In 15 Seconds
- Expresses being deeply touched or moved by an experience.
- Adjust the ending: 'emocionado' (male) or 'emocionada' (female).
- Reserved for meaningful, high-impact emotional moments.
Meaning
Use this to describe that powerful feeling when something touches your heart so deeply you might even tear up.
Key Examples
3 of 6After receiving a surprise birthday gift
Estou profundamente emocionado com este presente.
I am deeply moved by this gift.
Watching a beautiful wedding ceremony
Fiquei profundamente emocionada com os votos deles.
I was deeply moved by their vows.
Accepting an award at work
Estou profundamente emocionado com este reconhecimento.
I am deeply moved by this recognition.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are generally very expressive. Crying in public during a graduation or a wedding is seen as a sign of a 'good heart'. The phrase is used frequently in 'Novelas' (soap operas). In Portugal, the phrase is often linked to 'Fado'. When a singer performs with great soul, the audience might describe themselves as 'profundamente emocionados'. It's a more reserved but equally deep expression. In Angolan formal speeches, this phrase is used to show respect and deep connection to the community or the nation's history. On Instagram and TikTok, 'emocionado' has become a meme to describe someone who falls in love after a single 'like' or a first date.
Agreement is Key
If you are a woman, always say 'emocionada'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The 'Excitado' Trap
Avoid 'excitado' unless you are sure of the context. Stick to 'emocionado' for heart-touching moments.
In 15 Seconds
- Expresses being deeply touched or moved by an experience.
- Adjust the ending: 'emocionado' (male) or 'emocionada' (female).
- Reserved for meaningful, high-impact emotional moments.
What It Means
Profundamente emocionado is your go-to phrase for high-impact emotional moments. It goes beyond just being 'happy' or 'sad'. It describes a state where your soul feels a heavy, beautiful weight. Think of it as a deep resonance with a situation. It is the feeling you get at a wedding or a surprise party. You are not just smiling; you are feeling it in your bones.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to show sincere appreciation or impact. In Portuguese, adjectives change based on who is speaking. If you identify as male, say emocionado. If you identify as female, say emocionada. The word profundamente stays the same for everyone. It acts as a powerful intensifier. Use it when 'thank you' feels too small for the moment. It works perfectly after a long speech or a kind gesture.
When To Use It
This is perfect for life’s big milestones. Use it when you receive an unexpected gift from a dear friend. Use it during a graduation ceremony or a retirement party. It is also great for art and culture. If a movie or a fado performance makes you cry, tell people you are profundamente emocionado. It shows you have a sensitive and appreciative soul. It is a very 'human' expression that builds bridges.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for trivial things like a good sandwich. If you say you are profundamente emocionado about a burger, people will think you are being sarcastic. Avoid it in cold, strictly technical business meetings unless someone is retiring. It is too 'heavy' for a casual 'how are you' in the hallway. Using it too often makes the phrase lose its magic. Keep it for the moments that actually matter.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very open with their emotions. In Brazil and Portugal, showing that you are moved is seen as a sign of character. It shows you are 'gente fina' (a good person) who values relationships. There is a certain poetic weight to the word profundamente. It connects to the deep history of sentimental literature and music in the Lusophone world. Being 'emocionado' is a state of being, not just a fleeting thought.
Common Variations
You can swap profundamente for muito if you want to sound slightly more casual. Some people say tocado (touched) instead of emocionado. In Brazil, you might hear comovido, which is a close cousin. If you are really overwhelmed, you can say sem palavras (without words). However, profundamente emocionado remains the gold standard for elegant, heartfelt expression. It is the 'black tie' version of emotional honesty.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral to formal. It requires gender agreement (`o` for male, `a` for female). Avoid using it for minor daily occurrences to maintain its emotional weight.
Agreement is Key
If you are a woman, always say 'emocionada'. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The 'Excitado' Trap
Avoid 'excitado' unless you are sure of the context. Stick to 'emocionado' for heart-touching moments.
Use with 'Ficar'
Use 'Ficar' to describe the moment the emotion hit you: 'Eu fiquei emocionado'.
Slang Awareness
If a Brazilian friend calls you 'emocionado', they are probably teasing you for being too romantic too fast!
Examples
6Estou profundamente emocionado com este presente.
I am deeply moved by this gift.
Shows sincere gratitude for a thoughtful gesture.
Fiquei profundamente emocionada com os votos deles.
I was deeply moved by their vows.
Used to describe the impact of a romantic event.
Estou profundamente emocionado com este reconhecimento.
I am deeply moved by this recognition.
Professional yet heartfelt for a formal achievement.
Obrigado, suas palavras me deixaram profundamente emocionado.
Thank you, your words left me deeply moved.
A warm way to acknowledge emotional support via text.
Não estou chorando, só estou profundamente emocionado!
I'm not crying, I'm just deeply moved!
A lighthearted way to hide that you are actually crying.
É impossível não ficar profundamente emocionado aqui.
It is impossible not to be deeply moved here.
Expresses the weight of history and atmosphere.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'emocionado' (pay attention to gender!).
A Maria recebeu as flores e ficou profundamente ________.
Maria is feminine singular, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Which situation is the most appropriate for using 'profundamente emocionado'?
When should you say this?
This phrase is for high-stakes, sincere emotional moments.
Complete the dialogue.
Pedro: 'O que você achou do presente que eu te dei?' Ana: 'Nossa, Pedro! Eu estou _________.'
Ana is female, so 'emocionada' is correct. 'Excitada' would be a false friend here.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Understanding these nuances prevents embarrassing mistakes.
Match the register to the sentence.
Which one is Brazilian Slang?
In Brazil, 'emocionado' as a noun/adjective for a person often refers to someone moving too fast in love.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Emocionado vs. Excitado
Practice Bank
5 exercisesA Maria recebeu as flores e ficou profundamente ________.
Maria is feminine singular, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
When should you say this?
This phrase is for high-stakes, sincere emotional moments.
Pedro: 'O que você achou do presente que eu te dei?' Ana: 'Nossa, Pedro! Eu estou _________.'
Ana is female, so 'emocionada' is correct. 'Excitada' would be a false friend here.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Understanding these nuances prevents embarrassing mistakes.
Which one is Brazilian Slang?
In Brazil, 'emocionado' as a noun/adjective for a person often refers to someone moving too fast in love.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it works for both happy and sad events, as long as they touch your heart deeply.
Absolutely. In Portuguese-speaking cultures, it is very common and respected for men to express being 'emocionado'.
'Profundamente' is more formal and suggests a greater 'depth' of feeling than the simple 'muito'.
Not necessarily, but it implies that you are close to it or feeling that 'lump in the throat'.
Change 'emocionado' to 'emocionados' (mixed/men) or 'emocionadas' (women only).
No, you can just say 'Estou emocionado', but 'profundamente' adds a premium, poetic touch.
Yes! Many athletes say this after winning a medal or a big game.
Yes, it is perfectly standard in Portugal, though they might use 'comovido' slightly more often in casual speech.
There isn't a direct opposite collocation, but you could say 'indiferente' (indifferent) or 'frio' (cold).
No! 'Emocionante' means 'exciting/moving' (describing the event). 'Emocionado' describes your feeling.
It's a bit formal. In a text, you'd usually just say 'Fiquei muito emocionado!'.
Yes, if the view is so beautiful it makes you feel small or spiritual.
In Brazil, it's 'MEN-chee'. In Portugal, it's 'MEN-tuh'.
It means someone who says 'I love you' on the first date. It's usually a warning!
Related Phrases
comovido
synonymMoved, usually by sympathy or sadness.
tocado
similarTouched.
empolgado
contrastExcited/Enthusiastic.
sensibilizado
specialized formMade sensitive to something.
de queixo caído
similarJaw-dropping/Amazed.
