Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| estudar | /is.tuˈda(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /es.tuˈda(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| aprender | /a.pɾẽˈde(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.pɾẽˈde(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb estudar means to acquire knowledge. In formal contexts, you might see Realizar estudos used to mean 'to conduct studies' for scientific or academic research or Frequentar a escola to mean 'to attend school'. Additionally, the colloquial expression Quebrar a cabeça is used to describe racking your brains or struggling with studying.
Which one should you use?
While estudar refers to the process or the act of studying, aprender refers to the result of having learned something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative of estudar is estudo (I study). The third-person singular preterite is estudou (he/she/it studied). The noun for a person who studies is estudante.
How do you pronounce it?
/is.tuˈda(ʁ)/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd of 3.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word for 'to learn', aprender, shares a common ancestor with the English word 'apprehend'.
- While estudar means to study, the word estudo can also refer to a physical 'studio' or a creative workspace.
- In Portuguese, the word estudante is used for any person who studies, regardless of whether they are in a primary school or a PhD program.
Examples in context
- O que quer estudar?What do you want to study?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's study interests using estudar.Tatoeba #2221016 by MarlonX19, translation #2220941 by CK
- Eu vim aqui estudar.I came here to study.This sentence is useful for stating a purpose for being in a location using estudar.Tatoeba #2707714 by MarlonX19, translation #813505 by Zaphod
- Ajude Tom a estudar.Help Tom study.This sentence is useful for asking for help with someone else's studying using estudar.Tatoeba #5560298 by bill, translation #2235702 by CK
- Eu estudo portuguêsI study Portuguese
- O professor realiza estudos sobre o meio ambienteThe professor conducts studies on the environment
- Eu tô estudando pra prova amanhãI'm studying for tomorrow's test
- Estudar muito é essencial para aprender um novo idiomaStudying a lot is essential to learn a new language
- Eu tô quebrando a cabeça com essa matériaI'm struggling with this subject
- Eu estou estudando para a prova de matemática.I am studying for the math test.
- Ele realiza estudos sobre a cultura brasileira.He conducts studies on Brazilian culture.
- Nós frequentamos a escola juntos.We attend school together.
- Tô estudando para minha apresentação de história.I'm studying for my history presentation.
- Estudar muito é necessário para aprender um novo idioma.Studying a lot is necessary to learn a new language.
- Tô quebrando a cabeça com esses exercícios.I'm racking my brains with these exercises.
- 591 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are talking about their university plans.
- GabrielVocê quer estudar medicina?Do you want to study medicine?
- CamilaNão, eu prefiro estudar artes.No, I prefer to study arts.
- GabrielOnde você vai estudar?Where are you going to study?
- CamilaVou estudar na capital.I am going to study in the capital.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “study” translations and entries estudar, aprender, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aprender, estudar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
