Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| despersuadir | /des.peʁ.su.aˈd͡ʒi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /des.peʁ.swaˈd͡ʒi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| dissuadir | /d͡ʒi.su.aˈd͡ʒi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒi.swaˈd͡ʒi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| desencorajar | /de.zẽ.ko.ɾaˈʒa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /de.zĩ.ko.ɾaˈʒa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
Depending on the context, you may use different forms. Use dissuadir or despersuadir when you mean to persuade someone not to take a specific action. Use desencorajar when you mean to cause someone to lose their confidence, enthusiasm or heart.
What does it mean word for word?
The word desencorajar is formed by the prefix des-, which means to undo or remove and encorajar, which means to encourage or give courage.
Which one should you use?
Dissuadir is used specifically when you are persuading someone against a particular action or decision. In contrast, desencorajar is used when someone loses their heart, confidence or enthusiasm for a task. The reflexive form desencorajar-se is used to emphasize an internal feeling of being discouraged or demotivated.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb desencorajar is typically followed by the preposition de before a noun or an infinitive structure.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of despersuadir is /des.peʁ.su.aˈdʒi(ʁ)/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- The word desencorajar is built from coragem, which comes from the Latin word for 'heart'. To discourage someone in Portuguese is literally to take the heart out of them.
Examples in context
- Tom tentou me desencorajar de fazer isso.Tom tried to discourage me from doing that.The sentence shows how to use desencorajar to express discouraging someone from an action.Tatoeba #7589904 by Ricardo14, translation #6240822 by CK
- A falta de incentivos financeiros pode desmotivar os funcionários.The lack of financial incentives can discourage employees.
- Aquela crítica negativa desanimou o cantor antes do show.That negative review discouraged the singer before the show.
- Não se desencoraje facilmente com os obstáculos no seu caminho.Don't get easily discouraged by the obstacles in your path.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are discussing a risky job offer.
- RodrigoVocê vai aceitar aquela proposta de emprego?Are you going to accept that job offer?
- MarianaAinda não sei, meus pais tentam me despersuadir.I don't know yet, my parents are trying to discourage me.
- RodrigoPor que eles querem despersuadir você?Why do they want to discourage you?
- MarianaEles acham que a cidade é perigosa demais.They think the city is too dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “discourage” translations and entries despersuadir, dissuadir, desencorajar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desencorajar, despersuadir, dissuadir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
