Learning Portuguese can be an exciting and rewarding journey, especially when you delve into the nuances of the language. One area where learners often find themselves puzzled is understanding the differences between certain pairs of verbs. Today, we’re going to explore the distinction between two such verbs: descobrir (to discover) and desaprovar (to disapprove). Both verbs might appear similar at first glance because of their prefixes, but they actually convey very different meanings and are used in different contexts. Let’s dive deeper into their usage, conjugations, and practical examples to clarify their distinct roles in the Portuguese language.
Understanding the Basics: Descobrir vs. Desaprovar
The verb descobrir comes from the Latin word “discooperire” and means “to discover,” “to find out,” or “to uncover.” It is used when you want to talk about finding something that was previously unknown or hidden.
On the other hand, desaprovar is derived from the Latin “disapprobare” and means “to disapprove,” “to reject,” or “to condemn.” This verb is used when you want to express a negative opinion or judgment about something or someone.
Conjugations and Usage
To effectively use these verbs, it’s crucial to understand their conjugations in different tenses. Here’s a detailed look at how to conjugate descobrir and desaprovar in the present, past, and future tenses.
Descobrir: Conjugations and Examples
Present Tense:
– Eu descubro (I discover)
– Tu descobres (You discover)
– Ele/Ela/Você descobre (He/She/You discover)
– Nós descobrimos (We discover)
– Vós descobris (You all discover)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês descobrem (They/You all discover)
Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito):
– Eu descobri (I discovered)
– Tu descobriste (You discovered)
– Ele/Ela/Você descobriu (He/She/You discovered)
– Nós descobrimos (We discovered)
– Vós descobristes (You all discovered)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês descobriram (They/You all discovered)
Future Tense:
– Eu descobrirei (I will discover)
– Tu descobrirás (You will discover)
– Ele/Ela/Você descobrirá (He/She/You will discover)
– Nós descobriremos (We will discover)
– Vós descobrireis (You all will discover)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês descobrirão (They/You all will discover)
Examples in Sentences:
– Eu descobri um novo restaurante na cidade. (I discovered a new restaurant in the city.)
– Nós descobrimos a verdade sobre o que aconteceu. (We discovered the truth about what happened.)
– Eles descobrirão a cura para essa doença em breve. (They will discover the cure for this disease soon.)
Desaprovar: Conjugations and Examples
Present Tense:
– Eu desaprovo (I disapprove)
– Tu desaprovas (You disapprove)
– Ele/Ela/Você desaprova (He/She/You disapprove)
– Nós desaprovamos (We disapprove)
– Vós desaprovais (You all disapprove)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês desaprovam (They/You all disapprove)
Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito):
– Eu desaprovei (I disapproved)
– Tu desaprovaste (You disapproved)
– Ele/Ela/Você desaprovou (He/She/You disapproved)
– Nós desaprovamos (We disapproved)
– Vós desaprovasteis (You all disapproved)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês desaprovaram (They/You all disapproved)
Future Tense:
– Eu desaprovarei (I will disapprove)
– Tu desaprovarás (You will disapprove)
– Ele/Ela/Você desaprovará (He/She/You will disapprove)
– Nós desaprovaremos (We will disapprove)
– Vós desaprovareis (You all will disapprove)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês desaprovarão (They/You all will disapprove)
Examples in Sentences:
– Eu desaprovo o comportamento dele. (I disapprove of his behavior.)
– Eles desaprovaram o novo regulamento. (They disapproved the new regulation.)
– Ela desaprovará essa decisão. (She will disapprove of this decision.)
Contextual Differences
Understanding the context in which to use these verbs is key to mastering their usage. Let’s look at some specific scenarios to highlight the differences.
Discovering Something New: Descobrir
When you’re talking about finding something new, whether it’s a place, information, or an object, descobrir is the verb to use. It’s often associated with a sense of revelation or uncovering something that was previously hidden or unknown.
Examples:
– A arqueóloga descobriu um artefato antigo durante a escavação. (The archaeologist discovered an ancient artifact during the excavation.)
– Ele descobriu que tinha uma habilidade para a música. (He discovered that he had a talent for music.)
– Nós descobrimos um atalho para chegar ao parque. (We discovered a shortcut to get to the park.)
Expressing Disapproval: Desaprovar
Use desaprovar when you want to express a negative opinion or judgment about something. It’s often used in contexts where someone’s actions, decisions, or behaviors are being judged negatively.
Examples:
– Os pais desaprovaram a escolha de carreira do filho. (The parents disapproved of their son’s career choice.)
– O comitê desaprovou a proposta de projeto. (The committee disapproved the project proposal.)
– Ela desaprova o uso de linguagem ofensiva. (She disapproves of the use of offensive language.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced learners can make mistakes with these verbs, often due to their similar prefixes and the influence of English. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them.
Confusing the Prefix “Des-”
Both descobrir and desaprovar start with the prefix “des-”, which can be misleading. Remember that “des-” can indicate different things depending on the verb. In descobrir, it suggests uncovering, while in desaprovar, it indicates a negative judgment.
Incorrect Tense Usage
Ensure you’re using the correct tense for the context. For instance, using the past tense when you should be using the present can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.
Examples:
– Incorrect: Eu descobro um segredo ontem. (I discover a secret yesterday.)
– Correct: Eu descobri um segredo ontem. (I discovered a secret yesterday.)
Misinterpreting Context
Always consider the context to choose the right verb. If you’re talking about an opinion or judgment, desaprovar is your verb. If you’re talking about finding something new, go with descobrir.
Examples:
– Incorrect: Eles descobriram a nova política. (They discovered the new policy.)
– Correct: Eles desaprovaram a nova política. (They disapproved the new policy.)
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master the use of descobrir and desaprovar is through practice. Try incorporating these verbs into your daily conversations, writing exercises, and even while thinking in Portuguese. Here are a few exercises to help you practice:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of descobrir or desaprovar:
1. Ela _______________ um novo método de estudo.
2. Nós _______________ o comportamento dele.
3. Eu _______________ um livro interessante na biblioteca.
4. Eles _______________ a decisão do conselho.
5. Tu _______________ um segredo antigo.
Exercise 2: Translation Practice
Translate the following sentences into Portuguese:
1. I discovered a hidden talent.
2. They disapprove of the new rules.
3. We will discover the truth.
4. She disapproved of his actions.
5. He discovered a beautiful beach.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between descobrir and desaprovar is essential for effective communication in Portuguese. By learning their conjugations, contexts, and common uses, you’ll be able to express yourself more precisely and avoid common mistakes. Remember, language learning is a journey, and each new word or verb you master brings you one step closer to fluency. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself using these verbs with confidence and ease. Boa sorte (Good luck)!
