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A2 adverb 11 min de lecture

pessimamente

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces pessimamente en 30 secondes

Explication pessimamente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn basic adverbs. While 'pessimamente' might seem long and complex, it is actually quite simple to understand if you break it down. Think of it as 'very, very bad' (muito, muito mal). You will mostly use it to say how you feel or how you slept. At this stage, focus on recognizing the word when you hear it. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but knowing that it means 'terrible' will help you understand when someone is having a very bad day. Remember, it comes from the word 'péssimo', which you might have already learned as the opposite of 'ótimo'. Examples: 'Sinto-me pessimamente' (I feel awful). 'Dormi pessimamente' (I slept terribly). It's a useful word to have in your 'emergency' vocabulary for when things are really not going well. Don't worry about the spelling too much yet, just focus on the sound: pes-si-ma-men-te.

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At the A2 level, you should start integrating 'pessimamente' into your active vocabulary. This is the level where you move beyond simple 'yes/no' or 'good/bad' answers. Instead of just saying 'Estou mal' (I am bad), you can use 'Estou pessimamente' to show that you are really struggling. You will also use it to describe actions. For example, if you see a sports game where a player is doing a very poor job, you can say 'Ele está a jogar pessimamente'. This level is about adding detail to your descriptions. You will also start to notice this word in short readings or simple news clips. It is important to remember that 'pessimamente' is an adverb, so it describes *how* something is done. It does not change if you are talking about a man or a woman, or one person or many people. It always stays as 'pessimamente'.

By the B1 level, you are expected to use 'pessimamente' with confidence in a variety of situations. You should be able to use it to describe not only feelings but also abstract concepts like the economy, a project's progress, or a person's behavior. You will use it in compound tenses, like 'As coisas têm corrido pessimamente' (Things have been going terribly). You should also be able to distinguish between 'pessimamente' and its synonyms like 'horrivelmente' or 'terrivelmente'. At this level, you might use it in written letters or emails to express dissatisfaction with a service. For example: 'Fui pessimamente atendido na vossa loja'. You are also becoming more aware of the word's placement—usually after the verb—and you should be avoiding the mistake of saying 'muito pessimamente'. This is the stage where you use the word to add emphasis and emotional weight to your arguments and descriptions.

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At the B2 level, you use 'pessimamente' with a high degree of nuance. You understand that it carries a stronger weight than 'muito mal' and you use it for rhetorical effect. You might use it in debates or presentations to highlight the failure of a specific policy or idea. For instance, 'A proposta foi pessimamente recebida pela opinião pública'. You are also comfortable using it to modify adjectives in passive constructions, such as 'Os dados foram pessimamente interpretados'. At this level, you are also aware of regional differences in how the word might be emphasized or how often it is used compared to other intensifiers. Your spelling should be perfect, and you should be able to use the word in complex sentences with multiple clauses without losing the flow of your speech. You understand the word's etymology and its relationship to the superlative 'péssimo'.

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At the C1 level, 'pessimamente' is part of a broad and sophisticated vocabulary. You use it with precision, choosing it over synonyms because it fits the specific tone of your discourse. You might use it in academic writing or professional reports to describe a significant lack of quality or a disastrous outcome. You understand the stylistic impact of placing the adverb in different parts of a sentence, even if the standard position is after the verb. For example, in a literary context, you might see 'Pessimamente agiu o governo', which places the adverb first for dramatic emphasis. You can also use the word in ironic or sarcastic ways, which is a hallmark of advanced language proficiency. You are fully aware of the formal and informal contexts where 'pessimamente' is appropriate and where a more technical term might be better.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of 'pessimamente'. You use it effortlessly in any context, from the most formal legal or academic settings to the most casual slang-filled conversations. You understand the historical development of the word and its place within the system of Portuguese adverbs. You can appreciate and use the word in poetry or high-level literature, understanding how its rhythm and sound contribute to the overall aesthetic of a piece. You can also analyze the use of 'pessimamente' in others' speech to detect subtle shades of meaning, such as hidden frustration or calculated exaggeration. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item, but a tool that you use with complete control to express the finest nuances of human experience and critical evaluation.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

pessimamente en 30 secondes

Pessimamente means 'terribly' or 'awfully' in Portuguese.
It is the superlative form of the adverb 'mal' (badly).
It is used to describe feelings, performance, or quality.
Place it after the verb and do not use 'muito' with it.

The word pessimamente is an intensive adverb in Portuguese that functions as the superlative form of 'mal' (badly). While 'mal' simply indicates that something is not good, pessimamente elevates this to the highest degree of negativity. It translates most directly to 'terribly,' 'awfully,' 'dreadfully,' or 'very badly.' In the Portuguese language, adverbs ending in '-mente' are the equivalent of English '-ly' adverbs, and this specific one is derived from the adjective 'péssimo' (worst/very bad). Understanding this word is crucial for A2 learners because it allows for more expressive communication of dissatisfaction, physical illness, or poor performance.

Emotional State: When someone is going through a difficult emotional period, they might say they are feeling 'pessimamente'. It conveys a deep sense of sadness or distress that 'mal' cannot capture.

Depois da discussão, ela sentiu-se pessimamente o dia todo.

Translation: After the argument, she felt awful all day long.

Performance and Quality: This adverb is frequently used to describe a performance that was below standards. Whether it is a football match, a business presentation, or a meal at a restaurant, if the experience was disastrous, 'pessimamente' is the appropriate descriptor.

O projeto foi pessimamente executado pela equipe anterior.

Translation: The project was terribly executed by the previous team.

Socially, the word is used to express regret or to criticize. If you realize you have offended someone, you might say 'Eu me sinto pessimamente por isso' (I feel terrible about that). It demonstrates a higher level of sincerity than a simple apology. In professional contexts, it is used to describe failing systems or poor economic indicators. For example, 'A economia está a comportar-se pessimamente' (The economy is behaving terribly). It is an essential tool for providing feedback that is unambiguous and direct.

O motor do carro está a funcionar pessimamente desde a viagem.

Translation: The car engine has been working awfully since the trip.

Physical Health: When describing symptoms to a doctor or a friend, 'pessimamente' indicates severe discomfort. It suggests that the person is not just 'sick' but is in a state of significant suffering or total lack of energy.

Dormi pessimamente esta noite devido ao calor intenso.

Translation: I slept terribly tonight due to the intense heat.

In summary, 'pessimamente' is your go-to word when 'mal' is simply not enough. It adds color and intensity to your speech, ensuring that your listener understands the gravity of a situation or the depth of a feeling. It is a hallmark of moving from basic A1 survival Portuguese to more nuanced A2 and B1 communication.

Using pessimamente correctly involves understanding its placement relative to verbs and its interaction with different tenses. In Portuguese, adverbs of manner like this one typically follow the verb they modify. This creates a clear connection between the action and the quality of that action. For instance, in the sentence 'Ele canta pessimamente' (He sings terribly), the adverb immediately clarifies the manner of singing. If you were to place it before the verb, it would often sound unnatural or overly poetic, which is not common in everyday speech.

With Reflexive Verbs: When used with reflexive verbs like 'sentir-se' (to feel), the adverb comes after the pronoun and the verb. This is one of the most common uses of the word in daily life.

Eu sinto-me pessimamente por ter esquecido o teu aniversário.

Translation: I feel awful for having forgotten your birthday.

In Compound Tenses: In compound tenses (like the present perfect or past perfect), 'pessimamente' usually follows the main verb (the participle), not the auxiliary verb 'ter'.

As coisas têm corrido pessimamente no escritório ultimamente.

Translation: Things have been going terribly at the office lately.

You can also use 'pessimamente' to modify adjectives, though this is less common than modifying verbs. For example, 'Ele está pessimamente informado' (He is terribly informed). Here, the adverb provides a degree of intensity to the state of being informed. It serves to emphasize that the lack of information is not just minor, but significant. This structure is very useful in formal writing and debates where you want to highlight a major failing.

O ator foi pessimamente recebido pela crítica especializada.

Translation: The actor was terribly received by the specialized critics.

Comparisons: Because 'pessimamente' is already a superlative form, you do not usually use it with 'mais' (more) or 'menos' (less). You wouldn't say 'mais pessimamente'. Instead, you just use the word itself to represent the extreme.

De todos os alunos, ele foi o que se comportou pessimamente.

Translation: Of all the students, he was the one who behaved terribly.

In everyday conversation, 'pessimamente' can stand alone as a response to a question like 'Como estás?' (How are you?). If you are having a truly awful day, responding with just 'Pessimamente' is grammatically correct and very impactful. It leaves no room for doubt about your current state. This usage is common among close friends or family members where honesty about one's feelings is expected.

You will encounter pessimamente in a variety of contexts, ranging from the highly formal to the deeply personal. It is a versatile word that appears in literature, news media, and casual dialogue. Understanding where you are likely to hear it helps in recognizing the tone of the conversation or the text. In news broadcasts, specifically in the economic or political segments, 'pessimamente' is used to describe negative trends or the failure of public policies. A news anchor might say, 'As exportações reagiram pessimamente às novas taxas' (Exports reacted terribly to the new taxes).

In Sports Media: Portuguese speakers are passionate about sports, especially football. Commentators often use this word to criticize a team's performance. It is a standard part of the vocabulary for post-match analysis when a favorite team loses unexpectedly.

A defesa jogou pessimamente e concedeu três golos em dez minutos.

Translation: The defense played terribly and conceded three goals in ten minutes.

In Healthcare and Pharmacies: When visiting a doctor (médico) or talking to a pharmacist (farmacêutico), patients use this word to describe the severity of their symptoms. It helps medical professionals understand that the condition is not just a minor annoyance.

Sinto-me pessimamente, tenho febre alta e dores no corpo.

Translation: I feel awful, I have a high fever and body aches.

In the workplace, you might hear this word during performance reviews or when discussing the failure of a specific strategy. It is used to indicate that something was not just 'below average' but fundamentally flawed. For example, 'O software foi pessimamente desenhado' (The software was terribly designed). This level of criticism suggests that a major overhaul or a completely new approach is needed. In Portuguese culture, while people can be polite, they are often quite direct about quality failures, and 'pessimamente' provides the linguistic means to be so.

A reunião correu pessimamente; não chegámos a acordo nenhum.

Translation: The meeting went terribly; we didn't reach any agreement.

In Literature and Opinion Pieces: Authors and columnists use 'pessimamente' to evoke strong emotions in their readers. It is a powerful tool for social critique, used to describe the living conditions of the poor or the handling of a crisis by authorities.

O livro descreve como os prisioneiros eram pessimamente tratados.

Translation: The book describes how the prisoners were terribly treated.

Lastly, in the context of travel and hospitality, 'pessimamente' is a common word in online reviews. If a hotel room was dirty or the service was rude, a Portuguese reviewer will likely use this word to warn others. 'Fomos pessimamente atendidos' (We were terribly served/attended to) is a phrase that any business owner dreads seeing. It signifies a total failure in service quality.

Learners of Portuguese often make a few predictable errors when using pessimamente. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with the simple adverb 'mal'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable in terms of intensity. Using 'mal' when you mean 'pessimamente' can lead to your feelings or the situation being misunderstood as less serious than they actually are. Conversely, using 'pessimamente' for a minor inconvenience can make you sound overly dramatic or hyperbolic.

Incorrect Comparison: As mentioned before, 'pessimamente' is a superlative. A common mistake is trying to qualify it with 'muito' (very) or 'mais' (more). Phrases like 'muito pessimamente' are redundant and grammatically incorrect in standard Portuguese.

Incorrect: Eu sinto-me muito pessimamente hoje.
Correct: Eu sinto-me pessimamente hoje.

Confusion with 'Péssimo': Learners often confuse the adjective 'péssimo' with the adverb 'pessimamente'. Remember: adjectives modify nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. You would say 'O filme é péssimo' (The movie is awful) but 'O ator atuou pessimamente' (The actor acted terribly).

Ele está de péssimo humor porque dormiu pessimamente.

Translation: He is in an awful mood because he slept terribly.

Another error is related to the placement of the adverb. In English, we can sometimes say 'He terribly failed', but in Portuguese, 'Ele pessimamente falhou' sounds very strange. Always aim to place 'pessimamente' after the verb. This is especially true in spoken Portuguese, where the natural rhythm of the sentence expects the adverb at the end for emphasis.

O plano correu pessimamente devido à falta de planeamento.

Translation: The plan went terribly due to the lack of planning.

Spelling Mistakes: Because of the double 's' and the '-mente' suffix, spelling can be tricky. Some learners forget the double 's' (pesimamente) or add an unnecessary accent (péssimamente). Note that when you add '-mente', the original accent of the adjective 'péssimo' is removed.

Incorrect: péssimamente (with accent)
Correct: pessimamente (no accent)

Finally, be careful with the register. While 'pessimamente' is common, using it in every negative situation can make you sound repetitive. Try to vary your vocabulary with synonyms like 'horrivelmente' or 'terrivelmente' once you reach a more advanced level. However, at the A2 level, mastering 'pessimamente' is a significant step forward.

While pessimamente is a powerful word, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding the subtle differences between these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right moment. The most direct synonyms are 'horrivelmente' and 'terrivelmente', which also translate to 'horribly' and 'terribly'.

Pessimamente vs. Mal: 'Mal' is the basic adverb for 'badly'. Use 'mal' for minor things. Use 'pessimamente' for disasters or extreme discomfort.

Pessimamente vs. Horrivelmente: 'Horrivelmente' often carries a connotation of something being aesthetically or morally 'horrible'. 'Pessimamente' is more about the quality or degree of an action or state.

O quarto estava horrivelmente sujo.

Translation: The room was horribly dirty.

Pessimamente vs. Terrivelmente: 'Terrivelmente' can sometimes be used positively in informal speech, similar to 'terribly' in 'I'm terribly sorry' or 'He is terribly smart'. 'Pessimamente' is almost exclusively negative.

Lamento terrivelmente o sucedido.

Translation: I am terribly sorry for what happened.

In Brazil, you might also hear the expression 'de mal a pior' (from bad to worse) to describe a situation that is deteriorating. While not a direct synonym for 'pessimamente', it conveys a similar sense of extreme negativity. Another informal option is 'muito mal mesmo', where 'mesmo' acts as an intensifier similar to 'really'.

A situação política do país vai de mal a pior.

Translation: The country's political situation is going from bad to worse.

Antonyms: The opposite of 'pessimamente' is 'otimamente' (excellently/greatly). Just as 'pessimamente' is the superlative of 'mal', 'otimamente' is the superlative of 'bem' (well). Other opposites include 'muito bem' (very well) and 'excelentemente' (excellently).

O novo funcionário adaptou-se otimamente à equipa.

Translation: The new employee adapted excellently to the team.

By learning these alternatives, you not only avoid repetition but also gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and descriptive landscape of the Portuguese language. Whether you're describing a meal, a mood, or a movie, you'll have the exact word you need to make your point.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The suffix '-mente' in Romance languages actually started as a separate word. In Vulgar Latin, one would say 'pessima mente' (with a very bad mind) to describe an action. Over time, these two words fused into the single adverb we use today.

Guide de prononciation

UK /pɛ.si.mɐ.ˈmẽ.tɨ/

US /pɛ.si.ma.ˈmẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'mẽ'.

Rime avec

rapidamente felizmente claramente infelizmente constantemente recentemente finalmente lentamente

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ss' as a 'z' sound (it should always be 's').
Forgetting the nasal sound in the '-mente' suffix.
Stressing the 'pess' syllable instead of the 'men' syllable.
In European Portuguese, making the final 'e' too loud (it should be very short).
Pronouncing the 'i' like an 'ee' in English (it's shorter in Portuguese).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the -mente suffix and similarity to 'pessimist'.

Écriture 4/5

Spelling with double 's' and no accent can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 3/5

The word is long, so getting the rhythm and stress right takes practice.

Écoute 2/5

Usually emphasized in speech, making it easy to catch.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

mal péssimo mente muito sentir

Apprends ensuite

otimamente horrivelmente terrivelmente deploravelmente pior

Avancé

insatisfatoriamente ineficientemente desastrosamente catastroficamente pifiamente

Grammaire à connaître

Adverb Formation with -mente

Péssimo (adjective) -> Pessimamente (adverb). The accent is dropped.

Adverb Placement

Always place 'pessimamente' after the verb it modifies: 'Ele joga pessimamente'.

Superlative Intensity

'Pessimamente' is inherently superlative; do not use 'mais' or 'muito' with it.

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

With reflexive verbs: 'Eu sinto-me pessimamente'. The adverb follows the verb-pronoun complex.

Adverbial Modification of Adjectives

It can modify adjectives: 'O livro está pessimamente escrito'.

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Exemples par niveau

Eu sinto-me pessimamente hoje.

I feel awful today.

Sinto-me is the reflexive verb 'sentir-se'.

Dormi pessimamente por causa do barulho.

I slept terribly because of the noise.

Dormi is the past tense (pretérito perfeito) of dormir.

O café sabe pessimamente.

The coffee tastes awful.

Saber here means 'to taste'.

Ele canta pessimamente.

He sings terribly.

Adverb follows the verb.

Estou pessimamente.

I am (feeling) awful.

Short response to 'Como estás?'.

O meu telemóvel funciona pessimamente.

My phone works terribly.

Funciona is the verb 'funcionar'.

Hoje tudo correu pessimamente.

Today everything went terribly.

Correu means 'went' in this context.

Ela desenha pessimamente.

She draws terribly.

Desenha is from 'desenhar'.

O restaurante serviu-nos pessimamente.

The restaurant served us terribly.

Serviu-nos is 'served us'.

O carro está a travar pessimamente.

The car is braking terribly.

Present continuous: 'está a travar'.

Eles jogaram pessimamente na segunda parte.

They played terribly in the second half.

Jogaram is the past tense of jogar.

A internet está a funcionar pessimamente aqui.

The internet is working terribly here.

Common complaint in modern life.

O ator falou pessimamente o seu texto.

The actor spoke his lines terribly.

Falou modifies the action of speaking.

Fui pessimamente recebido naquela empresa.

I was terribly received at that company.

Passive construction: 'Fui recebido'.

O bolo cheira pessimamente.

The cake smells awful.

Cheira is from 'cheirar' (to smell).

Ela explicou pessimamente as regras do jogo.

She explained the game rules terribly.

Explicou is the past tense of explicar.

A economia tem-se comportado pessimamente este ano.

The economy has been behaving terribly this year.

Compound tense with reflexive verb.

O projeto foi pessimamente gerido desde o início.

The project was terribly managed from the beginning.

Passive voice with past participle.

Sinto-me pessimamente por não ter ajudado mais.

I feel awful for not having helped more.

Expressing regret with an infinitive clause.

As estradas estão pessimamente iluminadas nesta zona.

The roads are terribly lit in this area.

Adverb modifying an adjective (iluminadas).

O software reagiu pessimamente à nova atualização.

The software reacted terribly to the new update.

Reagiu is the past tense of reagir.

A equipa de vendas está a performar pessimamente.

The sales team is performing terribly.

'Performar' is an anglicism often used in business.

O sistema de som funcionou pessimamente durante o concerto.

The sound system worked terribly during the concert.

Describes technical failure.

O texto está pessimamente escrito e tem muitos erros.

The text is terribly written and has many errors.

Adverb modifying the participle 'escrito'.

A crise foi pessimamente comunicada à população.

The crisis was terribly communicated to the population.

Focus on public relations failure.

O paciente reagiu pessimamente à medicação prescrita.

The patient reacted terribly to the prescribed medication.

Medical context.

A empresa está pessimamente posicionada no mercado atual.

The company is terribly positioned in the current market.

Strategic business context.

A obra foi pessimamente conservada ao longo dos anos.

The work (of art) was terribly preserved over the years.

Context of art or heritage.

Ele lidou pessimamente com a pressão do cargo.

He handled the pressure of the position terribly.

'Lidar com' means 'to deal with'.

As negociações foram pessimamente conduzidas pelo mediador.

The negotiations were terribly conducted by the mediator.

Passive voice with agent of the passive.

O filme foi pessimamente adaptado do livro original.

The movie was terribly adapted from the original book.

Cultural criticism.

A infraestrutura da cidade está pessimamente cuidada.

The city's infrastructure is terribly maintained.

Social/Political context.

A nova lei foi pessimamente articulada pelos legisladores.

The new law was terribly articulated by the legislators.

Formal/Legal context.

O argumento foi pessimamente fundamentado em dados falsos.

The argument was terribly grounded in false data.

Academic/Critical context.

A herança cultural da região está pessimamente protegida.

The cultural heritage of the region is terribly protected.

Focus on preservation and policy.

O diretor geriu pessimamente os recursos humanos da empresa.

The director managed the company's human resources terribly.

Management criticism.

A narrativa é pessimamente estruturada, perdendo o leitor.

The narrative is terribly structured, losing the reader.

Literary analysis.

A intervenção urbana foi pessimamente recebida pelos moradores.

The urban intervention was terribly received by the residents.

Sociological context.

O sistema judicial funciona pessimamente nestas condições.

The judicial system works terribly under these conditions.

Institutional critique.

A evidência foi pessimamente apresentada durante o julgamento.

The evidence was terribly presented during the trial.

Legal context.

Pessimamente agiu quem decidiu ignorar os avisos prévios.

He who decided to ignore the prior warnings acted terribly.

Inversion for rhetorical emphasis.

A conjuntura económica atual reflete-se pessimamente no consumo.

The current economic situation is reflected terribly in consumption.

Complex economic analysis.

O autor utiliza o advérbio para enfatizar o quão pessimamente o herói se sente.

The author uses the adverb to emphasize how awful the hero feels.

Meta-linguistic commentary.

A política externa foi pessimamente calibrada para os desafios do século.

Foreign policy was terribly calibrated for the century's challenges.

Geopolitical analysis.

O legado do artista foi pessimamente tratado pelos seus herdeiros.

The artist's legacy was terribly treated by his heirs.

Complex social/legal context.

A reforma administrativa foi pessimamente implementada no terreno.

The administrative reform was terribly implemented on the ground.

Public administration context.

As variáveis foram pessimamente isoladas no estudo científico.

The variables were terribly isolated in the scientific study.

Scientific/Epistemological context.

O discurso foi pessimamente recebido, gerando uma onda de indignação.

The speech was terribly received, generating a wave of indignation.

Political/Social impact.

Collocations courantes

sentir-se pessimamente

correr pessimamente

jogar pessimamente

dormir pessimamente

reagir pessimamente

funcionar pessimamente

tratar pessimamente

escrever pessimamente

organizar pessimamente

desenhar pessimamente

Phrases Courantes

Sinto-me pessimamente.

— I feel awful. Used for health or guilt.

Sinto-me pessimamente por ter chegado atrasado.

Correu pessimamente.

— It went terribly. Used for exams, meetings, or dates.

O exame de condução correu pessimamente.

Dormi pessimamente.

— I slept terribly. A very common morning complaint.

Dormi pessimamente, estou exausta.

Fui pessimamente atendido.

— I was served terribly. Common in customer complaints.

Fui pessimamente atendido naquele restaurante.

Está a correr pessimamente.

— It is going terribly. Used for ongoing situations.

A obra em casa está a correr pessimamente.

Ele joga pessimamente.

— He plays terribly. Common in sports talk.

Ele joga pessimamente ténis.

O carro funciona pessimamente.

— The car works terribly. Used for mechanical issues.

O meu carro velho funciona pessimamente no inverno.

Reagiu pessimamente.

— He/She reacted terribly. Used for emotional responses.

Ela reagiu pessimamente à crítica.

Está pessimamente escrito.

— It is terribly written. Used for books or emails.

Este relatório está pessimamente escrito.

Canta pessimamente.

— Sings terribly. Often used jokingly among friends.

Eu canto pessimamente no karaoke.

Souvent confondu avec

pessimamente vs mal

Mal is 'badly'. Pessimamente is 'terribly'. Use the latter for more intensity.

pessimamente vs péssimo

Péssimo is an adjective (modifies nouns). Pessimamente is an adverb (modifies verbs).

pessimamente vs pessimismo

Pessimismo is the noun 'pessimism'. Don't confuse it with the adverb.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Ir de mal a pior"

— To go from bad to worse. While not using 'pessimamente', it's the idiomatic way to describe a deteriorating situation.

Desde que ele saiu, a empresa vai de mal a pior.

informal

"Estar na pior"

— To be in a very bad situation, usually financially or emotionally.

Depois de perder o emprego, ele está na pior.

informal

"Fazer um papelão"

— To make a fool of oneself, often behaving 'pessimamente' in public.

Ele fez um papelão na festa de Natal.

informal

"Dar o prego"

— To break down or fail completely (like a car or a person's health).

O meu carro deu o prego a meio da autoestrada.

slang

"Estar com os azeites"

— To be in a very bad mood (feeling 'pessimamente' emotionally).

Não fales com ela agora, ela está com os azeites.

informal (Portugal)

"Chover no molhado"

— To repeat something that is already known, often used when explaining why something is 'pessimamente' obvious.

Dizer que o serviço é mau é chover no molhado.

informal

"Bater as botas"

— To kick the bucket (die). Used when health goes 'pessimamente' to the end.

O velhinho acabou por bater as botas ontem.

informal/slang

"Estar nas lonas"

— To be exhausted or broke (feeling 'pessimamente' physically or financially).

Depois da maratona, eu estava nas lonas.

informal

"Meter os pés pelas mãos"

— To get confused or act clumsily ('pessimamente' coordinated).

Ele meteu os pés pelas mãos durante a apresentação.

informal

"Dar com os burros na água"

— To fail miserably despite effort ('pessimamente' outcome).

Eles tentaram abrir o negócio, mas deram com os burros na água.

informal

Facile à confondre

pessimamente vs mal

Both mean doing something not well.

Mal is the basic level; pessimamente is the extreme level.

Eu jogo mal, mas ele joga pessimamente.

pessimamente vs péssimo

They share the same root.

Péssimo describes a thing (O filme é péssimo). Pessimamente describes an action (O filme foi pessimamente dirigido).

O serviço é péssimo porque nos atenderam pessimamente.

pessimamente vs horrivelmente

Both translate to 'horribly'.

Horrivelmente often relates to fear or disgust. Pessimamente relates to quality or state.

O crime foi horrivelmente cruel; a defesa agiu pessimamente.

pessimamente vs pior

Both are comparative/superlative forms of 'bad'.

Pior is 'worse' (adjective/adverb). Pessimamente is 'terribly' (manner adverb).

Este é o pior dia; tudo correu pessimamente.

pessimamente vs miseravelmente

Both mean failing badly.

Miseravelmente is more dramatic and often used for failures (miserable failure). Pessimamente is broader.

O plano falhou miseravelmente porque foi pessimamente executado.

Structures de phrases

Eu [verb] pessimamente.

Eu durmo pessimamente.

O/A [noun] [verb] pessimamente.

O carro funciona pessimamente.

As coisas têm [participle] pessimamente.

As coisas têm corrido pessimamente.

Sinto-me pessimamente por [infinitive].

Sinto-me pessimamente por não ter ido.

[Noun] foi pessimamente [participle].

O projeto foi pessimamente gerido.

O [noun] está pessimamente [adjective].

O texto está pessimamente escrito.

[Abstract Noun] reflete-se pessimamente em [Noun].

A crise reflete-se pessimamente no emprego.

Pessimamente agiu quem [verb].

Pessimamente agiu quem ignorou a lei.

Famille de mots

Noms

pessimismo (pessimism)

pessimista (pessimist)

Verbes

piorar (to get worse - related concept)

Adjectifs

péssimo (terrible/worst)

pessimista (pessimistic)

Apparenté

pior (worse)

malvado (wicked)

maldade (wickedness)

malfeito (badly done)

mal-estar (malaise/feeling unwell)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'muito pessimamente'. → Pessimamente.
'Pessimamente' is a superlative adverb. It already contains the meaning of 'very'. Adding 'muito' is redundant.
Writing 'péssimamente' with an accent. → Pessimamente.
Adverbs ending in '-mente' lose the accent of their base adjective.
Using 'pessimamente' as an adjective (e.g., 'Ele é pessimamente'). → Ele é péssimo.
'Pessimamente' is an adverb for actions. 'Péssimo' is the adjective for people/things.
Placing it before the verb (e.g., 'Eu pessimamente dormi'). → Eu dormi pessimamente.
In standard Portuguese, adverbs of manner typically follow the verb.
Confusing it with 'mal' in serious situations. → Pessimamente.
If you are very sick, 'mal' is too weak. Use 'pessimamente' to be accurate.

Astuces

Drop the Accent

Always remember that 'péssimo' has an accent, but 'pessimamente' does not. This is a common spelling mistake even for native speakers.

Use for Emphasis

Don't be afraid to use 'pessimamente' when you really mean it. It shows a higher level of fluency than just repeating 'muito mal'.

Business Context

In a professional setting, 'pessimamente' is a strong word. Use it when you want to signal that a situation is critical and needs urgent attention.

Pair with Verbs

Learn the common verb pairs: 'sentir-se pessimamente', 'dormir pessimamente', and 'correr pessimamente'. These will cover 80% of your needs.

Identify the Root

If you hear 'pess-', you know something bad is coming. It's the root for 'worst' in Portuguese.

Adverb Placement

In Portuguese, the adverb almost always follows the verb. Writing 'Ele pessimamente jogou' is a sign of a beginner.

Drama is Okay

Portuguese is an expressive language. Using 'pessimamente' to describe a slightly bad meal is culturally acceptable and common.

At the Doctor

If you are at a clinic, saying 'Sinto-me pessimamente' will get you more attention than 'Estou mal'.

No 'Mais'

Never say 'mais pessimamente'. It's like saying 'more worst' in English. It's already at the maximum level.

Nasal Vowels

Practice the 'men' sound. It's nasal, like the 'en' in the French word 'enfant' but shorter.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Pessimistic' + 'Mind'. When you act 'pessimamente', you are acting with a very 'pessimistic' or bad 'mind'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person trying to play a violin but the strings are breaking and the sound is horrible. That person is playing 'pessimamente'.

Word Web

péssimo mal pessimismo pessimista mente pior piorar péssima

Défi

Try to use 'pessimamente' in three different sentences today: one about your sleep, one about a service you received, and one about a sports team.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'pessimus', which is the superlative of 'malus' (bad). The suffix '-mente' comes from the Latin 'mens, mentis', meaning 'mind' or 'spirit', originally used to describe the manner in which an action was performed.

Sens originel : In the worst possible mind/manner.

Romance (Latin origin).

Contexte culturel

It is a strong word. Using it to describe a person's appearance can be very offensive. Use it for actions or feelings instead.

English speakers often use 'terribly' or 'awfully'. Note that 'awfully' can sometimes mean 'very' (awfully good), but 'pessimamente' is strictly negative.

Commonly heard in 'novelas' (soap operas) during dramatic confrontations. Used in sports headlines after a major loss (e.g., 'A Seleção jogou pessimamente'). Found in classic Portuguese literature like that of Eça de Queirós to describe social decay.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Health and Wellness

Sinto-me pessimamente.
Dormi pessimamente.
O remédio caiu-me pessimamente.
Estou a sentir-me pessimamente hoje.

Customer Service

Fui pessimamente atendido.
O serviço funciona pessimamente.
Trataram-nos pessimamente.
A comida estava pessimamente preparada.

Sports and Hobbies

O meu time jogou pessimamente.
Ele correu pessimamente a prova.
A equipa está a performar pessimamente.
Eu jogo xadrez pessimamente.

Work and Academics

A reunião correu pessimamente.
O projeto foi pessimamente gerido.
O teste correu-me pessimamente.
O relatório está pessimamente escrito.

Emotions and Social Situations

Ele comportou-se pessimamente.
Reagiste pessimamente àquela piada.
Sinto-me pessimamente por ter esquecido.
A conversa correu pessimamente.

Amorces de conversation

"Ontem dormi pessimamente, e tu?"

"Já foste pessimamente atendido em algum restaurante?"

"O que fazes quando sentes que o teu dia está a correr pessimamente?"

"Achas que o nosso time jogou pessimamente no último jogo?"

"Já te sentiste pessimamente por teres dito algo que não devias?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreve sobre um dia em que tudo correu pessimamente, mas que acabou por ter um lado positivo.

Descreve uma situação em que te sentiste pessimamente por causa de um erro que cometeste.

Como reagirias se fosses pessimamente atendido num hotel de luxo?

Pensa num filme que foi pessimamente adaptado de um livro. Por que foi tão mau?

Reflete sobre a importância de dizer 'sinto-me pessimamente' em vez de apenas 'estou mal'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should avoid this. 'Pessimamente' is already a superlative, meaning 'very badly'. Adding 'muito' (very) makes it redundant and grammatically incorrect. Just say 'pessimamente'.

No. Adverbs in Portuguese, like 'pessimamente', are invariable. They do not change for gender (masculine/feminine) or number (singular/plural). It is always 'pessimamente'.

'Péssimo' is an adjective used to describe nouns (e.g., 'um péssimo dia'). 'Pessimamente' is an adverb used to describe verbs (e.g., 'dormi pessimamente'). Use the adjective for people/things and the adverb for actions.

It is neutral. You can use it in casual conversation with friends (e.g., 'Joguei pessimamente') or in formal reports (e.g., 'A economia reagiu pessimamente'). It is appropriate in almost any context where you want to emphasize negativity.

In Portuguese, when you add the suffix '-mente' to an adjective that has an accent (like 'péssimo'), the accent is always removed. This is a standard rule for all adverbs ending in '-mente'.

Generally, no. Unlike the English 'terribly', which can sometimes be used as a general intensifier (e.g., 'terribly kind'), 'pessimamente' is almost exclusively negative in Portuguese. Use 'muito' or 'extremamente' for positive intensification.

In Brazil, the final 'te' is often pronounced like 'chee' (pessimamen-chee). The 'ss' is a sharp 's' sound, and the 'e' in 'pess' is open like in 'pet'.

The most direct opposite is 'otimamente', which means 'excellently' or 'greatly'. You could also use 'muito bem' (very well).

Yes, it is very common in Portugal. It is used in the same contexts as in Brazil, though the pronunciation of the final 'e' is much more muted, almost silent.

You can use it to describe a person's *behavior* or *actions* (e.g., 'Ele portou-se pessimamente'), but you wouldn't use it to describe their physical appearance. For that, you would use adjectives like 'feio' or 'horrível'.

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