Desligar vs. Apagar in Portuguese: Turn Off a Device or a Light
Desligar commonly switches off a device; apagar often turns out a light or deletes information. Context and collocations matter.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Desligar commonly means to switch off or disconnect something: desligar o computador, desligar o ar-condicionado, or desligar o Wi-Fi. It also means to hang up a call in everyday expressions such as desligar o telefone.
Use desligar for switching off a device or connection
The same verb can describe disconnecting a person from a conversation or turning away from a topic in figurative contexts. The object helps you identify the intended meaning.
Desligue o computador antes de sair.
Turn off the computer before you leave.
Preciso desligar o Wi-Fi para reiniciar o roteador.
I need to turn off the Wi-Fi to restart the router.
Ela desligou o telefone depois da chamada.
She hung up the phone after the call.
Use apagar for a light, a flame, or information
Apagar commonly means to put out or turn out a light or flame: apagar a luz, apagar a vela. It also means to erase or delete information: apagar uma mensagem or apagar um arquivo. For a lamp, both apagar and desligar may be used, so pay attention to the object and local phrasing.
To turn a light back on, say acender a luz. For a device, ligar is a common opposite of desligar. Learning the pairs together helps you describe a simple household task clearly.
Pode apagar a luz do corredor?
Can you turn off the hallway light?
Apaguei a mensagem por engano.
I deleted the message by mistake.
Vou ligar o ventilador e acender a luz.
I’m going to turn on the fan and switch on the light.
Put it into practice
Desligar is a common choice for devices and connections; apagar is common for lights, flames, and deleting information. Lights can overlap, so learn the usual phrase with its object.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Can you turn off the hallway light”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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