Ter mau gênio.

Literally, it translates to 'to have bad genius'. The word gênio here refers to one's innate character or disposition, stemming from the Latin word for a guiding spirit. So, it implies having a 'bad spirit' or inherent nature that leads to anger.

It is definitely a negative phrase. It describes someone who is easily angered, irritable, or has a bad temper. You would not use it to praise someone; it's a criticism of their temperament.

Yes, you can use it about yourself, but usually in a self-deprecating or humorous way, perhaps after you've snapped at someone unexpectedly. For example, 'Desculpa, hoje eu tenho mau gênio!' (Sorry, I have a bad temper today!). It's less common than using it to describe others.

The best time is in casual conversations when describing someone's personality or explaining why they might react strongly to certain situations. It's perfect for characterizing people known for their irritability in everyday settings.

It's generally too informal and blunt for most professional settings. While you might use it to describe a difficult manager *to a trusted colleague*, you wouldn't typically use it in a formal performance review or official communication. Consider softer phrasing like 'temperamento difícil' (difficult temperament) in more formal contexts.

'Ter mau gênio' describes a person's inherent, ongoing tendency to be angry or irritable. 'Estar com raiva' means to be angry right now, indicating a temporary emotional state due to a specific event.

While the phrase itself doesn't have formal levels, you can intensify it with adverbs like muito (very) or terrível (terrible). For example, ter muito mau gênio or ter um gênio terrível. Context and tone also convey the severity.

The opposite is ter bom gênio, which means to have a good temper or a pleasant disposition. Someone with bom gênio is typically calm, patient, and easygoing.

Absolutely. Children can definitely exhibit a bad temper or irritable disposition. You might hear parents say their child tem mau gênio if they are prone to tantrums or easily upset.

It can be considered rude if said directly to someone or in a formal context, as it's a direct criticism of their personality. It's generally best used when discussing someone's character with others in informal settings.

'Ter mau gênio' implies a deeper, more ingrained personality trait of irritability, often leading to outbursts. 'Ser irritadiço' focuses more on the state of being easily annoyed or provoked, which might be more temporary or less intense than mau gênio.

No, mau gênio functions as a noun phrase within the idiom ter mau gênio. You don't say someone 'is mau gênio'; you say they 'have mau gênio'. The adjective form would be different, like irritado (angry) or mal-humorado (grumpy).

A frequent mistake is using the verb 'ser' (to be) instead of 'ter' (to have), like saying 'ele é mau gênio'. The correct idiomatic expression is 'ele tem mau gênio'.

Another error is applying ter mau gênio to situations or objects, like 'o tempo tem mau gênio'. This phrase is specifically for describing the temperament of people or animals.

No, not at all. The word gênio originally referred to one's innate character or disposition, not intelligence. Having mau gênio simply means having a bad temper, regardless of intelligence level.

While ter mau gênio is widely understood across Portuguese-speaking countries, variations like ser pavio curto (to have a short fuse) are also common and might feel more modern in some regions. The core meaning remains consistent.

The direct opposite is ter bom gênio, meaning to have a good temper or disposition. You could also say someone is calmo (calm), tranquilo (tranquil), or paciente (patient).

Yes, ter mau gênio is frequently used in literature, especially when characterizing dramatic or complex characters. Its slightly archaic feel can add depth when describing historical figures or timeless personality types.

The word gênio adds a layer suggesting the trait is deeply ingrained, almost part of someone's fundamental being or 'spirit'. It implies it's less of a choice and more of an inherent part of their nature.

While the phrase implies an innate trait, people can certainly work on managing their temper through self-awareness, anger management techniques, and conscious effort. It suggests a tendency, but not necessarily an unchangeable destiny.