appointed). You start to see it used in the context of awards, such as 'nomeado para o Oscar'. Your sentences should now include prepositions like 'para' or 'como' correctly.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with 'nomear' in abstract and formal contexts. This includes using it to describe the act of identifying feelings, concepts, or philosophical ideas. You will recognize it in complex news reports and legal texts. You should understand the nuance between 'nomear' and synonyms like 'designar' or 'indicar'. You can use the word to discuss political nominations and the implications of those choices.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the formal and stylistic uses of 'nomear'. You can use it in academic writing to define terms ('denominar'/'nomear'). You understand the historical and etymological roots, allowing you to use it with precision in literary or highly professional settings. You are aware of the subtle differences in meaning between Portuguese-speaking countries (e.g., Brazil vs. Portugal) regarding official titles and appointments.

At the C2 level, 'nomear' is a tool for precise expression. You can use it to discuss the power of language—the act of 'nomear' reality itself. You are familiar with idiomatic or rare uses, and you can use the word in sophisticated rhetorical structures. You understand the legal intricacies of 'nomeação' versus 'posse' (taking office) and can navigate complex administrative language without hesitation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

nomear in 30 Seconds

Nomear means 'to name' or 'to appoint'. It is used for giving names to things and people.
It is also the standard word for official job appointments in business and government.
In the context of awards like the Oscars, it means 'to nominate'.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.

The Portuguese verb nomear is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to "to name," "to appoint," or "to nominate" in English. Understanding its nuances is crucial for learners moving from basic identification of objects to discussing social structures, professional environments, and official procedures. At its core, nomear involves the act of assigning a specific designation, whether that is a linguistic label for a thing or a formal title for a person in a hierarchy.

Assigning a Name (Identification): This is the most literal use. It refers to giving a name to a person, place, or thing. For instance, when parents decide what to call their newborn child, they are performing the act of nomear. It is also used in academic or scientific contexts when a researcher identifies a new species or a celestial body.
Official Appointment (Professional/Political): In professional and governmental spheres, nomear is the standard term for appointing someone to a position or office. If a CEO chooses a new director, or a President selects a minister, the verb used is nomear. This carries a sense of authority and formal validation.
Nomination (Awards/Elections): When someone is put forward as a candidate for an award (like the Oscars) or a political position, they are nomeados. In this context, it aligns closely with the English "to nominate."

O conselho decidiu nomear a Dra. Silva como a nova diretora do hospital.

Translation: The board decided to appoint Dr. Silva as the new hospital director.

The usage of nomear is generally formal to neutral. You will encounter it frequently in news reports, legal documents, and corporate communications. However, it is also perfectly appropriate in daily life when discussing the act of giving names to pets or objects. It is a regular '-ar' verb, making it one of the easier verbs for beginners to conjugate once they master the standard pattern.

Eles ainda não conseguiram nomear o cachorro novo.

Translation: They still haven't been able to name the new dog.

O autor prefere não nomear as suas fontes de informação.

Translation: The author prefers not to name his sources of information.

Cultural Nuance: In Portuguese-speaking cultures, the act of naming often carries significant weight, especially in religious or familial traditions. The verb batizar (to baptize) is sometimes used colloquially as a synonym for nomear when giving a nickname or naming an object for the first time.

Precisamos nomear os sentimentos para podermos lidar com eles.

Translation: We need to name (identify) the feelings so we can deal with them.

Quem você vai nomear para ser o seu sucessor?

Translation: Who are you going to appoint to be your successor?

Using nomear correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic structures. As a transitive verb, it typically requires a direct object—the person or thing being named or appointed. However, depending on the context (naming vs. appointing), the sentence structure can shift slightly to include complements or prepositions.

Direct Object Usage: When simply giving a name, the structure is: [Subject] + [nomear] + [Object]. For example: "O cientista nomeou a estrela" (The scientist named the star). Here, 'a estrela' is the direct object receiving the name.
Appointing to a Role: When appointing someone, we often use the pattern: [Subject] + [nomear] + [Person] + [para/como] + [Position]. For example: "Eles nomearam o João para gerente" (They appointed João as manager). Both 'para' and 'como' are common, though 'para' often implies the movement into a role, while 'como' describes the capacity of the appointment.

O governo decidiu nomear uma comissão especial para investigar o caso.

Translation: The government decided to appoint a special commission to investigate the case.

In the passive voice, which is very common in news and formal reports, the past participle nomeado is used. The structure becomes: [Person/Thing] + [ser/foi] + [nomeado(a)]. For example: "Ela foi nomeada para o Oscar" (She was nominated for the Oscar).

Muitos artistas sonham em ser nomeados para este prêmio internacional.

Translation: Many artists dream of being nominated for this international award.

É difícil nomear apenas um culpado pela crise econômica.

Translation: It is difficult to name just one person responsible for the economic crisis.

Reflexive Potential: While less common, nomear-se can be used when someone appoints themselves to a position, often with a nuance of arrogance or unilateral action: "Ele nomeou-se líder do grupo" (He appointed himself leader of the group).

Ao nomear os novos membros, o diretor enfatizou a importância da ética.

Translation: Upon appointing the new members, the director emphasized the importance of ethics.

O júri deve nomear o vencedor até o final da tarde.

Translation: The jury must name the winner by the end of the afternoon.

The environment in which you find yourself will dictate how frequently you hear nomear. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday conversation and high-level institutional language.

In the News (Journalism): This is perhaps the most common place to encounter the word. Headlines like "Presidente nomeia novo Ministro da Fazenda" (President appoints new Finance Minister) are staples of Portuguese-language media. It is used for any official placement within the state apparatus.
In the Corporate World: During business meetings or in internal company emails, nomear is used when discussing promotions or the creation of new task forces. "Vamos nomear um responsável para este projeto" (We are going to appoint someone responsible for this project).
Academic and Scientific Discourse: In biology, astronomy, or linguistics, nomear is the technical act of taxonomy. Scientists nomeiam species, stars, and grammatical structures. It implies a definitive classification.

Foi uma surpresa quando decidiram nomear um jovem de 25 anos para o cargo.

Translation: It was a surprise when they decided to appoint a 25-year-old to the position.

You will also hear it in the entertainment industry, specifically during awards season. The phrase "E os nomeados são..." (And the nominees are...) is the standard translation for the famous English phrase used at the Oscars or Grammys.

O filme brasileiro foi nomeado para Melhor Filme Estrangeiro.

Translation: The Brazilian film was nominated for Best Foreign Film.

Precisamos nomear as ruas deste novo bairro urgentemente.

Translation: We need to name the streets of this new neighborhood urgently.

Legal Context: In legal proceedings, a judge might nomear um perito (appoint an expert) or nomear um tutor (appoint a guardian). Here, the word carries the weight of law and binding responsibility.

O juiz teve que nomear um advogado de defesa para o réu.

Translation: The judge had to appoint a defense lawyer for the defendant.

Even though nomear seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble on specific nuances and false cognate traps. Avoiding these mistakes will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing with 'Chamar': The most common error is using nomear when you should use chamar. Chamar is used for the act of calling someone by their name or shouting for them. Nomear is the act of giving the name. You don't "nomear" your friend across the street; you "chama" them.
Incorrect Prepositions: Students often forget the preposition when appointing someone to a role. Saying "Ele nomeou o João diretor" is acceptable but less common than "Ele nomeou o João PARA diretor" or "COMO diretor". Without the preposition, the sentence can feel slightly incomplete in formal writing.
Confusing 'Nomear' and 'Indicar': In many contexts, indicar (to indicate/suggest) is used before the actual nomeação occurs. If you suggest someone for a job, you indica them. Only when the official decision is made is the person nomeada.

Incorrect: Eu vou nomear o meu amigo para vir aqui.
Correct: Eu vou chamar o meu amigo para vir aqui.

Note: You 'call' a friend to come over, you don't 'appoint' or 'name' them for that action.

Another subtle mistake is using nomear for the action of 'mentioning' or 'listing'. While you can 'name' items in a list in English, in Portuguese, verbs like listar, mencionar, or citar are often more appropriate unless you are officially designating those items.

Não se esqueça de nomear todos os arquivos corretamente antes de enviá-los.

Translation: Don't forget to name all the files correctly before sending them.

O partido ainda não conseguiu nomear um candidato de consenso.

Translation: The party still hasn't been able to nominate a consensus candidate.

Overuse in Casual Speech: Because nomear sounds formal, overusing it in very casual settings can make you sound like a textbook. If you are just talking about what you call your car, "o nome do meu carro é..." or "eu chamo meu carro de..." is more common than "eu nomeei meu carro...".

To expand your vocabulary beyond nomear, it is helpful to look at synonyms that fit specific contexts more precisely. Portuguese is a rich language with many verbs that cover the territory of identifying and assigning roles.

Designar vs. Nomear: Designar is very close to nomear but often implies a functional assignment or a pointing out. You designa a task to someone, or designa a place for a meeting. Nomear is more about the title or the name itself.
Chamar vs. Nomear: As mentioned before, chamar is the everyday word for 'to call.' Use chamar for nicknames, addressing people, or simply stating what something is called: "Como se chama isso?" (What is this called?).
Batizar vs. Nomear: Batizar (to baptize) is frequently used metaphorically to mean naming something for the first time, often with a sense of ceremony or humor. "Vou batizar este barco de 'Liberdade'" (I'm going to christen/name this boat 'Liberty').
Eleger vs. Nomear: Eleger means 'to elect.' While nomear is an appointment (usually by one person or a small board), eleger implies a vote or a democratic process.

Eles preferiram designar um substituto temporário em vez de nomear um novo diretor agora.

Translation: They preferred to designate a temporary substitute instead of appointing a new director now.

Other alternatives include denominar (to denominate/term), which is very common in academic writing to define concepts, and apelidar (to give a nickname). Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific nature of the 'naming' action.

Como podemos denominar este novo fenômeno social?

Translation: How can we term/name this new social phenomenon?

O treinador vai indicar quem serão os titulares amanhã.

Translation: The coach will indicate (point out) who the starters will be tomorrow.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'nomear' shares the same root as 'noun' in English and 'nom' in French. They all trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root *nomn-.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nu.mi.ˈaɾ/

US /no.me.ˈaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: no-me-AR.

Rhymes With

passear crear recear idear frear folhear pentear sortear

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'o' as an open 'o' like in 'hot' (it should be more like 'no' or 'u').
Stressing the second-to-last syllable (NO-me-ar) like in English 'nominate'.
Skipping the 'e' sound entirely.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'numeral'.
Over-enunciating the final 'r' in Brazilian contexts.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of its similarity to 'name' and 'nominate'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of regular -ar verb endings and correct preposition use (para/como).

Speaking 3/5

The pronunciation of the 'e' can vary between regions, which might be tricky for learners.

Listening 2/5

Usually clear in formal speech, but can be slightly swallowed in fast Brazilian speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

nome chamar pessoa cargo trabalho

Learn Next

posse exonerar eleger designar indicar

Advanced

prerrogativa discricionário investidura nomenclatura

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu nomeio, tu nomeias, ele nomeia...

Passive Voice with Ser

Ele foi nomeado pelo diretor.

Direct Object Pronouns

Eu vou nomeá-lo (I am going to appoint him).

Prepositional Complements

Nomear para vs. Nomear como.

Infinitive Personal

Para eles nomearem o sucessor, precisam de tempo.

Examples by Level

Eu consigo nomear as cores em português.

I can name the colors in Portuguese.

Present tense, first person singular.

Você pode nomear este objeto?

Can you name this object?

Interrogative sentence.

Nós vamos nomear o nosso gato de 'Bolinha'.

We are going to name our cat 'Bolinha'.

Future with 'ir'.

Ela nomeia os países no mapa.

She names the countries on the map.

Third person singular, present tense.

Eles não sabem nomear as frutas.

They don't know how to name the fruits.

Negative sentence.

O professor pede para nomear as partes do corpo.

The teacher asks to name the body parts.

Infinitive usage.

Eu nomeei o meu carro de 'Relâmpago'.

I named my car 'Relâmpago'.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).

Vamos nomear os nossos brinquedos.

Let's name our toys.

Imperative/Suggestion.

O chefe vai nomear um novo supervisor hoje.

The boss is going to appoint a new supervisor today.

Context of professional appointment.

É importante nomear as pastas do computador.

It is important to name the computer folders.

Impersonal 'É importante' + infinitive.

Eles nomearam o filho em homenagem ao avô.

They named the son after the grandfather.

Third person plural, past tense.

Quem você vai nomear para ajudar no projeto?

Who are you going to appoint to help with the project?

Question with future construction.

O jornal vai nomear o melhor jogador do ano.

The newspaper is going to name the best player of the year.

Context of awards/recognition.

Nós precisamos nomear as ruas que ainda não têm nome.

We need to name the streets that don't have names yet.

Use of 'precisar' + infinitive.

Ela foi nomeada a funcionária do mês.

She was named employee of the month.

Passive voice with 'ser'.

Eu não consigo nomear todos os estados do Brasil.

I can't name all the states of Brazil.

Use of 'conseguir' + infinitive.

O presidente decidiu nomear um novo ministro da saúde.

The president decided to appoint a new health minister.

Political context.

O filme foi nomeado para três categorias no festival.

The movie was nominated for three categories at the festival.

Passive voice, nomination context.

Temos que nomear um representante para a reunião de amanhã.

We have to appoint a representative for tomorrow's meeting.

Use of 'ter que' + infinitive.

Ao nomear os culpados, a polícia encerrou o caso.

By naming the culprits, the police closed the case.

Gerund/Infinitive phrase 'Ao nomear'.

O autor prefere não nomear as pessoas que o inspiraram.

The author prefers not to name the people who inspired him.

Negative infinitive.

Eles vão nomear uma comissão para avaliar os danos.

They are going to appoint a commission to assess the damage.

Formal administrative context.

Se eu fosse você, não aceitaria ser nomeado agora.

If I were you, I wouldn't accept being appointed now.

Conditional 'se eu fosse' + 'aceitaria'.

A empresa costuma nomear os diretores internamente.

The company usually appoints directors internally.

Habitual action with 'costumar'.

O governo federal deve nomear os novos juízes na próxima semana.

The federal government should appoint the new judges next week.

Legal/Institutional context.

É fundamental nomear os riscos antes de iniciar o investimento.

It is fundamental to identify/name the risks before starting the investment.

Abstract naming/identification.

O conselho de administração nomeou-o como CEO interino.

The board of directors appointed him as interim CEO.

Clitic pronoun 'o' attached to the verb.

Muitas vezes, é difícil nomear as emoções que sentimos.

Often, it is difficult to name the emotions we feel.

Psychological/Abstract context.

A conferência serviu para nomear as prioridades para a década.

The conference served to name the priorities for the decade.

Strategic context.

Quem será nomeado para liderar a delegação olímpica?

Who will be appointed to lead the Olympic delegation?

Future passive voice.

O decreto permite ao prefeito nomear seus próprios assessores.

The decree allows the mayor to appoint his own advisors.

Legal permission structure.

Não basta apenas nomear o problema; é preciso resolvê-lo.

It is not enough just to name the problem; it is necessary to solve it.

Contrastive structure.

O filósofo tentou nomear o inefável em sua última obra.

The philosopher tried to name the ineffable in his last work.

Philosophical/Literary context.

A prerrogativa de nomear embaixadores cabe ao Poder Executivo.

The prerogative to appoint ambassadors belongs to the Executive Power.

High-level legal/political terminology.

Ao nomear o fenômeno como 'pós-verdade', os linguistas geraram debate.

By naming the phenomenon 'post-truth', linguists generated debate.

Academic/Epistemological context.

A comissão de ética recusou-se a nomear os envolvidos no escândalo.

The ethics committee refused to name those involved in the scandal.

Reflexive verb 'recusar-se' + infinitive.

Subsiste a dúvida sobre quem ele irá nomear para o cargo vago.

The doubt remains about who he will appoint to the vacant position.

Formal word order and vocabulary ('subsiste').

A faculdade de nomear herdeiros é limitada pela lei civil.

The power to name heirs is limited by civil law.

Legal nuance of 'faculdade' (power/right).

É um erro nomear realidades distintas com o mesmo termo técnico.

It is an error to name distinct realities with the same technical term.

Precision in language use.

O autor utiliza a metáfora para nomear o que a prosa não alcança.

The author uses metaphor to name what prose cannot reach.

Literary analysis context.

A ontologia estuda a nossa capacidade de nomear o ser.

Ontology studies our capacity to name 'being'.

Highly abstract/Philosophical.

Houve uma querela jurídica sobre o direito de nomear o espólio.

There was a legal quarrel over the right to name the estate.

Archivistic/Legal terminology.

A arbitrariedade do signo permite-nos nomear o mundo de infinitas formas.

The arbitrariness of the sign allows us to name the world in infinite ways.

Linguistic theory.

O soberano tinha o poder absoluto de nomear e destituir vassalos.

The sovereign had the absolute power to appoint and dismiss vassals.

Historical/Political context.

Nomear o trauma é o primeiro passo para a catarse terapêutica.

Naming the trauma is the first step toward therapeutic catharsis.

Psychological depth.

A tentativa de nomear o indizível é a sina de todo grande poeta.

The attempt to name the unspeakable is the fate of every great poet.

Poetic/Existential context.

A legislação veda ao administrador nomear parentes para cargos de confiança.

Legislation forbids the administrator from appointing relatives to positions of trust.

Administrative law terminology.

Ao nomear as constelações, os antigos projetaram seus mitos nos céus.

By naming the constellations, the ancients projected their myths onto the skies.

Historical/Anthropological context.

Common Collocations

nomear para o cargo

nomear um sucessor

nomear um embaixador

nomear uma comissão

nomear os culpados

nomear o vencedor

nomear em homenagem a

nomear como

poder de nomear

nomear um perito

Common Phrases

nomear os bois

— An idiom meaning to identify people or things explicitly by name, often to assign blame. It's like 'naming names'.

É preciso nomear os bois para resolver a corrupção.

ser nomeado para

— To be nominated for an award or a specific position.

Ela foi nomeada para o prêmio de melhor atriz.

nomear alguém como

— To officially designate someone as having a certain role.

Nomearam-no como porta-voz do grupo.

nomear de

— To give a specific name to something (common in Brazil).

Como vamos nomear de fato este projeto?

nomear por decreto

— To appoint someone through an official legal decree.

O prefeito nomeou o secretário por decreto.

nomear a dedo

— To hand-pick someone for a position with great care.

O técnico nomeou os jogadores a dedo.

nomear sem consultar

— To appoint someone without asking for others' opinions.

Ele nomeou a equipe sem consultar o conselho.

nomear um tutor

— A legal term for appointing a guardian for a minor or someone unable to care for themselves.

O tribunal teve que nomear um tutor para a criança.

nomear um interventor

— To appoint someone to take control of an organization during a crisis.

O estado decidiu nomear um interventor para o hospital.

nomear um herdeiro

— To officially designate someone in a will to receive an inheritance.

Ele não tinha filhos e precisou nomear um herdeiro.

Often Confused With

nomear vs chamar

Nomear is to give a name; chamar is to call by that name.

nomear vs numerar

Numerar means to assign numbers (1, 2, 3), not names.

nomear vs anunciar

Anunciar is to announce; you might announce a name that was already given (nomeado).

Idioms & Expressions

"dar nome aos bois"

— To call a spade a spade; to identify specifically who is responsible for something, usually something negative.

Chega de falar em geral, vamos dar nome aos bois.

informal/colloquial

"nomear os ventos"

— To try to do something impossible or futile (rare/poetic).

Tentar controlar aquela multidão era como nomear os ventos.

literary

"nomear a própria sorte"

— To determine one's own destiny or path.

Ele saiu de casa cedo para nomear a própria sorte.

poetic

"nomear o preço"

— To state how much one is willing to pay or be paid (like 'name your price').

Se você quer o meu carro, nomeie o preço.

neutral

"não poder nem nomear"

— To be so bad or taboo that it shouldn't even be mentioned.

O que ele fez é algo que eu não posso nem nomear.

emphatic

"nomear as estrelas"

— To engage in a romantic or idealistic activity.

Passaram a noite a nomear as estrelas no campo.

literary

"nomear o dia"

— To set a specific date for an event, often a wedding or a duel.

Eles finalmente decidiram nomear o dia do casamento.

neutral/slightly formal

"nomear o sucessor em vida"

— To ensure a smooth transition of power before one leaves or dies.

O empresário fez questão de nomear o sucessor em vida.

business/formal

"nomear por conveniência"

— To appoint someone for political or personal gain rather than merit.

Foi uma nomeação por conveniência, não por competência.

critical/political

"nomear o óbvio"

— To state something that is already clear to everyone.

Dizer que o projeto falhou é apenas nomear o óbvio.

neutral

Easily Confused

nomear vs apelidar

Both involve naming.

Apelidar is specifically for nicknames or informal titles, while nomear is formal.

Eles o apelidaram de 'Guga', mas o nomearam 'Diretor'.

nomear vs indicar

Often used in the same context of jobs.

Indicar is to suggest; nomear is to officially appoint.

Eu vou indicar você, mas o chefe é quem vai nomear.

nomear vs eleger

Both result in someone getting a job.

Eleger is through voting; nomear is through appointment by an authority.

O povo elege o presidente, e o presidente nomeia os ministros.

nomear vs denominar

Very similar meaning.

Denominar is mostly used for concepts, groups, or technical terms in academic settings.

Vamos denominar esta nova espécie de 'Avis Rara'.

nomear vs mencionar

Naming items in a list.

Mencionar is just to mention; nomear is to formally identify or give a title.

Ele mencionou o fato, mas não quis nomear os envolvidos.

Sentence Patterns

Eu vou nomear o/a [objeto].

Eu vou nomear a gata.

Eles nomearam o/a [pessoa] de [nome].

Eles nomearam o menino de Pedro.

O [sujeito] vai nomear [pessoa] para [cargo].

O chefe vai nomear a Maria para gerente.

[Pessoa] foi nomeado(a) para [prêmio/cargo].

Ela foi nomeada para o Oscar.

Cabe ao [autoridade] nomear o [cargo].

Cabe ao juiz nomear o tutor.

A incapacidade de nomear o [abstrato]...

A incapacidade de nomear o medo paralisa o herói.

Any

Precisamos nomear o/a [coisa].

Precisamos nomear o problema.

Any

Quem você vai nomear?

Word Family

Nouns

nome (name)

nomeação (appointment/nomination)

nomeado (nominee/appointee)

nomenclatura (nomenclature)

nominata (list of names)

Verbs

renomear (to rename)

denominar (to denominate)

cognomear (to give a surname/epithet)

Adjectives

nominal (nominal)

nominativo (nominative)

nomeável (namable)

apelido (nickname/last name)

sobrenome (last name)

título (title)

cargo (position)

vaga (vacancy)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, business, and formal identification.

Common Mistakes

Using 'nomear' to mean 'to shout for someone'. → chamar
If you want someone to come to you, you 'chama' them. 'Nomear' is only for giving names or titles.
Saying 'Eu fui nomeado de gerente'. → Eu fui nomeado gerente / para gerente.
When appointing to a job, 'de' is rarely used. 'Para' or no preposition is better.
Confusing 'nomeação' with 'nome'. → nomeação (appointment), nome (name)
'Nome' is the word itself; 'nomeação' is the act or the event of appointing/naming.
Using 'nomear' for numbers. → numerar
'Nomear' is for names (words); 'numerar' is for numbers (1, 2, 3).
Misplacing the stress on 'nomear'. → no-me-AR
Learners often stress the first syllable because of the English word 'nominate'.

Tips

Preposition Choice

When appointing someone, use 'para' for the role (nomear para diretor) or 'como' for the capacity (nomear como representante).

Renomear

If you make a mistake naming a file or a project, use 'renomear' to change it. It works just like 'rename' in English.

Naming vs. Calling

Remember: 'Nomear' is the birth/appointment; 'Chamar' is the daily use. You 'nomear' once, but you 'chamar' every day.

Business Context

In a resume or CV, use 'Fui nomeado para...' to describe roles you were selected for by management.

Identifying People

In a group, if you need someone to take charge, say: 'Precisamos nomear um líder' (We need to appoint a leader).

Defining Terms

When writing an essay, use 'Podemos nomear este conceito de...' to introduce a new term you are defining.

Nomination

Associate 'nomear' with 'nomination' to remember that it involves choosing a name or a person for a list.

Stress the End

Don't say NO-me-ar. Say no-me-AR. The 'ar' at the end should be the strongest part of the word.

Passive Voice

Use 'foi nomeado' in news reports to sound more objective and professional.

Don't Overthink

If you're not sure, 'chamar' is safer in casual talk, but 'nomear' is better for official things. Most people will understand both.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'NAME-ar'. It looks like 'NAME' with the Portuguese verb ending '-ar'. You use it to give a NAME or a NAME-d position.

Visual Association

Imagine a king touching a knight's shoulder with a sword to 'appoint' (nomear) him. Or imagine a person writing a name on a blank folder.

Word Web

nome nomeação cargo ministro Oscar batizar identificar chamar

Challenge

Try to 'nomear' five objects in your room right now using the sentence: 'Eu vou nomear este(a) [object] de [new name]'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'nominare', which comes from 'nomen' (name).

Original meaning: The original meaning in Latin was 'to call by name' or 'to give a name to'.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Portuguese.

Cultural Context

Be careful when 'nomeando' people in sensitive situations (like whistleblowing) as 'dar nome aos bois' can be seen as aggressive or brave depending on the context.

English speakers often use 'appoint' or 'nominate', whereas Portuguese uses 'nomear' for both, which can lead to confusion about whether a role is finalized or just proposed.

The 'Nomeados' list for the Latin Grammys. The biblical story of Adam naming (nomeando) the animals in the Garden of Eden. Political headlines regarding 'Nomeações' in the Brazilian Planalto.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional/Office

Nomear um gestor
Nomear um substituto
Nomear para a vaga
Nomear uma equipe

Government/Politics

Nomear um ministro
Nomear por decreto
Nomear um embaixador
Nomear juízes

Awards/Events

Nomear os candidatos
Ser nomeado para o prêmio
Lista de nomeados
Nomear o vencedor

Everyday Life

Nomear um animal
Nomear uma pasta
Nomear um arquivo
Nomear o bebê

Education/Learning

Nomear as partes de
Nomear os elementos
Nomear as capitais
Nomear os autores

Conversation Starters

"Como você vai nomear o seu novo animal de estimação?"

"Você já foi nomeado para algum prêmio na escola ou no trabalho?"

"Quem você acha que o presidente deveria nomear para o cargo?"

"É difícil para você nomear os seus sentimentos em voz alta?"

"Se você pudesse nomear uma nova estrela, que nome daria a ela?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez em que você teve que nomear algo importante (um projeto, um filho, um pet).

Se você fosse o líder de um país, quem você iria nomear como seus ministros mais próximos?

Reflita sobre a importância de 'nomear' as coisas para entendê-las melhor.

Descreva o sentimento de ser nomeado para uma posição de grande responsabilidade.

Faça uma lista de coisas na sua vida que você ainda não conseguiu nomear ou definir.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say 'Eu vou nomear meu cachorro de Rex', but it sounds a bit formal. In everyday life, most people say 'O nome do meu cachorro é Rex' or 'Eu chamo meu cachorro de Rex'. Using 'nomear' implies a more deliberate act of giving the name.

Usually, no. For nicknames, we use the verb 'apelidar'. 'Nomear' is for official names or titles. For example, 'Eles o nomearam Diretor' (formal title) vs. 'Eles o apelidaram de Bob' (nickname).

Yes, exactly. In the context of the Oscars or any competition, 'nomear' is the correct verb. 'Ele foi nomeado para o prêmio' means 'He was nominated for the award'.

They are very similar. 'Nomear' focuses on the title or the name. 'Designar' focuses more on the function or the task. You 'nomear' someone as a Minister, but you 'designar' someone to lead a specific task force.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar. This makes it easy to conjugate: eu nomeio, tu nomeias, ele nomeia, nós nomeamos, vós nomeais, eles nomeiam.

You use the passive voice: 'Eu fui nomeado' (if you are male) or 'Eu fui nomeada' (if you are female). You can add the position after: 'Eu fui nomeado gerente'.

Yes, 'nomear um arquivo' or 'renomear um arquivo' (to rename a file) is very common in technical Portuguese.

Yes, 'nomeação' is the noun. It means 'appointment' or 'nomination'. For example, 'A nomeação do novo ministro foi cancelada' (The appointment of the new minister was cancelled).

No, absolutely not. The opposite of 'nomear' in a professional sense is 'exonerar' (for government jobs) or 'demitir' (for general jobs).

The meaning is the same. The main difference is the pronunciation and the preference for certain prepositions. In Brazil, 'nomear de' is common for giving names, while in Portugal, 'nomear' without 'de' or using 'como' is more frequent.