Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to believe" in Portuguese: acreditar
acreditar
To believe in Portuguese is acreditar. Say eu acredito and você acredita. For believing someone or in something, use acreditar em.
Encouraging a friend
Eu acredito em você nessa entrevista.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce acreditar
Say it
ah-kreh-dee-TAHR / ah-kreh-DEE-too
/a.kɾe.dʒi.ˈtaʁ/
ah-kreh-dee-TAHR. Eu acredito is ah-kreh-DEE-too.
"to believe" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| acreditar | to believe Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu acredito | I believe First person. | First person. |
| você acredita | you believe Questions and statements. | Questions and statements. |
| acreditar em | to believe in / believe someone Acreditar em você. | Acreditar em você. |
| não acredito! | I don't believe it! / no way! Surprise reaction. | Surprise reaction. |
How to use acreditar in real life
- 1Encouraging a friend
Eu acredito em você nessa entrevista.
I believe in you in that interview.
Acreditar em + person.
- 2Surprise news
Não acredito que ele mudou de cidade!
I can't believe he moved cities!
Não acredito que… for shock.
- 3Checking a rumor
Você acredita nessa história toda?
Do you believe that whole story?
Você acredita…?
Mistakes English speakers make with acreditar
Incorrect: Eu acreditar em você.
Correct: Eu acredito em você.
Conjugate: eu acredito, not the infinitive as the main verb.
Incorrect: Eu creio você (calque).
Correct: Eu acredito em você.
Everyday Brazilian prefers acreditar em for believe someone.
Good to know
Não acredito! is a high-frequency Brazilian reaction to gossip, goals, and plot twists—tone decides whether it is delight or disbelief. Acreditar em você is warm support language among friends and family.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Before a big presentation
ChatPal
Você acredita que vai correr tudo bem?
Do you believe everything will go well?
You
Acredito. Estudei bastante essa semana.
I believe so. I studied a lot this week.
ChatPal
Eu também acredito em você, de verdade.
I also believe in you, for real.
You
Obrigada. Isso me faz acreditar mais ainda.
Thanks. That makes me believe even more.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to believe" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to believe" in Portuguese
How do I say I believe you?
Eu acredito em você.
Acreditar vs crer?
Both mean believe; acreditar is more everyday in Brazil.
How do I show surprise?
Não acredito!
Do I need em?
Yes for believe in someone/something: acreditar em.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
