Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| vestir | /vesˈt͡ʃi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /visˈt͡ʃi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| trajar | /tɾaˈʒa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /tɾaˈʒa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| usar | /uˈza(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /uˈza(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
These verbs are used to describe having clothes or accessories on your body. While the general concept is the same, the specific choice of word depends on whether you are focusing on the action of dressing or the state of wearing an item. For example, when talking about accessories such as glasses, watches or jewelry, you should use usar.
Which one should you use?
The verbs differ based on focus and context. vestir emphasizes the action of dressing oneself or the process of putting clothes on. usar is the most common way to say that one is currently wearing an item of clothing or an accessory. trajar is a formal or literary term used to describe wearing specific types of clothing, often in a ceremonial or highly stylized context.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/vesˈtʃi(ʁ)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use vestir for every situation, but in everyday conversation about what you are currently wearing, usar is much more natural.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, vestir can be used metaphorically to describe someone 'wearing' a certain emotion or expression on their face.
- The word vestir shares a common ancestor with the English word 'vest', meaning both words originated from the same Latin root 'vestiō'.
- While English uses 'wear' for both clothes and perfume, Portuguese typically uses usar or even passar for scents and cosmetics.
Examples in context
- O que devo vestir?What should I wear?This sentence is useful for asking about what to wear using vestir.Tatoeba #7722352 by Ricardo14, translation #2768991 by Hybrid
- Tom quer usar jeans.Tom wants to wear jeans.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to wear jeans using usar.Tatoeba #6068967 by ajdavidl, translation #2011970 by CK
- Usarei o vestido azul.I'll wear the blue dress.This sentence is useful for stating a future plan to wear a dress using usar.Tatoeba #873067 by alexmarcelo, translation #873066 by CM
- Eu gosto de utilizar um terno elegante para eventos formais.I like to wear an elegant suit for formal events.
- Preciso vestir uma roupa adequada para a reunião de negócios.I need to wear appropriate clothes for the business meeting.
- Você quer usar uma blusa confortável para o passeio?Do you want to wear a comfortable blouse for the outing?
- Eu sempre ponho jeans e camiseta.I always wear jeans and a t-shirt.
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are getting ready for a party.
- JulianaO que você vai vestir hoje?What are you going to wear today?
- GabrielVou vestir uma camisa branca.I will wear a white shirt.
- JulianaEssa camisa combina com você.That shirt suits you.
- GabrielObrigado, Juliana.Thanks, Juliana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wear” translations and entries vestir, trajar, usar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trajar, usar, vestir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
