Turn this distinction into automatic recall
Falando teaches Brazilian Portuguese through grammar, vocabulary, audio, examples, and spaced review, so confusing pairs stop feeling like guesses.
Quick answer
Apagar is the everyday verb for erasing and turning off; excluir stresses removal from a system or set.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
What each word does
apagar
to erase, delete, or turn off
Use apagar for removing visible content, extinguishing light or fire, or deleting informally.
excluir
to delete, exclude, or remove
Use excluir for formally removing an item from a system, list, set, or group.
How to choose
- apagar: Choose apagar if the sentence points to removing visible content, extinguishing light or fire, or deleting informally.
- excluir: Choose excluir if the sentence points to formally removing an item from a system, list, set, or group.
Examples
Apaguei a mensagem por engano.
I deleted the message by mistake.
Exclua o cadastro duplicado.
Delete the duplicate registration.
Common trap
Only apagar works for lights and fires: apagar a luz, apagar o incêndio. Excluir does not mean switch off.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with apagar, then once with excluir. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
Turn this distinction into automatic recall
Falando teaches Brazilian Portuguese through grammar, vocabulary, audio, examples, and spaced review, so confusing pairs stop feeling like guesses.