encolher
/ẽ.koˈʎe(ʁ)/
In Portuguese, 'shrink' is expressed as encolher. Wiktionary also lists contrair.
Meaning: intransitive: to contract, to become smaller (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| encolher | /ẽ.koˈʎe(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ĩ.koˈʎe(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| contrair | /kõ.tɾaˈi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /kõ.tɾaˈi(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb is used to describe something becoming smaller or contracting in size. This can be a physical change, such as clothing shrinking during washing or a metaphorical reduction in strength or presence.
Which one should you use?
Use encolher for physical shrinking, such as clothes in a wash, a body part or for a metaphorical reduction in size or strength. Use contrair when referring to a physical contraction, like a muscle or for more formal concepts such as contracting a debt or a virus.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular past tense of encolher is encolheu, while the third-person plural past tense is encolheram.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ẽ.koˈʎe(ʁ)/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the expression encolher os ombros describes the act of shrugging one's shoulders to indicate indifference or ignorance.
- The word encolher shares a root with the word colher, which means 'to harvest' or 'to pick'.
- The word contrair is a 'learned borrowing', meaning it was consciously reintroduced into the language from Latin rather than evolving naturally through speech.
Examples in context
- Esta blusa vai encolher na lavagem.This blouse will shrink in the wash.
- As roupas de lã costumam encolher muito.Wool clothes tend to shrink a lot.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are looking at a new sweater in a shop.
- GabrielVocê acha que esse casaco vai encolher?Do you think this coat will shrink?
- MarianaTalvez, se você usar água quente.Maybe, if you use hot water.
- GabrielMelhor não arriscar então.Better not to risk it then.
- MarianaSim, vamos procurar outro material.Yes, let's look for another material.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shrink” translations and entries encolher, contrair, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contrair, encolher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
