conforme

Conforme is a term used in Portuguese and other Romance languages to indicate that something is in accordance with a rule, standard, or reference point. It can function as an adverb or a preposition, often introducing a reference to laws, contracts, norms, or statements to which an action or judgment is aligned.

Etymology and meaning

The word derives from Latin conformis, meaning having the same form. Through French and other pathways, it entered Portuguese with the sense of compatibility or agreement with a given reference. In practice, conforme signals that a claim, requirement, or assessment follows an established standard.

Usage in Portuguese

In Brazilian and European Portuguese, conforme is frequently used in formal and legal contexts. Common collocations include conforme o código, conforme a lei, conforme acordo, and conforme estabelecido, meaning “in accordance with the code,” “in accordance with the law,” “in accordance with the agreement,” and “as established.” The phrase em conformidade com is another standard formulation meaning “in compliance with.” The choice of preposition after conforme (com, a, o/ a/os/ as) depends on grammatical agreement with the reference noun.

Usage in other languages

In French, conforme is an adjective meaning compliant or in conformity, as in produit conforme. In Spanish, conforme can function as an adverb meaning “accordingly” or as part of the phrase conforme a, meaning “in accordance with.” In English, the word is less common, but cognates like conform or conformity appear in related legal or formal contexts.

See also

Conformity, compliance, regulatory language, legal drafting.