sorrir — meaning in English: to smile

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for to smile

levar

evidência

sorrir

fácil

falar

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Portuguese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native Portuguese speakers often use 'sorrir' in everyday interactions, such as greeting friends or sharing a joyful moment during family gatherings. It's common to say 'sorria!' (smile!) when someone looks down, reflecting a cultural emphasis on positivity and warmth in social settings.

Synonyms & nuances

'Sorrir' specifically conveys the action of smiling, while 'rir' means 'to laugh.' You would use 'sorrir' in contexts where you're referring to a gentle or friendly smile, whereas 'rir' implies a more robust reaction, often associated with humor or amusement.

Culture

'Sorrir' traces its roots back to Latin 'subridere', meaning 'to smile' or 'to laugh slightly.' In Portuguese culture, smiling is an integral part of social interaction, often seen as a universal sign of friendliness and approachability. Interestingly, Brazil's vast diversity means that the act of smiling can vary in connotation, from formal politeness in business settings to vibrant expressions of joy during Carnaval.

FAQ

Q.What is the conjugation of 'sorrir' in the present tense?

'Sorrir' is irregular; in the present tense, it conjugates as: eu sorrio, tu sorris, ele/ela sorri, nós sorrimos, vós sorridis, eles/elas sorriem.

Q.How do I use 'sorrir' in a sentence?

You can use 'sorrir' in a sentence like: 'Ele sorriu para mim' which translates to 'He smiled at me.' This showcases the standard usage in everyday conversation.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 'sorrir'?

A common mistake is using 'sorrir' with the wrong prepositions. In Portuguese, it’s not used with 'para' (to) when indicating who you're smiling at; rather, just use the direct object: 'sorrir' directly to the person or situation.

Learn portuguese with Maspeak →

Portuguese Vocabulary