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A1 verb #1,500 mais comum 8 min de leitura

pagar

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas pagar em 30 segundos

Explicação pagar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'pagar' is used in its most literal and essential sense: the exchange of money for goods and services in everyday situations. Learners focus on basic shopping, dining out, and simple transactions. You will learn to say 'Eu quero pagar' (I want to pay) and 'Quanto tenho que pagar?' (How much do I have to pay?). The grammar is kept simple, usually in the present tense or immediate future. The focus is on survival skills—being able to complete a purchase at a supermarket, a cafe, or a clothing store. Vocabulary associated with this level includes 'dinheiro' (money), 'conta' (bill), and 'cartão' (card). Understanding the first-person singular 'eu pago' and the question form 'você paga?' is the priority here. It's about the immediate 'here and now' of financial interaction.

At the A2 level, the use of 'pagar' expands to include routine bills and more varied payment methods. You start to use the past tense ('Eu paguei a conta ontem') and understand the spelling change from 'g' to 'gu'. Learners begin to handle more complex social situations, such as offering to pay for a friend or discussing monthly expenses like 'aluguel' (rent) or 'luz' (electricity). You will also encounter the verb in the context of simple services, like paying a hairdresser or a taxi driver. The distinction between paying for a thing (direct object) and paying a person (indirect object with 'a') begins to be introduced, though mastery isn't expected. You might also learn the reflexive 'pagar-se', though it's rare, or the passive 'foi pago'.

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By B1, 'pagar' moves into more abstract and idiomatic territory. You will learn common expressions like 'pagar o pato' (to take the blame) or 'pagar caro' (to pay dearly, often metaphorically). Learners can discuss financial planning, debts ('dívidas'), and installments ('parcelas'). You are expected to use various tenses, including the imperfect ('eu pagava') and the conditional ('eu pagaria'). The focus shifts toward more nuanced communication, such as negotiating a price or explaining why a payment is late. You'll also encounter 'pagar' in professional contexts, like 'pagar o salário' or 'pagar impostos'. The social etiquette of paying in different Lusophone cultures becomes more relevant at this stage.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the verb's transitivity and the use of object pronouns ('Eu lhe paguei', 'Eu a paguei'). You can use 'pagar' in complex sentences and formal contexts. This includes understanding legal or contractual obligations, such as 'pagar uma indenização' (to pay an indemnity) or 'pagar fiança' (to pay bail). You will also explore more sophisticated idiomatic uses and the nuances of register—knowing when to use 'pagar' versus more formal terms like 'liquidar' or 'remunerar'. Discussion of economic trends, inflation, and their impact on what people 'pagam' for goods becomes possible. Your ability to use the subjunctive mood with 'pagar' (e.g., 'Espero que ele pague') should be developing well.

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At the C1 level, 'pagar' is used with full native-like precision, including its most subtle metaphorical and stylistic applications. You can understand and use the verb in literary contexts or high-level academic and business discussions. This includes nuances like 'pagar tributo a' (to pay tribute to) or 'pagar as favas' (to suffer the consequences). You are comfortable with all grammatical complexities, including the placement of clitic pronouns in European vs. Brazilian Portuguese ('pagar-lhe-ei' vs. 'vou pagar pra ele'). You can analyze the cultural implications of payment practices and use the verb to express irony, sarcasm, or deep philosophical points about the 'cost' of life and choices. Your vocabulary around 'pagar' is extensive, including rare synonyms and technical financial terms.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'pagar' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can play with the word's meanings, use it in wordplay, and understand its use in archaic or highly specialized texts. You are aware of the etymological roots and how they influence the word's modern connotations. You can use 'pagar' to navigate the most sensitive social or professional situations with perfect tact. Whether it's discussing the 'preço pago' by a nation for its history or the intricate details of a multi-billion dollar 'pagamento' in a corporate merger, you use the verb and its derivatives with absolute confidence and stylistic flair. You can also identify regional variations in usage across the entire Lusophone world (Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, Brazil, etc.) without hesitation.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

pagar em 30 segundos

Pagar is the essential Portuguese verb for 'to pay', used in all financial and metaphorical contexts of exchange.
It is a regular -ar verb, but note the 'paguei' spelling in the preterite to keep the hard 'g' sound.
You pay things directly (pagar a conta) and people indirectly (pagar ao médico), though colloquial use varies.
Beyond money, it's used in idioms like 'pagar o pato' (take the blame) and 'pagar mico' (be embarrassed).

The Portuguese verb pagar is a cornerstone of daily interaction, primarily functioning as the linguistic bridge for financial transactions. At its core, it signifies the act of giving money to someone in exchange for goods, services, or to settle a debt. However, its semantic range extends far beyond the simple swipe of a credit card. In a broader sense, pagar encompasses the fulfillment of obligations, whether they are monetary, moral, or metaphorical. When you 'pagar' a bill, you are clearing a liability. When you 'pagar' a compliment (though in Portuguese we use 'fazer um elogio'), or more accurately, when you 'pagar o preço' (pay the price), you are dealing with the consequences of an action. Understanding pagar is essential for navigating everything from a local 'padaria' (bakery) to complex business negotiations in Lisbon or São Paulo.

Literal Exchange: The most common use involves the transfer of currency. For example, 'Vou pagar o café' (I will pay for the coffee). It establishes a direct relationship between the payer and the recipient.

Preciso pagar o aluguel até o quinto dia útil do mês.

Settling Debts: It refers to the liquidation of a 'dívida' (debt). This can be a bank loan or a favor owed to a friend. 'Pagar uma dívida de gratidão' means to repay a debt of gratitude.

Ele prometeu pagar o que deve na próxima semana.

Metaphorical Costs: In idiomatic expressions, pagar relates to suffering consequences. 'Pagar o pato' (to pay the duck) means to take the blame for something you didn't do.

Não quero pagar o pato pelos erros dos outros.

Quem quebra, paga.

Eu já paguei a conta do restaurante.

In summary, pagar is more than just spending; it is about the resolution of a commitment. Whether you are paying in 'dinheiro' (cash), 'cartão' (card), or 'pix' (the popular Brazilian instant payment), you are engaging in a fundamental social contract. The word's Latin root, pacare (to pacify or make peace), beautifully illustrates the concept: by paying, you satisfy the other party and restore equilibrium.

Using pagar correctly requires understanding its transitivity, which can be tricky for English speakers. In Portuguese, the verb can take a direct object (what you pay) and an indirect object (who you pay). This distinction is vital for sounding natural. When you pay a thing (the bill, the price), you use no preposition. When you pay a person, you traditionally use the preposition 'a'. However, in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, this distinction is often blurred, but for formal writing and European Portuguese, it remains strict.

Paying for Things: Directly follow the verb with the item. 'Pagar a conta' (Pay the bill), 'Pagar o jantar' (Pay for dinner). Note that 'for' is often built into the verb.

Você pode pagar as compras no caixa eletrônico.

Paying People: Use 'a' or 'ao'. 'Paguei ao garçom' (I paid the waiter). In Brazil, you might hear 'Paguei o garçom', but 'ao' is the grammatically standard form.

Nós vamos pagar aos funcionários amanhã.

Payment Methods: Use the preposition 'em' for cash (em dinheiro) and 'no'/'com' for cards (no cartão). 'Pagar à vista' means to pay in full/upfront.

Prefiro pagar com cartão de crédito para ganhar milhas.

Se você pagar à vista, tem desconto.

Eu paguei o maior mico quando caí na frente de todos.

Mastering the nuances of pagar involves recognizing that it is not just about the money, but about the direction of the action. Whether you are 'pagando parcelado' (paying in installments) or 'pagando o preço' for a mistake, the verb remains a vital tool for expressing obligation and exchange in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

You will encounter pagar in almost every facet of life in Portuguese-speaking countries. From the bustling 'feiras' (street markets) to the high-rise offices of Avenida Paulista or Avenida da Liberdade, the word is omnipresent. It is the language of survival, commerce, and social etiquette. Hearing 'Quem vai pagar?' (Who is going to pay?) is common at the end of a group dinner, often leading to a friendly debate about splitting the bill ('dividir a conta').

In Commerce: Cashiers will ask: 'Como o senhor/a senhora deseja pagar?' (How would you like to pay?). You might see signs saying 'Pague aqui' (Pay here).

Posso pagar com Pix ou aproximação?

In the Workplace: Human resources will talk about 'pagar o salário' (paying the salary) or 'pagar horas extras' (paying overtime).

A empresa vai pagar os bônus em dezembro.

In Legal/Formal Contexts: Contracts often specify when and how to 'pagar as multas' (pay the fines) or 'pagar impostos' (pay taxes).

É obrigatório pagar o IPVA todos os anos.

Ele teve que pagar fiança para ser liberado.

Ele adora pagar de intelectual nas festas.

From the mundane act of buying a 'pão de queijo' to the metaphorical 'pagar promessa' (fulfilling a religious vow by walking long distances), pagar is a verb that resonates with the cultural values of responsibility, exchange, and social standing across the Lusophone world.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using pagar. The most frequent errors involve preposition usage, pronoun placement, and spelling changes in certain tenses. Because the English verb 'to pay' often uses 'for', learners frequently try to insert 'por' or 'para' where they don't belong in Portuguese. Understanding these pitfalls will significantly improve your fluency.

The 'For' Trap: In English, you 'pay for the book'. In Portuguese, you simply 'paga o livro'. Adding 'por' (paguei pelo livro) is grammatically possible but often redundant and less natural than the direct object.

Errado: Eu paguei ~~pelo~~ almoço. Correto: Eu paguei o almoço.

Spelling in the Past: The 'g' in 'pagar' changes to 'gu' before an 'e' to maintain the hard 'g' sound. Many learners write 'pagei', which would be pronounced like 'pa-zhei'. The correct spelling is 'paguei'.

Eu paguei a conta ontem à noite.

Confusion with 'Pagar a' vs 'Pagar': Confusing the person with the object. You pay the debt (o débito), but you pay TO the creditor (ao credor). Using 'paguei o credor' is common in Brazil but technically incorrect in formal grammar.

Não se esqueça de pagar ao médico após a consulta.

Ele pagou caro por aquele erro.

Vou pagar em euros quando chegar lá.

By paying attention to these details—especially the 'gu' in the past and the direct/indirect object distinction—you will avoid the most common 'micos' (embarrassments) that learners face when using this essential verb.

While pagar is the general term for paying, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related verbs that provide more specific nuances depending on the context of the transaction. Choosing the right word can make your speech more precise and sophisticated.

Pagar vs. Gastar: Pagar is the act of transaction; gastar is the act of spending or consuming resources. You 'paga' a bill, but you 'gasta' money or time.

Eu paguei pouco, mas gastei muita energia escolhendo.

Pagar vs. Custar: Custar refers to the price of the item itself (to cost). 'Quanto custa?' (How much does it cost?) leads to 'Vou pagar dez reais'.

Finalmente consegui quitar/liquidar minha dívida com o banco.

Pagar vs. Reembolsar: Reembolsar is specifically to pay someone back for an expense they already covered (to reimburse).

A empresa vai reembolsar os gastos com a viagem.

Você pode remunerar os estagiários adequadamente?

Ele quer desembolsar uma fortuna por esse carro.

Understanding these distinctions—between the act of transaction (pagar), the consumption of funds (gastar), the price of an object (custar), and the formal settlement of debts (quitar)—will allow you to navigate the financial landscape of the Portuguese language with much greater precision and confidence.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Orthographic changes in -ar verbs ending in -gar.

Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns.

Prepositions with verbs of transaction.

The use of 'à' in 'à vista'.

Subjunctive mood after 'esperar que'.

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Exemplos por nível

Eu quero pagar a conta.

I want to pay the bill.

Present tense, direct object 'a conta'.

Você pode pagar com cartão?

Can you pay with a card?

Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive 'pagar'.

Quanto eu tenho que pagar?

How much do I have to pay?

Interrogative 'Quanto' + obligation 'tenho que'.

Vou pagar em dinheiro.

I'm going to pay in cash.

Immediate future 'Vou' + 'pagar'.

Ele paga o café hoje.

He is paying for the coffee today.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Nós pagamos o almoço.

We pay for the lunch.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Onde eu pago?

Where do I pay?

Interrogative 'Onde'.

Ela não quer pagar agora.

She doesn't want to pay now.

Negative 'não' + 'quer' + 'pagar'.

Eu paguei o aluguel ontem.

I paid the rent yesterday.

Preterite tense, note the 'gu' spelling.

Você já pagou a conta de luz?

Have you already paid the electricity bill?

Preterite with adverb 'já'.

Eles pagaram o jantar para nós.

They paid for dinner for us.

Preterite, 3rd person plural.

Nós vamos pagar ao motorista.

We are going to pay the driver.

Indirect object 'ao motorista'.

Ela pagou dez euros pelo livro.

She paid ten euros for the book.

Preterite + price + 'pelo' (for the).

Preciso pagar o estacionamento.

I need to pay for parking.

Verb 'precisar' + infinitive.

Você pagou em parcelas?

Did you pay in installments?

Preterite + 'em parcelas'.

Eu sempre pago minhas dívidas.

I always pay my debts.

Present tense + frequency adverb 'sempre'.

Se eu tivesse dinheiro, pagaria a viagem.

If I had money, I would pay for the trip.

Conditional 'pagaria' + imperfect subjunctive.

Ele sempre acaba pagando o pato.

He always ends up taking the blame.

Idiom 'pagar o pato' in gerund form.

É importante pagar os impostos em dia.

It's important to pay taxes on time.

Impersonal expression + infinitive.

Ela pagou caro por sua arrogância.

She paid dearly for her arrogance.

Metaphorical use of 'pagar caro'.

A empresa ainda não me pagou este mês.

The company hasn't paid me yet this month.

Preterite with indirect object pronoun 'me'.

Nós pagamos a entrada do apartamento.

We paid the down payment on the apartment.

Preterite, specific financial term 'entrada'.

Você prefere pagar à vista ou parcelado?

Do you prefer to pay in full or in installments?

Comparison of payment methods.

Espero que eles paguem logo.

I hope they pay soon.

Present subjunctive 'paguem'.

O réu foi condenado a pagar uma multa pesada.

The defendant was sentenced to pay a heavy fine.

Passive construction + 'pagar'.

Eu lhe paguei o que devia, não paguei?

I paid you what I owed, didn't I?

Use of indirect object pronoun 'lhe'.

Eles estão pagando o preço pelas decisões erradas.

They are paying the price for the wrong decisions.

Metaphorical 'pagar o preço' in present continuous.

A seguradora se recusou a pagar a indenização.

The insurance company refused to pay the compensation.

Formal term 'indenização'.

Não vale a pena pagar de herói nessa situação.

It's not worth pretending to be a hero in this situation.

Slang/Idiom 'pagar de' (to pretend to be).

O governo prometeu pagar os precatórios.

The government promised to pay the court-ordered debts.

Technical term 'precatórios'.

Se você não pagar, os juros vão aumentar.

If you don't pay, the interest will increase.

Conditional sentence type 1.

Ela pagou a promessa caminhando até Fátima.

She fulfilled her vow by walking to Fatima.

Cultural term 'pagar promessa'.

A história pagará tributo aos seus grandes feitos.

History will pay tribute to your great deeds.

Future tense, formal expression 'pagar tributo'.

É imperativo que se pague o devido valor aos criadores.

It is imperative that the due value be paid to the creators.

Passive 'se' with subjunctive 'pague'.

Ele pagou com a própria vida pela liberdade do povo.

He paid with his own life for the people's freedom.

High literary style, metaphorical 'pagar'.

O investidor decidiu liquidar a dívida antes do prazo.

The investor decided to settle the debt before the deadline.

Synonym 'liquidar' used in place of 'pagar'.

A empresa busca formas de remunerar melhor seus talentos.

The company seeks ways to better compensate its talents.

Formal synonym 'remunerar'.

Quem quer que tenha errado, terá de pagar as favas.

Whoever made the mistake will have to suffer the consequences.

Idiom 'pagar as favas'.

O custo social a pagar por essa política é altíssimo.

The social cost to be paid for this policy is very high.

Abstract noun phrase 'custo social a pagar'.

Pagar-lhe-emos assim que os fundos forem liberados.

We will pay you as soon as the funds are released.

Mesoclisis (European Portuguese formal style).

A efemeridade da glória faz com que se pague um preço alto pela fama.

The fleeting nature of glory means a high price is paid for fame.

Philosophical usage, complex sentence structure.

O autor paga um preito de gratidão aos seus mentores no prefácio.

The author pays a tribute of gratitude to his mentors in the preface.

Highly formal/literary 'pagar um preito'.

Não se pode negligenciar o ônus a pagar pela inação política.

One cannot neglect the burden to be paid for political inaction.

Advanced vocabulary 'ônus' and 'inação'.

A transação foi efetuada mediante o pagamento de uma caução.

The transaction was carried out upon payment of a security deposit.

Noun form 'pagamento' in a formal prepositional phrase.

Ele pagou as dívidas com a justiça após anos de exílio.

He settled his debts with justice after years of exile.

Metaphorical 'dívidas com a justiça'.

O destino encarregou-se de lhe pagar na mesma moeda.

Fate took it upon itself to pay him back in kind.

Idiom 'pagar na mesma moeda' (eye for an eye).

Subjaz à questão o dilema de quem pagará a conta ambiental.

Underlying the issue is the dilemma of who will pay the environmental bill.

Complex verb 'subjaz' and metaphorical 'pagar a conta'.

A retribuição pecuniária deve ser proporcional ao esforço despendido.

The monetary retribution must be proportional to the effort expended.

Highly technical/academic vocabulary for 'payment'.

Colocações comuns

pagar a conta

pagar em dinheiro

pagar com cartão

pagar à vista

pagar parcelado

pagar o aluguel

pagar impostos

pagar mico

pagar o pato

pagar caro

Frases Comuns

Quanto tenho que pagar?

Eu pago!

Pagar para ver.

Pagar na mesma moeda.

Pagar os pecados.

Pagar as contas.

Pagar o preço.

Pagar fiança.

Pagar promessa.

Pagar mico.

Frequentemente confundido com

pagar vs Gastar (to spend money/time)

pagar vs Custar (to cost)

pagar vs Comprar (to buy)

Expressões idiomáticas

"Pagar o pato (to take the blame for others)"

"Pagar mico (to embarrass oneself)"

"Pagar para ver (to take a risk to see the outcome)"

"Pagar na mesma moeda (to retaliate in kind)"

"Pagar os pecados (to suffer for past mistakes)"

"Pagar de... (to pretend to be something)"

"Pagar língua (to end up doing what you criticized)"

"Pagar o preço (to face the consequences)"

"Pagar as favas (to suffer the consequences)"

"Pagar com a mesma nota (similar to 'na mesma moeda')"

Fácil de confundir

pagar vs Pago

pagar vs Pagamento

pagar vs Pagaré

Padrões de frases

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Como usar

Brazil

Commonly used with 'mico'. 'Pagar' is often used without prepositions for people in speech.

Portugal

Strict use of 'pagar a' for people. 'Bica' is the coffee you pay for.

Erros comuns

Writing 'pagei' instead of 'paguei'.
Saying 'pagar para o café' instead of 'pagar o café'.
Using 'gastar' when you mean the specific act of paying a bill.
Forgetting the 'a' when paying a person in formal contexts.
Confusing 'pago' (paid) with 'pagou' (he/she paid).

Dicas

Spelling Alert

Always remember the 'u' in 'paguei'. Without it, 'pagei' would sound like 'pa-zhei'.

Pix in Brazil

If you are in Brazil, learn to use Pix. Everyone will ask: 'Aceita Pix?'

Offering Coffee

Offering to 'pagar um café' is a great way to start a business meeting or catch up with a friend.

À Vista vs Parcelado

Knowing these two terms will save you money and help you understand sales in Brazil.

The Duck

Don't be the one 'pagando o pato'! It means you're being blamed for something you didn't do.

The Final R

In many Brazilian accents, the final 'r' in 'pagar' is soft or almost silent, sounding like 'paga-h'.

Direct Objects

In formal Portuguese, remember: pay things (direct) and people (indirect).

Splitting the Bill

Use 'dividir a conta' if you want to split. 'Eu pago' means you are treating everyone.

Passive Voice

Use 'foi pago' for 'it was paid'. Example: 'O imposto foi pago'.

Mico

If you trip in public, you just 'pagou um mico'. Laugh it off!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Paying' to 'Pacify' the person you owe money to. (Pagar comes from Pacify).

Origem da palavra

Latin

Contexto cultural

Kwanza is the currency you 'paga' with.

Pix is the king of payments. 'Pagar mico' is essential slang.

More formal use of prepositions ('pagar ao...'). 'Pagar uma bica' is common.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"Você prefere pagar com cartão ou dinheiro?"

"Quem vai pagar a conta hoje?"

"Você já pagou o aluguel este mês?"

"Qual foi o maior mico que você já pagou?"

"É melhor pagar à vista ou parcelado?"

Temas para diário

Descreva uma vez que você pagou um mico.

Como você organiza suas contas para pagar tudo em dia?

Você acha que devemos sempre pagar as dívidas de gratidão?

O que você faria se alguém se recusasse a pagar o que lhe deve?

Escreva sobre a última coisa cara que você pagou.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

You say 'Eu paguei o café'. You don't need to translate 'for'.

Yes, but it has a spelling change in the preterite 'eu paguei' to keep the hard G sound.

It's a Brazilian idiom meaning to embarrass yourself or do something ridiculous in public.

It's redundant. Just say 'pagar' or 'pagar em dinheiro' (pay in cash).

You say 'pagar parcelado' or 'pagar em prestações'.

'Pagar' is the transaction itself, while 'gastar' is the act of spending or using up money.

Use 'ao' (or 'a') when you are paying a person, like 'pagar ao médico'.

It means to take the blame or suffer the consequences for something someone else did.

You can say 'A conta, por favor' or 'Pode me trazer a conta?'.

Yes, 'pago' means 'paid'. For example, 'O boleto já está pago'.

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