Esta página en tu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective 11 min de lectura

desfiado

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos desfiado en 30 segundos

Explicación desfiado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'desfiado' primarily as a food word. Think of it as a way to describe chicken in a sandwich. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'frango desfiado' is a very common filling for snacks you will buy at a 'padaria' (bakery). It is an adjective, so it describes a noun. If you see it on a menu, it means the meat is not in big pieces, but in small, thin strings. This makes it easy to eat and very tasty! You might also see it in very basic descriptions of clothes, like 'jeans desfiados', which are popular with young people. Focus on the 'shredded' meaning for now, as that is where you will use it most when ordering food or shopping for groceries.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'desfiado' in more complete sentences and start to notice the gender agreement. You should be able to ask for 'carne desfiada' (feminine) or 'frango desfiado' (masculine). You can use it to describe things in your house that are getting old, like 'uma toalha desfiada' (a frayed towel). At this stage, you should also understand the verb it comes from: 'desfiar'. You might say, 'Eu preciso desfiar o frango para a receita' (I need to shred the chicken for the recipe). You are moving beyond just recognizing the word on a menu to using it to describe textures and the condition of objects around you. It is a useful word for basic daily life, especially in the kitchen and when talking about clothing.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'desfiado' in various contexts, including more detailed culinary descriptions and fashion. You can explain how to prepare a dish: 'Primeiro, cozinhe a carne até ficar macia e depois sirva-a desfiada' (First, cook the meat until soft and then serve it shredded). You also start to use it for hair styles ('corte desfiado') and understand the difference between 'desfiado' (shredded) and 'picado' (chopped). Your understanding of gender and number agreement should be solid. You might also encounter it in slightly more abstract ways, like describing a rope that is starting to break ('a corda está desfiada'). You can now use the word to provide more specific details in your conversations, making your Portuguese sound more descriptive and natural.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the B2 level, you can use 'desfiado' with nuance. You understand that 'desfiado' in fashion can be a deliberate style choice ('um acabamento desfiado proposital') versus a sign of wear and tear. You can participate in discussions about cooking techniques, comparing 'carne desfiada' to 'carne moída' or 'carne em tiras'. You might use the word in more formal settings, such as describing textile recycling or hair styling techniques in detail. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms like 'esfiapado' when appropriate to add variety to your speech. You are also able to understand the word when used in news reports or articles about fashion trends or culinary traditions, recognizing its importance in Lusophone culture.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'desfiado' and its related forms. You can use the verb 'desfiar' metaphorically, such as 'desfiar um rosário de queixas' (to rattle off a long list of complaints), where the idea of unravelling threads is applied to speech. You recognize the word in literary contexts where it might describe a mist that is 'desfiada' (shredded/wispy) by the wind. You understand the technical differences between 'desfiado' and 'desfibrado' in industrial contexts. Your use of the word is precise, and you can switch between registers easily, using 'esfarrapado' for a 'lame excuse' while using 'desfiado' to describe the delicate texture of a high-end 'bacalhau' dish. You are sensitive to the connotations of the word in different regions of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C2 level, 'desfiado' is a tool for precise expression in both technical and poetic contexts. You might use it to describe the structural failure of composite materials in an engineering report or to create vivid imagery in a piece of creative writing. You are fully aware of the word's etymology from 'fio' and can play with its meanings in wordplay or puns. You understand the historical development of the word and its role in traditional Portuguese and Brazilian crafts, such as 'renda' (lace) making. Your mastery allows you to use the word and its derivatives with total flexibility, whether you are discussing the 'desfiar' of a complex political situation or the precise texture of a gourmet dish. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a versatile concept in your linguistic repertoire.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

desfiado en 30 segundos

Primarily means 'shredded' for food (meat/fish) and 'frayed' or 'distressed' for textiles and fashion.
Essential for reading menus in Brazil and Portugal, especially for savory snacks like coxinhas.
Functions as an adjective that must agree in gender (desfiado/desfiada) and number with the noun.
Derived from 'fio' (thread), literally meaning the state of being unthreaded or pulled apart.

The Portuguese word desfiado is a versatile adjective that primarily describes something that has been pulled apart into threads or thin strips. Derived from the noun fio (thread) and the prefix des- (indicating removal or reversal), it literally translates to 'unthreaded' or 'de-threaded.' In everyday life, you will encounter this word most frequently in two specific domains: the kitchen and the world of fashion. In a culinary context, it is the standard term for 'shredded' meat, such as chicken or beef. In fashion, it refers to 'distressed' or 'frayed' clothing, particularly denim. Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating a Brazilian or Portuguese menu, as shredded meats are a staple of the local gastronomy.

Culinary Context: When meat is cooked until tender and then pulled apart with forks or by hand, it becomes desfiado. This texture is preferred for fillings in savory snacks like coxinhas, empadões, and sandwiches. It allows the meat to absorb sauces more effectively than chopped or cubed meat.
Fashion Context: If you see a pair of jeans with intentional holes or loose threads at the hem, they are described as jeans desfiados. This describes the aesthetic of raw edges and visible fibers that suggest a worn-in, casual look.

Eu gostaria de um sanduíche de frango desfiado com bastante maionese, por favor.

I would like a shredded chicken sandwich with plenty of mayonnaise, please.

Beyond these common uses, desfiado can also describe hair that has been thinned out or layered by a stylist, or even a rope that has started to unravel. The core concept is always the separation of a whole into its constituent fibers or strands. It is important to note that since it is an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: frango desfiado (masculine singular), carne desfiada (feminine singular), tecidos desfiados (masculine plural), and calças desfiadas (feminine plural).

Esta bainha da calça está toda desfiada; preciso costurá-la.

This pant hem is all frayed; I need to sew it.

In a metaphorical sense, though less common, desfiar (the verb form) can mean to recount something in great detail, as if pulling a thread through a story. However, as an adjective, desfiado remains firmly rooted in the physical state of being shredded or frayed. It is a word that appeals to the senses of touch and sight, describing a specific texture that is neither smooth nor solid, but composed of many distinct, fine parts. When you see bacalhau desfiado on a Portuguese menu, expect fine flakes of salted cod mixed into a dish like 'Bacalhau à Brás'.

O chef preparou um prato sofisticado com pato desfiado e redução de vinho.

Textural nuance: Unlike 'picado' (chopped), which results in cubes or chunks, 'desfiado' implies a longitudinal separation along the natural fibers of the material.

Using desfiado correctly involves paying close attention to the noun it describes. Because it functions as a past participle used as an adjective, it must match the gender and number of the subject. Let's look at the grammatical structures where this word typically appears. It often follows the verb ser or estar to describe a state, or it acts as a direct modifier immediately following a noun.

As a Direct Modifier: This is the most common usage in food and fashion. Example: 'Eu comprei frango desfiado' (I bought shredded chicken). Here, 'desfiado' tells us exactly what kind of chicken was bought.
With the Verb 'Estar': Used to describe a temporary or resulting state. Example: 'A minha camisa está desfiada' (My shirt is frayed). This implies something happened to the shirt to cause this state.

Para esta receita, precisamos de dois quilos de carne bovina desfiada.

For this recipe, we need two kilograms of shredded beef.

When talking about hair, desfiado describes a specific cutting technique. A stylist might ask, 'Você quer um corte desfiado?' (Do you want a feathered/layered cut?). In this context, it suggests a look that is light and textured rather than blunt. It is also common to see the word in DIY (Do It Yourself) contexts, where someone explains how to achieve a 'look desfiado' on an old pair of shorts. The process of making something desfiado is called desfiar.

O tapete da sala ficou desfiado depois que o gato brincou com ele.

The living room rug became frayed after the cat played with it.

In technical or industrial settings, desfiado might describe raw fibers or textile waste that has been processed. For instance, 'resíduo têxtil desfiado' refers to shredded textile waste used for recycling. This shows that the word maintains its core meaning of 'separated into fibers' across various levels of formality. Whether you are at a high-end hair salon, a textile factory, or a local burger joint, the word functions the same way to describe a specific physical transformation from a solid mass into a collection of strands.

Ela prefere usar shorts jeans desfiados durante o verão no Rio.

Agreement Check: Always look at the noun. Is it 'o queijo' (the cheese)? Then it is 'desfiado'. Is it 'a mussarela' (the mozzarella)? Then it is 'desfiada'.

If you spend any time in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will hear desfiado constantly, often in places where food is prepared or sold. It is a 'kitchen word' par excellence. Walk into a lanchonete (snack bar) in São Paulo or Lisbon, and you'll see signs for 'Sanduíche de Pernil Desfiado' (shredded pork leg sandwich) or 'Coxinha de Frango Desfiado'. This is perhaps the most iconic use of the word in Brazil—the shredded chicken filling is what makes the coxinha a national treasure.

Garçom, eu queria uma porção de carne-seca desfiada com cebola roxa.

Waiter, I'd like a portion of shredded sun-dried beef with red onion.

Another common place to hear the word is at the hair salon (salão de beleza). Brazilian hair culture is huge, and 'corte desfiado' is a very popular request. It refers to a technique using a razor or specific scissors to create a jagged, textured edge rather than a straight line. You might hear a stylist say, 'Vou dar uma desfiada nas pontas para dar mais movimento' (I'm going to shred/layer the ends to give more movement). Here, the word is used to describe a style that looks intentional and modern.

In the fashion world, particularly in shopping malls (shoppings), you will see 'desfiado' on clothing tags or hear it in descriptions of the latest trends. 'Bainha desfiada' (frayed hem) is a common feature on summer clothes. If you are complaining about the quality of a garment, you might say, 'Este casaco já está todo desfiado!' (This coat is already all frayed!). This usage carries a negative connotation of poor quality or wear and tear, unlike the 'intentional' distress of high-fashion jeans.

A tendência deste ano são as saias jeans com acabamento desfiado.

This year's trend is denim skirts with a frayed finish.

Lastly, you might hear it in more domestic or craft-related settings. Someone who sews might talk about a fabric that 'desfia muito' (frays a lot), requiring an overlock stitch. In this context, desfiado is a state to be avoided or fixed. Whether you are ordering a 'escondidinho de carne desfiada' or buying a pair of trendy jeans, the word is ubiquitous in the daily lives of Portuguese speakers.

Cuidado para não prender o seu anel na blusa, senão ela vai ficar desfiada.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using desfiado is confusing it with other ways of cutting food, specifically picado (chopped) or moído (ground). While 'picado' means meat or vegetables cut into small pieces with a knife, 'desfiado' specifically means the fibers have been pulled apart. If a recipe calls for 'frango desfiado' and you use 'frango picado', the texture of the dish—especially something like a Brazilian 'salpicão'—will be completely different and, to a local, quite wrong.

Desfiado vs. Picado: Desfiado: Shredded/pulled (like pulled pork).
Picado: Chopped into cubes or bits.
Desfiado vs. Moído: Moído: Ground (like hamburger meat). This is a much finer texture than shredded meat.

Another mistake involves gender agreement. Because many common food items are feminine (carne, sardinha, mussarela), learners often default to the masculine 'desfiado' out of habit. Saying 'carne desfiado' is a clear grammatical error. You must say 'carne desfiada'. Similarly, when referring to plural items like 'jeans' (which is masculine plural in Portuguese usage: os jeans), you must use 'desfiados'.

Incorrect: Eu quero a carne desfiado.
Correct: Eu quero a carne desfiada.

Learners also sometimes use desfiado to describe paper that has been shredded in a machine. While technically the paper is in strips, the more common term for shredded paper from a document shredder is papel picado or fragmentado. 'Desfiado' is almost always reserved for materials with natural fibers like meat, fabric, or hair. Using it for paper might sound a bit poetic or unusual to a native speaker.

Não confunda:
1. Desfiado (Shredded meat/cloth)
2. Desafiado (Challenged)
3. Desafiado (Out of tune - from 'desafinar')

Finally, be careful with the verb desfiar. While it means 'to shred', in some very specific contexts, it can mean 'to parade' (like a 'desfile' or fashion show), though this is archaic or very formal. Stick to the 'shredding' meaning in 99% of your daily interactions to avoid confusion. If you are describing a person's appearance, saying they look 'desfiado' doesn't really work unless you are specifically talking about their clothes or hair; it doesn't mean 'tired' or 'worn out' as 'shredded' might metaphorically mean in some English slang.

While desfiado is the most common and precise term for shredded or frayed items, there are several synonyms and related words that you might encounter depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these alternatives will help you fine-tune your descriptions and understand more nuanced Portuguese.

Esfiapado: This is a very close synonym, often used for clothes or fabrics. It comes from 'fiapo' (a lint or a small thread). If a towel is 'esfiapada', it has many little threads sticking out. It sounds a bit more informal and messy than 'desfiado'.
Esfarrapado: Meaning 'tattered' or 'ragged'. This goes a step beyond 'desfiado'. While 'desfiado' might be a style choice for jeans, 'esfarrapado' implies the clothing is falling apart and should probably be thrown away. It is also used in the expression 'desculpa esfarrapada' (a flimsy/lame excuse).
Em tiras: Literally 'in strips'. This is often used for vegetables (like peppers or carrots) that are julienned. While meat can be 'em tiras', 'desfiado' implies much thinner, more irregular strands than 'tiras'.

A carne estava cortada em tiras, mas eu preferia que estivesse desfiada.

The meat was cut in strips, but I preferred it to be shredded.

In the context of hair, you might hear repincado. While desfiado focus on the texture of the ends, repincado refers to a layered cut that creates volume throughout the hair. Both are common salon terms. For fabrics, roído (gnawed) is sometimes used if a hem is so frayed it looks like an animal got to it, though this is quite descriptive and informal.

If you are looking for a more formal or technical term in a textile context, you might use desfibrado. This refers to the industrial process of breaking down materials into their base fibers for recycling or manufacturing. It is the 'scientific' cousin of the everyday desfiado. In summary, while 'desfiado' is your 'go-to' word, knowing 'esfiapado' for messy fabrics and 'em tiras' for thicker culinary cuts will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

O pano de prato está esfiapado de tanto uso.

The dishcloth is frayed/stringy from so much use.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'fio' is the root for many English words too, like 'filament' and 'file' (originally a string of documents).

Guía de pronunciación

UK /deʒ.fi.ˈa.du/

US /des.fi.ˈa.du/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'a' (des-fi-A-do).

Rima con

passado cansado molhado gelado complicado fechado amado pintado

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'u'.
Missing the stress on the 'a' syllable.
Confusing the 's' sound with 'z' (it's a voiceless 's' or 'sh').
Treating the 'd' at the end like an English hard 'd' with a puff of air.
Pronouncing 'des' like 'dez' (ten).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize on menus and in fashion contexts.

Escritura 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Expresión oral 3/5

The 'sh' sound for 's' and the penultimate stress can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects, often heard in food settings.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

fio carne frango roupa estar

Aprende después

picado moído fatiado cozido temperado

Avanzado

desfiar a meada desfibrado repincado esfarrapado

Gramática que debes saber

Adjective Agreement

O frango (m) desfiado (m). A carne (f) desfiada (f).

Past Participle as Adjective

O verbo 'desfiar' torna-se o adjetivo 'desfiado'.

Pluralization of Adjectives

Os tecidos desfiados. As cordas desfiadas.

Use of 'Estar' for States

A blusa está desfiada (Current condition).

Adverbial Modification

Carne 'bem' desfiada (Finely shredded).

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

Eu como frango desfiado.

I eat shredded chicken.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective.

O pão tem carne desfiada.

The bread has shredded meat.

Note the feminine 'desfiada' matching 'carne'.

Eu quero jeans desfiados.

I want frayed jeans.

Plural agreement with 'jeans'.

A toalha está desfiada.

The towel is frayed.

Using 'estar' for a state.

O gato brinca com o fio desfiado.

The cat plays with the frayed thread.

Adjective modifying 'fio'.

Você gosta de peixe desfiado?

Do you like shredded fish?

Interrogative sentence.

O frango desfiado é bom.

The shredded chicken is good.

Adjective as a predicate.

Ela tem uma blusa desfiada.

She has a frayed blouse.

Feminine singular agreement.

Pode me dar um pouco de frango desfiado?

Can you give me some shredded chicken?

Polite request with 'pode'.

A carne-seca deve ser bem desfiada.

The dried beef must be well shredded.

Adverb 'bem' modifying the adjective.

Minha calça nova já está desfiada na barra.

My new pants are already frayed at the hem.

Prepositional phrase 'na barra'.

O chef preparou um bacalhau desfiado delicioso.

The chef prepared a delicious shredded cod.

Multiple adjectives modifying 'bacalhau'.

Não use esse pano, ele está todo desfiado.

Don't use that cloth, it is all frayed.

Intensifier 'todo' (completely).

Eu prefiro o cabelo com um corte desfiado.

I prefer hair with a layered/feathered cut.

Specific terminology for hair.

As cordas do violão estão desfiadas.

The guitar strings are frayed/unraveling.

Plural feminine agreement.

Nós compramos presunto desfiado para o café.

We bought shredded ham for breakfast.

Direct object with adjective.

Para fazer a coxinha, o frango precisa estar bem desfiado e temperado.

To make the coxinha, the chicken needs to be well shredded and seasoned.

Compound adjectives 'desfiado e temperado'.

O tecido da cortina começou a ficar desfiado por causa do sol.

The curtain fabric started to get frayed because of the sun.

Infinitive 'ficar' + adjective.

Ela comprou um short jeans desfiado para usar na praia.

She bought a pair of frayed denim shorts to wear at the beach.

Noun phrase with multiple modifiers.

O recheio do pastel é de carne desfiada com ovos.

The pastry filling is shredded meat with eggs.

Genitive construction 'de carne desfiada'.

Se você puxar esse fio, a blusa vai ficar toda desfiada.

If you pull this thread, the blouse will get all frayed.

Conditional sentence.

O tapete desfiado dá um ar rústico à sala de estar.

The frayed rug gives a rustic feel to the living room.

Adjective as part of the subject.

Eu pedi o peixe desfiado, mas ele veio em postas.

I asked for the fish shredded, but it came in steaks.

Contrast using 'mas'.

Muitas pessoas preferem o queijo mussarela desfiado na pizza.

Many people prefer shredded mozzarella cheese on pizza.

Adjective modifying a specific cheese type.

A técnica de deixar o jeans desfiado requer paciência e as ferramentas certas.

The technique of leaving the jeans frayed requires patience and the right tools.

Gerund phrase as subject.

O salpicão de Natal leva frango desfiado, maionese e batata palha.

Christmas 'salpicão' includes shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and shoestring potatoes.

Listing ingredients with modifiers.

O acabamento desfiado das bordas confere um estilo moderno à peça.

The frayed finish of the edges gives a modern style to the piece.

Abstract noun 'acabamento' modified by 'desfiado'.

As fibras do cabo de aço estavam visivelmente desfiadas, indicando perigo.

The steel cable fibers were visibly frayed, indicating danger.

Adverb 'visivelmente' + adjective.

No salão, ela pediu para o cabeleireiro fazer um corte desfiado nas pontas.

At the salon, she asked the hairdresser for a layered cut on the ends.

Indirect speech with 'pediu para'.

O bacalhau deve ser demolhado antes de ser desfiado para a receita.

The cod must be soaked before being shredded for the recipe.

Passive voice construction.

A bandeira antiga, desfiada pelo vento, ainda tremulava no mastro.

The old flag, frayed by the wind, still fluttered on the pole.

Appositive adjective phrase.

A empresa recicla resíduos têxteis desfiados para produzir novos fios.

The company recycles shredded textile waste to produce new threads.

Technical industrial context.

O manuscrito original apresentava bordas desfiadas e sinais de humidade.

The original manuscript showed frayed edges and signs of moisture.

Descriptive literary tone.

A trama do tecido, embora densa, revelava-se desfiada em pontos estratégicos.

The fabric's weave, though dense, revealed itself to be frayed at strategic points.

Reflexive verb 'revelava-se' with adjective.

O discurso do político foi desfiado pela crítica, que apontou cada falha lógica.

The politician's speech was shredded by critics, who pointed out every logical flaw.

Metaphorical use of the participle.

A névoa desfiada entre as montanhas criava uma atmosfera cinematográfica.

The shredded mist between the mountains created a cinematic atmosphere.

Poetic use describing weather.

A paciência dela, já desfiada pelos problemas constantes, finalmente se esgotou.

Her patience, already frayed by constant problems, finally ran out.

Metaphorical use for emotional state.

O artesão utilizava uma ferramenta específica para obter o efeito desfiado na seda.

The artisan used a specific tool to obtain the frayed effect on the silk.

Noun 'efeito' modified by 'desfiado'.

Ao longe, o som desfiado de uma gaita de foles ecoava pelo vale.

In the distance, the thin/shredded sound of a bagpipe echoed through the valley.

Synesthetic use of the adjective for sound.

O tapete persa, embora desfiado em algumas partes, ainda mantinha seu valor.

The Persian rug, although frayed in some parts, still maintained its value.

Concessive clause with 'embora'.

A ontologia do ser parece desfiar-se em múltiplos fragmentos desfiados de realidade.

The ontology of being seems to unravel into multiple shredded fragments of reality.

Philosophical/Academic register.

A análise microscópica revelou que o polímero estava desfiado em nível molecular.

Microscopic analysis revealed that the polymer was frayed at a molecular level.

Scientific/Technical register.

O texto de Guimarães Rosa desfia uma linguagem que parece sempre desfiada pela tradição oral.

Guimarães Rosa's text unravels a language that always seems shredded by oral tradition.

Literary analysis register.

A estrutura social, outrora coesa, encontra-se agora desfiada por tensões internas.

The social structure, once cohesive, is now frayed by internal tensions.

Sociopolitical analysis.

O conceito de autoria torna-se desfiado na era da inteligência artificial generativa.

The concept of authorship becomes frayed in the era of generative artificial intelligence.

Contemporary intellectual discourse.

As memórias, desfiadas pelo tempo, tornaram-se meros fiapos de uma vida passada.

Memories, shredded by time, became mere threads of a past life.

Highly metaphorical poetic register.

A minuciosa restauração focou em cada fibra desfiada da tapeçaria do século XV.

The meticulous restoration focused on every frayed fiber of the 15th-century tapestry.

Specialized historical conservation context.

O tecido da narrativa é deliberadamente desfiado para desafiar as expectativas do leitor.

The narrative fabric is deliberately shredded to challenge the reader's expectations.

Meta-literary commentary.

Colocaciones comunes

frango desfiado

carne-seca desfiada

jeans desfiado

bacalhau desfiado

corte desfiado

bainha desfiada

bem desfiado

todo desfiado

acabamento desfiado

presunto desfiado

Frases Comunes

frango desfiado temperado

— Seasoned shredded chicken, a staple filling for many Brazilian snacks.

Sempre tenho frango desfiado temperado no congelador.

jeans com a barra desfiada

— Jeans with a frayed hem, a specific style of pants.

Ela comprou um jeans com a barra desfiada.

carne desfiada acebolada

— Shredded meat with sautéed onions.

A carne desfiada acebolada é um ótimo petisco.

cabelo curto desfiado

— Short hair with a textured, layered cut.

O cabelo curto desfiado é muito prático para o verão.

pano de prato desfiado

— A dishcloth that is starting to unravel.

Não jogue fora o pano de prato desfiado, use-o para limpeza pesada.

efeito desfiado

— The 'frayed effect' often used in design or fashion.

O efeito desfiado foi feito à mão.

ficar desfiado

— To become frayed or shredded.

Se você lavar na máquina, o tecido vai ficar desfiado.

completamente desfiado

— Totally shredded or frayed.

O documento foi completamente desfiado na máquina.

levemente desfiado

— Slightly frayed or textured.

O papel estava levemente desfiado nas pontas.

desfiado na mão

— Shredded by hand (usually meat).

O frango desfiado na mão tem uma textura melhor.

Se confunde a menudo con

desfiado vs desafiado

Means 'challenged'. Only one 'a' difference.

desfiado vs desafinado

Means 'out of tune' (singing or instruments).

desfiado vs picado

Means 'chopped'. Shredded is different from chopped.

Modismos y expresiones

"desfiar um rosário"

— To list a long series of things, usually complaints or problems.

Ela começou a desfiar um rosário de reclamações sobre o marido.

informal

"desfiar a meada"

— To unravel a complicated situation or story; to get to the bottom of something.

O detetive finalmente começou a desfiar a meada do crime.

neutral

"desfiar lembranças"

— To recount memories one by one in detail.

O avô passava as tardes a desfiar lembranças da guerra.

literary

"desfiar o novelo"

— Similar to 'desfiar a meada', to solve a mystery or follow a trail of evidence.

Precisamos desfiar o novelo para entender o que aconteceu.

neutral

"ficar no fio"

— To be on the edge or in a precarious state (related to 'fio' from 'desfiado').

A situação está no fio da navalha.

neutral

"puxar o fio"

— To start investigating or talking about something that leads to much more information.

Basta puxar o fio para a história toda aparecer.

neutral

"perder o fio da meada"

— To lose one's train of thought.

Desculpe, perdi o fio da meada com tanto barulho.

informal

"estar por um fio"

— To be hanging by a thread; in extreme danger of failing.

O emprego dele está por um fio.

neutral

"fio a fio"

— Thread by thread; meticulously.

Ela desfiou o tecido fio a fio.

neutral

"desfiar elogios"

— To give a long series of compliments.

O diretor desfiou elogios à equipe pelo sucesso do projeto.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

desfiado vs picado

Both refer to breaking down food.

Picado is into bits/cubes; desfiado is into threads/fibers.

O alho é picado, mas o frango é desfiado.

desfiado vs moído

Both are small textures of meat.

Moído is ground (like paste/mince); desfiado keeps fiber length.

Hambúrguer usa carne moída, coxinha usa frango desfiado.

desfiado vs esfarrapado

Both describe damaged cloth.

Esfarrapado is more extreme (tattered/rags); desfiado is just threads.

Um jeans desfiado é moda; um jeans esfarrapado é lixo.

desfiado vs fatiado

Ways to prepare meat.

Fatiado is sliced (like ham); desfiado is pulled apart.

O queijo fatiado é para o misto-quente.

desfiado vs desfibrado

Technical synonym.

Desfibrado is industrial/scientific; desfiado is everyday/culinary.

O papel desfibrado é usado para reciclagem.

Patrones de oraciones

Eu quero [Noun] desfiado.

Eu quero frango desfiado.

O [Noun] está [desfiado].

O pano está desfiado.

Preciso de [Noun] [desfiado] para a receita.

Preciso de carne desfiada para a receita.

Gosto de [Noun] com acabamento [desfiado].

Gosto de jeans com acabamento desfiado.

Apesar de estar [desfiado], o [Noun] ainda funciona.

Apesar de estar desfiado, o tapete ainda funciona.

A [Abstract Noun] encontra-se [desfiada] por [Cause].

A paciência encontra-se desfiada por problemas constantes.

O [Noun] foi [desfiado] pelo [Agent].

O frango foi desfiado pelo cozinheiro.

Você prefere [Noun] [desfiado] ou [picado]?

Você prefere peixe desfiado ou picado?

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

fio (thread)

fiapo (lint/small thread)

desfiamento (the act of shredding/fraying)

desfile (parade/fashion show - related but distinct)

Verbos

desfiar (to shred, to fray, to unravel)

fiar (to spin thread)

enfiar (to thread/insert)

Adjetivos

desfiado (shredded/frayed)

fustigado (worn out - sometimes related in context)

esfiapado (stringy/frayed)

Relacionado

tecido

costura

fibra

trama

urdume

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in culinary and fashion domains.

Errores comunes

Eu quero carne desfiado. → Eu quero carne desfiada.
Carne is a feminine noun, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
O frango está picado. → O frango está desfiado.
If the chicken is in threads for a coxinha, 'picado' (chopped) is incorrect.
Meus jeans estão desfiada. → Meus jeans estão desfiados.
'Jeans' is treated as masculine plural in Portuguese.
Eu desafiei o frango. → Eu desfiei o frango.
'Desafiei' means 'I challenged'. 'Desfiei' means 'I shredded'.
A toalha está esfarrapada (when it's just a few threads). → A toalha está desfiada.
'Esfarrapada' is too strong; it means tattered or rags.

Consejos

Perfect Shredding

To get perfect 'frango desfiado', cook the chicken in a pressure cooker and then shake the pot vigorously while it is still warm.

Gender Trap

Remember: 'carne' is feminine, so it is always 'carne desfiada'. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

DIY Style

If you want 'jeans desfiados', use a pumice stone or sandpaper on the edges of your denim.

Root Word

Linking 'desfiado' to 'fio' (thread) makes it much easier to remember. It literally means 'thread-ified'.

Stress the A

The 'A' in 'desfiado' is the strongest part. Say it like: des-fi-AH-du.

Supermarket Labels

Look for 'frango desfiado' in the refrigerated section for quick meal prep in Brazil.

Ordering Food

When ordering a 'salgado', ask 'É de frango desfiado?' to confirm the filling.

Complaints

Use 'desfiar um rosário' when you want to describe someone who won't stop complaining.

Coxinha King

Shredded chicken is the soul of Brazilian street food. Master this word to master the menu.

Washing Clothes

Check tags for 'não desfiar' (do not fray) instructions on delicate fabrics.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a 'DISH' of 'FIO' (threads). DES-FI-ADO. It's a dish of threads (shredded chicken)!

Asociación visual

Picture a fork pulling apart a piece of meat into long strings. Those strings are 'fios', so the meat is 'des-fi-ado'.

Word Web

frango carne jeans fio cabelo tecido bacalhau bainha

Desafío

Go to a Portuguese menu online and find three different dishes that use 'desfiado' or 'desfiada'. Write them down with their English translations.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin 'filum' (thread). The prefix 'des-' (removal) + 'fio' (thread) + suffix '-ado' (past participle).

Significado original: The act of removing threads or breaking down a woven structure into its constituent threads.

Romance (Latin origin).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but note that 'desfiado' for hair is a positive style, while for a formal suit, it would be negative.

In English, we use different words: 'shredded' for food, 'frayed' for cloth, and 'layered' for hair. Portuguese uses 'desfiado' for all three.

Bacalhau à Brás (Portuguese dish) Coxinha de Frango (Brazilian snack) Distressed Denim (Fashion trend widely called 'Jeans Desfiado' in Brazil)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At a Restaurant/Bakery

Tem coxinha de frango desfiado?
Eu prefiro a carne bem desfiada.
O bacalhau vem desfiado?
Quero um sanduíche de pernil desfiado.

Shopping for Clothes

Você tem jeans desfiados?
Essa barra está desfiada de propósito?
Gosto desse acabamento desfiado.
Não quero nada desfiado, prefiro básico.

At the Hair Salon

Quero um corte desfiado nas pontas.
Pode desfiar um pouco mais?
O corte desfiado dá volume?
Não gosto de cabelo muito desfiado.

Cooking at Home

Como eu faço para desfiar o frango?
A carne já está desfiada.
Preciso de duas xícaras de frango desfiado.
Desfie a carne enquanto ainda estiver quente.

Household Problems

O gato deixou o sofá desfiado.
Minha toalha favorita está desfiando.
Cuidado para não deixar o tapete desfiado.
Esse pano está todo desfiado, vou jogar fora.

Inicios de conversación

"Você prefere coxinha de frango desfiado ou de carne moída?"

"Você acha que jeans desfiado ainda está na moda?"

"Qual é o segredo para fazer um frango desfiado bem temperado?"

"Você já tentou desfiar frango usando uma batedeira?"

"O que você faz quando sua roupa favorita começa a ficar desfiada?"

Temas para diario

Descreva sua comida favorita que leva algum ingrediente desfiado.

Você gosta do estilo de roupas desfiadas? Por que sim ou por que não?

Conte uma história sobre um animal de estimação que deixou algo desfiado na sua casa.

Descreva como você se sente quando vê algo antigo e desfiado que tem valor sentimental.

Escreva uma receita simples que use frango ou carne desfiada.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, while 'frango desfiado' is the most common, it applies to any meat (beef, pork, fish) that can be pulled into fibers, as well as fabrics and hair.

You can say 'queijo desfiado' or 'queijo ralado'. 'Ralado' means grated (like parmesan), while 'desfiado' is used for mozzarella or string cheese.

It depends on context. In food and fashion (distressed jeans), it is usually positive. For a formal suit or a new towel, it is negative, indicating damage.

The verb is 'desfiar'. For example: 'Eu vou desfiar o frango' (I will shred the chicken).

Technically yes, but 'papel picado' or 'fragmentado' is much more common for shredded documents.

The meaning is the same, but Brazil uses it more frequently for snacks (coxinhas), while Portugal uses it often for cod (bacalhau).

Etymologically, yes. Both come from 'fio' (thread/line). A 'desfile' is a line of people walking, like a thread.

You say 'corte desfiado' or 'corte repincado'.

Yes, metaphorically. 'Nervos desfiados' means someone is very stressed or on edge.

No! 'Desfreado' means 'unbridled' or 'out of control'. Always use 'desfiado' for shredded chicken.

Regístrate gratis para ver consejos y notas