concepção

Concepção is a Portuguese noun with several related meanings. It can refer to the act of conceiving a fetus, i.e., the beginning of pregnancy. It also designates the formation or origin of an idea, plan, or project, as in the conception of a theory or the conception of a design. More broadly, concepção can denote a worldview or philosophy, the way someone understands or interprets reality.

Etymology and related terms: concepção derives from Latin conceptio, from concipere, meaning to take in or to conceive. The verb conceber corresponds to “to conceive,” and the related noun conceito denotes a concept or notion, while ideia refers to a more concrete or specific idea. The term concepção thus often emphasizes the process of conceiving or the resulting framework rather than the abstract notion itself.

Uses in language: in medicine, concepção is used to describe pregnancy and gestation. In scholarship and discourse, it appears in phrases such as concepção de mundo (worldview) or concepção de um projeto (design or plan). In philosophy and social sciences, it can express different conceptual frameworks or theories.

Notes on nuances: concepção is more dynamic than conceito, which refers to an abstract idea. Concepção highlights the act, the start, or the organizing structure behind a notion, whereas concepcion may function as the broader, holistic interpretation of a phenomenon.