C1 · 46 words
Contract and liability in Portuguese
How a contract comes about, how it fails, and who answers for what afterwards.
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From these 46 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
Twenty-second on this list is a cláusula penal, and it is the entry where a word-for-word translation does real damage. In Portuguese the clause is ordinary and useful: the parties fix in advance what will be paid if the contract is broken, so that nobody has to prove a loss afterwards. « A penalty clause », in English, names something the courts have long refused to give effect to. The rule is short enough to state: a term put there to frighten the other side into performing is a penalty and falls away, while a term that is a genuine attempt to put a figure on the likely loss stands. The same words therefore land on opposite sides of the line in the two languages. What an English contract calls the thing that a cláusula penal actually is, is « a liquidated damages clause », and drafters keep off the other word on purpose, because calling a term a penalty is halfway to arguing that it should be struck out. Read the entry as « agreed damages », never as a punishment.
The words
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Verb (1)
estipularto lay down as a termVerbC1
O contrato estipula um prazo de três meses.The contract lays down a period of three months.
Phrase (1)
a título onerosofor a considerationPhraseC1
O bem foi transmitido a título oneroso.The asset was transferred for a consideration.
Noun (f) (27)
Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo
a mora do devedorthe debtor’s delay in performingNoun (f)C1
A mora do devedor faz correr juros.The debtor’s delay sets interest running.
a interpelação admonitóriathe formal demand setting a time limitNoun (f)C1
A interpelação admonitória fixa um prazo razoável.The formal demand fixes a reasonable time limit.
a resolução do contratothe termination of the contractNoun (f)C1
A resolução do contrato opera por declaração à outra parte.Termination takes effect by declaration to the other side.
a anulabilidadethe voidabilityNoun (f)C1
A anulabilidade só pode ser invocada pela parte protegida.Voidability can be relied on only by the party the rule protects.
a nulidade do negóciothe nullity of the transactionNoun (f)C1
A nulidade do negócio é de conhecimento oficioso.Nullity must be taken into account by the court of its own motion.
as cláusulas contratuais geraisthe standard contract termsNoun (f)C1
As cláusulas contratuais gerais têm de ser comunicadas.Standard contract terms have to be brought to the other side’s notice.
a cláusula abusivathe unfair termNoun (f)C1
A cláusula abusiva é nula e o resto do contrato mantém-se.An unfair term is void and the rest of the contract stands.
a responsabilidade contratualliability in contractNoun (f)C1
A responsabilidade contratual pressupõe um contrato válido.Liability in contract presupposes a valid contract.
a responsabilidade extracontratualliability outside contractNoun (f)C1
Entre estranhos vale a responsabilidade extracontratual.Between strangers, liability arises outside contract.
a culpa gravegross negligenceNoun (f)C1
A cláusula não vale havendo culpa grave.The clause does not hold where there is gross negligence.
a obrigação de indemnizarthe duty to make good the lossNoun (f)C1
A obrigação de indemnizar abrange todo o prejuízo causado.The duty to make good the loss covers the whole harm caused.
a cláusula penalthe clause fixing damages in advanceNoun (f)C1
A cláusula penal fixa o montante à partida.The clause fixes the amount at the outset.
a promessa de contratarthe binding promise to enter into a contractNoun (f)C1
A promessa de contratar já obriga ambas as partes.A binding promise to contract already ties both sides.
a execução específicathe order that stands in for the promiseNoun (f)C1
A execução específica substitui a declaração em falta.The court order takes the place of the missing declaration.
a força maiorthe event beyond anyone’s controlNoun (f)C1
A força maior suspende a obrigação.An event beyond anyone’s control suspends the duty.
a garantia de bom funcionamentothe guarantee that the thing will workNoun (f)C1
A garantia de bom funcionamento é de dois anos.The guarantee that the thing will work runs for two years.
a conformidade do bemthe conformity of the goodsNoun (f)C1
A falta de conformidade do bem dá direito à substituição.Goods that do not conform give a right to replacement.
a obrigação de meiosthe duty to take proper careNoun (f)C1
O médico assume uma obrigação de meios.A doctor undertakes to take proper care.
a obrigação de resultadothe duty to deliver the outcomeNoun (f)C1
O transportador assume uma obrigação de resultado.A carrier undertakes to deliver the outcome.
a solidariedade passivathe liability of each for the wholeNoun (f)C1
A solidariedade passiva permite exigir tudo a um só.Where each is liable for the whole, the whole can be claimed from one.
a fiançathe suretyshipNoun (f)C1
A fiança abrange também os juros.The suretyship covers the interest as well.
a cessão da posição contratualthe transfer of a party’s positionNoun (f)C1
A cessão da posição contratual exige o acordo de todos.Transferring a party’s position requires everybody’s agreement.
a sub-rogaçãothe stepping into another’s claimNoun (f)C1
A seguradora ficou sub-rogada nos direitos do lesado.The insurer stepped into the injured party’s claim.
a denúncia do defeitothe notice of the defectNoun (f)C1
A denúncia do defeito tem de ser feita em trinta dias.Notice of the defect must be given within thirty days.
a cláusula de renovaçãothe renewal clauseNoun (f)C1
A cláusula de renovação opera na falta de oposição.The renewal clause operates unless somebody objects.
a proposta contratualthe contractual offerNoun (f)C1
A proposta contratual vincula quem a fez.The offer binds the person who made it.
a aceitação tardiathe late acceptanceNoun (f)C1
A aceitação tardia vale como nova proposta.A late acceptance counts as a fresh offer.
Noun (m) (17)
Grammar for these: Definite article: o, a, os, as · Contractions: do, na, ao, pelo
o incumprimento definitivothe final failure to performNoun (m)C1
O incumprimento definitivo dispensa nova interpelação.A final failure to perform makes any further demand unnecessary.
o vício da vontadethe defect in consentNoun (m)C1
Um vício da vontade torna o negócio anulável.A defect in consent makes the transaction voidable.
o dolothe fraudulent misrepresentationNoun (m)C1
O dolo pressupõe uma sugestão ou artifício.Fraud presupposes a suggestion or a contrivance.
o erro sobre o objetothe mistake about the subject matterNoun (m)C1
O erro sobre o objeto tem de ser essencial.The mistake about the subject matter must go to the root of the bargain.
o dever de informaçãothe duty to informNoun (m)C1
O dever de informação recai sobre o profissional.The duty to inform falls on the trader.
o abuso do direitothe abuse of a rightNoun (m)C1
O tribunal reconheceu o abuso do direito.The court found that the right had been abused.
o nexo de causalidadethe causal linkNoun (m)C1
Tem de provar-se o nexo de causalidade.The causal link has to be proved.
o dano patrimonialthe financial lossNoun (m)C1
O dano patrimonial foi calculado por perito.The financial loss was worked out by an expert.
o dano não patrimonialthe non-financial lossNoun (m)C1
O dano não patrimonial é fixado com equidade.Non-financial loss is assessed on what seems fair.
os lucros cessantesthe loss of profitsNoun (m)C1
Os lucros cessantes têm de ser demonstrados.Loss of profits has to be shown.
o sinal e princípio de pagamentothe deposit counted as part paymentNoun (m)C1
Quem desiste perde o sinal e princípio de pagamento.Whoever pulls out loses the money paid down.
o caso fortuitothe accident nobody causedNoun (m)C1
O caso fortuito exclui a culpa.An accident nobody caused rules out fault.
o defeito ocultothe hidden defectNoun (m)C1
O defeito oculto não era visível na entrega.The hidden defect could not be seen on delivery.
o credorthe creditorNoun (m)C1
O credor pode exigir o cumprimento.The creditor may demand performance.
o devedorthe debtorNoun (m)C1
O devedor mantém-se obrigado até ao pagamento.The debtor stays bound until payment.
o direito de retençãothe right to hold on to the thingNoun (m)C1
Invocou o direito de retenção sobre a obra.He claimed a right to hold on to the work.
o direito de livre resoluçãothe right to withdraw without reasonNoun (m)C1
O direito de livre resolução dura catorze dias.The right to withdraw runs for fourteen days.
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This list belongs to Law and contracts — 32 lists and 1 264 words that can also be practised as a whole.