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A2 verb #4,000 most common 11 min read

agradar

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips agradar in 30 Seconds

Explanation agradar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand 'agradar' as a way to say something is 'nice' or 'pleasing.' It's often used in simple sentences like 'Isso me agrada' (That pleases me). While beginners mostly use 'gostar' (to like), 'agradar' is a great word to recognize when someone is trying to be polite. Think of it as a step up from basic vocabulary. You might hear it in shops or from teachers. It helps you express that something is good or acceptable. At this stage, focus on the present tense 'agrada' and the negative 'não agrada.' It's a useful word for giving basic feedback on food, weather, or simple activities. Don't worry too much about the complex grammar yet; just focus on the core meaning of 'pleasing.'

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'agradar' to interact more socially. You can use it to ask if someone likes a gift or a suggestion: 'Este presente te agrada?' (Does this gift please you?). You should also start to notice that it often takes the preposition 'a' (agradar a alguém). At this level, you can use it to talk about your preferences in a slightly more formal way. For example, 'A comida italiana me agrada muito.' You are also learning to use it in the past tense to talk about experiences: 'O filme não me agradou.' This helps you move away from always using 'gostar' and makes your Portuguese sound more varied and natural in everyday conversations with friends and family.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the grammatical nuances of 'agradar.' This includes using indirect object pronouns correctly, such as 'lhe agrada' in formal situations. You can use the verb to discuss more abstract topics like work satisfaction, public services, or social events. You might say, 'O novo horário de trabalho não agrada aos funcionários.' You also start to use the noun 'agrado' (a treat/pleasure) and the adjective 'agradável' (pleasant). At this stage, you can use 'agradar' to express intentions: 'Eu fiz isso para te agradar.' This shows you understand the social dynamics of the word—doing something specifically to make another person happy or satisfied. It's a key word for navigating social and professional environments in a polite manner.

At the B2 level, 'agradar' becomes a tool for nuanced expression and analysis. You can use it to discuss public opinion, marketing strategies, or artistic reviews. You might analyze why a certain political measure 'não agrada à classe média.' You are also expected to use the idiom 'agradar a gregos e troianos' to describe impossible situations. Your use of the verb should be grammatically precise, consistently using the preposition 'a' in formal writing. You can also use the reflexive 'agradar-se de' to describe becoming fond of something in a more sophisticated way. At this level, you understand the subtle difference between 'agradar' (to be pleasing) and 'satisfazer' (to satisfy a need), and you can choose the right word for the context.

At the C1 level, you use 'agradar' with complete mastery and stylistic awareness. You can use it in formal essays, literary analysis, and professional debates. You understand its historical roots and how it relates to concepts of grace and gratitude. You might use the verb in the future subjunctive or other complex tenses: 'Se a proposta não lhes agradar, buscaremos outra solução.' You can also use it to describe sensory experiences with precision, such as how a melody 'agrada aos ouvidos' or a texture 'agrada ao tato.' At this level, you are aware of the regional differences in usage between Brazil and Portugal, including the colloquial tendency to omit the preposition in Brazil versus the strict adherence to it in Portugal.

At the C2 level, 'agradar' is just one part of a vast and refined vocabulary. You can use it to discuss philosophical concepts of pleasure and aesthetics. You might explore the ethics of 'agradar a todos' versus staying true to one's principles. You can use the verb in highly formal or archaic structures, such as 'Apraz-me notar que...' (It pleases me to note that...). You have a deep understanding of its synonyms like 'deleitar,' 'aprazer,' and 'comprazer,' and you can use them to create specific rhetorical effects. Your command of the verb is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, allowing you to navigate the most complex social, professional, and academic situations with elegance and precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

agradar in 30 Seconds

Agradar is a Portuguese verb meaning 'to please' or 'to be agreeable,' used to express satisfaction with something.
It is usually an indirect transitive verb, meaning it needs the preposition 'a' (e.g., agradar ao público).
In Brazil, it can also informally mean 'to pet' or 'to caress' an animal or a loved one.
It is a more formal and nuanced alternative to the common verb 'gostar' (to like).

The Portuguese verb agradar is a sophisticated and versatile term primarily meaning 'to please,' 'to be agreeable to,' or 'to satisfy.' At its core, it describes the act of providing pleasure or meeting someone's expectations and tastes. While English speakers often default to the verb 'to like' (gostar), agradar shifts the focus from the person experiencing the feeling to the object or action that causes the feeling. For instance, instead of saying 'I like the music,' using agradar allows you to say 'The music pleases me.' This nuance is essential for reaching an intermediate and advanced level of Portuguese fluency.

Social Harmony: The word is frequently used in social contexts where one aims to ensure others are comfortable or happy with a situation, such as a host trying to please their guests.

A nova decoração da sala parece agradar a todos os visitantes.

In professional settings, agradar is used to discuss client satisfaction or the success of a project in meeting the stakeholders' needs. It carries a tone of objective success rather than just personal preference. Culturally, the concept of agradar is deeply tied to the Lusophone value of hospitality and the desire to avoid conflict. If something 'não agrada,' it is a polite way of saying it is unacceptable or disliked without being overly aggressive.

Subjectivity vs. Objectivity: While 'gostar' is purely subjective (I like it), 'agradar' suggests the object possesses qualities that are inherently pleasing.

O cardápio do restaurante foi feito para agradar aos paladares mais exigentes.

Understanding this verb helps learners move beyond basic sentences and express more complex social dynamics. It is often used in the negative to express dissatisfaction in a formal way. For example, a critic might say 'O filme não me agradou,' which sounds more professional than 'Eu não gostei do filme.' This distinction is vital for anyone looking to work or study in a Portuguese-speaking environment.

Grammatical Structure: Traditionally, 'agradar' is an indirect transitive verb, meaning it requires the preposition 'a' before the person being pleased.

Ela tentou agradar ao chefe com um relatório impecável.

Ultimately, agradar is about the impact something has on an audience. Whether it is a piece of art, a meal, or a political decision, if it 'agrada,' it has successfully found favor. This makes it an indispensable tool for discussing aesthetics, politics, and interpersonal relationships. The verb also appears in the reflexive form 'agradar-se de,' meaning 'to be pleased with' or 'to take a liking to,' adding another layer of depth to your vocabulary. By mastering agradar, you gain the ability to describe the world not just through your own eyes, but through the lens of how things interact with and affect those around you.

Using agradar correctly involves understanding its syntax, which differs slightly from English. In its most common sense, the thing that is pleasing is the subject, and the person being pleased is the indirect object. This is similar to the structure of 'to please' in English, but different from 'to like.'

Indirect Transitive Usage: In formal Portuguese, you must use the preposition 'a'. For example: 'A música agrada ao público.'

O resultado da pesquisa não agradou aos investidores.

When using pronouns, you should use the indirect object pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes). In Brazil, however, it is very common to hear direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) or simply the name without a preposition in informal speech. However, for exams and formal writing, 'lhe' is the correct choice: 'Isso lhe agrada?' (Does this please you?).

The Reflexive Form: The form 'agradar-se de' is used when someone finds something pleasing or becomes fond of something. Example: 'Ele agradou-se do novo apartamento.'

Ela se agradou da proposta feita pela empresa.

This reflexive usage is more common in Portugal and in formal Brazilian literature. Another important aspect is the negative construction. Because agradar is often used to express dissatisfaction politely, you will frequently see it with 'não.' 'Não me agrada a ideia de viajar sozinho' (The idea of traveling alone does not please me). This sentence structure places the subject (a ideia de viajar sozinho) at the end for emphasis.

Infinitive with Purpose: It is often used with 'para' to indicate an intention to satisfy. Example: 'Fiz isso para te agradar.'

Ele comprou flores para agradar à namorada.

In complex sentences, agradar can be followed by a clause: 'Agrada-me que você tenha vindo' (It pleases me that you have come). Here, the subjunctive 'tenha vindo' is required because the verb expresses a feeling or emotion. This demonstrates how agradar integrates with advanced grammar points like the subjunctive mood. Finally, in commercial contexts, you might see 'agradar aos clientes' as a business goal. Using it in your writing shows a higher level of vocabulary than simply using 'fazer os clientes felizes.' It sounds more professional and precise. Mastery of these patterns allows you to navigate both casual and formal conversations with ease.

You will encounter agradar in a wide variety of real-world situations, ranging from intimate family moments to high-stakes business negotiations. In the domestic sphere, parents often use it when talking about their children's preferences or when trying to make someone feel welcome. For example, a grandmother might say, 'Fiz este bolo para te agradar,' highlighting the effort made to bring joy.

Art and Media Criticism: Critics on YouTube, in newspapers, or on podcasts use 'agradar' to evaluate whether a work of art met the audience's expectations.

O final da série não agradou aos fãs mais antigos.

In the business world, agradar is a keyword in marketing and customer service. Companies strive to 'agradar o cliente' (please the customer) to ensure loyalty. You might hear it in meetings discussing product development: 'Precisamos de algo que agrade tanto aos jovens quanto aos adultos.' This indicates a need for universal appeal.

Politics and Public Opinion: Politicians are constantly trying to 'agradar ao eleitorado' (please the electorate). News anchors often analyze how a new law might 'desagradar' (displease) certain sectors of society.

A nova lei tributária busca agradar aos pequenos empresários.

In romantic contexts, the verb takes on a softer, more attentive tone. It’s about doing small things to make a partner happy. However, there is also a cautionary use of the word: 'agradar a gregos e troianos' (to please Greeks and Trojans), an idiom meaning to try and please everyone, which is usually considered impossible. You will hear this frequently in debates or when someone is facing a difficult choice that will inevitably leave someone unhappy.

Service Industry: Waiters or hotel staff might ask, 'A comida está do seu agrado?' (Is the food to your liking?), using the noun form 'agrado'.

Esperamos que a nossa estadia agrade a todos os hóspedes.

Listening for agradar in Portuguese media will reveal its role as a marker of quality and satisfaction. Whether it's a review of a new restaurant or a discussion about a soccer team's performance, the verb serves as a barometer for public and private approval. It is a word that bridges the gap between personal feeling and social validation.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with agradar is confusing its syntax with the verb 'to like' (gostar). In English, 'I like the book' has 'I' as the subject. In Portuguese, using agradar, the book becomes the subject: 'O livro me agrada.' Many learners try to say 'Eu agrado o livro,' which is incorrect.

Preposition Omission: In formal contexts, forgetting the preposition 'a' is a major error. It should be 'agradar ao público,' not 'agradar o público.'

Muitos alunos esquecem de usar a preposição 'a' com o verbo agradar.

Another mistake is the confusion between 'agradar' (to please) and 'agradecer' (to thank). While they share a similar root, they are used very differently. 'Eu agradeço o presente' (I thank for the gift) vs. 'O presente me agrada' (The gift pleases me). Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion in social situations.

Overusing 'Gostar': Learners often rely solely on 'gostar' and miss the opportunity to sound more nuanced and polite by using 'agradar'.

Não é errado dizer 'gosto', mas agradar é mais elegante em contextos formais.

There is also the 'petting' vs. 'pleasing' confusion. If you tell a person 'Eu vou te agradar' in Brazil, it can sound slightly ambiguous—are you going to please them with a gift, or are you going to physically pet them? Context is key, but usually, 'fazer um agrado' (to do a favor/give a treat) or 'agradar' (to please) is understood. In Portugal, this ambiguity is less common.

Agreement Errors: When the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. 'As cores me agradam,' not 'As cores me agrada.'

As novas regras não agradam aos funcionários da empresa.

Lastly, avoid using agradar when you mean 'to agree' (concordar). They sound somewhat similar to English speakers, but they have no semantic overlap. If you want to say 'I agree with you,' use 'Eu concordo com você,' never 'Eu agrado com você.' Paying attention to these grammatical and semantic pitfalls will ensure your Portuguese sounds natural and professional.

To truly enrich your Portuguese, it's helpful to know words that are similar to agradar but carry different shades of meaning. The most obvious alternative is 'gostar,' but while agradar is about the object's appeal, 'gostar' is about the person's internal feeling.

Satisfazer vs. Agradar: 'Satisfazer' implies meeting a specific need or requirement (to satisfy), whereas 'agradar' is more about aesthetic or emotional pleasure.

O jantar conseguiu agradar a todos, mas não satisfez a fome de quem chegou tarde.

Another close synonym is 'contentar,' which means to make someone content or happy. It is often used in the context of settling for something or making someone stop complaining. 'Deleitar' is a more poetic and intense version of agradar, meaning to cause great delight or joy. It is usually reserved for the arts, music, or nature.

Convencer vs. Agradar: In some contexts, a proposal might 'agradar' (be pleasing) but not 'convencer' (persuade/convince) someone to take action.

A ideia agrada, mas ainda não me convenceu totalmente.

For the opposite of agradar, use 'desagradar.' If something is unpleasant, it 'desagrada.' Other antonyms include 'aborrecer' (to annoy/bore) and 'irritar' (to irritate). Using these varied terms allows for more precise communication. For example, 'A música me aborrece' (The music bores me) is much more specific than 'A música não me agrada' (The music doesn't please me).

Seduzir and Encantar: 'Encantar' (to enchant) and 'seduzir' (to seduce/charm) are stronger than 'agradar'. They imply a deeper level of attraction or fascination.

A beleza da cidade agrada aos turistas e encanta os poetas.

By understanding these synonyms and antonyms, you can tailor your speech to the specific intensity and context of the situation. Whether you are being polite, descriptive, or expressive, having a range of words related to 'agradar' will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"A proposta não agradou aos acionistas."

Neutral

"O jantar agradou a todos."

Informal

"Isso me agrada muito!"

Child friendly

"O brinquedo agradou o gatinho."

Slang

"O cara quer só me agradar."

Fun Fact

It shares the same root as 'gratitude' and 'grace.' In ancient times, to please someone was seen as a way to earn their 'grace.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.ɡɾɐ.ˈðaɾ/

US /a.ɡɾa.ˈdaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-gra-DAR.

Rhymes With

falar amar cantar lugar mar pensar olhar chegar

Common Errors

Stressing the second syllable (a-GRA-dar).
Pronouncing the 'g' like a 'j'.
Failing to pronounce the 'r' sounds correctly.
Making the 'd' sound too hard like in English 'dog'.
Over-reducing the final 'r' in formal speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to Latin roots.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct preposition and pronoun usage.

Speaking 3/5

Natural sounding only with the right context.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation and common usage.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gostar bom querer fazer coisa

Learn Next

satisfazer contentar agradecer agradável prazer

Advanced

aprazer comprazer deleitar lisonjear anuir

Grammar to Know

Indirect Transitive Verbs

Agradar requires the preposition 'a'.

Indirect Pronouns

Use 'lhe' for 'him/her' in formal contexts.

Subjunctive with Emotion

Agrada-me que você ESTEJA aqui.

Crasis (À)

Agradar + a + a (feminine noun) = agradar à.

Reflexive Pronouns

Eu ME agradei DO presente.

Examples by Level

O café me agrada.

The coffee pleases me.

Simple present tense with direct impact.

Isso não me agrada.

This does not please me.

Negative construction in the present tense.

O sol agrada a todos.

The sun pleases everyone.

Use of 'a todos' as the object.

A música agrada.

The music is pleasing.

Intransitive use meaning 'to be pleasing'.

O bolo te agrada?

Does the cake please you?

Interrogative with the pronoun 'te'.

Ela quer agradar.

She wants to please.

Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.

O dia está do meu agrado.

The day is to my liking.

Use of the noun 'agrado' in a phrase.

Eles tentam agradar.

They try to please.

Third person plural present tense.

A nova casa agrada à família.

The new house pleases the family.

Contraction of 'a' + 'a' = 'à'.

O presente agradou ao menino.

The gift pleased the boy.

Preterite tense with indirect object 'ao menino'.

Suas palavras não me agradam.

Your words do not please me.

Plural subject 'palavras' with plural verb 'agradam'.

Eu fiz isso para te agradar.

I did this to please you.

Preposition 'para' followed by the infinitive.

O filme agradou a muita gente.

The movie pleased many people.

Preterite tense with 'a muita gente'.

Este clima me agrada muito.

This climate pleases me a lot.

Use of the intensifier 'muito'.

O cardápio agrada aos clientes?

Does the menu please the customers?

Interrogative with plural indirect object 'aos clientes'.

Nada parece agradar a ele hoje.

Nothing seems to please him today.

Verb 'parecer' followed by the infinitive.

O projeto agradou à diretoria da empresa.

The project pleased the company's board.

Formal context with specific indirect object.

Sempre tento agradar aos meus pais.

I always try to please my parents.

Adverb 'sempre' with present tense.

A decisão não lhe agradou nem um pouco.

The decision did not please him/her at all.

Use of the indirect pronoun 'lhe'.

Buscamos um equilíbrio que agrade a todos.

We seek a balance that pleases everyone.

Present subjunctive 'agrade' after 'que'.

O ator se esforçou para agradar ao público.

The actor made an effort to please the audience.

Reflexive verb 'esforçar-se' followed by 'para'.

A decoração da festa agradou aos convidados.

The party decoration pleased the guests.

Plural agreement between subject and verb.

Será que esta cor vai agradar à noiva?

Will this color please the bride?

Future construction with 'vai' + infinitive.

Ele nunca consegue agradar a ninguém.

He can never please anyone.

Double negative 'nunca... a ninguém'.

É impossível agradar a gregos e troianos.

It is impossible to please everyone.

Common Portuguese idiom.

O discurso do político não agradou aos eleitores.

The politician's speech did not please the voters.

Political context with formal indirect object.

Ela se agradou do novo estilo de vida.

She became pleased with the new lifestyle.

Reflexive form 'agradar-se de'.

O autor escreve para se agradar, não para os outros.

The author writes to please himself, not for others.

Reflexive 'se agradar' indicating self-satisfaction.

A proposta precisa agradar a ambas as partes.

The proposal needs to please both parties.

Use of 'ambas as partes' as an object.

O sabor exótico pode não agradar a todos os paladares.

The exotic flavor might not please all palates.

Modal verb 'pode' with the infinitive.

Sua atitude de ontem não me agradou nada.

Your attitude yesterday did not please me at all.

Use of 'nada' as an adverbial intensifier.

Eles fizeram um agrado ao cliente fiel.

They gave a small treat/favor to the loyal customer.

Noun 'agrado' meaning a small gift or favor.

A estética minimalista agrada pela sua simplicidade.

The minimalist aesthetic pleases through its simplicity.

Use of 'pela' to indicate the reason for pleasing.

Caso a proposta não lhe agrade, podemos renegociar.

In case the proposal does not please you, we can renegotiate.

Subjunctive 'agrade' after the conjunction 'caso'.

O mestre tentava agradar ao discípulo com sabedoria.

The master tried to please the disciple with wisdom.

Imperfect tense 'tentava' indicating ongoing past action.

A obra de arte agrada aos sentidos e à alma.

The work of art pleases the senses and the soul.

Metaphorical and elevated use of the verb.

Não se deve viver apenas para agradar aos outros.

One should not live only to please others.

Impersonal 'se' construction with a moral tone.

O orador soube agradar à plateia com seu carisma.

The speaker knew how to please the audience with his charisma.

Verb 'saber' in the preterite meaning 'to know how to'.

A melodia suave agrada aos ouvidos cansados.

The soft melody pleases the tired ears.

Poetic use with personified body parts.

O resultado final agradou plenamente aos envolvidos.

The final result fully pleased those involved.

Use of the adverb 'plenamente' for emphasis.

Apraz-me sobremaneira que tenhas alcançado o êxito.

It pleases me exceedingly that you have achieved success.

Highly formal verb 'aprazer' (related to agradar).

A política de conciliação visava agradar a todas as facções.

The policy of conciliation aimed to please all factions.

Formal political and historical context.

Ele agrada-se de pequenos detalhes que outros ignoram.

He takes pleasure in small details that others ignore.

Reflexive 'agradar-se de' in a literary sense.

A retórica do filósofo não logrou agradar aos céticos.

The philosopher's rhetoric failed to please the skeptics.

Use of 'lograr' (to manage/achieve) in a formal negative.

Agradar à própria consciência é o maior dos desafios.

To please one's own conscience is the greatest of challenges.

Abstract subject 'Agradar à própria consciência'.

O espetáculo, embora técnico, não agradou à crítica.

The show, although technical, did not please the critics.

Concessive clause 'embora técnico' within the sentence.

Raramente um autor consegue agradar à posteridade.

Rarely does an author manage to please posterity.

Inversion with the adverb 'raramente'.

Sua conduta agrada aos padrões de excelência da instituição.

His conduct meets the standards of excellence of the institution.

Metaphorical use meaning 'to meet/match'.

Common Collocations

agradar a todos

agradar aos olhos

agradar ao paladar

agradar ao público

agradar ao chefe

agradar aos ouvidos

agradar aos clientes

agradar à vista

agradar ao coração

agradar aos sentidos

Common Phrases

do meu agrado

— To my liking or according to my taste.

O café não está do meu agrado.

fazer um agrado

— To do a favor or give a small gift.

Vou fazer um agrado para ela.

por agrado

— Out of kindness or to be pleasing.

Ele ajudou apenas por agrado.

ser do agrado de

— To be pleasing to someone.

Espero que seja do agrado de todos.

com agrado

— With pleasure or willingly.

Recebi a notícia com muito agrado.

ter o agrado de

— To have the pleasure of (doing something).

Temos o agrado de convidá-lo.

em agrado a

— To please or in favor of.

Mudamos o plano em agrado a você.

não me agrada nada

— I don't like it at all.

Essa ideia não me agrada nada.

agradar por agradar

— To please just for the sake of pleasing.

Não quero agradar por agradar.

ao seu agrado

— As you like it.

Tempere a salada ao seu agrado.

Often Confused With

agradar vs agradecer

Agradecer means to thank, while agradar means to please.

agradar vs acordar

Acordar means to wake up or to agree (less common), sounds slightly similar.

agradar vs agarrar

Agarrar means to grab or hold.

Idioms & Expressions

"agradar a gregos e troianos"

— To please everyone, especially groups with conflicting interests.

A nova lei não vai agradar a gregos e troianos.

common

"fazer agrados"

— To flatter or suck up to someone.

Ele vive fazendo agrados ao patrão.

informal

"cair no agrado"

— To become liked or popular.

O novo vizinho caiu no agrado de todos.

informal

"viver para agradar"

— To be a people-pleaser.

Ela precisa parar de viver para agradar aos outros.

neutral

"não agrada aos olhos de Deus"

— Something morally wrong or sinful.

Dizem que mentir não agrada aos olhos de Deus.

religious/formal

"agradar com o chapéu alheio"

— To take credit for someone else's generosity.

Ele quer agradar com o chapéu alheio.

informal

"fazer sala para agradar"

— To entertain guests out of obligation.

Tivemos que fazer sala para agradar aos sogros.

informal

"agradar o ego"

— To stroke someone's ego.

O elogio serviu para agradar o ego dele.

neutral

"não agradar a ninguém"

— To be a total failure in terms of appeal.

A mudança no logo não agradou a ninguém.

neutral

"agradar a vista"

— To be eye candy or visually stunning.

A arquitetura da cidade agrada a vista.

literary

Easily Confused

agradar vs gostar

Both express liking.

Gostar focuses on the person's feeling; agradar focuses on the object's appeal.

Eu gosto de flores (I like flowers) vs. Flores me agradam (Flowers please me).

agradar vs satisfazer

Both imply satisfaction.

Satisfazer is often about needs/requirements; agradar is about pleasure/taste.

A comida satisfez minha fome vs. O sabor me agradou.

agradar vs concordar

Sounds like 'agree'.

Concordar is to have the same opinion; agradar is to cause pleasure.

Eu concordo com você vs. Você me agrada.

agradar vs aprazer

They are synonyms.

Aprazer is extremely formal and rarely used in speech.

Apraz-me vê-lo.

agradar vs deleitar

Both mean to please.

Deleitar is much stronger and usually related to the senses or art.

A sinfonia me deleitou.

Sentence Patterns

O [noun] me agrada.

O livro me agrada.

O [noun] agradou ao [person].

O presente agradou ao pai.

Eu fiz [action] para te agradar.

Eu cozinhei para te agradar.

Isso não me agrada nem um pouco.

Essa ideia não me agrada nem um pouco.

Agrada-me que [subjunctive clause].

Agrada-me que todos participem.

Apraz-me notar que [clause].

Apraz-me notar que o trabalho foi feito.

Any

Não se pode agradar a todos.

Infelizmente, não se pode agradar a todos.

Informal

Vou te agradar um pouco.

Vou te agradar com um chocolate.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Eu agrado o livro. → O livro me agrada.
In English, 'I' is the subject. In Portuguese with 'agradar', the object that pleases is the subject.
Agradar o público. → Agradar ao público.
Forgetting the preposition 'a' in formal contexts is a common error.
Eu agrado você. → Eu te agradeço. (if you mean thank you)
Confusing 'agradar' (please) with 'agradecer' (thank).
As flores me agrada. → As flores me agradam.
The verb must agree with the plural subject 'flores'.
Eu me agradei o presente. → Eu me agradei do presente.
The reflexive form 'agradar-se' requires the preposition 'de'.

Tips

The 'A' Rule

Always remember 'agradar A alguém'. If you are pleasing a man, it's 'agradar AO homem'. If it's a woman, 'agradar À mulher'.

Politeness

Use 'agradar' in formal situations to sound more sophisticated than just using 'gostar'. It shows a higher level of education.

Brazilian Petting

In Brazil, if you see someone 'agradando' a dog, they are petting it. Don't be confused!

Greeks and Trojans

Use the 'gregos e troianos' idiom when discussing politics or difficult group decisions to sound like a native.

Aesthetic Reviews

When reviewing a movie or art, 'agradar' is the perfect verb to describe if the work met expectations.

Lhe vs Me

In formal writing, use 'lhe' to mean 'you/him/her'. 'Isso lhe agrada?' sounds much better than 'Isso te agrada?'.

Fazer um agrado

Use 'fazer um agrado' when you want to say you are doing something nice or giving a small gift to someone.

Polite No

Saying 'Não me agrada' is a softer, more professional way to say you don't like something than 'Não gosto'.

Subjunctive Trigger

Verbs of feeling like 'agradar' often trigger the subjunctive in the following clause: 'Agrada-me que você venha'.

Purpose

Use 'para agradar' to explain the motivation behind a kind action.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A GRADAR' as giving someone a 'GRADE' (A+) to please them. You want to 'Agradar' your teacher to get an A.

Visual Association

Imagine a waiter serving a beautiful dish with a silver dome, asking 'Does this please you?' (Isso lhe agrada?).

Word Web

satisfy please agreeable pleasant thank grace gratitude charm

Challenge

Try to use 'agradar' instead of 'gostar' three times today when talking about things that are nice.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'ad' (to) + 'gratus' (pleasing, grateful).

Original meaning: To make something pleasing or to cause gratitude.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'agradar' in Brazil as it can mean 'to pet' animals; ensure the context is clear when referring to people.

English speakers often use 'to like,' but 'agradar' is more like 'to please' or 'to suit.'

Used in many Bossa Nova songs to describe romantic devotion. Common in Portuguese classic literature (Eça de Queirós). Frequent in marketing slogans: 'Feito para agradar você'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Dining

A comida agrada?
Espero que agrade.
Está do seu agrado?
Agradar ao paladar.

Business

Agradar aos clientes.
A proposta agrada.
Não agradou à diretoria.
Agradar aos investidores.

Social

Para te agradar.
Agradar a todos.
Não quero agradar.
Fazer um agrado.

Arts

Agradar aos olhos.
Agradar ao público.
A obra agrada.
Agradar aos críticos.

Petting (Brazil)

Agradar o cachorro.
Agradar o gato.
Ele gosta de ser agradado.
Agradar o animal.

Conversation Starters

"O que mais te agrada em uma viagem?"

"Este novo restaurante te agrada?"

"Você acha fácil agradar a todas as pessoas?"

"Que tipo de música agrada aos seus ouvidos?"

"A nova decoração da cidade te agrada?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você tentou agradar alguém e conseguiu.

Quais são as coisas simples que mais te agradam no dia a dia?

É importante agradar a si mesmo antes de agradar aos outros? Por quê?

Descreva um lugar que agrada a todos os seus sentidos.

Como você se sente quando alguém faz um agrado para você?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In formal Portuguese, yes, it is an indirect transitive verb. In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the 'a' is often omitted. However, when it means 'to pet' an animal, it never takes the preposition 'a'.

Not exactly. 'Gostar' is 'to like' (subject-oriented), while 'agradar' is 'to please' (object-oriented). 'Eu gosto de você' vs. 'Você me agrada'. The second sounds more formal or focused on your qualities.

It is a famous idiom meaning 'to please everyone.' It's usually used in the negative because it's considered impossible to please groups with completely different interests.

Yes, it is very common. You can say 'A comida me agradou' (The food pleased me) or ask 'A comida está do seu agrado?' (Is the food to your liking?).

Yes, 'agradável' is the adjective form, meaning 'pleasant' or 'nice.' For example, 'Um dia agradável' is a pleasant day.

You can say 'Estou agradado' (less common) or more naturally 'Estou satisfeito' or 'Isso me agrada'.

Yes, 'agradar-se de' means to become pleased with something. 'Ele se agradou da ideia' (He liked the idea/The idea grew on him).

Very much so. It's used when talking about satisfying clients, investors, or meeting market demands.

Agradar is to please (to make happy). Agradecer is to thank (to say thanks). They are completely different verbs.

In formal speech, yes. In many Brazilian accents, it's a soft 'h' or silent. In Portugal, it's a short, clear tap.