Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ativar | /a.t͡ʃiˈva(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.t͡ʃiˈva(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| habilitar | /a.bi.liˈta(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
In Portuguese, these terms are used to describe activating a function of an electronic or mechanical device.
Which one should you use?
While ativar is the most common way to say 'to activate' or 'to turn on' a function or device, habilitar has a more technical usage. In technical or software contexts, habilitar is used to mean 'to enable' a feature or to 'qualify' someone for a task. Additionally, possibilitar is a formal verb used to emphasize making something possible or enabling it.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, habilitar is the most common formal term for 'enable'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle ativado can be used as an adjective to describe a function that is currently enabled or active. If you need to say 'to disable' or 'to turn off' a function, use the antonym desativar for ativar. For habilitar, the direct antonym is desabilitar, which is commonly used in computing to mean 'to disable' a setting or permission.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, if you are habilitado, it does not just mean you are 'enabled' for a task but specifically that you possess a valid driver's license.
- The word habilitar shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'have' through the Latin 'habere', meaning 'to hold' or 'to possess'.
- In Portuguese, the adjective ativo can describe a device that is 'enabled' but also a person who is 'proactive' or 'energetic'.
Examples in context
- Eu irei habilitar a nova funcionalidade.I will enable the new feature
- Por favor, permita a opção.Please enable the option
- A tecnologia possibilita uma comunicação rápida.Technology enables quick communication
- Você poderia ativar o Wi-Fi, por favor?Could you enable the Wi-Fi, please?
- Preciso ligar as configurações de segurança.I need to enable the security settings
- Preciso ativar o modo avião no celular.I need to enable airplane mode on the cell phone.
- Você conseguiu ativar a câmera?Were you able to enable the camera?
- O sistema vai ativar o alarme automaticamente.The system will enable the alarm automatically.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are trying to set up a new security system in their house.
- GabrielMariana, você sabe como ativar o sensor de movimento?Mariana, do you know how to enable the motion sensor?
- MarianaSim, eu vou ativar agora pelo aplicativo.Yes, I will enable it now through the app.
- GabrielFuncionou? O sensor está ativo?Did it work? Is the sensor active?
- MarianaSim, Gabriel, agora o sistema está pronto.Yes, Gabriel, now the system is ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enable” translations and entries ativar, habilitar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ativar, habilitar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
