En 15 secondes
- Used for intense, formal expressions of grief or regret.
- Common in writing, obituaries, and official condolences.
- Too heavy for casual daily mistakes or minor sadness.
Signification
This is a heavy-duty way to say you are incredibly sorry or sad about something serious. It’s like saying your heart is at the bottom of the ocean because of a loss or tragedy.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Writing a condolence card
É com extremamente profundo pesar que recebemos a notícia.
It is with extremely deep sorrow that we received the news.
Official company statement
A empresa expressa seu extremamente profundo pesar pelo ocorrido.
The company expresses its extremely deep regret for what happened.
Texting a close friend about a loss
Amigo, sinto um profundo pesar pela sua perda.
Friend, I feel a deep sorrow for your loss.
Contexte culturel
Used in formal corporate and legal settings. Used in formal written correspondence. Used in official government statements. Common in formal radio announcements.
Avoid Sarcasm
Never use this phrase ironically; it is too heavy.
En 15 secondes
- Used for intense, formal expressions of grief or regret.
- Common in writing, obituaries, and official condolences.
- Too heavy for casual daily mistakes or minor sadness.
What It Means
Extremamente profundo pesar is the heavy hitter of Portuguese condolences. It isn't just a 'sorry' or a 'bummer.' It describes a sadness that has weight and depth. Think of pesar as a formal type of grief or regret. When you add extremamente profundo, you are telling someone that your sadness is as deep as it gets. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a long, silent hug at a funeral.
How To Use It
You usually pair this with the verb sentir (to feel) or expressar (to express). You’ll say things like "Sinto um extremamente profundo pesar." It’s a mouthful, so it’s rarely used in casual speech. You’ll mostly see it in writing—like in a card, a formal email, or an official statement. It’s not a phrase you toss around while grabbing a beer. It’s for when words need to carry the weight of the world.
When To Use It
Use this when the situation is genuinely grave. It’s perfect for expressing sympathy after someone passes away. It works well in official business letters when a company has to apologize for a major mistake. If you are writing a letter to a grieving family, this phrase shows you respect the gravity of their loss. It’s the 'black tie' of emotional expressions. Use it when you want to sound sophisticated and sincerely moved.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you dropped your friend's ice cream cone. It will sound incredibly sarcastic or just plain weird. Avoid it in casual texts like "Sorry I'm late, extremamente profundo pesar." Your friends will think you’ve joined a Victorian drama club. Also, don't use it for minor inconveniences like a canceled flight or a rainy day. It’s reserved for life’s truly dark moments. Keep it in your 'emergency' vocabulary kit.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture, especially in Portugal, has a long history of expressing grief with dignity. There is a specific kind of melancholy called saudade, but pesar is more about the external expression of sorrow. In the past, formal mourning was very structured. This phrase is a remnant of that era where language had to be precise and respectful. It reflects a culture that doesn't shy away from the weight of life's tragedies.
Common Variations
You might hear people shorten it to just profundo pesar. That’s still very formal but a bit more common. Another variation is sentidas condolências, which means 'heartfelt condolences.' If you want to be slightly less intense, you could say muita tristeza. But if you want to go all out on the formality scale, extremamente profundo pesar is your gold standard. It’s the ultimate way to show you care deeply.
Notes d'usage
This is a high-register collocation. It is almost exclusively found in formal writing or solemn speeches. Using it in a casual conversation will likely be interpreted as sarcasm or a lack of fluency.
Avoid Sarcasm
Never use this phrase ironically; it is too heavy.
Exemples
6É com extremamente profundo pesar que recebemos a notícia.
It is with extremely deep sorrow that we received the news.
Standard formal way to start a sympathy message.
A empresa expressa seu extremamente profundo pesar pelo ocorrido.
The company expresses its extremely deep regret for what happened.
Used in professional crisis management or tragic accidents.
Amigo, sinto um profundo pesar pela sua perda.
Friend, I feel a deep sorrow for your loss.
Slightly shortened for a text but still very serious.
O país observa hoje um dia de extremamente profundo pesar.
The country observes a day of extremely deep sorrow today.
Used in media to describe national mourning.
Sinto um extremamente profundo pesar por ter acabado o café.
I feel an extremely deep sorrow because the coffee is finished.
This is clearly sarcastic and humorous due to the high formality.
I would like to express my extremely deep sorrow to your family.
Very respectful way to address a colleague's bereavement.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
É com ___________ que anunciamos o falecimento.
The context of a death announcement requires a formal expression of sorrow.
🎉 Score : /1
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
1 exercicesÉ com ___________ que anunciamos o falecimento.
The context of a death announcement requires a formal expression of sorrow.
🎉 Score : /1
Questions fréquentes
1 questionsNo, it is too formal.
Expressions liées
sentir muito
similarI'm sorry
meus pêsames
similarMy condolences
