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A2 verb 10 Min. Lesezeit

consternar

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Erklärung consternar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'consternar' is a very advanced word. You probably won't use it yourself yet. Instead, you focus on simple emotions like 'triste' (sad) or 'mal' (bad). However, if you see it, just remember it means someone is very, very sad because of some news. It is like saying 'super sad' but in a very serious way. You might see it in a simple story about someone losing a pet or a friend moving away. Focus on the feeling of 'oh no!' that comes with bad news. At this stage, just recognize the 'conster-' part and associate it with 'dismay'.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific verbs for feelings. 'Consternar' is useful because it helps you describe a reaction to news. You can use it in the past participle form: 'consternado' (for a man) or 'consternada' (for a woman). For example: 'Estou consternado com a notícia' (I am dismayed with the news). It's a great word to use if you want to show sympathy. If a friend tells you something bad happened, saying 'Estou consternado' sounds very polite and deeply caring. You are moving beyond just 'I am sad' to 'I am affected by what you told me'.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'consternar' as a verb in different tenses. You might say 'A notícia vai consternar muita gente' (The news will dismay many people). You also start to see the difference between this and 'chocar' (to shock). 'Consternar' has more of a 'sadness' element, while 'chocar' is more about the 'surprise'. You can use it in letters or emails when you need to express formal regret. It’s also a good time to learn the noun 'consternação'. You might read a news article that says 'Houve uma grande consternação na cidade'.

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At the B2 level, you should use 'consternar' comfortably in formal writing and discussions. You understand that it’s a transitive verb and often appears in the passive voice. You can use it to talk about social issues: 'A desigualdade social consterna os intelectuais'. You also begin to use the reflexive 'consternar-se'. You can explain why a certain event 'consternou' a population, using complex sentences. You are aware of the word's weight and use it to add gravitas to your arguments or descriptions of events. Your vocabulary is becoming more nuanced.

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At the C1 level, 'consternar' is a tool for stylistic expression. You use it to create a specific atmosphere in your writing. You might use it in literary analysis or high-level journalism. You understand the etymological roots (from Latin 'consternare') and how that influences its modern meaning of being 'thrown into confusion or grief'. You can use it in metaphors or more abstract contexts. You also recognize when it is being used ironically or for rhetorical effect. Your command of the word allows you to distinguish it perfectly from 'desolar', 'afligir', or 'entorpecer'.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'consternar'. You can use it in all its forms and nuances, including rare literary uses. You might use the verb in the future subjunctive or other complex grammatical structures without thinking. You understand how the word has evolved in Portuguese literature from the 19th century to today. You can engage in deep philosophical or political debates where 'consternar' is used to describe the moral fabric of society. You can catch the subtle emotional shifts a speaker intends when they choose 'consternar' over a dozen other synonyms.

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consternar in 30 Sekunden

A formal verb meaning to cause deep dismay or shock.
Commonly used in news and literature for tragic events.
Often seen as the adjective 'consternado' (dismayed).
Requires a serious context; too heavy for minor issues.

The Portuguese verb consternar is a sophisticated and emotionally charged word that describes the act of causing someone to feel a profound sense of dismay, shock, or deep anxiety. While it is often translated as 'to dismay' or 'to distress,' its weight in Portuguese suggests a sudden impact—like a blow to one's emotional stability. You will encounter this word most frequently in formal contexts, such as news reports regarding tragic events, literature exploring the depths of human sorrow, or professional settings where unexpected bad news is shared. It implies a state of being 'thrown down' emotionally, which aligns with its Latin roots. When you use consternar, you are not just saying someone is sad; you are saying they are significantly unsettled by a specific piece of information or an event.

Formal Context: The news of the accident consternated the whole city, leaving the streets silent and the people in shock.
Emotional Impact: To feel consternated is to be temporarily paralyzed by grief or confusion following a startling revelation.

A notícia da demissão em massa veio para consternar todos os funcionários da fábrica.

In everyday speech, while Brazilians and Portuguese people might use simpler verbs like 'chocar' (to shock) or 'entristecer' (to make sad), consternar remains the preferred choice for expressing a dignified and serious level of distress. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually requires an object—the person or group being affected. However, it is very common to see its past participle form, consternado, used as an adjective to describe someone's state of mind. For example, 'Ele ficou consternado' (He was dismayed). This usage is particularly prevalent in funeral settings or when offering condolences, where it conveys a deep, respectful sympathy for the tragedy at hand.

Ficamos profundamente consternados com o falecimento do seu querido pai.

Understanding the nuance of consternar involves recognizing that it isn't just about the emotion itself, but the external cause of that emotion. It is a reaction to something external that 'consternates' the subject. Whether it is a political scandal, a natural disaster, or a personal betrayal, the word captures the moment when the reality of a situation sinks in and leaves the individual feeling overwhelmed and powerless. It is a word of gravity, often associated with collective mourning or widespread public concern, making it a staple in the lexicon of journalism and high literature across the Lusophone world.

O comportamento rude do convidado conseguiu consternar até os anfitriões mais pacientes.

Synonym comparison: Unlike 'assustar' (to scare), 'consternar' implies a lingering sadness and moral shock rather than a quick physical fright.

Nada parece consternar aquele político, apesar de todas as críticas que recebe.

A injustiça da decisão judicial veio consternar os defensores dos direitos humanos.

Using consternar effectively requires understanding its grammatical role as a transitive verb. It acts upon someone. You can think of it as 'X consternates Y'. However, in practical Portuguese, you will find it in three primary structures: as a direct action, in the passive voice, and as an adjective. Mastery of these patterns will allow you to describe complex emotional reactions with precision and elegance.

Active Voice: The subject causes the dismay. Example: 'As imagens da guerra consternam o mundo.' (The images of war dismay the world.)

O silêncio do governo sobre o assunto costuma consternar a população local.

The second most common way to use this word is in the passive voice or as a resultative state using the verb 'ficar' (to stay/become) or 'estar' (to be). This shifts the focus to the person experiencing the emotion. 'Ficar consternado' is the standard way to say 'to be shocked/dismayed' by something. It is essential to match the gender and number of the adjective: 'ele ficou consternado', 'ela ficou consternada', 'eles ficaram consternados'.

Eles ficaram visivelmente consternados após ouvirem o veredito final do juiz.

Another sophisticated use is the reflexive form consternar-se. This is often used to describe a person's internal reaction or a collective emotional movement. It translates roughly to 'to become dismayed' or 'to grieve'. For example, 'A nação consternou-se com a perda do artista' (The nation grieved/was dismayed by the loss of the artist). This highlights the internal process of feeling the dismay.

Ela se consternou profundamente ao ler a carta de despedida de sua melhor amiga.

Preposition Usage: When using the adjective 'consternado', we usually follow it with the prepositions 'com' (with), 'por' (by/for), or 'ante' (before/in the face of). Example: 'Consternado com a notícia'.

Estamos todos consternados ante tamanha crueldade relatada nos jornais de hoje.

In summary, whether you are using the verb in its active, passive, or reflexive form, the key is the intensity of the emotion. It is a 'heavy' word. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences like losing your keys or missing a bus; reserve it for events that truly shake the spirit or the conscience of the people involved.

O fracasso do projeto não deveria consternar você tanto; há sempre uma nova chance.

The word consternar is not something you would typically hear in a casual conversation over beer at a 'boteco' in Rio or a 'tasca' in Lisbon. Instead, it belongs to the realm of 'Português Culto' (formal Portuguese). One of the primary places you will encounter it is in the media. News anchors on TV Globo or RTP often use it when reporting on tragedies, such as airplane crashes, natural disasters, or the passing of a public figure. It provides a level of solemnity that words like 'triste' simply cannot provide.

News Broadcasts: 'A morte do escritor consternou o mundo literário.' (The death of the writer dismayed the literary world.)

O apresentador parecia consternado ao anunciar os números da tragédia ambiental.

In literature and academic writing, consternar is a favorite among authors who wish to describe the internal state of their characters with nuance. Classic Brazilian authors like Machado de Assis or Portuguese giants like Eça de Queirós might use the word to describe the reaction of a protagonist to a social scandal or a moral failing. It carries a certain 'old-world' weight that makes it perfect for historical dramas or philosophical essays.

Na literatura clássica, a traição de um herói costuma consternar os leitores mais fiéis.

Furthermore, you will hear it in legal and political discourse. A judge might express that certain evidence 'consternates the court' due to its brutality, or a politician might state that a new law 'consternates the working class'. In these contexts, it signifies a deep concern that goes beyond mere disagreement; it suggests a fundamental disturbance of values or expectations. If you are watching a serious debate on TV, keep an ear out for this verb—it is a sign that the speaker is taking the moral high ground.

A decisão da Suprema Corte veio consternar juristas de todo o país.

Professional Condolences: When writing a formal email after a colleague's tragedy: 'Fiquei consternado ao saber do ocorrido'.

Não queremos consternar a família com detalhes desnecessários neste momento difícil.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers learning Portuguese is using consternar for minor situations. In English, we might say 'I was dismayed that they were out of coffee,' but in Portuguese, using consternado here would sound overly dramatic and even sarcastic. It is a 'high-register' word. Using it for trivialities is like wearing a tuxedo to a fast-food restaurant. Stick to 'chateado' (annoyed) or 'decepcionado' (disappointed) for daily minor letdowns.

Overuse: Mistake: 'Fiquei consternado porque perdi o ônibus.' (Too dramatic). Correct: 'Fiquei chateado porque perdi o ônibus.'

Evite usar consternar para problemas pequenos do cotidiano.

Another common error is confusing consternar with the verb costumar (to be used to). Because they share some similar letters and sounds, beginners sometimes swap them. Remember: Costumar is about habits, while consternar is about emotional shock. Also, watch out for the spelling; it is 'consternar' with an 'n' after the 'e', not 'costernar'.

Lembre-se: eu costumo caminhar (habit), mas a notícia veio me consternar (shock).

Finally, learners often struggle with the preposition that follows the adjective consternado. While in English we might be 'dismayed by', in Portuguese, the most natural preposition is com or ante. Using 'por' is grammatically possible but often sounds like you're explaining the cause in a more detached way. 'Consternado com a notícia' is the most idiomatic phrase you can learn.

Diga 'estou consternado com isso' em vez de apenas traduzir literalmente do inglês.

Grammar Pitfall: Confusing the transitive verb with the reflexive form. 'Eu consternei' (I dismayed [someone]) vs 'Eu me consternei' (I became dismayed).

Ela se consternou ao ver o estado da casa após a tempestade.

Portuguese is a rich language with many synonyms for emotional states. If consternar feels too formal or heavy for your specific situation, there are several alternatives you can use. Understanding the subtle differences between them will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Chocar: More common and direct. It implies a sudden impact, like 'to shock'. Use this for surprising news that isn't necessarily tragic. Example: 'Fiquei chocado com o preço!'
Entristecer: Literally 'to make sad'. It's much broader and can be used for anything from a sad movie to a personal loss. It lacks the 'shock' element of 'consternar'.
Abater: This means 'to bring down' or 'to depress'. It's often used when someone feels physically or mentally exhausted by bad news. 'Ele está abatido' (He is downcast).

Enquanto consternar foca no choque, 'entristecer' foca apenas na tristeza pura.

For a more literary or dramatic effect, you might use desolar (to desolate) or afligir (to afflict). 'Desolar' is even stronger than 'consternar', implying that the person feels completely empty or ruined. 'Afligir' is more about ongoing worry or suffering rather than a single moment of dismay. Choosing between these depends on whether you want to emphasize the shock (consternar), the sadness (entristecer), the worry (afligir), or the total destruction of spirit (desolar).

A notícia da perda pode desolar uma pessoa, deixando-a sem esperanças.

Muitos preferem usar 'chocar' no dia a dia, reservando consternar para discursos formais.

Abalar: Meaning 'to shake'. This is a great middle-ground word. 'A notícia abalou a família' (The news shook the family). It is less formal than 'consternar' but more impactful than 'entristecer'.

O escândalo veio abalar as estruturas da empresa, deixando todos consternados.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'sternere' is the same one that gave us the English word 'stratosphere' and 'street' (via the idea of a paved/laid down path).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /kɒn.stɜː.nɑː/

US /kɑːn.stɚ.nɑːr/

The stress is on the last syllable: con-ster-NAR.

Reimt sich auf

amar falar andar chegar pensar olhar esperar lamentar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it like 'consternation' (English).
Missing the nasal 'n' in 'con'.
Stressing the second-to-last syllable.
Confusing the 's' sound with a 'z' sound.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'r' in formal speech.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.

Schreiben 6/5

Requires knowledge of formal register and correct prepositions.

Sprechen 7/5

Nasal vowels and ending 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 5/5

Clear pronunciation in formal media helps recognition.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

triste chocado notícia ficar sentir

Als Nächstes lernen

abater desolar pesar lamentar afligir

Fortgeschritten

estupefação perplexidade melancolia infortúnio

Wichtige Grammatik

Agreement of past participles

Ela ficou consternada; Eles ficaram consternados.

Transitive verbs without prepositions

A notícia consternou (quem?) os alunos.

Reflexive pronouns

Eu me consternei; Tu te consternaste.

Nasal vowels (on, en)

The 'con' and 'ster' syllables contain nasal sounds.

Subjunctive mood after 'esperar que'

Espero que isso não consterne você.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Ele está muito consternado hoje.

He is very dismayed today.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

A notícia é triste e nos deixa consternados.

The news is sad and leaves us dismayed.

Direct object 'nos' used with the adjective.

Ela ficou consternada com o gato.

She was dismayed about the cat.

Preposition 'com' used after the adjective.

Não fique consternado, vai dar tudo certo.

Don't be dismayed, everything will be fine.

Imperative 'não fique'.

O menino está consternado com a nota.

The boy is dismayed with the grade.

Adjective agreeing with masculine 'menino'.

Eles estão consternados agora.

They are dismayed now.

Plural agreement 'consternados'.

Você parece consternada.

You look dismayed.

Linking verb 'parece'.

O fim do livro me deixou consternado.

The end of the book left me dismayed.

Object pronoun 'me'.

A notícia da chuva vai consternar os moradores.

The news of the rain will dismay the residents.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Nós ficamos consternados com o acidente.

We were dismayed by the accident.

Preterite of 'ficar'.

A morte do cantor consternou os fãs.

The singer's death dismayed the fans.

Transitive verb usage.

Ela se consternou ao ver a notícia.

She became dismayed upon seeing the news.

Reflexive 'se consternou'.

O resultado do jogo consternou a torcida.

The game result dismayed the fans.

Past tense 'consternou'.

Por que você está tão consternado?

Why are you so dismayed?

Interrogative sentence.

As palavras dele consternaram a família.

His words dismayed the family.

Plural subject 'as palavras'.

Fiquei consternada com o que você disse.

I was dismayed by what you said.

Feminine agreement 'consternada'.

Sempre que vejo tais injustiças, acabo por me consternar.

Whenever I see such injustices, I end up becoming dismayed.

Periphrastic 'acabo por' + infinitive.

É impossível não se consternar com tamanha tragédia.

It is impossible not to be dismayed by such a tragedy.

Impersonal 'é' + infinitive.

O anúncio do fechamento da escola consternou os pais.

The announcement of the school's closing dismayed the parents.

Transitive usage in a formal context.

Muitos se consternaram com a partida precoce do atleta.

Many were dismayed by the athlete's early departure.

Reflexive plural 'se consternaram'.

Espero que isso não venha a consternar ninguém.

I hope this doesn't come to dismay anyone.

Subjunctive 'venha a' + infinitive.

O estado da cidade após o furacão consternou o país.

The state of the city after the hurricane dismayed the country.

Subject 'o estado' is abstract.

Ela estava visivelmente consternada durante o velório.

She was visibly dismayed during the wake.

Adverb 'visivelmente' modifying the adjective.

A falta de apoio consternou os voluntários.

The lack of support dismayed the volunteers.

Abstract subject 'a falta'.

A corrupção sistêmica consterna qualquer cidadão honesto.

Systemic corruption dismays any honest citizen.

Present tense expressing a general truth.

Caso a proposta seja aceita, ela poderá consternar os investidores.

If the proposal is accepted, it could dismay investors.

Conditional 'poderá' with future possibility.

Embora estivesse consternado, ele manteve a calma.

Although he was dismayed, he kept his calm.

Concessive clause 'embora' + subjunctive.

O documentário visava consternar o público sobre a crise climática.

The documentary aimed to dismay the audience about the climate crisis.

Verb 'visar' + infinitive.

Sua reação consternada revelou o quanto ele se importava.

His dismayed reaction revealed how much he cared.

Adjective used before the verb.

Não se pode consternar uma nação sem esperar consequências.

One cannot dismay a nation without expecting consequences.

Passive 'se' construction.

A notícia foi dada de modo a não consternar excessivamente os idosos.

The news was given in a way as not to excessively dismay the elderly.

Adverbial phrase 'de modo a'.

Fomos consternados por uma série de eventos infelizes.

We were dismayed by a series of unfortunate events.

Passive voice 'fomos consternados por'.

A vacuidade de seus argumentos consternou os intelectuais presentes.

The emptiness of his arguments dismayed the intellectuals present.

Use of high-level vocabulary 'vacuidade'.

O autor utiliza a tragédia para consternar o leitor e provocar reflexão.

The author uses tragedy to dismay the reader and provoke reflection.

Infinitive of purpose.

Nada parecia capaz de consternar aquela alma endurecida pelo tempo.

Nothing seemed capable of dismaying that soul hardened by time.

Complex subject-predicate structure.

A consternação que se seguiu ao anúncio foi quase palpável.

The dismay that followed the announcement was almost palpable.

Noun form 'consternação'.

Ele se consternara tanto que não conseguia proferir uma palavra.

He had become so dismayed that he could not utter a word.

Pluperfect tense 'consternara'.

Seria leviano consternar a população com dados ainda não confirmados.

It would be flippant to dismay the population with data not yet confirmed.

Conditional mood 'seria'.

A beleza melancólica da obra costuma consternar os visitantes da galeria.

The melancholy beauty of the work usually dismays the gallery visitors.

Abstract emotional usage.

A despeito de sua força, o líder deixou-se consternar pela traição.

Despite his strength, the leader let himself be dismayed by the betrayal.

Reflexive 'deixou-se' + infinitive.

O desfecho niilista do filme logrou consternar até os críticos mais céticos.

The film's nihilistic ending managed to dismay even the most skeptical critics.

Verb 'lograr' + infinitive.

Sua prosa, eivada de pessimismo, visa consternar a consciência burguesa.

His prose, tainted with pessimism, aims to dismay the bourgeois conscience.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'eivada'.

A magnitude do desastre é tal que consterna as próprias bases da solidariedade.

The magnitude of the disaster is such that it dismays the very foundations of solidarity.

Consecutive 'tal que' clause.

Oxalá as notícias vindouras não venham a consternar nossos corações já sofridos.

Hopefully the coming news will not come to dismay our already suffering hearts.

Subjunctive with 'oxalá'.

A crueza do relato consternou a assembleia, mergulhando-a em um silêncio sepulcral.

The rawness of the account dismayed the assembly, plunging it into a deathly silence.

Gerund 'mergulhando-a' showing consequence.

Não obstante sua fleuma, o diplomata não pôde evitar consternar-se ante o massacre.

Despite his phlegm (composure), the diplomat could not help but be dismayed at the massacre.

Use of 'não obstante' and 'fleuma'.

O espetáculo da miséria humana consterna o observador atento e sensível.

The spectacle of human misery dismays the attentive and sensitive observer.

Philosophical subject.

Houve quem se consternasse, mas a maioria permaneceu indiferente ao escândalo.

There were those who were dismayed, but the majority remained indifferent to the scandal.

Relative clause with 'quem' + subjunctive.

Häufige Kollokationen

notícia consternadora

profundamente consternado

consternar a opinião pública

ficar consternado ante

visivelmente consternado

consternar os familiares

estado de consternação

consternar a nação

olhar consternado

silêncio consternado

Häufige Phrasen

Fiquei consternado ao saber...

— A formal way to start expressing sympathy about bad news.

Fiquei consternado ao saber do seu acidente.

É de consternar qualquer um.

— Used when something is so tragic that it would upset anyone.

Essa situação de pobreza é de consternar qualquer um.

Uma cena de consternar.

— Describes a sight that is very distressing to look at.

A destruição da escola era uma cena de consternar.

Com muita consternação...

— Used to introduce a formal announcement of bad news.

Com muita consternação, anunciamos o falecimento do diretor.

Não se consterne.

— A very formal way to say 'don't be upset' or 'don't worry'.

Não se consterne com as críticas, você fez o seu melhor.

Consternou-me profundamente.

— It affected me deeply (formal).

O que você me contou consternou-me profundamente.

Em sinal de consternação.

— As a sign of dismay or mourning.

As bandeiras estão a meio mastro em sinal de consternação.

Causa consternação.

— It causes dismay.

A falta de segurança causa consternação nos moradores.

Abalado e consternado.

— Shaken and dismayed (strong emotional state).

Ele saiu da reunião abalado e consternado.

Sentimento de consternação.

— A feeling of dismay.

Há um sentimento de consternação geral no país.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

consternar vs costumar

Sounds similar but means 'to be used to' or 'to have the habit of'.

consternar vs contatar

Means 'to contact'; some beginners mix up the 'con-' prefix.

consternar vs constatar

Means 'to verify' or 'to note'; very similar spelling but different meaning.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Cair como uma bomba"

— When news arrives and causes a huge shock/consternation.

A notícia da falência caiu como uma bomba.

informal

"Ficar sem chão"

— To be so dismayed that you feel you have no ground under your feet.

Quando ela partiu, eu fiquei sem chão.

neutral

"Perder o norte"

— To be so dismayed and confused that you lose your direction.

Com a crise, a empresa perdeu o norte.

neutral

"De cortar o coração"

— Something so sad it 'cuts the heart', causing consternation.

O choro da criança era de cortar o coração.

neutral

"Ficar de queixo caído"

— To be shocked/dismayed (more towards surprise).

Fiquei de queixo caído com a revelação.

informal

"Dar um nó na garganta"

— To feel a knot in the throat due to sadness or dismay.

Ver aquela cena me deu um nó na garganta.

neutral

"Estar com o coração na mão"

— To be extremely worried or dismayed about something.

Estou com o coração na mão esperando o resultado.

informal

"Ficar em estado de choque"

— To be in a state of shock/consternation.

Ela ficou em estado de choque após o assalto.

neutral

"Cair a ficha"

— When the reality of a situation finally hits you, often causing dismay.

Só agora caiu a ficha de que ele se foi.

informal

"Levar um baque"

— To receive a heavy emotional blow.

Ele levou um baque com a notícia da demissão.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

consternar vs Constatar

Spelling is almost identical.

'Constatar' is about facts and verifying information, while 'consternar' is about emotions and shock.

Pude constatar (verify) que ele estava consternado (dismayed).

consternar vs Costumar

Phonetic similarity for English speakers.

'Costumar' is a very common auxiliary verb for habits; 'consternar' is a specific emotional verb.

Eu costumo (habitually) ler notícias que me consternam (dismay).

consternar vs Contornar

Similar length and prefix.

'Contornar' means to go around something or to bypass a problem.

Tivemos que contornar o problema para não consternar os clientes.

consternar vs Concertar

Both start with 'con' and end in 'ar'.

'Concertar' (with c) is about musical concerts; 'Consertar' (with s) is to fix something.

Não há como consertar (fix) o que nos consternou (dismayed).

consternar vs Contratar

General visual similarity.

'Contratar' means to hire someone.

A empresa vai contratar alguém para lidar com o que nos consternou.

Satzmuster

Ficar + consternado(a) + com + [noun]

Fiquei consternado com a chuva.

[Subject] + consternou + [Object]

O filme consternou o público.

Consternar-se + ante + [noun]

Ele se consternou ante a injustiça.

É de + consternar + [noun]

É de consternar o coração.

Não obstante + [adjective], + [verb] + consternado

Não obstante calmo, ele estava consternado.

Estar + muito + consternado

Ele está muito consternado.

Parecer + consternado

Você parece consternado hoje.

Deixar-se + consternar + por

Não se deixe consternar por isso.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

consternação (dismay/consternation)

Verben

consternar (to dismay)

Adjektive

consternado (dismayed)

consternadora (dismaying)

Verwandt

tristeza

choque

dor

pesar

aflição

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in formal writing, rare in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Eu estou consternado por o ônibus chegar atrasado. → Eu estou chateado porque o ônibus chegou atrasado.
The context is too trivial for 'consternado'.
A notícia me costernou. → A notícia me consternou.
Missing the 'n' in 'consternar'.
Ela ficou consternado. → Ela ficou consternada.
Gender agreement error.
Eu consternei com a notícia. → Eu me consternei com a notícia.
Missing the reflexive pronoun.
Isso é muito consternante. → Isso é muito consternador.
'Consternante' is less common than 'consternador'.

Tipps

Context is King

Only use 'consternar' when the news is serious enough to warrant a formal reaction.

Agreement

Remember to change the ending of 'consternado' to 'consternada' if you are talking about a woman.

Nasalization

The 'on' in 'consternar' is nasal. Practice by saying 'own' but without closing your lips.

Formal Emails

This is a perfect word for expressing sympathy in a professional setting.

News Headlines

Look for this word in the 'Mundo' or 'Cotidiano' sections of Portuguese newspapers.

Podcasts

Listen to serious news podcasts like 'O Assunto' (G1) to hear this word in use.

Social Media

You will see this word on Twitter/X when a major public tragedy occurs.

Avoid Repetition

If you use 'consternado', try to use 'tristeza' or 'pesar' later in the text.

English Link

Connect it to 'consternation' to never forget the meaning.

Shock vs Sadness

Remember that 'consternar' is the perfect mix of being shocked and being sad.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'stern' (serious) person who is 'con' (completely) upset. Con-stern-ar.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person standing, then hearing bad news and suddenly looking like they have been pushed down into a chair, looking shocked.

Word Web

Tristeza Choque Notícia Luto Formal Dismay Deseperança Pesar

Herausforderung

Try to write a formal email of condolence using 'consternado' and 'consternação' correctly.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin verb 'consternare', which means to throw down, to strike down, or to terrify. It is formed by 'con-' (together/completely) and 'sternere' (to spread out/to lay flat).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be physically thrown to the ground by fear or shock.

Romance (Latin-based).

Kultureller Kontext

This is a very safe word to use in sensitive situations like funerals or after accidents.

English speakers often use 'shocked' or 'upset' where Portuguese speakers would use 'consternado' in formal writing.

Machado de Assis often used it to describe the social shocks in 19th-century Rio. Commonly found in the 'Jornal Nacional' (Brazil) news scripts. Used in official Vatican statements in Portuguese.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Funerals

Meus pêsames
Estou consternado
Sinto muito
Muita força

News reports

Tragédia
Vítimas
Consternação geral
Nota oficial

Formal emails

Lamento informar
Ficamos consternados
Atenciosamente
Prezados

Literature

Alma consternada
Coração partido
Sombrio
Infelicidade

Political speeches

Justiça
Povo
Lamentável
Inaceitável

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você viu a notícia que consternou a cidade hoje?"

"Como você se sente quando vê algo que te consterna?"

"Você acha que os políticos ficam realmente consternados com a pobreza?"

"Qual foi a última vez que um livro te deixou consternado?"

"Você prefere usar 'chocado' ou 'consternado' para notícias tristes?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre um evento mundial que te deixou profundamente consternado e explique o porquê.

Descreva uma cena de um filme que conseguiu consternar você pela sua crueza ou tristeza.

Pense em uma situação onde você teve que consolar alguém que estava consternado. O que você disse?

Como a palavra 'consternar' difere de 'entristecer' na sua opinião pessoal?

Escreva uma carta fictícia para um amigo expressando consternação sobre uma mudança inesperada.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, it's better to avoid it. Using it for small things like losing a pen sounds sarcastic or overly dramatic. Use 'chateado' instead.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, primarily in formal contexts and media.

The most common form is the adjective 'consternado' (dismayed), used with the verbs 'ficar' or 'estar'.

Yes, it follows the regular -ar conjugation pattern (eu consterno, tu consternas, ele consterna, etc.).

You say 'Estou consternado' (if you are male) or 'Estou consternada' (if you are female).

No, it is exclusively used for negative emotions like shock, sadness, and distress.

Yes, it is very common in news headlines: 'Consternação geral após o acidente'.

Use 'com' or 'ante'. For example: 'Consternado com a notícia' or 'Consternado ante o perigo'.

Only if the confusion comes from a shocking event. If they are just lost, use 'confuso'.

Yes, 'consternar' is significantly more formal and carries more emotional weight than 'chocado'.

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