formalizar

Formalizar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with meanings related to giving form, making something official, or completing procedures so that an arrangement or status is legally recognized. In both languages, it often implies moving from an informal or provisional state to a documented, enforceable one.

Etymology: The term derives from the root formal, from Latin formalis meaning pertaining to form, with the suffix -izar in both languages. Its meaning is related to the English formalize.

Contexts: In law and contracts, to formalizar a contract, a marriage, or a lease means to sign, formalize, and register it so it has legal effect. In administration, to formalizar trámites means completing required steps. In business, to formalizar a company or activity means registering with tax authorities, social security, and other agencies. The noun formalización denotes the process of making something formal, while formalizado describes something that has been formalized. The expression formalizar the sector informal refers to bringing activities within the formal economy, with taxation and regulation.

Usage notes: In Portuguese, formalizar is common in official and business language; in Spanish, it is widely used in legal and administrative contexts across Spanish-speaking countries. Related terms include la formalización (the act or process of formalizing) and formalizado (the state after formalization).

Examples: Formalizar un contrato de arrendamiento; formalizar una sociedad; formalizar trámites de registro; formalizar una relación laboral. In Brazilian Portuguese, a frase formalizar o negócio is frequently used to describe bringing a business into the formal sector.