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B1 noun 9 min read

rendimento

Examples Notes & Tips rendimento in 30 Seconds
Explanation rendimento in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should start recognizing 'rendimento' as a word related to money and work. Think of it simply as 'income' or 'the money you get'. Even though it's a B1 word, you might see it on a simple job application or a bank form. At this stage, just remember that 'rendimento mensal' means 'monthly money'. You don't need to worry about the technical meanings like 'engine efficiency' yet. Focus on the idea that when you work, you have a 'rendimento'. It is a masculine noun, so you say 'o rendimento'. If you are talking to a friend about how much they earn, you might hear this word, although 'salário' is more common for beginners. Just keep in mind: Rendimento = Money coming in. It's a useful word to know when you look at prices and realize you need a better 'rendimento' to buy that fancy Portuguese wine! Practice saying it slowly: ren-di-men-to. The 'en' sounds like the 'en' in 'hen', but nasal. The 'di' sounds like 'jee' in Brazil or 'dee' in Portugal. The 'men' is also nasal. The 'to' at the end is a soft 'too'.
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By A2, you can begin to use 'rendimento' in more structured sentences. You should understand the difference between 'rendimento' (your total income) and 'salário' (your specific paycheck). At this level, you can also start using it to describe your performance in your Portuguese classes. For example, 'Meu rendimento nas aulas está melhorando' (My performance in classes is improving). You are moving beyond just 'money' and starting to see 'rendimento' as 'results'. You might see this word in news headlines about the economy—'O rendimento dos brasileiros caiu' (The income of Brazilians fell). This is a great level to start pairing the noun with simple adjectives like 'bom' (good) or 'mau' (bad). 'Ele tem um bom rendimento' means he either earns well or performs well. The context will tell you which one it is. If he's at a desk working hard, it's performance. If he's at the bank looking happy, it's income. Start looking for this word in short articles about business or education.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'rendimento' correctly in its most common contexts: finance and performance. You should be able to discuss 'rendimento bruto' (gross income) and 'rendimento líquido' (net income) when talking about jobs or taxes. This is also the level where you should understand 'rendimento' in terms of investments. If someone asks, 'Qual é o rendimento da poupança?', they want to know the interest rate of the savings account. You should also be comfortable using it in professional evaluations. You can say, 'O rendimento da equipe aumentou após o treinamento' (The team's performance increased after the training). You are now distinguishing between 'rendimento' and 'renda' (rent), which is a key milestone for intermediate learners. You understand that 'rendimento' is the yield or the result of an effort. You can also use it to talk about sports or physical activity, describing how much energy or efficiency an athlete has. It’s a versatile tool in your vocabulary for describing the 'output' of any system.
At the B2 level, you should be familiar with the more technical and abstract uses of 'rendimento'. This includes understanding it as 'efficiency' in a scientific or engineering context. For example, discussing the 'rendimento de um motor' (the efficiency of an engine) or the 'rendimento químico' of a reaction. You should also be able to use it in complex economic discussions, such as 'rendimento per capita' or 'distribuição de rendimento'. Your vocabulary should now include collocations like 'alto rendimento', which often refers to professional athletes (atletas de alto rendimento) or high-performance computing. You can use the word to analyze social issues, such as the gap between different levels of 'rendimento' in society. At this stage, you should feel confident using 'rendimento' in formal writing, reports, and academic settings. You understand the nuance that 'rendimento' is often a measurable statistic, whereas 'desempenho' can be more qualitative. You can switch between these terms to add variety and precision to your speech and writing.
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For C1 learners, 'rendimento' is a word you use with total precision and nuance. You understand its legal implications in contracts and tax law. You can discuss 'rendimentos tributáveis' (taxable income) and 'rendimentos isentos' (exempt income) without hesitation. You also appreciate the metaphorical uses of the word. In a literary or high-level rhetorical context, you might talk about the 'rendimento de uma ideia'—how much a specific concept produces in terms of further thought or action. You are aware of regional differences in how the word is used in the Lusophone world, such as specific social programs in Portugal like the 'Rendimento Social de Inserção'. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the nasal vowels, and you can use the word in complex grammatical structures, such as 'A despeito do baixo rendimento inicial, o projeto prosperou'. You use 'rendimento' to discuss macro and micro-economic trends with the same ease as a native speaker, and you can identify when 'rendimento' is being used to mean 'throughput' in industrial or logistical contexts.
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At the C2 level, 'rendimento' is a tool for professional-grade communication. You use it in specialized fields like thermodynamics, advanced accounting, or sociology. You can argue the finer points of 'rendimento decrescente' (diminishing returns) in economic theory. You understand the historical etymology of the word, tracing it back to the Latin 'reddere', and how that 'giving back' sense still permeates every modern usage—whether it's an investment 'giving back' profit or an engine 'giving back' power from fuel. You can write academic papers or technical manuals where 'rendimento' is a central metric, defined with mathematical precision. You also have a command of the word's register, knowing exactly when to use 'rendimento' versus 'proventos' or 'vencimentos' in a legal document. To you, 'rendimento' is not just a word, but a multifaceted concept that you can manipulate to express exact shades of meaning in any professional or creative endeavor. You can even use it in wordplay or advanced metaphors, confident that your audience will grasp the multi-layered significance of the term.
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Examples Notes & Tips

rendimento in 30 Seconds

  • Rendimento means 'income' or 'yield' in financial contexts.
  • It also refers to 'performance' or 'efficiency' in work or school.
  • It is a masculine noun (o rendimento) used formally.
  • Commonly confused with 'renda' (rent), but broader in scope.

The Portuguese word rendimento is a versatile noun that primarily translates to 'income', 'yield', 'performance', or 'efficiency' depending on the context. At its core, it refers to the result of an activity, whether that result is financial, academic, or mechanical. For English speakers, understanding rendimento requires shifting between these different conceptual domains. In a financial setting, it describes the money you earn from work or investments. In an educational or professional setting, it describes how well someone is performing their tasks. In a technical or scientific setting, it describes the ratio of output to input, such as the efficiency of an engine or a chemical reaction.

Financial Context
In economics and personal finance, rendimento refers to the total amount of money received. This includes 'rendimento mensal' (monthly income), 'rendimento anual' (annual income), and 'rendimento de capital' (capital gains or investment returns). It is the broad term for what comes into your pocket or bank account.
Productivity and Performance
When talking about students or employees, rendimento escolar or rendimento no trabalho refers to their performance level. If a student has a 'baixo rendimento', it means their grades or participation are below expectations. In sports, it refers to an athlete's physical output and effectiveness during a game.
Technical Efficiency
In engineering or physics, rendimento is the 'efficiency' of a system. For example, a motor with high rendimento converts more fuel into movement with less waste. This technical usage is common in academic texts and industrial reports.

O rendimento desta aplicação financeira superou a inflação este ano.

Translation: The yield of this financial investment exceeded inflation this year.

A professora está preocupada com o baixo rendimento escolar do aluno.

Translation: The teacher is concerned about the student's low academic performance.

Precisamos melhorar o rendimento da nossa linha de produção.

Translation: We need to improve the efficiency of our production line.

O rendimento líquido dele é suficiente para pagar o aluguel.

Translation: His net income is enough to pay the rent.

O atleta apresentou um rendimento excepcional durante a maratona.

Translation: The athlete showed exceptional performance during the marathon.

Using rendimento correctly marks you as a proficient speaker because it shows you can navigate the nuances of productivity versus profit. It is a formal yet essential word for daily life in any Portuguese-speaking country. Whether you are discussing your salary with a colleague or analyzing the efficiency of a kitchen appliance, this is the term you need.

Using rendimento in sentences requires paying attention to the adjectives that modify it, as they define the specific type of income or performance being discussed. Because it is a masculine noun, it always takes masculine articles (o, um) and adjectives (alto, baixo, líquido, bruto). The word functions as the subject or the object of a sentence, often following verbs like 'ter' (to have), 'aumentar' (to increase), 'diminuir' (to decrease), or 'obter' (to obtain).

Financial Adjectives
Common pairings include rendimento bruto (gross income) and rendimento líquido (net income). You might say, 'O meu rendimento líquido caiu este mês' (My net income dropped this month). Another common phrase is rendimento per capita, used in social and economic discussions to describe the average income per person in a region.
Performance Qualifiers
To describe how someone is doing, use alto rendimento (high performance) or baixo rendimento (low performance). For example, 'Ela é uma atleta de alto rendimento' (She is a high-performance athlete). This implies a professional or elite level of output.
Verb Collocations
Verbs like 'declarar' are essential for tax season: 'Você precisa declarar todos os seus rendimentos' (You need to declare all your income). In a work environment, 'avaliar o rendimento' (to evaluate performance) is a standard procedure during annual reviews.

O rendimento das colheitas foi afetado pela seca prolongada.

Translation: The crop yield was affected by the prolonged drought.

Gostaria de investir em algo que ofereça um rendimento fixo mensal.

Translation: I would like to invest in something that offers a fixed monthly yield.

O rendimento calórico deste alimento é muito baixo.

Translation: The caloric yield of this food is very low.

When constructing sentences, remember that rendimento is abstract. You don't usually 'touch' a rendimento, but you 'see' or 'calculate' it. It is often used in the singular even when referring to multiple sources of income, though 'rendimentos' (plural) is also perfectly correct and often used in legal or formal plural contexts like 'declaração de rendimentos' (income tax return).

You will encounter rendimento in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you anticipate the word's meaning before you even hear the full sentence. It is a staple of news broadcasts, corporate boardrooms, and school hallways.

On the News (Jornal Nacional / RTP)
Economic reporters frequently use rendimento when discussing the economy's health. You will hear phrases like 'queda no rendimento das famílias' (drop in family income) or 'rendimento médio do trabalhador' (average worker's income). It is the standard term for statistical data regarding money.
In the Workplace
HR departments and managers use it to discuss productivity. 'Avaliação de rendimento' is the Portuguese term for a performance review. If a boss says 'precisamos aumentar o rendimento da equipe', they aren't talking about salaries; they want the team to work more efficiently or produce more results.
At the Bank
When you open a savings account (poupança) or invest in stocks, the bank manager will talk about the 'rendimento anual'. This is the interest or profit your money will generate. You might ask: 'Qual é o rendimento esperado para este fundo?' (What is the expected yield for this fund?).

O governo anunciou medidas para aumentar o rendimento mínimo.

Translation: The government announced measures to increase the minimum income.

O técnico de futebol não está satisfeito com o rendimento dos jogadores em campo.

Translation: The soccer coach is not satisfied with the players' performance on the field.

In summary, if you are in a situation involving numbers, results, or money, keep your ears open for rendimento. It is the bridge between the effort put in and the results coming out.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using rendimento because of its overlap with other Portuguese words related to money. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Rendimento vs. Renda
This is the most frequent error. Renda usually refers to the 'rent' you pay for an apartment or a fixed, passive income. Rendimento is the broader term for income from any source, including work. If you say 'eu pago o rendimento do meu apartamento', it sounds like you are paying the apartment's performance, which makes no sense. Correct: 'Eu pago a renda'.
Rendimento vs. Salário
Salário is specifically the money your employer pays you. Rendimento includes your salary PLUS any other money you make (dividends, side hustles, interest). Don't use 'rendimento' when you just mean your paycheck in a casual conversation; 'salário' is more specific there.
Gender Confusion
Because it ends in '-o', it is masculine. However, learners sometimes confuse it with the feminine 'renda'. Always use masculine agreements: 'O rendimento alto', never 'A rendimento alta'.

Errado: O rendimento da casa é 500 euros por mês. (Meaning rent)

Correto: A renda da casa é 500 euros por mês.

Errado: Meu rendimento escolar está baixa.

Correto: Meu rendimento escolar está baixo.

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you'll avoid the common 'Portinglês' mistakes and communicate more like a native speaker.

Depending on the context, you might want to swap rendimento for a more specific synonym. Portuguese is a rich language with many nuances for 'making progress' or 'earning money'. Here are the most common alternatives and how they differ.

Productividade (Productivity)
Use productividade when you want to emphasize the amount of work done in a certain time. While rendimento focuses on the result/output quality, productividade often focuses on the speed and volume of work.
Lucro (Profit)
In business, rendimento is the total money coming in (revenue/income), but lucro is what is left after paying all expenses. If a company has high rendimento but also high costs, its lucro might be zero.
Desempenho (Performance)
This is the best alternative for 'performance'. While rendimento escolar is common, desempenho escolar is equally frequent. Desempenho feels slightly more active—it describes the act of performing, whereas rendimento describes the measurable result of that performance.

A empresa teve um lucro recorde, apesar do rendimento bruto ter caído.

Translation: The company had a record profit, even though gross income fell.

O desempenho da equipe foi excelente no último trimestre.

Translation: The team's performance was excellent in the last quarter.

Choosing between these words depends on how formal you want to be and whether you are focusing on the money itself or the effort required to earn it.

Fun Fact

The evolution from 'reddere' to 'rendere' happened because of the influence of 'prendere' (to take). It's a linguistic 'giving' that was shaped by 'taking'!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁẽ.di.ˈmẽ.tu/
US /ʁẽ.dʒi.ˈmẽ.tu/
The stress is on the penultimate syllable: ren-di-MEN-to.
Rhymes With
sentimento momento pensamento movimento nascimento conhecimento casamento alimento
Common Errors
  • Failing to nasalize the 'en' and 'em' sounds.
  • Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of 'oo'.
  • Using an English 'r' instead of the Portuguese guttural 'r'.
  • In Brazil, forgetting the 'j' sound in 'di'.
  • In Portugal, making the 'di' sound too much like 'j'.
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Examples by Level

1

O meu rendimento é bom.

My income is good.

Subject + Verb + Adjective.

2

Ele tem um rendimento mensal pequeno.

He has a small monthly income.

Adjective 'mensal' follows the noun.

3

Qual é o seu rendimento?

What is your income?

Interrogative sentence.

4

Eu recebo o meu rendimento hoje.

I receive my income today.

Direct object 'o meu rendimento'.

5

O rendimento dela é alto.

Her income is high.

Possessive 'dela' follows the noun.

6

Nós precisamos de mais rendimento.

We need more income.

Verb 'precisar' requires the preposition 'de'.

7

O rendimento é para a família.

The income is for the family.

Preposition 'para' shows purpose.

8

Um rendimento básico é importante.

A basic income is important.

Indefinite article 'um'.

1

O rendimento escolar do meu filho melhorou.

My son's school performance improved.

Compound subject with 'de'.

2

Eles discutem o rendimento da empresa.

They are discussing the company's performance.

Present tense of 'discutir'.

3

O rendimento médio em Portugal é diferente.

The average income in Portugal is different.

Adjective 'médio' (average).

4

Você viu o rendimento da sua conta?

Did you see the yield on your account?

Past tense 'viu'.

5

O baixo rendimento causou problemas.

The low performance caused problems.

Adjective 'baixo' precedes the noun for emphasis.

6

O rendimento anual foi de dez mil euros.

The annual income was ten thousand euros.

Preposition 'de' before the value.

7

Ela quer aumentar o seu rendimento.

She wants to increase her income.

Infinitive 'aumentar'.

8

O rendimento do trabalho é essencial.

Income from work is essential.

Genitive 'do trabalho'.

1

O rendimento líquido é o que sobra após os impostos.

Net income is what's left after taxes.

Relative clause 'o que sobra'.

2

A aplicação financeira teve um rendimento de 5%.

The financial investment had a yield of 5%.

Percentage used with 'de'.

3

O rendimento dos alunos caiu durante as férias.

The students' performance dropped during the holidays.

Plural 'alunos' in the genitive.

4

Precisamos avaliar o rendimento de cada funcionário.

We need to evaluate each employee's performance.

Verb 'avaliar' (to evaluate).

5

O rendimento das colheitas depende da chuva.

The crop yield depends on the rain.

Verb 'depender' requires 'de'.

6

Ele vive apenas do rendimento dos seus investimentos.

He lives solely on the income from his investments.

Adverb 'apenas' (only).

7

A máquina tem um rendimento muito eficiente.

The machine has a very efficient yield/efficiency.

Adverb 'muito' modifying 'eficiente'.

8

O rendimento bruto não inclui os descontos.

Gross income does not include deductions.

Negative 'não inclui'.

1

O rendimento térmico do motor precisa ser otimizado.

The thermal efficiency of the engine needs to be optimized.

Passive voice 'ser otimizado'.

2

Atletas de alto rendimento treinam várias horas por dia.

High-performance athletes train several hours a day.

Fixed phrase 'alto rendimento'.

3

Houve uma queda no rendimento per capita da região.

There was a drop in the per capita income of the region.

Latin expression 'per capita'.

4

O rendimento de uma reação química é raramente 100%.

The yield of a chemical reaction is rarely 100%.

Adverb 'raramente'.

5

A empresa foca no rendimento sustentável a longo prazo.

The company focuses on sustainable yield in the long term.

Prepositional phrase 'a longo prazo'.

6

O rendimento escolar está ligado a fatores socioeconômicos.

Academic performance is linked to socioeconomic factors.

Passive structure 'está ligado a'.

7

O fundo imobiliário distribui rendimentos mensalmente.

The real estate fund distributes income monthly.

Adverb 'mensalmente'.

8

O rendimento do capital investido superou as expectativas.

The return on invested capital exceeded expectations.

Past participle 'investido' as adjective.

1

A disparidade de rendimento entre as classes sociais é alarmante.

The income disparity between social classes is alarming.

Complex noun phrase 'disparidade de rendimento'.

2

O rendimento marginal decrescente é um conceito econômico chave.

Diminishing marginal returns is a key economic concept.

Technical economic terminology.

3

A declaração de rendimentos deve ser entregue até abril.

The income tax return must be submitted by April.

Modal verb 'deve ser'.

4

O rendimento quântico das células solares está a aumentar.

The quantum yield of solar cells is increasing.

Scientific adjective 'quântico'.

5

A política monetária visa estabilizar o rendimento real.

Monetary policy aims to stabilize real income.

Verb 'visar' (to aim at).

6

O rendimento da terra foi multiplicado pelo uso de tecnologia.

The land's yield was multiplied by the use of technology.

Agent of the passive 'pelo uso'.

7

O rendimento intelectual do autor é vasto e diversificado.

The author's intellectual output is vast and diverse.

Metaphorical use of 'rendimento'.

8

É necessário declarar rendimentos auferidos no exterior.

It is necessary to declare income earned abroad.

Formal verb 'auferir' (to earn/obtain).

1

A otimização do rendimento termodinâmico é o cerne da engenharia moderna.

Optimizing thermodynamic efficiency is the core of modern engineering.

Nominalization 'A otimização'.

2

O rendimento social de inserção visa mitigar a pobreza extrema.

Social insertion income aims to mitigate extreme poverty.

Specific legal/social term.

3

Analisamos o rendimento sob a ótica da produtividade total dos fatores.

We analyze yield from the perspective of total factor productivity.

Prepositional phrase 'sob a ótica de'.

4

O rendimento das obrigações do tesouro influenciou o mercado acionário.

The yield on treasury bonds influenced the stock market.

Financial term 'obrigações do tesouro'.

5

A exequibilidade do projeto depende do seu rendimento operacional.

The feasibility of the project depends on its operational efficiency.

High-level vocabulary 'exequibilidade'.

6

O rendimento bruto ajustado serve de base para o cálculo do imposto.

Adjusted gross income serves as the basis for tax calculation.

Compound adjective 'bruto ajustado'.

7

A volatilidade do rendimento das commodities preocupa os exportadores.

The volatility of commodity yields worries exporters.

Noun 'volatilidade'.

8

O rendimento estequiométrico da reação foi inferior ao esperado.

The stoichiometric yield of the reaction was lower than expected.

Highly specialized scientific term.

Common Collocations

Rendimento líquido
Rendimento bruto
Rendimento escolar
Alto rendimento
Baixo rendimento
Rendimento per capita
Rendimento mensal
Rendimento anual
Rendimento do capital
Avaliação de rendimento

Common Phrases

Declaração de rendimentos

— The official document for income tax.

Já fiz minha declaração de rendimentos.

Comprovante de rendimento

— A document proving how much you earn.

O banco pediu um comprovante de rendimento.

Rendimento fixo

— An investment with a stable, predictable return.

Prefiro investir em rendimento fixo.

Rendimento variável

— An investment where the profit fluctuates (like stocks).

O rendimento variável é mais arriscado.

Rendimento de inserção

— A specific social welfare payment in Portugal.

Ele recebe o rendimento social de inserção.

Queda de rendimento

— A decrease in performance or income.

Houve uma queda de rendimento no segundo tempo.

Rendimento máximo

— The peak efficiency or income possible.

O motor atingiu o rendimento máximo.

Rendimento real

— Income adjusted for inflation.

O rendimento real não aumentou.

Fonte de rendimento

— The place where your money comes from.

O aluguel é minha principal fonte de rendimento.

Rendimento do trabalho

— Money earned specifically through labor.

O rendimento do trabalho cresceu 2%.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar rendimento"

— To yield results or be productive.

Este trabalho não está dando rendimento.

Colloquial
"Rendimento de passarinho"

— A very small, insignificant income.

Com esse rendimento de passarinho não compro nada.

Slang
"Fazer render"

— To make something last longer or produce more.

Ela sabe fazer render o dinheiro.

Neutral
"Perder o rendimento"

— To lose focus or become less productive.

Depois das 18h, eu perco o rendimento.

Informal
"Rendimento de ouro"

— An exceptionally good profit or result.

Aquele investimento foi um rendimento de ouro.

Metaphorical
"Viver de rendimentos"

— To live off interest/passive income without working.

O meu sonho é viver de rendimentos.

Common
"Rendimento zero"

— Complete lack of results or profit.

A reunião teve rendimento zero.

Informal
"Rendimento a conta-gotas"

— Income that comes in very small amounts slowly.

O rendimento vem a conta-gotas.

Idiomatic
"Rendimento de fachada"

— Something that looks productive but isn't.

Aquilo é apenas rendimento de fachada.

Critical
"Puxar pelo rendimento"

— To push for more results or harder work.

O chefe está puxando pelo rendimento da equipe.

Informal

Word Family

Nouns

renda
rendição
rendedura

Verbs

render
render-se

Adjectives

rendoso
rendável
rendido

Related

lucro
ganho
receita
faturamento
produtividade
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Rendimento' as 'Render-ment'. When you 'render' a service, you get a 'payment' or 'result'. Both start with R and involve getting something back.

Visual Association

Imagine a machine where you put in 'Effort' (input) and 'Rendimento' (coins and results) come out of the other side.

Word Web

Salário Lucro Eficiência Escola Dinheiro Resultado Investimento Trabalho

Challenge

Try to use 'rendimento' in three different ways today: once for money, once for your Portuguese progress, and once for how your car or phone is working.

Word Origin

From the Portuguese verb 'render', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'rendere', a variation of the Classical Latin 'reddere'.

Original meaning: The Latin 'reddere' literally means 'to give back' (re- 'back' + dare 'to give').

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

Talking about personal 'rendimento' (income) can be private in some Portuguese-speaking cultures, just as in English-speaking ones. Use with discretion in social settings.

English speakers often use 'performance' for school and 'income' for money. Portuguese uses 'rendimento' for both, which can feel strange at first.

Imposto de Renda (The Brazilian IRS equivalent) Rendimento Social de Inserção (Portuguese welfare) Atletas de Alto Rendimento (Common sports headline)
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