vontade
/võˈta.d͡ʒi/
In Portuguese, the English word "will" can be translated as vontade.
It is distinct from the English auxiliary verb "will" used to indicate the future tense. To express future actions in Portuguese, you instead use different verb conjugations or the verb ir. While vontade is the noun for the concept of will or desire, the verb querer is used when you want to express the specific action of wanting something.
Meaning: indicating future action (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun vontade is most commonly used within the verbal phrase ter vontade de, which means to feel like or to have the desire to do something.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /võˈta.dʒi/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use vontade to mean the future tense "will". In Portuguese, you do not use vontade to indicate a future action. Instead, you must use verb conjugation or the verb ir.
Did you know?
- To say someone is 'strong-willed' in Portuguese, you describe them as having vontade de ferro, which literally means 'will of iron'.
- In Brazil, the expression estou com vontade is frequently used as a shorthand for craving a specific food or drink, rather than a general life ambition.
- The word vontade shares its DNA with the English word 'volition', as both descend from the same Latin root 'voluntas'.
Examples in context
- Ele tem vontade de aço.He has a will of steel.This sentence shows the use of vontade to describe a person's strength of will.Tatoeba #8421776 by JGEN, translation #4253029 by orcrist
- Está foi a vontade de Deus.It was God's will.This sentence illustrates vontade in a spiritual or fatalistic context.Tatoeba #10780105 by DavidDias, translation #3104399 by Hybrid
- Tom o fez contra sua vontade.Tom did it against his will.This sentence demonstrates using vontade to mean doing something against one's desire.Tatoeba #1230628 by alexmarcelo, translation #1026480 by CK
- Vou estudar para o exame.I will study for the exam.
- Eles irão participar da reunião.They will attend the meeting.
- Vou te ajudar com a tarefa.I will help you with the task.
- Amanhã vai chover.It will rain tomorrow.
- Vamos sair amanhã?Shall we go out tomorrow?
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- GabrielVocê tem vontade de ir à praia amanhã?Do you feel like going to the beach tomorrow?
- JulianaTenho, mas acho que vai chover.I do, but I think it's going to rain.
- GabrielSe você tiver vontade, podemos ir cedo.If you want to, we can go early.
- JulianaTudo bem, Gabriel, vamos fazer isso.Alright, Gabriel, let's do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vontade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vontade, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
