Quick answer
Assistir focuses on watching as an audience; comparecer focuses on showing up and being present.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
assistir
to watch or attend as an audience
Use assistir for viewing a film, program, lecture, match, or performance.
comparecer
to show up or be present
Use comparecer for being physically or officially present at a scheduled place or event.
How to choose
- assistir: Choose assistir if the sentence points to viewing a film, program, lecture, match, or performance.
- comparecer: Choose comparecer if the sentence points to being physically or officially present at a scheduled place or event.
Examples
Assistimos à palestra pela internet.
We watched the lecture online.
Todos os candidatos devem comparecer à entrevista.
All candidates must attend the interview.
Common trap
Someone can comparecer a uma reunião without watching a performance, and can assistir online without physically showing up.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with assistir, then once with comparecer. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese step by step
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