At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'alagadiço' often, but it is helpful to recognize it. Think of it as 'water + land'. If you see a sign that says 'terreno alagadiço', it means 'don't walk here, there is too much water'. It is like the word 'wet' but specifically for the ground outside. You can imagine a big puddle that never goes away. In A1, we focus on simple things. If you are at a park and the grass is full of water, you might hear this word. It is a long word, but don't be afraid! Just remember 'alagar' means 'to fill with water'. If you see 'alagadiço', think of a place where your shoes will get very dirty and wet. It is used for nature, parks, and farms. You won't use it to talk about your drink or your shower. It's only for the ground. For example, if it rains for three days, the park becomes 'alagadiço'. It is a good word to know for safety when traveling to rainy places.
At the A2 level, you are starting to describe the world around you in more detail. 'Alagadiço' is a great word to add to your vocabulary for nature and weather. Instead of just saying 'o chão tem água' (the ground has water), you can say 'o terreno é alagadiço'. This shows you understand a specific characteristic of the land. You will use this word when talking about trips, the weather, or where someone lives. For example, 'Eu não gosto de acampar em lugares alagadiços' (I don't like to camp in swampy places). It's important to remember that 'alagadiço' is an adjective. This means it changes if the noun is feminine. If you talk about a 'região' (region), which is feminine, you say 'região alagadiça'. If you talk about 'campos' (fields), which is masculine plural, you say 'campos alagadiços'. A2 learners should practice connecting this word with common nouns like 'solo', 'terra', and 'caminho'. It helps you sound more natural when describing a rainy day or a forest.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'alagadiço' correctly in context. This word is perfect for discussing environmental issues, geography, or travel experiences. You should understand the difference between 'alagado' (flooded right now) and 'alagadiço' (tending to flood). A B1 learner can use this word to explain why a certain area isn't good for building houses or why certain plants grow there. You might encounter this word in news articles about climate change or urban planning. For instance, 'Muitas cidades brasileiras foram construídas em terrenos alagadiços, o que causa problemas no verão.' (Many Brazilian cities were built on swampy lands, which causes problems in the summer). You should also be comfortable with the suffix '-iço', which appears in other words like 'movediço' (as in 'areia movediça' - quicksand). Using 'alagadiço' instead of simple words like 'molhado' shows that you have reached an intermediate level and can describe the inherent properties of objects and places.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'alagadiço' with nuance and in more complex sentence structures. You might use it in a formal report or a presentation about ecology. At this level, you understand that 'alagadiço' can also have a slightly metaphorical feel in literature, representing something unstable or difficult to navigate. You are comfortable using it in the passive voice or with complex tenses. For example: 'Se o terreno não tivesse sido tão alagadiço, a obra teria terminado mais cedo.' (If the terrain hadn't been so swampy, the work would have finished sooner). You also start to recognize related terms and synonyms like 'pantanoso' or 'brejoso' and can choose the best one for the context. You understand that 'alagadiço' is the standard term used in technical documents regarding 'áreas de preservação' (preservation areas). Your vocabulary is expanding to include the consequences of 'terrenos alagadiços', such as 'drenagem' (drainage) and 'impermeabilização do solo'.
At the C1 level, 'alagadiço' is a tool for precision. you use it to distinguish between different types of wetlands in academic or professional discussions. You might use it in an essay about the history of urbanization in Portugal, discussing how the 'zonas alagadiças' of the Tejo were managed over centuries. You are aware of the word's etymology and how it relates to the broader family of words derived from 'lago'. You can use it in highly formal contexts, such as legal disputes over land use or environmental impact assessments. For a C1 speaker, the word is not just a description but a category. You might discuss the 'biodiversidade das zonas alagadiças' with ease. You also notice how authors use the word to create atmosphere in 'realismo mágico' or regionalist literature, where the 'solo alagadiço' often reflects the stagnant or difficult lives of the characters. Your usage is fluid, and you never confuse it with 'alagado' or other similar-sounding words.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'alagadiço' and its place in the Portuguese language. You can use it with total spontaneity in any register, from a scientific symposium on hydrology to a poetic description of the Douro valley. You might explore the word's relationship with the collective memory of a place—how a 'terreno alagadiço' shaped the culture, cuisine (like rice production in Comporta), and architecture of a region. You can engage in deep linguistic analysis of the suffix '-iço' and its productivity in the language. In your speech, 'alagadiço' is used with perfect collocations and idiomatic precision. You might even use it ironically or in highly specific metaphors that require a deep cultural understanding. You are a bridge for others, explaining the subtle differences between 'alagadiço', 'estagnado', 'paul', and 'sapal' (specific types of Portuguese wetlands). Your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, reflecting a deep immersion in the language's nuances.

alagadiço in 30 Sekunden

  • Alagadiço means swampy or prone to flooding, used primarily for land and terrain.
  • It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number (alagadiço, alagadiça, alagadiços, alagadiças).
  • It differs from 'alagado' (currently flooded) by describing a permanent or frequent characteristic.
  • Commonly found in news reports, geography texts, and rural or environmental discussions.
The Portuguese adjective alagadiço is a descriptive term that every intermediate learner should master, especially if they plan to explore the diverse landscapes of Brazil or Portugal. At its core, it describes a terrain or surface that is prone to flooding, naturally swampy, or consistently saturated with water. Derived from the verb alagar (to flood or submerge), which itself stems from lago (lake), the word carries a sense of 'tendency.' The suffix -iço in Portuguese is often used to denote a quality of being prone to something or having a certain characteristic (much like quebradiço for something that tends to break, or fragile). Therefore, an alagadiço area isn't just a place that is wet right now; it is a place that, by its very nature or location, is frequently under water or very soft and muddy.
Environmental Context
It is most commonly used in geography, agriculture, and urban planning to describe wetlands, marshes, or fields that do not drain well.

Cuidado ao caminhar por ali; o solo é muito alagadiço nesta época do ano.

In a social context, you might hear this word when people are discussing real estate or hiking. If a piece of land is described as alagadiço, it is a warning that you cannot easily build a house there without significant drainage work. For a hiker, it means you need waterproof boots or should find a different path. It conveys a sense of instability and moisture that is more permanent than just 'wet' (molhado). Beyond the literal sense, while less common than its literal use, it can occasionally describe a situation that feels 'boggy' or difficult to move through, though Portuguese speakers usually prefer other metaphors for emotional states. Understanding this word helps you navigate weather reports, especially during the 'quadra chuvosa' (rainy season) in Brazil, where áreas alagadiças become a major topic of news coverage due to urban flooding. It's a word that bridges the gap between simple daily descriptions and more technical, environmental vocabulary.
Agricultural Use
Farmers use this to identify plots suitable for crops like rice, which thrive in water-heavy conditions.

O gado não pode pastar no terreno alagadiço porque pode contrair doenças nas patas.

Urban Planning
Engineers must survey if a zone is alagadiça before approving new residential developments to prevent future tragedies.

A prefeitura proibiu construções naquela zona alagadiça perto do rio.

As botas ficaram presas na lama do campo alagadiço.

.
Using alagadiço correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that modifies nouns related to geography, soil, or locations. Because it ends in -o, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: alagadiço (masculine singular), alagadiça (feminine singular), alagadiços (masculine plural), and alagadiças (feminine plural). It most frequently follows the noun it modifies, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese. For example, when describing a marshy path, you would say 'um caminho alagadiço'. If you are talking about several flooded areas, you would use 'áreas alagadiças'.
Grammar Tip
Remember that 'alagadiço' describes a characteristic or state of the land. It is often used with the verb 'ser' for permanent characteristics or 'estar' for temporary states, though 'ser' is more common when describing the nature of the terrain.

Esta região é naturalmente alagadiça devido à proximidade com a foz do rio.

You will often find it paired with words like terreno (terrain), solo (soil), margem (bank/edge), and região (region). In more literary or descriptive writing, it can be used to set a mood of gloom or difficulty. Imagine a scene in a novel where a character is escaping through a dark, swampy forest; the word alagadiço adds a sensory layer of squelching mud and humidity.

Os exploradores enfrentaram quilômetros de pântanos alagadiços antes de chegarem à aldeia.

Comparing it to other words: alagado means 'flooded' (right now), while alagadiço means 'tending to be flooded' or 'swampy by nature'. If your basement is full of water because a pipe burst, it is alagado. If your backyard turns into a pond every time it sprinkles, it is alagadiço. This nuance is vital for B1 learners moving toward B2.
Common Collocation
'Solo alagadiço' is the most frequent pairing, especially in technical or geographical texts.

Não é seguro dirigir neste solo alagadiço com um carro comum.

As margens alagadiças do lago são o habitat perfeito para as capivaras.

Plural Usage
When referring to multiple types of marshes: 'Existem vários tipos de terrenos alagadiços na Amazônia.'

A vegetação típica de lugares alagadiços é muito resistente.

.
In the Portuguese-speaking world, alagadiço is a word that straddles the line between everyday observation and specialized knowledge. You will most likely encounter it in three main arenas: the news, educational settings (like geography class), and rural conversations. In Brazil, during the summer months (December to March), the 'telejornais' (news programs) are filled with reports about heavy rains. Reporters will often describe certain neighborhoods or outskirts as having terrenos alagadiços, explaining why the water doesn't recede even hours after the rain stops. It’s a key term for understanding the infrastructural challenges of rapidly growing cities like São Paulo or Manaus.
In the News
'A defesa civil alertou para os riscos de deslizamento em áreas alagadiças da periferia.'

O repórter mostrou a bota cheia de lama após caminhar pelo trecho alagadiço.

In Portugal, the word might appear in discussions about the Ribatejo region or the banks of the Tagus (Tejo) River, where the land is famously fertile but prone to becoming swampy. If you are a student or a fan of nature documentaries, alagadiço is the standard term used by narrators to describe the Everglades in the US or the Pantanal in Brazil. It sounds more professional and precise than just saying 'molhado' (wet) or 'cheio de água' (full of water). If you go hiking in the Azores or the mountains of Madeira, local guides might point out zonas alagadiças to keep you safe. Farmers also use this word frequently when discussing which parts of their 'fazenda' or 'quinta' are good for certain animals. Cows, for example, can get 'podridão dos cascos' (hoof rot) if they spend too much time in pasto alagadiço (swampy pasture).
Science and Nature
Biologists study the 'ecossistema alagadiço' to understand how certain plants filter water naturally.

O documentário explicou como as aves migratórias dependem do terreno alagadiço.

Real Estate and Construction
When buying land in Brazil, a lawyer might warn you: 'Cuidado, esse lote é alagadiço e não permite construção.'

Eles compraram um terreno barato, mas descobriram que era alagadiço.

O jardim da casa é um pouco alagadiço no inverno.

.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning alagadiço is confusing it with the simple adjective alagado. While they share the same root, their meanings are distinct in a way that affects the logic of your sentence. Alagado is the past participle of the verb alagar and functions as an adjective meaning 'flooded' or 'under water' right now. It describes a temporary state. Alagadiço, on the other hand, describes a permanent or recurring characteristic. If you say 'A minha cozinha está alagadiça,' it sounds like your kitchen is naturally a swamp, which is likely not what you mean! You should say 'A minha cozinha está alagada' (My kitchen is flooded).
The 'State' vs 'Trait' Error
Use 'alagado' for a temporary flood (like a broken pipe) and 'alagadiço' for the nature of the land (like a marsh).

Errado: A rua ficou alagadiça por causa do cano quebrado. (Incorrect unless the street is now a permanent swamp.)

Another common error is phonetic interference. Students sometimes confuse alagadiço with alegado (alleged). These words sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear but have zero connection. Saying 'o alagadiço crime' instead of 'o alegado crime' would mean 'the swampy crime,' which makes no sense. Gender agreement is also a stumbling block. Because alagadiço is a long word, learners often forget to change the ending to -a when describing feminine nouns like região or área. Always double-check your noun: A zona é alagadiça, not alagadiço. Finally, don't over-rely on this word for 'wet'. If something is just damp, use húmido. If it's soaking wet but not a swamp, use encharcado.
Overuse of 'Alagadiço'
Don't use it for clothes or hair. If your hair is wet from the rain, you are 'molhado', never 'alagadiço'.

Cuidado: 'O chão está alagadiço' (The ground is swampy) vs 'O chão está molhado' (The floor is wet/mopped).

False Friend Alert
It is NOT related to 'alleged' (alegado) or 'alligator' (jacaré/aligátor), although alligators live in alagadiço areas!

Correto: O terreno alagadiço é o lar de muitos jacarés.

Evite: 'Minha roupa está alagadiça'. Use 'encharcada' instead.

.
Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for water and terrain, so knowing the alternatives to alagadiço will help you sound more like a native speaker. The most direct synonym is pantanoso. While alagadiço emphasizes the act of flooding (from alagar), pantanoso comes from pântano (swamp/marsh). They are often interchangeable, but pantanoso feels slightly more permanent and 'stagnant.' If a place is a deep, ancient swamp, pantanoso is a great choice.
Alagadiço vs. Pantanoso
Use 'alagadiço' for land that floods easily; use 'pantanoso' for a literal swamp or bog.

O Pantanal é uma vasta planície alagadiça que abriga mil espécies.

Another useful word is encharcado. This means 'soaked' or 'waterlogged'. It is more versatile than alagadiço because it can describe things other than land—like your shoes, a sponge, or your clothes after a storm. If you walk across a field and your feet sink in, the ground is encharcado. If that field is always like that, it's alagadiço. For very muddy places, use lamacento (from lama - mud). An alagadiço area is usually lamacento, but a lamacento area might just be a dirt road after a quick rain, not necessarily a flood-prone wetland. If you want to describe land that is specifically near a river and floods seasonally, you might use várzea (as a noun) or ripário (riparian).
Technical Alternative
'Hídrico' refers to water in a more scientific sense, but 'alagadiço' is better for physical descriptions of terrain.

O solo alagadiço é rico em nutrientes, mas difícil de cultivar.

Comparison Table
- Alagadiço: Prone to flooding (adjective). - Pantanoso: Swampy/Boggy (adjective). - Encharcado: Soaked (adjective/participle). - Lamaçal: A big muddy place (noun).

Depois de horas de chuva, o jardim virou um verdadeiro lamaçal.

A região brejosa é conhecida pela sua produção de arroz.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-iço' is very productive in Portuguese for creating adjectives that mean 'tending to' or 'having the quality of'. Other examples include 'quebradiço' (fragile) and 'movediço' (shifting).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /a.la.ɡa.ˈdi.su/
US /a.la.ɡa.ˈdʒi.su/
The stress is on the penultimate syllable: ala-ga-DI-ço.
Reimt sich auf
feitiço serviço compromisso chouriço reboliço sumiço preguiço petiço
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound (it should be hard like 'game').
  • Missing the palatalization in Brazil (saying 'dee' instead of 'djee').
  • Confusing the 'ç' with a 'k' sound.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'alagar' or 'lago'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct spelling of 'ç' and gender agreement.

Sprechen 4/5

Palatalization in Brazil can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'alagado'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

lago água terra chuva molhado

Als Nächstes lernen

pantanoso drenagem ecossistema inundação movediço

Fortgeschritten

pedologia hidrologia sedimentação várzea sapal

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

O solo (masc) é alagadiço. A terra (fem) é alagadiça.

Suffix -iço

Movediço (shifting), quebradiço (fragile), alagadiço (swampy).

Ser vs Estar

O terreno É alagadiço (nature). O quintal ESTÁ alagadiço (after rain).

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'terreno alagadiço'.

Formation from Verbs

Alagar (verb) -> Alagadiço (adjective).

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

O chão do parque é alagadiço.

The park floor is swampy.

Simple subject + verb + adjective agreement.

2

Não ande lá, o solo é alagadiço.

Don't walk there, the soil is swampy.

Imperative 'não ande' followed by a reason.

3

O jardim está alagadiço hoje.

The garden is swampy today.

Use of 'está' for a state caused by recent rain.

4

É um lugar muito alagadiço.

It is a very swampy place.

'Lugar' is masculine, so 'alagadiço' is masculine.

5

As botas são para o campo alagadiço.

The boots are for the swampy field.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.

6

Onde está o terreno alagadiço?

Where is the swampy terrain?

Question word 'onde' with a definite article.

7

A terra alagadiça é mole.

The swampy earth is soft.

'Terra' is feminine, so 'alagadiça' is feminine.

8

Eu vejo um caminho alagadiço.

I see a swampy path.

Verb 'ver' in the first person singular.

1

Nós evitamos a zona alagadiça da fazenda.

We avoid the swampy zone of the farm.

Verb 'evitar' in the present tense.

2

Depois da chuva, o quintal ficou alagadiço.

After the rain, the backyard became swampy.

Verb 'ficar' used to describe a change in state.

3

Existem muitos mosquitos em lugares alagadiços.

There are many mosquitoes in swampy places.

Plural agreement: 'lugares' + 'alagadiços'.

4

Esta região é alagadiça durante todo o inverno.

This region is swampy during the whole winter.

'Durante todo o' indicates duration.

5

O trator não consegue passar no solo alagadiço.

The tractor cannot pass in the swampy soil.

'Não consegue' + infinitive 'passar'.

6

Você tem sapatos para caminhar em solo alagadiço?

Do you have shoes for walking in swampy soil?

Interrogative sentence with 'para' + infinitive.

7

Aquelas flores gostam de terreno alagadiço.

Those flowers like swampy terrain.

'Gostar de' requires the preposition 'de'.

8

O mapa mostra as áreas alagadiças perto do rio.

The map shows the swampy areas near the river.

Feminine plural agreement: 'áreas' + 'alagadiças'.

1

O projeto foi cancelado porque o terreno era muito alagadiço.

The project was canceled because the terrain was too swampy.

Causal sentence with 'porque' and past tense 'era'.

2

Os agricultores plantam arroz nesta parte alagadiça.

The farmers plant rice in this swampy part.

Specific vocabulary: 'agricultores', 'plantam'.

3

É perigoso construir casas em solos alagadiços sem drenagem.

It is dangerous to build houses in swampy soils without drainage.

'É' + adjective + infinitive construction.

4

A vegetação alagadiça é essencial para o ecossistema.

The swampy vegetation is essential for the ecosystem.

Adjective 'essencial' and noun 'ecossistema'.

5

Sempre que o rio sobe, a margem torna-se alagadiça.

Whenever the river rises, the bank becomes swampy.

'Sempre que' (whenever) + present tense.

6

Eles precisam de um estudo para avaliar o terreno alagadiço.

They need a study to evaluate the swampy terrain.

'Precisar de' + noun phrase.

7

A trilha estava tão alagadiça que tivemos que voltar.

The trail was so swampy that we had to go back.

'Tão... que' (so... that) result clause.

8

O cavalo tropeçou no trecho alagadiço da estrada.

The horse stumbled in the swampy stretch of the road.

Verb 'tropeçar' (to stumble/trip).

1

A prefeitura implementou medidas para recuperar a zona alagadiça.

The city hall implemented measures to recover the swampy zone.

Formal vocabulary: 'implementou', 'medidas', 'recuperar'.

2

A biodiversidade encontrada em terrenos alagadiços é surpreendente.

The biodiversity found in swampy terrains is surprising.

Passive participle 'encontrada' acting as an adjective.

3

O solo alagadiço atua como um filtro natural para a água da chuva.

The swampy soil acts as a natural filter for rainwater.

Verb 'atuar como' (to act as).

4

Devido à sua natureza alagadiça, a região nunca foi urbanizada.

Due to its swampy nature, the region was never urbanized.

'Devido à' (due to) + feminine noun.

5

A impermeabilização do solo piora a situação das áreas alagadiças.

The waterproofing of the soil worsens the situation of swampy areas.

Noun 'impermeabilização' and verb 'piorar'.

6

Os ambientalistas defendem a preservação dos pântanos alagadiços.

Environmentalists defend the preservation of swampy marshes.

Use of 'defendem' in a political/social context.

7

O gado foi retirado do pasto alagadiço para evitar doenças.

The cattle were removed from the swampy pasture to avoid diseases.

Passive voice 'foi retirado'.

8

A estrada torna-se intransitável nos pontos mais alagadiços.

The road becomes impassable at the swampiest points.

Adjective 'intransitável' (impassable).

1

A drenagem de terrenos alagadiços pode ter impactos ecológicos severos.

Draining swampy lands can have severe ecological impacts.

Complex subject with 'drenagem de'.

2

O autor utiliza o cenário alagadiço para simbolizar a estagnação social.

The author uses the swampy setting to symbolize social stagnation.

Literary analysis terminology: 'simbolizar', 'estagnação'.

3

A legislação atual restringe severamente a construção em solos alagadiços.

Current legislation severely restricts construction in swampy soils.

Adverb 'severamente' modifying the verb 'restringe'.

4

A ocupação desordenada de áreas alagadiças resultou em catástrofes evitáveis.

The disorderly occupation of swampy areas resulted in avoidable catastrophes.

Compound noun 'ocupação desordenada'.

5

É necessário um manejo sustentável para as pastagens em zonas alagadiças.

Sustainable management is necessary for pastures in swampy zones.

'É necessário' + noun phrase.

6

A geologia local caracteriza-se por um substrato predominantemente alagadiço.

The local geology is characterized by a predominantly swampy substrate.

Pronominal verb 'caracteriza-se' and adverb 'predominantemente'.

7

O ecossistema de várzea difere significativamente de um terreno puramente alagadiço.

The floodplain ecosystem differs significantly from a purely swampy terrain.

Verb 'difere' + preposition 'de'.

8

A saturação hídrica torna o solo alagadiço e impróprio para certas culturas.

Water saturation makes the soil swampy and unsuitable for certain crops.

Technical term 'saturação hídrica'.

1

A perenidade do caráter alagadiço daquelas terras moldou a cultura local.

The perennial nature of the swampy character of those lands shaped the local culture.

Abstract noun 'perenidade' and complex possessive structure.

2

Subjacente à beleza da paisagem, reside o perigo do terreno movediço e alagadiço.

Underlying the beauty of the landscape lies the danger of shifting and swampy terrain.

Inverted sentence structure for poetic effect.

3

A mitigação dos efeitos das cheias passa obrigatoriamente pela gestão das bacias alagadiças.

Mitigating the effects of floods necessarily involves the management of swampy basins.

Verb 'passar por' meaning 'to involve' or 'to go through'.

4

O discurso político negligenciou a fragilidade ambiental das zonas alagadiças periféricas.

Political discourse neglected the environmental fragility of peripheral swampy zones.

High-level vocabulary: 'negligenciou', 'fragilidade', 'periféricas'.

5

A interconectividade entre o aquífero e o solo alagadiço é de uma complexidade extrema.

The interconnectivity between the aquifer and the swampy soil is of extreme complexity.

Noun 'interconectividade' and 'aquífero'.

6

A resiliência das espécies endêmicas em habitats alagadiços é objeto de estudo profundo.

The resilience of endemic species in swampy habitats is the object of deep study.

Use of 'endêmicas' and 'resiliência'.

7

O projeto arquitetônico propõe uma simbiose com o entorno naturalmente alagadiço.

The architectural project proposes a symbiosis with the naturally swampy surroundings.

Scientific/Architectural term 'simbiose'.

8

A toponímia da região reflete o seu passado alagadiço e fluvial.

The toponymy of the region reflects its swampy and fluvial past.

Academic term 'toponímia'.

Häufige Kollokationen

terreno alagadiço
solo alagadiço
zona alagadiça
área alagadiça
margem alagadiça
campo alagadiço
pasto alagadiço
trecho alagadiço
região alagadiça
ecossistema alagadiço

Häufige Phrasen

Cuidado com o terreno alagadiço.

— A warning to be careful because the ground is swampy.

Cuidado com o terreno alagadiço se for caminhar.

É um lugar alagadiço.

— A simple description of a marshy location.

Não compre essa terra, é um lugar alagadiço.

O solo está alagadiço.

— Describing the current swampy state of the ground.

Depois de tanta chuva, o solo está alagadiço.

Vegetação de áreas alagadiças.

— Plants that grow in wetlands.

A vegetação de áreas alagadiças é fascinante.

Drenar o terreno alagadiço.

— The action of removing water from a swampy area.

Eles vão drenar o terreno alagadiço para construir.

Solo naturalmente alagadiço.

— Land that is swampy by its own nature, not just by accident.

Este vale tem um solo naturalmente alagadiço.

Evitar zonas alagadiças.

— To stay away from swampy zones.

É melhor evitar zonas alagadiças durante a trilha.

Solo argiloso e alagadiço.

— Soil that is both clay-like and swampy (very common pairing).

O solo argiloso e alagadiço retém muita água.

Ponto alagadiço da estrada.

— A specific part of a road that is prone to flooding.

Sempre há um acidente naquele ponto alagadiço da estrada.

Recuperação de áreas alagadiças.

— The environmental process of restoring wetlands.

A prefeitura investe na recuperação de áreas alagadiças.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

alagadiço vs alagado

Means 'flooded' (a temporary state), while 'alagadiço' is a characteristic.

alagadiço vs alegado

Means 'alleged' (legal term). Sounds similar but unrelated.

alagadiço vs alugadiço

An archaic word meaning 'for rent'. Very rare today.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Pisar em terreno alagadiço"

— To deal with a dangerous, unstable, or uncertain situation. Similar to 'walking on thin ice'.

Ao falar de política na empresa, ele estava pisando em terreno alagadiço.

Metaphorical/Formal
"Estar em solo alagadiço"

— To be in a position where you lack support or stability.

Sem o apoio do chefe, o gerente está em solo alagadiço.

Metaphorical
"Mover-se em águas alagadiças"

— To navigate through a complicated or 'muddy' social or legal situation.

O advogado move-se em águas alagadiças neste caso.

Metaphorical
"Construir sobre o alagadiço"

— To start a project on a poor foundation (literal or figurative).

Seu argumento é fraco, é como construir sobre o alagadiço.

Literary
"Ficar no alagadiço"

— To get stuck in a difficult situation without progress.

A negociação ficou no alagadiço e não avançou.

Informal
"Língua alagadiça"

— Rare/Poetic: Someone who speaks too much or whose words cause 'floods' of trouble.

Cuidado com ele, tem uma língua alagadiça.

Poetic
"Coração alagadiço"

— Poetic: A heart easily overwhelmed by emotions or 'flooded' with feelings.

Ela tem um coração alagadiço, chora por tudo.

Poetic
"Mente alagadiça"

— Metaphorical: A confused or overwhelmed mind.

Com tantos problemas, ele estava com a mente alagadiça.

Metaphorical
"Negócio alagadiço"

— Informal: A risky or 'slippery' business deal.

Aquele investimento parece um negócio alagadiço.

Informal
"Vida alagadiça"

— Literary: A life full of obstacles and instability.

Levava uma vida alagadiça, sem rumo certo.

Literary

Leicht verwechselbar

alagadiço vs alagado

Same root.

Alagado is 'flooded now'. Alagadiço is 'prone to flooding'.

A rua está alagada (current flood). O pântano é alagadiço (nature).

alagadiço vs encharcado

Both involve lots of water.

Encharcado means 'soaked'. You can have encharcado clothes, but not alagadiço clothes.

Minha camisa está encharcada.

alagadiço vs movediço

Similar suffix and context.

Movediço means 'shifting' or 'unstable' (like quicksand).

Areia movediça.

alagadiço vs pantanoso

Synonyms.

Pantanoso is more specifically about a 'pântano' (swamp). Alagadiço is more general for any flooded land.

O terreno pantanoso é perigoso.

alagadiço vs húmido

Both mean wet.

Húmido is just 'damp' or 'humid'. Alagadiço is much wetter, involving standing water or mud.

O ar está húmido hoje.

Satzmuster

A1

O [noun] é alagadiço.

O campo é alagadiço.

A2

Não ande no [noun] alagadiço.

Não ande no solo alagadiço.

B1

O terreno é alagadiço devido a [reason].

O terreno é alagadiço devido à chuva.

B1

É difícil caminhar em [noun] alagadiços.

É difícil caminhar em caminhos alagadiços.

B2

Apesar de ser alagadiço, o [noun] é [adjective].

Apesar de ser alagadiço, o solo é fértil.

B2

Se o terreno for alagadiço, você deve [action].

Se o terreno for alagadiço, você deve drenar a água.

C1

A natureza alagadiça do [noun] impede [action].

A natureza alagadiça do solo impede a construção.

C2

Reside no caráter alagadiço da região a sua [noun].

Reside no caráter alagadiço da região a sua beleza única.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

alugadiço (rare variation)
alagamento (flooding)
aladiça (rare)
lago (lake)
lagoa (lagoon)

Verben

alagar (to flood)
submergir (to submerge)

Adjektive

alagado (flooded)
alagável (floodable)
lagoar (rare)

Verwandt

pântano
brejo
lama
charco
lamaçal

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in geography, news, and rural contexts.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'alagadiço' for a flooded room. A sala está alagada.

    'Alagadiço' refers to the nature of land, not a temporary state of a room.

  • Saying 'alagadiço' for wet hair. Cabelo molhado.

    'Alagadiço' is only for terrain/soil.

  • Forgetting gender agreement: 'A área é alagadiço'. A área é alagadiça.

    Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'área'.

  • Confusing 'alagadiço' with 'alegado'. O alegado culpado.

    'Alegado' means alleged; 'alagadiço' means swampy.

  • Spelling it 'alagadiso'. Alagadiço.

    In Portuguese, the 's' sound in this suffix is spelled with 'ç'.

Tipps

The Alligator Trick

Remember: Alligators live in alagadiço areas. The first four letters 'ALAG' are in both words (if you think of 'alig-').

Gender Agreement

Don't forget to change it to 'alagadiça' for feminine nouns like 'área', 'zona', or 'terra'.

Beyond 'Molhado'

Use 'alagadiço' when the ground is so wet it feels like a swamp. It makes your Portuguese sound much more advanced.

Geography Class

If you are reading about the Amazon or the Pantanal, expect to see this word many times.

Hard 'G'

Make sure the 'ga' sounds like 'gas' or 'game', not like 'giraffe'.

Spelling Check

It's 'ç', not 'ss' or 'c'. The cedilla is important for the correct 's' sound.

The News

Listen for this word during the rainy season (verão) in Brazilian news reports about flooding.

Warning Signs

If you see 'terreno alagadiço' on a sign, it's a warning that the ground is unstable.

Alagado vs Alagadiço

Remember: Alagado = Right now. Alagadiço = Always/Often.

The -iço Suffix

Learn other -iço words like 'quebradiço' to see the pattern of 'tending to be'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine an 'ALLIGATOR' (sounds like 'ALAGA-') living in a 'DITCH' (sounds like '-DIÇO'). Alligators live in alagadiço areas!

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a pair of bright yellow rubber boots sinking into thick, wet mud near a river. That mud is 'alagadiço'.

Word Web

lago alagar alagamento alagadiço alagado pântano brejo lama

Herausforderung

Try to describe the wettest place in your city using 'alagadiço'. Does it have 'solo alagadiço' or just 'áreas alagadiças'?

Wortherkunft

From the Portuguese verb 'alagar' + the suffix '-iço'. 'Alagar' comes from the prefix 'a-' + 'lago' (from Latin 'lacus').

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Relating to a lake or tending to become a lake.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using it to describe someone's property, as it implies the land is of low value or problematic.

English speakers often use 'swampy' or 'marshy'. 'Alagadiço' is the most direct equivalent in a geographical context.

'O Pantanal' (Brazilian soap opera and region) frequently features this vocabulary. Portuguese literature from the 19th century describing the Tagus river banks. Environmental reports from the Amazon basin.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Geography

  • planície alagadiça
  • região de pântano
  • formação geológica
  • bacia fluvial

Construction

  • fundação especial
  • risco de inundação
  • solo instável
  • drenagem necessária

Hiking

  • botas impermeáveis
  • trilha difícil
  • evitar o brejo
  • caminho de lama

Agriculture

  • cultivo de arroz
  • pasto húmido
  • saúde dos cascos
  • irrigação natural

Weather News

  • áreas de risco
  • chuvas intensas
  • alagamento urbano
  • defesa civil

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você já visitou alguma região alagadiça, como o Pantanal?"

"O que você faz quando encontra um caminho alagadiço em uma trilha?"

"É comum ter terrenos alagadiços na sua cidade natal?"

"Você acha que é seguro construir em áreas alagadiças?"

"Qual a diferença entre um pântano e um terreno alagadiço para você?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva uma vez que você ficou com os pés molhados por causa de um solo alagadiço.

Escreva sobre a importância das zonas alagadiças para a proteção do meio ambiente.

Imagine que você comprou um terreno e descobriu que ele é alagadiço. O que você faria?

Compare a paisagem de um deserto com a de um terreno alagadiço.

Como a chuva transforma o ambiente ao seu redor em algo alagadiço?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should use 'encharcado' or 'molhado'. 'Alagadiço' is strictly for ground, terrain, or geographical areas.

Yes, especially in Brazil and Portugal when talking about nature, weather, or farming. It's a standard B1-level vocabulary word.

Usually, yes, because water-saturated soil becomes muddy. However, it specifically emphasizes the presence of water (flooding) rather than just the mud itself.

The feminine form is 'alagadiça'. For example: 'uma região alagadiça'.

Yes, it can describe an unstable or 'muddy' situation, like 'terreno alagadiço' in a political argument, meaning it's risky and lacks firm ground.

It is spelled with a 'ç' (c-cedilla) at the end. The 'ç' represents an 's' sound.

The related verb is 'alagar' (to flood).

'Pantanoso' sounds a bit more formal or scientific. 'Alagadiço' is more common in daily descriptive speech about the land.

You can say 'zonas alagadiças', 'terras húmidas', or 'pântanos'.

Yes, it is used and understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Describe a swampy area near a river using the word 'alagadiço'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain why you shouldn't build a house on 'solo alagadiço'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a warning sign for a park with a flooded path.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'alagadiça' to describe a specific region.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Create a sentence comparing 'alagado' and 'alagadiço'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the plants that grow in 'áreas alagadiças'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a short story about a hiker in an 'alagadiço' forest.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain the meaning of 'terreno alagadiço' to a beginner.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'alagadiços' in a sentence about agriculture.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'alagadiço' metaphorically.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the weather's effect on a 'solo alagadiço'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The marshy ground was full of frogs.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about the Brazilian Pantanal.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe your shoes after walking in an 'alagadiço' field.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Why do some animals like 'lugares alagadiços'?

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence for a geography report.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'alagadiça' to describe a 'margem'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain the suffix '-iço' using 'alagadiço' as an example.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a dialogue between two farmers about a 'pasto alagadiço'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a rainy day in a city with 'áreas alagadiças'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga em voz alta: 'O terreno é alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Descreva o Pantanal usando a palavra 'alagadiça'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Avise um amigo sobre um caminho com muita água.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explique por que você está usando botas de borracha.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'A zona alagadiça é importante para os animais'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Perunte a alguém se o terreno da casa deles é alagadiço.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pratique a pronúncia de 'alagadiça' (plural).

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'Não podemos construir em solo alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Descreva uma margem de rio usando 'alagadiça'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'O pântano é um lugar alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'As botas ficaram presas no solo alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'Sempre evito áreas alagadiças'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explique o que é um terreno alagadiço em português.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'O arroz gosta de solo alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'Cuidado com a areia movediça e o solo alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'A chuva deixou o quintal alagadiço'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'Existem muitos mosquitos em lugares alagadiços'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'O mapa mostra a zona alagadiça'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'A vegetação alagadiça é verde e densa'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Diga: 'O cheiro do brejo alagadiço é único'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'O terreno é alagadiço'. What is the adjective?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'A zona é alagadiça'. Is it masculine or feminine?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Os campos são alagadiços'. Is it singular or plural?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: 'O solo alagadiço é fértil'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Cuidado com o trecho alagadiço'. What should you be careful with?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'A margem alagadiça do rio'. Where is it swampy?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Não compre terra alagadiça'. What is the advice?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'O gado adoeceu no pasto alagadiço'. What happened to the cattle?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'A drenagem do solo alagadiço'. What process is mentioned?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'O Pantanal é alagadiço'. What region is mentioned?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Botas para terreno alagadiço'. What are the boots for?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'A trilha está alagadiça'. How is the trail?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Solo argiloso e alagadiço'. What are the two traits of the soil?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'Áreas alagadiças urbanas'. Where are the swampy areas?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'O jacaré vive no alagadiço'. Who lives there?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

War das hilfreich?
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!