Explicar vs. Ensinar in Portuguese: Explain an Idea or Teach a Skill?
Explicar focuses on making something clear; ensinar focuses on helping someone learn knowledge or a skill. The meanings can overlap.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Explicar means to explain. You can explain an idea, a reason, a rule, or how a process works. A common pattern is explicar algo a alguém: explicar o problema à equipe (explain the problem to the team).
Use explicar when you clarify information or a process
When the explanation is followed by a full clause, use explicar que: ela explicou que o prazo mudou (she explained that the deadline changed). If you need help, ask someone to explain one part rather than repeating a general request.
Você pode explicar essa regra com um exemplo?
Can you explain this rule with an example?
O gerente explicou o processo para a equipe.
The manager explained the process to the team.
Ela explicou que o endereço estava incompleto.
She explained that the address was incomplete.
Use ensinar when someone learns knowledge or a skill
Ensinar means to teach or instruct. It often names the learner and the subject or skill: ensinar português a alguém (teach Portuguese to someone) or ensinar uma criança a nadar (teach a child to swim).
A teacher may explain one point while teaching a broader skill, so the verbs can describe different parts of the same lesson. Choose explicar for the clarification and ensinar for the learning process.
Meu avô me ensinou a fazer pão.
My grandfather taught me how to make bread.
A professora explicou a diferença entre os dois verbos.
The teacher explained the difference between the two verbs.
Você pode me ensinar a usar esse aplicativo?
Can you teach me how to use this app?
Put it into practice
Explicar makes a point or process clear; ensinar helps a person learn a subject or skill. A lesson can involve both actions.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “She explained that the address was incomplete”?
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.