Are you looking to expand your Portuguese vocabulary? Knowing how to say “hold” in Portuguese is an essential skill that will enable you to communicate effectively in various situations. In this guide, we will explore different ways to express “hold” in Portuguese, including both formal and informal variations. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Hold” in Portuguese
If you want to convey a formal tone or if you are speaking with someone of higher authority, here are some formal expressions to use:
“Segurar” – This is the most common and general term for “hold” in Portuguese. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, such as holding an object or keeping something in place.
Example: Por favor, segure minha bolsa enquanto eu abro a porta. (Please hold my bag while I open the door.)
“Manter” – This verb is commonly used in formal situations when you want to express the idea of holding something steady or maintaining a grip.
Example: Mantenha a bandeja reta durante o voo. (Hold the tray straight during the flight.)
2. Informal Ways to Say “Hold” in Portuguese
When speaking with friends, family, or in casual situations, you can use these informal expressions:
“Agarrar” – This colloquial term is often used to mean “to hold tightly” or “to grab.”
Example: Agarre minha mão e não solte, vamos atravessar a rua juntos. (Hold my hand and don’t let go, let’s cross the street together.)
“Segurar firme” – This expression is used in informal contexts to emphasize a strong hold or grip.
Example: Segure firme no corrimão para não escorregar. (Hold on tight to the handrail so you don’t slip.)
3. Regional Variations
Portuguese is spoken in various countries across the world, and some regional variations exist. Here’s a regional variation you might encounter:
“Sustentar” – In some parts of Brazil, “sustentar” can be used to mean “to hold” in the sense of supporting or sustaining something.
Example: Sustente o quadro na parede com cuidado. (Hold the frame on the wall carefully.)
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are a few more tips and examples to help you master the usage of “hold” in Portuguese:
- When indicating someone to hold an object, you can use the imperative form of the verbs mentioned above, such as “Segure isso!” (Hold this!) or “Agarra!” (Grab it!).
- If you want to ask someone to wait briefly, you can say “Espere um momento” or “Aguarde um instante,” which literally mean “Wait a moment” or “Hold on for a moment.”
- In certain contexts, you may come across other synonyms for “hold” such as “prender” (to hold firmly or to lock) or “reter” (to hold back or retain).
- Remember that different verb conjugations may be necessary depending on the subject and tense of your sentence. For example, “Eu seguro” means “I hold,” while “Ela segurou” means “She held.”
Now that you have learned various ways to say “hold” in Portuguese, it’s time to practice and incorporate these phrases into your conversations. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, so be patient with yourself and keep engaging with the Portuguese language to improve your skills. Whether you use the formal or informal variations, your efforts will be appreciated by native speakers, and you will enhance your overall communication abilities.
Enjoy exploring the Portuguese language and have fun incorporating these new phrases into your everyday conversations!
