apagar
/a.paˈɡa(ʁ)/
The English phrase 'put out' is translated to Portuguese as apagar. Wiktionary also lists extinguir.
Meaning: to extinguish (fire) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| apagar | /a.paˈɡa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.paˈɡa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| extinguir | /is.t͡ʃĩˈɡi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /es.t͡ʃĩˈɡi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
apagar is the most common way to express 'to put out' a fire, but it is also used to mean 'to erase' something like writing or a memory. Additionally, it is used to mean 'to turn off' specifically when referring to lights or electronic displays.
Which one should you use?
While apagar is used in everyday speech, extinguir is a more formal or technical term for extinguishing fires or species. Also, note that apagar can mean both 'to put out' and 'to erase'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular past tense of apagar is apagou.
How do you pronounce it?
The word apagar is pronounced /a.paˈɡa(ʁ)/ and has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the same verb apagar is used to describe someone falling asleep or 'blacking out'. It treats the loss of consciousness as if a light or fire has been put out.
- The verb apagar is derived from the Latin pācāre, which meant 'to appease' or 'to pacify'. To 'put out' a fire was seen as a way of bringing peace to a chaotic situation.
- The verb apagar is used for deleting files on a computer or smartphone, effectively treating digital data like a candle to be put out.
Examples in context
- Tom conseguiu apagar o fogo.Tom managed to put out the fire.This sentence shows how to use apagar to describe putting out a fire.Tatoeba #5180108 by ToinhoAlam, translation #3956122 by CK
- Os bombeiros apagaram o fogo rapidamente.The firemen soon put out the fire.This sentence demonstrates the use of apagar for firemen putting out a fire.Tatoeba #8785651 by heo598, translation #268157 by CK
- Os bombeiros estão tentando extinguir as chamas.The firefighters are trying to put out the flames.This sentence shows the more formal use of extinguir when putting out flames.Tatoeba #2962733 by carlosalberto, translation #2961418 by meerkat
- Por favor, apague as velas antes de sair.Please extinguish the candles before you leave.
- Apague as luzes quando sair do escritório.Turn off the lights when leaving the office.
- O advogado conseguiu apagar o fogo durante a negociação.The lawyer managed to defuse the situation during the negotiation.
- Você pode soprar essa vela, por favor?Could you put out this candle, please?
- Já chega! Vou dar um basta nisso tudo.Enough is enough! I'm putting an end to all of this.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are sitting in a living room with a small fire in the fireplace.
- RodrigoBeatriz, você pode apagar o fogo?Beatriz, can you put out the fire?
- BeatrizSim, eu vou apagar agora.Yes, I will put it out now.
- RodrigoObrigado, está ficando muito quente aqui.Thank you, it is getting very hot in here.
- BeatrizNão se preocupe, Rodrigo, já vou fazer isso.Don't worry, Rodrigo, I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “put out” translations and entries apagar, extinguir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apagar, extinguir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
