Portuguese Phrase
Pretendo aprender novas habilidades.
Meaning
This phrase expresses a clear intention or plan to acquire new competencies or talents. It centers around the verb 'pretender', which is a common false friend for English speakers, as it means 'to intend' rather than 'to pretend'.
When to use
Use this phrase in professional settings like job interviews or performance reviews to show initiative. It is also perfect for casual conversations about New Year's resolutions or personal growth.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pretendoaprendernovashabilidades
Pretender (Intend)
This is a false cognate; it means 'to plan' or 'to intend', while the English 'pretend' is 'fingir' in Portuguese.
Noun-Adjective Agreement
'Novas' is the feminine plural form of 'novo' to agree with the feminine plural noun 'habilidades'.
🗨In Conversation
Quais são seus planos para o próximo semestre?
What are your plans for the next semester?
Pretendo aprender novas habilidades para melhorar meu currículo.
I intend to learn new skills to improve my resume.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu pretendo de aprender novas habilidades.
The verb 'pretender' is followed directly by the infinitive without the preposition 'de'.
Eu intendo aprender novas habilidades.
Learners often mistakenly use 'intendo' (from English 'intend'), but the correct Portuguese verb for intention is 'pretender'.
↔Alternatives
Quero aprender novas competências.
I want to learn new competencies.
Tenho o objetivo de adquirir novos conhecimentos.
I have the goal of acquiring new knowledge.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian business culture, demonstrating a 'proactive' attitude is highly regarded. Using 'pretender' suggests a professional level of commitment to self-improvement without sounding overly aggressive.