direcionar
/d͡ʒi.ɾe.si.oˈna(ʁ)/
The English verb steer can be translated into Portuguese as direcionar or guiar.
Meaning: transitive: guide the course of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| direcionar | /d͡ʒi.ɾe.si.oˈna(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒi.ɾe.sjoˈna(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| guiar | /ɡiˈa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ˈɡja(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
The verb is used to mean guide the course of something. For example, direcionar is the standard verb used when you want to direct the flow of traffic or data, such as in the phrase direcionar o tráfego.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on your focus. Use direcionar when the focus is on directing something toward a specific destination, target or goal. Use guiar when the focus is on the act of guiding or leading a person, a vehicle or a process through a path.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/dʒi.ɾe.si.oˈna(ʁ)/ (5 syllables). The stress is on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the phrase dar um norte is used to mean steering or guiding someone, which literally translates to 'to give a north'.
- While guiar is used for vehicles, steering a ship specifically uses the verb timonar, which comes from timão, the word for 'helm'.
- The word guiar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'guide', and both likely stem from a Gothic word meaning 'to join'.
Examples in context
- Eu aprendi a dirigir quando tinha dezesseis anos.I learned to steer/drive when I was sixteen.
- Ele conduziu o carro com destreza.He steered/drove the car skillfully.
- Ela gosta de guiar carros esportivos.She enjoys steering/driving sports cars.
- Precisamos direcionar o tráfego para a saída lateral.We need to steer the traffic to the side exit.
- Ele sabe como direcionar o barco com segurança.He knows how to steer the boat safely.
- A empresa quer direcionar os investimentos para o digital.The company wants to steer investments toward digital.
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are discussing a new logistics strategy at work.
- CamilaComo vamos direcionar os novos recursos?How are we going to steer the new resources?
- LucasLucas pode direcionar o projeto principal.Lucas can steer the main project.
- CamilaVocê acha que ele é capaz?Do you think he is capable?
- LucasSim, ele sabe direcionar equipes muito bem.Yes, he knows how to steer teams very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “steer” translations and entries direcionar, guiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries direcionar, guiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
