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A2 verb #7,000 más común 15 min de lectura

desgostar

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos desgostar en 30 segundos

Explicación desgostar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to express your needs and preferences. While 'desgostar' might seem advanced, it is actually quite simple to understand because it is the direct opposite of 'gostar'. At this stage, you should focus on the basic idea: 'desgostar' means 'to not like'. However, in most situations, as an A1 student, you will use 'não gostar'. For example, instead of 'Eu desgosto de maçãs', you will likely say 'Eu não gosto de maçãs'. The value of learning 'desgostar' now is recognizing the 'des-' prefix, which you will see in many other words like 'desfazer' (to undo) or 'desaparecer' (to disappear). It helps you build a mental map of how Portuguese words are constructed. You should also learn that this verb always needs the word 'de' after it. If you remember 'gostar de', then 'desgostar de' will be easy. Don't worry about using it in complex sentences yet; just recognize it when you see it in a book or on a menu and know that it means someone is unhappy with a choice or a thing. It is a 'vocabulary builder' word that prepares you for more formal Portuguese later on.

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As an A2 learner, you are expanding your vocabulary to include more specific verbs. 'Desgostar' is a perfect addition because it allows you to vary your speech. Instead of always saying 'não gosto', you can use 'desgostar' to sound slightly more formal or to emphasize that you really don't like something. At this level, you should be comfortable conjugating 'desgostar' in the present tense (eu desgosto, você desgosta, etc.) and the simple past (eu desgostei). You must also master the use of the preposition 'de' and its contractions (do, da, dos, das). For example, 'Eu desgosto do barulho da cidade' (I dislike the city noise). You should also start to notice the difference in intensity. 'Desgostar' feels a bit stronger and more permanent than a simple 'não gostar'. It's a great word to use when writing short paragraphs about your hobbies or things you find difficult. If you are describing a character in a story, saying they 'desgostam de mentiras' gives them more personality than just saying they 'não gostam'. Practice using it with common nouns like food, weather, and school subjects to get used to the 'de' requirement.

At the B1 level, you are moving into more abstract topics and more complex sentence structures. 'Desgostar' becomes very useful here for expressing opinions on social issues, work environments, or personal relationships. You should start using 'desgostar' in the 'Imperfeito' tense to describe things you used to dislike in the past: 'Quando eu era criança, eu desgostava de dormir cedo'. You should also be aware of the noun form, 'desgosto' (disappointment/grief), and how it relates to the verb. At this level, you can also start using 'desgostar' with other verbs in the infinitive: 'Desgosto de ter que esperar em filas'. This level also requires you to understand the double negative 'não desgostar', which is a common way to say something is 'okay' or 'not bad'. For example, if someone asks if you like a movie and you say 'Eu não desgosto', it implies a neutral or slightly positive feeling. You are also beginning to see 'desgostar' in more formal texts, such as news articles or short essays. Using it correctly in your own writing will help you achieve a more 'natural' and academic tone that is expected as you progress toward the B2 level.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of 'desgostar'. You understand that it is a 'prepositional verb' and never forget the 'de'. You are also starting to recognize the transitive usage common in European Portuguese ('Isso me desgosta') and can distinguish it from the Brazilian preference ('Eu desgosto disso'). At this stage, you should be able to use 'desgostar' in the subjunctive mood to express feelings about other people's actions: 'Eu desgosto de que eles não cumpram os prazos'. This level requires you to understand the 'register' of the word—knowing that it's more formal than 'não gostar' but less intense than 'detestar'. You can use it effectively in debates to disagree politely but firmly. You should also be able to explain the etymology of the word if asked, linking it to the concept of 'taste'. Your reading comprehension should allow you to see 'desgostar' in a literary text and understand not just the dislike, but the potential disappointment or moral objection the character feels. You are now using the word not just to communicate a fact, but to convey a specific emotional 'color'.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'desgostar' should be sophisticated and context-aware. You can use it in complex literary analysis or high-level business negotiations. You understand the historical weight of the word and how it has been used by great Portuguese-language authors like Machado de Assis or Fernando Pessoa to describe deep-seated existential dissatisfaction. You are comfortable with all its forms, including the passive voice ('Ele era desgostado pelos seus pares') and more archaic or formal constructions. You can also use the word to create subtle irony; for example, using 'desgostar' for something trivial to sound intentionally dramatic or humorous. Your mastery of the prepositional system is flawless, and you can seamlessly switch between 'desgostar de algo' and the more formal 'desgostar-se com algo' (to become displeased with something) if the context calls for it. You also understand the cultural implications of 'desgosto' in the Lusophone world—the deep sense of tragedy often found in Fado or Brazilian Samba—and how the verb 'desgostar' can sometimes echo that profound sadness. At this level, 'desgostar' is not just a verb in your vocabulary; it is a tool for precise, nuanced, and culturally grounded expression.

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At the C2 level, you have attained a near-native or native-like mastery of 'desgostar'. You use the word with total spontaneity and can perceive the slightest nuances in its application by others. You are aware of regional variations across the entire Lusophone world, from Angola to Mozambique to East Timor, and how 'desgostar' might be used differently in those dialects. You can write philosophical treatises or legal documents where 'desgostar' is used to define boundaries of acceptable behavior or aesthetic preference. You are an expert in the word's 'collocational environment'—you know exactly which adverbs (profundamente, ligeiramente, visceralmente) pair best with it to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. You can also play with the word's morphology, perhaps even creating neologisms or using it in wordplay that relies on its relationship to 'gostar'. For you, 'desgostar' is part of a vast web of emotional and sensory verbs that you navigate with ease. You can distinguish between the 'desgosto' of a failed romance and the 'desgosto' of a poorly cooked meal, and choose the verb or its alternatives with surgical precision to reflect that difference. Your understanding is both linguistic and deeply cultural, reflecting a lifetime of engagement with the Portuguese language.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

desgostar en 30 segundos

Desgostar is the formal Portuguese verb for 'to dislike', functioning as the direct opposite of 'gostar'.
It requires the preposition 'de' when used to express a personal preference or aversion toward something.
While less common than 'não gostar', it adds precision and a higher register to your speech and writing.
It is a regular -ar verb, making its conjugation predictable and easy for learners to master.

The Portuguese verb desgostar is a fascinating linguistic construct that serves as the direct morphological and semantic opposite of the incredibly common verb gostar (to like). At its core, it means to dislike, to feel an aversion toward something, or to find something unpleasant. While English speakers often rely on the simple negation "don't like," Portuguese offers desgostar as a more formal or emphatic alternative. It is composed of the prefix des-, which typically indicates a reversal or negation of an action, and the root gostar, derived from the Latin gustare, meaning to taste or sample.

Semantic Range: The word covers a spectrum from mild distaste to profound aversion. In modern conversational Brazilian Portuguese, it is less frequent than the phrase 'não gostar', but it carries a weight of intentionality. When you say you 'desgosta' of something, it implies a settled opinion rather than a fleeting reaction.

In daily life, you might encounter this word when someone is discussing their preferences in a slightly more sophisticated manner. For instance, in a job interview or a formal dinner, using desgostar can elevate the register of the conversation. It suggests a level of discernment. Interestingly, the word also has a transitive usage, though more common in European Portuguese or literary contexts, where it means 'to displease' or 'to cause grief'. In this sense, something can 'desgostar' someone, acting as the subject that causes the negative emotion.

Eu comecei a desgostar daquela rotina cansativa após alguns meses.

Historically, the verb has deep roots in the Romance languages' development of sensory verbs. Since 'gostar' originally related to the sense of taste, desgostar was effectively saying something 'tasted bad' to one's soul or preference. This sensory origin is still felt in the word's intensity. It isn't just an absence of liking; it is the presence of a negative feeling. When a critic writes about a play, they might use this verb to describe a specific element that failed to meet their standards, providing a more precise critique than a simple 'não gostei'. Furthermore, the word is inextricably linked to the noun desgosto, which means grief, disappointment, or heartbreak. This connection colors the verb with a shade of emotional pain. To 'desgostar' of a person's behavior is not just to find it annoying; it is to find it disappointing on a deeper level. This makes the word particularly useful in literature and high-level discourse where emotional nuance is paramount. Whether you are describing a character's growing distance from their hometown or a politician's rejection of a policy, desgostar provides a formal structure to that rejection.

Register and Frequency: While 'não gostar' is used 90% of the time in casual speech, 'desgostar' appears in written essays, formal speeches, and classical literature. It is an A2/B1 level word because while the concept is simple, the usage requires an understanding of prepositional government and register.

Ela parece desgostar de qualquer tipo de confronto direto.

In summary, desgostar is a powerful tool for any Portuguese learner looking to expand their emotional vocabulary. It allows for a more assertive and formal expression of dislike, bridging the gap between basic communication and nuanced expression. By understanding its relationship to 'gostar' and its requirement for the preposition 'de', you can use it to accurately convey a strong sense of aversion or disappointment in a variety of contexts, from the culinary to the philosophical. It is a word that demands attention and conveys a clear, firm stance.

Using desgostar correctly in a sentence requires attention to two primary factors: the preposition 'de' and the verb's conjugation. As a regular -ar verb, it follows the standard patterns of the first conjugation, making it relatively easy to master once you know the rules. However, the most critical grammatical rule is that desgostar is an indirect transitive verb. This means it almost always needs a bridge—the preposition de—to connect to its object.

The Preposition 'de': Just as you say 'Eu gosto DE chocolate', you must say 'Eu desgosto DE chocolate'. When the object is a person, a place, or a thing, the preposition 'de' will often contract with articles: 'do' (de + o), 'da' (de + a), 'dos', or 'das'. For example: 'Ele desgosta DOS métodos do professor' (He dislikes the teacher's methods).

When using desgostar with verbs (infinitives), the preposition 'de' is also mandatory. For instance, 'Nós desgostamos DE acordar cedo' (We dislike waking up early). This structure is identical to 'gostar de', which helps learners who have already mastered the positive form. The verb can be used in any tense. In the Pretérito Perfeito, it indicates a specific moment of disliking: 'Eu desgostei daquele filme imediatamente' (I disliked that movie immediately). In the Imperfeito, it describes a continuous state in the past: 'Antigamente, eu desgostava de vegetais' (In the past, I used to dislike vegetables).

Muitos alunos tendem a desgostar de matemática devido à complexidade das fórmulas.

Another important usage involves the 'causative' or transitive sense, which is more common in Portugal. In this context, the thing that is disliked becomes the subject, and the person feeling the dislike is the object. For example, 'A sua atitude desgosta-me' (Your attitude displeases me). Here, no preposition 'de' is used because the verb is acting directly on the person. While this is less common in Brazilian Portuguese, it is vital for understanding literature or formal European Portuguese. In Brazil, you are much more likely to hear 'Eu desgosto da sua atitude'.

Negative Sentences: Because 'desgostar' already contains a negative prefix, using it with 'não' creates a double negative that usually means 'to not dislike' (i.e., to like or be neutral). 'Eu não desgosto de você' (I don't dislike you) is a common way to say that while you might not love someone, you don't have negative feelings toward them either.

In complex sentences, desgostar can be followed by a 'que' clause, requiring the subjunctive mood. 'Eu desgosto de QUE você fale assim comigo' (I dislike that you speak to me that way). This adds a layer of formal protest to the statement. It's a structure often found in legal or highly formal social contexts where one's displeasure must be recorded clearly. Mastering these variations ensures that you can navigate both the simple expressions of taste and the complex expressions of emotional or intellectual disapproval.

Não podemos desgostar de algo que nem sequer tentamos compreender.

Finally, remember that desgostar is often used in the passive voice in literary Portuguese: 'Ele era desgostado por todos' (He was disliked by everyone). This construction highlights the social status of the person rather than the active feelings of others. By practicing these patterns—the 'de' preposition, the subjunctive clauses, and the double negatives—you will transform desgostar from a dictionary entry into a versatile tool in your Portuguese arsenal.

To truly master desgostar, one must understand its habitat. While you will hear não gostar in every corner of the Portuguese-speaking world—from the beaches of Rio to the cafes of Lisbon—desgostar is a word of specific environments. It thrives in the written word, formal debate, and moments of high emotional stakes. If you are reading a contemporary Portuguese novel, you will likely see desgostar used to describe a character's internal state. It provides a more literary 'flavor' than the mundane 'não gostar'.

In Literature and Media: Authors use 'desgostar' to create a sense of distance or formality. In a news report, a journalist might say, 'A população parece desgostar das novas medidas fiscais,' suggesting a broad, collective sentiment of disapproval that feels more significant than a simple lack of liking.

In Portugal, the word is slightly more common in everyday speech than in Brazil. The Portuguese often use it in the transitive sense mentioned earlier: 'Isso me desgosta' (That displeases me). In Brazil, if you use desgostar in a casual conversation with friends while eating pizza, you might come across as overly formal or even a bit 'pedantic' (snobbish). However, in a university setting, during a philosophical discussion, or in a corporate environment when discussing a project's direction, desgostar is perfectly at home. It signals that your dislike is based on reason and considered judgment.

Ao ler o contrato, percebi que iria desgostar de várias cláusulas impostas.

Another place you will hear this word is in the context of 'desgosto' (the noun). Parents might say to a child, 'Não me dê esse desgosto' (Don't give me this grief/disappointment). This emotional root means that the verb desgostar often carries a secondary meaning of 'to be disappointed by'. If a mentor says they 'desgostam' of a student's lack of effort, they aren't just saying they don't like it; they are saying it hurts or bothers them on a professional or personal level. This depth is what makes the word so valuable for advanced learners. In the digital age, desgostar has also found a home in translation. On some social media platforms or software localized into Portuguese, the 'Dislike' button is sometimes translated as 'Desgostar' (though 'Não curtir' or 'Descurtir' are more common in Brazil). Seeing the word in a digital interface reinforces its meaning as a functional opposite to 'Gostar' (the 'Like' button).

Regional Nuance: In the south of Brazil or in rural areas of Portugal, you might hear 'desgostar' used more frequently to describe a loss of taste for a specific food after an illness. 'Depois da gripe, passei a desgostar de café.' This usage highlights the sensory origins of the word.

Ultimately, you will hear desgostar whenever the speaker wants to emphasize a clear boundary. It is not a word of 'maybe' or 'kind of'. It is a word of 'no'. Whether it's a critic's review, a dramatic dialogue, or a formal objection, the word serves as a pillar of clear, emphatic communication. By paying attention to these contexts, you can learn not just what the word means, but how it 'feels' in the mouth of a native speaker.

É impossível não desgostar da corrupção que assola o país.

Even though desgostar is a regular verb, it is a minefield of potential errors for the unwary English speaker. The most frequent mistake, by far, is the omission of the preposition de. In English, we 'dislike something' (direct object). In Portuguese, we 'desgostamos DE algo' (indirect object). Saying 'Eu desgosto este filme' is a hallmark of a beginner. It must be 'Eu desgosto DESTE filme'. This error stems from the direct translation of the English structure and requires conscious effort to overcome.

Mistake 1: Preposition Drop: Incorrect: 'Ela desgosta mentiras.' Correct: 'Ela desgosta DE mentiras.' Always remember that 'desgostar' behaves exactly like 'gostar' regarding its grammatical government.

Another common error is confusing the verb desgostar with the noun desgosto. While they are related, they are used differently. A learner might say 'Eu tenho desgostar', which is nonsensical. They should say either 'Eu desgosto' (verb) or 'Eu tenho um desgosto' (I have a disappointment/grief). Additionally, learners often misuse the word in casual contexts where it sounds too heavy. Telling a friend 'Eu desgosto da sua camiseta' (I dislike your t-shirt) sounds strangely formal and intense; 'Não gosto da sua camiseta' is much more appropriate for such a trivial matter.

Muitos erram ao dizer 'Eu desgosto o frio' em vez de 'Eu desgosto do frio'.

There is also the 'double negative' trap. Because desgostar means 'to dislike', some learners mistakenly use it with 'não' to mean 'to dislike' even more. For example, 'Eu não desgosto de você' does NOT mean 'I really dislike you'. It actually means 'I don't dislike you' (I might even like you a bit). If you want to say you really dislike something, you should use an intensifier like muito: 'Eu desgosto muito disso', or use a stronger verb like detestar.

Mistake 2: False Cognate Confusion: While 'desgostar' looks like 'disgust', it is usually milder. 'Disgust' in Portuguese is 'nojo'. If you say 'Eu desgosto dessa comida', you mean you dislike it. If you say 'Essa comida me dá nojo', you mean it disgusts you. Don't use 'desgostar' when you actually mean something is revolting.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the third-person usage in European Portuguese. In Portugal, one might say 'Desgosta-me que faças isso'. Brazilian learners often find this confusing because they are used to the subject-verb-object order. Mistaking the object pronoun 'me' for the subject 'eu' is a common hurdle. Understanding that 'desgostar' can function like the verb 'displease' (where the thing is the subject) is key for those interacting with Portuguese from Portugal. By being mindful of these five areas—prepositions, register, double negatives, spelling, and regional transitive usage—you can avoid the most common pitfalls and use desgostar with the precision of a native.

Não confunda desgosto (sentimento) com desgostar (ação de não gostar).

When you want to express that something isn't to your liking, desgostar is just one tool in a vast kit. Depending on the intensity and the situation, you might choose a different word. The most common alternative is, of course, the phrase não gostar. It is the 'bread and butter' of Portuguese negation. It is neutral, safe, and universally understood. However, if you want to convey a stronger emotion, you move into the territory of detestar or odiar.

Detestar vs. Desgostar: 'Detestar' is significantly stronger than 'desgostar'. While 'desgostar' is a formal 'I don't like this,' 'detestar' is 'I hate this' or 'I find this unbearable.' Use 'detestar' for things that truly annoy you, like traffic or injustice. Use 'desgostar' for a more intellectual or formal rejection.

Then we have abominar, which is even more extreme. This is reserved for things that are morally or physically repulsive. You wouldn't say you 'abominar' a pizza you didn't like; you would say you 'abominar' cruelty or a specific crime. On the other end of the spectrum, we have não apreciar. This is a very polite, sophisticated way to say you don't like something. It's often used in the context of art, food, or music. 'Eu não aprecio este tipo de música' sounds much more refined than 'Eu desgosto desta música'.

Embora eu não chegue a odiar, eu costumo desgostar de ambientes muito barulhentos.

In Brazil, a very common informal alternative is não curtir. Derived from 'curtir' (to enjoy/like, also used for 'liking' social media posts), it is the standard way young people express a lack of interest. 'Não curti o filme' is much more natural in a group of friends than 'Desgostei do filme'. Another colloquialism is não bater o santo, which is used specifically for people. If you 'não bateu o santo' with someone, it means you took an immediate, intuitive dislike to them, even if you can't explain why.

Malquerer: This is a rare, literary word meaning to wish someone ill or to dislike them. It is the opposite of 'bem-querer'. You will almost only see this in poetry or old songs, but it belongs to the same family of expressing negative affinity.

Another useful phrase is ter aversão a (to have an aversion to). This is often used for phobias or deep-seated psychological dislikes. 'Tenho aversão a baratas' (I have an aversion to cockroaches). While desgostar is a verb of preference, 'ter aversão' is a verb of reaction. Finally, consider repudiar. This is used in political or social contexts to strongly reject an idea or action. A government might 'repudiar' a terrorist attack. This is much stronger and more official than simply 'desgostando' of it. By choosing the right synonym, you can precisely tune the emotional frequency of your Portuguese.

Muitas vezes, desgostar é apenas o primeiro passo para detestar algo completamente.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'disgust' in English and 'desgostar' in Portuguese share the same Latin root 'gustus' (taste), but 'desgostar' is much more common and less extreme in meaning than 'disgust'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /dez.ɡuʃ.ˈtaɾ/

US /dez.ɡos.ˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the final syllable '-tar'.

Rima con

cantar falar amar andar chegar olhar pensar voltar

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a voiced 'z'.
Adding a 'u' after the 'g' like in English 'disgust'.
Ignoring the nasal quality of the first syllable in some regional accents.
Stress on the first syllable (DES-gostar).
Failing to pronounce the final 'r' in formal contexts.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the 'des-' prefix and the familiar root 'gostar'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the 'de' preposition and correct conjugation.

Expresión oral 3/5

Natural usage requires understanding the register and not sounding too formal.

Escucha 2/5

Clearly pronounced, usually easy to distinguish from 'gostar'.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

gostar de não muito nada

Aprende después

detestar odiar abominar apreciar desgosto

Avanzado

aversão repulsa antipatia desafeto malquerer

Gramática que debes saber

Prepositional Government

Verbs like 'gostar' and 'desgostar' always require 'de'.

Contraction of Prepositions

de + o = do; de + a = da; de + este = deste.

Subjunctive after 'que'

Desgosto de que você chegue tarde.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu desgosto, tu desgostas, ele desgosta...

Double Negatives

'Não desgosto' typically means a neutral or mild liking.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Eu desgosto de café amargo.

I dislike bitter coffee.

Notice the use of 'de' after 'desgosto'.

Você desgosta de frio?

Do you dislike cold weather?

A simple question using the present tense.

Ele desgosta de acordar cedo.

He dislikes waking up early.

'Desgostar de' followed by an infinitive verb.

Nós desgostamos de sopa de legumes.

We dislike vegetable soup.

The plural 'nós' form ends in '-amos'.

Elas desgostam de barulho.

They dislike noise.

'Elas' is the feminine plural subject.

Eu não desgosto de você.

I don't dislike you.

A double negative meaning 'I'm okay with you'.

O gato desgosta de água.

The cat dislikes water.

Animals can also 'desgostar' of things.

Maria desgosta de esperar.

Maria dislikes waiting.

Third-person singular form.

Eu desgostei daquele livro que li ontem.

I disliked that book I read yesterday.

Pretérito Perfeito (simple past) form.

Nós desgostamos das novas regras da escola.

We dislike the new school rules.

'De' + 'as' becomes 'das'.

Ela sempre desgostou de mentiras.

She has always disliked lies.

Using 'sempre' with the past tense for a long-term state.

Eles desgostam do trânsito desta cidade.

They dislike the traffic in this city.

'De' + 'o' becomes 'do'.

Você desgosta de viajar de ônibus?

Do you dislike traveling by bus?

Using 'de' with an infinitive phrase.

Eu desgosto de pessoas arrogantes.

I dislike arrogant people.

Plural object 'pessoas'.

O meu irmão desgosta de estudar matemática.

My brother dislikes studying math.

Possessive 'meu' used with the subject.

Nós desgostamos da comida daquele restaurante.

We disliked the food at that restaurant.

Specific dislike in the past.

Antigamente, eu desgostava de brócolis, mas agora adoro.

I used to dislike broccoli, but now I love it.

Imperfeito tense for past habits.

É comum desgostar de mudanças repentinas na rotina.

It is common to dislike sudden changes in routine.

Infinitive used as a general statement.

Ela desgosta de que as pessoas falem alto no cinema.

She dislikes it when people talk loudly in the cinema.

Use of the subjunctive 'falem' after 'que'.

Muitos cidadãos desgostam das promessas políticas não cumpridas.

Many citizens dislike unfulfilled political promises.

Formal context and plural agreement.

Eu não desgosto do seu plano, mas acho que podemos melhorar.

I don't dislike your plan, but I think we can improve.

Double negative used for polite feedback.

Se você desgostar do serviço, pode pedir o reembolso.

If you dislike the service, you can ask for a refund.

Future subjunctive 'desgostar' in a conditional clause.

Nós desgostamos profundamente da atitude dele na reunião.

We deeply disliked his attitude at the meeting.

Adverb 'profundamente' for emphasis.

Ele começou a desgostar da carreira de advogado após cinco anos.

He began to dislike his law career after five years.

'Começar a' + infinitive.

O autor parece desgostar da modernidade em suas obras.

The author seems to dislike modernity in his works.

Describing an abstract preference.

Desgostamos de situações onde não há transparência.

We dislike situations where there is no transparency.

Using 'onde' to describe the context of dislike.

Embora eu desgoste da burocracia, entendo sua necessidade.

Although I dislike bureaucracy, I understand its necessity.

Concessive clause using 'embora'.

A crítica tendeu a desgostar da nova direção do filme.

The critics tended to dislike the new direction of the movie.

'Tender a' followed by the infinitive.

Ela confessou desgostar de ambientes extremamente competitivos.

She confessed to disliking extremely competitive environments.

Infinitive used after a verb of speaking.

Não é que eu desgoste de você, apenas precisamos de espaço.

It's not that I dislike you, we just need space.

'Não é que...' triggers the subjunctive 'desgoste'.

Eles desgostam de qualquer interferência externa em seus negócios.

They dislike any external interference in their business.

Collective subject 'eles'.

O público desgostou do final trágico da novela.

The audience disliked the tragic ending of the soap opera.

Specific reaction in the past.

É perfeitamente possível desgostar da obra e admirar o autor.

It is perfectly possible to dislike the work and admire the author.

Nuanced philosophical distinction.

Desgostaria de pensar que fomos enganados por tanto tempo.

I would dislike thinking that we were deceived for so long.

Conditional mood 'desgostaria'.

A sua indiferença desgosta-me mais do que a sua raiva.

Your indifference displeases me more than your anger.

Transitive usage common in formal/European Portuguese.

Há quem desgoste da solidão, mas eu a considero essencial.

There are those who dislike solitude, but I consider it essential.

Relative clause 'quem desgoste' in the subjunctive.

O filósofo desgostava das convenções sociais de sua época.

The philosopher disliked the social conventions of his time.

Describing historical attitudes.

Nada me faria desgostar tanto de um amigo quanto a traição.

Nothing would make me dislike a friend as much as betrayal.

Hypothetical construction.

Ela desgosta de ser o centro das atenções em eventos formais.

She dislikes being the center of attention in formal events.

Passive infinitive 'ser o centro'.

Os puristas desgostam de qualquer alteração na receita original.

Purists dislike any alteration to the original recipe.

Describing a specific group's bias.

A alma desgosta do que não pode compreender plenamente.

The soul dislikes what it cannot fully comprehend.

Metaphorical and poetic usage.

Desgostar-se-ia da vida se não houvesse arte para colori-la.

One would dislike life if there were no art to color it.

Mesoclisis and hypothetical 'se' clause.

O desgostar é um processo tão ativo quanto o gostar.

Disliking is a process as active as liking.

Substantivized infinitive 'O desgostar'.

Desgostamos, por vezes, do espelho que a sociedade nos oferece.

We sometimes dislike the mirror that society offers us.

Literary first-person plural.

Não se pode desgostar da verdade sem ferir a própria consciência.

One cannot dislike the truth without wounding one's own conscience.

Philosophical maxim.

A natureza parece desgostar do vácuo, preenchendo-o sempre.

Nature seems to dislike a vacuum, always filling it.

Personification of nature.

O monarca desgostou-se com a desobediência de seus súditos.

The monarch became displeased with his subjects' disobedience.

Pronominal usage 'desgostar-se com'.

Ao desgostar do belo, o homem perde parte de sua humanidade.

In disliking the beautiful, man loses part of his humanity.

Gerund-like use of 'Ao' + infinitive.

Colocaciones comunes

desgostar profundamente

desgostar de imediato

desgostar da ideia

desgostar do sabor

desgostar da atitude

desgostar do clima

desgostar de rotina

desgostar de mentiras

desgostar do filme

desgostar de esperar

Frases Comunes

Não desgosto.

— I don't dislike it. Used to express neutral or mild approval.

— O que achou do vinho? — Não desgosto.

Desgostar de morte.

— To dislike something intensely (idiomatic).

Ela desgosta de jiló de morte.

Passar a desgostar.

— To start disliking something over time.

Depois de tanto comer, passei a desgostar de pizza.

Desgostar de graça.

— To dislike something for no apparent reason.

Ele parece desgostar de mim de graça.

Fazer por desgostar.

— To act in a way that makes others dislike you.

Ele faz por desgostar todos os seus colegas.

Sem desgostar.

— Without disliking (often used in comparisons).

Gosto de ler, sem desgostar de ver filmes.

Desgostar do jeito.

— To dislike someone's manner or way of being.

Desgostei do jeito que ele me tratou.

Não há quem não desgoste.

— There is no one who doesn't dislike (universal dislike).

Não há quem não desgoste de pagar impostos.

Desgostar por princípio.

— To dislike something based on one's values or principles.

Eu desgosto de touradas por princípio.

Desgostar à primeira vista.

— To dislike something/someone immediately upon seeing them.

Desgostei daquela casa à primeira vista.

Se confunde a menudo con

desgostar vs desgosto

Desgosto is the noun (disappointment), desgostar is the verb (to dislike).

desgostar vs disgust (English)

Desgostar is usually milder than the English 'disgust'.

desgostar vs desgostar (transitive)

Can mean 'to displease', which is a different grammatical structure.

Modismos y expresiones

"dar um desgosto"

— To cause someone great disappointment or grief (related noun usage).

Não dê esse desgosto para sua mãe.

informal

"morrer de desgosto"

— To be extremely sad or disappointed.

Ele quase morreu de desgosto quando perdeu o emprego.

informal/exaggerated

"gosto não se discute"

— To each their own (literally: taste is not discussed).

Ela gosta de roxo com laranja; gosto não se discute.

neutral

"ficar com desgosto"

— To become disappointed or bitter.

Fiquei com desgosto daquela amizade.

neutral

"engolir um desgosto"

— To endure a disappointment without complaining.

Tive que engolir o desgosto de não ser promovido.

informal

"um desgosto atrás do outro"

— One disappointment after another.

Minha vida tem sido um desgosto atrás do outro.

informal

"levar um desgosto"

— To suffer a disappointment.

Levei um grande desgosto com aquele resultado.

neutral

"para meu grande desgosto"

— Much to my disappointment.

Para meu grande desgosto, o show foi cancelado.

formal

"ter desgosto de"

— To feel ashamed or disappointed by something.

Tenho desgosto de ver tanta pobreza.

neutral

"não ter o gosto de"

— To not have the pleasure of (often used for not liking).

Não tenho o gosto de conhecer esse autor.

formal/ironic

Fácil de confundir

desgostar vs detestar

Both mean dislike.

Detestar is much stronger and more emotional. Desgostar is more formal and can be milder.

Eu desgosto de café frio, mas detesto café queimado.

desgostar vs nojo

Related to English 'disgust'.

Nojo refers to physical revulsion. Desgostar refers to a lack of preference.

Tenho nojo de baratas, mas apenas desgosto de moscas.

desgostar vs não gostar

Synonyms.

Não gostar is conversational and neutral. Desgostar is formal and slightly more intense.

Não gosto dessa cor, mas desgosto mesmo é dessa estampa.

desgostar vs desgosto

Noun vs. Verb.

Desgosto is the feeling of grief. Desgostar is the act of disliking.

Sinto um grande desgosto, pois desgosto da forma como fui tratado.

desgostar vs desprazer

Both imply lack of pleasure.

Desprazer is a noun (displeasure). Desgostar is the verb expressing that state.

É um desprazer notar que você desgosta de mim.

Patrones de oraciones

Eu desgosto de [noun].

Eu desgosto de chá.

[Subject] desgosta de [verb infinitive].

Ela desgosta de correr.

Eu não desgosto de [noun/verb].

Eu não desgosto de cozinhar.

Desgosto de que [subject] [subjunctive verb].

Desgosto de que você minta.

[Something] desgosta a [someone].

A injustiça desgosta o povo.

Desgostar-se com [something].

Ele desgostou-se com a vida.

Mixed

Passar a desgostar de [noun].

Passei a desgostar de doces.

Mixed

Fazer por desgostar [object].

Ele faz por desgostar a todos.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

desgosto (disappointment/grief)

gosto (taste/pleasure)

gostosura (deliciousness)

Verbos

gostar (to like)

degustar (to taste/sample)

regozijar (to rejoice - distant relative)

Adjetivos

desgostoso (displeased/unhappy)

gostoso (tasty/pleasant)

desgostável (unpleasant - rare)

Relacionado

desgostado

gostado

desgosto

gosto

degustação

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Medium. More common in writing and formal speech than in casual conversation.

Errores comunes

Eu desgosto este filme. → Eu desgosto deste filme.
You must use the preposition 'de' (contracted with 'este' to form 'deste').
Eu desgosto muito você. → Eu desgosto muito de você.
Even with an adverb like 'muito', the preposition 'de' is still required.
Ele desgosta acordar cedo. → Ele desgosta de acordar cedo.
When followed by an infinitive verb, 'de' is still mandatory.
Eu não desgosto nada. → Eu não desgosto de nada.
Even with 'nada', you need the 'de' (desgostar de nada).
Ela desgosta que você fala alto. → Ela desgosta de que você fale alto.
Requires the preposition 'de' before 'que' and the subjunctive mood 'fale'.

Consejos

The 'De' Rule

Never forget the preposition 'de'. It's the most common mistake. Think of it as 'gostar's' twin brother—they both need 'de' to function properly.

Prefix Power

Use 'desgostar' as a way to remember that the 'des-' prefix in Portuguese usually reverses the meaning of the root verb.

Elevation

Use 'desgostar' in your writing to avoid repeating 'não gostar' too many times. It makes your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and varied.

The Double Negative

Try saying 'Não desgosto' when someone asks your opinion on something mediocre. It’s a very natural, slightly sophisticated way to be neutral.

Emotional Weight

Be careful using 'desgostar' with people. It can sound more serious and permanent than a simple 'não gosto'. It implies a settled judgment.

The Voiced 'S'

Remember that the 's' in 'desgostar' is voiced (sounds like a 'z') because it is followed by the voiced consonant 'g'.

Context Clues

When you see 'desgosto' in a book, check if it's a verb or a noun. If it has an article (o desgosto), it's a noun meaning grief.

Preposition Blending

In fast speech, 'desgosto de' might sound like 'desgost-dih'. Train your ear to catch that quick 'd' sound.

Daily Dislikes

Practice by making a list of three things you 'desgosta' every day. This will reinforce the 'de' preposition and the conjugation.

European vs Brazilian

If you are in Portugal, don't be surprised to hear 'Isso desgosta-me'. In Brazil, stick to 'Eu desgosto disso'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'DES-' as 'DEstroy' and 'GOSTAR' as 'liking'. You are DEstroying the liking: DES-GOSTAR.

Asociación visual

Imagine a 'Like' button (thumb up) with a big red 'X' over it. That red 'X' is the 'DES-'.

Word Web

gostar desgosto desgostoso não aversão detestar de preposição

Desafío

Try to list five things you 'desgosta' in Portuguese using the 'de' preposition correctly. For example: 'Eu desgosto de filas'.

Origen de la palabra

From the prefix 'des-' (negation) + 'gostar' (to like). 'Gostar' comes from the Latin 'gustare', meaning to taste.

Significado original: To find a bad taste in something; to be displeased by the flavor or essence of a thing.

Romance (Indo-European)

Contexto cultural

The word is generally safe to use but can sound a bit cold or overly formal in warm, social Brazilian settings.

English speakers often translate 'desgostar' as 'disgust', but 'disgust' is much stronger. 'Desgostar' is closer to a formal 'dislike'.

Commonly found in the lyrics of Fado songs in Portugal. Used in formal Brazilian legal documents to express official disapproval. Featured in the works of writers like Eça de Queirós to describe social distastes.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Food and Drink

Desgosto de comida picante.
Ele desgosta do sabor do coentro.
Muitos desgostam de vinho seco.
Ela passou a desgostar de carne.

Weather and Nature

Desgosto de dias chuvosos.
Nós desgostamos do calor excessivo.
Ela desgosta de vento forte.
Eles desgostam de neve.

Social Situations

Desgosto de multidões.
Ele desgosta de falar em público.
Desgostamos de atrasos.
Ela desgosta de fofocas.

Work and School

Desgosto de reuniões longas.
Ele desgosta de matemática.
Desgostamos da nova política.
Ela desgosta de trabalhar sob pressão.

Personal Opinions

Desgosto desse estilo de música.
Ele desgosta de mentiras.
Desgostamos daquele filme.
Ela desgosta de injustiça.

Inicios de conversación

"Há algum tipo de comida que você realmente desgosta?"

"Você desgosta de viajar para lugares muito frios?"

"O que você mais desgosta no seu trabalho atual?"

"Você desgosta de filmes que terminam de forma triste?"

"Existe alguma música famosa de que você desgosta?"

Temas para diario

Escreva sobre uma coisa que você desgostava quando era criança e hoje gosta.

Descreva um ambiente que você desgosta e explique os motivos.

Quais comportamentos humanos você mais desgosta de presenciar?

Você acha que é possível desgostar de algo sem nunca ter tentado?

Escreva sobre um livro ou filme que a maioria gosta, mas você desgosta.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is less common than 'não gostar' in daily conversation. Brazilians tend to use it in formal writing or when they want to emphasize a serious dislike. In a casual setting, saying 'Eu desgosto disso' might sound a bit stiff or dramatic.

Yes, when you are expressing that you dislike something or someone (e.g., 'Eu desgosto de chocolate'). The only exception is in the formal transitive sense ('Isso me desgosta'), but as a learner, you should focus on the 'desgostar de' pattern.

'Detestar' is much stronger. It is equivalent to 'to hate' or 'to loathe'. 'Desgostar' is a more formal way of saying you don't like something, similar to 'to have a distaste for'. Use 'detestar' for things that really bother you.

Yes! This is a common way to say something is 'not bad' or 'okay'. It’s a double negative that softens the statement. It means you don't have a negative opinion, but you aren't necessarily enthusiastic either.

Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation rules as 'falar', 'amar', and 'gostar'. This makes it very easy to use in different tenses once you know the basic patterns.

Not exactly. While they share an etymological root, 'desgostar' is usually milder. If something is truly disgusting (makes you want to vomit), you should use 'dar nojo' or 'ser nojento'. 'Desgostar' is about preference.

For a completed action, use the Pretérito Perfeito: 'Eu desgostei'. For a habit or state, use the Imperfeito: 'Eu desgostava'. Example: 'Eu desgostei daquela festa' vs 'Eu desgostava de ir à escola'.

Yes, you can say 'Eu desgosto dele'. However, it sounds quite formal and a bit cold. In a social context, 'Não gosto dele' is much more natural. 'Desgostar' for a person often implies a moral or character-based dislike.

Yes, the noun is 'desgosto'. It means disappointment, grief, or sorrow. It is often used in the phrase 'dar um desgosto a alguém' (to disappoint someone deeply).

The most direct opposite is 'gostar'. Other opposites include 'adorar' (to love/adore) and 'apreciar' (to appreciate/enjoy).

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