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A2 adjective 9 min de lecture

epidémico

Exemples epidémico en 30 secondes
Explication epidémico in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'epidémico' might seem like a big word, but you can understand it by thinking about 'being sick' (estar doente) and 'many people' (muitas pessoas). When many people get sick at the same time in one place, we call it an epidemic. As an adjective, 'epidémico' describes that situation. You won't use it often in basic conversations, but you might see it on a sign at a doctor's office or in a simple news headline. Just remember: it's about a sickness that moves fast from person to person. It ends in -o for masculine things and -a for feminine things. For example, 'um problema epidémico'. It has an accent on the 'é', so you say it with a strong 'DÉ' sound. Think of it as the 'super' version of being sick because it affects a whole town or city. Even at this level, knowing it helps you recognize important health warnings.
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At the A2 level, you are learning more adjectives to describe the world around you. 'Epidémico' is used to describe a 'surto' (outbreak) or a 'doença' (disease). You should start to notice how it agrees with nouns. If you are talking about 'a gripe' (the flu), you would say 'a gripe epidémica' because 'gripe' is feminine. If you are talking about 'o vírus' (the virus), you say 'o vírus epidémico'. You might hear this word on the radio or TV news in Portugal or Brazil. It's a formal word, but very common in health reports. It helps you understand when a situation is serious. You can also start to see it used for things that aren't diseases, like 'o medo epidémico' (epidemic fear), which means everyone is scared at the same time. Remember to always put the accent on the 'é' when writing it, as it is a 'proparoxítona' word.
At the B1 level, you can begin to use 'epidémico' in more complex ways, especially in writing. You understand that it doesn't just mean 'sick', but refers to the specific pattern of how something spreads. You might use it in a school essay or a work report to describe a phenomenon that is growing quickly. For example, 'O desemprego atingiu um nível epidémico'. Here, you are using the word metaphorically to show that unemployment is spreading like a disease. This is a great way to make your Portuguese sound more advanced. You should also be able to distinguish 'epidémico' from 'contagioso'. While 'contagioso' means you can catch it, 'epidémico' means many people already have it. You will see this word often in newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S. Paulo' when they discuss public health or social trends.
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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the technical and metaphorical nuances of 'epidémico'. You can use it to participate in discussions about public policy, health, and society. You understand that 'epidémico' implies a temporal and spatial limit—it's an outbreak that happens in a certain place at a certain time. You can compare an 'estado epidémico' with an 'estado endémico'. You also recognize the word in academic texts or official government health bulletins. Your pronunciation should be clear, emphasizing the third-to-last syllable. You might use phrases like 'proporções epidémicas' to add emphasis to your arguments. For example, 'A falta de habitação está a tomar proporções epidémicas nas grandes cidades'. This shows you can handle abstract concepts and apply medical terminology to sociological issues with precision.
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At the C1 level, 'epidémico' is a tool for precise communication. You use it to differentiate between various types of widespread phenomena. You might discuss the 'dinâmica epidémica' of a new cultural trend or the 'modelação epidémica' in a scientific context. You are aware of the word's etymology (from Greek) and how that history informs its current usage in Portuguese. You can use it in high-level debates about globalization, where you might contrast 'surto epidémico' with 'crise pandémica'. Your writing is fluid, and you use 'epidémico' to vary your vocabulary, perhaps choosing it over 'generalizado' to provide a more clinical or urgent tone. You also understand the cultural weight the word carries, especially in the context of historical outbreaks in the Lusophone world, and can use it to evoke those themes in literary or historical analysis.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'epidémico' is near-native. You understand all its subtle connotations, including its use in irony or hyperbole. You can analyze how the word is used in different registers, from the highly technical language of an epidemiologist to the rhetorical flourishes of a politician. You might explore how the term 'epidémico' has evolved in Portuguese literature or how it reflects societal anxieties in contemporary media. You can effortlessly switch between 'epidémico', 'grassante', 'pestilencial', and 'endémico' to achieve the exact stylistic effect you desire. Your use of the word is always grammatically perfect, and you can construct complex, multi-clause sentences that incorporate the term to describe intricate social or biological systems. You are a master of the word's metaphorical potential, using it to describe anything from the spread of a philosophy to the decay of an institution.
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Exemples

epidémico en 30 secondes

  • Epidémico refers to anything spreading rapidly like an epidemic, usually within a specific region or population.
  • It is primarily a medical term but is frequently used metaphorically for social and economic trends.
  • The word requires gender and number agreement: epidémico, epidémica, epidémicos, epidémicas.
  • It is a formal word (A2 level) that adds precision to descriptions of widespread phenomena.
The Portuguese word epidémico is a powerful adjective that transcends its biological origins to describe anything that spreads rapidly and affects a large number of individuals within a specific population or region. At its core, it is the adjectival form of 'epidemia' (epidemic). When you use this word, you are highlighting the scale, speed, and collective nature of a phenomenon. In a medical sense, it describes diseases like the flu or cholera when they break out in a community. However, in modern Portuguese, it is increasingly common to hear it applied to social behaviors, economic trends, or even digital content. For example, a specific type of 'fake news' might be described as having an alcance epidémico (epidemic reach).
Morphology
The word is a proparoxítona, meaning the stress falls on the third-to-last syllable, which in Portuguese always requires a written accent: the 'é'.
Agreement
As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: surto epidémico (masculine singular), doença epidémica (feminine singular), problemas epidémicos (masculine plural), crises epidémicas (feminine plural).
Historically, the term carries a weight of urgency and concern. In the 19th century, Portuguese medical journals used 'epidémico' to describe the devastating yellow fever outbreaks in Lisbon. Today, health authorities like the DGS (Direção-Geral da Saúde) use it to categorize the spread of seasonal illnesses. It is important to distinguish it from 'endémico' (something constantly present) and 'pandémico' (something spread globally).

O governo implementou medidas rigorosas para conter o avanço epidémico da gripe este inverno.

Beyond medicine, you might hear a sociologist talk about the caráter epidémico of unemployment in certain regions, or a technologist discuss the crescimento epidémico of a new mobile application. This versatility makes it a high-value word for learners moving into intermediate and advanced levels. In everyday conversation, though it is a formal word, it is used to emphasize that something is 'out of control' or 'spreading everywhere'. Understanding the nuances of this word involves recognizing its Greek roots—'epi' meaning 'upon' and 'demos' meaning 'people'. It is something that falls upon the people. This collective aspect is crucial. You wouldn't call a single person's illness 'epidémico'; it must involve a group.
Clinical Usage
Used by doctors to describe the nature of a disease's transmission within a community.
Social Usage
Used by journalists to describe rapidly spreading trends, often with a critical or warning tone.

A desinformação nas redes sociais atingiu proporções de um nível epidémico.

In summary, 'epidémico' is your go-to word for describing widespread, fast-moving phenomena that affect the masses, whether in a hospital ward or on a digital platform.
Using epidémico correctly requires attention to both its grammatical function and the context of the noun it describes. As an adjective, its primary role is to qualify nouns related to health, sociology, and statistics. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun, and 'epidémico' is no exception.

Estamos a enfrentar um surto epidémico sem precedentes.

Notice how 'surto' (outbreak) is masculine singular, so 'epidémico' matches it. If we were talking about 'doenças' (diseases), we would say 'doenças epidémicas'.
Scientific Context
In biology or medicine, it is used to classify the status of a pathogen. 'O vírus manifestou um comportamento epidémico em áreas densamente povoadas.'
Metaphorical Context
In social sciences, it describes the rapid adoption of a habit. 'O vício em videojogos tornou-se um problema epidémico entre os jovens.'
One of the most common sentence patterns involves the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'tornar-se' (to become).

A obesidade tornou-se um fenómeno epidémico no século XXI.

You can also use it to describe proportions or levels. Phrases like 'proporções epidémicas' (epidemic proportions) are very common in journalism.

O uso de plásticos atingiu proporções epidémicas nos oceanos.

When writing, pay attention to the accent. Without the 'é', the word is misspelled and loses its rhythmic stress. In spoken Portuguese, emphasize the 'DÉ' sound: e-pi-DÉ-mi-co. This clarity is essential for being understood in a professional or academic setting.
Common Nouns Paired with Epidémico
Surto (outbreak), Fenómeno (phenomenon), Proporção (proportion), Nível (level), Caráter (character).
For learners at the A2 level, focus on the basic medical usage. As you progress to B1 and B2, start experimenting with using it to describe social trends. By C1/C2, you should be able to use it in nuanced debates about public policy or sociology.

A natureza epidémica da crise financeira surpreendeu os analistas.

Always remember that 'epidémico' is more formal than 'que se espalha' (that spreads). If you are writing an essay or a report, 'epidémico' is the preferred choice to convey professional precision.
You will encounter epidémico in several specific environments. First and foremost is the news media. During flu season in Portugal or Brazil, headlines frequently mention 'surto epidémico'. Television anchors on channels like RTP, SIC, or TVI will use the term when reporting on health alerts.

As autoridades de saúde alertam para um novo foco epidémico no norte do país.

In academic settings, particularly in the fields of medicine, biology, and sociology, 'epidémico' is a technical necessity. A lecture on public health would be incomplete without discussing 'modelos epidémicos' (epidemic models).
News Reports
Used to describe the current state of public health or a localized outbreak.
Documentaries
Often heard in history programs discussing the Black Death or the Spanish Flu.
You might also hear it in political discourse. Politicians use the word to dramatize or emphasize the scale of a problem, such as 'corrupção epidémica' (epidemic corruption) or 'violência epidémica'. This usage is meant to evoke the idea of a sickness that needs to be cured. In literature, authors might use the word to describe the spread of an idea or a feeling. In José Saramago's famous novel 'Ensaio sobre a Cegueira' (Blindness), while the word itself might be used sparingly, the entire premise is the 'natureza epidémica' of a mysterious blindness.

Aquele boato teve um efeito epidémico, espalhando o pânico pela vila.

Podcasts and Radios
Discussed in health-focused segments or sociological debates.
Official Documents
Reports from the Ministry of Health or international organizations like the WHO (OMS in Portuguese).
While you won't hear it in a casual conversation between friends about a cold ('Estou constipado'), you will hear it when those same friends discuss the news they saw on TV regarding a larger health crisis. It is a word of the public sphere.
One of the most frequent errors learners make with epidémico is confusing it with its related but distinct counterparts: 'endémico' and 'pandémico'. Understanding the difference is vital for precision.
Epidémico vs. Endémico
'Epidémico' refers to a sudden spike or outbreak. 'Endémico' refers to something that is constantly present in a specific area (like malaria in certain tropical regions).
Epidémico vs. Pandémico
'Epidémico' is usually regional or localized. 'Pandémico' refers to a global spread across multiple continents.
Another common mistake is the orthography. Many English speakers forget the acute accent on the 'é'. In Portuguese, 'epidemico' without the accent is not a valid word. The accent is what tells you to stress the 'DÉ' syllable.

Errado: O surto epidemico. Correto: O surto epidémico.

Learners also sometimes use 'epidémico' when they should use 'contagioso'. While they are related, they are not synonyms. A disease can be 'contagioso' (able to be caught) without being 'epidémico' (currently spreading to many people). Conversely, a condition like obesity can be described as 'epidémico' due to its prevalence, even though it is not 'contagioso' in the biological sense.
Mistaking Register
Using 'epidémico' in very casual settings can sound overly dramatic or clinical. Use 'espalhado' or 'está por todo o lado' for informal talk.

A desinformação tem um ritmo epidémico (Correct metaphorical use).

Finally, watch out for the plural forms. Because the accent is on the antepenultimate syllable, it remains there even in the plural: epidémicos, epidémicas. Never shift the stress to the 'mi' syllable. Mastering these nuances will prevent you from sounding like a beginner and help you achieve a more native-like command of Portuguese.
If you want to vary your vocabulary and avoid overusing epidémico, there are several alternatives depending on the context. For medical situations, 'contagioso' or 'infecioso' are common, though they describe the nature of the disease rather than the scale of the outbreak.
Contagioso
Focuses on the ease of transmission between individuals. 'O riso é contagioso.'
Generalizado
Focuses on how widespread something is, without the medical connotation. 'Houve um pânico generalizado.'
In journalistic contexts, you might use 'grassante'. This is a more literary or formal term meaning 'prevailing' or 'spreading', often used for diseases or vices.

A febre grassante assolou a região durante meses.

For digital or social trends, the word 'viral' is the most popular modern alternative. While 'epidémico' sounds serious and scientific, 'viral' sounds modern and tech-focused.
Pandémico
Use this when the scale is international or global. 'A situação tornou-se pandémica em março.'
Endémico
Use this for something that is a permanent fixture of a place or society. 'A corrupção endémica é um entrave ao desenvolvimento.'

O sucesso do vídeo foi viral, atingindo milhões em poucas horas.

When discussing statistics, you might use 'prevalente' (prevalent). This is a neutral, data-driven word. 'Esta doença é muito prevalente nesta faixa etária.' By choosing the right synonym, you show that you understand the subtle differences in meaning and register that characterize a sophisticated Portuguese speaker. 'Epidémico' remains the strongest word for a large-scale, urgent outbreak that demands immediate attention.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪkʊ/
US /ˌɛpəˈdɛmɪkoʊ/
The stress is on the antepenultimate syllable: e-pi-DÉ-mi-co.
Rime avec
académico polémico sistémico blasfémico totémico isquémico eufémico estratégico (partial)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Stressing the 'mi' syllable (e-pi-de-MI-co).
  • Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'O' instead of a soft 'u' (in EP).
  • Omitting the 'é' accent in writing.
  • Making the 'e' sound like 'ee' (i-pi-dé-mi-co).
  • Confusing the nasal 'n' sound if they misread it as 'epidêmico' (which is the Brazilian spelling for some related words, but 'epidémico' usually keeps the open 'é' in EP).
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Exemples par niveau

1

O vírus é epidémico.

The virus is epidemic.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective.

2

Há um problema epidémico aqui.

There is an epidemic problem here.

Use of 'Há' (There is) with an adjective.

3

A doença não é epidémica.

The disease is not epidemic.

Negative sentence with feminine agreement.

4

Eles estudam o caso epidémico.

They study the epidemic case.

Adjective modifying the direct object.

5

O surto é epidémico e grave.

The outbreak is epidemic and serious.

Two adjectives connected by 'e'.

6

É uma situação epidémica.

It is an epidemic situation.

Feminine singular agreement.

7

O médico fala de algo epidémico.

The doctor speaks of something epidemic.

Preposition 'de' followed by an adjective.

8

Muitas pessoas têm o mal epidémico.

Many people have the epidemic illness.

Adjective modifying the noun 'mal'.

1

As autoridades confirmaram o surto epidémico.

The authorities confirmed the epidemic outbreak.

Past tense verb with a specific noun phrase.

2

Esta região tem doenças epidémicas.

This region has epidemic diseases.

Plural feminine agreement.

3

O comportamento do vírus parece epidémico.

The behavior of the virus seems epidemic.

Verb 'parecer' (to seem) used with an adjective.

4

Precisamos de evitar um nível epidémico.

We need to avoid an epidemic level.

Infinitive verb 'evitar' with a noun phrase.

5

O medo tornou-se quase epidémico na cidade.

The fear became almost epidemic in the city.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' (to become).

6

Não é um caso isolado, é epidémico.

It's not an isolated case, it's epidemic.

Contrast between two adjectives.

7

O relatório descreve o estado epidémico.

The report describes the epidemic state.

Definite article with noun and adjective.

8

Vimos muitos casos epidémicos no inverno.

We saw many epidemic cases in the winter.

Plural masculine agreement.

1

A desinformação está a assumir um caráter epidémico.

Disinformation is taking on an epidemic character.

Metaphorical use of the word.

2

O governo declarou o estado epidémico na província.

The government declared the epidemic state in the province.

Formal political context.

3

A obesidade infantil é vista como um fenómeno epidémico.

Childhood obesity is seen as an epidemic phenomenon.

Passive voice 'é vista como'.

4

Os dados mostram um crescimento epidémico de casos.

The data show an epidemic growth of cases.

Scientific/Statistical context.

5

Sempre que há chuvas, o risco epidémico aumenta.

Whenever there are rains, the epidemic risk increases.

Conditional context with 'Sempre que'.

6

Eles temem que o surto se torne epidémico.

They fear that the outbreak will become epidemic.

Subjunctive mood after 'temem que'.

7

A natureza epidémica da gripe exige vacinação.

The epidemic nature of the flu requires vaccination.

Abstract noun 'natureza' modified by the adjective.

8

O pânico epidémico espalhou-se pelas redes sociais.

The epidemic panic spread through social networks.

Compound subject with metaphorical adjective.

1

A propagação epidémica foi contida pelas novas medidas.

The epidemic spread was contained by the new measures.

Past participle 'contida' in the passive voice.

2

Analistas discutem as causas do surto epidémico financeiro.

Analysts discuss the causes of the financial epidemic outbreak.

Multiple adjectives modifying a noun.

3

O caráter epidémico do vício preocupa os sociólogos.

The epidemic character of the addiction worries sociologists.

Subject-verb agreement with a complex noun phrase.

4

É imperativo monitorizar qualquer sinal epidémico.

It is imperative to monitor any epidemic sign.

Impersonal expression 'É imperativo'.

5

A resposta ao evento epidémico foi rápida e eficaz.

The response to the epidemic event was fast and effective.

Noun phrase with preposition 'ao'.

6

A cidade enfrentou várias crises epidémicas no passado.

The city faced several epidemic crises in the past.

Plural feminine agreement with 'crises'.

7

O modelo matemático previu o pico epidémico.

The mathematical model predicted the epidemic peak.

Technical terminology 'pico epidémico'.

8

A gravidade epidémica variou entre as diferentes regiões.

The epidemic severity varied between the different regions.

Adjective modifying 'gravidade'.

1

A prevalência epidémica de doenças crónicas é alarmante.

The epidemic prevalence of chronic diseases is alarming.

High-level medical terminology.

2

O ensaio aborda a dimensão epidémica da solidão moderna.

The essay addresses the epidemic dimension of modern loneliness.

Abstract sociological application.

3

A gestão de um cenário epidémico requer cooperação internacional.

The management of an epidemic scenario requires international cooperation.

Formal administrative language.

4

A mutação do vírus alterou o seu perfil epidémico.

The mutation of the virus altered its epidemic profile.

Biological precision.

5

O discurso político focou-se na violência epidémica nas ruas.

The political discourse focused on the epidemic violence in the streets.

Metaphorical use in rhetoric.

6

As consequências epidémicas da poluição são visíveis.

The epidemic consequences of pollution are visible.

Causal relationship expressed with an adjective.

7

O estudo refuta a origem epidémica daquela patologia.

The study refutes the epidemic origin of that pathology.

Academic refutation.

8

A rápida difusão epidémica de ideias pode ser perigosa.

The rapid epidemic diffusion of ideas can be dangerous.

Philosophical/Sociological application.

1

A historiografia analisa o impacto epidémico na queda de impérios.

Historiography analyzes the epidemic impact on the fall of empires.

Dense academic terminology.

2

A natureza intrinsecamente epidémica do capitalismo tardio é debatida.

The intrinsically epidemic nature of late capitalism is debated.

Highly abstract philosophical usage.

3

O autor utiliza a cegueira como uma metáfora epidémica.

The author uses blindness as an epidemic metaphor.

Literary analysis.

4

A resiliência social perante um evento epidémico é crucial.

Social resilience in the face of an epidemic event is crucial.

Sociological resilience theory.

5

A fenomenologia do surto epidémico revela falhas no sistema.

The phenomenology of the epidemic outbreak reveals flaws in the system.

Phenomenological terminology.

6

A convergência de fatores resultou numa catástrofe epidémica.

The convergence of factors resulted in an epidemic catastrophe.

Complex causal sentence structure.

7

O controle epidémico exige uma vigilância epidemiológica constante.

Epidemic control requires constant epidemiological surveillance.

Differentiating related terms.

8

A volatilidade do mercado atingiu um estado quase epidémico.

Market volatility reached an almost epidemic state.

Economic metaphor with precision.

Collocations courantes

surto epidémico
proporções epidémicas
caráter epidémico
foco epidémico
nível epidémico
doença epidémica
natureza epidémica
risco epidémico
medidas epidémicas
fenómeno epidémico

Phrases Courantes

em proporções epidémicas

— Spreading to an extreme degree.

A corrupção cresceu em proporções epidémicas.

estado epidémico

— The official status of an outbreak.

A cidade entrou em estado epidémico.

alerta epidémico

— A warning about a potential outbreak.

A OMS emitiu um alerta epidémico.

controlo epidémico

— The act of managing an outbreak.

O controlo epidémico é difícil em áreas pobres.

dinâmica epidémica

— The way an epidemic spreads.

Estudamos a dinâmica epidémica do vírus.

potencial epidémico

— The possibility of something becoming an epidemic.

Esta nova estirpe tem potencial epidémico.

história epidémica

— The past record of outbreaks.

A história epidémica da Europa é longa.

ameaça epidémica

— A danger posed by a spreading disease.

A ameaça epidémica é real.

vigilância epidémica

— Monitoring for outbreaks.

A vigilância epidémica foi reforçada.

crise epidémica

— A critical situation caused by an epidemic.

A crise epidémica parou a economia.

Expressions idiomatiques

"espalhar-se como uma epidemia"

— To spread very fast and uncontrollably (similar to 'like wildfire').

A notícia espalhou-se como uma epidemia.

Informal
"ter caráter epidémico"

— To have the qualities of something that spreads to everyone.

O mau humor dele tem caráter epidémico.

Metaphorical
"atingir níveis epidémicos"

— To reach a point where the problem is everywhere.

O uso de drogas atingiu níveis epidémicos.

Formal
"viver sob sombra epidémica"

— To live in fear of a spreading disease.

A população vivia sob sombra epidémica.

Literary
"combater o mal epidémico"

— To fight against a widespread problem or disease.

É preciso combater o mal epidémico da preguiça.

Figurative
"ritmo epidémico"

— An extremely fast pace of growth or spread.

A empresa cresceu num ritmo epidémico.

Business
"silêncio epidémico"

— A widespread, heavy silence (rare).

Um silêncio epidémico caiu sobre a sala.

Poetic
"fogo epidémico"

— A fire that spreads from building to building rapidly (historical).

O fogo epidémico destruiu o centro.

Historical
"onda epidémica"

— A surge in cases within an epidemic.

Estamos na segunda onda epidémica.

Journalistic
"cegueira epidémica"

— Widespread ignorance or refusal to see the truth.

Há uma cegueira epidémica sobre o clima.

Philosophical

Famille de mots

Noms

epidemia (epidemic)
epidemiologia (epidemiology)
epidemiologista (epidemiologist)

Verbes

epidemiar (to cause an epidemic - rare)

Adjectifs

epidémico (epidemic)
epidemiológico (epidemiological)
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Contenu associé

Ce mot dans d'autres langues

epidémico Espagnol
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