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A2 adverb 11 Min. Lesezeit

negligentemente

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At the A1 level, 'negligentemente' is a very advanced word. You might not need to say it yourself, but you should recognize that words ending in '-mente' usually describe how someone does something. Think of it as 'very badly' or 'without care'. If you see this word, know that the speaker is unhappy with how an action was performed. For example, 'Ele trabalha negligentemente' means 'He works very poorly/carelessly'. At this stage, just focus on the 'bad/careless' meaning. You can use simpler phrases like 'mal' (badly) or 'sem cuidado' (without care) instead. The important thing is to notice the root word 'negligente', which looks like the English word 'negligent'. This 'cognate' (a word that looks similar in two languages) makes it easier to remember. Even as a beginner, knowing a few long words like this can help you understand more formal texts or news headlines. Just remember: -mente = -ly.

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At the A2 level, you are learning how to form adverbs by adding '-mente' to adjectives. 'Negligentemente' is a perfect example of this. You use it when you want to say that someone did something in a careless way. It is more formal than saying 'sem cuidado'. You might use it to talk about driving, studying, or doing chores. For example: 'Não faça os seus deveres negligentemente' (Don't do your homework carelessly). At this level, you should focus on the word order: it usually comes after the verb. Practice saying it slowly: ne-gli-gen-te-men-te. It's a long word, but it's very useful for giving feedback or complaining in a more 'adult' way. You will start to see it in simple news stories or in instructions telling you what NOT to do. It's an important step in building a more mature vocabulary in Portuguese.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between 'negligentemente' and its synonyms like 'descuidadamente'. You use 'negligentemente' when there is a sense of responsibility involved. It's not just a mistake; it's a failure to do what was expected. In a work setting or a serious discussion, this is the word you choose. You should also be comfortable using it in different tenses. For example: 'Se você continuar a agir negligentemente, perderá o emprego' (If you continue to act negligently, you will lose your job). You are now moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to express opinions about people's behavior and ethics. You might also encounter it in literature to describe a character's attitude. Pay attention to how it changes the tone of a sentence from a simple observation to a formal critique. This word is a key part of the 'professional' vocabulary you need for B1 level interactions.

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At the B2 level, 'negligentemente' becomes a tool for precise communication, especially in legal, medical, or technical contexts. You understand that it implies a 'breach of duty'. You can use it to debate complex topics, such as environmental policy or corporate responsibility. For example: 'A empresa foi acusada de descartar resíduos negligentemente.' You should also be aware of the noun form 'negligência' and the verb 'negligenciar'. Being able to switch between these forms shows a high level of language control. At B2, you are expected to understand the nuance between 'negligentemente' (failure to act) and 'imprudentemente' (acting with risk). You can listen to a news report and accurately identify who is being blamed and why. Your pronunciation should be fluid, handling the five syllables without hesitation. This word is essential for anyone planning to work or study in a Portuguese-speaking country.

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At the C1 level, you use 'negligentemente' with complete naturalness and can appreciate its use in high-level literature and formal oratory. You recognize its rhetorical power in political speeches or philosophical essays. You might use it to describe abstract concepts, such as 'tratar negligentemente o passado' (treating the past negligently/with indifference). You are familiar with all its synonyms and can choose the one that provides the exact 'color' you need for your writing. For example, you might choose 'negligentemente' over 'descuidadamente' to imply a moral failing. You also understand how the word functions in complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or conditional clauses. Your ability to use such a precise, formal adverb in a variety of registers—from a formal letter of complaint to a deep analysis of a text—is a hallmark of C1 proficiency. You no longer just see a word; you see a tool for expressing subtle shades of blame and responsibility.

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At the C2 level, 'negligentemente' is part of your vast repertoire of adverbs that you use to craft sophisticated and nuanced discourse. You can use it with irony, sarcasm, or profound seriousness. You understand its historical etymology and how it fits into the broader Latin-based legal tradition of the Portuguese language. You might use it in a critique of a complex legal ruling or in a creative writing piece to describe a character's existential indifference. At this level, you are also aware of very rare or archaic synonyms and can use 'negligentemente' as a point of comparison. You can speak about 'negligência' in philosophical terms, discussing the nature of human attention and care. Your mastery of the word is such that you can use it in any context without it sounding forced or out of place. You are a master of the language's formal registers, and this word is a small but vital part of that mastery.

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Negligentemente is a formal Portuguese adverb meaning 'negligently' or 'carelessly'. It describes actions done without proper attention.
It is formed from the adjective 'negligente' plus the suffix '-mente'. It is used in both European and Brazilian Portuguese.
The word is commonly found in news, legal contexts, and professional feedback to assign blame for lack of care.
Synonyms like 'descuidadamente' are more casual, while 'negligentemente' carries a weight of professional or moral failure.

The Portuguese adverb negligentemente is a sophisticated yet essential term used to describe actions performed without the necessary care, attention, or sense of responsibility. Derived from the adjective negligente and the common adverbial suffix -mente (equivalent to the English '-ly'), it translates directly to 'negligently' or 'carelessly'. In the landscape of Portuguese communication, this word carries a weight of judgment; it implies that the person acting had a duty to be careful but failed to uphold it. You will encounter this word in a variety of contexts, ranging from everyday observations about a messy room to serious legal discussions regarding professional malpractice or traffic violations. Understanding this word requires more than just knowing its definition; it requires an appreciation for the nuance of 'omission'. When someone acts negligentemente, they aren't necessarily trying to cause harm, but their lack of effort or focus creates a risk that shouldn't be there.

Grammatical Function: As an adverb of manner, it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate how an action is being carried out. It typically follows the verb it modifies in standard Portuguese syntax.

O funcionário tratou os documentos negligentemente, resultando na perda de dados importantes.

Translation: The employee handled the documents negligently, resulting in the loss of important data.

In European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese alike, the word maintains a formal tone. While you might use 'sem cuidado' (without care) in a casual conversation with a friend about how they spilled coffee, you would use negligentemente when writing a formal complaint or discussing a serious mistake in a professional setting. It is a word that demands accountability. For instance, if a doctor ignores a patient's symptoms, they are acting negligentemente. If a driver looks at their phone instead of the road, they are driving negligentemente. The core of the word is the 'neglect' of a standard. It is often used in the news to describe the cause of accidents, forest fires, or financial collapses. By using this word, you are signaling a higher level of vocabulary and a precise understanding of behavioral dynamics.

Social Context: Using this word in a social setting can sound quite accusatory. It is a 'high-stakes' word that suggests a moral or professional failing rather than just a simple mistake.

A empresa descartou os resíduos químicos negligentemente no rio.

The word also appears frequently in literature to describe a character's personality or temporary state of mind. A character might 'negligentemente' toss a letter aside, suggesting they don't care about its contents or the person who wrote it. This adds a layer of 'nonchalance' or 'indifference' to the meaning, though the primary sense remains a lack of proper care. When studying Portuguese, mastering adverbs like this allows you to move beyond simple subject-verb-object sentences into descriptive storytelling and precise reporting. It is a bridge from basic A2 level communication to more nuanced B1/B2 discourse.

Using negligentemente correctly involves understanding its placement and the verbs it most naturally pairs with. In Portuguese, adverbs of manner typically follow the verb. If the sentence is 'He drives carelessly,' you would say 'Ele dirige negligentemente.' While you can occasionally place the adverb at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis ('Negligentemente, ele deixou a porta aberta'), the post-verbal position is standard and most natural for learners to master first. It is important to distinguish between 'negligente' (the adjective describing a person) and 'negligentemente' (the adverb describing an action). You would say 'O motorista é negligente' (The driver is negligent) but 'O motorista agiu negligentemente' (The driver acted negligently).

Common Verb Pairings: Agir (to act), Tratar (to treat/handle), Dirigir (to drive), Cuidar (to care for), Ignorar (to ignore), Descartar (to discard).

Não podemos agir negligentemente quando se trata da segurança das crianças.

Translation: We cannot act negligently when it comes to children's safety.

When constructing sentences, consider the level of formality. In a legal document, you might see: 'O réu operou a máquina negligentemente, ignorando todos os protocolos de segurança.' In a more common conversational setting, you might hear: 'Ela deixou as chaves no carro negligentemente.' Notice how the adverb adds a specific 'flavor' to the verb. Without the adverb, the sentence 'Ela deixou as chaves no carro' is a neutral statement of fact. With the adverb, it becomes a criticism of her behavior. This is the power of adverbs of manner; they provide the speaker's perspective on the quality of an action.

Muitos incêndios florestais começam porque as pessoas descartam cigarros negligentemente.

Another important aspect is the negative construction. To say 'not negligently,' you simply add 'não' before the verb: 'Ele não agiu negligentemente.' However, it is more common to use a positive antonym like 'diligentemente' or 'cuidadosamente' to express the opposite. In complex sentences with multiple verbs, ensure the adverb is placed next to the specific action it describes. For example, in 'Ele decidiu agir negligentemente,' the adverb describes the 'acting,' not the 'deciding.' This precision is vital for clear communication in Portuguese.

You will encounter negligentemente in several distinct 'real-world' environments. The most common is the **news and media**. Journalists frequently use this term to describe the cause of accidents or scandals. If there is a train derailment or a building collapse, the investigation often focuses on whether someone acted negligentemente. This makes it a high-frequency word for anyone who watches Portuguese news broadcasts or reads newspapers like Público (Portugal) or Folha de S.Paulo (Brazil). It provides a formal way to assign blame without necessarily implying criminal intent (malice), which is a crucial distinction in reporting.

Legal and Bureaucratic Settings: In courts of law, 'negligentemente' is a technical term. Lawyers argue whether a defendant acted with 'negligência' (negligence) or 'dolo' (intent). You will hear it in police reports and insurance claims.

O relatório concluiu que a manutenção foi feita negligentemente pela equipe técnica.

Translation: The report concluded that the maintenance was done negligently by the technical team.

Another place you will hear this word is in **professional feedback and workplace environments**. While a manager might use softer language in a casual chat, a formal performance review or a disciplinary warning will use negligentemente to describe a pattern of poor work. It signifies that the employee has the skills to do the job but is choosing not to apply the necessary care. For example, 'Você tem tratado as solicitações dos clientes negligentemente.' This usage is meant to be serious and corrective. It's also found in **academic writing**, particularly in sociology, law, and ethics, where researchers analyze how individuals or institutions fail in their duties toward society.

O autor descreve como o governo reagiu negligentemente à crise econômica.

Lastly, you may hear it in **formal debates or political speeches**. Politicians often accuse their opponents of acting negligentemente regarding the public budget, the environment, or public health. In these contexts, the word is used to evoke a sense of moral outrage. It suggests that the opponent is not just wrong, but dangerously irresponsible. For a learner, hearing this word is a sign that the conversation has moved into a more serious or formal register. Pay attention to the tone of voice; it is usually spoken with emphasis on the 'men' syllable, reflecting the gravity of the accusation.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using negligentemente is confusing it with the adjective negligente. In English, 'negligent' is an adjective, and 'negligently' is the adverb. Portuguese follows the same logic, but because both words are long and similar, learners often use the adjective where the adverb is required. For example, saying 'Ele dirigiu negligente' is grammatically incorrect in a formal sense (though sometimes heard in very colloquial speech as an adjective-as-adverb shortcut); the correct form is 'Ele dirigiu negligentemente'. Always remember: if you are describing *how* someone did something, you need the '-mente' ending.

Confusion with 'Descuidado': Learners often use 'descuidadamente' (carelessly) and 'negligentemente' interchangeably. While similar, 'negligentemente' implies a failure of duty or responsibility, whereas 'descuidadamente' can just mean a simple, innocent lack of focus. If you drop a glass, you did it 'descuidadamente'. If a nurse gives the wrong medicine, they did it 'negligentemente'.

Errado: Ele tratou o caso negligente.
Correto: Ele tratou o caso negligentemente.

Another mistake involves **word order**. While Portuguese is somewhat flexible, placing 'negligentemente' too far from the verb it modifies can lead to ambiguity. For instance, in a sentence with two verbs like 'Ele começou a trabalhar negligentemente,' it is clear that the 'working' was negligent. But if you say 'Negligentemente ele começou a trabalhar,' it sounds like the *decision to start* was negligent, which might not be what you mean. Keep the adverb close to the action. Additionally, avoid overusing this word in casual conversation. Using such a heavy, formal word to describe a minor mistake (like forgetting to buy milk) can sound sarcastic or overly dramatic. In those cases, 'sem querer' (unintentionally) or 'por descuido' (by mistake) are better choices.

Mistake: Using 'negligentemente' for a simple accident.
Better: 'Foi um acidente' or 'Fiz sem querer'.

Finally, be careful with the **spelling**. It is a long word with five syllables. A common error is omitting one of the 'ne' syllables or misspelling the 'gli' as 'li'. The word is 'ne-gli-gen-te-men-te'. Breaking it down into these five parts during practice will help you avoid spelling and pronunciation errors. Also, remember that in Portuguese, we don't use a hyphen before '-mente'. It is always one single, continuous word. Mastering these small details will make your Portuguese sound much more polished and native-like.

Portuguese offers several alternatives to negligentemente, each with a slightly different flavor or level of formality. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common synonym is descuidadamente. While 'negligentemente' sounds like a legal or professional accusation, 'descuidadamente' is more general and can be used for everyday mishaps. It simply means 'without care' or 'carelessly'. If you are talking about someone tripping over their own feet or forgetting an umbrella, 'descuidadamente' is the more appropriate, less 'heavy' choice.

Negligentemente vs. Imprudentemente: Negligentemente implies a failure to act or a lack of attention (omission). Imprudentemente implies taking an unnecessary risk or acting rashly (commission). A driver who forgets to check their oil is acting negligentemente; a driver who speeds through a red light is acting imprudentemente.

Ele agiu imprudentemente ao saltar de uma altura perigosa.

Translation: He acted imprudently by jumping from a dangerous height.

Other alternatives include desleixadamente and inadvertidamente. Desleixadamente comes from 'desleixo' (sloppiness) and is often used to describe someone's appearance or the way they maintain their home or work. It has a connotation of laziness. Inadvertidamente, on the other hand, means 'inadvertently' or 'unintentionally'. It is a much softer word that removes blame. If you 'inadvertidamente' delete a file, it was a pure accident. If you 'negligentemente' delete it, you were probably not following the proper backup procedures you were supposed to know.

Formal vs. Informal: Formal: Negligentemente, Inadvertidamente.
Neutral: Descuidadamente, Sem cuidado.
Informal: De qualquer jeito, Nas coxas (Brazilian slang for 'sloppily done').

O projeto foi feito nas coxas, por isso tem tantos erros.

In summary, while 'negligentemente' is a powerful and precise word, it is part of a family of adverbs that describe the quality of human action. By learning the differences between being 'negligent', 'imprudent', 'sloppy', or 'inadvertent', you gain the ability to express complex judgments and observations in Portuguese. This level of vocabulary is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers who can navigate professional and social nuances with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'legere' is the same root for 'leitura' (reading) and 'eleição' (election). So, to be negligent is literally 'to not choose' to pay attention.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ne.ɡli.ʒẽ.tɨ.ˈmẽ.tɨ/

US /ne.ɡli.ʒẽ.tʃi.ˈmẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the 'men' syllable (the penultimate syllable).

Reimt sich auf

atentamente fortemente rapidamente gentilmente infelizmente claramente finalmente recentemente

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'gli' as a hard 'g' followed by 'li' instead of the liquid 'li' sound.
Missing the nasalization on the 'en' and 'men' syllables.
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., the first syllable).
Omitting one of the middle syllables because the word is long.
Pronouncing the final 'e' too strongly in European Portuguese.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

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

Schreiben 4/5

Long word, easy to misspell a syllable.

Sprechen 5/5

Requires good control of nasal sounds and five syllables.

Hören 3/5

The '-mente' ending is a clear marker for adverbs.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

negligente mente cuidado mal fazer

Als Nächstes lernen

imprudentemente diligentemente responsabilidade negligência negligenciar

Fortgeschritten

culpabilidade imprudência imperícia dolo omissão

Wichtige Grammatik

Adverb Formation

Adjective 'negligente' + suffix '-mente' = 'negligentemente'.

Adverb Placement

Usually follows the verb: 'Ele agiu negligentemente'.

Nasalization

The 'en' in 'negligentemente' is a nasal vowel /ẽ/.

Adverbs of Manner

Describes *how* an action is done.

No Gender Agreement

Adverbs do not change for masculine or feminine: 'Ele/Ela agiu negligentemente'.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Ele faz tudo negligentemente.

He does everything carelessly.

Simple adverb placement after the verb.

Você dirige negligentemente.

You drive carelessly.

Direct address using the verb 'dirigir'.

Não trabalhe negligentemente.

Don't work carelessly.

Negative imperative form.

Ela caminha negligentemente na rua.

She walks carelessly in the street.

Adverb modifying the verb 'caminhar'.

O gato come negligentemente.

The cat eats messily/carelessly.

Using the adverb for a simple action.

Eles limpam a casa negligentemente.

They clean the house carelessly.

Plural subject with the adverb.

O menino escreve negligentemente.

The boy writes carelessly.

Describing the quality of writing.

Eu li o livro negligentemente.

I read the book carelessly.

Past tense usage.

O motorista agiu negligentemente durante a chuva.

The driver acted negligently during the rain.

Prepositional phrase 'durante a chuva' added for context.

Você não deve tratar os animais negligentemente.

You should not treat animals negligently.

Modal verb 'deve' followed by the infinitive.

Ela deixou a porta aberta negligentemente.

She left the door open negligently.

Adverb placed after the object 'a porta aberta'.

Nós cozinhamos negligentemente e a comida queimou.

We cooked carelessly and the food burned.

Compound sentence showing cause and effect.

O aluno estudou negligentemente para a prova.

The student studied carelessly for the test.

Adverb modifying the verb 'estudou'.

Eles guardaram o dinheiro negligentemente.

They kept the money carelessly.

Describing a lack of security.

A enfermeira não pode agir negligentemente.

The nurse cannot act negligently.

Negative modal 'não pode'.

O jardim foi cuidado negligentemente este ano.

The garden was cared for negligently this year.

Passive voice construction.

Se o governo agir negligentemente, a crise vai piorar.

If the government acts negligently, the crisis will worsen.

Future subjunctive 'agir' in a conditional clause.

O relatório afirma que o técnico operou a máquina negligentemente.

The report states that the technician operated the machine negligently.

Reported speech using 'afirma que'.

Ele foi demitido por tratar os clientes negligentemente.

He was fired for treating customers negligently.

Using 'por' + infinitive to show reason.

A segurança foi tratada negligentemente pela organização do evento.

Security was handled negligently by the event organization.

Passive voice with agent of the action.

Muitas pessoas descartam o lixo negligentemente nas praias.

Many people discard trash negligently on the beaches.

Describing a common social problem.

Não podemos permitir que os dados sejam guardados negligentemente.

We cannot allow data to be stored negligently.

Subjunctive mood 'sejam guardados' after 'permitir que'.

O pai foi acusado de cuidar negligentemente do filho.

The father was accused of caring for his son negligently.

Legal/Social accusation context.

A ponte desabou porque foi construída negligentemente.

The bridge collapsed because it was built negligently.

Causal sentence with 'porque'.

A administração agiu negligentemente ao ignorar os avisos dos engenheiros.

The administration acted negligently by ignoring the engineers' warnings.

Using 'ao' + infinitive to show the manner of negligence.

O réu conduzia o veículo negligentemente e sob efeito de álcool.

The defendant was driving the vehicle negligently and under the influence of alcohol.

Legal register with 'réu' and 'conduzia'.

É inaceitável que uma instituição financeira opere tão negligentemente.

It is unacceptable for a financial institution to operate so negligently.

Evaluative 'É inaceitável que' + subjunctive.

O médico foi processado por ter agido negligentemente durante a cirurgia.

The doctor was sued for having acted negligently during the surgery.

Compound infinitive 'por ter agido'.

A biodiversidade está em risco porque tratamos o planeta negligentemente.

Biodiversity is at risk because we treat the planet negligently.

Environmental context.

O software falhou porque o código foi escrito negligentemente.

The software failed because the code was written negligently.

Technical failure context.

Ela admitiu que lidou negligentemente com as finanças da família.

She admitted that she handled the family finances negligently.

Reflexive/Personal admission context.

A investigação provou que o fogo começou porque alguém agiu negligentemente.

The investigation proved that the fire started because someone acted negligently.

Investigative report context.

A história julgará aqueles que agiram negligentemente perante a injustiça.

History will judge those who acted negligently in the face of injustice.

Philosophical/Future tense usage.

O autor critica a forma como a elite trata negligentemente a cultura popular.

The author criticizes how the elite negligently treats popular culture.

Literary analysis context.

Negligentemente, o diplomata revelou informações confidenciais.

Negligently, the diplomat revealed confidential information.

Adverb at the start of the sentence for emphasis.

A omissão do dever pode ser interpretada como agir negligentemente.

The omission of duty can be interpreted as acting negligently.

Abstract legal definition.

Não se pode tratar negligentemente uma herança cultural tão rica.

One cannot treat such a rich cultural heritage negligently.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

O diretor foi acusado de gerir negligentemente os fundos da universidade.

The director was accused of negligently managing the university funds.

Administrative/Institutional context.

A obra de arte foi restaurada negligentemente, perdendo o seu valor original.

The artwork was restored negligently, losing its original value.

Artistic/Professional context.

O filósofo argumenta que viver negligentemente é uma forma de desespero.

The philosopher argues that living negligently is a form of despair.

Existential context.

A complexidade do sistema impede que se atribua a culpa apenas a quem agiu negligentemente.

The complexity of the system prevents blame from being assigned only to those who acted negligently.

Complex subjunctive construction.

Trata-se de um caso onde o Estado agiu negligentemente, ferindo direitos fundamentais.

It is a case where the State acted negligently, violating fundamental rights.

High-level legal/political discourse.

O declínio da civilização é frequentemente atribuído a uma elite que governa negligentemente.

The decline of civilization is often attributed to an elite that governs negligently.

Historical/Sociological analysis.

A narrativa sugere que o protagonista, ao agir negligentemente, selou o seu próprio destino.

The narrative suggests that the protagonist, by acting negligently, sealed his own fate.

Literary/Thematic analysis.

É imperativo que não lidemos negligentemente com as ameaças existenciais do nosso tempo.

It is imperative that we do not deal negligently with the existential threats of our time.

Urgent formal oratory.

A perícia técnica demonstrou que o sistema foi negligentemente configurado desde o início.

The technical expertise demonstrated that the system was negligently configured from the start.

Technical/Forensic context.

O silêncio da comunidade internacional foi visto como uma forma de agir negligentemente.

The international community's silence was seen as a way of acting negligently.

Geopolitical context.

A poesia dele explora a dor de quem foi amado negligentemente.

His poetry explores the pain of one who was loved negligently.

Emotional/Poetic nuance.

Häufige Kollokationen

agir negligentemente

tratar negligentemente

dirigir negligentemente

operar negligentemente

cuidar negligentemente

descartar negligentemente

ignorar negligentemente

gerir negligentemente

manter negligentemente

comportar-se negligentemente

Häufige Phrasen

atuar negligentemente

— To act in a negligent way, often used in professional or artistic contexts.

O ator atuou negligentemente naquela cena.

proceder negligentemente

— To proceed or behave in a negligent manner, very formal.

A empresa procedeu negligentemente com o contrato.

viver negligentemente

— To live without care or purpose, often philosophical.

Não se deve viver negligentemente.

responder negligentemente

— To respond without proper thought or care.

Ele respondeu negligentemente ao e-mail do chefe.

olhar negligentemente

— To look at something without really seeing or caring about it.

Ela olhou negligentemente para o quadro.

deixar negligentemente

— To leave something somewhere by mistake or lack of care.

Deixou a bolsa negligentemente no banco.

falar negligentemente

— To speak without thinking of the consequences.

Ele falou negligentemente sobre o segredo.

ouvir negligentemente

— To listen without paying true attention.

O aluno ouviu negligentemente a explicação.

preparar negligentemente

— To prepare something (like a meal or a report) poorly.

O jantar foi preparado negligentemente.

limpar negligentemente

— To clean something in a sloppy way.

O quarto foi limpo negligentemente.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

negligentemente vs negligente

This is the adjective (e.g., 'Ele é negligente'). Use 'negligentemente' for the action.

negligentemente vs descuidadamente

Less formal and implies less responsibility/duty than 'negligentemente'.

negligentemente vs imprudentemente

Implies taking an active risk, while 'negligentemente' implies a failure to take care.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"fazer nas coxas"

— To do something sloppily or without care. It's a very common Brazilian idiom that is an informal equivalent to acting negligentemente.

Ele fez o trabalho nas coxas.

informal/slang

"fazer de qualquer jeito"

— To do something 'any which way', meaning without care.

Não faça de qualquer jeito!

informal

"lavar as mãos"

— To wash one's hands of a situation, which can be a form of acting negligentemente by ignoring responsibility.

O gerente lavou as mãos sobre o problema.

neutral

"fechar os olhos para"

— To close one's eyes to something, a form of negligent behavior.

Eles fecharam os olhos para a corrupção.

neutral

"deixar andar"

— To let things go without intervention, often leading to negligence.

O governo deixou andar a situação até ficar grave.

informal

"fazer vista grossa"

— To pretend not to see something wrong.

O fiscal fez vista grossa negligentemente.

neutral

"estar-se nas tintas"

— To not care at all (European Portuguese).

Ele está-se nas tintas para o trabalho.

informal

"empurrar com a barriga"

— To procrastinate or handle a problem poorly/carelessly.

Eles estão empurrando o projeto com a barriga.

informal

"dar de ombros"

— To shrug, showing indifference which can lead to acting negligentemente.

Ela deu de ombros e saiu.

neutral

"dormir no ponto"

— To miss an opportunity or fail in a duty because of lack of attention.

O segurança dormiu no ponto e o ladrão entrou.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

negligentemente vs imprudentemente

Both involve lack of care.

Imprudência is doing something you shouldn't (rashness). Negligência is NOT doing something you should (omission).

Correr no gelo é agir imprudentemente; não colocar sal no gelo é agir negligentemente.

negligentemente vs imperitamente

Both involve professional failure.

Imperícia is lack of skill. Negligência is lack of care despite having the skill.

Um médico novato pode agir imperitamente; um médico experiente e cansado pode agir negligentemente.

negligentemente vs descuidadamente

Direct synonyms in many contexts.

Descuidadamente is more casual. Negligentemente is more formal and accusatory.

Derrubei o café descuidadamente. O juiz disse que ele agiu negligentemente.

negligentemente vs inadvertidamente

Both mean 'without intent'.

Inadvertidamente sounds like a pure accident. Negligentemente sounds like you should have known better.

Esqueci o guarda-chuva inadvertidamente. Esqueci o bebê no carro negligentemente.

negligentemente vs desleixadamente

Both mean 'carelessly'.

Desleixadamente focuses on sloppiness or laziness.

Ele veste-se desleixadamente. Ele operou a máquina negligentemente.

Satzmuster

Eu não [verbo] negligentemente.

Eu não dirijo negligentemente.

Ele foi [adjetivo] porque agiu negligentemente.

Ele foi demitido porque agiu negligentemente.

Se você [verbo no subjuntivo] negligentemente, [consequência].

Se você tratar os dados negligentemente, teremos problemas.

É imperativo não [verbo] negligentemente.

É imperativo não gerir os fundos negligentemente.

A atribuição de culpa recai sobre quem agiu negligentemente.

Por que você fez isso negligentemente?

Por que você limpou o chão negligentemente?

O [substantivo] foi feito negligentemente.

O trabalho foi feito negligentemente.

Acusam o [sujeito] de ter agido negligentemente.

Acusam o prefeito de ter agido negligentemente.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

negligência (negligence)

negligente (negligent person)

Verben

negligenciar (to neglect)

Adjektive

negligente (negligent)

Verwandt

negligenciável (negligible)

negligenciador (neglecter)

descuido (carelessness)

omissão (omission)

falta (fault/lack)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in news and formal writing, less common in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Ele agiu negligente. → Ele agiu negligentemente.
You must use the adverb form (-mente) to describe the action, not the adjective.
Negligentemente ele dirigiu. → Ele dirigiu negligentemente.
While not strictly wrong, putting the adverb after the verb is much more natural.
Eu fiz isso negligentemente (meaning 'on purpose'). → Eu fiz isso de propósito.
Negligentemente means you didn't pay attention, not that you intended to do it.
Eles agiram negligentementes. → Eles agiram negligentemente.
Adverbs never have a plural form in Portuguese.
Negligente-mente (with a hyphen). → Negligentemente.
Portuguese adverbs in -mente are always written as a single word.

Tipps

When to use it

Use it when you want to emphasize that someone failed in their duty or responsibility. It's stronger than 'carelessly'.

The Nasal Sound

Don't forget the nasal vowels in 'gen' and 'men'. Practice by saying 'ten' but letting the air go through your nose.

Word Order

Place it right after the verb for the most natural sound: 'Ele trabalhou negligentemente'.

The Word Family

Learn 'negligência' (noun) and 'negligenciar' (verb) at the same time to boost your vocabulary quickly.

Formal Letters

This is a great word for formal complaints about bad service or irresponsible behavior.

News Reports

Listen for this word in news reports about accidents; it's almost always there to explain the cause.

Social Weight

Understand that calling someone 'negligente' in a Portuguese-speaking country is a serious insult to their character.

Syllable Count

Count the five syllables (ne-gli-gen-te-men-te) to make sure you haven't missed any letters.

Negligence vs. Imprudence

Remember: Negligence is forgetting to do something. Imprudence is doing something dangerous.

Easy Recall

Associate it with the English 'Negligently'. They are almost identical!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Neglect' + 'Mind' + 'ly'. You are acting with a 'Neglect-Mind-ly' attitude. NEGLI-GEN-TE-MENTE.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person walking a dog but looking at their phone while the dog runs into a flower bed. That person is acting negligentemente.

Word Web

Negligência Cuidado Responsabilidade Erro Trabalho Lei Acidente Atenção

Herausforderung

Try to use 'negligentemente' in a sentence about a character in a movie you recently watched. Did they act with care or negligentemente?

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'negligens, negligentis', which is the present participle of 'negligere'. 'Negligere' is a combination of 'nec' (not) and 'legere' (to pick up, choose, or read).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning was literally 'not to pick up' or 'to disregard'.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using this word with friends; it is a strong accusation of being irresponsible.

English speakers might find it more formal than 'carelessly'. It is closer to 'negligently' in a legal sense.

Used in the Portuguese Civil Code (Código Civil) regarding liability. Frequently appears in news headlines about forest fires in Portugal. Common in Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) when a character is accused of being a bad parent.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Traffic and Driving

Dirigir negligentemente
Causar um acidente negligentemente
Ignorar o sinal negligentemente
Atravessar a rua negligentemente

Work and Career

Trabalhar negligentemente
Gerir fundos negligentemente
Tratar clientes negligentemente
Operar máquinas negligentemente

Health and Medicine

Tratar o paciente negligentemente
Prescrever remédios negligentemente
Agir negligentemente na cirurgia
Ignorar sintomas negligentemente

Domestic Life

Cuidar da casa negligentemente
Cozinhar negligentemente
Limpar o quarto negligentemente
Tratar as plantas negligentemente

Legal and Law

Agiu negligentemente
Omissão negligente
Responsabilidade por agir negligentemente
Provas de agir negligentemente

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você acha que as pessoas dirigem negligentemente na sua cidade?"

"Alguma vez você já fez algo negligentemente e se arrependeu?"

"Como você reage quando alguém trata o seu trabalho negligentemente?"

"Você acha que o governo está agindo negligentemente com o meio ambiente?"

"É possível amar alguém negligentemente?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você viu alguém agindo negligentemente e quais foram as consequências.

Como podemos evitar agir negligentemente em nossas tarefas diárias?

Descreva a diferença entre fazer algo 'sem querer' e fazer algo 'negligentemente'.

Reflita sobre a importância de não tratar a nossa saúde negligentemente.

Escreva uma carta formal reclamando de um serviço que foi prestado negligentemente.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, it is used in both countries with the same meaning and formality level. Only the pronunciation of the final syllables differs slightly.

No, it describes an action. To describe a person, use the adjective 'negligente' (e.g., 'Ele é negligente').

The most direct opposites are 'cuidadosamente' (carefully) or 'diligentemente' (diligently).

It is moderately formal. You will hear it in the news and in professional settings, but rarely in a casual chat with friends about small things.

It sounds like the 'lli' in 'million'. Your tongue touches the roof of your mouth behind your teeth.

No. It actually means the opposite—that you weren't paying enough attention. If you do something on purpose, use 'propositalmente' or 'de propósito'.

On the 'men' syllable: ne-gli-gen-te-MEN-te.

Not really. In casual speech, people just say 'sem cuidado' or 'mal' to avoid the long word.

Almost never. It is a word with a negative connotation of failure or lack of care.

No, adverbs in Portuguese are invariable. It is always 'negligentemente'.

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