empurra

Empurra is a Portuguese term with multiple uses. As a verb form, it is the present tense form of empurrar for ele/ela (ele empurra) and, in informal speech, the affirmative singular imperative for tu, meaning “Push!” In standard writing, the formal command to você is empurre. Thus, empurra can function as both a verb form and a command in different contexts.

As a noun, empurra appears in colloquial speech to denote a shove or pushing action, though the more common noun for the act is empurrão. In practice, speakers often prefer empurrão when describing a physical push, while empurra is more likely to be heard as a verb form or in casual imperatives.

Usage and context: Empurra is widely used in everyday Portuguese in situations involving physical contact, crowd movement, sports, or metaphorical pushes (such as pressure or momentum). Its exact meaning depends on grammatical form and intonation. In formal writing or careful speech, empurrão or other synonyms may be chosen to avoid ambiguity.

See also: empurrar, empurrão, empurradinha.