ativar
/a.t͡ʃiˈva(ʁ)/
To trigger in Portuguese is translated as ativar or desencadear.
Meaning: to initiate something (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ativar | /a.t͡ʃiˈva(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.t͡ʃiˈva(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| desencadear | /de.zẽ.ka.d͡ʒiˈa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /de.zẽ.kaˈd͡ʒja(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
The verb is used to describe the initiation of a process or an event. In technical or computational contexts, such as a SQL procedure, the English term trigger is used directly. When referring to a concept or image that sparks a negative emotional response, the Portuguese noun gatilho is used.
Which one should you use?
Use ativar when the sense is to switch something on or make a system or function operational. In contrast, use desencadear when the sense is to trigger a chain reaction, a sequence of events or a process, such as a medical or scientific reaction.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of ativar is /a.tʃiˈva(ʁ)/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 3rd of 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
In modern psychological contexts, the noun gatilho mirrors the English usage of 'trigger' to describe a stimulus that sparks an emotional or traumatic response. If you want to informally describe someone who is easily provoked, you can use the expression pavio curto (short fuse).
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the concept of triggering a sequence is linguistically treated as a process of liberation, as desencadear describes the act of removing chains.
- The noun gatilho refers to the trigger of a gun, but in Brazilian social media, it is now used as a shorthand to label content that might cause emotional distress.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, ativar is frequently used in gaming and tech circles as a loan-translation of the English 'activate'. This has made it the default word for 'triggering' a digital skill or power.
Examples in context
- No entanto, eles também identificaram uma mutação do gene que pode, em pacientes com, por exemplo, diabetes, desencadear o aparecimento de doenças renais.However, they have also identified a mutation of the gene that can in patients with, for example, diabetes, trigger the development of renal disease.This sentence shows how a gene mutation can use desencadear to initiate the appearance of renal disease.Tatoeba #10815248 by Cangarejo, translation #10815247 by Cangarejo
- O primeiro estudo científico a analisar o papel do fumo dos cigarros no aparecimento da doença de Alzheimer constata que este pode desencadear ou agravar a patologia em pessoas mais velhas que estão em risco de contrair esta forma mais comum de demência senil.The first scientific study to look at the role of cigarette smoke in the development of Alzheimer’s disease finds it may trigger or worsen the condition in older people who are at risk for this most common form of senile dementia.This sentence demonstrates how cigarette smoke may use desencadear to trigger the development of Alzheimer's.Tatoeba #11701148 by Cangarejo, translation #11701147 by Cangarejo
- Outro fator interessante, disse ele, é um aumento percetível das tempestades e dos relâmpagos, fenómenos que também podem desencadear incêndios no Ártico. Segundo ele, as alterações climáticas em alguns locais estão a ocorrer mais rapidamente do que o previsto anteriormente.Another interesting factor, he said, is a discernible increase in storms and lightning, events which also can trigger fires in the Arctic. He said climate change in some places is happening faster than previously predicted.This sentence illustrates how environmental phenomena like lightning can use desencadear to trigger fires.Tatoeba #10755076 by Cangarejo, translation #12245894 by Cangarejo
- O discurso desencadeou uma onda de protestosThe speech triggered a wave of protests
- A crise econômica desencadeou um aumento no desempregoThe economic crisis triggered an increase in unemployment
- As memórias traumáticas são gatilhos para a ansiedadeTraumatic memories are triggers for anxiety
- Cenas violentas em filmes podem ser gatilhos para pessoas sensíveisViolent scenes in movies can be triggers for sensitive individuals
- A descoberta científica funcionou como um catalisador para a revolução tecnológicaThe scientific discovery acted as a trigger for the technological revolution
- A queda na taxa de juros foi o catalisador para o crescimento do mercado imobiliárioThe decrease in interest rates was the trigger for the real estate market growth
- Ele tem pavio curto quando o assunto é políticaHe has a short fuse when it comes to politics
- Ele tem pavio curto quando o assunto é futebolHe has a short fuse when it comes to soccer
- A notícia acendeu o estopim da raiva coletivaThe news lit the fuse of collective anger
- A demissão acendeu o estopim da revolta dos funcionáriosThe firing lit the fuse of the employees' revolt
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is setting up a new smart home device for Camila.
- CamilaComo eu posso ativar o alarme?How can I activate the alarm?
- LucasVocê pode ativar usando o aplicativo no celular.You can activate it using the app on your phone.
- CamilaO comando de voz também consegue ativar?Can the voice command also activate it?
- LucasSim, basta dizer o nome do dispositivo.Yes, you just need to say the device's name.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trigger” translations and entries ativar, desencadear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
