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A2 adjective #4,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

desmotivado

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces desmotivado en 30 secondes

Explication desmotivado in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'desmotivado' is an important word to learn for expressing basic feelings and states. Beginners usually learn to describe their emotions using simple adjectives like 'feliz' (happy), 'triste' (sad), or 'cansado' (tired). Adding 'desmotivado' allows you to talk about your attitude towards activities like studying Portuguese or working. At this stage, you should focus on the most basic sentence structure: 'Eu estou desmotivado' or 'Eu estou desmotivada'. You don't need to worry about complex psychological nuances yet. Just think of it as the opposite of 'animado' (excited/motivated). For example, if you don't want to go to your Portuguese class today because it feels too difficult, you can say 'Estou desmotivado'. It is also a good opportunity to practice gender agreement, which is a fundamental concept in Portuguese. Remember that if you are a man, you use the 'o' ending, and if you are a woman, you use the 'a' ending. You might also hear it in simple questions from a teacher or a friend, such as 'Estás desmotivado?'. Even at this early stage, being able to identify a lack of motivation helps you communicate your needs to others, such as needing a break or a different type of exercise. Focus on the connection between the word and the feeling of 'I don't want to do this right now because I don't feel inspired'.

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At the A2 level, you start to expand the use of 'desmotivado' by adding reasons and contexts. Instead of just saying you feel this way, you can now explain why using 'porque' (because) or 'com' (with). For example, 'Estou desmotivado porque o trabalho é difícil' (I am demotivated because the work is hard). You will also begin to see the word used to describe other people and groups. This is where you practice the plural forms 'desmotivados' and 'desmotivadas'. You might read a simple text about a team of workers or a class of students where this adjective is used. Understanding 'desmotivado' at A2 also involves recognizing the verb 'ficar' (to become/get). You can describe a change in state: 'Ele ficou desmotivado depois do teste' (He got demotivated after the test). This level also introduces the idea of agreement with nouns in simple phrases like 'um aluno desmotivado'. You are building the foundation to talk about more than just yourself. You should also start to distinguish between 'desmotivado' and 'cansado' (tired). While a tired person might just need sleep, a demotivated person needs a reason to care. This distinction is subtle but important for reaching the next level of fluency. Practice using the word in short dialogues about your hobbies or your daily routine to get comfortable with the pronunciation and the gender shifts.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'desmotivado' in more complex sentence structures, including those using the subjunctive mood or passive constructions. You might say, 'É normal que os funcionários se sintam desmotivados às vezes' (It is normal that employees feel demotivated sometimes). At this intermediate stage, you can use the word to discuss workplace productivity, educational challenges, and social issues in more detail. You will encounter the word in more formal contexts, such as news articles or business emails. You should also be able to use the noun form 'desmotivação' (demotivation) and the verb 'desmotivar' (to demotivate). For instance, 'A falta de feedback desmotiva a equipa' (The lack of feedback demotivates the team). B1 learners should also start to use synonyms like 'desanimado' or 'desencorajado' to vary their speech and writing. You can participate in discussions about how to overcome a lack of motivation, using 'desmotivado' as a starting point to offer solutions. For example, 'Se estás desmotivado, deves procurar um novo desafio'. This level requires a deeper understanding of the prepositional use—knowing when to use 'desmotivado com' (with a situation) versus 'desmotivado por' (by a specific factor). You are now moving beyond simple descriptions to analyzing the causes and effects of demotivation in your own life and in society.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'desmotivado' with a high degree of precision and in more abstract discussions. You can analyze the psychological state of 'desmotivação' and its impact on long-term goals. You will likely encounter this word in academic texts, professional development seminars, or literature. B2 learners should be able to discuss the nuances between 'desmotivado' and related terms like 'apático' (apathetic) or 'indiferente' (indifferent). You might use the word in the context of social trends, such as 'a geração desmotivada' (the demotivated generation), and support your arguments with complex sentence structures. For example, 'Apesar de estar desmotivado com a conjuntura atual, o artista continuou a produzir obras impactantes' (Despite being demotivated with the current situation, the artist continued to produce impactful works). You can also use the word in more sophisticated idiomatic expressions or as part of a rhetorical question. At this stage, your pronunciation should be natural, and you should be able to use the word in fast-paced conversations without hesitation. You might also explore the use of 'desmotivado' in the context of mental health discussions, distinguishing it from clinical depression while acknowledging the overlap. Your ability to use the word to describe complex organizational problems or social phenomena demonstrates a solid upper-intermediate command of the language.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'desmotivado' should reflect a sophisticated understanding of its connotations and social weight. You can use it to critique management styles, educational systems, or political climates. You will encounter the word in high-level academic journals, philosophical debates, and complex literary works. For a C1 learner, 'desmotivado' is not just a feeling but a symptom of systemic issues. You might write an essay on 'O impacto de um corpo docente desmotivado na qualidade do ensino superior' (The impact of a demotivated faculty on the quality of higher education). You are capable of using the word in subtle, ironic, or metaphorical ways. You understand how the word functions in different registers, from a clinical psychiatric report to a casual slang-filled conversation among friends. You can also discuss the etymology of the word and how it relates to concepts of 'movere' (to move) in Latin, providing a deeper linguistic context. Your use of 'desmotivado' and its derivatives (desmotivador, desmotivante) is seamless. You can precisely describe the 'fatores desmotivantes' (demotivating factors) in a complex project. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are manipulating it to express fine shades of meaning and to influence your audience's perception of a situation.

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At the C2 level, you have attained native-like mastery of 'desmotivado'. You use the word with total spontaneity and can appreciate the finest nuances of its usage in various dialects of Portuguese (e.g., European vs. Brazilian). You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of human motivation and the existential implications of being 'desmotivado'. You might use the word in a legal or highly technical context, such as discussing 'cláusulas desmotivadoras' in a contract or the 'estado desmotivado' of a patient in a medical thesis. You can effortlessly switch between the adjective, noun, and verb forms to create rhythm and emphasis in your writing. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the word and its usage in classical Portuguese literature compared to modern media. A C2 learner might use 'desmotivado' in a speech to evoke specific emotions or to highlight a societal crisis. You can also use the word in creative writing, using it to build complex characters who struggle with their sense of purpose. Your command of the word is such that you can use it in puns, wordplay, and complex metaphors that require a deep cultural and linguistic background. Essentially, 'desmotivado' is a tool in your vast linguistic toolkit, used with precision, elegance, and complete cultural awareness.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

desmotivado en 30 secondes

Desmotivado means lacking motivation or drive.
It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number.
Commonly used with 'estar' for temporary states.
Essential for discussing work, school, and mental health.

The Portuguese word desmotivado is an adjective used to describe a psychological and emotional state characterized by a lack of incentive, enthusiasm, or drive to perform actions or achieve goals. It is the direct opposite of being motivated. In Portuguese culture, as in many others, this term is frequently used in professional, academic, and personal contexts to explain a decline in productivity or interest. When someone says they are desmotivado, they aren't just saying they are tired; they are expressing that the 'why' behind their actions has vanished or weakened. This word is essential for discussing mental health, workplace dynamics, and educational progress. It carries a weight of stagnation and often implies a need for change or external stimulation to regain momentum. Understanding this word requires recognizing its morphological structure: the prefix 'des-' (indicating negation or reversal) and the root 'motivado' (motivated). Thus, it literally translates to 'unmotivated' or 'demotivated'.

Professional Context: In the workplace, a 'funcionário desmotivado' is a common concern for HR departments. It refers to an employee who no longer feels connected to the company's mission or their specific tasks, often leading to 'quiet quitting' or burnout.

O aluno parece desmotivado com as aulas de matemática ultimamente.

Academic Context: Students often feel desmotivados when they cannot see the practical application of their studies or when the workload becomes overwhelming without clear rewards.

Depois de tantas críticas, ele ficou completamente desmotivado.

Personal Relationships: One can feel desmotivado in a relationship if there is no growth or if communication has broken down, leading to a lack of effort to maintain the bond.

Ela sente-se desmotivada para continuar o projeto sozinha.

Eles estão desmotivados devido aos baixos salários.

As jogadoras pareciam desmotivadas após a derrota no primeiro tempo.

In conclusion, 'desmotivado' is a versatile and essential adjective for expressing a specific kind of emotional fatigue related to purpose and drive. Whether you are discussing labor statistics, educational psychology, or your own personal feelings after a long week, this word provides the necessary nuance to distinguish between being 'tired' (cansado) and lacking the 'will' to continue.

Using desmotivado correctly in Portuguese requires attention to two main grammatical rules: verb choice and gender/number agreement. Most commonly, this adjective is paired with the temporary state verb estar (to be) or the becoming verb ficar (to become/to get). Because demotivation is typically viewed as a state that can change, rather than a permanent personality trait, you will rarely see it used with the verb ser unless you are describing a person's general character in a very specific, perhaps clinical, way.

With 'Estar' (To be - temporary): This is the most frequent usage. It describes how someone feels at a specific moment or during a specific period. Example: 'Eu estou desmotivado hoje' (I am demotivated today).

Nós estamos desmotivados com o novo horário de trabalho.

With 'Ficar' (To become): Use 'ficar' when an event causes the demotivation. Example: 'Fiquei desmotivado depois daquela reunião' (I became demotivated after that meeting).

Não fiques desmotivado só porque cometeste um erro.

As a Direct Adjective: It can also modify a noun directly. Example: 'Um trabalhador desmotivado produz menos' (A demotivated worker produces less).

A empresa está a tentar recuperar os funcionários desmotivados.

Sinto-me desmotivado pela falta de apoio da chefia.

Uma equipa desmotivada é um grande desafio para qualquer líder.

To master this word, practice switching between the masculine 'desmotivado' and feminine 'desmotivada' based on the subject. Also, try to use it with the verb 'sentir-se' (to feel oneself), which adds a more personal, emotional touch to the statement: 'Eu sinto-me desmotivado'. This is very common in Portuguese conversations about mental well-being.

You will hear desmotivado in a variety of real-life settings across the Portuguese-speaking world. In Brazil and Portugal, workplace culture often discusses 'motivação' (motivation), and consequently, its lack. In office meetings, HR workshops, and business podcasts, the term is used to diagnose productivity issues. You might hear a manager say, 'Precisamos entender por que a equipa está tão desmotivada' (We need to understand why the team is so demotivated).

The News and Media: News reports often use the word when discussing social issues, such as 'jovens desmotivados com o mercado de trabalho' (young people demotivated with the job market), reflecting broader economic anxieties.

A reportagem fala sobre atletas desmotivados após o cancelamento das competições.

Educational Environments: Teachers use the term in staff meetings to describe students who are disengaged: 'Os alunos andam muito desmotivados este semestre'.

O professor notou que eu estava desmotivado e veio falar comigo.

Sports and Hobbies: In sports commentary, if a football team is playing without passion, commentators will say they look 'desmotivados em campo' (demotivated on the pitch).

O treinador foi demitido porque os jogadores estavam desmotivados.

Vi um vídeo no YouTube sobre como não ficar desmotivado durante a quarentena.

Muitas pessoas sentem-se desmotivadas no domingo à noite.

Whether in a clinical study about depression or a casual chat between friends at a café, 'desmotivado' is the go-to word for that specific 'blah' feeling where you just can't find the reason to start. Pay attention to how the tone changes—it can be a serious medical symptom or just a relatable complaint about a boring Monday.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using desmotivado is failing to apply gender agreement. Unlike the English 'demotivated', which is static, the Portuguese version must match the gender of the person being described. If a woman says 'Eu estou desmotivado', it is grammatically incorrect; she must say 'Eu estou desmotivada'. Similarly, for groups, the plural forms 'desmotivados' or 'desmotivadas' are mandatory.

Confusing 'Desmotivado' with 'Desanimado': While they are synonyms, 'desanimado' often implies a lack of spirit or sadness (low energy), whereas 'desmotivado' specifically implies a lack of a 'reason' or 'incentive' to act. You can be 'desanimado' (sad/low energy) but still 'motivado' (having a reason to work), though they often go together.

Errado: Maria está desmotivado. (Incorrect gender agreement)

Misplacing the Stress: The stress is on the penultimate syllable 'va': des-mo-ti-VA-do. English speakers sometimes stress the 'mo', which makes the word sound unnatural.

Correto: Ela está muito desmotivada com o trabalho.

Overusing the Word: Sometimes learners use 'desmotivado' when they just mean 'tired' (cansado) or 'bored' (entediado). Demotivation is a deeper state of lacking purpose.

Não confunda: Estar cansado (physical) vs Estar desmotivado (mental/purpose).

Eles ficaram desmotivados pelas constantes mudanças.

Você está desmotivada com a dieta?

By being mindful of these common errors—especially the gender agreement and the distinction from physical tiredness—you will sound much more natural and precise in your Portuguese communication.

While desmotivado is a specific and useful word, Portuguese offers several alternatives that can add nuance to your descriptions of low energy or lack of drive. Depending on whether you want to emphasize sadness, boredom, or physical exhaustion, you might choose a different term.

Desmotivado vs Desanimado: Desmotivado focuses on the lack of a 'motive' or goal. Desanimado (from 'anima', soul/spirit) focuses on the lack of spirit or 'cheer'. You might be desanimado because your cat died, but desmotivado because your job is boring.

Ele está desanimado com o tempo chuvoso.

Desmotivado vs Entediado: Entediado means 'bored'. You can be bored during a movie, but you are desmotivado in your career. Boredom is usually shorter-lived than demotivation.

Estou entediado nesta palestra, mas não estou desmotivado com o curso.

Desmotivado vs Frustrado: Frustrated (frustrado) implies that you tried but failed, leading to annoyance. Demotivation often follows frustration if the failure happens repeatedly.

A falta de resultados deixou-o frustrado e, eventualmente, desmotivado.

Sinto-me um pouco desencorajado com os novos requisitos.

O excesso de burocracia torna qualquer um apático.

Expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms allows you to describe emotional states with greater precision. While 'desmotivado' is a great all-rounder for 'lacking drive', using 'desanimado' for mood or 'entediado' for boredom will make your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and natural.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'mov' in desmotivado is the same as in 'moover' (to move), 'motor', and 'moção' (motion). So, being desmotivado literally means you have lost your 'engine' or your 'movement'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /dɨʒ.mu.ti.ˈva.ðu/

US /dez.mo.tʃi.ˈva.du/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: des-mo-ti-VA-do.

Rime avec

cansado animado apaixonado complicado organizado preparado ocupado atrasado

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the 'mo' instead of the 'va'.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'o' instead of a soft 'u'.
Pronouncing 'ti' as 'tee' in Brazil when it should be 'chee'.
Over-enunciating the first 'e' in European Portuguese.
Forgetting the 's' sound (zh or s depending on dialect).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'demotivated'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation of 'ti' and the nasal 'm' requires practice.

Écoute 2/5

Clear word, but can be spoken quickly in casual conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

motivado motivar estar ficar com

Apprends ensuite

desanimado entusiasta incentivar propósito metas

Avancé

procrastinação apatia resiliência autodisciplina engajamento

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

Ele está desmotivado / Ela está desmotivada.

Estar vs Ser

Use 'estar' for temporary feelings of demotivation.

Preposition 'Com'

Desmotivado com o projeto (Demotivated with the project).

Preposition 'Por'

Desmotivado por falta de dinheiro (Demotivated by lack of money).

Reflexive 'Sentir-se'

Eu sinto-me desmotivado (I feel demotivated).

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Exemples par niveau

Eu estou desmotivado hoje.

I am demotivated today.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Ela está desmotivada com o curso.

She is demotivated with the course.

Feminine agreement: desmotivada.

O João está desmotivado.

João is demotivated.

Masculine agreement: desmotivado.

Nós estamos desmotivados.

We are demotivated.

Plural masculine agreement: desmotivados.

Você está desmotivado?

Are you demotivated?

Direct question using 'estar'.

Eles estão desmotivados com a chuva.

They are demotivated with the rain.

Plural agreement.

A Maria não está desmotivada.

Maria is not demotivated.

Negative sentence structure.

Estou um pouco desmotivado.

I am a little demotivated.

Using 'um pouco' to soften the adjective.

O aluno ficou desmotivado depois da nota baixa.

The student got demotivated after the low grade.

Uses 'ficar' to show a change in state.

As jogadoras pareciam desmotivadas no segundo tempo.

The players seemed demotivated in the second half.

Feminine plural agreement.

Trabalhar sem férias deixa qualquer um desmotivado.

Working without a vacation leaves anyone demotivated.

Using 'deixar' (to leave/make) + adjective.

Ele é um funcionário desmotivado.

He is a demotivated employee.

Used as a direct adjective modifying a noun.

Estamos desmotivados com o novo projeto.

We are demotivated with the new project.

Preposition 'com' used to show the cause.

Ela sente-se desmotivada para estudar à noite.

She feels demotivated to study at night.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se'.

Não fiques desmotivado, tu vais conseguir!

Don't get demotivated, you will succeed!

Imperative negative form of 'ficar'.

Muitos jovens estão desmotivados com o futuro.

Many young people are demotivated about the future.

Broad social context.

A falta de reconhecimento pode tornar o trabalhador desmotivado.

The lack of recognition can make the worker demotivated.

Modal verb 'pode' + 'tornar'.

Se eu estivesse desmotivado, eu pediria demissão.

If I were demotivated, I would resign.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

É importante identificar por que a equipa está desmotivada.

It is important to identify why the team is demotivated.

Impersonal expression 'É importante'.

Ela tem estado desmotivada ultimamente devido ao stress.

She has been demotivated lately due to stress.

Compound tense: 'tem estado'.

O treinador tentou animar os jogadores desmotivados.

The coach tried to cheer up the demotivated players.

Adjective following the noun.

A desmotivação é um problema sério nas escolas.

Demotivation is a serious problem in schools.

Using the noun form 'desmotivação'.

Fiquei desmotivado ao ver que ninguém leu o meu relatório.

I got demotivated upon seeing that nobody read my report.

Infinitive construction 'ao ver'.

Embora esteja desmotivado, ele continua a trabalhar bem.

Although he is demotivated, he continues to work well.

Conjunction 'embora' + subjunctive.

A rotina monótona acaba por deixar qualquer um desmotivado a longo prazo.

The monotonous routine ends up leaving anyone demotivated in the long run.

Idiomatic 'acaba por' construction.

Um ambiente de trabalho tóxico é o principal fator para funcionários desmotivados.

A toxic work environment is the main factor for demotivated employees.

Complex noun phrase.

Duvido que eles fiquem desmotivados se o bónus for pago.

I doubt they will get demotivated if the bonus is paid.

Subjunctive mood after 'duvido que'.

A empresa investiu em formação para evitar que os técnicos se sentissem desmotivados.

The company invested in training to prevent the technicians from feeling demotivated.

Final clause with 'para evitar que' + subjunctive.

O pesquisador analisou o comportamento de sujeitos desmotivados em laboratório.

The researcher analyzed the behavior of demotivated subjects in the lab.

Academic register.

Muitas vezes, o aluno não é preguiçoso, está apenas desmotivado.

Often, the student is not lazy; they are just demotivated.

Contrast between 'ser' (lazy) and 'estar' (demotivated).

A falta de perspetivas de carreira deixou a geração jovem desmotivada.

The lack of career prospects left the young generation demotivated.

Abstract subject.

Sinto-me desmotivado, mas sei que é uma fase passageira.

I feel demotivated, but I know it's a passing phase.

Reflexive verb + contrastive conjunction.

A inércia institucional contribui para um corpo docente profundamente desmotivado.

Institutional inertia contributes to a deeply demotivated teaching staff.

High-level vocabulary and adverb 'profundamente'.

É imperativo mitigar os efeitos de um mercado de trabalho que deixa os recém-licenciados desmotivados.

It is imperative to mitigate the effects of a job market that leaves recent graduates demotivated.

Formal register and complex syntax.

A desmotivação crónica pode ser confundida com quadros clínicos de depressão.

Chronic demotivation can be confused with clinical pictures of depression.

Scientific/medical context.

Caso te sintas desmotivado, convém reavaliar as tuas prioridades existenciais.

Should you feel demotivated, it is advisable to reevaluate your existential priorities.

Hypothetical 'caso' + subjunctive.

A narrativa do filme foca-se num protagonista desmotivado pela decadência urbana.

The film's narrative focuses on a protagonist demotivated by urban decay.

Literary/cinematic analysis.

O autor descreve a massa trabalhadora como um coletivo desmotivado e alienado.

The author describes the working mass as a demotivated and alienated collective.

Sociological critique.

Não obstante estar desmotivado, o atleta superou-se na prova final.

Notwithstanding being demotivated, the athlete surpassed himself in the final race.

Formal conjunction 'não obstante'.

A burocracia excessiva atua como um elemento desmotivador para os empreendedores.

Excessive bureaucracy acts as a demotivating element for entrepreneurs.

Using the related noun/adjective 'desmotivador'.

A apatia política é, muitas vezes, o reflexo de um eleitorado desmotivado pelas sucessivas crises de governação.

Political apathy is often the reflection of an electorate demotivated by successive governance crises.

Sophisticated political analysis.

Subjacente a este comportamento, vislumbra-se um indivíduo desmotivado por uma estrutura social rígida.

Underlying this behavior, one glimpses an individual demotivated by a rigid social structure.

Academic/philosophical register.

O texto explora a dicotomia entre o ser produtivo e o estar desmotivado na era digital.

The text explores the dichotomy between being productive and being demotivated in the digital age.

Abstract conceptualization.

A obsolescência programada das competências deixa os profissionais veteranos desmotivados e inseguros.

The planned obsolescence of skills leaves veteran professionals demotivated and insecure.

Technical/economic terminology.

A desmotivação, quando transposta para a esfera artística, resulta frequentemente em obras de cariz niilista.

Demotivation, when transposed to the artistic sphere, often results in works of a nihilistic nature.

Artistic/philosophical critique.

Poder-se-ia argumentar que o sujeito se encontra desmotivado devido a uma desilusão metafísica.

It could be argued that the subject finds himself demotivated due to a metaphysical disillusionment.

Mesoclisis and high-level abstract thought.

A erosão dos valores laborais tradicionais tem deixado o operariado desmotivado perante a precariedade.

The erosion of traditional labor values has left the working class demotivated in the face of precariousness.

Socio-economic analysis.

O protagonista, embora desmotivado, é compelido a agir pela força das circunstâncias trágicas.

The protagonist, although demotivated, is compelled to act by the force of tragic circumstances.

Literary structure.

Collocations courantes

sentir-se desmotivado

ficar desmotivado

estar profundamente desmotivado

totalmente desmotivado

funcionário desmotivado

aluno desmotivado

desmotivado com o trabalho

desmotivado com a vida

parecer desmotivado

tornar-se desmotivado

Phrases Courantes

Estou desmotivado.

— I am demotivated. Used to express a current lack of drive.

Não quero fazer nada, estou desmotivado.

Fiquei desmotivado.

— I became demotivated. Used when an event caused the feeling.

Fiquei desmotivado quando vi o preço.

Não fiques desmotivado.

— Don't get demotivated. Used to encourage someone.

Não fiques desmotivado, amanhã será melhor.

Ando um pouco desmotivado.

— I've been feeling a bit demotivated lately. 'Andar' here implies a duration.

Ando um pouco desmotivado com a faculdade.

O que te deixa desmotivado?

— What makes you demotivated? A common question to find causes.

Diz-me, o que te deixa desmotivado aqui?

Sinto-me desmotivada.

— I feel demotivated (feminine). A very natural way to express the feeling.

Sinto-me desmotivada para continuar o treino.

Eles estão desmotivados.

— They are demotivated. Referring to a group.

Eles estão desmotivados por causa do salário.

É normal estar desmotivado.

— It's normal to be demotivated. A reassuring phrase.

Não te preocupes, é normal estar desmotivado às vezes.

Nada me deixa desmotivado.

— Nothing makes me demotivated. A very positive, resilient statement.

Sou persistente, nada me deixa desmotivado.

Por que estás desmotivado?

— Why are you demotivated? Asking for a reason.

Por que estás desmotivado com o curso?

Souvent confondu avec

desmotivado vs desanimado

Desanimado is more about being 'sad' or 'low energy', while desmotivado is about 'lack of purpose'.

desmotivado vs entediado

Entediado means 'bored'. You can be bored for 5 minutes, but demotivation is usually longer.

desmotivado vs cansado

Cansado is physical or mental exhaustion. You can be tired but still motivated.

Expressions idiomatiques

"estar com os braços cruzados"

— To have one's arms crossed. Idiomatically means being inactive or demotivated to help.

Ele está com os braços cruzados, totalmente desmotivado.

informal

"estar de braços caídos"

— To have fallen arms. Means to be discouraged or lacking the will to fight.

A equipa está de braços caídos e desmotivada.

neutral

"perder o fôlego"

— To lose breath. Idiomatically means to lose momentum or motivation.

O projeto perdeu o fôlego e os sócios estão desmotivados.

neutral

"estar na fossa"

— To be in the pit. Very informal way to say one is depressed or deeply unmotivated.

Desde que ele saiu, ela está na fossa e desmotivada.

slang (Brazil)

"chutar o balde"

— To kick the bucket (not dying). In Brazil, it means to give up or act recklessly because of demotivation.

Fiquei tão desmotivado que chutei o balde e saí do emprego.

slang (Brazil)

"estar por um fio"

— To be by a thread. Means motivation or patience is almost gone.

A minha motivação está por um fio.

neutral

"nadar contra a maré"

— To swim against the tide. Doing something difficult that makes one feel demotivated.

Trabalhar aqui é nadar contra a maré, sinto-me desmotivado.

neutral

"estar com a corda no pescoço"

— To have the rope around the neck. Being under so much pressure that one feels demotivated to continue.

Com tantas dívidas, ele está desmotivado e com a corda no pescoço.

informal

"baixar a guarda"

— To lower one's guard. To lose the will to compete or stay motivated.

Não baixes a guarda nem fiques desmotivado.

neutral

"jogar a toalha"

— To throw in the towel. To give up because of a lack of motivation.

Ele estava tão desmotivado que jogou a toalha.

neutral

Facile à confondre

desmotivado vs desanimado

Both describe low energy.

Desanimado is a lack of 'anima' (spirit), often temporary sadness. Desmotivado is a lack of 'motive' (reason to act).

Estou desanimado porque chove, mas desmotivado com o meu emprego.

desmotivado vs apático

Both involve lack of interest.

Apático is much stronger, implying a total absence of emotion or reaction.

Ele não reagiu à notícia, parecia apático.

desmotivado vs frustrado

Demotivation often follows frustration.

Frustrated is the feeling of being blocked from a goal. Demotivated is the loss of the goal itself.

Sinto-me frustrado por não conseguir, e agora estou desmotivado para tentar.

desmotivado vs preguiçoso

Externally, they look similar.

Preguiçoso is a character trait (doesn't like effort). Desmotivado is a state (lost the reason for effort).

Ele não é preguiçoso, está apenas desmotivado com este chefe.

desmotivado vs indiferente

Both show lack of engagement.

Indifference is not caring about the outcome. Demotivation is not having the energy to reach the outcome.

Ela está indiferente ao que eu digo.

Structures de phrases

Eu estou [adjective].

Eu estou desmotivado.

[Subject] está desmotivado com [Noun].

O Pedro está desmotivado com a escola.

[Noun] deixa-me desmotivado.

O trânsito deixa-me desmotivado.

Apesar de estar desmotivado, [Action].

Apesar de estar desmotivado, fui ao ginásio.

O facto de [Clause] torna-o desmotivado.

O facto de não haver promoção torna-o desmotivado.

Subjacente à sua ação, nota-se um ser desmotivado.

Não fiques [adjective].

Não fiques desmotivado.

Sinto-me cada vez mais [adjective].

Sinto-me cada vez mais desmotivado.

Famille de mots

Noms

motivação (motivation)

desmotivação (demotivation)

motivo (motive/reason)

Verbes

motivar (to motivate)

desmotivar (to demotivate)

Adjectifs

motivado (motivated)

desmotivado (demotivated)

motivador (motivating)

desmotivador (demotivating)

desmotivante (demotivating)

Apparenté

ânimo

desânimo

incentivo

estímulo

vontade

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

Eu estou desmotivado (said by a woman). → Eu estou desmotivada.
Adjectives must agree with the gender of the speaker when referring to themselves.
Eu sou desmotivado. → Eu estou desmotivado.
Using 'ser' implies a permanent character trait. 'Estar' is for the temporary state of being demotivated.
Eles está desmotivado. → Eles estão desmotivados.
Both the verb and the adjective must be in the plural form to match 'eles'.
Estou desmotivado para o meu trabalho. → Estou desmotivado com o meu trabalho.
While 'para' can be used in some contexts, 'com' is the standard preposition for being demotivated 'with' something.
A desmotivado equipa. → A equipa desmotivada.
Adjectives usually come after the noun in Portuguese, and they must match the noun's gender (equipa is feminine).

Astuces

Gender Agreement

Always check if the person you are talking about is male or female. Use 'desmotivado' for men and 'desmotivada' for women. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Use 'Ficar'

Use the verb 'ficar' to describe the moment you became demotivated. 'Fiquei desmotivado' sounds very natural when explaining a reaction to something.

Pronunciation

Focus on the stress of the word: des-mo-ti-VA-do. If you stress the wrong syllable, it might be hard for natives to understand you immediately.

Professional Use

In a job interview, if you want to say you left a job because you weren't feeling it, 'estava desmotivado' is a polite way to say the job didn't offer what you needed.

Desanimado vs Desmotivado

If you are just having a bad day and feel a bit sad, use 'desanimado'. If you feel like your work has no point, use 'desmotivado'.

Noun Form

Use 'desmotivação' to discuss the concept. 'A desmotivação é contagiosa' (Demotivation is contagious) is a great sentence for an essay.

Encouragement

To encourage someone, say 'Não fiques desmotivado!'. It's a very common and kind thing to say to a friend.

Prefix Recognition

When you hear 'des-', expect the opposite of the next word. 'Motivado' (motivated) becomes 'Desmotivado' (unmotivated).

Regional Variations

Note the 'ti' sound difference between Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro. Both are correct, but picking one and staying consistent helps your accent.

Formal Adverbs

In formal writing, use 'academicamente desmotivado' or 'profissionalmente desmotivado' to specify the area of lack of drive.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'motor' (the root 'mot'). A 'desmotivado' person is like a car with a 'disconnected' (des-) 'motor' (mot)—it just won't go!

Association visuelle

Imagine a battery icon that is completely empty and gray, representing the lack of energy and drive.

Word Web

Trabalho Escola Cansaço Objetivo Tristeza Inércia Falta de vontade Burnout

Défi

Try to find three things that make you feel 'motivado' and one thing that makes you feel 'desmotivado', and write them in Portuguese.

Origine du mot

From the Portuguese word 'motivado' (motivated), which comes from the Latin 'motivus' (moving, causing motion). The prefix 'des-' is a Latin-derived prefix used in Portuguese to indicate negation, reversal, or removal.

Sens originel : The original meaning relates to being 'removed from motion' or 'without the cause of motion'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using it to describe someone's personality; it's better to use it for a state (estar) to avoid being overly judgmental.

English speakers often use 'demotivated' or 'unmotivated'. Portuguese uses 'desmotivado' for both.

Often used in Portuguese management books by authors like Idalberto Chiavenato. Common theme in Portuguese Fado music (the feeling of 'desalento' is a poetic cousin to 'desmotivado'). Frequently appears in Brazilian 'Tirinhas' (comic strips) like Mafalda (translated) or Armandinho.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Workplace

Estou desmotivado com o salário.
A equipa está desmotivada.
Como motivar um funcionário desmotivado?
Ambiente desmotivador.

School

O aluno está desmotivado com a matéria.
Sinto-me desmotivado para estudar.
Aulas desmotivantes.
Falta de motivação escolar.

Sports

O atleta parece desmotivado.
A derrota deixou os jogadores desmotivados.
Treinador desmotivado.
Falta de garra e motivação.

Personal Life

Estou desmotivado para ir ao ginásio.
Sinto-me desmotivada com a dieta.
Não fiques desmotivado com isso.
Ando desmotivado ultimamente.

Mental Health

Sinais de um paciente desmotivado.
Desmotivação e depressão.
Como lidar com o sentimento de estar desmotivado.
Cansaço mental e desmotivação.

Amorces de conversation

"O que é que te deixa mais desmotivado no teu trabalho atual?"

"Já alguma vez te sentiste desmotivado com um hobby que adoravas?"

"Como é que costumas reagir quando acordas a sentir-te desmotivado?"

"Achas que é responsabilidade do patrão motivar um funcionário desmotivado?"

"Qual é o melhor conselho para alguém que está desmotivado com os estudos?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreve sobre uma altura em que estiveste muito desmotivado e como conseguiste superar isso.

Quais são os três principais fatores que te deixam desmotivado no dia a dia?

Descreve um ambiente de trabalho ideal onde ninguém se sinta desmotivado.

Como é que a tecnologia pode tornar as pessoas mais desmotivadas?

Faz uma lista de coisas que podes fazer quando te sentires desmotivado amanhã.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Technically yes, but it sounds like a permanent personality flaw. It's much more common and natural to use 'estar desmotivado' to describe a temporary state of mind. For example, 'Ele está desmotivado' sounds like a situation that can change, whereas 'Ele é desmotivado' sounds like he has no motivation in life, ever.

The feminine is 'desmotivada'. In Portuguese, adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they modify. So, 'A Maria está desmotivada' and 'O João está desmotivado'.

No, 'bored' is 'entediado'. You can be bored in a movie but still be a very motivated person. 'Desmotivado' is a deeper lack of drive or purpose regarding a task or goal.

The verb is 'desmotivar'. For example, 'As críticas desmotivaram o artista' (The criticisms demotivated the artist).

It is usually 'desmotivado com' (with) or 'desmotivado por' (by). For example, 'Estou desmotivado com o trabalho' or 'Estou desmotivado por falta de apoio'.

Usually, it's used for people or groups (like a team). You wouldn't call a car 'desmotivado'. However, you can call a situation 'desmotivante' (demotivating).

The direct opposite is 'motivado'. Other opposites include 'entusiasmado' (excited) or 'animado' (cheerful/excited).

In Portugal, it's a standard 'ti' (like 'tea'). In most of Brazil, it's pronounced like 'chee' (as in 'cheese').

Yes, it is extremely common in daily conversation, especially when talking about work, school, or personal goals.

The noun form is 'desmotivação'. For example, 'A desmotivação dos funcionários é um problema'.

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