At the A1 level, the word 'rever' is most useful in its simplest sense: seeing someone again. You might use it to express the joy of meeting a friend or family member after a short time. For example, 'Quero rever os meus pais' (I want to see my parents again). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex professional reviews. Focus on the irregular conjugation in the present tense, especially the first person 'eu revejo' and the third person 'ele revê.' Think of it as 're + ver.' If you can see (ver), you can see again (rever). It is a helpful verb for basic social interactions and expressing future plans to meet people. You will often see it in greeting cards or simple messages like 'Espero rever-te em breve' (I hope to see you again soon). It is important to start noticing that it doesn't use 'para' or 'a' after the verb; it goes straight to the person you are seeing. This simplicity helps you build correct sentence structures early on. Even at A1, knowing that 'rever' follows 'ver' will give you a head start on understanding how Portuguese prefixes work to modify basic verbs.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'rever' in the context of study and basic organization. This is where the meaning 'to look over' or 'to review' becomes important. You might say 'Preciso de rever a lição' (I need to review the lesson) or 'Vou rever o meu trabalho de casa' (I'm going to review my homework). At this level, you should be comfortable with the Pretérito Perfeito (Past Tense) forms like 'eu revi' and 'nós revemos.' You are moving beyond just seeing people and starting to use the verb for objects and tasks. You will also encounter the word in more varied social contexts, such as 'rever um filme' (to watch a movie again). This is a great level to practice the distinction between 'ver' (to see once) and 'rever' (to see again for better understanding or enjoyment). You should also start using direct object pronouns with the verb, such as 'Vou revê-lo' (I'm going to see him/it again). Understanding that 'rever' is a transitive verb that doesn't need a preposition is a key milestone for A2 learners. It helps you sound more natural and less like you are translating directly from English 'look over.'
By the B1 level, 'rever' becomes a tool for professional and social intermediate communication. You will use it to discuss 'rever o contrato' (reviewing the contract) or 'rever os planos de viagem' (reviewing travel plans). This level requires you to use the Subjunctive mood, which is essential for expressing wishes, doubts, or suggestions. For example, 'É importante que tu revejas os teus erros' (It is important that you review your errors). You are no longer just looking at things; you are analyzing them. You will also hear 'rever' in the context of social change or personal opinions, like 'rever uma posição' (to review/change a position on a topic). At B1, you should also be aware of the noun form 'revisão' (review/revision) and how it relates to the verb. You might say 'Fiz uma revisão e decidi rever o texto.' This shows a higher level of linguistic flexibility. You will also start to notice 'rever' in news headlines about government policies or economic adjustments. The verb starts to take on a more formal tone in these contexts, and you should be able to distinguish when it means a casual 'see again' versus a formal 'official review.'
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'rever' in various registers. You will use it to describe complex processes like 'rever a estratégia de marketing' or 'rever os termos de serviço.' You should be proficient in all tenses, including the Futuro do Conjuntivo (e.g., 'Quando eu rever os documentos, aviso-te'). At this stage, you can use 'rever' to talk about abstract concepts like 'rever o passado' (to look back at the past) or 'rever os valores da sociedade.' You are expected to use the verb accurately in debates and written essays to suggest improvements or changes. You should also be able to distinguish 'rever' from more specific verbs like 'revisar' (technical) or 'reavaliar' (evaluative). For a B2 learner, 'rever' is a key verb for discussing 'melhoria contínua' (continuous improvement). You might find yourself using it in the passive voice or with impersonal 'se' (e.g., 'Devem-se rever as prioridades'). This shows a sophisticated grasp of Portuguese syntax. You will also encounter it in literature where it might be used metaphorically, such as a character 'reendo-se' (seeing themselves) in another person's actions.
At the C1 level, your use of 'rever' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of precision and context. You will use it to discuss 'rever a historiografia' (reviewing historiography) or 'rever paradigmas científicos.' You understand the subtle difference between 'rever' and 'revisitar' (to revisit a theme or place). In professional settings, you might lead a 'revisão por pares' (peer review) and use 'rever' to describe the critical analysis of a colleague's work. You are also aware of the less common, archaic meaning of 'rever' as 'to leak' or 'to ooze,' which might appear in classical poetry or technical architectural descriptions of old buildings ('a parede revê humidade'). Your vocabulary includes idioms and fixed expressions like 'rever os seus conceitos' used in a sophisticated, perhaps ironic, way. You can handle the verb in complex conditional sentences and understand its role in formal legal documents where 'rever uma sentença' has specific procedural implications. At C1, 'rever' is not just a verb; it is a conceptual tool for deconstruction and reconstruction of ideas, texts, and relationships.
At the C2 level, you possess a total mastery of 'rever,' including its most obscure uses and its role in the evolution of the Portuguese language. You can appreciate the etymological link to the Latin 'revidere' and how it differs from the development of 'rever' in other Romance languages. You might use the verb in high-level academic writing to discuss 'rever a ontologia' or in literary criticism to analyze how an author 'revê' the tropes of their predecessors. You are comfortable with the most complex grammatical structures involving the verb, such as the personal infinitive or rare combinations of clitic pronouns ('rever-mo-ia'). You can detect the subtle difference in tone between a Brazilian author using 'revisar' and a Portuguese author using 'rever' for the same editorial task. Furthermore, you can use the archaic sense of 'rever' (to leak/ooze) creatively in your own writing to evoke a specific mood or classical style. For a C2 speaker, 'rever' is a multifaceted gem of a verb that can express everything from a simple glance at a friend to the profound re-evaluation of a civilization's foundations.

rever in 30 Seconds

  • Rever means to see again or to review/revise something for improvements.
  • It is an irregular verb that follows the exact conjugation of 'ver'.
  • Commonly used in offices for documents and socially for seeing friends.
  • Be careful with the spelling of 'reveem' (they review) in the present tense.

The Portuguese verb rever is a versatile and essential word that every learner should master early in their journey. At its core, it is a compound of the prefix 're-' (meaning again) and the verb 'ver' (to see). Consequently, its most literal translation is 'to see again.' However, in daily Portuguese, its utility extends far beyond simple visual recognition. It is the primary verb used when you want to describe the act of looking over something with a critical eye, whether it is a document, a plan, or a personal opinion. Imagine you have just finished writing an important email; before hitting send, you would rever the text to ensure there are no typos. This sense of 'reviewing' or 'revising' is perhaps the most frequent application of the word in professional and academic contexts across the Lusophone world.

Social Context
When used in social settings, rever carries an emotional weight. It is used when meeting someone you haven't seen in a long time. For example, 'Foi ótimo rever-te' (It was great to see you again). It implies a reconnection after a period of absence.

Preciso rever os meus apontamentos antes do exame de amanhã para garantir que não esqueci nada importante.

Furthermore, rever is frequently employed in the realm of introspection and change. If someone says they need to 'rever os seus conceitos' (review their concepts/values), they are suggesting a deep re-evaluation of their beliefs or prejudices. This makes the verb central to discussions about personal growth, political shifts, and societal progress. In legal or administrative terms, a judge might rever a sentence, or a committee might rever a policy. It suggests a formal process of checking for errors or updating information based on new evidence. It is important to distinguish this from 'revisar,' which is often used for technical maintenance (like a car service), although in some regions, they are used interchangeably for text editing.

Technical Nuance
In literary or older contexts, rever can also mean 'to leak' or 'to ooze' (like water through a wall). While rare in modern conversation, you might encounter it in classic Portuguese literature.

Espero rever os meus antigos colegas de escola no jantar de convívio no próximo mês.

In summary, use rever whenever there is a 'second look' involved. Whether it is a second look at a friend's face, a second look at a math problem, or a second look at a life decision, this verb encapsulates the act of returning to a previous visual or mental state for the purpose of connection or correction. Its high frequency in both European and Brazilian Portuguese makes it a high-priority verb for attaining fluency at the A2 level and beyond.

Using rever correctly involves understanding its irregular conjugation and its relationship with direct objects. Because it is a transitive verb, it usually acts directly upon an object without the need for a preposition. For instance, you 'rever algo' (review something) or 'rever alguém' (see someone again). The most common mistake for English speakers is trying to conjugate it as a regular '-er' verb. Remember that the first person singular in the present tense is 'eu revejo' (modeled after 'eu vejo'), not 'eu revo'.

Present Tense Usage
Use the present tense to describe current habits of reviewing or immediate future intentions. 'Eu revejo sempre os meus textos antes de os publicar' (I always review my texts before publishing them).

Nós revemos o plano estratégico da empresa trimestralmente para ajustar as metas.

In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), rever is used to indicate a completed action of seeing someone or finishing a review. 'Ontem, eu revi a matéria de história' (Yesterday, I reviewed the history subject). Note the shift to 'revi' in the first person. This tense is particularly useful when reporting progress at work or expressing the joy of a recent reunion. 'Revi a Maria no centro comercial e ela está ótima' (I saw Maria again at the mall and she is doing great).

Subjunctive Mood
When expressing a wish or a doubt, use the subjunctive. 'Espero que tu revejas a tua decisão' (I hope you review your decision). This is common in persuasive speech.

Se eles revissem o contrato, encontrariam o erro no parágrafo quarto.

Finally, the future tense and the conditional are used for hypothetical scenarios or future plans. 'Se eu tiver tempo, reverei o rascunho amanhã' (If I have time, I will review the draft tomorrow). By mastering these different forms, you can use rever to navigate a wide variety of social and professional interactions with precision.

In the modern Lusophone world, rever is omnipresent. If you walk into a Portuguese office, you will hear it constantly during meetings. Colleagues will ask each other to 'rever as apresentações' or 'rever os orçamentos.' It is the standard term for the iterative process of work. Unlike 'olhar' (to look), which can be passive, rever implies an active, purposeful examination. You aren't just looking at the budget; you are looking at it again to find ways to improve it or to catch errors.

Academic Environments
In schools and universities, teachers will tell students to 'rever a matéria para o teste.' This means to study or go over the material previously taught.

O professor pediu aos alunos para reverem o capítulo três antes da aula de laboratório.

Switching to a more personal setting, rever is the star of family reunions and holiday gatherings. When relatives meet after months or years apart, the phrase 'Que bom rever-te!' (How good to see you again!) is the standard greeting. It bridges the gap of time. You will also hear it in television news when a reporter says, 'Vamos rever as imagens do golo' (Let's see the images of the goal again), referring to a replay of a sports event. This 'replay' aspect is a very common auditory experience for Portuguese speakers.

Legal and Political Discourse
Politicians often talk about 'rever a constituição' (revising the constitution) or 'rever as leis de imigração,' indicating a formal legislative change.

O governo decidiu rever os subsídios de desemprego para incentivar a procura de trabalho.

In Brazil, you might also hear the expression 'rever os seus conceitos' used as a polite but firm way to tell someone they are being prejudiced or outdated in their thinking. It's a call for mental flexibility. Whether in a high-stakes boardroom, a noisy family dinner, or a critical political debate, rever is the linguistic tool used to denote that something is being revisited, re-evaluated, or rediscovered.

The most frequent pitfall for learners of Portuguese when using rever is conjugation. Because it looks like a regular '-er' verb, many students try to conjugate it as such. For example, they might say 'eu revo' instead of the correct 'eu revejo.' It is vital to remember that rever is an exact mirror of 'ver.' If you can say 'eu vejo' (I see), you must say 'eu revejo' (I review/see again). Similarly, in the past tense, it is 'eu revi' and 'ele reviu,' following the irregular pattern of 'vi' and 'viu.'

Confusion with 'Revisar'
Another common mistake is the confusion between 'rever' and 'revisar.' While they overlap, 'revisar' is often more technical. You 'revisar' a car engine or a complex mathematical proof. You 'rever' a text, a friend, or a decision. Using 'revisar' for a friend would sound very strange!

Errado: Eu reví o meu amigo ontem. Correto: Eu revi o meu amigo ontem. (Note: 'revi' does not have an accent).

Spelling errors in the third person plural are also rampant. In the present tense, it is 'eles reveem' (with double 'e'). Before the Orthographic Agreement of 1990, this was written with a circumflex accent (revêem), but that accent has been abolished. Many native speakers still make this mistake, so as a learner, using 'reveem' correctly will make your writing stand out as highly accurate. In the preterite, the third person plural is 'reviram,' which is often confused with the future 'reverão.'

Preposition Errors
English speakers often want to add 'at' or 'over' after the verb because of the English 'look over.' In Portuguese, 'rever' is direct. Do not say 'rever sobre o documento.' Just say 'rever o documento.'

Errado: Preciso rever para o teste. Correto: Preciso rever a matéria para o teste.

Finally, avoid using rever when you simply mean 'to watch' a movie for the first time. It must strictly be a second or subsequent viewing. If you say 'Quero rever aquele filme,' it implies you have already seen it at least once. Using it for a first-time experience will confuse your listeners about your past experiences.

While rever is incredibly useful, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms that can add nuance to your speech. The most direct synonym for the 'review' sense is revisar. As mentioned previously, revisar is often preferred in Brazil for proofreading or technical inspections. If you are talking about a car, always use 'revisar.' If you are talking about a PhD thesis, both 'rever' and 'revisar' are acceptable, but 'revisar' sounds slightly more formal and exhaustive.

Examinar vs. Rever
Examinar implies a much deeper, almost medical or scientific level of scrutiny. While you might 'rever' a plan to see if it's okay, you would 'examinar' a plan to find every possible flaw or detail.

O detetive decidiu examinar as provas novamente, em vez de apenas as rever superficialmente.

Another alternative is the phrase tornar a ver. This is a more literal way of saying 'to see again.' It is often used in more poetic or formal writing. For example, 'Espero tornar a vê-lo em breve.' It lacks the 'correction/review' meaning of rever and focuses purely on the visual reunion. If you want to emphasize the act of checking something for errors specifically, you might use corrigir (to correct) or emendar (to amend/fix).

Reavaliar
Reavaliar is the best choice when the 'review' involves assigning a new value or judgment to something, such as 'reavaliar um imóvel' (re-appraising a property).

Depois do fracasso, a equipa teve de reavaliar toda a sua estratégia de marketing.

Finally, in the context of memory, you might use recordar or relembrar. While rever implies seeing with the eyes or the mind's eye as if it were present, 'recordar' is the internal process of bringing back a memory. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the perfect word for the specific type of 'looking back' you are doing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'revista' (magazine) actually comes from the past participle of 'rever'. A magazine is literally a 'revision' or a 'review' of current events or topics.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁɨ.ˈveɾ/
US /χe.ˈveχ/
The stress is on the last syllable: re-VER.
Rhymes With
ver ler crer ter quer ser fazer poder
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as three syllables (re-ve-er).
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable.
  • Pronouncing the first 'e' too openly in European Portuguese.
  • Forgetting the 'v' sound in the middle.
  • Confusing the final 'r' with an 'l' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'ver', but watch out for the 'leak' meaning in old texts.

Writing 4/5

Difficult due to irregular conjugation and the double 'e' in 'reveem'.

Speaking 3/5

Requires practice with the irregular sounds of 'revejo' and 'revi'.

Listening 2/5

Generally clear, but can be confused with 'rever' (to leak) in rare contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ver olhar novo amigo texto

Learn Next

revisão prever reavaliar corrigir examinar

Advanced

hermenêutica historiografia exsudação cânone

Grammar to Know

Irregular conjugation of 'rever'

Eu revejo (not revo), Ele revê (not reve).

Direct Object Pronouns with 'rever'

Vou revê-lo amanhã (I will see him/it again tomorrow).

Subjunctive mood after 'espero que'

Espero que ele reveja o plano.

Double 'e' in third person plural

Eles reveem o texto (no accent since the 1990 agreement).

Preposition-less usage

Rever o livro (not rever ao livro).

Examples by Level

1

Eu quero rever o meu amigo amanhã.

I want to see my friend again tomorrow.

Direct object 'o meu amigo' follows the verb.

2

É bom rever a família no Natal.

It is good to see the family again at Christmas.

Infinitive form 'rever' used after 'é bom'.

3

Eles reveem os primos no verão.

They see their cousins again in the summer.

Present tense third person plural 'reveem'.

4

Tu revês a tua avó muitas vezes?

Do you see your grandmother often?

Present tense second person singular 'revês'.

5

Nós revemos o filme hoje à noite.

We are watching the movie again tonight.

Present tense first person plural 'revemos'.

6

Ela revê as fotos antigas.

She looks at the old photos again.

Present tense third person singular 'revê'.

7

Espero rever-te em breve!

I hope to see you again soon!

Infinitive with hyphenated pronoun '-te'.

8

Vocês reveem o professor na segunda-feira.

You (plural) see the teacher again on Monday.

Present tense second person plural 'reveem'.

1

Preciso de rever a lição de ontem.

I need to review yesterday's lesson.

Infinitive 'rever' after 'preciso de'.

2

Ontem, eu revi o meu trabalho de casa.

Yesterday, I reviewed my homework.

Pretérito Perfeito first person singular 'revi'.

3

O aluno reviu os erros do teste.

The student reviewed the test errors.

Pretérito Perfeito third person singular 'reviu'.

4

Nós revimos a matéria para o exame.

We reviewed the material for the exam.

Pretérito Perfeito first person plural 'revimos'.

5

Eles reviram o plano de viagem ontem.

They reviewed the travel plan yesterday.

Pretérito Perfeito third person plural 'reviram'.

6

Vou rever este capítulo mais uma vez.

I am going to review this chapter one more time.

Periphrastic future 'vou rever'.

7

Tu reviste o e-mail antes de enviar?

Did you review the email before sending?

Pretérito Perfeito second person singular 'reviste'.

8

Ela sempre revê a lista de compras.

She always reviews the shopping list.

Present tense third person singular 'revê'.

1

É essencial que o diretor reveja o orçamento.

It is essential that the director reviews the budget.

Present Subjunctive 'reveja' after 'é essencial que'.

2

Se eu tivesse tempo, reveria o relatório.

If I had time, I would review the report.

Conditional tense 'reveria'.

3

Eles decidiram rever a sua posição política.

They decided to review their political position.

Infinitive 'rever' after 'decidiram'.

4

Revi o contrato e encontrei uma falha.

I reviewed the contract and found a flaw.

Pretérito Perfeito 'revi' used for professional tasks.

5

Espero que vós revejais as vossas atitudes.

I hope that you (plural formal) review your attitudes.

Present Subjunctive second person plural 'revejais'.

6

O governo está a rever as leis laborais.

The government is reviewing the labor laws.

Present continuous 'está a rever'.

7

Quero rever as condições do seguro.

I want to review the insurance conditions.

Infinitive 'rever' after 'quero'.

8

Nós revíamos as metas todos os meses.

We used to review the goals every month.

Pretérito Imperfeito 'revíamos' for habitual action.

1

Quando reveres o texto, avisa-me por favor.

When you review the text, please let me know.

Future Subjunctive 'reveres' after 'quando'.

2

A empresa teve de rever a sua estratégia global.

The company had to review its global strategy.

Compound past 'teve de rever'.

3

É necessário revermos os nossos conceitos éticos.

It is necessary for us to review our ethical concepts.

Personal Infinitive 'revermos'.

4

O júri reviu a prova e mudou a classificação.

The jury reviewed the evidence and changed the classification.

Pretérito Perfeito 'reviu'.

5

Embora tenha revisto o livro, ainda há gralhas.

Although I reviewed the book, there are still typos.

Past participle 'revisto' used in a compound tense.

6

Rever-se-ão os preços no próximo trimestre.

The prices will be reviewed in the next quarter.

Future tense with mesoclisis and passive 'se'.

7

Ele reviu-se naquelas palavras do discurso.

He saw himself in those words of the speech.

Reflexive use 'rever-se' (to identify with).

8

Se eles revissem o caso, fariam justiça.

If they reviewed the case, they would do justice.

Imperfect Subjunctive 'revissem'.

1

A historiografia oficial deve rever este período.

Official historiography must review this period.

Infinitive 'rever' in an academic context.

2

O autor decidiu rever a sua obra completa.

The author decided to revise his entire body of work.

Infinitive 'rever' implying deep revision.

3

As paredes da cave começaram a rever humidade.

The basement walls started to ooze moisture.

Archaic/technical use of 'rever' meaning to leak.

4

É imperativo que se revejam os paradigmas vigentes.

It is imperative that current paradigms be reviewed.

Passive subjunctive 'se revejam'.

5

Revi-o nas entrelinhas daquele poema obscuro.

I saw him again between the lines of that obscure poem.

Metaphorical use of 'rever'.

6

A comissão reviu a sentença após novas provas.

The commission reviewed the sentence after new evidence.

Formal legal usage of 'reviu'.

7

Temos de rever a nossa relação com a natureza.

We must review our relationship with nature.

Philosophical/Abstract use of 'rever'.

8

Ele revê-se na herança cultural dos seus antepassados.

He sees himself in the cultural heritage of his ancestors.

Reflexive 'rever-se' meaning to identify with.

1

A hermenêutica permite rever o sentido do texto.

Hermeneutics allows for reviewing the meaning of the text.

Highly academic usage.

2

Oxalá eles revejam a própria noção de verdade.

I hope they review their very notion of truth.

Use of 'Oxalá' with the subjunctive 'revejam'.

3

O tempo reviu as feridas que a guerra abriu.

Time looked again at (or healed) the wounds war opened.

Poetic personification of time with 'reviu'.

4

Rever-me-ia na tua dor se não fosse tão egoísta.

I would see myself in your pain if I weren't so selfish.

Conditional with mesoclisis 'rever-me-ia'.

5

A rocha reviu o orvalho da manhã em pequenas gotas.

The rock oozed the morning dew in small drops.

Archaic usage of 'rever' meaning to exude.

6

Urge rever a arquitetura financeira internacional.

It is urgent to review the international financial architecture.

Formal/Political terminology.

7

O espírito revê as memórias antes da partida final.

The spirit reviews memories before the final departure.

Metaphysical usage.

8

Reveram-se os cânones literários no século XX.

Literary canons were reviewed in the 20th century.

Passive voice 'reveram-se'.

Common Collocations

rever o contrato
rever os amigos
rever a matéria
rever a estratégia
rever os conceitos
rever uma posição
rever o passado
rever o orçamento
rever as fotos
rever a decisão

Common Phrases

Até te rever

— A formal or poetic way to say 'Until I see you again.' It is often used in letters.

Até te rever, meu querido amigo.

Rever a fundo

— To review something very thoroughly or deeply. It implies leaving no stone unturned.

Precisamos de rever a fundo este projeto.

Rever com atenção

— To review with careful attention. Common instruction in schools or offices.

Revejam com atenção o parágrafo segundo.

Rever-se em alguém

— To see oneself reflected in someone else, meaning to share characteristics or values.

O filho revê-se no pai.

Rever os passos

— To retrace one's steps, either literally or metaphorically in an argument.

Vamos rever os passos da nossa investigação.

Rever o texto

— The most common way to say 'to proofread' or 'to edit' a piece of writing.

Podes rever o meu texto, por favor?

Rever a vida

— To reflect on one's life choices and history. Often used in philosophical contexts.

Ele parou para rever a vida aos sessenta anos.

Rever as contas

— To double-check the calculations or financial accounting.

Vou rever as contas para ver se bate certo.

Rever o brilho

— To see the shine or light again (poetic). Often refers to hope returning.

Rever o brilho nos teus olhos é um presente.

Rever planos

— To go over plans again to make sure everything is ready.

Vamos rever os planos para a festa.

Often Confused With

rever vs revisar

Often used for mechanical things or technical editing, especially in Brazil. 'Rever' is more general.

rever vs reler

Specifically means to read again. 'Rever' is broader and can apply to visual or conceptual reviews.

rever vs ver

Means simply 'to see.' 'Rever' always implies a second or subsequent time.

Idioms & Expressions

"Rever os seus conceitos"

— To reconsider one's prejudices or outdated opinions. It is a common call for open-mindedness.

Tu precisas de rever os teus conceitos sobre imigração.

informal/neutral
"Rever o sol"

— To see the sun again, often used for someone coming out of prison or a long illness.

Finalmente ele saiu do hospital e pôde rever o sol.

literary
"Rever-se em espelho"

— To see one's own reflection, but often used to mean seeing one's traits in another.

Ela revê-se na filha como num espelho.

neutral
"Rever a matéria dada"

— A classroom idiom for studying what has already been taught.

Hoje vamos rever a matéria dada no primeiro período.

academic
"Rever por alto"

— To review something quickly and superficially without much detail.

Só tive tempo de rever o relatório por alto.

informal
"Rever olhos nos olhos"

— To see someone again face-to-face, emphasizing direct contact.

Quero rever-te olhos nos olhos para conversarmos.

poetic
"Rever de fio a pavio"

— To review something from beginning to end, very thoroughly.

Revi o livro de fio a pavio.

informal
"Rever a sentença"

— A legal idiom for appealing or re-evaluating a court's decision.

O advogado vai pedir para rever a sentença.

formal
"Rever o filme"

— To experience a situation again that feels familiar, often a bad one.

Sinto que estou a rever o filme do ano passado.

informal
"Rever as luzes"

— To see the lights again, often meaning returning to the city or civilization.

Depois de meses na selva, ele queria rever as luzes da cidade.

literary

Easily Confused

rever vs rever

Double meaning.

Can mean 'to review' or 'to leak'. The 'leak' meaning is rare and usually applies to liquids and porous surfaces.

A barragem revê água (The dam leaks water).

rever vs revisar

Near synonyms.

In Portugal, 'rever' is used for text. In Brazil, 'revisar' is more common for text. Both use 'revisar' for cars.

Vou revisar o carro.

rever vs prever

Similar spelling.

'Prever' means to predict or foresee. 'Rever' means to look back or look again.

Eu prevejo o futuro.

rever vs antevejo

Same root verb 'ver'.

'Antever' means to anticipate or see in advance. 'Rever' is looking at what already exists.

Antevejo problemas.

rever vs entrever

Same root verb 'ver'.

'Entrever' means to catch a glimpse of or see indistinctly.

Entrevimos vultos na escuridão.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Eu quero rever [person].

Eu quero rever o meu irmão.

A2

Eu preciso de rever [object].

Eu preciso de rever a lição.

B1

É importante que [subject] reveja [object].

É importante que o chefe reveja o contrato.

B2

Se eu [past subjunctive], reveria [object].

Se eu tivesse tempo, reveria o projeto.

C1

Urge rever [abstract concept].

Urge rever a nossa política ambiental.

C2

Rever-me-ia em [someone's experience].

Rever-me-ia no teu sucesso se te tivesse ajudado.

A2

Vou rever [media].

Vou rever o filme da Disney.

B1

Nós revimos [plural object] ontem.

Nós revimos os documentos ontem.

Word Family

Nouns

revisão
revisor
revista

Verbs

ver
prever
antever
entrever

Adjectives

revisto
revisível

Related

visão
visível
visual
vidente
vista

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both daily conversation and professional writing.

Common Mistakes
  • Eu revo o texto. Eu revejo o texto.

    The first person present is irregular, following 'vejo'.

  • Eles revem os amigos. Eles reveem os amigos.

    The third person plural requires two 'e's.

  • Eu reví o contrato. Eu revi o contrato.

    The past tense 'revi' does not have an accent.

  • Preciso rever sobre o plano. Preciso rever o plano.

    The verb 'rever' is direct and does not take the preposition 'sobre'.

  • Eu reviso o meu amigo. Eu revejo o meu amigo.

    'Revisar' is for objects/machines, 'rever' is for people.

Tips

Think of 'Ver'

Always conjugate 'rever' exactly like the base verb 'ver.' If you know 'vejo,' then 'revejo' is easy. This rule applies to all tenses and moods without exception.

Greeting Friends

Use 'Que bom rever-te!' when you meet a friend after a long time. It sounds much more natural and warm than just saying 'Olá' or 'Como estás?'

Office Accuracy

Before submitting any report, tell your boss: 'Vou rever o documento uma última vez.' It shows you are diligent and care about quality.

The Double E

Remember: 'eles reveem.' The two 'e's are essential. This is a common test question in Portuguese language exams.

Review vs. Re-see

Context is everything. If you are 'revendo' a person, it's a reunion. If you are 'revendo' a paper, it's a revision. Portuguese uses one word for both.

Legal Revision

In law, 'rever' is used for appeals. If you are reading about a 'revisão de sentença,' it means the court is looking at the case again.

Exam Prep

Don't just 'estudar' (study); you should 'rever' the material. 'Rever' implies going over what you already learned to make it stick.

Reflexive Use

Use 'rever-se' to talk about identifying with someone. 'Eu revejo-me no teu esforço' means 'I see myself in your effort.'

Literary Flair

In poetry, 'rever' often refers to the return of light or hope. It's a very evocative verb when used with 'luz' or 'sol'.

Regional Differences

Be aware that Brazilians might use 'revisar' more often for work. In Portugal, 'rever' is the king of the office.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'RE' as 'Repeat' and 'VER' as 'View'. To RE-VER is to Repeat the View. You are looking at it again!

Visual Association

Imagine a magnifying glass over a document. You are looking at the words a second time to catch errors. That second look is 'rever'.

Word Web

ver revisão olhar corrigir amigo contrato estudar novamente

Challenge

Try to use 'rever' three times today: once for a person you saw, once for a task you checked, and once for a future plan.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'revidere', which is the prefix 're-' (again) plus 'videre' (to see). It entered the Portuguese language as a direct evolution of the Latin roots.

Original meaning: To see again, to visit again, or to look back at.

Romance / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'rever os seus conceitos' can be perceived as confrontational if said with a harsh tone.

English uses 'review' for work but 'see again' for people. Portuguese uses 'rever' for both, which can be a point of confusion for learners.

The song 'Rever o Sol' by various artists. Literary works by Eça de Queirós often use 'rever' for nostalgic reunions. The phrase 'rever os conceitos' is a common trope in Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work/Office

  • Rever o relatório
  • Rever o orçamento
  • Rever a apresentação
  • Rever os prazos

School/University

  • Rever a matéria
  • Rever as notas
  • Rever o capítulo
  • Rever os exercícios

Social Life

  • Rever a família
  • Rever os amigos
  • Rever o namorado
  • Rever a cidade

Legal/Official

  • Rever a sentença
  • Rever a lei
  • Rever o contrato
  • Rever o processo

Personal Growth

  • Rever os conceitos
  • Rever a vida
  • Rever atitudes
  • Rever prioridades

Conversation Starters

"Quando foi a última vez que tiveste de rever um documento importante?"

"Quem é a pessoa que mais gostarias de rever este ano?"

"Achas importante rever os nossos valores de tempos a tempos?"

"Gostas de rever filmes que já viste muitas vezes?"

"Com que frequência precisas de rever o teu orçamento mensal?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre um amigo que não vês há muito tempo e o que dirias ao revê-lo.

Descreve um momento em que tiveste de rever uma decisão difícil que tinhas tomado.

Faz uma lista de três coisas na tua vida que sentes que precisas de rever agora.

Como te sentes quando alguém te pede para rever o teu trabalho? É útil ou irritante?

Reflete sobre como rever o passado pode ajudar-nos a construir um futuro melhor.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. While 'rever' is commonly used for reviewing work or documents, it also very frequently means simply to see a person again after a period of time. The context will tell you which one it is. If the object is a person, it means 'see again.' If the object is a document or plan, it means 'review'.

It follows the verb 'ver.' For 'I,' it is 'eu revi.' For 'he/she,' it is 'ele/ela reviu.' For 'we,' it is 'nós revimos.' For 'they,' it is 'eles/elas reviram.' It is irregular, so you must memorize these specific forms.

In Brazil, 'revisar' is the preferred term for proofreading a text or checking a machine. 'Rever' is used more for 'seeing someone again' or 're-evaluating a concept or decision.' However, both are understood in both contexts.

No. Since the 1990 Orthographic Agreement, the third person plural of verbs ending in '-ever' (like rever, ver, prever) no longer has a circumflex accent. It is simply 'reveem'.

Yes! If you want to say 'I'm going to watch that movie again,' you can say 'Vou rever esse filme.' It's a very natural way to express re-watching something.

It means to see yourself in someone else, usually because you share the same qualities, background, or character. It's like saying 'I see a lot of myself in you.'

It is neutral. It can be used in a very informal chat with a friend ('Quero-te rever!') or in a very formal legal document ('O tribunal vai rever a sentença').

Yes, 'rever a matéria' is the standard way to say 'to review the material' for a test or exam.

The noun is 'revisão.' For example, 'Fiz uma revisão ao meu texto' (I did a review/revision of my text).

The most common mistake is regularizing the conjugation, such as saying 'eu revo' instead of 'eu revejo,' or 'eles revem' instead of 'eles reveem'.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Escreva uma frase usando 'rever' no presente para falar de um documento.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Escreva uma frase usando 'rever' no pretérito perfeito sobre um amigo.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Escreva uma frase no conjuntivo pedindo a alguém para rever uma decisão.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Use 'rever-se' numa frase sobre família.

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writing

Crie uma frase com 'rever a matéria' no futuro.

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writing

Escreva uma frase formal usando 'rever o orçamento'.

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writing

Use o condicional 'reveria' numa frase hipotética.

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writing

Escreva uma frase com 'rever os conceitos'.

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writing

Use 'rever' no infinitivo após o verbo 'querer'.

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writing

Crie uma frase com 'rever' no pretérito imperfeito.

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writing

Escreva uma frase com 'rever' no futuro do conjuntivo.

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writing

Use a forma 'reveem' numa frase sobre alunos.

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writing

Escreva uma frase sobre 'rever a família' no Natal.

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writing

Use 'rever' para falar de uma lei.

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writing

Escreva uma frase curta: 'See you again soon'.

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writing

Crie uma frase com o particípio 'revisto'.

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writing

Use 'rever' no imperativo para um amigo.

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writing

Escreva sobre 'rever o passado'.

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writing

Use 'rever' no infinitivo pessoal (nós).

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writing

Escreva uma frase sobre 'rever' no sentido de 'vazar' (ooze).

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Eu revejo o meu trabalho'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'É bom rever-te'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Eles reveem a matéria'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Ontem eu revi o contrato'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Nós revimos os amigos'.

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Diga em voz alta: 'Espero que revejas a tua opinião'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'O plano foi revisto'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Vou revê-lo amanhã'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Rever-me-ia no teu lugar'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Tu revês o texto?'

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Ela revê as fotos antigas'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Precisamos de rever o orçamento'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Quando eu rever o livro, aviso'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Eles reviram o caso'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Rever-se no espelho'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'A sentença foi revista'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Rever os próprios erros'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Até te rever'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Revejam com atenção'.

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speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'Eu revi a minha mãe'.

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listening

Ouça e identifique o tempo verbal: 'Eu revi o texto.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o sujeito: 'Reveem a matéria.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o significado: 'Quero rever os meus amigos.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o verbo: 'Preciso de rever o orçamento.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique a pessoa: 'Revemos o plano amanhã.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o modo: 'Espero que revejas isso.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique a ação: 'O juiz reviu a sentença.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o tom: 'Tens de rever os teus conceitos!'

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listening

Ouça e identifique a palavra: 'Revisto'.

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listening

Ouça e identifique a frase: 'Vou revê-lo em breve.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o tempo: 'Reveremos a estratégia.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o sujeito: 'Reviste o e-mail?'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o sentido: 'A rocha revê água.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique o objeto: 'Revi as fotos de família.'

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listening

Ouça e identifique a saudação: 'Que bom rever-te!'

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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