pisar, caminhar
1. (verb) to step or walk on something
Be careful where you tread in the forest.
Cuidado onde você pisa na floresta.
2. (verb) to crush or press something underfoot
Don't tread on the flowers.
Não pise nas flores.
3. (verb) to walk with a particular manner or rhythm
She tread lightly across the wooden floor.
Ela caminhou levemente pelo piso de madeira.
4. (noun) the upper surface of a step in a staircase
The tread of the stairs is worn from years of use.
O degrau da escada está desgastado pelo uso de anos.
5. (noun) the pattern of ridges on a tire
The tread on these tires is too worn for safe driving.
O sulco dos pneus está muito desgastado para dirigir com segurança.
In both Brazilian and American English, 'tread' is commonly used in automotive contexts regarding tire tread patterns. The phrase 'tread lightly' is idiomatic in both cultures, meaning to act cautiously or sensitively. In Portuguese, pisar is the most direct translation, though caminhar emphasizes the walking aspect rather than the crushing aspect of treading.
NYC Slang
step on (as in 'don't step on me')
Related Idioms & Phrases
tread carefully/lightly - act cautiously
tread water - stay in the same place without making progress
tread on someone's toes - offend or upset someone
tread the boards - perform as an actor on stage
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