puxar
/puˈʃa(ʁ)/
In Portuguese, 'pull' can be expressed as puxar or tirar.
Meaning: transitive: apply force to (something) so it comes towards one (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| puxar | /puˈʃa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /puˈʃa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| tirar | /t͡ʃiˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /t͡ʃiˈɾa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb puxar is used to apply force to something so it comes towards one. Idiomatically, it is also used in the phrase puxar o assunto to mean 'to bring up a subject' or 'to start a conversation'.
Which one should you use?
Use puxar when the physical action involves moving an object toward oneself or a specific direction. While both puxar and tirar can mean 'pull' in English, tirar is used when the intent is to remove something from a position or to take something out of a container.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/puˈʃa(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- The word puxar actually comes from the Latin word 'pulsāre' which meant 'to push'. Over time the meaning flipped entirely to describe the opposite physical motion.
- Portuguese speakers use puxar to describe a physical resemblance, such as ele puxou ao pai. This literally means the person 'pulled' their traits from their father.
- In some regions, the phrase puxar o saco literally means 'to pull the bag' but is used to describe someone who is brown-nosing or flattering a boss for favors.
Examples in context
- Eu vou puxar o freio de emergência.I'm going to pull the emergency brake.This sentence shows how to use puxar regarding an emergency brake.Tatoeba #10596697 by ajdavidl, translation #10596652 by DJ_Saidez
- Não tente puxar a lã dos meus olhos.Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes.This sentence uses puxar in an idiomatic expression about pulling wool over eyes.Tatoeba #9035808 by JGEN, translation #9009774 by CK
- Me ajude a puxar essas ervas daninhas.Help me pull these weeds.This sentence demonstrates the use of puxar for pulling weeds.Tatoeba #7827907 by Ricardo14, translation #4666494 by CK
- Puxe a porta para abrir.Pull the door to open.
- Ela puxou o sofá para trás.She pulled the couch backward.
- O mecânico puxou a alavanca.The mechanic pulled the lever.
- Puxa a cadeira para cá.Pull the chair over here.
- Você puxou a coberta de mim durante a noite.You pulled the blanket off me during the night.
- Arrasta esse sofá para lá.Pull that couch over there.
- Eu arrastei as malas pelo aeroporto.I pulled the suitcases through the airport.
- Puxa a cadeira para mim, por favor.Pull the chair for me, please.
- Ele puxou o cachorro pela coleira.He pulled the dog by the leash.
- Saca a gaveta devagar.Pull the drawer slowly.
- Ele sacou o livro da estante.He pulled the book from the shelf.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are entering a store.
- FelipeA porta é para empurrar ou puxar?Do you push or pull the door?
- CamilaAcho que é para puxar, Felipe.I think you pull it, Felipe.
- FelipeTentei, mas ela não abre.I tried, but it won't open.
- CamilaDeixe que eu tente puxar agora.Let me try to pull it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pull” translations and entries puxar, tirar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puxar, tirar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
