Which one should you use?
While poder is the standard noun for power, it is spelled and pronounced identically to the common verb poder, which means "can" or "to be able to". Additionally, if you wish to describe the act of commanding or bossing someone around, you would use mandar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the term poderio is used to express power in an emphatic manner that implies grandeur and dominance. In Brazil, the phrase mandar bem is a common expression meaning to do something really well.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form of poder is poderoso.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈdeʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use poder to refer to electrical power. In that context, the standard term is energia.
When do people say it?
In a playful or slang context, the term mandachuva can be used to refer to a "big shot".
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a 'big shot' or someone with a lot of influence in a playful way, you can call them a mandachuva, which literally translates to 'rain-commander'.
- The Portuguese word for power, poder, traces its roots back to the Latin 'posse', which is the same ancestor for the English word 'possible'.
Examples in context
- Use o seu poder.Use your power.This sentence illustrates the use of the noun poder.Tatoeba #5192748 by alexmarcelo, translation #5190831 by astru
- Poder para o povo.Power to the people.Tatoeba #6050945 by sergiomelo, translation #5582563 by rmateo
- Acredito no seu poder.I believe in your power.Tatoeba #2665554 by Ricardo14, translation #2665553 by _undertoad
- O poder da menteThe power of the mind
- O poder do governoThe power of the government
- O vigor do atletaThe power of the athlete
- Ele gosta de mandarHe likes to boss people around
- Ele é o cara mais poderoso da empresaHe is the most powerful guy in the company
- Este país tem um grande poderio militarThis country has great military power
- 128 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are discussing a new manager's influence at work.
- BeatrizO novo chefe tem muito poder na empresa.The new boss has a lot of power in the company.
- GabrielVocê acha que ele usa esse poder bem?Do you think he uses that power well?
- BeatrizAcho que ele gosta demais de ter o poder.I think he likes having the power too much.
- GabrielIsso pode ser um problema para nós, Beatriz.That could be a problem for us, Beatriz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “power” translations and entries poder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
