Compromise vs. Compromisso: An Agreement, Appointment, or Commitment?
A compromisso is often an appointment or commitment. To reach a compromise, use chegar a um acordo or fazer uma concessão.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Compromisso often means a responsibility, commitment, or scheduled appointment. Ter um compromisso can mean you already have something arranged and cannot attend another event.
Use compromisso for a commitment or appointment
Tenho um compromisso às três e não posso chegar antes.
I have an appointment at three and can’t arrive earlier.
Ela assumiu o compromisso de enviar o relatório.
She made a commitment to send the report.
Use acordo for an agreement or settlement
If two people find a compromise, chegar a um acordo is often natural. Fazer uma concessão means to make a concession. For the verb “to compromise” in the sense of putting something at risk, use comprometer.
Depois de conversar, chegamos a um acordo.
After talking, we reached a compromise.
Não quero comprometer a qualidade do trabalho.
I don’t want to compromise the quality of the work.
Ask what the sentence is about
If the topic is a calendar or responsibility, compromisso may fit. If two sides are negotiating a middle ground, choose acordo or concessão. If a choice risks a result, comprometer is clearer.
Não posso ir; tenho outro compromisso.
I can’t go; I have another commitment.
Nenhum dos lados queria ceder, mas o acordo saiu no fim.
Neither side wanted to give in, but they reached a compromise in the end.
Put it into practice
Compromisso is often an appointment or commitment; compromise is often acordo, concessão, or comprometer.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “She made a commitment to send the report”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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