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A2 verb #4,500 most common 11 min read

nutrir

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips nutrir in 30 Seconds

Explanation nutrir in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'nutrir' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a more formal way to say 'alimentar' (to feed). Think of it as what a doctor says about eating healthy food. You might see it on food labels or in simple health advice. At this stage, focus on the basic idea: Nutrir = Good Food for Growth. You don't need to worry about the complex emotional uses yet. Just remember that it is a regular verb ending in -ir, like 'partir' or 'abrir'. If you can say 'Eu como maçãs' (I eat apples), you are starting the process of 'nutrir' your body. It is a word that helps you understand that some verbs are for actions (eating) and some are for the results of those actions (nourishing).

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing 'nutrir' in contexts outside of just food. You might hear it in phrases like 'nutrir um sonho' (to nourish a dream). This is a great way to expand your vocabulary beyond basic physical actions. You should also be able to conjugate it in the present tense: 'Eu nutro', 'Você nutre', 'Nós nutrimos'. This is the level where you learn that 'nutrir' is about taking care of something so it grows. If you have a plant, you 'nutre' the plant with water. If you have a friend, you 'nutre' the friendship by talking to them. It is a very useful word to show that you are moving from basic Portuguese to a more descriptive level of speaking.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'nutrir' in both physical and metaphorical senses. You can use it to talk about health, education, and feelings. You should also understand the difference between 'nutrir' and 'alimentar'. 'Alimentar' is the act of giving food, while 'nutrir' is the deeper process of providing what is essential. You might use 'nutrir' in a discussion about the environment ('nutrir o solo') or personal development ('nutrir a mente'). You should also be familiar with the past tenses, like 'Ele nutriu aquele desejo por anos' (He harbored that desire for years), which helps you tell stories about long-term feelings or processes.

At the B2 level, 'nutrir' becomes a tool for more nuanced expression. You will encounter it in news articles, literature, and professional settings. You should understand its use in business, such as 'nutrir leads' in marketing, and in social issues, like 'nutrir a desigualdade' (nourishing inequality—meaning to allow it to continue). You can now use the reflexive form 'nutrir-se' to describe how people or things sustain themselves: 'Ela se nutre de desafios' (She thrives on/nourishes herself with challenges). Your usage should reflect an understanding that 'nutrir' implies a continuous, intentional process that leads to a specific outcome, whether positive or negative.

For C1 learners, 'nutrir' is a word that adds elegance and precision to your speech and writing. You should be able to use it to discuss complex abstract concepts, such as 'nutrir o arcabouço cultural de uma nação' (nourishing the cultural framework of a nation). You understand the subtle connotations it carries in different registers—how it sounds in a scientific paper versus a romantic poem. You can also use related words like 'nutritivo' (nutritious), 'nutriente' (nutrient), and 'nutrição' (nutrition) fluently. At this level, you should be able to identify when 'nutrir' is being used ironically or to describe the maintenance of something harmful, like 'nutrir uma cultura de medo'.

At the C2 level, 'nutrir' is part of your instinctive vocabulary. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, perhaps employing it in complex metaphors or using its archaic or literary forms if necessary. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other Romance languages, which helps you pick up on very subtle shades of meaning in classical Portuguese literature. You might use it in a philosophical debate about what 'nutre' the human spirit. Your mastery is such that you can choose between 'nutrir', 'fomentar', 'cultivar', and 'sustentar' with perfect accuracy, selecting the word that carries the exact emotional and intellectual weight you intend.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

nutrir in 30 Seconds

Nutrir primarily means to nourish physically, focusing on growth and health.
It is widely used metaphorically to mean harboring feelings or fostering dreams.
The verb is regular, ending in -ir, with the present tense 'eu nutro'.
It carries a more formal and intentional tone than the common 'alimentar'.

The Portuguese verb nutrir is a multifaceted gem in the Lusophone linguistic landscape. At its most fundamental level, it mirrors the English 'to nourish' or 'to feed,' describing the biological process of providing an organism with the nutrients required for survival and growth. However, its utility extends far beyond the dining table or the laboratory. In everyday Portuguese, nutrir is frequently employed in metaphorical contexts to describe the cultivation of feelings, the maintenance of relationships, and the fostering of abstract concepts like hope, ambition, or even resentment.

Biological Context: The primary usage involves the physical act of sustenance. Whether talking about a mother breastfeeding an infant or a farmer enriching the soil for crops, 'nutrir' is the go-to verb for essential support of life. It implies a deeper, more qualitative process than simply 'comer' (to eat) or 'alimentar' (to feed).
Emotional and Psychological Context: In a psychological sense, 'nutrir' refers to the internal process of keeping a thought or feeling alive over time. If someone 'nutre um sonho' (nourishes a dream), they are actively working toward it or keeping the desire alive. Conversely, one can 'nutrir um rancor' (harbor a grudge), showing that the verb is neutral—it can apply to both positive and negative internal states.
Professional and Creative Context: In business or art, 'nutrir' is often used to describe the development of projects or leads. 'Nutrir leads' is a common marketing term in Brazil and Portugal, referring to the process of engaging potential customers with relevant information.

É fundamental nutrir a curiosidade das crianças desde cedo para que elas se tornem adultos criativos.

It is fundamental to nourish children's curiosity from an early age so they become creative adults.

When using this word, speakers often want to convey a sense of care, consistency, and long-term commitment. You don't just 'nutrir' something once; it is a continuous action. This makes it a powerful verb in literature and formal speeches, where the speaker wants to emphasize the depth of an action. For example, a politician might talk about 'nutrir a democracia' (nourishing democracy), suggesting that it requires constant attention and 'nutrients' like transparency and participation.

Ela nutria a esperança de reencontrar sua família após tantos anos de separação.

She harbored the hope of reuniting with her family after so many years of separation.

In summary, 'nutrir' is a verb that bridges the gap between the physical and the spiritual. It is about what we put into things—whether it is food into a body, water into a plant, or attention into a relationship—to ensure that they not only survive but thrive. Understanding its nuances allows a learner to express complex ideas about growth and maintenance that 'alimentar' simply cannot capture.

O solo precisa ser nutrido com minerais para que a colheita seja farta.

The soil needs to be nourished with minerals so that the harvest is plentiful.

Register Variation: In formal writing, 'nutrir' is high-frequency. In casual conversation, you'll hear it in specific idiomatic contexts like 'nutrir sentimentos'. If you use it to mean 'I am feeding my dog,' it might sound slightly overly formal compared to 'dar de comer'.

Mastering the usage of nutrir involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-ir' verb and its typical object pairings. Because it implies a process of delivery or internal maintenance, it is almost always used transitively—meaning it takes a direct object (what is being nourished).

Nós nutrimos nossos filhos com alimentos orgânicos e muito amor.

We nourish our children with organic food and a lot of love.

One of the most common grammatical patterns is [Subject] + [Nutrir] + [Object] + [com/de] + [Substance/Feeling]. This structure allows you to specify what is being nourished and what is being used to do the nourishing. Note that 'com' (with) is the most frequent preposition used for physical nutrients, while 'de' is sometimes used in literary contexts for emotional sustenance.

Present Tense Usage: In the present tense, 'nutrir' follows the standard pattern: eu nutro, tu nutres, ele nutre, nós nutrimos, vós nutris, eles nutrem. Example: 'Eu nutro um grande respeito pelo seu trabalho' (I harbor great respect for your work).
Reflexive Form: Nutrir-se: When the subject is also the object, we use 'nutrir-se'. This is very common when talking about diets or personal growth. Example: 'Ele se nutre de literatura clássica' (He nourishes himself with classical literature).

Para crescer saudável, a planta deve nutrir-se da luz solar e da água da chuva.

To grow healthy, the plant must nourish itself with sunlight and rainwater.

In the past tenses, specifically the Pretérito Perfeito, 'nutrir' is used to describe a feeling that was established or a physical act that was completed. 'Ele nutriu aquele ódio por anos' suggests the hatred was kept alive for a long time until perhaps a specific point. The Pretérito Imperfeito ('nutria') is better for describing a continuous state of nourishing in the past without a specific end date.

Se você não nutrir suas amizades, elas acabarão esfriando com o tempo.

If you don't nurture your friendships, they will eventually cool down over time.

Finally, the participle 'nutrido' functions as an adjective meaning 'well-fed' or 'nourished'. You will often see 'bem-nutrido' (well-nourished) or 'mal-nutrido' (malnourished) in medical or social contexts. This is a very common way to describe the health status of a person or a population.

You will encounter nutrir in a variety of environments, ranging from the highly clinical to the deeply poetic. In Brazil and Portugal, the word carries a weight of intentionality that makes it a favorite for certain types of discourse.

In the Doctor's Office or Gym: Nutritionists (nutricionistas) are the primary users of this word. They will talk about 'nutrir as células' (nourishing the cells) or 'nutrir o corpo de dentro para fora' (nourishing the body from the inside out). In this context, it is strictly about vitamins, minerals, and caloric intake.
In Literature and Songwriting: Portuguese and Brazilian music often deals with deep emotions. You might hear a fado or a bossa nova song where the lyrics mention 'nutrir uma paixão proibida' (nourishing a forbidden passion). It adds a layer of 'feeding' the fire of love, making the emotion feel like a living thing that needs to be kept alive.
In Personal Development and Therapy: Therapists often use 'nutrir' when discussing self-care. They might ask, 'Como você tem nutrido sua mente?' (How have you been nourishing your mind?). This refers to the books you read, the people you spend time with, and the thoughts you allow yourself to have.

O documentário mostra como a comunidade se une para nutrir os ideais de justiça social.

The documentary shows how the community unites to nourish the ideals of social justice.

News broadcasts also use 'nutrir' when discussing international relations or long-standing conflicts. A reporter might say, 'Os dois países nutrem uma rivalidade histórica' (The two countries harbor a historical rivalry). Here, it implies that the rivalry is not just a fact, but something that is actively maintained by both sides through actions and rhetoric.

É preciso nutrir a terra antes de plantar as sementes da nova estação.

It is necessary to nourish the land before planting the seeds of the new season.

In the digital world, specifically in content marketing, you will hear about 'nutrição de leads'. This is the process of sending emails and content to potential customers to 'nourish' the relationship until they are ready to buy. Even in this modern, technical sense, the core meaning of 'providing what is necessary for growth' remains intact.

While nutrir is a relatively straightforward verb, English speakers often fall into a few specific traps when trying to translate 'nourish' or 'nurture' into Portuguese.

Confusing 'Nutrir' with 'Alimentar': This is the most common mistake. While they are synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. 'Alimentar' is the general term for giving food. If you say 'Eu nutro o cachorro,' it sounds like you are a scientist providing a specific nutritional formula. Use 'Eu dou comida ao cachorro' or 'Eu alimento o cachorro' for daily chores.
Incorrect Conjugation in the Present Tense: Many students assume that because the infinitive is 'nutrir,' the first person must be 'nutri'. However, 'nutri' is the past tense (I nourished). The present tense is 'eu nutro'. Mixing these up can completely change the timeframe of your sentence.
Overusing it for 'Nurture': English uses 'nurture' for raising children in a broad sense. In Portuguese, while 'nutrir' works for the nutritional aspect, 'criar' (to raise/create) or 'educar' (to educate/bring up) are often more appropriate for the general act of parenting. If you say 'Ela nutre os filhos,' it specifically emphasizes the care and sustenance she gives, rather than the act of raising them.

Errado: Eu nutri esperanças agora. (I nourished hopes now - Incorrect tense)
Correto: Eu nutro esperanças agora. (I nourish hopes now)

Another mistake is using 'nutrir' without a direct object when one is implied. In English, you might say 'She is nurturing.' In Portuguese, you must specify what she is nurturing: 'Ela está nutrindo seu talento' (She is nurturing her talent). The verb feels 'hungry' for an object to complete its meaning.

Não se deve nutrir sentimentos negativos, pois eles fazem mal à saúde.

One should not harbor negative feelings, as they are bad for one's health.

Lastly, be careful with the passive voice. 'Ser nutrido' is grammatically correct, but often 'receber nutrientes' or 'estar bem alimentado' sounds more natural in casual speech. Reserve 'nutrido' for formal descriptions or specific medical/biological contexts.

While nutrir is a specific and powerful word, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on whether you are talking about food, emotions, or development.

Alimentar vs. Nutrir: 'Alimentar' is the everyday word for 'to feed'. You 'alimentar' your family, your pets, or a fire. 'Nutrir' is deeper; it's about the quality of what is being given. If 'alimentar' is the act, 'nutrir' is the result of that act being done well. For feelings, they are closer synonyms, but 'nutrir' sounds more long-term and internal.
Fomentar vs. Nutrir: 'Fomentar' is often translated as 'to foster' or 'to promote'. It is used mostly for abstract concepts like 'fomentar a economia' (fostering the economy) or 'fomentar o debate' (promoting debate). While 'nutrir' implies keeping something alive, 'fomentar' implies helping it start or grow faster.
Cultivar vs. Nutrir: 'Cultivar' is used for plants, but also for habits and relationships. 'Cultivar uma amizade' (cultivating a friendship) is very common. The difference is subtle: 'cultivar' is about the work you do (planting, watering), while 'nutrir' is about the substance you provide to make it strong.

Ao invés de apenas alimentar o corpo, devemos aprender a nutrir a alma com boas ações.

Instead of just feeding the body, we must learn to nourish the soul with good deeds.

In a medical context, you might see 'sustentar' (to sustain). This is often used for life support or maintaining a certain state without necessarily growing. 'Nutrir' always has the connotation of growth and health, whereas 'sustentar' can just mean preventing collapse.

O governo busca fomentar novas parcerias para nutrir o desenvolvimento tecnológico do país.

The government seeks to foster new partnerships to nourish the country's technological development.

For emotional states, 'abrigar' (to shelter/harbor) is a strong alternative. 'Abrigar um sentimento' means you have the feeling inside you, but 'nutrir um sentimento' means you are actively making that feeling grow or stay strong. 'Nutrir' is more active than 'abrigar'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'nurse' in English comes from the same Latin root 'nutrire'. So, a 'nurse' and the verb 'nutrir' are linguistic cousins!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nuˈtɾiɾ/

US /nuˈtɾiχ/

The stress is on the last syllable: nu-TRIR.

Rhymes With

partir abrir sorrir dormir sentir subir pedir ouvir

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'u' in 'nut' (it should be like 'boot').
Using an English 'r' sound instead of a tapped or guttural Portuguese 'r'.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.
Making the 'i' sound too short; it should be a clear 'ee' sound.
Ignoring the final 'r' entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'nutrition' and 'nourish'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of the -ir verb pattern, especially the 'eu nutro' form.

Speaking 3/5

The tapped 'r' and nasal/guttural 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Generally clear, but can be confused with 'nutri' (past tense) if not careful.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

comer beber comida corpo saúde

Learn Next

alimentar fomentar sustentar fortalecer desenvolver

Advanced

metabolismo subsistência fisiologia psiquismo antropologia

Grammar to Know

Conjugation of -ir verbs

Eu nutro, você nutre, nós nutrimos.

Reflexive pronouns with verbs

Ele se nutre de bons livros.

Use of prepositions after verbs

Nutrir com (physical) vs Nutrir de (metaphorical).

Past participle as an adjective

Uma criança bem nutrida.

Future subjunctive for conditions

Se você nutrir a planta, ela crescerá.

Examples by Level

A boa comida ajuda a nutrir o corpo.

Good food helps to nourish the body.

Nutrir is used here in its basic infinitive form after another verb.

Eu nutro as minhas plantas com água.

I nourish my plants with water.

Present tense: 'Eu nutro' (I nourish).

O bebê precisa de leite para se nutrir.

The baby needs milk to nourish itself.

Reflexive use: 'se nutrir' (to nourish itself).

Frutas nutrem as crianças.

Fruits nourish children.

Third-person plural: 'nutrem'.

Nós nutrimos a terra do jardim.

We nourish the garden soil.

First-person plural: 'nutrimos'.

Você nutre o seu gato todos os dias?

Do you nourish your cat every day?

Second-person/Third-person singular: 'nutre'.

É importante nutrir a saúde.

It is important to nourish health.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

Eles nutrem os animais da fazenda.

They nourish the farm animals.

Third-person plural present.

Ela nutre o sonho de ser médica.

She nourishes the dream of being a doctor.

Metaphorical use with 'sonho' (dream).

Nós nutrimos uma amizade de muitos anos.

We nourish a friendship of many years.

Metaphorical use with 'amizade' (friendship).

O professor nutre a curiosidade dos alunos.

The teacher nourishes the students' curiosity.

Abstract object: 'curiosidade'.

Você deve nutrir pensamentos positivos.

You should nourish positive thoughts.

Modal verb 'deve' followed by infinitive.

O sol nutre a vida na Terra.

The sun nourishes life on Earth.

General truth in the present tense.

Eles nutrem um grande respeito por você.

They harbor great respect for you.

Using 'nutrir' for feelings (respect).

É preciso nutrir o corpo e a mente.

It is necessary to nourish the body and the mind.

Impersonal expression 'é preciso'.

Ela sempre nutriu a esperança de voltar.

She always nourished the hope of returning.

Pretérito Perfeito: 'nutriu'.

Muitos artistas nutrem sua criatividade com viagens.

Many artists nourish their creativity with travels.

Using 'com' to indicate the source of nourishment.

O solo foi nutrido com adubo orgânico.

The soil was nourished with organic fertilizer.

Passive voice: 'foi nutrido'.

Se não nutrirmos o amor, ele morre.

If we don't nourish love, it dies.

Future Subjunctive: 'nutrirmos'.

Ela se nutria de livros durante a infância.

She used to nourish herself with books during childhood.

Pretérito Imperfeito: 'se nutria' (habitual action).

O projeto visa nutrir o talento de jovens atletas.

The project aims to nourish the talent of young athletes.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

Eles nutriram uma rivalidade que durou décadas.

They nourished a rivalry that lasted decades.

Pretérito Perfeito plural: 'nutriram'.

É essencial nutrir a confiança dentro da equipe.

It is essential to nourish trust within the team.

Abstract noun 'confiança' as an object.

O músico nutre sua alma com melodias suaves.

The musician nourishes his soul with soft melodies.

Poetic/metaphorical use.

A empresa nutre uma cultura de inovação constante.

The company nourishes a culture of constant innovation.

Corporate/Professional context.

O autor nutre o leitor com descrições detalhadas.

The author nourishes the reader with detailed descriptions.

Literary context.

É perigoso nutrir o ódio em tempos de crise.

It is dangerous to nourish hatred in times of crisis.

Social/Political commentary.

Para que a planta floresça, o solo deve estar bem nutrido.

For the plant to bloom, the soil must be well nourished.

Compound adjective 'bem nutrido'.

Ela nutre a ambição de chegar ao topo da carreira.

She nourishes the ambition to reach the top of her career.

Specific ambition as an object.

O governo deve nutrir políticas de inclusão social.

The government must nourish social inclusion policies.

Political/Formal context.

Nós nos nutrimos das experiências que vivemos.

We nourish ourselves from the experiences we live.

Reflexive 'nos nutrimos' with 'de'.

O pesquisador nutriu a base de dados com novas informações.

The researcher nourished the database with new information.

Technical/Data context.

A retórica do palestrante serviu para nutrir o intelecto da audiência.

The speaker's rhetoric served to nourish the audience's intellect.

High-level academic/formal register.

O silêncio pode nutrir a alma tanto quanto a música.

Silence can nourish the soul as much as music.

Philosophical comparison.

Ele nutriu um ressentimento profundo após a traição.

He harbored a deep resentment after the betrayal.

Focus on internal psychological state.

A diversidade cultural nutre a identidade de uma nação.

Cultural diversity nourishes a nation's identity.

Sociological context.

Ao nutrir falsas expectativas, ele acabou se decepcionando.

By nourishing false expectations, he ended up disappointed.

Gerund 'Ao nutrir' indicating cause.

O ecossistema se nutre de um equilíbrio delicado.

The ecosystem nourishes itself from a delicate balance.

Scientific/Environmental context.

Ela nutriu a convicção de que a verdade viria à tona.

She harbored the conviction that the truth would come to light.

Abstract conviction as an object.

O mestre nutre o discípulo com sabedoria milenar.

The master nourishes the disciple with ancient wisdom.

Archetypal/Literary context.

A obra de Camões nutre a língua portuguesa até os dias de hoje.

The work of Camões nourishes the Portuguese language to this day.

Historical/Linguistic context.

Nutrir a chama da liberdade exige vigilância constante.

Nourishing the flame of liberty requires constant vigilance.

Highly metaphorical/Political.

O solo daquela região, embora árido, nutriu civilizações inteiras.

The soil of that region, although arid, nourished entire civilizations.

Historical/Geographical context.

Ela se nutre da melancolia para compor suas sinfonias.

She nourishes herself from melancholy to compose her symphonies.

Artistic/Psychological depth.

A simbiose entre as espécies permite que ambas se nutram mutuamente.

The symbiosis between species allows both to nourish each other mutually.

Biological/Scientific precision.

O filósofo nutriu a ideia de que o conhecimento é a única saída.

The philosopher harbored the idea that knowledge is the only way out.

Epistemological context.

A corrupção nutre-se da falta de transparência institucional.

Corruption nourishes itself from the lack of institutional transparency.

Abstract/Institutional critique.

É imperativo nutrir o diálogo para evitar o conflito armado.

It is imperative to nourish dialogue to avoid armed conflict.

Diplomatic/Formal register.

Common Collocations

nutrir esperança

nutrir o corpo

nutrir um sonho

nutrir sentimentos

nutrir a mente

nutrir o solo

nutrir ódio

nutrir curiosidade

nutrir amizades

nutrir a alma

Common Phrases

Bem nutrido

— Well-fed or healthy. Used to describe someone's physical state.

A criança parece estar muito bem nutrida.

Mal nutrido

— Malnourished. Used for people or plants lacking essential nutrients.

O solo mal nutrido não produzirá bons frutos.

Nutrir de informações

— To provide a lot of data or facts to someone or something.

O sistema foi nutrido de informações precisas.

Nutrir a dúvida

— To keep a doubt alive or to allow oneself to remain uncertain.

Não quero nutrir a dúvida sobre sua honestidade.

Nutrir o debate

— To provide points or evidence that keep a discussion going.

Novas pesquisas ajudam a nutrir o debate científico.

Nutrir a rivalidade

— To keep a competition or conflict active.

A imprensa acabou por nutrir a rivalidade entre os times.

Nutrir a fé

— To strengthen or maintain one's religious or personal beliefs.

Ela vai à igreja para nutrir sua fé.

Nutrir o intelecto

— To engage in activities that make one smarter or more knowledgeable.

O estudo constante nutre o intelecto.

Nutrir a vaidade

— To do things that make one feel more proud or self-centered.

Elogios excessivos podem nutrir a vaidade.

Nutrir expectativas

— To maintain hopes or predictions about a future event.

É melhor não nutrir muitas expectativas sobre o bônus.

Often Confused With

nutrir vs nutri

This is the first-person past tense (I nourished). The present is 'nutro'.

nutrir vs natureza

A noun meaning 'nature'. While related in concept, it's a different part of speech.

nutrir vs notar

To notice. Sounds slightly similar but completely different meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"Nutrir uma cobra no seio"

— To help or nourish someone who will eventually betray you.

Ele ajudou o primo, mas estava nutrindo uma cobra no seio.

Informal/Proverbial

"Nutrir-se de vento"

— To live on empty promises or illusions; to have no real sustenance.

Ele não tem emprego e parece se nutrir de vento.

Literary

"Nutrir a sétima arte"

— To support or contribute to the world of cinema.

O festival ajuda a nutrir a sétima arte no país.

Journalistic

"Nutrir o fogo"

— To keep a passion or a conflict burning intensely.

Suas palavras só serviram para nutrir o fogo da discussão.

Metaphorical

"Nutrir a esperança até o fim"

— To never give up on a dream regardless of the odds.

Apesar dos problemas, ela nutriu a esperança até o fim.

Common

"Nutrir com o pão da sabedoria"

— To provide deep and essential knowledge to someone.

O avô nutria os netos com o pão da sabedoria.

Poetic

"Nutrir raízes"

— To establish deep connections or foundations in a place or culture.

O imigrante começou a nutrir raízes na nova terra.

Metaphorical

"Nutrir o monstro"

— To feed a bad habit or a negative situation until it gets out of control.

Dar dinheiro a ele é nutrir o monstro do vício.

Informal

"Nutrir a mente e o espírito"

— A holistic approach to personal well-being.

A meditação serve para nutrir a mente e o espírito.

Philosophical

"Nutrir a discórdia"

— To intentionally create or maintain conflict between people.

Ele adora nutrir a discórdia entre os colegas.

Neutral

Easily Confused

nutrir vs Alimentar

Both mean 'to feed'.

Alimentar is the general act; nutrir is the qualitative process of providing what is essential for health and growth.

Eu alimento o cão, mas a ração nutre o cão.

nutrir vs Criar

Both can translate to 'nurture' in English.

Criar is 'to raise' a child or 'to create' something. Nutrir is specifically about the sustenance and care provided.

Ela cria os filhos e nutre neles o amor pela música.

nutrir vs Cuidar

Both involve looking after something.

Cuidar is 'to take care of' or 'to look after'. Nutrir is a specific type of care focused on growth and input.

Você deve cuidar da planta e nutrir a terra.

nutrir vs Sustentar

Both involve providing support.

Sustentar is more about maintenance and preventing collapse. Nutrir is about thriving and developing.

O salário sustenta a casa, mas o amor nutre a família.

nutrir vs Fomentar

Both mean to help something grow.

Fomentar is often used for abstract development or inciting actions. Nutrir is more about the internal process of growth.

A lei fomenta o comércio, o que nutre a economia.

Sentence Patterns

Eu nutro [coisa].

Eu nutro as flores.

Ela nutre [sentimento].

Ela nutre a esperança.

Nós nutrimos [objeto] com [substância].

Nós nutrimos o solo com adubo.

É preciso nutrir [conceito].

É preciso nutrir a inovação.

[Sujeito] se nutre de [abstração].

Ele se nutre de conhecimento.

Ao nutrir [coisa], [consequência].

Ao nutrir o ódio, ele se isolou.

Nutrir a [metáfora] exige [esforço].

Nutrir a chama da paz exige paciência.

O [objeto] foi devidamente nutrido.

O debate foi devidamente nutrido por fatos.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in medical, agricultural, and literary contexts; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu nutri esperança. → Eu nutro esperança.
Using 'nutri' (past) when you mean 'nutro' (present). This is a common conjugation error for -ir verbs.
O alimento nutre para o corpo. → O alimento nutre o corpo.
Adding 'para' (for) after 'nutrir'. In Portuguese, 'nutrir' is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
Ela nutre os filhos na escola. → Ela educa os filhos na escola.
Using 'nutrir' to mean 'to educate' or 'to raise'. While related, 'educar' or 'criar' are the correct words for schooling and general upbringing.
Eu nutro meu cachorro com carne. → Eu alimento meu cachorro com carne.
Using 'nutrir' for simple daily tasks like feeding a pet. It sounds overly scientific or formal in this context.
O solo está bem nutrimento. → O solo está bem nutrido.
Confusing the noun 'nutrimento' (an older word for nutrient) with the adjective/participle 'nutrido'.

Tips

Use it for Dreams

Whenever you talk about a long-term goal or dream, use 'nutrir um sonho'. It sounds much more natural and expressive than 'ter um sonho'.

Check the 'Eu' form

Always remember 'Eu nutro'. It’s easy to forget and say 'nutri', which sounds like the past tense. Practice saying 'Eu nutro bons pensamentos' every morning!

Health Talk

If you are at the doctor or talking about a diet, use 'nutrir' to show you care about the quality of food, not just the quantity.

Read Poetry

You will find 'nutrir' often in Portuguese poetry. It usually refers to the soul, heart, or a secret love. Looking for it in poems will help you see its emotional depth.

Friendships

Tell a friend 'Quero nutrir nossa amizade'. It's a very warm and sincere way to say you value the relationship and want it to grow.

Gardeners' Tip

If you like gardening, learn the phrase 'nutrir a terra'. It’s the standard way to talk about adding fertilizer or compost.

Marketing Jargon

If you work in marketing, 'nutrir leads' is a standard term in both Brazil and Portugal. It’s a great way to sound professional.

Variety

Don't repeat 'alimentar' too many times in a text. Switch to 'nutrir' to add variety and a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Self-Care

Use 'nutrir-se' when talking about what you do for your own well-being. 'Eu me nutro de arte' means art is essential for your happiness.

The Ending 'r'

In Portugal, emphasize the tapped 'r'. In Brazil, try the guttural 'h' sound. Both are correct, but picking one helps you sound more consistent.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Nutri-Bar'. You eat it to 'nutrir' your body with energy.

Visual Association

Imagine a drop of water falling onto a tiny green sprout, helping it grow taller. That is 'nutrir'.

Word Web

Saúde Comida Crescimento Sonhos Amor Vitaminas Cuidado Mente

Challenge

Try to use 'nutrir' in three different ways today: once for food, once for a feeling, and once for a hobby.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'nutrire', which means to suckle, feed, or bring up.

Original meaning: The root is associated with nursing and provide the necessary elements for life.

Romance (Latinate)

Cultural Context

When using 'desnutrido' (malnourished), be sensitive to the social context, as it refers to a serious health and poverty issue.

English speakers often use 'nurture' for emotional care and 'nourish' for food. In Portuguese, 'nutrir' covers both, but leans slightly more toward the 'nourish' side in tone.

The concept of 'Nutrição Espiritual' in various Brazilian religious traditions. The phrase 'Nutrir a esperança' is a common theme in the songs of Milton Nascimento. Scientific journals in Portugal like 'Acta Portuguesa de Nutrição'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health and Diet

Nutrir as células
Dieta para nutrir
Alimentos que nutrem
Estar bem nutrido

Relationships

Nutrir a amizade
Nutrir o amor
Nutrir o carinho
Nutrir laços

Personal Growth

Nutrir a mente
Nutrir a alma
Nutrir talentos
Nutrir a criatividade

Agriculture

Nutrir o solo
Nutrir as raízes
Nutrir a plantação
Adubo para nutrir

Business/Marketing

Nutrir leads
Nutrir parcerias
Nutrir o mercado
Nutrir a marca

Conversation Starters

"Como você costuma nutrir sua mente nos fins de semana?"

"Você acha que é mais importante nutrir o corpo ou o espírito?"

"Quais sentimentos você gosta de nutrir no seu dia a dia?"

"Como podemos nutrir melhor a nossa comunidade local?"

"Você nutre algum sonho de infância até hoje?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um sentimento que você nutriu por muito tempo e como ele mudou sua vida.

Descreva o que significa para você 'nutrir a alma' em um mundo tão ocupado.

Pense em um projeto que você está começando. Como você pretende nutri-lo para que ele cresça?

Reflita sobre a diferença entre apenas 'comer' e realmente 'se nutrir'.

Quais amizades você gostaria de nutrir mais este ano e por quê?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds very formal. You would usually say 'dar de comer' or 'alimentar'. Use 'nutrir' if you are talking about the nutritional quality of their food.

Yes, it is a regular -ir verb. Its conjugations follow the standard pattern of verbs like 'abrir' and 'partir'.

'Alimentado' means you have eaten. 'Nutrido' means your body has received the vitamins and minerals it needs. A person can be 'alimentado' with junk food but still be 'mal nutrido'.

You can say 'nutrir um rancor' or 'guardar um rancor'. 'Nutrir' suggests you are actively keeping that feeling alive.

Yes, it is very common in both Brazil and Portugal, especially in formal writing, health contexts, and when talking about emotions.

Yes, it is often used for 'solo' (soil) or 'terra' (earth) in agriculture.

It is a marketing term (lead nurturing) where you provide useful content to potential customers to keep them interested in your brand.

Yes, the noun is 'nutrição' (nutrition).

Not directly. You can say 'nutrir a mente com conhecimento', but to say 'I educate my children', you should use 'educar'.

The most direct opposite is 'desnutrir', but 'negligenciar' (to neglect) or 'enfraquecer' (to weaken) are also used depending on the context.