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Portuguese (Brazilian) Level 3 noun

acordo

/aˈkoʁ.du/

Definition

An agreement between two or more people or groups about something. Can also mean the act of waking up (as in *de acordo* = "in agreement / okay").

Example

Chegamos a um acordo depois de uma longa conversa.

Show translation

We reached an agreement after a long conversation.

Etymology

From Latin *accordare* ("to bring heart-to-heart"), composed of *ad-* ("to") + *cor/cordis* ("heart"). The same Latin root gives English "accord," "concord," and "discord." In Portuguese it evolved through Old Ibero-Romance and settled as *acordo* by the 15th century.

Cultural note

The phrase **de acordo** is everywhere in Brazilian daily life — it functions like "okay," "agreed," or "alright" in casual and formal speech alike. You'll hear it in boardrooms and WhatsApp chats equally. A subtle false friend warning for English speakers: *acordo* never means "a chord" in music — that's *acorde* (with a final -e).

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