aborrecer in 30 Seconds
- Aborrecer: to bore, annoy, or make weary.
- Use transitively (aborrecer someone) or reflexively (aborrecer-se).
- Commonly used for tedious tasks, long waits, or irritating situations.
- Similar to 'entediar' (to bore) and 'irritar' (to annoy).
The Portuguese verb aborrecer describes the feeling of being annoyed, bored, or weary. It's a versatile word that can be used when something is tedious, irritating, or simply lacks stimulation. You might use it to talk about a long, uneventful journey that starts to bore you, a repetitive task that becomes tiresome, or even a person whose behavior is consistently irritating.
- Core Meaning
- To cause annoyance, boredom, or weariness.
- Contexts
- Situations involving monotony, repetition, irritation, or lack of interest.
- Nuance
- Can range from mild ennui to significant irritation depending on the context and intensity.
A palestra longa e monótona começou a aborrecer a audiência.
Imagine you're on a road trip, and after hours of staring at the same landscape, you start to feel a sense of boredom creep in. That feeling is 'aborrecer'. Similarly, if someone keeps repeating the same annoying habit, they might 'aborrecer' you. The word captures that feeling of wanting something to change because it's no longer engaging or has become unpleasant. It can also describe a task that is so tedious it drains your enthusiasm. For instance, doing the same accounting entry repeatedly for an entire day would certainly 'aborrecer' anyone. The key is the development of a negative feeling – either boredom or annoyance – due to the nature of the situation or activity.
Não quero aborrecer você com meus problemas.
- Emotional Range
- From mild ennui to significant irritation.
- Active vs. Passive
- Can be used transitively (to bore/annoy someone) or intransitively (to become bored/annoyed).
Consider the feeling of waiting in a very long queue. The slowness, the lack of activity, and the repetition of seeing people ahead of you can all contribute to a feeling of 'aborrecer'. It's that slow build-up of impatience and disinterest. In a more active sense, if someone is telling a story that goes on and on with unnecessary details, they might be unintentionally 'aborrecendo' their listeners. The verb implies a negative impact on someone's state of mind, making them feel restless, tired of the situation, or simply wishing it would end. It’s a common verb for expressing mild to moderate displeasure with a prolonged or dull experience.
As aulas de história antigas às vezes me aborreciam.
Using aborrecer correctly involves understanding its transitivity and the typical subjects and objects it interacts with. As a transitive verb, it often takes a direct object, referring to the person or thing being bored or annoyed. The subject of the verb is usually the cause of this feeling. For example, a long meeting might bore you, so the meeting is the subject causing the boredom (aborrecer) to you (the object).
- Transitive Use (to bore/annoy someone)
- Subject (cause of boredom/annoyance) + aborrecer + Object (person feeling bored/annoyed).
- Intransitive Use (to become bored/annoyed)
- Subject (person feeling bored/annoyed) + aborrecer-se (reflexive).
O trabalho repetitivo começou a aborrecer os funcionários.
When used reflexively, with aborrecer-se, it means the subject is experiencing boredom or weariness themselves. This is very common. For instance, if you are stuck in traffic for a long time, you might say 'Eu me aborreço no trânsito' (I get bored in traffic). The reflexive pronoun 'me' (or 'se', 'nos', 'vos') attaches to the verb to indicate that the action is happening to the subject.
- Common Constructions
- Aborrecer + person: 'Aquele filme me aborreceu.' (That movie bored me.)
- Aborrecer-se (with something/someone): 'Ela se aborreceu com a demora.' (She got annoyed/bored with the delay.)
Estou começando a aborrecer com esta longa espera.
The verb conjugates like any regular -er verb. Common tenses to use it in include the present indicative ('eu aborreço', 'você aborrece'), the past simple ('eu aborreci', 'você aborreceu'), and the imperfect ('eu aborrecía', 'você aborrecía'). The imperfect is particularly useful for describing ongoing states of boredom or repetitive actions that caused weariness in the past. For instance, 'Quando eu era criança, as aulas de matemática me aborreciam' (When I was a child, math classes bored me). This highlights a past, continuous state of feeling.
Não me aborreça com essas histórias.
Consider the common phrase 'aborrecer de morte' (to bore to death), which is an informal but common intensification. For example, 'Aquela reunião me aborreceu de morte' (That meeting bored me to death). This highlights how 'aborrecer' can be modified to express stronger feelings. It's also important to note that the subject causing the boredom can be an activity, a person, or even a situation. For example, 'A falta de novidades aborrece' (The lack of news is boring).
Ele se aborrece facilmente em casa.
You'll encounter aborrecer and its reflexive form aborrecer-se in everyday conversations, especially when people are describing their experiences with tedious tasks, uneventful events, or irritating situations. It’s a common verb used to express mild to moderate displeasure, making it highly relevant for learners aiming for natural-sounding Portuguese.
- Everyday Conversations
- Friends talking about a boring movie: 'O filme começou a aborrecer depois da primeira hora.' (The movie started to get boring after the first hour.)
- Workplace Discussions
- Colleagues complaining about a repetitive task: 'Este relatório me aborrece demais.' (This report bores me too much.)
- Family Interactions
- Children expressing dislike for a slow activity: 'Pai, essa brincadeira já me aborreceu.' (Dad, this game already bored me.)
A longa viagem de ônibus começou a aborrecer o passageiro.
In media, you might hear it in dialogues describing characters' feelings. For instance, in a soap opera, a character might complain, 'Meu casamento me aborrece' (My marriage bores me), indicating a lack of passion or excitement. News reports or documentaries might use it to describe how certain policies or situations can lead to public weariness or discontent. For example, 'A burocracia excessiva pode aborrecer os cidadãos' (Excessive bureaucracy can bore/annoy citizens).
- Literature and Media
- A character in a book might reflect: 'Sinto que a vida me aborrece ultimamente.' (I feel like life is boring me lately.)
- Informal Complaints
- Someone stuck in a monotonous job: 'Eu me aborreço tanto trabalhando aqui.' (I get so bored working here.)
A espera interminável no aeroporto começou a aborrecer todos.
In educational contexts, teachers might use it to describe how certain subjects can be perceived by students: 'Sei que alguns tópicos podem aborrecer vocês, mas são importantes.' (I know some topics might bore you, but they are important.) Conversely, students might complain about a teacher's monotonous delivery. The reflexive form, aborrecer-se, is particularly frequent when people are describing their own feelings of boredom or irritation, such as when waiting for appointments, during long commutes, or when engaged in repetitive chores. It's a natural way to express a common human experience.
A rotina diária pode facilmente aborrecer alguém.
Learners of Portuguese often make mistakes with aborrecer, primarily concerning its transitivity and the use of the reflexive form. One common error is using the non-reflexive form when the subject is experiencing the boredom themselves.
- Confusing Transitive and Reflexive
- Mistake: 'Eu aborreço com a espera.' (Incorrect: I bore with the wait.)
Correct: 'Eu me aborreço com a espera.' (Correct: I get bored with the wait.)
Explanation: When the subject is experiencing the boredom, the reflexive form 'aborrecer-se' must be used. - Incorrect Subject-Object Agreement
- Mistake: 'A palestra me aborreceu muito.' (Ambiguous/Potentially incorrect if the speaker meant *they* were bored.)
Correct: 'A palestra me aborreceu.' (The lecture bored me - transitive use) OR 'Eu me aborreci com a palestra.' (I got bored with the lecture - reflexive use)
Explanation: While 'A palestra me aborreceu' is grammatically correct, it can sometimes be confused with the speaker implying they were the cause of the lecture's boredom. Using the reflexive form 'Eu me aborreci' is clearer when expressing personal boredom.
Erro comum: 'Eu aborreço.' (Significa que você causa tédio em outros.)
Another pitfall is overusing it for slight annoyance. While 'aborrecer' can mean to annoy, it often implies a deeper or more prolonged feeling of weariness or tedium. For minor irritations, other verbs might be more appropriate.
- Overusing for Minor Annoyance
- Mistake: Using 'aborrecer' for a fleeting moment of irritation.
Alternative: For mild annoyance, verbs like 'incomodar' (to bother) or 'irritar' (to irritate) might be more suitable, depending on the intensity.
Explanation: 'Aborrecer' often suggests a more sustained or significant feeling of boredom or weariness than a quick annoyance. - Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- Mistake: Conjugating it as if it were irregular.
Correct: As a regular -er verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns (e.g., eu aborreço, tu aborreces, ele/ela/você aborrece, nós aborrecemos, vós aborreceis, eles/elas/vocês aborrecem).
Explanation: Ensure you are applying the correct endings for regular -er verbs.
A confusão entre 'aborrecer' e 'aborrecer-se' é comum.
While aborrecer is a common and useful verb, Portuguese offers several other words that can express similar sentiments of boredom, annoyance, or weariness, each with its own nuances and preferred contexts.
- Entediar (to bore)
- Usage: Very similar to 'aborrecer' when referring to causing boredom. 'Entediar-se' is the reflexive form for becoming bored.
- Example: 'O professor entediou a classe com sua longa explicação.' (The professor bored the class with his long explanation.) vs. 'Eu me entediei durante a aula.' (I got bored during the class.)
- Irritar (to irritate/annoy)
- Usage: Focuses more on annoyance and irritation than pure boredom. It implies something is causing displeasure or vexation.
- Example: 'O barulho constante irritava os vizinhos.' (The constant noise irritated the neighbors.) 'Aborrecer' could also fit here, but 'irritar' emphasizes the annoyance.
'Aborrecer' e 'entediar' são muito próximos em significado.
- Cansar (to tire/wear out)
- Usage: Implies physical or mental fatigue. While boredom can lead to tiredness, 'cansar' focuses on the depletion of energy.
- Example: 'A longa caminhada cansou os turistas.' (The long walk tired the tourists.) 'Cansar-se' means to get tired.
- Chatear (to annoy/upset - informal)
- Usage: More informal and often used for minor annoyances or when someone is slightly bothered or upset.
- Example: 'Ele me chateou com aquela piada.' (He annoyed me with that joke.) 'Aborrecer' might be too strong for a single joke unless it was particularly repetitive or irritating.
'Irritar' foca mais na perturbação do que no tédio.
- Enfadar (to bore/disgust - more formal)
- Usage: Similar to 'aborrecer' and 'entediar' but can carry a stronger sense of disgust or being fed up with something.
- Example: 'A monotonia da vida na cidade me enfada.' (The monotony of city life bores/disgusts me.)
- Desgastar (to wear out/fray)
- Usage: Primarily means to wear something down physically, but can be used metaphorically for mental or emotional weariness caused by prolonged stress or tedium.
- Example: 'Essa situação desgastou minha paciência.' (This situation wore out my patience.)
A escolha do sinônimo depende do tom e da intensidade.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The 'ab-' prefix in Latin often signifies separation or removal. So, 'abhorrescere' literally suggested a 'shrinking away' from something. This strong initial meaning is softened in modern Portuguese to describe more common feelings of boredom and irritation.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly.
- Not trilling the 'rr' sound sufficiently.
- Confusing the 'ç' sound with a hard 'k' or soft 's'.
Difficulty Rating
CEFR A2 level. The word 'aborrecer' is introduced early in language learning, making it accessible for intermediate learners. Understanding its transitive and reflexive uses is crucial.
A2-B1. Learners should be comfortable using it in simple sentences, focusing on correct conjugation and the choice between transitive and reflexive forms.
A2-B1. Practicing its use in common phrases and scenarios will help learners sound more natural.
A2. Recognizing 'aborrecer' and 'aborrecer-se' in spoken Portuguese is important for comprehension, especially in casual conversations.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Use of Reflexive Pronouns with 'aborrecer-se'
When the subject is experiencing the boredom or annoyance, the verb 'aborrecer' becomes reflexive. For example, 'Eu me aborreço' (I get bored), 'Ela se aborreceu' (She got bored/annoyed).
Prepositions after 'aborrecer-se'
The reflexive verb 'aborrecer-se' is often followed by the preposition 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/from). Ex: 'Ele se aborrece com a demora.' (He gets bored with the delay.) 'Eu me aborreço de esperar.' (I get bored of waiting.)
Transitive Use of 'aborrecer'
When 'aborrecer' is used transitively, the subject causes boredom or annoyance to the object. Ex: 'A palestra aborreceu os alunos.' (The lecture bored the students.)
Verb Conjugation of Regular -ER Verbs
'Aborrecer' is a regular -er verb. Its conjugation follows standard patterns: eu aborreço, tu aborreces, ele/ela/você aborrece, nós aborrecemos, vós aborreceis, eles/elas/vocês aborrecem.
Use of Imperfect vs. Past Simple Tense
The imperfect tense ('aborrecia') describes ongoing states of boredom or repetitive actions in the past, while the past simple ('aborreceu') describes a completed action of causing boredom or getting bored. Ex: 'Eu me aborrecia com a espera longa.' (I was getting bored with the long wait - ongoing) vs. 'A espera me aborreceu.' (The wait bored me - completed action).
Examples by Level
Eu aborreço.
I am bored.
Simple present tense, intransitive use (implied 'me').
O filme me aborrece.
The movie bores me.
Present tense, transitive use.
Não me aborreça.
Don't bore me.
Imperative negative, transitive use.
Ele aborreceu.
He got bored.
Past simple tense, reflexive use (implied 'se').
A aula aborrece.
The class is boring.
Present tense, transitive use.
Nós nos aborrecemos.
We get bored.
Present tense, reflexive use.
Você aborrece?
Are you bored?
Present tense question, reflexive use (implied 'se').
Isso aborrece.
That is boring.
Present tense, transitive use.
A espera no banco me aborreceu por uma hora.
The wait at the bank bored me for an hour.
Past simple tense, transitive use, duration.
Eu me aborreço com dias chuvosos.
I get bored with rainy days.
Present tense, reflexive use, preposition 'com'.
A repetição da tarefa começou a aborrecer os trabalhadores.
The repetition of the task started to bore the workers.
Imperfect tense, transitive use.
Não quero te aborrecer com meus problemas.
I don't want to bore you with my problems.
Infinitive, transitive use, preposition 'com'.
Ele se aborreceu durante a reunião longa.
He got bored during the long meeting.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, preposition 'durante'.
O programa de TV era tão ruim que me aborreceu.
The TV show was so bad that it bored me.
Past simple tense, transitive use, result clause.
Ela se aborrece facilmente quando não há nada para fazer.
She gets bored easily when there's nothing to do.
Present tense, reflexive use, adverb 'facilmente'.
Essa música lenta me aborrece um pouco.
This slow music bores me a little.
Present tense, transitive use, adverb 'um pouco'.
A rotina diária daquele emprego começou a me aborrecer profundamente.
The daily routine of that job started to bore me deeply.
Imperfect tense, transitive use, adverb 'profundamente'.
Ele se aborreceu com a falta de progresso no projeto.
He got annoyed/bored with the lack of progress on the project.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, preposition 'com'.
Não se aborreça com as pequenas coisas; concentre-se no objetivo.
Don't get annoyed/bored with the small things; focus on the goal.
Imperative negative, reflexive use, preposition 'com'.
As palestras monótonas geralmente aborrecem os estudantes mais jovens.
Monotonous lectures generally bore younger students.
Present tense, transitive use, adverb 'geralmente'.
Eu me aborrecia de morte com aquele programa de TV repetitivo.
I was bored to death by that repetitive TV show.
Imperfect tense, reflexive use, idiomatic expression 'de morte'.
Se a situação continuar assim, todos vão se aborrecer.
If the situation continues like this, everyone will get bored/annoyed.
Future tense, reflexive use.
O excesso de burocracia pode aborrecer até os mais pacientes.
Excess bureaucracy can bore/annoy even the most patient people.
Present tense, transitive use, comparative 'até os mais'.
Ele tentou não se aborrecer, mas a demora era insuportável.
He tried not to get bored/annoyed, but the delay was unbearable.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, infinitive clause.
A monotonia da vida suburbana tendia a aborrecer os jovens criativos.
The monotony of suburban life tended to bore creative young people.
Imperfect tense ('tendia a'), transitive use.
Ele se aborreceu com a insistência dela em discutir o mesmo assunto.
He got annoyed with her insistence on discussing the same topic.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, noun phrase as object of preposition.
É fácil se aborrecer quando se está preso em um engarrafamento prolongado.
It's easy to get bored/annoyed when one is stuck in a prolonged traffic jam.
Infinitive, reflexive use, impersonal 'se'.
Aqueles discursos longos e sem conteúdo tendem a aborrecer qualquer público.
Those long and contentless speeches tend to bore any audience.
Present tense ('tendem a'), transitive use.
Ela se sentia aborrecida com a falta de reconhecimento profissional.
She felt bored/annoyed with the lack of professional recognition.
Past participle used as adjective, reflexive structure implied.
Os repetitivos anúncios publicitários começaram a me aborrecer profundamente.
The repetitive advertisements started to bore me deeply.
Past simple tense, transitive use, intensifier 'profundamente'.
Tentar explicar conceitos complexos para quem não presta atenção pode aborrecer qualquer professor.
Trying to explain complex concepts to someone who isn't paying attention can bore any teacher.
Present tense, transitive use, gerund phrase as subject.
Ele se aborreceu não apenas com a demora, mas também com a falta de informação.
He got annoyed not only with the delay but also with the lack of information.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, correlative conjunction 'não apenas... mas também'.
A atmosfera carregada de tédio na sala de espera começou a me aborrecer irremediavelmente.
The atmosphere heavy with boredom in the waiting room began to bore me irremediably.
Imperfect tense, transitive use, adverb 'irremediavelmente'.
Ele se aborreceu com a recalcitrância da administração em aceitar novas propostas.
He got annoyed with the administration's recalcitrance in accepting new proposals.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, noun phrase with complex vocabulary.
É uma tarefa que pode aborrecer até os mais dedicados, dada a sua natureza intrinsecamente repetitiva.
It is a task that can bore even the most dedicated, given its intrinsically repetitive nature.
Present tense, transitive use, modal verb 'pode', complex sentence structure.
A constante insistência em temas triviais acabava por aborrecer os ouvintes mais atentos.
The constant insistence on trivial themes ended up boring the more attentive listeners.
Imperfect tense, transitive use, verb phrase 'acabar por'.
Ela se sentia profundamente aborrecida pela superficialidade das conversas que eram forçadas a participar.
She felt deeply bored/annoyed by the superficiality of the conversations she was forced to participate in.
Past participle used as adjective, passive voice within the clause.
O ciclo vicioso de problemas não resolvidos começou a aborrecer a população local.
The vicious cycle of unresolved problems began to bore/annoy the local population.
Past simple tense, transitive use, abstract nouns.
É preciso ter paciência para não se aborrecer com os procedimentos burocráticos excessivos.
One needs to have patience not to get bored/annoyed with the excessive bureaucratic procedures.
Infinitive, reflexive use, impersonal subject 'é preciso'.
A falta de inovação em seus métodos de ensino ameaçava aborrecer a nova geração de estudantes.
The lack of innovation in his teaching methods threatened to bore the new generation of students.
Past simple tense, transitive use, verb phrase 'ameaçava a'.
A perpetuação de discussões infrutíferas sobre questões já resolvidas tendia a aborrecer os mais pragmáticos.
The perpetuation of fruitless discussions on already resolved issues tended to bore the more pragmatic ones.
Imperfect tense ('tendia a'), transitive use, sophisticated vocabulary.
Ele se aborreceu com a recalcitrante teimosia da comissão em rever suas decisões prévias.
He got annoyed with the commission's recalcitrant stubbornness in reviewing its previous decisions.
Past simple tense, reflexive use, complex noun phrase.
É uma tarefa que pode aborrecer até os mais resilientes, dada a sua natureza intrinsecamente alienante.
It is a task that can bore even the most resilient, given its intrinsically alienating nature.
Present tense, transitive use, modal verb 'pode', complex sentence structure.
A insistente repetição de argumentos falaciosos acabava por aborrecer os intelectuais mais perspicazes.
The insistent repetition of fallacious arguments ended up boring the more perspicacious intellectuals.
Imperfect tense, transitive use, verb phrase 'acabar por'.
Ela se sentia profundamente aborrecida pela vacuidade das interações sociais impostas pelo seu status.
She felt deeply bored/annoyed by the emptiness of the social interactions imposed by her status.
Past participle used as adjective, passive voice within the clause, abstract nouns.
O ciclo vicioso de ineficiências administrativas começou a aborrecer a população trabalhadora.
The vicious cycle of administrative inefficiencies began to bore/annoy the working population.
Past simple tense, transitive use, abstract nouns.
É imperativo manter a compostura para não se aborrecer com os procedimentos dilatórios e obscuros.
It is imperative to maintain composure not to get bored/annoyed with the dilatory and obscure procedures.
Infinitive, reflexive use, impersonal subject 'é imperativo'.
A ausência de um paradigma verdadeiramente inovador em suas abordagens ameaçava aborrecer a nova geração de pensadores críticos.
The absence of a truly innovative paradigm in his approaches threatened to bore the new generation of critical thinkers.
Past simple tense, transitive use, verb phrase 'ameaçava a', complex abstract nouns.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Don't annoy me! / Don't bore me!
Por favor, não me aborreça com essas reclamações agora.
— To bore to death (very informal intensification).
Aquele professor aborrecia de morte os alunos.
— I don't want to bore you.
Não quero aborrecer você com todos os detalhes.
— This can be boring/annoying.
Repetir a mesma coisa várias vezes pode aborrecer.
Often Confused With
'Aborrecido' is the past participle of 'aborrecer' and is commonly used as an adjective meaning 'bored' or 'annoyed'. For example, 'Estou aborrecido' means 'I am bored/annoyed'.
This is a much less common verb, related to 'aberrir' (to deviate). It's distinct from 'aborrecer' and not typically confused in everyday usage.
This word does not exist in standard Portuguese. It might be a misspelling or a regionalism.
Idioms & Expressions
— To bore someone intensely; to make someone extremely bored.
A palestra sobre impostos me aborreceu de morte.
Informal— To try someone's patience to the point of annoyance or boredom.
As constantes interrupções dele aborreciam a paciência de todos na sala.
Neutral— To bore someone to the point of extreme tedium.
O filme era tão previsível que aborreceu até o tédio.
Neutral— To repeatedly talk about a topic to the point where it annoys or bores others.
Ele não para de falar sobre futebol, só me aborrece com esse assunto.
Neutral— To get annoyed or bored by trivial matters.
Ela tende a se aborrecer com coisas pequenas, o que dificulta a convivência.
Neutral— To bore even inanimate objects; to be extremely boring.
Aquele palestrante aborrece até as pedras com seu discurso monótono.
Informal— To bore someone to their very soul; to be extremely tedious.
A rotina daquele trabalho aborrecia a alma dele.
Neutral— To annoy or bore someone to the point of losing their mind or patience.
A insistência dela em perguntar a mesma coisa aborrecia o juízo dele.
Informal— To be so boring that it makes one sleepy.
A explicação do professor aborrecia o sono de muitos alunos.
Neutral— To bore or annoy relentlessly.
A propaganda repetitiva o aborrecia sem trégua.
NeutralEasily Confused
Both verbs refer to causing or feeling boredom.
'Aborrecer' can also mean 'to annoy', while 'entediar' strictly means 'to bore'. 'Aborrecer-se' is more common for expressing personal boredom than 'entiediar-se'.
'O filme me aborreceu' (The movie bored me, possibly also annoyed me) vs. 'O filme me entediou' (The movie strictly bored me).
Both can describe negative feelings towards something.
'Irritar' specifically means 'to irritate' or 'to annoy', focusing on the displeasure caused. 'Aborrecer' can encompass both boredom and annoyance, often with a sense of weariness.
'O barulho me irrita' (The noise irritates me) vs. 'O barulho me aborrece' (The noise annoys me/bores me due to its persistence).
Both can result from prolonged or tedious activities.
'Cansar' means 'to tire' or 'to wear out' (physically or mentally). 'Aborrecer' focuses more on the lack of interest or the irritation itself, though fatigue can be a consequence.
'A longa caminhada me cansou' (The long walk tired me) vs. 'A longa caminhada me aborreceu' (The long walk bored me due to its monotony).
Both are used for negative emotional states related to annoyance.
'Chatear' is generally more informal and used for minor annoyances or when someone is slightly upset. 'Aborrecer' can be more serious and implies a deeper sense of weariness or irritation.
'Ele me chateou com aquela piada.' (He annoyed me with that joke - mild) vs. 'As constantes reclamações dele me aborreciam.' (His constant complaints annoyed me - more sustained).
Both can describe a negative impact over time.
'Desgastar' means 'to wear out' physically or metaphorically (like patience). 'Aborrecer' describes the feeling of boredom or annoyance itself, which might lead to 'desgaste'.
'Essa situação desgastou minha paciência.' (This situation wore out my patience.) vs. 'Essa situação me aborreceu.' (This situation annoyed me.)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + aborreço.
Eu aborreço.
Subject + aborreces.
Tu aborreces?
Subject + aborrece + Object.
O filme aborrece a todos.
Subject + se aborreço.
Eu me aborreço com a espera.
Subject + aborreceu + Object.
A palestra me aborreceu.
Subject + se aborreceu + com + Noun.
Ele se aborreceu com o atraso.
Subject + aborrece + Object + adverb.
A monotonia aborrece profundamente.
Subject + se aborrecer + de + infinitive.
Ela se aborrece de esperar tanto.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common
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Using 'aborrecer' transitively when the subject is experiencing boredom.
→
Eu me aborreço com a espera.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' is necessary because the subject ('Eu') is the one feeling bored. Incorrect: 'Eu aborreço com a espera.'
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Confusing 'aborrecer' (verb) with 'aborrecido' (adjective).
→
O filme me aborreceu. Eu estou aborrecido.
'Aborrecer' is the verb 'to bore/annoy', while 'aborrecido' is the adjective 'bored/annoyed'. You use the verb to describe the action or cause, and the adjective to describe the state.
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Not using a preposition after 'aborrecer-se'.
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Ela se aborrece com a demora.
The reflexive verb 'aborrecer-se' is often followed by a preposition like 'com' or 'de' to specify what is causing the boredom or annoyance. Incorrect: 'Ela se aborrece a demora.'
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Using 'aborrecer' for very minor, fleeting annoyances.
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O barulho me incomoda um pouco.
While 'aborrecer' can mean to annoy, it often implies a more sustained feeling of weariness or irritation. For minor disturbances, 'incomodar' or 'irritar' might be more precise.
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Incorrect conjugation of the reflexive form.
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Nós nos aborrecemos.
Ensure the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject. Incorrect: 'Nós se aborrecemos.' or 'Nós aborrecemos.'
Tips
Reflexive vs. Transitive
Remember to use the reflexive form 'aborrecer-se' when you are the one feeling bored or annoyed (e.g., 'Eu me aborreço'). Use the transitive form 'aborrecer' when something or someone is causing that feeling in another person (e.g., 'O filme me aborrece').
The 'rr' Sound
The 'rr' in 'aborrecer' is a strong, trilled 'r'. Practice this sound to pronounce the word clearly. It's different from the single 'r' in 'ora' or the final 'r'.
Prepositions with 'Aborrecer-se'
When using the reflexive 'aborrecer-se', common prepositions are 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/from) to indicate what is causing the boredom or annoyance. For example, 'Ele se aborrece com a rotina' or 'Ela se aborrece de esperar'.
Connect to Feelings
Think of specific times you felt bored or annoyed and try to describe them using 'aborrecer' or 'aborrecer-se'. Connecting the word to personal experiences makes it easier to recall.
Idiomatic Intensifiers
For stronger emphasis, use idioms like 'aborrecer de morte' (to bore to death) or 'aborrecer a paciência' (to try someone's patience). These are common in informal speech.
Choosing the Right Word
While 'aborrecer' is versatile, consider synonyms like 'entediar' (pure boredom) or 'irritar' (annoyance) if you need to be more precise about the emotion.
Listen Actively
When listening to Portuguese, try to identify instances of 'aborrecer' and 'aborrecer-se'. Note who is speaking, what they are talking about, and the overall tone.
Common Expression
'Aborrecer' is a very common verb in Portuguese. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to understand and express everyday feelings and situations.
Vary Your Vocabulary
Don't overuse 'aborrecer'. Learn related words like 'tedioso', 'monótono', and 'cansativo' to add variety and precision to your writing and speaking.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a very boring 'Abor'iginal' ceremony that makes you 're'ally want to 'ce'ase being there. The 'Abor-re-cer' sounds like a boring, repetitive ritual that makes you want to leave.
Visual Association
Picture a clock with its hands moving incredibly slowly, dripping boredom. Or imagine someone trapped in a room filled with endless, identical grey boxes, feeling utterly weary. The slow drip or the grey boxes represent the feeling of 'aborrecer'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three different situations in your life where you felt 'aborrecido' (bored/annoyed) using the verb 'aborrecer' or 'aborrecer-se'. Focus on what caused the feeling and how intense it was.
Word Origin
The word 'aborrecer' comes from the Latin word 'abhorrescere', which means 'to recoil in horror', 'to dread', or 'to detest'. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass feelings of weariness, boredom, and annoyance.
Original meaning: To recoil in horror, to dread, to detest.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > PortugueseCultural Context
While 'aborrecer' can mean 'to annoy', it's generally less intense than stronger words for anger or rage. It implies a weariness or irritation that doesn't typically lead to confrontation unless it's prolonged or severe.
In English, we have 'to bore' and 'to annoy'. 'Aborrecer' covers both, with the specific nuance often determined by context. 'Aborrecer-se' directly translates to 'to get bored' or 'to get annoyed'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing a long and uneventful journey.
- A viagem foi longa e começou a me aborrecer.
- Eu me aborrecia com a paisagem repetitiva.
- O tempo pareceu não passar, me aborrecendo.
- Esperava que a viagem acabasse logo para de aborrecer.
Talking about a tedious or repetitive job.
- Esse trabalho me aborrece demais.
- A rotina me faz aborrecer.
- Eu me aborreço com as mesmas tarefas.
- Não quero aborrecer ninguém com minhas queixas sobre o trabalho.
Expressing boredom or annoyance with media (movies, books, TV shows).
- O filme me aborreceu profundamente.
- Não quero me aborrecer com essa série.
- Esse livro aborrece por ser tão previsível.
- O final me aborreceu pela falta de sentido.
Complaining about waiting in line or for appointments.
- A espera no banco me aborreceu.
- Estou me aborrecendo nesta fila.
- Essa demora vai me aborrecer até o fim.
- Não me aborreça com mais tempo de espera.
Describing social situations that lack interest or are irritating.
- A conversa me aborreceu.
- Ele se aborreceu com a superficialidade.
- Não quero aborrecer meus convidados.
- O evento me aborreceu por falta de animação.
Conversation Starters
"What kind of activities usually bore you?"
"Have you ever felt bored to death by something? What was it?"
"What do you do when you feel bored or annoyed?"
"Is there anything that consistently annoys you in daily life?"
"How do you deal with monotonous tasks at work or home?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt deeply bored and what you did about it.
Write about something or someone that frequently annoys you and why.
Reflect on a situation where you had to do something tedious. How did you manage not to get too bored?
Imagine a perfect antidote to boredom. What would it be?
How does the feeling of being bored affect your mood and productivity?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsWhen 'aborrecer' is used transitively, the subject causes boredom or annoyance to someone else (the object). For example, 'O filme aborreceu-me' (The movie bored me). When used reflexively as 'aborrecer-se', the subject is experiencing the boredom or annoyance themselves. For example, 'Eu me aborreço com a espera' (I get bored with the wait).
Yes, 'aborrecer' can encompass both meanings. The context usually clarifies whether the primary emotion is boredom (lack of stimulation) or annoyance (irritation). Often, prolonged boredom can lead to annoyance.
Yes, 'aborrecer' and its reflexive form 'aborrecer-se' are very common in everyday Portuguese, especially in informal and neutral registers. They are essential for expressing common feelings of tedium and irritation.
It's frequently used to describe long waits, repetitive tasks, monotonous activities, boring movies or lectures, or irritating habits of others. It's also used when someone feels generally weary or uninspired by their surroundings or routine.
Yes, informal options include 'maçar' (to bore) and 'chatear' (to annoy, upset). For intense boredom, the idiom 'aborrecer de morte' (to bore to death) is common.
'Aborrecer' is a regular -er verb. Its conjugation follows the standard pattern: eu aborreço, tu aborreces, ele/ela/você aborrece, nós aborrecemos, vós aborreceis, eles/elas/vocês aborrecem. The past simple is: eu aborreci, tu aborreceste, ele/ela/você aborreceu, etc.
'Aborrecer' can mean both to bore and to annoy, often implying weariness. 'Entediar' strictly means 'to bore'. While often interchangeable for boredom, 'aborrecer' has a broader emotional range that includes irritation.
Not directly. For physical tiredness, the verb 'cansar' (to tire) is more appropriate. However, prolonged boredom or annoyance from a task ('aborrecer') can certainly lead to mental or even physical fatigue ('cansar').
'Aborrecer-se' generally translates to 'to get bored' or 'to get annoyed'. The specific nuance depends on the context.
Yes, the main noun is 'aborrecimento', which means 'boredom', 'annoyance', or 'nuisance'.
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Summary
The verb 'aborrecer' is used to describe the feeling of being bored or annoyed, or to cause that feeling in others. Its reflexive form, 'aborrecer-se', is very common for expressing personal boredom or irritation with a situation.
- Aborrecer: to bore, annoy, or make weary.
- Use transitively (aborrecer someone) or reflexively (aborrecer-se).
- Commonly used for tedious tasks, long waits, or irritating situations.
- Similar to 'entediar' (to bore) and 'irritar' (to annoy).
Reflexive vs. Transitive
Remember to use the reflexive form 'aborrecer-se' when you are the one feeling bored or annoyed (e.g., 'Eu me aborreço'). Use the transitive form 'aborrecer' when something or someone is causing that feeling in another person (e.g., 'O filme me aborrece').
The 'rr' Sound
The 'rr' in 'aborrecer' is a strong, trilled 'r'. Practice this sound to pronounce the word clearly. It's different from the single 'r' in 'ora' or the final 'r'.
Context is Key
The meaning of 'aborrecer' can shift slightly depending on the context. Pay attention to the situation to determine if it emphasizes boredom, weariness, or irritation.
Prepositions with 'Aborrecer-se'
When using the reflexive 'aborrecer-se', common prepositions are 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/from) to indicate what is causing the boredom or annoyance. For example, 'Ele se aborrece com a rotina' or 'Ela se aborrece de esperar'.
Example
O barulho constante começou a me aborrecer.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
