Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| retirar | /ʁe.t͡ʃiˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ʁe.t͡ʃiˈɾa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| sacar | /saˈka(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /saˈka(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| levantar | /le.vɐ̃ˈta(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /le.vɐ̃ˈta(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
While retirar can mean to withdraw money, it is a versatile verb used for many different actions, such as removing an object, withdrawing troops or withdrawing a statement. In a financial context, it is often used alongside words like banco (bank), saldo (balance) and pagamento (payment). The opposite of withdrawing is depositar (to deposit).
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on your location and how specific you want to be. Retirar is a general term for withdrawing. However, sacar is the most common specific verb used for withdrawing cash from an ATM or a bank. In Portugal, the standard term for withdrawing money is levantar, whereas sacar is more common in Brazil.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, levantar is the standard term for withdrawing money. In Brazil, sacar is more frequently used for this purpose.
How do you pronounce it?
The word retirar is pronounced /ʁe.tʃiˈɾa(ʁ)/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, sacar can be used as a slang verb meaning 'to get' or 'to understand' a joke or a hidden meaning.
- Despite being used for money, the word sacar has a surprising history rooted in the Proto-Germanic word for 'to dispute' or 'to rebuke'.
- The Portuguese verb sacar can also mean to 'draw' or 'pull out' something, such as a weapon or a tool, from a holster or pocket.
Examples in context
- Só podemos esperar que o governo decida retirar suas tropas.We can only hope the government decides to withdraw its troops.This sentence uses retirar to show how a government might withdraw troops.Tatoeba #13704996 by Advanced, translation #6152074 by Miznia
- Muitas pessoas utilizam caixas eletrônicos para retirar dinheiro.Many people use cash machines to withdraw money.This sentence uses retirar in the context of using a cash machine to withdraw money.Tatoeba #682927 by brauliobezerra, translation #682777 by CK
- Sami passou uma procuração para Layla, permitindo-lhe retirar dinheiro das contas dele.Sami signed over power of attorney to Layla, allowing her to withdraw money from his accounts.This sentence uses retirar to describe the permission to withdraw money from accounts.Tatoeba #6710381 by carlosalberto, translation #6694592 by OsoHombre
- Por favor, retire o dinheiro no caixa automático.Please withdraw the money from the ATM.
- O cliente solicitou retirar a oferta apresentada.The client requested to withdraw the presented offer.
- Vou sacar algum dinheiro antes de irmos ao cinema.I will withdraw some money before we go to the movies.
- Você sabe onde posso sacar dinheiro aqui perto?Do you know where I can withdraw money around here?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are at a shopping mall.
- JulianaPreciso de um caixa eletrônico para retirar dinheiro.I need an ATM to withdraw money.
- FelipeEu posso te ajudar a retirar o valor.I can help you withdraw the amount.
- JulianaObrigada, Felipe, você é muito gentil.Thank you, Felipe, you are very kind.
- FelipeNão é nada, Juliana.It is nothing, Juliana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “withdraw” translations and entries retirar, sacar, levantar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries levantar, retirar, sacar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
