At the A1 level, you should learn 'acanhamento' as a noun that means 'shyness'. While you might first learn the adjective 'tímido' (shy), knowing the noun 'acanhamento' helps you understand when people say things like 'Não tenha acanhamento' (Don't be shy). Imagine you are at a friend's house in Brazil or Portugal. They offer you food, but you are a bit nervous to take it. They will say 'Não tenha acanhamento!' to make you feel comfortable. It is a very polite and warm word in this context. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that it is a feeling (um sentimento). You can say 'Eu sinto acanhamento' (I feel shyness). This level is about recognizing the word in basic social situations. It is a masculine word, so we use 'o' with it: 'o acanhamento'. If you feel 'acanhamento' when speaking Portuguese, don't worry! Every student feels it. It is a normal part of learning a new language. You can practice by saying 'Eu quero perder o meu acanhamento' (I want to lose my shyness). This is a great goal for an A1 student. Most importantly, see this word as a bridge to being more social in Portuguese-speaking cultures. It is a word about feelings and social rules.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'acanhamento' in more complete sentences to describe yourself and others. You should understand that it comes from the idea of being 'narrow' or 'small'. When you feel 'acanhamento', you feel like you want to hide. You can use it with verbs like 'ter' (to have) and 'perder' (to lose). For example, 'As crianças têm muito acanhamento com estranhos' (Children have a lot of shyness with strangers). This is a common sentence you might hear or use. You can also use it to describe a specific moment: 'Senti um pouco de acanhamento na festa' (I felt a bit of shyness at the party). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish it from 'vergonha' (shame). Use 'acanhamento' for being shy and 'vergonha' for when you did something wrong or feel very embarrassed. You might also hear it in the context of public speaking: 'Ele precisa vencer o acanhamento para falar em público' (He needs to overcome shyness to speak in public). Practice using it in your journal to describe how you feel when you go to a Portuguese restaurant or talk to a native speaker. It is a very useful word for expressing your social boundaries and your progress in becoming more confident.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'acanhamento' to discuss personality and social dynamics in more detail. You can use it as a subject of a sentence to talk about abstract concepts. For example, 'O acanhamento pode ser um obstáculo na carreira' (Shyness can be an obstacle in one's career). You should also start noticing how it is used in more formal settings, such as job interviews or school reports. A teacher might write, 'O aluno demonstra acanhamento durante as atividades em grupo' (The student demonstrates shyness during group activities). You can also use adjectives to modify the noun, like 'acanhamento excessivo' (excessive shyness) or 'acanhamento natural' (natural shyness). At this level, you can also explore the idiomatic expression 'sem acanhamento', which means 'without hesitation' or 'boldly'. 'Você pode perguntar qualquer coisa sem acanhamento' (You can ask anything without hesitation). This shows a higher level of fluency because you are using the word in a way that isn't just about feeling shy, but about the social permission to be direct. You should also be able to explain the difference between 'acanhamento' and 'timidez' to someone else, noting that 'acanhamento' often feels more situational and physical, while 'timidez' is a broader personality trait.
At the B2 level, you can use 'acanhamento' to analyze social behaviors and cultural differences. You might discuss how 'acanhamento' is perceived differently in different cultures. For instance, in some cultures, 'acanhamento' might be seen as a sign of respect, while in others, it might be seen as a lack of confidence. You can use more sophisticated verbs with the word, such as 'manifestar-se' (to manifest itself) or 'atenuar' (to diminish/soften). 'O acanhamento manifestou-se logo que ele entrou na sala cheia de desconhecidos' (The shyness manifested itself as soon as he entered the room full of strangers). You can also use the word in the context of literature or film analysis to describe a character's internal conflict. At this stage, you should also be aware of the etymology (from 'acanhar' - to make small) and how this physical metaphor enriches the meaning. You can use it in conditional sentences: 'Se eu não tivesse tanto acanhamento, eu teria aceitado o convite' (If I didn't have so much shyness, I would have accepted the invitation). This level requires you to use the word not just to describe a feeling, but to argue a point or describe a complex social situation with nuance and precision. You should also be able to use synonyms like 'retraimento' or 'pejo' to vary your vocabulary in written assignments.
At the C1 level, your use of 'acanhamento' should be seamless and nuanced. You can use it to describe subtle social atmospheres or the 'clumsiness' of a situation. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in classical literature, where it often describes the social constraints of past centuries. You can use it in complex grammatical structures, such as 'A despeito do seu acanhamento...' (Despite her shyness...). You might also explore the more archaic or physical uses of the root 'acanhar', such as 'roupas acanhadas' (cramped/tight clothes), though 'acanhamento' itself remains almost exclusively emotional in modern usage. At this level, you can use the word to discuss psychological states in a professional or academic context, perhaps comparing 'acanhamento' with 'ansiedade social' (social anxiety). You should also be able to use the word ironically or for comedic effect in storytelling. For example, describing a giant man with 'acanhamento' creates a vivid, contrasting image. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'desacanhado' (someone who has lost their shyness/bold). Using 'acanhamento' at this level means knowing exactly when it is the better choice over 'timidez' to convey a specific 'flavor' of social inhibition that is distinctly Lusophone.
At the C2 level, 'acanhamento' is a tool for professional-grade communication and literary expression. You can use it to discuss the 'sociologia do acanhamento'—how social structures produce feelings of inadequacy or shrinking in certain individuals. You are capable of using the word in high-level debates about human nature, education, and social etiquette. You can manipulate the word's connotations to suit your purpose, whether you want to evoke sympathy, criticize a lack of assertiveness, or praise a character's modesty. You understand the deepest nuances, such as how 'acanhamento' can be a form of 'auto-preservação' (self-preservation). You can write essays where 'acanhamento' is a central theme, exploring its role in the Portuguese 'fado' or in the introspective works of Fernando Pessoa. At this level, you don't just know what the word means; you know its weight, its history, and its potential to color a sentence with a specific emotional hue. You can use it in poetic ways, describing the 'acanhamento do crepúsculo' (the shyness of the twilight) to personify nature. Your mastery of the word is absolute, allowing you to use it, avoid it, or replace it with an even more obscure synonym like 'pudor' or 'modéstia' depending on the precise communicative goal you have in mind.

acanhamento في 30 ثانية

  • Acanhamento is a Portuguese noun for shyness or social inhibition, often used to describe a temporary feeling of being 'shrunken' or awkward in public.
  • It comes from the root 'acanhar' (to make small), emphasizing the physical feeling of wanting to disappear or take up less space when nervous.
  • Commonly used in the phrase 'Não tenha acanhamento' (Don't be shy), it is a key word for understanding social etiquette and hospitality in Lusophone cultures.
  • While similar to 'timidez', acanhamento focuses more on the situational feeling and the physical manifestation of social discomfort.
The Portuguese word acanhamento is a rich, multidimensional noun that primarily translates to shyness, bashfulness, or a sense of social embarrassment. At its linguistic core, the word is derived from the verb acanhar, which carries the literal meaning of making something narrow, small, or cramped. When applied to human emotion, it describes that internal psychological state where an individual feels 'shrunken' or inhibited in the presence of others. Unlike pure 'timidez' (timidity), which is often seen as a permanent personality trait, acanhamento frequently refers to the situational feeling of being overwhelmed by a specific social context. It is the sensation of the throat tightening, the eyes looking downward, and the desire to become invisible when all eyes are on you. In Lusophone cultures, expressing that someone has acanhamento can be a way to excuse a child's silence or to describe the initial awkwardness between two people meeting for a first date. It is a word that captures the physical and emotional constraint of social anxiety without necessarily pathologizing it.
Etymological Root
The root 'canha' relates to the left hand (canhoto), which historically was associated with being 'clumsy' or 'awkward'. Thus, the state of acanhamento is a state of feeling 'clumsy' in social space.

Apesar do seu acanhamento inicial, ela conseguiu fazer uma apresentação brilhante para a diretoria.

In literature, authors often use this word to describe the delicate modesty of a character. It isn't always negative; sometimes, acanhamento is seen as a sign of respect or proper upbringing (modéstia). However, in modern business contexts, it is something to be 'overcome' (vencido). You will hear it in schools, at family gatherings, and in romantic songs where the singer admits to a certain 'acanhamento' when trying to confess their love.
Social Context
In Brazil, someone might say 'Deixe de acanhamento!' to encourage a guest to serve themselves more food, effectively saying 'Don't be shy!'

O acanhamento dele era visível pelo modo como ele evitava contato visual com os convidados.

Grammatical Note
It is a masculine noun. It is almost always used with verbs like 'sentir' (to feel), 'perder' (to lose), or 'vencer' (to overcome).

Não tenha acanhamento, a casa é sua!

O pequeno João sentiu um súbito acanhamento ao ver tantos parentes reunidos.

Para muitos artistas, o palco é o único lugar onde o acanhamento desaparece completamente.

Understanding acanhamento is key to understanding the Portuguese soul, which often balances between warm expansiveness and a reserved, almost 'saudade'-infused modesty. It is a word that invites empathy, as everyone has felt that 'narrowing' of the self at some point in their lives.
Using acanhamento correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It functions as the object of feelings or the subject of a state of being. You don't 'be' acanhamento; you 'have' it or 'feel' it. The most common verb pairings are sentir (to feel), vencer (to overcome), perder (to lose), and demonstrar (to demonstrate). When you want to describe the action of being shy, you use the related adjective acanhado. However, the noun form allows for more poetic and precise descriptions of the emotion itself.
Common Collocation
'Vencer o acanhamento' is a very frequent phrase used in self-help and educational contexts to describe the process of becoming more confident in public speaking or social interactions.

Ela precisou de muito esforço para vencer o acanhamento e pedir um aumento ao chefe.

In a sentence, acanhamento can be modified by adjectives to show intensity. Phrases like 'grande acanhamento' (great shyness) or 'ligeiro acanhamento' (slight shyness) are common. It can also be used in the plural, 'acanhamentos', though this is much rarer and usually refers to multiple instances or types of inhibitions.

O acanhamento excessivo pode impedir que uma pessoa desenvolva plenamente seu potencial profissional.

Idiomatic Usage
'Sem acanhamento' means 'without hesitation' or 'boldly'. If someone tells you to speak 'sem acanhamento', they want you to be direct and honest.

Pode falar sem acanhamento, estamos entre amigos aqui e ninguém vai te julgar.

When writing, you can use acanhamento to add texture to a character's internal monologue. Instead of saying they were 'scared', saying they felt 'acanhamento' suggests a more social, nuanced form of fear—the fear of being judged or seen.

Houve um momento de acanhamento quando os dois ex-namorados se cruzaram no corredor do cinema.

O acanhamento daquela criança era tão profundo que ela se escondia atrás das pernas da mãe.

Sentence Structure
Subject + Verbo (sentir/ter/perder) + acanhamento + Complemento (ao + infinitive/de + noun).

Nós perdemos o acanhamento de falar português depois de morar em Lisboa por seis meses.

By mastering these patterns, you can express social nuances that 'timidez' doesn't quite cover, especially the transition from being shy to being comfortable.
You will encounter acanhamento in a variety of real-world settings across the Portuguese-speaking world. In Brazil, it is extremely common in hospitality. A host might notice you are not eating much and say, 'Não tenha acanhamento, coma mais!' This is a quintessential cultural moment where the word is used to break the ice and make a guest feel at home. In Portugal, the word might be used in a slightly more formal or descriptive way, perhaps in a news report discussing a politician's 'acanhamento' during a difficult debate, suggesting they were hesitant or lacked their usual vigor.
In the Workplace
HR professionals often use the word when discussing soft skills. A candidate might be described as having 'um certo acanhamento', which could be a polite way of saying they are introverted.

Durante a entrevista, o candidato demonstrou um acanhamento que não condizia com o seu currículo experiente.

In schools, teachers use it to describe students who are academically capable but socially reserved. 'Ela é uma ótima aluna, mas precisa perder o acanhamento para participar mais das aulas.' Here, it is framed as a hurdle to overcome for personal growth.

O acanhamento do protagonista é o que torna o romance tão encantador e realista para o público.

In Literature
Classic Portuguese authors like Machado de Assis or Eça de Queirós frequently used 'acanhamento' to describe the rigid social graces and internal anxieties of the 19th-century bourgeoisie.

Havia no seu gesto um acanhamento fidalgo, uma mistura de orgulho e timidez que confundia a todos.

A noiva entrou na igreja com um acanhamento que todos acharam muito apropriado para a ocasião.

O palestrante confessou o seu acanhamento antes de começar, o que imediatamente criou empatia com a plateia.

Social media influencers also use it when talking about their 'glow up' or how they used to be shy before finding their voice online. It is a word that bridges the gap between high literature and everyday colloquialisms.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing acanhamento with 'vergonha'. While 'vergonha' can mean shyness, its primary meaning is 'shame' or 'disgrace'. If you say 'Tenho vergonha de você', you are saying 'I am ashamed of you', which is very different from saying someone is shy. Acanhamento is the safer, more specific word for social inhibition. Another mistake is using the word as an adjective. You cannot say 'Eu sou acanhamento'; you must say 'Eu sou acanhado' (adjective) or 'Eu tenho acanhamento' (noun).
Confusion with Space
Because the root 'acanhar' can refer to a physical space being narrow, some learners try to use 'acanhamento' to describe a small room. While technically possible in very literary Portuguese, it's almost always better to use 'estreiteza' or 'falta de espaço' for physical locations.

Errado: O quarto tem muito acanhamento. Correto: O quarto é muito apertado.

A third mistake involves the preposition. People often use 'com' when they should use 'de' or 'ao'. For example, 'acanhamento de falar' (shyness of speaking) or 'acanhamento ao entrar' (shyness upon entering).

Não confunda: 'Pedir um acompanhamento' (ordering a side dish) com 'vencer o acanhamento' (overcoming shyness).

Intensity Issues
Learners often forget that acanhamento is a 'soft' word. If someone is genuinely terrified of people, 'fobia social' is the correct term. Acanhamento implies a level of discomfort that is still within the normal range of social behavior.

O acanhamento dele é fofo, não é nada patológico.

Finally, be careful with the pronunciation. The 'nh' sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon' or the 'ñ' in Spanish. Failing to nasalize this sound can make the word unrecognizable to native speakers.

Muitos alunos dizem 'acanhamento' com o som de 'n' simples, mas o correto é o som palatal do 'nh'.

Evite dizer 'estou com acanhamento' para dizer que está com frio; isso não faz sentido nenhum!

Mastering these distinctions will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.
To truly enrich your vocabulary, you should know the synonyms and alternatives to acanhamento. The most direct synonym is timidez. While often interchangeable, timidez is more of a character trait, whereas acanhamento is often the feeling that results from that trait. Another beautiful alternative is pejo, which is more formal and carries a sense of 'modesty' or 'decency' mixed with shyness. Retraimento suggests a more deliberate withdrawal from social interaction.
Acanhamento vs. Timidez
Timidez is the personality (the 'why'), while acanhamento is the social manifestation (the 'how it feels').
Acanhamento vs. Vergonha
Vergonha is often tied to a specific action or failure, whereas acanhamento is general social friction.
Acanhamento vs. Modéstia
Modéstia is a virtue of not boasting; acanhamento is the involuntary feeling of being shy.

O seu acanhamento era confundido com arrogância por aqueles que não o conheciam bem.

Ela falou com um certo pejo, revelando seu caráter reservado.

In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear people use the word trava (lock) to describe a moment of acanhamento: 'Eu dei uma trava na hora de falar'. This is slangy but captures the same feeling of being 'locked' or 'narrowed' by shyness. In Portugal, cerimónia is often used in the context of hospitality: 'Não faça cerimónia' is synonymous with 'Não tenha acanhamento'.
Formal Alternatives
In academic or psychological writing, 'inibição social' is preferred over 'acanhamento'.

A inibição é um mecanismo de defesa comum em ambientes desconhecidos.

O retraimento do artista era sua forma de proteger sua intimidade criativa.

Não deixe que o acanhamento te impeça de brilhar na festa de hoje!

Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your speech to the level of formality and the specific emotion you wish to convey.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The word is a relative of 'canhoto' (left-handed). Just as being left-handed was once seen as 'awkward' in a right-handed world, acanhamento is the feeling of social awkwardness.

دليل النطق

UK /ɐ.kɐ.ɲɐ.ˈmẽ.tu/
US /a.ka.ɲa.ˈmẽ.tu/
The primary stress is on the 'men' syllable (a-ca-nha-MEN-to).
يتقافى مع
pensamento sentimento momento casamento nascimento movimento conhecimento sofrimento
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'nh' as a simple 'n'. It must be palatal.
  • Failing to nasalize the 'en' in 'mento'.
  • Putting the stress on the last syllable 'to'.
  • Pronouncing the initial 'a' too strongly like 'ay'.
  • Missing the soft 'u' sound of the final 'o'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

The word is easy to recognize once the 'nh' sound and the noun suffix '-mento' are understood.

الكتابة 4/5

Spelling 'acanhamento' correctly requires remembering the 'nh' and the 'h'.

التحدث 5/5

The nasal 'en' and the palatal 'nh' make it a good pronunciation exercise for intermediate learners.

الاستماع 3/5

It is a long word with clear syllables, making it relatively easy to pick out in speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

tímido vergonha sentir ter perder

تعلّم لاحقاً

desinibição retraimento modéstia encabulado desenvoltura

متقدم

pejo pudor introspecção filantropia misantropia

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Nasalization of vowels before 'm' or 'n'

The 'en' in acanhamento is nasalized.

Noun-Adjective Agreement

O acanhamento (masc) excessivo (masc).

Use of 'ao' + infinitive for 'when/upon'

Acanhamento ao falar (shyness when speaking).

Preposition 'de' with nouns of feeling

Ter acanhamento de alguém.

Verbs of change of state (perder/vencer)

Perder o acanhamento (to become less shy).

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Eu sinto acanhamento.

I feel shyness.

Simple subject + verb + noun.

2

Não tenha acanhamento!

Don't be shy!

Imperative negative with 'ter'.

3

O menino tem acanhamento.

The boy is shy (has shyness).

Masculine noun 'o acanhamento'.

4

Ela perde o acanhamento.

She loses her shyness.

Present tense of 'perder'.

5

O acanhamento é normal.

Shyness is normal.

Noun as the subject.

6

Você tem acanhamento de falar?

Are you shy to speak?

Question with 'ter acanhamento de'.

7

Meu acanhamento sumiu.

My shyness disappeared.

Possessive 'meu' + noun.

8

Um pouco de acanhamento é bom.

A little bit of shyness is good.

Quantifier 'um pouco de'.

1

O acanhamento dele é muito fofo.

His shyness is very cute.

Possessive 'dele' after the noun.

2

Venci o meu acanhamento ontem.

I overcame my shyness yesterday.

Past tense 'venci'.

3

Ela sente acanhamento ao ver o João.

She feels shy when she sees João.

Preposition 'ao' + infinitive.

4

Tire esse acanhamento e dance!

Get rid of that shyness and dance!

Demonstrative 'esse'.

5

O acanhamento impede a conversa.

Shyness prevents conversation.

Verb 'impedir' in the present.

6

Eles não têm nenhum acanhamento.

They don't have any shyness.

Negative with 'nenhum'.

7

O acanhamento faz parte da vida.

Shyness is part of life.

Idiomatic 'faz parte de'.

8

Por causa do acanhamento, ele não saiu.

Because of shyness, he didn't go out.

Causal 'por causa de'.

1

É preciso superar o acanhamento inicial.

It is necessary to overcome the initial shyness.

Impersonal 'é preciso' + infinitive.

2

O acanhamento dela era visível para todos.

Her shyness was visible to everyone.

Adjective 'visível' modifying the situation.

3

Fale sem acanhamento sobre seus problemas.

Speak without hesitation about your problems.

Idiomatic 'sem acanhamento'.

4

O acanhamento pode ser confundido com timidez.

Shyness can be confused with timidity.

Passive voice 'pode ser confundido'.

5

Notei um certo acanhamento na voz dele.

I noticed a certain shyness in his voice.

Indefinite 'um certo'.

6

O acanhamento excessivo atrapalha os estudos.

Excessive shyness gets in the way of studies.

Verb 'atrapalhar'.

7

Sempre tive esse acanhamento desde criança.

I've always had this shyness since I was a child.

Present perfect 'tenho tido' or past 'tive'.

8

O acanhamento diminui com a prática.

Shyness decreases with practice.

Verb 'diminuir'.

1

O acanhamento social é um tema recorrente na psicologia.

Social shyness is a recurring theme in psychology.

Adjective 'recorrente'.

2

Apesar do acanhamento, ele aceitou o desafio.

Despite the shyness, he accepted the challenge.

Concession 'apesar de'.

3

O acanhamento muitas vezes mascara um grande talento.

Shyness often masks a great talent.

Verb 'mascarar'.

4

Não deixe o acanhamento ditar suas escolhas.

Don't let shyness dictate your choices.

Subjunctive after 'deixar'.

5

Houve um acanhamento geral quando o diretor entrou.

There was a general awkwardness when the director entered.

Existential 'houve'.

6

O acanhamento pode ser uma barreira para a inovação.

Shyness can be a barrier to innovation.

Noun 'barreira'.

7

Ela descreveu seu acanhamento como uma sombra constante.

She described her shyness as a constant shadow.

Simile 'como uma sombra'.

8

A cultura do acanhamento varia entre as regiões.

The culture of shyness varies between regions.

Verb 'variar'.

1

O acanhamento fidalgo daquela senhora era admirável.

That lady's noble modesty was admirable.

Adjective 'fidalgo' (noble/aristocratic).

2

A obra explora o acanhamento como uma forma de resistência.

The work explores shyness as a form of resistance.

Verb 'explorar' in an analytical sense.

3

Seu acanhamento era, na verdade, uma prudência extrema.

His shyness was, in truth, an extreme prudence.

Parenthetical 'na verdade'.

4

O acanhamento diante do sagrado é um sentimento universal.

Awe/shyness before the sacred is a universal feeling.

Prepositional phrase 'diante de'.

5

A retórica dele carecia de vigor devido ao acanhamento.

His rhetoric lacked vigor due to shyness.

Verb 'carecer de'.

6

O acanhamento pode ser um refúgio para as almas sensíveis.

Shyness can be a refuge for sensitive souls.

Metaphor 'um refúgio'.

7

Nada justifica o acanhamento em defender os direitos humanos.

Nothing justifies shyness in defending human rights.

Negative subject 'nada'.

8

O acanhamento da economia impede novos investimentos.

The shrinking/stagnation of the economy prevents new investments.

Metaphorical/Physical use in economics.

1

O acanhamento ontológico do ser humano perante o cosmos.

The ontological shrinking of the human being before the cosmos.

Philosophical terminology.

2

A prosa de Saramago despe-se de qualquer acanhamento formal.

Saramago's prose strips itself of any formal inhibition.

Reflexive 'despir-se de'.

3

O acanhamento é o véu que encobre as virtudes mais raras.

Shyness is the veil that covers the rarest virtues.

Poetic metaphor.

4

Havia um acanhamento telúrico naquela pequena aldeia isolada.

There was a telluric (earthbound/primitive) shyness in that small isolated village.

Rare adjective 'telúrico'.

5

O acanhamento das instituições democráticas é preocupante.

The shrinking/weakening of democratic institutions is worrying.

Abstract institutional use.

6

Transpor o acanhamento da linguagem é o dever do poeta.

Transposing the limitations/shyness of language is the poet's duty.

Infinitive as subject.

7

O acanhamento, outrora visto como virtude, hoje é estigmatizado.

Shyness, once seen as a virtue, is today stigmatized.

Adverb 'outrora'.

8

O acanhamento da alma reflete-se na rigidez do corpo.

The shyness of the soul is reflected in the rigidity of the body.

Psychosomatic description.

تلازمات شائعة

perder o acanhamento
vencer o acanhamento
sentir acanhamento
acanhamento excessivo
sem acanhamento
um certo acanhamento
acanhamento inicial
demonstrar acanhamento
deixar o acanhamento de lado
causar acanhamento

العبارات الشائعة

Não tenha acanhamento.

— Don't be shy. Used to encourage someone to feel at home or speak up.

Sirva-se, não tenha acanhamento!

Perder o acanhamento.

— To lose one's shyness. To start feeling comfortable in a social situation.

Ela perdeu o acanhamento depois da primeira aula.

Sem nenhum acanhamento.

— Without any shyness at all. Boldly or brazenly.

Ele pediu dinheiro sem nenhum acanhamento.

Morrer de acanhamento.

— To be extremely shy. To feel like dying from embarrassment.

Eu quase morri de acanhamento quando me chamaram ao palco.

Lutar contra o acanhamento.

— To fight against shyness. To try to be more social.

Ele luta contra o acanhamento todos os dias.

Vencer o acanhamento.

— To overcome shyness. To successfully act despite feeling shy.

Vencer o acanhamento é o primeiro passo para o sucesso.

Um véu de acanhamento.

— A veil of shyness. A poetic way to say someone is hiding behind their shyness.

Havia um véu de acanhamento em seus olhos.

Deixe de acanhamento!

— Stop being shy! A common command to encourage social interaction.

Deixe de acanhamento e venha dançar conosco!

O acanhamento da idade.

— The shyness of age. Referring to how children or the elderly might be shy.

É apenas o acanhamento da idade, logo ela se solta.

Acanhamento natural.

— Natural shyness. A level of shyness that is seen as part of someone's nature.

Ela tem um acanhamento natural que é muito charmoso.

يُخلط عادةً مع

acanhamento vs vergonha

Vergonha is often shame or intense embarrassment; acanhamento is just shyness.

acanhamento vs acompanhamento

Acompanhamento means a side dish or accompaniment; sounds similar but unrelated.

acanhamento vs acabamento

Acabamento means the finishing or conclusion of something.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Meter-se no seu acanhamento"

— To retreat into one's shyness. To shut down socially.

Sempre que há estranhos, ele mete-se no seu acanhamento.

informal
"Quebrar o gelo do acanhamento"

— To break the ice of shyness. To start a conversation to make others feel comfortable.

Uma piada é ótima para quebrar o gelo do acanhamento.

neutral
"Estar com o acanhamento à flor da pele"

— To be extremely shy or sensitive at the moment.

Hoje ela está com o acanhamento à flor da pele.

informal
"Acanhamento de estimação"

— A 'pet shyness'. A humorous way to refer to a shyness one has had for a long time.

Esse é o meu acanhamento de estimação, não me larga nunca.

humorous
"Vestir o acanhamento"

— To 'wear' shyness as if it were a garment or a shield.

Ele vestiu o acanhamento e não disse uma palavra a noite toda.

literary
"Sem papas na língua e sem acanhamento"

— To speak very directly and without shyness. To be blunt.

Ela falou tudo o que pensava, sem papas na língua e sem acanhamento.

informal
"Acanhamento de primeira viagem"

— Shyness of a first-timer. Shyness caused by doing something for the first time.

É só acanhamento de primeira viagem, na próxima será mais fácil.

neutral
"Esconder-se atrás do acanhamento"

— To use shyness as an excuse not to participate.

Não se esconda atrás do acanhamento, você tem muito a dizer.

neutral
"Dar um nó no acanhamento"

— To 'tie a knot' in shyness, meaning to suppress it or ignore it.

Dei um nó no acanhamento e convidei-a para sair.

informal
"O acanhamento fala mais alto"

— When shyness 'speaks louder' than one's desire to act.

Eu queria falar, mas o acanhamento falou mais alto.

neutral

سهل الخلط

acanhamento vs timidez

Both mean shyness.

Timidez is a personality trait (he is a shy person). Acanhamento is the feeling or social state (he felt shy in that moment).

A timidez dele é óbvia, mas o seu acanhamento hoje está pior.

acanhamento vs pejo

Both involve social inhibition.

Pejo includes a sense of moral modesty or decency. Acanhamento is purely social awkwardness.

Ela agiu com pejo ao recusar o presente caro.

acanhamento vs modéstia

Both involve not being 'out there'.

Modéstia is a choice or virtue of not being arrogant. Acanhamento is an involuntary feeling of shyness.

Sua modéstia é uma escolha; seu acanhamento é um sentimento.

acanhamento vs cerimónia

Used in social contexts like 'don't be shy'.

Cerimónia refers to formal manners or etiquette. Acanhamento is the internal feeling of shyness.

Não faça cerimónia, deixe o acanhamento de lado.

acanhamento vs encabulamento

Both mean embarrassment/shyness.

Encabulamento is more specific to being 'flustered' or 'put on the spot'.

O encabulamento dele ao ser elogiado foi visível.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

Eu tenho [acanhamento].

Eu tenho acanhamento.

A2

Não tenha [acanhamento] de [verbo].

Não tenha acanhamento de comer.

B1

É preciso [verbo] o [acanhamento].

É preciso vencer o acanhamento.

B2

O [acanhamento] impede que [subjuntivo].

O acanhamento impede que eu fale.

C1

A despeito do [acanhamento], [oração].

A despeito do acanhamento, ela cantou.

C2

O [acanhamento] constitui-se como [substantivo].

O acanhamento constitui-se como uma barreira.

B1

Senti um [adjetivo] [acanhamento].

Senti um ligeiro acanhamento.

A2

[Nome] perdeu o [acanhamento].

O Pedro perdeu o acanhamento.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

acanhamento

الأفعال

acanhar
acanhar-se
desacanhar
desacanhar-se

الصفات

acanhado
desacanhado

مرتبط

canhoto
canhestro
encabulado
tímido
envergonhado

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in daily life, especially regarding children and social invitations.

أخطاء شائعة
  • Eu sou acanhamento. Eu tenho acanhamento / Eu sou acanhado.

    You cannot 'be' the noun; you 'have' the noun or 'are' the adjective.

  • Não tenha vergonha de comer! Não tenha acanhamento de comer!

    While 'vergonha' is used, 'acanhamento' is more polite and specifically refers to shyness.

  • O quarto tem acanhamento. O quarto é apertado.

    Acanhamento is for emotions, not physical spaces (usually).

  • Pronouncing 'nh' as 'n'. Pronouncing 'nh' as /ɲ/.

    The palatal sound is essential for the word to be understood.

  • Using 'acanhamento com' for everything. Using 'acanhamento de' or 'ao'.

    Prepositions matter: 'acanhamento de falar', 'acanhamento ao entrar'.

نصائح

Encouraging Others

Always use 'Não tenha acanhamento' when hosting friends. It's the standard way to be a good host.

Noun vs Adjective

Remember: Acanhamento is the noun, acanhado is the adjective. Use 'ter' with the noun and 'ser/estar' with the adjective.

The NH sound

The 'nh' in acanhamento is crucial. Practice it like the 'ny' in 'canyon' to sound authentic.

Physical Root

Keep in mind the root 'acanhar' (to make narrow). It helps you visualize the feeling of shrinking in social situations.

Synonym Variety

Use 'timidez' for general traits and 'acanhamento' for the specific feeling to sound more advanced.

Breaking the Ice

Admitting 'Sinto um pouco de acanhamento' can actually help you connect with others by being vulnerable.

Descriptive Power

Use 'acanhamento' to describe the atmosphere of a room where no one is talking yet.

Left-Handed History

Knowing it relates to 'canhoto' (left-handed) helps you remember its connection to awkwardness.

Sem Acanhamento

Use 'sem acanhamento' as an adverb to mean 'boldly' or 'directly' in any context.

Acanhamento vs Vergonha

Never use 'vergonha' for a shy guest; it sounds like you are shaming them. Use 'acanhamento'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'can' (from a-CAN-hamento). When you are shy, you feel like you are being squeezed into a small tin can. You feel narrow and trapped.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person trying to fit into a tiny, narrow box while in the middle of a crowded room. That 'narrowing' is acanhamento.

Word Web

Timidez Vergonha Social Narrow Feeling Bashful Inhibition Modesty

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'acanhamento' in a sentence today to describe a character in a book or a movie you watched. Then, try to use the phrase 'Não tenha acanhamento' when talking to a friend.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Portuguese verb 'acanhar', which comes from the noun 'canha' (an archaic word for the left hand). In many Romance languages, the left hand was historically associated with awkwardness, clumsiness, or lack of skill.

المعنى الأصلي: The original meaning of 'acanhar' was to make something narrow or to press something into a small space. This evolved into the psychological sense of feeling 'pressed' or 'shrunk' by social pressure.

Romance (Indo-European).

السياق الثقافي

While 'acanhamento' is generally a neutral or even slightly positive/cute word, calling an adult 'muito acanhado' can sometimes imply they lack leadership or social maturity.

English speakers often reach for 'shame' (vergonha) when they mean 'shyness' (acanhamento). Understanding this distinction is key to not sounding overly dramatic.

Machado de Assis often describes the 'acanhamento' of his characters in his 19th-century Rio de Janeiro novels. Clarice Lispector explores the internal 'acanhamento' of the soul in her introspective prose. The song 'Acanhado' by various Brazilian artists often plays with the theme of a shy lover.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At a party/social event

  • Vencer o acanhamento inicial.
  • Sentir acanhamento ao entrar.
  • Perder o acanhamento depois de uma bebida.
  • O acanhamento sumiu com a música.

Job Interview

  • Demonstrar um certo acanhamento.
  • Controlar o acanhamento.
  • O acanhamento não impediu o sucesso.
  • Falar sem acanhamento sobre as metas.

School/Education

  • Acanhamento na sala de aula.
  • Superar o acanhamento de falar português.
  • Ajudar o aluno com o acanhamento.
  • Trabalho em grupo diminui o acanhamento.

Romance

  • Acanhamento do primeiro encontro.
  • Um olhar de acanhamento.
  • Beijo com acanhamento.
  • Confessar o amor sem acanhamento.

Hospitality

  • Não tenha acanhamento.
  • Pode entrar sem acanhamento.
  • Coma sem acanhamento.
  • Tire esse acanhamento de convidado.

بدايات محادثة

"Você sentiu muito acanhamento quando começou a aprender português?"

"Como você faz para vencer o seu acanhamento em situações novas?"

"Você acha que o acanhamento é uma característica positiva ou negativa?"

"Na sua cultura, as pessoas sentem muito acanhamento ao convidar estranhos para casa?"

"Qual foi o momento em que você sentiu o maior acanhamento da sua vida?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Descreva uma situação em que você sentiu um grande acanhamento e como você lidou com isso.

Escreva sobre as diferenças entre acanhamento e timidez na sua opinião.

Como o acanhamento influenciou as suas decisões profissionais até hoje?

Imagine um mundo onde ninguém sente acanhamento. Como seria a sociedade?

Relate uma vez que você disse 'Não tenha acanhamento' para alguém e como a pessoa reagiu.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Not necessarily. While it can be a hurdle, it is often seen as a charming or respectful trait, especially in children or in romantic contexts. It is more neutral than 'social anxiety'.

While the verb 'acanhar' means to narrow, the noun 'acanhamento' is almost exclusively used for the emotion. For a small room, use 'aperto' or 'estreiteza'.

Vergonha usually implies you did something wrong (shame). Acanhamento is simply feeling shy or inhibited in social situations.

You would say 'Eu tenho acanhamento' (I have shyness) or 'Eu sou acanhado' (I am shy/narrowed).

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, with very similar meanings and contexts.

The most common opposites are 'desinibição' (disinhibition) and 'desembaraço' (confidence/ease).

No, it is strictly an emotional or social state.

It is neutral. It can be used in a casual conversation at home or in a formal psychological report.

Historically, the left hand ('canha') was associated with being awkward or clumsy, which evolved into the meaning of social awkwardness.

The most common are 'ter' (to have), 'sentir' (to feel), 'perder' (to lose), and 'vencer' (to overcome).

اختبر نفسك 200 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence using 'acanhamento' and 'festa'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a time you felt 'acanhamento'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a dialogue between a host and a shy guest using 'Não tenha acanhamento'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

How can someone 'vencer o acanhamento' to speak a new language?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use 'acanhamento' in a professional context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Compare 'acanhamento' and 'timidez' in three sentences.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a poetic sentence about 'acanhamento' using a metaphor.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Explain the etymology of 'acanhamento' in Portuguese.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using 'sem acanhamento' to describe a bold action.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe the 'acanhamento' of a child meeting a new teacher.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use 'ligeiro acanhamento' in a sentence about a first date.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Create a sentence with 'perder o acanhamento'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a formal sentence about 'acanhamento social'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Don't be shy, the house is yours!'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

What is the opposite of feeling 'acanhamento'? Write a sentence about it.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'acanhamento' in the plural.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a character in a movie who has a lot of 'acanhamento'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use 'apesar do acanhamento' to start a sentence.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a short story (4 sentences) where 'acanhamento' is the main obstacle.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Explain why 'acanhamento' is a masculine noun.

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speaking

Pronounce 'acanhamento' three times slowly.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Não tenha acanhamento, a casa é sua!'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Explain in Portuguese what 'acanhamento' means to you.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Tell a story about a time you felt 'acanhamento'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Eu preciso vencer o meu acanhamento para falar português.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Debate: Is 'acanhamento' a good trait for a leader?

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Describe a shy person using the word 'acanhamento'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Practice the 'nh' sound in 'acanhamento', 'Espanha', and 'manhã'.

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speaking

Say: 'Fale sem acanhamento, eu quero ouvir sua opinião.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

How do you say 'shyness' in Portuguese? Say the word and its plural.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Use 'acanhamento' in a sentence about a job interview.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Roleplay: You are a host inviting a guest to eat. Use 'acanhamento'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss the etymology of the word 'acanhamento'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'O acanhamento dela é muito fofo, não acha?'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'acanhamento' and 'vergonha'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Apesar do acanhamento, eu vou tentar.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Describe the physical feeling of 'acanhamento'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'O acanhamento inicial desapareceu rapidamente.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Discuss if 'acanhamento' is more common in children or adults.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Não deixe que o acanhamento te impeça de brilhar.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the word: 'acanhamento'. How many syllables do you hear?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Which word did the speaker say? (acanhamento / acabamento)

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Não tenha acanhamento.' What is the speaker encouraging?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Identify the tone: 'Ele falou com um certo acanhamento...' (Confident or Shy?)

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and write: 'O acanhamento é normal.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

What verb was used? 'Ela venceu o acanhamento.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify the preposition: 'Acanhamento de falar.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the plural form: 'acanhamentos'.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Is the speaker a host or a guest? 'Pode se servir sem acanhamento!'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen for the adjective: 'Ele é muito acanhado.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

What is the subject? 'O acanhamento dela me surpreendeu.'

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify the context: 'O acanhamento da economia...'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Which synonym was mentioned? 'Timidez'.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen for the stress: 'a-ca-nha-MEN-to'.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and translate the sentence heard.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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