Meaning
Expresses that food or drink tastes very good.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, food is often served in large quantities. Saying 'Está delicioso' is a way to show you appreciate the abundance and the effort of the cook. Portuguese people take great pride in their regional dishes. Mentioning that a specific regional dish 'está delicioso' is a high compliment to their heritage. In Angolan social gatherings, sharing food like 'muamba de galinha' is central. Complimenting the richness of the sauce with 'está delicioso' is very common. With a heavy influence of spices and coconut, Mozambican cuisine is very flavorful. 'Está delicioso' is often used to describe the complex spice blends.
The 'Tá' Shortcut
In casual conversation, Brazilians almost always drop the 'Es' and just say 'Tá delicioso!'
Gender Matters
Always check if the food is masculine or feminine. 'O pão' (o), 'A pizza' (a).
Meaning
Expresses that food or drink tastes very good.
The 'Tá' Shortcut
In casual conversation, Brazilians almost always drop the 'Es' and just say 'Tá delicioso!'
Gender Matters
Always check if the food is masculine or feminine. 'O pão' (o), 'A pizza' (a).
Don't be shy!
In Portuguese culture, being vocal about enjoying food is seen as a sign of good manners and vitality.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'delicioso' or 'deliciosa'.
A feijoada está ________.
'Feijoada' is a feminine noun, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Which verb is most natural when eating food right now?
O peixe ________ delicioso.
'Estar' is used for temporary states like the taste of food you are currently eating.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
Anfitrião: 'Quer mais um pouco de bolo?' Você: 'Sim, por favor! ________.'
If you want more, it's because you like it! 'Está delicioso' is the perfect compliment.
Match the food with the correct adjective form.
1. O suco, 2. A torta, 3. Os pães, 4. As frutas
Matching gender and number: Suco (M), Torta (F), Pães (MPL), Frutas (FPL).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement for 'Delicioso'
Masculine (o/os)
- • O pão está delicioso
- • Os doces estão deliciosos
Feminine (a/as)
- • A pizza está deliciosa
- • As frutas estão deliciosas
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA feijoada está ________.
'Feijoada' is a feminine noun, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
O peixe ________ delicioso.
'Estar' is used for temporary states like the taste of food you are currently eating.
Anfitrião: 'Quer mais um pouco de bolo?' Você: 'Sim, por favor! ________.'
If you want more, it's because you like it! 'Está delicioso' is the perfect compliment.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching gender and number: Suco (M), Torta (F), Pães (MPL), Frutas (FPL).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! It works perfectly for wine, coffee, juice, or any tasty beverage.
'Está gostoso' is slightly more informal and very common in Brazil. 'Delicioso' is a bit more 'premium' praise.
You can say 'Está tudo delicioso' (Everything is delicious).
Use the past tense: 'Estava delicioso'.
Absolutely. It's the standard way to respond when they ask 'How is everything?'.
Yes, 'O cheiro está delicioso' (The smell is delicious) is very common.
Yes, it is standard in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
'Está ruim' (It's bad) or 'Não está bom' (It's not good).
Yes, although 'delicioso' is already strong, 'muito' is often added for extra emphasis in speech.
Because 'estar' refers to the specific experience you are having right now with that specific plate of food.
Related Phrases
Está gostoso
similarIt's tasty
Está uma delícia
synonymIt's a delight
Bom proveito
builds onEnjoy your meal
Está sem sal
contrastIt's bland / lacks salt
De lamber os beiços
specialized formLip-smacking good
