Push vs. Puxar: Don’t Mix Up These Portuguese Verbs
Puxar resembles push but means pull. Use empurrar when you want someone to push a door or object.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Puxar can trick English speakers because it resembles push. In Portuguese, puxar means to pull or draw something toward you. The usual verb for push is empurrar. A helpful memory cue is a door: puxe means pull; empurre means push.
Empurrar means push; puxar means pull
Both verbs are regular -ar verbs, so you can use them with everyday objects, doors, drawers, and simple instructions.
Empurre a porta para abrir.
Push the door to open it.
Puxe a gaveta devagar.
Pull the drawer slowly.
Você pode empurrar a mesa um pouco?
Can you push the table a little?
Notice which way the object moves
If the action moves something away from the person applying force, empurrar is a useful starting point. If it brings or draws the object toward that person, use puxar. Some actions depend on the scene, so picture the movement rather than translating from the first letter of the English word.
Puxe a cadeira para perto da mesa.
Pull the chair closer to the table.
Empurre o carrinho pelo corredor.
Push the cart down the aisle.
Put it into practice
Use empurrar for push and puxar for pull. When you see these verbs on a door or hear them in an instruction, follow the direction of movement.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Can you push the table a little”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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