encher

Encher is a Portuguese verb meaning to fill, to stuff, or to load. It is transitive and used with direct objects (encher algo) to indicate increasing fullness or capacity, as well as with reflexive or idiomatic constructions (encher-se de algo). It is common in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, with everyday uses such as encher o tanque (to fill the tank) or encher a casa de visitas (to fill the house with guests). The phrase encher-se de alegria or encher-se de orgulho expresses becoming filled with a feeling.

Conjugation and usage: Encher is a regular -er verb. Present indicative: eu encho, tu enches, ele enche, nós enchemos, vós encheis, eles enchem. Preterite perfeito: eu enchi, tu encheste, ele encheu, nós enchemos, vós enchestes, eles encheram. Imperfect: eu enchia, tu enchias, ele enchia, nós enchíamos, vós enchíeis, eles enchiam. Subjunctive present: que eu encha, que tu enches, que ele encha, que nós enchamos, que vós enchais, que eles enchem. Future: eu encherei, tu enchereis, ele encherá, nós encheremos, vós encheréis, eles encherão.

Etymology and related notes: The verb is native to Portuguese and derives from Latin roots common to Romance languages. Its semantic field centers on making something full or complete. In regional usage, encher also appears in fixed expressions such as encher o copo (to refill one’s glass) or encher-se de emoção (to be filled with emotion). Some informal phrases, like encher o saco, exist in certain dialects, but are considered vulgar.