Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| desaparecer | /de.za.pa.ɾeˈse(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒi.za.pa.ɾeˈse(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| sumir | /suˈmi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /suˈmi(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The ways to express the idea of vanishing include the direct translation desaparecer and the colloquial expression sumir do mapa, which translates to disappear from the map. You can also use the figurative phrase virar fumaça, meaning to turn into smoke, to describe something that disappears mysteriously or unexpectedly.
Which one should you use?
While desaparecer is the direct equivalent of the English 'to disappear', sumir is a very common, more informal alternative used in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular past tense of desaparecer is desapareceu. The past participle desaparecido can be used as an adjective to mean 'missing' (e.g., a missing person).
How do you pronounce it?
The word desaparecer is pronounced /de.za.pa.ɾeˈse(ʁ)/ and has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the phrase sumir do mapa is often used as a lighthearted reproach when a friend has not texted or called for a long time.
- Portuguese uses the same word desaparecido to describe both a missing person and an extinct species of animal.
- The informal verb sumir comes from the Latin 'sumere', which means 'to take' or 'to assume', rather than being directly related to the concept of 'vanishing' in its root.
Examples in context
- Eu não vou desaparecer.I'm not going to disappear.This sentence shows a refusal to disappear using desaparecer.Tatoeba #11443135 by carlosalberto, translation #4879975 by CK
- Eu só quero desaparecer.I just want to disappear.This sentence expresses a desire to disappear using desaparecer.Tatoeba #4858735 by bill, translation #2342587 by Hybrid
- Você tem de desaparecer.You have to disappear.This sentence states an obligation to disappear using desaparecer.Tatoeba #5307544 by carlosalberto, translation #3825334 by CK
- O objeto desapareceu misteriosamente.The object disappeared mysteriously.
- A pessoa decidiu sumir sem deixar rastros.The person decided to disappear without leaving any traces.
- As esperanças evaporaram quando receberam a notícia.The hopes evaporated when they received the news.
- Ele sumiu do mapa depois da festa.He disappeared from the map after the party.
- Os sonhos dela viraram fumaça.Her dreams turned into smoke.
- O homem apagou-se na escuridão.The man disappeared into the darkness.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are watching the sunset at the beach.
- RodrigoVeja como o sol parece desaparecer no mar.Look how the sun seems to disappear into the sea.
- BeatrizÉ lindo, mas a luz vai desaparecer rápido.It's beautiful, but the light will disappear quickly.
- RodrigoBeatriz, você viu o rastro do barco desaparecer?Beatriz, did you see the boat's trail disappear?
- BeatrizSim, ele sumiu completamente de vista.Yes, it vanished completely from sight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disappear” translations and entries desaparecer, sumir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desaparecer, sumir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
