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A2 noun #4,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

disfunção

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At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'disfunção' yet. It is a bit too technical. Instead, you should focus on the verb 'funcionar' (to work/function) and the word 'problema' (problem). If something isn't working, an A1 student would say 'Não funciona' or 'Tem um problema'. However, seeing 'disfunção' is a good way to recognize the root 'função' (function). If you see 'disfunção' in a text, just think: 'something is not working well'. It's a feminine word, so it's 'a disfunção'. You might see it on a sign in a hospital or in a health brochure. Don't worry about using it in your own speech yet; just recognize that it's a fancy way to say 'problem with how something works'. Focus on basic sentences like 'O meu celular não funciona' (My phone doesn't work) before trying to say 'Meu celular tem uma disfunção'.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific vocabulary for health and daily life. 'Disfunção' is a useful word because it appears in many medical and social contexts that you might encounter in news snippets or doctor visits. At this stage, you should know that 'disfunção' is a feminine noun and that its plural is 'disfunções'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Ele tem uma disfunção no coração' (He has a heart dysfunction). You should also notice how it often appears with 'de' or 'do/da' to show what part of the body is affected. It's a 'step up' from 'problema'. When you use 'disfunção', you sound more precise. It's also common in the phrase 'família disfuncional' (dysfunctional family), which is a common topic in TV shows and movies. Try to remember the spelling with the 'ç' and the 'ã'.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'disfunção' in both medical and organizational contexts. You are now moving beyond just physical organs and can talk about 'disfunções sociais' or 'disfunções administrativas'. You should be able to pair the word with appropriate adjectives like 'grave' (serious), 'leve' (light/mild), or 'crônica' (chronic). At this level, you start to see that 'disfunção' is often used to describe systemic issues rather than just one-off mistakes. For example, 'A disfunção do sistema judiciário' suggests a deep, ongoing problem. You should also be able to use the verb 'apresentar' (to present/show) with it: 'O paciente apresenta uma disfunção'. This level is where you start to distinguish between 'falha' (a failure) and 'disfunção' (a process working incorrectly). Your writing should start including these more formal terms to reach a higher register.

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At the B2 level, 'disfunção' becomes a tool for nuanced discussion. you will use it to talk about complex theories or detailed medical reports. You should understand the sociopolitical implications of the word. For instance, in a debate about education, you might say 'A disfunção das escolas públicas' to talk about how the system fails to educate students despite being funded. You should be familiar with more technical collocations like 'disfunção erétil', 'disfunção cognitiva', or 'disfunção hormonal'. Your understanding of the word should include its abstract meanings, such as a 'disfunção de comunicação' in a relationship. You are expected to use the plural 'disfunções' correctly and match it with plural feminine adjectives: 'disfunções múltiplas'. You should also be able to explain *why* something is a dysfunction using complex sentence structures.

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At the C1 level, you use 'disfunção' with the precision of a native professional. You understand that the word carries a clinical or academic weight and you use it to maintain a formal register. You can use it in metaphorical ways or in highly specialized fields like law, economics, or advanced biology. You might discuss the 'disfunção orgânica múltipla' in a medical context or the 'disfunção dos mercados' in an economic essay. At this level, you are also aware of the word's synonyms and when *not* to use it to avoid sounding repetitive. You might choose 'anomalia', 'aberração', or 'desarranjo' depending on the exact nuance you want to convey. Your use of 'disfunção' is integrated into complex arguments about systemic failures and structural issues in society. You also understand the historical and etymological background of the word, which helps you use it in creative writing.

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At the C2 level, 'disfunção' is just one of many precise terms in your arsenal. You can use it to critique philosophical systems or to write high-level scientific papers. You might explore the 'disfunção existencial' in a literary analysis or the 'disfunção cibernética' in a paper on AI. Your command of the word is such that you can play with its meaning or use it in ironic contexts. You understand the subtle difference between 'disfunção' and 'paralisia' or 'estagnação'. You can use the word in the most formal settings, like a keynote speech or a published academic article, without any hesitation regarding grammar or collocation. You are also able to identify and correct 'disfunções' in your own and others' writing, ensuring that every word used is the most effective one for the given context. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a natural part of your conceptual thinking in Portuguese.

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disfunção in 30 Sekunden

Disfunção is a formal feminine noun meaning malfunction or impairment, primarily used in medical, social, and technical contexts.
It comes from the Greek 'dys' (bad) and Latin 'functio' (performance), literally meaning a poorly performed function.
In Portuguese, it is always 'a disfunção' (feminine) and its plural form is 'as disfunções'.
Commonly paired with adjectives like 'renal', 'erétil', 'familiar', and 'hormonal' to specify the area of impairment.

The Portuguese word disfunção is a sophisticated noun used to describe a state where something is not operating as it should. While it is fundamentally a medical or technical term, its usage has expanded significantly into the realms of sociology, psychology, and even general management. At its core, it combines the prefix dis-, signifying anomaly or negation, with função, meaning function. Therefore, a disfunção is not merely the absence of function, but a function that is performed poorly, abnormally, or harmfully.

Medical Context: In clinical settings, it refers to an organ or system that is impaired. For example, 'disfunção renal' (kidney dysfunction) or 'disfunção erétil'. It implies a physiological deviation from the healthy norm.
Social Context: When applied to groups, it often describes 'famílias disfuncionais' (dysfunctional families) where patterns of behavior impede healthy interaction and development.

O paciente apresenta uma leve disfunção hepática que requer monitoramento constante.

Understanding the nuance between 'falha' (failure) and 'disfunção' is crucial. A failure is often binary—something works or it doesn't. A dysfunction suggests a spectrum of impairment; the system is running, but the output is skewed or the process is inefficient. This makes it a frequent word in academic papers and news reports discussing systemic issues within the government or economy.

A disfunção cognitiva pode ser um sintoma precoce de várias doenças neurodegenerativas.

In the digital age, we also see it used in technology discussions, specifically regarding UI/UX where a feature might exist but lead to a 'disfunção de interface' because it confuses the user rather than helping them. It is a feminine noun, so always use feminine articles and adjectives: 'a disfunção', 'uma disfunção grave'.

Sociological Nuance: Sociologists use the term to describe social structures that produce consequences which lessen the adaptation or adjustment of the system.

Muitos problemas urbanos são resultado de uma disfunção no planejamento das cidades.

A disfunção hormonal pode afetar o humor e o peso de uma pessoa.

Etymological Root: Derived from the Greek 'dys' (bad) and Latin 'functio' (performance). It literally means 'bad performance'.

Identificar a disfunção é o primeiro passo para encontrar a cura.

Using disfunção correctly requires attention to its grammatical gender and its typical collocates. As a feminine noun ending in '-ção', it follows the standard Portuguese rule for nouns of this type. You will almost always see it preceded by 'a', 'uma', 'esta', or 'aquela'. Because it is a formal word, the adjectives paired with it often carry a technical weight, such as 'severa', 'crônica', 'temporária', or 'aguda'.

Subject Placement: 'A disfunção causou preocupação.' Here, the noun acts as the catalyst for the action. It is common in scientific writing to start sentences with the noun to emphasize the condition being studied.

Esta disfunção específica é muito rara em crianças.

When describing a person or a system that has a dysfunction, the verb 'apresentar' (to present/show) or 'sofrer de' (to suffer from) is much more common and professional than 'ter' (to have). For instance, saying 'O sistema apresenta uma disfunção' sounds much more precise than 'O sistema tem um problema'.

Ele sofre de uma disfunção na glândula tireoide.

In administrative or organizational contexts, 'disfunção' is used to talk about inefficiencies. You might hear a manager say, 'Precisamos corrigir as disfunções do nosso fluxo de trabalho'. This implies that the workflow is broken in a way that prevents the team from reaching its full potential. It’s a way to criticize a system without necessarily blaming a specific person.

Verbal Pairings: Common verbs include: Corrigir (to correct), diagnosticar (to diagnose), tratar (to treat), identificar (to identify), and mitigar (to mitigate).

O relatório identificou várias disfunções na estrutura da empresa.

Uma disfunção no motor causou a parada do trem.

Prepositional Use: Usually followed by 'de' or 'em'. 'Disfunção de' usually links to the organ (de fígado), while 'Disfunção em' often links to the location or system (em rede).

A disfunção em sua fala era imperceptível para a maioria.

You will encounter disfunção in environments where precision is valued. It is not a 'slang' word, but rather a pillar of formal Portuguese. If you are watching the news (Jornal Nacional, for example), you might hear it during segments about healthcare or public administration failures. A news anchor might report on a 'disfunção no sistema de saúde pública', suggesting the system is failing its citizens.

In the Doctor's Office: This is the most common place. Doctors use it to avoid the vagueness of 'problema'. It sounds diagnostic. 'Você tem uma pequena disfunção...' sounds less scary but more scientific than 'Algo está errado...'.

O exame de sangue confirmou a disfunção metabólica.

In academic settings, especially in Psychology or Sociology lectures at a Brazilian university (like USP or UFRJ), the word is ubiquitous. Professors discuss 'disfunções sociais' when talking about crime, poverty, or the breakdown of the nuclear family. It is a key term in 'Teoria Funcionalista', where every part of society is expected to have a function, and when it doesn't, it's a dysfunction.

A disfunção do mercado imobiliário afetou os preços dos aluguéis.

Corporate environments also use this word during 'reuniões de feedback' or 'análise de processos'. If a project fails, a manager might describe the cause as a 'disfunção na comunicação entre as equipes'. This shifts the focus from individual blame to a systemic issue that can be fixed with better processes.

Legal and Judicial: In courtrooms or legal documents, 'disfunção' might describe a breach of duty or a failure of a legal mechanism to provide justice.

O juiz apontou uma disfunção processual que invalidou o julgamento.

A disfunção na rede elétrica deixou a cidade no escuro por horas.

In Literature: Modern Brazilian authors use the term to describe the inner turmoil of characters or the 'disfunção' of modern urban life.

O livro explora a disfunção emocional de um homem solitário.

Even though disfunção is a relatively straightforward cognate for English speakers, there are several pitfalls to avoid when using it in Portuguese. The most common error is related to grammatical gender. Many learners assume that because the English 'dysfunction' is neutral, the Portuguese word might be masculine. It is not. It is always feminine.

Mistake #1: Wrong Gender: Saying 'O disfunção' instead of 'A disfunção'. This is a major marker of a non-native speaker. Remember: nouns ending in '-ção' are almost exclusively feminine in Portuguese.

Incorreto: O disfunção renal. Correto: A disfunção renal.

Another common mistake is confusing 'disfunção' with 'mal funcionamento'. While they are similar, 'mal funcionamento' is more generic and often used for machines or gadgets. Using 'disfunção' for a broken toaster sounds overly dramatic and slightly ridiculous. Save 'disfunção' for biological, social, or highly complex systems.

O técnico disse que o rádio tem um mal funcionamento (Better than 'disfunção' here).

Learners also struggle with the plural form. The plural of 'disfunção' is 'disfunções'. Beginners often try to say 'disfunçãos', which does not exist. The transformation from '-ão' to '-ões' is a standard but tricky part of Portuguese morphology that requires practice.

Mistake #2: Overuse: Using 'disfunção' in very casual settings. If you tell a friend 'Tivemos uma disfunção na nossa amizade', it sounds like you are reading from a psychology textbook. Use 'problema' or 'desentendimento' instead.

Nós tivemos um problema ontem (More natural for friends).

As disfunções sociais precisam de soluções políticas.

Preposition Pitfall: Forgetting the 'de' when specifying the type. You cannot say 'disfunção tireoide'; it must be 'disfunção DA tireoide' (dysfunction of the thyroid).

A disfunção do fígado é preocupante.

To expand your vocabulary beyond disfunção, it is helpful to look at words that occupy similar semantic spaces. Depending on the context—medical, technical, or social—different alternatives might be more appropriate. Using a variety of terms will make your Portuguese sound more natural and precise.

Anomalia: This word emphasizes the deviation from the norm. While 'disfunção' focuses on the action or performance, 'anomalia' focuses on the state of being unusual. Example: 'Uma anomalia genética'.
Transtorno: Very common in psychology. Where English uses 'disorder', Portuguese often uses 'transtorno'. Example: 'Transtorno de ansiedade' (Anxiety disorder) instead of 'disfunção de ansiedade'.

O médico explicou que não era uma disfunção, mas sim um transtorno temporário.

If you are talking about a machine or a simple process, 'falha' (failure) or 'defeito' (defect) are your best bets. 'Falha' suggests a sudden stop or error, while 'defeito' suggests a physical or structural flaw. 'Disfunção' is more about the ongoing process being wrong.

O carro tem um defeito de fabricação no motor.

In sociological terms, you might use 'desequilíbrio' (imbalance) or 'instabilidade' (instability). These words describe a system that is not functioning harmoniously, similar to 'disfunção', but they carry a slightly different emotional weight. 'Desequilíbrio' sounds more like something that can be re-centered, whereas 'disfunção' sounds like something that is fundamentally broken.

Irregularidade: Used often in legal or bureaucratic contexts. 'Houve uma irregularidade no processo' means the rules weren't followed correctly.

A irregularidade nos batimentos cardíacos foi detectada pelo ECG.

A disfunção familiar pode ser resolvida com terapia.

Malformação: Strictly medical. Refers to a physical part of the body that did not develop correctly in the womb. This is a structural 'disfunção'.

A cirurgia corrigiu a malformação congênita do bebê.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

The prefix 'dis-' is extremely productive in Portuguese. It can mean 'negation' (like in 'desfazer'), but when it keeps the 'i' (dis-), it often maintains the Greek sense of 'abnormality' used in medical terms like 'dislexia' or 'distrofia'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /dis.fũ.ˈsɐ̃w̃/

US /dis.fũ.ˈsɐ̃w̃/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'são'.

Reimt sich auf

função nação coração ação atenção canção estação lição

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 'ão' like a simple 'o'.
Making the 's' in 'dis' sound like a 'z'.
Forgetting the nasal sound in the middle 'un'.
Putting the stress on the first syllable 'DIS-função'.
Pronouncing 'ção' like 'shun' (English style).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize for English speakers due to the cognate nature.

Schreiben 4/5

Harder because of the 'ç' and 'ão' ending and the plural 'ões'.

Sprechen 5/5

The nasal 'ão' sound is one of the hardest for English speakers to master.

Hören 3/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with other '-ção' words if not paying attention.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

função problema corpo médico sistema

Als Nächstes lernen

patologia sintoma diagnóstico terapia anomalia

Fortgeschritten

homeostase etiologia fisiopatologia iatrogenia idiopático

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns ending in -ção are feminine.

A disfunção, a educação, a nação.

Plural of -ão is often -ões.

Disfunção -> Disfunções.

Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun.

Disfunção severA (not severo).

The prefix 'dis-' implies abnormality in technical terms.

Dislexia, Disfunção, Distrofia.

Use of 'de' to indicate origin or type.

Disfunção DE tireoide.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O médico disse que é uma disfunção.

The doctor said it is a dysfunction.

A1 students focus on the noun 'disfunção' as a synonym for 'problem'.

A disfunção não é grave.

The dysfunction is not serious.

Using the feminine article 'A' with the noun.

Eu tenho uma disfunção no pé.

I have a dysfunction in my foot.

Simple 'Eu tenho' structure.

Onde está a disfunção?

Where is the dysfunction?

Question form with 'Onde'.

Esta disfunção é comum.

This dysfunction is common.

Demonstrative 'Esta' (feminine).

A disfunção causa dor.

The dysfunction causes pain.

Simple present tense verb 'causa'.

Não é uma disfunção normal.

It is not a normal dysfunction.

Negation with 'Não'.

A disfunção é pequena.

The dysfunction is small.

Adjective agreement (feminine).

A disfunção renal pode ser tratada com remédios.

Renal dysfunction can be treated with medicine.

Passive voice 'pode ser tratada'.

Muitas crianças têm disfunção respiratória no inverno.

Many children have respiratory dysfunction in winter.

Plural noun 'disfunção' used as a general condition.

A disfunção do motor parou o ônibus.

The motor dysfunction stopped the bus.

Prepositional phrase 'do motor'.

Ela sofre de uma disfunção hormonal.

She suffers from a hormonal dysfunction.

Verb 'sofrer de' (to suffer from).

O exame mostrou uma leve disfunção hepática.

The exam showed a mild hepatic dysfunction.

Adjective 'leve' (mild).

Precisamos identificar a causa da disfunção.

We need to identify the cause of the dysfunction.

Infinitive 'identificar'.

A disfunção familiar afeta o desempenho escolar.

Family dysfunction affects school performance.

Subject-verb agreement.

Existem vários tipos de disfunção erétil.

There are several types of erectile dysfunction.

Verb 'Existir' in the plural.

A disfunção burocrática impede o crescimento da empresa.

Bureaucratic dysfunction prevents the company's growth.

Abstract usage of 'disfunção'.

O relatório aponta uma disfunção no sistema de segurança.

The report points out a dysfunction in the security system.

Verb 'apontar' (to point out).

Tratar a disfunção precocemente é essencial para a cura.

Treating the dysfunction early is essential for the cure.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive 'Tratar'.

A disfunção das glândulas pode causar fadiga extrema.

The dysfunction of the glands can cause extreme fatigue.

Plural 'glândulas'.

Houve uma disfunção na comunicação interna da equipe.

There was a dysfunction in the team's internal communication.

Verb 'Haver' (there was).

A disfunção social é um tema recorrente na sociologia.

Social dysfunction is a recurring theme in sociology.

Adjective 'recorrente'.

O paciente não apresentava nenhuma disfunção motora.

The patient did not present any motor dysfunction.

Negative construction 'não... nenhuma'.

A disfunção crônica exige um acompanhamento constante.

Chronic dysfunction requires constant monitoring.

Adjective 'crônica'.

A disfunção erétil pode ter causas tanto físicas quanto psicológicas.

Erectile dysfunction can have both physical and psychological causes.

Correlative conjunctions 'tanto... quanto'.

O sociólogo argumenta que o crime é uma disfunção do sistema.

The sociologist argues that crime is a dysfunction of the system.

Subordinate clause starting with 'que'.

A disfunção executiva dificulta a organização de tarefas simples.

Executive dysfunction makes organizing simple tasks difficult.

Technical psychological term.

As disfunções orgânicas foram agravadas pelo estilo de vida sedentário.

Organic dysfunctions were worsened by a sedentary lifestyle.

Passive voice with 'foram agravadas'.

O governo tentou mitigar a disfunção econômica com novos subsídios.

The government tried to mitigate the economic dysfunction with new subsidies.

Verb 'mitigar' (to mitigate).

Uma disfunção no processamento sensorial pode causar desconforto.

A dysfunction in sensory processing can cause discomfort.

Compound noun phrase.

A análise revelou uma disfunção estrutural na ponte.

The analysis revealed a structural dysfunction in the bridge.

Adjective 'estrutural'.

Muitas disfunções de linguagem são tratadas por fonoaudiólogos.

Many language dysfunctions are treated by speech therapists.

Plural agreement.

A disfunção institucional corroeu a confiança da população nas leis.

Institutional dysfunction eroded the population's trust in the laws.

Metaphorical verb 'corroer'.

O artigo discute a disfunção cognitiva associada ao envelhecimento.

The article discusses the cognitive dysfunction associated with aging.

Academic tone.

A disfunção plaquetária impede a coagulação normal do sangue.

Platelet dysfunction prevents normal blood clotting.

Highly technical medical term.

É imperativo diagnosticar qualquer disfunção antes que o quadro piore.

It is imperative to diagnose any dysfunction before the condition worsens.

Subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause.

A disfunção do mercado de capitais gerou uma crise sem precedentes.

The dysfunction of the capital market generated an unprecedented crisis.

Economic context.

O autor utiliza a metáfora da disfunção para descrever a sociedade moderna.

The author uses the metaphor of dysfunction to describe modern society.

Literary analysis.

A disfunção autonômica pode manifestar-se de diversas formas clínicas.

Autonomic dysfunction can manifest in various clinical forms.

Reflexive verb 'manifestar-se'.

As disfunções persistentes sugerem uma patologia subjacente grave.

Persistent dysfunctions suggest a serious underlying pathology.

Advanced vocabulary 'subjacente'.

A disfunção ontológica do ser contemporâneo é o cerne da obra.

The ontological dysfunction of the contemporary being is the core of the work.

Philosophical usage.

O colapso do ecossistema é a disfunção máxima da intervenção humana.

The ecosystem's collapse is the ultimate dysfunction of human intervention.

Superlative adjective 'máxima'.

A disfunção semântica nas traduções automáticas ainda é um desafio.

Semantic dysfunction in machine translations is still a challenge.

Linguistic/Technical context.

Percebe-se uma disfunção latente nas estruturas de poder vigentes.

A latent dysfunction is perceived in the current power structures.

Passive 'se' construction.

A disfunção sináptica precede os sintomas clínicos da demência.

Synaptic dysfunction precedes the clinical symptoms of dementia.

Neurological precision.

A disfunção estética da arquitetura brutalista é frequentemente debatida.

The aesthetic dysfunction of brutalist architecture is frequently debated.

Artistic/Architectural critique.

O tratado aborda as disfunções diplomáticas que levaram ao conflito.

The treaty addresses the diplomatic dysfunctions that led to the conflict.

Historical/Political register.

A disfunção homeostática é fatal se não for revertida imediatamente.

Homeostatic dysfunction is fatal if not reversed immediately.

Biological necessity.

Häufige Kollokationen

disfunção erétil

disfunção renal

disfunção familiar

disfunção hormonal

disfunção cognitiva

disfunção executiva

disfunção hepática

apresentar disfunção

causar disfunção

disfunção social

Häufige Phrasen

sofrer de disfunção

— To suffer from a dysfunction. Used mostly in medical contexts.

Muitos homens sofrem de disfunção erétil em silêncio.

corrigir a disfunção

— To fix or correct the dysfunction. Used for systems or health.

A cirurgia ajudou a corrigir a disfunção cardíaca.

identificar uma disfunção

— To find or pinpoint a dysfunction.

O técnico conseguiu identificar uma disfunção no servidor.

disfunção de múltiplos órgãos

— When several organs fail at once. A very serious medical condition.

O paciente entrou em disfunção de múltiplos órgãos.

uma leve disfunção

— A minor or slight dysfunction.

É apenas uma leve disfunção, não se preocupe.

disfunção de comportamento

— A behavioral dysfunction or disorder.

A criança foi avaliada por disfunção de comportamento.

disfunção do sistema

— A general failure in a technical or political system.

A disfunção do sistema gerou atrasos nos pagamentos.

tratar a disfunção

— To provide treatment for a dysfunction.

Existem várias formas de tratar a disfunção hormonal.

diagnóstico de disfunção

— The official medical identification of a dysfunction.

O diagnóstico de disfunção renal mudou sua vida.

disfunção temporária

— A dysfunction that doesn't last long.

Foi apenas uma disfunção temporária causada pelo calor.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

disfunção vs difusão

Means 'diffusion' or 'spreading'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

disfunção vs distração

Means 'distraction'. Sometimes confused by beginners due to the 'dis-' prefix.

disfunção vs função

The opposite. Means 'function'. A 'disfunção' is a type of 'função' gone wrong.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"família disfuncional"

— A family where conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse occur continually.

Ele cresceu em uma família disfuncional.

Standard/Psychological

"disfunção de imagem"

— When how someone sees themselves is different from reality (often used in marketing or psychology).

A marca sofre de uma disfunção de imagem perante os jovens.

Marketing/Psychology

"disfunção de mercado"

— When the market fails to allocate resources efficiently.

O monopólio é uma clara disfunção de mercado.

Economic

"disfunção de foco"

— Metaphorical use for someone who cannot stay concentrated.

Minha disfunção de foco hoje está terrível.

Colloquial

"disfunção de caráter"

— A harsh way to say someone has a bad personality or low morals.

Mentir o tempo todo é uma disfunção de caráter.

Formal/Judgmental

"disfunção de rede"

— Technical jargon for internet or connectivity issues.

Estamos enfrentando uma disfunção de rede na empresa.

Technical

"disfunção burocrática"

— The tendency of large organizations to follow rules so strictly they become inefficient.

A disfunção burocrática impede a inovação.

Management

"disfunção comunicativa"

— A complete breakdown in understanding between two parties.

Houve uma disfunção comunicativa entre o governo e o povo.

Political

"disfunção de sono"

— Commonly used for insomnia or irregular sleep patterns.

O estresse me causou uma disfunção de sono.

Health

"disfunção orgânica"

— A physical failure of a body part.

A disfunção orgânica foi causada por toxinas.

Medical

Leicht verwechselbar

disfunção vs Mal funcionamento

Both mean something isn't working.

'Disfunção' is a noun (a thing), while 'mal funcionamento' is a phrase (adverb + noun). 'Disfunção' is more clinical.

O mal funcionamento da impressora vs. A disfunção renal.

disfunção vs Transtorno

Both are used in psychology/medicine.

'Transtorno' is closer to 'disorder'. 'Disfunção' is closer to 'impairment'.

Transtorno bipolar vs. Disfunção erétil.

disfunção vs Falha

Both imply an error.

A 'falha' is an event (it failed). A 'disfunção' is a state (it's functioning poorly).

Uma falha elétrica vs. Uma disfunção metabólica.

disfunção vs Anomalia

Both mean something is abnormal.

'Anomalia' is about the structure or being unusual. 'Disfunção' is about the performance.

Anomalia cromossômica vs. Disfunção respiratória.

disfunção vs Defeito

Both mean something is wrong.

'Defeito' is usually a physical flaw you can see. 'Disfunção' is a process you observe.

Defeito de fábrica vs. Disfunção orgânica.

Satzmuster

A disfunção é [Adjective].

A disfunção é grave.

Ele tem uma disfunção no [Organ].

Ele tem uma disfunção no coração.

O paciente apresenta uma disfunção [Adjective].

O paciente apresenta uma disfunção motora.

Houve uma disfunção na [System].

Houve uma disfunção na comunicação.

A disfunção foi causada por [Cause].

A disfunção foi causada por estresse.

Tratar a disfunção é [Adjective].

Tratar a disfunção é fundamental.

A disfunção [Adjective] compromete o [Result].

A disfunção institucional compromete o progresso.

Percebe-se uma disfunção inerente ao [Concept].

Percebe-se uma disfunção inerente ao sistema capitalista.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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frequency

Common in medical, academic, and news contexts. Rare in casual street talk.

Häufige Fehler

O disfunção → A disfunção
The word is feminine. Using the masculine article is a common error for beginners.
Disfunçãos → Disfunções
The plural of words ending in '-ção' is almost always '-ções'.
Disfuncao → Disfunção
Missing the cedilla (ç) and the tilde (~) changes the pronunciation and is a spelling error.
Disfunção severo → Disfunção severa
Adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of the noun.
Ter uma disfunção (in a formal report) → Apresentar uma disfunção
'Apresentar' is the preferred verb in formal and medical registers.

Tipps

Gender Agreement

Remember that 'disfunção' is feminine. If you use an adjective, it must also be feminine. Say 'disfunção severa', not 'disfunção severo'.

Use 'Apresentar'

In formal Portuguese, instead of saying someone 'has' (tem) a dysfunction, say they 'present' (apresenta) a dysfunction. It sounds much more professional.

The Nasal 'ão'

To master the 'ão' in 'disfunção', practice saying 'mão' (hand) or 'pão' (bread). Once you get the nasal sound right, the whole word will sound native.

Don't Forget the Cedilla

The 'ç' is vital. Without it, the word would be pronounced 'disfun-ka-o', which is wrong. Always use the cedilla.

Corporate Context

Use 'disfunção' in meetings to describe process errors. It sounds less like you are blaming people and more like you are analyzing the system.

Doctor Visits

If you are at a doctor in Brazil, use this word to describe chronic issues. It helps the doctor understand you are looking for a specific diagnosis.

Family Talk

Be careful using 'família disfuncional' with friends. It's a very heavy term. Use 'minha família é meio doida' (my family is a bit crazy) for a lighter tone.

Replacing 'Problema'

Try replacing 'problema' with 'disfunção' in your writing today. See how it changes the tone of your sentences to be more formal.

Plural Pattern

Learn the '-ão' to '-ões' pattern. It applies to hundreds of Portuguese words. Mastering it with 'disfunções' will help you with many others.

News Keywords

Listen for 'disfunção' on Portuguese news channels like RTP or Globo. It's a keyword for segments on health policy and social issues.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'DIS' as 'Disturbed' and 'FUNÇÃO' as 'Function'. So, a 'disfunção' is a 'Disturbed Function'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a clock with gears that are turning, but the hands of the clock are moving backward. The function (telling time) is happening, but it is 'dis-' (bad/abnormal).

Word Web

Saúde Médico Sistema Problema Corpo Sociedade Falha Processo

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your daily life that have a 'disfunção' (like a slow app, a weird noise in your car, or a confusing rule) and describe them using the word.

Wortherkunft

The word enters Portuguese from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' and the noun 'função'. The prefix comes from the Greek 'dys-', meaning bad, difficult, or abnormal. The noun 'função' comes from the Latin 'functio', meaning performance or execution of a task.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A bad or abnormal performance of a task or role.

Indo-European (via Latin and Greek roots common in Romance languages).

Kultureller Kontext

When using 'disfunção erétil', be aware that it is a sensitive medical topic. In social contexts, calling a family 'disfuncional' can be seen as a strong criticism.

English speakers will find this word very easy to remember because it is a direct cognate. The main difference is the emotional weight; in Portuguese, 'disfunção' feels slightly more clinical/academic than 'dysfunction' might feel in casual English.

The book 'As Disfunções da Burocracia' by Robert Merton is a classic in Brazilian sociology courses. Many medical blogs in Portuguese focus on 'Disfunção Erétil' as a major men's health topic. The term 'Famílias Disfuncionais' is a popular tag on Brazilian psychology YouTube channels.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Medical Consultation

Quais são os sintomas da disfunção?
A disfunção é reversível?
Como tratar essa disfunção?
O exame confirma a disfunção.

Corporate Meeting

Identificamos uma disfunção no processo.
A disfunção de comunicação é o problema.
Precisamos corrigir essa disfunção.
A disfunção afetou os lucros.

Psychology Session

Isso vem de uma disfunção familiar.
A disfunção cognitiva atrapalha o dia a dia.
Vamos trabalhar nessa disfunção emocional.
A disfunção não define quem você é.

Technical Support

O hardware apresenta uma disfunção.
Houve uma disfunção na rede elétrica.
A disfunção foi causada por um vírus.
Reinicie o sistema para corrigir a disfunção.

Sociology Class

A disfunção social gera violência.
O estado sofre de uma disfunção crônica.
Analisamos as disfunções das instituições.
A pobreza é uma disfunção do capitalismo.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você já ouviu falar sobre disfunção executiva no trabalho?"

"Acha que a disfunção familiar é o maior problema da sociedade hoje?"

"Como você lida com uma disfunção técnica no seu computador?"

"O médico já te explicou o que causa uma disfunção hormonal?"

"Você acredita que a burocracia é uma disfunção necessária?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva uma vez que você enfrentou uma disfunção em um sistema (como um banco ou transporte).

Reflita sobre como uma pequena disfunção no seu corpo afeta seu humor.

Escreva sobre uma 'disfunção' que você percebe na sua cidade e como você a resolveria.

Como você explicaria o conceito de disfunção para uma criança?

Pense em uma equipe em que você trabalhou. Havia alguma disfunção na comunicação?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is a feminine word. You should always use 'a' or 'uma' with it. For example: 'A disfunção' or 'Uma disfunção grave'. This is because most Portuguese nouns ending in '-ção' are feminine.

Technically you could, but it sounds very strange. For a car, it's better to use 'problema', 'defeito', or 'falha'. 'Disfunção' is usually reserved for biological organs or complex social systems like a family or a government.

The plural is 'disfunções'. The '-ão' ending changes to '-ões' in the plural, which is a common pattern for many Portuguese nouns like 'ação/ações' or 'nação/nações'.

Often, yes. In medical contexts, 'disfunção erétil' is 'erectile dysfunction'. However, for psychological disorders, Portuguese usually uses 'transtorno', like 'transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo' (OCD).

It's a nasal sound. Try saying 'ah' and then 'oo' while pushing the air through your nose. It's similar to the 'ow' in 'vow', but nasalized. It's one of the most unique sounds in the Portuguese language.

Use it when describing a family where the relationships are unhealthy or broken. It's a formal way to talk about family problems in a psychological or sociological way.

Yes, especially in management. You might talk about 'disfunções organizacionais', which means parts of a company are not working together well, causing inefficiency or conflict.

The closest verb is 'funcionar' (to function). To say something is dysfunctional, you usually use the adjective 'disfuncional'. There isn't a common verb like 'to dysfunction' in Portuguese; you would say 'apresentar uma disfunção'.

Common ones include 'disfunção renal' (kidney), 'disfunção hepática' (liver), 'disfunção tireoidiana' (thyroid), and 'disfunção erétil' (erectile). These are very standard clinical terms.

Yes, the prefix 'dis-' inherently means something is abnormal, impaired, or bad. It always describes a negative state where a function is not being performed correctly.

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