At the A1 level, you should know that 'derrame' is a serious word related to health. Think of it as a 'big problem in the head.' You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but you should recognize it if a doctor or a news report mentions it. It is a masculine noun, so you say 'o derrame.' It is most often linked to old people in simple conversations. You might hear someone say 'Meu avô teve um derrame,' which means 'My grandfather had a stroke.' Focus on the connection between 'derrame' and 'hospital.' Also, realize that it comes from 'derramar' (to spill), so it's like blood spilling where it shouldn't. Keep your usage simple: 'Ele está no hospital por causa de um derrame.' This is enough for a beginner to communicate a very important piece of information.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'derrame' in more specific contexts. You should be able to distinguish between a 'derrame cerebral' (stroke) and a 'derrame de óleo' (oil spill). You are learning that Portuguese nouns have specific partners, so pair 'derrame' with verbs like 'sofrer' (to suffer) or 'causar' (to cause). For example, 'O fumo pode causar um derrame.' You should also notice that 'derrame' is used for medical emergencies that are sudden. If you see a news headline about the ocean, 'derrame' will likely be followed by 'de petróleo.' This level is about expanding the word's reach from just 'a health problem' to 'an uncontrolled outpouring of liquid,' whether that's blood in the brain or oil in the sea.
By B1, you should understand the nuance between 'derrame' and its technical counterpart 'AVC.' You should know that 'AVC' is what you'll see in a newspaper article or a medical document, while 'derrame' is what people actually say when they are worried. You can now use the word in the plural ('derrames') and in more complex sentence structures involving results and consequences. For instance, 'Os derrames de produtos químicos são uma ameaça constante para os rios.' You are also ready to understand the word in a financial context, such as a 'derrame de dinheiro' (an outpouring of money), though this is more metaphorical. Your goal at B1 is to use 'derrame' naturally in discussions about health, environment, and social issues without confusing it with a simple 'vazamento' (leak).
At B2, you should be comfortable using 'derrame' in formal writing and debates. You understand that 'derrame' implies a lack of containment. You can use it in expressions like 'derrame de sangue' to talk about history or conflict with a certain level of gravitas. You should also be able to explain the symptoms or consequences of a 'derrame' using more advanced vocabulary like 'sequelas' (after-effects) or 'paralisia' (paralysis). In environmental discussions, you can use 'derrame' to argue about corporate responsibility. Your understanding of the word is no longer just a translation; it is a concept of 'catastrophic overflow.' You can also distinguish between 'derrame' (the condition/event) and 'derramamento' (the act of spilling), choosing the latter for more formal descriptions of physical actions.
At the C1 level, you use 'derrame' with precision and stylistic flair. You might use it metaphorically to describe a 'derrame de informações' (a leak of information) in a political scandal or a 'derrame de lirismo' in a book review. You understand the historical and legal implications of the word, especially in environmental law. You are aware of the medical subtypes like 'derrame pleural' or 'derrame pericárdico' and can use them in technical discussions. Your speech reflects the appropriate emotional register; you know when to use the clinical 'AVC' to sound objective and when to use 'derrame' to sound empathetic or urgent. You can also handle the word in complex passive constructions: 'Foi constatado um derrame na região frontal do cérebro.'
At the C2 level, 'derrame' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it in academic papers, high-level journalism, or literary analysis. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence the word's current semantic field. You can discuss the 'derrame de capitais' in global markets with an understanding of economic theory. In literature, you might analyze how a poet uses 'derrame' to signify a loss of self or an overflow of the soul. You have total mastery over the word's collocations, register shifts, and metaphorical extensions. You can effortlessly switch between the literal 'derrame de óleo' and the highly figurative 'derrame de paixão,' knowing exactly how each will resonate with a native audience.

derrame em 30 segundos

  • Derrame is the common Portuguese word for a stroke, known medically as an AVC.
  • It also refers to environmental spills, particularly oil spills in the ocean.
  • It is a masculine noun (o derrame) derived from the verb derramar (to spill).
  • Metaphorically, it can describe an outpouring of emotions, money, or information.

The Portuguese word derrame is a versatile noun that primarily functions in two distinct but related spheres: the medical world and the physical world of liquids. At its core, the word comes from the verb derramar, which means 'to spill' or 'to pour out.' When applied to the human body, specifically the brain, it describes a medical emergency where blood 'spills' into brain tissue or where blood flow is catastrophically interrupted. In English, we most commonly translate this as a stroke, though it specifically refers to a hemorrhagic stroke in strict clinical terms, while in common parlance, it is used for any cerebrovascular accident.

Medical Context
In a healthcare setting, a derrame cerebral is a critical event. Doctors and families use this word to describe the sudden onset of neurological deficits. It is a word heavy with gravity and urgency.

Infelizmente, o paciente sofreu um derrame durante a madrugada e precisou de cirurgia imediata.

Beyond the hospital, derrame is the go-to term for environmental disasters involving liquids. When a tanker leaks oil into the ocean, it is called a derrame de petróleo. This usage highlights the 'spilling' or 'overflowing' nature of the noun. It suggests a loss of control over a substance that should have been contained. You might also hear it in financial contexts, though less frequently, to describe a 'spillover' of assets or a sudden 'dumping' of currency on the market, though fluxo or venda em massa are more common there.

Environmental Context
Used to describe oil spills or chemical leaks. It emphasizes the uncontrolled spread of a harmful substance into the nature.

O derrame de óleo na costa brasileira afetou centenas de espécies marinhas.

Understanding the emotional weight of derrame is crucial for learners. When discussing health, it is a word that carries fear and concern. When discussing the environment, it carries indignation and ecological worry. It is never a 'small' word; it always implies a significant and usually negative event. In some poetic or older contexts, it could refer to the 'shedding' of tears or blood (derrame de sangue), but in modern Portuguese, its clinical and environmental meanings dominate the landscape of conversation.

A prevenção é a melhor forma de evitar um derrame cerebral no futuro.

Literary Context
Occasionally used to describe an outpouring of emotions or words, though 'desabafo' is more common for emotional venting.

Houve um derrame de sentimentos naquela carta de despedida.

As autoridades estão investigando a causa do derrame químico no rio.

Using derrame correctly requires attention to the prepositional phrases that often follow it. Because it is a noun of action (the result of spilling), it almost always needs a complement to specify what was spilled or where the spill occurred. In medical Portuguese, the most common collocation is derrame cerebral. Note that in Portuguese, the adjective 'cerebral' follows the noun, unlike in English where 'brain' often acts as a prefix (brain stroke). You will also see derrame pleural, which refers to fluid around the lungs, showing that the word isn't limited to the brain but to any abnormal 'spilling' of fluid in the body.

Subject of the Sentence
When 'derrame' is the subject, it often takes verbs like 'ocorreu' (occurred), 'causou' (caused), or 'foi' (was).

O derrame deixou sequelas na fala do meu tio.

When discussing environmental issues, the preposition de is mandatory. You talk about a derrame de óleo, derrame de produtos químicos, or derrame de esgoto. It is important to remember that derrame is masculine (o derrame). A common mistake for English speakers is to try and use the feminine 'a' because many Portuguese nouns ending in 'e' can be tricky, but 'derrame' follows the masculine pattern of many nouns derived from verbs (like o toque from tocar).

Object of the Sentence
Commonly used with the verb 'sofrer' (to suffer) or 'ter' (to have) when referring to a person's health.

Ele teve um derrame leve e se recuperou rapidamente.

In a more figurative sense, derrame can be used to describe an excessive supply of something in a market, which causes prices to drop. This is a bit more advanced but very common in economic news. For instance, a derrame de dólares in the economy suggests that there is too much of the currency circulating, which might be a strategy by a central bank or a result of high exports. In this case, the word maintains its core meaning of 'outpouring' or 'overflow'.

O governo tentou conter o derrame de mercadorias contrabandeadas na fronteira.

Plural Form
The plural is 'derrames'. It is used when referring to multiple incidents or types of spills.

Os derrames sucessivos de óleo destruíram o ecossistema local.

A tomografia não mostrou sinais de derrame.

You will encounter derrame in three primary environments: the evening news, the doctor's office, and in serious family discussions. In the news, it is frequently used in headlines regarding environmental crises. Brazilian and Portuguese news outlets use the term derrame de petróleo whenever there is a leak from a refinery or a ship. This is a very standard, formal, and descriptive use of the word. It signifies a large-scale event that requires governmental intervention.

Television News
Used for reporting catastrophes. 'Houve um grande derrame no Golfo.'

O âncora do jornal anunciou um novo derrame de resíduos tóxicos no rio Paraíba.

In a clinical or hospital setting, derrame is the word used to explain a complex medical condition to a layperson. While a neurologist might write 'AVC' or 'Acidente Vascular Cerebral' on a chart, they will likely turn to the patient's family and say, 'Ele teve um derrame.' It is the word that bridges the gap between technical medical terminology and the common understanding of a brain emergency. Hearing this word in a hospital corridor usually signals a moment of high tension and seriousness.

Family Conversations
Used when sharing health updates about elderly relatives. 'Minha avó está no hospital por causa de um derrame.'

Precisamos falar sobre o derrame que o vovô sofreu ano passado.

Lastly, you might hear it in historical documentaries or political speeches when referring to derrame de sangue (bloodshed). This is a more metaphorical and dramatic use, often found in discussions about wars, revolutions, or violent conflicts. It evokes a sense of tragedy and sacrifice. For example, a historian might say that a certain revolution was achieved 'sem derrame de sangue' (without bloodshed), meaning it was a peaceful transition of power. This specific phrase is a set idiom in Portuguese that every learner should recognize.

A revolução ocorreu de forma pacífica, sem qualquer derrame de sangue.

Academic/Scientific Papers
Used in geology or physics to describe the 'outpouring' of lava or other substances.

O derrame basáltico cobriu uma vasta área da região sul.

Ele está preocupado com o derrame de informações confidenciais.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the gender of the word. Because it ends in '-e', many learners assume it is feminine (*a derrame*). However, derrame is a masculine noun: o derrame. This is consistent with many Portuguese nouns that are derived from verbs (derramar -> derrame). Using the wrong gender can make your speech sound unnatural, especially in a serious medical context where precision is valued. Always remember: um derrame, o derrame, aquele derrame.

Gender Error
Incorrect: 'A derrame foi grave.' Correct: 'O derrame foi grave.'

Não diga 'a derrame', o correto é sempre o derrame.

Another common error is using derrame when you actually mean a simple liquid spill on a table or floor. If you knock over a glass of water, you don't call it a derrame; that's too dramatic. Instead, you use the verb derramar (Eu derramei a água) or the noun vazamento (leak) or simply say 'sujeira'. Derrame implies a large-scale or internal 'spilling'. Using derrame for a spilled coffee sounds like you are describing a major industrial disaster or a medical emergency, which might cause confusion or unintended humor.

Technical vs. Common Term
Learners often forget that 'AVC' is the preferred term in modern medical settings. Using 'derrame' is not wrong, but 'AVC' sounds more professional.

O médico usou o termo AVC, mas a família prefere chamar de derrame.

Finally, be careful with the pluralization and the use of 'de'. Some learners try to say 'derrame cerebral de óleo' which makes no sense. Keep the categories separate. A derrame cerebral is medical; a derrame de óleo is environmental. Also, ensure you don't confuse derrame with vazamento. While they are similar, a vazamento is usually a slow leak (like a faucet), whereas a derrame is often a more sudden or large-scale outpouring. Confusing these two can lead to a misunderstanding of the scale of the problem being described.

Há um derrame de petróleo, não apenas um pequeno vazamento.

False Friends
Do not confuse 'derrame' with 'dream' (sonho) or 'drama' (drama). They sound nothing alike but beginners sometimes mix up vowel sounds.

Ele teve um derrame, o que foi um verdadeiro drama para a família.

O derrame de esgoto na praia causou a interdição do local.

When you want to express the idea of a 'stroke' or a 'spill' in Portuguese, derrame is not your only option. Depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey, other words might be more appropriate. In medical contexts, the most important alternative is AVC (Acidente Vascular Cerebral). This is the technical term used by doctors and in health literature. It is subdivided into 'isquêmico' (lack of blood) and 'hemorrágico' (bleeding). While derrame is often used for the hemorrhagic type, it is colloquially used for both.

Derrame vs. AVC
'Derrame' is colloquial and emotional. 'AVC' is clinical and precise. Use 'AVC' in a medical report and 'derrame' when talking to a friend.

O laudo médico indicou um AVC, mas todos dizem que foi um derrame.

For the environmental side, vazamento is the most common alternative. However, there is a subtle difference in scale and intent. A vazamento is a leak—something escaping through a hole or crack, often slowly. A derrame suggests a more massive, uncontrolled outpouring. If your faucet is dripping, it's a vazamento. If a dam breaks and floods a valley with toxic mud, it's a derrame or desastre. Another word is efusão, which is much more formal and usually reserved for scientific or literary contexts (e.g., efusão de sentimentos or efusão pleural).

Derrame vs. Vazamento
'Derrame' = Large scale, sudden, often disastrous. 'Vazamento' = Small scale, often continuous, like a pipe.

A empresa foi multada pelo derrame de óleo, não por um simples vazamento.

In terms of 'outpouring' of money or resources, you might use fluxo (flow) or profusão (profusion). Fluxo is more neutral and describes the movement of something, while profusão describes an abundance. Derrame in economics specifically carries the connotation of an excessive or uncontrolled supply that might disrupt the market equilibrium. If you want to talk about bloodshed, matança (slaughter) or carnificina (carnage) are much stronger and more graphic alternatives to derrame de sangue.

Houve uma profusão de cores na festa, quase um derrame de alegria.

Derrame vs. Derramamento
'Derramamento' is often preferred for the physical act of spilling (e.g., derramamento de sangue). 'Derrame' is almost always used for the medical condition.

O derrame de bílis pode causar complicações abdominais graves.

Precisamos evitar o derrame de capital para o exterior.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

Although 'derrame' sounds like 'drama', they are unrelated. 'Derrame' is purely about the physical act of spilling, which gained a medical meaning over time.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /dɛˈʁɐ.mi/
US /deˈʁa.mi/
The stress is on the second syllable: de-RRA-me.
Rima com
exame enxame vexame reclame proclame infame vame andame
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the double 'rr' like an English 'r' instead of a guttural 'h'.
  • Making the final 'e' too strong (like 'eh' instead of 'ee').
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Treating it as a two-syllable word.
  • Confusing it with 'drama'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Escrita 3/5

Need to remember the masculine gender.

Expressão oral 4/5

The guttural 'rr' can be hard for English speakers.

Audição 3/5

Clear pronunciation but often spoken fast in news.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Sangue Cérebro Óleo Água Hospital

Aprenda a seguir

Hemorragia Isquemia Vazamento Sequela Recuperação

Avançado

Aneurisma Trombose Efusão Contenção Poluição

Gramática essencial

Nouns ending in -e derived from verbs are usually masculine.

O derrame (from derramar), o toque (from tocar).

Adjectives follow the noun in Portuguese.

Derrame cerebral (Stroke brain).

Preposition 'de' to indicate substance.

Derrame de óleo.

Use of 'haver' (houve) for past events.

Houve um derrame.

Contractions with 'por'.

Pelo derrame (por + o).

Exemplos por nível

1

O meu avô teve um derrame.

My grandfather had a stroke.

Uses the verb 'ter' (to have) in the past tense.

2

O derrame é um problema grave.

A stroke is a serious problem.

Uses the definite article 'O' showing it is masculine.

3

Ele está no hospital por causa de um derrame.

He is in the hospital because of a stroke.

'Por causa de' is a common phrase for 'because of'.

4

O médico fala sobre o derrame.

The doctor talks about the stroke.

Simple present tense.

5

Não quero ter um derrame.

I don't want to have a stroke.

Negative construction with 'querer'.

6

Um derrame cerebral é perigoso.

A brain stroke is dangerous.

Adjective 'cerebral' follows the noun.

7

O derrame aconteceu ontem.

The stroke happened yesterday.

Verb 'acontecer' in the preterite.

8

A família está triste pelo derrame.

The family is sad because of the stroke.

'Pelo' is a contraction of 'por' + 'o'.

1

O derrame de óleo poluiu o mar.

The oil spill polluted the sea.

Introduction of environmental context.

2

Precisamos evitar o derrame de produtos químicos.

We need to avoid the spilling of chemical products.

Use of 'evitar' with a noun phrase.

3

O paciente sofreu um derrame súbito.

The patient suffered a sudden stroke.

Adjective 'súbito' adds detail.

4

Houve um derrame de petróleo na costa.

There was an oil spill on the coast.

Use of 'Houve' (there was).

5

O derrame afetou a fala dele.

The stroke affected his speech.

Verb 'afetar' in the past.

6

Eles estão limpando o derrame de esgoto.

They are cleaning the sewage spill.

Present continuous tense.

7

Muitos peixes morreram após o derrame.

Many fish died after the spill.

Use of 'após' (after).

8

O seguro não cobre este tipo de derrame.

The insurance does not cover this type of spill.

Financial context introduction.

1

O derrame cerebral pode ser prevenido com exercícios.

A brain stroke can be prevented with exercise.

Passive voice 'pode ser prevenido'.

2

A empresa é responsável pelo derrame tóxico.

The company is responsible for the toxic spill.

Adjective 'responsável' with 'pelo'.

3

O derrame de capitais assustou os investidores.

The outpouring of capital scared the investors.

Metaphorical financial usage.

4

Após o derrame, ele começou a fisioterapia.

After the stroke, he started physical therapy.

Temporal sequence.

5

O governo anunciou medidas contra o derrame de óleo.

The government announced measures against the oil spill.

Complex noun phrase.

6

Senti um derrame de alegria ao vê-la.

I felt an outpouring of joy upon seeing her.

Figurative emotional usage.

7

O derrame pleural requer drenagem imediata.

The pleural effusion requires immediate drainage.

Specific medical terminology.

8

Não houve derrame de sangue durante o protesto.

There was no bloodshed during the protest.

Idiomatic 'derrame de sangue'.

1

A rápida intervenção médica minimizou as sequelas do derrame.

Rapid medical intervention minimized the stroke's after-effects.

Advanced vocabulary 'intervenção', 'minimizou'.

2

O derrame de informações sigilosas comprometeu a operação.

The leak of classified information compromised the operation.

Abstract usage of 'derrame'.

3

Cientistas estudam o impacto do derrame de lava no ecossistema.

Scientists study the impact of the lava flow on the ecosystem.

Geological context.

4

A multa pelo derrame de resíduos foi de milhões de reais.

The fine for the spill of waste was millions of reais.

Legal/Financial context.

5

Ele sofreu um derrame isquêmico, segundo o neurologista.

He suffered an ischemic stroke, according to the neurologist.

Technical medical classification.

6

O derrame de dólares no mercado desvalorizou a moeda local.

The influx of dollars into the market devalued the local currency.

Economic terminology.

7

A crônica descreve um derrame de nostalgia pela infância.

The chronicle describes an outpouring of nostalgia for childhood.

Literary analysis usage.

8

Houve um derrame de bile que causou a inflamação.

There was a leakage of bile that caused the inflammation.

Internal medical spill.

1

A negligência da refinaria resultou num derrame de proporções catastróficas.

The refinery's negligence resulted in a spill of catastrophic proportions.

Complex causal structure.

2

O diagnóstico diferencial entre derrame e tumor foi complexo.

The differential diagnosis between stroke and tumor was complex.

Technical medical logic.

3

A obra do poeta é marcada por um derrame sentimental sem precedentes.

The poet's work is marked by an unprecedented sentimental outpouring.

High-level literary criticism.

4

O derrame de ativos tóxicos levou à quebra do banco.

The dumping of toxic assets led to the bank's failure.

Specific economic metaphor.

5

A legislação ambiental tornou-se mais rígida após o derrame de 2010.

Environmental legislation became stricter after the 2010 spill.

Historical/Legal reference.

6

O paciente apresenta sinais clínicos de derrame pericárdico.

The patient shows clinical signs of pericardial effusion.

Highly specific medical term.

7

Evitar o derrame de sangue inocente deve ser a prioridade diplomática.

Avoiding the shedding of innocent blood must be the diplomatic priority.

Formal political rhetoric.

8

A contenção do derrame químico exigiu tecnologia de ponta.

The containment of the chemical spill required cutting-edge technology.

Focus on 'contenção' (containment).

1

A fenomenologia do derrame cerebral transcende a mera descrição biológica.

The phenomenology of the stroke transcends mere biological description.

Philosophical/Scientific register.

2

O derrame basáltico da era mesozoica moldou a topografia da região.

The Mesozoic basaltic outpouring shaped the region's topography.

Geological/Scientific precision.

3

O derrame descontrolado de subsídios gerou uma inflação galopante.

The uncontrolled outpouring of subsidies generated rampant inflation.

Macroeconomic analysis.

4

Sua oratória é caracterizada por um derrame verbal que beira o prolixo.

His oratory is characterized by a verbal outpouring that borders on the prolix.

Critique of speech style.

5

A mitigação dos danos oriundos do derrame petrolífero é um desafio transgeracional.

Mitigating the damage arising from the oil spill is a transgenerational challenge.

High-level environmental ethics.

6

O derrame de bile na cavidade peritoneal é uma emergência cirúrgica absoluta.

The leakage of bile into the peritoneal cavity is an absolute surgical emergency.

Precise anatomical/surgical language.

7

A narrativa sofre de um derrame de clichês que compromete a originalidade.

The narrative suffers from an outpouring of clichés that compromises originality.

Advanced stylistic critique.

8

Não se pode ignorar o derrame de recursos públicos em obras inacabadas.

One cannot ignore the pouring of public resources into unfinished works.

Political/Economic commentary.

Colocações comuns

Derrame cerebral
Derrame de óleo
Derrame pleural
Derrame de sangue
Derrame de petróleo
Sofrer um derrame
Ter um derrame
Derrame de capital
Derrame biliar
Limpar o derrame

Frases Comuns

Risco de derrame

— The risk of having a stroke.

Fumar aumenta o risco de derrame.

Sinais de derrame

— Symptoms indicating a stroke is happening.

Conheça os sinais de derrame.

Vítima de derrame

— A person who has suffered a stroke.

Ele é uma vítima de derrame.

Derrame de lágrimas

— A heavy outpouring of tears.

Houve um derrame de lágrimas no funeral.

Derrame de informações

— A leak of sensitive data.

O derrame de informações foi ilegal.

Derrame de ativos

— The selling off of assets quickly.

O derrame de ativos causou pânico.

Pós-derrame

— The period or condition after a stroke.

A vida pós-derrame é difícil.

Derrame de esgoto

— An overflow of sewage.

O derrame de esgoto poluiu o rio.

Derrame de bile

— A medical condition involving bile leakage.

Ele foi operado por um derrame de bile.

Conter o derrame

— To stop or control a spill.

Eles tentaram conter o derrame de óleo.

Frequentemente confundido com

derrame vs Drama

Sounds slightly similar but means a dramatic situation or theatrical play.

derrame vs Derramar

The verb form; 'derrame' is the noun result.

derrame vs Vazamento

Often used interchangeably but 'vazamento' is usually smaller.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Derrame de sangue"

— Bloodshed, usually in the context of war or violence.

A paz foi selada sem derrame de sangue.

Formal/Literary
"Derrame de bílis"

— To vent anger or bitterness (figurative).

Ele fez um derrame de bílis contra o governo.

Informal/Expressive
"Derrame de sentimentos"

— An overwhelming display of emotion.

A carta era um derrame de sentimentos.

Literary
"Derrame de dinheiro"

— Spending money excessively or wastefully.

Houve um derrame de dinheiro público na obra.

Political
"Derrame de elogios"

— Giving too many compliments.

Ela recebeu um derrame de elogios pelo trabalho.

Neutral
"Derrame de luz"

— A sudden or intense flooding of light.

Houve um derrame de luz pela janela.

Poetic
"Derrame de palavras"

— Talking too much or writing excessively.

O discurso foi um derrame de palavras inúteis.

Critical
"Derrame de talento"

— A great display of skill or ability.

O show foi um derrame de talento.

Enthusiastic
"Derrame de óleo (metaphor)"

— Something bad that spreads quickly and is hard to clean up.

A fofoca espalhou-se como um derrame de óleo.

Informal
"Sem derrame"

— Without any leaks or losses (literal or figurative).

A operação foi feita sem derrame de recursos.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

derrame vs AVC

Both refer to a stroke.

AVC is the medical acronym; derrame is the common noun. AVC is more precise.

O médico diagnosticou um AVC hemorrágico.

derrame vs Vazamento

Both involve liquid escaping.

Vazamento is a leak (often slow); derrame is a spill (often large/sudden).

A torneira tem um vazamento; o navio teve um derrame.

derrame vs Hemorragia

Both involve blood.

Hemorragia is any bleeding; derrame is specifically bleeding/blockage in the brain or a cavity.

Ele teve uma hemorragia no braço.

derrame vs Efusão

Technical synonyms.

Efusão is strictly medical/scientific and very formal.

Efusão pleural é o termo técnico.

derrame vs Inundação

Both involve lots of liquid.

Inundação is a flood (usually natural water); derrame is a spill (often accidental/toxic).

A chuva causou a inundação.

Padrões de frases

A1

O [person] teve um derrame.

O meu tio teve um derrame.

A2

Houve um derrame de [liquid].

Houve um derrame de óleo.

B1

O derrame causou [consequence].

O derrame causou paralisia.

B2

Para evitar o derrame, é preciso [action].

Para evitar o derrame, é preciso controlar a pressão.

C1

A negligência levou ao derrame de [substance].

A negligência levou ao derrame de resíduos.

C1

O derrame de [abstract noun] foi evidente.

O derrame de informações foi evidente.

C2

O impacto do derrame é [adjective].

O impacto do derrame é incomensurável.

C2

Trata-se de um derrame [specific medical type].

Trata-se de um derrame pericárdico.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

derramamento
derramador

Verbos

derramar
derramar-se

Adjetivos

derramado

Relacionado

vazamento
efusão
hemorragia
isquemia
fluxo

Como usar

frequency

Common in medical and news contexts.

Erros comuns
  • A derrame O derrame

    The word is masculine, despite ending in 'e'.

  • Derrame de coração Infarto

    Derrame is for the brain/fluids; infarto is for the heart.

  • Derrame de água na mesa Água derramada

    'Derrame' is too formal/heavy for a simple kitchen spill.

  • Vazamento cerebral Derrame cerebral

    'Vazamento' is for plumbing/pipes, not the human body.

  • Derrame de óleo pequeno Vazamento de óleo

    If it's small, 'vazamento' is more appropriate than 'derrame'.

Dicas

Watch the Gender

Always pair 'derrame' with 'o' or 'um'. Never say 'a derrame'.

AVC vs Derrame

Use 'AVC' in professional or medical writing to sound more accurate.

Environmental Use

When you see 'derrame' in a news headline, look for the word 'óleo' or 'petróleo' nearby.

The Double R

The 'rr' in 'derrame' is strong and comes from the throat. Practice it like a strong 'H'.

Bloodshed

Remember 'derrame de sangue' for talking about history or news without using 'matança'.

Brain Focus

If someone says 'ele teve um derrame' without specifying, they almost always mean a stroke.

Scale Matters

Use 'vazamento' for small things and 'derrame' for big, disastrous things.

Root Word

Connect it to the verb 'derramar' (to spill) to remember its meaning.

Empathy

Use this word with a serious tone, as it usually refers to something negative.

Look for 'de'

The preposition 'de' after 'derrame' will tell you exactly what is being spilled.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Derrame' as 'De-Rain'—an uncontrolled downpour of blood or oil.

Associação visual

Imagine a brain with a small red spill on it, or a dark oil slick on blue water.

Word Web

Cérebro Óleo Sangue Hospital AVC Vazamento Emergência Saúde

Desafio

Try to explain to a friend (in Portuguese) what a 'derrame de óleo' does to a beach.

Origem da palavra

From the Latin 'dis-' (apart) + 'ramare' (to branch out), via the Portuguese verb 'derramar'.

Significado original: To spread out branches or to pour out liquid from a container.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Contexto cultural

Be very sensitive when using this word around families; it implies a life-altering medical event.

English speakers often use 'stroke' for the medical condition and 'spill' for the environment. Portuguese uses one word for both concepts of 'outpouring'.

The 2019 oil spill in Northeast Brazil (Grande derrame de óleo). Public health campaigns by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Literary descriptions of 'derrame' in the works of Machado de Assis.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Hospitals

  • Qual é o estado dele?
  • Foi um derrame grave?
  • Ele tem sequelas?
  • O médico já chegou?

Environmental News

  • O óleo chegou à praia?
  • Quem é o responsável?
  • O derrame foi contido?
  • Qual o tamanho do desastre?

Family Health History

  • Alguém na família teve derrame?
  • Ele tem pressão alta.
  • Precisamos cuidar da dieta.
  • Ele faz caminhadas.

Financial Reports

  • Houve um derrame de moedas.
  • O mercado está instável.
  • Os preços caíram.
  • A oferta é excessiva.

History Class

  • Houve derrame de sangue?
  • Foi uma guerra violenta.
  • O conflito foi evitado.
  • A paz foi assinada.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Você sabia que o estresse aumenta o risco de derrame?"

"O que as empresas devem fazer para evitar um derrame de óleo?"

"Você conhece alguém que se recuperou de um derrame cerebral?"

"Como podemos identificar os primeiros sinais de um derrame?"

"Você acha que o governo agiu rápido no último derrame de petróleo?"

Temas para diário

Escreva sobre a importância de manter uma vida saudável para evitar doenças como o derrame.

Descreva as consequências de um derrame de óleo para a vida marinha.

Como você reagiria se visse alguém apresentando sintomas de um derrame?

Reflita sobre a expressão 'derrame de sentimentos' em uma situação da sua vida.

Imagine que você é um jornalista cobrindo um derrame químico. O que você escreveria?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is always masculine: 'o derrame'. This is a common point of confusion for learners.

Technically yes, but it sounds very dramatic. It's better to use the verb 'derramar' or say 'sujeira' for small accidents.

'AVC' is the technical medical term (Acidente Vascular Cerebral), while 'derrame' is the everyday word for a stroke.

You say 'derrame de óleo' or 'derrame de petróleo'.

No, a heart attack is 'infarto' or 'ataque cardíaco'. 'Derrame' is specifically for the brain or internal fluid leaks.

It means 'bloodshed', usually referring to violence or war.

Usually, 'vazamento' is used for pipes. 'Derrame' implies something more catastrophic.

Yes, 'derrames'. For example: 'Ele sofreu vários derrames pequenos'.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meanings.

It is a medical condition where fluid builds up in the layers of tissue outside the lungs.

Teste-se 190 perguntas

writing

Escreva uma frase usando 'derrame' no sentido médico.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escreva uma frase usando 'derrame' no sentido ambiental.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Explique a diferença entre 'derrame' e 'vazamento' em português.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Crie uma frase com a expressão 'derrame de sangue'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Como você diria que um derrame pode ser evitado?

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'derrame' em uma frase sobre economia.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Descreva os sintomas de um derrame em português.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escreva um pequeno parágrafo sobre um desastre ambiental usando 'derrame'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use a palavra 'derrames' no plural em uma frase.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Crie uma frase poética com 'derrame de sentimentos'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Traduza: 'The doctor confirmed it was a stroke.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Traduza: 'There was a massive oil spill.'

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Escreva uma frase com 'derrame pleural'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Como se diz 'risk of stroke'?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Crie uma frase sobre a limpeza de um derrame.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'derrame' para falar sobre uma notícia.

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writing

Escreva sobre a recuperação de um derrame.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'derrame' em uma frase formal.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Crie uma frase com 'derrame de lágrimas'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Explique o que é um 'derrame biliar'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronuncie a palavra 'derrame' focando no 'rr'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'My grandfather had a stroke' em português.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Explique o que é um 'derrame de óleo' em voz alta.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'There was an oil spill on the coast' em português.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique a frase: 'O derrame cerebral é perigoso.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'Stroke prevention' em português.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Fale sobre os riscos do derrame para a saúde.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'The company is responsible for the spill.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique a expressão 'Sem derrame de sangue'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Explique a diferença entre 'derrame' e 'vazamento'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'The patient is recovering from a stroke.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique: 'O derrame pleural afeta os pulmões.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'Information leak' usando a palavra derrame.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Fale sobre um derrame de petróleo famoso que você conhece.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'Bloodshed' em uma frase formal.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique: 'O derrame de capitais assustou o mercado.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'Lava flow' em português.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique a frase: 'A limpeza do derrame começou cedo.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Diga 'He had a sudden stroke.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pratique: 'O derrame de bile é uma emergência.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame foi causado por pressão alta.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'Houve um derrame de óleo na praia.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O médico falou sobre o risco de derrame.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame deixou sequelas graves.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'A empresa limpou o derrame químico.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'Não houve derrame de sangue na guerra.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame pleural requer atenção.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame de lava atingiu a vila.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'Houve um derrame de informações sigilosas.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame de capitais afetou o dólar.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'A contenção do derrame foi um sucesso.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O paciente sofreu um derrame isquêmico.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame de bile é perigoso.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'O derrame de elogios foi exagerado.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Transcreva: 'Eles estão prevenindo novos derrames.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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