engrenagem

[ɛ̃.ɡɾe.na.ˈʒẽ]
nounfemininepl: engrenagens
gear
1. A toothed wheel or cylinder that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or power
The engine's gears work together to transfer power to the wheels.
As engrenagens do motor trabalham juntas para transferir potência às rodas.
2. A mechanism or system of interconnected parts working together
The government is a complex engrenagem of different departments.
O governo é uma engrenagem complexa de diferentes departamentos.
3. A process or sequence of events that function as an organized system
The marketing engrenagem was well-coordinated.
A engrenagem de marketing foi bem coordenada.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'engrenagem' is frequently used metaphorically to describe complex systems, bureaucracies, or organizational structures. The phrase 'entrar na engrenagem' (to enter the machinery) is commonly used in social and political discourse to describe becoming caught up in a system. The word reflects the Portuguese language's tendency to use mechanical metaphors for social and institutional processes.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
roda dentadamecanismosistemaengrenagens

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
engrenagem
Standard term used throughout Brazil for both mechanical gears and figurative systems
Rio de Janeiro
engrenagem
Common usage, sometimes used metaphorically in local slang for complex situations
São Paulo
engrenagem
Widely used in business and technical contexts
Portugal
engrenagem
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; standard European Portuguese term

Related Words

marchacorrentepoliatransmissãomotormecanismo

Related Idioms & Phrases

entrar na engrenagem (to get caught up in the system/machinery)
engrenagem do sistema (the system's machinery/apparatus)
lubrificar a engrenagem (to smooth things over/oil the wheels)
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