dissuadir
/d͡ʒi.su.aˈd͡ʒi(ʁ)/
The English verb dissuade is translated into Portuguese as dissuadir.
The verb means to convince not to try or do (verb).
Meaning: convince not to try or do (verb)
Which one should you use?
While dissuadir means to convince someone *not* to do something, persuadir is its antonym, meaning to convince someone *to* do something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is typically used with the preposition 'de' to connect the person being dissuaded to the action or thing being avoided (dissuadir alguém de algo).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of dissuadir is /dʒi.su.aˈdʒi(ʁ)/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'dissuade' as a direct verb, Portuguese speakers often use the reflexive form dissuadir-se to mean 'to change one's mind' about a previous intention.
- The verb dissuadir is considered a 'culto' or high-register word. In casual daily conversation, speakers are far more likely to say convencer a não fazer, meaning 'convince not to do'.
- While dissuadir is the direct translation, Brazilians often use the phrase desistir meaning 'to give up' to describe the result of being dissuaded, shifting the focus from the persuader to the person who stopped.
Examples in context
- Vou tentar dissuadir meu amigo de fazer tal coisa.I will try to dissuade my friend from doing such a thing.This sentence shows how to use dissuadir to express an intention to stop a friend from a certain action.Tatoeba #3104865 by carlosalberto, translation #8010312 by lucasmg123
- A campanha da OIM pretende dissuadir potenciais migrantes de utilizar as redes de traficantes para fazer a viagem arriscada através do Golfo de Adem até ao Iémen.The IOM campaign hopes to dissuade potential migrants from using smugglers networks to make the risky voyage across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.This sentence uses dissuadir in the context of a campaign aiming to prevent people from using certain networks.Tatoeba #11327606 by Cangarejo, translation #11327604 by Cangarejo
- O ministro da saúde pública Anutin Charnvirakul, que foi o defensor do plano, tentou dissuadir as pessoas de acender por diversão, sublinhando as virtudes médicas da planta e o seu potencial enquanto colheita lucrativa.Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who championed the plan, has tried to dissuade people from lighting up for fun, stressing the plant’s medical virtues and its potential as a cash crop.This sentence demonstrates using dissuadir to describe an attempt to stop people from a specific habit.Tatoeba #11343287 by Cangarejo, translation #11343285 by Cangarejo
- Eu os desaconselharia a prosseguir com esse plano arriscado.I would dissuade you from proceeding with that risky plan.
- Tentei convencê-lo a não desistir do emprego.I tried to dissuade him from quitting the job.
- O professor desincentivou os alunos a copiar respostas uns dos outros durante o exame.The teacher dissuaded the students from copying each other's answers during the exam.
Example conversation
Gabriel wants to quit his job to travel, and Camila tries to advise him against it.
- CamilaEu não consigo dissuadir o Gabriel de pedir demissão.I cannot dissuade Gabriel from quitting his job.
- GabrielMas eu estou muito cansado deste emprego, Camila.But I am very tired of this job, Camila.
- CamilaTente pensar bem antes de agir por impulso.Try to think carefully before acting on impulse.
- GabrielVocê tem razão, vou refletir um pouco mais.You are right, I will reflect a bit more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dissuade” translations and entries dissuadir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
