Advanced phrasal verbs

Advanced Phrasal Verbs in Portuguese

Unlike English, Portuguese does not have traditional phrasal verbs (verb + particle). Instead, it has locuções verbais (verbal phrases) — multi-word expressions where the meaning cannot be deduced from individual words.

Common Patterns

Verb + preposition + noun:

• *Pôr em causa* — to call into question (not simply "to put in cause")
• *Dar azo a* — to give rise to (literary, very C1)
• *Fazer face a* — to cope with / face up to

Reflexive + preposition:

• *Dar-se conta de* — to realize (more formal than *perceber*)
• *Dar-se ao trabalho de* — to take the trouble to

Register Differences

Many of these expressions have simpler alternatives, but using the phrasal version signals C1 mastery:

• *perceber* → *dar-se conta de* (to realize)
• *questionar* → *pôr em causa* (to question)
• *fazer* → *levar a cabo* (to carry out)
• *aparecer* → *vir a lume* (to come to light)

Usage Notes

• *Dar azo a* is particularly literary — use it in writing or formal speeches
• *Passar ao lado de* can be literal (to pass by) or figurative (to miss/overlook) — context determines meaning
• *Ter em conta* vs *ter em consideração*: both mean "to consider" but *ter em conta* is slightly more common in speech