Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| segurar | /si.ɡuˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /se.ɡuˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| pegar | /peˈɡa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /peˈɡa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The primary way to express the action of grasping is through segurar. This verb is used to describe the continuous state of maintaining a grip on an object. It can also be used figuratively to mean that something, such as a feeling, a wall or a knot, will withstand or hold up under pressure. Other related verbs include prender, which means to hold something firmly or to lock it and reter, which means to hold back or retain something. If you need to tell someone to 'hold on for a moment', you can use the phrases Espere um momento or Aguarde um instante. Relatedly, the noun porão refers to a cargo area.
Which one should you use?
While both segurar and pegar can relate to grasping, use segurar when your focus is on the continuous state of keeping a steady grip on an object rather than the initial movement of taking it.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Brazil, the verb sustentar may be used to mean 'to hold' in the sense of supporting or sustaining something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a regular -ar verb, the first-person singular present tense of segurar is seguro. Other forms include Eu seguro (I hold) and Ela segurou (She held).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of segurar is /si.ɡuˈɾa(ʁ)/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- When a Portuguese speaker says segura a onda, they are not literally asking you to hold a wave but are telling you to 'calm down' or 'chill out'.
- In some Brazilian regions, pegar is used to describe 'catching' a cold or a virus, similar to the English 'catch', but it can also mean 'to flirt' or 'hook up' with someone.
- The word segurar is rooted in the Latin sēcūrus, meaning 'careless' or 'unconcerned'.
Examples in context
- Posso segurar sua mão?May I hold your hand?This sentence is useful for asking permission to hold someone's hand using segurar.Tatoeba #3779830 by alexmarcelo, translation #3024530 by CK
- Este nó não vai segurar.This knot will not hold.This sentence is useful for describing a knot that will not hold using segurar.Tatoeba #2470595 by MarlonX19, translation #54676 by CK
- Posso segurar a sua mão?Is it OK if I hold your hand?This sentence is useful for asking if it is okay to hold someone's hand using segurar.Tatoeba #4891866 by bill, translation #3024532 by CK
- Por favor, segure minha bolsa enquanto eu abro a porta.Please hold my bag while I open the door.
- Mantenha a bandeja reta durante o voo.Hold the tray straight during the flight.
- 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.
- Segure firme no corrimão para não escorregar.Hold on tight to the handrail so you don't slip.
- Segure isso!Hold this!
- Agarra!Grab it!
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are at a crowded street fair.
- CamilaVocê pode segurar minha bolsa um momento?Can you hold my bag for a moment?
- GabrielClaro, pode deixar comigo.Sure, you can leave it with me.
- CamilaObrigada, Gabriel. Está muito cheio aqui.Thanks, Gabriel. It is very crowded here.
- GabrielNão tem problema, eu seguro para você.No problem, I will hold it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hold” translations and entries segurar, pegar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pegar, segurar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
