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B1 adjective 10 Min. Lesezeit

contagioso

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At the A1 level, you should learn 'contagioso' as a word that describes how a sickness moves from one person to another. Think of it like a simple label for things you shouldn't touch if you want to stay healthy. You will mostly use it in very short sentences. For example, if your friend has a cold, you might say 'O vírus é contagioso' (The virus is contagious). It is important to remember that it ends in 'o' for masculine things and 'a' for feminine things. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the basic idea of 'catching' something from someone else. You might also hear it when people talk about laughing, because when one person laughs, others usually start laughing too. This is a great way to start using the word in a positive way. Remember to pronounce the 'g' softly, like the 'j' in 'jeep' but a bit smoother, like 'zh'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'contagioso' to describe more situations. You already know it refers to diseases, but now you can use it to describe feelings like 'alegria' (joy) or 'medo' (fear). At this stage, you should practice the plural forms: 'contagiosos' and 'contagiosas'. For example, 'Muitas doenças são contagiosas' (Many diseases are contagious). You will also notice that this word often follows the verb 'ser' (to be). You can start making slightly longer sentences, like 'Eu não vou à escola porque o meu resfriado é contagioso' (I am not going to school because my cold is contagious). Pay attention to how it matches the gender of the noun it is describing. If you talk about a 'risada' (laugh), which is feminine, you must use 'contagiosa'. This is a key part of moving from A1 to A2—getting your noun and adjective agreements correct more often.

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As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'contagioso' in both literal (medical) and figurative (social) contexts. You should understand the difference between 'contagioso' and other similar words like 'infeccioso' or 'transmissível'. At this level, you can use the word to describe complex social dynamics. For example, you might say 'O entusiasmo do líder era tão contagioso que toda a equipe trabalhou melhor' (The leader's enthusiasm was so contagious that the whole team worked better). You should also be able to use adverbs to modify the word, such as 'extremamente' (extremely) or 'altamente' (highly). You might encounter this word in news articles or more detailed conversations about health and society. It is also a good time to learn related words like the verb 'contagiar' (to infect/to spread) and the noun 'contágio' (contagion/infection). This will help you build a 'word family' around 'contagioso'.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'contagioso'. You can use it in formal writing and academic contexts, such as discussing 'contágio financeiro' (financial contagion) or the spread of political ideologies. You should be able to explain why a certain disease is contagious and discuss public health measures using this vocabulary. Your pronunciation should be clear, and you should rarely make mistakes with gender or number agreement. You might also use the word in more abstract ways, such as describing a 'clima contagioso' (a contagious atmosphere) during a protest or a festival. At this level, you can also explore the synonym 'contagiante', which is often preferred in Brazil for positive social contexts. You should be able to distinguish between these subtle choices to sound more like a native speaker. Your ability to use 'contagioso' in various registers—from a casual chat to a formal presentation—is a hallmark of the B2 level.

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At the C1 level, you use 'contagioso' with precision and stylistic flair. You can integrate it into complex rhetorical structures and use it to describe intricate psychological or sociological phenomena. For instance, you might analyze how 'comportamentos contagiosos' (contagious behaviors) influence consumer habits or urban trends. You are likely to encounter the word in high-level literature, medical journals, or philosophical debates. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how its meaning has evolved over time in the Portuguese language. You can use it to create powerful metaphors, such as 'o silêncio contagioso daquela sala' (the contagious silence of that room). Your command of the word family—including 'contagiosidade', 'contagiado', and 'incontagiável'—is complete. You can switch between technical medical usage and poetic social usage effortlessly, choosing the exact form and modification needed to convey your point effectively.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'contagioso' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use the word in all its possible shades of meaning, including very rare or archaic uses if necessary. You can engage in deep discussions about epidemiology, using 'contagioso' alongside other specialized terminology. In creative writing, you might use the word to evoke specific atmospheres or to describe characters whose influence on others is profound and 'contagious'. You understand the subtle regional differences in how the word is used across the Lusophone world, from Lisbon to Luanda to São Paulo. You can use the word to critique social movements, economic shifts, or artistic trends with absolute linguistic precision. At this level, 'contagioso' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool in your extensive linguistic repertoire that you use to navigate the most complex and nuanced communication tasks.

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Contagioso means contagious or infectious, used for diseases that spread through contact between people or organisms.
It is also widely used figuratively for emotions (joy, fear) and behaviors (yawning, laughing) that spread in social groups.
The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: contagioso, contagiosa, contagiosos, contagiosas.
It is a common cognate for English speakers, making it easy to remember but requiring care with Portuguese pronunciation.

The word contagioso is a versatile adjective in Portuguese that mirrors its English counterpart, 'contagious'. At its primary level, it refers to the medical phenomenon where a disease or pathogen is capable of being transmitted from one individual to another through direct contact, indirect contact, or through the air. However, its usage extends far beyond the walls of a hospital or a biology laboratory. In Portuguese culture and daily conversation, contagioso is frequently employed to describe emotions, behaviors, and social atmospheres that spread rapidly among people, much like a biological virus would. This dual nature makes it an essential word for learners at the Intermediate (B1) level, as it allows for both technical precision and poetic expression.

Medical Context: Used to describe viruses, bacteria, or conditions like the flu (gripe) or conjunctivitis (conjuntivite). It implies a risk of infection.

Durante o inverno, o vírus da gripe torna-se extremamente contagioso em ambientes fechados.

Emotional Context: Used to describe positive or negative feelings that others pick up on. A classic example is 'um riso contagioso' (a contagious laugh).

When using this word, speakers often want to emphasize the speed and inevitability of the spread. For instance, if a person enters a room with a vibrant energy, a Portuguese speaker might say that their energy is contagiosa. This suggests that everyone in the room will soon feel the same way. It is a word that carries a sense of movement and influence. In the context of social media, although the word 'viral' is more common today, contagioso can still be used to describe an idea or a trend that is spreading through a community through personal interaction rather than just digital clicks.

O entusiasmo do professor pela história era contagioso, motivando todos os alunos.

Historically, the word derives from the Latin 'contagiosus', from 'contagio' (a touching, contact). This root is visible in the Portuguese word, making it an easy cognate for English speakers. However, the nuance in Portuguese often leans toward a more visceral reaction. When something is described as contagioso, it feels as though it is physically jumping from one person to another. This is why it is so commonly paired with biological functions like yawning (bocejar) or laughing (rir). If you see someone yawn and then you yawn yourself, that is the most basic form of something being contagioso.

Social Behavior: It can describe panic (pânico), enthusiasm (entusiasmo), or even a style of speech that people start imitating subconsciously.

O medo tornou-se contagioso entre os passageiros quando o avião tremeu.

Ela tem um riso contagioso que ilumina qualquer sala.

Não chegue perto dele; o resfriado é muito contagioso.

Using contagioso correctly requires an understanding of Portuguese adjective agreement and its placement within a sentence. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify, and they must change their ending to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of that noun. For contagioso, the forms are: contagioso (masculine singular), contagiosa (feminine singular), contagiosos (masculine plural), and contagiosas (feminine plural). Understanding these variations is the first step toward fluency.

Masculine Singular: Used with masculine nouns like 'vírus', 'bocejo', or 'entusiasmo'.

Aquele bocejo foi realmente contagioso.

Feminine Singular: Used with feminine nouns like 'doença', 'risada', or 'alegria'.

A alegria da criança era contagiosa.

In more complex sentence structures, contagioso can act as a predicative adjective, appearing after verbs like 'ser' (to be), 'parecer' (to seem), or 'tornar-se' (to become). This is common when describing the state of an outbreak or the atmosphere of an event. For example, 'A situação tornou-se contagiosa' (The situation became contagious). It is also frequently used in comparative sentences, such as 'O riso é mais contagioso do que o bocejo' (Laughter is more contagious than yawning).

For learners moving into the B1 and B2 levels, using contagioso with adverbs of degree can add more nuance to your speech. You can say something is 'extremamente contagioso' (extremely contagious), 'altamente contagioso' (highly contagious), or 'pouco contagioso' (not very contagious). These modifiers help in medical descriptions or when exaggerating a social situation for effect.

Plural Forms: Used when referring to multiple infections or multiple instances of a behavior.

Estas doenças são muito contagiosas.

Furthermore, contagioso is often part of set phrases in Portuguese. For instance, 'sorriso contagioso' is a very common collocation used to compliment someone's personality. In business or marketing, one might hear about 'ideias contagiosas' (contagious ideas) that spread through a target audience. Mastering these combinations will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and expressive.

O pânico nos mercados financeiros foi contagioso.

Muitos vírus são contagiosos antes mesmo dos sintomas aparecerem.

In the Lusophone world, the word contagioso is a staple in several distinct environments. If you are watching the news in Brazil or Portugal, you will frequently hear this word during health segments or reports on public safety. Journalists use it to describe the rate of spread of seasonal illnesses or new epidemiological threats. In this context, the word is often accompanied by statistics and expert advice on how to prevent transmission. It carries a weight of seriousness and public concern.

News & Media: Reporting on health crises, vaccination campaigns, or the spread of a new variant of a virus.

As autoridades alertam que a nova variante é 50% mais contagiosa.

However, you are just as likely to hear contagioso in a much more lighthearted setting. Portuguese-speaking cultures are known for their warmth and social connectivity. In social gatherings, parties, or family dinners, people often use the word to describe the 'vibe' of the group. If someone starts laughing uncontrollably, a friend might say, 'Para com isso, o teu riso é contagioso!' (Stop that, your laugh is contagious!). Here, the word is a compliment, highlighting the positive influence one person has on the group's mood.

In the workplace, contagioso appears in discussions about team morale and leadership. A manager might praise a team member for their 'entusiasmo contagioso', noting how it has improved the performance of the entire department. Conversely, a negative attitude can also be described as contagioso, serving as a warning to others not to let one person's pessimism affect them. It is a powerful word for describing social dynamics and the invisible forces that shape our interactions.

Educational Settings: Teachers use it to explain biology or to manage the classroom atmosphere, encouraging positive behaviors to spread.

O bom humor do diretor é contagioso e motiva toda a escola.

Finally, you will encounter contagioso in literature and music. Song lyrics often use the word to describe the irresistible nature of a rhythm or the spread of a feeling like love or freedom. In a famous Brazilian song, the rhythm of the samba might be described as contagioso, inviting everyone to dance. This highlights the word's connection to the body and movement—it is something you don't just see or hear, but something you 'catch' and participate in.

O ritmo do samba é tão contagioso que ninguém consegue ficar parado.

A bocejo é cientificamente provado como sendo contagioso.

Even though contagioso is a cognate, there are several pitfalls that learners often encounter. The most frequent mistake is related to gender and number agreement. In English, 'contagious' never changes, but in Portuguese, it must match the noun. Forgetting to change contagioso to contagiosa when referring to 'a gripe' (the flu) or 'a risada' (the laugh) is a common error for beginners and intermediate students alike.

Agreement Errors: Saying 'O vírus é contagiosa' (incorrect) instead of 'O vírus é contagioso' (correct).

A doença é contagioso.
A doença é contagiosa.

Another common mistake is confusing contagioso with infeccioso. While they are related, they are not perfectly interchangeable. 'Infeccioso' refers to the ability of an organism to cause an infection, while contagioso specifically refers to the ease with which it spreads from person to person. For example, some diseases are infectious but not contagious (like some types of food poisoning). Using the wrong term in a medical context can lead to misunderstandings about how to stay safe.

Pronunciation can also be a challenge. English speakers might be tempted to pronounce the 'g' as a hard 'g' like in 'go'. In Portuguese, when 'g' is followed by 'i', it makes a soft 'zh' sound (like the 's' in 'measure'). So, contagioso is pronounced /kõ.ta.ʒi.ˈo.zu/. Mispronouncing this 'g' is a clear sign of a non-native accent and can sometimes make the word hard to recognize for native speakers.

False Friends & Confusion: Confusing 'contagioso' with 'contagiante'. While 'contagiante' is often used for emotions, 'contagioso' is the standard term for medical contexts.

O entusiasmo dele é contagiante (more common for emotions) vs. O vírus é contagioso (standard for health).

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the pluralization of adjectives ending in '-o'. They might forget to add the '-s' or might add it incorrectly. Remember that if you are talking about multiple masculine things, it's 'contagiosos', and for feminine things, it's 'contagiosas'. Practicing these transitions with common nouns like 'vírus' (masculine, plural is also 'vírus') and 'bactérias' (feminine plural) will help solidify your understanding.

Muitos vírus são contagiosos pelo ar.

As gargalhadas eram contagiosas e todos riram junto.

To truly master the use of contagioso, it is helpful to understand the related words and alternatives that can be used to vary your vocabulary. Depending on the context—whether medical, social, or emotional—different words might be more precise or carry a slightly different connotation. Expanding your range of synonyms will allow you to express yourself with more sophistication in Portuguese.

Contagiante: Very similar to 'contagioso' but used almost exclusively for positive emotions, energy, or music. It suggests something that 'infects' others with joy.

A energia do concerto foi contagiante.

Transmissível: A more technical or formal term often used in medical or scientific reports to describe diseases that can be passed from one person to another.

Esta patologia é altamente transmissível.

In informal settings, Portuguese speakers might use more descriptive or idiomatic ways to express that something is spreading. For example, 'pegar' is a common verb meaning 'to catch'. You might hear someone say, 'Cuidado para não pegar!' (Be careful not to catch it!). While this isn't an adjective, it's the most common way to talk about contagious things in everyday life. Another related term is 'epidêmico' (epidemic), which describes something that spreads over a large area or population quickly.

On the opposite side, if something is not contagious, you would use the term 'não contagioso' or 'não transmissível'. In medical terms, diseases like diabetes or heart disease are 'doenças não transmissíveis'. Knowing these antonyms is just as important as knowing the word itself, especially when navigating healthcare in a Portuguese-speaking country. By understanding these distinctions, you will be able to communicate more effectively and avoid common linguistic traps.

Infeccioso: Refers to anything caused by an infection. All contagious diseases are infectious, but not all infectious diseases are contagious.

O hospital tem uma ala para pacientes com agentes infecciosos.

A sua paixão pelo trabalho é contagiosa.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'contact' in English shares the same Latin root 'tangere' (to touch) as 'contagioso'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /kõ.ta.ʒi.ˈo.zu/

US /kõ.ta.ʒi.ˈo.zu/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'o' (con-ta-gi-O-so).

Reimt sich auf

curioso ansioso precioso famoso nervoso glorioso vitorioso silencioso

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'g' like 'go' (hard G).
Forgetting to nasalize the first 'o' (sounds like 'con' in English).
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'u'.
Misplacing the stress on the 'gi' syllable.
Ignoring the 'i' sound between 'g' and 'o'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of 'contagious'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement (o/a/os/as).

Sprechen 4/5

The 'g' sound and nasal 'o' can be tricky for English speakers.

Hören 3/5

Clear in context, but final vowels may be swallowed in fast speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

doença vírus rir medo ser

Als Nächstes lernen

infeccioso transmissão sintoma vacina saúde

Fortgeschritten

epidemiologia virulência patogenicidade mimetismo disseminação

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

O vírus (masc.) é contagioso; A gripe (fem.) é contagiosa.

Pluralization of Adjectives in -o

Os vírus são contagiosos; As doenças são contagiosas.

Position of Adjectives

Uma risada contagiosa (usually follows the noun).

Nasal Vowels

The 'on' in 'contagioso' is a nasal vowel /õ/.

Soft 'G' before 'I' and 'E'

The 'g' in 'contagioso' is pronounced /ʒ/ (like French 'j').

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O vírus é contagioso.

The virus is contagious.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective structure.

O riso dele é contagioso.

His laugh is contagious.

Using 'contagioso' in a positive social context.

A gripe é contagiosa.

The flu is contagious.

Feminine agreement: 'gripe' is feminine, so 'contagiosa' is used.

Este bocejo é contagioso.

This yawn is contagious.

Demonstrative 'este' matches the masculine 'bocejo'.

Não é contagioso.

It is not contagious.

Negative structure using 'não' before the verb.

É muito contagioso?

Is it very contagious?

Question form using intonation and 'muito' as an intensifier.

O seu sorriso é contagioso.

Your smile is contagious.

Possessive 'seu' referring to 'sorriso'.

Cuidado, é contagioso!

Watch out, it's contagious!

Imperative 'Cuidado' used as an exclamation.

Muitas doenças são contagiosas.

Many diseases are contagious.

Plural feminine agreement: 'doenças' and 'contagiosas'.

A alegria dela era contagiosa.

Her joy was contagious.

Past tense 'era' (imperfect) used for a continuous state.

Estes vírus são muito contagiosos.

These viruses are very contagious.

Plural masculine agreement: 'vírus' (plural) and 'contagiosos'.

O medo tornou-se contagioso no grupo.

Fear became contagious in the group.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' (to become).

A risada das crianças é contagiosa.

The children's laughter is contagious.

Genitive 'das crianças' modifying the noun 'risada'.

Eu acho que o bocejo é contagioso.

I think that yawning is contagious.

Introductory phrase 'Eu acho que' followed by a clause.

O entusiasmo dele não era contagioso.

His enthusiasm was not contagious.

Negative past tense.

Ela tem uma energia contagiosa.

She has a contagious energy.

Verb 'ter' (to have) followed by a noun-adjective pair.

O médico explicou que o vírus não é contagioso após três dias.

The doctor explained that the virus is not contagious after three days.

Complex sentence with a 'que' clause.

O otimismo da equipa foi contagioso para os novos membros.

The team's optimism was contagious to the new members.

Prepositional phrase 'para os novos membros' indicating target.

Dizem que o pânico pode ser extremamente contagioso em multidões.

They say that panic can be extremely contagious in crowds.

Impersonal 'dizem que' and modal verb 'pode'.

A conjuntivite é altamente contagiosa e requer cuidados especiais.

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and requires special care.

Adverb 'altamente' modifying the adjective.

O seu entusiasmo pela música é contagioso para todos nós.

Your enthusiasm for music is contagious for all of us.

Abstract noun 'entusiasmo' followed by a prepositional phrase.

É importante saber se a doença é contagiosa antes de visitar o paciente.

It is important to know if the disease is contagious before visiting the patient.

Impersonal expression 'É importante' followed by an infinitive.

A má disposição do chefe tornou-se contagiosa no escritório.

The boss's bad mood became contagious in the office.

Compound noun 'má disposição' (bad mood).

O riso é contagioso, por isso vamos ver uma comédia.

Laughter is contagious, so let's watch a comedy.

Conjunction 'por isso' showing consequence.

A rapidez com que o vírus se espalhou mostra quão contagioso ele é.

The speed with which the virus spread shows how contagious it is.

Relative clause 'com que' and 'quão' for degree.

O fervor revolucionário provou ser contagioso entre a juventude.

The revolutionary fervor proved to be contagious among the youth.

Verb phrase 'provou ser' (proved to be).

Embora a doença seja contagiosa, o risco de transmissão é baixo com máscara.

Although the disease is contagious, the risk of transmission is low with a mask.

Concessive conjunction 'embora' with the subjunctive 'seja'.

O pessimismo nos mercados financeiros pode ser contagioso e causar uma crise.

Pessimism in financial markets can be contagious and cause a crisis.

Financial context and coordinated verbs.

A paixão dele pelo cinema clássico era tão contagiosa que fundamos um clube.

His passion for classic cinema was so contagious that we started a club.

Correlative 'tão... que' expressing result.

Certas atitudes negativas são contagiosas e prejudicam o ambiente de trabalho.

Certain negative attitudes are contagious and harm the work environment.

Indefinite adjective 'certas' and plural agreement.

O bocejo é um comportamento contagioso que intriga os cientistas há décadas.

Yawning is a contagious behavior that has intrigued scientists for decades.

Present tense used with 'há' to express duration.

A confiança do capitão foi contagiosa, levando a equipa à vitória.

The captain's confidence was contagious, leading the team to victory.

Gerund 'levando' expressing a simultaneous or resulting action.

A efervescência cultural da cidade era contagiosa, atraindo artistas de todo o mundo.

The city's cultural effervescence was contagious, attracting artists from all over the world.

Sophisticated vocabulary like 'efervescência'.

O pânico bancário é um exemplo clássico de como o medo pode tornar-se contagioso.

A bank run is a classic example of how fear can become contagious.

Economic terminology 'pânico bancário'.

A natureza contagiosa de certos memes desafia as teorias tradicionais de comunicação.

The contagious nature of certain memes challenges traditional communication theories.

Noun phrase 'natureza contagiosa' as the subject.

O riso, sendo intrinsecamente contagioso, desempenha um papel vital na coesão social.

Laughter, being intrinsically contagious, plays a vital role in social cohesion.

Parenthetical gerund phrase 'sendo intrinsecamente contagioso'.

A patogenicidade de um agente não deve ser confundida com o quão contagioso ele é.

The pathogenicity of an agent should not be confused with how contagious it is.

Passive voice 'não deve ser confundida'.

A determinação dela era tão contagiosa que até os mais céticos começaram a apoiar a causa.

Her determination was so contagious that even the most skeptical began to support the cause.

Superlative 'os mais céticos' (the most skeptical).

O descontentamento popular revelou-se contagioso, espalhando-se pelas províncias vizinhas.

Popular discontent proved to be contagious, spreading to neighboring provinces.

Reflexive verb 'revelou-se' (proved/revealed itself).

Estudos sugerem que o comportamento antissocial pode ser contagioso em certos contextos urbanos.

Studies suggest that antisocial behavior can be contagious in certain urban contexts.

Academic tone with 'Estudos sugerem que'.

A virulência do discurso demagógico revelou uma faceta contagiosa e perigosa da retórica política contemporânea.

The virulence of demagogic discourse revealed a contagious and dangerous facet of contemporary political rhetoric.

Highly formal and abstract vocabulary.

O fenômeno do mimetismo social é, em sua essência, um processo contagioso de replicação de condutas.

The phenomenon of social mimicry is, in its essence, a contagious process of behavioral replication.

Philosophical/Sociological definition style.

A melancolia do fado tem uma qualidade contagiosa que ressoa profundamente na alma lusitana.

The melancholy of fado has a contagious quality that resonates deeply in the Lusitanian soul.

Cultural reference to 'fado' and 'alma lusitana'.

A volatilidade dos ativos criptográficos demonstrou ser contagiosa, afetando mercados tradicionais de forma imprevista.

The volatility of crypto assets proved to be contagious, affecting traditional markets in unforeseen ways.

Complex financial terminology.

A estética minimalista tornou-se contagiosa na arquitetura moderna, influenciando o design de interiores global.

Minimalist aesthetics became contagious in modern architecture, influencing global interior design.

Art/Architecture context.

A resiliência demonstrada pela comunidade foi contagiosa, inspirando movimentos análogos em todo o país.

The resilience demonstrated by the community was contagious, inspiring analogous movements across the country.

Past participle 'demonstrada' as an adjective.

O cinismo, quando institucionalizado, torna-se um mal contagioso que corrói as fundações da democracia.

Cynicism, when institutionalized, becomes a contagious evil that erodes the foundations of democracy.

Metaphorical and critical usage.

A genialidade, embora rara, possui um magnetismo contagioso que impele a humanidade ao progresso.

Genius, though rare, possesses a contagious magnetism that impels humanity toward progress.

Elevated literary style.

Häufige Kollokationen

Doença contagiosa

Riso contagioso

Bocejo contagioso

Entusiasmo contagioso

Vírus contagioso

Pânico contagioso

Ritmo contagioso

Alegria contagiosa

Agente contagioso

Altamente contagioso

Häufige Phrasen

Cuidado, é contagioso!

— A warning to stay away from someone or something to avoid getting sick.

Não toque nesse lenço. Cuidado, é contagioso!

Ter um riso contagioso

— To have a laugh that makes others want to laugh too.

A minha avó tem um riso contagioso.

Espalhar-se como algo contagioso

— To spread very quickly through a group or area.

A notícia espalhou-se como algo contagioso pela vila.

Não ser contagioso

— To be safe to be around; not capable of spreading.

Podes entrar, o meu resfriado já não é contagioso.

Altamente contagioso

— Extremely easy to catch or spread.

O vírus da gripe aviária é altamente contagioso entre aves.

O bocejo é contagioso

— A common observation that when one person yawns, others follow.

Viste? Eu bocejei e tu também. O bocejo é contagioso!

Pânico contagioso

— A situation where fear spreads rapidly through a crowd.

Houve um pânico contagioso quando as luzes se apagaram.

Energia contagiosa

— A positive or vibrant mood that influences everyone nearby.

Ela trouxe uma energia contagiosa para a reunião.

Ser contagioso por natureza

— Something that is naturally prone to spreading.

O otimismo dele parece ser contagioso por natureza.

Ficar longe do que é contagioso

— To avoid things or people that might spread a sickness.

É melhor ficar longe do que é contagioso durante o surto.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

contagioso vs Contagiante

Very similar; 'contagiante' is more common for positive emotions, while 'contagioso' is used for both medical and social contexts.

contagioso vs Infeccioso

A disease can be infectious but not contagious (like food poisoning).

contagioso vs Venenoso

Means poisonous; doesn't spread from person to person like something contagioso.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Rir é contagioso"

— Similar to the English 'laughter is contagious', suggesting joy spreads easily.

Numa festa, rir é contagioso.

Common/Informal

"Pegar a mania"

— To 'catch' a habit or way of doing things from someone else (related to contagion).

Ele pegou a mania de dizer 'pois é' de tanto falar comigo.

Informal

"Estar com o bicho"

— Literally 'to have the bug', meaning to be sick with something contagious.

Não vou hoje, acho que estou com o bicho.

Slang/Informal

"Espalhar o vírus"

— Can be used figuratively to spread an idea or a bad mood.

Ele espalhou o vírus do descontentamento na empresa.

Figurative

"O bocejo chama o outro"

— A popular saying meaning one yawn triggers another.

Pois é, o bocejo chama o outro!

Colloquial

"Contagiar o ambiente"

— To change the mood of a place (usually for the better).

A chegada dela contagiou o ambiente de alegria.

Neutral

"Ser uma praga"

— To be like a plague (something very contagious and annoying).

Essas mensagens de spam são uma praga contagiosa.

Informal

"Passar a bola"

— In some contexts, can mean passing a sickness (or a task) to another.

Ele estava doente e passou a bola para o irmão.

Informal

"Vibe contagiante"

— Modern slang for a contagious good vibe.

Aquele festival tinha uma vibe contagiante.

Slang

"Fogo de palha"

— Something that spreads fast but dies out quickly (like some 'contagious' trends).

Esse novo app é fogo de palha, vai passar logo.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

contagioso vs Contagioso

Cognate with 'contagious'.

In Portuguese, it must change to 'contagiosa' for feminine nouns.

A risada é contagiosa.

contagioso vs Contagiante

Similar meaning and sound.

Often used for things that 'catch' your attention or mood positively.

Energia contagiante.

contagioso vs Infeccioso

Related to germs.

Infeccioso is about the germ itself; contagioso is about the spread.

Agente infeccioso.

contagioso vs Transmissível

Synonym in medical contexts.

Transmissível is more formal/technical.

Doença transmissível.

contagioso vs Epidêmico

Both involve spreading.

Epidêmico refers to a large-scale outbreak, not just the nature of the disease.

Surto epidêmico.

Satzmuster

[Noun] é contagioso.

O vírus é contagioso.

[Noun] são contagiosos.

Eles são contagiosos.

O [Noun] de [Person] é contagioso.

O riso da Maria é contagioso.

É muito [Adverb] contagioso.

É altamente contagioso.

Embora seja contagioso, [Clause].

Embora seja contagioso, não é perigoso.

Tornou-se contagioso em [Place].

Tornou-se contagioso na escola.

A natureza contagiosa de [Concept]...

A natureza contagiosa do pânico...

[Abstract Noun] possui um caráter contagioso...

O cinismo possui um caráter contagioso.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

contágio (contagion/infection)

contagiosidade (contagiousness)

contagiado (the infected person)

Verben

contagiar (to infect/to spread/to influence)

Adjektive

contagioso (contagious)

contagiante (contagious/infectious - often social)

incontagiável (not capable of being infected)

Verwandt

infecção

transmissão

vírus

bactéria

epidemia

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Häufige Fehler

O gripe é contagioso. → A gripe é contagiosa.
'Gripe' is a feminine noun, so the article must be 'a' and the adjective must be 'contagiosa'.
O bocejo é contagiosa. → O bocejo é contagioso.
'Bocejo' is a masculine noun, so the adjective must be 'contagioso'.
Pronouncing 'gi' as 'gui' (hard G). → Pronouncing 'gi' as 'zhi' (soft G).
In Portuguese, 'g' before 'i' or 'e' is always soft.
Using 'contagioso' for non-transmissible things like cancer. → Using 'não contagioso' or 'não transmissível'.
Only use 'contagioso' for things that spread through contact.
Muitas vírus são contagiosos. → Muitos vírus são contagiosos.
'Vírus' is masculine. Even though it ends in 's', it is 'o vírus' (singular) and 'os vírus' (plural).

Tipps

Watch the Ending

Remember to change the ending to -a, -os, or -as depending on what you are talking about. It is the most common mistake for learners.

Soft G Sound

The 'gi' in contagioso is soft. Practice saying 'zhee' to get the sound right. It should never sound like 'gee' or 'ghy'.

Pair with Riso

One of the best ways to remember this word is to pair it with 'riso' (laugh). 'Riso contagioso' is a very common and useful phrase.

Complimenting Energy

Use 'Sua energia é contagiosa!' to compliment someone's positive vibe. It is a very natural and warm thing to say in Portuguese.

Doctor Visits

If you are sick in a Portuguese-speaking country, ask 'É contagioso?' to know if you should stay home and isolate.

Listen for the Nasal O

The first syllable 'con' is nasal. Listening to native speakers say words like 'contato' or 'conversa' will help you hear this sound.

Use with Adverbs

Add 'muito' or 'altamente' before 'contagioso' to add emphasis. 'Altamente contagioso' sounds very professional and accurate.

Carnaval Vibe

During Brazilian Carnaval, you will see 'contagiante' used everywhere. It is a great time to see this word family in action.

Cognate Power

Since it looks like 'contagious', use that to your advantage. Just focus on adjusting the pronunciation and grammar rules.

Beyond Humans

Remember that ideas and computer viruses can also be described as 'contagiosos' in a metaphorical sense.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Contact' + 'Joy' + 'So'. If you have 'Contact' with 'Joy', it is 'So' contagious (contagioso)!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a bright green cloud (a virus) jumping from one person to another, or a person laughing and a 'laugh bubble' popping over someone else's head.

Word Web

vírus doença risada bocejo entusiasmo transmissão contato saúde

Herausforderung

Try to use 'contagioso' in three different sentences today: one about a sickness, one about a laugh, and one about a mood.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'contagiosus', which comes from 'contagio' (a touching, contact, infection).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The root 'con-' (together) and 'tangere' (to touch) literally mean 'touching together'.

Romance language family (Latin origin).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'contagioso' to describe people with chronic illnesses that are not actually contagious (like HIV in casual settings), as it can be stigmatizing.

Similar to English, though Portuguese speakers use the figurative sense (emotions) even more frequently in daily life.

The song 'Contagiante' by various Brazilian artists. Public health campaigns in Portugal using 'Não seja contagioso' during flu season. Literary descriptions of 'peste' (plague) in works by José Saramago.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the Doctor's Office

É contagioso?
Por quanto tempo é contagioso?
Como evitar o contágio?
Não é contagioso, pode ficar tranquilo.

Social Gatherings

O teu riso é contagioso!
Que energia contagiosa!
O entusiasmo dele é contagioso.
Cuidado, o bocejo é contagioso!

School/Work

Ele não veio porque está com algo contagioso.
O bom humor do professor é contagioso.
O pânico foi contagioso na reunião.
Precisamos de um líder com entusiasmo contagioso.

News/Media

O vírus é altamente contagioso.
Variante mais contagiosa detetada.
O medo tornou-se contagioso nos mercados.
A alegria das festas é contagiosa.

General Observations

O bocejo é contagioso, não achas?
Certas atitudes são contagiosas.
A felicidade é contagiosa.
A tristeza também pode ser contagiosa.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Achas que o bocejo é realmente contagioso ou é apenas psicológico?"

"Qual foi a última vez que tiveste uma risada contagiosa com amigos?"

"Acreditas que o otimismo pode ser contagioso num ambiente de trabalho?"

"Como te proteges quando alguém perto de ti tem algo contagioso?"

"Já sentiste que o pânico de uma multidão foi contagioso para ti?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreve uma pessoa que conheces que tem um entusiasmo contagioso. Como isso afeta as pessoas ao redor dela?

Escreve sobre uma situação em que o teu riso foi contagioso. O que aconteceu?

Reflete sobre a ideia de que as emoções são contagiosas. Achas que isso é bom ou mau?

Como a sociedade mudou a sua forma de lidar com doenças contagiosas nos últimos anos?

Pensa num passatempo ou paixão tua que foi 'contagiosa' para os teus amigos. Como os convenceste a participar?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, 'contagioso' was one of the most used words during the pandemic to describe how the virus spreads. For example, 'O COVID-19 é muito contagioso'.

Yes, you can say a song has a 'ritmo contagioso', meaning it makes you want to dance or stays in your head.

The feminine form is 'contagiosa'. You use it with feminine nouns like 'doença' or 'alegria'.

It is a neutral word. It is used in both medical textbooks and casual conversations about laughing or yawning.

The 'g' is soft, like the 's' in 'pleasure' or the 'j' in French 'journal'. It is NOT a hard 'g' like in 'go'.

Absolutely. In Portuguese, it is very common to say 'O entusiasmo dele é contagioso' or 'A tristeza dela foi contagiosa'.

'Contagioso' is the standard term for medical and general spread. 'Contagiante' is often used for positive, high-energy social situations.

No. While it can refer to diseases, it is frequently used for positive things like laughter, joy, and enthusiasm.

No, it is a nasal 'o'. You should produce the sound through your nose without closing your mouth for the 'n'.

Yes, if a disease spreads between animals, you can say 'A doença é contagiosa entre os cães'.

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writing

Translate to Portuguese: 'The laugh is contagious.'

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

Both 'riso' (masculine) and 'risada' (feminine) are correct.