apropria

Apropria is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Portuguese verb apropriar. The verb means to appropriate, to seize or to take something as one’s own, often implying acting without authorization or beyond what is allowed. In everyday language, it can refer to claiming ownership of physical objects, resources, ideas, or cultural elements. In legal and ethical discussions, it is used to describe acts of mis attributions or taking what does not belong to one.

Etymology and form: Apropriar derives from the root propr-, related to the Latin proprius meaning “one’s own” or “proper,” augmented by a Romance verb-ending pattern. The noun apropriação (appropriation) and the related adjective proprietário (owner) share the same root. The form apropria specifically denotes the third-person singular present indicative: ele apropria, ela apropria, você apropria.

Usage notes: Apropriar is a transitive verb and typically requires a direct object, or it appears with the reflexive form when indicating a act of taking something for oneself, often with de or a to specify the thing appropriated. Examples include “ele apropria recursos da empresa” or in reflexive use, “ela apropria-se de ideias alheias.” In legal contexts, the related noun apropriação is used in terms like apropriação indébita, which denotes misappropriation or theft of funds. The nuance between legitimate ownership and illicit appropriation depends on jurisdiction and social norms.