explicar

Senses

1. 1.

   to explain

   to make something clear or understandable by describing it in detail

2. 2.

   to account for

   to give a reason or justification for something

3. 3.

   to work out

   to clarify or resolve a doubt or problem

Examples

• "Você pode me explicar como funciona esse aplicativo?"

  Can you explain to me how this app works?

• "Ele não conseguiu explicar por que chegou atrasado."

  He couldn't account for why he arrived late.

• "A professora explicou a matéria de forma muito clara."

  The teacher explained the subject matter very clearly.

Usage

Very common verb in educational and everyday contexts. Frequently followed by a direct object (what is being explained) or by "como," "por que," or "o que" (how, why, what). The reflexive form "explicar-se" means "to explain oneself" or "to justify."