Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective #11,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

melancólica

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps melancólica in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung melancólica in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'melancólica' as a word for 'sad' that is used for feminine things. You might see it in simple descriptions of music or people. It is important to know that it is the feminine form of 'melancólico'. You can use it simply: 'A música é melancólica' (The music is melancholic). Focus on the gender agreement (ending in -a) and the fact that it means a more serious or deep kind of sadness than just 'triste'. At this stage, just think of it as a fancy way to say sad for things like songs and stories.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you start to understand the difference between 'triste' and 'melancólica'. You use 'melancólica' to describe moods, songs, and atmospheres. You should be able to use it with 'ser' (for traits) and 'estar' (for feelings). For example, 'Ela está melancólica hoje' (She is feeling melancholic today). You also learn to form the plural: 'as músicas melancólicas'. You begin to see this word in short stories or when people talk about their favorite Fado songs or rainy weather. It's a great word to add variety to your descriptions of emotions.

At the B1 level, you use 'melancólica' to express more complex thoughts. You understand that it carries a sense of reflection and nostalgia. You can use it in comparisons: 'Este livro é mais melancólico do que o anterior'. You also start to recognize it in more formal contexts, like news articles or art reviews. You are comfortable with the gender and number agreement and can use it spontaneously in conversation to describe a vibe or a personality. You might also start using the adverb form 'melancolicamente' to describe how someone is acting.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you appreciate the cultural weight of 'melancólica' in Portuguese-speaking cultures. You understand its link to 'saudade' and how it is used in literature to create a specific atmosphere. You can use it to describe abstract concepts like 'uma beleza melancólica' (a melancholic beauty). You are able to discuss the nuances between 'melancólica', 'saudosa', and 'deprimida' without hesitation. Your usage is precise, and you can use the word to add emotional depth to your writing and speaking, especially when discussing art, history, or personal experiences.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you use 'melancólica' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its etymological roots and how it has been used by great Portuguese writers like Fernando Pessoa. You can use it in highly formal or academic settings to describe a temperament or a historical period (e.g., 'a atmosfera melancólica do pós-guerra'). You recognize the word's ability to evoke a specific aesthetic and use it to craft sophisticated narratives. You also understand how the word can be used ironically or in complex metaphors in poetry and advanced prose.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, 'melancólica' is a tool for philosophical and artistic expression. You can discuss the 'melancholic condition' in a psychological or existential sense. You understand the subtle differences in how the word is used in European Portuguese versus Brazilian Portuguese or African Portuguese contexts. You can play with the word in creative writing, using its rhythm and sound to enhance your style. You are fully aware of its historical connotations with the 'four humors' and can use it to analyze classic texts or contemporary cultural phenomena with deep insight.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

melancólica in 30 Sekunden

Melancólica is a Portuguese adjective meaning melancholic or pensively sad.
It is the feminine singular form and must agree with feminine nouns.
It is often used to describe music, moods, atmospheres, and artistic expressions.
Culturally, it is linked to the Portuguese concept of saudade and emotional depth.

The Portuguese word melancólica is the feminine singular form of the adjective used to describe a specific type of sadness—one that is pensive, reflective, and often beautiful in its depth. Unlike the simple word 'triste' (sad), which can describe a momentary feeling of unhappiness, melancólica suggests a lingering state of being or a quality inherent in something, like a piece of music or a rainy afternoon. In Portuguese culture, this word is deeply respected because it aligns with the national concept of saudade, a complex emotional state of nostalgic longing. When you describe a woman, a song, or a landscape as melancólica, you are acknowledging a sophisticated layer of emotion that transcends basic grief.

Emotional Depth: It refers to a sadness that is quiet and thoughtful rather than loud or angry. It is often associated with introspection and artistic expression.

A melodia de Fado era tão melancólica que todos no restaurante ficaram em silêncio.

The usage of melancólica is strictly feminine in this form. In Portuguese, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Therefore, you use melancólica when describing feminine nouns like 'música' (music), 'pessoa' (person), 'tarde' (afternoon), or 'alma' (soul). If you were describing a masculine noun like 'filme' (movie) or 'homem' (man), you would use the masculine form, melancólico. This distinction is vital for learners to master early on. The word is frequently found in literature, song lyrics, and formal conversations where emotions are discussed with nuance.

Aesthetic Usage: It is often used to describe art, photography, or cinema that evokes a sense of longing or gentle despair.

Ela tem uma expressão melancólica nas fotos antigas.

Culturally, the Portuguese-speaking world embraces melancholy as a source of inspiration. From the poetry of Fernando Pessoa to the soulful strings of a Portuguese guitar, being melancólica is not necessarily a negative trait. It is seen as a sign of a deep soul and a reflective mind. In Brazil, while the culture is often perceived as exuberant, there is a strong tradition of 'bossa nova' which frequently utilizes a melancólica tone to convey the sweetness of passing time and lost love.

Contextual Nuance: While 'triste' is common for everyday sadness, 'melancólica' is reserved for a more profound, often existential, type of feeling.

A chuva de outono traz uma atmosfera melancólica para a cidade.

Sua voz melancólica ressoava por toda a catedral.

Using melancólica correctly requires attention to the noun it modifies. In Portuguese, the adjective usually follows the noun, though placing it before can sometimes add a poetic or literary flair. For example, 'uma melodia melancólica' is standard, while 'uma melancólica melodia' sounds more like something from a classic novel or a song lyric. As an A2 learner, sticking to the [Noun + Adjective] pattern is safer and more natural in daily conversation.

Describing People: When describing a person, use the verb 'ser' for a permanent personality trait and 'estar' for a temporary state.

Ela é uma pessoa melancólica por natureza. (She is a melancholic person by nature.)

If you want to say she is feeling melancholic right now, you would say: 'Ela está melancólica hoje'. This distinction between 'ser' and 'estar' is crucial in Portuguese. Additionally, you can use intensifiers like 'muito' (very) or 'bastante' (quite) to modify the degree of the adjective. For instance, 'A paisagem está muito melancólica' (The landscape is very melancholic). Notice how 'melancólica' remains feminine because 'paisagem' is a feminine noun.

Describing Abstract Concepts: Abstract nouns like 'beleza' (beauty) or 'ausência' (absence) often pair well with this adjective to create evocative descriptions.

Havia uma beleza melancólica naquela casa abandonada.

When using it in questions, the structure remains the same. 'Por que você está tão melancólica?' (Why are you so melancholic? - addressed to a woman). In plural forms, remember to add an 's': 'As canções melancólicas'. This agreement is a frequent stumbling block for English speakers, as English adjectives never change form. Practicing these agreements with common feminine nouns will build your fluency.

Comparative and Superlative: You can compare states: 'Esta música é mais melancólica do que a outra'.

Esta é a obra mais melancólica da artista.

A carta era melancólica e cheia de lembranças.

You will encounter melancólica in various contexts across the Portuguese-speaking world. In Portugal, it is almost synonymous with the spirit of Fado music. If you visit a 'Casa de Fado' in Lisbon's Alfama district, you will hear people describing the singer's voice or the guitar's melody as melancólica. It is a term of high praise in this context, indicating that the performer has successfully captured the deep, soulful essence of the music.

In Literature and Media: Book reviews, film critiques, and art descriptions frequently use this word to set a tone.

O crítico descreveu a cena final como profundamente melancólica.

In Brazil, you might hear this word in the context of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). While Brazil is known for Samba, many iconic songs by artists like Tom Jobim or Caetano Veloso carry a melancólica undertone. In daily life, Brazilians might use it to describe a rainy Sunday afternoon ('domingo melancólico') or a feeling of missing home. It is a word used by people of all ages, though it carries a slightly more sophisticated or 'culto' (educated) vibe than simply saying 'triste'.

In Personal Conversations: Friends might use it when discussing their feelings or reacting to a piece of news that is sad but reflective.

Ela ficou melancólica depois de ler o diário da avó.

In news broadcasts or documentaries, you might hear it when a narrator describes the decline of a historic neighborhood or the end of an era. It adds a layer of emotional weight that a simpler adjective would lack. For example, 'a despedida melancólica do antigo porto' (the melancholic farewell of the old port). Understanding this word allows you to tap into the emotional frequency of the language that goes beyond basic survival Portuguese.

In Psychology and Health: While not a clinical term in everyday use, it can appear in discussions about temperament or mood.

Sua personalidade melancólica faz dela uma excelente poeta.

A cidade tem uma aura melancólica durante o inverno.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with melancólica is failing to adjust the ending for gender. In English, 'melancholic' works for everything. In Portuguese, you must use melancólica for feminine nouns and melancólico for masculine ones. Forgetting this is a dead giveaway of a non-native speaker. For example, saying 'o homem melancólica' is incorrect; it must be 'o homem melancólico'.

Gender Agreement Error: Incorrect: A música é melancólico. Correct: A música é melancólica.

Não diga 'uma tarde melancólico'; o correto é 'uma tarde melancólica'.

Another common error is the pronunciation and placement of the stress. Many learners try to put the stress on the 'lan' or the 'ca'. However, the acute accent on the 'ó' tells you exactly where the stress belongs: me-lan-CÓ-li-ca. If you misplace the stress, the word becomes difficult for native speakers to recognize. Practice saying it slowly, emphasizing the third-to-last syllable (the proparoxytone).

Misplaced Accent: Failing to write the accent in 'melancólica' is a spelling error that changes how the word is read.

Lembre-se do acento: melancólica, não melancolica.

Learners also sometimes confuse melancólica with 'triste' or 'deprimida'. While they are related, melancólica implies a specific poetic or reflective quality. Using 'deprimida' (depressed) suggests a clinical or much heavier state, whereas melancólica can actually be a pleasant, bittersweet feeling. Don't use 'melancólica' if you just mean someone is having a bad day because they lost their keys; use it for deeper, more lasting moods.

Overuse in Casual Situations: Using this word for trivial matters can sound overly dramatic. Keep it for meaningful emotions.

Ela estava melancólica ao olhar para o mar em silêncio.

A história tem uma conclusão melancólica.

If you find melancólica too formal or heavy, there are several alternatives depending on the context. The most common is 'triste', which is the general word for sad. If the sadness involves missing something or someone, 'saudosa' is a beautiful and very Portuguese alternative. If the feeling is more about being discouraged or low-spirited, 'abatida' or 'desanimada' might be better choices.

Melancólica vs. Saudosa: Melancólica is a general state of pensive sadness; Saudosa specifically implies that the sadness comes from longing for the past.

Ela estava saudosa da sua terra natal. (She was nostalgic for her homeland.)

In literary contexts, you might see 'taciturna' (taciturn/gloomy) or 'sombria' (somber). These words add different textures. 'Taciturna' suggests a person who is silent and withdrawn because of their melancholy. 'Sombria' suggests a more dark or ominous tone. For describing music or art, 'nostálgica' is a very close synonym that English speakers will find easy to remember, though it lacks the specific 'black bile' historical depth of melancólica.

Melancólica vs. Triste: Triste is simple and direct. Melancólica is poetic, lingering, and often more complex.

O filme não era apenas triste, era uma experiência melancólica.

For a more informal way to say someone is 'down', you could use 'na bad' (slang in Brazil, borrowed from English) or 'borocoxô' (a fun, older Brazilian term for being a bit down in the dumps). However, melancólica remains the most elegant and precise word for describing that specific, reflective sadness that is so central to the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) identity.

Melancólica vs. Deprimida: Deprimida is often a medical or clinical state; Melancólica is usually a mood or a character trait.

A tarde sombria combinava com seu humor.

Sua alma inquietamente melancólica buscava paz.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In ancient medicine, melancholy was believed to be caused by an excess of black bile, one of the four bodily humors. It was thought to make people creative but prone to sadness.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /mɛ.lɐ̃.ˈkɔ.li.kɐ/

US /me.lɐ̃.ˈkɔ.li.kə/

Proparoxytone (stressed on the antepenultimate syllable: 'có').

Reimt sich auf

católica apostólica simbólica hiperbólica parabólica metabólica diabólica bucólica

Häufige Fehler

Stressing the 'lan' syllable (me-LAN-co-li-ca).
Stressing the 'ca' syllable (me-lan-co-li-CA).
Failing to nasalize the 'an' sound.
Pronouncing the 'ó' as a closed 'o' sound.
Dropping the final 'a' sound.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'melancholic'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'ó' and the feminine ending.

Sprechen 4/5

The proparoxytone stress can be tricky for English speakers.

Hören 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

triste música mulher estar ser

Als Nächstes lernen

saudade nostalgia sentimento profundamente expressão

Fortgeschritten

taciturna lúgubre espleen atrabiliária hipocondríaca

Wichtige Grammatik

Gender Agreement

A (fem) música (fem) é melancólica (fem).

Proparoxytone Accents

All proparoxytone words in Portuguese must have an accent (e.g., melancólica, música, pássaro).

Adjective Placement

Usually follows the noun: 'tarde melancólica'.

Pluralization

Add -s: 'canções melancólicas'.

Adverb Formation

Add -mente to the feminine singular form: 'melancolicamente'.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

A música é melancólica.

The music is melancholic.

Feminine singular agreement with 'música'.

Ela é uma menina melancólica.

She is a melancholic girl.

Adjective follows the noun.

A tarde está melancólica.

The afternoon is melancholic.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Uma história melancólica.

A melancholic story.

Simple noun-adjective phrase.

A voz dela é melancólica.

Her voice is melancholic.

Feminine agreement with 'voz'.

Eu gosto de música melancólica.

I like melancholic music.

Direct object with adjective.

A gata parece melancólica.

The cat (female) seems melancholic.

Gender agreement with 'gata'.

Esta carta é melancólica.

This letter is melancholic.

Demonstrative 'esta' matches the feminine noun.

Ela ficou melancólica com a notícia.

She became melancholic with the news.

Verb 'ficar' used to show change of state.

As canções melancólicas são bonitas.

Melancholic songs are beautiful.

Plural feminine agreement: canções melancólicas.

Por que você está tão melancólica?

Why are you so melancholic?

Question addressed to a female.

Era uma noite fria e melancólica.

It was a cold and melancholic night.

Two adjectives modifying one noun.

Sua expressão melancólica me preocupa.

Your melancholic expression worries me.

Subject is 'expressão melancólica'.

Aquelas fotos são muito melancólicas.

Those photos are very melancholic.

Plural agreement with 'fotos'.

Sinto uma alegria melancólica hoje.

I feel a melancholic joy today.

Oxymoron usage: alegria melancólica.

A chuva traz uma atmosfera melancólica.

The rain brings a melancholic atmosphere.

Direct object with feminine agreement.

A obra de arte tem uma aura melancólica.

The artwork has a melancholic aura.

Describing abstract qualities of art.

Ela descreveu a viagem de forma melancólica.

She described the trip in a melancholic way.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma melancólica'.

A despedida foi silenciosa e melancólica.

The farewell was silent and melancholic.

Describing an event.

Sempre que chove, ela se sente melancólica.

Whenever it rains, she feels melancholic.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se'.

A cidade parece mais melancólica no inverno.

The city seems more melancholic in winter.

Comparative structure with 'mais'.

Sua poesia é profundamente melancólica.

Her poetry is deeply melancholic.

Using 'profundamente' as an intensifier.

Ela tem uma beleza melancólica e única.

She has a melancholic and unique beauty.

Multiple adjectives for 'beleza'.

A melodia melancólica ecoava pelo corredor.

The melancholic melody echoed through the hallway.

Subject-verb-prepositional phrase.

O fado é a expressão melancólica da alma portuguesa.

Fado is the melancholic expression of the Portuguese soul.

Cultural definition usage.

A narrativa torna-se melancólica no terceiro capítulo.

The narrative becomes melancholic in the third chapter.

Verb 'tornar-se' for gradual change.

Há uma certa doçura melancólica em suas palavras.

There is a certain melancholic sweetness in her words.

Describing abstract tone.

Ela vive uma existência melancólica e solitária.

She lives a melancholic and solitary existence.

Describing a lifestyle.

A luz do crepúsculo conferia uma cor melancólica ao mar.

The twilight light gave a melancholic color to the sea.

Literary description.

Sua interpretação da personagem foi bastante melancólica.

Her interpretation of the character was quite melancholic.

Describing a performance.

A melancólica constatação de que o tempo passa depressa.

The melancholic realization that time passes quickly.

Adjective preceding the noun for emphasis.

Ela prefere a solidão melancólica ao barulho das festas.

She prefers melancholic solitude to the noise of parties.

Contrastive usage.

A estética melancólica do filme remete ao expressionismo.

The melancholic aesthetic of the film refers back to expressionism.

Academic/Artistic context.

Sua escrita é permeada por uma melancólica ironia.

Her writing is permeated by a melancholic irony.

Complex abstract description.

A melancólica finitude das coisas é um tema recorrente.

The melancholic finitude of things is a recurring theme.

Existential usage.

Ela se perdeu em uma melancólica reflexão sobre o passado.

She lost herself in a melancholic reflection on the past.

Metaphorical usage.

A paisagem, outrora vibrante, agora jaz melancólica.

The landscape, once vibrant, now lies melancholic.

Literary verb 'jazer'.

O tom melancólico da missa afetou a todos os presentes.

The melancholic tone of the mass affected everyone present.

Describing atmosphere.

Ela carrega uma herança melancólica que transparece em seu olhar.

She carries a melancholic heritage that shows in her gaze.

Describing inherited traits.

A melancólica beleza das ruínas atraía muitos poetas.

The melancholic beauty of the ruins attracted many poets.

Pre-nominal adjective for poetic effect.

A subjetividade melancólica da protagonista é o cerne da obra.

The melancholic subjectivity of the protagonist is the core of the work.

Literary analysis.

O autor explora a melancólica desilusão da modernidade.

The author explores the melancholic disillusionment of modernity.

Sociological context.

Sua voz, tingida por uma melancólica resignação, calou a multidão.

Her voice, tinged by a melancholic resignation, silenced the crowd.

Highly descriptive prose.

A melancólica cadência de seus versos evoca um tempo perdido.

The melancholic cadence of her verses evokes a lost time.

Describing rhythm and meter.

Ela enfrentou a perda com uma dignidade melancólica.

She faced the loss with a melancholic dignity.

Describing character strength.

O crepúsculo de sua vida foi uma fase melancólica e reflexiva.

The twilight of her life was a melancholic and reflective phase.

Metaphor for old age.

A melancólica dialética entre o ser e o nada transparece em sua tese.

The melancholic dialectic between being and nothingness shows in her thesis.

Philosophical usage.

Ela personifica a figura melancólica da musa abandonada.

She personifies the melancholic figure of the abandoned muse.

Archetypal usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

música melancólica

tarde melancólica

voz melancólica

alma melancólica

atmosfera melancólica

beleza melancólica

expressão melancólica

poesia melancólica

lembrança melancólica

cidade melancólica

Häufige Phrasen

estar melancólica

— To be feeling melancholic right now.

Ela está melancólica desde que ele partiu.

ficar melancólica

— To become melancholic due to something.

Fico melancólica sempre que ouço esta canção.

uma nota melancólica

— A melancholic touch or element in something.

O filme termina com uma nota melancólica.

personalidade melancólica

— A melancholic temperament.

Sua personalidade melancólica é evidente em seus desenhos.

tom de voz melancólico

— A melancholic tone of voice.

Ele falou num tom melancólico.

olhar melancólico

— A melancholic look or gaze.

Ela lançou-lhe um olhar melancólico.

silêncio melancólico

— A melancholic silence.

Houve um silêncio melancólico após a notícia.

fim melancólico

— A melancholic ending.

O livro teve um fim melancólico.

beleza melancólica

— A beauty that evokes sadness.

Ela possui uma beleza melancólica.

chuva melancólica

— Rain that makes one feel sad.

A chuva melancólica batia no vidro.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

melancólica vs melancólico

This is the masculine form. Use it for 'o filme', 'o livro', 'o homem'.

melancólica vs melancolia

This is the noun (melancholy). Example: 'A melancolia dela é profunda'.

melancólica vs melancolicamente

This is the adverb (melancholically). Example: 'Ela sorriu melancolicamente'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"alma de fado"

— To have a soul that resonates with the melancholy of Fado music.

Ela canta como se tivesse uma alma de fado.

cultural

"enterrar a cabeça na areia"

— To ignore problems, which can lead to a melancholic state later.

Não adianta enterrar a cabeça na areia e ficar melancólica depois.

informal

"com o coração nas mãos"

— To be very anxious or sad, often leading to melancholy.

Ela esperou a notícia com o coração nas mãos e ficou melancólica.

informal

"ver o mundo a preto e branco"

— To have a pessimistic or melancholic view of life.

Desde o acidente, ela vê o mundo a preto e branco.

informal

"ter os pés na terra"

— To be realistic, sometimes used to contrast with a melancholic dreamer.

Ela precisa ter os pés na terra e não ser tão melancólica.

informal

"chorar sobre o leite derramado"

— To regret the past (leading to melancholy).

Não adianta chorar sobre o leite derramado e ficar melancólica.

informal

"dar tempo ao tempo"

— To let time heal the melancholy.

Você está melancólica agora, mas precisa dar tempo ao tempo.

neutral

"estar com os azeites"

— To be in a bad mood or slightly melancholic (Portugal).

Hoje ela está com os azeites, está muito melancólica.

slang

"fazer tempestade num copo de água"

— To overreact, sometimes creating unnecessary melancholy.

Ela está melancólica porque faz tempestade num copo de água.

informal

"cair o Carmo e a Trindade"

— Used when something catastrophic happens, causing great melancholy.

Quando ela soube, caiu o Carmo e a Trindade e ela ficou melancólica.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

melancólica vs nostálgica

Both involve a sense of sadness.

Nostálgica specifically requires a longing for the past. Melancólica can be a general mood without a specific object.

Ela está nostálgica pelos tempos de escola.

melancólica vs deprimida

Both describe being 'down'.

Deprimida is often clinical or implies a total lack of energy. Melancólica is more pensive and can be artistic.

Ela está deprimida e não consegue sair da cama.

melancólica vs triste

Both mean sad.

Triste is simple and common. Melancólica is more complex and sophisticated.

Estou triste porque perdi minha chave.

melancólica vs sombria

Both describe dark moods.

Sombria implies darkness, shadows, or something ominous. Melancólica is more about internal sorrow.

A sala estava sombria e assustadora.

melancólica vs abatida

Both describe a low state.

Abatida implies being physically or mentally worn out or discouraged.

Ela parece abatida depois de tanto trabalho.

Satzmuster

A [noun] é melancólica.

A música é melancólica.

Ela está [adverb] melancólica.

Ela está muito melancólica.

Sinto uma [noun] melancólica.

Sinto uma alegria melancólica.

Uma [noun] melancólica e [adjective].

Uma voz melancólica e doce.

A melancólica [noun] de...

A melancólica beleza das ruínas.

Tingida por uma melancólica [noun]...

Tingida por uma melancólica resignação.

All

Por que a [noun] é melancólica?

Por que a história é melancólica?

All

As [noun] são melancólicas.

As tardes são melancólicas.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

melancolia (melancholy)

Verben

melancolizar (to make or become melancholic)

Adjektive

melancólico (masculine form)

melancólicos (masculine plural)

melancólicas (feminine plural)

Verwandt

tristeza

saudade

nostalgia

abatimento

desânimo

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in literature, music, and descriptive speech; less common in very casual street talk.

Häufige Fehler

O homem é melancólica. → O homem é melancólico.
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun. 'Homem' is masculine.
A música é melancolico. → A música é melancólica.
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun. 'Música' is feminine.
Eu estou melancolica (without accent). → Eu estou melancólica.
The accent on the 'ó' is mandatory in Portuguese spelling.
As tardes são melancólica. → As tardes são melancólicas.
The adjective must also agree in number (plural).
Ela é melancolicamente. → Ela é melancólica.
'Melancolicamente' is an adverb; use the adjective to describe the person.

Tipps

Gender Agreement

Always match 'melancólica' with feminine nouns. For masculine nouns, use 'melancólico'.

The Stressed 'Ó'

The 'ó' with the acute accent is the loudest part of the word. Don't rush over it.

Beyond Sadness

Use this word when you want to describe a 'beautiful' or 'deep' sadness, especially in art.

The Fado Connection

If you are in Portugal, use this word to describe the feeling of Fado music; people will appreciate your nuance.

Poetic Flair

Try putting the adjective before the noun (e.g., 'a melancólica tarde') in creative writing for a more poetic effect.

Nasal 'An'

Pay attention to the nasal 'an' sound; it is a key feature of Portuguese phonology.

Cognate Help

Remember it looks like 'melancholic' in English. The main difference is the ending and the accent.

Ser vs. Estar

Use 'ser' for a personality trait and 'estar' for a temporary mood.

Don't Forget the Accent

In Portuguese, the accent is not optional. It changes the word's identity.

Expressing Empathy

Asking 'Por que você está melancólica?' shows a deeper level of concern than just asking if someone is sad.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Melon' (Melan-) that is 'Calling' (-cóli-) 'Catherine' (-ca). Catherine is sad because she lost her melon.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a woman in a purple dress standing alone on a foggy pier, looking at a grey sea. This visual captures the 'melancólica' vibe perfectly.

Word Web

música saudade triste poesia fado chuva alma reflexiva

Herausforderung

Try to describe three things in your room that could be considered 'melancólica' using feminine nouns (e.g., uma foto, uma planta, uma sombra).

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'melancholia', which comes from the Greek 'melankholia'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Literally 'black bile' (melas = black, khole = bile).

Indo-European (Hellenic to Latin to Romance).

Kultureller Kontext

While 'melancólica' is poetic, avoid using it to describe someone's clinical depression unless you are speaking metaphorically, as it can sound dismissive of a serious health issue.

English speakers might find the Portuguese embrace of melancholy unusual, as Anglophone cultures often emphasize 'staying positive'.

The poetry of Fernando Pessoa The Fado of Amália Rodrigues The film 'Tabu' by Miguel Gomes

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Listening to Music

Que melodia melancólica!
Esta letra é muito melancólica.
A voz dela soa melancólica.
Gosto de canções melancólicas.

Describing Weather

Uma tarde melancólica.
A chuva deixa-me melancólica.
O céu tem uma cor melancólica.
Atmosfera melancólica de outono.

Discussing Literature

A protagonista é melancólica.
O livro tem uma conclusão melancólica.
Uma narrativa melancólica.
Poesia melancólica.

Personal Feelings

Sinto-me um pouco melancólica.
Estou melancólica hoje.
Ela ficou melancólica com a notícia.
Por que estás melancólica?

Art and Photography

Uma foto melancólica.
A pintura é melancólica.
Estética melancólica.
Luz melancólica.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você gosta de ouvir música melancólica quando está chovendo?"

"Qual é a música mais melancólica que você conhece?"

"Você acha que a cidade de Lisboa é melancólica?"

"Você se sente melancólica no final do domingo?"

"O que faz uma pessoa parecer melancólica para você?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva uma tarde melancólica que você viveu recentemente.

Escreva sobre uma música melancólica que marcou a sua vida.

Como você lida com a sensação melancólica nos dias de inverno?

Descreva uma personagem feminina melancólica de um livro que você leu.

O que é 'beleza melancólica' para você? Dê exemplos.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'melancólica' is used for any feminine noun. This includes women, but also objects like 'música' (music), 'tarde' (afternoon), or 'alma' (soul). For masculine nouns, use 'melancólico'.

Only if you refer to the 'obra' (work) or 'história' (story), which are feminine. If you say 'o filme', you must use 'melancólico' because 'filme' is masculine.

Not necessarily. In Portuguese culture, melancholy is often seen as a beautiful, deep, and artistic state of mind. It's more about depth of feeling than just 'bad' sadness.

It's a nasal vowel. Close your mouth slightly and let the sound go through your nose, similar to the 'an' in the French word 'enfant' or the English 'sang' (but without the 'g' sound).

The stress is on the 'có'. It is a proparoxytone word, meaning the stress is on the third-to-last syllable. The accent mark is your guide!

Yes! 'Muito' (very) is an adverb and doesn't change its ending when modifying an adjective. 'Ela é muito melancólica'.

Triste is general and can be for small things. Melancólica is for something deeper, more lingering, and often more poetic or thoughtful.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though the accent in pronunciation may vary slightly.

Yes, it's very common to describe a city, a house, or a landscape as melancólica if it evokes a sense of pensive sadness.

It is common in literature, music, and among educated speakers, but you might hear 'triste' more often in very casual, everyday street conversations.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen