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A2 verb #1,200 most common 11 min read

temer

Top 1,200

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips temer in 30 Seconds

Explanation temer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting your Portuguese journey. You might not use the verb 'temer' very often because it is a bit more formal. Instead, you will mostly use 'ter medo de' (to have fear of). However, it is good to recognize 'temer' when you see it in simple stories or signs. It follows the same pattern as 'comer' (to eat). For example, 'Eu temo' means 'I fear'. At this stage, just focus on the basic present tense: 'Eu temo', 'Você teme', 'Nós tememos'. Remember that you don't need the word 'de' after 'temer'. You can just say 'Eu temo o cão' (I fear the dog). It is a simple way to start sounding a little more grown-up in your Portuguese. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just think of it as a fancy version of 'ter medo'. You might see it in a proverb like 'Quem não deve, não teme', which means if you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear. This is a great phrase to memorize even as a beginner because it uses simple words and has a clear rhythm. Focus on the sound of the word—it sounds like 'timid' in English, which can help you remember it means fear.

At the A2 level, you are building your vocabulary and starting to use more varied verbs. 'Temer' is a perfect addition to your toolkit. You should start using it in place of 'ter medo de' when you want to sound a bit more serious or when you are writing. You will learn that 'temer' is a regular -er verb. This means its past tense (pretérito perfeito) is also regular: 'Eu temi', 'Você temeu', 'Nós tememos'. You can use it to talk about things you were afraid of in the past. For example, 'Ontem, eu temi pela minha nota' (Yesterday, I feared for my grade). You should also notice that 'temer' can be used with 'por' when you are worried about someone else: 'Eu temo por você'. This is a very useful structure. Another important thing at A2 is to start noticing 'temer que'. While the grammar after 'que' is a bit advanced (the subjunctive), you can start by learning fixed phrases like 'Temo que sim' (I fear so) or 'Temo que não' (I fear not). These are very common in polite conversation. Using 'temer' correctly shows that you are moving beyond the most basic level of Portuguese and are starting to understand the different 'flavors' of words.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex sentence structures, and 'temer' is a key verb for this. The most important development at this level is mastering the 'temer que + subjunctive' construction. You should be able to say things like 'Temo que ele não chegue a tempo' (I fear that he won't arrive on time). Notice how 'chegue' is in the subjunctive mood. This is because 'temer' expresses an emotion about a possibility, which triggers the subjunctive in Portuguese. You should also start using 'temer' in the imperfect tense (pretérito imperfeito) to describe ongoing fears in the past: 'Eu temia que a chuva estragasse a festa'. At B1, you should also be comfortable with synonyms like 'recear'. You can start to distinguish between them: use 'recear' for lighter, more intellectual worries and 'temer' for more significant fears. You might also encounter 'temer' in news articles or more formal letters. For example, 'A empresa teme uma queda nas vendas'. Understanding the transitive nature of the verb—that it doesn't need 'de'—is crucial now. If you say 'temo de', it will sound like a mistake. Focus on using 'temer' to add nuance to your expressions of concern and anxiety.

At the B2 level, you should use 'temer' with confidence and precision in both spoken and written Portuguese. You are now able to use it in more sophisticated contexts, such as discussing social issues, politics, or literature. You should understand the subtle difference between 'temer algo' (to fear something) and 'temer por algo' (to fear for something's safety). For instance, 'Os ambientalistas temem o aquecimento global' vs. 'Os ambientalistas temem pela sobrevivência das espécies'. You should also be able to use 'temer' in the conditional tense to express hypothetical fears: 'Eu temeria o pior se não tivéssemos um plano'. At this level, you should also be familiar with the noun form 'temor' and how it relates to the verb. You can use phrases like 'Houve um grande temor entre os investidores'. Your use of the subjunctive after 'temer que' should be automatic and include various tenses of the subjunctive, such as the imperfect subjunctive: 'Eu temia que eles não tivessem entendido'. You are also ready to explore the more literary uses of 'temer', such as in the works of famous Portuguese-speaking authors, where 'temer' often carries deep emotional and philosophical weight. Using 'temer' correctly in a formal debate or a complex essay will significantly boost your perceived fluency.

At the C1 level, your mastery of 'temer' should be near-native. You understand not just the grammar, but the stylistic implications of choosing 'temer' over its synonyms. You can use it to create specific tones in your writing—from the grave and ominous to the politely concerned. You should be familiar with archaic or highly formal uses, such as the reflexive 'temer-se', which you might encounter in classical literature or legal texts. You can also use 'temer' in complex idiomatic expressions and proverbs with ease. For example, you can discuss the philosophical implications of 'temer a Deus' in a theological or historical context. Your ability to use 'temer' in the future subjunctive or the personal infinitive shows a high level of grammatical sophistication: 'Se eles temerem a reação do público, mudarão de ideia'. You should also be able to identify and use 'temer' in its participial form as an adjective, though 'temido' (feared) is more common. For example, 'O general era muito temido por seus soldados'. At C1, you are not just using the word; you are playing with its connotations to influence your audience. You can use it to express irony, sarcasm, or deep empathy in complex social interactions.

At the C2 level, you have a complete and intuitive grasp of 'temer' in all its nuances. You can use it in any register, from the most elevated academic discourse to subtle, high-level social maneuvering. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots and how its usage has shifted in different Portuguese-speaking countries (e.g., Brazil vs. Portugal). You can appreciate and use 'temer' in poetry, where its rhythm and sound contribute to the overall aesthetic of the piece. You are capable of analyzing the use of 'temer' in a text to reveal the author's underlying assumptions or cultural context. For example, you might discuss how the frequency of 'temer' in a certain political era reflects the social anxieties of the time. You can use the verb in highly complex structures, such as 'Não há o que temer' or 'Temer o que não se vê', with perfect prosody and intonation. At this level, 'temer' is just one of many tools in your vast linguistic arsenal, and you use it with the same ease and precision as a native speaker with a high level of education. You can even use it to create new metaphors or to participate in high-level wordplay.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

temer in 30 Seconds

Temer means 'to fear' and is a regular -er verb.
It is more formal than the common phrase 'ter medo de'.
It is often followed by 'que' and a verb in the subjunctive.
The proverb 'Quem não deve, não teme' is a key cultural reference.

The Portuguese verb temer is a fundamental word used to express the emotion of fear, apprehension, or concern. While it translates directly to the English 'to fear,' its usage in Portuguese often carries a slightly more formal or literary weight compared to the more common colloquial expression ter medo de. Understanding temer is essential for learners moving beyond basic survival Portuguese into more nuanced communication, as it allows for the expression of complex anxieties regarding future events, social consequences, or existential threats.

Core Meaning: To feel fear or anxiety about a person, thing, or situation that is perceived as dangerous, painful, or threatening.

Muitos cidadãos começaram a temer as consequências econômicas da nova lei.

In everyday conversation, you might hear someone say 'Eu temo que...' (I fear that...) when they are expressing a polite or formal worry. This is particularly common in professional settings, news broadcasts, and literature. For example, a doctor might use temer to discuss a patient's prognosis, or a politician might use it to discuss national security. It suggests a level of gravity and intellectual reflection on the source of the fear, rather than just a visceral, physical reaction.

Syntactic Structure: Unlike 'ter medo de', which requires the preposition 'de', temer is a transitive verb. You 'temer' something directly: 'Eu temo o escuro' (I fear the dark).

Não há nada a temer se você estiver preparado.

Furthermore, temer is frequently followed by a subordinate clause introduced by que. When this happens, the following verb must be in the subjunctive mood because you are expressing an uncertainty or an emotional reaction to a possibility. For instance, 'Temo que ele esteja doente' (I fear that he is sick). This grammatical nuance is a hallmark of intermediate Portuguese proficiency.

Os agricultores temem que a seca destrua a colheita deste ano.

Emotional Range: The verb covers a spectrum from mild apprehension to deep, existential dread. It can be used for physical safety, financial stability, or moral concerns.

Ela passou a temer pela segurança de sua família após as ameaças.

O herói da história não parecia temer a morte iminente.

In summary, temer is a versatile verb that adds a layer of sophistication to your Portuguese. Whether you are discussing global issues, reading a classic novel by Machado de Assis, or writing a formal report, knowing how to conjugate and apply temer will significantly enhance your expressive capabilities.

Using temer correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular -er verb and its relationship with the objects and clauses that follow it. Because it is a regular verb, it follows the standard patterns for verbs like comer or beber, making it relatively easy to master once you know the base rules. However, the real skill lies in choosing the right tense and mood to convey your specific type of fear.

Direct Object Usage: When you fear a specific noun, you use temer directly without a preposition. Example: 'Eu temo o futuro' (I fear the future).

A criança começou a temer o escuro depois de ver o filme.

One of the most common ways to use temer is in the present tense to express a current worry. For example, 'Nós tememos a inflação' (We fear inflation). This usage is direct and clear. If you want to talk about a past fear that has ended, you would use the pretérito perfeito: 'Eu temi por você' (I feared for you). If the fear was ongoing in the past, use the pretérito imperfeito: 'Ele temia que ninguém viesse' (He feared that no one would come).

The Subjunctive Connection: The construction temer que + [subjuntivo] is vital for expressing apprehension about potential outcomes. It signals that the event hasn't happened yet and is a source of worry.

Eles temem que o projeto seja cancelado pela diretoria.

You can also use temer with the preposition por when you are fearing for someone or something's safety. This is a very common idiomatic use. For example, 'Temo pela sua saúde' (I fear for your health). This shifts the focus from fearing the object itself to fearing for the well-being of the object.

O capitão temia pela vida de seus marinheiros durante a tempestade.

Negative Constructions: To say you don't fear something, simply add 'não'. 'Não temo nada' (I fear nothing). This is often used to show bravery or confidence.

Quem fala a verdade não precisa temer o julgamento alheio.

Finally, consider the reflexive form temer-se. While less common in modern spoken Portuguese, you might encounter it in older texts or very formal writing to mean 'to be feared' or 'to fear for oneself'. However, for most learners, focusing on the active transitive use of temer is the most practical path to fluency.

Se continuarmos assim, temo que não chegaremos a tempo.

In the real world, temer appears in specific contexts that signal its slightly elevated register. You won't often hear a child screaming 'Eu temo o bicho-papão!' (I fear the boogeyman); they would say 'Tenho medo do bicho-papão!'. Instead, temer is the language of the evening news, the courtroom, the pulpit, and the editorial page. It is a word that carries the weight of consequence and the gravity of adult concerns.

News and Media: Journalists use temer to report on risks. 'Especialistas temem uma nova crise' (Experts fear a new crisis) is a classic headline structure.

A Organização Mundial da Saúde diz temer a propagação do vírus em áreas urbanas.

In Portuguese literature, temer is everywhere. From the epic poems of Luís de Camões to the psychological realism of Clarice Lispector, the word is used to explore the human condition. It describes the fear of loss, the fear of God, and the fear of the unknown. When reading Portuguese classics, pay attention to how authors use temer to build tension or reveal a character's internal state. It often sounds more poetic and profound than ter medo.

Legal and Formal Settings: In legal documents or formal speeches, temer is used to discuss potential damages or risks to public order.

O juiz afirmou que não há razão para temer pela imparcialidade do tribunal.

You will also encounter temer in proverbs and idiomatic expressions that have been passed down through generations. One of the most famous is 'Quem não deve, não teme' (He who owes nothing, fears nothing / A clear conscience fears no accusation). This proverb is frequently used in daily life to suggest that an innocent person has no reason to be afraid of an investigation or an argument.

Fique tranquilo e diga a verdade; afinal, quem não deve, não teme.

Cinema and Dubbing: In dubbed movies, especially fantasy or historical dramas, temer is often used to match the formal tone of the original English 'fear'. Think of 'Fear the walking dead' or 'I fear no man'.

Você deve temer o poder que despertou!

Whether you're listening to a podcast about history, watching a Brazilian 'telenovela' with a dramatic plot, or reading a news article about the economy, temer is a word that signals the speaker is moving into a more serious, reflective, or formal mode of communication.

Even though temer is a regular verb, English speakers and even beginning Portuguese students often trip over its specific grammatical requirements and its relationship with similar-sounding words. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Using 'de' after 'temer': Because 'ter medo' requires 'de' (ter medo de algo), many learners incorrectly say 'temer de algo'. Temer is transitive; it takes the object directly.

Incorrect: Eu temo de cobras.
Correct: Eu temo cobras.

Another frequent error involves the mood of the verb following temer que. English speakers often want to use the indicative (the 'normal' present tense) because that's how it works in English ('I fear that he is sick'). In Portuguese, expressing fear about a possibility requires the subjunctive. Using the indicative here is a clear sign of a non-native speaker.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'temer' with 'tremer': 'Tremer' means 'to shake' or 'to tremble'. While you might 'tremer' because you 'temer' something, they are different verbs. Don't confuse the two!

Eu temo o frio (I fear the cold) vs. Eu tremo de frio (I am shaking from the cold).

Register mismatch is also a common issue. Using temer in a very casual setting, like when a friend asks if you want to go on a roller coaster, can sound a bit overly dramatic or 'stiff'. In those cases, 'Tô com medo' (I'm scared) or 'Tenho medo' is much more appropriate. Save temer for when you want to sound thoughtful or when the subject matter is serious.

Mistake 3: Misusing 'temer por': Remember that 'temer algo' means you are afraid of that thing, while 'temer por algo' means you are worried about the safety of that thing.

Eu temo o fogo (I fear the fire) vs. Eu temo pela minha casa (I fear for my house).

Finally, be careful with the spelling of the conjugated forms. Since it's an -er verb, the first person present is temo, but the subjunctive forms start with tema-. Some learners accidentally use teme- for the subjunctive because they are thinking of the infinitive. Always remember the 'opposite vowel' rule for the subjunctive: -er verbs take -a endings in the subjunctive.

Espero que você não tema os desafios que virão.

Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for expressing fear, and choosing the right synonym for temer can help you convey exactly how scared or worried you are. While temer is a great all-purpose word for formal or serious fear, other options might fit your context better depending on the intensity and the nature of the emotion.

Recear vs. Temer: Recear is perhaps the closest synonym. It often implies a more intellectualized apprehension or a 'suspicion' that something bad might happen. It is very common in professional emails: 'Receio que não possamos atender seu pedido'.

Eu receio que o prazo seja curto demais (I fear/suspect the deadline is too short).

If you want to express a more visceral, physical fear, you should use assustar-se (to get scared) or amedrontar-se (to become frightened). These verbs focus on the reaction to a sudden threat. Aterrorizar is even stronger, meaning 'to terrify'. When you use temer, you are often talking about a state of mind, whereas these alternatives describe a reaction to an event.

Ter Medo de: This is the most common way to say 'to be afraid of' in daily life. It is versatile and works in almost any situation, though it lacks the formal polish of temer.

Eu tenho medo de altura (I am afraid of heights).

For a more literary or dramatic flair, you might see pavor (dread) or horror (horror). You can use these as nouns with 'ter': 'Tenho pavor de baratas' (I have a dread of cockroaches). Another interesting alternative is hesitar (to hesitate), which can sometimes be used when the fear is specifically about taking an action. 'Ele hesitou em entrar' implies a certain fear or reluctance.

Synonym Comparison Table

Temer: Formal, serious, transitive.
Recear: Formal, intellectual apprehension, often used for 'I'm afraid that...'.
Ter medo de: Common, everyday use, requires 'de'.
Amedrontar: To frighten someone else (causative).

A notícia amedrontou a população local.

Finally, consider the verb intimidar (to intimidate). While not a direct synonym for 'to fear', it describes the action that causes someone to temer. Understanding these relationships between words helps you build a mental map of the language, making it easier to recall the right word at the right time.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'timid' in English comes from the same Latin root 'timidus', which is derived from 'timere'. So, if you are timid, you are literally 'one who fears'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɨˈmeɾ/

US /teˈmeʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: te-MER.

Rhymes With

comer beber viver saber trazer dizer querer poder

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English word 'tamer'.
Stressing the first syllable (TE-mer) instead of the second.
Making the first 'e' too open like in 'apple'.
Confusing the final 'r' with an English 'r' sound.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'r' at all in some dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'timid' and Latin roots.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the subjunctive mood when using 'que'.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to conjugate, but choosing the right register takes practice.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though sometimes confused with 'tremer'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

medo ter que não perigo

Learn Next

recear duvidar esperar embora caso

Advanced

conivência represália posteridade banalidade imaterial

Grammar to Know

Subjunctive after verbs of emotion

Temo que ele *venha*.

Transitive verbs without prepositions

Eu temo *o* escuro (not 'do' escuro).

Regular -er verb conjugation

Eu temo, tu temes, ele teme...

Preposition 'por' for concern

Temo *pela* sua segurança.

Infinitive after 'temer'

Eles temem *viajar* de avião.

Examples by Level

Eu temo o escuro.

I fear the dark.

Simple present tense, transitive use.

Você teme o cachorro?

Do you fear the dog?

Question form in the present tense.

Nós não tememos nada.

We fear nothing.

Negative sentence with 'nada'.

Eles temem o fogo.

They fear the fire.

Third person plural present tense.

Quem não deve, não teme.

He who owes nothing, fears nothing.

A common Portuguese proverb.

Eu temo a chuva.

I fear the rain.

Simple direct object.

Ela teme o mar.

She fears the sea.

Third person singular present tense.

Vocês temem o futuro?

Do you (plural) fear the future?

Second person plural (informal/Brazilian) present tense.

Eu temi pela sua vida.

I feared for your life.

Pretérito perfeito (past tense) with 'por'.

Ele temeu o resultado do exame.

He feared the result of the exam.

Past tense of a regular -er verb.

Nós tememos que ele esteja doente.

We fear that he is sick.

Present tense followed by 'que' and the subjunctive 'esteja'.

Você temeu a tempestade ontem?

Did you fear the storm yesterday?

Past tense question.

Eles temem perder o emprego.

They fear losing their job.

Temer followed by an infinitive.

Eu temo que não haja tempo.

I fear there is no time.

Subjunctive 'haja' after 'temer que'.

Ela sempre temeu as alturas.

She always feared heights.

Use of 'sempre' with the past tense.

Temo que sim, infelizmente.

I fear so, unfortunately.

Common conversational phrase.

Eu temia que você não viesse à festa.

I feared that you wouldn't come to the party.

Imperfect tense followed by the imperfect subjunctive 'viesse'.

Os moradores temem que o rio transborde.

The residents fear that the river will overflow.

Subjunctive 'transborde' expressing a future possibility.

Ela temia pela segurança dos filhos na escola.

She feared for her children's safety at school.

Imperfect tense with 'por' for ongoing past concern.

Muitos temem as consequências da nova política.

Many fear the consequences of the new policy.

Transitive use in a formal context.

Eu temo que tenhamos cometido um erro.

I fear that we have made a mistake.

Compound subjunctive 'tenhamos cometido'.

O governo teme uma crise econômica global.

The government fears a global economic crisis.

Formal journalistic usage.

Não temo o que o futuro nos reserva.

I do not fear what the future holds for us.

Use of 'o que' as a relative pronoun object.

Tememos que a situação piore nos próximos dias.

We fear that the situation will worsen in the coming days.

Subjunctive 'piore' for future apprehension.

Se eu não tivesse estudado, temeria o exame.

If I hadn't studied, I would fear the exam.

Conditional tense 'temeria' in a hypothetical sentence.

Os investidores temem que a inflação dispare.

Investors fear that inflation will skyrocket.

Subjunctive 'dispare' in a financial context.

Ela temia que seus segredos fossem revelados.

She feared that her secrets would be revealed.

Passive voice in the subjunctive clause.

Temo pela integridade das instituições democráticas.

I fear for the integrity of democratic institutions.

High-register abstract concern.

Ninguém temia tanto a solidão quanto ele.

No one feared loneliness as much as he did.

Comparative structure with the imperfect tense.

Temo que a nossa mensagem tenha sido mal interpretada.

I fear that our message has been misinterpreted.

Perfect subjunctive in a formal apology.

O explorador não temia os perigos da selva.

The explorer did not fear the dangers of the jungle.

Literary description of character.

Eles temem que a tecnologia substitua o trabalho humano.

They fear that technology will replace human labor.

Subjunctive 'substitua' in a sociological context.

É de temer que a paz seja apenas temporária.

It is to be feared that the peace is only temporary.

Idiomatic 'é de temer que' construction.

O filósofo temia a banalidade do mal.

The philosopher feared the banality of evil.

Abstract philosophical usage.

Temo que, ao fazê-lo, estejamos ignorando a ética.

I fear that, by doing so, we are ignoring ethics.

Gerund 'fazê-lo' within a subjunctive clause.

A população temia que o ditador não cumprisse a promessa.

The population feared that the dictator would not keep the promise.

Imperfect subjunctive 'cumprisse' in a historical context.

Não há por que temer se agirmos com prudência.

There is no reason to fear if we act with prudence.

Future subjunctive 'agirmos' in a conditional clause.

Temo pela sorte daqueles que ficaram para trás.

I fear for the fate of those who were left behind.

Use of 'sorte' meaning 'fate/luck'.

O autor parece temer o julgamento da posteridade.

The author seems to fear the judgment of posterity.

Sophisticated literary analysis.

Temo que a vossa excelência não tenha compreendido o risco.

I fear that Your Excellency has not understood the risk.

Very formal address 'vossa excelência'.

Temer o vácuo é uma característica inerente ao ser humano.

Fearing the vacuum is an inherent characteristic of the human being.

Infinitive used as a subject.

Temo que a retórica tenha obscurecido a realidade dos fatos.

I fear that rhetoric has obscured the reality of the facts.

Complex abstract vocabulary.

Ao temer a mudança, estagnamos o progresso da alma.

By fearing change, we stagnate the progress of the soul.

Prepositional infinitive 'ao temer'.

O herói trágico temia o destino, mas não fugia dele.

The tragic hero feared fate, but did not flee from it.

Literary analysis of classical themes.

Temo que o nosso silêncio seja interpretado como conivência.

I fear that our silence may be interpreted as complicity.

Nuanced social and moral concern.

Não se deve temer a verdade, por mais dolorosa que seja.

One should not fear the truth, however painful it may be.

Concessive clause 'por mais... que seja'.

Temo pela preservação do patrimônio imaterial da humanidade.

I fear for the preservation of the intangible heritage of humanity.

Specialized cultural terminology.

Aquele que tudo teme, nada conquista.

He who fears everything, conquers nothing.

Aphoristic and philosophical usage.

Synonyms

recear ter medo de amedrontar-se assustar-se aterrorizar-se acovardar-se tremer hesitar

Antonyms

confiar ousar enfrentar desafiar

Common Collocations

temer o pior

temer pela vida

temer represálias

temer a Deus

temer o futuro

temer o fracasso

temer a morte

temer o julgamento

temer a mudança

temer o escuro

Common Phrases

Temo que sim.

— A polite way to say 'I'm afraid so'. Used when confirming bad news.

— Vai chover? — Temo que sim.

Temo que não.

— A polite way to say 'I'm afraid not'. Used when giving a negative answer.

— Temos pão? — Temo que não.

Não há o que temer.

— There is nothing to fear. Used to reassure someone.

Fique calmo, não há o que temer.

Sem temer nada.

— Without fearing anything. Describes a brave action.

Ele entrou na caverna sem temer nada.

Temer o óbvio.

— To fear the obvious. Used when someone is worried about something inevitable.

Não adianta temer o óbvio; a prova será amanhã.

Temer por si.

— To fear for oneself. Used when someone is in personal danger.

Ele começou a temer por si quando viu a multidão.

Nada a temer.

— Nothing to fear. Often used in slogans or reassurances.

Com este novo sistema, você terá nada a temer.

Temer a própria sombra.

— To be afraid of one's own shadow. Used for someone very cowardly.

Ele é tão medroso que teme a própria sombra.

Temer o desconhecido.

— To fear the unknown. A common human trait.

É da natureza humana temer o desconhecido.

Temer o ridículo.

— To fear looking ridiculous. A common social anxiety.

Muitas pessoas não dançam porque temem o ridículo.

Often Confused With

temer vs tremer

Means to shake or tremble. You might tremer because you temer.

temer vs termo

Means 'term' or 'end'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

temer vs teimar

Means to insist or be stubborn. Often confused by beginners.

Idioms & Expressions

"Quem não deve, não teme."

— A person with a clear conscience has no reason to be afraid of being caught or judged.

Pode revistar minha bolsa; quem não deve, não teme.

proverb

"Temer a Deus sobre todas as coisas."

— To have ultimate reverence for God. A religious commandment.

Ele foi criado para temer a Deus sobre todas as coisas.

religious

"Mais vale prevenir que temer."

— It's better to prevent something than to have to fear its consequences later.

Leve o guarda-chuva; mais vale prevenir que temer.

proverb

"Temer o rabo do diabo."

— To be extremely afraid of something, even the smallest part of it.

Ele teme até o rabo do diabo quando o assunto é hospital.

informal

"Não temer cara feia."

— To not be intimidated by someone's angry expression or threats.

Ele é corajoso e não teme cara feia de ninguém.

informal

"Temer o dia de amanhã."

— To be worried about future survival or financial stability.

Com a crise, muitos operários temem o dia de amanhã.

neutral

"Temer como o diabo teme a cruz."

— To fear something intensely and avoid it at all costs.

Ele teme compromisso como o diabo teme a cruz.

informal

"Fazer temer."

— To cause fear or to be intimidating.

A sua presença fazia temer os adversários.

neutral

"Temer o pior e esperar o melhor."

— To be prepared for disaster while remaining optimistic.

Naquela situação, só nos restava temer o pior e esperar o melhor.

neutral

"Sem temer nem tremer."

— Without fearing or shaking. To be completely composed in danger.

Ela enfrentou o leão sem temer nem tremer.

literary

Easily Confused

temer vs recear

Very similar meaning.

Recear is slightly less intense and more intellectual/polite than temer.

Receio que não possa ir (Polite) vs. Temo pela minha vida (Serious).

temer vs assustar

Both involve fear.

Assustar is the act of frightening someone; temer is the state of being afraid.

O filme me assustou (The movie scared me).

temer vs amedrontar

Both involve fear.

Amedrontar is often used as 'to intimidate' or 'to cause fear'.

Ele amedronta os vizinhos.

temer vs pavor

Both involve fear.

Pavor is a noun meaning 'extreme dread' or 'terror'.

Tenho pavor de cobras.

temer vs horror

Both involve fear.

Horror implies a feeling of disgust along with fear.

Tenho horror a violência.

Sentence Patterns

Eu temo [noun].

Eu temo o cão.

Eu temo [verb in infinitive].

Eu temo cair.

Eu temo que [subject] [subjunctive verb].

Eu temo que ele saia.

Eu temo por [noun].

Eu temo por você.

Não há o que temer.

Não há o que temer aqui.

É de temer que [subjunctive clause].

É de temer que nada mude.

Ao temer [noun], [main clause].

Ao temer o erro, ele parou.

[Subject] faz-se temer.

O inverno faz-se temer.

Word Family

Nouns

temor (fear)

temerosidade (fearfulness)

Verbs

temer (to fear)

atemorizar (to frighten)

Adjectives

temível (fearful/dreadful)

temeroso (fearful/afraid)

temido (feared)

medo

receio

pavor

susto

terror

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written and formal spoken Portuguese; less common in casual slang.

Common Mistakes

Eu temo de cobras. → Eu temo cobras.
'Temer' is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'de'.
Temo que ele está doente. → Temo que ele esteja doente.
Verbs of emotion like 'temer' require the subjunctive mood in the following clause.
Eu tremo o futuro. → Eu temo o futuro.
'Tremer' means to shake; 'temer' means to fear. Don't confuse the two.
Eu temo por o meu pai. → Eu temo pelo meu pai.
The preposition 'por' must contract with the article 'o' to become 'pelo'.
Eles temem que nós fazemos um erro. → Eles temem que nós façamos um erro.
The verb 'fazer' must be in the subjunctive form 'façamos'.

Tips

Subjunctive Rule

Always use the subjunctive after 'temer que'. It's one of the most common triggers for this mood in Portuguese.

Proverb Power

Memorize 'Quem não deve, não teme'. It's a great way to remember the verb and a useful cultural phrase.

Formal Writing

Use 'temer' in your professional emails to express concerns politely. It sounds much better than 'ter medo'.

Final R

Don't drop the final 'r' in 'temer'. It's important for distinguishing the infinitive from other forms.

Religious Context

Be aware that 'temer a Deus' is a very common expression that doesn't necessarily mean being 'scared' of God.

News Watching

Watch Portuguese news to hear 'temer' used in its most natural formal environment.

Transitive Check

Always check if you've added an unnecessary 'de' after 'temer'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers.

Timid Mnemonic

Link 'temer' to 'timid'. A timid person fears (temer) things. This works because they share the same Latin root.

Polite Negatives

Use 'Temo que não' instead of a blunt 'Não' to sound more polite and sophisticated.

Literature Search

Look for 'temer' in classic Portuguese novels. You'll see it used to describe deep psychological states.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'TIMID'. If you are timid, you TEMER (fear) things. Both words start with the same idea of being afraid.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing before a large, dark cave (the unknown) and whispering 'Eu temo' while holding a small candle.

Word Web

medo receio pavor ansiedade perigo risco cuidado respeito

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'temer que' followed by the subjunctive mood. For example: 'Temo que o café esteja frio.'

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'timere', which also means 'to fear'. It has been part of the Portuguese language since its early development from Vulgar Latin.

Original meaning: To be afraid, to dread, or to be anxious.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'temer a Deus' should be used with respect for the religious context.

The English 'fear' is used more broadly than 'temer'. In English, you 'fear' spiders, but in Portuguese, you usually 'têm medo de' spiders.

The proverb 'Quem não deve, não teme'. Religious texts: 'O temor do Senhor é o princípio da sabedoria'. Political slogans and protests in Brazil (2016-2018).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

Temo que chova.
Temo a tempestade.
Temo o frio.
Temo que o tempo piore.

Health

Temo pela sua saúde.
Temo o resultado.
Temo que seja grave.
Temo a doença.

Finance

Temo a crise.
Temo perder dinheiro.
Temo a inflação.
Temo que o banco feche.

Relationships

Temo te perder.
Temo o que ele pensa.
Temo a solidão.
Temo que ela se vá.

Work

Temo o desemprego.
Temo o meu chefe.
Temo errar.
Temo que o projeto falhe.

Conversation Starters

"Você teme o futuro da inteligência artificial?"

"O que você mais temia quando era criança?"

"Você acha que as pessoas temem a mudança por natureza?"

"Você teme que o clima mude drasticamente nos próximos anos?"

"Quem é a pessoa mais temida da história, na sua opinião?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre algo que você costumava temer e como você superou esse medo.

Você teme mais o fracasso ou o arrependimento? Explique por quê.

Descreva uma situação em que você temeu por outra pessoa.

O que significa para você o ditado 'Quem não deve, não teme'?

Como a sociedade em que você vive lida com o que ela teme?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'temer' is a completely regular -er verb in all tenses. It follows the same pattern as 'comer'.

No. Unlike 'ter medo de', 'temer' is a transitive verb and takes its object directly. Say 'Eu temo o escuro', not 'Eu temo do escuro'.

Use 'temer' in formal writing, news, or when you want to sound more serious and sophisticated. Use 'ter medo' in everyday casual conversation.

The subjunctive mood. For example: 'Temo que ele *esteja* atrasado' (I fear he is late).

Yes, especially in religious contexts like 'temer a Deus', it implies a deep, respectful awe rather than just being scared.

'Temer algo' means you are afraid of the thing itself. 'Temer por algo' means you are worried about the safety or well-being of that thing.

Yes, it is common in formal contexts, news, and literature in Brazil, just as it is in Portugal.

The most common noun form is 'temor' (fear/dread).

You can, but it might sound a bit dramatic. 'Ter medo de aranhas' is more natural for small, everyday fears.

The most common way is 'Temo que sim'.