Equipara

Equipara is a Portuguese verb that means to compare, to equate, or to bring into parity. It is the third-person singular form of the verb equiparar in the present indicative, and it can be used with different constructions depending on the meaning.

The action is typically transitive and takes a direct object, as in equiparar algo a algo, meaning to make one thing equal to or comparable with another. It can also be used reflexively with a, as in equiparar-se a alguém ou a alguma coisa, meaning to place oneself on par with someone or something. In everyday language, equiparar can describe comparing values, conditions, or performances; in formal or legal contexts, it often appears in discussions of parity or equal treatment.

In legal and administrative discourse, equiparar is common when discussing equality of rights or treatment across groups. For example, a policy might equiparar salários across job categories or equiparar direitos between workers and contractors. The noun equiparação, meaning the act or process of making equal or comparable, is closely related and frequently used in formal texts.

Usage notes: equipara is widely understood in both Brazilian and European Portuguese, though nuances can vary by region. In Brazilian Portuguese, the term is common in legal, governmental, and corporate language, while in everyday speech it often appears in contexts of comparison rather than formal parity. Related terms include igualar, paridade, and equiparação.