vir
/ˈvi(ʁ)/
In Portuguese, the English phrase 'to come' is translated as vir.
The verb vir is used to describe moving toward the speaker. It is distinct from ir (to go), which implies movement away from the speaker. For specific situations where someone is being asked to attend an event or a gathering, the verb compareça is more appropriate.
Meaning: to arrive, to appear (verb)
Which one should you use?
While vir is the general infinitive form meaning 'to come', other forms are used for specific commands or tenses. For example, veio is the third-person singular past tense meaning 'came' and virei is the first-person singular future indicative meaning 'will come'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the phrase Aproxima-te is used to mean 'come closer' when indicating physical proximity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form vem serves as the informal imperative or the third-person singular indicative. The form venha is used for the imperative or subjunctive mood, such as when making a polite request or expressing a wish.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvi(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, people often say estou indo ('I am going') when they actually mean estou vindo ('I am coming') to a destination.
- While the English 'come' is often used for sexual climax, the Portuguese verb vir likely only acquired this specific slang meaning through a direct influence from English speakers.
- The word vir shares its distant linguistic roots with the Latin verb venīre, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'venue'.
Examples in context
- Ele tem de vir.He has to come.This sentence shows the use of the infinitive vir to express necessity.Tatoeba #2105726 by alexmarcelo, translation #1977629 by Spamster
- Ele tem que vir.Have him come.This sentence demonstrates using vir to express a requirement or command.Tatoeba #2135137 by MarlonX19, translation #285193 by CM
- Tom não vai vir.Tom won't come.This sentence shows how to use vir to express a future negative action.Tatoeba #4992178 by Ricardo14, translation #2240221 by CK
- Por favor, venha à minha apresentação amanhã.Please come to my presentation tomorrow.
- Peço que compareça à reunião na próxima quinta-feira.I ask that you attend the meeting next Thursday.
- Vem jantar comigo hoje à noite!Come have dinner with me tonight!
- Chega aí, pessoal! Vamos começar a festa.Come here, guys! Let's start the party.
- 806 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are waiting for a friend at a restaurant.
- RodrigoA que horas ele vai vir?What time is he coming?
- CamilaEle disse que vai vir agora.He said he is coming now.
- RodrigoEspero que ele consiga vir logo.I hope he can come soon.
- CamilaSim, ele já deve vir.Yes, he should be arriving already.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
