In 15 Sekunden
- A direct way to express unhappiness or disappointment with something.
- Change to 'satisfeita' if you identify as female.
- Perfect for professional settings, restaurants, or resolving service issues.
Bedeutung
This is a direct way to say you're not happy with something. It covers everything from a bad meal to a project that didn't meet your expectations.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Complaining at a restaurant
Não estou satisfeito com este prato, a carne está fria.
I'm not satisfied with this dish, the meat is cold.
In a business meeting
Não estou satisfeito com os resultados do último trimestre.
I'm not satisfied with the results from the last quarter.
Texting a flaky friend
Sinceramente, não estou satisfeito com os nossos planos mudando sempre.
Honestly, I'm not happy with our plans always changing.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Brazilians often use the word 'chateado' (upset/annoyed) instead of 'não satisfeito' in personal relationships to sound less formal. In Portugal, the 'Livro de Reclamações' (Complaints Book) is a legal requirement in all businesses. If you say 'Não estou satisfeito', you have the right to ask for this book. In Luanda, expressing dissatisfaction can be very direct in markets, often leading to spirited bargaining (mungunzá). Politeness is key. Dissatisfaction is often expressed through proverbs or indirect language before using a direct phrase like 'Não estou satisfeito'.
The 'Tô' Shortcut
In casual conversation, always use 'tô' instead of 'estou' to sound like a native speaker.
Gender Matters
If you are a woman, you MUST say 'satisfeita'. Using the 'o' ending will sound very strange to natives.
In 15 Sekunden
- A direct way to express unhappiness or disappointment with something.
- Change to 'satisfeita' if you identify as female.
- Perfect for professional settings, restaurants, or resolving service issues.
What It Means
Não estou satisfeito is your go-to phrase for expressing discontent. It translates to "I am not satisfied" or "I'm not happy with this." It is clear, direct, and leaves no room for confusion. You are basically saying that the current situation doesn't meet your standards. It is less about being angry and more about being disappointed.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence or follow it with com (with). For example, Não estou satisfeito com o serviço means you didn't like the service. If you are female, you must change the ending to satisfeita. It’s a small change, but it makes you sound like a local. Use it when you want to be taken seriously without starting a shouting match.
When To Use It
Use this when a product is faulty or a service is slow. It works perfectly in a professional setting during a performance review. You can also use it at a restaurant if the steak is overcooked. It’s great for texting a friend who keeps canceling plans. It shows you have boundaries and expectations. It’s the "civilized complaint" of the Portuguese language.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for minor, trivial things like a slightly cold breeze. It can sound a bit dramatic if used for tiny inconveniences. Avoid it in very casual, high-energy parties unless you want to be the buzzkill. If you are truly furious, this might actually sound too polite. In those cases, people usually use stronger slang. Also, don't use it if you just mean you're still hungry—that's ainda estou com fome!
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture generally values politeness and avoiding direct confrontation. However, Não estou satisfeito is the socially acceptable way to be firm. It’s rooted in the idea of 'exigência' (being demanding or having high standards). In places like Lisbon or São Paulo, using this phrase shows you know your rights as a consumer. It’s the phrase of a person who respects themselves and their time.
Common Variations
You might hear Não estou nada satisfeito to add emphasis—the nada means "not at all." If you want to sound slightly more formal, you could say Não me sinto satisfeito. In Brazil, people often shorten it to Tô satisfeito não in very casual speech. If you are talking about a meal and you're full, remember that Estou satisfeito means "I'm full," so adding the não literally means you want more food!
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social context. Just remember to match the gender of the adjective to the speaker: 'satisfeito' (male) or 'satisfeita' (female).
The 'Tô' Shortcut
In casual conversation, always use 'tô' instead of 'estou' to sound like a native speaker.
Gender Matters
If you are a woman, you MUST say 'satisfeita'. Using the 'o' ending will sound very strange to natives.
Softening in Brazil
Add 'muito' (Não estou muito satisfeito) to make your complaint sound less like an attack.
Beispiele
6Não estou satisfeito com este prato, a carne está fria.
I'm not satisfied with this dish, the meat is cold.
A classic way to send food back politely.
Não estou satisfeito com os resultados do último trimestre.
I'm not satisfied with the results from the last quarter.
Used here to express professional concern.
Sinceramente, não estou satisfeito com os nossos planos mudando sempre.
Honestly, I'm not happy with our plans always changing.
Expressing personal boundaries in a relationship.
Não estou satisfeito! Quero minhas duas horas de volta!
I am not satisfied! I want my two hours back!
Using the phrase for a lighthearted complaint.
Não estou satisfeito com a velocidade da conexão.
I'm not satisfied with the connection speed.
Standard customer service complaint.
Não estou satisfeita com a minha nota no exame.
I'm not satisfied with my grade on the exam.
The female version used in an academic setting.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'satisfeito', considering the gender of the speaker.
(Female speaker): Eu não estou _______ com o meu cabelo.
Since the speaker is female, the adjective must end in '-a'.
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.
Não estou satisfeito _______ os resultados do teste.
In Portuguese, we are satisfied 'with' (com) something.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate phrase.
Cliente: O quarto está muito barulhento. _______. Recepcionista: Sinto muito, vou verificar se temos outro quarto disponível.
The context of a complaint about noise requires expressing dissatisfaction.
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
Match 'Não me encontro satisfeito' with its formality level.
The use of 'encontro' (find myself) instead of 'estou' elevates the formality.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben(Female speaker): Eu não estou _______ com o meu cabelo.
Since the speaker is female, the adjective must end in '-a'.
Não estou satisfeito _______ os resultados do teste.
In Portuguese, we are satisfied 'with' (com) something.
Cliente: O quarto está muito barulhento. _______. Recepcionista: Sinto muito, vou verificar se temos outro quarto disponível.
The context of a complaint about noise requires expressing dissatisfaction.
Match 'Não me encontro satisfeito' with its formality level.
The use of 'encontro' (find myself) instead of 'estou' elevates the formality.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes, but it sounds very formal or like a boss talking to an employee. For friends, use 'Não estou feliz com você'.
Simply 'Estou satisfeito' or 'Estou muito satisfeito'.
Yes, 'Estou insatisfeito' is a more formal, one-word way to say the same thing.
You say 'Não estou satisfeito comigo mesmo' (male) or 'comigo mesma' (female).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Não gostei
similarI didn't like it.
Deixou a desejar
idiomIt left something to be desired.
Estou farto
builds onI am fed up.
Não é o que eu esperava
similarIt's not what I expected.