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A2 verb 8 Min. Lesezeit

apiedar

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At the A1 level, 'apiedar' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a way to say 'to feel sorry.' It comes from 'piedade' (pity). At this stage, just focus on the fact that it is an action of the heart. You might see it in simple stories where a character helps a small animal. Think of it as 'pity' + 'action.' Even if you don't use it yet, recognizing it will help you understand when someone is being kind. It's like 'ter pena' but a bit more serious. Remember: it usually has a 'se' with it, like 'se apiedar.' This 'se' means the feeling is happening inside the person. In very simple terms: Someone sees a problem -> they feel sad for the person -> they 'se apiedam.' It is a 'good' verb because it leads to helping others. You don't need to conjugate it perfectly yet, but know that 'apiedar-se de' is the full structure. If you see 'Ele se apiedou,' it means 'He felt sorry.'

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As an A2 learner, you are starting to use reflexive verbs like 'levantar-se' or 'sentar-se.' 'Apiedar-se' works exactly the same way! It is a regular -AR verb, but you must use the reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se). The big thing to learn at A2 is the preposition 'de.' In English, you pity someone. In Portuguese, you 'se apieda DE' someone. For example: 'Eu me apiedo do gato' (I pity the cat). Notice how 'de' + 'o' becomes 'do.' You will use this word when you want to sound more expressive than just saying 'estou triste.' It's a great word for describing why someone did a favor or why a story has a happy ending. You should practice the present tense: 'Eu me apiedo,' 'Você se apieda.' It's also common in the past: 'Ele se apiedou.' Using this word at A2 shows you are paying attention to more 'literary' or 'emotional' verbs, which makes your Portuguese sound much better and more natural.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with 'apiedar-se' in various tenses, including the Pretérito Imperfeito and the Future. You will start to see this word in news reports about social issues or in slightly more complex literature. A B1 learner should understand the nuance: 'apiedar-se' is deeper than 'ter pena.' If you 'tem pena,' you might just feel bad and walk away. If you 'se apieda,' there is a sense of moral movement. You should also start using it in the subjunctive: 'Espero que ele se apiede de nós' (I hope he has pity on us). This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You might also encounter the noun 'piedade' and the adjective 'piedoso' (pitying/pious). Connecting these words in a 'word family' will help your vocabulary grow. Practice using 'apiedar-se' when discussing social projects, history, or character motivations in movies. It's a key word for expressing empathy in a way that sounds mature and thoughtful.

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By B2, you should use 'apiedar-se' with precision. You understand that it carries a certain weight and formality. You can use it to debate ethics or discuss the actions of historical figures. At this level, you should also be aware of its synonyms like 'compadecer-se' and know when to choose one over the other. 'Apiedar-se' often has a more emotional or even religious connotation, while 'compadecer-se' can feel slightly more formal or detached. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures: 'Caso o governo se apiedasse da população, as leis seriam diferentes.' (If the government pitied the population, the laws would be different). This use of the Imperfect Subjunctive shows advanced proficiency. You also recognize the word in more obscure contexts, like old poetry or legal documents. You understand that 'apiedar' (without the reflexive) is rare and usually means 'to cause pity in someone else,' though this is almost always replaced by 'dar pena' in modern speech.

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At the C1 level, you are exploring the stylistic impact of 'apiedar-se.' You know how to use it to create a specific tone in your writing—perhaps one of solemnity or intense emotional appeal. You understand the historical and cultural baggage of the word, including its ties to 'piedade' as a virtue in Lusophone history. You can use it in the 'infinitivo pessoal' or other advanced structures without hesitation: 'O fato de eles se apiedarem mudou tudo' (The fact that they pitied changed everything). You also recognize the difference between 'apiedar-se' and 'apiadar-se' (the latter being a variant often seen in Brazil or older texts) and can navigate these regionalisms. You might use the verb to analyze literature, discussing how a narrator 'se apieda' of a tragic hero. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'apiedar-se' is just one of many tools you have to describe the spectrum of human empathy, and you choose it specifically for its resonance and elegance.

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At C2, your mastery of 'apiedar-se' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use it effortlessly in high-level oratory, academic writing, or creative literature. You are aware of the most subtle connotations—how the word can sometimes imply a power imbalance (the one pitying is in a position of strength) and you use this to your advantage in nuanced communication. You can play with the word's placement for rhetorical effect: 'Apiedou-se o destino de quem nada tinha' (Destiny pitied those who had nothing). You understand its etymological journey and can discuss its relationship with Latin 'pietas'. You might even use it ironically or in complex metaphors. For you, 'apiedar-se' is not just a verb; it's a cultural marker that you use to weave sophisticated narratives and arguments. You are also fully aware of its rare transitive use (to move someone to pity) and can identify it in archaic texts, though you know it's not used that way in modern speech.

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apiedar in 30 Sekunden

Apiedar-se means to feel deep pity or compassion for someone's suffering.
It is a reflexive verb, so you must use pronouns like 'me', 'se', or 'nos'.
It always requires the preposition 'de' (e.g., apiedar-se de alguém).
It is more formal and emotionally heavy than the common phrase 'ter pena'.

The Portuguese verb apiedar (most commonly used in its pronominal form, apiedar-se) is a profound emotional term that translates to 'to pity,' 'to have mercy,' or 'to be moved to compassion.' At its core, it describes the internal shift from indifference to sympathy when witnessing someone else's suffering or misfortune. While English sometimes treats 'pity' as a slightly condescending emotion, apiedar-se in Portuguese often carries a more noble, empathetic weight, closer to the concept of 'having a heart' or 'being moved.'

Etymological Root: The word is built from the prefix 'a-' and the noun 'piedade' (piety/pity), which stems from the Latin 'pietas'. This connects the act of pitying directly to a sense of duty, devotion, and moral goodness.

In modern conversation, you will hear it when someone is pleading for a second chance or when describing a moment of unexpected kindness. It is a word that bridges the gap between a cold, logical reaction and a warm, human response.

O juiz acabou por se apiedar do réu ao ouvir sua história de vida.

This example shows the word in a formal context—the legal system—where 'apiedar-se' represents the human element of justice. Beyond formal settings, it is used in literature and daily storytelling to highlight character growth. When a villain finally 'se apieda' of the hero, it marks a turning point in the narrative. It is not just about feeling bad for someone; it is about the action of allowing that feeling to influence your behavior.

Social Context: In Portuguese-speaking cultures, showing compassion is highly valued. Using 'apiedar-se' suggests a depth of soul and an adherence to 'piedade,' a core value in many Lusophone societies historically influenced by Christian ethics.

Não te apiedas do sofrimento daqueles que não têm nada?

This rhetorical question uses the verb to challenge someone's morality. It is a powerful verb that demands an emotional response. Finally, while 'ter pena' is the more common, informal way to say 'to feel sorry,' 'apiedar-se' adds a layer of sophistication and intensity that makes your Portuguese sound more eloquent and emotionally intelligent. Using it correctly shows you understand the nuances of empathy in the language.

Using apiedar-se correctly requires a firm grasp of pronominal verbs and the preposition de. Because it is a reflexive verb, the pronoun must match the subject.

Conjugation Pattern: Eu me apiedo, Tu te apiedas, Ele/Ela se apieda, Nós nos apiedamos, Eles/Elas se apiedam. In European Portuguese, the pronoun often follows the verb (apiedou-se), whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, it usually precedes it (se apiedou).

When you want to specify who or what you are pitying, you must use 'de' (or its contractions like 'do', 'da', 'dos', 'das').

Ela se apiedou do cachorro abandonado e levou-o para casa.

In this sentence, 'apiedou-se do' (pity of the) creates the necessary connection between the subject's feeling and the object of that feeling. You can also use the verb in the infinitive after another verb.

É impossível não se apiedar de uma criança a chorar.

Here, 'não se apiedar' functions as 'not to feel pity.' Notice how the 'se' stays close to the infinitive.

Negative Sentences: In negative sentences, the 'não' pulls the pronoun forward: 'Ele não se apiedou de ninguém.' This is a standard rule for reflexive verbs in Portuguese.

Peço-te que te apiedes da minha situação.

This uses the subjunctive mood ('apiedes') because it expresses a wish or request. Finally, consider the past tense. Since pity is often a reaction to a specific event, the 'Pretérito Perfeito' (apiedou-se) is very common to describe the moment someone was moved. However, the 'Imperfeito' (apiedava-se) describes a general trait: 'Ele sempre se apiedava dos mais fracos' (He always used to pity the weakest).

While apiedar-se is not as common as 'ter pena' in a casual bar conversation, it is ubiquitous in several specific spheres of Portuguese life. First, in literary and journalistic writing, it is the preferred term to describe humanitarian crises or tragic events. Journalists use it to evoke a sense of collective responsibility and empathy in their readers.

Religious and Spiritual Contexts: In Catholic-majority countries like Portugal and Brazil, 'apiedar-se' is a liturgical staple. You will hear it in prayers like 'Senhor, apiedai-vos de nós' (Lord, have mercy on us). This gives the word a sacred, solemn quality.

You will also encounter it in classic cinema and telenovelas. When a character is begging for mercy from a powerful antagonist, they rarely say 'tenha pena'; they use the more dramatic 'apiede-se de mim!'. This elevates the stakes of the scene.

Naquele filme antigo, a vilã finalmente se apiedou da órfã.

In legal and formal environments, lawyers might use it to appeal to a judge's sense of humanity during sentencing. It suggests that while the law is rigid, the person interpreting it can still 'se apiedar.' Furthermore, in historical discussions, historians use it to describe the actions of monarchs or leaders who showed clemency.

Formal Oratory: Political speeches regarding social welfare or poverty often employ 'apiedar-se' to sound more statesmanlike and less colloquial than 'ter pena'.

O orador pediu que o público se apiedasse das vítimas da seca.

In summary, if you want to sound educated, emotionally resonant, or if you are engaging with Portuguese history, religion, or literature, 'apiedar-se' is the word you need. It signals that you are moving beyond basic survival Portuguese into the realm of nuanced human emotion.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake with apiedar is treating it like a non-reflexive verb. In English, you 'pity someone' (subject + verb + object). In Portuguese, you 'pity yourself of someone' (subject + reflexive pronoun + verb + preposition + object).

The Missing 'Se': Incorrect: 'Eu apiedei o homem.' Correct: 'Eu me apiedei do homem.' Without the reflexive pronoun, the sentence feels incomplete and grammatically 'naked' to a native speaker.

Another common error is the wrong preposition. Many students try to use 'por' (for) or 'com' (with), because we say 'pity for' or 'compassion with' in English.

Não se apiede *com* ele (Wrong). Não se apiede *dele* (Correct).

Confusion with the noun piedade is also frequent. While 'piedade' is the state of being pitying, 'apiedar' is the action. You 'tem piedade' but you 'se apieda'. Mixing these up—'Eu me piedade'—is a common A2-level error.

Spelling Confusion: In Brazil, you might see 'apiadar'. While accepted in some dictionaries, 'apiedar' is the standard across the Lusophone world. Sticking to 'apiedar' will prevent you from sounding inconsistent or regional if that's not your goal.

Ele se apiedou *de* a situação (Wrong contraction). Ele se apiedou *da* situação (Correct).

Forgetting the contraction (de + a = da) is a minor but noticeable mistake. Finally, don't confuse 'apiedar-se' with 'arrepender-se' (to repent). They sound vaguely similar in rhythm but have completely different meanings. One is about pity for others; the other is about regret for oneself. Keep these distinctions in mind to ensure your emotional expression is accurate and natural.

While apiedar-se is a beautiful word, it's helpful to know its neighbors in the semantic field of empathy. The most common alternative is ter pena.

Apiedar-se vs. Ter Pena: 'Ter pena' is colloquial and used for everything from a sad movie to a broken glass. 'Apiedar-se' is more visceral and formal. Use 'Tenho pena dele' for a friend who lost his keys, but 'Apiedou-se dele' for a king sparing a prisoner's life.

Another high-level synonym is compadecer-se. This verb is almost identical in usage (also reflexive and uses 'de'). It literally means 'to suffer with' (com + padecer).

Todos se compadeceram da sua perda irreparável.

If you want to describe being moved to the point of nearly crying, use comover-se or enternecer-se. These don't necessarily imply pity, but rather a soft emotional state.

Comover-se: 'Eu me comovi com a música' (I was moved by the music). Note the preposition change to 'com' here!

On the opposite side, the antonyms would be endurecer-se (to harden oneself) or desumanizar-se. When someone refuses to 'se apiedar,' they are 'insensíveis' (insensitive) or 'cruéis' (cruel).

Ele endureceu o coração e não se apiedou dos apelos.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the exact 'temperature' of empathy you wish to convey, making your Portuguese much more precise and expressive.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'piedade' originally meant 'duty to one's parents and gods' in Latin, which evolved into 'mercy' in Christian contexts.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɐ.pje.ˈðal/

US /a.pje.ˈdaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-pie-DAR.

Reimt sich auf

acordar ajudar amar andar olhar pensar chegar falar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'pje' as two distinct syllables (pi-e-dar). It should be a smooth glide.
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'se' in speech.
Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Confusing the vowel 'e' with 'i' (apiadar), though this is a common variant.
Stress on the 'pie' syllable instead of the 'dar'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'piedade' or 'piety'.

Schreiben 5/5

Difficult because of the reflexive pronoun and the preposition 'de'.

Sprechen 6/5

Hard to integrate naturally without sounding too formal or making pronoun errors.

Hören 4/5

Common in media and religious settings, usually clear to hear.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

piedade pena se (reflexive) de (preposition) sentir

Als Nächstes lernen

compadecer-se misericórdia clemência comover solidariedade

Fortgeschritten

estribar-se dignar-se abster-se compungir-se

Wichtige Grammatik

Pronominal Verbs

Eu me apiedo (The action reflects on the subject).

Prepositional Government (Regência)

Apiedar-se + DE (Always use 'de' for the object).

Pronoun Placement (Próclise/Ênclise)

Não se apiedou (Negative triggers pronoun before verb).

Subjunctive Mood

Que ele se apiede (Expressing a wish or doubt).

Contractions

De + o = Do (Apiedou-se do menino).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Eu me apiedo do gatinho.

I pity the kitten.

Simple reflexive use: me + apiedo.

Ela se apieda dele.

She pities him.

Third person reflexive: se + apieda.

Nós nos apiedamos dos pobres.

We pity the poor.

First person plural: nos + apiedamos.

Você se apieda de mim?

Do you pity me?

Question form with reflexive pronoun.

Eles se apiedam dos animais.

They pity the animals.

Plural reflexive use.

Não te apiedas?

Don't you feel pity?

Negative question in the 'tu' form.

O rei se apiedou.

The king felt pity.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).

Eu me apiedo da sua dor.

I pity your pain.

Using 'da' (de + a).

Ontem, eu me apiedei daquela senhora na rua.

Yesterday, I pitied that lady on the street.

Past tense 'apiedei' + 'daquela'.

É fácil se apiedar de quem sofre.

It is easy to pity those who suffer.

Infinitive reflexive use.

Ninguém se apiedou do ladrão.

Nobody pitied the thief.

Negative sentence 'Ninguém se...'.

Você sempre se apieda das crianças.

You always pity the children.

Present tense with 'sempre'.

Nós nos apiedamos da situação dele.

We pitied his situation.

Past tense 'nos apiedamos'.

Ela vai se apiedar de você, não se preocupe.

She will pity you, don't worry.

Future with 'ir' + reflexive.

Apiedem-se de nós!

Have pity on us!

Imperative plural form.

Tu te apiedaste do meu erro.

You pitied my mistake.

Tu form in the past tense.

Se ele se apiedasse, a história seria diferente.

If he pitied, the story would be different.

Imperfect Subjunctive 'apiedasse'.

Muitos se apiedam, mas poucos ajudam de verdade.

Many feel pity, but few truly help.

Contrast between feeling and acting.

Duvido que ela se apiede dele agora.

I doubt she pities him now.

Present Subjunctive after 'Duvido que'.

O povo se apiedava do herói caído.

The people used to pity the fallen hero.

Imperfect tense (habitual past).

Apiedar-se é o primeiro passo para a caridade.

To pity is the first step toward charity.

Verb used as a noun/subject.

Espero que o juiz se apiede da sua juventude.

I hope the judge pities your youth.

Subjunctive expressing hope.

Ela se apiedaria se soubesse a verdade.

She would pity if she knew the truth.

Conditional tense 'apiedaria'.

Nós tínhamos nos apiedado da família.

We had pitied the family.

Past Perfect 'tínhamos nos apiedado'.

Ao ver a miséria, o milionário finalmente se apiedou.

Upon seeing the misery, the millionaire finally felt pity.

Gerund-like structure 'Ao ver'.

Não é comum que ele se apiede tão facilmente.

It's not common for him to pity so easily.

Subjunctive after 'É comum que'.

Mesmo os mais cruéis podem se apiedar.

Even the cruelest can feel pity.

Modal verb 'podem' + infinitive.

Ela se apiedou de tal forma que começou a chorar.

She pitied so much that she started to cry.

Consecutive clause 'de tal forma que'.

Caso vocês se apiedem, assinem a petição.

In case you feel pity, sign the petition.

Future Subjunctive 'apiedem'.

Ele se apiedava de todos, menos de si mesmo.

He pitied everyone except himself.

Reflexive vs. self-exclusion.

O autor faz o leitor se apiedar do vilão.

The author makes the reader pity the villain.

Causative structure with 'fazer'.

Não nos apiedamos por obrigação, mas por amor.

We don't pity out of obligation, but out of love.

Prepositional contrast 'por'.

A tragédia fez com que a nação inteira se apiedasse.

The tragedy caused the entire nation to feel pity.

Complex subjunctive trigger 'fez com que'.

É imperativo que nos apiedemos dos que não têm voz.

It is imperative that we pity those who have no voice.

Formal structure 'É imperativo que'.

O texto sugere que a natureza se apiedou do homem.

The text suggests that nature pitied man.

Personification of nature.

Talvez se apiedem de nós as gerações futuras.

Perhaps future generations will pity us.

Inverted word order for poetic effect.

Sem se apiedar, o tempo continua sua marcha.

Without pitying, time continues its march.

Prepositional phrase 'Sem se apiedar'.

Quem somos nós para não nos apiedarmos?

Who are we not to feel pity?

Rhetorical question with double negative.

Embora se apiedasse, ele manteve a sentença.

Although he felt pity, he maintained the sentence.

Concessive clause with 'Embora'.

A alma se apieda do corpo em seus momentos finais.

The soul pities the body in its final moments.

Metaphysical usage.

Apiedar-se do inimigo é a maior das virtudes.

To pity one's enemy is the greatest of virtues.

Infinitive as a subject.

Oxalá o destino se apiedasse da nossa estirpe.

Would that destiny pitied our lineage.

Archaic/Formal 'Oxalá' + Subjunctive.

A narrativa é construída para que não nos apiedemos jamais.

The narrative is built so that we never feel pity.

Final clause 'para que'.

O fado não se apieda de quem não luta.

Fate does not pity those who do not fight.

Cultural reference to 'Fado' (fate).

Houve quem se apiedasse, mas a maioria silenciou.

There were those who pitied, but the majority remained silent.

Relative clause with 'quem'.

Nada resta senão apiedar-se da condição humana.

Nothing remains but to pity the human condition.

Philosophical 'senão'.

A lei, seca e fria, raramente se apieda do contexto.

The law, dry and cold, rarely pities the context.

Personification of 'A lei'.

Se vos apiedardes, mostrai-o com atos.

If you (plural/formal) feel pity, show it with acts.

Future Subjunctive 'vós' form.

Häufige Kollokationen

apiedar-se do próximo

apiedar-se da sorte

apiedar-se do réu

não se apiedar de ninguém

apiedar-se das lágrimas

pedir que se apiedem

apiedar-se profundamente

coração que se apieda

apiedar-se da ignorância

Deus se apiedou

Häufige Phrasen

Apieda-te de mim!

— A dramatic plea for mercy or forgiveness.

Apieda-te de mim, eu não sabia o que fazia!

Não se apiedou nem um pouco.

— Used to describe someone who showed zero compassion.

Ele viu o acidente e não se apiedou nem um pouco.

É de se apiedar.

— Used to describe a situation that is truly pitiful.

A situação daquelas crianças é de se apiedar.

Quem se apieda, ajuda.

— A common sentiment connecting pity to action.

Não basta sentir, quem se apieda, ajuda.

Apiedar-se por interesse.

— To pretend to pity someone for personal gain.

Ele só se apiedou por interesse na herança.

Coração incapaz de se apiedar.

— A description of a very cold person.

Ela tem um coração incapaz de se apiedar.

Apiedar-se do inimigo.

— A phrase about showing mercy to an opponent.

O guerreiro se apiedou do inimigo caído.

Apiedar-se da própria sorte.

— To feel sorry for oneself (self-pity).

Pare de se apiedar da própria sorte e trabalhe.

Senhor, apiedai-vos!

— A common religious exclamation.

Senhor, apiedai-vos de nós pecadores!

Apiedar-se à distância.

— To feel pity without getting involved.

É fácil se apiedar à distância, sem fazer nada.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

apiedar vs arrepender-se

Arrepender-se means to regret your own actions; apiedar-se is pity for others.

apiedar vs apoiar

Apoiar means to support physically or ideologically; apiedar-se is an emotional state.

apiedar vs apiadar

This is just a variant of apiedar, but can be confusing if you only know one.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Ter um coração de manteiga"

— To be very easily moved to pity or compassion.

Ele tem um coração de manteiga, se apieda de tudo.

Informal

"Não ter entranhas"

— To be incapable of feeling pity or mercy.

Aquele homem não tem entranhas, não se apieda de ninguém.

Literary

"Lágrimas de crocodilo"

— Fake pity or sadness.

Ela se apiedou dele, mas eram lágrimas de crocodilo.

Common

"Mover montanhas de piedade"

— To cause a huge amount of compassion in others.

A sua história moveu montanhas de piedade.

Figurative

"Fazer o coração sangrar"

— To cause someone to feel extreme pity.

Vê-lo assim faz meu coração sangrar de piedade.

Poetic

"Dar um soco no estômago"

— A situation so sad it forces you to feel pity/shock.

Aquela cena foi um soco no estômago, impossível não se apiedar.

Informal

"Ser pau para toda obra"

— Not an idiom for pity, but used for people who help because they pity.

Ele se apiedou e agora é pau para toda obra na casa dela.

Informal

"Cair em si"

— To realize something, often leading to pity.

Ele caiu em si e se apiedou do que tinha feito.

Common

"Ficar com o coração nas mãos"

— To be extremely worried or pitiful for someone.

Fiquei com o coração nas mãos e me apiedei dele.

Informal

"Não ter onde cair morto"

— To be extremely poor (often triggers 'apiedar-se').

Ele não tinha onde cair morto e eu me apiedei.

Slang/Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

apiedar vs piedade

Noun vs Verb

Piedade is the feeling (noun); apiedar-se is the act of feeling it (verb).

Tenho piedade (Noun) vs Eu me apiedo (Verb).

apiedar vs piedoso

Adjective vs Verb

Piedoso describes a person; apiedar-se describes what they do.

Ele é piedoso e sempre se apieda dos outros.

apiedar vs pena

Common synonym

'Pena' is more colloquial and can also mean 'feather' or 'punishment'.

Que pena! vs Eu me apiedo.

apiedar vs misericórdia

Semantic overlap

Misericórdia is a quality/attribute; apiedar-se is the emotional movement.

Pela sua misericórdia, ele se apiedou.

apiedar vs comover

Similar emotion

Comover doesn't require 'de' and doesn't always imply pity.

A música me comoveu (Direct object).

Satzmuster

Eu me apiedo de [noun].

Eu me apiedo do cachorro.

Espero que [subject] se apiede.

Espero que ela se apiede.

Não se apiedar de [noun].

Ele não se apiedou da situação.

Ao se apiedar, [action].

Ao se apiedar, ele deu dinheiro.

[Subject] se apiedaria se [condition].

Ele se apiedaria se visse a cena.

É impossível não se apiedar de [noun].

É impossível não se apiedar de tal miséria.

Embora se apiedasse de [noun], [contrast].

Embora se apiedasse do réu, ele o puniu.

Apiedar-se de [noun] é [adjective].

Apiedar-se do próximo é fundamental.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

piedade (pity/piety)

apiedamento (the act of pitying - rare)

Verben

apiedar (to pity)

compadecer (to empathize)

Adjektive

piedoso (pitying/pious)

apiedado (pitied/moved to pity)

impiedoso (pitiless)

Verwandt

pena

compaixão

misericórdia

clemência

empatia

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Medium. High in literature/news, medium-low in casual slang.

Häufige Fehler

Eu apiedei dele. → Eu me apiedei dele.
The verb must be reflexive.
Ela se apiedou com o gato. → Ela se apiedou do gato.
The correct preposition is 'de', not 'com'.
Nós nos apiedamos por eles. → Nós nos apiedamos deles.
Avoid using 'por' even if it feels natural in English.
Eu me apiedade de você. → Eu me apiedo de você.
Don't confuse the noun 'piedade' with the verb conjugation.
Eles se apiedaram de a história. → Eles se apiedaram da história.
Always contract the preposition 'de' with the article.

Tipps

The 'DE' Rule

Never forget the 'de'. Think of it as 'pitying FROM the heart'. Apiedar-se DE alguém.

Elevate Your Speech

Replace 'ter pena' with 'apiedar-se' in your next Portuguese essay to instantly boost your grade.

The Glide

The 'ie' in apiedar is a glide. Don't say 'pi-e-dar', say 'pyeh-dar'.

Religious Roots

Recognizing this word in prayers will help you understand the deep cultural value of empathy in Lusophone countries.

Literary Flair

Use 'apiedar-se' when writing a story to give your characters more emotional depth.

Pronoun Check

If you say 'Eu apiedei', stop! Add the 'me': 'Eu me apiedei'.

Compadecer-se

Learn this synonym alongside apiedar-se; they are interchangeable 90% of the time.

Visualizing

Associate the word with the 'Pietà' statue to remember its meaning and solemnity.

News Keywords

When you hear 'apiedar-se' on the news, pay attention—it's usually a tragic or humanitarian story.

The Pie Mnemonic

Use the 'pity for the pie' trick if you ever forget what it means.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine you see a PIE (piedade) on the floor and you feel sorry for it. You want to 'A-PIE-DAR' (add pity to the pie).

Visuelle Assoziation

A large heart with a hand reaching out to a smaller, broken heart.

Word Web

Heart Tears Mercy Reflexive Preposition DE Piedade Help Empathy

Herausforderung

Write three sentences about a movie character who finally 'se apiedou' of their rival.

Wortherkunft

From the Portuguese prefix 'a-' (indicating movement or change) + 'piedade' (pity/piety).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To bring someone to a state of pity or to feel pity oneself.

Romance (Latin root: pietas).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'ter pena' in Brazil, as it can sometimes sound dismissive. 'Apiedar-se' is safer but more formal.

English speakers often prefer 'empathize' or 'feel for,' as 'pity' can sound negative. In Portuguese, 'apiedar-se' is still very noble.

The prayer 'Kyrie Eleison' is translated as 'Senhor, tende piedade' or 'Apiedai-vos de nós'. Classic literature like 'Os Lusíadas' uses similar roots to describe divine mercy. The name of the famous Michelangelo sculpture 'Pietà' (Piedade) shares the same root.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Charity

Apiedar-se dos necessitados
Sentimento que move a caridade
Apiedar-se e doar
Coração aberto para se apiedar

Justice

Apiedar-se do réu
Clemência do juiz
Apelar para que se apiedem
Justiça sem se apiedar

Religion

Senhor, apiedai-vos
Deus se apieda
Oração de piedade
Apiedar-se dos pecadores

Literature

O herói se apiedou
Narrativa de apiedamento
Personagem impiedosa
Enternecer-se e apiedar-se

Daily Life

Se apiedar de um amigo
Não ter quem se apiede
Apiedar-se de um bicho
É de se apiedar

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você acha que as pessoas se apiedam menos hoje em dia do que no passado?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você se apiedou de um estranho na rua?"

"Você se apieda facilmente de personagens vilões em filmes?"

"É possível se apiedar de alguém que cometeu um crime grave?"

"Como você reage quando alguém tenta fazer você se apiedar por interesse?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre um momento em que alguém se apiedou de você e como isso mudou o seu dia.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre 'ter pena' e 'se apiedar' na sua própria vida.

Descreva uma situação social no seu país que faz você se apiedar profundamente.

Se você fosse um juiz, em que situações você se apiedaria de um réu?

Crie um conto curto onde o protagonista se apieda de uma criatura mágica.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

In modern Portuguese, it is almost exclusively reflexive (apiedar-se). Using it without 'se' to mean 'to cause pity in someone' is archaic and very rare.

Yes, they are variants. 'Apiedar' is the standard form, while 'apiadar' is common in Brazil and older literature.

Always use 'de'. You pity 'of' someone in Portuguese. Example: 'Me apiedo dele'.

Yes, it is more formal than 'ter pena'. Use it in writing or when you want to sound more eloquent.

Yes, 'apiedar-se de si mesmo' means 'to feel self-pity,' although 'ter pena de si mesmo' is more common.

You can say 'Tenha piedade!' or 'Apiede-se!'.

Yes, though Brazilians often use 'ter pena' or 'ficar com dó' in casual speech.

The most direct opposite is 'endurecer-se' or simply 'não se importar'.

Yes, it follows the regular -AR conjugation pattern (apied-o, apied-as, apied-a...).

Absolutely. It is very common to 'se apiedar' of animals in distress.

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