Avisar vs. Informar in Portuguese: Let Someone Know or Give Information
Avisar often sounds natural for letting someone know about a change; informar can frame the message as giving information, especially in formal situations.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Avisar is common when you want to alert someone or let them know about a change, delay, arrival, or next step. It often appears with the person first and the information after: avisar alguém de alguma coisa, avisar alguém que…, or simply avisar que… when the person is clear from context.
Use avisar for a practical heads-up
The tone is everyday and direct. It works well in a message to a friend, colleague, or service provider when the point is that the other person should know something.
Vou avisar a Ana que vou me atrasar.
I’ll let Ana know that I’m going to be late.
Você pode me avisar quando chegar?
Can you let me know when you arrive?
O hotel avisou os hóspedes sobre a mudança.
The hotel informed the guests about the change.
Use informar when the focus is the information itself
Informar emphasizes communicating information and can sound more formal or administrative. It is common in notices, workplace instructions, and customer-service exchanges. The person may be introduced with a direct object or with the preposition a, depending on the sentence: informar alguém or informar a alguém.
The two verbs can overlap. Choose based on the situation and the tone you want, then learn the full phrase that follows each verb rather than translating one English word mechanically.
Precisamos informar os clientes sobre o novo horário.
We need to inform customers about the new schedule.
A recepção informou que o elevador está em manutenção.
Reception informed us that the elevator is under maintenance.
Put it into practice
For a quick personal heads-up, avisar is often a natural choice. Informar fits notices and situations where formally giving information is the focus.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We need to inform customers about the new schedule”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.