Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to rest" in Portuguese: descansar
descansar
To rest in Portuguese is descansar. Eu descanso and eu descansei keep it clearly the verb; o descanso also means a rest as a noun.
After hiking
Eu descanso dez minutos e sigo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce descansar
Say it
des-kahn-SAHR / des-kahn-SAY
/des.kã.ˈsaʁ/
des-kahn-SAHR. Descansei is des-kahn-SAY.
"to rest" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| descansar | to rest Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu descanso | I rest Present verb. | Present verb. |
| descansei | I rested Past verb. | Past verb. |
| preciso descansar | I need to rest Need phrase. | Need phrase. |
| descansa um pouco | rest a bit Friendly command. | Friendly command. |
How to use descansar in real life
- 1After hiking
Eu descanso dez minutos e sigo.
I'll rest ten minutes and continue.
Descanso as verb.
- 2Sunday plan
Ontem eu descansei a tarde inteira.
Yesterday I rested the whole afternoon.
Descansei.
- 3Advice to a friend
Descansa hoje—amanhã é corrido.
Rest today—tomorrow is busy.
Imperative.
Mistakes English speakers make with descansar
Incorrect: Eu descansar agora.
Correct: Eu descanso agora. / Preciso descansar.
Conjugate or keep infinitive after preciso.
Incorrect: O descanso (forced as only verb practice).
Correct: Eu descanso / eu descansei.
O descanso is also a noun; use verb forms to be clear.
Good to know
Brazilian weekends often protect descanso after a long semana. A quick café and a hammock count—you do not need a spa day to say vou descansar.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Post-move exhaustion
ChatPal
Você vai descansar agora?
Are you going to rest now?
You
Vou. Eu descanso uma hora no sofá.
I am. I'll rest an hour on the sofa.
ChatPal
Bom. Depois a gente organiza o resto.
Good. Later we'll organize the rest.
You
Combinado—já descansei a mente só de ouvir isso.
Deal—I already rested my mind just hearing that.
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 rest" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to rest" in Portuguese
I rested?
Eu descansei.
Rest a bit?
Descansa um pouco.
Day off?
Dia de descanso / folga.
Noun descanso?
Means a rest/break—related but different part of speech.
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
