Encaminhar

Encaminhar is a verb in Brazilian Portuguese with the core meaning of send or direct something to another person or place for further action. It is used in several contexts, including forwarding a message or document, routing a request through a workflow, and referring a matter to a different department or authority. The sense often involves guiding a process along a path from one point to another.

Common contexts include email and other written communications, administrative procedures, and legal or bureaucratic processes. In digital communication, encaminhar corresponds to “forward” or “reforward” a message; in formal settings, it can also mean to refer or to submit a case to the appropriate office. Examples: “Encaminhei o e-mail ao suporte técnico” and “Vou encaminhar o processo ao departamento correspondente.”

Grammar-wise, encaminhar is a regular -ar verb. Its conjugation follows standard patterns for -ar verbs, with forms such as eu encaminho (present), eu encaminhei (past), and eu encaminharei (future). The verb is transitive and commonly used with direct objects or with prepositional phrases like para alguém, para um departamento, or a um destinatário.

Etymologyally, encaminhar combines en- (put into) with caminhar (to walk), originally conveying the idea of placing someone or something on a path. In modern usage, it extends to directing information, requests, or cases through an organization or a communication channel.

See also: reencaminhar, remeter, encaminhamento. The noun encami-nhamento refers to the act of forwarding or forwarding direction in procedural contexts.