⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

subir

Stem-changing (-ir) Level A2 ⭐ #57 Most Common

English translation: to go up / to climb / to rise

Stem Pattern: u -> o vowel alternation in present: subo, sobes, sobe
💡 Key Usage Note: Used for ascending stairs ('subir as escadas') or climbing ranks.
📘 Linguistic Rule: Stem vowel 'u' lowers to 'o' in 2nd and 3rd person singular and 3rd plural present: tu sobes, ele sobe, eles sobem.
⚖️ Subir vs Descer (Ascending vs Descending)
View DESCER →
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Presente do Indicativo

Going up.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
eu subo
tu sobes
ele/ela/você sobe
nós subimos
vós subis
eles/elas/vocês sobem
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'SUBIR' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Think of a 'submarine' surfacing or ascending.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Ele sube as escadas
✓ Say instead: Ele sobe as escadas

Why: Portuguese stem-changing lowers u -> o in the 3rd person present: ele sobe.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'subir'
Subir à cabeça

= To go to one's head (fame/pride/alcohol)

"O sucesso subiu-lhe à cabeça."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'subir'

1 / 12
Presente do Indicativo
eu

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Answer
subo

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Frequently Asked Questions: SUBIR

Is "subir" a regular or irregular verb in Portuguese? ▾

"subir" is classified as a Stem-changing (-ir) verb in Portuguese. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "u -> o vowel alternation in present: subo, sobes, sobe". Stem vowel 'u' lowers to 'o' in 2nd and 3rd person singular and 3rd plural present: tu sobes, ele sobe, eles sobem. Used for ascending stairs ('subir as escadas') or climbing ranks.

What does "subir" mean in English? ▾

In English, "subir" translates primarily to "to go up / to climb / to rise". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "subir"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Ele sube as escadas" instead of "Ele sobe as escadas". Why? Portuguese stem-changing lowers u -> o in the 3rd person present: ele sobe.

What are common idioms or expressions with "subir"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Subir à cabeça" which means "To go to one's head (fame/pride/alcohol)" (e.g. "O sucesso subiu-lhe à cabeça.").

How can I practice and memorize "subir" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'subir' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

How do you conjugate 'você' in the present of subir?

Other Important Portuguese Verbs to Study

ser Irregular

to be (permanent / identity)

estar Irregular

to be (state, mood, location)

ter Irregular

to have / possess

ir Irregular

to go

fazer Irregular

to do / to make

dizer Irregular

to say / tell

ver Irregular

to see / watch

poder Irregular

can / to be able to

saber Irregular 2nd Conj

to know (facts, skills)

querer Irregular (-er)

to want / to love

vir Irregular Monosyllabic (-ir)

to come

falar Regular (-ar)

to speak / to talk

ouvir Irregular (-ir)

to hear / to listen

trazer Highly Irregular

to bring

pedir Irregular (d -> ç in 1st person)

to ask for / to order / to request

sentir Stem-Changing (e -> i)

to feel / to regret / to hear

ficar Regular with spelling change (c -> qu)

to stay / to remain / to become / to be located

dormir Stem-changing verb

to sleep

abrir Irregular Participle

to open / to unlock

chegar Orthographic Irregular

to arrive / to reach

passar Regular -ar

to pass / to spend (time) / to happen

levar Regular -ar

to take / to carry / to take away

descer Irregular (-cer)

to go down / to descend

escrever Irregular Participle

to write

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