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aborrecer-se

B1 verb #4,500 most common 11 min read

aborrecer-se

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips aborrecer-se in 30 Seconds

Explanation aborrecer-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to express basic feelings. You might learn 'aborrecer-se' primarily in its adjective form 'aborrecido/a' (bored). For example, 'Eu estou aborrecido' (I am bored). However, understanding the verb 'aborrecer-se' helps you describe the action of becoming bored. At this stage, focus on the simple present tense: 'Eu aborreço-me' (I get bored). You might use it to talk about things you don't like doing, like waiting for the bus or doing homework. It's a useful word to tell your teacher or parents how you feel about a repetitive task. Remember that the '-se' at the end changes depending on who is bored: 'Eu me aborreço' (I get bored) or 'Tu te aborreces' (You get bored). Don't worry too much about the complex grammar yet; just focus on the basic idea of 'getting bored.' It is one of the first emotional verbs you will encounter, alongside 'ficar contente' (to become happy) or 'ficar triste' (to become sad). Using 'aborrecer-se' makes your Portuguese sound more dynamic than just saying 'Eu não gosto' (I don't like). It shows you are starting to describe your internal state. Try to use it with the preposition 'com' (with), like 'Aborreço-me com a chuva' (I get bored/annoyed with the rain). This is a great way to start building longer sentences and expressing more than just basic facts about yourself.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'aborrecer-se' to describe more specific situations and social interactions. You are now learning the difference between 'bored' and 'annoyed.' You might say 'Eu aborreço-me quando não tenho nada para fazer' (I get bored when I have nothing to do) or 'Eu aborreço-me com o meu irmão' (I get annoyed with my brother). You are also starting to use past tenses. For example, 'Ontem, eu aborreci-me no cinema' (Yesterday, I got bored at the cinema). This allows you to tell simple stories about your day. You will also notice that 'aborrecer-se' is a reflexive verb, which means the action stays with the person doing it. At A2, you should practice the negative form: 'Eu não me aborreço facilmente' (I don't get bored easily). This is important because the word 'não' pulls the pronoun 'me' to the front of the verb. You might also hear people use it in the imperative to give advice: 'Não te aborreças!' (Don't get upset!). Learning this verb helps you move beyond basic descriptions and into the realm of social dynamics. You can express frustration, lack of interest, or even a mild form of anger. It’s a versatile tool for your daily Portuguese toolkit, especially when traveling or interacting with native speakers who might ask how you're feeling about a certain event or activity.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more nuanced meanings of 'aborrecer-se.' You understand that it can mean both 'to get bored' and 'to get annoyed,' and you can use context to make your meaning clear. You are also more comfortable with the reflexive pronouns and their placement. For instance, you know that in European Portuguese, we say 'Aborreci-me' but 'Não me aborreci.' You can use the verb in the conditional to talk about hypothetical situations: 'Eu aborrecer-me-ia se tivesse de trabalhar sozinho' (I would get bored if I had to work alone). At this level, you start to see 'aborrecer-se' in more formal contexts, like news reports or emails. You might write, 'Aborreci-me com o atraso na entrega' (I was annoyed by the delay in delivery). This is a more sophisticated way of expressing dissatisfaction than using simple slang. You are also beginning to distinguish 'aborrecer-se' from its synonyms like 'chatear-se' (more informal) or 'entediar-se' (more specific to boredom). You understand that 'aborrecer-se' has a slightly more formal or standard tone. This is the level where you start to master the prepositions that follow the verb: 'aborrecer-se COM' for people/things that annoy you, and 'aborrecer-se DE' for things you are tired of doing. This precision is what marks a B1 learner. You can also use it to describe public sentiment, such as 'O povo aborreceu-se com a política,' showing you can talk about topics beyond your personal life.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'aborrecer-se' with full grammatical accuracy, including the more complex pronoun placements found in European Portuguese (mesoclisis). You might use it in the future tense: 'Aborrecer-me-ei se não encontrar uma solução' (I will be annoyed if I don't find a solution). You also understand the stylistic choices between using 'aborrecer-se' and more intense verbs like 'irritar-se' or 'enfurecer-se.' You can use 'aborrecer-se' to convey a sense of 'dignified frustration' or 'professional boredom.' In a business meeting, you might say, 'Não nos queremos aborrecer com detalhes irrelevantes' (We don't want to get bogged down/bored with irrelevant details). You also recognize the word in literature and media where it might describe a deeper, existential state. You can participate in debates about social issues and use the verb to describe collective boredom or societal annoyance. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'aborrecer-se' alongside related nouns like 'aborrecimento' (annoyance/boredom) and adjectives like 'aborrecidíssimo' (extremely bored/annoyed). You are also aware of the regional differences: you know that in Brazil, 'chatear-se' is often the preferred choice for annoyance, while 'aborrecer-se' sounds slightly more formal or literary. This cultural awareness allows you to adapt your speech depending on who you are talking to, which is a key skill at the B2 level.

At the C1 level, you have a deep, intuitive grasp of 'aborrecer-se.' You can use it to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between a fleeting moment of boredom and a long-term state of being 'fed up.' You might use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'Quem quer que se aborreça com tal coisa, não compreende a gravidade da situação' (Whoever gets annoyed by such a thing doesn't understand the gravity of the situation). You are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use the verb to create specific rhetorical effects. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, which helps you appreciate its use in 19th-century Portuguese literature. You can analyze how authors like Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis use 'aborrecer-se' to characterize the upper classes' ennui. Your use of the verb is seamless, and you never struggle with pronoun placement, even in the most formal or archaic constructions. You can also use the non-pronominal form 'aborrecer' (to bore/annoy someone) with equal ease, switching between the two to vary your sentence structure. At this level, 'aborrecer-se' is not just a word for 'bored,' but a tool for psychological characterization and social commentary. You can discuss the 'aborrecimento' of modern life or the way certain political climates cause the population to 'aborrecer-se' with the status quo.

At the C2 level, your command of 'aborrecer-se' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can use the verb in all its forms, including rare and archaic conjugations, to achieve specific literary or oratorical goals. You understand the most subtle connotations of the word—how it can imply a sense of moral weariness or a refined, intellectual boredom. You can use it in philosophical discussions about 'tédio' and the human condition. You are also a master of regional nuances, effortlessly switching between the 'aborrecer-se' of a Lisbon intellectual and the 'chatear-se' of a São Paulo businessman, while knowing exactly when the former is more appropriate for the register. You can use the verb to write sophisticated essays, professional reports, or even poetry. You understand how the rhythm and sound of the word ('a-bor-re-cer-se') can be used for poetic effect. For you, 'aborrecer-se' is part of a vast network of related terms, and you choose it with surgical precision. You might use it to describe the 'aborrecimento' of a soul that has seen too much, or the 'aborrecimento' of a bureaucracy that has become stagnant. Your mastery is such that you can even play with the word, using it ironically or in puns. You are not just using the language; you are shaping it, and 'aborrecer-se' is one of the many instruments at your disposal.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

aborrecer-se in 30 Seconds

A versatile Portuguese verb meaning both 'to get bored' and 'to get annoyed' or 'upset'.
It is reflexive, requiring pronouns like 'me', 'te', or 'se' to match the subject.
Commonly followed by 'com' for annoyance and 'de' for boredom or being fed up.
Essential for expressing everyday frustrations and lack of interest in both formal and informal Portuguese.

The Portuguese verb aborrecer-se is a multifaceted gem of the Lusophone lexicon, serving as a primary vehicle for expressing psychological states ranging from mild lack of interest to significant irritation. At its core, it is a pronominal verb, meaning it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) to function correctly when the subject is the one experiencing the emotion. In English, we often have to choose between 'to get bored' and 'to get annoyed,' but in Portuguese, aborrecer-se elegantly bridges this gap, though the specific meaning is usually clarified by the context or the prepositions that follow it.

Boredom (Tédio): When used to describe a lack of stimulation, it mirrors the English 'to grow weary' or 'to get bored.' For example, a child might say they are bored during a long car ride. In this sense, it is often followed by the preposition 'de' when referring to the source of the boredom.

As crianças começaram a aborrecer-se com o filme longo e lento.

Annoyance (Irritação): In social interactions, it frequently shifts toward 'to get upset' or 'to be annoyed.' If someone is late, you might 'aborrecer-se' with them. Here, the preposition 'com' is the standard bridge to the person or thing causing the frustration.

Não vale a pena aborrecer-se por coisas tão insignificantes.

Existential Weariness: In a more academic or literary sense, 'aborrecer-se' can describe a deep, philosophical ennui. It is the state of being tired of the world or a specific repetitive lifestyle, capturing a sense of 'being fed up' that goes beyond simple boredom.

Ele acabou por aborrecer-se da vida urbana e mudou-se para o campo.

Ela costuma aborrecer-se quando as coisas não correm como planeado.

Understanding when to use this word requires a sensitivity to the speaker's tone. If said with a sigh, it's boredom. If said with a frown, it's annoyance. This versatility makes it an essential verb for reaching the B1 level and beyond. It allows the learner to express complex internal states with a single, sophisticated verb that carries weight in both casual conversation and professional settings. Whether you are dealing with a delayed flight or a repetitive task at work, 'aborrecer-se' provides the linguistic tools to convey your dissatisfaction accurately. Finally, remember that as a pronominal verb, its placement of the pronoun (before or after the verb) will change based on the syntax of the sentence, particularly in European Portuguese where 'clitic climbing' and proclisis/enclisis rules are strictly followed. In Brazil, you will almost always hear the pronoun before the verb: 'Ele se aborrece'. In Portugal, it is more likely 'Ele aborrece-se'. This distinction is vital for sounding natural in your chosen dialect.

Mastering aborrecer-se requires understanding its grammatical behavior across different tenses and moods. Because it is a regular -er verb, its conjugation follows standard patterns, but the reflexive pronoun adds a layer of complexity for English speakers. Let's look at how the verb adapts to various contexts.

The Present Tense (Habitual or Current State): When describing how someone typically reacts or how they are feeling right now. Example: 'Eu aborreço-me com facilidade' (I get annoyed easily). This suggests a personality trait or a recurring reaction.

Nós aborrecemo-nos sempre que temos de esperar na fila.

The Past (Pretérito Perfeito vs. Imperfeito): Use the Pretérito Perfeito for a specific moment of becoming bored or annoyed: 'Ontem, ele aborreceu-se na festa.' Use the Imperfeito for a continuous state or habit in the past: 'Antigamente, eu aborrecia-me menos com o trânsito.'

Eles não se aborreceram com a notícia, o que foi uma surpresa.

The Imperative (Giving Advice or Commands): Often used in the negative to comfort someone. 'Não te aborreças!' (Don't get upset/bored!). It’s a way to tell someone to stay calm or to find something to do.

Por favor, não se aborreça com os meus erros.

The Future and Conditional: Used for predictions or hypothetical situations. 'Se o filme for mau, aborrecer-me-ei' (If the movie is bad, I will get bored - formal PT-PT) or 'Eu vou-me aborrecer se tiver de ficar aqui' (I'm going to get bored if I have to stay here - informal/spoken).

Eu aborrecer-me-ia muito se vivesse numa cidade pequena.

Tu aborrecer-te-ias se não tivesses nada para ler.

In summary, to use 'aborrecer-se' correctly, you must first decide which meaning you intend (boredom or annoyance), select the correct preposition (com/de), and ensure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject. It is a verb that rewards the careful learner with a high degree of expressive precision. Practice using it in the first person singular ('Eu aborreço-me') to talk about your own pet peeves or things that make you lose interest, as this is the most common way you will use the word in real-life social interactions.

The acoustic footprint of aborrecer-se is wide, spanning from the domestic dinner table to the high-stakes environment of a courtroom or business negotiation. Because it handles both 'boredom' and 'irritation,' you will hear it in vastly different emotional landscapes.

Daily Social Life: In casual conversation, especially in Portugal, friends might use it to describe their reaction to a situation. 'Aborreci-me imenso na reunião' (I got really bored/annoyed in the meeting). The ambiguity is often part of the charm; the listener understands that the experience was negative without needing a precise diagnosis of the emotion.

A Maria aborreceu-se porque o jantar estava frio.

Formal and Professional Contexts: In a professional setting, 'aborrecer-se' is a more polite way to say someone is upset than using words like 'irritado' or 'zangado.' It implies a certain level of decorum. A manager might say, 'O cliente aborreceu-se com o atraso,' which sounds professional and objective.

O professor aborrece-se quando os alunos não prestam atenção.

Literature and Media: Portuguese literature is famous for its exploration of 'tédio' (ennui). Authors like Fernando Pessoa often describe characters who 'se aborrecem' with existence itself. In podcasts and news, you might hear it used to describe public reaction to political scandals or slow bureaucratic processes.

O público aborreceu-se com as constantes promessas não cumpridas.

Espero que não se aborreça se eu fizer uma pergunta pessoal.

Whether you're listening to a grandmother scolding a grandchild ('Para de te aborrecer!') or a news anchor discussing social fatigue, the word is ubiquitous. Its ability to describe both the passive state of boredom and the active state of being annoyed makes it a high-frequency verb that is essential for understanding the emotional undertones of Portuguese speech. Paying attention to the prepositions 'com' and 'de' that follow it will be your best clue as to which meaning is being emphasized in the moment.

Learning aborrecer-se presents several pitfalls for English speakers, primarily due to its pronominal nature and its dual meaning. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your fluency and make you sound more like a native speaker.

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: The most common mistake is saying 'Eu aborreço' to mean 'I am bored.' In Portuguese, 'Eu aborreço' means 'I bore (someone else).' To say you are the one feeling bored or annoyed, you MUST include the pronoun: 'Eu aborreço-me' or 'Eu me aborreço.'

Errado: Eu aborreço com o trânsito. Correto: Eu aborreço-me com o trânsito.

Confusing 'Bored' with 'Annoyed': While 'aborrecer-se' covers both, learners often use the wrong preposition. Generally, 'aborrecer-se COM' implies annoyance at something/someone, while 'aborrecer-se DE' often implies getting tired or bored of an activity. Using 'com' when you mean 'de' can change the nuance of your sentence.

Ele aborreceu-se de tanto esperar (He got tired/bored of waiting so long).

Pronoun Placement Errors: In European Portuguese, learners often put the pronoun before the verb in affirmative sentences (e.g., 'Eu me aborreço'), which sounds Brazilian. Conversely, in negative sentences, the pronoun must come before the verb ('Não me aborreço'). Forgetting this rule is a dead giveaway of a non-native speaker.

Nunca me aborreço quando estou a ler um bom livro.

Não te aborreças, é apenas uma brincadeira!

Another common mistake is treating 'aborrecer' as an English-style adjective directly. In English, we say 'I am bored.' In Portuguese, while you can say 'Estou aborrecido,' using the verb 'Aborreci-me' (I got bored/annoyed) is often more natural for describing the change in state. Finally, be careful with the word 'chato.' While 'aborrecido' can mean 'boring' (as an adjective), 'chato' is the more common informal word for 'annoying' or 'boring' in Brazil. However, 'aborrecer-se' remains the standard verb for the action of reaching that state.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use aborrecer-se and when another verb might be more appropriate. Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for emotions, and choosing the right one can change the entire tone of your conversation.

Entediar-se: This is the most direct synonym for 'to get bored.' It specifically refers to 'tédio' (ennui). Use this if you want to be 100% clear that you are bored and NOT annoyed. It's a bit more formal than 'aborrecer-se' in some contexts.

Durante a palestra, muitos alunos começaram a entediar-se.

Chatear-se: In Brazil, this is the 'go-to' verb for getting annoyed or upset. In Portugal, it's also very common. It's slightly more informal than 'aborrecer-se.' If a friend cancels plans, you 'chateia-se' with them.

Ele chateou-se com o irmão por causa do videogame.

Zangar-se: This means 'to get angry.' It's a step up from 'aborrecer-se.' If someone is 'zangado,' they might be shouting or showing outward signs of anger, whereas someone who is 'aborrecido' might just be sulking or quietly frustrated.

Não te zangues comigo, eu não fiz por mal!

Enfastiar-se: A more literary term meaning to become weary or disgusted with something. It’s like 'aborrecer-se' but with a higher intensity of fatigue. You might 'enfastiar-se' of a repetitive job after ten years.

Ele enfastiou-se da rotina monótona do escritório.

Ela aborreceu-se com o barulho constante da obra ao lado.

By having these alternatives in your mental toolkit, you can avoid overusing 'aborrecer-se' and provide more color to your descriptions of emotional states. Remember that context is king: in a formal email, 'aborrecer-se' is perfect; in a bar with friends, 'chatear-se' might be more natural.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word is a distant cousin of the English word 'abhor'. While 'abhor' kept the sense of intense hatred, the Portuguese 'aborrecer' softened over time to mean simple boredom or annoyance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.bu.ʁɨˈseɾ.sɨ/

US /a.bo.ʁeˈseʁ.si/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable of the verb itself: 'cer'.

Rhymes With

esquecer-se conhecer-se perder-se viver-se ver-se mudar-se queixar-se sentir-se

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'e' in 'se' too strongly in Portugal.
Failing to vibrate the double 'rr' correctly.
Treating the 'c' as a 'k' instead of an 's' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the 'se' instead of the 'cer'.
Ignoring the nasalization that can occur in certain Brazilian dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts, but meanings can be subtle.

Writing 4/5

Reflexive pronoun placement is tricky for learners.

Speaking 4/5

Requires quick thinking for pronoun conjugation and placement.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, though 'se' can be very short in PT-PT.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

estar ficar com de se (reflexive)

Learn Next

entediar-se chatear-se irritar-se zangar-se enfastiar-se

Advanced

tédio fastio enfado moléstia agastamento

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement (Proclisis)

Não **me** aborreço. (Negative words pull the pronoun).

Reflexive Pronoun Placement (Enclisis)

Aborreço-**me**. (Default in affirmative sentences in PT-PT).

Mesoclisis in Future/Conditional

Aborrecer-**me**-ei. (Pronoun inside the verb in formal PT-PT).

Prepositional Government

Aborrecer-se **com** alguém vs. Aborrecer-se **de** algo.

Subjunctive after Emotion Verbs

Lamento que te **aborreças**. (Subjunctive follows 'lamento').

Examples by Level

Eu aborreço-me no carro.

I get bored in the car.

Simple present tense with reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Tu aborreces-te com o filme?

Do you get bored with the movie?

Question form in the second person singular.

Nós aborrecemo-nos em casa.

We get bored at home.

First person plural conjugation.

Ela não se aborrece na escola.

She doesn't get bored at school.

Negative sentence with pronoun before the verb.

Eles aborrecem-se com a chuva.

They get bored with the rain.

Third person plural with 'com'.

Eu aborreço-me quando espero.

I get bored when I wait.

Present tense with a temporal clause.

Não te aborreças com isso.

Don't get bored/upset with that.

Negative imperative (informal).

O gato aborrece-se sozinho.

The cat gets bored alone.

Third person singular reflexive.

Ontem, eu aborreci-me muito na festa.

Yesterday, I got very bored/annoyed at the party.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past) tense.

Ela aborreceu-se com o atraso do comboio.

She got annoyed with the train delay.

Past tense with the preposition 'com'.

Nós aborrecíamo-nos sempre nas aulas de história.

We used to get bored in history classes.

Pretérito Imperfeito (Past habit) tense.

Vocês aborreceram-se com a notícia?

Did you all get upset with the news?

Second person plural (PT) or 'Vocês' (BR/PT).

Ele nunca se aborrece de ler.

He never gets bored of reading.

Negative with 'nunca' pulling the pronoun forward.

Aborreci-me de comer sempre a mesma coisa.

I got bored/tired of always eating the same thing.

Past tense with the preposition 'de'.

Não se aborreça, o senhor já vai ser atendido.

Don't get annoyed, sir, you will be helped soon.

Formal negative imperative.

Eles aborreceram-se porque não havia internet.

They got bored because there was no internet.

Past tense with a causal clause.

É normal aborrecer-se quando o trabalho é repetitivo.

It's normal to get bored when the work is repetitive.

Infinitive form after 'é normal'.

Se eu não tivesse passatempos, aborrecer-me-ia imenso.

If I didn't have hobbies, I would get very bored.

Conditional tense with mesoclisis (PT-PT style).

Ela aborrece-se facilmente com a falta de organização.

She gets annoyed easily with the lack of organization.

Present tense with an adverb of frequency.

Espero que não se aborreçam com a minha honestidade.

I hope you don't get upset with my honesty.

Present Subjunctive after 'espero que'.

Ele aborreceu-se de esperar por uma resposta que nunca veio.

He got tired of waiting for a response that never came.

Past tense followed by a relative clause.

Muitas pessoas aborrecem-se com a rotina do dia a dia.

Many people get bored with the daily routine.

General statement in the present tense.

Aborreço-me de morte quando tenho de fazer limpezas.

I am bored to death when I have to do cleaning.

Idiomatic expression 'aborrecer-se de morte'.

Não vale a pena aborrecer-se por coisas pequenas.

It's not worth getting upset over small things.

Fixed expression 'não vale a pena'.

Aborrecer-me-ia profundamente se o projeto fosse cancelado.

I would be deeply annoyed if the project were canceled.

Conditional with mesoclisis and an adverb of intensity.

É provável que os clientes se aborreçam com o novo tarifário.

It's likely that customers will get annoyed with the new pricing.

Subjunctive mood after 'é provável que'.

Ela aborreceu-se de tal forma que decidiu sair da sala.

She got so annoyed that she decided to leave the room.

Consecutive clause 'de tal forma que'.

Aborrecemo-nos com a constante burocracia do sistema.

We get frustrated with the system's constant bureaucracy.

Present tense used for a general grievance.

Se tu te aborreceres, podemos sempre ir embora mais cedo.

If you get bored, we can always leave earlier.

Future Subjunctive in a conditional 'if' clause.

O diretor aborreceu-se com a falta de profissionalismo da equipa.

The director got annoyed with the team's lack of professionalism.

Past tense in a formal context.

Aborreço-me de ver sempre os mesmos debates na televisão.

I'm tired of seeing the same debates on television.

Infinitive phrase after 'aborreço-me de'.

Embora se aborreça com facilidade, ele é um bom colega.

Although he gets annoyed easily, he is a good colleague.

Concessive clause with 'embora' plus Subjunctive.

O autor aborrece-se das convenções sociais da sua época.

The author is weary of the social conventions of his time.

Literary use of 'aborrecer-se de'.

Caso se aborreça com o ruído, dispomos de protetores auriculares.

Should you be annoyed by the noise, we have ear protectors available.

Formal conditional with 'Caso' plus Subjunctive.

Aborrecer-se-iam decerto se soubessem a verdade toda.

They would certainly be upset if they knew the whole truth.

Conditional with mesoclisis and the adverb 'decerto'.

Ele aborreceu-se sobremaneira com a insinuação de incompetência.

He was exceedingly annoyed by the insinuation of incompetence.

High-register adverb 'sobremaneira'.

Aborreço-me de que a discussão tenha tomado este rumo.

It upsets/bores me that the discussion has taken this turn.

Subjunctive after a verb of emotion.

A alma aborrece-se quando lhe falta o alimento da criatividade.

The soul grows weary when it lacks the nourishment of creativity.

Metaphorical/Philosophical usage.

Não permitas que te aborreças com futilidades mundanas.

Do not allow yourself to be annoyed by mundane futilities.

Literary imperative with 'permitas'.

O público aborreceu-se daquela narrativa excessivamente linear.

The audience grew tired of that excessively linear narrative.

Sophisticated critique using 'aborrecer-se de'.

Aborrecer-se-ia sobremodo o espírito se a monotonia fosse eterna.

The spirit would be exceedingly weary if monotony were eternal.

Archaic/Formal conditional and adverb 'sobremodo'.

Raro é o filósofo que não se aborreceu das limitações da linguagem.

Rare is the philosopher who has not grown weary of the limitations of language.

Complex sentence with a relative clause.

Aborrecer-se-ão, porventura, com o rigor da minha análise?

Will they, perhaps, be annoyed by the rigor of my analysis?

Future tense with mesoclisis and 'porventura'.

Ele aborreceu-se de tal forma com a vacuidade do discurso que se retirou.

He became so annoyed with the vacuity of the speech that he withdrew.

Sophisticated vocabulary: 'vacuidade'.

Aborreço-me de que o pragmatismo tenha asfixiado a utopia.

It pains/bores me that pragmatism has stifled utopia.

Abstract usage with complex emotional nuance.

Pudesse eu não me aborrecer com a finitude das coisas!

If only I could not grow weary of the finiteness of things!

Optative subjunctive construction.

Aborreceram-se-lhe os sentidos perante tamanha opulência.

His senses became weary/dulled before such opulence.

Dative of interest/possession with 'se-lhe'.

Sempre que a política se aborrece de si mesma, surge o populismo.

Whenever politics grows weary of itself, populism emerges.

Personification of 'política' with reflexive verb.

Common Collocations

Aborrecer-se com tudo

Aborrecer-se de morte

Aborrecer-se facilmente

Aborrecer-se por nada

Aborrecer-se com o trânsito

Aborrecer-se de esperar

Aborrecer-se com a demora

Aborrecer-se com a rotina

Aborrecer-se com injustiças

Aborrecer-se de ler

Common Phrases

Não te aborreças!

— Don't get upset or don't worry about it.

Não te aborreças, amanhã resolvemos isso.

Aborrecer-se com ninharias

— To get upset over trifles or small things.

Ele tem o hábito de aborrecer-se com ninharias.

Aborrecer-se como um carrapato

— To get very annoyed (idiomatic).

Ele ficou aborrecido como um carrapato com a piada.

Aborrecer-se de vez

— To get fed up once and for all.

Depois de tanto barulho, ela aborreceu-se de vez.

Aborrecer-se solenemente

— To be extremely and visibly bored/annoyed.

Aborreci-me solenemente durante a ópera.

Aborrecer-se com a vida

— To be weary of life or deeply unhappy.

Na velhice, ele começou a aborrecer-se com a vida.

Aborrecer-se à brava

— To get very annoyed (slangy/informal).

Ele aborreceu-se à brava com o resultado do jogo.

Aborrecer-se com o mundo

— To be annoyed with everything around you.

Há dias em que me aborreço com o mundo inteiro.

Aborrecer-se profundamente

— To be deeply annoyed or bored.

Aborreci-me profundamente com aquela atitude.

Aborrecer-se de tanto...

— To get bored/annoyed from doing something too much.

Aborreci-me de tanto ouvir a mesma música.

Often Confused With

aborrecer-se vs Aborrecer

The non-reflexive version means 'to bore someone else'. Don't say 'Eu aborreço' when you mean 'I am bored'.

aborrecer-se vs Abominar

A much stronger word meaning 'to detest'. Aborrecer-se is just being annoyed.

aborrecer-se vs Abotoar

Sounds similar but means 'to button up' (like a shirt).

Idioms & Expressions

"Aborrecer-se de morte"

— To be bored to death or extremely annoyed.

A palestra era tão longa que eu aborreci-me de morte.

Informal

"Estar com os azeites"

— To be very annoyed (Portuguese idiom).

Não fales com ele agora, ele está com os azeites (aborrecido).

Slang (Portugal)

"Estar pelos cabelos"

— To be fed up/annoyed to the limit.

Estou pelos cabelos com este barulho!

Informal

"Aborrecer-se com a própria sombra"

— To be someone who gets annoyed at everything, even their own shadow.

Ele hoje está insuportável, aborrece-se com a própria sombra.

Informal

"Dar o cavaco"

— To show annoyance or get upset (Portugal).

Ele deu o cavaco quando soube que não ia ser promovido.

Informal

"Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha"

— To become suspicious/annoyed by something.

Fiquei aborrecido e com a pulga atrás da orelha com aquela história.

Informal

"Perder as estribeiras"

— To lose one's temper (often follows being aborrecido).

Ele aborreceu-se tanto que perdeu as estribeiras.

Informal

"Ficar de trombas"

— To sulk after getting annoyed.

Ela aborreceu-se e ficou de trombas o dia todo.

Informal

"Encher o saco"

— To annoy someone (Brazilian idiom).

Ele vive me aborrecendo, ele realmente enche o saco.

Slang (Brazil)

"Cair o Carmo e a Trindade"

— Used when someone makes a huge deal out of getting annoyed.

Ela aborreceu-se tanto que pareceu que ia cair o Carmo e a Trindade.

Informal

Easily Confused

aborrecer-se vs Chatear

Both mean to annoy.

Chatear is more informal and common in Brazil. Aborrecer is more standard and covers boredom too.

Não me chateies! / Aborreci-me com o barulho.

aborrecer-se vs Entediar

Both mean to bore.

Entediar is strictly for boredom (tédio). Aborrecer is more versatile.

O tédio entedia-me. / Aborreço-me com a rotina.

aborrecer-se vs Irritar

Both mean to annoy.

Irritar implies a more physiological or intense reaction.

O fumo irrita-me os olhos. / Aborreci-me com o atraso.

aborrecer-se vs Zangar

Both mean to be upset.

Zangar is 'to get angry'. Aborrecer is 'to get annoyed/bored'.

Zanguei-me com ele. / Aborreci-me com a espera.

aborrecer-se vs Enfastiar

Both mean to be weary.

Enfastiar is more formal and implies a deep, long-term fatigue.

Enfastiou-se da vida mundana. / Aborreceu-se do filme.

Sentence Patterns

Eu [me aborreço/aborreço-me] em [lugar].

Eu aborreço-me no aeroporto.

Ontem, [sujeito] aborreceu-se com [algo].

Ontem, ela aborreceu-se com o computador.

Se [algo acontecer], eu vou-me aborrecer.

Se o comboio atrasar, eu vou-me aborrecer.

É impossível não se aborrecer com [situação].

É impossível não se aborrecer com esta burocracia.

Aborreço-me de que [frase no conjuntivo].

Aborreço-me de que ninguém queira ajudar.

Aborrecer-se-ia o mais paciente dos homens com [algo].

Aborrecer-se-ia o mais paciente dos homens com tamanha desfaçatez.

Aborrecer-se de morte com [atividade].

Ele aborreceu-se de morte com a palestra.

Não te aborreças por [motivo].

Não te aborreças por tão pouco.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Eu aborreço. → Eu aborreço-me.
You need the reflexive pronoun to say you are bored/annoyed. 'Eu aborreço' means 'I bore others'.
Aborreci-me com o filme. → Aborreci-me do filme.
While 'com' is often used, 'de' is more traditional for boredom with an object or activity.
Não aborreço-me. → Não me aborreço.
In negative sentences, the pronoun MUST come before the verb.
Eu estou aborrecendo-se. → Eu estou a aborrecer-me / Estou me aborrecendo.
The pronoun must match the subject (Eu -> me).
Ele aborreceu-se para você. → Ele aborreceu-se contigo/com você.
The correct preposition is 'com', not 'para'.

Tips

Watch the 's' in 'nos'

When you add 'nos' to 'aborrecemos', you drop the final 's': 'Aborrecemo-nos' (not aborrecemos-nos).

Regional preference

If you are in Brazil, use 'chatear-se' more often for 'annoyed' to sound more local.

The 'de' vs 'com' rule

Think: 'COM' is for 'Company' (annoying people/things), 'DE' is for 'Doing' (boring activities).

Don't forget the 'se'

Without the 'se', you are telling someone THEY are boring, which might be rude!

Formal emails

Use 'aborrecer-se' to politely express that you are unhappy with a service delay.

Clitic climbing

Listen for 'Vou-me aborrecer' vs 'Vou aborrecer-me'. Both are fine, but the first is more common in speech.

The double RR

Make sure your 'rr' is strong and comes from the back of the throat.

Synonym linking

Link 'aborrecer' with 'abhor' in English to remember it's a negative feeling verb.

Temporal use

Use 'Pretérito Perfeito' for a sudden annoyance and 'Imperfeito' for a long boring period.

Adverb usage

Add 'facilmente' (easily) to describe someone who is easily annoyed.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Bore' (aborrecer) who makes you 'Recede' (the 'rece' part) from the conversation because you are bored or annoyed.

Visual Association

Picture a person sitting in a room with a giant 'B' (for Boredom) and a giant 'A' (for Annoyance) on the walls, and they are stuck in the middle.

Word Web

tédio chato irritado esperar rotina filme trânsito reunião

Challenge

Try to use 'aborrecer-se' in three different tenses today: once to describe a past boredom, once for a current annoyance, and once for a future worry.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'abhorrescere', which is the inchoative of 'abhorrere'.

Original meaning: Originally meant 'to shrink back from in horror' or 'to shudder'.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

While not a vulgar word, telling someone 'Tu aborreces-me' (You bore/annoy me) is quite direct and can be hurtful. Use 'Estou aborrecido' (I am bored) to be safer.

English speakers often struggle with the fact that one word covers both 'bored' and 'annoyed'. In English, these are very different emotions, but in Portuguese, they are seen as two sides of the same 'dissatisfaction' coin.

Fernando Pessoa's 'Livro do Desassossego' frequently explores themes of aborrecimento. Machado de Assis uses the term to describe the ennui of the Brazilian elite. The song 'Aborrecido' by various Brazilian artists often deals with teenage angst.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Waiting in a long queue

Estou a aborrecer-me.
Aborreço-me de esperar.
Não se aborreça.
Que aborrecimento!

Reacting to bad news

Não te aborreças com isso.
Ele aborreceu-se com a notícia.
Aborreci-me imenso.
Ficou aborrecido?

A boring meeting or class

Aborreci-me de morte.
Toda a gente se aborreceu.
Comecei a aborrecer-me.
É impossível não se aborrecer.

Interpersonal conflict

A Maria aborreceu-se comigo.
Não te quero aborrecer.
Aborrecemo-nos por nada.
Por que te aborreces?

Daily routines

Aborreço-me da rotina.
Nunca me aborreço de ler.
Ela aborrece-se em casa.
Aborrecer-se com o trânsito.

Conversation Starters

"Costumas aborrecer-se quando tens de esperar muito tempo pelo autocarro?"

"O que é que te faz aborrecer-se mais no teu trabalho ou na escola?"

"Aborreces-te facilmente com as pessoas que não são pontuais?"

"Já alguma vez te aborreces-te tanto num filme que saíste do cinema?"

"Como é que fazes para não te aborreceres quando estás sozinho em casa?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre uma situação recente em que te aborreces-te muito. O que aconteceu e como reagiste?

Quais são as três coisas que mais te fazem aborrecer-se no dia a dia? Explica porquê.

Preferes aborrecer-se sozinho ou aborrecer-se acompanhado? Reflete sobre a diferença.

Descreve um dia perfeito em que não tivesses nenhuma razão para te aborreceres.

Aborrecer-se é uma perda de tempo ou pode ser um momento para a criatividade? Dá a tua opinião.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can also mean 'to get annoyed' or 'to get upset.' The meaning depends on the context. If you say 'aborrecer-se com alguém,' it usually means you are annoyed with them. If you say 'aborrecer-se de um filme,' it means you are bored by it.

It is used in both, but it is extremely common in European Portuguese for both boredom and annoyance. In Brazil, people often prefer 'chatear-se' for annoyance and 'ficar entediado' for boredom, but 'aborrecer-se' is still widely used and understood.

Yes, 'Estou aborrecido' means 'I am bored' or 'I am annoyed' (a state). 'Aborreço-me' focuses on the action of becoming that way. Both are correct and very common.

Use 'com' for the person or thing that is annoying you (e.g., 'aborreci-me com o trânsito'). Use 'de' for the thing that is boring you or that you are tired of (e.g., 'aborreci-me de esperar').

It is considered standard Portuguese. It's not overly formal, but it's more formal than slang terms like 'estar de saco cheio.' It is perfectly appropriate for both work and social settings.

It is a regular -er verb. For 'Eu', it's 'aborreci-me'. For 'Tu', 'aborreceste-te'. For 'Ele/Ela', 'aborreceu-se'. For 'Nós', 'aborrecemo-nos'. For 'Eles', 'aborreceram-se'.

'Aborrecer' is transitive: 'Ele aborrece os amigos' (He bores his friends). 'Aborrecer-se' is reflexive: 'Ele aborrece-se com os amigos' (He gets annoyed with his friends).

In ancient Portuguese, yes. In modern Portuguese, no. It has softened to mean annoyance or boredom, not intense hatred.

Both are correct. 'Eu me aborreço' is the standard in Brazil and in negative sentences everywhere. 'Eu aborreço-me' is the standard for affirmative sentences in Portugal.

The most common is 'aborrecer-se de morte,' which means to be extremely bored or annoyed. Another is 'aborrecer-se com ninharias,' meaning to get upset over nothing.