Quick answer
Deferir approves. Diferir means differ, and sometimes defer in formal language.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
deferir
to grant or approve
Use deferir for approving a request, especially in legal or administrative language.
diferir
to differ or postpone
Use diferir for being different, or delaying something in formal contexts.
How to choose
- deferir: Choose deferir if the sentence points to approving a request, especially in legal or administrative language.
- diferir: Choose diferir if the sentence points to being different, or delaying something in formal contexts.
Examples
O pedido foi deferido.
The request was granted.
As opinioes diferem bastante.
The opinions differ a lot.
Common trap
The English "defer" can tempt you toward deferir, but Portuguese often needs diferir or adiar.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with deferir, then once with diferir. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese step by step
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