Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| escrever | /is.kɾeˈve(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /es.kɾeˈve(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| redigir | /ʁe.d͡ʒiˈʒi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ʁe.d͡ʒiˈʒi(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb escrever is the standard way to express the act of forming letters or text. Depending on your specific intent, you might use other terms: anotar for jotting down or taking notes, rabiscar for scribbling or fast, informal writing or escrevinhar to playfully describe a carefree or messy writing style. If the intent is to record something officially, registrar may be used.
Which one should you use?
While escrever is the general verb for the act of writing, redigir is more specific, referring to the process of drafting, composing or formalizing a text such as a document or a letter.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, escrever is the most widely used term for both formal and informal writing. In Portugal, you may encounter grafar used in specific or formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you are currently in the middle of the action, use the gerund escrevendo. If you want to say that you wrote something in the past (first-person singular), use escrevi. When you want to say you are writing to someone, such as via an email or letter, use the preposition para after the verb, as in escrever para alguém.
How do you pronounce it?
The three-syllable word is pronounced /is.kɾeˈve(ʁ)/, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word escrever is a long-lost cousin to the English word 'shrive', which you might recognize from the term 'shriving' a penitent in a religious context.
- The word rabiscar is used not only for scribbling but also to describe the act of sketching a quick drawing.
Examples in context
- Eu gosto de escrever.I like to write.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference regarding the act of writing with escrever.Tatoeba #6146126 by bill, translation #5858153 by CK
- Tom gosta de escrever.Tom likes to write.This sentence shows how to use escrever with a third-person subject.Tatoeba #5281317 by alexmarcelo, translation #5285643 by kanbutsu
- Devo escrever à tinta?Must I write in ink?This sentence demonstrates how to use escrever when asking about the medium used, such as ink.Tatoeba #7351611 by alexmarcelo, translation #65761 by CM
- Preciso escrever um relatório para a reunião.I need to write a report for the meeting.
- O advogado precisou redigir um contrato.The lawyer needed to write a contract.
- O secretário deve registrar as atas da reunião.The secretary should write down the meeting minutes.
- Vou anotar as instruções para não esquecer.I'll write down the instructions so I don't forget.
- Rabisquei algumas ideias no caderno.I scribbled down some ideas in my notebook.
- 390 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are at a library.
- FelipeEu preciso escrever um bilhete.I need to write a note.
- JulianaVocê quer escrever no papel?Do you want to write on paper?
- FelipeSim, posso escrever aqui?Yes, can I write here?
- JulianaClaro, Felipe, pode escrever.Of course, Felipe, you can write.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “write” translations and entries escrever, redigir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escrever, redigir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
