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A2 verb #9,000 most common 9 min read

rebaixar

Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips rebaixar in 30 Seconds

Explanation rebaixar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'rebaixar' comes from 'baixo' (low). It means to make something lower. You might use it for simple things like lowering a chair. However, beginners usually use the simpler word 'baixar'. Just remember that 're' + 'baixar' means to push something down further or to a lower level. It is a regular verb, so it follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs like 'falar' or 'estudar'.

At A2, you start using 'rebaixar' in more specific ways. You will encounter it when talking about cars ('rebaixar o carro') or when talking about sports, especially football. If a team is at the bottom of the table, they might be 'rebaixados' (relegated). You also start to see it used for people, meaning to 'belittle' or 'treat as inferior'. It's important to notice the difference between 'baixar' (to lower) and 'rebaixar' (to demote/belittle).

By B1, you should be comfortable with the reflexive form 'rebaixar-se'. This is used to describe when someone acts in a way that loses them respect. You will hear it in social discussions: 'Não se rebaixe ao nível dele' (Don't stoop to his level). You also use it in business contexts for 'downgrading' a service or a professional position. You should understand the passive voice usage: 'Ele foi rebaixado de cargo'.

At the B2 level, 'rebaixar' is used in abstract and technical contexts. You'll see it in economic news regarding credit ratings ('rebaixar a nota de crédito') or in architectural terms ('rebaixar o teto'). You should be able to distinguish between 'rebaixar' and formal synonyms like 'despromover' or 'depreciar'. You also understand the cultural weight of the word in Brazilian football and how it affects a club's identity.

For C1 learners, 'rebaixar' is used to discuss nuance in literature and formal rhetoric. It can describe the debasement of language, art, or moral values. You understand how the word can be used ironically or sarcastically. You are also aware of regional variations and how 'rebaixamento' (the noun form) is used in legal or structural engineering contexts. You can use it fluently in complex sentences with various prepositions.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'rebaixar' in all its metaphorical glory. You can use it to describe subtle social dynamics, the degradation of philosophical concepts, or in highly technical discussions about mechanics and physics. You recognize the word in historical texts where it might describe the stripping of noble titles or changes in social caste. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in both formal and informal registers.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

rebaixar in 30 Seconds

Rebaixar means to lower, demote, or belittle in Portuguese.
It is commonly used in sports for team relegation and in car tuning for lowering suspension.
The word can be reflexive (rebaixar-se) when someone demeans themselves.
It is a regular -ar verb used in professional, physical, and social contexts.

The Portuguese verb rebaixar is a multifaceted term that primarily describes the act of lowering something, whether it be a physical object, a person's professional status, or their moral standing. At its core, it suggests a movement from a higher position to a lower one. For English speakers, the most direct translations are 'to demote', 'to lower', or 'to humble/humiliate', depending on the context of the conversation.

Professional Context: In a workplace setting, rebaixar refers to the act of demoting an employee to a lower rank or position, often accompanied by a reduction in salary or responsibilities. It is the opposite of promover (to promote).
Social and Emotional Context: When used reflexively as rebaixar-se, it implies a loss of dignity or the act of humbling oneself to a degree that is considered demeaning. It can also mean to disparage or belittle someone else.
Physical Context: Physically, it is frequently used in the automotive world. To rebaixar um carro means to lower its suspension to bring the chassis closer to the ground, a common practice in car tuning culture.

O diretor decidiu rebaixar o gerente após os resultados negativos do trimestre.

Translation: The director decided to demote the manager after the negative results of the quarter.

Understanding the nuance between baixar and rebaixar is crucial. While baixar is a neutral term for lowering (like lowering the volume or downloading a file), rebaixar often carries a negative, hierarchical, or technical connotation of pushing something down from a previously established level.

Não se deve rebaixar ninguém para se sentir superior.

Translation: One should not belittle anyone to feel superior.

Ele gosta de rebaixar a suspensão do seu carro esportivo.

Translation: He likes to lower the suspension of his sports car.

Moral Degradation: In literature and formal speech, rebaixar can describe the degradation of values or the cheapening of an artistic work.

A empresa foi rebaixada pelas agências de classificação de risco.

Translation: The company was downgraded by the credit rating agencies.

Nunca me rebaixaria a esse nível de discussão.

Translation: I would never stoop (lower myself) to that level of discussion.

Using rebaixar correctly requires an understanding of its direct and reflexive forms. As a transitive verb, it acts upon an object or person. As a reflexive verb, it describes an action the subject performs on themselves, usually in a metaphorical or moral sense.

Transitive Usage (Direct Action): When you lower an object or demote a person, the verb is used transitively. Example: 'O mecânico vai rebaixar o teto' (The mechanic is going to lower the roof).
Reflexive Usage (Self-Action): To describe someone stooping to a low level or demeaning themselves, use rebaixar-se. Example: 'Ele se rebaixou ao pedir desculpas por algo que não fez' (He demeaned himself by apologizing for something he didn't do).

Eles vão rebaixar o preço dos produtos na liquidação.

Translation: They are going to lower the price of the products in the sale.

In the context of sports, specifically football, the passive voice is common. You will often hear that a team 'foi rebaixado' (was relegated). This is a passive construction using the past participle of the verb.

Meu time foi rebaixado para a segunda divisão no ano passado.

Translation: My team was relegated to the second division last year.

O governo decidiu rebaixar o nível de alerta de segurança.

Translation: The government decided to lower the security alert level.

The Imperative Form: In commands, you might hear: 'Não se rebaixe!' (Don't stoop so low! / Don't demean yourself!). This is a powerful social command used to encourage someone to maintain their dignity.

A crítica tentou rebaixar a importância da obra do artista.

Translation: The critics tried to downplay (lower) the importance of the artist's work.

Nós vamos rebaixar o teto da sala para colocar luzes embutidas.

Translation: We are going to lower the living room ceiling to install recessed lights.

The word rebaixar echoes through various corridors of Portuguese-speaking life, from the loud stadiums of Rio de Janeiro to the quiet offices of Lisbon. Its frequency of use is high because it touches on social hierarchy, competition, and physical modification.

In the Sports News: Turn on any sports channel in Brazil (like SporTV or ESPN Brasil) during the final weeks of the Brasileirão (the national league). You will hear commentators endlessly debating which teams run the risk of being rebaixados. The 'zona de rebaixamento' (relegation zone) is the most stressful place for any fan.
In Corporate Environments: During restructuring or performance reviews, HR might use rebaixar to formally describe a change in position. It is a heavy word in this context, often signaling a step toward eventual termination or a significant loss of prestige.
At the Mechanic Shop: In the 'tuning' subculture, carros rebaixados are a major trend. Young people often gather to show off how low their cars can go. Hearing 'Vou rebaixar meu carro' is a statement of style and identity in these circles.

O comentarista disse que o time corre o risco de ser rebaixado.

Translation: The commentator said the team runs the risk of being relegated.

In social settings, the word appears in discussions about respect and bullying. If someone feels another person is looking down on them or treating them as inferior, they might say 'Você está tentando me rebaixar' (You are trying to belittle me). This usage is very common in interpersonal conflicts and soap operas (telenovelas), where social class and status are frequent themes.

Ele comprou molas especiais para rebaixar o veículo.

Translation: He bought special springs to lower the vehicle.

A inflação pode rebaixar o poder de compra da população.

Translation: Inflation can lower the purchasing power of the population.

In financial news, you'll hear about 'rebaixamento de nota' (downgrade of a rating). When a country's credit rating is lowered, it is said that the agency 'rebaixou a nota do país'. This is a high-level economic context that English speakers will recognize from 'downgrading' in Wall Street terms.

Ela não quer se rebaixar a fofocas de escritório.

Translation: She doesn't want to stoop to office gossip.

When learning rebaixar, English speakers often stumble over its relationship with the simpler verb baixar. While they share a root, they are not interchangeable in most contexts.

Confusing 'Baixar' with 'Rebaixar': Use baixar for simple actions: lowering volume, downloading a file, or bending down. Use rebaixar for structural changes (lowering a ceiling), professional changes (demotion), or social belittling. Saying 'Eu rebaixei um arquivo' is incorrect; it should be 'Eu baixei um arquivo'.
Incorrect Reflexive Use: Students often forget the 'se' when they want to say 'to stoop'. 'Ele rebaixou para ganhar' is incomplete. Correct: 'Ele se rebaixou para ganhar'. Without the reflexive pronoun, the listener is left wondering who or what he lowered.

Errado: O time baixou para a série B.
Correto: O time foi rebaixado para a série B.

Explanation: In sports, the specific term is 'rebaixar', not 'baixar'.

Another mistake involves the preposition following the verb. When you are demoted *to* a position, use 'a' or 'para'. When you are belittled *by* someone, use 'por'. Mixing these up can change the meaning of your sentence significantly.

Errado: Ele se rebaixou com o inimigo.
Correto: Ele se rebaixou perante o inimigo.

Explanation: 'Perante' (before/in front of) is the standard preposition for social humiliation.

Finally, remember that 'rebaixar' is almost always perceived as negative unless you are talking about car suspensions or architecture. Using it to describe someone 'getting humble' in a positive way is usually a mistake; for that, use 'humildar-se' or 'ser humilde'. 'Rebaixar' implies a loss of necessary dignity.

To truly master rebaixar, you should know how it compares to its cousins in the Portuguese language. Each has a specific shade of meaning that dictates when it should be used over the others.

Rebaixar vs. Humilhar: Humilhar is much more emotional and personal. It means to cause shame or to hurt someone's pride deeply. Rebaixar can be more technical or hierarchical. You can rebaixar a car, but you cannot humilhar a car. However, in social contexts, they overlap: 'Ele me rebaixou' and 'Ele me humilhou' both mean he made me feel small, but 'humilhou' is stronger.
Rebaixar vs. Degradar: Degradar is often used for the environment (degradação ambiental) or for a slow decline in quality. Rebaixar is usually a specific, often sudden, act of lowering rank or height.
Rebaixar vs. Despromover: Despromover is a more formal, academic word for 'demote'. You will see it in human resources documents, but in everyday speech, rebaixar is much more common.

A empresa preferiu despromover o funcionário em vez de demiti-lo.

Note: 'Despromover' is the technical synonym for demotion.

In terms of physical height, diminuir (to decrease) is sometimes an alternative, but it refers to size or quantity rather than position. If you want to say someone is 'putting you down', you can also use the slang 'diminuir alguém'.

Não deixe que ninguém te diminua por causa da sua origem.

Translation: Don't let anyone belittle (diminish) you because of your origin.

O preço da carne foi reduzido (instead of rebaixado).

Note: For prices, 'reduzir' or 'baixar' is more natural than 'rebaixar'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"A instituição financeira procedeu ao rebaixamento da classificação de risco."

Neutral

"Eles vão rebaixar o teto para instalar o ar-condicionado."

Informal

"O cara rebaixou o carro tanto que nem passa na lombada."

Child friendly

"O papai vai rebaixar a sua cadeirinha para você ficar confortável."

Slang

"Não rebaixa a bola não, você é fera!"

Fun Fact

The word 'rebaixar' is essential in the 'Tuning' culture in Brazil, where 'carros rebaixados' are a symbol of status among certain youth groups, despite the word meaning 'to lower' status in other contexts.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁe.bajˈʃa(ɹ)/

US /xe.baɪˈʃaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: re-bai-XAR.

Rhymes With

caminhar falar pensar olhar chegar deixar achar passar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the initial 'R' like an English 'R' (it should be like 'H').
Missing the 'i' sound in 'bai', making it sound like 'baxar'.
Pronouncing the 'x' like 's' or 'z' instead of 'sh'.
Stressing the second-to-last syllable.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'baixar' by ignoring the 're-' prefix.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'baixo'. Often appears in news.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns and prepositions.

Speaking 3/5

The 'r' and 'x' sounds can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'baixar' if spoken quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

baixo alto baixar subir cargo

Learn Next

promover humilhar elevar degradar suspensão

Advanced

aviltamento contingenciamento depreciação relegação subalternidade

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Ele **se** rebaixou. (Proclisis is common in Brazil).

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

O time **foi** rebaixado. (Ser + Past Participle).

Preposition 'A' with movement/reduction

Rebaixar o filme **a** uma comédia.

Regular -AR Verb Conjugation

Eu rebaixo, tu rebaixais, ele rebaixa...

Use of 'Por' for Cause

Foi rebaixado **por** falta de competência.

Examples by Level

Eu vou rebaixar a cadeira.

I am going to lower the chair.

Simple present future with 'vou' + infinitive.

O menino quer rebaixar o banco.

The boy wants to lower the bench.

Direct object 'o banco' follows the verb.

Não rebaixe a mesa agora.

Don't lower the table now.

Negative imperative form.

Eles rebaixam o volume?

Do they lower the volume?

Third person plural present tense.

Você pode rebaixar a prateleira?

Can you lower the shelf?

Question using 'pode' (can).

Nós rebaixamos o quadro na parede.

We lowered the painting on the wall.

Past tense 'rebaixamos'.

Ela rebaixa a luz do quarto.

She lowers the light in the room.

Third person singular present tense.

O preço vai rebaixar amanhã.

The price will go down tomorrow.

Future construction with 'vai'.

O meu time foi rebaixado ontem.

My team was relegated yesterday.

Passive voice with 'foi' + past participle.

Ele vai rebaixar a suspensão do carro.

He is going to lower the car's suspension.

Specific technical usage for cars.

A empresa rebaixou o funcionário.

The company demoted the employee.

Transitive verb with personal object.

Não se rebaixe por causa dele.

Don't belittle yourself because of him.

Reflexive imperative 'se rebaixe'.

Eles rebaixaram o teto da cozinha.

They lowered the kitchen ceiling.

Past tense for a physical action.

O técnico rebaixou o jogador para o banco.

The coach demoted the player to the bench.

Preposition 'para' indicates the new position.

Ela se sente rebaixada no trabalho.

She feels belittled at work.

Adjective use of the past participle.

O governo rebaixou o nível do rio.

The government lowered the river level.

Direct action by an authority.

Nunca me rebaixaria a esse ponto.

I would never stoop to that point.

Conditional tense 'rebaixaria' with reflexive pronoun.

O diretor rebaixou as expectativas da equipe.

The director lowered the team's expectations.

Abstract usage for 'expectations'.

A agência rebaixou a nota de crédito do país.

The agency downgraded the country's credit rating.

Financial terminology.

É triste ver um ídolo se rebaixar assim.

It's sad to see an idol demean himself like that.

Infinitive reflexive 'se rebaixar'.

Eles rebaixaram o valor do imóvel drasticamente.

They lowered the property value drastically.

Adverb 'drasticamente' modifying the verb.

O exército rebaixou o soldado por indisciplina.

The army demoted the soldier for indiscipline.

Preposition 'por' indicating the reason.

A fumaça rebaixou a visibilidade na estrada.

The smoke lowered visibility on the road.

Causal relationship.

Não deixe que ninguém rebaixe seus sonhos.

Don't let anyone belittle your dreams.

Subjunctive 'rebaixe' after 'deixe que'.

A reforma rebaixou o padrão da vizinhança.

The renovation lowered the standard of the neighborhood.

Social/Environmental impact.

O juiz rebaixou a pena do réu após o apelo.

The judge lowered the defendant's sentence after the appeal.

Legal context.

A qualidade do produto foi rebaixada para cortar custos.

The product quality was lowered to cut costs.

Passive voice with infinitive purpose clause.

Ele se rebaixou ao aceitar aquele suborno.

He demeaned himself by accepting that bribe.

Reflexive past tense indicating moral failure.

A crítica rebaixou o filme a uma simples comédia.

The critics dismissed the film as a simple comedy.

Preposition 'a' used for classification.

O rebaixamento do lençol freático preocupa os fazendeiros.

The lowering of the water table worries the farmers.

Noun form 'rebaixamento'.

O governo rebaixou os impostos sobre importação.

The government lowered import taxes.

Economic policy context.

Eles rebaixaram o perfil da empresa nas redes sociais.

They lowered the company's profile on social media.

Modern digital context.

A retórica política muitas vezes visa rebaixar o oponente.

Political rhetoric often aims to belittle the opponent.

Abstract political context.

O autor se recusa a rebaixar sua linguagem para o grande público.

The author refuses to dumb down his language for the general public.

Metaphorical lowering of intellectual level.

A erosão rebaixou o nível do solo ao longo das décadas.

Erosion lowered the ground level over the decades.

Geological/Scientific context.

O escândalo rebaixou o prestígio da instituição secular.

The scandal lowered the prestige of the centuries-old institution.

Impact on reputation/prestige.

Não permitas que a amargura rebaixe o teu espírito.

Do not allow bitterness to lower your spirit.

Literary 'tu' form (Permitas).

O rebaixamento estético da arquitetura moderna é debatido.

The aesthetic degradation of modern architecture is debated.

Noun 'rebaixamento' with an adjective.

Ele rebaixou-se perante a tirania para sobreviver.

He humbled himself before tyranny to survive.

Reflexive with 'perante'.

A medida visa rebaixar a inflação para níveis aceitáveis.

The measure aims to lower inflation to acceptable levels.

Macroeconomic usage.

A ontologia contemporânea por vezes rebaixa a metafísica.

Contemporary ontology sometimes downgrades metaphysics.

High-level academic/philosophical context.

A rebaixada condição humana na obra de Kafka é evidente.

The debased human condition in Kafka's work is evident.

Adjective use in literary analysis.

O rebaixamento das águas revelou ruínas submersas.

The receding of the waters revealed submerged ruins.

Physical and historical context.

Submeter-se a tal exigência seria rebaixar a própria soberania.

To submit to such a demand would be to lower one's own sovereignty.

Political/Philosophical implications.

A tradução não deve rebaixar o estilo vernáculo do original.

The translation must not debase the vernacular style of the original.

Linguistic/Translation theory.

O declínio do império resultou no rebaixamento de sua moeda.

The decline of the empire resulted in the debasement of its currency.

Historical economic context.

Ele rebaixou a discussão a meros ataques pessoais.

He reduced the discussion to mere personal attacks.

Verb + preposition 'a' for reduction of quality.

A estratificação social rebaixa certas classes ao ostracismo.

Social stratification relegates certain classes to ostracism.

Sociological context.

Common Collocations

rebaixar o carro

zona de rebaixamento

rebaixar o gesso

rebaixar de cargo

rebaixar a nota

rebaixar a suspensão

rebaixar o nível

rebaixar a moral

rebaixar o preço

rebaixar as calçadas

Common Phrases

Não se rebaixe.

— Don't stoop to a low level or lose your dignity.

Não se rebaixe discutindo com ele.

Time rebaixado.

— A team that has been relegated to a lower division.

O Vasco foi um time rebaixado várias vezes.

Rebaixar a bola.

— To become more humble or less arrogant (idiomatic).

Ele precisa rebaixar a bola e ouvir os outros.

Teto rebaixado.

— A dropped or false ceiling.

A sala ficou linda com o teto rebaixado.

Carro rebaixado.

— A car with a lowered suspension.

Ele tem um carro rebaixado e rodas grandes.

Rebaixar o orgulho.

— To swallow one's pride.

Tive que rebaixar meu orgulho e pedir ajuda.

Rebaixar perante alguém.

— To humble oneself in front of someone else.

Ele se rebaixou perante o chefe.

Nota rebaixada.

— A downgraded grade or credit rating.

Fiquei triste com a nota rebaixada no trabalho.

Rebaixar a qualidade.

— To lower the quality of something.

A nova gerência rebaixou a qualidade do serviço.

Rebaixar a importância.

— To downplay the importance of something.

Não tente rebaixar a importância da nossa vitória.

Often Confused With

rebaixar vs baixar

Baixar is general (lower volume, download). Rebaixar is specific (demote, lower suspension).

rebaixar vs abaixar

Abaixar is often physical (to duck, to lower something). Rebaixar is more about rank or status.

rebaixar vs humilhar

Humilhar is to shame. Rebaixar can be just a change in position, though it can be humiliating.

Idioms & Expressions

"rebaixar a crista"

— To humble someone who is being arrogant or 'cocky'. Similar to 'take someone down a peg'.

O professor rebaixou a crista do aluno metido.

informal

"rebaixar o sarrafo"

— To lower the standard or the level of demand/difficulty.

Eles rebaixaram o sarrafo no exame deste ano.

informal

"rebaixar a bola"

— To act with more humility or to calm down after being arrogant.

Depois da bronca, ele rebaixou a bola.

informal

"se rebaixar ao lodo"

— To stoop to the absolute lowest, filthiest moral level.

Ele se rebaixou ao lodo com aquelas mentiras.

literary

"rebaixar as orelhas"

— To show submission or shame, like a dog lowering its ears.

Ele saiu da sala rebaixando as orelhas.

informal

"rebaixar o tom"

— To speak more softly or less aggressively.

Peço que você rebaixe o tom de voz.

neutral

"rebaixar o pavio"

— To calm down one's anger.

Ele precisou rebaixar o pavio para não brigar.

regional

"rebaixar a guarda"

— To lower one's guard or defense.

Não podemos rebaixar a guarda contra a doença.

neutral

"rebaixar a bandeira"

— To surrender or give up a cause.

Eles nunca rebaixaram a bandeira da liberdade.

metaphorical

"rebaixar o lombo"

— To work hard or submit to hard labor (humbling oneself through work).

Teve que rebaixar o lombo para pagar as dívidas.

informal

Easily Confused

rebaixar vs baixar

Both mean to lower.

Baixar is used for downloads, volume, and simple physical acts. Rebaixar is for demotion, relegation, and structural lowering.

Eu baixei o arquivo, mas o chefe rebaixou meu cargo.

rebaixar vs descer

Both involve moving down.

Descer is to go down (stairs, a hill). Rebaixar is to make something lower or move it to a lower rank.

Eu desci a rua. O time foi rebaixado.

rebaixar vs diminuir

Both mean to reduce.

Diminuir is for size/quantity. Rebaixar is for level/rank.

Diminuir o açúcar. Rebaixar o teto.

rebaixar vs depreciar

Both involve lowering value.

Depreciar is specifically about value/worth. Rebaixar is broader (height, rank, dignity).

O carro depreciou com o tempo. Ele rebaixou a suspensão do carro.

rebaixar vs relegar

Both mean putting in a lower place.

Relegar is more formal and often means to push aside or banish to a secondary role.

Ele foi relegado ao esquecimento.

Sentence Patterns

Eu vou rebaixar [objeto].

Eu vou rebaixar a luz.

[Sujeito] foi rebaixado.

O time foi rebaixado.

Não se rebaixe a [nível/ação].

Não se rebaixe a mentir.

[Autoridade] rebaixou a [nota/valor].

O banco rebaixou a nota.

O rebaixamento de [conceito] é [adjetivo].

O rebaixamento da cultura é preocupante.

Submeter-se a [x] seria rebaixar [y].

Submeter-se a isso seria rebaixar a moral.

Ele rebaixou o carro.

Ele rebaixou o carro ontem.

Ela se sente rebaixada.

Ela se sente rebaixada no emprego.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in Brazil (due to football and car culture); Moderate in Portugal.

Common Mistakes

Using 'rebaixar' for downloading. → baixar
You 'baixar' a file from the internet, you don't 'rebaixar' it.
O time baixou para a série B. → O time foi rebaixado para a série B.
In sports, the specific term is 'rebaixar', usually in the passive voice.
Ele rebaixou de mim. → Ele me rebaixou.
'Rebaixar' is a direct transitive verb when it means to belittle someone.
Não se rebaixe com ele. → Não se rebaixe ao nível dele.
Usually, you stoop 'to a level' (ao nível), not 'with' someone.
Rebaixar o volume. → Baixar o volume.
'Rebaixar' is not used for sound or intensity levels like volume.

Tips

Football Fever

In Brazil, 'rebaixamento' is a tragedy for fans. If you want to tease a friend whose team is doing poorly, you can mention the 'zona de rebaixamento'.

Car Tuning

If you hear someone say 'carro socado', it's a slang term for a very 'rebaixado' (lowered) car.

Reflexive Power

Use 'rebaixar-se' to describe someone losing their dignity. It's a strong way to criticize someone's lack of self-respect.

Office Talk

In a professional setting, 'rebaixar' is a heavy word. Use 'despromover' if you want to sound more like a formal HR document.

The 'X' sound

Remember the 'x' in 'rebaixar' is always 'sh'. Think of the English word 'shush'.

Dropped Ceilings

When looking for an apartment in Brazil, 'teto rebaixado em gesso' is often listed as a premium feature because it allows for fancy lighting.

Credit Ratings

When reading news about 'Moody's' or 'S&P', look for the word 'rebaixou' to see if they downgraded a country's rating.

Respect

Avoid using 'rebaixar' when talking about friends. It's much better to say someone is 'humilde' (humble) than to say they 'rebaixaram-se'.

Baixar vs Rebaixar

If you are lowering something that was already low, or changing its rank, use 'rebaixar'. For everything else, 'baixar' is safer.

The 'Re' prefix

Think of 'Re' as 'Reducing' the rank or height. Re-ducing + Baixo = Rebaixar.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'RE-B-A-I-X-A-R' as 'RE-positioning something to a LOWER (BAIXO) level'. The 'RE' is the action of changing it, and 'BAIX' is the 'LOW' part.

Visual Association

Imagine a football team sliding down a giant slide into a basement (the second division). That slide is the 'rebaixamento'.

Word Web

baixo rebaixamento futebol carro cargo humilhação teto suspensão

Challenge

Try to use 'rebaixar' in three different ways today: one about a physical object, one about a sports team, and one about a person's behavior.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese word 'baixo' (low), which comes from the Late Latin 'bassus' (short, low). The prefix 're-' is added to indicate an intensive action or a change of state.

Original meaning: To make low again or to push something to a lower state than it was before.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'rebaixar-se' or 'rebaixar alguém', as it can be very insulting. It implies a lack of worth or dignity.

English speakers might use 'downgrade' or 'demote'. 'Rebaixar' covers both plus physical lowering and emotional belittling.

The 'rebaixamento' of big Brazilian teams like Palmeiras, Corinthians, and Vasco is a major part of sports history. Songs in the 'Funk' genre often mention 'carros rebaixados'. Literary works exploring social class in Portugal and Brazil often use the verb to describe the struggle of the lower classes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional

rebaixar de cargo
rebaixamento salarial
ser rebaixado
perda de prestígio

Sports

zona de rebaixamento
foi rebaixado
fugir do rebaixamento
lutar contra o rebaixamento

Automotive

rebaixar a suspensão
carro rebaixado
molas esportivas
legalizar rebaixamento

Construction

rebaixar o gesso
teto rebaixado
rebaixar o piso
iluminação embutida

Social/Moral

não se rebaixe
rebaixar os outros
sentir-se rebaixado
rebaixar o nível

Conversation Starters

"Você já viu aqueles carros que as pessoas gostam de rebaixar?"

"O que você faria se a sua empresa tentasse te rebaixar de cargo?"

"Você acha que o seu time de futebol corre risco de ser rebaixado este ano?"

"Você acha que as redes sociais ajudam a rebaixar o nível das discussões políticas?"

"Você já teve que rebaixar o gesso de alguma sala na sua casa?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você se recusou a se rebaixar ao nível de outra pessoa.

Descreva as vantagens e desvantagens de ter um carro rebaixado.

Como você se sentiria se o seu time do coração fosse rebaixado para a segunda divisão?

Reflita sobre como a sociedade às vezes tenta rebaixar certos grupos de pessoas.

Imagine que você é um arquiteto. Explique por que você decidiu rebaixar o teto de um projeto.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for downloading a file, you must use 'baixar' or 'fazer o download'. 'Rebaixar' would sound very strange in that context.

No. When talking about car suspensions or architecture (lowering a ceiling), it is a neutral technical term. However, when applied to people, it usually carries a negative connotation.

The most common way is 'O time foi rebaixado'. You can also say 'O time caiu para a segunda divisão'.

'Abaixar' is often used for physical movements like ducking your head ('abaixar a cabeça') or lowering something temporarily. 'Rebaixar' implies a more permanent or hierarchical change.

Yes, but 'baixar' or 'reduzir' is more common for prices. 'Rebaixar o preço' sounds like a significant, perhaps permanent, markdown.

Both are used. 'Rebaixar a' is common for levels or states ('rebaixar a nada'), while 'rebaixar para' is common for positions ('rebaixar para a série B').

It is an idiom meaning to be more humble or to stop being so arrogant. It comes from the idea of bringing a ball down to the ground to control it.

No, it is used in economics (rating downgrade), construction (dropped ceiling), and geology (land subsidence).

No, use 'baixar o volume' or 'abaixar o volume'. 'Rebaixar o volume' is incorrect.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'falar'.