این صفحه به زبان شما

English

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective 14 دقیقه مطالعه

meticuloso

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها meticuloso در ۳۰ ثانیه

توضیح meticuloso in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word meticuloso might seem a bit long and complex, but it is a great 'power word' to add to your vocabulary early on. At this stage, you are learning basic adjectives like 'bom' (good), 'mau' (bad), and 'feliz' (happy). Think of meticuloso as a very specific version of 'bom' or 'cuidadoso' (careful). If you want to say someone is very, very careful with their work, you can say they are meticuloso.

For an A1 learner, focus on the masculine and feminine forms: meticuloso for boys/men and meticulosa for girls/women. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Ele é meticuloso' (He is meticulous) or 'Ela é meticulosa' (She is meticulous). It is a way to sound more advanced than just using 'cuidadoso' all the time. Even if you don't use it in every conversation, recognizing it when you hear it will help you understand when someone is being praised for their hard work and attention to detail.

A good way to remember it at this level is to connect it to the English word 'meticulous', as they look almost identical. Just remember that in Portuguese, we pronounce every vowel! Me-ti-cu-lo-so. Practice saying it slowly. It describes someone who doesn't like making mistakes and checks their work many times. If you are a student who checks your homework twice, you are being meticuloso!

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe people's personalities and work habits in more detail. Meticuloso is a perfect word for this. You can now use it to describe professions or specific tasks. For example, 'O cozinheiro é meticuloso' (The cook is meticulous). This level is about expanding your use of adjectives with nouns. Remember the plural forms: meticulosos and meticulosas. If you are talking about a group of students who are very careful, you would say 'Os alunos são meticulosos'.

At A2, you should also start pairing meticuloso with the verb 'ser' because it is usually a permanent trait. You might also start using it with 'muito' (very) to add emphasis: 'Meu pai é muito meticuloso com o carro dele' (My father is very meticulous with his car). Notice the use of 'com' (with) after the adjective—this is a common pattern you should start to master at this level.

You will likely encounter this word in reading passages about hobbies or jobs. If you read a story about someone who builds model airplanes or someone who is a great scientist, look for this word. It helps you understand that the character is patient and values quality. It is a step up from A1 because you are now using the word to provide specific context about *what* someone is careful with.

As a B1 learner, you are moving into intermediate territory where nuance becomes important. You should understand that meticuloso is more formal than 'detalhista'. While you might use 'detalhista' with friends, you would use meticuloso in a job interview or a formal email. At this level, you should also be comfortable using the adverbial form, meticulosamente. For example: 'Ele planejou a viagem meticulosamente' (He planned the trip meticulously).

B1 is also the time to start distinguishing meticuloso from its synonyms like 'minucioso' or 'escrupuloso'. While they are similar, meticuloso is the most versatile and common in professional settings. You can use it to describe a 'processo' (process), a 'plano' (plan), or a 'pesquisa' (research). It implies a systematic approach. If you are describing your own work style in Portuguese, using this word shows a high level of linguistic and professional competence.

You should also be aware of the word's placement. While it usually comes after the noun ('um trabalho meticuloso'), placing it before ('um meticuloso trabalho') can add a literary or emphatic touch, though this is less common in speech. At B1, you are expected to handle the gender and number agreement perfectly without thinking, even in more complex sentences with multiple clauses.

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

At the B2 level, you should be able to use meticuloso to discuss abstract concepts and complex professional scenarios. You might use it in a debate about the importance of precision in science or the arts. For example, 'A aplicação meticulosa das regras é fundamental para a justiça' (The meticulous application of rules is fundamental for justice). At this stage, your vocabulary should be rich enough to use meticuloso to contrast with its opposites like 'negligente' (negligent) or 'superficial'.

You will hear this word in more sophisticated media, such as political analysis or technical documentaries. A B2 learner should understand the subtle positive and negative connotations. While generally positive, in certain contexts, calling someone meticuloso might imply they are slow or focused on the wrong things. You should be able to pick up on these cues from the speaker's tone or the surrounding words.

Additionally, at B2, you should be familiar with the word's role in collocations. Phrases like 'exame meticuloso' (meticulous examination), 'cuidado meticuloso' (meticulous care), and 'organização meticulosa' (meticulous organization) should be part of your active vocabulary. You are no longer just using the word; you are using it in the way native speakers naturally group words together to express specific ideas.

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

For C1 learners, meticuloso is a tool for precision in expression. You should be able to use it in academic writing, professional reports, and sophisticated social interactions. At this level, you understand the etymological history of the word—how it evolved from 'fear' to 'precision'—and you can use this knowledge to appreciate its depth in classical literature. You might encounter it in the works of Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis, where it is used to dissect the personality of the 19th-century elite.

You should also be able to use the word in the superlative form, meticulosíssimo, to describe something that is beyond normally meticulous. This is a common feature of Portuguese where you add '-íssimo' for extreme emphasis. A C1 speaker knows when this is appropriate and when it might sound like hyperbole. You are also capable of using the word in complex grammatical structures, such as within passive voice or conditional sentences: 'Se o plano não tivesse sido tão meticuloso, teríamos falhado' (If the plan hadn't been so meticulous, we would have failed).

Furthermore, you should be able to discuss the word's register. You know that while meticuloso is high-register, it is not archaic. It is a 'living' word that carries a sense of authority. In a legal or medical context, your choice of meticuloso over cuidadoso demonstrates that you understand the gravity of the situation and the level of expertise required.

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of meticuloso and its place within the entire Lusophone linguistic landscape. You can identify how its usage might subtly differ between Lisbon, Luanda, and São Paulo. You are comfortable using it in the most demanding intellectual environments, such as defending a doctoral thesis or writing a philosophical treatise. You understand that meticuloso can be used to describe not just a person or a task, but an entire worldview or an aesthetic movement.

A C2 speaker can play with the word's nuances, perhaps using it ironically or to create a specific rhetorical effect. You can use it in highly formal 'discursos' (speeches) to emphasize the integrity of an institution or a process. You also understand its relationship with other high-level terms like 'estrito' (strict), 'rigoroso' (rigorous), and 'perfeccionista', and you can choose between them with surgical precision to convey the exact shade of meaning you intend.

Your use of meticuloso is natural and effortless. You might even use it to describe the very way you use language—with a meticulosa choice of words to ensure absolute clarity and elegance. At this stage, the word is no longer a vocabulary item to be learned; it is a finely-tuned instrument in your linguistic orchestra, used to create complex and beautiful meanings in the Portuguese language.

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

meticuloso در ۳۰ ثانیه

Meticuloso means being extremely careful and attentive to small details in any task.
It is a formal adjective that agrees in gender and number: meticuloso, meticulosa, meticulosos, meticulosas.
Commonly used in professional, artistic, and scientific contexts to describe high-quality work and precision.
It comes from the Latin for 'fearful', but today it implies professional thoroughness and reliability.

The Portuguese word meticuloso is a powerful adjective used to describe someone who possesses an extraordinary attention to detail. At its core, it suggests a level of care that goes far beyond the average effort. When you call someone meticuloso, you are highlighting their precision, their thoroughness, and their refusal to overlook even the smallest aspects of a task. It is a word rooted in the idea of being scrupulous and exact. In a world that often moves too fast, being meticuloso is seen as a mark of high quality and dedication. This term is not just about being 'careful'; it is about a systematic and almost obsessive devotion to getting things exactly right. It is often applied to professionals such as surgeons, watchmakers, researchers, and artists whose work demands absolute perfection.

The Essence of Precision: Being meticuloso means looking at the microscopic level of a project. It involves a mental checklist where every item must be verified multiple times. It is the opposite of being 'desleixado' (sloppy) or 'apressado' (hurried).

Historically, the word has an interesting evolution. It comes from the Latin meticulosus, which originally meant 'fearful' or 'timid' (from metus, meaning fear). The logic was that someone who is fearful is extremely cautious and hesitant, checking everything to avoid mistakes. Over centuries, the negative connotation of 'fear' faded, leaving behind the positive trait of 'extreme caution' and 'attention to detail.' In modern Portuguese, it is almost exclusively positive or neutral, depending on whether the level of detail is seen as productive or excessive.

O arquiteto foi extremamente meticuloso ao desenhar a planta da catedral, garantindo que cada centímetro fosse aproveitado.

You will encounter this word in various contexts, from job interviews where candidates describe their work ethic, to literary descriptions of characters who are organized and tidy. It is a formal to semi-formal word, though it is understood by all speakers. In everyday speech, people might use 'detalhista' as a more common synonym, but meticuloso carries a weight of professional expertise and intellectual rigor that 'detalhista' sometimes lacks.

Professional Application: In a professional review, being called meticuloso is one of the highest compliments for an editor, an accountant, or a scientist. It implies that their results are reliable because their process was flawless.

Furthermore, the word reflects a cultural value in many Portuguese-speaking societies regarding craftsmanship. Whether it is the intricate patterns of Portuguese tiles (azulejos) or the complex rhythms of Bossa Nova, the 'meticuloso' nature of the creator is what defines the masterpiece. It is about the patience required to achieve excellence.

A restauração da pintura antiga exigiu um trabalho meticuloso que durou vários meses.

Social Context: Socially, describing a friend as meticuloso might imply they are very organized with their plans, perhaps even a bit rigid, but always dependable.

Ela é tão meticulosa com suas finanças que sabe exatamente onde gasta cada centavo.

In summary, meticuloso is a word that celebrates the human capacity for precision. It bridges the gap between simple care and professional mastery. Whether you are describing a scientific process, an artistic endeavor, or a personal habit, this word conveys a deep respect for the details that make up the whole. It is a word for those who believe that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing with the utmost accuracy.

O detetive fez um exame meticuloso da cena do crime em busca de pistas invisíveis.

Para ser um bom cirurgião, é necessário ser extremamente meticuloso em cada movimento.

Using meticuloso correctly in Portuguese requires an understanding of both grammar and nuance. As an adjective, its primary role is to modify nouns, and in Portuguese, this means it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For a singular masculine noun, you use meticuloso; for a singular feminine noun, meticulosa; for plural masculine, meticulosos; and for plural feminine, meticulosas. This agreement is fundamental to sounding natural and fluent.

Placement in the Sentence: Typically, 'meticuloso' follows the noun it modifies. While placing it before the noun is grammatically possible in poetic or highly formal writing, it can slightly change the emphasis or feel forced in everyday conversation. Stick to the 'Noun + Adjective' pattern for clarity.

When describing a person's character or a recurring trait, we use the verb ser. For example, 'Ele é meticuloso' implies that being detailed-oriented is a permanent part of his personality. If you were describing how someone is performing a specific, temporary task, you might occasionally see estar, but ser is much more common because meticulousness is generally viewed as a character trait or a professional standard.

A secretária é muito meticulosa com a organização dos arquivos da empresa.

You can enhance the intensity of the word by using adverbs like extremamente (extremely), muito (very), or incrivelmente (incredibly). Because meticuloso already implies a high level of care, adding these adverbs suggests a truly exceptional, almost superhuman level of detail. Conversely, using it with 'pouco' (little) can be a polite way to say someone is careless: 'Ele é pouco meticuloso' (He isn't very meticulous).

Agreement Examples: Masculine Singular: O relatório meticuloso.
Feminine Singular: A análise meticulosa.
Masculine Plural: Os planos meticulosos.
Feminine Plural: As pesquisas meticulosas.

In complex sentences, meticuloso often appears in the 'subject + verb + adjective' structure. It is also frequently used in prepositional phrases starting with 'com' (with) to specify what the person is being meticulous about. For instance, 'meticuloso com as palavras' (meticulous with words) or 'meticuloso com os prazos' (meticulous with deadlines).

Precisamos de um plano meticuloso para garantir o sucesso do lançamento do produto.

When writing, remember that meticuloso is an excellent word to replace simpler terms like 'bom' or 'cuidadoso' when you want to provide more specific praise. In an academic essay, describing a methodology as meticulosa validates the entire study by suggesting that no errors were made during the data collection or analysis phases.

O historiador realizou um levantamento meticuloso de todos os documentos da época.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs that often precede this adjective include: Ser (to be), Mostrar-se (to show oneself as), Parecer (to seem), and Tornar-se (to become).

Finally, consider the rhythm of your sentence. Meticuloso is a five-syllable word (me-ti-cu-lo-so), which gives it a certain gravitas. Using it at the end of a sentence can provide a strong, definitive conclusion to a thought. It is a word that demands the listener's attention, much like the attention to detail it describes.

Seus movimentos na dança eram meticulosos e cheios de graça.

O autor é meticuloso na escolha de cada adjetivo em seus romances.

In the real world of Portuguese speakers, meticuloso is a word that appears in specific, high-stakes environments. While you might not hear it shouted across a football stadium, you will certainly hear it in the quiet offices of lawyers, the sterile rooms of hospitals, and the creative studios of master artisans. It is a word of the 'expert.' If you are watching a news report about a complex police investigation, the reporter might describe the forensic team's work as meticuloso. This signals to the audience that the investigation is being handled with the highest level of professionalism and that the evidence found is likely to be solid.

In the Workplace: During performance reviews or in job descriptions, 'meticuloso' is a keyword. Employers look for 'perfil meticuloso' (meticulous profile) for roles in quality control, auditing, and programming, where a single character out of place can cause a system failure.

In the world of arts and literature, critics use meticuloso to describe the technique of a painter who captures every strand of hair, or a writer whose world-building is incredibly dense and consistent. You will hear it in documentaries where the narrator explains the process of restoring ancient artifacts or building complex machinery like satellites or high-end watches. In these contexts, the word is synonymous with 'excellence' and 'patience'.

O documentário mostrou o preparo meticuloso dos astronautas antes da missão espacial.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in a more personal, slightly humorous context. If a friend takes a very long time to organize their bookshelf or pack a suitcase, someone might say, 'Nossa, como você é meticuloso!' (Wow, how meticulous you are!). Here, it can be a gentle tease about their perfectionism. However, it rarely crosses into being an insult; it usually carries a tone of 'I'm impressed, but also a bit exhausted by how much you care about this.'

In Literature and Media: Classical Portuguese literature often uses this word to describe the 'bourgeois' character who is obsessed with order and social standing. In modern cinema, it might describe a 'meticulous' heist plan.

In academic settings, professors will often tell students that their citations must be meticulosas. In this case, the word is a warning: 'If you are not precise, you will lose points.' It emphasizes the intellectual rigor required in higher education. Similarly, in legal documents, the wording is often described as meticulosa to ensure there are no loopholes that could be exploited later.

O juiz exigiu um relatório meticuloso sobre as evidências apresentadas pela defesa.

Regional Variations: While the meaning is identical across the Lusophone world, the frequency might vary. In Portugal, it retains a slightly more formal air, whereas in Brazil, it is increasingly used in corporate 'speak'.

Finally, in the healthcare sector, meticuloso is used to describe the hygiene protocols and the execution of surgical procedures. When a doctor says a procedure requires a 'cuidado meticuloso', they are communicating the high risk and the need for absolute concentration. It is a word that, in these moments, can literally be a matter of life and death.

O enfermeiro foi muito meticuloso ao limpar a ferida do paciente.

A costureira fez um trabalho meticuloso no vestido de noiva, bordando cada pérola à mão.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning meticuloso is forgetting that it is a 'false friend' of sorts—not in meaning, but in its origins. Because 'meticulous' in English is so similar, students often assume they can use it in every situation where they would use 'careful'. However, meticuloso is much stronger than cuidadoso. Using meticuloso for a simple task like 'being careful not to drop a glass' sounds overly dramatic. For everyday caution, use cuidado or cuidadoso.

Confusing with 'Medroso': While the Latin root means 'fearful', in modern Portuguese, 'meticuloso' never means 'scared'. If you want to say someone is fearful, you must use 'medroso' or 'receoso'. Using 'meticuloso' to describe someone afraid of heights would be a major semantic error.

Another common mistake is related to gender and number agreement. English adjectives are static (e.g., 'the meticulous man', 'the meticulous women'). In Portuguese, you must change the ending. Beginners often stick to the masculine singular form meticuloso regardless of the noun. This is a tell-tale sign of a non-native speaker. Always check: is the noun feminine? Is it plural? 'As arquitetas são meticulosas' is the only correct way to say 'The (female) architects are meticulous.'

Incorreto: Ela é um médico muito meticuloso. (If 'ela' is the subject, the adjective must match the feminine person, or the noun 'médica'). Correto: Ela é uma médica muito meticulosa.

There is also the risk of overusing the word. In Portuguese, calling someone meticuloso too often can sometimes sound like you are calling them 'picky' or 'fussy' (cri-cri or picuinhas), especially in social situations. If you want to praise someone's attention to detail without the potential baggage of being 'too much', atento aos detalhes or detalhista are safer, more neutral alternatives.

Preposition Errors: English speakers might try to say 'meticulous about' and translate it literally as 'meticuloso sobre'. While 'sobre' is understood, the more natural preposition in Portuguese is 'com' (with). Example: 'Ele é meticuloso COM o seu trabalho' (He is meticulous with his work).

Pronunciation is another area where mistakes happen. English speakers often put the stress on the wrong syllable. In Portuguese, the stress is on the 'lo' (meticuLOso). Also, ensure you don't pronounce the 't' with an English-style aspiration (the puff of air). In Portuguese, the 't' is dental—your tongue should touch your teeth.

Incorreto: Eles são meticuloso. Correto: Eles são meticulosos.

Confusion with 'Perfeccionista': While related, a 'perfeccionista' is someone who wants things to be perfect (often a psychological trait), while a 'meticuloso' person is someone who works with great detail (a method of working). You can be meticulous without being a perfectionist.

Lastly, be careful with the adverbial form. In English, we add '-ly' to get 'meticulously'. In Portuguese, we add '-mente' to the feminine singular form to get meticulosamente. A common mistake is adding it to the masculine form (meticuloso-mente), which is incorrect. It must be meticulosamente.

Ela revisou o contrato meticulosamente antes de assinar.

Não confunda o adjetivo com o advérbio: 'Trabalho meticuloso' vs 'Trabalhar meticulosamente'.

Portuguese is a rich language with many shades of meaning for 'careful' and 'detailed'. Understanding the alternatives to meticuloso will help you choose the right word for the right situation. While meticuloso is the gold standard for precision, other words might be more appropriate depending on the register and specific focus of your sentence.

Meticuloso vs. Cuidadoso: 'Cuidadoso' is the general word for 'careful'. You are cuidadoso when crossing the street or holding a baby. 'Meticuloso' is much more technical and implies a deep dive into details that 'cuidadoso' doesn't necessarily cover.

A very common alternative in Brazil is detalhista. This word focuses specifically on the 'details' (detalhes). If meticuloso sounds a bit too formal or academic for you, detalhista is perfectly suited for everyday conversations about hobbies, fashion, or someone's personality. 'Ela é muito detalhista' is a high compliment for someone who notices small things that others miss.

Meticuloso vs. Minucioso: 'Minucioso' is perhaps the closest synonym to 'meticuloso'. It comes from 'minúcia' (minutiae). While they are often interchangeable, 'minucioso' is frequently used to describe an investigation or a description ('uma descrição minuciosa'), whereas 'meticuloso' is more often used to describe the person or their work ethic.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter esmerado. This word suggests not just care, but 'polish' and 'refinement'. An 'esmerado' work is one that has been labored over until it shines. It carries a sense of artistic pride. On the other hand, escrupuloso (scrupulous) adds a layer of moral or ethical care—doing things 'by the book' to ensure honesty and integrity.

O relatório foi minucioso, cobrindo cada pequeno detalhe do incidente.

For the negative side of the spectrum, if someone is 'too meticulous' to the point of being annoying, you might use picuinhas (mostly in Brazil) or picuinha. This describes someone who fusses over irrelevant details. In Portugal, mariquinhas can sometimes be used in a similar way, though it can have other connotations and should be used with caution.

Meticuloso vs. Atento: 'Atento' means 'attentive'. You can be atento (listening well) without being meticuloso (doing work with detail). Meticuloso requires action and production, whereas atento is more about observation.

In technical fields, preciso (precise) and exato (exact) are common. While meticuloso describes the *process*, preciso and exato describe the *result*. You are meticulous so that your results will be precise. Using 'meticuloso' to describe a measurement is slightly odd; 'uma medição precisa' is better.

O cientista é conhecido por seu método escrupuloso de coleta de dados.

Ela fez um acabamento esmerado na escultura de madeira.

چقدر رسمی است؟

نکته جالب

The semantic shift from 'fearful' to 'careful' happened because a person who is afraid tends to be extremely cautious and checks every detail to avoid danger. This caution eventually became associated with precision and high-quality work rather than fear.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /məˈtɪkjʊləs/

US /məˈtɪkjələs/

me-ti-cu-LO-so

هم‌قافیه با

curioso ansioso precioso valioso orgulhoso carinhoso poderoso famoso

خطاهای رایج

Stressing the 'cu' syllable (me-TI-cu-lo-so) instead of the 'lo'.
Pronouncing the 't' with a puff of air (aspiration).
In Brazil, forgetting to pronounce the final 'o' as a soft 'u'.
In Portugal, failing to reduce the unstressed vowels correctly.
Treating it like the English word and skipping the 'o' at the end.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate 'meticulous'.

نوشتن 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

صحبت کردن 4/5

The five syllables and specific stress pattern can be tricky for beginners.

گوش دادن 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it relatively easy to pick out in speech.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

bom cuidadoso trabalho muito com

بعداً یاد بگیرید

detalhista minucioso esmerado meticulosidade meticulosamente

پیشرفته

escrupuloso rigoroso exaustivo perfeccionismo

گرامر لازم

Adjective Gender Agreement

O plano (m) é meticuloso. A análise (f) é meticulosa.

Adjective Number Agreement

Os planos são meticulosos. As análises são meticulosas.

Adverb Formation with -mente

Meticulosa + mente = meticulosamente.

Placement of Adjectives

Usually after the noun: 'Trabalho meticuloso'.

Superlative Formation

Meticuloso -> Meticulosíssimo (extremely meticulous).

برای خواندن توضیح کامل رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

Ele é um aluno meticuloso.

He is a meticulous student.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective structure.

Ela é muito meticulosa.

She is very meticulous.

Feminine agreement: 'meticulosa' for 'ela'.

O trabalho é meticuloso.

The work is meticulous.

Adjective follows the masculine noun 'trabalho'.

Eles são meticulosos.

They are meticulous.

Plural masculine agreement.

Você é meticuloso?

Are you meticulous?

Question form with 'ser'.

Maria é uma menina meticulosa.

Maria is a meticulous girl.

Adjective modifying a feminine noun phrase.

O plano não é meticuloso.

The plan is not meticulous.

Negative sentence using 'não'.

Eu sou meticuloso com meus livros.

I am meticulous with my books.

Use of 'com' to show the object of care.

O cozinheiro foi meticuloso com o sal.

The cook was meticulous with the salt.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) of 'ser'.

Ela faz uma limpeza meticulosa na casa.

She does a meticulous cleaning in the house.

Feminine adjective modifying 'limpeza'.

Precisamos de um relatório meticuloso.

We need a meticulous report.

Using 'de' after the verb 'precisar'.

Os cientistas são muito meticulosos nos testes.

The scientists are very meticulous in the tests.

Plural agreement and preposition 'nos' (em + os).

Sua avó é meticulosa com a costura.

Your grandmother is meticulous with sewing.

Possessive adjective 'sua' matching 'avó'.

O detetive é um homem meticuloso.

The detective is a meticulous man.

Noun + Adjective order.

As enfermeiras são meticulosas com os remédios.

The nurses are meticulous with the medicines.

Feminine plural agreement.

Ele não é muito meticuloso, por isso comete erros.

He is not very meticulous, that's why he makes mistakes.

Compound sentence with 'por isso' (so/therefore).

O engenheiro preparou um projeto meticuloso para a ponte.

The engineer prepared a meticulous project for the bridge.

Using 'para' to indicate purpose.

Ela revisou o texto meticulosamente antes de publicar.

She revised the text meticulously before publishing.

Adverbial form 'meticulosamente'.

É importante ser meticuloso em profissões de risco.

It is important to be meticulous in high-risk professions.

Impersonal expression 'É importante' + infinitive.

O historiador fez uma pesquisa meticulosa sobre o império.

The historian did a meticulous research about the empire.

Preposition 'sobre' (about/on).

Seu estilo de escrita é muito meticuloso e rico.

Your writing style is very meticulous and rich.

Coordination of two adjectives.

Eles foram meticulosos ao escolher os novos sócios.

They were meticulous when choosing the new partners.

Use of 'ao' + infinitive (when/upon doing something).

A organização do evento foi meticulosa e eficiente.

The event organization was meticulous and efficient.

Feminine agreement for 'organização'.

Sempre fui um trabalhador meticuloso e dedicado.

I have always been a meticulous and dedicated worker.

Pretérito Perfeito Composto (have been).

A análise meticulosa dos dados revelou uma falha no sistema.

The meticulous analysis of the data revealed a system flaw.

Noun phrase as the subject of the sentence.

O autor descreve as paisagens de forma meticulosa.

The author describes the landscapes in a meticulous way.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma' + adjective.

O cirurgião deve manter um cuidado meticuloso durante a operação.

The surgeon must maintain meticulous care during the operation.

Modal verb 'deve' (must) + infinitive.

O plano de marketing foi meticuloso, mas o mercado mudou.

The marketing plan was meticulous, but the market changed.

Contrast using the conjunction 'mas'.

Ela é conhecida por ser meticulosa em seus julgamentos.

She is known for being meticulous in her judgments.

Passive-like structure 'conhecida por'.

A restauração do quadro exigiu um esforço meticuloso.

The restoration of the painting required a meticulous effort.

Verb 'exigir' (to require/demand).

Os auditores foram meticulosos na verificação das contas.

The auditors were meticulous in verifying the accounts.

Preposition 'na' (em + a).

Sua abordagem meticulosa garante a qualidade do produto final.

Your meticulous approach guarantees the quality of the final product.

Subject-verb agreement with 'garante'.

A obra de arte é fruto de um processo criativo meticuloso.

The artwork is the result of a meticulous creative process.

Genitive construction 'fruto de'.

O advogado elaborou uma defesa meticulosa baseada em fatos.

The lawyer drafted a meticulous defense based on facts.

Past participle 'baseada' agreeing with 'defesa'.

A meticulosidade do autor é visível em cada parágrafo.

The author's meticulousness is visible in every paragraph.

Noun form 'meticulosidade'.

O projeto foi executado com uma precisão meticulosa.

The project was executed with meticulous precision.

Prepositional phrase 'com uma precisão meticulosa'.

Ele é um observador meticuloso do comportamento humano.

He is a meticulous observer of human behavior.

Agent noun 'observador' modified by the adjective.

A investigação meticulosa durou anos antes de ser concluída.

The meticulous investigation lasted years before being concluded.

Time duration 'durou anos'.

Sua técnica é tão meticulosa que beira a perfeição.

Your technique is so meticulous that it borders on perfection.

Consecutive clause 'tão... que'.

O diplomata foi meticuloso na escolha das palavras do tratado.

The diplomat was meticulous in choosing the words of the treaty.

Prepositional phrase 'na escolha das palavras'.

A exegese meticulosa do texto sagrado revelou novas interpretações.

The meticulous exegesis of the sacred text revealed new interpretations.

Use of high-level vocabulary like 'exegese'.

O planejamento meticuloso é o alicerce de qualquer grande empreendimento.

Meticulous planning is the foundation of any great undertaking.

Metaphorical use of 'alicerce' (foundation).

A natureza, em sua engenharia meticulosa, criou sistemas perfeitos.

Nature, in its meticulous engineering, created perfect systems.

Parenthetical phrase 'em sua engenharia meticulosa'.

O filósofo propõe uma análise meticulosa da ética contemporânea.

The philosopher proposes a meticulous analysis of contemporary ethics.

Abstract noun 'ética' as the object.

A meticulosidade excessiva pode, por vezes, paralisar a inovação.

Excessive meticulousness can, at times, paralyze innovation.

Conditional/nuanced statement with 'pode, por vezes'.

O restauro meticuloso do palácio devolveu-lhe a glória original.

The meticulous restoration of the palace gave it back its original glory.

Use of the clitic pronoun '-lhe'.

Sua abordagem meticulosa é o que o distingue de seus pares.

His meticulous approach is what distinguishes him from his peers.

Relative clause 'o que o distingue'.

A escrita meticulosa de Saramago exige fôlego do leitor.

Saramago's meticulous writing requires breath from the reader.

Reference to a specific literary style.

ترکیب‌های رایج

trabalho meticuloso

análise meticulosa

planejamento meticuloso

exame meticuloso

cuidado meticuloso

pesquisa meticulosa

preparo meticuloso

detalhe meticuloso

organização meticulosa

método meticuloso

عبارات رایج

Ser meticuloso com...

— To be meticulous about something specific. This is the standard way to link the adjective to an object.

Ele é meticuloso com os horários.

De forma meticulosa

— In a meticulous manner. Used to describe how an action is performed.

Tudo foi organizado de forma meticulosa.

Extremamente meticuloso

— Extremely meticulous. Used to emphasize an exceptional level of care.

O projeto é extremamente meticuloso.

Pouco meticuloso

— Not very meticulous. A polite way to say someone is careless.

Infelizmente, ele é pouco meticuloso.

Meticuloso ao extremo

— Meticulous to the extreme. Often implies that the person might be overdoing it.

Ele é meticuloso ao extremo com a limpeza.

Perfil meticuloso

— Meticulous profile. Often used in job advertisements and HR contexts.

Buscamos candidatos com perfil meticuloso.

Trabalho de formiguinha

— A common idiom meaning slow, meticulous, and persistent work. Often used alongside meticuloso.

Este restauro é um trabalho de formiguinha, muito meticuloso.

Olhar meticuloso

— A meticulous gaze/eye. Refers to someone who notices everything.

Nada escapa ao seu olhar meticuloso.

Meticuloso por natureza

— Meticulous by nature. Implies it is an innate personality trait.

Ela é meticulosa por natureza, sempre foi assim.

Revisão meticulosa

— Meticulous revision/review. Common in publishing and academia.

O livro passou por uma revisão meticulosa.

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

meticuloso vs medroso

Though they share a root, 'medroso' means 'scared', while 'meticuloso' means 'careful'.

meticuloso vs perfeccionista

A perfectionist wants things to be perfect; a meticulous person focuses on the details of the process.

meticuloso vs lento

A meticulous person might be slow, but 'lento' just means slow without the implication of quality.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"Ver o que ninguém vê"

— To see what no one else sees. Describes a meticulous person's ability to spot tiny details.

Com seu jeito meticuloso, ele consegue ver o que ninguém vê.

informal

"Pôr os pontos nos is"

— To dot the i's and cross the t's. Being very precise and clear about details.

Ele é tão meticuloso que faz questão de pôr os pontos nos is em todo contrato.

neutral

"Não deixar passar nada"

— To not let anything slip by. Typical behavior of a meticulous person.

Ela é meticulosa e não deixa passar nada na revisão.

neutral

"Fazer com pés e cabeça"

— To do something with 'feet and head', meaning logically and thoroughly.

O plano foi feito com pés e cabeça, de forma muito meticulosa.

informal

"Ler as letras miúdas"

— To read the fine print. Something a meticulous person always does.

Sendo meticuloso, ele sempre lê as letras miúdas antes de assinar.

neutral

"Fazer por mãos de mestre"

— To do something with a master's hands. Implies meticulous and high-quality work.

O acabamento foi feito por mãos de mestre, muito meticuloso.

literary

"Andar com o credo na boca"

— While it literally means to be very afraid (the old meaning of meticulous), it is sometimes used for someone being extremely cautious.

Ele anda com o credo na boca de tão meticuloso que é com a segurança.

informal/regional

"Pente fino"

— A fine-tooth comb. Used to describe a very thorough and meticulous search or check.

A polícia passou um pente fino meticuloso no local.

neutral

"Fio do bigode"

— Literally 'mustache hair', meaning a man's word of honor, often implying meticulous adherence to a promise.

Ele é meticuloso com suas promessas; o que diz é no fio do bigode.

old-fashioned

"Comer pelas beiradas"

— To eat from the edges. Implies a slow, meticulous, and strategic approach to a goal.

Ele foi meticuloso e comeu pelas beiradas até conseguir a promoção.

informal/Brazil

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

meticuloso vs Minucioso

They are nearly identical in meaning.

Minucioso refers more to the object/description, while meticuloso refers more to the person/method.

Um exame minucioso (object); Um médico meticuloso (person).

meticuloso vs Escrupuloso

Both imply high care.

Escrupuloso adds a moral or ethical dimension of following rules exactly.

Ele é um juiz escrupuloso.

meticuloso vs Detalhista

Both mean 'detailed'.

Detalhista is more common in casual speech and focuses on 'noticing' details.

Ela é muito detalhista com as roupas.

meticuloso vs Cuidadoso

Both mean 'careful'.

Cuidadoso is general; meticuloso is specific and higher intensity.

Seja cuidadoso ao dirigir.

meticuloso vs Exato

Both relate to precision.

Exato describes the result (accuracy), while meticuloso describes the process (effort).

O resultado foi exato.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

[Subject] é meticuloso/a.

Ele é meticuloso.

[Subject] é [Adverb] meticuloso/a com [Noun].

Ela é muito meticulosa com as plantas.

Um/Uma [Noun] [Adjective].

Um projeto meticuloso.

[Verb] [Meticulosamente].

Eles trabalharam meticulosamente.

A [Noun] meticulosa de [Noun]...

A análise meticulosa dos dados revelou a verdade.

Fruto de um [Noun] meticuloso...

A pintura é fruto de um esforço meticuloso.

Tão meticuloso que [Result]...

O plano era tão meticuloso que nada deu errado.

[Noun], em sua [Noun] meticulosa, [Verb]...

O autor, em sua escrita meticulosa, cativa o leitor.

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

meticulosidade (meticulousness)

صفت‌ها

meticuloso

meticulosa

مرتبط

medo

detalhe

minúcia

precisão

cuidado

برای دیدن همه مثال‌ها رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Common in professional, academic, and journalistic writing; moderate in daily speech.

اشتباهات رایج

Using 'meticuloso' to mean 'scared'. → medroso / receoso
This is a historical error. While the Latin root means fear, the modern word only refers to being careful. Don't let the etymology confuse you!
Saying 'Eles são meticuloso'. → Eles são meticulosos.
Adjectives must agree in number with the subject. Since 'eles' is plural, the adjective must also be plural.
Saying 'Ela é meticuloso'. → Ela é meticulosa.
Adjectives must agree in gender. 'Ela' is feminine, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Using 'meticuloso sobre' for 'meticulous about'. → meticuloso com
While 'sobre' is sometimes used, 'com' is the standard and more natural preposition for this adjective in Portuguese.
Stressing the wrong syllable (me-TI-cu-lo-so). → me-ti-cu-LO-so
The stress in Portuguese words ending in 'o' usually falls on the second-to-last syllable. Stressing the 'ti' or 'cu' will sound very foreign.

نکات

Agreement is Key

Always remember that 'meticuloso' must match the noun it describes. If you are talking about 'as pesquisadoras' (the female researchers), you must say 'elas são meticulosas'. This is the most common error for English speakers, so double-check your endings!

Cognate Advantage

Use the fact that 'meticuloso' looks like 'meticulous' to your advantage. It's one of those 'easy' words to remember. Just don't forget the Portuguese pronunciation rules—every vowel counts, and the stress is near the end.

Professional Praise

If you want to impress a Brazilian or Portuguese boss, use 'meticuloso' to describe a project you've completed. It sounds much more professional and impressive than just saying it was 'bom' (good) or 'bem feito' (well done).

The Dental 'T'

When saying 'me-ti-cu-lo-so', make sure your tongue touches your upper teeth for the 'ti' sound. Avoid the English 't' which has a little puff of air. This small change will make your pronunciation sound much more native.

Pair with 'Com'

When you want to say someone is meticulous *about* something, always use the preposition 'com'. For example: 'meticuloso com os detalhes' or 'meticuloso com o tempo'. This is the most natural way to connect the adjective to its object.

Visual Cues

Visualize a diamond cutter. Their work is the definition of 'meticuloso'. Every time you see the word, think of that level of extreme precision. This visual anchor will help the word stick in your long-term memory.

Meticuloso vs. Minucioso

While they are synonyms, use 'minucioso' when you want to emphasize that *every single tiny point* was covered (like in a 50-page report). Use 'meticuloso' to emphasize the *care and skill* of the person doing the work.

The Superlative

To say someone is 'the most meticulous', you can say 'o mais meticuloso'. But for extra flair, use 'meticulosíssimo'. It's a fun word to say and shows a high level of Portuguese mastery.

Complimenting Others

Using 'meticuloso' to describe a friend's hobby (like their garden or their collection) is a great way to show you respect their effort. It's a high-value compliment in Lusophone cultures where 'capricho' (care/dedication) is prized.

Contextual Clues

When you hear 'meticuloso', listen to what follows. It's almost always followed by 'com' or 'na'. This will help you identify the specific area where the person is being careful, which is great for building your comprehension of complex sentences.

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of a 'METIC' (like a medic) who must be very 'meticuloso' to save lives. One small mistake and the patient is in trouble!

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a watchmaker with a tiny magnifying glass in his eye, carefully placing a microscopic gear into a watch. That is being meticuloso.

شبکه واژگان

Cuidado Detalhe Precisão Paciência Trabalho Perfeição Cientista Artista

چالش

Try to describe your favorite hobby using the word 'meticuloso'. Explain one specific part of it that requires extreme attention to detail.

ریشه کلمه

From the Latin 'meticulosus', which is derived from 'metus' (fear).

معنای اصلی: Originally, it meant 'full of fear' or 'timid'.

Romance (Latin-based).

بافت فرهنگی

Generally a positive word, but use caution if using it to describe someone's personal habits, as it can occasionally imply they are 'fussy' or 'rigid'.

The English 'meticulous' is used almost identically, but 'meticuloso' in Portuguese feels slightly more common in professional praise.

Used in reviews of the works of José Saramago to describe his unique and detailed prose style. Often used to describe the coaching style of famous football managers like José Mourinho or Tite. A common descriptor for the detective Hercule Poirot in Portuguese translations of Agatha Christie.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Professional / Workplace

Perfil meticuloso
Revisão meticulosa
Análise meticulosa de dados
Execução meticulosa

Arts and Crafts

Trabalho meticuloso
Pintura meticulosa
Restauro meticuloso
Acabamento meticuloso

Science and Research

Método meticuloso
Pesquisa meticulosa
Exame meticuloso
Coleta meticulosa

Personal Habits

Meticuloso com a limpeza
Meticuloso com as contas
Meticuloso com os horários
Meticuloso com a organização

Legal and Official

Investigação meticulosa
Redação meticulosa
Verificação meticulosa
Processo meticuloso

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"Você se considera uma pessoa meticulosa no trabalho?"

"Qual é a tarefa mais meticulosa que você já teve que fazer?"

"Você prefere trabalhar com alguém meticuloso ou alguém rápido?"

"Na sua opinião, quais profissões exigem um perfil mais meticuloso?"

"Você é meticuloso com a organização da sua casa?"

موضوعات نگارش

Descreva uma situação em que ser meticuloso foi fundamental para o seu sucesso.

Reflita sobre como a meticulosidade pode ser tanto uma qualidade quanto um defeito.

Escreva sobre um artista ou profissional que você admira pelo seu trabalho meticuloso.

Como você pode ser mais meticuloso em seus estudos de português?

Descreva um objeto que foi feito de forma meticulosa e por que ele é especial.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

In modern Portuguese, 'meticuloso' is overwhelmingly positive, implying professional excellence and reliability. However, like 'perfectionist' in English, it can be slightly negative if it implies someone is so focused on details that they are too slow or missing the 'big picture'. Context and tone of voice are key to determining the intent.

No. While the word comes from the Latin 'metus' (fear), it has lost that meaning in modern Portuguese. To say someone is afraid, you should use 'medroso', 'receoso', or 'assustado'. Using 'meticuloso' to mean 'scared' would be a significant mistake and would likely confuse native speakers.

'Detalhista' is more informal and common in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. It focuses specifically on the act of noticing or being concerned with details. 'Meticuloso' is more formal and suggests a systematic, professional, or technical thoroughness. You might be a 'detalhista' about your home decor, but a scientist is 'meticuloso' in their laboratory research.

Like most Portuguese adjectives ending in 'o', you simply add an 's'. For masculine nouns, it becomes 'meticulosos'. For feminine nouns, you first change the 'o' to 'a' and then add the 's', resulting in 'meticulosas'. Example: 'Os trabalhos são meticulosos' and 'As análises são meticulosas'.

The stress is on the penultimate (second to last) syllable: me-ti-cu-LO-so. This is the standard rule for Portuguese words ending in 'o'. Many English speakers mistakenly stress the 'cu' or 'ti' syllable because of the English pronunciation of 'meticulous', so be careful to emphasize the 'LO'.

Yes, the meaning is identical. However, Brazilian speakers might use 'detalhista' more frequently in casual conversation, while 'meticuloso' remains a staple of formal and professional language in both countries. The pronunciation also differs slightly, with Brazilians often turning the final 'o' into a soft 'u' sound.

Yes, you can use it to describe the *result* of someone's work, such as 'um plano meticuloso' (a meticulous plan) or 'um desenho meticuloso' (a meticulous drawing). It describes the object as having been created with great care and attention to detail. It is not used for natural objects unless you are personifying nature's 'engineering'.

The adverb is 'meticulosamente'. To form it, you take the feminine singular form 'meticulosa' and add the suffix '-mente'. It is used to describe *how* an action is performed. Example: 'Ela revisou o contrato meticulosamente' (She revised the contract meticulously).

It is a medium-frequency word. You won't hear it in every casual conversation, but you will see it regularly in newspapers, books, and professional settings. It is an essential word for anyone reaching an intermediate (B1/B2) level of Portuguese, especially those using the language for work or study.

Not usually. 'Meticuloso' describes a process of work or a personality trait. To describe a subtle or complex taste, you would use 'complexo', 'refinado', or 'sutil'. You could, however, say a chef was 'meticuloso' in *creating* a taste, but the taste itself is not 'meticuloso'.

برای نکات و یادداشت‌ها رایگان ثبت‌نام کنید