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A2 verb 10분 분량

assustar-se

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 assustar-se 30초 만에

설명 assustar-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic reflexive use of 'assustar-se' in the present tense and simple past. The goal is to identify the verb and understand that it needs a reflexive pronoun like 'me' or 'se'. You might learn it in the context of basic emotions or reactions to weather, like 'Eu me assusto com o trovão' (I get scared by the thunder). At this stage, students are encouraged to memorize the phrase 'Não se assuste!' as a set expression for 'Don't be scared'. The focus is on the direct physical reaction and the connection between the subject and the reflexive pronoun. Exercises usually involve matching the correct pronoun to the subject (Eu -> me, Você -> se) and understanding the basic meaning of being startled by something immediate and tangible.

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At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'assustar-se' to include more varied contexts and better grammatical accuracy. You start using the Pretérito Perfeito to describe specific past events: 'Ontem, eu me assustei com um gato na rua'. This level also introduces the preposition 'com' as the standard way to link the verb to the cause of the fright. Learners begin to distinguish between 'assustar' (to scare someone) and 'assustar-se' (to get scared). You will also encounter the verb in simple stories or descriptions of movies. The distinction between Brazilian and European pronoun placement (me assustei vs. assustei-me) becomes more relevant here as you start to notice regional differences in media and speech. You are expected to use the verb to describe simple personal experiences and reactions.

At the B1 level, the use of 'assustar-se' becomes more nuanced, involving hypothetical situations and more complex sentence structures. You will use the Imperfeito to describe past habits ('Eu me assustava muito quando era pequeno') and the Futuro do Pretérito (Conditional) for 'what if' scenarios ('Eu me assustaria se visse um fantasma'). B1 learners also start using the verb in the Subjunctive mood after expressions of doubt or emotion: 'Espero que você não se assuste com o que vou dizer'. The focus shifts from purely physical fright to more abstract or social shocks, such as being startled by a high price or a sudden change in plans. You begin to use adverbs to qualify the fright, like 'assustar-se levemente' (to get slightly scared) or 'assustar-se seriamente' (to get seriously scared).

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At the B2 level, 'assustar-se' is used fluently in a variety of registers, including professional and academic contexts. You will see it used metaphorically in news reports about the economy or politics ('O mercado se assustou com a instabilidade política'). Learners at this level should be comfortable with all clitic placement rules, including how the pronoun moves in the presence of 'attractor' words like 'que', 'não', and 'sempre'. You also start to use the verb in passive-like reflexive constructions and understand its role in creating atmosphere in literature. B2 students can discuss the nuances between 'assustar-se', 'apavorar-se', and 'amedrontar-se', choosing the right word for the specific intensity of the emotion. You might also use it in the Infinitivo Pessoal: 'O fato de eles se assustarem tanto me surpreendeu'.

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At the C1 level, 'assustar-se' is integrated into sophisticated discourse. You use it to describe existential fears, complex psychological states, and subtle social dynamics. The verb appears in complex grammatical structures, such as 'Se não tivessem se assustado, teriam agido de outra forma'. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it to analyze literature or film in depth. C1 learners use 'assustar-se' to describe the 'shock of the new' in art or philosophy. You are also aware of very rare or regional synonyms and can play with the word's meaning for rhetorical effect. The focus is on precision, tone, and the ability to use the verb to convey subtle shifts in a character's or person's internal state during complex narratives.

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At the C2 level, mastery of 'assustar-se' is absolute. You can use the verb with complete native-like flexibility, including in archaic or highly poetic contexts. You might use it in complex wordplay or to evoke specific cultural references. C2 speakers can navigate the most difficult clitic placements in formal European Portuguese without hesitation. You understand the subtle differences in connotation that 'assustar-se' carries in different Lusophone cultures (e.g., how it might be used in an Angolan vs. a Brazilian context). The verb is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise emotional expression, used to capture the finest grains of human experience. You can also critique the use of the verb in translations, ensuring that the 'startle' aspect is perfectly preserved against other types of fear.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

assustar-se 30초 만에

Assustar-se means 'to get scared' or 'to be startled' in Portuguese.
It is a reflexive verb, requiring pronouns like me, te, or se.
It usually takes the preposition 'com' to indicate the source of fright.
It describes a sudden reaction rather than a long-term phobia.

The Portuguese verb assustar-se is a fundamental reflexive verb used to describe the sudden transition from a state of calm to a state of fright or alarm. Unlike the stative expression 'ter medo' (to be afraid), which describes a continuous feeling or a phobia, assustar-se captures the specific moment of being startled. It is an essential part of the A2 vocabulary because it allows learners to describe physiological reactions to unexpected events, such as a loud noise, a sudden movement, or surprising news.

The Reflexive Nature: In Portuguese, many verbs describing emotional changes are reflexive. When you say 'Eu me assustei,' you are literally saying 'I startled myself' or 'I became startled.' The reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos) is mandatory. Without it, the verb 'assustar' means 'to scare someone else' (e.g., 'Eu assustei o gato' - I scared the cat).
Sudden Reaction: This verb is perfectly suited for jump scares in movies, a surprise party where the guest of honor is shocked, or hearing a thunderclap in the middle of the night. It implies a lack of preparation for the stimulus.

Não se assuste com o barulho, é apenas o vento batendo na janela.

Translation: Don't get scared by the noise; it is just the wind hitting the window.

In Brazil, the reflexive pronoun usually precedes the verb in spoken language ('Eu me assustei'), whereas in Portugal, it often follows the verb ('Assustei-me'), especially at the beginning of a sentence. Understanding this distinction is crucial for natural communication. Furthermore, the verb can be followed by the preposition 'com' to indicate the source of the fright. For example, 'Ela se assusta com facilidade' (She gets scared easily).

Eu me assustei quando vi a conta de luz este mês!

Translation: I got a fright when I saw the electricity bill this month! (Metaphorical use)

Metaphorical Fright: While primarily physical, 'assustar-se' can be used for financial or social shocks. Seeing a high price tag or hearing unexpected news can cause one to 'assustar-se'.

To truly master 'assustar-se', one must practice the conjugation with the correct reflexive pronouns across different tenses. In the Pretérito Perfeito, it denotes a completed event ('I got scared'), while in the Presente, it describes a tendency ('I get scared'). This verb is a gateway to understanding how Portuguese handles emotional transitions through the reflexive voice, a pattern that repeats with verbs like 'chatear-se' (to get annoyed) and 'alegrar-se' (to become happy).

Using assustar-se correctly requires attention to two main things: the reflexive pronoun and the preposition that follows. The preposition 'com' (with) is the standard connector to the cause of the fear. Whether you are scared of a ghost, a bug, or a sudden noise, 'com' is your go-to preposition.

Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [Reflexive Pronoun] + [Conjugated Verb] + [com] + [Noun]. Example: 'As crianças se assustaram com o trovão' (The children got scared by the thunder).

Nós nos assustamos com o filme de terror.

Translation: We got scared by the horror movie.

In complex sentences, assustar-se can be followed by a subordinate clause introduced by 'quando' (when) or 'ao' + infinitive. This helps specify the exact timing of the fright. For instance, 'Eu me assustei ao abrir a porta' (I got scared upon opening the door). This construction is very common in narrative writing and storytelling.

Você se assustaria se visse um urso na floresta?

Translation: Would you get scared if you saw a bear in the forest?

Common Tense Usage: The Pretérito Perfeito is the most common tense because fright is usually a momentary event. However, the Imperfeito is used for habits: 'Quando eu era criança, eu me assustava com qualquer coisa' (When I was a child, I used to get scared by anything).

When using the imperative to reassure someone, you will use the subjunctive forms. 'Não se assuste!' (Don't be scared!) is a very common phrase used by doctors, dentists, or friends before doing something unexpected. It serves as a social lubricant to minimize the impact of a potential shock. Mastery of these patterns ensures that you can use the verb naturally in both descriptive and interactive contexts.

You will encounter assustar-se in a wide variety of daily life scenarios, ranging from casual conversations to dramatic news reports. It is a high-frequency verb because humans are biologically wired to react to surprises, and we love talking about those reactions. In a social setting, it is often part of a 're-telling' of an event.

In Personal Anecdotes: People often say 'Nossa, eu me assustei tanto!' (Wow, I got so scared!) when describing a near-miss in traffic or a prank. It adds emotional weight to the story.
In Media and Entertainment: Horror movie reviews frequently use this verb. A critic might write: 'O público se assustou nas cenas de suspense' (The audience got scared during the suspense scenes). YouTube 'prank' videos also use it constantly in their titles and descriptions.

O mercado financeiro se assustou com as novas taxas de juros.

Translation: The financial market got spooked by the new interest rates.

Interestingly, you will also hear this word in economic and political news. The 'market' or 'investors' are often personified as entities that can 'assustar-se'. If a government makes an unexpected announcement, the news anchor might report that 'os investidores se assustaram', meaning they reacted with panic or caution. This metaphorical use is very common in newspapers like O Globo or Folha de S. Paulo.

Eu me assustei com a rapidez do tempo.

Translation: I was startled by how fast time passes. (Philosophical use)

In Literature: Classic Brazilian authors like Machado de Assis use 'assustar-se' to describe the psychological fragility of characters. In novels, it often precedes a moment of realization or a change in the plot's direction.

Finally, in everyday urban life, you'll hear it in relation to safety. 'Ela se assustou com o vulto na rua' (She got scared by the shadow on the street). Because safety is a common topic of conversation in many Lusophone cities, knowing how to express being startled or frightened is practically useful for sharing experiences and warnings with others.

Learning assustar-se involves navigating a few linguistic traps that often catch English speakers. The most frequent error is omitting the reflexive pronoun. In English, 'to get scared' doesn't use a reflexive pronoun, so students often say 'Eu assustei com o barulho.' This is grammatically incorrect in Portuguese because 'assustei' without 'me' implies you scared someone else.

The Missing Pronoun: Mistake: 'Ele assustou quando a luz apagou.' Correct: 'Ele se assustou quando a luz apagou.' Always remember that the fright happens to the subject themselves.
Confusing with 'Ter Medo': 'Ter medo' is a state (I am afraid of spiders), whereas 'assustar-se' is an event (The spider jumped and I got scared). Don't say 'Eu me assusto de cobras' to mean you have a phobia; use 'Eu tenho medo de cobras.'

Errado: Eu ~~assustei~~ com você!
Certo: Eu me assustei com você!

Note: The reflexive pronoun is non-negotiable for the meaning of 'getting scared'.

Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition. English speakers might want to use 'por' or 'de' because of translations like 'scared by' or 'scared of'. In Portuguese, the standard preposition is 'com'. Saying 'Eu me assustei de você' sounds unnatural; it should be 'Eu me assustei com você'.

Errado: Não ~~assuste~~!
Certo: Não se assuste!

Note: Even in the imperative, the reflexive pronoun must be present.

Verb Conjugation Errors: As a regular -ar verb, it follows standard patterns, but learners often forget to change the reflexive pronoun to match the subject. 'Nós se assustamos' is a common error; it must be 'Nós nos assustamos'.

Finally, be careful with the passive voice. While you can say 'ficar assustado' (to become scared), which is very similar in meaning, 'assustar-se' is more dynamic and emphasizes the suddenness of the reaction. Using 'ficar assustado' is not a mistake, but overusing it can make your Portuguese sound a bit static. Mixing both will make your speech more varied and natural.

While assustar-se is the most common way to express being startled, Portuguese offers a rich palette of synonyms that vary in intensity and register. Depending on whether you are mildly surprised or absolutely terrified, you might want to choose a different verb.

Assustar-se vs. Apavorar-se: Assustar-se: A general fright, can be small or large.
Apavorar-se: Extreme terror or panic. You would use this if you were in a life-threatening situation. 'Ele se apavorou com o incêndio' (He panicked with the fire).
Assustar-se vs. Sobressaltar-se: Sobressaltar-se: A more formal or literary term. It specifically describes the physical jump or startle response. 'Ela sobressaltou-se com a batida na porta' (She started/jumped at the knock on the door).

Eu fiquei assustado com a notícia, mas não cheguei a me apavorar.

Translation: I was scared by the news, but I didn't reach the point of panicking.

There are also idiomatic expressions that function as alternatives. 'Levar um susto' (to take a scare) is incredibly common in spoken Portuguese. Instead of saying 'Eu me assustei', many people say 'Eu levei um susto'. It feels slightly more informal and focuses on the 'scare' as an external thing that happened to you.

O gato se arrepiou de susto.

Translation: The cat's hair stood on end from the scare. (A related physiological verb)

Assustar-se vs. Espantar-se: Espantar-se: Often means to be surprised or astonished rather than purely afraid. If you win the lottery, you 'se espanta' (you are amazed), you don't 'se assusta' (unless the tax bill is high!).

Understanding these nuances allows you to express fear with precision. Use 'assustar-se' for your everyday startles, 'apavorar-se' for your nightmares, and 'levar um susto' when chatting with friends over coffee. This variety is what makes a speaker sound fluent and emotionally intelligent in Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The 'ss' in Portuguese often indicates a historical evolution from Latin 'sc' or 'ss'. In the case of 'assustar', it shares a distant root with the English word 'resuscitate' (to bring back to life/rouse again)!

발음 가이드

UK /ɐ.suʃ.ˈtaɾ.sɨ/

US /a.sus.ˈtaʁ.si/

The primary stress is on the last syllable of the verb root: 'tar'.

라임이 맞는 단어

Cantar-se Falar-se Olhar-se Lembrar-se Achar-se Sentar-se Levantar-se Cuidar-se

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the double 'ss' like a 'z'. It should always be a sharp 's' sound.
Forgetting to pronounce the reflexive 'se' as a separate grammatical unit.
Over-pronouncing the final 'e' in European Portuguese.
Mixing up the 'u' sound (should be like 'boot') with an 'o' sound.
Stress placement on 'as' instead of 'tar'.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though reflexive pronouns can vary.

쓰기 3/5

Requires remembering the reflexive pronoun and the correct preposition 'com'.

말하기 3/5

Pronoun placement (Brazil vs Portugal) and the 'ss' vs 's' sound need practice.

듣기 2/5

The word is very distinct, but in fast speech, the 'se' can blend into the verb.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

Medo Barulho Surpresa Grito Olhar

다음에 배울 것

Amedrontar Apavorar Arrepio Pesadelo Fugir

고급

Sobressaltar Espantar Estupefato Pasmado Aterrorizar

알아야 할 문법

Reflexive Pronoun Matching

Eu **me** assustei, Tu **te** assustaste, Ele **se** assustou.

Preposition 'Com'

Eu me assustei **com** o gato (not 'de' or 'por').

Pronoun Placement after 'Não'

Não **se** assuste (the 'não' pulls the pronoun).

Pretérito Perfeito vs Imperfeito

Eu **me assustei** (once) vs Eu **me assustava** (habitually).

Infinitive with Reflexives

É ruim **se assustar** sozinho.

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수준별 예문

Eu me assusto com o trovão.

I get scared by the thunder.

Reflexive 'me' matches 'Eu'.

Você se assusta com facilidade?

Do you get scared easily?

Reflexive 'se' matches 'Você'.

Não se assuste!

Don't be scared!

Imperative form with 'se'.

O bebê se assustou com o barulho.

The baby got scared by the noise.

Third person singular past.

Nós nos assustamos com o gato.

We got scared by the cat.

Reflexive 'nos' matches 'Nós'.

Eles se assustam muito.

They get scared a lot.

Present tense plural.

Eu não me assusto com filmes.

I don't get scared by movies.

Negative 'não' pulls the pronoun forward.

Ela se assusta quando a luz apaga.

She gets scared when the light goes out.

Temporal clause with 'quando'.

Eu me assustei quando o telefone tocou.

I got scared when the phone rang.

Pretérito Perfeito for a sudden action.

Eles se assustaram com a notícia.

They were startled by the news.

Preposition 'com' indicates the cause.

Você se assustou com o cachorro?

Did you get scared by the dog?

Simple question in the past.

Ela se assustou ao ver o preço.

She was shocked upon seeing the price.

'Ao' + infinitive expresses 'upon doing'.

Nós nos assustamos na casa mal-assombrada.

We got scared in the haunted house.

Reflexive verb in a locative context.

O motorista se assustou com a freada.

The driver was startled by the braking.

Subject-verb-preposition-noun pattern.

Assustei-me com a sua chegada repentina.

I was startled by your sudden arrival.

European Portuguese enclisis (pronoun after verb).

Não se assustem, é apenas uma brincadeira.

Don't be scared, it's just a joke.

Plural imperative form.

Eu me assustava sempre que ouvia trovões.

I used to get scared whenever I heard thunder.

Imperfeito for past habits.

Se eu visse um fantasma, me assustaria muito.

If I saw a ghost, I would get very scared.

Conditional (Futuro do Pretérito) in a hypothetical.

Duvido que ela se assuste com isso.

I doubt she will get scared by that.

Present Subjunctive after 'Duvido que'.

Ele se assustou tanto que deixou o copo cair.

He got so scared that he dropped the glass.

Consecutive clause with 'tanto que'.

É normal se assustar em situações novas.

It's normal to get scared in new situations.

Impersonal infinitive use.

Eles se assustariam se soubessem da verdade.

They would be shocked if they knew the truth.

Conditional with 'se' + Imperfect Subjunctive.

Fique calmo para que as crianças não se assustem.

Stay calm so that the children don't get scared.

Subjunctive after 'para que'.

Eu já me assustei com coisas piores.

I've already been scared by worse things.

Use of 'já' for emphasis in the past.

O mercado se assustou com a queda das ações.

The market got spooked by the drop in stocks.

Metaphorical/Economic use.

Embora se assustasse, ele continuou o caminho.

Although he was getting scared, he continued on the path.

Concessive clause with 'Embora' + Subjunctive.

Ninguém gosta de se assustar sem motivo.

Nobody likes to get scared without a reason.

Reflexive pronoun with infinitive after 'de'.

Ela se assustou ao perceber que estava sendo seguida.

She got scared upon realizing she was being followed.

Complex narrative structure.

Os investidores não se assustam facilmente com crises.

Investors don't get scared easily by crises.

Negative adverb placement.

Caso você se assuste, pode me ligar a qualquer hora.

In case you get scared, you can call me anytime.

Conditional 'Caso' + Subjunctive.

O povo se assustou com a violência dos protestos.

The people were startled by the violence of the protests.

Collective noun as subject.

Assustar-se é uma reação humana natural.

Getting scared is a natural human reaction.

Infinitive as a noun/subject.

A humanidade se assusta com o avanço da inteligência artificial.

Humanity is startled by the advancement of artificial intelligence.

Abstract/Societal subject.

É imperativo que não nos assustemos com os desafios futuros.

It is imperative that we do not get scared by future challenges.

Formal 'que' + Subjunctive.

O autor descreve como a personagem se assusta com a própria sombra.

The author describes how the character gets scared of her own shadow.

Literary analysis context.

Jamais me assustaria com tais ameaças vazias.

I would never be scared by such empty threats.

Use of 'Jamais' as a negative attractor.

Ao se assustarem, as aves levantaram voo simultaneamente.

Upon being startled, the birds took flight simultaneously.

Personal infinitive in a temporal clause.

Poucos se assustaram com a mudança drástica no clima.

Few were startled by the drastic change in the climate.

Indefinite pronoun as subject.

Ela se assustou perante a imensidão do oceano.

She was awestruck/frightened before the immensity of the ocean.

Preposition 'perante' for a formal tone.

Não há por que se assustar com a complexidade do tema.

There is no reason to be intimidated by the complexity of the topic.

Reflexive infinitive in a 'por que' structure.

A alma se assusta no limiar do desconhecido.

The soul is startled at the threshold of the unknown.

Philosophical/Poetic register.

Oxalá não se assustassem com a crueza da realidade.

Would that they were not startled by the rawness of reality.

Use of 'Oxalá' + Imperfect Subjunctive.

O filósofo argumenta que o homem se assusta com sua própria liberdade.

The philosopher argues that man is frightened by his own freedom.

Existentialist context.

Assustar-se-iam os antepassados se vissem o mundo atual?

Would our ancestors be startled if they saw today's world?

Mesoclisis (pronoun inside the verb), very formal PT-PT.

A plateia se assustou com a verossimilhança da atuação.

The audience was startled by the lifelikeness of the performance.

High-level vocabulary ('verossimilhança').

Não obstante se assustar, manteve a fleuma britânica.

Despite getting scared, he maintained his British composure.

Formal conjunction 'Não obstante'.

A criança se assusta no interstício entre o sonho e a vigília.

The child is startled in the gap between dream and wakefulness.

Precise, sophisticated temporal description.

Quem se assustar com o abismo, não deve olhar para baixo.

He who is frightened by the abyss should not look down.

Proverbial/Aphoristic structure.

자주 쓰는 조합

Assustar-se com facilidade

Assustar-se com o barulho

Assustar-se à toa

Assustar-se com a sombra

Assustar-se com a notícia

Assustar-se de repente

Quase se assustar

Assustar-se seriamente

Assustar-se com a velocidade

Assustar-se com o vulto

자주 쓰는 구문

Não se assuste!

— A common reassurance given before doing something surprising or showing something shocking.

Não se assuste, mas eu cortei o cabelo bem curto.

Eu me assustei tanto!

— An exclamation used after a significant fright.

Nossa, eu me assustei tanto com aquele trovão!

Você quer me assustar?

— Asked when someone does something that might cause a fright, often playfully.

Por que você entrou sem fazer barulho? Quer me assustar?

Ele se assusta por qualquer coisa.

— Describes someone who is very jumpy or easily frightened.

Meu irmão é muito nervoso, ele se assusta por qualquer coisa.

Para não se assustar.

— Used as a justification for taking precautions or giving a warning.

Vou acender a luz para você não se assustar.

Assustar-se com o próprio sucesso.

— A metaphorical phrase about being overwhelmed by one's achievements.

O jovem cantor se assustou com o próprio sucesso repentino.

Sem se assustar.

— Doing something calmly without showing fear.

Ele enfrentou o desafio sem se assustar.

Assustar-se com a realidade.

— Realizing that a situation is much worse or different than expected.

Muitos jovens se assustam com a realidade do mercado de trabalho.

Assustar-se com a conta.

— A very common expression for being shocked by a high bill.

Eu me assustei com a conta do restaurante.

Assustar-se com a mudança.

— Reacting poorly or with surprise to a change.

As pessoas velhas às vezes se assustam com a mudança tecnológica.

자주 혼동되는 단어

assustar-se vs Assustar

This is the active form (to scare someone). 'Assustar-se' is the reflexive form (to get scared).

assustar-se vs Ter medo

'Ter medo' is a continuous feeling of fear, while 'assustar-se' is a sudden reaction.

assustar-se vs Espantar-se

Often means to be surprised or amazed, not necessarily afraid.

관용어 및 표현

"Assustar-se com a própria sombra"

— To be extremely timid or fearful of everything.

Desde o assalto, ela se assusta com a própria sombra.

Informal

"Levar um susto"

— The non-reflexive idiomatic way to say 'to get a fright'.

Eu levei um susto quando a porta bateu.

Colloquial

"Dar um susto em alguém"

— To intentionally scare someone.

Vou me esconder atrás da porta para dar um susto nela.

Informal

"Que susto!"

— An exclamation: 'What a scare!' or 'You scared me!'

Ai! Que susto você me deu!

Spoken

"Susto de morte"

— To be scared to death.

Aquele filme me deu um susto de morte.

Informal

"Passar um susto"

— To go through a frightening situation (often used for health scares).

Meu pai passou um susto no hospital, mas já está bem.

Neutral

"Estar com o coração na mão"

— To be extremely anxious or frightened (often after being startled).

Depois do barulho, fiquei com o coração na mão.

Informal

"Ficar branco de susto"

— To turn pale from fear.

Ele ficou branco de susto quando viu o acidente.

Neutral

"Pregar um susto"

— To play a frightening prank on someone.

Os meninos pregaram um susto na professora.

Colloquial

"Cair o queixo de susto"

— To be so shocked/startled that one's jaw drops.

Meu queixo caiu de susto com o valor da multa.

Informal

혼동하기 쉬운

assustar-se vs Assustado

It's the adjective form.

'Assustar-se' is the action of becoming scared. 'Estar assustado' is the state of being scared.

Eu me assustei (action) e agora estou assustado (state).

assustar-se vs Assustador

It looks similar.

This is an adjective meaning 'scary'. It describes the thing that causes the fear.

O filme é assustador.

assustar-se vs Susto

It's the noun.

'Susto' is the noun 'a scare'. 'Assustar-se' is the verb.

Levei um susto (noun) porque me assustei (verb).

assustar-se vs Amedrontar

Synonym.

Amedrontar is more formal and implies a more lasting sense of fear than a jump scare.

O ditador amedrontava a população.

assustar-se vs Arrepender-se

Similar reflexive structure.

It means 'to regret'. It has nothing to do with fear.

Eu me arrependi de não ter estudado.

문장 패턴

Eu me assusto com [noun].

Eu me assusto com o escuro.

[Subject] se assustou quando [verb].

Ele se assustou quando viu o rato.

Se eu fosse você, não me assustaria.

Se eu fosse você, não me assustaria com o exame.

Embora se assustasse, ele [past verb].

Embora se assustasse, ele entrou no quarto.

Não há por que se assustar perante [noun].

Não há por que se assustar perante a tecnologia.

Assustar-se-ia qualquer um que [verb].

Assustar-se-ia qualquer um que visse tamanha injustiça.

Não se assuste com [noun]!

Não se assuste com o meu cachorro!

Nós nos assustamos ao [infinitive].

Nós nos assustamos ao ouvir o grito.

어휘 가족

명사

Susto (a scare/fright)

Assombro (amazement/dread)

Assustador (one who scares - can be a noun in specific contexts)

동사

Assustar (to scare someone)

Assombrar (to haunt/amaze)

형용사

Assustado (scared/frightened)

Assustador (scary/frightening)

Assustadiço (easily scared/jumpy)

사용법

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

자주 하는 실수

Eu assustei com o barulho. → Eu me assustei com o barulho.
You must use the reflexive pronoun 'me' because the fright happened to you.
Ela se assustou de o cachorro. → Ela se assustou com o cachorro.
The correct preposition after 'assustar-se' is 'com', not 'de'.
Nós se assustamos. → Nós nos assustamos.
The reflexive pronoun must match the subject. 'Nós' requires 'nos'.
Não assuste! → Não se assuste!
Even in the imperative (commands), the reflexive pronoun 'se' is necessary.
Eu me assusto de aranhas. → Eu tenho medo de aranhas.
Use 'ter medo' for phobias or general fears. 'Assustar-se' is for sudden shocks.

팁

Don't forget the 'se'!

Always remember that 'assustar-se' is reflexive. If you say 'Eu assustei', people will ask 'Who did you scare?'

Use 'com' for the cause

Whenever you explain why you got scared, use the preposition 'com'. 'Me assustei COM você!'

The sharp 'S'

The double 'ss' in 'assustar' is always a voiceless 's' sound, like 'hiss', never like a 'z'.

Brazilian Pronouns

In Brazil, putting 'me' before the verb ('Me assustei') is the most natural way to speak, even if books say otherwise.

Level up with 'Apavorar-se'

If 'assustar-se' isn't strong enough, use 'apavorar-se' to show you were truly terrified.

Listen for 'Que susto!'

You will hear this exclamation constantly. It's the noun version of the verb and very useful to know.

Metaphorical Shock

Don't be afraid to use this verb for high prices or shocking news; it's not just for ghosts!

Negative Word Attraction

When you use 'não', 'nunca', or 'ninguém', the 'se' MUST come before the verb: 'Não se assuste'.

Reassuring others

Use 'Não se assuste' as a polite way to introduce a surprise or something potentially upsetting.

Startle = Assustar

Think of the 'st' in 'startle' and the 'st' in 'assustar' to link the meanings.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'A-SUSTO'. A susto is 'a scare'. So, 'assustar-se' is 'to scare-self'.

시각적 연상

Imagine a cat jumping in the air after hearing a loud 'S-S-S' sound (like the double S in assustar).

Word Web

Susto Medo Coração Grito Escuro Barulho Pular Surpresa

챌린지

Try to use 'assustar-se' in three different tenses (Past, Present, Future) while describing a movie you watched recently.

어원

Derived from the Latin 'sub' (under) + 'suscitare' (to rouse/raise up), through the Vulgar Latin *exsuscitare.

원래 의미: Originally meant to wake someone up suddenly or to rouse them from a state of rest.

Romance (Italic)

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using this verb regarding serious trauma. For medical or psychological contexts, 'sofrer um choque' (to suffer a shock) might be more appropriate than the more casual 'assustar-se'.

English speakers often use 'to be scared', which is a state. Portuguese speakers use 'assustar-se', which is an action. This is a key mental shift.

The phrase 'Não se assuste' is famously used in the opening of many Brazilian radio soap operas (radionovelas). Machado de Assis, the famous writer, often uses 'assustar-se' to describe the psychological shocks of his characters. In the movie 'Cidade de Deus', characters frequently 'se assustam' with the sudden violence of the favela.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Watching a horror movie

Eu me assusto em todas as cenas.
Você se assustou?
Não se assuste com o monstro.
Ele se assusta fácil.

Walking in the dark

Eu me assustei com a sombra.
Não se assuste, sou eu.
Ela se assustou com o barulho do vento.
Nós nos assustamos na rua escura.

Receiving a high bill

Eu me assustei com o preço.
Não se assuste com a conta.
Eles se assustaram com o valor do aluguel.
Você vai se assustar quando ver o total.

Unexpected visitor

Me assustei com a sua visita!
Não queria te assustar.
Desculpe, eu me assustei.
Ela se assustou quando ele abriu a porta.

Weather/Storms

As crianças se assustam com o trovão.
Eu me assustei com o raio.
O cachorro se assusta com a chuva forte.
Não se assuste com o barulho lá fora.

대화 시작하기

"Você se assusta com facilidade quando assiste a filmes de terror?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você se assustou de verdade?"

"Você já se assustou com algum animal exótico?"

"As pessoas no seu país se assustam com a situação econômica atual?"

"Você se assustaria se visse um OVNI (UFO) no céu?"

일기 주제

Escreva sobre um momento em que você se assustou muito, mas depois percebeu que não era nada sério.

Como você reage quando se assusta? Você grita, pula ou fica em silêncio?

Descreva uma cena de um livro ou filme onde um personagem se assusta com algo inesperado.

Você acha que se assustar é uma experiência divertida (como em montanhas-russas) ou apenas estressante?

Reflexão: Por que nos assustamos com coisas que sabemos que não são reais?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, when it means 'to get scared' or 'to be startled'. If you omit the pronoun, the meaning changes to 'to scare someone else'. For example, 'Eu me assustei' means I got scared, but 'Eu assustei o gato' means I scared the cat.

'Assustar-se' is a sudden, momentary reaction to a surprise. 'Ter medo' is a state of being afraid of something over time. You 'se assusta' when a spider jumps on you, but you 'tem medo' of spiders in general.

The most common and natural preposition is 'com'. For example: 'Ela se assustou com o trovão'. In some specific literary contexts, you might see 'de' or 'por', but 'com' is the standard for learners.

The most common way is 'Não se assuste!' (singular) or 'Não se assustem!' (plural). You can also say 'Não tenha medo', but 'Não se assuste' is better if you are about to do something surprising.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries. The main difference is the placement of the reflexive pronoun. Brazilians say 'Eu me assustei', while the Portuguese usually say 'Assustei-me'.

Absolutely! It is very common to say 'Eu me assustei com o preço' to mean you were shocked by how expensive something was. It's a common metaphorical use.

It is a regular -ar verb. Pretérito Perfeito: Eu me assustei, você se assustou, nós nos assustamos, eles se assustaram. Imperfeito: Eu me assustava, você se assustava, etc.

Yes, you can use it for any living being. 'O cavalo se assustou com a cobra' (The horse got scared by the snake).

Yes, 'levar um susto' is a very common idiomatic alternative to 'assustar-se'. It is slightly more informal and used frequently in conversation.

Often, yes. It captures the 'startle' response which usually involves a physical reaction. If you want to emphasize the jump, you can use the synonym 'sobressaltar-se'.

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