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A2 noun 11 min de lectura

mudez

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos mudez en 30 segundos

Explicación mudez in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'mudez' comes from the word 'mudo', which means someone who cannot speak. You might see it in very simple stories or medical forms. It is a feminine word, so you say 'a mudez'. Think of it as the 'name' for the state of not being able to talk. At this stage, just focus on recognizing the word and knowing it relates to silence or not speaking. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember: mudo (person) -> mudez (the condition). It is similar to how 'happy' becomes 'happiness' in English, but here 'mudo' (mute) becomes 'mudez' (muteness). Keep it simple and associate it with the 'no talking' sign you see in hospitals or libraries.

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At the A2 level, you should start to understand how 'mudez' is used in basic sentences. You might encounter it when talking about health or feelings. For example, 'A mudez dele é por causa do susto' (His muteness is because of the fright). You should know that it is a noun and requires feminine agreement. It is more formal than just saying 'ele não fala' (he doesn't speak). You can also start to see it in descriptions of nature or places in simple books. It is a good word to add to your vocabulary to describe a very strong silence. Notice that it ends in 'z', which is common for abstract nouns in Portuguese. Practice using it with simple verbs like 'causar' (to cause) or 'ser' (to be).

At the B1 level, you can begin to use 'mudez' in more varied contexts, including figurative ones. You should be able to distinguish between 'silêncio' (general silence) and 'mudez' (the specific state of being unable to speak). You might use it to describe a character in a movie or a situation where everyone was too shocked to talk. You should also be familiar with common collocations like 'mudez repentina' (sudden muteness) or 'romper a mudez' (to break the silence/muteness). At this level, your understanding of the suffix '-ez' should help you recognize other similar words like 'lucidez' or 'rapidez'. You can start to use 'mudez' in your writing to add a bit more drama or precision to your descriptions of silence.

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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'mudez' in both clinical and literary contexts. You should understand the nuance it brings to a sentence—how it implies a psychological or physical barrier to speech rather than just a quiet environment. You can use it to discuss social issues, such as 'a mudez das minorias' (the silencing of minorities). Your grammar should be precise, always using the feminine article and correctly placing adjectives. You should also recognize the word in more complex news articles or literature. You might start to explore synonyms like 'mutismo' and know when to choose one over the other based on the register of the conversation or text. This level requires you to see 'mudez' as a versatile tool for expression.

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At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the poetic and metaphorical potential of 'mudez'. You can analyze its use in classical Portuguese literature, such as in the works of Fernando Pessoa or Machado de Assis, where 'mudez' often represents an existential state or a failure of language itself. You should be able to use it effortlessly in academic or professional discussions about communication disorders or social dynamics. You understand the subtle differences between 'mudez', 'afonia', and 'taciturnidade'. In your own writing, you can use 'mudez' to create specific atmospheres—perhaps a 'mudez opressiva' (oppressive muteness) in a thriller or a 'mudez contemplativa' (contemplative muteness) in a philosophical essay. Your usage should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'mudez'. You understand all its historical connotations, its rare plural forms, and its most obscure literary applications. You can use the word to play with language, perhaps in puns or complex metaphors. You are aware of regional variations in how the word might be perceived and can adapt your usage accordingly. You can discuss the etymology of the word in detail and how the suffix '-ez' has evolved in the Portuguese language. Whether you are writing a medical dissertation on speech pathology or a critique of a contemporary novel, 'mudez' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You can even identify when a writer uses 'mudez' incorrectly or awkwardly, demonstrating your profound linguistic intuition.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

mudez en 30 segundos

Mudez is the Portuguese noun for muteness, describing the state of being unable to speak.
It is a feminine noun (a mudez) and is more formal and specific than the word for silence (silêncio).
The word is used in medical, psychological, and literary contexts to describe both physical and emotional silence.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'romper' (to break) or 'cair em' (to fall into) to describe changes in speech.

The Portuguese word mudez is a feminine noun that translates directly to 'muteness' or 'dumbness' in English. At its most literal level, it refers to the physiological inability to produce speech, often associated with hearing impairments or neurological conditions. However, in the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language, mudez extends far beyond the clinical domain. It is frequently employed to describe a state of profound silence, a sudden loss of words due to shock, or a deliberate refusal to communicate. Understanding this word requires a grasp of both its physical and metaphorical dimensions.

Clinical Context: In medical or pedagogical settings, mudez identifies the condition of an individual who cannot speak. It is often linked with deafness (surdo-mudez), although modern terminology prefers more specific descriptors. In this sense, it is a neutral, descriptive term for a physical state.

A mudez seletiva é um transtorno de ansiedade comum em crianças que deixam de falar em certas situações sociais.

Emotional and Figurative Usage: When a Portuguese speaker says someone was 'struck by muteness' (caído em mudez), they are likely describing a reaction to overwhelming news. It represents a paralysis of expression where words fail to capture the intensity of the moment. This figurative use is common in literature and dramatic storytelling.

Diante da tragédia, uma mudez profunda tomou conta de todos os presentes na sala.

Historically, the term has roots in the Latin 'mutus', and the suffix '-ez' transforms the adjective 'mudo' into an abstract noun. In contemporary usage, you will encounter it in psychology (selective mutism), in poetry to describe the 'silence' of objects or nature, and in legal contexts regarding the rights of those who cannot testify orally. It is a word that carries weight, often implying a heavy or significant silence rather than a peaceful one.

O poeta escreveu sobre a mudez das pedras, que guardam segredos milenares sem nunca pronunciar uma palavra.

Social Contexts: In social discussions, mudez can refer to the silencing of certain groups or the lack of political voice. It is a powerful metaphor for disenfranchisement, where a community is kept in a state of 'mudez' by external forces.

A mudez imposta pela censura impediu que a verdade fosse revelada durante décadas.

Após o susto, ele permaneceu em mudez por várias horas, incapaz de explicar o que tinha visto.

Using mudez correctly involves understanding its role as an abstract noun. Unlike the adjective 'mudo' (mute), which describes a person, 'mudez' describes the state itself. It is commonly paired with verbs of state like 'estar' (to be in a state), 'permanecer' (to remain), or verbs of transition like 'cair' (to fall into) or 'romper' (to break). Because it is a feminine noun, you must ensure that all accompanying articles and adjectives agree in gender.

Common Verb Pairings: To describe someone suddenly becoming silent, use 'cair na mudez'. To describe the end of silence, use 'romper a mudez'. To describe the cause, use 'causar mudez' or 'levar à mudez'.

O choque da notícia fez com que ela caísse em uma mudez repentina e preocupante.

Adjectival Modifiers: You can qualify 'mudez' with adjectives like 'absoluta' (absolute), 'temporária' (temporary), 'obstinada' (stubborn), or 'voluntária' (voluntary). These provide nuance to the reason behind the silence.

Sua mudez voluntária era uma forma de protesto contra as decisões da diretoria.

In more formal or literary Portuguese, you might see 'mudez' used to personify inanimate objects or abstract concepts. This adds a poetic layer to your descriptions. For example, 'a mudez da noite' (the muteness of the night) suggests a silence that is almost tangible or intentional, rather than just a lack of noise. When writing, remember that 'mudez' carries a more dramatic tone than 'silêncio'. If you want to emphasize the psychological impact of silence, 'mudez' is your best choice.

Finalmente, ele rompeu a sua mudez para confessar toda a verdade sobre o ocorrido.

Scientific Usage: In technical writing, 'mudez' remains the standard term for the condition. Phrases like 'mudez histérica' (psychogenic mutism) or 'mudez traumática' are common in psychology texts.

O tratamento para a mudez depende inteiramente da causa subjacente, seja ela física ou emocional.

A mudez do deserto ao entardecer trazia uma paz que ele nunca havia sentido antes.

While mudez isn't a word you'll hear in every casual coffee shop conversation, it occupies several specific niches in Portuguese life. You are most likely to encounter it in literature, news reports involving high-stress situations, clinical settings, and formal discussions about communication. It is a word of 'weight', used when 'silêncio' (silence) feels too lightweight to describe the gravity of the situation. For instance, a journalist might describe the 'mudez' of a crowd after a shocking political announcement, emphasizing the collective loss of words.

In Literature and Arts: Portuguese and Brazilian authors often use 'mudez' to describe the internal state of their characters. It represents a threshold where emotions become too complex for language. In theater, 'mudez' might describe a character's stage direction or a symbolic silence that defines a scene.

Nas obras de Saramago, a mudez muitas vezes serve como um espelho da cegueira moral da sociedade.

In Clinical and Educational Settings: Speech therapists (fonoaudiólogos) and psychologists use the term 'mudez' when diagnosing conditions. You might hear it in a doctor's office or read it in a medical report. 'Mudez seletiva' is a term frequently discussed in school environments regarding child development.

O médico explicou que a mudez do paciente era um efeito colateral do trauma craniano.

You will also find 'mudez' in news headlines, especially those with a dramatic or tragic flair. It is a powerful tool for journalists to evoke empathy. For example, a headline might read 'A mudez das autoridades diante da crise', suggesting that the government's lack of response is a form of 'muteness' that is both intentional and harmful. In this way, the word moves from the physical to the political. In film and television, 'mudez' is often a plot point—a character who cannot speak or chooses not to, creating tension and mystery.

O documentário explora a mudez das vítimas de crimes que têm medo de denunciar seus agressores.

In Legal Proceedings: While 'direito ao silêncio' (right to remain silent) is the standard legal term, 'mudez' may appear in legal descriptions of a witness's physical inability to provide oral testimony, necessitating alternative communication methods.

O tribunal teve que se adaptar à mudez da testemunha principal, utilizando intérpretes de Libras.

Havia uma mudez cúmplice entre os vizinhos, ninguém queria falar sobre o que realmente aconteceu naquela noite.

For English speakers learning Portuguese, the most common mistake with mudez is confusing it with the word 'silêncio'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 'Silêncio' is a general term for the absence of sound in an environment. 'Mudez' is specific to the inability or refusal of a person (or personified object) to speak. If you say 'A mudez do quarto', it implies the room itself is 'mute' like a person, which is very poetic. If you just mean the room is quiet, you must use 'O silêncio do quarto'.

Gender Agreement: Because 'mudez' ends in 'z', some learners mistakenly assume it is masculine (like 'o arroz' or 'o nariz'). However, 'mudez' is feminine. You must say 'a mudez', not 'o mudez'. This is a common pattern for abstract nouns ending in '-ez' derived from adjectives (e.g., 'a lucidez', 'a rapidez', 'a escassez').

Errado: O mudez dele me assusta.
Correto: A mudez dele me assusta.

Confusing with 'Mudo': Learners often try to use the adjective 'mudo' when they need the noun 'mudez'. Remember: 'Ele é mudo' (He is mute) vs 'A mudez dele' (His muteness). You cannot use 'mudez' to describe a person directly as an adjective.

Errado: Ele está mudez.
Correto: Ele está em estado de mudez.

Another subtle mistake is using 'mudez' when 'afonia' is more appropriate. 'Afonia' is the physical loss of voice (hoarseness or total loss) due to a sore throat or vocal cord issue. 'Mudez' implies a more fundamental inability to speak, often neurological or psychological. If you can't speak because you have a cold, you have 'afonia', not 'mudez'. Finally, be careful with the plural 'mudezes'. While grammatically possible, it is extremely rare and usually sounds awkward. Stick to the singular form unless you are writing very experimental poetry.

A confusão entre mudez e afonia pode levar a mal-entendidos em contextos médicos simples.

Contextual Overuse: Using 'mudez' for every quiet moment can sound overly dramatic. Use 'silêncio' for general quiet and 'mudez' only when the lack of speech is striking, intentional, or clinical.

Não use mudez se você quer apenas dizer que a biblioteca está silenciosa.

A mudez de um segredo guardado por anos é muito diferente do silêncio de uma sala vazia.

To truly master the concept of mudez, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Each alternative carries a slightly different shade of meaning, and choosing the right one will make your Portuguese sound more natural and sophisticated. The most direct synonym is 'mutismo', which is often preferred in clinical or psychological contexts. While 'mudez' can be poetic, 'mutismo' sounds more scientific.

Mudez vs. Mutismo: 'Mudez' is the general, everyday noun. 'Mutismo' is more technical. You will hear doctors talk about 'mutismo seletivo' more often than 'mudez seletiva', though both are correct.

Embora mudez seja comum na literatura, o termo mutismo domina os artigos científicos.

Mudez vs. Silêncio: 'Silêncio' is the broad absence of noise. 'Mudez' is the specific inability to speak. You can have silence in a forest, but you wouldn't usually call it 'mudez' unless you were using personification.

O silêncio da noite foi interrompido por um grito, mas a sua mudez continuou por dias.

Other related words include 'afonia' (loss of voice), 'dislalia' (speech impediment), and 'taciturnidade' (the quality of being reserved or uncommunicative). If someone is naturally quiet and doesn't like to talk much, 'taciturnidade' or 'introversão' are much better choices than 'mudez'. 'Mudez' implies a total lack of speech, whereas these other terms describe a personality trait or a partial difficulty. Use 'mudez' when the silence is absolute and noteworthy.

A sua mudez não era timidez; era uma escolha consciente de não participar daquela farsa.

Register and Nuance: In informal slang, you might hear 'ficar na moita' (to stay in the bushes/keep quiet), but this is very far from the formal 'mudez'. 'Mudez' remains a high-register word.

Para descrever a falta de resposta do governo, a palavra mudez é muito mais impactante que apenas 'silêncio'.

A mudez das paredes daquela prisão antiga parecia contar histórias de sofrimento.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The suffix '-ez' is used in Portuguese to create abstract nouns from adjectives, similar to '-ness' in English. It often describes a quality or state of being.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /muˈðeʃ/

US /muˈdes/

The stress is on the last syllable: mu-DEZ.

Rima con

rapidez lucidez talvez vez xadrez escutez altivez surdez

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'z' like a voiced 'z' (as in 'zebra'). In Portuguese, a final 'z' is always unvoiced ('s' or 'sh').
Stressing the first syllable (MU-dez) instead of the second.
Making the 'e' too open (like 'dez' the number). It should be a closed 'e'.
Confusing the 'u' sound with the English 'u' in 'mute' (mew-dez). It is a pure 'oo' sound.
Neglecting the softness of the 'd' in European Portuguese accents.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'mudo'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the 'z' ending.

Expresión oral 3/5

Final 'z' pronunciation varies by region.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to catch.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

mudo silêncio falar voz pessoa

Aprende después

mutismo afonia lucidez rapidez escassez

Avanzado

taciturnidade eloquência fonação psicogênico

Gramática que debes saber

Abstract nouns from adjectives using -ez

Mudo -> Mudez, Rápido -> Rapidez

Feminine gender for nouns ending in -ez

A mudez, a lucidez, a gravidez

Adjective agreement with feminine nouns

A mudez absoluta (not absoluto)

Preposition 'em' with states of being

Estar em mudez

Use of 'de' for origin/cause

Mudez de nascimento, mudez de susto

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Ejemplos por nivel

A mudez é o contrário de falar.

Muteness is the opposite of speaking.

Simple noun usage.

O menino tem uma mudez de nascimento.

The boy has muteness from birth.

Prepositional phrase 'de nascimento'.

A mudez dele me deixa triste.

His muteness makes me sad.

Possessive 'dele' after the noun.

Não entendo esta mudez.

I don't understand this muteness.

Demonstrative 'esta' (feminine).

A mudez é um silêncio total.

Muteness is a total silence.

Predicate nominative.

Ela vive em mudez.

She lives in muteness.

Preposition 'em'.

A mudez pode ser difícil.

Muteness can be difficult.

Modal verb 'pode'.

O médico estuda a mudez.

The doctor studies muteness.

Direct object.

A mudez repentina assustou a família.

The sudden muteness scared the family.

Adjective 'repentina' agreeing with 'mudez'.

O filme trata sobre a mudez de uma criança.

The movie is about a child's muteness.

Verb 'tratar sobre'.

Eles ficaram em mudez por um minuto.

They stayed in muteness for a minute.

Verb 'ficar' expressing state.

A mudez é comum em certos traumas.

Muteness is common in certain traumas.

Adjective 'comum'.

Sua mudez era apenas timidez.

Her muteness was just shyness.

Comparison of two nouns.

O professor explicou o que é mudez.

The teacher explained what muteness is.

Indirect question structure.

A mudez da noite era relaxante.

The muteness of the night was relaxing.

Figurative usage.

Ela superou a mudez com terapia.

She overcame muteness with therapy.

Verb 'superar'.

A mudez seletiva é um desafio para os pais.

Selective mutism is a challenge for parents.

Specific psychological term.

O choque da notícia mergulhou a sala em mudez.

The shock of the news plunged the room into muteness.

Metaphorical verb 'mergulhar'.

Ninguém conseguiu romper a mudez do suspeito.

Nobody could break the suspect's muteness.

Collocation 'romper a mudez'.

A mudez das testemunhas dificultou o processo.

The muteness of the witnesses hindered the process.

Plural possessive.

Sua mudez voluntária era um sinal de protesto.

His voluntary muteness was a sign of protest.

Adjective 'voluntária'.

A mudez de espanto tomou conta de todos.

The muteness of astonishment took over everyone.

Noun phrase 'mudez de espanto'.

O autor descreve a mudez da paisagem desértica.

The author describes the muteness of the desert landscape.

Literary description.

A mudez pode ser um sintoma de depressão.

Muteness can be a symptom of depression.

Medical context.

A mudez imposta pela censura calou o país.

The muteness imposed by censorship silenced the country.

Passive participle 'imposta'.

Muitas vezes, a mudez é mais eloquente que as palavras.

Often, muteness is more eloquent than words.

Comparative structure.

O paciente apresenta um quadro de mudez histérica.

The patient presents a case of hysterical muteness.

Formal medical register.

A mudez das autoridades diante do crime é inaceitável.

The muteness of the authorities regarding the crime is unacceptable.

Social/Political context.

Ela se refugiou na mudez para evitar o conflito.

She took refuge in muteness to avoid the conflict.

Reflexive verb 'refugiar-se'.

A mudez profunda do oceano escondia segredos.

The deep muteness of the ocean hid secrets.

Poetic personification.

A mudez dele era um escudo contra o mundo exterior.

His muteness was a shield against the outside world.

Metaphorical usage.

O silêncio evoluiu para uma mudez obstinada.

The silence evolved into a stubborn muteness.

Verb 'evoluir para'.

A mudez ontológica é um tema recorrente na filosofia.

Ontological muteness is a recurring theme in philosophy.

Academic adjective 'ontológica'.

O poema explora a mudez das coisas inanimadas.

The poem explores the muteness of inanimate things.

Literary analysis.

Havia uma mudez cúmplice entre os conspiradores.

There was a complicit muteness among the conspirators.

Nuanced adjective 'cúmplice'.

A mudez da alma é o maior sofrimento do poeta.

The muteness of the soul is the poet's greatest suffering.

Abstract metaphor.

O trauma resultou em uma mudez psicogênica duradoura.

The trauma resulted in a long-lasting psychogenic muteness.

Technical medical term.

A mudez dos arquivos históricos esconde a verdade.

The muteness of historical archives hides the truth.

Metaphorical personification.

Ele rompeu a mudez secular daquela ordem religiosa.

He broke the centuries-old muteness of that religious order.

High-register adjective 'secular'.

A mudez absoluta é uma experiência aterradora.

Absolute muteness is a terrifying experience.

Intensifier 'absoluta'.

A mudez fática do discurso político contemporâneo é notória.

The phatic muteness of contemporary political discourse is notorious.

Linguistic term 'fática'.

O autor brinca com a mudez das vogais em sua poesia.

The author plays with the muteness of vowels in his poetry.

Phonological metaphor.

A mudez das pedras é a linguagem do tempo.

The muteness of stones is the language of time.

Aphoristic structure.

Ela habitava uma mudez que transcendia o entendimento.

She inhabited a muteness that transcended understanding.

Transcendental vocabulary.

A mudez dos vencidos é o grito mais alto da história.

The muteness of the defeated is history's loudest cry.

Paradoxical expression.

O silêncio não é mudez, mas uma forma de ouvir.

Silence is not muteness, but a way of listening.

Philosophical distinction.

A mudez circunstancial pode ser uma tática defensiva.

Circumstantial muteness can be a defensive tactic.

Strategic vocabulary.

A mudez de Deus é o grande dilema da teologia moderna.

The muteness of God is the great dilemma of modern theology.

Theological context.

Colocaciones comunes

mudez seletiva

romper a mudez

cair em mudez

mudez repentina

mudez obstinada

mergulhado em mudez

mudez de espanto

mudez absoluta

causar mudez

mudez voluntária

Frases Comunes

Voto de mudez

— A commitment to stay silent, similar to a vow of silence.

O monge fez um voto de mudez por um ano.

Em estado de mudez

— Being in a condition where one cannot speak.

O paciente permanece em estado de mudez desde o trauma.

A mudez das pedras

— A poetic expression for an absolute and eternal silence.

Nada se ouvia, apenas a mudez das pedras.

Cercado de mudez

— Surrounded by a heavy silence or people who won't speak.

O segredo estava cercado de mudez por todos os lados.

Mudez cúmplice

— A silence that implies agreement or shared guilt.

Havia uma mudez cúmplice entre os funcionários sobre o erro.

Mudez sepulcral

— A silence as deep and heavy as that of a grave.

Um silêncio de mudez sepulcral tomou conta da mansão.

Sair da mudez

— To start speaking again after a period of silence.

É hora de sair da mudez e lutar pelos nossos direitos.

Mudez traumática

— Muteness caused by a psychological or physical trauma.

A mudez traumática pode levar meses para ser superada.

Mudez de indignação

— Being so angry that one cannot find words.

Sua mudez de indignação era visível em seu rosto.

Mudez contemplativa

— A silence used for deep thinking or meditation.

Ele passava horas em mudez contemplativa diante do mar.

Se confunde a menudo con

mudez vs silêncio

Silêncio is the absence of noise; mudez is the inability to speak.

mudez vs afonia

Afonia is losing your voice (physical sound); mudez is losing the ability to talk (language/expression).

mudez vs mudo

Mudo is the adjective (mute); mudez is the noun (muteness).

Modismos y expresiones

"Cair num poço de mudez"

— To become completely and deeply silent, often due to depression or shock.

Depois que ela partiu, ele caiu num poço de mudez.

Literary

"Mudez de túmulo"

— An absolute silence, usually indicating that a secret is being kept.

Sobre esse assunto, exijo mudez de túmulo.

Informal/Dramatic

"Engolir a mudez"

— To force oneself to stay silent despite wanting to speak.

Ela teve que engolir a mudez para não piorar a situação.

Metaphorical

"Vestir a mudez"

— To adopt a silent persona or behavior.

Ele vestiu a mudez como uma armadura contra as críticas.

Poetic

"A mudez fala mais alto"

— Suggesting that silence can be more revealing or powerful than words.

Às vezes, a mudez fala mais alto que qualquer grito.

Proverbial

"Mudez de ouro"

— Referring to the value of staying silent (Silence is golden).

Nesse caso, sua mudez de ouro salvou o plano.

Literary

"Quebrar a mudez com um martelo"

— To end a long and difficult silence abruptly and forcefully.

Sua confissão quebrou a mudez com um martelo.

Metaphorical

"Mudez de pedra"

— To be completely unresponsive and silent.

Ele ficou lá, com uma mudez de pedra, sem responder às perguntas.

Descriptive

"Semear a mudez"

— To create an environment where people are afraid or unwilling to speak.

O medo semeou a mudez por toda a vizinhança.

Literary

"Mudez de espelho"

— A silence that reflects the silence of another person.

A mudez de espelho entre o casal mostrava o fim do amor.

Poetic

Fácil de confundir

mudez vs mudança

Starts with 'mud-'.

Mudança means 'change'. Mudez means 'muteness'.

A mudança de casa foi rápida, mas a mudez dele continuou.

mudez vs mudez

Sounds like 'mudar' (to change).

Mudez relates to 'mudo' (mute).

Sua mudez não tem nada a ver com a mudança.

mudez vs surdez

Similar suffix and related field.

Surdez means deafness. Mudez means muteness.

A surdez muitas vezes vem acompanhada da mudez.

mudez vs lucidez

Same suffix.

Lucidez means clarity/sanity.

Ele manteve a lucidez apesar da mudez repentina.

mudez vs escutez

Rare word with same suffix.

Escutez relates to listening/sharpness.

Sua escutez compensava sua mudez.

Patrones de oraciones

A mudez é [adjetivo].

A mudez é difícil.

[Pessoa] tem mudez.

O menino tem mudez.

Cair em [adjetivo] mudez.

Ele caiu em profunda mudez.

Romper a mudez de [alguém].

Ela rompeu a mudez do irmão.

A mudez como forma de [substantivo].

A mudez como forma de protesto.

A mudez fática de [conceito].

A mudez fática do discurso moderno.

Devido à mudez de [alguém].

Devido à mudez da testemunha.

Sua mudez é [causa].

Sua mudez é por causa do susto.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

mudo

mudice

mutismo

Verbos

emudecer

Adjetivos

mudo

Relacionado

silêncio

fala

voz

surdez

comunicação

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Medium. Common in literature and formal media, rarer in casual speech.

Errores comunes

O mudez → A mudez
The word is feminine, not masculine.
Ele está mudez → Ele está mudo / Ele está em estado de mudez
Mudez is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot use it directly to describe a person's state like an adjective.
A mudez do quarto era tranquila → O silêncio do quarto era tranquilo
Mudez implies an inability to speak, which is too dramatic for a simple quiet room. Use silêncio.
Sua mudez absoluto → Sua mudez absoluta
Adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of the noun.
Mudez de voz por causa da gripe → Afonia por causa da gripe
Losing your voice due to illness is 'afonia', not 'mudez'.

Consejos

Suffix Power

The suffix '-ez' is a great way to spot abstract nouns. If you see it, look for a related adjective (mudo -> mudez, rápido -> rapidez).

Gender Trap

Don't let the 'z' fool you into thinking it's masculine. Like most abstract nouns in '-ez', 'mudez' is feminine.

Be Dramatic

Use 'mudez' when you want to make a situation sound more serious or poetic than just 'silence'.

Clinical vs. Daily

In a hospital, 'mudez' or 'mutismo' are the correct terms. In a library, 'silêncio' is better.

Collocation King

Memorize 'romper a mudez'. It's a very common and sophisticated way to say 'to start speaking after a long silence'.

Social Voice

Remember that 'mudez' can also mean the lack of a political voice or being silenced by society.

Endings Matter

Keep the final 'z' unvoiced. It should never sound like a buzzing 'z' sound.

Choose Wisely

Use 'afonia' for a lost voice from a cold, and 'mudez' for a deeper inability to speak.

Association

Link 'mudez' with 'surdez' (deafness) to remember they are both feminine nouns for physical conditions.

Poetic License

Try using 'a mudez do tempo' or 'a mudez dos muros' in your creative writing to sound like a master.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Mudez' as 'Mute-ness'. The 'z' at the end is like the 's' in 'ness'. Mudo + ez = Mudez.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person with a giant golden 'Z' over their mouth, representing the final letter of 'mudez' and the silence it brings.

Word Web

mudo silêncio voz segredo trauma medicina poesia surdez

Desafío

Try to use 'mudez' in a sentence describing a scene from a movie where a character is too shocked to speak.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'mutus', meaning 'silent' or 'dumb'. The word evolved through Old Portuguese into its current form.

Significado original: The state or quality of being mute.

Romance (Indo-European)

Contexto cultural

When discussing physical muteness, ensure the context is respectful. Modern terminology in the Deaf community often prefers 'surdo' (deaf) over 'surdo-mudo' (deaf-mute) to avoid negative connotations.

English speakers might prefer the word 'silence', but using 'muteness' (mudez) adds a layer of physical or psychological gravity that 'silence' lacks.

The 'mudez' of the character in the film 'The Piano' (though not Portuguese, the concept is often discussed in PT film studies). Saramago's 'Ensaio sobre a Cegueira' (Blindness) where the loss of senses creates a metaphorical mudez. The clinical term 'Mutismo Seletivo' (Selective Mutism) which is a common topic in Brazilian educational psychology.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Medical/Psychological

mudez seletiva
mudez traumática
diagnóstico de mudez
tratamento para mudez

Literary/Poetic

mudez das pedras
mudez da alma
romper a mudez
mergulhado em mudez

Legal/Formal

mudez do suspeito
direito à mudez
mudez voluntária
estado de mudez

Daily Life/Emotions

mudez de espanto
cair em mudez
mudez de timidez
mudez passageira

Nature/Environment

mudez da noite
mudez do deserto
mudez absoluta
silêncio e mudez

Inicios de conversación

"Você já ouviu falar sobre mudez seletiva em crianças?"

"O que você faria se caísse em mudez por um dia inteiro?"

"Você acha que a mudez das autoridades é um problema no seu país?"

"Em que situações você acha que a mudez é melhor que as palavras?"

"Você já sentiu uma mudez de espanto ao ver algo incrível?"

Temas para diario

Descreva um momento em sua vida em que você sentiu uma mudez absoluta devido ao choque ou à alegria.

Escreva sobre a mudez da natureza em um lugar que você visitou e como isso fez você se sentir.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre o silêncio e a mudez em um contexto social ou político.

Crie um personagem que vive em mudez voluntária. Por que ele escolheu isso e como ele se comunica?

Como você acha que a tecnologia está afetando a nossa 'mudez' ou a nossa capacidade de falar?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is feminine. You should always use 'a mudez' or 'uma mudez'. Adjectives must also be feminine, like 'mudez absoluta'.

Technically, yes, but it's very poetic and personifies the room. For a normal quiet room, use 'silêncio'.

It is a psychological condition (Selective Mutism) where a person, usually a child, cannot speak in certain social situations despite being able to speak in others.

The traditional term is 'surdo-mudo', but it's increasingly considered outdated or insensitive. 'Surdo' is often preferred unless both conditions are specifically relevant.

It's less common than 'silêncio' or 'não falar'. It's usually reserved for more serious, dramatic, or medical contexts.

In Brazil, it's usually like an 's' (mude-ss). In Portugal, it's like a 'sh' (mude-sh).

Yes, 'mudezes', but it is extremely rare and only used in very specific literary or philosophical contexts.

'Mudez' is the general noun, while 'mutismo' is the more technical or clinical term used by doctors and psychologists.

Common verbs include 'romper' (to break), 'cair em' (to fall into), 'permanecer em' (to remain in), and 'causar' (to cause).

No. 'Mudez' comes from 'mudo' (mute). 'Mudança' comes from 'mudar' (change). They share a root but have different meanings.

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