At the A1 level, 'ressentir' is a bit advanced. You might encounter it in simple sentences about feeling the effects of the weather or a small pain. Think of it as a stronger way to say 'sinto' (I feel) when something bad happens. For example, 'Eu ressinto o frio' (I feel the cold intensely). Focus on the basic meaning of 'feeling' something negative.
At A2, you should start recognizing the pronominal form 'ressentir-se'. You will see it in descriptions of health or simple social situations. You'll learn that it's not just 'feeling' but 'being affected by'. For example, if you are tired, your work 'se ressente' (suffers). You start to see how it connects a cause to a negative effect.
At B1, you use 'ressentir' to talk about emotions and social impacts. You can explain why someone is upset using 'ressentir-se de'. You also use it in more formal contexts, like writing a simple report about how a business is doing. You understand the difference between 'magoar' (to hurt feelings) and 'ressentir' (to harbor a lingering bad feeling).
At B2, you are expected to use 'ressentir' in complex sentences with various tenses. You use it to discuss economic trends, political impacts, and deep psychological states. You understand that 'ressentir' can be a direct transitive verb or a pronominal one, and you can switch between them to change the focus of your sentence. You use it to describe subtle nuances of indignation.
At C1, 'ressentir' becomes a tool for precise expression. You use it in academic writing or professional debates to describe how one variable affects another (e.g., 'A estrutura social ressente-se da falta de investimento'). You understand the historical and literary weight of the word. You can use it to describe existential or philosophical 'resentment' in a Nietzschean sense.
At C2, you have total mastery. You use 'ressentir' in stylistic ways, perhaps in poetry or high-level journalism. You can use it to create irony or to describe very specific, subtle shifts in atmosphere or public mood. You are comfortable with all its archaic or rare uses and can conjugate it perfectly in the most obscure tenses like the pluperfect or future subjunctive.

ressentir en 30 secondes

  • A verb for feeling resentment or being negatively impacted.
  • Often used pronominally: ressentir-se de algo.
  • Common in news for economic or physical impacts.
  • Changes from 'e' to 'i' in the 'eu' form: eu ressinto.

The Portuguese verb ressentir is a sophisticated and multifaceted word that English speakers often find intriguing because it bridges the gap between emotional bitterness and physical or systemic impact. At its core, it comes from the Latin resentire, meaning to feel again or to feel deeply. In modern Portuguese, it is used in two primary ways: as a transitive verb meaning to feel the effects of something or to harbor resentment, and more commonly as a pronominal verb (ressentir-se) to indicate that one is being negatively affected by a situation or has taken offense.

Emotional Context
When used to describe feelings, it implies a deep-seated indignation. If you 'ressente' a remark, you aren't just annoyed; you are carrying that feeling with you. It suggests a lingering pain from a perceived injustice.

Ela ainda parece ressentir a decisão do chefe de não a promover no ano passado.

Physical and Economic Impact
In more formal or technical contexts, such as news reports or medical discussions, 'ressentir-se' describes how a system or body reacts to stress. An economy might 'ressentir-se' of a tax hike, or a player's performance might 'ressentir-se' of an old injury.

O mercado de ações ressentiu-se da instabilidade política global.

Understanding the nuance between the transitive and pronominal forms is key. Use the transitive form when someone is the direct object of the resentment, and the pronominal form when describing the state of being affected. This word is essential for moving beyond basic A2 vocabulary into more expressive, B1-level emotional and technical descriptions.

Using 'ressentir' correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-ir' verb, but with a slight stem change in the first person singular of the present tense (eu ressinto). It is most frequently paired with the preposition de (or its contractions like da, do, dos, das) when used pronominaly.

Pronominal Construction
Subject + Pronoun (me, te, se, nos) + Ressentir + de + Cause. Example: 'Eu me ressinto do frio' (I am affected by the cold).

Muitos idosos se ressentem da solidão durante o inverno rigoroso.

Direct Transitive Construction
Subject + Ressentir + Object. Example: 'Ele ressente o seu sucesso' (He resents your success). This is less common than the pronominal form but very direct.

A produção agrícola ressentiu-se da falta de chuvas este mês.

You will encounter ressentir in several specific contexts in the Portuguese-speaking world. In news broadcasts (Jornal Nacional, RTP), journalists use it to describe how the economy or a community is 'feeling the pinch' of a crisis. In literature and soap operas (telenovelas), it is the go-to word for characters who hold a grudge or feel slighted by a family member or lover.

In Business
'A empresa se ressentiu da saída do seu principal executivo.' (The company felt the impact of the departure of its main executive.)

O turismo ressente-se sempre que há um aumento no preço das passagens.

In medical or health contexts, a doctor might ask if you 'se ressente' of a specific symptom after exercise. It implies a lingering or recurring physical sensation. In social commentary, it is used to discuss how marginalized groups might 'ressentir-se' of systemic inequality. It is a word that carries weight; it isn't used for trivial, fleeting annoyances but for things that leave a mark.

The most common mistake for English speakers is treating 'ressentir' exactly like the English word 'resent'. While they share a root, the Portuguese word is much broader. Here are three major pitfalls:

1. Forgetting the Pronoun
Saying 'Eu ressinto o frio' sounds like you are angry at the cold. Saying 'Eu me ressinto do frio' means you are physically suffering from it. Most learners forget the 'me/se'.
2. Conjugation Errors
Many learners try to say 'eu ressento'. The correct first-person singular is 'eu ressinto'. The 'e' changes to 'i' in the 'eu' form of many -ir verbs (like sentir -> sinto).

Errado: Eu ressento o comentário. Correto: Eu me ressinto do comentário.

Depending on whether you mean emotional resentment or physical impact, there are several alternatives to 'ressentir'.

Magoar-se
More common for 'to get hurt feelings'. It is softer and more personal than 'ressentir'.
Sofrer as consequências
Used when a system or person is negatively impacted by something external. It replaces the physical sense of 'ressentir-se'.
Guardar rancor
Literal 'to hold a grudge'. This is much stronger and more negative than 'ressentir'.

Ao invés de ressentir, ele preferiu perdoar e seguir em frente.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally didn't have a negative connotation; it just meant to feel something strongly. The 'bitterness' part developed over centuries.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ʁe.sẽ.ˈtiʁ/
US /χe.sẽ.ˈtʃiχ/
The stress is on the last syllable: 'tir'.
Rime avec
partir sentir dormir sorrir pedir subir abrir ferir
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the 'en' as a clear 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Forgetting the 'i' sound in 'ti' (in Brazil).
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Hard English 'R'.
  • Mixing it up with 'recentemente'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'resent'.

Écriture 5/5

Tricky because of the pronominal 'se' and the preposition 'de'.

Expression orale 4/5

The 'eu ressinto' conjugation change is a common trip-up.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'sentir' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

sentir dor falta com de

Apprends ensuite

magoar rancor prejudicar afetar sofrer

Avancé

anomia hégira melindre suscetibilidade indignação

Grammaire à connaître

Stem change (e -> i)

sentir -> sinto; ressentir -> ressinto.

Pronominal verbs

Eu me ressinto, tu te ressentes, ele se ressente.

Prepositional government

Ressentir-se + de (He resents/suffers from).

Direct object

Ressentir algo (To feel/resent something directly).

Subjunctive mood

Espero que ele não se ressinta.

Exemples par niveau

1

Eu ressinto o frio.

I feel the cold (intensely).

Direct object usage.

2

Ela ressente a dor.

She feels the pain.

Present tense, 3rd person.

3

Nós ressentimos a falta de água.

We feel the lack of water.

1st person plural.

4

Você ressente o cansaço?

Do you feel the tiredness?

Question form.

5

Eles ressentem o barulho.

They feel (are bothered by) the noise.

3rd person plural.

6

Eu não ressinto nada.

I don't feel anything.

Negative form.

7

O gato ressente o vento.

The cat feels the wind.

Subject is an animal.

8

Você ressente o calor?

Do you feel the heat?

Simple present.

1

Ele se ressente da gripe.

He is suffering from the flu.

Pronominal use with 'de'.

2

A planta se ressente da falta de luz.

The plant is affected by the lack of light.

Pronominal, 3rd person.

3

Eu me ressinto do seu silêncio.

I am hurt by your silence.

Pronominal, 1st person.

4

Nós nos ressentimos do atraso.

We are affected by the delay.

Pronominal, 1st person plural.

5

Ela se ressente do cansaço acumulado.

She is feeling the effects of accumulated tiredness.

Pronominal with compound noun.

6

Vocês se ressentem da mudança?

Are you (plural) affected by the change?

Pronominal question.

7

O negócio se ressente da crise.

The business is feeling the effects of the crisis.

Business context.

8

Eles se ressentem da injustiça.

They resent the injustice.

Emotional/social context.

1

A economia se ressentiu da queda nas exportações.

The economy felt the impact of the drop in exports.

Preterite tense.

2

Espero que você não se ressinta com o que eu disse.

I hope you don't take offense at what I said.

Present subjunctive.

3

O atleta se ressentiu de uma lesão antiga.

The athlete felt (suffered from) an old injury again.

Medical context.

4

Ela sempre se ressente quando não é convidada.

She always resents it when she isn't invited.

Habitual action.

5

O jardim se ressentiu do inverno rigoroso.

The garden suffered from the harsh winter.

Environmental context.

6

Nós nos ressentimos muito da sua partida.

We really felt the impact of your departure.

Emotional impact.

7

Se você continuar assim, sua saúde vai se ressentir.

If you continue like this, your health will suffer.

Future construction.

8

Ele se ressentiu da maneira como foi tratado.

He resented the way he was treated.

Passive-like structure.

1

É natural que o mercado se ressinta da instabilidade.

It is natural that the market feels the effects of instability.

Subjunctive after 'É natural que'.

2

Ela ressentiu profundamente a traição da amiga.

She deeply resented her friend's betrayal.

Transitive use for emphasis.

3

O setor têxtil ressentiu-se da concorrência estrangeira.

The textile sector suffered from foreign competition.

Formal economic usage.

4

Não quero que você se ressinta das minhas críticas construtivas.

I don't want you to resent my constructive criticism.

Negative subjunctive.

5

A produção de vinho se ressentiu da geada tardia.

Wine production was affected by the late frost.

Specific agricultural context.

6

Ele se ressentiu de não ter sido consultado sobre o projeto.

He resented not being consulted about the project.

Infinitive clause after preposition.

7

A cidade ainda se ressente das perdas causadas pela enchente.

The city still suffers from the losses caused by the flood.

Ongoing state.

8

Ressentir o passado só traz amargura ao presente.

Resenting the past only brings bitterness to the present.

Infinitive as subject.

1

A coesão social ressente-se da crescente desigualdade de rendimentos.

Social cohesion suffers from growing income inequality.

Sociological context.

2

O autor parece ressentir a hegemonia cultural do país vizinho.

The author seems to resent the cultural hegemony of the neighboring country.

Intellectual register.

3

Embora tentasse disfarçar, ele se ressentia da superioridade técnica do rival.

Although he tried to hide it, he resented his rival's technical superiority.

Imperfect subjunctive contrast.

4

O ecossistema local ressentiu-se irreversivelmente da poluição industrial.

The local ecosystem irreversibly suffered from industrial pollution.

Scientific/Environmental context.

5

A narrativa ressente-se de uma certa falta de ritmo no segundo ato.

The narrative suffers from a certain lack of pace in the second act.

Literary criticism.

6

Ressentir-se de uma afronta é humano, mas perdoar é divino.

To feel resentment at an insult is human, but to forgive is divine.

Aphoristic usage.

7

O orçamento familiar ressentiu-se drasticamente da inflação galopante.

The family budget suffered drastically from galloping inflation.

Advanced economic vocabulary.

8

Caso a proposta seja rejeitada, a cooperação entre os países poderá ressentir-se.

Should the proposal be rejected, cooperation between the countries could suffer.

Hypothetical future condition.

1

A tessitura da obra ressente-se de uma excessiva fragmentação estilística.

The fabric of the work suffers from excessive stylistic fragmentation.

High-level aesthetic analysis.

2

O estadista jamais permitiu que o seu discernimento se ressentisse de rancores pessoais.

The statesman never allowed his judgment to be affected by personal grudges.

Complex literary syntax.

3

A perenidade das instituições ressente-se da volatilidade do panorama político atual.

The longevity of institutions suffers from the volatility of the current political landscape.

Abstract philosophical/political usage.

4

Ressentir-se-á a posteridade da nossa negligência ambiental de hoje?

Will posterity suffer from our environmental negligence today?

Future tense with mesoclisis (PT-PT).

5

O tecido social, outrora robusto, ressente-se agora de uma anomia preocupante.

The social fabric, once robust, now suffers from a worrying anomie.

Sociological jargon.

6

O brio do exército ressentiu-se da derrota humilhante na fronteira.

The army's pride suffered from the humiliating defeat at the border.

Archaic/Military register.

7

Não obstante a sua erudição, o texto ressente-se de uma clareza expositiva.

Despite its erudition, the text suffers from a lack of expository clarity.

Concessive clause.

8

A alma ressente-se do peso das escolhas não feitas.

The soul suffers from the weight of choices not made.

Poetic/Metaphysical usage.

Collocations courantes

ressentir a falta
ressentir-se do peso
ressentir o golpe
ressentir-se da crise
ressentir a injustiça
ressentir-se do cansaço
ressentir a humilhação
ressentir-se do frio
ressentir a pressão
ressentir-se da idade

Phrases Courantes

Não se ressinta.

— Don't take it personally or don't be offended.

Não se ressinta, foi apenas um conselho.

Ressentir-se amargamente.

— To feel a deep and bitter resentment.

Ele se ressentiu amargamente da traição.

O corpo se ressente.

— The body shows signs of strain or illness.

Se você não dormir, o corpo se ressente.

A economia vai se ressentir.

— The economy will suffer negative consequences.

Com o novo imposto, a economia vai se ressentir.

Ressentir na pele.

— To feel the effects of something directly and painfully.

Eles ressentiram na pele a falta de investimento.

Sem ressentir.

— Without feeling any negative impact or grudge.

Ele aceitou a derrota sem ressentir.

Ressentir o passado.

— To dwell on past grievances.

Não vale a pena ressentir o passado.

Ressentir a perda.

— To feel the void left by someone's absence.

Toda a família ressentiu a perda do avô.

Ressentir-se de um mal.

— To suffer from an illness or ailment.

Ele se ressente de um mal incurável.

Ressentir um insulto.

— To take an insult to heart.

Ela ressentiu o insulto e saiu da sala.

Souvent confondu avec

ressentir vs recentemente

Sounds similar but means 'recently'. 'Ressentir' is a verb about feeling.

ressentir vs consentir

The opposite; it means to agree or allow, while 'ressentir' is about feeling hurt/impacted.

ressentir vs sentir

'Sentir' is general; 'ressentir' is specifically about negative impact or lingering pain.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Ressentir o baque"

— To feel the shock or impact of a sudden bad event.

A empresa ressentiu o baque da falência do sócio.

informal
"Não se ressentir de nada"

— To be completely unaffected or indifferent.

Ele é tão frio que não se ressente de nada.

neutral
"Ressentir-se com pouco"

— To be overly sensitive or easily offended.

Cuidado com o que diz, ela se ressente com pouco.

neutral
"Pagar e não se ressentir"

— To pay a high price (literal or figurative) without complaining.

Ele pagou o erro e não se ressentiu.

informal
"Ressentir o cheiro"

— To catch a faint or lingering scent (rare/literary).

Ainda ressentia o cheiro dela no quarto.

literary
"Ressentir o peso da mão"

— To feel the severity of a punishment or authority.

Os rebeldes ressentiram o peso da mão do governo.

figurative
"Ressentir a batida"

— To feel the rhythm or the impact of a strike.

O coração ressentiu a batida forte.

neutral
"Fazer-se ressentir"

— To make one's presence or influence felt (usually negatively).

A falta de verbas fez-se ressentir nas escolas.

formal
"Ressentir a sola"

— To feel the wear and tear of walking or effort.

O caminhante ressentiu a sola dos pés.

colloquial
"Ressentir-se da glória"

— To be negatively affected by too much fame or success.

Sua vida privada ressentiu-se da glória súbita.

literary

Facile à confondre

ressentir vs magoar

Both involve hurt feelings.

'Magoar' is the act of hurting or being hurt; 'ressentir' is the lingering state of being affected.

Ele me magoou (He hurt me). Eu me ressinto disso (I resent/am affected by that).

ressentir vs sofrer

Both describe pain.

'Sofrer' is broader; 'ressentir' implies a specific reaction to a cause.

Ela sofre de asma. O pulmão ressente-se da poluição.

ressentir vs ofender

Both relate to slights.

'Ofender' is the action; 'ressentir' is the internal feeling that follows.

Ele ofendeu a todos. Todos se ressentiram.

ressentir vs queixar

Both can involve physical symptoms.

'Queixar' is the verbal expression of pain; 'ressentir' is the actual impact on the body.

Ele se queixa de dor. O corpo se ressente do trabalho.

ressentir vs prejudicar

Both involve negative impact.

'Prejudicar' is what the cause does; 'ressentir' is what the subject experiences.

A chuva prejudicou a colheita. A colheita ressentiu-se da chuva.

Structures de phrases

A2

Eu me ressinto de [noun].

Eu me ressinto do barulho.

B1

Ele se ressente quando [verb].

Ele se ressente quando ninguém o ajuda.

B1

[Subject] ressentiu a [noun].

O time ressentiu a derrota.

B2

A economia se ressente de [noun].

A economia se ressente da falta de investimento.

B2

Espero que você não se ressinta de [noun].

Espero que você não se ressinta das críticas.

C1

A obra ressente-se de [abstract noun].

A obra ressente-se de uma falta de unidade.

C1

Ressentir-se-ia se [subjunctive].

Ressentir-se-ia se fosse ignorado.

C2

Não obstante [noun], ressente-se de [noun].

Não obstante o esforço, ressente-se de resultados.

Famille de mots

Noms

ressentimento (resentment)
sentimento (feeling)
sensação (sensation)

Verbes

sentir (to feel)
assentir (to agree)
dissentir (to disagree)
consentir (to consent)

Adjectifs

ressentido (resentful)
sensível (sensitive)
sentimental (sentimental)

Apparenté

mágoa
rancor
indignação
impacto
consequência

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in media and literature; moderate in daily speech.

Erreurs courantes
  • Eu ressento o frio. Eu ressinto o frio.

    The stem changes from 'e' to 'i' in the first person singular present.

  • Ela se ressente por a notícia. Ela se ressente da notícia.

    Use the preposition 'de' (de + a = da) with 'ressentir-se'.

  • O mercado ressente a crise. O mercado se ressente da crise.

    When a system is affected, the pronominal form 'se ressente' is much more natural.

  • Eu não me ressinto nada. Eu não ressinto nada / Eu não me ressinto de nada.

    If using the pronominal form, you need 'de'. Otherwise, use the transitive form.

  • Ele ressente de você. Ele se ressente de você.

    To mean he harbors resentment against you, the pronoun 'se' is required.

Astuces

The 'I' stem change

Remember: Eu ressinto. This is the same pattern as sentir -> sinto and mentir -> minto.

Economic context

When reading the news, look for 'se ressente'. It usually describes how a sector is suffering because of a new law or crisis.

Softening criticism

Use 'Não quero que se ressinta' to introduce a difficult topic politely.

Noun form

Learn 'ressentimento' alongside the verb to expand your range for describing emotions.

Physical impact

Use 'ressentir-se' to describe how your body feels after a long workout or a lack of sleep.

Literary flair

In writing, use 'ressentir' instead of 'sentir' to add depth and a sense of lingering impact.

Nasal vowels

Make sure to nasalize the 'en' in ress-en-tir. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n'.

The 'Baque'

Learn the phrase 'ressentir o baque' to describe someone being shocked by bad news.

Resent vs Ressentir

Don't limit 'ressentir' to just people. Remember it applies to things and systems too.

Daily check-in

Ask yourself: 'Do que o meu corpo se ressente hoje?' (What is my body suffering from today?) to practice.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Re-Scent-Tier'. You smell a bad 'scent' again (re) and it makes you feel 'resent'ful.

Association visuelle

Imagine a bruised apple (the body/economy) 'ressentindo' a hit, or a person holding a heavy stone labeled 'grudge'.

Word Web

sentir ressentimento magoar sofrer impacto rancor corpo economia

Défi

Try to use 'ressentir' in a sentence about the weather and another about a friend's behavior.

Origine du mot

From Latin 'resentire', composed of 're-' (again/intense) and 'sentire' (to feel).

Sens originel : To feel again or to feel deeply.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using it with people; it implies they are holding a grudge, which might be seen as a character flaw.

English speakers often use 'resent' only for people. Portuguese uses it for everything from plants to stock markets.

Nietzsche's concept of 'Ressentiment' is often translated as 'ressentimento' in Portuguese philosophy. The song 'Ressentimento' by Jads & Jadson (Sertanejo). Machado de Assis often explores characters who 'se ressentem' of their status.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Economic news

  • ressentir-se da crise
  • ressentir o aumento
  • impacto que se ressente
  • mercado se ressente

Health and Medicine

  • ressentir-se de uma lesão
  • o corpo se ressente
  • ressentir o esforço
  • ressentir a idade

Personal Relationships

  • ressentir a traição
  • não se ressinta
  • guardar ressentimento
  • ressentir o silêncio

Nature and Environment

  • plantas se ressentem do frio
  • ressentir a seca
  • ressentir a falta de luz
  • solo se ressente

Academic/Literary

  • obra se ressente de
  • narrativa ressente-se
  • ressentir a influência
  • ressentimento histórico

Amorces de conversation

"Você acha que a economia vai se ressentir do novo imposto?"

"Você já se ressentiu de algum comentário de um amigo?"

"O seu corpo se ressente muito quando você viaja?"

"Como evitar que uma amizade se ressinta de uma discussão?"

"As plantas do seu jardim se ressentem muito do inverno?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você se ressentiu de uma injustiça.

Como o seu trabalho se ressente quando você está muito cansado?

Descreva um momento em que você perdoou alguém em vez de ressentir.

O que faz uma sociedade se ressentir de seus líderes?

Reflita sobre como o tempo faz o corpo se ressentir de velhos hábitos.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No. While it can mean 'to resent' (harbor a grudge), it often means 'to be negatively affected by' or 'to suffer the consequences of' something, like a crisis or an injury.

Yes, it follows the regular -ir conjugation, except for the first person singular 'eu ressinto', where the 'e' changes to 'i'.

The most common and correct preposition is 'de' (or its forms da, do, dos, das). In Brazil, you might occasionally hear 'com'.

Yes! In Portuguese, we say 'A planta se ressente do frio', meaning the plant is suffering or wilting because of the cold.

'Ressentir' (transitive) is used when you feel something directly (e.g., 'ressentir a falta'). 'Ressentir-se' (pronominal) is used to say you are being affected by something (e.g., 'ele se ressente do cansaço').

Yes, it is the noun form and means 'resentment'. It is used very similarly to the English word.

You can say 'Não se ressinta' or 'Sem ressentimentos' (No hard feelings).

Yes, doctors often use it to describe how a part of the body is 'feeling' or 'showing' the effects of an injury or age.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though the pronunciation and some preposition preferences may vary slightly.

It is slightly more formal than 'magoar' or 'sofrer', but it is very common in newspapers and professional settings.

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