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A2 adjective #1,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

raro

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces raro en 30 secondes

Explication raro in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'raro' is introduced as a basic adjective to describe things that are not common. Students learn that it changes to 'rara' for feminine nouns and 'raros/raras' for plural. The focus is on simple descriptions like 'um animal raro' (a rare animal) or 'um livro raro' (a rare book). At this stage, learners should simply understand that 'raro' is the opposite of 'comum' (common). They might also learn the very common impersonal phrase 'É raro' to express that something doesn't happen often, though they usually stick to simple infinitives like 'É raro nevar' (It's rare to snow). The goal is to build a foundation where the student can identify scarcity in a physical or temporal sense without worrying about complex grammatical structures like the subjunctive mood. Exercises at this level usually involve matching the adjective to the correct noun or identifying synonyms in a simple list.

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At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'raro' in more complete sentences and start to distinguish it from other adjectives like 'estranho'. They learn to use 'raro' to describe frequency in their daily lives, such as 'É raro eu ir ao cinema' (It's rare for me to go to the cinema). The introduction of the adverb 'raramente' often happens here, allowing students to say 'Eu raramente bebo café'. A2 students should be able to handle basic gender and number agreement consistently. They also start to see 'raro' in the context of descriptions of people's talents or qualities, such as 'Ele tem um talento raro'. The focus shifts from just knowing the word to applying it in short, descriptive paragraphs about hobbies, nature, or personal habits. They also learn that 'raro' is not used for steak doneness, which is a common point of confusion for English speakers.

At the B1 level, students are expected to use 'raro' with the subjunctive mood in 'que' clauses. For example, 'É raro que as pessoas leiam tanto hoje em dia'. This requires a deeper understanding of Portuguese syntax and the ability to conjugate verbs in the present subjunctive. B1 learners also explore the nuances between 'raro', 'incomum', and 'escasso'. they might use 'raro' in more abstract contexts, such as discussing social trends or historical events. The superlative 'raríssimo' is introduced to add emphasis. Students at this level should be able to write short essays or participate in debates where they describe rare phenomena or unusual occurrences with relative ease. They also begin to recognize 'raro' in literary texts and news reports, understanding that it can carry a tone of prestige or high value.

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At the B2 level, the use of 'raro' becomes more sophisticated. Learners use it in complex sentences with multiple clauses and varying tenses. They understand the difference between 'raro' and 'singular' or 'excecional' in professional or academic contexts. B2 students can discuss 'doenças raras' (rare diseases) or 'metais raros' (rare metals) using technical vocabulary. They are also more aware of the stylistic placement of the adjective; for instance, placing 'raro' before the noun to create a more poetic or emphatic effect ('um raro momento de paz'). Their understanding of the subjunctive is solidified, and they can use 'raro' in the imperfect subjunctive to talk about hypothetical or past situations ('Era raro que ele viesse nos visitar'). At this stage, 'raro' is a tool for nuanced expression, allowing the speaker to qualify their statements about frequency and scarcity with precision.

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At the C1 level, 'raro' is used with full native-like fluency, including its use in idiomatic expressions and formal rhetoric. C1 learners can appreciate the subtle difference between 'raro' and 'infrequente' in a scientific paper versus a novel. They can use the word to describe complex philosophical concepts or subtle character traits in literature. The word 'raridade' is used frequently to discuss the value of objects or the uniqueness of experiences. C1 students are also adept at using 'raro' in negative constructions or with restrictive adverbs to create sophisticated sentence structures ('Não é de todo raro que...'). They can handle the most complex agreements and mood shifts without hesitation. At this level, the learner is not just using the word; they are playing with its connotations to influence the tone of their speech or writing.

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At the C2 level, the mastery of 'raro' is absolute. The speaker can use the word in archaic or highly specialized contexts, such as legal documents or classical literature. They understand the historical evolution of the word and can use it to evoke specific cultural or historical atmospheres. C2 learners can distinguish between 'raro' and its most obscure synonyms, choosing the perfect word for the most specific of situations. They use 'raro' in complex rhetorical devices, such as litotes or hyperbole, to achieve specific communicative goals. For a C2 speaker, 'raro' is just one note in a vast symphony of vocabulary, used with perfect timing and nuance to convey exactly the right degree of scarcity, frequency, or excellence. They can also identify and correct the most subtle misuses of the word in others' speech or writing.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

raro en 30 secondes

Raro means rare or uncommon in terms of frequency or quantity.
It must agree in gender (raro/rara) and number (raros/raras) with the noun.
Commonly used in impersonal expressions like 'É raro...' followed by an infinitive.
Avoid using it for 'weird' (use estranho) or 'rare steak' (use malpassado).

The Portuguese word raro is a versatile adjective that primarily translates to 'rare', 'uncommon', or 'infrequent' in English. Derived from the Latin rarus, it describes things that are not found in large numbers, do not happen often, or possess a unique quality that sets them apart from the ordinary. In a linguistic sense, 'raro' covers both the statistical scarcity of an object and the temporal infrequency of an event. For instance, a diamond is 'raro' because of its physical scarcity, while a solar eclipse is 'raro' because of how seldom it occurs. It is important to note that while 'raro' can sometimes imply 'strange' (similar to the Spanish 'raro'), in modern European and Brazilian Portuguese, 'estranho' or 'esquisito' are more commonly used for 'weird', whereas 'raro' maintains a more neutral or even positive connotation of being precious or unique.

Statistical Scarcity: Refers to items or species that exist in very small quantities globally, such as endangered animals or precious minerals.

Encontrar um diamante azul é algo extremamente raro na natureza.

Temporal Infrequency: Describes events, habits, or occurrences that happen only at long intervals or very few times.

É raro vê-lo sorrir tanto quanto hoje.

Exceptional Quality: Used to describe someone with extraordinary talent or a virtue that is not commonly found in the general population.

Ela possui uma inteligência rara para a sua idade.

Este livro é um exemplar raro do século XVIII.

Fenómenos raros como este atraem muitos cientistas.

Using 'raro' correctly involves understanding its placement and its grammatical agreement. As an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. For example, 'um selo raro' (a rare stamp) vs. 'uma moeda rara' (a rare coin). When used to describe frequency, it often appears in the phrase 'é raro' followed by an infinitive or a 'que' clause. If you use 'que', the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood because 'é raro' expresses a subjective evaluation or a non-guaranteed frequency. For example: 'É raro que ele venha' (It is rare that he comes). In contrast, if you use the infinitive, it's simpler: 'É raro vê-lo aqui' (It is rare to see him here). Another common form is the adverb 'raramente', which means 'rarely' or 'seldom'. This adverb is placed before the verb in most sentences: 'Eu raramente como carne' (I rarely eat meat). Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication about the scarcity or frequency of things in daily life.

Adjective Placement: Usually follows the noun to provide a specific classification (e.g., 'um metal raro'), but can precede the noun for stylistic emphasis in literature.

Eles colecionam selos raros de todo o mundo.

Impersonal Expressions: 'É raro' acts as a predicate adjective in impersonal constructions, often followed by a prepositional phrase or a subordinate clause.

É raro que a neve caia nesta região do país.

Comparative and Superlative: To say 'rarer', use 'mais raro'. For 'the rarest', use 'o mais raro'. For 'very rare', use 'raríssimo'.

Este é o exemplar mais raro da nossa coleção bibliográfica.

Foi uma oportunidade rara que não podíamos desperdiçar.

O lince-ibérico é um dos felinos mais raros do mundo.

You will encounter 'raro' in a wide variety of contexts, from scientific documentaries to casual conversations about habits. In the news, it is frequently used to describe medical conditions ('doenças raras'), astronomical events ('um eclipse raro'), or economic situations ('um crescimento raro no setor'). In academic settings, researchers use 'raro' to define data points that fall outside the norm or species that are difficult to locate. In everyday life, people use it to comment on weather patterns ('é raro chover tanto em agosto') or personal behavior ('é raro ele chegar atrasado'). It also appears in the world of art and antiques, where 'raridade' (the noun form) and 'raro' (the adjective) are key descriptors for value. Whether you are reading a textbook or listening to a podcast about history, 'raro' serves as a crucial marker for anything that deviates from the common or the expected. It carries a sense of significance, suggesting that the subject deserves special attention because of its lack of frequency.

Medical Context: Used to describe 'orphan diseases' or conditions that affect a small percentage of the population.

O hospital é especializado no tratamento de doenças raras.

Environmental Science: Commonly used when discussing biodiversity, endangered species, and unique geological formations.

Esta orquídea é muito rara nesta parte da floresta.

Daily Conversation: Used to comment on unusual social occurrences or changes in routine.

É raro encontrar um restaurante tão bom e barato.

Eles têm um talento raro para a música clássica.

Aconteceu um facto raro durante a assembleia de ontem.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'raro' is confusing it with 'estranho' (strange) or 'esquisito' (weird). While in Spanish 'raro' often means 'weird', in Portuguese, it strictly means 'rare' or 'uncommon'. If you tell a Portuguese speaker 'Você é raro', they might take it as a compliment (meaning you are unique or special), whereas in Spanish, it might sound like you are calling them weird. Another common error involves the misuse of the subjunctive after 'é raro que'. Many students forget to change the verb form, saying 'É raro que ele vem' instead of the correct 'É raro que ele venha'. Additionally, learners sometimes forget to apply gender and number agreement, especially when the adjective is separated from the noun by other words. For example, in 'As oportunidades são raras', 'raras' must be feminine plural to match 'oportunidades'. Finally, don't confuse 'raro' with 'cru' when talking about meat. In English, we say 'rare steak', but in Portuguese, we use 'malpassado' for a rare steak. Calling a steak 'raro' would sound like you are saying the steak is a rare find, not that it is lightly cooked.

False Cognate Trap: Avoid using 'raro' to mean 'weird'. Use 'estranho' or 'esquisito' instead.

Não é raro (weird), é estranho que ele não tenha ligado.

Steak Doneness: Never use 'raro' for meat. Use 'malpassado' for rare and 'muito malpassado' for blue/very rare.

O bife está malpassado, como eu gosto.

Subjunctive Neglect: Failing to use the subjunctive after 'é raro que' is a hallmark of beginner speech.

É raro que ela saia à noite durante a semana.

Eles encontraram pedras raras (not raro) no fundo do rio.

É raro (not raramente) que isso aconteça.

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to 'raro' but carry slightly different shades of meaning. 'Incomum' is perhaps the closest synonym, often used interchangeably with 'raro' to mean 'uncommon'. However, 'incomum' can sometimes lean towards 'unusual' without necessarily implying scarcity. 'Escasso' means 'scarce' or 'in short supply', focusing specifically on the lack of quantity (e.g., 'recursos escassos'). 'Singular' and 'único' emphasize the one-of-a-kind nature of something, often used in a more positive or artistic sense. 'Infrequente' is a more formal way to say something doesn't happen often, primarily used in technical or academic writing. 'Extraordinário' goes a step further, describing something that is not just rare, but also amazing or out of the ordinary. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the most precise word for your context.

Raro vs. Incomum: 'Raro' implies scarcity or low frequency; 'Incomum' implies something that deviates from the norm or standard.

É incomum ver neve em Lisboa, mas não é impossível.

Raro vs. Escasso: 'Raro' is about the nature of the thing; 'Escasso' is about the availability or quantity of the thing.

A comida tornou-se escassa durante o inverno rigoroso.

Raro vs. Singular: 'Singular' often refers to a unique quality or excellence, whereas 'raro' is more about frequency.

Ele tem uma beleza singular que cativa a todos.

O uso de 'infrequente' é raro na fala quotidiana.

Esta é uma peça única e muito valiosa.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective agreement

Impersonal expressions

Subjunctive mood

Adverb formation with -mente

Superlative formation

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Exemples par niveau

Este é um pássaro raro.

This is a rare bird.

Masculine singular agreement.

Ela tem uma moeda rara.

She has a rare coin.

Feminine singular agreement.

É raro nevar aqui.

It is rare to snow here.

Impersonal expression with infinitive.

Eles são livros raros.

They are rare books.

Masculine plural agreement.

O diamante é muito raro.

The diamond is very rare.

Use of 'muito' for emphasis.

Eu vi um animal raro no zoo.

I saw a rare animal at the zoo.

Simple past tense.

Flores raras são bonitas.

Rare flowers are beautiful.

Feminine plural agreement.

Não é comum, é raro.

It is not common, it is rare.

Contrast with 'comum'.

Eu raramente vou ao cinema.

I rarely go to the cinema.

Use of the adverb 'raramente'.

É raro ele chegar atrasado.

It is rare for him to arrive late.

Impersonal expression + infinitive.

Ela tem um talento raro para a pintura.

She has a rare talent for painting.

Describing a quality.

Encontramos conchas raras na praia.

We found rare shells on the beach.

Plural agreement.

É raro encontrar um bom café aqui.

It is rare to find a good coffee here.

Impersonal expression.

Este selo é raríssimo.

This stamp is extremely rare.

Superlative form 'raríssimo'.

Raramente chove no deserto.

It rarely rains in the desert.

Adverbial frequency.

Eles têm carros muito raros.

They have very rare cars.

Plural agreement.

É raro que ele peça ajuda a alguém.

It is rare that he asks anyone for help.

Present subjunctive 'peça'.

Esta é uma oportunidade rara de aprender.

This is a rare opportunity to learn.

Noun-adjective pairing.

É raro que as lojas fechem tão cedo.

It is rare that the shops close so early.

Present subjunctive 'fechem'.

Ele possui uma coleção de discos raros.

He owns a collection of rare records.

Describing a collection.

É raro que ela mude de opinião.

It is rare that she changes her mind.

Present subjunctive 'mude'.

O lince-ibérico é um animal cada vez mais raro.

The Iberian lynx is an increasingly rare animal.

Comparative structure 'cada vez mais'.

É raro ver tanta gente nesta rua.

It is rare to see so many people on this street.

Impersonal expression.

Ela tem uma voz rara e maravilhosa.

She has a rare and wonderful voice.

Adjective describing quality.

É raro que um político admita os seus erros.

It is rare for a politician to admit their mistakes.

Present subjunctive 'admita'.

Trata-se de um fenómeno meteorológico raro.

It is a rare meteorological phenomenon.

Scientific context.

Era raro que eles saíssem sem avisar.

It was rare for them to go out without notice.

Imperfect subjunctive 'saíssem'.

O ouro é um metal raro e valioso.

Gold is a rare and valuable metal.

Descriptive adjectives.

É raro que a economia cresça tanto num ano.

It is rare for the economy to grow so much in a year.

Present subjunctive 'cresça'.

Eles descobriram uma espécie rara de planta.

They discovered a rare species of plant.

Biological context.

É raro encontrar alguém com tanta paciência.

It is rare to find someone with so much patience.

Abstract quality.

A pintura é um exemplar raro do Renascimento.

The painting is a rare example from the Renaissance.

Art history context.

Não é de todo raro que tais incidentes ocorram.

It is not at all rare for such incidents to occur.

Negative construction 'Não é de todo raro'.

A obra revela uma sensibilidade rara no autor.

The work reveals a rare sensitivity in the author.

Literary analysis.

É raro que a justiça seja feita de forma tão rápida.

It is rare for justice to be served so quickly.

Present subjunctive 'seja'.

O manuscrito é de uma raridade extrema.

The manuscript is of extreme rarity.

Noun form 'raridade'.

É raro que se encontre uma solução tão equilibrada.

It is rare to find such a balanced solution.

Passive 'se' with subjunctive.

Aquele foi um raro momento de lucidez.

That was a rare moment of lucidity.

Stylistic adjective placement.

É raro que a verdade venha ao de cima tão cedo.

It is rare for the truth to come to light so soon.

Idiomatic 'vir ao de cima'.

Possui um domínio raro da língua portuguesa.

He possesses a rare mastery of the Portuguese language.

Describing expertise.

Quão raro é o espírito que não se deixa corromper!

How rare is the spirit that does not let itself be corrupted!

Exclamative 'Quão raro'.

É raro que a providência atue de forma tão direta.

It is rare for providence to act so directly.

Philosophical context.

O espécime, conquanto raro, foi devidamente catalogado.

The specimen, although rare, was duly cataloged.

Concessive 'conquanto'.

Raro é o dia em que não penso no meu país natal.

Rare is the day when I do not think of my home country.

Inverted sentence structure.

A raridade do evento conferiu-lhe um caráter místico.

The rarity of the event gave it a mystical character.

Noun-driven sentence.

É raro que a erudição se alie à humildade.

It is rare for erudition to be allied with humility.

Abstract nouns with subjunctive.

O vinho, de uma colheita rara, foi servido com pompa.

The wine, from a rare harvest, was served with pomp.

Describing luxury.

É raro que a história se repita de forma tão fidedigna.

It is rare for history to repeat itself so faithfully.

Historical context.

Collocations courantes

doença rara

metal raro

momento raro

espécie rara

talento raro

livro raro

fenómeno raro

oportunidade rara

exemplar raro

acontecimento raro

Phrases Courantes

É raro que...

Raramente acontece

Um em um milhão

Raro de ver

Peça rara

Aves raras

Em raras ocasiões

Raríssimas vezes

De uma raridade extrema

Um caso raro

Souvent confondu avec

raro vs estranho

raro vs esquisito

raro vs malpassado

Expressions idiomatiques

"Cão branco é raro"

"Melro branco"

"Mosca branca"

"Ouro em pó"

"Flor de estufa"

"Pérola rara"

"Achado raro"

"Raro como dentes de galinha"

"Santo de casa não faz milagre (contextual)"

"Pão para a boca de quem não tem dentes (contextual)"

Facile à confondre

raro vs raro

raro vs raso

raro vs ralo

raro vs raio

raro vs rato

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

steak

Use malpassado, not raro.

distinction

Raro vs Estranho

Erreurs courantes

The phrase 'É raro que' requires the subjunctive mood.
'Raro' is not used for meat doneness in Portuguese.
In Portuguese, 'raro' means uncommon, not weird.
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun.
Don't double up on frequency adverbs; 'raramente' is enough.

Astuces

Agreement

Always match 'raro' with the noun's gender and number. This is a basic but essential rule for A1-A2 learners.

Synonyms

Try using 'incomum' or 'infrequente' to sound more sophisticated in your writing.

Steak

Remember: 'malpassado' for rare steak. This will save you from confusion at restaurants in Portugal or Brazil.

Frequency

Use 'raramente' to talk about things you don't do often. It's a great way to expand your conversational range.

Subjunctive

Master the 'É raro que + subjunctive' structure to reach a B1/B2 level of proficiency.

The Initial R

The 'R' in 'raro' is strong. Practice making the sound in the back of your throat.

Emphasis

Use 'raríssimo' when you want to emphasize that something is truly one of a kind.

Medical Terms

If you see 'doença rara' in the news, it refers to a rare disease affecting few people.

Impersonal

Start sentences with 'É raro...' to comment on unusual weather or social events.

Rare vs Scarce

Use 'raro' for things that are unique and 'escasso' for things that are running out, like water.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'rare' in English. They look almost the same and mean the same thing regarding frequency and scarcity.

Origine du mot

Latin

Contexte culturel

Frequently used in the context of nature and endangered species.

Often used for antiques and historical documents.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"É raro você vir a este café?"

"Você coleciona alguma coisa rara?"

"Qual foi o animal mais raro que você já viu?"

"É raro nevar na sua cidade?"

"Você acha que o talento é algo raro?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva um momento raro de felicidade que você teve recentemente.

Quais são as coisas mais raras que você possui?

É raro você mudar de opinião sobre algo importante?

Escreva sobre uma espécie rara que você gostaria de proteger.

Pense em um talento raro que você admira em alguém.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, in Portuguese 'raro' means 'rare' or 'uncommon'. To say 'weird', you should use 'estranho' or 'esquisito'. Using 'raro' for 'weird' is a common mistake for Spanish speakers.

You should say 'bife malpassado'. Using 'bife raro' would imply that the steak is a rare find, not that it is lightly cooked.

Only when used in the phrase 'É raro que...'. If you use 'É raro' followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'É raro ver'), you do not need the subjunctive.

The plural is 'raros' for masculine nouns and 'raras' for feminine nouns. For example: 'livros raros' and 'moedas raras'.

The adverb form is 'raramente', which means 'rarely' or 'seldom'. It is used to describe how often an action happens.

It is generally neutral or positive, often implying that something is precious or unique. However, it can be negative in contexts like 'doenças raras'.

You can say 'muito raro' or use the absolute superlative form 'raríssimo'.

Yes, to describe a rare talent or a unique personality, but be careful not to imply 'weirdness'.

It comes from the Latin word 'rarus', which meant scattered, thin, or uncommon.

Yes, it is a very common word used to describe frequency and the scarcity of objects.

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