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
Descrição tells what something is like. Discrição is tactful reserve.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
What each word does
descrição
description
Use descrição for an account of the features, appearance, or sequence of something.
discrição
discretion or reserve
Use discrição for careful, unobtrusive behavior and respect for confidentiality.
How to choose
- descrição: Choose descrição if the sentence points to an account of the features, appearance, or sequence of something.
- discrição: Choose discrição if the sentence points to careful, unobtrusive behavior and respect for confidentiality.
Examples
A testemunha fez uma descrição detalhada.
The witness gave a detailed description.
Ela tratou o assunto com discrição.
She handled the matter discreetly.
Common trap
The adjective pair preserves the difference: descritivo describes; discreto avoids attracting attention.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with descrição, then once with discrição. 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.