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B1 Adjetivo / Particípio #19 most common 11 min read

acostumado

Top 19

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips acostumado in 30 Seconds

Explanation acostumado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic use of 'acostumado' to describe simple daily habits. Think of it as the Portuguese equivalent of 'used to'. At this stage, the most important thing is to remember that the word changes its ending: 'acostumado' for men and 'acostumada' for women. You will mostly use it with the verb 'estar' (to be). For example, if you are learning to live in a new place, you might say 'Estou acostumado com o calor' (I am used to the heat). Don't worry too much about complex grammar yet; just focus on the 'estar + acostumado/a + com + noun' pattern. This will help you express your comfort level with food, weather, and basic routines. It is a very helpful word for beginners because it allows you to explain why you might find something strange or why you are already comfortable with it. Remember: 'acostumado' is for things you have done many times before.

At the A2 level, you can start expanding your use of 'acostumado' by incorporating verbs. Instead of just being used to 'things' (nouns), you can talk about being used to 'doing things'. This requires the preposition 'a'. For example: 'Estou acostumado a estudar à noite' (I am used to studying at night). You should also practice the plural forms: 'Nós estamos acostumados' (We are used to). At this level, you should also be able to use the negative form to express culture shock or new experiences: 'Eu não estou acostumada a comer feijão no café da manhã' (I am not used to eating beans for breakfast). You are also starting to see the difference between 'estar acostumado' (a state) and 'acostumar-se' (the process of getting used to something). Try to use 'acostumado' to describe your routine and how it has changed since you started learning Portuguese.

As a B1 learner, you should have a firm grasp of the 'estar acostumado a/com' structure and start using it in more varied contexts. You can now use it to describe psychological states and social situations. For instance, you might discuss being 'acostumado com o ritmo de vida' (used to the pace of life) or 'acostumado a lidar com pessoas' (used to dealing with people). You should also be aware of the synonym 'habituado', which you might encounter in more formal texts or when speaking with people from Portugal. This is the level where you should also learn the common phrase 'mal acostumado', which means 'spoiled' or 'pampered'. You can use this to talk about children, pets, or even yourself in a humorous way. Your sentences should become more complex, using 'acostumado' in subordinate clauses, such as 'Como eu já estava acostumado com o sistema, não tive dificuldades' (Since I was already used to the system, I didn't have difficulties).

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'acostumado' with nuance and precision. You can distinguish between being 'acostumado' (habitual) and being 'adaptado' (well-integrated) or 'familiarizado' (knowledgeable). You should also be comfortable using the word in different tenses, such as the imperfect ('Eu estava acostumado') or the future ('Eu vou ficar acostumado'). This level requires you to understand how 'acostumado' fits into more professional or academic discussions. For example, you might read about how a population is 'acostumada a crises econômicas'. You should also be able to use the reflexive verb 'acostumar-se' fluently in all its forms to describe the process of adaptation. Your ability to use 'acostumado' should now feel natural, and you should be able to catch yourself if you accidentally use 'ser' instead of 'estar'. You can also start using more advanced collocations like 'estar mal acostumado a ter tudo na mão'.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use 'acostumado' and its synonyms like a native speaker. This includes understanding the subtle stylistic differences between 'acostumado', 'habituado', and 'familiarizado'. You can use 'acostumado' to express complex social commentaries or philosophical ideas about human nature and habit. You should be able to use it in highly formal writing, perhaps opting for 'habituado' to maintain a certain register, or using 'acostumado' in a speech to sound more relatable. You will also understand idiomatic expressions and metaphors involving the concept of habituation, such as 'estar calejado'. At this level, you should be able to discuss the etymology of the word (from 'costume') and how it relates to the cultural identity of Lusophone countries. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct application of the 'crase' (e.g., 'acostumado à rotina') and complex sentence structures involving multiple clauses.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'acostumado' is complete. You can play with the word, using it in irony, sarcasm, or deep poetic contexts. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its regional variations across the entire Lusophone world, from Angola to Macau. You can analyze literature where the theme of being 'acostumado' is central to a character's development or a story's atmosphere. You can use the word to discuss high-level concepts in sociology, psychology, and history. For you, 'acostumado' is not just a vocabulary word but a tool for precise expression. You can effortlessly switch between 'acostumado', 'habituado', 'adaptado', 'familiarizado', and 'condicionado' depending on the exact shade of meaning you wish to convey. You are also capable of identifying and explaining the subtle differences in how 'acostumado' is used in a legal document versus a popular song lyric.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

acostumado in 30 Seconds

Acostumado is a Portuguese adjective meaning 'used to' or 'accustomed'. It describes a state of familiarity gained through repetition or time.
It must agree in gender (acostumado/acostumada) and number (acostumados/acostumadas) with the subject it describes in the sentence.
It is primarily used with the verb 'estar' and followed by the prepositions 'a' (for verbs) or 'com' (for nouns).
Commonly heard in daily life, it can also mean 'spoiled' when used in the phrase 'mal acostumado', referring to someone pampered.

The word acostumado is a fundamental pillar of the Portuguese language, serving as both a past participle of the verb acostumar and a versatile adjective. At its core, it describes the state of being habituated, used to, or familiarized with a specific condition, environment, or behavior. When you say you are acostumado, you are communicating that the 'newness' or 'strangeness' of a situation has worn off through repetition. This word is essential for expressing adaptation, whether you are talking about the climate of a new city, the rigors of a new job, or the peculiar quirks of a new friend. It implies a process of transition from a state of effort or surprise to a state of normalcy and ease. In Portuguese culture, which values social integration and resilience, being acostumado often carries a connotation of endurance and local knowledge.

Grammatical Gender: The word changes based on the subject: 'acostumado' for masculine and 'acostumada' for feminine. Plurals are 'acostumados' and 'acostumadas'.

Depois de morar cinco anos na Sibéria, ele já está acostumado com o frio extremo.

Beyond physical adaptation, the word is used in psychological contexts. It can describe a person who has become desensitized to something, for better or worse. For instance, one might be acostumado to a high-stress environment, meaning they no longer feel the physiological panic that a newcomer might experience. It is frequently paired with the verb estar (to be) because it describes a temporary or resulting state, rather than an inherent, permanent quality (which would use ser). However, in some contexts, if habituation is seen as a defining character trait, ser might appear, though it is much less common. Understanding this word is key to discussing your personal history and your level of comfort in various Portuguese-speaking settings, from the bustling streets of São Paulo to the quiet villages of the Alentejo.

Common Prepositions: It is almost always followed by 'a' or 'com'. 'Acostumado a' is usually followed by a verb, while 'acostumado com' is followed by a noun.

Nós não estamos acostumados a comer tão tarde da noite.

In everyday conversation, you will hear this word when people discuss their routines. It is the bridge between the 'extraordinary' and the 'ordinary'. When a Brazilian moves to Portugal, they might say they are not acostumados to the different vocabulary or the colder winters. Conversely, a tourist might find the noise of a local market overwhelming, while the vendor is perfectly acostumado to the chaos. This word encapsulates the human ability to adapt and normalize even the most challenging circumstances. It is a word of resilience and familiarity.

Ela está acostumada com o barulho do trânsito em frente à sua casa.

Nuance of 'Mal Acostumado': This phrase means 'spoiled'. It refers to someone who has become accustomed to having things their way or receiving too much attention.

Aquele cachorro é muito mal acostumado; ele só dorme no sofá.

Você já se sente acostumado com a nova rotina de trabalho?

Using acostumado correctly requires attention to two main things: subject-adjective agreement and the choice of preposition. Because it functions as an adjective in most contexts, it must mirror the gender and number of the person or thing it describes. If you are a man, you say estou acostumado. If you are a woman, estou acostumada. If you are speaking for a group of women, estamos acostumadas. This is a common pitfall for English speakers who are used to the gender-neutral 'accustomed'.

The Preposition 'A': Use 'a' when the following word is a verb (in the infinitive). This indicates a habit of doing something.

Eu estou acostumado a acordar às seis da manhã todos os dias.

When you are describing a familiarity with a thing, a person, or a noun, the preposition com is the standard choice. This is equivalent to 'used to [noun]' in English. For example, if you move to a city with a lot of hills, you would say you are acostumado com as ladeiras. It is important to note that com will often contract with articles: com + o = com o, com + a = com a, com + os = com os, and com + as = com as.

The Preposition 'Com': Use 'com' when the following word is a noun or a pronoun. This indicates familiarity with an object or situation.

Eles já estão acostumados com o sotaque regional daqui.

Another interesting usage is the negative form. To say you are not used to something, you simply add não before the verb estar. This is very common when travelers are experiencing culture shock. 'Não estou acostumado com isso' (I'm not used to this) is a phrase you might hear frequently. Furthermore, you can use intensifiers like muito (very) or completamente (completely) to add depth to your statement.

Reflexive Verb Usage: The process of getting used to something uses the reflexive verb 'acostumar-se'. Example: 'Eu me acostumei com o clima'.

Você vai ficar acostumado rapidinho com as novas regras da empresa.

Finally, consider the placement of acostumado in questions. It usually follows the verb estar and the subject. 'Você está acostumado?' is the standard way to ask 'Are you used to it?'. In Brazil, the subject 'você' is often dropped if it's clear from the context, leaving just 'Está acostumado?'. In Portugal, you might hear 'Estás habituado?' more often, but 'acostumado' is perfectly understood and used there as well.

Nós ainda não estamos acostumados a lidar com tanta pressão.

Ela sempre foi acostumada a ter o melhor da vida.

The word acostumado is ubiquitous in the Lusophone world. You will hear it in the most mundane settings, such as a bakery (padaria) where a regular customer is acostumado to getting their bread at a certain time, to the highest levels of political discourse where a leader might say the people are acostumados to certain social policies. It is a word that bridges the gap between the personal and the collective experience.

In the Workplace: Colleagues use it to describe workflow. 'O chefe está acostumado com relatórios curtos' (The boss is used to short reports).

Não se preocupe, eu já estou acostumado a trabalhar sob pressão.

In Brazilian music, particularly in Samba and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), acostumado often appears in lyrics about heartbreak or the grind of daily life. It might describe someone who is 'used to suffering' (acostumado a sofrer) or 'used to the solitude' (acostumado com a solidão). This poetic usage highlights the word's ability to convey a sense of weary resignation or stoic acceptance. When you listen to songs by Cartola or Adoniran Barbosa, listen for this word as they describe the lives of ordinary people in Rio or São Paulo.

In Family Life: Parents often use it regarding their children's habits. 'Ele está acostumado a dormir com a luz acesa'.

As crianças estão acostumadas com a comida da avó.

In the news, you might hear acostumado when journalists discuss public reactions to economic changes. For example, 'O consumidor brasileiro está acostumado com a inflação' (The Brazilian consumer is used to inflation). Here, it takes on a more sociological tone, describing a collective adaptation to long-term national challenges. Whether it's a casual chat over coffee or a formal news broadcast, acostumado is the go-to word for describing the human state of being 'settled in' to a reality.

Você já está acostumado com o ritmo frenético desta cidade?

Eu não estou acostumado a ser tratado com tanta grosseria.

Travel and Tourism: Tour guides often ask: 'Vocês estão acostumados a caminhar longas distâncias?' (Are you used to walking long distances?).

One of the most frequent errors made by English speakers is using the wrong auxiliary verb. In English, we say 'I **am** used to'. In Portuguese, learners often translate this literally as 'Eu **sou** acostumado'. While grammatically possible in very specific philosophical contexts, it sounds unnatural in 99% of daily situations. The correct verb is estar because being accustomed is viewed as a state you have entered, not an essential part of your being. Using ser makes it sound like 'being accustomed' is your permanent personality trait, which is confusing.

The 'Ser' vs 'Estar' Trap: Wrong: 'Eu sou acostumado com o frio.' Correct: 'Eu estou acostumado com o frio.'

Ele está acostumado (Correct) vs. Ele é acostumado (Incorrect in most contexts).

Another common mistake involves the prepositional choice. Many learners forget the preposition entirely, saying 'Estou acostumado o frio' instead of 'Estou acostumado **com** o frio'. Others might use the English-influenced 'em' (in) or 'para' (for), which are incorrect. Remember: acostumado needs a bridge to its object. If it's an action, use a. If it's a thing, use com. Mixing these up—like saying 'acostumado com acordar'—is a hallmark of a beginner level, though it's usually understood.

Gender Agreement Neglect: Male speaker: 'Estou acostumado.' Female speaker: 'Estou acostumada.' Groups: 'Estamos acostumados/as.'

Maria está acostumada (Correct) vs. Maria está acostumado (Incorrect).

Lastly, don't confuse acostumado with the verb costumar. While they share a root, they are used differently. Costumar is used to say 'I usually do something' (Eu costumo acordar cedo), whereas estar acostumado means 'I am used to doing something' (Eu estou acostumado a acordar cedo). The former describes the frequency of an action, while the latter describes the subject's internal state of familiarity. Using acostumado to mean 'usually' without the verb estar is a major grammatical error.

Eu costumo viajar no verão (I usually travel) vs. Eu estou acostumado a viajar (I am used to traveling).

Nós não estamos acostumados a este tipo de comportamento.

The 'A' vs 'À' Confusion: If the noun following 'acostumado a' is feminine and has an article, you must use the crase: 'Acostumado à rotina'.

While acostumado is the most common way to express being 'used to' something, Portuguese offers several alternatives that can add precision or formality to your speech. The most direct synonym is habituado. This word is slightly more formal and is very common in European Portuguese. In Brazil, it sounds a bit more sophisticated or clinical. If you want to sound like a native in Lisbon, 'estou habituado' is your best bet; in Rio, 'tô acostumado' is the way to go.

Habituado vs Acostumado: Habituado: More formal, common in Portugal. Acostumado: More common in Brazil, used in all registers.

O paciente já está habituado com a medicação diária.

Another alternative is familiarizado. This word specifically implies knowledge and understanding rather than just a physical or repetitive habit. If you are familiarizado with a software, it means you know how it works. If you are acostumado with it, it might just mean you use it every day without necessarily being an expert. Then there is adaptado, which emphasizes the successful result of a change. You might be acostumado to a new city (you know the streets), but are you adaptado (do you feel at home there)?

Familiarizado vs Adaptado: Familiarizado: Focuses on knowledge/information. Adaptado: Focuses on comfort/integration after a change.

Ainda não estou totalmente familiarizado com os novos termos técnicos.

For a more colloquial or even slang-heavy approach, Brazilians might use the expression estar em casa (to be at home) to mean they are very used to a situation. If someone is very experienced in a certain field, you might say they are a macaco velho (old monkey), implying they are so acostumados to the tricks of the trade that they can't be fooled. In contrast, calejado (calloused) is used when someone is used to something difficult or painful, suggesting they have developed a 'thick skin'.

Ele já está calejado de tanto levar rasteira da vida.

Depois de meses, finalmente me sinto adaptado ao novo país.

Practical Summary: Use 'acostumado' for 90% of cases. Use 'habituado' for formal writing. Use 'calejado' for tough experiences. Use 'familiarizado' for learning processes.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'costume' in English (clothing) and 'costume' in Portuguese (habit) share the same root, because wearing certain clothes was once a social 'custom'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.kuʃ.tu.ˈma.ðu/

US /a.kos.tu.ˈma.du/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'ma'.

Rhymes With

amado cansado passado gelado complicado engraçado determinado ocupado

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' (it should be 's' or 'sh').
Stressing the 'tu' instead of the 'ma'.
Forgetting to change the final 'o' to 'a' for feminine subjects.
Making the 'o' at the end too strong (it should be a soft 'u' sound).
Pronouncing the 'c' as 'ch' (it's a hard 'k' sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its frequency and clear root.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement and correct prepositions.

Speaking 3/5

Common in speech, but learners often use 'ser' instead of 'estar'.

Listening 2/5

Clearly pronounced, though the 's' varies by region.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

estar com a hábito costume

Learn Next

habituar-se costumar adaptar-se cotidiano rotina

Advanced

consuetudinário calejado afeito climatizado

Grammar to Know

Subject-Adjective Agreement

As meninas estão acostumadas.

Estar vs Ser with resulting states

Estou acostumado (Result of a process).

Prepositional Regimen (Regência)

Acostumado a (verb) / Acostumado com (noun).

Crase with 'acostumado a'

Acostumado à vida simples.

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Eu me acostumei.

Examples by Level

Eu estou acostumado com o sol.

I am used to the sun.

Uses 'estar' + 'acostumado' + 'com' + noun.

Ela está acostumada com o café brasileiro.

She is used to Brazilian coffee.

Feminine agreement: 'acostumada'.

Você está acostumado com o frio?

Are you used to the cold?

Question form with 'estar'.

Nós estamos acostumados com a cidade.

We are used to the city.

Plural masculine agreement: 'acostumados'.

Eles não estão acostumados com o barulho.

They are not used to the noise.

Negative form with 'não'.

O gato está acostumado com a casa.

The cat is used to the house.

Masculine singular for an animal.

Eu não estou acostumada com isso.

I (female) am not used to this.

Feminine singular 'acostumada'.

João está acostumado com o trabalho.

João is used to the work.

Subject-adjective agreement.

Eu estou acostumado a acordar cedo.

I am used to waking up early.

Preposition 'a' followed by an infinitive verb.

Nós estamos acostumados a caminhar no parque.

We are used to walking in the park.

Plural agreement and verb preposition.

Ela não está acostumada a dirigir à noite.

She is not used to driving at night.

Negative + feminine + verb.

Eles estão acostumados a comer muita fruta.

They are used to eating a lot of fruit.

Plural masculine + verb.

Você já está acostumado a falar português?

Are you already used to speaking Portuguese?

Use of 'já' (already) for emphasis.

Meu pai está acostumado a ler o jornal.

My father is used to reading the newspaper.

Subject 'meu pai' (masculine singular).

As crianças estão acostumadas a brincar lá fora.

The children are used to playing outside.

Feminine plural agreement for 'crianças'.

Eu estou acostumada a cozinhar para muita gente.

I (female) am used to cooking for many people.

Feminine singular + verb.

Eu já estou acostumado com o jeito dele.

I'm already used to his way (of being).

Expressing familiarity with a personality.

Ela é muito mal acostumada pelos pais.

She is very spoiled by her parents.

Idiomatic use of 'mal acostumada'.

Nós não estamos acostumados a lidar com tanta burocracia.

We are not used to dealing with so much bureaucracy.

Complex noun phrase after the verb.

Você vai ficar acostumado com a rotina em pouco tempo.

You will get used to the routine in a short time.

Future state with 'ficar'.

Ele está acostumado a viajar a trabalho todo mês.

He is used to traveling for work every month.

Regularity expressed with 'todo mês'.

A equipe está acostumada com mudanças de última hora.

The team is used to last-minute changes.

Collective noun 'equipe' takes feminine singular.

Eu não estou acostumado a ser o centro das atenções.

I am not used to being the center of attention.

Reflexive/passive sense with 'ser'.

Eles estão acostumados com a vida no campo.

They are used to life in the countryside.

Familiarity with a lifestyle.

O corpo humano está acostumado a se adaptar a diferentes climas.

The human body is used to adapting to different climates.

General scientific/biological statement.

Apesar do barulho, eu já me sinto acostumado com o apartamento.

Despite the noise, I already feel used to the apartment.

Use of 'sentir-se' instead of 'estar'.

Eles estão acostumados a enfrentar desafios constantes no mercado.

They are used to facing constant challenges in the market.

Professional context.

Ela está acostumada à pressão de trabalhar em um hospital.

She is used to the pressure of working in a hospital.

Crase 'à' (a + a pressão).

Nós fomos acostumados a acreditar que o sucesso vem do esforço.

We were raised/accustomed to believe that success comes from effort.

Passive voice 'fomos acostumados'.

Você está acostumado com as nuances da língua portuguesa?

Are you used to the nuances of the Portuguese language?

Abstract noun 'nuances'.

O mercado financeiro está acostumado com a volatilidade.

The financial market is used to volatility.

Economic context.

Eu não estava acostumado a receber críticas tão construtivas.

I wasn't used to receiving such constructive criticism.

Imperfect tense 'estava'.

O povo brasileiro, infelizmente, está acostumado com a instabilidade política.

The Brazilian people, unfortunately, are used to political instability.

Sociopolitical commentary.

Estar acostumado com o privilégio cega as pessoas para a realidade alheia.

Being used to privilege blinds people to others' reality.

Gerund as a subject.

Ela já está tão acostumada à solidão que não sente falta de companhia.

She is already so used to solitude that she doesn't miss company.

Intensifier 'tão' and crase 'à'.

Os investidores estão acostumados a mitigar riscos em cenários incertos.

Investors are used to mitigating risks in uncertain scenarios.

High-level vocabulary ('mitigar').

Não se deixe ficar acostumado com a mediocridade; busque sempre o melhor.

Don't let yourself get used to mediocrity; always seek the best.

Imperative with reflexive 'deixe-se'.

Ele está acostumado a articular pensamentos complexos de forma clara.

He is used to articulating complex thoughts clearly.

Describing an intellectual skill.

Estamos acostumados a ver a tecnologia como uma extensão de nós mesmos.

We are used to seeing technology as an extension of ourselves.

Philosophical observation.

A sociedade está acostumada a ignorar problemas estruturais profundos.

Society is used to ignoring deep structural problems.

Abstract social critique.

A plasticidade neural permite que o cérebro fique acostumado a novos estímulos cognitivos.

Neural plasticity allows the brain to become accustomed to new cognitive stimuli.

Scientific terminology.

O autor parece acostumado a subverter as expectativas do leitor em cada capítulo.

The author seems used to subverting the reader's expectations in every chapter.

Literary analysis.

Habituar-se ao efêmero é o destino de quem está acostumado com a modernidade líquida.

Getting used to the ephemeral is the fate of those used to liquid modernity.

Reference to Zygmunt Bauman's philosophy.

Ele está acostumado a navegar pelas águas turvas da diplomacia internacional.

He is used to navigating the murky waters of international diplomacy.

Metaphorical usage.

A elite econômica está acostumada a ditar o ritmo das reformas estruturais.

The economic elite is used to dictating the pace of structural reforms.

Political economy context.

Ninguém está verdadeiramente acostumado à finitude da existência humana.

No one is truly used to the finitude of human existence.

Existential reflection.

O sistema judiciário está acostumado a processar volumes hercúleos de informação.

The judicial system is used to processing Herculean volumes of information.

Use of the adjective 'hercúleos'.

Estar acostumado com a glória pode ser tão perigoso quanto estar acostumado com o fracasso.

Being used to glory can be as dangerous as being used to failure.

Comparative structure with abstract nouns.

Common Collocations

estar acostumado

ficar acostumado

mal acostumado

bem acostumado

acostumado a ganhar

acostumado com o frio

acostumado com o barulho

muito acostumado

pouco acostumado

acostumado à rotina

Common Phrases

Tô acostumado.

— A very common informal way to say 'I'm used to it'. Used to dismiss concern.

— O trabalho é duro. — Relaxa, tô acostumado.

Não se acostuma não!

— A playful way to say 'Don't get used to this!', usually when doing a favor.

Lavei a louça hoje, mas não se acostuma não!

Questão de costume.

— Means 'It's a matter of habit'. Often used after saying one is 'acostumado'.

Acordar cedo é difícil, mas é questão de costume.

Já estou acostumado com a peça.

— Meaning 'I know how this person/thing operates' (often used for difficult people).

Ele vai atrasar, eu já estou acostumado com a peça.

Acostumado com o pior.

— Describes someone who has faced many hardships and is no longer surprised by them.

Ele já está acostumado com o pior, nada o abala.

Mal e porcamente acostumado.

— A very informal, slightly rude way to say someone is extremely spoiled.

Esse menino foi mal e porcamente acostumado.

Acostumado desde pequeno.

— Used to describe a habit that started in childhood.

Estou acostumado a comer pimenta desde pequeno.

Não estou acostumado a isso.

— A standard way to express discomfort with a new situation.

Desculpe, não estou acostumado a tanta atenção.

Ficar mal acostumado.

— To become spoiled because of too much comfort or luxury.

Com esse café na cama, vou acabar ficando mal acostumado.

Sempre acostumado.

— Implies a long-standing habit.

Ele está sempre acostumado a ser o primeiro.

Often Confused With

acostumado vs costumar

Costumar is a verb meaning 'to usually do'. Acostumado is an adjective meaning 'to be used to'.

acostumado vs costume

Costume is the noun (habit). Acostumado is the state of having that habit.

acostumado vs habituado

They are synonyms, but habituado is more formal and more common in Portugal.

Idioms & Expressions

"O costume faz a lei."

— Custom makes the law. Implies that what people are 'acostumados' to doing becomes the norm.

Nesta empresa, o costume faz a lei, não o manual.

Proverbial

"Burro velho não aprende línguas."

— An old donkey doesn't learn languages. Related to being too 'acostumado' to old ways to change.

Tentei ensinar meu avô a usar o TikTok, mas burro velho não aprende línguas.

Informal/Proverbial

"Cachorro velho não aprende truque novo."

— Same as the English 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks'.

Ele está muito acostumado com o sistema antigo; cachorro velho não aprende truque novo.

Informal

"A cavalo dado não se olha os dentes."

— Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Often said to someone 'mal acostumado' who complains about a gift.

Você reclamou da cor do presente? A cavalo dado não se olha os dentes!

Informal

"Mudar de ares."

— To change environments to avoid getting too 'acostumado' or bored.

Preciso mudar de ares, estou muito acostumado com esta rotina.

Neutral

"Estar com a faca e o queijo na mão."

— To have everything you need. Someone 'acostumado' to this state might become 'mal acostumado'.

Ele está com a faca e o queijo na mão, está acostumado a ter tudo fácil.

Informal

"Dar o braço a torcer."

— To admit defeat. Someone 'acostumado' to being right finds this very hard.

Ele está acostumado a vencer e nunca dá o braço a torcer.

Informal

"Pisando em ovos."

— Walking on eggshells. The opposite of being 'acostumado' and comfortable.

No novo emprego, ainda estou pisando em ovos, não estou acostumado com nada.

Informal

"Fazer ouvidos de mercador."

— To turn a deaf ear. Someone 'acostumado' to complaints might do this.

Ela está tão acostumada com as reclamações que faz ouvidos de mercador.

Neutral

"Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura."

— Persistence pays off. Relates to how one becomes 'acostumado' through repetition.

Continue estudando; água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que você fica acostumado.

Proverbial

Easily Confused

acostumado vs viciado

Both imply a repeated behavior.

Viciado implies a negative addiction; acostumado implies a neutral habit or familiarity.

Estou acostumado com café (habit). Estou viciado em café (addiction).

acostumado vs adaptado

Both involve change over time.

Adaptado implies you have successfully changed to fit a new environment; acostumado just means it's no longer strange.

Estou acostumado com o frio, mas não estou adaptado a viver aqui.

acostumado vs familiarizado

Both mean 'knowing' something well.

Familiarizado is about knowledge/info; acostumado is about habit/repetition.

Estou familiarizado com o manual, mas não estou acostumado a usar a máquina.

acostumado vs condicionado

Both involve behavioral patterns.

Condicionado is psychological/scientific (like Pavlov's dogs); acostumado is everyday language.

O rato está condicionado ao som. Eu estou acostumado ao som.

acostumado vs afeito

Both mean 'used to'.

Afeito is literary and often implies a natural inclination or long-term bond.

Ele é um homem afeito às lides do campo.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + estar + acostumado com + [Noun]

Eu estou acostumado com o café.

[Subject] + estar + acostumado a + [Infinitive]

Nós estamos acostumados a correr.

[Subject] + já + estar + acostumado com + [Noun]

Ela já está acostumada com o barulho.

[Subject] + não + estar + acostumado a + [Infinitive]

Eles não estão acostumados a perder.

[Gerund/Infinitive] + estar + acostumado + [Complement]

Estar acostumado com o luxo é perigoso.

[Subject] + estar + acostumado à + [Feminine Noun]

O autor está acostumado à crítica ferina.

[Subject] + ser + mal acostumado

Aquele gato é mal acostumado.

[Subject] + vai ficar + acostumado

Você vai ficar acostumado.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Eu sou acostumado com o frio. → Eu estou acostumado com o frio.
You must use 'estar' for states resulting from a process. 'Ser' is for permanent characteristics.
Ela está acostumado a ler. → Ela está acostumada a ler.
The adjective must agree with the feminine subject 'Ela'.
Estou acostumado de acordar cedo. → Estou acostumado a acordar cedo.
The correct preposition before a verb is 'a', not 'de'.
Nós estamos acostumado com isso. → Nós estamos acostumados com isso.
The adjective must be plural to match 'Nós'.
Estou acostumado o barulho. → Estou acostumado com o barulho.
You cannot omit the preposition 'com' before a noun.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always match the ending to the subject. If you are a woman, never say 'acostumado'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers.

Use 'Estar'

Stick with the verb 'estar'. Using 'ser' is one of the quickest ways to sound like a non-native speaker.

Preposition Choice

Remember: 'A' for Actions (verbs), 'Com' for Concepts/Things (nouns). This simple rule will solve 90% of your preposition doubts.

Mal Acostumado

Use this phrase carefully. It's great for teasing friends or talking about pets, but can be offensive if used seriously with a stranger.

Informal Contraction

In Brazil, say 'Tô acostumado' to sound more natural and relaxed in conversation.

Formal Synonym

If you are writing a formal letter or academic paper, try using 'habituado' or 'familiarizado' for a more sophisticated tone.

Regional Sounds

In Rio de Janeiro or Portugal, the 's' in 'acostumado' sounds like 'sh'. In São Paulo or the South of Brazil, it sounds like a normal 's'.

The 'Custom' Link

Link 'acostumado' to 'custom'. A custom is something you do repeatedly until you are 'acostumado'.

The Crase

If you use 'acostumado a' followed by a feminine noun with an article, don't forget the crase: 'acostumado à vida'.

Reflexive Process

If you want to talk about the *process* of getting used to something, use 'acostumar-se'. 'Acostumado' is only for the *result*.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A CUSTOM'. If you follow 'A CUSTOM' many times, you become 'ACOSTUMADO'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting comfortably in a very old, worn-out armchair that has perfectly molded to their body shape.

Word Web

Hábito Rotina Familiar Normal Repetição Adaptação Conforto Experiência

Challenge

Try to use 'acostumado' in three different sentences today: one about the weather, one about your food habits, and one about your work or study routine.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'consuetudinem', which means 'custom' or 'habit'. It passed through Vulgar Latin 'costuma' before reaching Portuguese.

Original meaning: The original sense was related to social customs and collective traditions rather than individual habits.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling someone 'mal acostumado' (spoiled); it can be seen as an insult depending on the tone and relationship.

English speakers often confuse 'I am used to' (state) with 'I used to' (past action). In Portuguese, 'acostumado' only covers the 'state' part. For 'I used to', you use the imperfect tense.

The song 'Mal Acostumado' by Araketu (a massive hit in Brazil). Literary works by Machado de Assis often explore characters who are 'acostumados' to social hypocrisy. The phrase 'O homem é um animal de costumes' (Man is a creature of habit) is a common philosophical citation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather/Climate

Acostumado com o calor
Acostumado com a chuva
Acostumado com o frio
Não estou acostumado com esse clima

Work/Professional

Acostumado com a pressão
Acostumado a trabalhar em equipe
Acostumado com prazos
Já estou acostumado com o sistema

Food/Diet

Acostumado com comida apimentada
Acostumado a comer fora
Acostumado com o tempero
Não estou acostumado a jantar tarde

Social/Relationships

Acostumado com o jeito dele
Acostumado a lidar com gente
Mal acostumado
Acostumado com a solidão

Daily Routine

Acostumado a acordar cedo
Acostumado com o trânsito
Acostumado a caminhar
Já estou acostumado à rotina

Conversation Starters

"Você já está acostumado com o horário daqui?"

"Com que tipo de comida você está mais acostumado?"

"Você está acostumado a viajar sozinho ou prefere companhia?"

"Foi difícil ficar acostumado com a rotina de estudos?"

"Você acha que os brasileiros estão acostumados com o barulho?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação nova na qual você ainda não está acostumado.

O que foi mais difícil de ficar acostumado quando você começou a aprender português?

Você se considera uma pessoa mal acostumada? Por quê?

Fale sobre um hábito antigo ao qual você não está mais acostumado.

Como o seu corpo se sente quando você está acostumado a uma rotina de exercícios?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to say 'Eu estou acostumado'. In Portuguese, being used to something is considered a state resulting from a process, which requires the verb 'estar'. 'Ser' would imply it is a permanent, essential part of your identity, which sounds strange to native speakers.

Generally, use 'acostumado a' before a verb (e.g., acostumado a correr) and 'acostumado com' before a noun (e.g., acostumado com o trânsito). In formal writing, 'acostumado a' can be used for both, but 'com' is very common for nouns in speech.

You use the reflexive verb 'acostumar-se' in the present continuous: 'Estou me acostumando' (Brazil) or 'Estou-me a acostumar' (Portugal).

Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Portugal, although 'habituado' is slightly more frequent in European Portuguese than it is in Brazilian Portuguese.

It means 'spoiled' or 'pampered'. It describes someone who is used to getting everything they want or having things easy. It can be used for children, pets, or adults.

Yes! This is very important. A man says 'acostumado', a woman says 'acostumada', a group of men (or mixed) says 'acostumados', and a group of women says 'acostumadas'.

Yes. 'O cachorro está acostumado com a ração' (The dog is used to the kibble).

They are almost identical in meaning. 'Habituado' is more formal and more common in Portugal. 'Acostumado' is the standard, everyday word in Brazil.

You say 'Não estou acostumado com isso' or 'Não estou acostumada com isso'.

No, it is primarily an adjective or a past participle. The noun form is 'costume' or 'hábito'.