Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to put" in Portuguese: colocar
colocar
Note: also: pôr
To put in Portuguese is often colocar. Say eu coloco e ela coloca. Pôr is a synonym; keep colocar in the sentence when that’s your headword.
Kitchen help
Eu coloco os pratos na mesa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce colocar
Say it
koh-loh-KAHR
/ko.lo.ˈkaʁ/
koh-loh-KAHR
"to put" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| colocar | to put / to place Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu coloco | I put First person. | First person. |
| coloca aqui | put it here Everyday request. | Everyday request. |
| pôr | to put Synonym; related. | Synonym; related. |
How to use colocar in real life
- 1Kitchen help
Eu coloco os pratos na mesa.
I’ll put the plates on the table.
First person.
- 2Moving a bag
Coloca a mala perto da porta.
Put the suitcase near the door.
Request.
- 3Phone
Ela coloca o celular no silencioso no cinema.
She puts the phone on silent at the movies.
Habit.
Mistakes English speakers make with colocar
Incorrect: Eu colocar aqui.
Correct: Eu coloco aqui.
Conjugate: eu coloco, not the infinitive as main verb.
Incorrect: Eu pôr a chave na mesa.
Correct: Eu coloco a chave na mesa.
For this headword, conjugate colocar (eu coloco); don’t use bare pôr as the main verb.
Good to know
Colocar is the friendly default; pôr sounds a bit shorter and older to some ears. Apps still say colocar no carrinho. Don’t confuse with colocação (placement/job posting)—different word.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Setting the table
ChatPal
Você coloca os copos se eu coloco os pratos?
Will you put the glasses if I put the plates?
You
Coloco. Onde eu coloco os guardanapos?
I will. Where do I put the napkins?
ChatPal
Coloca do lado esquerdo, por favor.
Put them on the left side, please.
You
Pronto. Falta só a salada.
Done. Only the salad is left.
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 put" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to put" in Portuguese
I put?
Eu coloco.
Put it here?
Coloca aqui.
Pôr vs colocar?
Both mean put; use colocar for this entry.
She puts?
Ela coloca.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
