separados in 30 Seconds
- Describes things or people that are not together.
- Commonly used for couples who have split up.
- Requires gender and number agreement (separado/a/os/as).
- Essential for logistics like paying separate bills.
The word separados is the masculine plural form of the adjective and past participle separado. At its core, it describes a state where two or more entities—be they people, objects, or abstract concepts—are not together, not touching, or no longer united. In Portuguese, this word carries significant weight across various domains of life, from physical geography to the complexities of human relationships. When we say things are separados, we are emphasizing the gap, the distance, or the distinction between them.
- Physical Distance
- Refers to objects located in different places. For example, books on different shelves are separados.
- Marital Status
- Crucially used to describe couples who no longer live together but may not be legally divorced yet. It is a transitional or permanent state of relationship dissolution.
- Categorization
- Used when items are sorted into groups. 'Lixo orgânico e plástico devem estar separados' (Organic waste and plastic must be separated).
"Os caminhos deles agora estão separados por milhares de quilômetros."
In a grammatical sense, separados must agree with the noun it modifies. Since it is plural and masculine, it describes groups of men, mixed-gender groups, or masculine plural nouns (like quartos, livros, or caminhos). If you were talking about two women, you would use separadas. This flexibility is key to mastering its use in everyday conversation.
"Por favor, coloque os talheres separados dos pratos."
- Logical Distinction
- Used in logic or debate to keep two ideas from being conflated.
"Eles vivem em apartamentos separados desde o ano passado."
Using separados correctly requires attention to two main things: the verb that precedes it and the gender/number agreement. Because it is an adjective derived from a past participle, it almost always follows a linking verb like estar (to be - temporary state), ficar (to become/stay), or ser (to be - permanent/passive voice).
1. Agreement is Mandatory
Remember that Portuguese is a gendered language. Separados is plural masculine. Use it for:
- Two men: Pedro e João estão separados.
- A man and a woman: Maria e José estão separados.
- Masculine objects: Os documentos estão separados.
2. Estar vs. Ser
The choice of verb changes the meaning slightly:
- Estar separados: Focuses on the current state. "Eles estão separados" (They are currently separated).
- Ser separados: Often used in the passive voice to describe the action of being divided. "Os grupos foram separados pelo professor" (The groups were separated by the teacher).
3. Common Prepositions
We often use the preposition de (of/from) with separados to indicate what things are apart from. Example: "Os meninos estão separados das meninas" (The boys are separated from the girls).
You will encounter separados in a variety of everyday scenarios. It is not just a word for heartbreak; it is a word for organization and logistics.
At a Restaurant
When the waiter asks how you want to pay, you might hear or say: "Vamos pagar em boletos separados?" or "Contas separadas, por favor." (Though 'contas' is feminine, the concept of paying separately is ubiquitous).
In the News
Journalists use it to describe geopolitical situations or social distancing. During the pandemic, the phrase "juntos, mas separados" (together, but apart) became a common slogan to encourage social distancing while maintaining community spirit.
Legal and Social Contexts
When filling out forms, you might see a checkbox for marital status. While 'Divorciado' is the legal term, 'Separado' is often an option for those who have legally separated but not yet finalized a divorce. In social gossip or 'fofoca', you'll hear: "Você soube? O casal mais famoso da TV agora está separado."
Even intermediate learners make mistakes with separados. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:
1. Forgetting Gender Agreement
If you are talking about two sisters, you cannot say "Elas estão separados." You must say "Elas estão separadas." Portuguese speakers are very sensitive to this agreement.
2. Confusing with 'Longe'
Longe means 'far'. Separados means 'apart/divided'. While things that are far are often separated, the words are not interchangeable. Longe is an adverb of place; separados is an adjective describing a state.
3. Using 'Separados' for 'Alone'
If you want to say you are alone, use sozinho. Separados implies a previous union or a group that has been split. You wouldn't say "Estou separado no cinema" if you went to the movies by yourself; you would say "Estou sozinho.".
4. Spelling with 'C'
Some learners mistakenly write 'separados' with a 'c' (like 'seperados') because of the English 'separate'. In Portuguese, it is always with an A: S-E-P-A-R-A-D-O-S.
To enrich your vocabulary, it's helpful to know words that are close in meaning to separados but carry different nuances.
- Apartados: A more formal or literary version of separated. Often used in legal contexts or to describe remote areas (e.g., 'lugares apartados').
- Divididos: Used when a whole has been split into parts. 'O bolo foi dividido' (The cake was divided). It implies a more active split than just being apart.
- Isolados: Means 'isolated'. This is stronger than separated; it implies being completely cut off from others.
- Distantes: Means 'distant'. This refers specifically to the physical or emotional space between two points.
- Desunidos: Means 'disunited'. This is often used for groups or families that lack harmony or have had a falling out.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Adjective agreement
Past participles as adjectives
Use of 'estar' for temporary states
Passive voice with 'ser'
Preposition 'de' for separation
Examples by Level
Os copos estão separados.
The cups are separated.
Plural masculine agreement.
Eles estão separados agora.
They are separated now.
Use of 'estar' for a state.
Pai e filho estão separados.
Father and son are separated.
Masculine plural.
Os sapatos estão separados.
The shoes are separated.
Agreement with 'sapatos'.
Nós estamos separados.
We are separated.
First person plural.
Os brinquedos ficam separados.
The toys stay separated.
Use of 'ficar'.
João e Maria são separados.
João and Maria are separated (status).
Mixed gender plural.
Os papéis estão separados.
The papers are separated.
Simple adjective use.
Meus pais estão separados há um ano.
My parents have been separated for a year.
Time duration with 'há'.
Queremos pagar em boletos separados.
We want to pay with separate bills.
Adjective modifying 'boletos'.
Os quartos são separados por um corredor.
The rooms are separated by a hallway.
Passive construction with 'por'.
Eles vivem em mundos separados.
They live in separate worlds.
Metaphorical use.
Mantenha os cães separados, por favor.
Keep the dogs separated, please.
Imperative mood.
Os lixos devem estar separados.
The trash must be separated.
Modal verb 'devem'.
Nossos caminhos estão separados agora.
Our paths are separated now.
Agreement with 'caminhos'.
Eles dormem em camas separadas.
They sleep in separate beds.
Agreement with 'camas' (feminine form 'separadas' used here for contrast).
Os fatos foram separados dos boatos.
The facts were separated from the rumors.
Passive voice 'foram'.
Os poderes do Estado são separados.
The powers of the State are separated.
Political terminology.
Eles estão separados, mas ainda são amigos.
They are separated, but they are still friends.
Conjunction 'mas'.
Os ingredientes devem ser pesados separados.
The ingredients must be weighed separately.
Adverbial use of adjective.
Os gêmeos foram colocados em quartos separados.
The twins were placed in separate rooms.
Passive voice.
Estamos separados por um oceano.
We are separated by an ocean.
Geographical separation.
Os documentos estão separados por data.
The documents are separated by date.
Categorization.
Eles decidiram viver separados por um tempo.
They decided to live apart for a while.
Infinitive 'viver'.
Os dois incidentes devem ser tratados como casos separados.
The two incidents must be treated as separate cases.
Legal/Formal tone.
Apesar de estarem separados, eles colaboram no trabalho.
Despite being separated, they collaborate at work.
Concessive clause 'Apesar de'.
Os resíduos tóxicos são mantidos separados dos outros.
Toxic waste is kept separate from the others.
Safety context.
Eles foram separados no nascimento.
They were separated at birth.
Common narrative trope.
Os parágrafos estão mal separados no texto.
The paragraphs are poorly separated in the text.
Editing context.
Sentimentos e negócios devem estar sempre separados.
Feelings and business should always be separate.
Abstract concept.
Os fios elétricos precisam ficar separados para evitar curtos.
The electric wires need to stay separated to avoid shorts.
Technical instruction.
Eles estão legalmente separados, mas não divorciados.
They are legally separated, but not divorced.
Legal distinction.
As variáveis foram analisadas em blocos separados.
The variables were analyzed in separate blocks.
Scientific methodology.
A igreja e o estado são domínios rigorosamente separados.
Church and state are strictly separate domains.
Political philosophy.
Os estratos sociais permanecem separados pela desigualdade.
Social strata remain separated by inequality.
Sociological analysis.
O autor utiliza capítulos separados para cada ponto de vista.
The author uses separate chapters for each point of view.
Literary analysis.
Os componentes químicos foram separados por destilação.
The chemical components were separated by distillation.
Technical process.
Embora fisicamente próximos, seus corações estavam separados.
Although physically close, their hearts were separated.
Poetic/Literary use.
Os dados brutos devem ser mantidos separados dos resultados finais.
Raw data must be kept separate from final results.
Data integrity.
Os bens do casal foram mantidos separados no contrato nupcial.
The couple's assets were kept separate in the prenuptial agreement.
Legal/Financial context.
A ontologia e a epistemologia, embora intrínsecas, são campos separados.
Ontology and epistemology, though intrinsic, are separate fields.
Philosophical discourse.
Os destinos dos protagonistas, outrora entrelaçados, jazem agora separados.
The destinies of the protagonists, once intertwined, now lie separated.
Archaic/High literary style.
A análise exige que os fenômenos sejam separados de suas causas imediatas.
The analysis requires that phenomena be separated from their immediate causes.
Subjunctive mood 'sejam'.
Os léxicos de ambas as línguas não podem ser vistos como sistemas totalmente separados.
The lexicons of both languages cannot be seen as totally separate systems.
Linguistic theory.
A alma e o corpo, na visão platônica, são entes separados.
Soul and body, in the Platonic view, are separate entities.
Historical philosophy.
O tratado assegura que os territórios permaneçam administrativamente separados.
The treaty ensures that the territories remain administratively separate.
Diplomatic language.
É imperativo que os resíduos nucleares sejam mantidos separados da biosfera.
It is imperative that nuclear waste be kept separate from the biosphere.
Environmental science.
A subjetividade do observador nunca está totalmente separada do objeto observado.
The observer's subjectivity is never totally separate from the observed object.
Quantum physics/Philosophy.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
'Separados' implies a previous state of being together, unlike 'distantes' which just describes space.
Very high in daily conversation.
- Using 'separados' for a single person (should be 'separado').
- Using 'separados' for feminine nouns (should be 'separadas').
- Spelling it as 'seperados'.
- Using it to mean 'lonely' (should be 'solitário').
- Confusing it with 'distantes' in every context.
Tips
Check the Noun
Ensure your noun is masculine and plural before using 'separados'.
Marital Status
Use 'separado' carefully as it can be a sensitive topic.
Splitting Bills
Always specify 'separados' if you don't want to pay for everyone.
Synonym Power
Try using 'apartados' in formal writing to sound more advanced.
The Final S
In Portugal, the 's' is 'sh'. In Brazil, it's usually 's'.
The 'A' Rule
Remember it's sep-A-rados, not sep-E-rados.
Categorization
Use it when sorting things to show they belong in different groups.
Technical Use
Use it for chemicals or wires that shouldn't touch.
Metaphors
Use 'mundos separados' to describe people with different views.
Emphasis
Place it after the noun for standard description.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SEPARATE' in English. The Portuguese 'SEPARADOS' is almost the same, just add 'DOS' for the plural masculine 'those' who are apart.
Word Origin
Latin
Cultural Context
Commonly used for couples. 'Estar separado' is the standard way to say you've broken up but were married/living together.
Similar usage, but often more formal in legal contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Seus pais são casados ou separados?"
"Você prefere pagar tudo junto ou em boletos separados?"
"Por que vocês estão morando em apartamentos separados?"
"Como podemos manter esses produtos separados?"
"Você acha que amigos e negócios devem estar sempre separados?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva um momento em que você se sentiu separado de seus amigos.
Quais coisas na sua vida você prefere manter separadas?
Escreva sobre um casal famoso que está separado.
Como você organiza seus documentos? Eles estão separados por categorias?
O que significa para você viver em mundos separados de alguém?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you must use the feminine form 'separadas'.
No, it can mean just living apart or being physically separated.
It is the past participle of the verb 'separar', but it functions as an adjective here.
You say 'contas separadas'.
The most common opposite is 'juntos' (together).
Yes, like 'fatos separados' (separate facts).
It is neutral and used in all registers.
It's a single tap 'r', like the 'tt' in the American English 'better'.
Yes, to indicate what they are separated from.
Yes, it is common in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
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Summary
The word 'separados' is a versatile adjective used for physical distance, organizational sorting, and marital status, always requiring agreement with the plural masculine noun it describes.
- Describes things or people that are not together.
- Commonly used for couples who have split up.
- Requires gender and number agreement (separado/a/os/as).
- Essential for logistics like paying separate bills.
Check the Noun
Ensure your noun is masculine and plural before using 'separados'.
Marital Status
Use 'separado' carefully as it can be a sensitive topic.
Splitting Bills
Always specify 'separados' if you don't want to pay for everyone.
Synonym Power
Try using 'apartados' in formal writing to sound more advanced.
Example
Eles vivem separados há dois anos.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More family words
à medida que
A2As; at the same time that.
abençoado
A2Blessed, consecrated; sacred.
abrigo
A2Shelter, a place providing temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
acarinhar
A2To show affection to; to caress or cuddle.
aceito
A2Accepted; generally recognized or agreed upon.
acenar
A2To wave (as a greeting).
acolher
A2To receive (a guest or new member) with pleasure and hospitality.
acolhimento
A2The action of welcoming or receiving someone; hospitality or fostering.
acolitar
B2To assist or accompany.
acomodar
A2To provide lodging or space for.
