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A2 noun #5,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

enchente

Top 5,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces enchente en 30 secondes

Explication enchente in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of enchente as a word for 'too much water'. It usually happens when it rains a lot. You might see it on a picture of a street with water. At this stage, you just need to know it is a feminine noun ('a enchente') and it relates to 'chuva' (rain). You can use it in simple sentences like 'A enchente é perigosa' (The flood is dangerous). Don't worry about the figurative meanings yet. Focus on the fact that it is a common problem in big cities in Brazil. If you see water on the floor of a house after a storm, you can call it an 'enchente'. It is a useful word for basic survival and understanding weather warnings in Portuguese-speaking countries.

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At the A2 level, you should understand that enchente is the standard word for a flood. You should be able to use it with verbs like 'ter' (to have) or 'haver' (there is/are). For example: 'Ontem houve uma enchente na minha rua' (Yesterday there was a flood on my street). You should also begin to recognize it in news headlines. It is important to distinguish it from 'chuva' (rain) - rain causes the 'enchente'. You might also learn that it can describe a very full place, like a stadium, though the literal meaning is more important for now. You should be comfortable pluralizing it ('as enchentes') to talk about the general problem of flooding in cities.

At the B1 level, you can use enchente in more complex discussions about the environment or urban life. You should know common collocations like 'causar uma enchente' or 'sofrer com enchentes'. You can start to use it figuratively to describe large numbers of people or things: 'Houve uma enchente de turistas no verão' (There was a flood of tourists in the summer). You should also understand the difference between 'enchente' and 'alagamento' (localized flooding). At this level, you can describe the consequences of a flood, such as 'estragos' (damages) or 'prejuízos' (losses), using 'enchente' as the subject of your sentences.

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At the B2 level, you should be familiar with the technical and maritime nuances of enchente. You should understand 'maré enchente' (rising tide) and be able to use the word in formal writing about urban planning or climate change. You can use it to discuss the 'impermeabilização do solo' (soil waterproofing) and how it leads to 'enchentes urbanas'. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'vazante' (ebbing) and 'escoamento' (drainage). You should be able to follow a detailed news report about a flooding disaster and understand the social implications discussed by the reporters.

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At the C1 level, you can use enchente with a high degree of precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in literary contexts to describe an 'enchente de emoções' (a flood of emotions) or in political discourse to criticize 'o descaso com as enchentes' (the neglect regarding floods). You understand the historical context of famous floods in the Lusophone world. You can differentiate between 'enchente', 'inundação', and 'enxurrada' in a technical debate. Your use of the word is natural, including its various idiomatic expressions and regional variations between European and Brazilian Portuguese.

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At the C2 level, enchente is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to create metaphors in poetry or high-level journalism. You understand the etymological roots and how the word has evolved in different Portuguese-speaking cultures. You can effortlessly switch between the maritime, urban, and figurative meanings depending on the audience. You might use it to describe a 'flood' of data in a digital context or a 'flood' of candidates in an election, always choosing the word that carries the exact connotation of 'overflowing' or 'surging' that you intend.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

enchente en 30 secondes

A feminine noun meaning flood or overflow of water.
Commonly used for urban flooding caused by heavy rain.
Can mean a very large crowd (e.g., in a stadium).
In maritime terms, refers to a rising tide.

The Portuguese word enchente is a feminine noun that primarily refers to a flood or an overflow of water. At its core, it describes the natural or accidental phenomenon where a body of water, such as a river, lake, or even the sea, rises beyond its standard boundaries and covers land that is usually dry. In a literal sense, you will encounter this word most frequently during the rainy seasons in Brazil (often referred to as 'época de chuvas') or Portugal. It is a term deeply embedded in the daily lives of people living in urban centers where drainage systems might struggle with heavy tropical downpours.

Literal Meaning: The physical state of water rising and overflowing its banks or drainage capacity.
Figurative Meaning: A large influx or 'flood' of people, things, or even emotions, such as a crowd filling a stadium.

Beyond the physical act of flooding, enchente is often used metaphorically. For instance, if a store has a massive sale and hundreds of people rush in, a Brazilian might say there was an 'enchente de pessoas' (a flood of people). This versatility makes it a crucial word for A2 learners to master, as it bridges the gap between basic environmental descriptions and more complex social observations.

As fortes chuvas de verão causaram uma enchente devastadora no centro da cidade.

In the context of Brazilian geography, 'enchentes' are a recurring social and political theme. Every year, major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro face challenges with 'pontos de alagamento' (flooding points), and the word enchente dominates the news cycles from December to March. Understanding this word also requires understanding its emotional weight; for many, it implies loss, displacement, and the need for community resilience. In Portugal, the word might also be used in the context of 'maré enchente', which refers to the rising tide. This specific maritime usage is vital for those living in coastal regions like Lisbon or Porto.

Maritime Context: The process of the tide coming in (rising), as opposed to 'vazante' (falling tide).

O pescador esperou pela maré enchente para colocar o barco no mar.

Cultural nuances also play a role. In popular music, especially Samba or MPB, you might hear 'enchente' used to describe a flood of tears or a surge of passion. It carries a sense of being overwhelmed by something larger than oneself. Finally, it is important to distinguish between 'enchente' and 'enxurrada'. An 'enxurrada' is a sudden flash flood or a heavy flow of rainwater down a street, whereas an 'enchente' implies a more sustained rising of water levels.

Technical Nuance: Hydrologists might use 'enchente' to describe the rising phase of a river's flow before it actually spills over into an 'inundação' (inundation).

Houve uma enchente de pedidos no site após o anúncio da promoção.

Using enchente correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs and adjectives to convey the severity and type of flood. The most common verb used with this noun is 'causar' (to cause), followed by 'sofrer' (to suffer/experience) and 'evitar' (to avoid). When describing the action of the water, we often use 'subir' (to rise).

Common Verbs: Haver (to have/there is), Ocorrer (to occur), Provocar (to provoke), Enfrentar (to face).

For example, you might say 'Houve uma enchente na rua de trás' (There was a flood on the street behind). If the situation is recurring, you could say 'Esta região sempre sofre com enchentes' (This region always suffers from floods). Adjectives are also crucial. A 'grande enchente' is a large flood, while an 'enchente histórica' refers to a flood that broke records.

A prefeitura está tentando prevenir a próxima enchente com novas obras de drenagem.

In a more informal or figurative setting, you can use enchente to describe crowds. 'O show do Caetano Veloso teve uma enchente de gente' (Caetano Veloso's show had a flood of people). Note that 'enchente de gente' is a very common colloquialism in Brazil. In academic or news contexts, the word is often pluralized to discuss the phenomenon in general: 'As enchentes urbanas são causadas pela impermeabilização do solo' (Urban floods are caused by the waterproofing of the soil). This highlights a shift from a specific event to a systemic issue.

Collocations with 'Rio' (River): Enchente do rio Amazonas, O rio está em fase de enchente.

Durante a enchente, o nível da água subiu dois metros acima do normal.

Another interesting usage is in the phrase 'enchente de alegria' (a flood of joy). This shows how the word can represent an overwhelming positive emotion, though this is more common in literature and songs than in daily speech. In summary, to use 'enchente' effectively, think about the scale of the water or the group you are describing. Use 'uma enchente' for a single event and 'as enchentes' for the general concept of flooding.

Weather Forecast Phrases: Alerta de enchente (flood alert), Risco de enchente (risk of flooding).

O rádio avisou sobre o perigo de enchente nas áreas baixas da cidade.

If you are in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will most likely hear enchente in three main scenarios: the news, casual weather talk, and maritime activities. On the evening news (like 'Jornal Nacional' in Brazil), 'enchente' is a standard term during the summer months. Reporters will stand in front of flooded streets, describing the 'estragos da enchente' (damages of the flood).

News Media: Used to report on natural disasters, government responses, and traffic disruptions caused by water.

In casual conversation, people use it to complain about the commute. A common phrase is: 'Não consegui chegar ao trabalho por causa da enchente' (I couldn't get to work because of the flood). This reflects the reality of many commuters in cities like São Paulo, where specific tunnels or avenues are known to flood frequently.

Todo ano é a mesma coisa: a enchente para o trânsito na Marginal Tietê.

Along the coast of Portugal or Brazil, you will hear it in a completely different, more rhythmic context. Fishermen and sailors constantly monitor the 'maré enchente'. It is a neutral, technical term here, lacking the negative connotation of a disaster. Hearing 'A maré está enchente' simply means the tide is coming in, which is crucial for docking or departing. In the world of events and marketing, 'enchente' is used to describe a 'full house'. If a stadium is sold out, the newspaper might headline: 'Enchente no Maracanã para o clássico de domingo' (Full house at Maracanã for Sunday's derby). This usage is very common in sports journalism.

Sports Journalism: Refers to a massive attendance at a stadium or arena.

Houve uma verdadeira enchente de torcedores na recepção do time no aeroporto.

In rural areas, particularly in the North of Brazil (Amazon region), the 'enchente' is a seasonal cycle. People live in 'casas de palafitas' (stilt houses) specifically to deal with the annual 'enchentes' of the Amazon river. Here, the word is part of the rhythm of life, rather than an unexpected catastrophe. Lastly, in history classes, you might hear about the 'Enchente de 1967' in Lisbon, which was a major historical event. This shows the word's importance in collective memory.

Historical Reference: Significant flooding events that shaped urban planning or local history.

Os historiadores discutem as consequências da grande enchente para a infraestrutura da capital.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 'enchente' for every type of water on the ground. It is important to distinguish between enchente, alagamento, and inundação. While they are related, they are not always interchangeable.

Enchente vs. Alagamento: 'Alagamento' is usually localized (one street or corner) due to a blocked drain. 'Enchente' is larger, involving the rising of a river or a whole neighborhood being underwater.
Enchente vs. Inundação: In technical terms, 'enchente' is the rise of water within the river channel, while 'inundação' is when it actually overflows into the streets. However, in common speech, 'enchente' is used for both.

Another mistake is the gender of the word. Because it ends in '-e', some learners assume it is masculine or neutral. It is strictly feminine: a enchente. Saying 'o enchente' is a common error that marks you as a beginner.

Errado: O enchente destruiu a ponte.
Correto: A enchente destruiu a ponte.

Learners also struggle with the figurative use. While you can have an 'enchente de pessoas', you generally don't use it for abstract ideas like 'a flood of information' as often as English does (though 'enxurrada de informações' is a common alternative). If you say 'enchente de informações', people will understand you, but it might sound a bit literal or clunky. A subtle mistake involves the verb 'encher' (to fill), which is the root of 'enchente'. Some learners try to say 'a chuva encheu a rua' (the rain filled the street). While grammatically correct, it sounds less natural than 'a chuva causou uma enchente na rua'.

Preposition Errors: Don't say 'enchente por chuva'. Say 'enchente CAUSADA PELA chuva'.

A enchente de ontem foi a pior do ano.

Finally, watch out for regionalisms. In some parts of Portugal, 'cheia' is much more common than 'enchente' when referring to river overflows. If you only use 'enchente' in rural Portugal, you might sound like you are using a more Brazilian or maritime-specific term.

To truly master enchente, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in intensity and context. The most direct synonym is inundação. While 'enchente' is the everyday word, 'inundação' sounds more official, scientific, or catastrophic. You will see 'inundação' in insurance documents or geological reports.

Inundação: More formal; implies a total submerging of an area.
Cheia: Common in Portugal and for rivers; refers to the high-water mark.
Alagamento: Localized; often used for streets where water doesn't drain away quickly.

O rio Douro está com uma cheia impressionante este inverno.

Another word is enxurrada. This refers to the torrent of water that flows rapidly after a heavy rain, often carrying mud and debris. While an 'enchente' might be a slow rise, an 'enxurrada' is fast and violent. For figurative use, you might use multidão (crowd) or massa (mass) instead of 'enchente de pessoas'. 'Multidão' is the standard word for a large group of people. However, 'enchente' adds a flavor of 'overflowing capacity'.

A multidão aguardava ansiosamente a abertura dos portões.

In a maritime context, the opposite of 'maré enchente' is 'maré vazante'. Knowing these as a pair is very helpful.

Maré Vazante: The ebbing or falling tide.

If you want to describe a minor flooding, like a puddle or a small amount of water in a room, use poça (puddle) or infiltração (seepage/leak). Using 'enchente' for a small leak in your bathroom would be a humorous hyperbole.

Não foi uma enchente, foi apenas um pequeno vazamento na pia.

Lastly, the word dilúvio (deluge) is used for an extremely heavy rain or a biblical-scale flood. If it's raining 'cats and dogs', you might say 'está caindo um dilúvio'.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In the Amazon, the 'enchente' is so predictable that people build their entire lives and architecture (palafitas) around it. It is seen as a season, not just a disaster.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ẽˈʃẽ.tʃi/

US /enˈʃen.tʃi/

The stress is on the second syllable: en-CHEN-te.

Rime avec

dente gente mente presente ausente contente serpente quente

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'n' fully like in 'enter'. It should be a nasal vowel.
Pronouncing the 'ch' like 'k' or 'tch'. It should be a soft 'sh' sound.
Pronouncing the final 'e' as 'ay'. In Brazil, it's usually 'ee' or a very soft 'eh'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in news headlines.

Écriture 3/5

Must remember the feminine gender and nasal spelling.

Expression orale 4/5

Nasal vowels 'en-en' and the 'ch' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation but can be confused with 'enchente' (tide) vs 'enchente' (flood).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

chuva água rio encher rua

Apprends ensuite

alagamento inundação enxurrada maré vazante

Avancé

mitigação impermeabilização pluviométrico drenagem escoamento

Grammaire à connaître

Nasal Vowels

The 'en' in 'enchente' is a nasal vowel, not a separate 'e' and 'n' sound.

Feminine Nouns in -e

'Enchente' is feminine, unlike many other '-e' nouns like 'leite' (masc).

Preposition 'De' with 'Gostar'

'Eu gosto de enchentes' (I like floods - unlikely, but grammatically correct).

Compound Nouns with 'Maré'

'Maré enchente' acts as a specific term for the rising tide.

Verbs of Causation

'A chuva causou a enchente' uses the standard subject-verb-object pattern.

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Exemples par niveau

A enchente é na rua.

The flood is on the street.

'A' is the feminine article for 'enchente'.

Tem muita água na enchente.

There is a lot of water in the flood.

'Tem' is used colloquially for 'there is'.

Eu não gosto de enchente.

I don't like floods.

'De' is the preposition required by the verb 'gostar'.

A enchente vem da chuva.

The flood comes from the rain.

'Vem' is the 3rd person singular of 'vir'.

A casa tem uma enchente.

The house has a flood.

'Uma' is the indefinite feminine article.

Cuidado com a enchente!

Watch out for the flood!

'Com' means 'with'.

A enchente é grande.

The flood is big.

'Grande' matches both masculine and feminine nouns.

Onde é a enchente?

Where is the flood?

'Onde' is used for location.

Houve uma enchente ontem à noite.

There was a flood last night.

'Houve' is the past tense of 'haver' (there was).

A enchente bloqueou o trânsito.

The flood blocked the traffic.

'Bloqueou' is the preterite of 'bloquear'.

Eles moram em uma área de enchente.

They live in a flood area.

'Área de enchente' is a common compound noun phrase.

A prefeitura avisou sobre a enchente.

The city hall warned about the flood.

'Sobre' means 'about'.

A enchente estragou os móveis.

The flood ruined the furniture.

'Estragou' means 'ruined' or 'spoiled'.

Precisamos evitar a enchente.

We need to avoid the flood.

'Evitar' is an infinitive verb.

A enchente subiu muito rápido.

The flood rose very fast.

'Rápido' functions as an adverb here.

Não saia de casa durante a enchente.

Don't leave the house during the flood.

'Durante' is a preposition of time/duration.

As enchentes são comuns no verão brasileiro.

Floods are common in the Brazilian summer.

Plural usage of 'enchentes'.

O governo investiu em obras contra enchentes.

The government invested in works against floods.

'Contra' means 'against'.

Houve uma enchente de pessoas no shopping.

There was a flood of people at the mall.

Figurative use meaning 'crowd'.

A enchente do rio deixou muitos desabrigados.

The river flood left many homeless.

'Desabrigados' refers to people who lost their homes.

O seguro não cobre danos por enchente.

The insurance does not cover flood damage.

'Danos por' means 'damage caused by'.

A maré enchente trouxe muito lixo para a praia.

The rising tide brought a lot of trash to the beach.

Maritime context of 'enchente'.

Estamos monitorando o nível da enchente.

We are monitoring the flood level.

Present continuous 'estamos monitorando'.

A enchente de pedidos sobrecarregou o sistema.

The flood of orders overwhelmed the system.

Metaphorical use in business.

A urbanização acelerada agrava o problema das enchentes.

Accelerated urbanization worsens the flood problem.

'Agrava' means 'to make worse'.

O plano diretor prevê medidas para conter enchentes.

The master plan provides for measures to contain floods.

'Prever' means 'to foresee' or 'to provide for'.

A enchente histórica de 1967 ainda é lembrada.

The historical flood of 1967 is still remembered.

Adjective 'histórica' modifying 'enchente'.

O ecossistema local depende das enchentes sazonais.

The local ecosystem depends on seasonal floods.

'Sazonais' means 'seasonal'.

A enchente atingiu o nível de alerta máximo.

The flood reached the maximum alert level.

'Atingiu' is the preterite of 'atingir'.

Moradores protestam contra a falta de bueiros para evitar enchentes.

Residents protest against the lack of storm drains to avoid floods.

'Falta de' means 'lack of'.

A enchente de solidariedade ajudou as vítimas.

The flood of solidarity helped the victims.

Abstract figurative use.

A maré enchente impossibilitou a entrada no porto.

The rising tide made it impossible to enter the port.

'Impossibilitou' means 'made impossible'.

A recorrência das enchentes evidencia a fragilidade da infraestrutura.

The recurrence of floods highlights the fragility of the infrastructure.

'Evidencia' is a formal synonym for 'shows'.

Houve uma enchente de críticas ao novo projeto de lei.

There was a flood of criticism of the new bill.

Figurative use in a political context.

O fenômeno da enchente é intrínseco à bacia amazônica.

The phenomenon of flooding is intrinsic to the Amazon basin.

'Intrínseco' means 'inherent'.

A enchente de ânimo após a vitória foi contagiante.

The surge of spirit after the victory was contagious.

Poetic use of 'enchente'.

As políticas públicas devem focar na mitigação de enchentes.

Public policies should focus on flood mitigation.

'Mitigação' is a technical term for 'mitigation'.

O museu sofreu uma enchente que danificou obras raras.

The museum suffered a flood that damaged rare works.

'Danificou' is the preterite of 'danificar'.

A maré enchente, aliada ao vento sul, causou a ressaca.

The rising tide, combined with the south wind, caused the storm surge.

'Aliada a' means 'combined with'.

A enchente de novos dados exige uma reavaliação da teoria.

The flood of new data requires a reassessment of the theory.

Abstract usage in research.

A narrativa flui como uma enchente, arrastando o leitor por emoções viscerais.

The narrative flows like a flood, dragging the reader through visceral emotions.

Simile using 'como'.

O descaso governamental perante as enchentes é uma ferida aberta na sociedade.

Government neglect in the face of floods is an open wound in society.

'Perante' is a formal preposition meaning 'in the face of'.

A enchente de memórias que o perfume trouxe foi avassaladora.

The flood of memories that the perfume brought was overwhelming.

'Avassaladora' means 'overwhelming' or 'devastating'.

Estudos hidrológicos sugerem que a enchente de cem anos ocorrerá com mais frequência.

Hydrological studies suggest that the hundred-year flood will occur more frequently.

'Enchente de cem anos' is a technical term (100-year flood).

A enchente de júbilo da população marcou o fim da guerra.

The flood of joy of the population marked the end of the war.

'Júbilo' is a formal word for 'great joy'.

O autor utiliza a metáfora da enchente para descrever a decadência urbana.

The author uses the metaphor of the flood to describe urban decay.

'Metáfora' means 'metaphor'.

A maré enchente de ideologias extremistas preocupa os sociólogos.

The rising tide of extremist ideologies worries sociologists.

Highly abstract figurative use.

Não houve contenção para a enchente de lágrimas que se seguiu à notícia.

There was no containment for the flood of tears that followed the news.

'Contenção' means 'containment' or 'restraint'.

Collocations courantes

enchente histórica

causar enchente

maré enchente

enchente de gente

alerta de enchente

vítimas da enchente

sofrer com enchentes

ponto de enchente

enchente repentina

risco de enchente

Phrases Courantes

A enchente baixou.

— The flood water has receded. Used when a situation is returning to normal.

Finalmente a enchente baixou e podemos limpar a casa.

É época de enchentes.

— It is the flood season. Used to describe a time of year when floods are likely.

Tome cuidado, pois agora é época de enchentes.

Uma enchente de reclamações.

— A flood of complaints. Used when many people complain at once.

A empresa recebeu uma enchente de reclamações sobre o serviço.

O rio está em enchente.

— The river is rising. Used to describe the phase before a river overflows.

Com a chuva na serra, o rio já está em enchente.

Enchente no estádio.

— Full house at the stadium. Used to describe a sold-out sports event.

Houve enchente no estádio para a final do campeonato.

Fugir da enchente.

— To flee from the flood. Used when people have to leave their homes due to water.

Muitas famílias tiveram que fugir da enchente durante a madrugada.

Prevenir enchentes.

— To prevent floods. Used when discussing urban planning or infrastructure.

Limpar os bueiros ajuda a prevenir enchentes.

Enchente de alegria.

— A flood of joy. A poetic way to describe great happiness.

Sua chegada trouxe uma enchente de alegria para a família.

Depois da enchente.

— After the flood. Used to describe the aftermath or cleanup phase.

A cidade ficou coberta de lama depois da enchente.

Área sujeita a enchente.

— Area prone to flooding. A warning found on signs or real estate descriptions.

Não estacione aqui, esta é uma área sujeita a enchente.

Souvent confondu avec

enchente vs enxurrada

Enxurrada is fast and violent water; Enchente is rising and pooling water.

enchente vs alagamento

Alagamento is a small, localized flood; Enchente is a larger event.

enchente vs enchente (tide)

Can be confused with flood if the context of 'maré' is missing.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Nadar contra a enchente"

— To go against the current or a very strong trend.

Tentar mudar aquela lei agora é como nadar contra a enchente.

informal

"Uma enchente de lágrimas"

— To cry excessively.

Ela chorou uma enchente de lágrimas quando ele partiu.

literary

"Segurar a enchente"

— To try to stop something overwhelming or inevitable.

O gerente tentou segurar a enchente de pedidos, mas foi impossível.

informal

"No meio da enchente"

— To be in the middle of a chaotic or overwhelming situation.

Ele se viu no meio da enchente de problemas da empresa.

neutral

"Enchente de sapatos"

— A humorous way to say someone has too many shoes.

Minha irmã tem uma verdadeira enchente de sapatos no armário.

slang/informal

"Esperar a enchente passar"

— To wait for a difficult period to end before taking action.

Melhor esperar a enchente passar antes de investir dinheiro.

neutral

"Remar na enchente"

— To work very hard against difficult odds.

Estamos remando na enchente para terminar o projeto no prazo.

informal

"Enchente de elogios"

— To receive many compliments at once.

O ator recebeu uma enchente de elogios por sua atuação.

neutral

"Lavar a alma na enchente"

— A rare, poetic way to describe a cathartic release during a crisis.

Ele lavou a alma na enchente de emoções do reencontro.

literary

"A enchente que transborda o copo"

— Similar to 'the straw that broke the camel's back'.

Aquele erro foi a enchente que transbordou o copo.

informal

Facile à confondre

enchente vs enxurrada

Both involve rain and water on the ground.

Enxurrada is a torrent or flash flood that flows quickly. Enchente is the general rising of water levels.

A enxurrada levou a lama, mas a enchente cobriu os carros.

enchente vs alagamento

Both describe water where it shouldn't be.

Alagamento is usually due to drainage failure in a small area. Enchente is a larger overflow.

Aquele bueiro entupido causou um alagamento, não uma enchente.

enchente vs inundação

They are synonyms.

Inundação is more formal and technical. Enchente is the common word for daily use.

O relatório técnico fala em inundação, mas o povo diz enchente.

enchente vs cheia

Both mean high water.

Cheia is more common in Portugal or for the natural cycle of a river.

O rio está em cheia, pode haver uma enchente em breve.

enchente vs vazante

It is the opposite of 'maré enchente'.

Vazante is the receding water/tide. Enchente is the rising water/tide.

A maré está vazante agora, não enchente.

Structures de phrases

A [noun] é [adjective].

A enchente é perigosa.

Houve uma [noun] em [place].

Houve uma enchente em São Paulo.

[Noun] causou [noun].

A chuva causou a enchente.

[Noun] de [noun].

Enchente de pessoas.

Apesar da [noun], [clause].

Apesar da enchente, ele foi trabalhar.

A [noun] evidencia [noun].

A enchente evidencia o descaso público.

[Noun] aliada a [noun].

Maré enchente aliada ao vento.

Como uma [noun], [clause].

Como uma enchente, as memórias voltaram.

Famille de mots

Noms

enchente (flood)

enchimento (filling/padding)

enchido (sausage - Portugal)

Verbes

encher (to fill)

preencher (to fill out/in)

reencher (to refill)

Adjectifs

cheio (full)

enchouriçado (stuffed/swollen)

preenchido (filled)

Apparenté

chuva

água

rio

maré

alagamento

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common during rainy seasons or for big events.

Erreurs courantes

O enchente → A enchente
Enchente is a feminine noun. Using the masculine article is a basic gender error.
Enchente de chuva → Enchente causada pela chuva
While understandable, it sounds better to specify that the rain caused the flood.
Eu vi um enchente de pessoas. → Eu vi uma enchente de pessoas.
Even when used figuratively for people (masculine), the noun 'enchente' remains feminine.
A enchente de informações → Uma enxurrada de informações
'Enchente' is usually for physical things/people. For abstract data, 'enxurrada' is more idiomatic.
O rio está enchente. → O rio está em enchente.
You need the preposition 'em' to describe the state of the river.

Astuces

Distinguish the scale

Use 'alagamento' for your street corner and 'enchente' for the whole neighborhood. It makes you sound more precise.

Gender Check

Always pair 'enchente' with feminine adjectives: 'enchente perigosa', 'enchente histórica'.

Summer in Brazil

If you visit Brazil in January, learn this word. You will hear it on the news every single day.

Tide Watch

If you go fishing, ask about the 'maré enchente'. It's the best time to catch certain types of fish.

Emotional Flood

Use 'enchente de emoções' in your writing to describe being overwhelmed. It's a beautiful, advanced expression.

Nasal Practice

Don't let the 'n' touch the roof of your mouth. Keep the sound in your nose for the first two syllables.

Warning Signs

If you see a sign saying 'Área Sujeita a Enchente', do not park your car there if it looks like rain.

Crowd Control

At a concert, say 'Que enchente!' to comment on how many people are there. It's a very natural reaction.

Root Word

Connect 'enchente' to 'encher' (to fill) and 'cheio' (full) in your mind to remember the meaning easily.

Portugal Tip

In Lisbon, if you see the river rising, call it a 'cheia' to sound more like a local.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'EN-CH-ente' as 'ENormous CHannel' of water. The water fills the channel and overflows.

Association visuelle

Imagine a river rising slowly like a glass of water being filled (encher) until it spills over the table.

Word Web

chuva água rio maré cheio vazante alagamento inundação

Défi

Try to use 'enchente' in a sentence about a crowded bus and a sentence about a rainy day.

Origine du mot

From the Portuguese verb 'encher' (to fill), which derives from the Latin 'implere'.

Sens originel : The act of filling or the state of being full.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be sensitive when discussing enchentes with locals, as they often involve tragic loss of life and property.

English speakers often use 'flood' for everything. Portuguese speakers are more specific with 'enchente' (general/river), 'alagamento' (street puddle), and 'inundação' (catastrophic).

The song 'Águas de Março' by Tom Jobim mentions the end of the rainy season. The 'Grande Enchente de 1941' in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The novel 'Canaã' by Graça Aranha.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Weather News

Alerta de enchente
Previsão de chuva forte
Nível do rio subindo
Áreas de risco

Commuting

Trânsito por causa da enchente
Rua bloqueada
Peguei a enchente
Vou me atrasar

Home Safety

A água entrou em casa
Perdemos tudo na enchente
Limpar a lama
Seguro residencial

Coastal Life

Maré enchente
Hora da maré
O mar está subindo
Barco na areia

Large Events

Enchente no estádio
Lotação esgotada
Muita gente
Não cabe mais ninguém

Amorces de conversation

"Você já viu uma enchente de perto?"

"O que você faz quando tem enchente na sua rua?"

"Você acha que as enchentes estão ficando piores por causa do clima?"

"Qual foi a maior enchente que você já viu no jornal?"

"Você prefere morar em lugar alto para evitar enchentes?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva como seria sua rotina se houvesse uma enchente na sua cidade amanhã.

Escreva sobre uma 'enchente de emoções' que você sentiu recentemente.

Quais são as principais causas das enchentes urbanas na sua opinião?

Imagine que você é um repórter cobrindo uma enchente histórica.

Como a tecnologia pode ajudar a prevenir enchentes no futuro?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is feminine. You should always say 'a enchente' or 'uma enchente'. Even though it ends in 'e', it follows the feminine pattern for many abstract or phenomenon-based nouns in Portuguese.

Yes, it is very common in Brazil to say 'Houve uma enchente no estádio' to mean the stadium was completely full of people. This is a figurative but standard usage.

Technically, 'enchente' is the rise of a river within its channel, and 'inundação' is when it spills over. However, in everyday Portuguese, people use 'enchente' for both scenarios.

While 'enchente' is understood, people in Portugal often use the word 'cheia' to describe a river flooding its banks.

Usually yes, but it can also refer to the rising tide ('maré enchente') or metaphorically to a large amount of anything (people, emails, emotions).

It is pronounced roughly as 'en-SHEN-chi'. The 'en' is nasal, and the final 'e' is very soft, almost like an 'i'.

Yes, it is extremely common, especially in news reports and daily conversations during the summer months in South America.

It is a specific location in a city that is known to flood every time it rains heavily. GPS apps in Brazil often mark these points.

No, 'enchente' is a noun. The related verb is 'encher' (to fill).

No, 'enchento' is not a word. You might be thinking of 'enchimento', which means padding or filling material.

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