direto

Direto is a Portuguese term that functions primarily as an adjective and, in some contexts, as an adverb. Its core meaning is direct, straight, or without intermediaries, and it also conveys immediacy or lack of detours. The word derives from Latin directus and is cognate with Spanish directo and English direct.

As an adjective, direto describes things that go or happen without intermediaries, layers, or detours. It is common in contexts such as voo direto (direct flight), venda direta (direct sales), entrega direta ao consumidor (direct-to-consumer delivery), and ligação direta (direct line or direct connection). It can also mean straightforward or blunt, as in uma resposta direta (a direct/plain response) or ir direto ao ponto (to go straight to the point).

As an adverb, direto can be used informally to mean directly or straight away, though in many formal contexts, diretamente or diretamente ao ponto might be preferred. Examples include: vai direto ao assunto (goes straight to the matter), chegou direto de Lisboa (arrived directly from Lisbon).

Common expressions include direto ao ponto, que significa falar de maneira clara e sem rodeios, and pela via direta, indicating a non-detour route. In business language, a frequent usage is venda direta ao consumidor or distribuição direta, reflecting a model without intermediaries.

In summary, direto is a versatile term in Portuguese, primarily denoting directness and immediacy across transport, commerce, communication, and rhetoric, with nuances similar to its cognates in other Romance languages.