fechar
/feˈʃa(ʁ)/
The Portuguese verb for to close (a door) is fechar. Wiktionary also lists cerrar.
Meaning: move (a door) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| fechar | /feˈʃa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /feˈʃa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| cerrar | /seˈʁa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /seˈʁa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
Fechar is the standard verb used for moving physical objects like doors or windows into a closed position. It is also used more broadly to describe a business or shop closing for the day or the act of finalizing a deal.
Which one should you use?
While fechar is the standard word for closing objects like doors or windows, cerrar is a more formal or literary term used specifically for closing eyes, lips or eyelids.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the state of something being closed, you can use the past participle fechado as an adjective, such as in the phrase a porta está fechada (the door is closed).
How do you pronounce it?
/feˈʃa(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In Brazil, fechar is used in the slang expression fechar com alguém, which means to be loyal to someone or to fully support their plan.
- The verb fechar originates from the Latin word pessulus meaning 'bolt'. It is believed that the initial 'p' sound changed to 'f' due to the influence of the Arabic language in southern Portugal.
- In some Portuguese dialects, using cerrar instead of fechar for a door can sound archaic or overly dramatic, as if the person is sealing a tomb rather than shutting a room.
Examples in context
- Vá fechar o cofre.Go close the safe.This sentence demonstrates how to use fechar when telling someone to close a safe.Tatoeba #9124201 by JGEN, translation #9081498 by CK
- Posso fechar a porta?Can I close the door?This sentence shows how to ask permission to use fechar with a door.Tatoeba #3449532 by Ricardo14, translation #3327506 by CK
- Devo fechar a janela?Shall I close the window?This sentence shows how to use fechar when asking if a window should be closed.Tatoeba #8133240 by lucasmg123, translation #274200 by CM
- Estou sentado próximo à janela.I am sitting close to the window.
- O evento está próximo.The event is close.
- A loja está perto do shopping.The store is close to the mall.
- Estamos bem perto de casa.We are very close to home.
- A minha casa está colada ao supermercado.My house is close to the supermarket.
- Os carros estão estacionados colados entre si.The cars are parked close together.
- Aqui é pertinho.It's really close here.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are at home on a windy day.
- LucasJuliana, você pode fechar a janela?Juliana, can you close the window?
- JulianaSim, eu vou fechar agora.Yes, I will close it now.
- LucasObrigado, está ventando muito.Thank you, it is very windy.
- JulianaPronto, agora está fechada.There, now it is closed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “close” translations and entries fechar, cerrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerrar, fechar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
