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From these 35 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list The twenty-seventh entry is a máquina de secar roupa , and the object is plainer in Portuguese than in English. The Portuguese name says what the machine is for, and it is built the way a máquina de lavar and a máquina de lavar loiça are built, with the purpose spelled out behind the noun. English named the thing after its motion instead, and the care label inside a jumper still gives the verb whole: « do not tumble dry ». What is worth carrying away, though, is the shelf of idioms English keeps from the days before either machine existed, because not one of them survives a literal crossing. « It will all come out in the wash » promises that a muddle will sort itself out, and concerns no laundry at all. « To hang somebody out to dry » is to leave them exposed while everyone else walks away. « A washout » is a failure, or a day rained off. Only one member of the family is shared, lavar roupa suja against « to wash one’s dirty linen in public »; for the rest, the picture has to be thrown away and a new one found.
The words
View Compact With examples
Phrase (3)
mudar de comercializador to change supplier Phrase C1 Mudar de comercializador não corta a luz. Changing supplier does not cut off the electricity.
purgar o radiador to bleed the radiator Phrase C1 Antes do inverno é preciso purgar o radiador. Before winter the radiator has to be bled.
lavar a trinta graus washing at thirty degrees Phrase C1 Lavar a trinta graus chega para roupa pouco suja. Washing at thirty degrees is enough for clothes that are barely dirty.
Noun (f) (18)
Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo
a fatura estimada the estimated bill Noun (f) C1 A fatura estimada é corrigida na leitura seguinte. The estimated bill is put right at the next meter reading.
a comparação de tarifários the tariff comparison Noun (f) C1 A comparação de tarifários mostra diferenças grandes. The tariff comparison shows large differences.
a extensão com interruptor the switched extension lead Noun (f) C1 A extensão com interruptor desliga tudo de uma vez. The switched extension lead turns everything off at once.
a etiqueta energética the energy label Noun (f) C1 A etiqueta energética está colada na porta do aparelho. The energy label is stuck on the door of the appliance.
a perda de calor the heat loss Noun (f) C1 A maior perda de calor é pelo telhado. The greatest heat loss goes through the roof.
a vedação de frinchas the draught-proofing Noun (f) C1 A vedação de frinchas custa pouco e nota-se logo. Draught-proofing costs little and is noticed at once.
a falha no isolamento the gap in the insulation Noun (f) C1 A falha no isolamento aparece na fotografia térmica. The gap in the insulation shows up on the thermal image.
a válvula termostática the thermostatic valve Noun (f) C1 A válvula termostática fecha sozinha quando o quarto aquece. The thermostatic valve closes by itself once the room warms up.
a temperatura de impulsão the flow temperature Noun (f) C1 A temperatura de impulsão foi baixada uns graus. The flow temperature has been lowered by a few degrees.
a curva de aquecimento the heating curve Noun (f) C1 A curva de aquecimento liga a caldeira ao frio lá fora. The heating curve ties the boiler to the cold outside.
a redução noturna the night setback Noun (f) C1 A redução noturna poupa sem tirar conforto. The night setback saves without taking any comfort away.
a temperatura ambiente the room temperature Noun (f) C1 Cada grau a mais na temperatura ambiente pesa na fatura. Every extra degree of room temperature weighs on the bill.
a cabeça do chuveiro the shower head Noun (f) C1 A cabeça do chuveiro nova gasta metade da água. The new shower head uses half the water.
a máquina de secar roupa the tumble dryer Noun (f) C1 A máquina de secar roupa é o aparelho que mais gasta. The tumble dryer is the appliance that uses the most.
a regulação do frigorífico the fridge setting Noun (f) C1 A regulação do frigorífico estava fria de mais. The fridge setting was far too cold.
a remuneração da energia injetada the payment for exported energy Noun (f) C1 A remuneração da energia injetada aparece na fatura seguinte. The payment for exported energy appears on the next bill.
a bateria doméstica the home battery Noun (f) C1 A bateria doméstica guarda o excedente do dia. The home battery keeps the surplus of the day.
a bomba de calor a ar the air source heat pump Noun (f) C1 A bomba de calor a ar perde rendimento com muito frio. The air source heat pump loses efficiency in hard frost.
Noun (m) (14)
Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo
o termo fixo the standing charge Noun (m) C1 O termo fixo é pago mesmo com a casa fechada. The standing charge is paid even when the house is shut up.
o termo de energia the unit charge Noun (m) C1 O termo de energia depende do que se gasta. The unit charge depends on how much is used.
o dia da leitura the meter reading day Noun (m) C1 O dia da leitura vem marcado na fatura. The meter reading day is marked on the bill.
o contador digital the digital meter Noun (m) C1 O contador digital envia os valores sozinho. The digital meter sends the figures in by itself.
o consumo de base the baseline consumption Noun (m) C1 O consumo de base mede-se de madrugada. The baseline consumption is measured in the small hours.
o consumo em espera the standby consumption Noun (m) C1 O consumo em espera soma-se ao longo do ano. Standby consumption adds up over the year.
o isolamento do sótão the loft insulation Noun (m) C1 O isolamento do sótão foi feito numa tarde. The loft insulation was done in a single afternoon.
o isolamento das paredes the wall insulation Noun (m) C1 O isolamento das paredes obriga a obra maior. Wall insulation calls for a bigger job.
o vidro triplo the triple glazing Noun (m) C1 O vidro triplo também corta o ruído da rua. Triple glazing also cuts out the noise from the street.
o termoacumulador the hot water cylinder Noun (m) C1 O termoacumulador aquece de noite. The hot water cylinder heats up at night.
o pré-aquecimento do forno preheating the oven Noun (m) C1 O pré-aquecimento do forno é dispensável em muitos pratos. Preheating the oven can be skipped for a great many dishes.
o díodo emissor de luz the light-emitting diode Noun (m) C1 O díodo emissor de luz dura muito mais tempo. The light-emitting diode lasts a great deal longer.
o detetor de movimento the movement detector Noun (m) C1 O detetor de movimento apaga a luz da garagem. The movement detector turns the garage light off.
o painel solar no telhado the rooftop solar panel Noun (m) C1 O painel solar no telhado produz mais ao meio-dia. The rooftop solar panel produces most at midday.
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“Os azulejos” are the painted tiles on Portuguese walls and façades. The word comes from Arabic, not from ‘azul’, blue, however fitting that would be.
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