extremamente duramente criticado
harshly criticized
Literally: extremely harshly criticized
In 15 Seconds
- Used for intense, public disapproval of something or someone.
- Combines two strong adverbs for maximum linguistic impact.
- Common in news, business, and serious social discussions.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone or something that has been absolutely roasted or torn apart by critics. It is the verbal equivalent of a movie getting a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a bad movie
O novo filme de ação foi extremamente duramente criticado pela imprensa.
The new action movie was extremely harshly criticized by the press.
Talking about a politician
O ministro foi extremamente duramente criticado após o seu discurso.
The minister was extremely harshly criticized after his speech.
Texting a friend about a restaurant
Aquele restaurante novo está sendo extremamente duramente criticado no Google!
That new restaurant is being extremely harshly criticized on Google!
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'duras críticas' often lead to 'memes'. If a celebrity is criticized, the internet quickly creates jokes, which can either soften the blow or make it much worse. Portuguese criticism can be very 'direta' (direct). In newspapers like 'Público', critics don't hold back, using a sophisticated but very sharp vocabulary. In Angolan media, 'duramente criticado' is often used in the context of social justice and government transparency, reflecting a very active civil society. Similar to other Lusophone countries, the phrase is a staple of political discourse, especially during election cycles.
The 'Mente' Rule
If you want to sound like a native writer, use 'extrema e duramente criticado' instead of repeating '-mente' twice.
Gender Agreement
This is the #1 mistake. Always check if the thing being criticized is a 'he' or a 'she' in Portuguese grammar.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for intense, public disapproval of something or someone.
- Combines two strong adverbs for maximum linguistic impact.
- Common in news, business, and serious social discussions.
What It Means
Imagine a chef serves a salty soup. The food critic doesn't just dislike it. They write a full page about how it ruined their week. That is being extremamente duramente criticado. It means the feedback was intense. It was loud. It was probably quite painful to hear. It combines two powerful adverbs to show maximum impact.
How To Use It
You use this when the level of disapproval is off the charts. It usually follows a noun like a movie, a book, or a politician's decision. You will often see it with the verb ser (to be). For example: O filme foi extremamente duramente criticado. It sounds heavy because the situation is heavy. Don't use it for a small disagreement over pizza toppings.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings or when discussing news. It fits perfectly in a business meeting about a failed project. It works well when venting to friends about a terrible service you received. You can use it in a text when a celebrity does something controversial. It adds a layer of seriousness to your gossip. It shows you aren't just annoyed; you are stating a fact of failure.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for lighthearted teasing. If your friend wears mismatched socks, this phrase is too much. It sounds like a legal indictment. Don't use it if the criticism was constructive or gentle. If your teacher just marked a few typos, you weren't extremamente duramente criticado. Using it there makes you sound like a bit of a drama queen. Keep it for the big disasters.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers can be very direct when they are unhappy with public services or art. There is a strong culture of debate in Brazil and Portugal. When a public figure messes up, the media doesn't hold back. This phrase reflects that intensity. It’s part of a linguistic trend where we stack adverbs for emphasis. We love to make a point feel bigger than it already is.
Common Variations
You might hear people say arrasado pelos críticos for a more dramatic flair. Some might simplify it to just muito criticado. However, adding extremamente and duramente together is the gold standard for 'total disaster.' It signals to the listener that the situation is beyond saving. It’s the ultimate linguistic 'thumbs down.'
Usage Notes
This is a high-register collocation. While grammatically simple, its weight makes it more suitable for news, professional feedback, or serious debates rather than everyday small talk.
The 'Mente' Rule
If you want to sound like a native writer, use 'extrema e duramente criticado' instead of repeating '-mente' twice.
Gender Agreement
This is the #1 mistake. Always check if the thing being criticized is a 'he' or a 'she' in Portuguese grammar.
Softening the Blow
If you want to say something was criticized but not 'harshly', just say 'foi um pouco criticado'.
Examples
6O novo filme de ação foi extremamente duramente criticado pela imprensa.
The new action movie was extremely harshly criticized by the press.
Standard use for media reviews.
O ministro foi extremamente duramente criticado após o seu discurso.
The minister was extremely harshly criticized after his speech.
Used here to show public outcry.
Aquele restaurante novo está sendo extremamente duramente criticado no Google!
That new restaurant is being extremely harshly criticized on Google!
Informal context but using formal emphasis for effect.
Meu novo corte de cabelo foi extremamente duramente criticado pela minha mãe.
My new haircut was extremely harshly criticized by my mother.
Using a heavy phrase for a light situation creates humor.
O projeto foi extremamente duramente criticado pela diretoria.
The project was extremely harshly criticized by the board.
Shows the project is likely going to be cancelled.
O autor sabia que seria extremamente duramente criticado por esse capítulo.
The author knew he would be extremely harshly criticized for this chapter.
Expresses anticipation of a negative reaction.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'criticado'.
A nova peça de teatro foi extremamente duramente ___________.
'Peça' is a feminine singular noun, so the participle must be 'criticada'.
Which sentence is the most formal way to say a movie was bad?
Como dizer que um filme recebeu péssimas críticas de forma formal?
'Duramente criticado' is the standard formal/neutral collocation.
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
Um político é pego mentindo.
Lying usually leads to harsh criticism.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você gostou do novo álbum? B: Eu sim, mas ele foi extremamente _________ criticado pelos fãs.
'Duramente' is the adverb that fits the collocation for negative feedback.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA nova peça de teatro foi extremamente duramente ___________.
'Peça' is a feminine singular noun, so the participle must be 'criticada'.
Como dizer que um filme recebeu péssimas críticas de forma formal?
'Duramente criticado' is the standard formal/neutral collocation.
Um político é pego mentindo.
Lying usually leads to harsh criticism.
A: Você gostou do novo álbum? B: Eu sim, mas ele foi extremamente _________ criticado pelos fãs.
'Duramente' is the adverb that fits the collocation for negative feedback.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! 'Fortemente criticado' is very common and means almost the same thing, though 'duramente' feels a bit more 'painful' or 'harsh'.
Absolutely. It is standard Portuguese used in all Lusophone countries.
In this collocation, yes. While 'crítica' can be positive, 'duramente criticado' is exclusively for negative feedback.
You would say 'Foi aclamado pela crítica' (It was acclaimed by the critics).
Yes, but it's usually for their actions or public persona. 'Ele foi duramente criticado por sua arrogância.'
It is always 'criticado por' (criticized for/by).
There isn't a direct single-word opposite in this context, but you could say 'levemente criticado' (lightly criticized).
It might be a bit formal for a text. Use 'falaram mal' or 'detonaram' with friends.
No! That's a common mistake. 'Duramente' means 'harshly'. 'Ultimamente' means 'lately'.
No, 'duramente criticado' is already strong. 'Extremamente' just adds more drama.
Related Phrases
alvo de críticas
similarTo be the target of criticism.
mal falado
synonymTo be spoken ill of.
sob fogo cruzado
figurativeUnder crossfire.
tecer críticas
builds onTo weave/make criticisms.
