Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective 10 Min. Lesezeit

mal-humorado

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps mal-humorado in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung mal-humorado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic use of 'mal-humorado'. This usually involves using the verb 'estar' to describe yourself or someone else in the present moment. Think of it as a simple vocabulary word to express a basic emotion, similar to 'feliz' (happy) or 'triste' (sad). You don't need to worry about the complex grammar rules yet. Just remember that if you are a man, you say 'Estou mal-humorado', and if you are a woman, you say 'Estou mal-humorada'. You might use it when you are tired or hungry. For example, 'Eu estou mal-humorado porque não dormi'. This level is about survival communication, and being able to tell someone you are in a bad mood is a key part of that. You will mostly hear this word in short sentences and direct questions like 'Você está mal-humorado?'. It is a useful word for basic social interactions where you need to explain your behavior or ask about someone else's feelings.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between 'ser' (permanent) and 'estar' (temporary). You will learn that 'Ele é mal-humorado' means he is a grumpy person by nature, whereas 'Ele está mal-humorado' means he is just grumpy right now. You also start to use adverbs of intensity like 'muito' (very) or 'um pouco' (a little). You should also be aware of the hyphenation rule: 'mal-humorado' always has a hyphen because 'humorado' starts with 'h'. At this stage, you might also encounter the opposite, 'bem-humorado' (good-humored). You can start using 'mal-humorado' to describe people you know, like a 'chefe mal-humorado' (grumpy boss) or a 'vizinho mal-humorado' (grumpy neighbor). Your sentences will become slightly longer, such as 'O meu irmão está sempre mal-humorado de manhã'. Understanding this word helps you describe people's personalities in more detail, which is a key requirement for the A2 level.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'mal-humorado' in various tenses, including the past (imperfeito and pretérito perfeito) and the future. You will understand that 'Eu estava mal-humorado' (I was grumpy - ongoing state in the past) differs from 'Eu fiquei mal-humorado' (I became grumpy - a change of state). You will also start to see the word used in more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses: 'O homem que estava mal-humorado saiu da sala'. You should also learn the noun form 'mau humor'. For example, 'Ele está de mau humor hoje'. Notice that 'mau' is used with the noun 'humor', while 'mal' is used with the adjective 'humorado'. This is a common B1-level distinction. You'll also start to recognize synonyms like 'ranzinza' or 'rabugento' and understand that they are slightly more informal or descriptive. You can now use the word to discuss social situations and their consequences, such as 'O clima na reunião foi ruim porque o gerente estava mal-humorado'.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you can use 'mal-humorado' with nuance and precision. You understand the subtle differences between being 'mal-humorado', 'irritado', and 'frustrado'. you can use idiomatic expressions related to bad moods, such as 'acordar com o pé esquerdo'. You are also expected to use the word correctly in more formal contexts, such as describing a literary character or a historical figure's disposition. You will notice the use of 'mal-humorado' in media and literature to create atmosphere or character depth. You can also use the word in the subjunctive mood: 'Duvido que ele esteja mal-humorado sem motivo'. At this level, you should be able to argue why someone might be 'mal-humorado' and discuss the social impact of chronic grumpiness. You might also explore the use of the word as a substantivized adjective: 'Os mal-humorados raramente são convidados para festas'. This shows a high level of grammatical flexibility.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's connotations and can use it stylistically. You can differentiate between 'mal-humorado' and its more sophisticated or archaic synonyms like 'sorumbático' or 'melancólico'. You understand the word's role in the broader context of Portuguese 'psicologia popular' (folk psychology). You can use it in complex rhetorical structures and understand its use in irony and sarcasm. For example, you might describe a sunny day as 'um dia mal-humorado' to personify the weather or create a specific mood in your writing. You are also aware of regional variations in how bad moods are expressed across the Lusophone world. You can analyze the etymological roots of the word and how the concept of 'humors' (from the ancient theory of bodily fluids) still influences modern language. Your use of the word is effortless, and you can switch between formal and slang alternatives depending on the audience.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native command of the word 'mal-humorado' and all its related concepts. You can use it in high-level academic discussions about psychology, sociology, or literature. You can analyze the nuances of 'mal-humorado' in classic Portuguese literature, such as the works of Machado de Assis, where characters' moods are often described with great psychological depth. You understand the philosophical implications of a 'mal-humorado' worldview and can discuss it fluently. You can also play with the word's structure in creative writing, perhaps creating new compound words or using it in complex puns. You are familiar with the most obscure synonyms and can use them to add color and precision to your speech. Your understanding extends to the subtle prosody and intonation that can change the meaning of the word from a simple description to a biting insult or a term of endearment.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

mal-humorado in 30 Sekunden

Mal-humorado means 'bad-humored' or 'grumpy' in English.
It is a compound adjective that requires a hyphen because 'humorado' starts with 'h'.
Use 'estar' for a temporary bad mood and 'ser' for a permanent personality trait.
The feminine form is 'mal-humorada' and the plural is 'mal-humorados/as'.

The Portuguese adjective mal-humorado is a compound word used to describe someone who is in a bad mood, irritable, or generally grumpy. It is a direct combination of the adverb 'mal' (badly) and the adjective 'humorado' (humored). In Portuguese culture, mood is often viewed as a transient state, but when someone is described as 'mal-humorado' with the verb ser, it implies a permanent personality trait—someone who is naturally a grouch. Conversely, using it with the verb estar indicates a temporary state of irritation.

Temporary State (Estar): When you say 'Estou mal-humorado', you are telling people that you are having a bad day or that something specific has annoyed you. It is not who you are, but how you feel right now.
Permanent Trait (Ser): If you say 'Ele é mal-humorado', you are characterizing the person as a 'grump'. This suggests that no matter the situation, their default disposition is negative or irritable.
Gender and Number Agreement: As an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies. For a female subject, it becomes 'mal-humorada'. For plural subjects, it becomes 'mal-humorados' or 'mal-humoradas'.

Não fale com o chefe agora; ele acordou muito mal-humorado por causa do trânsito.

Translation: Don't talk to the boss now; he woke up very bad-humored because of the traffic.

The term is ubiquitous in Brazil and Portugal, used in formal settings like workplace evaluations and informal settings like family dinners. It carries a slightly stronger weight than just 'sad' (triste) because it implies an active state of annoyance or a lack of patience. Socially, being 'mal-humorado' is often looked down upon in Lusophone cultures, which generally value 'simpatia' (friendliness) and 'alegria' (joy). However, it is also frequently used in self-deprecating humor, especially in the mornings before coffee.

Minha vizinha é uma senhora mal-humorada que reclama de todo o barulho.

Translation: My neighbor is a bad-humored lady who complains about all the noise.

In terms of intensity, you can modify 'mal-humorado' with adverbs like 'bastante' (quite), 'extremamente' (extremely), or 'um pouco' (a little bit). Interestingly, in Portuguese, if you want to say someone is in a 'bad mood' using a noun phrase, you would say they are 'de mau humor'. Note the change from 'mal' (adverb) to 'mau' (adjective) when modifying the noun 'humor'. This is a very common point of confusion for learners.

The 'Hungry' Connection: In Brazil, it is very common to hear 'Estou mal-humorado porque estou com fome'. The concept of being 'hangry' is perfectly captured by this adjective.

Por que você está tão mal-humorado hoje? Aconteceu alguma coisa?

Translation: Why are you so grumpy today? Did something happen?

Using mal-humorado effectively requires understanding the distinction between 'ser' and 'estar', as well as proper gender agreement. This word is versatile and can be used as a simple predicate adjective or as part of a more complex noun phrase. Let's explore the various syntactic structures where this word appears most frequently.

With the Verb 'Estar' (Current State): This is the most frequent usage. It describes a mood that is expected to pass. Example: 'Ela está mal-humorada desde que o computador quebrou.' (She has been grumpy since the computer broke.)
With the Verb 'Ser' (Character Trait): This describes a person's nature. Example: 'O professor de matemática é conhecido por ser mal-humorado.' (The math teacher is known for being grumpy.)
In Exclamations: You can use it to call someone out. Example: 'Nossa, que cara mal-humorado!' (Wow, what a grumpy guy!)

Eles ficaram mal-humorados após a derrota do time.

Translation: They became grumpy after the team's defeat.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the intensity. You can use 'meio' (somewhat) or 'meio mal-humorada' (somewhat grumpy). Note that 'meio' used as an adverb of intensity does not change gender, even if the adjective does. This is a common advanced-level grammar point. If you say 'Ela está meia mal-humorada', it is grammatically incorrect in standard Portuguese, though common in colloquial speech.

As crianças estão mal-humoradas porque não dormiram a sesta.

Translation: The children are grumpy because they didn't take a nap.

Furthermore, 'mal-humorado' can be used as a noun in certain contexts, though it is usually an adjective. For example: 'Aquele mal-humorado ali não cumprimenta ninguém.' (That grumpy guy over there doesn't greet anyone.) In this case, the adjective is substantivized (turned into a noun) by the preceding article or demonstrative pronoun.

O atendimento foi ruim porque o funcionário parecia mal-humorado.

Translation: The service was bad because the employee seemed grumpy.

Professional Usage: In a professional context, you might use 'mal-humorado' to describe a work environment or a specific interaction, though it is often softened with 'parecia' (seemed) to be more polite.

In the daily life of a Portuguese speaker, mal-humorado is a word you will encounter in various social spheres. From the bustling streets of São Paulo to the quiet cafes of Lisbon, the expression of one's mood is a central part of communication. Here is where you are most likely to hear it.

In the Morning (O Café da Manhã): Portuguese speakers are known for being social, but many describe themselves as 'mal-humorados' before their first 'cafezinho'. You will hear partners saying to each other: 'Não me pergunte nada, ainda estou mal-humorado'.
In Public Transport: Commuting in major cities like Rio or Porto can be stressful. People often describe the crowd or the drivers as 'mal-humorados' due to the heat and the delays.
In TV Soap Operas (Novelas): Novelas are a staple of Lusophone culture. There is almost always a 'personagem mal-humorado'—the classic antagonist or the grumpy old relative who provides comic relief through their constant complaining.

O motorista de ônibus estava tão mal-humorado que nem respondeu ao meu 'bom dia'.

Translation: The bus driver was so grumpy that he didn't even respond to my 'good morning'.

You will also hear this word in psychological contexts. Brazilian culture, in particular, has a strong focus on mental health and emotional expression. A therapist might ask, 'Você tem se sentido mal-humorado ultimamente?' (Have you been feeling grumpy lately?) to gauge a patient's emotional state. It's a word that bridges the gap between a simple 'annoyance' and a more significant 'temperamental issue'.

Não leve a sério o que ele diz quando está mal-humorado.

Translation: Don't take seriously what he says when he is grumpy.

Social media also plays a role. Memes about being 'mal-humorado' on Mondays (segunda-feira) are incredibly popular. You'll see images of grumpy cats or tired characters with captions like 'Eu, toda segunda-feira, mal-humorada e com sono'. This shows how the word is used to build solidarity over shared negative experiences.

A secretária é muito eficiente, mas sempre parece mal-humorada.

Translation: The secretary is very efficient, but she always seems grumpy.

Learning mal-humorado involves navigating a few linguistic traps. Because it is a compound word, it is subject to specific spelling and grammar rules that even native speakers sometimes trip over. Here are the most common pitfalls for English speakers and how to avoid them.

Mal vs. Mau: The most frequent error is confusing 'mal' with 'mau'. 'Mal' is an adverb (the opposite of 'bem'), while 'mau' is an adjective (the opposite of 'bom'). In 'mal-humorado', we use 'mal' because it modifies the adjective 'humorado'. However, if you use the noun 'humor', you must use 'mau': 'Ele está de mau humor'. A quick trick: if you can replace it with 'bem', use 'mal'. If you can replace it with 'bom', use 'mau'.
Hyphenation Confusion: Since the 1990 Orthographic Agreement, many hyphens were removed. However, 'mal-' keeps the hyphen when followed by 'h' or a vowel. Writing 'malhumorado' (without the hyphen) is a common spelling mistake.
Gender Agreement with 'Meio': When you want to say 'a bit grumpy', you use 'meio'. Many learners mistakenly change 'meio' to 'meia' when the subject is female. Correct: 'Ela está meio mal-humorada'. Incorrect: 'Ela está meia mal-humorada' (this would mean she is 'half a grumpy woman' or 'a grumpy sock').

Incorrect: Ele está de mal humor.
Correct: Ele está de mau humor.

Another mistake is using 'mal-humorado' when you actually mean 'angry' (bravo/com raiva). While a grumpy person might eventually get angry, 'mal-humorado' is more about a state of dissatisfaction and irritability rather than an outburst of rage. If someone is shouting, 'mal-humorado' is too weak a word; you should use 'furioso' or 'irritado'.

Incorrect: Ela é mal-humorado.
Correct: Ela é mal-humorada.

Always match the gender of the person you are describing.

Finally, avoid literal translations of English idioms. Don't say 'Ele acordou no lado errado da cama' (He woke up on the wrong side of the bed). While understood, the more natural Portuguese equivalent is 'Ele acordou com o pé esquerdo' (He woke up with the left foot) or simply 'Ele acordou mal-humorado'.

Portuguese is a rich language with many synonyms for 'grumpy', each carrying a slightly different nuance. Depending on whether the person is old, young, temporarily annoyed, or perpetually bitter, you might choose a different word than mal-humorado.

Rabugento: Often used for older people. It implies someone who grumbles and complains about everything. It's the perfect translation for 'crotchety'.
Ranzinza: Similar to 'rabugento', but focuses more on being difficult to please or having a sour disposition. It's often used affectionately for a 'lovable grump'.
Azedo: Literally 'sour'. This describes someone whose bad mood makes them unpleasant to be around. 'Ele está azedo hoje' means his attitude is sharp and unpleasant.
Irritadiço: Describes someone who is easily irritated. It's more about the 'trigger-happy' nature of their bad mood.

Meu avô ficou ranzinza com a idade, mas ele ainda é muito gentil.

Translation: My grandfather became grumpy with age, but he is still very kind.

In slang, particularly in Brazil, you might hear 'estar de bode' (to be in a 'goat' mood), which means being bored, grumpy, or unenthusiastic. Another common slang term is 'estar virado no Jiraiya' (to be turned into Jiraiya, a Japanese ninja character), which implies being extremely angry or irritable, though this is much more intense than just 'mal-humorado'.

Pare de ser tão rabugento e aproveite a festa!

Translation: Stop being so grumpy and enjoy the party!

For formal writing, you might use 'displicente' or 'indisposto', though these have slightly different meanings. 'Indisposto' often refers to physical malaise that leads to a bad mood. If you want to describe a collective mood, you might say 'o clima está pesado' (the atmosphere is heavy), which often implies that everyone is 'mal-humorado'.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The concept of 'humors' is why we use the word 'humor' to mean both 'funny' and 'mood'. A 'mal-humorado' person was once thought to have an imbalance of these fluids, specifically too much black bile (melancholy).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˌmæl ʊ.mʊ.ˈɾa.dʊ/

US /ˌmaw u.mu.ˈɾa.du/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'ra'. MAL-hu-mo-RA-do.

Reimt sich auf

Apaixonado Cansado Engraçado Obrigado Salgado Gelado Passado Cuidado

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'h' (it should be silent).
Forgetting to change the ending to 'a' for females.
Pronouncing the 'l' in 'mal' as an English 'l' instead of a 'w' (in Brazil).
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., saying 'mal-HU-morado').
Not linking the 'l' of 'mal' with the 'u' of 'humorado' in smooth speech.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'mal' prefix and 'humor' root.

Schreiben 4/5

Tricky due to the mandatory hyphen and the 'mal' vs 'mau' distinction.

Sprechen 3/5

Requires correct gender agreement and silent 'h' pronunciation.

Hören 2/5

Usually clear, though the 'l' in 'mal' varies by dialect.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

Mal Humor Estar Ser Muito

Als Nächstes lernen

Bem-humorado Irritado Ranzinza Personalidade Sentimentos

Fortgeschritten

Melancolia Temperamento Idiossincrasia Bilioso Sorumbático

Wichtige Grammatik

Hyphenation with 'Mal-'

Use hyphen before 'h' or vowels: mal-humorado, mal-educado.

Ser vs Estar with Moods

Ser mal-humorado (trait) vs Estar mal-humorado (state).

Adjective Gender Agreement

Ele é mal-humorado / Ela é mal-humorada.

Adjective Number Agreement

Eles são mal-humorados / Elas são mal-humoradas.

Mal (Adverb) vs Mau (Adjective)

Mal-humorado (adverb + adjective) vs Mau humor (adjective + noun).

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

Eu estou mal-humorado.

I am grumpy.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Você está mal-humorada?

Are you (female) grumpy?

Feminine agreement: mal-humorada.

Ele não está mal-humorado.

He is not grumpy.

Negation with 'não'.

O gato está mal-humorado.

The cat is grumpy.

Adjective modifying a masculine noun.

Hoje eu acordei mal-humorado.

Today I woke up grumpy.

Adverbial use with 'acordar'.

Ela é mal-humorada.

She is (a) grumpy (person).

Uses 'ser' for a personality trait.

Nós estamos mal-humorados.

We are grumpy.

Plural agreement: mal-humorados.

Por que você está mal-humorado?

Why are you grumpy?

Question structure.

O meu chefe é muito mal-humorado.

My boss is very grumpy.

Adverb of intensity 'muito'.

Ela fica mal-humorada quando tem fome.

She gets grumpy when she is hungry.

Verb 'ficar' indicates a change of state.

Eles são vizinhos mal-humorados.

They are grumpy neighbors.

Plural adjective agreement.

Eu estou um pouco mal-humorado hoje.

I am a bit grumpy today.

'Um pouco' as a modifier.

Não fale com ele, ele está mal-humorado.

Don't talk to him, he is grumpy.

Imperative 'não fale'.

A professora estava mal-humorada na aula.

The teacher was grumpy in class.

Past tense (imperfeito) of 'estar'.

O café me ajuda quando estou mal-humorado.

Coffee helps me when I am grumpy.

Subordinate clause with 'quando'.

Que homem mal-humorado!

What a grumpy man!

Exclamatory sentence with 'que'.

Se eu não dormir bem, fico mal-humorado.

If I don't sleep well, I get grumpy.

Conditional sentence.

Apesar do sol, ele parecia mal-humorado.

Despite the sun, he seemed grumpy.

Concessive conjunction 'apesar de'.

Ele sempre foi um homem mal-humorado e solitário.

He was always a grumpy and lonely man.

Compound adjectives.

Ela tentou não parecer mal-humorada na festa.

She tried not to seem grumpy at the party.

Infinitive after 'tentar'.

O resultado do jogo deixou todos mal-humorados.

The game result left everyone grumpy.

Verb 'deixar' + object + adjective.

Eu não gosto de pessoas mal-humoradas.

I don't like grumpy people.

Direct object with plural adjective.

Ele pediu desculpas por estar mal-humorado.

He apologized for being grumpy.

Preposition 'por' + gerund/infinitive.

A secretária estava tão mal-humorada que ninguém queria entrar.

The secretary was so grumpy that no one wanted to enter.

Consecutive clause with 'tão... que'.

É difícil conviver com alguém tão mal-humorado.

It's hard to live with someone so grumpy.

Impersonal 'é difícil' + infinitive.

O ator interpretou um personagem mal-humorado e ranzinza.

The actor played a grumpy and crotchety character.

Synonym pairing for emphasis.

Duvido que ela fique mal-humorada com esse presente.

I doubt she will get grumpy with this gift.

Subjunctive mood after 'duvido que'.

Embora estivesse mal-humorado, ele foi educado.

Although he was grumpy, he was polite.

Conjunction 'embora' with subjunctive.

A sua atitude mal-humorada está afetando a equipe.

Your grumpy attitude is affecting the team.

Adjective modifying 'atitude'.

Não seja tão mal-humorado, a vida é curta!

Don't be so grumpy, life is short!

Negative imperative 'não seja'.

Ele é o tipo de pessoa que acorda mal-humorada todos os dias.

He is the type of person who wakes up grumpy every day.

Relative clause.

O clima ficou mal-humorado depois da notícia.

The mood became grumpy after the news.

Metaphorical use for 'clima' (atmosphere).

Sua disposição mal-humorada é apenas uma fachada para a tristeza.

His grumpy disposition is just a facade for sadness.

Complex noun phrase.

O autor descreve o protagonista como um ser cronicamente mal-humorado.

The author describes the protagonist as a chronically grumpy being.

Adverb 'cronicamente' modifying the adjective.

Caso ele apareça mal-humorado, é melhor adiar a conversa.

In case he shows up grumpy, it's better to postpone the conversation.

Conditional 'caso' with subjunctive.

A crônica aborda o comportamento mal-humorado dos habitantes da cidade.

The chronicle addresses the grumpy behavior of the city's inhabitants.

Formal vocabulary like 'crônica' and 'aborda'.

Nada justifica que você trate os outros de forma mal-humorada.

Nothing justifies you treating others in a grumpy manner.

Subjunctive after 'justifica que'.

O inverno rigoroso deixou a população mal-humorada.

The harsh winter left the population grumpy.

Causal relationship.

Ele reagiu com um silêncio mal-humorado.

He reacted with a grumpy silence.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun.

Apesar de sua fama de mal-humorado, ele é muito generoso.

Despite his reputation for being grumpy, he is very generous.

Noun phrase 'fama de mal-humorado'.

A ontologia do personagem é intrinsecamente mal-humorada.

The character's ontology is intrinsically grumpy.

High-level academic vocabulary.

O texto transparece uma visão de mundo mal-humorada e niilista.

The text reveals a grumpy and nihilistic worldview.

Literary analysis terms.

Sob a égide de um mestre mal-humorado, ele aprendeu a resiliência.

Under the aegis of a grumpy master, he learned resilience.

Archaic/Formal 'sob a égide'.

A sonoridade da palavra 'mal-humorado' evoca a própria irritação que descreve.

The sound of the word 'mal-humorado' evokes the very irritation it describes.

Linguistic reflection.

Seria redutor classificar sua melancolia apenas como um estado mal-humorado.

It would be reductive to classify his melancholy merely as a grumpy state.

Complex conditional and speculative tone.

O sarcasmo mal-humorado tornou-se sua marca registrada na imprensa.

Grumpy sarcasm became his trademark in the press.

Substantivized concept.

A intertextualidade da obra remete a outros heróis mal-humorados da literatura.

The work's intertextuality refers to other grumpy heroes in literature.

Literary theory terminology.

A despeito de seu semblante mal-humorado, havia uma centelha de humor em seus olhos.

In spite of his grumpy countenance, there was a spark of humor in his eyes.

Sophisticated 'a despeito de' and 'semblante'.

Synonyme

Rabugento Ranzinza Azedo Irritadiço Amargo Sorumbático Enfezado Colérico

Gegenteile

Bem-humorado Alegre Contente Radiante

Häufige Kollokationen

Acordar mal-humorado

Estar extremamente mal-humorado

Chefe mal-humorado

Ficar mal-humorado

Parecer mal-humorado

Pessoa mal-humorada

Um pouco mal-humorado

Sempre mal-humorado

Viver mal-humorado

Gato mal-humorado

Häufige Phrasen

Não seja mal-humorado!

— A common command telling someone to cheer up or stop being grumpy.

Não seja mal-humorado, vamos nos divertir!

Ele é um mal-humorado de galocha.

— An idiomatic way to say someone is extremely or deeply grumpy.

O meu tio é um mal-humorado de galocha.

Acordar com o pé esquerdo.

— To wake up in a bad mood (literally 'with the left foot').

Hoje eu acordei com o pé esquerdo e estou muito mal-humorado.

Estar de ovo virado.

— A Brazilian slang for being in a terrible, unpredictable bad mood.

Cuidado, a patroa está de ovo virado hoje.

Mau humor matinal.

— Morning grumpiness, a very common condition.

Eu sofro de mau humor matinal crônico.

Cara de poucos amigos.

— A 'face of few friends', meaning a grumpy or unfriendly expression.

Ele está com uma cara de poucos amigos hoje.

Estar com a macaca.

— To be very irritable or in a bad mood (older slang).

Ela está com a macaca hoje, melhor nem falar com ela.

Dar um fora mal-humorado.

— To give a grumpy or rude rejection/reply.

Ele me deu um fora mal-humorado quando pedi ajuda.

O rei do mau humor.

— The 'king of bad mood', used for someone who is always grumpy.

Lá vem o rei do mau humor.

Humor de cão.

— To be in a 'dog's mood', meaning very bad-tempered.

O chefe está com um humor de cão hoje.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

mal-humorado vs Mau humor

This is the noun phrase. You 'está de mau humor' (are in a bad mood) but you 'é mal-humorado' (are a grumpy person).

mal-humorado vs Bravo

Bravo means angry or brave. Mal-humorado is specifically about mood and irritability, not necessarily active anger.

mal-humorado vs Triste

Triste means sad. You can be sad without being grumpy, and vice versa.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Acordar com os azeites"

— Mainly used in Portugal to mean waking up in a bad mood.

Hoje o João acordou com os azeites.

Informal (Portugal)

"Estar com os sete costados"

— To be very angry or grumpy.

Ele está com os sete costados hoje.

Regional/Old-fashioned

"Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha"

— While usually meaning 'suspicious', it can lead to being 'mal-humorado' due to worry.

A notícia deixou-o mal-humorado e com a pulga atrás da orelha.

Colloquial

"Estar de trombas"

— To be sulking or looking grumpy (literally 'with trunks').

Por que você está de trombas?

Informal

"Virado no bicho"

— To be extremely irritable or aggressive.

Ele chegou em casa virado no bicho.

Slang (Brazil)

"Com a pá virada"

— In a bad mood or looking for a fight.

Ela está com a pá virada hoje, cuidado.

Informal

"Fazer bico"

— To pout or sulk because of a bad mood.

A criança está fazendo bico porque está mal-humorada.

Informal

"Estar com os parafusos soltos"

— Usually means 'crazy', but can describe erratic, grumpy behavior.

Aquele mal-humorado deve estar com os parafusos soltos.

Colloquial

"Pisar em ovos"

— To walk on eggshells around someone who is mal-humorado.

Temos que pisar em ovos quando ele está mal-humorado.

Common

"Dar um gelo"

— To give the cold shoulder because of a bad mood.

Ela está mal-humorada e me deu um gelo.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

mal-humorado vs Mau

Sounds similar to 'mal'.

'Mau' is an adjective (bad) and 'mal' is an adverb (badly). Since 'humorado' is an adjective, it needs the adverb 'mal'.

Um mau exemplo (A bad example) vs. Mal-humorado (Badly humored).

mal-humorado vs Indisposto

Often used when someone is in a bad mood.

Indisposto usually implies physical unwellness (nausea, headache) which *leads* to a bad mood, whereas mal-humorado is the mood itself.

Estou indisposto, acho que comi algo ruim.

mal-humorado vs Irritado

Close synonyms.

Irritado is more acute and usually has a specific cause. Mal-humorado can be a general, vague state.

Estou irritado com esse barulho!

mal-humorado vs Sério

People often mistake a serious person for a grumpy one.

Sério means 'serious'. A person can be serious but very kind and well-humored.

Ele é um homem sério, mas não é mal-humorado.

mal-humorado vs Chato

Both are negative traits.

Chato means 'annoying' or 'boring'. A mal-humorado person might be chato, but they aren't the same thing.

Esse filme é muito chato.

Satzmuster

[Subject] + estar + mal-humorado.

Eu estou mal-humorado.

[Subject] + acordar + mal-humorado.

Ele acordou mal-humorado.

[Subject] + ficar + mal-humorado + por causa de + [Reason].

Ela ficou mal-humorada por causa da chuva.

É difícil + [Infinitive] + com alguém + mal-humorado.

É difícil trabalhar com alguém mal-humorado.

Apesar de + [Infinitive/Gerund] + mal-humorado, [Clause].

Apesar de estar mal-humorado, ele ajudou a todos.

O [Noun] + mal-humorado + de [Subject] + [Verb].

O silêncio mal-humorado de Paulo incomodava a todos.

Não seja + mal-humorado!

Não seja mal-humorado!

Sempre que + [Subject] + [Verb], fica mal-humorado.

Sempre que ele perde, fica mal-humorado.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Mau humor (Bad mood)

Humor (Mood/Humor)

Humorado (State of having a mood)

Verben

Humorar (Rarely used, to put in a mood)

Deshumorar (To take out of a mood)

Adjektive

Mal-humorado (Bad-humored)

Bem-humorado (Good-humored)

Humorado (Humored)

Verwandt

Humorista

Humorístico

Humoral

Humorismo

Mal

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

High in daily conversation and literature.

Häufige Fehler

Writing 'malhumorado' without a hyphen. → mal-humorado
Compound words with 'mal-' require a hyphen when the next word starts with 'h'.
Using 'mal humor' instead of 'mau humor'. → mau humor
'Humor' is a noun, so it needs the adjective 'mau'. 'Mal' is an adverb.
Saying 'Ela está meia mal-humorada'. → Ela está meio mal-humorada.
When 'meio' means 'somewhat', it is an adverb and remains invariable (masculine).
Pronouncing the 'h' in 'humorado'. → mal-umorado
The letter 'h' is always silent in Portuguese.
Using 'mal-humorado' to mean 'sick'. → mal-disposto / doente
While a sick person might be grumpy, 'mal-humorado' only refers to the mood, not the physical health.

Tipps

The Hyphen Rule

Remember: Mal + H = Hyphen. Since 'humorado' starts with 'H', you must use the hyphen. This applies to all words starting with 'mal-' followed by 'h' or a vowel.

Ser vs Estar

If you want to insult someone's personality, use 'ser'. If you want to describe how they feel today, use 'estar'. This is a vital distinction in Portuguese.

Mau vs Mal

Use 'mal' with adjectives (mal-humorado) and 'mau' with nouns (mau humor). A quick check: Mal is the opposite of Bem; Mau is the opposite of Bom.

Silent H

Don't be tempted to breathe out the 'h'. It's completely silent. Focus on the transition from the 'l' (or 'w' sound) to the 'u'.

Morning Moods

Brazilians often use 'mal-humorado' to excuse their behavior before they've had coffee. It's a socially acceptable excuse for not being chatty in the morning.

Slang Alternatives

In informal Brazil, try 'tá de bode'. It makes you sound more like a local than just using the standard 'mal-humorado'.

Adverbial Modification

Use 'meio' to say 'kind of'. Example: 'Ela está meio mal-humorada'. Remember 'meio' doesn't change gender here because it's an adverb.

Regional Accents

In Portugal, the 'l' in 'mal' is clear. In Brazil, it sounds like a 'u'. Be prepared to hear both versions in movies or music.

The Villain Trick

Associate 'Mal' with 'Maleficent'. She is the queen of being mal-humorada. If you feel like a villain, you are mal-humorado.

Softening the Blow

If you need to tell someone they are grumpy without being too mean, use 'um pouco' (a little) or 'parece' (seems).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Mal' as 'Maleficent' (the villain) and 'Humorado' as 'Humor'. Maleficent has a very bad humor, so she is 'mal-humorado'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a dark cloud (Mal) hanging over a person's head (Humorado). The cloud makes them grumpy.

Word Web

Mal Humor Estar Ser Grumpy Irritado Rabugento Bem-humorado

Herausforderung

Try to describe three different things that make you 'mal-humorado' using the structure: 'Eu fico mal-humorado quando...'

Wortherkunft

The word is a compound of the Portuguese adverb 'mal' and the adjective 'humorado'. 'Mal' comes from the Latin 'male', meaning 'badly'. 'Humorado' comes from 'humor', which originates from the Latin 'humorem', meaning 'liquid' or 'fluid'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: In ancient and medieval medicine, the 'humors' were the four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) that were thought to determine a person's health and temperament.

Romance (Latin-based).

Kultureller Kontext

Calling someone 'mal-humorado' can be seen as an insult if they are actually suffering from clinical depression. Use with care in sensitive situations.

Similar to 'grumpy' or 'bad-tempered' in English. The usage is almost identical in social contexts.

Zangado (Grumpy) from 'Branca de Neve' (Snow White). Oscar the Grouch (translated as Gugu in some versions, but described as mal-humorado). Ebenezer Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At Work

O chefe está mal-humorado.
Reunião com gente mal-humorada.
Ambiente mal-humorado.
Não ligue para o tom mal-humorado dele.

At Home

Acordei mal-humorado.
Por que você está mal-humorada?
As crianças estão mal-humoradas.
Marido mal-humorado.

In the Morning

Mau humor matinal.
Ainda estou mal-humorado.
Café para o mal-humorado.
Ele é sempre mal-humorado de manhã.

Socializing

Não seja mal-humorado!
Festa cheia de gente mal-humorada.
Ele ficou mal-humorado com a piada.
Parecer mal-humorado.

Health/Wellbeing

Sentir-se mal-humorado.
TPM deixa ela mal-humorada.
Fome me deixa mal-humorado.
Cansaço e estado mal-humorado.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você costuma acordar mal-humorado ou bem-humorado?"

"O que te deixa mais mal-humorado durante o dia?"

"Você conhece alguém que é cronicamente mal-humorado?"

"Como você lida com um chefe mal-humorado?"

"Você acha que o clima afeta o seu estado mal-humorado?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva a última vez que você se sentiu extremamente mal-humorado. O que causou isso?

Como você tenta mudar seu humor quando percebe que está mal-humorado?

Escreva sobre um personagem de um livro ou filme que é famoso por ser mal-humorado.

Você acha que é possível ser produtivo mesmo estando mal-humorado? Explique.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre estar mal-humorado e estar triste.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is a compound word written with a hyphen: 'mal-humorado'. In Portuguese, 'mal' always takes a hyphen before 'h'. Examples: mal-habituado, mal-humorado.

The feminine is 'mal-humorada'. Example: 'Minha irmã está mal-humorada hoje'. Always match the gender of the subject.

'Mal-humorado' is best for a general bad mood or a grumpy personality. 'Irritado' is better when someone is specifically annoyed by something right now. Example: 'Ele está mal-humorado de manhã' vs 'Estou irritado com este atraso'.

No, you should say 'mau humor'. 'Mau' is the adjective that modifies the noun 'humor'. 'Mal' is the adverb used in the compound adjective 'mal-humorado'.

It is not a swear word, but it is a negative description. Calling someone 'mal-humorado' to their face might be seen as confrontational or rude depending on your relationship.

You can say 'Estou mal-humorado' or 'Estou de mau humor'. Both are perfectly natural and common.

The plural is 'mal-humorados' (masculine) or 'mal-humoradas' (feminine). Example: 'Eles estão mal-humorados hoje'.

Yes, in Portuguese, the letter 'h' is always silent at the beginning of words. You pronounce it as 'mal-umorado'.

Yes! It is very common to describe a 'gato mal-humorado' (grumpy cat) or a 'cachorro mal-humorado'.

The direct opposite is 'bem-humorado' (good-humored). It follows the same grammar and hyphenation rules.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen