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A2 adjective #7,500 most common 8 min read

Aburrido

Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Aburrido in 30 Seconds

Explanation Aburrido in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'aborrecido' as a basic adjective to describe how you feel or to describe a simple object. You will mostly use it with the verb 'estar' to say 'Estou aborrecido' (I am bored). It is important to remember that the word changes to 'aborrecida' if you are a woman. You might also use it to describe a long day or a movie. At this stage, don't worry too much about the 'annoyed' meaning; focus on 'boring' and 'bored.' You will likely use it in simple sentences like 'O livro é aborrecido' or 'A aula é aborrecida.' This helps you start expressing basic opinions about your environment and your feelings, which is a key milestone in early language acquisition. Practice the pronunciation of the 'rr' sound, which is essential for being understood.

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between 'ser' and 'estar' with 'aborrecido.' You understand that 'ser aborrecido' describes a personality trait or an inherent quality (e.g., 'Este jogo é aborrecido'), while 'estar aborrecido' describes a temporary state (e.g., 'Estou aborrecido agora'). You also start to use the word to mean 'annoyed' or 'upset.' For instance, you can say 'Estou aborrecido com o meu irmão.' You should be able to form more complex sentences using prepositions like 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/from). Your vocabulary expands to include basic synonyms like 'chato.' You are now using the word to navigate social situations, such as explaining why you don't want to do a certain activity or expressing mild dissatisfaction with a situation in a polite way.

By B1, you use 'aborrecido' with greater nuance and frequency. You recognize that it can describe not just situations, but also more abstract concepts like 'um processo aborrecido' (a tedious process). You are comfortable using the superlative 'aborrecidíssimo' to add emphasis. You also start to encounter the word in more formal contexts, such as news reports or literature, where it might describe a 'situação aborrecida' (a troublesome or awkward situation). You can distinguish 'aborrecido' from more specific terms like 'entediante' or 'maçante' and choose the right one based on the intensity of the boredom. Your ability to use the word in the past tense (e.g., 'Fiquei aborrecido') to describe changes in your emotional state becomes more fluid. You also start to understand idiomatic uses in different Lusophone regions.

At the B2 level, 'aborrecido' is a tool for subtle expression. You understand its role in 'social softening'—using it to describe something as 'boring' or 'annoying' instead of using harsher language. You are aware of the word's etymological connection to the verb 'aborrecer' and can use the verb itself in various tenses (e.g., 'Isso aborrece-me'). You can discuss the concept of 'aborrecimento' (boredom/annoyance) as a noun in debates or essays. You are also sensitive to the register of the word; you know that 'aborrecido' is neutral-to-formal, whereas 'chato' is informal. You can use 'aborrecido' to describe complex social dynamics, such as 'um clima aborrecido' (a tense or unpleasant atmosphere) between people. Your pronunciation is natural, and you correctly use the word in the context of Portuguese cultural norms regarding politeness.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'aborrecido.' You use it to express existential or philosophical ideas, perhaps discussing 'o tédio aborrecido' in a literary analysis of Fernando Pessoa. You understand the historical shifts in the word's meaning and its relationship to other Romance languages (like Spanish 'aburrido'). You can use it in highly formal writing to describe bureaucratic inefficiency or diplomatic stalemates. You are also adept at using it ironically or with sarcasm. You understand the subtle difference between being 'aborrecido' (annoyed/bored) and 'enfadado' (weary/annoyed), choosing the one that fits the exact emotional frequency of your sentence. You can effortlessly switch between 'aborrecido' and its many synonyms to maintain variety and precision in long discourses or complex writing tasks.

At the C2 level, 'aborrecido' is just one of many words in your vast repertoire, used with absolute precision. You understand its most obscure uses and its role in regional dialects. You can manipulate the word for stylistic effect in creative writing, using it to set a specific mood or to characterize a protagonist's internal state. You are fully aware of the phonetic nuances between different Portuguese-speaking regions and can adjust your understanding (or even your speech) accordingly. You can analyze the word's impact in legal or academic texts, where 'aborrecido' might describe a nuisance or a breach of decorum. For you, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a cultural artifact that you use to navigate the deepest levels of Lusophone thought and communication, from the most mundane complaints to the most profound expressions of the human condition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Aburrido in 30 Seconds

Aborrecido means 'boring' when describing things and 'bored' or 'annoyed' when describing people.
Use 'ser' for permanent traits (a boring person) and 'estar' for temporary feelings (being bored now).
It is a versatile word used in both formal and informal Portuguese across the globe.
Remember to change the ending to -a, -os, or -as to match the gender and number of the noun.

The Portuguese word aborrecido is a multifaceted adjective that every learner at the A2 level must master. While it is often the first word students learn for 'boring,' its utility extends far beyond a simple lack of interest. In the Lusophone world, aborrecido functions as a bridge between emotional states and objective descriptions. It captures that specific human sensation of ennui—when time seems to stretch and the soul feels a bit heavy—as well as the external causes of that feeling, such as a long lecture or a rainy afternoon with nothing to do.

The Dual Nature: Ser vs. Estar: In Portuguese, the meaning shifts significantly based on the verb used. When you use ser aborrecido, you are describing a permanent or inherent characteristic. A person who is 'ser aborrecido' is a dull or annoying person by nature. However, estar aborrecido refers to a temporary state. If you say 'Estou aborrecido,' you are simply bored at this moment.
Annoyance vs. Boredom: Unlike the English word 'boring,' which usually just means 'not interesting,' the Portuguese aborrecido often carries a connotation of being 'annoyed' or 'upset.' If someone does something that bothers you, you might say you are 'aborrecido com ele' (upset with him). This overlap between boredom and irritation is a key cultural nuance in Portuguese communication.

O filme era tão aborrecido que eu adormeci no cinema.

The movie was so boring that I fell asleep in the cinema.

Contextually, you will hear this word in classrooms, offices, and during social gatherings. It is a polite way to express dissatisfaction without being overly aggressive. For instance, a student might describe a difficult but unengaging subject as 'uma disciplina aborrecida.' In a professional context, a repetitive task is often labeled 'um trabalho aborrecido.' Understanding this word allows you to navigate the subtle social cues of Portuguese speakers who value emotional expression alongside factual description.

Estou aborrecido porque não tenho nada para fazer hoje.

I am bored because I have nothing to do today.

Regional Variations: While 'aborrecido' is understood everywhere, in Brazil, 'chato' is extremely prevalent for the meaning of 'boring' or 'annoying.' In Portugal, 'aborrecido' maintains a slightly higher frequency in daily speech to describe a state of being fed up or tired of a situation.

Finally, remember the gender and number agreement. Since it is an adjective ending in '-o', it must change to 'aborrecida' for feminine nouns and 'aborrecidos/aborrecidas' for plurals. This grammatical consistency is vital for A2 learners aiming for fluency.

Mastering the syntax of aborrecido involves understanding its placement and the prepositions that typically follow it. As an adjective, it usually follows the noun it modifies, but its real power lies in its relationship with auxiliary verbs and the objects of boredom or annoyance.

Prepositional Usage: When you are bored or annoyed with something or someone, Portuguese uses the preposition com. For example: 'Estou aborrecido com o trânsito' (I am annoyed with the traffic). If the boredom is caused by an action, you might use de: 'Estou aborrecido de esperar' (I am tired/bored of waiting).

Ela ficou aborrecida com a notícia que recebeu.

She became upset/annoyed with the news she received.

The word is also frequently used in the superlative form to emphasize extreme boredom. You can say 'muito aborrecido' or use the suffix '-íssimo' to create aborrecidíssimo. This is common when complaining about a particularly long wait at a government office or a very dull book.

Estes exercícios de gramática são um pouco aborrecidos.

These grammar exercises are a bit boring.

Sentence Starters: Common patterns include: 'Que aborrecido!' (How boring/annoying!), 'É aborrecido que...' (It's annoying that...), and 'Não sejas aborrecido' (Don't be boring/annoying).

In more complex sentences, 'aborrecido' can be used to describe the manner in which something is done, though it is usually an adjective describing the subject or object. For example, 'Ele tem um tom de voz aborrecido' (He has a boring tone of voice). This illustrates how the word attaches to nouns to define their character.

In the real world, aborrecido is a staple of everyday conversation. You'll hear it in the supermarket when someone is frustrated with a long queue, in the living room when kids are tired of their toys, and in the workplace during repetitive tasks.

— Queres ir ao museu? — Não, acho esse museu muito aborrecido.

— Do you want to go to the museum? — No, I think that museum is very boring.

In Portuguese media, news anchors might use it to describe a 'situação aborrecida' (an awkward or annoying situation), such as a diplomatic disagreement or a technical glitch during a broadcast. It is a 'safe' word—not too informal like 'chato' can be in some European Portuguese contexts, and not too clinical.

Social Media and Texting: On social media, you might see the hashtag #aborrecido used with a selfie of someone stuck in a waiting room. In texting, it's often used to decline invitations politely: 'Hoje não posso, o trabalho está muito aborrecido e estou cansado' (I can't today, work is very tedious and I'm tired).

Que dia aborrecido! Só chove e não há nada na televisão.

What a boring day! It's just raining and there's nothing on TV.

Culturally, the word also appears in literature and music to describe the 'tedium of life' (o tédio da vida). Famous Portuguese poets like Fernando Pessoa often explored themes that could be described as 'aborrecimento'—a deep, existential boredom. Thus, while it’s an A2 word, its roots reach into the heart of Portuguese philosophy and art.

Learning aborrecido comes with a few traps, especially for English and Spanish speakers. Because of its similarity to the Spanish 'aburrido,' many students assume it is exactly the same, but Portuguese nuances can be tricky.

The Spanish False Friend: While Spanish aburrido primarily means boring, Portuguese aborrecido very often means 'annoyed' or 'upset.' If you say 'Estou aborrecido' to a Portuguese person, they might ask 'Why? What happened?' thinking someone offended you, rather than just thinking you have nothing to do.
Ser vs. Estar Confusion: This is the most common grammatical error. Saying 'Eu sou aborrecido' means 'I am a boring/annoying person.' Saying 'Eu estou aborrecido' means 'I am bored right now.' Don't accidentally insult yourself!

Incorrect: O livro está aborrecido.
Correct: O livro é aborrecido.

Books are boring by nature (ser), they don't 'feel' bored (estar).

Another mistake is forgetting that aborrecido can also mean 'annoying.' If someone says 'Aquele barulho é aborrecido,' they don't mean the noise is uninteresting; they mean it is irritating. Context is everything.

Finally, watch the spelling. It has two 'r's. Many students write 'aborecido,' which is incorrect. The double 'r' in Portuguese creates that strong, rolled or guttural sound (depending on the region) that is essential for correct pronunciation.

To truly enrich your vocabulary, you should know when to use aborrecido and when to reach for a more specific alternative. Portuguese has a rich palette for describing negative or dull experiences.

Chato: The most common informal alternative. In Brazil, it's used for everything—a boring movie, an annoying person, a difficult task. In Portugal, it's also common but can be slightly more focused on 'annoying' than 'boring.'
Entediante: This is the direct equivalent of 'tedious.' It’s a bit more formal and specifically refers to something that causes 'tédio' (tedium). Use this for a very long, monotonous lecture.
Maçante: This describes something that 'beats' or 'grinds' you down because it's so repetitive and dull. It’s a great word for bureaucratic processes or repetitive manual labor.

A palestra foi entediante, mas o orador não era uma pessoa aborrecida.

The lecture was tedious, but the speaker was not a boring person.

If you are describing a person who is 'boring' because they talk too much about uninteresting things, you might call them a 'seca' (literally 'a drought') in Portugal. For example, 'Ele é uma seca!' is a very common way to say someone is a total bore.

Choosing between these depends on the 'flavor' of boredom you wish to convey. 'Aborrecido' is your safe, all-purpose middle ground.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is a 'cognate' with the English word 'abhor,' but while 'abhor' kept its strong meaning of hatred, 'aborrecer' became the everyday word for being bored in Portuguese.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.bu.ʁɛ.ˈsi.du/

US /a.bo.χe.ˈsi.du/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: a-bor-re-CI-do.

Rhymes With

conhecido vencido querido perdido sentido ouvido pedido partido

Common Errors

Pronouncing only one 'r' like a soft 'r' (as in 'caro'). It must be a strong 'rr'.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a hard 'o' instead of 'u'.
Confusing the 'ce' sound with 'che'. It should be a soft 's' sound.
Stressing the wrong syllable, like the last one.
Failing to reduce the initial 'a' in European Portuguese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its common usage and clear endings.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to the double 'rr' and gender/number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 'rr' sound can be challenging for beginners to master properly.

Listening 2/5

Easily identified, though can be confused with 'aburrido' by Spanish learners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ser estar muito livro filme

Learn Next

chato entediante aborrecer tédio divertido

Advanced

enfadonho fastidioso monotonia desassossego maçador

Grammar to Know

Gender Agreement

O menino aborrecido / A menina aborrecida.

Plural Formation

Os livros aborrecidos / As aulas aborrecidas.

Ser vs Estar

Ele é aborrecido (personality) vs Ele está aborrecido (feeling).

Superlative Suffix

Aborrecido -> Aborrecidíssimo.

Prepositional Phrases

Aborrecido com [substantivo].

Examples by Level

O livro é aborrecido.

The book is boring.

Uses 'ser' for inherent quality.

Estou aborrecido em casa.

I am bored at home.

Uses 'estar' for temporary state.

A aula de hoje é aborrecida.

Today's class is boring.

Feminine agreement with 'aula'.

Não gosto de filmes aborrecidos.

I don't like boring movies.

Plural agreement with 'filmes'.

O domingo é um dia aborrecido.

Sunday is a boring day.

Masculine agreement with 'dia'.

Ela está aborrecida.

She is bored.

Feminine agreement with 'ela'.

É um trabalho aborrecido.

It is a boring job.

Adjective follows the noun.

O jogo foi aborrecido.

The game was boring.

Past tense of 'ser'.

Estou aborrecido com o meu computador.

I am annoyed with my computer.

Preposition 'com' used for annoyance.

Ela ficou aborrecida com a notícia.

She got upset with the news.

Verb 'ficar' shows a change in state.

Este caminho é longo e aborrecido.

This path is long and boring.

Two adjectives describing one noun.

Acho que ele é um homem aborrecido.

I think he is a boring man.

'Ser' indicates a personality trait.

Estás aborrecido por causa da chuva?

Are you bored because of the rain?

Question form with 'estar'.

O jantar foi um bocado aborrecido.

The dinner was a bit boring.

'Um bocado' used as a quantifier.

Não fiques aborrecida comigo.

Don't be/get annoyed with me.

Negative imperative form.

É aborrecido ter de esperar tanto tempo.

It's annoying to have to wait so long.

Impersonal 'É aborrecido...'

Sinto-me aborrecido com a rotina diária.

I feel bored with the daily routine.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se'.

Foi uma viagem aborrecida, sem grandes surpresas.

It was a boring trip, without major surprises.

Describing an experience.

O meu chefe está aborrecido porque o projeto atrasou.

My boss is annoyed because the project was delayed.

Contextual meaning of 'annoyed'.

A conferência tornou-se aborrecida depois da primeira hora.

The conference became boring after the first hour.

Verb 'tornar-se' indicates a transition.

Que situação aborrecida, esqueci-me da carteira!

What an annoying situation, I forgot my wallet!

Exclamatory use for an inconvenience.

Ele tem um modo de falar muito aborrecido.

He has a very boring way of speaking.

Modifying a noun phrase.

Aborrecido com o silêncio, ele ligou o rádio.

Bored with the silence, he turned on the radio.

Adjective used as a cause at the start of a sentence.

Ela é aborrecidíssima quando começa a falar de política.

She is extremely boring when she starts talking about politics.

Superlative '-íssima'.

A burocracia neste país é extremamente aborrecida.

The bureaucracy in this country is extremely tedious.

Adverb 'extremamente' for intensity.

É aborrecido que não tenhamos chegado a um acordo.

It is annoying that we haven't reached an agreement.

Subjunctive mood after 'É aborrecido que'.

Sempre achei a história antiga um pouco aborrecida.

I've always found ancient history a bit boring.

Compound past tense 'tenho achado' implied.

Ele ficou aborrecido por não ter sido convidado.

He was annoyed for not having been invited.

Infinitive personal used after 'por'.

Aborrecido, o autor decidiu mudar o rumo da história.

Bored, the author decided to change the course of the story.

Used as a participial adjective.

Não há nada mais aborrecido do que um domingo de chuva.

There is nothing more boring than a rainy Sunday.

Comparative 'mais... do que'.

A sua atitude aborrecida afastou todos os amigos.

His annoying attitude drove all his friends away.

Describing a behavioral consequence.

Considero este tipo de conversa bastante aborrecido.

I consider this type of conversation quite boring.

Formal verb 'considerar'.

A existência humana pode tornar-se aborrecida sem um propósito.

Human existence can become boring without a purpose.

Philosophical context.

O tom aborrecido da narrativa compromete a qualidade da obra.

The boring tone of the narrative compromises the quality of the work.

Literary criticism context.

Ficou visivelmente aborrecido com a insinuação do jornalista.

He was visibly annoyed by the journalist's insinuation.

Adverb 'visivelmente' modifying the adjective.

É sobremaneira aborrecido lidar com tais questiúnculas.

It is exceedingly annoying to deal with such petty issues.

Archaic/formal adverb 'sobremaneira'.

Aborrecido pela monotonia, ele buscou refúgio na arte.

Bored by monotony, he sought refuge in art.

Passive-like structure with 'pela'.

A lentidão do processo judicial é aborrecida e injusta.

The slowness of the judicial process is tedious and unfair.

Pairing adjectives for formal critique.

O orador, percebendo o público aborrecido, tentou uma piada.

The speaker, noticing the bored audience, tried a joke.

Present participle 'percebendo' setting the scene.

Aborrecido de tanto esperar, ele acabou por desistir.

Tired of waiting so much, he ended up giving up.

Idiomatic 'acabar por' with 'aborrecido'.

A vacuidade daquela vida social parecia-lhe aborrecida e fútil.

The emptiness of that social life seemed boring and futile to him.

Sophisticated vocabulary like 'vacuidade'.

O caráter aborrecido da missiva revelava um espírito pouco criativo.

The boring character of the letter revealed a lack of creative spirit.

Formal noun 'missiva'.

Aborrecido por uma existência de privilégios, ele partiu para o desconhecido.

Bored by an existence of privilege, he set out for the unknown.

Existential narrative context.

A repetição ad nauseam do mesmo argumento torna-se aborrecida.

The repetition ad nauseam of the same argument becomes boring.

Latin phrase integration.

O desfecho, embora logicamente coerente, resultou aborrecido.

The ending, although logically coherent, turned out to be boring.

Concessive clause 'embora'.

Aborrecido com a mediocridade ambiente, ele isolou-se no campo.

Annoyed with the surrounding mediocrity, he isolated himself in the countryside.

Complex noun phrase 'mediocridade ambiente'.

Não obstante o tema ser relevante, a exposição foi aborrecida.

Notwithstanding the theme being relevant, the exhibition was boring.

Formal connector 'Não obstante'.

O seu discurso, eivado de clichês, soou aborrecido aos ouvidos críticos.

His speech, full of clichés, sounded boring to critical ears.

Advanced participle 'eivado'.

Synonyms

Chato Entediante Maçante Enfadonho Monótono Fastidioso Amolante Seca

Antonyms

Divertido Interessante Entusiasmado Animado

Common Collocations

Filme aborrecido

Trabalho aborrecido

Pessoa aborrecida

Dia aborrecido

Situação aborrecida

Estar aborrecido com

Ficar aborrecido

Achar aborrecido

Extremamente aborrecido

Um bocado aborrecido

Common Phrases

Que aborrecido!

— How boring! or How annoying!

O voo foi cancelado? Que aborrecido!

Não sejas aborrecido.

— Don't be boring or don't be annoying.

Para de reclamar, não sejas aborrecido.

Estou aborrecido de morte.

— I'm bored to death.

Nesta vila não há nada para fazer, estou aborrecido de morte.

É aborrecido, mas tem de ser.

— It's boring/annoying, but it has to be done.

Limpar a casa é aborrecido, mas tem de ser.

Um tipo aborrecido

— A boring guy.

Ele é um tipo aborrecido, nunca sai de casa.

Nada de aborrecido

— Nothing boring.

A viagem não teve nada de aborrecido.

Aborrecido com a vida

— Bored/fed up with life.

Ele anda aborrecido com a vida ultimamente.

Tornar-se aborrecido

— To become boring.

O jogo tornou-se aborrecido na segunda parte.

Para não ser aborrecido

— To not be boring/tedious.

Para não ser aborrecido, vou resumir a história.

Mais aborrecido do que...

— Boring than...

Isto é mais aborrecido do que ver a tinta secar.

Often Confused With

Aburrido vs Aburrido (Spanish)

In Spanish, it only means bored/boring. In Portuguese, it can also mean annoyed.

Aburrido vs Aborrecível

This means 'detestable' or 'hateful', much stronger than just boring.

Aburrido vs Triste

Boredom is a lack of interest; sadness is a feeling of sorrow. Don't use 'aborrecido' for 'sad'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Estar com a macaca"

— To be in a bad mood or very annoyed (Brazilian idiom).

Hoje ele está com a macaca, está aborrecido com tudo.

Informal

"Pregar uma seca"

— To bore someone to death (Portuguese idiom).

Aquele professor prega uma seca a toda a gente.

Informal

"Encher o saco"

— To annoy someone deeply (Brazilian idiom).

Essa música já está a encher o saco, é aborrecida.

Slang

"Estar pelos cabelos"

— To be fed up/extremely annoyed.

Estou pelos cabelos com este trabalho aborrecido.

Informal

"Moer o juízo"

— To annoy or pester someone (Portugal).

Para de me moer o juízo com essas perguntas aborrecidas.

Informal

"Ficar com os azeites"

— To get annoyed or in a bad mood (Portugal).

Ele ficou com os azeites porque a aula foi aborrecida.

Informal

"Ser um chato de galocha"

— To be an extremely boring/annoying person (Brazil).

Não convides o Pedro, ele é um chato de galocha.

Informal

"Dar uma de João sem braço"

— To pretend not to understand something annoying (Brazil).

Quando a conversa fica aborrecida, ele dá uma de João sem braço.

Informal

"Estar nas tintas"

— To not care about something boring/annoying (Portugal).

Estou-me nas tintas para esse programa aborrecido.

Informal

"Cair no tédio"

— To fall into a state of boredom.

O casal caiu no tédio depois de dez anos.

Neutral

Easily Confused

Aburrido vs Chato

Both mean boring or annoying.

Chato is more informal and often implies a person is irritating. Aborrecido is more neutral.

Ele é um chato (He is an annoying guy) vs Ele é aborrecido (He is a boring guy).

Aburrido vs Enfadado

Both relate to being tired or annoyed.

Enfadado is more formal and often implies being weary or fed up with a specific person.

Estou enfadado de tanta conversa.

Aburrido vs Maçador

Both describe things that are not interesting.

Maçador is specifically for things that are tiring because they are repetitive.

Este relatório é maçador.

Aburrido vs Entediado

Direct translation of 'bored'.

Entediado is less common than 'estar aborrecido' in daily speech, though perfectly correct.

Estou entediado com esta espera.

Aburrido vs Aborrecer

The verb form.

Aborrecido is the adjective; aborrecer is the action of causing boredom/annoyance.

Isto aborrece-me (This bores me).

Sentence Patterns

Eu estou aborrecido.

Eu estou aborrecido hoje.

O [substantivo] é aborrecido.

O filme é aborrecido.

Estou aborrecido com o [substantivo].

Estou aborrecido com o trânsito.

Não fiques [adjetivo].

Não fiques aborrecida.

Acho que [frase] é aborrecido.

Acho que esperar aqui é aborrecido.

Foi uma [substantivo] aborrecida.

Foi uma tarde aborrecida.

É aborrecido que [subjuntivo].

É aborrecido que ele não venha.

Aborrecido por [causa], ele [ação].

Aborrecido por tanto silêncio, ele saiu.

Word Family

Nouns

aborrecimento (boredom/annoyance)

aborrecedor (someone who bores)

Verbs

aborrecer (to bore/annoy)

aborrecer-se (to get bored/annoyed)

Adjectives

aborrecido (boring/bored)

aborrecível (annoying/detestable)

tédio

enfado

chateação

monotonia

fastio

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu sou aborrecido (when you mean you are bored). → Eu estou aborrecido.
Using 'ser' means you are a boring person permanently.
O filme está aborrecido. → O filme é aborrecido.
Films don't have feelings; they are boring by nature.
Estou aborrecido para o trânsito. → Estou aborrecido com o trânsito.
The correct preposition is 'com'.
Aborecido (one R). → Aborrecido.
It must have two 'r's for the correct sound.
Estou aborrecido (meaning sad). → Estou triste.
Aborrecido is bored or annoyed, not sad.

Tips

Check the Verb

Always double-check if you should use 'ser' or 'estar'. 'Ser' defines the thing; 'estar' defines the feeling.

Use Synonyms

Don't over-use 'aborrecido'. Try 'entediante' for a change when writing.

The Double R

Practice the 'rr' sound by vibrating the back of your throat or rolling the tongue depending on the dialect.

Politeness

Use 'aborrecido' when you want to be polite. 'Chato' can sometimes be too blunt.

Annoyance

If someone looks upset, ask 'Estás aborrecido?' to mean 'Are you annoyed?'

Agreement

Remember to change the 'o' to 'a' if you are a woman saying 'I am bored'.

Spelling

Never forget the two 'r's. One 'r' makes it a different sound entirely.

Que Aborrecido

Use 'Que aborrecido!' as a set phrase for 'That's a shame' or 'How annoying'.

Final O

Listen for the 'u' sound at the end of the word in natural conversation.

Daily Practice

Tag one boring activity every day as 'aborrecido' to cement the word in your mind.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bore' who is 'Receding' into the background. A-BOR-RE-CIDO.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting on a 'Board' (sounds like Bor) looking at a 'Seed' (sounds like Cido) growing very slowly.

Word Web

tédio chato maçante cansativo triste parado lento repetitivo

Challenge

Try to use 'aborrecido' and 'aborrecida' in three different sentences describing your least favorite chores.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'abhorrescere', which means 'to shrink back from' or 'to shudder at'. Over time, the meaning softened from intense dislike to the modern sense of boredom or mild annoyance.

Original meaning: To recoil with dread or horror.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Generally safe to use, but calling a person 'aborrecido' to their face is a direct insult to their personality.

English speakers often say 'I'm bored,' but Portuguese speakers might say 'Estou aborrecido' to mean they are slightly annoyed with you, so be careful with the context!

'Livro do Desassossego' by Fernando Pessoa (explores boredom) The song 'Aborrecido' by various Brazilian artists Common trope in Portuguese soap operas (telenovelas)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/Education

Aula aborrecida
Estudar é aborrecido
Professor aborrecido
Exame aborrecido

Home/Family

Domingo aborrecido
Estou aborrecido
Não sejas aborrecido
Limpar o quarto é aborrecido

Work/Office

Reunião aborrecida
Tarefa aborrecida
Chefe aborrecido
Dia de trabalho aborrecido

Entertainment

Filme aborrecido
Livro aborrecido
Jogo aborrecido
Música aborrecida

Social Situations

Conversa aborrecida
Festa aborrecida
Pessoa aborrecida
Situação aborrecida

Conversation Starters

"Achas que este filme é aborrecido ou interessante?"

"O que fazes quando estás muito aborrecido em casa?"

"Qual foi a aula mais aborrecida que já tiveste?"

"Ficas aborrecido quando tens de esperar muito tempo no médico?"

"Conheces alguém que seja uma pessoa muito aborrecida?"

Journal Prompts

Descreve um dia em que estiveste muito aborrecido. O que aconteceu?

Quais são as três coisas mais aborrecidas que tens de fazer todas as semanas?

Preferes um trabalho aborrecido mas bem pago, ou um trabalho divertido e mal pago?

Como é que lidas com pessoas aborrecidas em festas?

Escreve sobre um livro que achaste aborrecido, mas que toda a gente gosta.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can also mean 'annoyed' or 'upset' depending on the context, especially when used with the preposition 'com'.

Yes. 'Ele é aborrecido' means he is a boring person. 'Ele está aborrecido' means he is currently bored or annoyed.

'Chato' is more informal and common in Brazil. 'Aborrecido' is standard and used in both Portugal and Brazil.

You say 'Estou aborrecido' (if you are male) or 'Estou aborrecida' (if you are female).

Yes, it is the absolute superlative form, meaning 'extremely boring' or 'extremely bored'.

It's closer to 'annoyed' or 'upset' than 'furious' (zangado). It's a milder form of displeasure.

Use 'com' for people or objects (annoyed with) and 'de' for actions (bored of doing something).

'Que seca' is a very common Portuguese slang expression for 'How boring'. It literally means 'What a drought'.

Yes, it becomes 'aborrecidos' or 'aborrecidas'.

Yes, but Brazilians often prefer 'chato' or 'entediado' for 'bored'.