How to Say ‘Figure Out’ in Portuguese: Entender, Descobrir, or Resolver
Portuguese uses different verbs for understanding an explanation, discovering a fact, and solving a problem.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
When figure out means to understand how something works, use entender. Add como or por que when you are naming what you want to understand.
Use entender when you mean understand
Ainda estou tentando entender como esse aplicativo funciona.
I’m still trying to figure out how this app works.
Agora entendi por que a porta não abria.
Now I figured out why the door wouldn’t open.
Use descobrir when you mean find out
Descobrir often means to find out or discover information. Use it when you have learned something that was previously unknown.
Descobri onde fica a entrada do prédio.
I figured out where the building entrance is.
Preciso descobrir quem está responsável pelo pedido.
I need to find out who is responsible for the order.
Use resolver when you mean solve a problem
Resolver means to solve or resolve a problem. If you are working through a practical issue, resolver may fit better than entender, even if understanding is part of the process.
Vamos resolver o problema antes da reunião.
Let’s figure out the problem before the meeting.
Ela resolveu como chegar ao hotel de ônibus.
She figured out how to get to the hotel by bus.
Put it into practice
Use entender for understanding, descobrir for finding out, and resolver for solving a problem.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Now I figured out why the door wouldn’t open”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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