apagar
/a.paˈɡa(ʁ)/
The English phrase 'blow out' is translated into Portuguese as apagar.
apagar is the standard verb used when you want to say 'blow out' a candle. It is a versatile word that also serves as the general verb for extinguishing fires or turning off lights.
Meaning: extinguish (verb)
Which one should you use?
While apagar is the common way to describe blowing out a candle or turning off a light, the more formal verb extinguir can also be used to mean 'extinguish'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this verb in different tenses, you can use apagou to say 'blew out' or 'extinguished' in the third-person singular past tense and apagando for the gerund form, meaning 'blowing out' or 'extinguishing'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and the stress is on the third syllable: /a.paˈɡa(ʁ)/.
Did you know?
- The word apagar can be used as a slang term for fainting or falling into a deep sleep, as if a person's consciousness were a light being turned off.
- The word apagar comes from the Latin pācāre, which originally meant 'to soothe' or 'to pacify'.
- While apagar is used for lights, Portuguese speakers use a different verb, desligar, for electronic appliances like a television or a radio.
Examples in context
- Vou apagar as velas do bolo de aniversário.I'm going to blow out the candles on the birthday cake.
- Apague a vela.Blow out the candle.
- Você pode apagar a vela, por favor?Can you blow out the candle, please?
- Cuidado para não apagar o fósforo.Be careful not to blow out the match.
- Ela quer apagar a chama da lanterna.She wants to blow out the lantern's flame.
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are at a birthday party.
- JulianaGabriel, faça um desejo e apagar a vela!Gabriel, make a wish and blow out the candle!
- GabrielTudo bem, vou apagar agora.All right, I will blow it out now.
- JulianaParabéns, você conseguiu!Congratulations, you did it!
- GabrielObrigado, Juliana!Thank you, Juliana!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry apagar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apagar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
