In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to say something bothers or displeases you.
- More sophisticated than 'não gosto' but less intense than 'odeio'.
- Perfect for professional feedback or expressing social discomfort.
Meaning
It's a way to say something bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable. It is softer than 'I hate it' but stronger than 'I don't like it.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Complaining about a noisy neighbor
Me desagrada esse som alto até tarde.
This loud music late at night bothers me.
Giving feedback to a colleague
Me desagrada a forma como ele fala com a equipe.
The way he speaks to the team displeases me.
Texting a friend about a movie
O final do filme me desagradou um pouco.
The end of the movie displeased me a bit.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian culture, maintaining 'simpatia' (friendliness) is key, even when complaining. Using 'Me desagrada' allows you to express a negative opinion without sounding like you are attacking someone personally. It reflects a linguistic tendency to use 'softeners' in social interactions to keep the peace.
The 'Me' Placement
In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, we almost always start with 'Me'. In formal writing, you might see 'Desagrada-me', but don't say that at a BBQ!
Don't overdo the drama
If you say 'Me desagrada' for every tiny thing, you might sound a bit like a grumpy aristocrat. Mix it up with 'Não gostei' for variety.
In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to say something bothers or displeases you.
- More sophisticated than 'não gosto' but less intense than 'odeio'.
- Perfect for professional feedback or expressing social discomfort.
What It Means
Me desagrada is your go-to phrase for expressing mild to moderate dissatisfaction. It literally means 'it displeases me.' Think of it as a polite way to say something rubs you the wrong way. It focuses on your internal feeling of discomfort. It is less aggressive than saying eu odeio (I hate). It is more sophisticated than a simple não gosto (I don't like).
How To Use It
You use it just like 'it bothers me' in English. The subject usually comes after the verb. For example, Me desagrada esse barulho (This noise bothers me). You can also use it with actions. Try Me desagrada ver pessoas jogando lixo no chão. It sounds elegant and clear. It shows you have a refined vocabulary. Use it when you want to be firm but stay classy.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings to give feedback. It works great when discussing behavior or environments. Use it at a restaurant if the service is poor but you don't want to scream. It is perfect for texting a friend about a situation that is annoying. Use it when you feel a bit 'fancy' about your complaints. It is the 'adult' way to express a grievance.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for extreme tragedies. It is too light for a major disaster. Avoid it in very slang-heavy conversations with teenagers. They might think you sound like a grammar teacher. Don't use it for food you find disgusting. For a bad taste, stick to é ruim or não gostei. It is more about situations and behaviors than physical sensations like taste.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often prefer indirectness to avoid direct confrontation. Me desagrada is a perfect tool for this. It shifts the focus to your feeling rather than the other person's fault. It has a slightly intellectual or 'old school' vibe. It suggests you are someone who values harmony and good manners. It is the language of a person who prefers a calm discussion over a loud fight.
Common Variations
You might hear Isso me desagrada profundamente for extra drama. Some people say Acho desagradável (I find it unpleasant). In the south of Brazil, you might hear Me desagrada bastante. If you want to be even more formal, you can say Desagrada-me. But stick to Me desagrada for most daily interactions. It hits the sweet spot of being natural yet polished.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. In casual speech, it's perfectly fine, but it carries a weight of maturity. Be careful with pronoun placement in formal writing (use 'Desagrada-me').
The 'Me' Placement
In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, we almost always start with 'Me'. In formal writing, you might see 'Desagrada-me', but don't say that at a BBQ!
Don't overdo the drama
If you say 'Me desagrada' for every tiny thing, you might sound a bit like a grumpy aristocrat. Mix it up with 'Não gostei' for variety.
The Polite Complaint
Brazilians use this phrase to 'soften the blow'. It sounds much less like a fight is starting than saying 'Você está errado' (You are wrong).
Examples
6Me desagrada esse som alto até tarde.
This loud music late at night bothers me.
Expresses a grievance about an environment.
Me desagrada a forma como ele fala com a equipe.
The way he speaks to the team displeases me.
Professional way to address behavior.
O final do filme me desagradou um pouco.
The end of the movie displeased me a bit.
Using the past tense to review something.
Sua falta de educação me desagrada muito.
Your lack of manners displeases me greatly.
A firm but controlled emotional response.
Me desagrada profundamente quando o café acaba.
It deeply displeases me when the coffee runs out.
Using a formal word for a trivial problem creates humor.
Me desagrada a ideia de cancelar o projeto agora.
The idea of canceling the project now displeases me.
Polite disagreement in a high-stakes setting.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence expressing that the heat bothers you.
___ desagrada esse calor excessivo.
In Portuguese, 'me' is the object pronoun used before the verb to indicate 'to me' or 'me'.
Complete the sentence to say 'Your attitude displeases me'.
Sua atitude me ___.
The verb must agree with 'Sua atitude' (singular), so we use 'desagrada'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of Dislike
Blunt and direct
Não curti
The sweet spot for daily life
Me desagrada
High-level literature or legal
Causa-me desagrado
When to say 'Me desagrada'
Bad Service
Atendimento lento
Social Injustice
Ver desigualdade
Work Habits
Atrasos constantes
Aesthetics
Decoração feia
Practice Bank
2 exercises___ desagrada esse calor excessivo.
In Portuguese, 'me' is the object pronoun used before the verb to indicate 'to me' or 'me'.
Sua atitude me ___.
The verb must agree with 'Sua atitude' (singular), so we use 'desagrada'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common in neutral and professional contexts. It is a standard way to express that something is not to your liking without being rude.
You can, but it sounds a bit formal. Usually, people say Não gostei do tempero rather than O tempero me desagrada unless they are being a food critic.
Não gosto is a general preference (I don't like chocolate). Me desagrada is often a reaction to a specific event or behavior that causes discomfort.
In 99% of conversations in Brazil, use Me desagrada. Desagrada-me is strictly for formal writing or very formal speeches.
It is moderate. It is stronger than a shrug, but much weaker than Me irrita (It irritates me) or Eu odeio (I hate).
Yes! Me desagradou is used when something that happened in the past didn't sit well with you, like A atitude dele me desagradou.
Just add an adverb like muito or profundamente. For example: Isso me desagrada muito.
No, it is understood and used throughout all of Brazil and Portugal, though the pronoun placement might change in Portugal to Desagrada-me.
It is better to use it for a person's *actions* rather than the person themselves. Saying Ele me desagrada sounds like you find his whole existence unpleasant.
Forgetting the me. If you just say Desagrada, the sentence feels incomplete. You need to specify who is being displeased.
Related Phrases
Não me agrada
It doesn't please me (very similar, slightly more common).
Me incomoda
It bothers/annoys me.
Acho chato
I find it annoying/boring (very informal).
Não curto
I'm not into it / I don't like it (slang).
