travar-se

[tɾa.ˈvaɾ.sə]
verb (pronominal/reflexive)
to jam; to lock up; to get stuck; to seize up
1. to become stuck or immobilized; to stop functioning due to mechanical obstruction
The door hinges travaram-se due to rust.
As dobradiças da porta travaram-se por causa da ferrugem.
2. to freeze or lock up (especially referring to computer systems or machinery)
The engine travou-se in the cold weather.
O motor travou-se no tempo frio.
3. to become blocked or congested
The drain travou-se with debris.
O ralo travou-se com detritos.
4. to become emotionally blocked or speechless; to freeze up (figurative)
He travou-se when asked the difficult question.
Ele travou-se quando perguntaram a pergunta difícil.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'travar-se' is commonly used both in technical contexts (machinery, computers) and in informal speech to describe someone becoming nervous, speechless, or hesitant. The reflexive form emphasizes the involuntary nature of the action. It's particularly prevalent in automotive and tech discussions in urban Brazilian contexts.
NYC Slang
to jam up; to seize up; to freeze (in tech context)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
emperrar-seentupir-seprender-seimobilizar-separalisar-secongelar-se
Antonyms / Antônimos
liberar-sesoltar-sedesbloquear-sefluirfuncionar

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
travar-se
most common usage for mechanical or computer systems blocking
Rio de Janeiro
travar-se
also used colloquially for becoming nervous or hesitant in speech
São Paulo
travar-se
technical usage common in automotive and industrial contexts
Portugal
prender-se / emperrar-se
Portuguese European Portuguese more commonly uses alternative terms for mechanical jamming

Related Words

travartravamentotravadodestravadorentrave

Related Idioms & Phrases

a língua travou-se
o motor travou-se
ficar travado
travar-se de medo
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →