ditar

Ditar is a Portuguese verb meaning to dictate or to pronounce aloud something for another person to write down. It is commonly used to describe the act of reading text or spoken words so someone else can transcribe them, as in a secretary recording what is spoken. The verb can also extend to the act of issuing commands, orders, or formal pronouncements, such as laws, rules, or sentences.

Etymology and cognates: Ditar derives from Latin dictare, and is cognate with the Spanish dictar and the English dictate. The usage reflects the broader Romance-language pattern of verbs built around speaking, writing, and formal issuing of statements.

Usage notes: In everyday Portuguese, ditar is typically linked to transcription or transmission of spoken material. In legal or formal contexts, related forms like dictar (to issue or pronounce) may appear, and in some regions both verbs are used with overlapping meanings. Some speakers may prefer ditar for the act of transcription and dictar for formal pronouncements, while others treat the two as near synonyms depending on regional practice.

Conjugation and forms: Ditar is a regular -ar verb in many dialects. The past participle is ditado, and the simple past forms follow standard -ar verb patterns. For example, “Ela ditou as instruções ao assistente” and “O professor ditou o texto aos alunos.”

Examples:

- Ela ditou o relatório ao secretário.

- O juiz ditou a sentença.

- O instrutor ditou as regras aos participantes.

See also: dictar, dictate (cognates in other languages).