importar

The Portuguese verb importar is a fascinating linguistic tool that operates across several semantic domains, ranging from personal emotions to international commerce. At its core, especially for an A2 learner, it translates most frequently as 'to matter' or 'to be important'. However, its usage is nuanced by its grammatical structure. When used intransitively or with an indirect object, it conveys the idea of significance. For example, when a Portuguese speaker says 'Isso não importa', they are literally saying 'That does not matter'. This usage is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in everything from casual dismissals of minor errors to profound statements about values and ethics. The verb acts as a bridge between the speaker's internal priorities and the external world.

Personal Significance

In this context, 'importar' describes the weight or value someone assigns to a situation, person, or object. It is often paired with indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, lhes) to indicate to whom something matters.

Beyond the concept of importance, 'importar' has a secondary, highly common meaning: 'to import' goods or services from abroad. This is its primary meaning in business and economic contexts. While the spelling is identical, the context usually makes the distinction clear. If you are talking about coffee, cars, or technology in a trade context, you are likely using the 'to import' sense. Furthermore, when used reflexively as importar-se, it shifts slightly to mean 'to care' or 'to mind'. This is frequently used in polite requests or to express concern for someone's well-being. Understanding these three pillars—mattering, importing, and caring—is essential for any student of the Lusophone world.

Commercial Context

Used to describe the action of bringing products into a country. This follows a standard transitive structure: Subject + Verb + Object.

In social interactions, the reflexive form 'importar-se' is a staple of politeness. You will often hear 'Você se importa se eu abrir a janela?' (Do you mind if I open the window?). This is the standard way to seek permission or check someone's comfort level. It is softer and more indirect than asking 'Posso abrir a janela?'. In Brazil, the pronoun 'se' often moves before the verb ('se importa'), while in Portugal, it often follows it ('importa-se'). Regardless of the placement, the underlying meaning remains a gesture of consideration for the other person's feelings or space.

Politeness and Etiquette

Used to ask for permission or to express that one is not bothered by something. It is the equivalent of the English 'to mind'.

Finally, 'importar' is used in abstract philosophical discussions. Phrases like 'O que realmente importa na vida?' (What really matters in life?) invite reflection and are common in literature, music, and deep conversations. In this sense, the verb transcends its grammatical functions to touch upon the human condition, values, and the hierarchy of needs. Whether you are navigating a business meeting, asking a favor from a friend, or debating the meaning of existence, 'importar' is an indispensable verb in your Portuguese toolkit.

Mastering the usage of importar requires understanding three distinct syntactic patterns. Each pattern corresponds to a different shade of meaning, and confusing them can lead to significant misunderstandings. Let's break down these patterns so you can use them with confidence in any situation, from a casual chat to a formal presentation.

Pattern 1: The Impersonal 'It Matters'

Here, the subject is usually 'isso' (that), 'o que' (what), or a specific situation. It often uses an indirect object pronoun to show who is affected.

In this first pattern, notice that the verb is conjugated in the third person singular because the subject is 'o que ele faz' (what he does). The 'me' is the indirect object pronoun. If you want to say 'It matters to us', you would say 'Isso nos importa'. This structure is very similar to the verb 'gustar' in Spanish or 'piacere' in Italian, where the thing causing the feeling is the subject. It is the most common way to express the objective importance of something.

Pattern 2: The Reflexive 'To Care/Mind'

This uses reflexive pronouns (me, se, nos). It focuses on the person's internal state or their willingness to do something.

The reflexive pattern is essential for expressing empathy or politeness. When you say 'Eu me importo com você', you are expressing deep care. However, in a question like 'Você se importa de esperar?', you are asking if the person minds waiting. Note the preposition 'com' for caring about someone/something, and 'de' for minding an action. This distinction is a common stumbling block for English speakers, who use 'care' or 'mind' differently. In Brazil, you will often hear 'Não se importe' as a way to say 'Don't worry about it'.

Pattern 3: The Transitive 'To Import'

This is a standard direct transitive verb. Subject + importar + Object. No reflexive pronouns or indirect pronouns are needed here.

The 'to import' usage is the most straightforward for English speakers because it mirrors the English structure perfectly. You can import goods (produtos), ideas (ideias), or even technology (tecnologia). In the modern globalized world, this version of the verb is frequently seen in news headlines regarding trade balances and international relations. It is important to note that the stress falls on the 'ta' in the infinitive (im-por-TAR), but when conjugated in the present tense (eu importo, ele importa), the stress shifts to the second syllable (im-POR-to). This subtle change in rhythm is key to sounding natural.

By distinguishing these three patterns, you avoid the 'translation trap'. Don't just translate 'care' or 'matter' in your head; instead, choose the pattern that fits your intent. Are you talking about trade? Use Pattern 3. Are you talking about what's important? Use Pattern 1. Are you asking someone if they mind? Use Pattern 2. With practice, these structures will become second nature, allowing you to navigate complex social and professional landscapes in Portuguese with ease.

In the vibrant streets of Lisbon or the bustling avenues of São Paulo, importar is a word you will encounter dozens of times a day. It is not just a word for textbooks; it is a word of the people. From the moment you step into a café and hear someone apologizing for a small bump, to the evening news discussing the national economy, 'importar' is there. It serves as a social lubricant, a business term, and a philosophical anchor.

In the Service Industry

Waiters, hotel clerks, and shop assistants use the reflexive form to ensure your comfort. It is the gold standard for polite inquiry.

If you are traveling, you will hear this verb in the conditional tense ('importaria') or the present tense ('importa-se'). It is the polite way to ask someone to sign a document, move a bag, or wait a moment. In a restaurant, a waiter might ask 'Você se importa se eu levar o prato?' (Do you mind if I take the plate?). Learning to recognize this 'mind' usage will help you navigate social interactions without feeling like you are being too direct or rude. It shows a level of cultural fluency that goes beyond basic vocabulary.

In News and Media

Journalists use 'importar' to discuss trade deficits, international relations, and the things that 'matter' to the electorate.

Turn on a news channel like Globo (Brazil) or RTP (Portugal), and you will hear 'importar' in the context of the economy. 'O Brasil importa trigo da Argentina' is a standard headline. But you will also hear it in political commentary: 'O que importa para o eleitor agora é a economia' (What matters to the voter now is the economy). This dual use makes the verb a high-frequency item in any media consumption. It allows you to follow both the hard data of trade and the soft sentiment of public opinion.

In Pop Culture and Music

Lyrics in Bossa Nova, MPB, and Fado often use 'importar' to express indifference to the world or deep care for a loved one.

Music is perhaps where the emotional weight of 'importar' is most felt. In many romantic songs, you will hear 'Nada mais importa' (Nothing else matters) or 'Eu só me importo com você' (I only care about you). These phrases are easy to memorize and provide a great way to practice the different grammatical structures in a melodic context. Whether it's the defiant indifference of a rock song or the tender concern of a ballad, 'importar' is the go-to verb for expressing what holds weight in the singer's heart. By listening for it in songs, you'll start to feel the rhythm and emotion behind the word, making it much easier to use correctly in your own conversations.

Learning importar is generally straightforward, but there are several pitfalls that even intermediate students often fall into. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation from English or from confusing the different syntactic patterns of the verb. Let's look at the most common errors so you can avoid them from the start.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Students often say 'Eu importo com você' instead of 'Eu me importo com você'.

When you mean 'to care about', the verb MUST be reflexive. If you leave out the 'me', 'se', or 'nos', you are essentially saying 'I import with my work', which makes no sense in Portuguese. This is the single most common mistake for English speakers because the English verb 'to care' is not reflexive. Always remember: if you are the one doing the caring, the pronoun must be there to reflect the action back to you.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Com' and 'De'

Using the wrong preposition after the reflexive form changes the meaning or makes the sentence ungrammatical.

This is a subtle but important distinction. Use 'com' (with) when you care about a person, a cause, or a thing. Use 'de' (of/from) when you are talking about minding an action (usually followed by an infinitive). For example: 'Você se importa de abrir a porta?' (Do you mind opening the door?). If you say 'Você se importa com abrir a porta', it sounds like you are asking if they care about the concept of opening doors, which is likely not what you mean!

Mistake 3: Misusing 'Importante' vs 'Importar'

Using the adjective when you need the verb, or vice-versa, especially in phrases like 'It is important'.

In English, we often say 'It is important'. Beginners often translate this literally as 'É importar'. However, in Portuguese, you should either use the verb alone ('Isso importa') or the adjective with the verb to be ('Isso é importante'). 'É importar' sounds like you are defining the act of importing. Similarly, don't say 'Eu sou importante com você' if you mean 'I care about you'. That would mean 'I am important with you', which is quite arrogant! Stick to 'Eu me importo com você'.

Finally, watch out for the stress! As mentioned before, 'importar' (the infinitive) has the stress on the last syllable. But 'importa' (he/she/it matters) has the stress on the second-to-last syllable. If you misplace the stress, people might still understand you, but you'll lose that natural melodic flow that is so characteristic of Portuguese. Practice saying 'Isso im-POR-ta' vs 'Eu vou im-por-TAR' to get the hang of it. Avoiding these common mistakes will instantly make your Portuguese sound more professional and authentic.

While importar is a very versatile verb, using the same word over and over can make your Portuguese sound repetitive. Depending on the context—whether you are talking about importance, caring, or commerce—there are several excellent alternatives that can add precision and flavor to your speech. Let's explore these synonyms and see how they differ from 'importar'.

Alternatives for 'To Matter'

When you want to emphasize different aspects of importance, verbs like 'interessar', 'valer', and 'significar' are your best friends.

'Interessar' is great when the 'matter' is about interest or personal gain. 'Valer' is perfect for discussing value or worth; a common phrase is 'O que vale é a intenção' (What matters is the intention). 'Significar' is used when something 'matters' because of its meaning or symbolism: 'Você significa muito para mim' (You matter/mean a lot to me). Using these instead of 'importar' can make your sentiment much clearer.

Alternatives for 'To Care'

If you want to express concern or attention, 'preocupar-se', 'ligar', or 'dar importância' are excellent choices.

'Preocupar-se' implies a deeper level of worry or anxiety than 'importar-se'. 'Ligar' is very common in informal Brazilian Portuguese; 'Não ligue para isso' means 'Don't pay attention to that' or 'Don't care about that'. 'Dar importância' is a more literal way to say 'to give importance' and is often used in the negative: 'Não dê importância a ele' (Don't mind him/don't give him any importance). These alternatives help you navigate the social spectrum from formal concern to casual indifference.

Alternatives for 'To Import' (Goods)

In technical or business contexts, you might use 'trazer' or 'introduzir'.

While 'importar' is the standard term for international trade, 'trazer' (to bring) is often used in less formal business talk: 'Vamos trazer esses produtos da China' (Let's bring these products from China). 'Introduzir' is used when the 'import' is more about ideas, styles, or concepts rather than physical goods. For example, 'Ele introduziu um novo estilo de gestão' (He imported/introduced a new management style). Choosing the right word shows that you understand the specific nuances of the situation you are describing.

By diversifying your vocabulary with these alternatives, you not only avoid repetition but also gain the ability to express subtle differences in meaning. Whether you are showing deep worry with 'preocupar-se', casual indifference with 'não ligar', or economic activity with 'trazer', you are communicating with greater precision. This is a key step in moving from a basic A2 level to a more nuanced B1 or B2 level of Portuguese proficiency. Keep practicing these variations, and you will find your speech becoming much more expressive and natural.