diligência

Diligência is a Portuguese noun with several related meanings. In everyday language it denotes the quality of being diligent: care, attention, and persistence in performing tasks. A person who acts with diligence is careful, reliable and meticulous. The term stems from Latin diligentia, from diligere, expressing concern, care and thoroughness.

In common usage, diligência refers to the careful execution of duties, such as administrative tasks, studies, or work. The expression agir com diligência indicates carrying out a task with thoroughness and promptness.

In legal and business contexts the word often identifies a procedural or investigative action. The most widely known usage is due diligence, the thorough verification and assessment performed before a transaction or decision. In Brazilian Portuguese, this is frequently termed diligência pré-contratual or simply diligência, encompassing background checks, financial analysis, risk assessment, and compliance review.

In police, administrative or judicial practice, diligências denote concrete steps taken to collect information or evidence, such as requesting documents, summoning witnesses, or performing inspections.

The term thus covers both a personal virtue and concrete operational procedures, varying by context but retaining the core sense of careful, systematic effort.