手早い答え
descobrir は既存のものを発見し、inventar は新しく作る・作り話をすることです。
確実な見分け方は、英語から訳す前に、その単語の働きを見きわめることです。
それぞれの単語の働き
descobrir
to discover or find out
Use descobrir for revealing something that already existed or learning a previously unknown fact.
inventar
to invent or make up
Use inventar for creating something new or fabricating a story or excuse.
選び方
- descobrir: Choose descobrir if the sentence points to revealing something that already existed or learning a previously unknown fact.
- inventar: Choose inventar if the sentence points to creating something new or fabricating a story or excuse.
例文
Os pesquisadores descobriram uma nova espécie.
The researchers discovered a new species.
Ela inventou um aparelho para economizar água.
She invented a device to save water.
よくある落とし穴
A scientist may descobrir a natural phenomenon and inventar a device that uses it.
文脈の中で練習する
自分の実生活から文を一つ選び、二回書いてみましょう。一度はdescobrirで、もう一度はinventarで。どちらも成り立ちそうなら、意味の違いを言葉にしてみましょう。