presente
/pɾeˈzẽtɨ/
Definition
Something that exists or is happening now; also a gift given to someone. As an adjective, it means "present" or "current."
Example
Ela está presente em todos os momentos importantes.
Show translation
She is present at every important moment.
Etymology
From Latin *praesens* (genitive *praesentis*), the present participle of *praeesse* — *prae-* ("before, in front") + *esse* ("to be"). The semantic bridge from "being in front of someone" to "a gift" arose in Medieval Latin via the phrase *in praesenti dare* ("to give into the presence of"), which gradually shortened to just *praesens* as a noun meaning a gift.
Cultural note
In Brazilian Portuguese, *presente* is the default word for both senses — "present (time/attendance)" and "gift." European Portuguese uses it equally freely. Learners coming from Spanish should note that while Spanish *presente* also covers both meanings, the "gift" sense is far more dominant in everyday Portuguese speech than in Spanish, where *regalo* typically wins out. In classrooms and formal roll-calls, students shout *presente!* to confirm attendance — a lively cultural ritual across Brazil.