evitar
/e.viˈta(ʁ)/
The English phrase 'avoid' is translated into Portuguese as evitar.
evitar means to keep away from. Like in English, you can use it both for avoiding physical objects or people and for avoiding abstract concepts like mistakes or conflicts.
Meaning: to keep away from (verb)
Which one should you use?
While evitar means to avoid a situation or an action, esquivar-se is often used when one is physically dodging or evading something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular past tense is evitou (avoided), and the first-person plural future tense is evitaremos (we will avoid).
How do you pronounce it?
evitar is pronounced /e.viˈta(ʁ)/ and has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- If you are 'avoiding' a person in a social sense, like snubbing them, Portuguese speakers might use the verb dar um gelo, which literally means 'to give an ice'.
- In certain Brazilian contexts, if you are 'avoiding' a task through procrastination, you might be 'enrolando', which is a much more colorful way to describe avoidance.
- The word evitar comes from the Latin ēvītāre, which combines the prefix ex- meaning 'out' and vītō meaning 'shun'.
Examples in context
- Tente evitar mais problemas.Try to avoid making any more trouble.This sentence is useful for using the form evitar with the verb 'try'.Tatoeba #12231789 by Advanced, translation #54876 by CK
- Eu tentei evitar um conflito.I tried to avoid conflict.Tatoeba #5121212 by ToinhoAlam, translation #259180 by CM
- Eu evitaria Tom se fosse você.I'd avoid Tom if I were you.Tatoeba #8914950 by JGEN, translation #8892958 by CK
- Evite falar sobre política em reuniões de família.Avoid talking about politics in family gatherings.
- Dê um jeito de não perder o ônibus.Find a way not to miss the bus.
- Afaste-se das áreas perigosas.Keep away from dangerous areas.
- Fique longe de pessoas doentes.Stay away from sick people.
- Previna-se contra furtos.Take precautions against theft.
- Dê um jeito de não se atrasar para a reunião.Find a way not to be late for the meeting.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are planning a trip.
- LucasQual caminho vamos usar para a praia?Which path are we going to use to the beach?
- CamilaVamos evitar o centro para não pegar trânsito.Let's avoid the center so we don't get stuck in traffic.
- LucasBoa ideia, Camila. O trânsito lá é horrível.Good idea, Camila. The traffic there is horrible.
- CamilaSim, assim chegaremos mais rápido.Yes, that way we will arrive faster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “avoid” translations and entries evitar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries evitar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
