not acquire knowledge

[nɑt əˈkwaɪr ˈnɑlɪdʒ]
verb phrase
não adquirir conhecimento
1. to fail to gain, obtain, or learn information, skills, or understanding about something
Students who do not acquire knowledge in foundational subjects will struggle later.
Alunos que não adquirem conhecimento em disciplinas fundamentais terão dificuldades depois.
2. to remain ignorant or uninformed about a particular subject or topic
If you do not acquire knowledge about financial planning, you may face economic difficulties.
Se você não adquirir conhecimento sobre planejamento financeiro, pode enfrentar dificuldades econômicas.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'not acquiring knowledge' is viewed negatively, particularly in educational and professional settings. It reflects a cultural value placed on continuous learning and personal development. In Brazil, there is emphasis on 'educação' (education) as essential to social mobility, while in the USA, lifelong learning is a cornerstone of the American work ethic.
NYC Slang
stay ignorant; not pick it up; miss out on learning
Synonyms / Sinônimos
fail to learnremain ignorantnot understandlack comprehensionfail to grasp
Antonyms / Antônimos
acquire knowledgelearnunderstandgain insighteducate oneself

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
não adquirir conhecimento
Standard usage in formal and informal contexts
São Paulo
não aprender
More colloquial alternative commonly used
Rio de Janeiro
não pegar conhecimento
Informal, colloquial variant
Portugal
não adquirir conhecimento
Same as Brazilian Portuguese, formal usage

Related Words

ignorancelack of understandingfailure to learneducational deficitintellectual stagnation

Related Idioms & Phrases

to live in ignorance
to miss the boat on learning
to remain in the dark
to turn a blind eye to education
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