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A2 verb 13 min read

ter êxito

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ter êxito in 30 Seconds

Explanation ter êxito in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn the basics of Portuguese. While 'ter êxito' might seem a bit advanced, it is good to recognize it as a way to say 'to succeed'. You already know the verb 'ter' (to have), which is one of the most important verbs in Portuguese. At this stage, you can think of 'ter êxito' as 'having a good result'. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Eu tenho êxito' (I have success) to describe passing a small test or finishing a task. It is important to focus on the pronunciation of 'êxito', where the 'x' sounds like a 'z'. Even if you mostly use 'bom' (good) or 'conseguir' (to manage), knowing 'ter êxito' helps you understand when people are talking about things going well. You will see it in simple signs or motivational posters. Remember that 'êxito' is the thing you have, and 'ter' is the action of having it. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the idea that 'ter êxito' equals 'winning' or 'doing well'.

At the A2 level, you are building your ability to describe your life, work, and goals. 'Ter êxito' becomes very useful here because it allows you to talk about your achievements in a slightly more formal way. You should start using it with the preposition 'em' to specify what you are succeeding in. For example, 'Tenho êxito no meu trabalho' (I succeed in my work). You are also learning more past tenses, so you can say 'Tive êxito no exame' (I succeeded in the exam). This level is where you should distinguish 'ter êxito' from 'ter sorte' (to have luck). You are learning that Portuguese speakers value effort, and 'ter êxito' reflects that. You should also be careful with the false friend 'exit'; remember that in Portuguese, an exit is a 'saída'. If you use 'ter êxito' in a job interview or a school application at this level, it shows you have a good grasp of formal vocabulary. You can also start adding simple adjectives like 'grande êxito' (great success) to add more detail to your sentences.

As a B1 learner, you can now handle more complex social and professional situations. 'Ter êxito' is a key phrase for expressing opinions and discussing plans. You should be comfortable conjugating 'ter' in various tenses, including the future ('terei êxito') and the conditional ('teria êxito'). At this level, you start to understand the nuance between 'ter êxito' and 'ter sucesso'. You might use 'êxito' when discussing the specific results of a project or a medical treatment, whereas 'sucesso' might be used for a popular movie or a famous person. You can also use the phrase in the subjunctive mood, which is a major milestone at B1. For example, 'Espero que tenhas êxito' (I hope you succeed). This shows you are moving beyond simple facts and into the realm of hopes, wishes, and possibilities. You are also likely to encounter this phrase in newspapers and magazines, where it describes the results of government policies or social movements. Your goal at B1 is to integrate 'ter êxito' naturally into your narratives about your past and your hopes for the future.

At the B2 level, you are expected to have a high degree of fluency and be able to discuss abstract topics. 'Ter êxito' is no longer just a phrase; it's a tool for precise communication. You can use it to analyze why certain strategies work and others don't. You should be able to use it in complex sentences with relative clauses, such as 'O projeto em que tivemos êxito no ano passado foi expandido' (The project in which we succeeded last year was expanded). At this level, you also learn more formal synonyms like 'lograr êxito' or 'alcançar o êxito'. You understand that 'ter êxito' carries a professional weight. You might use it in a formal debate or a business report to describe the outcome of a complex negotiation. You also start to recognize the cultural implications of the word—how success is defined in different Lusophone cultures. Your use of 'ter êxito' should be effortless, and you should be able to use it to describe both personal growth and institutional achievements without hesitation.

At the C1 level, you are approaching near-native proficiency. You understand the subtle stylistic differences between 'ter êxito', 'triunfar', 'vencer', and 'lograr'. You can use 'ter êxito' in academic papers, high-level business negotiations, and literary analysis. You are sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence and might choose 'ter êxito' over 'ter sucesso' simply because it sounds more authoritative or fits the formal register better. You can use the phrase in the passive voice or in complex hypothetical structures: 'Caso não se tivesse tido êxito naquelas negociações, as consequências teriam sido graves' (Had success not been achieved in those negotiations, the consequences would have been grave). You also understand the historical etymology of the word from the Latin 'exitus' and how that informs its modern usage as a 'result'. At this level, you can play with the word, using it ironically or with deep philosophical meaning. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'ter êxito' is just one of many ways you can express the concept of a positive outcome.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the Portuguese language. You use 'ter êxito' with the same nuance and precision as a highly educated native speaker. You can distinguish between its use in legal jargon, medical reports, and classical literature. You might use it when discussing the 'êxito' of a specific rhetorical strategy in a speech or the 'êxito' of an intricate scientific experiment. You are fully aware of the regional variations in its usage across the Lusophone world—from the boardrooms of Luanda to the universities of Coimbra and the tech hubs of Florianópolis. You can use the phrase in any tense, mood, or voice perfectly. At this level, your mastery of 'ter êxito' reflects your deep understanding of the Portuguese mindset regarding achievement, result, and the culmination of effort. You can use it to weave complex arguments about success and failure, and you can appreciate its use in the works of great Portuguese-language authors like Machado de Assis or José Saramago.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ter êxito in 30 Seconds

Ter êxito means to succeed or achieve a desired outcome through effort and planning.
It is a formal verbal phrase consisting of the verb 'ter' and the noun 'êxito'.
Commonly used in professional, academic, and medical contexts to describe positive results.
Always remember to use the preposition 'em' (contracted as 'no' or 'na') after the phrase.

The Portuguese expression ter êxito is a sophisticated and highly versatile way to describe the act of succeeding, achieving a goal, or reaching a desired outcome. While many beginners might first learn the word sucesso, the verbal construction ter êxito provides a more dynamic and often more formal way to express that something has worked out exactly as planned. The word êxito itself originates from the Latin exitus, which literally means 'exit' or 'departure,' but in a figurative sense, it refers to the 'way out' or the 'result' of a specific action or endeavor. In modern Portuguese, it has shed its literal meaning of leaving a place and focuses entirely on the positive conclusion of an effort.

Professional Context: In business settings, using ter êxito suggests a level of competence and strategic achievement. It is commonly used in reports, performance reviews, and formal presentations to describe the successful completion of projects or the reaching of financial targets. It sounds more polished than the colloquial dar certo.

A nova estratégia de marketing permitiu à empresa ter êxito na expansão internacional.

Translation: The new marketing strategy allowed the company to succeed in international expansion.

Beyond the boardroom, ter êxito is used in academic and personal spheres. Whether a student is passing a difficult exam or an athlete is winning a competition, this phrase captures the essence of effort meeting opportunity. It implies that the success was not merely a stroke of luck (which might be described as ter sorte) but rather the result of a process or a series of actions aimed at a specific target. This distinction is crucial for learners; ter êxito validates the labor behind the achievement.

Academic Context: Students are often encouraged to study hard so they can ter êxito nos exames. It is the standard way to discuss academic performance in a formal report or a letter of recommendation.

Espero que possas ter êxito na tua candidatura à universidade.

Translation: I hope you can succeed in your university application.

In everyday conversation, while slightly more formal than conseguir, it is by no means archaic. You will hear it in news broadcasts, podcasts, and read it in newspapers. It carries a weight of prestige. If someone says they had 'êxito', they are highlighting the positive outcome of their struggle. It is also frequently found in legal and medical contexts, where the 'êxito' of a surgery or a legal appeal is a matter of professional record.

Medical Context: Doctors might use this term to describe a successful treatment plan: 'O tratamento teve êxito total'. This indicates the objective was met and the patient recovered.

A cirurgia teve pleno êxito, e o paciente está estável.

Translation: The surgery was fully successful, and the patient is stable.

Finally, understanding the emotional resonance of ter êxito is important. In Lusophone cultures, success is often viewed through the lens of perseverance. By using the word êxito, you are acknowledging that a path was followed to its successful conclusion. It is a word of triumph and validation. It is less about the 'glitz' of fame (which is often fama) and more about the 'result' of work well done.

Para ter êxito na vida, é preciso persistência.

Translation: To be successful in life, persistence is necessary.

Ninguém acreditava que ele pudesse ter êxito sozinho.

Translation: No one believed he could succeed alone.

Using ter êxito correctly requires an understanding of how the verb ter (to have) functions as the engine of the phrase. Since ter is an irregular verb, you must conjugate it according to the subject and the tense, while the noun êxito remains unchanged. The most common grammatical pattern is [Subject] + [Conjugated 'ter'] + êxito + [Preposition 'em'] + [Noun/Verb]. This structure allows you to specify exactly what the success pertains to.

Present Tense: Used for general truths or ongoing efforts. 'Ele tem êxito em tudo o que faz' (He succeeds in everything he does).

Nós temos êxito quando trabalhamos em equipa.

Translation: We succeed when we work as a team.

In the past tense, ter êxito is particularly powerful for narrating achievements. You can use the Pretérito Perfeito for a completed action: 'Tive êxito na minha missão' (I succeeded in my mission). If you want to describe a state of being successful over a period of time, the Pretérito Imperfeito is used: 'Ele tinha êxito nas suas vendas mensais' (He used to have success in his monthly sales).

Past Tense (Completed): 'Eles tiveram êxito na negociação' (They succeeded in the negotiation). This refers to a specific event that ended successfully.

A equipa teve êxito em encontrar uma solução para o problema técnico.

Translation: The team succeeded in finding a solution to the technical problem.

Future and conditional forms are also frequent, especially when setting goals or expressing hypothetical situations. 'Se estudares, terás êxito' (If you study, you will have success). The conditional 'teria êxito' is often used in 'if' clauses: 'Eu teria tido êxito se tivesse tido mais tempo' (I would have had success if I had had more time). This shows the complexity and utility of the phrase in advanced sentence structures.

Future Tense: 'Acredito que você terá êxito no seu novo emprego' (I believe you will succeed in your new job).

Com este plano, nós teremos êxito garantido.

Translation: With this plan, we will have guaranteed success.

Negative constructions are straightforward: just place 'não' before the conjugated verb. 'Infelizmente, não tivemos êxito na nossa tentativa' (Unfortunately, we did not succeed in our attempt). It is a polite and professional way to admit failure without sounding overly dramatic. Using não ter êxito is often preferred in formal reports over the harsher falhar (to fail).

Apesar do esforço, o projeto não teve êxito.

Translation: Despite the effort, the project was not successful.

É impossível ter êxito sem cometer erros pelo caminho.

Translation: It is impossible to succeed without making mistakes along the way.

While ter êxito sounds somewhat formal, it is deeply embedded in the daily life of Portuguese speakers, particularly in contexts involving growth, effort, and evaluation. You will hear it most frequently in the workplace, during news broadcasts, and in educational settings. It is the language of the 'professional achiever'. If you are listening to a business podcast in Portuguese, you will likely hear entrepreneurs discussing how they tiveram êxito in launching their startups.

In the Media: News anchors often use this phrase when reporting on government policies, military operations, or scientific breakthroughs. 'A missão espacial teve êxito ao pousar em Marte' (The space mission was successful in landing on Mars).

O governo espera ter êxito com as novas medidas económicas.

Translation: The government expects to succeed with the new economic measures.

In the corporate world, ter êxito is the standard for KPIs and objectives. During a job interview, a candidate might say, 'Em meu último emprego, tive êxito em reduzir custos em 20%' (In my last job, I succeeded in reducing costs by 20%). This sounds much more impressive and structured than using simpler verbs. It shows a mastery of formal Portuguese registers which is highly valued in professional environments in Lisbon, São Paulo, or Luanda.

In Education: Teachers use it to motivate students. You'll see it on school banners or in motivational speeches: 'Estudem para ter êxito no futuro'. It links the act of studying with the concrete result of a successful life.

Os alunos que tiveram êxito no exame receberão uma bolsa de estudo.

Translation: The students who succeeded in the exam will receive a scholarship.

Sports commentary is another prime location for this phrase. When a coach manages to turn a game around, or a player executes a difficult maneuver, the commentator might exclaim that they 'tiveram êxito na jogada'. It emphasizes the execution of a plan. In this context, it contrasts with 'sorte' (luck), highlighting the player's skill and strategic thinking.

In Literature and Cinema: Novels and film scripts use it to define a character's arc. A protagonist's struggle often culminates in them 'tendo êxito' against all odds. It provides a formal, almost epic tone to the resolution of a story.

O detetive finalmente teve êxito em desvendar o mistério.

Translation: The detective finally succeeded in solving the mystery.

Não é fácil ter êxito num mercado tão competitivo.

Translation: It is not easy to succeed in such a competitive market.

Learning ter êxito is usually straightforward, but English speakers often fall into a few traps because of how the word 'success' works in English. In English, 'to succeed' is a single verb, while in Portuguese, ter êxito is a verb-noun combination. This leads to several common errors that can make your Portuguese sound unnatural or technically incorrect.

Mistake #1: Using it as a single verb: Some learners try to conjugate 'êxito' as if it were a verb (e.g., 'Eu êxito'). This is incorrect. You must always use the verb 'ter' before it. 'Êxito' is a noun meaning 'success'.

Eu êxito na vida. → Eu tenho êxito na vida.

Correct: I have success (succeed) in life.

Another frequent error involves prepositions. In English, we 'succeed in' something. In Portuguese, we also use em, but learners often forget to contract the preposition with the following article. Forgetting the contraction (like saying 'em o' instead of 'no') is a common A2-level mistake. Additionally, some learners try to use 'com' (with) when 'em' is more appropriate for the field of success.

Mistake #2: Preposition Errors: Saying 'Ter êxito de...' or 'Ter êxito para...' when you mean 'succeed in'. The standard preposition is 'em'. Use 'em' for the area or activity where success occurred.

Tive êxito de o projeto. → Tive êxito no projeto.

Correct: I succeeded in the project.

Confusing êxito with sucesso isn't technically a grammar mistake, but it's a matter of nuance. Sucesso is more general and can refer to fame or popularity. Êxito is more about the 'result' or 'outcome'. If you say a movie had 'sucesso', it means many people saw it. If you say a plan had 'êxito', it means the plan worked. Using them interchangeably is usually fine, but 'êxito' sounds more precise in a technical or formal context.

Mistake #3: The 'Exit' False Friend: For English speakers, 'êxito' looks like 'exit'. Do not use 'êxito' to mean a way out of a building (that is 'saída'). This is a classic false cognate trap.

Onde é o êxito de emergência? → Onde é a saída de emergência?

Correct: Where is the emergency exit?

Para ter êxito, não basta apenas tentar; é preciso planear.

Translation: To succeed, it is not enough just to try; it is necessary to plan.

Portuguese offers a rich variety of ways to express success, and choosing the right one depends heavily on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. While ter êxito is a solid, formal choice, knowing its alternatives will make your speech more fluid and native-like. Let's compare ter êxito with its closest relatives in the Portuguese vocabulary.

Ter êxito vs. Ter sucesso: These are very similar. However, 'sucesso' often implies popularity or social recognition (like a hit song), while 'êxito' emphasizes the successful completion of a task or the achievement of a specific result. 'O filme teve sucesso' (The movie was popular) vs. 'O plano teve êxito' (The plan worked).

If you are looking for a more common, everyday alternative, the verb conseguir is your best friend. It translates to 'to manage' or 'to succeed in doing something'. It is used in almost every casual situation. Another very common idiomatic expression is dar certo, which literally means 'to give right' but functions as 'to work out'. If you say 'A festa deu certo', you mean the party was a success.

Conseguir: A more versatile verb. 'Eu consegui o emprego' (I got/succeeded in getting the job). It focuses on the ability to reach the goal.
Dar certo: Very common in Brazil and Portugal for events or plans. 'Espero que tudo dê certo' (I hope everything works out/is successful).

Embora ter êxito seja o objetivo, o mais importante é o que aprendemos.

Translation: Although succeeding is the goal, the most important thing is what we learn.

For even more formal or literary contexts, you might use triunfar (to triumph) or vencer (to win/overcome). Triunfar carries a connotation of a grand victory over significant obstacles. Vencer is often used in competitions or when overcoming a challenge like a disease or a difficult period in life. Both are more emotionally charged than the relatively neutral ter êxito.

Triunfar: To triumph. 'A verdade triunfará' (The truth will triumph). It is more poetic and dramatic than 'ter êxito'.
Vencer: To overcome or win. 'Vencemos o desafio' (We overcame/won the challenge).

Ele logrou êxito em sua empreitada após anos de trabalho.

Translation: He achieved success in his endeavor after years of work.

Muitas vezes, ter êxito depende mais de paciência do que de talento.

Translation: Often, succeeding depends more on patience than on talent.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The English word 'exit' comes from the same Latin root. While English kept the physical meaning (leaving), Portuguese (and Spanish) shifted the meaning to the 'outcome' or 'result' of an action.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtɛɾ ˈe.zi.tu/

US /ˈteɾ ˈe.zi.tu/

The primary stress in the phrase is on the 'ê' of 'êxito'.

Rhymes With

exército (army - near rhyme) mérito (merit) débito (debt) crédito (credit) hábito (habit) dígito (digit) espírito (spirit) infinito (infinite - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'x' as 'sh' (ê-shitu) instead of 'z' (ê-zitu).
Pronouncing 'ê' as an open 'e' (like in 'get') instead of a closed 'e' (like in 'hey').
Treating 'êxito' as 'exit' and pronouncing it with an English accent.
Forgetting the stress on the 'ê', making the word sound flat.
Pronouncing 'ter' like the English word 'tear' (crying).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'ter' and the root 'exit'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'ter' and the preposition 'em'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'x' pronunciation as 'z' is a common stumbling block for learners.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but can be fast in native speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ter bom trabalho fazer resultado

Learn Next

conseguir sucesso objetivo meta realizar

Advanced

lograr triunfar êxito de bilheteira meritocracia

Grammar to Know

Irregular verb 'ter' conjugation.

Eu tenho, tu tens, ele tem, nós temos, eles têm.

Contraction of preposition 'em' with articles.

em + o = no; em + a = na.

Use of the Subjunctive after expressions of hope/desire.

Espero que tenhas êxito.

Placement of 'não' for negation.

Ele não teve êxito.

Adjective agreement when modifying 'êxito'.

Êxito total (masculine singular).

Examples by Level

Eu tenho êxito.

I have success.

Simple present tense of 'ter'.

Ele tem êxito na escola.

He succeeds in school.

Using 'em' (in) + 'a' (the) = 'na'.

Nós temos êxito.

We have success.

First person plural of 'ter'.

Você tem êxito?

Do you have success?

Question form using 'ter'.

Ela tem muito êxito.

She has a lot of success.

Adding 'muito' (much/a lot) for emphasis.

Eles têm êxito no jogo.

They succeed in the game.

Third person plural 'têm' with a circumflex accent.

Eu quero ter êxito.

I want to have success.

Infinitive form 'ter' after 'querer'.

Ter êxito é bom.

Succeeding is good.

Using the infinitive as a subject.

Tive êxito no meu exame de condução.

I succeeded in my driving test.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past) of 'ter'.

Espero que tenhas êxito no novo trabalho.

I hope you succeed in the new job.

Present Subjunctive 'tenhas' after 'espero que'.

A empresa teve êxito este ano.

The company was successful this year.

Third person singular past 'teve'.

Não tive êxito na primeira tentativa.

I didn't succeed on the first attempt.

Negative past construction.

Para ter êxito, precisas de estudar.

To succeed, you need to study.

Purpose clause with 'para' + infinitive.

Eles tiveram êxito em comprar a casa.

They succeeded in buying the house.

Third person plural past 'tiveram'.

Ela sempre tem êxito nos seus projetos.

She always succeeds in her projects.

Present tense showing a habit.

O plano teve êxito total.

The plan was a total success.

Adjective 'total' modifying 'êxito'.

Se trabalhares afincadamente, terás êxito.

If you work hard, you will succeed.

Future tense 'terás' in a conditional sentence.

Duvido que ele tenha êxito sem ajuda.

I doubt he will succeed without help.

Subjunctive 'tenha' after a verb of doubt.

Tivemos êxito em reduzir o desperdício.

We succeeded in reducing waste.

Past tense with a verb as the object of 'em'.

O segredo para ter êxito é a persistência.

The secret to succeeding is persistence.

Noun phrase as the subject.

Ela teria tido êxito se tivesse tentado.

She would have succeeded if she had tried.

Conditional perfect 'teria tido'.

É importante que todos tenham êxito.

It is important that everyone succeeds.

Impersonal expression + subjunctive.

O tratamento médico teve pleno êxito.

The medical treatment was fully successful.

Formal medical context.

Eles não tiveram êxito na negociação do contrato.

They did not succeed in the contract negotiation.

Professional context with negative past.

A implementação do novo sistema teve êxito imediato.

The implementation of the new system was an immediate success.

Formal business vocabulary.

Apesar dos obstáculos, lográmos ter êxito.

Despite the obstacles, we managed to succeed.

Use of 'lograr' (to manage/achieve).

O êxito que tivemos deve-se ao esforço coletivo.

The success we had is due to collective effort.

Relative clause 'que tivemos'.

Não é garantido que o projeto venha a ter êxito.

It is not guaranteed that the project will succeed.

Compound subjunctive 'venha a ter'.

Ter êxito profissional exige sacrifícios pessoais.

Succeeding professionally requires personal sacrifices.

Gerund-like infinitive use.

A campanha publicitária teve êxito em captar novos clientes.

The advertising campaign succeeded in capturing new customers.

Marketing context.

Caso tenhas êxito, serás promovido.

In case you succeed, you will be promoted.

Future conditional with 'caso'.

Muitos tentaram, mas poucos tiveram êxito real.

Many tried, but few had real success.

Contrastive conjunction 'mas'.

A convergência de fatores permitiu que a missão tivesse êxito.

The convergence of factors allowed the mission to succeed.

High-level vocabulary and imperfect subjunctive.

O êxito de uma política pública mede-se pelo seu impacto social.

The success of a public policy is measured by its social impact.

Passive 'se' construction.

Dificilmente teria tido êxito sem uma estratégia sólida.

He would hardly have succeeded without a solid strategy.

Adverbial start with conditional perfect.

A empresa logrou êxito na sua tentativa de fusão.

The company achieved success in its merger attempt.

Formal verb 'logrou'.

O êxito não deve ser confundido com a mera fortuna.

Success should not be confused with mere luck.

Passive voice with modal 'deve'.

A obra literária teve êxito tanto comercial como crítico.

The literary work was both a commercial and critical success.

Correlative conjunctions 'tanto... como'.

É imperativo que a reforma tenha êxito para o bem do país.

It is imperative that the reform succeeds for the good of the country.

Formal impersonal expression.

O êxito retumbante da peça surpreendeu a todos.

The resounding success of the play surprised everyone.

Strong adjective 'retumbante'.

A sutil tessitura da trama permitiu que o autor tivesse êxito na sua metáfora.

The subtle weaving of the plot allowed the author to succeed in his metaphor.

Highly literary language.

O êxito de tal empreitada reside na minúcia do planeamento prévio.

The success of such an endeavor lies in the detail of the prior planning.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Raramente se vê um projeto ter êxito com tamanha escassez de recursos.

One rarely sees a project succeed with such a scarcity of resources.

Inverted syntax and formal 'se'.

A dialética empregada foi fundamental para que a tese tivesse êxito.

The dialectic employed was fundamental for the thesis to succeed.

Intellectual/Academic context.

O êxito efêmero da fama não se compara ao êxito duradouro da obra.

The ephemeral success of fame does not compare to the lasting success of the work.

Philosophical contrast.

Poder-se-ia argumentar que a expedição teve êxito apesar do seu fim trágico.

One could argue that the expedition was successful despite its tragic end.

Conditional 'se' with mesoclisis (formal).

A proposta teve êxito ao conciliar interesses aparentemente antagónicos.

The proposal succeeded by reconciling apparently antagonistic interests.

Advanced participle 'ao conciliar'.

O êxito de uma tradução reside na sua capacidade de transpor a alma do texto.

The success of a translation lies in its ability to transpose the soul of the text.

Metaphorical/Abstract usage.

Common Collocations

ter pleno êxito

ter êxito total

ter êxito profissional

ter êxito académico

ter êxito nos exames

ter êxito na vida

ter pouco êxito

ter êxito garantido

ter êxito relativo

ter êxito imediato

Common Phrases

Desejo que tenhas êxito.

— A formal way to wish someone success in a new venture.

Boa sorte no novo cargo! Desejo que tenhas êxito.

Para ter êxito é preciso...

— A common way to start giving advice on how to succeed.

Para ter êxito é preciso ter foco.

Não teve o êxito esperado.

— Used to describe something that didn't go as well as planned.

O lançamento do filme não teve o êxito esperado.

Ter êxito a todo o custo.

— To succeed no matter what the price or sacrifice.

Ele queria ter êxito a todo o custo, mesmo perdendo amigos.

Um caminho para ter êxito.

— A method or route to achieving success.

Este livro mostra um caminho para ter êxito nos negócios.

O segredo para ter êxito.

— The hidden reason why someone is successful.

Qual é o segredo para ter êxito nesta profissão?

Ter êxito onde outros falharam.

— To succeed where previous attempts by others were unsuccessful.

Ela teve êxito onde muitos outros falharam antes dela.

Ter êxito por mérito próprio.

— To succeed because of one's own hard work and talent.

Ele teve êxito por mérito próprio, sem ajuda da família.

Ter êxito nas urnas.

— Specifically used for winning an election.

O candidato espera ter êxito nas urnas no próximo domingo.

Ter êxito na carreira.

— To have a successful professional life over time.

É difícil ter êxito na carreira sem formação contínua.

Often Confused With

ter êxito vs Saída

The literal 'exit' of a building. Don't use 'êxito' for a door.

ter êxito vs Sorte

Luck. 'Ter êxito' implies effort, while 'ter sorte' implies chance.

ter êxito vs Sucesso

Often interchangeable, but 'sucesso' is more about popularity/fame.

Idioms & Expressions

"Coroar de êxito"

— To complete something with great success, like putting a crown on it.

O esforço foi coroado de êxito.

Formal/Literary

"Colher os frutos do êxito"

— To enjoy the benefits and rewards of having succeeded.

Agora ele está a colher os frutos do êxito.

Neutral

"Subir os degraus do êxito"

— To gradually become more successful step by step.

Ela está a subir os degraus do êxito na empresa.

Metaphorical

"O êxito subiu-lhe à cabeça"

— Success made the person arrogant or conceited.

Infelizmente, o êxito subiu-lhe à cabeça.

Informal

"Embriagado pelo êxito"

— To be overwhelmed or 'drunk' with the feeling of success.

Ele ficou embriagado pelo êxito e esqueceu as suas origens.

Literary

"Chave para o êxito"

— The essential element needed to succeed.

A organização é a chave para o êxito.

Neutral

"Fórmula para o êxito"

— A specific method or set of actions that leads to success.

Não existe uma fórmula mágica para o êxito.

Neutral

"Gosto do êxito"

— The pleasant feeling or 'taste' of winning/succeeding.

Depois de provar o gosto do êxito, ele nunca mais parou.

Metaphorical

"Preço do êxito"

— The sacrifices or negative consequences that come with being successful.

O stress constante é o preço do êxito dele.

Neutral

"Vento de êxito"

— A period where everything seems to go right and be successful.

A empresa está a navegar num vento de êxito.

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

ter êxito vs Êxodo

Sounds similar.

Êxodo means a mass departure (exodus), while êxito means success.

O êxodo rural foi grande, mas o plano teve êxito.

ter êxito vs Exato

Similar spelling and prefix.

Exato means exact or correct.

O valor exato levou ao êxito da conta.

ter êxito vs Excerto

Similar prefix and 'x' sound.

Excerto means an excerpt or snippet from a text.

Este excerto fala sobre como ter êxito.

ter êxito vs Hesito

Sounds identical in some accents (the 'h' is silent).

Hesito is 'I hesitate' (from hesitar).

Eu não hesito quando quero ter êxito.

ter êxito vs Aceito

Vaguely similar sound for beginners.

Aceito means 'I accept' or 'accepted'.

Eu aceito o desafio para ter êxito.

Sentence Patterns

Eu tenho êxito.

[Subject] teve êxito no/na [noun].

Ela teve êxito na prova.

Espero que [Subject] tenha êxito.

Espero que tenhas êxito.

Se [Subject] [verb-future-subj], terá êxito.

Se estudares, terás êxito.

Apesar de [noun], [Subject] teve êxito.

Apesar do frio, tivemos êxito.

O êxito de [noun] depende de [noun].

O êxito da missão depende de ti.

[Subject] logrou ter êxito em [verb-infinitive].

O governo logrou ter êxito em baixar a inflação.

Poder-se-ia dizer que o êxito reside em...

Poder-se-ia dizer que o êxito reside na calma.

Word Family

Nouns

êxito

sucesso

triunfo

conquista

Verbs

ter

conseguir

triunfar

vencer

lograr

Adjectives

exitoso (rare, Spanish influence)

bem-sucedido

vitorioso

resultado

objetivo

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal/professional contexts, medium in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu êxito na vida. → Eu tenho êxito na vida.
Êxito is a noun, not a verb. You need the verb 'ter'.
Onde é o êxito de emergência? → Onde é a saída de emergência?
Êxito means success, not a physical exit.
Tive êxito de o exame. → Tive êxito no exame.
The preposition 'em' (contracted to 'no') must be used, not 'de'.
Eu pronuncio 'ê-shitu'. → Eu pronuncio 'ê-zitu'.
The 'x' in 'êxito' sounds like a 'z', not a 'sh'.
Eles tem êxito. → Eles têm êxito.
The plural form of 'ter' in the third person needs the circumflex accent.

Tips

Conjugation is Key

Since 'ter' is the active part of the phrase, make sure you master its irregular forms like 'tive', 'terei', and 'tenha'.

The Z Sound

Always remember the 'x' in 'êxito' sounds like 'z'. This is one of the most common mistakes for beginners.

Formal Register

Use 'ter êxito' in your CV or LinkedIn profile to sound more professional to Portuguese-speaking employers.

Avoid Repetition

If you use 'ter êxito' in one sentence, try 'conseguir' or 'ter sucesso' in the next to keep your writing varied.

Business Success

In business, 'êxito' often refers to hitting targets or completing projects on time and under budget.

Wishing Success

Saying 'Desejo-lhe muito êxito' is a very polite and high-level way to wish someone well in their career.

News Watch

Watch Portuguese news (RTP or SIC) and listen for 'teve êxito' when they report on successful operations.

Literature

In older books, you might see 'êxito' used more frequently than 'sucesso'. Take note of the adjectives used with it.

The Exit Connection

Think: A successful project is one that has a good 'exit' or result. This helps link 'êxito' to its Latin root.

Don't Overthink

If you forget 'êxito', 'ter sucesso' is always a safe and perfectly understandable backup.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'EXIT'. When you find the right exit in a maze, you have succeeded. 'Ter êxito' is finding the 'exit' to success.

Visual Association

Visualize a businessman crossing a finish line that is shaped like a giant letter 'Z' (to remember the 'z' sound of the 'x' in êxito).

Word Web

êxito sucesso vitória meta objetivo trabalho estudo resultado

Challenge

Try to use 'ter êxito' in a sentence about your Portuguese learning journey today.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'exitus', which is the past participle of 'exire' (to go out).

Original meaning: Originally meant 'a going out', 'a departure', or 'an end'.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

None. This is a very positive and safe term to use in all contexts.

English speakers often say 'to be successful' or 'to succeed'. Portuguese uses the 'have' construction: 'to have success'.

Commonly found in the titles of self-help books like 'Como ter êxito na vida'. Used in formal speeches by Portuguese presidents (e.g., Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa). Frequently appears in the business sections of newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S. Paulo'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

Ter êxito no mercado
Ter êxito na negociação
Ter êxito financeiro
Ter êxito no projeto

Education

Ter êxito escolar
Ter êxito nos exames
Ter êxito na tese
Ter êxito na carreira académica

Sports

Ter êxito na competição
Ter êxito na jogada
Ter êxito na época
Ter êxito no treino

Medicine

Ter êxito na cirurgia
Ter êxito no tratamento
Ter êxito na recuperação
Ter êxito no diagnóstico

Personal Life

Ter êxito no amor
Ter êxito na vida
Ter êxito nos objetivos
Ter êxito na dieta

Conversation Starters

"O que é preciso para ter êxito na tua profissão?"

"Já tiveste êxito em aprender outra língua antes do português?"

"Qual foi o projeto em que tiveste mais êxito no ano passado?"

"Acreditas que a sorte é necessária para ter êxito?"

"Como celebras quando tens êxito em algo difícil?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre uma situação em que tiveste êxito depois de muitas tentativas.

Quais são os teus objetivos para ter êxito na aprendizagem de português este mês?

Define o que significa 'ter êxito na vida' para ti pessoalmente.

Descreve uma pessoa que admiras por ter tido êxito na sua carreira.

Reflete sobre um momento em que não tiveste êxito e o que aprendeste com isso.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is the most common formal way to say 'to be successful' or 'to succeed' in Portuguese. It focuses on the result of an action.

The 'x' is pronounced like a 'z', as in the English word 'zebra'. It sounds like 'ê-zitu'.

No, 'êxito' is a noun. You must use the verb 'ter' (to have) with it, like 'Eu tenho êxito'.

Use 'ter êxito' in formal, professional, or academic writing. Use 'ter sucesso' for general popularity or in more casual settings.

The preposition 'em' is used, which usually contracts with the following article (no, na, nos, nas).

It is a masculine noun: 'o êxito'.

Yes, you can say 'Ele tem êxito', but it usually refers to their actions or career rather than their personality.

The most common opposites are 'fracassar' (to fail) or 'não ter êxito'.

Yes, they share the same Latin root 'exitus', but 'êxito' means success while 'exit' means a way out.

It is always 'ter êxito'. 'Fazer êxito' is not a standard expression.