Portuguese words you already know: -tion → -ção and more

You've never studied Portuguese — and you already know hundreds of its words. Revolução, informação, situação, emoção: the moment you see the ending −ção, the word all but translates itself — revolution, information, situation, emotion. That's not a handful of lucky examples; it's a real bridge rule. Both languages borrowed the same Latin suffix independently, and two thousand years later it's still recognizable on sight. Below is the full list from the Mnezo catalog, each word with transcription and synthesized BR-PT audio.

The rule: −ção almost always maps to −tion

It holds up remarkably well: whenever Brazilian Portuguese builds a noun from a verb with −ção, there's very likely an English −tion cognate waiting on the other side. That's not a coincidence or a textbook trick — both languages took the same Latin ending (−tio/−tionis) on their own, and centuries later it still lines up almost letter for letter.

Below are 116 of these words from the Mnezo catalog, ranked by how often Brazilians actually use them — not rare bookish vocabulary, but words you'll hear constantly. Tap the speaker icon on each one: you'll also hear exactly how −ção really sounds, which is not what English spelling instincts predict (more on that next).

1. 1
   estação—station, stop

   [estaˈsɐ̃w̃]
   PlacesA2noun
2. 2
   porção—portion, serving

   [poʁˈsɐ̃w̃]
   General vocabularyA2noun
3. 3
   informação—information

   [ĩfoʁmaˈsɐ̃w̃]
   OtherB1noun
4. 4
   infecção—infection

   [ĩfekˈsɐ̃w̃]
   HealthA2noun
5. 5
   injeção—injection, shot

   [ĩʒeˈsɐ̃w̃]
   HealthA2noun
6. 6
   recepção—reception, front desk

   [ʁesepˈsɐ̃w̃]
   PlacesA2noun
7. 7
   emoção—emotion

   [emoˈsɐ̃w̃]
   EmotionsB1noun
8. 8
   função—function

   [fũˈsɐ̃w̃]
   ProfessionsB1noun
9. 9
   operação—operation, surgery

   [opeɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
   HospitalB1noun
10. 10
    adaptação—adaptation, adjustment

    [adaptaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    KindergartenB1noun
11. 11
    apresentação—presentation

    [apɾezẽtaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HobbiesB1noun
12. 12
    comunicação—communication

    [komunikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
13. 13
    especialização—specialization

    [espesializaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EducationB1noun
14. 14
    liquidação—clearance sale, liquidation

    [likidaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ShoppingB1noun
15. 15
    qualificação—qualification

    [kwalifikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsB1noun
16. 16
    exposição—exhibition, exhibit

    [eʃpoziˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HobbiesA2noun
17. 17
    nação—nation

    [naˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB1noun
18. 18
    tradição—tradition

    [tɾadʒiˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB1noun
19. 19
    associação—association

    [asosiaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
20. 20
    corrupção—corruption

    [koʁupˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB1noun
21. 21
    declaração—statement, declaration

    [deklaɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
22. 22
    evolução—evolution

    [evoluˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
23. 23
    frustração—frustration

    [fɾustɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EmotionsB1noun
24. 24
    inovação—innovation

    [inovaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
25. 25
    recomendação—recommendation

    [ʁekomẽdaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CommunicationB1noun
26. 26
    transformação—transformation

    [tɾɐ̃sfoʁmaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
27. 27
    constituição—constitution

    [kõstʃituiˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB1noun
28. 28
    discriminação—discrimination

    [dʒiskɾiminaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB1noun
29. 29
    manifestação—demonstration, protest

    [manifestaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB1noun
30. 30
    oposição—opposition, contrast

    [opoziˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
31. 31
    revolução—revolution

    [ʁevoluˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
32. 32
    abstração—abstraction

    [abstɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    OtherB1noun
33. 33
    degradação—degradation

    [degɾadaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    WeatherB1noun
34. 34
    documentação—documentation, paperwork

    [dokumẽtaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    TravelB2noun
35. 35
    inflação—inflation

    [ĩflaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsB2noun
36. 36
    seleção—selection

    [seleˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsB2noun
37. 37
    vacinação—vaccination

    [vasinaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HealthB2noun
38. 38
    situação—situation

    [situaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB1noun
39. 39
    animação—animation

    [animaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EmotionsB2noun
40. 40
    automação—automation

    [awtomaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    TechnologyB2noun
41. 41
    coleção—collection

    [koleˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB2noun
42. 42
    configuração—setting, configuration

    [kõfiguɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    TechnologyB2noun
43. 43
    cooperação—cooperation

    [koopeɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    SocietyB2noun
44. 44
    coordenação—coordination

    [kooʁdenaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HobbiesB2noun
45. 45
    corporação—corporation

    [koʁpoɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    BusinessB2noun
46. 46
    desinformação—disinformation, misinformation

    [dezĩfoʁmaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    MediaB2noun
47. 47
    integração—integration

    [ĩtegɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    SocietyB2noun
48. 48
    interpretação—interpretation

    [ĩteʁpɾetaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EducationB2noun
49. 49
    manipulação—manipulation

    [manipulaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    MediaB2noun
50. 50
    proporção—proportion, ratio

    [pɾopoʁˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB2noun

51. 51
    reabilitação—rehabilitation

    [ʁeabilitaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HealthB2noun
52. 52
    resolução—resolution

    [ʁezoluˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
53. 53
    sanção—sanction

    [sɐ̃ˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
54. 54
    globalização—globalization

    [globalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsC1noun
55. 55
    organização—organization

    [oʁganizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
56. 56
    autenticação—authentication

    [awtẽtʃikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    TechnologyB2noun
57. 57
    colonização—colonization

    [kolonizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
58. 58
    compensação—compensation

    [kõpẽsaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    TravelB2noun
59. 59
    dedução—deduction

    [deduˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
60. 60
    distribuição—distribution

    [dʒistɾibuiˈsɐ̃w̃]
    BusinessB2noun
61. 61
    federação—federation

    [fedeɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB2noun
62. 62
    imunização—immunization

    [imunizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HealthB2noun
63. 63
    mobilização—mobilization

    [mobilizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
64. 64
    plantação—plantation

    [plɐ̃taˈsɐ̃w̃]
    NatureB2noun
65. 65
    privatização—privatization

    [pɾivatʃizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    BusinessB2noun
66. 66
    restauração—restoration

    [ʁestawɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB2noun
67. 67
    segregação—segregation

    [segɾegaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB2noun
68. 68
    urbanização—urbanization

    [uʁbanizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
69. 69
    validação—validation

    [validaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EducationB2noun
70. 70
    verificação—verification

    [veɾifikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    MediaB2noun
71. 71
    argumentação—argumentation, reasoning

    [aʁgumẽtaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
72. 72
    composição—composition

    [kõpoziˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureC1noun
73. 73
    imigração—immigration

    [imigɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
74. 74
    migração—migration

    [migɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
75. 75
    assimilação—assimilation

    [asimilaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureB2noun
76. 76
    confederação—confederation

    [kõfedeɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsB2noun
77. 77
    deflação—deflation

    [deflaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsB2noun
78. 78
    descolonização—decolonization

    [deskolonizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
79. 79
    estagnação—stagnation

    [estagnaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
80. 80
    indução—induction

    [ĩduˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyB2noun
81. 81
    irrigação—irrigation

    [iʁigaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    NatureB2noun
82. 82
    marginalização—marginalization

    [maʁʒinalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    SocietyB2noun
83. 83
    nacionalização—nationalization

    [nasionalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    BusinessB2noun
84. 84
    opção—option, call option

    [opˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsB2noun
85. 85
    alucinação—hallucination

    [alusinaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HealthC1noun
86. 86
    amortização—amortization, loan repayment

    [amoʁtʃizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsC1noun
87. 87
    centralização—centralization

    [sẽtɾalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsC1noun
88. 88
    consolidação—consolidation

    [kõsolidaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ProfessionsC1noun
89. 89
    correção—correction, grading

    [koʁeˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
90. 90
    correlação—correlation

    [koʁelaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    EducationC1noun
91. 91
    delegação—delegation, delegating

    [delegaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
92. 92
    instalação—installation (art)

    [ĩstalaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    CultureC1noun
93. 93
    jurisdição—jurisdiction

    [ʒuɾisdʒiˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
94. 94
    mutação—mutation

    [mutaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ScienceC1noun
95. 95
    polarização—polarization

    [polaɾizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    PoliticsC1noun
96. 96
    projeção—projection

    [pɾoʒeˈsɐ̃w̃]
    HealthC1noun
97. 97
    radiação—radiation

    [ʁadʒiaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    ScienceC1noun
98. 98
    socialização—socialization

    [sosializaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    General vocabularyC1noun
99. 99
    estratificação—stratification

    [estɾatʃifikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
    SocietyB2noun
100. 100
     gentrificação—gentrification

     [ʒẽtɾifikaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     General vocabularyB2noun
101. 101
     capitulação—capitulation, surrender

     [kapitulaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     PoliticsC1noun
102. 102
     compilação—compilation

     [kõpilaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     TechnologyC1noun
103. 103
     convecção—convection

     [kõvekˈsɐ̃w̃]
     ScienceC1noun
104. 104
     degeneração—degeneration

     [deʒeneɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     HealthC1noun
105. 105
     descentralização—decentralization

     [dessẽtɾalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     PoliticsC1noun
106. 106
     extradição—extradition

     [eʃtɾadʒiˈsɐ̃w̃]
     PoliticsC1noun
107. 107
     fermentação—fermentation

     [feʁmẽtaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     ScienceC1noun
108. 108
     gradação—gradation

     [gɾadaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     CultureC1noun
109. 109
     modulação—modulation

     [modulaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     HobbiesC1noun
110. 110
     proliferação—proliferation

     [pɾolifeɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     HealthC1noun
111. 111
     racionalização—rationalization

     [ʁasionalizaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     HealthC1noun
112. 112
     saturação—saturation

     [satuɾaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     CultureC1noun
113. 113
     transcrição—transcription

     [tɾɐ̃skɾiˈsɐ̃w̃]
     ScienceC1noun
114. 114
     conotação—connotation

     [konotaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     EducationC2noun
115. 115
     expropriação—expropriation

     [eʃpɾopɾiaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     BusinessC2noun
116. 116
     sublimação—sublimation

     [sublimaˈsɐ̃w̃]
     HealthC1noun

How −ção actually sounds

Here's the honest catch: English −tion is pronounced "shun" — Portuguese −ção is not, and reading it with that English instinct produces a sound no Brazilian will recognize. The real ending is a nasal vowel, air pushed half through the nose, roughly like the "ow" in "sound" said through your nose instead of your mouth — there's no clean consonant at the end at all, nasal or otherwise. Each card's IPA transcription spells this out precisely, but the speaker icon is still the fastest teacher: play it several times before you try to say the word yourself, so your mouth learns the real sound instead of a guess built from the spelling.

Five more suffixes that work the same way

−ção is the biggest and most reliable bridge, but it's not the only one. These endings map onto English almost as cleanly:

The trap: a matching ending doesn't guarantee a matching meaning

These suffix bridges hold up most of the time, but not every time — and Portuguese has a few classic false friends that trip up English speakers specifically, some of them built from the very suffixes above:

• pretender means "to intend" or "to plan" — not "to pretend". "Eu pretendo viajar" is "I intend to travel," not "I'm pretending to travel."
• atualmente — yes, one of our −mente adverbs from above — means "currently" or "nowadays", not "actually". If a Brazilian says "atualmente moro no Rio," they mean "I currently live in Rio."

Which is exactly why the lists above aren't a blind suffix search: every row was checked against its real English translation first, so what you see is a word that genuinely means what its ending suggests.

Recognizing a word isn't the same as producing it

Reading informação and landing on "information" is nearly free for your brain — the resemblance jumps out on the first try. Saying the word out loud, with the real nasal −ção and the stress in the right place, without hesitating, is a different skill entirely, and recognition alone doesn't train it. That gap — between "I understand it on the page" and "I can say it in a conversation" — is the gap between a passive and an active vocabulary, and this bridge only closes the first half. The second half — pronunciation, recall, actually using the word — is what ordinary practice builds: audio flashcards and spaced repetition in Mnezo do the part a suffix never can.