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
The teacher ensina; the learner aprende.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
What each word does
ensinar
to teach
Use ensinar for giving knowledge or showing someone how to do something.
aprender
to learn
Use aprender for receiving and developing knowledge or a skill.
How to choose
- ensinar: Choose ensinar if the sentence points to giving knowledge or showing someone how to do something.
- aprender: Choose aprender if the sentence points to receiving and developing knowledge or a skill.
Examples
Ela ensina português.
She teaches Portuguese.
Eu aprendo português.
I learn Portuguese.
Common trap
The direction matters. Ensinar sends knowledge to someone, while aprender brings it into the learner.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with ensinar, then once with aprender. 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.