Bedeutung
To lose self-control or become visibly upset.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, 'compostura' is often linked to the idea of 'finesse'. Losing it in a professional environment like a bank or a law firm is seen as a major sign of incompetence. Portuguese culture tends to be more formal in public interactions. 'Perder a compostura' is a very strong statement about someone's character and upbringing (educação). In Angolan formal Portuguese, the phrase is used in political discourse to criticize opponents who act aggressively or disrespectfully. Similar to other Lusophone countries, it is used in academic and legal circles to describe a failure to maintain professional standards.
Use for Apologies
If you snapped at someone, saying 'Peço desculpas, perdi a compostura' sounds much more sincere and mature than 'Desculpe, fiquei bravo'.
Gender Agreement
Always use 'a' (feminine). Even a man says 'Eu perdi A compostura'.
Bedeutung
To lose self-control or become visibly upset.
Use for Apologies
If you snapped at someone, saying 'Peço desculpas, perdi a compostura' sounds much more sincere and mature than 'Desculpe, fiquei bravo'.
Gender Agreement
Always use 'a' (feminine). Even a man says 'Eu perdi A compostura'.
The 'Novela' Effect
In Brazilian soap operas, characters 'perdem a compostura' at least once per episode. It's a great way to learn the emotional range of the phrase.
Teste dich selbst
Preencha a lacuna com a forma correta do verbo 'perder'.
Ontem, durante a discussão, eu ________ a compostura e me arrependi.
The sentence refers to a specific completed action in the past ('Ontem'), so the Pretérito Perfeito 'perdi' is required.
Qual é o significado mais próximo de 'perder a compostura'?
O que acontece quando alguém perde a compostura?
The phrase refers to a loss of social decorum or emotional restraint.
Associe a frase ao contexto mais provável.
Frase: 'O embaixador perdeu a compostura diante das câmeras.'
The word 'embaixador' and the formal phrase 'perder a compostura' suggest a high-stakes, formal context.
Complete o diálogo de forma natural.
Ana: 'Você viu como o chefe gritou com o estagiário?' Pedro: 'Sim, foi horrível. Nunca vi ele ________ assim.'
While 'perder a paciência' is possible, 'perder a compostura' is more appropriate for a professional setting where a boss is expected to maintain decorum.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ways to Lose Control in Portuguese
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOntem, durante a discussão, eu ________ a compostura e me arrependi.
The sentence refers to a specific completed action in the past ('Ontem'), so the Pretérito Perfeito 'perdi' is required.
O que acontece quando alguém perde a compostura?
The phrase refers to a loss of social decorum or emotional restraint.
Frase: 'O embaixador perdeu a compostura diante das câmeras.'
The word 'embaixador' and the formal phrase 'perder a compostura' suggest a high-stakes, formal context.
Ana: 'Você viu como o chefe gritou com o estagiário?' Pedro: 'Sim, foi horrível. Nunca vi ele ________ assim.'
While 'perder a paciência' is possible, 'perder a compostura' is more appropriate for a professional setting where a boss is expected to maintain decorum.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot really. Children aren't expected to have 'compostura'. For a child, use 'fazer birra' (to have a tantrum).
Mostly, but it can also be used for extreme grief or even uncontrollable laughter in a formal setting.
The most common opposite is 'manter a compostura' (to keep one's composure).
Yes, but 'perder a linha' is very informal/slang, while 'perder a compostura' is formal.
Use 'perdi a compostura'. It shows you understand the professional standards you failed to meet.
Yes, though 'perder as estribeiras' is a very popular alternative there.
No, it is strictly for human behavior and social standing.
Not necessarily. It usually implies verbal outbursts or loss of emotional restraint.
Yes, collocations involving 'perder' are very common in CELPE-Bras and CAPLE exams.
Yes, if you are being slightly dramatic or discussing a serious event.
Verwandte Redewendungen
manter a compostura
contrastTo stay calm and dignified.
perder as estribeiras
synonymTo lose one's temper.
perder a linha
synonymTo act inappropriately.
sair do sério
similarTo get very annoyed.
rodar a baiana
specialized formTo make a big scene.
