When you're learning Portuguese at the A2 level, you're starting to express more complex ideas, including feelings and actions related to them. The verb "despreocupar" is really useful for talking about letting go of worries. It's often used reflexively as "despreocupar-se", meaning to stop worrying oneself.
You'll find this verb handy in everyday conversations when you want to tell someone not to worry, or when you're describing your own state of mind after a stressful situation. It’s a great word to add to your vocabulary to sound more natural when discussing emotions and relief.
§ What 'Despreocupar' Means
The Portuguese verb despreocupar (pronounced des-preh-oh-koo-PAHR) is an A2-level verb that translates directly to "to stop worrying," "to become unworried," or "to put one's mind at ease." It's the opposite of "preocupar" (to worry). Think of it as shaking off your concerns, letting go of anxieties, or simply relaxing about something.
This verb is really useful because it describes a common human experience: moving from a state of worry to a state of calm. You'll hear it used in everyday conversations when people are encouraging each other to relax, or when they're talking about situations where they no longer feel anxious.
- DEFINITION
- To stop worrying or being concerned; to become unworried.
§ When to Use 'Despreocupar'
You'll use despreocupar in various contexts where the idea of alleviating worry is present. Here are some common situations:
- When telling someone not to worry: This is probably the most frequent use. If a friend is stressed about an exam, you might tell them to "despreocupar-se."
- When you yourself stop worrying: You can use it reflexively to express that you've let go of a concern.
- When something makes you stop worrying: An event or a piece of news can "despreocupar" you.
The reflexive form, despreocupar-se, is very common. This means "to stop worrying oneself." You'll often see it with the reflexive pronoun "se" attached, especially in infinitive form or when the subject is clear.
Não te despreocupas com isso. (Don't worry about that.)
Eu me despreocupei depois de falar com ele. (I stopped worrying after talking to him.)
A notícia me despreocupou muito. (The news unworried me a lot / made me stop worrying.)
Notice how in the third example, the news itself is the agent that causes the state of being unworried. This shows its versatility.
Learning to use despreocupar will make your Portuguese sound much more natural, allowing you to express empathy, relief, and a general sense of calm. It's a practical verb for handling worries, both your own and others'.
So verwendest du es
Despreocupar is a reflexive verb, meaning it's often used with a reflexive pronoun like -se (despreocupar-se).
You can use it to tell someone to stop worrying, or to describe the act of ceasing to worry yourself.
Examples:
- Despreocupe-se! (Don't worry!)
- Ela se despreocupou com o exame. (She stopped worrying about the exam.)
- É importante despreocupar-se de vez em quando. (It's important to stop worrying from time to time.)
A common mistake is forgetting the reflexive pronoun when the subject is performing the action on themselves.
Incorrect: Eu despreocupei com o problema.
Correct: Eu me despreocupei com o problema. (I stopped worrying about the problem.)
Also, don't confuse it with preocupar (to worry), which is its opposite.
Tipps
Despreocupar - Just Relax
Think of "despreocupar" as simply meaning to relax or stop worrying. It's often used reflexively, like 'despreocupar-se'.
Common Usage
You'll often hear it in phrases like "Não se despreocupe!" (Don't worry!) or "Ela se despreocupou com o trabalho." (She stopped worrying about work.)
Opposite of Preocupar
"Despreocupar" is the antonym of "preocupar" (to worry). The 'des-' prefix often indicates the opposite action.
Contextual Clues
When you see "despreocupar," look for context that suggests a release of stress or anxiety.
Pronunciation Practice
Practice saying "despreocupar" out loud. The stress is on the 'pa' syllable: des-pre-o-cu-PAR.
Reflexive Form
Remember to use the reflexive pronoun when someone is releasing their own worries: "Eu me despreocupo" (I stop worrying).
Past Tense Usage
In the past tense, "despreocupar" describes when someone let go of a concern: "Ele se despreocupou com a conta." (He stopped worrying about the bill.)
Future Tense
For future situations, use "se despreocupará" or similar conjugations to express that someone will stop worrying.
Imperative Form
To tell someone not to worry, use the imperative: "Não se despreocupe!" (Don't worry!).
Practice with Sentences
Try forming your own sentences. For example: "Eu preciso me despreocupar mais." (I need to worry less.)
Teste dich selbst 42 Fragen
Choose the best translation for "Eu preciso me despreocupar um pouco."
To 'despreocupar' means to stop worrying or being concerned. The reflexive 'me despreocupar' means 'to stop myself from worrying'.
Which sentence means "Don't worry about it"?
While 'despreocupar' means to stop worrying, the more common and natural way to say 'don't worry' in Portuguese is 'Não se preocupe'. 'Despreocupe-se' is grammatically correct but less frequently used in this context. It's often used more in the sense of 'to relax and let go of worries'.
Which situation best describes someone who needs to 'despreocupar'?
To 'despreocupar' is to release oneself from worry. Someone who is anxious needs to 'despreocupar'.
If you are 'despreocupado', it means you are worried.
Being 'despreocupado' means you are unworried or carefree, which is the opposite of being worried.
The verb 'despreocupar' implies a state of being relaxed.
To 'despreocupar' means to stop worrying, which leads to a state of being more relaxed and at ease.
You can use 'despreocupar' to tell someone to start worrying.
'Despreocupar' means to stop worrying, not to start worrying. It has a 'de-' prefix which often indicates the reversal or removal of something.
You have a friend who is constantly worried about their exams. Write a short message (3-4 sentences) to them, using 'despreocupar' to encourage them to relax and not worry so much.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Olá [Nome do amigo], sei que estás a estudar muito para o exame, mas tenta te despreocupar um pouco. Já fizeste o teu melhor, agora é tempo de confiar no teu trabalho e relaxar. Vais conseguir!
Describe a situation where you needed to 'despreocupar-se'. What was causing your worry, and how did you manage to let go of that concern? (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ontem, eu estava muito preocupado com a apresentação que tinha hoje. Não parava de pensar em tudo o que podia correr mal. Mas, decidi despreocupar-me, respirei fundo e confiei na minha preparação. A apresentação correu bem no final.
Imagine you are giving advice to someone who is always stressed about small things. What would you tell them to help them 'despreocupar-se'? (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Para te despreocupares com coisas pequenas, tenta focar-te no presente e no que podes controlar. Não vale a pena gastar energia com o que está fora do teu alcance. Respira fundo e lembra-te que a vida é muito mais do que essas preocupações passageiras.
O que o marido da Ana sugeriu para ela despreocupar-se?
Read this passage:
Ana estava sempre preocupada com o seu trabalho, mesmo em casa. O seu marido, João, disse-lhe para tentar despreocupar-se mais e aproveitar o tempo livre. Ele sugeriu que fizessem uma caminhada para esquecerem as preocupações.
O que o marido da Ana sugeriu para ela despreocupar-se?
No texto, João sugeriu uma caminhada para Ana esquecer as preocupações, ou seja, para despreocupar-se.
No texto, João sugeriu uma caminhada para Ana esquecer as preocupações, ou seja, para despreocupar-se.
De acordo com o texto, qual é um dos efeitos da preocupação excessiva?
Read this passage:
Muitas pessoas têm dificuldade em se despreocupar com o futuro. É importante lembrar que não podemos controlar tudo e que a preocupação excessiva pode afetar a nossa saúde mental. Tente focar-se no presente e nas ações que pode tomar hoje.
De acordo com o texto, qual é um dos efeitos da preocupação excessiva?
O texto afirma que 'a preocupação excessiva pode afetar a nossa saúde mental'.
O texto afirma que 'a preocupação excessiva pode afetar a nossa saúde mental'.
O que Marta fez para se despreocupar na praia?
Read this passage:
Depois de uma semana de muito trabalho, Marta decidiu ir para a praia para se despreocupar. Ela deixou o telemóvel em casa e apenas se concentrou no som das ondas. Sentiu-se muito melhor no final do dia.
O que Marta fez para se despreocupar na praia?
O texto diz que Marta 'deixou o telemóvel em casa e apenas se concentrou no som das ondas' para se despreocupar.
O texto diz que Marta 'deixou o telemóvel em casa e apenas se concentrou no som das ondas' para se despreocupar.
This sentence uses the verb 'despreocupar' reflexively, meaning 'to stop worrying oneself'. The correct order places the reflexive pronoun 'se' before the verb in this construction.
This is a direct and common way to tell someone to relax or stop worrying. The verb 'despreocupar' is used without a reflexive pronoun here.
Here, 'despreocupar' is used reflexively with 'me' to indicate that the speaker was able to stop worrying themselves after the exam.
To stop worrying before the trip, make a list of everything you need.
She tried to stop worrying about the exam result, but the anxiety was great.
If you manage to stop worrying, you will enjoy the present moment much more.
Read this aloud:
É difícil se despreocupar quando se tem muitas responsabilidades.
Focus: des-pre-o-cu-par
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Eu preciso aprender a me despreocupar mais com coisas pequenas.
Focus: des-pre-o-cu-par mais
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
A chave para a paz de espírito é se despreocupar com o que não podemos controlar.
Focus: chave para a paz de espírito
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
A melhor forma de ___ é ter tudo organizado e planejado com antecedência.
The context implies a positive outcome of organization, so 'se despreocupar' (to stop worrying) fits best.
Ele finalmente conseguiu ___ com as finanças após quitar todas as dívidas.
Paying off debts would lead to a state of not worrying about finances, thus 'se despreocupar' is the correct choice.
É crucial aprender a ___ das trivialidades do dia a dia para manter a saúde mental.
To maintain mental health, one should learn to 'se despreocupar' (stop worrying) about daily trivialities.
Os pais conseguiram ___ depois de ver que o filho estava seguro e feliz.
Seeing their child safe and happy would allow parents to 'se despreocupar' (stop worrying).
Para poder ___ verdadeiramente nas férias, ele delegou todas as suas responsabilidades.
Delegating responsibilities allows one to 'se despreocupar' (stop worrying) during vacation.
A tecnologia pode nos ajudar a ___ de muitas tarefas repetitivas, liberando tempo para outras atividades.
Technology can help us 'se despreocupar' (stop worrying) about repetitive tasks.
This sentence means: 'Finally, I managed to stop worrying about the exam.' The correct order puts the adverb 'finalmente' first, followed by the verb 'consegui' and then the reflexive verb 'me despreocupar' with its prepositional phrase.
This sentence means: 'She needs to learn to stop worrying about other people's opinions.' The structure 'precisa aprender a' is followed by the reflexive verb 'se despreocupar' and its complement.
This sentence means: 'If you can stop worrying a little, life will be lighter.' The conditional clause starts with 'Se você puder', followed by the reflexive verb 'se despreocupar' and its adverbial phrase, then the main clause.
Her ability to...
After submitting the project...
It's essential to learn how to...
Read this aloud:
Mesmo diante de desafios complexos, ele consegue se despreocupar e focar na solução.
Focus: des-pre-o-cu-par
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Para se despreocupar de verdade, é preciso ter confiança nas suas escolhas.
Focus: con-fi-an-ça
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
O melhor conselho que posso dar é: tente despreocupar-se com o que não pode controlar.
Focus: con-tro-lar
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Despreocupar - Just Relax
Think of "despreocupar" as simply meaning to relax or stop worrying. It's often used reflexively, like 'despreocupar-se'.
Common Usage
You'll often hear it in phrases like "Não se despreocupe!" (Don't worry!) or "Ela se despreocupou com o trabalho." (She stopped worrying about work.)
Opposite of Preocupar
"Despreocupar" is the antonym of "preocupar" (to worry). The 'des-' prefix often indicates the opposite action.
Contextual Clues
When you see "despreocupar," look for context that suggests a release of stress or anxiety.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr emotions Wörter
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
