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A2 adjective #9,000 más común 12 min de lectura

altruísta

Top 9,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos altruísta en 30 segundos

Explicación altruísta in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Portuguese. The word 'altruísta' might seem a bit long, but you can understand it as a way to describe a very 'good' or 'helpful' person. Think of someone who likes to help their friends and family without asking for anything. Even if you don't use this word often yet, knowing it helps you recognize when someone is being praised for their kindness. You can relate it to simple words you already know like 'bom' (good) and 'amigo' (friend). For example, a person who shares their food or helps you with your homework is being altruísta. It's a 'super' version of being nice. At this level, just focus on the fact that it's a positive word and that it doesn't change if you're talking about a boy or a girl. This makes it easier to remember than other adjectives!

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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'altruísta' to describe people's character in more detail. You are learning to talk about personalities and social behaviors. 'Altruísta' is the opposite of 'egoísta' (selfish). If someone does something for the community, like cleaning a park or helping at a charity, you can say they are altruísta. Remember that in Portuguese, adjectives usually come after the noun. So, you would say 'um homem altruísta' or 'uma mulher altruísta'. Notice how the ending 'a' stays the same for both! You might also hear this word in simple stories or news reports about people doing good things. It's a great word to have in your vocabulary because it shows you can describe complex human qualities beyond just 'bom' or 'legal'. Try using it when you want to give someone a big compliment for their selflessness.

As a B1 learner, you're moving into intermediate territory where you can discuss social issues and personal values. 'Altruísta' becomes a key word for talking about volunteering, social work, and the 'bem comum' (common good). You can use it to describe not just people, but also actions and projects. For example, 'um projeto altruísta' or 'uma decisão altruísta'. At this level, you should also be aware of the noun form: 'o altruísmo'. You might participate in a debate about whether people are naturally altruistic or if we only help others to feel good about ourselves. You can also start using synonyms like 'generoso' (generous) or 'caritativo' (charitable) to vary your language. Pay attention to the pronunciation of the stressed 'í'—it's important for being understood clearly. This word will help you express more nuanced opinions about society and ethics.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'altruísta' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You might encounter it in texts about sociology, psychology, or corporate ethics. You should understand the difference between 'altruísmo' and 'filantropia' (philanthropy), and be able to use the adverb 'altruisticamente' (altruistically) to describe how someone performed an action. You can discuss the 'perfil altruísta' (altruistic profile) required for certain careers, such as nursing or international aid. At this level, you can also explore the philosophical roots of the word, perhaps mentioning Auguste Comte or discussing 'altruísmo eficaz' (effective altruism). You should be comfortable using the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'Apesar de não ter muitos recursos, ele sempre agiu de forma altruísta', showing you can balance conflicting ideas in a single sentence.

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For C1 learners, 'altruísta' is a word you should be able to use with all its subtle connotations. You can use it to analyze characters in Portuguese literature or to critique social policies. You might explore the paradoxes of altruism—for instance, whether an 'ato altruísta' is still altruistic if the person receives social recognition for it. You should be familiar with related formal terms like 'abnegação' (self-denial) and 'desprendimento' (detachment). In high-level discussions, you might use 'altruísta' to describe a specific ethical framework or a biological theory of kin selection ('altruísmo de parentesco'). Your mastery of the word should extend to its use in formal speeches, academic essays, and deep philosophical debates. You can also recognize when the word is being used ironically or to mask more complex motivations in political or corporate rhetoric.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of 'altruísta'. You can use it in the most sophisticated contexts, from translating philosophical treatises to engaging in deep debates about evolutionary biology and game theory. You understand the historical evolution of the term in the Lusophone world and how it has been influenced by both religious traditions and modern secular ethics. You can use the word to construct complex metaphors or to provide a nuanced critique of 'altruísmo performativo' (performative altruism) in the age of social media. Your use of 'altruísta' and its derivatives is seamless, reflecting an awareness of register, tone, and cultural sensitivity. You can explain the word's etymological journey and its impact on Portuguese social thought, demonstrating a profound connection to the language's expressive power and its reflection of human values.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

altruísta en 30 segundos

Altruísta is a gender-neutral adjective used to describe selfless people and actions.
It is the direct opposite of egoísta (selfish) and carries a strong moral weight.
The word is commonly used in both formal contexts (ethics, news) and informal praise.
Grammatically, it requires an accent on the 'í' and adds 's' for the plural form.

The Portuguese word altruísta is a powerful adjective used to describe individuals, actions, or philosophies characterized by a selfless concern for the well-being of others. At its core, being altruísta involves acting in a way that benefits someone else at a potential cost or lack of benefit to oneself. This term is deeply rooted in social ethics and moral philosophy, but in everyday Portuguese, it is commonly used to praise someone's character. Unlike simple kindness, which might be a passing gesture, altruism often implies a more consistent personality trait or a significant act of sacrifice. You will encounter this word in a variety of contexts, ranging from casual conversations about a helpful neighbor to formal academic discussions about sociology and psychology. In a world where individual success is often prioritized, calling someone altruísta is one of the highest compliments regarding their moral fiber. It suggests that the person operates on a frequency of empathy and collective care rather than personal gain.

Semantic Range: The word encompasses everything from small daily sacrifices to grand philanthropic gestures. It is not limited to financial help; it often refers to giving time, emotional support, or physical effort without expecting a 'thank you' or a reciprocal favor.

O herói daquela história era um homem profundamente altruísta, sempre colocando as necessidades da vila acima das suas próprias.

Philosophical Origin: The term was popularized by the French philosopher Auguste Comte as an antonym for egoism. In Portuguese, it maintains this strong philosophical weight, often appearing in debates about the nature of human goodness and whether 'pure' altruism actually exists or if all actions have a hidden selfish motive.

Muitas organizações não governamentais dependem do trabalho altruísta de voluntários que viajam pelo mundo.

Ela tomou uma decisão altruísta ao doar todo o seu prêmio para o hospital local.

Social Impact: In Brazilian and Portuguese cultures, altruism is often linked to religious or community values. It is seen as a necessary component for social cohesion, especially in times of economic crisis or natural disasters where the state might fail to provide immediate relief.

O comportamento altruísta dos jovens durante a enchente salvou centenas de animais domésticos.

Não precisamos ser ricos para ter uma atitude altruísta no nosso dia a dia.

In summary, to be altruísta is to possess a spirit of generosity that transcends the ego. It is a word that carries weight, respect, and a sense of human connection. Whether you are reading a classic novel or listening to a news report about a local hero, understanding this word helps you grasp the nuances of Portuguese moral vocabulary and the cultural value placed on selflessness and community support.

Using altruísta correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical behavior as a 'uniform' adjective. In Portuguese, many adjectives change their ending based on the gender of the noun they modify (e.g., 'bonito' vs 'bonita'). However, adjectives ending in '-ista' are gender-neutral. This makes altruísta relatively easy for English speakers to master, as you don't have to worry about changing the ending for 'ele' (he) or 'ela' (she). You only need to concern yourself with the number: 'altruísta' for singular and 'altruístas' for plural.

Noun Placement: Typically, 'altruísta' follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for adjectives in Portuguese. For example, 'um gesto altruísta' (an altruistic gesture). Placing it before the noun, such as 'um altruísta gesto', is rare and usually reserved for poetic or highly literary contexts to add emphasis or a specific rhythmic flow.

Eles são conhecidos por seus atos altruístas em prol da educação infantil.

Verbal Pairings: This adjective is most commonly paired with the verb 'ser' (to be) because altruism is usually perceived as a permanent character trait or an inherent quality of an action. Using 'estar' (to be temporarily) would imply that the person is being altruistic only in that specific moment, which is less common but grammatically possible if you want to highlight a sudden change in behavior.

Para ser um bom líder, é essencial ter um espírito altruísta.

A vizinha é uma pessoa altruísta que cuida de todos os gatos da rua.

Degrees of Intensity: You can intensify the word using 'muito' (very), 'extremamente' (extremely), or 'bastante' (quite). Since it is an absolute quality in many people's minds, using these intensifiers adds a strong layer of admiration. For example, 'Ele foi extremamente altruísta ao ceder sua vaga'.

O projeto social busca incentivar uma mentalidade mais altruísta nas escolas.

Aquela doação anônima foi o ato mais altruísta que já vi.

By practicing these patterns, you will find that 'altruísta' fits naturally into your Portuguese vocabulary. Whether you are describing a person's character, a specific action, or a general philosophy, the word remains stable and predictable in its grammar, allowing you to focus on the emotional and moral weight of what you are communicating. Always remember to check for plural agreement, as 'gestos altruístas' is a common phrase where the 's' is necessary for both words.

In the real world, altruísta is not just a word for textbooks; it is frequently heard in media, professional environments, and social gatherings. In Brazil and Portugal, news broadcasts often use this term when reporting on 'heróis anônimos' (anonymous heroes) who have performed extraordinary feats to help others during crises. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic or during the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, the word altruísta was constantly used to describe people who distributed food, offered free shelter, or worked extra hours in hospitals without extra pay.

Workplace and CSR: In the corporate world, you will hear this word in discussions about 'Responsabilidade Social Corporativa' (Corporate Social Responsibility). Companies want to be seen as having altruistic motives, even if their primary goal is profit. HR departments might look for 'perfil altruísta' in candidates for roles that require high levels of teamwork and empathy, such as nursing, social work, or non-profit management.

O documentário foca no trabalho altruísta de médicos em zonas de conflito.

Literature and Art: Portuguese literature is rich with characters that embody altruism. From the works of Machado de Assis to José Saramago, authors often explore the tension between selfish desires and altruistic duties. In literary criticism, you might hear a character described as 'uma alma altruísta' (an altruistic soul), highlighting their role as a moral compass within the narrative.

Na entrevista, o jogador de futebol disse que seu gol foi um esforço altruísta para ajudar o time.

Muitos jovens hoje buscam carreiras que permitam um impacto altruísta na sociedade.

Social Media: On platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn, the hashtag #altruismo or #atitudealtruista is used to share stories of kindness. It is part of the 'wholesome' side of the internet where users celebrate selfless acts, such as rescuing animals or supporting small creators without expecting anything in return.

O vídeo viralizou porque mostrava um gesto altruísta entre dois estranhos no metrô.

A doação de órgãos é considerada o maior ato altruísta que um ser humano pode realizar.

Listening for this word in these varied environments will help you understand its versatility. It is not just a high-brow academic term; it is a living word that captures the essence of human cooperation and empathy across all levels of Portuguese-speaking society. From the stadium to the church, and from the office to the newsroom, 'altruísta' is the go-to word for describing the best of human nature.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with altruísta is attempting to change its gender. Because many Portuguese adjectives end in '-o' for masculine and '-a' for feminine, students often mistakenly say 'ele é altruísto'. This is incorrect. The word altruísta is what we call an 'adjetivo uniforme'—it stays the same regardless of the gender of the person or object being described. Always remember: 'Ele é altruísta' and 'Ela é altruísta' are both perfectly correct.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: Another common error involves the hiatus between the 'u' and the 'í'. In English, 'altruistic' has a different stress pattern. In Portuguese, the 'í' has a graphic accent, which means it must be stressed and pronounced clearly as a separate syllable: al-tru-ÍS-ta. Learners often try to glide over the 'u' or make it sound like 'al-trust-a', which can make the word unrecognizable to native speakers.

Errado: Ele é muito altruísto. (Incorrect gender agreement). Correto: Ele é muito altruísta.

Confusing with 'Generoso': While 'altruísta' and 'generoso' (generous) are related, they are not identical. Generosity often implies giving things (money, gifts), while altruism implies a deeper philosophical or moral motivation involving self-sacrifice. You can be generous with your money but still be selfish in your motives (e.g., for tax breaks), but being altruísta requires a lack of self-interest. Using 'generoso' when you mean 'altruísta' might undersell the person's character.

Errado: O seu ato altruista (missing accent). Correto: O seu ato altruísta.

Errado: Atitudes altruísta. Correto: Atitudes altruístas.

Misusing as a Verb: Some learners try to invent a verb like 'altruistar'. While Portuguese is flexible, this verb does not exist. Instead, you should use phrases like 'agir de forma altruísta' (to act in an altruistic way) or 'ter uma atitude altruísta'. Stick to the noun/adjective forms to sound natural.

Errado: Ele gosta de altruistar os outros. Correto: Ele gosta de ajudar os outros de forma altruísta.

Errado: Uma pessoa altrista. Correto: Uma pessoa altruísta.

Avoiding these common mistakes will significantly improve your fluency. By mastering the gender-neutral nature of the word and paying attention to the written accent, you will demonstrate a high level of linguistic awareness. Remember, 'altruísta' is a word of praise, so getting it right shows respect for both the person you are describing and the Portuguese language itself.

While altruísta is a specific and powerful term, the Portuguese language offers several synonyms and related words that can help you add variety to your speech and writing. Depending on the context—whether you are talking about money, time, or emotional support—one of these alternatives might be more appropriate. Understanding the subtle differences between these words is key to achieving a B2 or C1 level of proficiency.

Generoso: This is the most common alternative. While 'altruísta' focuses on the motivation (selflessness), 'generoso' focuses on the abundance of the giving. You can say someone is 'generoso com o seu tempo' or 'generoso com o seu dinheiro'. It is a broader, more everyday term.

Ele foi muito generoso ao pagar o jantar para todos.

Abnegado: This is a more formal and intense synonym. 'Abnegado' comes from 'abnegação' (self-denial). It describes someone who completely sacrifices their own interests, comforts, or even their life for a cause or for others. It is often used for saints, soldiers, or dedicated parents.

A enfermeira teve uma conduta abnegada durante a crise sanitária.

O seu comportamento foi o oposto de altruísta; foi puramente egoísta.

Filantropo: This is a noun used specifically for people who make large-scale donations to improve human welfare. While an altruist can be someone who helps a neighbor, a philanthropist is usually associated with wealth and institutional giving. Every philanthropist is ideally altruistic, but not every altruist has the means to be a philanthropist.

O famoso empresário é conhecido como um grande filantropo.

Ele olhou para a criança com um sorriso benevolente.

Desprendido: This word literally means 'detached'. In a moral sense, it describes someone who is not attached to material goods or personal credit. A 'pessoa desprendida' is someone who gives easily because they don't feel a strong need to own things or be recognized. It is a very common and natural way to describe an altruistic person in Brazil.

Ela é muito desprendida das coisas materiais.

Exploring these synonyms allows you to tailor your message to the exact situation. Whether you want to sound formal, emotional, or just descriptive, knowing the difference between being 'altruísta', 'generoso', and 'abnegado' will make your Portuguese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

Auguste Comte created the word to provide a secular alternative to the religious concept of 'charity'. He wanted a word that focused on the social and scientific duty to care for others.

Guía de pronunciación

UK ˌæltruˈɪstə

US ˌæltruˈɪstə

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: al-tru-ÍS-ta.

Rima con

artista otimista pessimista dentista turista revista conquista ciclista

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it as three syllables (al-truis-ta) instead of four (al-tru-ís-ta).
Forgetting the accent on the 'í' when writing.
Changing the ending to 'o' for men (altruísto).
Pronouncing the initial 'a' too nasally.
Merging the 'u' and 'i' into a diphthong.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'í'.

Expresión oral 3/5

The hiatus between 'u' and 'í' can be tricky.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to spot.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

bom ajudar pessoa outro egoísta

Aprende después

generosidade solidariedade filantropia abnegação empatia

Avanzado

imperativo categórico utilitarismo ética humanismo agápē

Gramática que debes saber

Gender-neutral adjectives ending in -ista.

O dentista altruísta / A dentista altruísta.

Hiatus accentuation: 'i' and 'u' are accented when they are the second vowel of a hiatus.

al-tru-ís-ta, sa-ú-de.

Adjective placement after the noun for objective description.

Um homem altruísta.

Pluralization of adjectives ending in 'a'.

Pessoas altruístas.

Use of 'ser' for permanent character traits.

Ele é altruísta.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Ele é um amigo altruísta.

He is an altruistic friend.

Altruísta follows the noun 'amigo'.

Ela é muito altruísta com todos.

She is very altruistic with everyone.

Note that 'altruísta' ends in 'a' even for masculine nouns, but here it's feminine.

O meu pai é altruísta.

My father is altruistic.

The adjective 'altruísta' is gender-neutral.

Você é uma pessoa altruísta?

Are you an altruistic person?

Simple question structure.

Ser altruísta é bom.

To be altruistic is good.

Use of 'ser' for permanent qualities.

João ajuda a escola de forma altruísta.

João helps the school in an altruistic way.

'De forma altruísta' functions as an adverbial phrase.

Eles não são altruístas.

They are not altruistic.

Plural agreement: add 's' to altruísta.

A Maria é altruísta e gentil.

Maria is altruistic and kind.

Combining two adjectives.

O voluntário fez um trabalho altruísta.

The volunteer did an altruistic job.

Adjective modifying the noun 'trabalho'.

Precisamos de mais líderes altruístas.

We need more altruistic leaders.

Plural 'líderes' matches with 'altruístas'.

Ela teve um gesto altruísta ontem.

She had an altruistic gesture yesterday.

Past tense 'teve' with 'gesto altruísta'.

Ser altruísta significa pensar nos outros.

Being altruistic means thinking of others.

Defining the word in a sentence.

O herói do livro é muito altruísta.

The hero of the book is very altruistic.

Use of the intensifier 'muito'.

Eles doaram dinheiro de maneira altruísta.

They donated money in an altruistic manner.

'De maneira altruísta' is another way to say 'altruistically'.

Não seja egoísta, seja altruísta!

Don't be selfish, be altruistic!

Imperative mood using 'ser'.

A vizinha altruísta cuida dos cães da rua.

The altruistic neighbor takes care of the street dogs.

Adjective placed between noun and verb.

O altruísmo é uma virtude rara hoje em dia.

Altruism is a rare virtue nowadays.

Using the noun 'altruísmo'.

Muitas ONGs sobrevivem graças ao esforço altruísta de poucos.

Many NGOs survive thanks to the altruistic effort of a few.

Prepositional phrase 'graças ao'.

Ele agiu de forma altruísta ao ceder sua vez na fila.

He acted in an altruistic way by giving up his place in line.

Gerund 'ao ceder' used to explain the action.

É difícil encontrar políticos com motivações altruístas.

It's hard to find politicians with altruistic motivations.

Plural noun 'motivações' with 'altruístas'.

O seu comportamento altruísta inspirou toda a equipe.

Your altruistic behavior inspired the whole team.

Possessive 'seu' with 'comportamento altruísta'.

Ela dedica seu tempo livre a causas altruístas.

She dedicates her free time to altruistic causes.

Verb 'dedicar' followed by 'a'.

Um espírito altruísta pode mudar uma comunidade.

An altruistic spirit can change a community.

Abstract noun 'espírito' modified by 'altruísta'.

Apesar de pobre, ele sempre foi altruísta.

Despite being poor, he was always altruistic.

Concession clause starting with 'Apesar de'.

O altruísmo recíproco é um conceito importante na biologia.

Reciprocal altruism is an important concept in biology.

Technical term 'altruísmo recíproco'.

Ela agiu altruisticamente, sem esperar qualquer reconhecimento.

She acted altruistically, without expecting any recognition.

Using the adverb 'altruisticamente'.

A empresa promove valores altruístas entre os funcionários.

The company promotes altruistic values among employees.

Verb 'promover' with plural object.

O sacrifício dele foi um exemplo de conduta altruísta.

His sacrifice was an example of altruistic conduct.

Noun 'conduta' modified by 'altruísta'.

É possível conciliar interesses pessoais com atos altruístas?

Is it possible to reconcile personal interests with altruistic acts?

Infinitive 'conciliar' in a question.

O altruísta não busca a gratidão alheia.

The altruist does not seek the gratitude of others.

'Altruísta' used as a noun.

A filosofia de Comte colocava o altruísmo no centro da moral.

Comte's philosophy placed altruism at the center of morality.

Historical/Academic context.

Sua dedicação altruísta à ciência rendeu grandes descobertas.

Her altruistic dedication to science yielded great discoveries.

Abstract noun 'dedicação' with 'altruísta'.

A verdadeira natureza do ato altruísta é frequentemente debatida.

The true nature of the altruistic act is frequently debated.

Passive voice 'é debatida'.

O altruísmo eficaz busca maximizar o impacto positivo das doações.

Effective altruism seeks to maximize the positive impact of donations.

Specific modern movement 'altruísmo eficaz'.

Ele possui uma inclinação altruísta quase patológica.

He has an almost pathological altruistic inclination.

Use of the adjective 'patológica' to modify the degree of altruism.

A narrativa explora o conflito entre o dever e o desejo altruísta.

The narrative explores the conflict between duty and altruistic desire.

Literary analysis context.

O altruísmo desinteressado é a base das sociedades cooperativas.

Disinterested altruism is the basis of cooperative societies.

Adjective 'desinteressado' reinforcing the meaning.

O autor questiona se existe algum ato puramente altruísta.

The author questions whether any purely altruistic act exists.

Subjunctive mood 'se existe' (or indicative depending on certainty).

A política de bem-estar social reflete um certo altruísmo estatal.

Social welfare policy reflects a certain state altruism.

Metaphorical use of 'altruísmo estatal'.

Sua vida foi pautada por escolhas altruístas e corajosas.

Her life was guided by altruistic and courageous choices.

Participle 'pautada' followed by 'por'.

A ontologia do altruísmo desafia as premissas do individualismo metodológico.

The ontology of altruism challenges the premises of methodological individualism.

High-level academic vocabulary.

O fenômeno do altruísmo biológico pode ser explicado pela seleção de parentesco.

The phenomenon of biological altruism can be explained by kin selection.

Scientific/Evolutionary context.

Subjacente a esse gesto altruísta, percebe-se uma complexa teia de motivações.

Underlying this altruistic gesture, one perceives a complex web of motivations.

Introductory participle 'Subjacente'.

A retórica altruísta muitas vezes mascara interesses geopolíticos subalternos.

Altruistic rhetoric often masks subordinate geopolitical interests.

Political critique context.

O imperativo altruísta manifesta-se na abnegação total do sujeito perante o outro.

The altruistic imperative manifests itself in the subject's total self-denial before the other.

Philosophical terminology 'imperativo' and 'sujeito'.

A arquitetura daquela fundação reflete uma visão altruísta e humanista.

The architecture of that foundation reflects an altruistic and humanist vision.

Describing abstract concepts through physical objects.

É imperativo discernir entre o altruísmo autêntico e o marketing de virtude.

It is imperative to discern between authentic altruism and virtue signaling.

Verb 'discernir' with complex objects.

O legado altruísta daquela civilização perdura através dos milênios.

The altruistic legacy of that civilization endures through the millennia.

Historical/Temporal context.

Colocaciones comunes

gesto altruísta

comportamento altruísta

atitude altruísta

trabalho altruísta

motivação altruísta

espírito altruísta

causa altruísta

líder altruísta

doação altruísta

visão altruísta

Frases Comunes

de forma altruísta

— In an altruistic manner; used to describe how an action was done.

Ele ajudou de forma altruísta.

pelo bem comum

— For the common good; often used alongside altruistic acts.

Agimos pelo bem comum.

sem pedir nada em troca

— Without asking for anything in return; the definition of being altruistic.

Ela ajuda sem pedir nada em troca.

pensar no próximo

— To think of others/one's neighbor; a core altruistic value.

É importante pensar no próximo.

fazer o bem sem olhar a quem

— To do good regardless of who receives it; a common altruistic proverb.

Minha mãe sempre diz: faça o bem sem olhar a quem.

dedicação total

— Total dedication; often used to describe altruistic service.

Sua dedicação total aos doentes é altruísta.

desprendimento material

— Material detachment; a common trait of altruistic people.

O seu desprendimento material é inspirador.

amor ao próximo

— Love for one's neighbor; the religious root of altruism.

O altruísmo nasce do amor ao próximo.

serviço voluntário

— Volunteer service; the practical application of altruism.

O serviço voluntário é um ato altruísta.

alma caridosa

— Charitable soul; a common way to describe an altruistic person.

Ela é uma verdadeira alma caridosa.

Se confunde a menudo con

altruísta vs egoísta

The exact opposite. Don't mix them up!

altruísta vs generoso

Generous is about quantity; altruistic is about motive.

altruísta vs artista

They sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Modismos y expresiones

"dar a camisa do corpo"

— To give the shirt off one's back; to be extremely altruistic and generous.

Ele é tão altruísta que daria a camisa do corpo para te ajudar.

informal

"tirar do seu para dar ao outro"

— To take from one's own (food/money) to give to another; to sacrifice for others.

Ela tirava do seu para dar ao outro, sempre muito altruísta.

neutral

"ter um coração de ouro"

— To have a heart of gold; to be a very kind and altruistic person.

Aquele médico tem um coração de ouro.

neutral

"não ter mãos a medir"

— To be extremely busy helping others or doing work; often used for altruistic workers.

Com tantos refugiados, os voluntários não têm mãos a medir.

informal

"ser um pão"

— In some contexts, to be a very 'good' or 'sweet' person (though often means attractive, it can mean kind).

Ele é um pão de pessoa, tão altruísta.

informal

"fazer das tripas coração"

— To make a huge effort despite difficulties; often used for altruistic sacrifice.

Ela fez das tripas coração para alimentar os órfãos.

informal

"cair do céu"

— To fall from the sky; used for an altruistic person who arrives just when needed.

Aquele voluntário caiu do céu para nos ajudar.

informal

"dar o sangue"

— To give one's blood; to work extremely hard or sacrifice for a cause.

Eles deram o sangue pelo projeto altruísta.

informal

"vestir a camisa"

— To wear the shirt; to be fully committed to a cause or team.

Ela vestiu a camisa da ONG de forma altruísta.

informal

"mão aberta"

— Open hand; someone who is very generous or altruistic with money.

Ele sempre foi mão aberta com os necessitados.

informal

Fácil de confundir

altruísta vs altruístico

It's the other adjective form.

Altruísta describes the person or the act; altruístico is more formal and often describes the nature of the thing.

Um pensamento altruístico.

altruísta vs autruí

It's the French root.

Portuguese uses 'outro' or 'alheio' instead of 'autruí'.

O bem alheio.

altruísta vs filantropo

Both involve helping.

Filantropo is a noun for someone who gives a lot of money; altruísta is an adjective for the attitude.

O filantropo é altruísta.

altruísta vs benevolente

Similar meaning.

Benevolente is more about being kind; altruísta is more about self-sacrifice.

Um olhar benevolente.

altruísta vs abnegado

Very close synonyms.

Abnegado is much more formal and implies total denial of self.

Um sacrifício abnegado.

Patrones de oraciones

[Subject] é altruísta.

O Pedro é altruísta.

Um/Uma [Noun] altruísta.

Uma vizinha altruísta.

Agir de forma altruísta.

Ela agiu de forma altruísta.

Ter um perfil altruísta.

O candidato tem um perfil altruísta.

Subjacente a um ato altruísta...

Subjacente a um ato altruísta, há sempre empatia.

O altruísmo como base de...

O altruísmo como base de uma sociedade justa.

A retórica do altruísmo...

A retórica do altruísmo permeia o discurso político.

O imperativo de ser altruísta.

O imperativo de ser altruísta desafia o ego.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

altruísmo

altruísta

Adjetivos

altruísta

altruístico

Relacionado

filantropia

egoísmo

generosidade

abnegação

empatia

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

It is a medium-frequency word, common in media and ethical discussions.

Errores comunes

altruísto → altruísta
Adjectives in -ista are gender-neutral. Never use 'o' at the end.
altruista (no accent) → altruísta
The accent is mandatory to indicate the stressed syllable and the hiatus.
Eles são altruísta → Eles são altruístas
Adjectives must agree in number with the noun they modify.
Ele é muito altruísto → Ele é muito altruísta
Even with 'muito' and a male subject, the ending remains 'a'.
altrista → altruísta
Don't forget the 'u'! It is part of the root word.

Consejos

Gender Neutrality

Remember that '-ista' words like altruísta, otimista, and artista are the same for all genders.

The Stressed Í

Always stress the 'í'. If you stress the 'tru', people might not understand you.

Synonym Choice

Use 'altruísta' for moral praise and 'generoso' for material giving.

The Accent Mark

Don't forget the acute accent (´) on the 'í'. It's essential for correct spelling.

Giving Compliments

Calling someone 'altruísta' is a very high compliment in Portuguese cultures.

Global Issues

This is a great word to use when discussing climate change or social justice.

Adverbial Form

Use 'altruisticamente' to describe actions: 'Ele doou altruisticamente'.

Identifying Root

If you see 'altru-', it almost always relates to selflessness.

Logic of the Word

It comes from 'alter' (other), so it's all about the 'other person'.

Daily Practice

Try to find one 'gesto altruísta' in your day and write it down.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'ALL-TRUE-ISTA'. An altruísta is ALL TRUE to their values by putting others first.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person holding an umbrella over someone else while they themselves get wet. That is an altruísta gesture.

Word Web

other help give sacrifice kind unselfish community hero

Desafío

Try to identify one altruísta act you saw today and describe it in a Portuguese sentence using the word.

Origen de la palabra

From the French word 'altruiste', which was coined by the philosopher Auguste Comte in the 19th century.

Significado original: Derived from the Old French 'autrui' (other people), which comes from the Latin 'alter' (other).

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

While it is a positive word, some might use it critically to describe someone who helps others but neglects their own family or responsibilities.

The English 'altruistic' and Portuguese 'altruísta' are cognates, making it easy to recognize, but the Portuguese word is used slightly more frequently in daily moral praise.

Irmã Dulce (The 'Angel of Bahia'), known for her altruísta work with the poor. Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands during WWII. Zilda Arns, the Brazilian pediatrician and founder of the Pastoral da Criança.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Volunteering

Trabalho voluntário
Ajudar a comunidade
Doar tempo
Causa nobre

Ethics

Valores morais
Dever ético
Bem comum
Desinteresse pessoal

Relationships

Amigo verdadeiro
Apoio mútuo
Sacrifício pessoal
Cuidar do outro

News/Media

Herói anônimo
Ato de bravura
Solidariedade humana
Resgate

Religion

Caridade
Amor ao próximo
Missão
Almas generosas

Inicios de conversación

"Você se considera uma pessoa altruísta no dia a dia?"

"Qual foi o gesto mais altruísta que você já viu alguém fazer?"

"Você acha que é possível ser totalmente altruísta sem esperar nada?"

"Como podemos incentivar as crianças a serem mais altruístas?"

"Você prefere trabalhar com pessoas competitivas ou altruístas?"

Temas para diario

Descreva uma situação em que você agiu de forma altruísta e como se sentiu.

Reflita sobre a importância do altruísmo para a harmonia da sociedade moderna.

Escreva sobre uma pessoa famosa que você admira por suas ações altruístas.

Como o mundo seria diferente se todos fossem um pouco mais altruístas?

Analise a diferença entre ser generoso e ser verdadeiramente altruísta.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is both! It is a 'common-gender' adjective, so you say 'o homem altruísta' and 'a mulher altruísta'.

Pronounce them separately. 'Tru' like true, and 'ís' like ease. Al-tru-ís-ta.

Yes, in biology, we talk about 'comportamento altruísta' in species that help each other.

The noun is 'altruísmo' (altruism).

Yes, especially in news, social media, and when praising someone's character.

Yes, just add an 's': 'altruístas'.

Yes, you can say 'O altruísta' to mean 'The altruist'.

Yes, it sounds more sophisticated and implies a deeper moral motive.

Because it is a hiatus where the 'i' is the stressed syllable and is not followed by 'nh' or another 'i'.

No, that is a common mistake. Adjectives ending in '-ista' never change to '-o'.

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