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A2 noun #1,500 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

sintoma

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, learners should recognize 'sintoma' as a word related to health. They might use it in very simple sentences to tell a doctor or a friend that they feel sick. The focus is on the basic connection between the word and feeling unwell. Learners at this stage often struggle with the masculine gender of the word, so they should practice saying 'o sintoma' and 'um sintoma'. They might use it to list basic things like 'sintoma: febre' or 'sintoma: dor'. The goal is recognition and very basic production in a survival medical context. It's important to learn it alongside other body-related words.

At the A2 level, learners can use 'sintoma' to describe common illnesses. They should be able to say things like 'Eu tenho sintomas de gripe' or 'Quais são os sintomas?'. They start to understand that it's a masculine noun and can use simple adjectives like 'leve' or 'forte' with it. They can participate in short conversations about health and describe how they are feeling using this word. They also begin to see it in simple news headlines. The focus here is on correct gender agreement and using it with common verbs like 'ter' and 'sentir'.

At the B1 level, learners can use 'sintoma' in more complex medical and social contexts. They can describe a sequence of symptoms and explain how long they have had them. They also begin to understand the metaphorical use of the word, such as 'sintoma de um problema'. They can read health brochures or simple news articles that use the word to describe social issues. Their grammar should be more consistent, correctly using masculine articles and adjectives. They can also use the plural 'sintomas' effectively in varied sentence structures.

At the B2 level, learners use 'sintoma' fluently in both medical and abstract discussions. they can distinguish between 'sintoma' and 'sinal' and use 'sintoma' to analyze complex social, economic, or psychological phenomena. They can follow a doctor's detailed explanation or a news report on public health. They use a wider range of collocations, such as 'apresentar sintomas', 'aliviar sintomas', and 'sintoma persistente'. They can write essays or reports where 'sintoma' is used to represent evidence of a deeper underlying cause.

At the C1 level, learners have a nuanced understanding of 'sintoma'. They can use it in academic or professional medical settings with precision. They understand its etymological roots and why it is masculine. They can use it in sophisticated metaphors and idiomatic expressions. They are comfortable with related technical terms like 'sintomatologia' or 'assintomático'. Their use of the word is natural and varies across different registers, from casual conversation to formal writing. They can debate the 'sintomas' of complex global issues with ease.

At the C2 level, 'sintoma' is used with the same depth and flexibility as a native speaker. The learner can use it in philosophical, literary, and highly technical contexts. They can play with the word's meaning in creative writing or high-level analysis. They understand the subtle differences between 'sintoma' and all its synonyms in every possible context. They can interpret the use of 'sintoma' in classic Portuguese literature or complex legal documents. Their mastery includes perfect grammatical agreement and a vast repertoire of collocations and idiomatic uses.

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sintoma in 30 Sekunden

Sintoma is a masculine noun meaning 'symptom'.
Used for medical signs felt by a patient.
Used metaphorically for signs of social or economic problems.
Always use masculine articles (o, um) and adjectives.

The word sintoma is a masculine noun in Portuguese that primarily refers to a physical or mental sign that indicates the presence of a disease or a specific health condition. While it is most commonly used in medical contexts, it also carries a significant metaphorical weight in social, economic, and psychological discussions. Understanding 'sintoma' requires recognizing its Greek roots, which often dictate its grammatical behavior in Portuguese, specifically its gender.

Medical Definition: In a clinical sense, a sintoma is a subjective experience reported by a patient, such as pain, dizziness, or fatigue, which serves as an indicator of a functional or structural disorder. Unlike a 'sinal' (sign), which is an objective finding observed by a doctor (like a rash or high blood pressure), a sintoma is what the patient feels.

A febre é um sintoma comum de muitas infecções virais.

Beyond the clinic, 'sintoma' describes any phenomenon that serves as evidence of something else, usually something negative or problematic. For instance, high unemployment might be described as a 'sintoma' of a failing economy. This abstract usage is very common in Portuguese journalism and academic writing.

Etymological Nuance: Derived from the Greek 'symptoma', words ending in '-oma' in Portuguese that come from Greek are almost always masculine. This is a crucial point for learners who might assume it is feminine because it ends in 'a'.

Este comportamento agressivo é apenas um sintoma de um problema emocional mais profundo.

In daily life, you will hear people discussing 'sintomas de gripe' (flu symptoms) or 'sintomas de gravidez' (pregnancy symptoms). The word is indispensable for anyone navigating the healthcare system in a Lusophone country. It is also used to describe the first signs of a machine breaking down or a relationship failing.

Social Context: When used socially, it implies that the visible issue is not the root cause but a manifestation of a hidden reality. It invites the listener to look deeper than the surface level of the problem presented.

A falta de investimento na educação é um sintoma do descaso político.

Ela não apresentou nenhum sintoma visível de estresse durante a reunião.

O aumento da inflação é um sintoma preocupante para o mercado financeiro.

Using 'sintoma' correctly involves mastering its grammatical gender and its typical collocations. As a masculine noun, it must always be accompanied by masculine adjectives and articles. For example, you would say 'sintoma claro' (clear symptom) and not 'sintoma clara'.

Common Verbs: The most frequent verbs used with 'sintoma' are 'apresentar' (to present/show), 'ter' (to have), 'sentir' (to feel), 'aliviar' (to relieve), and 'tratar' (to treat). In a medical setting, 'apresentar sintomas' is the standard formal way to describe a patient's condition.

O paciente começou a apresentar sintomas leves na terça-feira.

When discussing the severity of a condition, we use adjectives like 'leves' (mild), 'graves' (severe), 'agudos' (acute), or 'crônicos' (chronic). Note that 'sintoma' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de' when specifying the cause.

Prepositional Usage: Structure: [Sintoma] + de + [Condition]. Examples: 'sintoma de febre', 'sintoma de depressão', 'sintoma de crise econômica'. This structure is very stable across all registers of Portuguese.

Quais são os principais sintomas de uma alergia alimentar?

In metaphorical usage, 'sintoma' acts as a synonym for 'indício' (indication) or 'reflexo' (reflection). It suggests that the thing being observed is merely the tip of the iceberg.

Adjective Agreement: Since it is masculine, all adjectives must agree: 'sintoma preocupante', 'sintomas variados', 'primeiro sintoma'.

A corrupção é um sintoma de uma democracia fragilizada.

Você deve relatar qualquer sintoma novo ao seu médico imediatamente.

O cansaço excessivo pode ser um sintoma de anemia.

You will encounter 'sintoma' in a variety of settings, ranging from the very personal to the highly professional. In the doctor's office, it is the central word of the conversation. On the news, it is used to analyze societal trends. In literature, it often serves as a metaphor for internal turmoil.

Medical Settings: Doctors will ask: 'Quais são os seus sintomas?' (What are your symptoms?). Pharmacies will have signs for 'alívio dos sintomas da gripe' (relief of flu symptoms). Medical dramas on TV will use it constantly during diagnoses.

Doutor, eu não tenho nenhum sintoma, mas me sinto muito fraco.

In the news and media, 'sintoma' is a favorite of political and economic commentators. They use it to link current events to underlying systemic issues. For example, a strike might be called a 'sintoma da insatisfação popular'.

Media and News: Headlines often read: 'Queda na bolsa é sintoma de incerteza global' or 'Aumento da violência é sintoma de desigualdade'. It adds a layer of analytical depth to the reporting.

Este protesto é um sintoma claro de que a população quer mudanças.

In academic and psychological contexts, 'sintoma' is used to discuss mental health. You will hear it in therapy sessions or psychology lectures when discussing how internal conflicts manifest as external behaviors.

Psychology: Psychologists often talk about 'sintomas psicossomáticos'—physical signs that have a psychological origin. This is a very common topic in modern Brazilian health discourse.

A insônia pode ser um sintoma de ansiedade generalizada.

O médico analisou cada sintoma antes de dar o diagnóstico final.

A perda de apetite é um sintoma que não deve ser ignorado.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 'sintoma' is regarding its gender. Because it ends in 'a', many students instinctively treat it as a feminine noun. However, like many words of Greek origin ending in '-ma' (like 'problema', 'sistema', 'tema'), it is masculine.

Gender Error: Incorrect: 'A sintoma é grave.' Correct: 'O sintoma é grave.' This mistake is very noticeable to native speakers and can lead to further errors in adjective agreement.

Não diga 'uma sintoma', diga sempre um sintoma.

Another common error is confusing 'sintoma' with 'sinal'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable in a medical context. A 'sintoma' is subjective (what the patient feels), while a 'sinal' is objective (what the doctor sees).

Sintoma vs. Sinal: Use 'sintoma' for pain, nausea, or sadness. Use 'sinal' for spots on the skin, a high temperature on a thermometer, or a rapid pulse. In casual speech, this distinction is often blurred, but in professional settings, it is vital.

A dor de cabeça é o sintoma, a vermelhidão nos olhos é o sinal.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the plural form. It is simply 'sintomas'. Make sure the article and adjectives match: 'os sintomas graves', 'muitos sintomas'.

Plural Agreement: Avoid saying 'as sintomas' or 'sintomas grave'. The plural 's' must be present on both the noun and its modifiers.

Quais sintomas você está sentindo hoje?

O médico disse que esses sintomas são normais após a cirurgia.

Ignorar um sintoma persistente pode ser perigoso.

While 'sintoma' is specific, several other words in Portuguese share its semantic space. Understanding the differences between 'sintoma', 'sinal', 'indício', and 'manifestação' will greatly improve your precision in the language.

Sintoma vs. Sinal: As mentioned, 'sintoma' is subjective (pain, nausea), whereas 'sinal' is objective (fever, rash). In general conversation, 'sinal' is much broader and can mean any kind of sign or signal.

A tosse é um sintoma, mas a mancha na pele é um sinal.

'Indício' is often used in legal or investigative contexts. It means a clue or a piece of evidence. While a 'sintoma' points to a disease, an 'indício' points to a fact or a crime.

Sintoma vs. Indício: 'Indício' is more intellectual and deductive. 'Sintoma' is more biological or systemic. You find 'indícios' at a crime scene, but you feel 'sintomas' in your body.

Há fortes indícios de que o contrato foi fraudado.

'Manifestação' is often used in medical literature to describe the way a disease shows itself. It is broader than 'sintoma' and can include both symptoms and signs.

Sintoma vs. Manifestação: 'Manifestação' is the act of becoming visible. A 'sintoma' is the thing that is visible. 'A manifestação dos sintomas ocorreu rapidamente' (The manifestation of the symptoms occurred quickly).

A febre é uma manifestação clínica comum.

Este erro é um sintoma de falta de atenção.

A violência urbana é um sintoma da exclusão social.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

O sintoma é febre.

The symptom is fever.

Note the masculine article 'O'.

Eu tenho um sintoma.

I have a symptom.

Use 'um' (masculine) not 'uma'.

Qual é o sintoma?

What is the symptom?

Question structure with 'Qual'.

Sintoma: dor de cabeça.

Symptom: headache.

Basic list format.

O sintoma é novo.

The symptom is new.

Adjective 'novo' matches masculine 'sintoma'.

Não tenho sintoma.

I don't have a symptom.

Negative sentence with 'Não'.

É um sintoma ruim.

It is a bad symptom.

Adjective 'ruim' is invariable but 'um' is masculine.

O sintoma passou.

The symptom passed.

Past tense of 'passar'.

Quais são os sintomas da gripe?

What are the flu symptoms?

Plural 'os sintomas'.

Ela sente um sintoma estranho.

She feels a strange symptom.

Verb 'sentir' + 'sintoma'.

O sintoma mais comum é a tosse.

The most common symptom is a cough.

Superlative 'mais comum'.

Você tem algum sintoma de alergia?

Do you have any allergy symptoms?

Use of 'algum' (masculine).

Os sintomas começaram ontem.

The symptoms started yesterday.

Plural subject and verb agreement.

Este sintoma é muito forte.

This symptom is very strong.

Demonstrative 'Este' (masculine).

O médico perguntou sobre os sintomas.

The doctor asked about the symptoms.

Preposition 'sobre' (about).

Não ignore nenhum sintoma.

Don't ignore any symptom.

Imperative 'Não ignore'.

O cansaço pode ser um sintoma de estresse.

Fatigue can be a symptom of stress.

Modal verb 'pode ser'.

Muitos sintomas desaparecem com o repouso.

Many symptoms disappear with rest.

Quantifier 'Muitos'.

A falta de sono é um sintoma preocupante.

Lack of sleep is a worrying symptom.

Adjective 'preocupante'.

Ele descreveu cada sintoma detalhadamente.

He described each symptom in detail.

Adverb 'detalhadamente'.

Os sintomas variam de pessoa para pessoa.

Symptoms vary from person to person.

Verb 'variar'.

A febre alta é o primeiro sintoma.

High fever is the first symptom.

Ordinal number 'primeiro'.

Este comportamento é um sintoma de timidez.

This behavior is a symptom of shyness.

Metaphorical use.

Anote todos os sintomas que você sentir.

Write down all the symptoms you feel.

Relative clause 'que você sentir'.

A inflação alta é um sintoma da crise econômica.

High inflation is a symptom of the economic crisis.

Economic context.

O paciente não apresenta sintomas graves.

The patient does not present severe symptoms.

Formal verb 'apresentar'.

É necessário tratar a causa, não apenas o sintoma.

It is necessary to treat the cause, not just the symptom.

Philosophical/Medical distinction.

A corrupção é um sintoma de falha institucional.

Corruption is a symptom of institutional failure.

Political context.

Os sintomas persistiram apesar do tratamento.

The symptoms persisted despite the treatment.

Conjunction 'apesar de'.

Ela relatou sintomas psicossomáticos ao médico.

She reported psychosomatic symptoms to the doctor.

Technical adjective 'psicossomáticos'.

O aumento da criminalidade é um sintoma social.

The increase in crime is a social symptom.

Sociological context.

Identificar o sintoma precocemente é fundamental.

Identifying the symptom early is fundamental.

Adverb 'precocemente'.

A apatia política é um sintoma da desilusão democrática.

Political apathy is a symptom of democratic disillusionment.

Abstract academic usage.

O diagnóstico foi difícil pois os sintomas eram atípicos.

The diagnosis was difficult because the symptoms were atypical.

Adjective 'atípicos'.

A febre pode ser um sintoma inespecífico.

Fever can be a non-specific symptom.

Medical terminology.

A precariedade do sistema é um sintoma do descaso.

The precariousness of the system is a symptom of neglect.

Formal social analysis.

Os sintomas remitiram após a intervenção cirúrgica.

The symptoms subsided after the surgical intervention.

Formal verb 'remitir'.

O excesso de burocracia é um sintoma de ineficiência.

Excessive bureaucracy is a symptom of inefficiency.

Organizational context.

O médico observou uma sintomatologia complexa.

The doctor observed a complex set of symptoms.

Noun 'sintomatologia'.

A depressão manifesta-se através de diversos sintomas.

Depression manifests itself through various symptoms.

Pronominal verb 'manifestar-se'.

A fragmentação do discurso é um sintoma da pós-modernidade.

The fragmentation of discourse is a symptom of postmodernity.

Philosophical context.

O niilismo contemporâneo é encarado como um sintoma cultural.

Contemporary nihilism is seen as a cultural symptom.

Passive voice 'é encarado'.

A reincidência do erro é um sintoma de obstinação cega.

The recurrence of the error is a symptom of blind obstinacy.

Literary/Moral context.

O texto literário pode ser lido como um sintoma da época.

The literary text can be read as a symptom of the era.

Literary criticism.

A ausência de diálogo é o sintoma mais agudo da crise familiar.

The absence of dialogue is the most acute symptom of the family crisis.

Intense adjective 'agudo'.

O fenômeno é um sintoma latente de tensões subjacentes.

The phenomenon is a latent symptom of underlying tensions.

Sophisticated adjectives 'latente' and 'subjacentes'.

A corrupção sistêmica é o sintoma de um Estado cleptocrático.

Systemic corruption is the symptom of a kleptocratic State.

Political science terminology.

A melancolia do autor transparece como um sintoma em sua obra.

The author's melancholy shines through as a symptom in his work.

Verb 'transparecer'.

Häufige Kollokationen

apresentar sintomas

aliviar sintomas

sintomas leves

sintomas graves

primeiro sintoma

sintomas de gripe

tratar o sintoma

sintoma persistente

sintoma agudo

conjunto de sintomas

Häufige Phrasen

Quais são os sintomas?

Não tenho sintomas.

Sintoma de algo maior.

Alívio dos sintomas.

Apresentar sintomas de...

Sintoma preocupante.

Sintoma visível.

Sintoma físico.

Sintoma mental.

Sintoma de crise.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

sintoma vs sinal

sintoma vs indício

sintoma vs sentimento

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

Leicht verwechselbar

sintoma vs sinal

sintoma vs síncope

sintoma vs síndrome

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

technical

Doctors prefer 'sintomatologia' for a group of symptoms.

metaphorical

Very common in Portuguese to describe social/economic signs.

Häufige Fehler

Saying 'a sintoma' instead of 'o sintoma'.
Using 'sintoma' when you mean an objective 'sinal'.
Spelling it with a 'y' (symptoma).
Forgetting to make adjectives masculine (sintoma grave, not grava).
Confusing 'sintoma' with 'sentimento' (feeling/emotion).

Tipps

Gender Rule

Remember: Nouns of Greek origin ending in -ma are masculine. Examples: o sintoma, o problema, o sistema.

Formal Verb

Use 'apresentar' in formal writing instead of 'ter' when talking about symptoms.

Stress

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: sin-TO-ma.

Metaphor

Use 'sintoma' to sound more analytical when discussing news or social issues.

No Y

Portuguese uses 'i' instead of 'y' in 'sintoma'. Don't write 'sy...'.

Context

If you hear 'o' before a word ending in 'a', it's likely a Greek-origin masculine noun like 'sintoma'.

Doctor Visit

When at the doctor, start with 'Eu estou sentindo os seguintes sintomas...'.

Small Talk

Brazilians are very open about health. Talking about symptoms is a common way to bond.

Agreement

Double check: 'Sintomas preocupantes' (both plural and masculine agreement).

Cognate

Link it to 'Symptom' but visualize a big 'O' next to it to remember the gender.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Greek

Kultureller Kontext

Commonly used in everyday talk about health and pharmacy visits.

Used similarly, perhaps with a slightly more formal tone in public discourse.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você já sentiu esse sintoma antes?"

"Quais são os sintomas mais comuns dessa doença?"

"Você acha que isso é um sintoma de estresse?"

"Como você descreveria seus sintomas ao médico?"

"O que você faz quando sente os primeiros sintomas de gripe?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva um momento em que você sentiu sintomas de algo e como se tratou.

Quais são, na sua opinião, os sintomas de uma sociedade saudável?

Escreva sobre um 'sintoma' de mudança na sua vida recentemente.

Como você se sente ao ter que descrever sintomas em outra língua?

Pense em um problema global e liste seus principais sintomas.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is masculine (o sintoma). This is because it comes from Greek. Even though it ends in 'a', you must use masculine articles and adjectives.

A 'sintoma' is subjective (what the patient feels, like pain). A 'sinal' is objective (what the doctor sees, like a rash).

Yes, it is very common. For example, 'A violência é um sintoma da desigualdade'.

You say 'sintomas de gripe'.

The most common verbs are 'ter sintomas', 'sentir sintomas', or 'apresentar sintomas'.

The plural is 'sintomas'.

It is always 'um sintoma'.

Yes, it is used for both physical and mental health signs.

It means 'asymptomatic', or having no symptoms.

Use the adjective 'leve': 'um sintoma leve'.