ousar

Ousar is a Portuguese verb meaning to dare or to venture to do something. It denotes taking bold action, facing risk, or challenging established norms. The word is used across registers, from literary to everyday speech, and can govern an infinitive or a direct object, as in phrases like ousar enfrentar o perigo or ousar dizer a verdade. In present tense, the verb typically appears in forms such as eu ouso, tu ousas, ele ousa, nós ousamos, vocês ousam, with regional variations in spelling and usage.

Etymology and cognates

Ousar derives from Latin audere, meaning “to dare,” and reached Portuguese through the historical development of the Romance languages. The verb has cognates in related Iberian languages, including Spanish osar and Galician osar, which reflect a shared semantic core of boldness and risk-taking. The verb’s core meaning has remained stable across centuries, even as its stylistic usage has shifted with changes in speech norms.

Usage and context

Ousar is commonly employed in contexts involving courage, innovation, or social challenge. It appears in both practical and rhetorical statements, such as “ele ousa propor uma ideia ousada” or “ousar desafiar o status quo.” In literature and journalism, the term can convey emphasis on agency and risk, while in everyday speech it often signals a calculated or moral form of boldness. The phrase “ousar” frequently collocates with nouns like coragem, risco, or verdade, highlighting the moral or practical dimensions of daring.