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A2 adjective #2,800 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

excitado

At the A1 level, you should mostly avoid the word 'excitado.' It is too easy to use incorrectly. Instead, focus on simple words like 'feliz' (happy) or 'contente' (glad). If you want to say you are excited about something, learn the phrase 'Estou muito feliz.' This level is about basic communication, and 'excitado' is too nuanced for early learners. You might see it in very simple science texts, but in conversation, stick to 'animado.' Always remember that Portuguese words that look like English words can sometimes have 'secret' meanings that are embarrassing!
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more adjectives. You should learn 'excitado' primarily so you know *not* to use it in most cases. You should understand that it means 'agitated' or 'stimulated.' You might hear a mother say her child is 'excitado' because he played too much. At this level, you should start using 'empolgado' for 'excited.' This is the stage where you learn to distinguish between 'estar animado' (to be excited/happy) and 'estar excitado' (to be agitated/aroused). Practice using 'empolgado' in your homework and speaking exercises.
At the B1 level, you can begin to use 'excitado' in specific, safe contexts, such as describing a crowd's reaction or a scientific process. You should be fully aware of the sexual connotation and use that knowledge to navigate social situations. You can use it to describe a 'nervous energy.' For example, 'O ambiente na sala estava excitado' (The atmosphere in the room was charged/agitated). You should also be comfortable with the verb 'excitar' in a non-sexual sense, like 'excitar a curiosidade' (to pique curiosity).
At the B2 level, you should understand the stylistic use of 'excitado' in literature. You can use it to describe intense emotional states that involve physical symptoms like a racing heart. You understand that in a medical or psychological context, 'excitado' refers to a state of hyper-responsiveness. You can distinguish between 'excitado' (agitated) and 'eufórico' (euphoric). You are also expected to use the word correctly in technical discussions if you work in fields like physics or chemistry.
At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of the word's register. You know how to use it for rhetorical effect, perhaps to describe a political climate that is 'excitado' (inflamed/agitated). You can use it in formal writing to describe the stimulation of certain markets or economic factors. You are fully aware of the 'false friend' trap and might even use it jokingly with close friends, knowing exactly where the line is. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'excitabilidade' (excitability) and 'excitante' (exciting/stimulating).
At the C2 level, you use 'excitado' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its etymological roots and how it functions across different dialects (PT-PT vs PT-BR). You can use it in high-level academic discourse, literary analysis, or complex psychological reporting. You understand the subtle difference between 'um ânimo excitado' and 'um ânimo exaltado.' You are a master of the word's nuances and never use it unintentionally in a way that could be misconstrued.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

excitado en 30 secondes

  • Excitado describes high energy or agitation but often carries a sexual connotation in social contexts, making it a dangerous 'false friend' for English speakers.
  • In technical fields like physics or biology, it is a neutral term for atoms or cells that have been stimulated or energized beyond their normal state.
  • For everyday 'happy' excitement, Portuguese speakers prefer 'empolgado' or 'animado' to avoid the potential embarrassment of being misunderstood as sexually aroused.
  • The word requires gender and number agreement (excitado/a/os/as) and is typically used with the temporary verb 'estar' or the change-of-state verb 'ficar'.

The word excitado is a complex adjective in the Portuguese language that requires careful handling due to its semantic range and potential for misunderstanding. At its core, it describes a state of high physiological or emotional arousal. In a general sense, it refers to being in a state of excitement, agitation, or heightened energy. However, unlike the English word 'excited,' which is almost universally positive and safe for social situations, the Portuguese 'excitado' carries a strong connotation of sexual arousal, particularly in European Portuguese (PT-PT). In Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR), while it can still mean sexually aroused, it is sometimes used to describe someone who is hyperactive, overstimulated, or physically agitated, though even there, 'empolgado' or 'animado' are preferred for 'excited' in a happy sense.

Primary Meaning
A state of nervous or emotional stimulation where the person feels a surge of energy.
Secondary Meaning
A state of sexual arousal (very common in Portugal).
Physical State
Describing particles or atoms in physics that have higher energy than their ground state.

O menino ficou muito excitado com a notícia da viagem e não conseguiu dormir.

When using this word, one must consider the 'False Friend' trap. If a student says 'Estou muito excitado' to mean 'I am very excited about the party,' a native speaker might interpret it as 'I am sexually aroused.' To avoid this, learners are encouraged to use synonyms like empolgado (enthusiastic/thrilled) or animado (lively/excited). The word 'excitado' is often linked to the verb 'excitar,' which means to stimulate or provoke a reaction. In scientific contexts, it is perfectly neutral, referring to the excitation of cells or atoms. In psychological contexts, it might refer to a state of mania or extreme agitation.

Os elétrons tornam-se excitados quando absorvem energia térmica.

Understanding the nuance requires looking at the history of the word. Derived from the Latin 'excitare' (to rouse, stir up), it originally meant to wake someone up or call them forth. Over centuries, the 'stirring up' became associated with internal states. In modern Portuguese, the 'stirring up' is often interpreted through a biological lens. If you describe a crowd as 'excitada,' you are saying they are in a state of frenzy or high agitation, which could be due to anger, joy, or anticipation, but the word itself highlights the raw energy rather than the specific emotion.

A multidão estava excitada após o discurso inflamado do líder.

Gender Agreement
Excitado (Masculine Singular), Excitada (Feminine Singular).
Plural Forms
Excitados (Masculine Plural), Excitadas (Feminine Plural).

Ela parecia excitada com a possibilidade de ganhar o prêmio.

In summary, 'excitado' is a high-intensity word. It is not a casual synonym for 'happy.' It implies a physiological response—increased heart rate, faster breathing, and a sense of being 'wired.' Because of this biological focus, the jump to sexual arousal is very short in the minds of native speakers. When you use it, you are describing a state of the nervous system. If you want to describe a state of the heart or mind regarding a future event, 'ansioso' (anxious/eager) or 'empolgado' are your best bets.

O sistema nervoso do paciente estava visivelmente excitado.

Common Usage
Mainly found in literature, scientific papers, and specific emotional descriptions.

Using 'excitado' correctly involves understanding its grammatical function as an adjective and its social implications. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, 'O cão excitado' (The excited dog) vs. 'As crianças excitadas' (The excited children). It usually follows the verb 'estar' because it describes a temporary state rather than a permanent characteristic (ser). Saying 'Ele é excitado' would imply he is a naturally hyperactive or easily aroused person, whereas 'Ele está excitado' means he is currently in that state.

In the context of 'excitement' for an upcoming event, you should structure your sentences carefully. Instead of 'Estou excitado para o concerto' (which sounds sexual), use 'Estou empolgado com o concerto.' If you must use 'excitado,' it is often better used to describe others or objects in a technical sense. For instance, in chemistry: 'O estado excitado do átomo.' In this context, there is zero ambiguity.

When describing a person's behavior, 'excitado' can imply a lack of control. A child who has eaten too much sugar might be described as 'excitado.' Here, it means hyperactive or over-stimulated. 'A criança está muito excitada, precisa de se acalmar' (The child is very hyper, they need to calm down). Notice how the context of 'needing to calm down' shifts the meaning away from sexual arousal toward general agitation.

Another common use is in the passive voice with the verb 'ficar' (to become/to get). 'Ele ficou excitado ao ver o presente.' While this is grammatically correct, a native speaker might still chuckle depending on the tone. To be safe, use 'Ele ficou radiante' or 'Ele ficou felicíssimo.' In writing, especially in psychological or medical texts, 'excitado' is used to describe a state of the psyche. 'O paciente apresenta um quadro excitado' (The patient presents an agitated/manic state).

In summary: 1. Use with 'estar' or 'ficar.' 2. Ensure gender/number agreement. 3. Reserve for technical, medical, or very specific 'agitation' contexts. 4. Avoid in casual social settings to mean 'happy/looking forward to something.'

You will encounter 'excitado' in several distinct environments. The first is in scientific and academic settings. In physics and chemistry classes, teachers frequently talk about 'átomos excitados' or 'estados excitados.' In biology, you might hear about 'células excitadas' or the 'excitação' of nerves. In these rooms, the word is clinical and safe.

The second environment is in literature and formal writing. Authors use 'excitado' to describe a character's internal turmoil or intense anticipation. A character might be 'excitado pela ideia de vingança' (excited by the idea of revenge). Here, the word conveys a dark, intense energy that 'feliz' or 'animado' cannot capture. It suggests a pulse-pounding, obsessive state.

The third environment is, unfortunately for learners, in adult or romantic contexts. In movies, music, or casual slang, 'excitado' is the standard term for being 'turned on.' This is why hearing it in a supermarket or a business meeting is so jarring for native speakers. If a colleague says 'Estou excitado com o novo projeto,' the listeners might experience a brief moment of 'linguistic cognitive dissonance' before realizing the speaker is likely a non-native using a literal translation from English.

Finally, you might hear it in news reports describing social unrest. 'A população, excitada pelos boatos, saiu às ruas.' (The population, stirred up by rumors, took to the streets). In this case, it means 'incited' or 'agitated.' It describes a group of people who are no longer calm and are ready for action, often negative action.

The single biggest mistake is using 'excitado' as a direct translation for the English 'excited' in a positive, social context. This is a classic 'false friend' (falso cognato) error. If you say 'Estou excitado por te ver' (I'm excited to see you), it will almost certainly be taken as a sexual comment. The correct way to say this is 'Estou muito feliz por te ver' or 'Estou ansioso por te ver.'

Another mistake is failing to adjust for the region. In Portugal, the sexual meaning is much more dominant. In Brazil, you might get away with using it to mean 'agitated' more often, but it's still risky. Another error is confusing 'excitado' with 'exercitado' (exercised). They sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear but have completely different meanings.

Grammatically, learners sometimes forget the gender agreement. Since it's an adjective ending in -o, it must change to -a for feminine subjects. 'Ela está excitado' is incorrect; it must be 'Ela está excitada.' However, even if grammatically correct, the social 'mistake' of using the word at all is the one that causes the most embarrassment.

Lastly, learners often use 'excitado' when they mean 'nervoso' (nervous). While 'excitado' implies high energy, 'nervoso' implies worry or anxiety. If you are shaking before a test, you are 'nervoso,' not 'excitado.' Using 'excitado' there would imply you are strangely energized or aroused by the test, which is likely not the case.

To avoid the pitfalls of 'excitado,' you should build a repertoire of safer synonyms. The most common and versatile is empolgado. This word perfectly captures the feeling of being 'thrilled' or 'very enthusiastic' about something. 'Estou empolgado com a viagem' is the natural way to express excitement.

Another great alternative is animado. This means 'lively,' 'cheerful,' or 'excited.' It's very common in Brazil. 'Eles estão animados para a festa' (They are excited for the party). If you want to express that you are looking forward to something with a bit of impatience, use ansioso. While in English 'anxious' can be negative, in Portuguese 'Estou ansioso para...' usually means 'I can't wait to...'

For a more formal or intense version of excitement, you can use entusiasmado. This is a direct cognate of 'enthusiastic' and is always safe and polite. If you are describing a child who is hyper, you might use agitado or elétrico. 'O menino está elétrico hoje' (The boy is 'electric'/hyper today). These words describe the high energy without the sexual baggage of 'excitado.'

In a professional context, if you want to say you are excited about a result, use satisfeito (satisfied) or otimista (optimistic). 'Estamos otimistas com os resultados do trimestre.' This sounds professional and clear. By using these alternatives, you ensure your meaning is never misinterpreted.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Argot

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

Eu estou muito feliz hoje.

I am very happy today.

Use 'feliz' instead of 'excitado' for general happiness.

2

O menino está animado.

The boy is excited.

'Animado' is the safe A1 choice for 'excited'.

3

Ela está contente com o presente.

She is happy with the gift.

'Contente' is a common synonym for happy/satisfied.

4

Você está animado para a festa?

Are you excited for the party?

Question form using 'animado'.

5

Nós estamos muito animados.

We are very excited.

Plural agreement of 'animados'.

6

O gato está agitado.

The cat is agitated/restless.

'Agitado' is better than 'excitado' for a restless pet.

7

Estou empolgado com o jogo.

I am thrilled with the game.

'Empolgado' is a great word for sports fans.

8

Ela não está animada hoje.

She is not excited today.

Negative construction with 'animada'.

1

O cão ficou muito excitado com a bola.

The dog got very excited with the ball.

In this context, 'excitado' refers to high energy/agitation.

2

As crianças estão excitadas por causa do açúcar.

The children are hyper because of the sugar.

Describes a state of over-stimulation.

3

Não use 'excitado' para dizer 'happy'.

Don't use 'excitado' to say 'happy'.

A meta-example for learners.

4

Ele parece um pouco excitado demais.

He seems a bit too agitated.

'Demais' adds the sense of 'too much'.

5

A turma ficou excitada com a notícia.

The class got excited with the news.

Refers to a collective state of buzz.

6

Ela ficou excitada e não parava de falar.

She got worked up and wouldn't stop talking.

Focuses on the physical manifestation of energy.

7

O bebê está muito excitado para dormir.

The baby is too over-stimulated to sleep.

Common use in parenting contexts.

8

O público estava excitado antes do show.

The audience was hyped before the show.

Describes the 'vibe' of a crowd.

1

O sistema nervoso fica excitado com a cafeína.

The nervous system gets stimulated by caffeine.

Scientific/physiological use.

2

A discussão deixou todos muito excitados.

The discussion left everyone very worked up.

Refers to emotional agitation.

3

É um estado excitado da matéria.

It is an excited state of matter.

Technical physics term.

4

O cavalo estava excitado e difícil de controlar.

The horse was agitated and hard to control.

Animal behavior context.

5

Ela sentiu um ânimo excitado ao entrar no palco.

She felt a surge of nervous energy as she stepped on stage.

Describes performance jitters.

6

O mercado financeiro está excitado com as novas medidas.

The financial market is buzzing with the new measures.

Metaphorical use in business.

7

O tom de voz dele era excitado e urgente.

His tone of voice was agitated and urgent.

Describes the quality of speech.

8

Não confunda estar empolgado com estar excitado.

Don't confuse being thrilled with being 'excitado'.

Important distinction for B1 learners.

1

O autor descreve um personagem em estado excitado.

The author describes a character in an agitated state.

Literary analysis context.

2

A radiação promove o elétron a um nível excitado.

Radiation promotes the electron to an excited level.

Precise scientific terminology.

3

Havia uma atmosfera excitada e perigosa na manifestação.

There was an agitated and dangerous atmosphere at the protest.

Describes a volatile social situation.

4

O paciente apresentava um comportamento motor excitado.

The patient presented with agitated motor behavior.

Medical/Psychiatric terminology.

5

A descoberta deixou a comunidade científica excitada.

The discovery left the scientific community buzzing.

High-level professional context.

6

O poema evoca uma alma excitada pelas paixões.

The poem evokes a soul stirred by passions.

Poetic/Romantic literature use.

7

A música tinha um ritmo excitado e frenético.

The music had an agitated and frenetic rhythm.

Describing artistic qualities.

8

O orador manteve o público excitado durante horas.

The speaker kept the audience worked up for hours.

Describes the effect of rhetoric.

1

A conjuntura política encontra-se extremamente excitada.

The political situation is extremely inflamed.

Abstract use for social tension.

2

O texto explora a dicotomia entre o ser calmo e o ser excitado.

The text explores the dichotomy between the calm and the agitated being.

Philosophical/Literary context.

3

A resposta galvânica da pele indica um estado excitado.

The galvanic skin response indicates an aroused state.

Neuroscience context.

4

Sua imaginação, excitada pela leitura, criou mundos novos.

His imagination, sparked by reading, created new worlds.

Metaphorical stimulation.

5

O debate tornou-se excitado, beirando a agressividade.

The debate became heated, bordering on aggression.

Describing the escalation of conflict.

6

A célula nervosa foi excitada por um estímulo elétrico.

The nerve cell was excited by an electrical stimulus.

Technical biological accuracy.

7

A bolsa de valores reagiu de forma excitada aos rumores.

The stock market reacted in an agitated manner to the rumors.

Economic personification.

8

O estilo barroco é frequentemente descrito como excitado e ornamental.

The Baroque style is often described as agitated and ornamental.

Art history terminology.

1

A fenomenologia do estado excitado requer uma análise profunda.

The phenomenology of the excited state requires a deep analysis.

High-level academic discourse.

2

O discurso operou uma catarse no público excitado.

The speech performed a catharsis on the agitated audience.

Sophisticated vocabulary usage.

3

Trata-se de uma sensibilidade excitada, quase patológica.

It is an agitated sensitivity, almost pathological.

Nuanced psychological description.

4

A obra reflete o espírito excitado daquela época revolucionária.

The work reflects the agitated spirit of that revolutionary era.

Historical/Sociological analysis.

5

O sistema entrou em um ciclo de retroalimentação excitada.

The system entered an excited feedback loop.

Systems theory application.

6

A prosa de Joyce é muitas vezes excitada e polifônica.

Joyce's prose is often agitated and polyphonic.

Literary criticism.

7

A excitação neuronal é o prelúdio da ação sináptica.

Neuronal excitation is the prelude to synaptic action.

Advanced neurobiology.

8

O mercado, em sua fúria excitada, ignorou os fundamentos.

The market, in its agitated fury, ignored the fundamentals.

Advanced metaphorical writing.

Collocations courantes

Estado excitado
Ficar excitado
Muito excitado
Público excitado
Sistema excitado
Átomo excitado
Criança excitada
Clima excitado
Ânimo excitado
Sentir-se excitado

Phrases Courantes

Estar excitado com algo

Ficar excitado facilmente

Um pouco excitado

Visivelmente excitado

Estado eletrônico excitado

Cérebro excitado

Ambiente excitado

Multidão excitada

Tom excitado

Comportamento excitado

Souvent confondu avec

excitado vs Exercitado (Exercised)

excitado vs Exaltado (Exalted/Angry)

excitado vs Hesitado (Hesitated)

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

excitado vs

excitado vs

excitado vs

excitado vs

excitado vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

caution

High sexual connotation.

preferred alt

Empolgado

scientific usage

Neutral

Erreurs courantes

  • Avoids sexual connotation.

  • Gender agreement error.

  • Use 'empolgante' for exciting things.

  • Prevents a very weird sounding sentence.

  • Changes 'sexually aroused man' to 'agitated man'.

Astuces

The False Friend Trap

Never use 'excitado' as a casual translation for 'excited.' It often implies sexual arousal in social settings. Use 'empolgado' instead to be safe. This is one of the most common mistakes for English learners.

Scientific Use

Feel free to use 'excitado' in physics, chemistry, or biology. It is the standard term for stimulated cells or atoms. In these contexts, there is no sexual connotation. It is purely technical.

Gender Matters

Remember to change the ending to 'excitada' for feminine nouns. Adjectives must always agree with the noun they describe. This applies even if the word is used in a technical sense. Accuracy is key.

Use Empolgado

Make 'empolgado' your default word for 'excited.' It is positive, safe, and very common in all Portuguese-speaking countries. It perfectly captures the feeling of being thrilled. You will sound more like a native.

Use Animado

Use 'animado' when you want to say you are 'up' for something. It means lively or cheerful. It is a great way to show you are in a good mood. It is very common in Brazilian Portuguese.

Ansioso for Anticipation

If you are excited because you are waiting for something, use 'ansioso.' While it looks like 'anxious,' it usually means 'I can't wait.' It is a very common way to express excitement about the future. 'Estou ansioso pela viagem!'

Listen to Natives

Notice how native speakers rarely use 'excitado' in daily life. They will almost always choose 'empolgado' or 'agitado.' Mimic their choice of words to avoid awkward situations. Observation is a great learning tool.

Regional Differences

Be extra careful in Portugal with this word. The sexual meaning is very strong there. In Brazil, you have a bit more leeway, but it's still risky. When in doubt, don't use it.

Formal Writing

In formal or literary writing, 'excitado' can describe a state of agitation. It adds a sense of intensity or turmoil. Use it sparingly to describe atmospheres or historical events. It is a powerful word when used correctly.

Correction

If a native speaker corrects you, don't be embarrassed. It's a very common mistake. Just say 'Ah, eu quis dizer empolgado!' and continue. They will understand and appreciate your effort to learn the nuance.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Excitado = Extra Energy (but sometimes the wrong kind!).

Origine du mot

Latin 'excitare'

Contexte culturel

More flexible, but still carries sexual weight.

Strongly sexual; avoid in polite company.

Universal and safe in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Você fica empolgado com viagens?"

"O que te deixa mais animado no trabalho?"

"Como você acalma uma criança muito excitada?"

"Você já usou uma palavra errada em outro idioma?"

"Você prefere ambientes calmos ou excitados?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva uma vez que você ficou muito empolgado.

Por que é importante conhecer os 'falsos amigos' em português?

Como você se sente quando toma muito café?

Descreva a atmosfera de um estádio de futebol.

Escreva sobre um projeto que te deixa animado.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is better not to. Use 'animado' or 'empolgado' instead. Using 'excitado' might make people think you are sexually aroused by the party. This is a common mistake for English speakers. Stick to safer synonyms to be clear.

No, it is not always sexual, but the connotation is very strong. In science or when describing a hyper child, it is non-sexual. However, in casual conversation, the sexual meaning usually comes to mind first. Native speakers are very aware of this double meaning. Context is the most important factor.

The best word is 'empolgado.' It carries the same positive energy as the English 'excited.' You can also use 'animado' for 'lively' or 'happy.' 'Estou empolgado' is safe in all situations. It shows enthusiasm without any awkwardness.

Not exactly, but it can mean 'agitated.' If someone is 'excitado' in a fight, they are worked up and energetic. The word 'exaltado' is more commonly used for someone who is angry and shouting. 'Excitado' focuses more on the energy level than the specific emotion of anger.

Yes, in Portugal, the sexual meaning is even more dominant. In Brazil, you might hear it used for 'agitated' more frequently. However, in both countries, 'empolgado' is the preferred word for positive excitement. It is safer to follow the same rule in both regions. Always err on the side of caution.

In this case, 'excitado' is the correct and only term. You would say 'átomo excitado.' Scientists use this word daily without any sexual connotation. This is the most 'safe' and common technical use of the word. It refers to the energy state of the particle.

Yes, you can say 'O cachorro está excitado.' In the context of pets, it usually means the dog is jumping around and hyper. Most people will understand you are talking about the dog's energy. However, 'agitado' is still a very common and safe alternative. It avoids any possible ambiguity.

This phrase refers to a situation where people are getting worked up or emotional. It is often used in news reports about protests or heated debates. It means that the 'spirits' or 'moods' of the people are no longer calm. It suggests that a conflict might break out soon. It is a more formal usage.

Yes, 'excitante' (exciting) also carries a sexual connotation. While 'Um filme excitante' can mean a thrilling movie, it often implies an erotic one. For a 'thrilling' movie, it is better to say 'um filme empolgante' or 'um filme emocionante.' Be careful with the adjective form as well.

The best way is 'Estou muito feliz em te conhecer' or 'Estou ansioso para te conhecer.' Avoid 'Estou excitado' at all costs in this sentence. It would sound very inappropriate to the person you are meeting. Using 'feliz' or 'ansioso' is polite and clear.

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