be construed
[/bi kənˈstruːd/]
verb (passive voice)
ser interpretado, ser entendido, ser compreendido
1. to be understood or interpreted in a particular way
His silence should not be construed as agreement.
Seu silêncio não deve ser interpretado como concordância.
2. to be explained or analyzed in a specific manner, especially in legal or formal contexts
The contract can be construed in two different ways.
O contrato pode ser entendido de duas maneiras diferentes.
3. to be taken to mean something, often implicitly
Her comment could easily be construed as offensive.
Seu comentário poderia facilmente ser compreendido como ofensivo.
This phrase is particularly common in legal, academic, and formal business contexts in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese. In contracts and official documents, disclaimers often include 'not to be construed as' to prevent misinterpretation. In Brazilian Portuguese legal terminology, 'ser interpretado' is the standard equivalent and appears frequently in statutory texts and formal agreements.
Related Idioms & Phrases
be construed as a refusal
not to be construed as legal advice
could be construed as harassment
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →