Discutir vs. Conversar: Talk Something Through or Argue — Practice

Use conversar for a conversation

Conversar means to talk or have a conversation, usually without suggesting a disagreement. Use conversar com alguém for the person you talk with and conversar sobre something for the topic.

When you want to make a serious conversation clear, add the subject: conversar sobre o problema (talk about the problem). The verb itself stays neutral; the surrounding words explain why the conversation is happening.

Use discutir carefully for a topic or an argument

Discutir can mean examine or debate a subject, especially in meetings, classes, and formal contexts. It can also mean argue with someone. Because both meanings are possible, a learner may want to use conversar about a sensitive topic when no conflict is intended.

Add details to clarify: discutir uma proposta can mean discuss a proposal; discutir com alguém often suggests arguing with that person, though context still matters. Intonation and the situation help listeners interpret the verb.

Remember: Conversar is a neutral ‘talk’ verb. Discutir can mean discuss a subject or argue with someone. Add com, sobre, or the topic to make your meaning clear.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I want to talk with you after class.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quero conversar com você depois da aula.

2. We talked about the travel options.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Conversamos sobre as opções de viagem.

3. They talked for almost an hour.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Eles conversaram por quase uma hora.

4. The team will discuss the budget tomorrow.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A equipe vai discutir o orçamento amanhã.

5. I don’t want to argue with you.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não quero discutir com você.

6. In class, we discussed different interpretations of the text.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Na aula, discutimos diferentes interpretações do texto.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Conversar is a neutral ‘talk’ verb. Discutir can mean discuss a subject or argue with someone. Add com, sobre, or the topic to make your meaning clear.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Discutir vs. Conversar: Talk Something Through or Argue? lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.