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Coser vs. cozer

Word practice demo
The Portuguese words coser and cozer are homophones, meaning they sound identical but have different spellings and distinct meanings. Confusing them is a common mistake, but their uses are completely separate.

Coser

A2
The verb coser means to sew or to stitch. It refers to the act of joining fabric, leather, or other materials with a needle and thread, either by hand or with a sewing machine. It can also be used in a medical context for stitching a wound.
A minha avó ensinou-me a coser à mão.
(My grandmother taught me how to sew by hand.)
Preciso de coser o botão que caiu da minha camisa.
(I need to sew the button that fell off my shirt.)
O médico teve de coser o corte profundo na perna dele.
(The doctor had to stitch the deep cut on his leg.)
Ela comprou uma máquina nova para coser as suas próprias roupas.
(She bought a new machine to sew her own clothes.)
Vamos coser as duas partes do tecido para fazer a almofada.
(Let's sew the two pieces of fabric together to make the pillow.)

Cozer

A2
The verb cozer means to cook, typically by boiling something in water or another liquid. It can also refer to the process of baking materials like bread in an oven or firing ceramics in a kiln.
Vou cozer batatas e cenouras para o jantar.
(I am going to boil potatoes and carrots for dinner.)
Deixe a massa cozer em água a ferver durante dez minutos.
(Let the pasta cook in boiling water for ten minutes.)
O oleiro vai cozer os potes de barro no forno especial.
(The potter is going to fire the clay pots in the special kiln.)
Para esta receita, é melhor cozer o peixe a vapor.
(For this recipe, it is better to steam the fish.)
Estou a cozer de tão quente que está este escritório.
(I am boiling because it is so hot in this office.)

Summary

In summary, the fundamental difference lies in the action: coser (with an s) is exclusively for sewing and stitching with a needle. Cozer (with a z) is for cooking food, usually with heat and liquid, or for firing materials like clay. A simple way to remember this is to associate the S in coser with sew or stitch.