This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #6,000 most common 9 min read

arrepio

Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips arrepio in 30 Seconds

Explanation arrepio in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'arrepio' as a simple word for a physical feeling when you are cold. Imagine you are in Portugal in January and you forget your jacket. You might feel a 'shiver'. You can say 'Sinto um arrepio' (I feel a shiver). It is a masculine noun, so always use 'o' or 'um'. Don't worry about complex emotions yet; just think of it as the body's reaction to ice or wind. It is a useful word to describe how you feel to a doctor or a friend when the weather changes. You might also hear it when someone talks about a scary story in a very basic way. Focus on the connection between 'frio' (cold) and 'arrepio'. If you are cold, you get an arrepio. It is a very concrete and easy-to-visualize concept for beginners. Practice saying 'um arrepio de frio' to get comfortable with the 'de' preposition which links the sensation to its cause.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'arrepio' to describe basic emotions like fear. If you watch a movie with ghosts, you can say 'Isso me dá arrepios' (That gives me shivers). Notice how we often use the plural 'arrepios' when something is scary. You can also use it to talk about music. If a song is very beautiful, you can say 'Que arrepio!' to show you are moved. You are now moving beyond just the physical feeling of cold into the world of 'sentimentos' (feelings). You should also learn the verb 'arrepiar'. For example, 'O frio me arrepiou' (The cold made me shiver). At this stage, try to create small sentences combining the noun with adjectives like 'forte' (strong) or 'pequeno' (small). This will help you describe the intensity of what you are feeling in different social situations.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'arrepio' in more abstract and metaphorical ways. You can describe a 'shiver of excitement' (arrepio de excitação) or a 'shiver of anticipation' (arrepio de antecipação). You will encounter this word in intermediate reading materials, such as news articles about suspenseful events or short stories. You should understand the difference between 'arrepio' and 'calafrio', using 'calafrio' for medical contexts and 'arrepio' for emotional ones. Start using the word to talk about your experiences with art, culture, and travel. For instance, you could describe the 'arrepio' you felt when seeing the Christ the Redeemer statue for the first time. This level requires a more nuanced understanding of how 'arrepio' functions as a bridge between the physical and the psychological, allowing you to express more complex reactions to your environment.

At the B2 level, 'arrepio' becomes a tool for descriptive excellence. You should be able to use it in literary discussions or when writing more sophisticated essays. You might use phrases like 'um arrepio na espinha' (a shiver down the spine) to create atmosphere in your storytelling. You should also recognize the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voices or conditional sentences ('Se eu visse um fantasma, sentiria um arrepio'). At this stage, you should also be aware of regional variations in how the word is used in Brazil versus Portugal. In Brazil, it might be used more colloquially in social settings to express enthusiasm, while in Portugal, it might retain a slightly more formal or traditional tone in certain contexts. You can also explore the use of the word in idiomatic expressions and understand how it contributes to the 'colocação pronominal' (pronoun placement) in sentences like 'Arrepiei-me todo'.

At the C1 level, you are exploring the profound and philosophical uses of 'arrepio'. You might find the word in contemporary Portuguese literature or high-level academic texts discussing aesthetics or psychology. It can be used to describe an existential shudder or a deep, ontological reaction to a sublime experience. You should be able to distinguish between the various synonyms with precision, choosing 'estremecimento' for a sudden jolt or 'horripilação' for a technical biological description. Your use of 'arrepio' should be effortless and contextually perfect, whether you are in a formal debate about the impact of a tragedy or writing a poetic description of a landscape. You should also be familiar with how 'arrepio' is used in historical texts and how its meaning has remained consistent yet evolved in its metaphorical reach over the centuries.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'arrepio'. You can use it to evoke specific moods in creative writing, utilizing its phonetic qualities to enhance the rhythm of your prose. You understand the deepest etymological roots of the word and how it connects to other Latin-based languages. You can analyze the use of 'arrepio' in the works of great Lusophone poets like Camões or Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, identifying how they use the sensation to symbolize the intersection of the human and the divine. Your understanding includes the most obscure idioms and rare regionalisms. You can use the word to describe the most subtle of sensations, perhaps even using it in a self-referential way to describe the 'arrepio' of linguistic discovery itself. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a finely tuned instrument in your communicative repertoire.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

arrepio in 30 Seconds

Arrepio is a masculine noun in Portuguese meaning shiver or chill, used for both physical cold and strong emotional reactions.
It is commonly paired with verbs like 'sentir' (to feel) and 'dar' (to give), often appearing in the plural 'arrepios' for emphasis.
While similar to 'calafrio', 'arrepio' is more versatile, covering beauty and fear, whereas 'calafrio' is typically medical or temperature-related.
The word is essential for expressing visceral reactions to music, horror, weather, and romantic touch in everyday Portuguese conversation.

The Portuguese word arrepio is a versatile noun that primarily refers to a shiver, a chill, or a sudden trembling sensation that moves across the skin or down the spine. At its most basic biological level, it describes piloerection—what English speakers commonly call 'goosebumps'—where the tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles contract. However, in the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language, an arrepio is far more than just a physical reaction to a drop in temperature. It is a profound linguistic vessel for communicating a wide spectrum of human emotions, ranging from the paralyzing grip of terror to the transcendent peak of aesthetic or romantic pleasure. When you encounter this word in a Portuguese-speaking country, you are often hearing about a visceral response to the world.

Physical Sensation: The most literal use involves the body's reaction to cold weather or a sudden draft. It is that involuntary twitch you feel when the wind hits your neck.
Emotional Trigger: In the context of fear or suspense, an arrepio is the 'creepiness' felt during a ghost story or a suspenseful movie scene.
Aesthetic Appreciation: Perhaps the most beautiful use is describing the 'thrill' or 'frisson' felt when listening to a powerful Fado singer or seeing a stunning work of art.

Ao ouvir aquela melodia triste, senti um arrepio percorrer todo o meu corpo.

Understanding 'arrepio' requires recognizing its dual nature as both a symptom of discomfort and a hallmark of deep connection. Whether you are walking through a haunted house in Ouro Preto or standing on a windy cliff in Sagres, the arrepio is your body's way of telling you that the moment is significant. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical skin and the internal soul.

O vento gelado da montanha causou-lhe um arrepio imediato.

Spiritual Context: In some spiritual or religious contexts in Brazil, an arrepio might be interpreted as a sign of spiritual presence or energy flow.

Aquelas histórias de fantasmas sempre me dão um arrepio na espinha.

O arrepio que senti não foi de frio, mas de pura emoção.

Medical Nuance: While 'calafrio' is more common for feverish chills, 'arrepio' can still be used to describe the onset of a sickness.

Sinto um arrepio constante; acho que estou ficando doente.

Using arrepio correctly involves understanding the verbs it typically pairs with. In Portuguese, we don't just 'have' a shiver; we often 'feel' it (sentir) or something 'gives' us a shiver (dar). This section explores the grammatical landscape of the word to help you sound like a native speaker.

With the verb 'Sentir': This is the most direct way to describe your internal state. 'Senti um arrepio' (I felt a shiver).
With the verb 'Dar': Used when an external stimulus causes the sensation. 'Isso me dá arrepios' (That gives me the creeps/shivers).
With 'Percorrer': To describe the movement of the sensation. 'Um arrepio percorreu-lhe a espinha' (A shiver ran down their spine).

Sempre que vejo baratas, sinto um arrepio de nojo.

Beyond these basic pairings, 'arrepio' often appears in metaphorical contexts. For instance, a 'filme de arrepio' might be a colloquial way to refer to a horror movie that causes physical reactions. You can also modify the noun with adjectives to specify the cause. An 'arrepio gélido' is a frozen shiver, while an 'arrepio de prazer' is a shiver of pleasure.

A voz dela é tão bonita que me deu um arrepio.

Prepositional Use: Commonly followed by 'de' to indicate the cause: arrepio de frio, arrepio de medo, arrepio de emoção.

Um súbito arrepio de medo tomou conta dele ao entrar na casa abandonada.

Não consigo evitar o arrepio quando ouço o hino nacional.

Intensity: Use 'grande' or 'forte' to emphasize the shiver: 'Senti um grande arrepio'.

Foi um arrepio tão forte que ela teve que se sentar.

O arrepio passou rápido, mas a lembrança ficou.

You will encounter arrepio in a variety of real-world settings across the Lusophone world. It is a staple of emotional storytelling and everyday conversation.

In Music and Fado: Portuguese Fado is built on 'saudade' and deep emotion. Listeners will often say 'esta música dá-me arrepios' to describe the soul-stirring quality of a performance.
In Weather Forecasts: When a cold front arrives, meteorologists or people on the street might mention the 'arrepios de frio' caused by the sudden drop in temperature.
In Suspenseful Media: Movie trailers for horror or thriller films in Brazil and Portugal frequently use this word in their marketing to promise a 'chilling' experience.

O trailer do novo filme de terror é de dar arrepios.

In literature, 'arrepio' is used to describe the physiological reaction of characters to supernatural events. If you read the works of Machado de Assis or Fernando Pessoa, you might find the word used to describe an existential shudder. In the news, it might be used metaphorically to describe a 'shiver' of fear in the financial markets or a 'shiver' of anticipation before a major sporting event like the World Cup.

A torcida sentiu um arrepio coletivo quando o craque se lesionou.

Romantic Settings: Poetry and romantic songs use 'arrepio' to describe the effect of a lover's touch or whisper.

Um simples toque no braço causou-lhe um arrepio de desejo.

O arrepio na nuca avisou-o de que algo estava errado.

Ghost Stories: When telling 'lendas urbanas' (urban legends), the narrator aims to cause 'arrepios' in the audience.

A história era tão macabra que provocou um arrepio geral.

Sentir um arrepio ao entrar em igrejas antigas é comum para muitos.

Even though arrepio is a relatively straightforward noun, learners often stumble over its usage in context. The most frequent errors involve confusing it with related words or misapplying the gender and pluralization.

Confusing with 'Calafrio': While they are synonyms, 'calafrio' is more medical. If you use 'calafrio' to describe your reaction to a beautiful song, it might sound like you have a fever instead of being moved.
Misusing the Verb Form: The verb is 'arrepiar'. Learners sometimes try to use 'arrepio' as a verb (e.g., 'Eu arrepio quando...'). While 'arrepio' is the first-person singular present form of the verb, the noun is the focus here.
Gender Agreement: Since it ends in 'o', it is masculine. Avoid saying 'a arrepio'.

Errado: Senti uma arrepio. Correto: Senti um arrepio.

Another mistake is using 'arrepio' when you simply mean 'frio' (cold). An arrepio is the *result* of the cold, not the cold itself. If you say 'Está um arrepio lá fora', people might understand you mean it's 'chilling', but 'Está frio' is the standard way to describe the temperature. Use 'arrepio' to describe the physical reaction.

O filme me deu arrepios (Correct plural use for general effect).

Preposition Confusion: Using 'com' instead of 'de'. While 'arrepio com o frio' is possible, 'arrepio de frio' is the idiomatic standard.

Não confunda: arrepio (shiver) vs. arrependimento (regret).

É um arrepio passageiro, não se preocupe.

Pluralization: Remember that 'arrepios' (plural) is often used for sustained or intense sensations.

Aquela cena de terror me causou muitos arrepios.

O arrepio é uma resposta natural do organismo.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use arrepio and when to choose a more specific synonym. The language offers several nuances for 'shaking' and 'chills'.

Calafrio: This is the closest synonym. It literally means 'cold-shiver' (cal- + frio). It is heavily associated with illness, fevers, and medical conditions. If you have the flu, you have 'calafrios'.
Tremor: This refers to a larger, more visible shaking of the body. You might 'tremer de medo' (tremble with fear), but the internal skin sensation is the 'arrepio'.
Estremecimento: A more formal or literary word for a shudder or a sudden start. It implies a quick, jerky movement of the whole body.

O arrepio é na pele; o tremor é nos músculos.

In Brazilian slang, you might also hear 'frio na espinha' (cold in the spine) which is synonymous with an 'arrepio de medo'. Another interesting alternative is 'formigamento' (tingling), which feels like ants crawling on the skin. While 'arrepio' is quick and sharp, 'formigamento' is usually a result of poor circulation.

Sentiu um arrepio quando ouviu seu nome ser chamado.

Horripilação: A technical, biological term for goosebumps. You will rarely hear this in conversation, but you might see it in a medical textbook.

A beleza da ópera causou um arrepio em toda a plateia.

O arrepio é o idioma da alma reagindo ao mundo.

Frio na barriga: Meaning 'butterflies in the stomach'. This is for nervousness, whereas 'arrepio' is for the physical skin sensation.

Um arrepio de antecipação percorreu o estádio.

Não era medo, era apenas um arrepio de frio.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is literally related to 'hair' (pelos). When you feel an arrepio, your body is trying to make its 'fur' stand up, a vestigial trait from our more hairy ancestors.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.ʁɛˈpi.u/

US /a.reˈpi.u/

The word is paroxytone, meaning the stress is on the second-to-last syllable (ar-re-PI-o).

Rhymes With

navio rio desafio vazio fio tio pio estio

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'o' as a hard 'O' instead of 'U'.
Making the 'rr' sound like a single 'r' (it should be strong and vibrating).
Stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the 'e' as a closed sound like 'ay'.
Merging the 'i' and 'o' into one sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its common usage in stories and news.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the double 'r' and the masculine gender.

Speaking 3/5

The strong 'rr' sound can be a challenge for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

frio medo sentir pele corpo

Learn Next

calafrio arrepiar arrepiante estremecer susto

Advanced

piloereção visceral estético metafísico lúgubre

Grammar to Know

Double 'rr' between vowels indicates a strong, aspirated sound.

a-RRE-pio

Nouns ending in 'o' are typically masculine.

O arrepio

The preposition 'de' is used to show the cause of a sensation.

Arrepio de frio

The verb 'dar' is used transitively for sensations caused by external objects.

Isso me dá arrepios.

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'o' is done by adding 's'.

Arrepios

Examples by Level

Sinto um arrepio de frio.

I feel a shiver of cold.

Masculine noun preceded by 'um'.

O vento dá um arrepio.

The wind gives a shiver.

Verb 'dar' used with the noun.

Eu tenho um arrepio agora.

I have a shiver now.

Basic present tense.

O gelo causou um arrepio.

The ice caused a shiver.

Subject + verb + object.

Um arrepio pequeno passou.

A small shiver passed.

Adjective 'pequeno' follows the noun.

Você sentiu o arrepio?

Did you feel the shiver?

Question form with 'sentir'.

Não gosto deste arrepio.

I don't like this shiver.

Negative construction.

O arrepio é forte.

The shiver is strong.

Using 'ser' to describe intensity.

A música me deu arrepios.

The music gave me shivers.

Plural 'arrepios' for emotional effect.

Senti um arrepio com o filme.

I felt a shiver with the movie.

Prepositional phrase 'com o filme'.

O arrepio de medo é ruim.

The shiver of fear is bad.

Noun + preposition 'de' + noun.

Ela teve um arrepio na nuca.

She had a shiver on the back of her neck.

Locative phrase 'na nuca'.

Os arrepios são normais no inverno.

Shivers are normal in winter.

Plural subject with 'ser'.

Aquele grito deu um arrepio.

That scream gave a shiver.

Subject 'grito' causes the action.

Sinto arrepios quando você fala.

I feel shivers when you speak.

Temporal clause 'quando você fala'.

Um arrepio súbito me acordou.

A sudden shiver woke me up.

Adjective 'súbito' before the noun.

Um arrepio de prazer percorreu meu corpo.

A shiver of pleasure ran through my body.

Verb 'percorrer' implies movement.

O arrepio na espinha indicava perigo.

The shiver down the spine indicated danger.

Idiomatic 'na espinha'.

Fiquei com arrepios ao ouvir a notícia.

I was left with shivers upon hearing the news.

'Ficar com' expresses state.

Não era frio, era um arrepio de emoção.

It wasn't cold, it was a shiver of emotion.

Contrastive sentence structure.

A voz do cantor provoca arrepios.

The singer's voice causes shivers.

Verb 'provocar' is more formal than 'dar'.

Senti um arrepio estranho na sala.

I felt a strange shiver in the room.

Adjective 'estranho' modifies the noun.

Os arrepios constantes podem ser febre.

Constant shivers can be fever.

Plural used in a medical context.

Um arrepio de antecipação tomou a sala.

A shiver of anticipation took over the room.

Metaphorical use of 'tomar'.

Um arrepio gélido atravessou sua alma.

A frozen shiver crossed his soul.

Literary use of 'alma'.

O arrepio que sentiu foi indescritível.

The shiver he felt was indescribable.

Relative clause 'que sentiu'.

Apesar do calor, tive um arrepio de pavor.

Despite the heat, I had a shiver of dread.

Concessive clause 'Apesar do'.

Os arrepios de frio misturavam-se ao medo.

The shivers of cold mixed with the fear.

Reflexive verb 'misturar-se'.

Cada nota da sinfonia trazia um novo arrepio.

Each note of the symphony brought a new shiver.

Quantifier 'Cada' with singular noun.

Um arrepio involuntário denunciou seu nervosismo.

An involuntary shiver betrayed his nervousness.

Adjective 'involuntário' adds precision.

Ele tentou esconder o arrepio que o sacudiu.

He tried to hide the shiver that shook him.

Infinitive 'esconder' as object.

O arrepio percorreu-lhe os braços arrepiados.

The shiver ran through his goosebump-covered arms.

Noun 'arrepio' and adjective 'arrepiados' together.

O arrepio metafísico diante do infinito.

The metaphysical shiver before the infinite.

Highly abstract context.

Um arrepio de horror mudo paralisou-os.

A shiver of silent horror paralyzed them.

Compound adjective 'horror mudo'.

Sentiu o arrepio da morte aproximar-se.

He felt the shiver of death approaching.

Personification of death.

O arrepio era o prenúncio de uma revelação.

The shiver was the harbinger of a revelation.

Sophisticated vocabulary like 'prenúncio'.

Um arrepio estético diante da obra-prima.

An aesthetic shiver before the masterpiece.

Specific use in art criticism.

A crueza da realidade causou-lhe um arrepio.

The rawness of reality caused him a shiver.

Abstract subject 'crueza'.

O arrepio percorreu a multidão como uma onda.

The shiver ran through the crowd like a wave.

Simile 'como uma onda'.

Havia um arrepio de mistério no ar.

There was a shiver of mystery in the air.

Existential 'Havia'.

O arrepio telúrico das entranhas da terra.

The telluric shiver from the bowels of the earth.

Scientific/geological metaphor.

Um arrepio de êxtase místico inundou-a.

A shiver of mystical ecstasy flooded her.

Intense spiritual vocabulary.

O arrepio, esse espasmo da consciência.

The shiver, that spasm of consciousness.

Apposition for definition.

Sentia o arrepio das eras que se esvaíam.

He felt the shiver of the eras that were fading away.

Temporal metaphor.

Um arrepio visceral que desafia a razão.

A visceral shiver that defies reason.

Relative clause with 'desafiar'.

O arrepio lúgubre da floresta à noite.

The lugubrious shiver of the forest at night.

Advanced adjective 'lúgubre'.

Aquele arrepio era a marca da finitude.

That shiver was the mark of finitude.

Philosophical concept.

Um arrepio de revolta subiu-lhe à garganta.

A shiver of revolt rose to his throat.

Physical location of an emotion.

Common Collocations

Sentir um arrepio

Dar arrepios

Arrepio na espinha

Arrepio de frio

Arrepio de medo

Arrepio de prazer

Arrepio súbito

Arrepio constante

Leve arrepio

Grande arrepio

Common Phrases

Me deu um arrepio

— It gave me a shiver. Used for any sudden sensation.

Me deu um arrepio quando a luz apagou.

Cheio de arrepios

— Full of shivers. Used when someone is very cold or scared.

Ele chegou em casa cheio de arrepios.

Um arrepio dos pés à cabeça

— A shiver from head to toe. Used for intense reactions.

Senti um arrepio dos pés à cabeça com o grito.

Sem um único arrepio

— Without a single shiver. Used to describe bravery or lack of emotion.

Ele enfrentou o perigo sem um único arrepio.

Até me deu arrepio

— It even gave me a shiver. Used for emphasis.

Até me deu arrepio ouvir aquela história.

Arrepio na nuca

— Shiver on the back of the neck. Common for the feeling of being watched.

Senti um arrepio na nuca e olhei para trás.

Vários arrepios

— Several shivers. Used for repeated sensations.

Tive vários arrepios durante o concerto.

Aquele arrepio familiar

— That familiar shiver. Used for recurring feelings.

Senti aquele arrepio familiar ao entrar na escola.

Um arrepio de morte

— A deathly shiver. Used for extreme fear or cold.

O vento trazia um arrepio de morte.

Arrepio de alegria

— Shiver of joy. Used for positive overwhelming moments.

Foi um arrepio de alegria ao ver o filho.

Often Confused With

arrepio vs Arrependimento

Sounds similar but means 'regret' or 'remorse'.

arrepio vs Arranhão

Sounds slightly similar but means 'scratch'.

arrepio vs Arranjo

Means 'arrangement' or 'fix'.

Idioms & Expressions

"De arrepiar os cabelos"

— Hair-raising. Something extremely scary or shocking.

O acidente foi de arrepiar os cabelos.

Informal

"Dar arrepios até na alma"

— To give shivers even to the soul. Deeply moving or terrifying.

Aquele fado dá arrepios até na alma.

Poetic

"Sentir o arrepio da verdade"

— To feel the shiver of truth. A sudden realization.

Quando ele confessou, senti o arrepio da verdade.

Literary

"Arrepio de má hora"

— A shiver at a bad time. An ill omen or bad feeling.

Tive um arrepio de má hora antes da viagem.

Regional

"Não sentir nem um arrepio"

— Not to feel even a shiver. To be completely unmoved or fearless.

Ele ouviu a ameaça e não sentiu nem um arrepio.

Neutral

"Arrepio por nada"

— Shiver for nothing. Being overly sensitive or jumpy.

Você sente arrepio por nada, pare com isso!

Informal

"O arrepio que não passa"

— The shiver that doesn't pass. A lingering bad feeling.

Ficou com aquele arrepio que não passa depois do susto.

Neutral

"Causar arrepios na plateia"

— To cause shivers in the audience. A very powerful performance.

A ópera causou arrepios na plateia.

Neutral

"Arrepio de frio no verão"

— Shiver of cold in the summer. Something very strange or supernatural.

Senti um arrepio de frio no verão naquela casa.

Informal

"Um arrepio que gela o sangue"

— A shiver that freezes the blood. Extreme terror.

A visão do monstro deu um arrepio que gela o sangue.

Dramatic

Easily Confused

arrepio vs Calafrio

Both mean shiver.

Calafrio is more medical or fever-related, while arrepio is more emotional or skin-deep.

Estou com febre e calafrios.

arrepio vs Tremor

Both involve shaking.

Tremor is a physical shake of the muscles; arrepio is a sensation on the skin.

O tremor na mão parou.

arrepio vs Susto

Both happen when scared.

Susto is the scare itself; arrepio is the physical feeling caused by the scare.

Que susto você me deu!

arrepio vs Frio

Both related to low temperature.

Frio is the temperature; arrepio is the body's reaction to it.

O frio está de matar.

arrepio vs Pavor

Both related to fear.

Pavor is intense dread (the emotion); arrepio is the physical sign of it.

Tenho pavor de cobras.

Sentence Patterns

Eu sinto [um arrepio].

Eu sinto um arrepio.

[Isso] me dá [arrepios].

O filme me dá arrepios.

Senti um arrepio de [emoção/frio].

Senti um arrepio de frio.

Um arrepio [adjetivo] percorreu [parte do corpo].

Um arrepio gélido percorreu meu braço.

O arrepio foi o [substantivo] da situação.

O arrepio foi o prenúncio da tragédia.

Diante de [algo], senti um arrepio.

Diante da montanha, senti um arrepio.

O arrepio, como [comparação], tomou conta.

O arrepio, como uma chama fria, tomou conta.

Nada restava senão o arrepio de [conceito].

Nada restava senão o arrepio de solidão.

Word Family

Nouns

arrepio

arrepiamento

Verbs

arrepiar

arrepiar-se

Adjectives

arrepiado

arrepiante

pelo

pele

frio

medo

tremor

How to Use It

frequency

High frequency in emotional and weather-related contexts.

Common Mistakes

A arrepio → O arrepio
The word is masculine, regardless of the gender of the person feeling it.
Eu arrepio quando tenho frio. → Eu sinto um arrepio quando tenho frio.
In this context, using the noun with 'sentir' is more common than the verb 'arrepiar' alone for a single event.
Senti um arrependimento de frio. → Senti um arrepio de frio.
Confusing 'regret' with 'shiver' due to similar sounds.
Isso me tem arrepios. → Isso me dá arrepios.
Using 'ter' (to have) instead of 'dar' (to give) for an external cause.
O arrepio percorreu minha alma (in a medical context). → Senti calafrios por causa da febre.
Using overly poetic language for a simple medical symptom.

Tips

Pairing with verbs

Always remember to use 'sentir' for your own feeling and 'dar' for external things that cause it. This is the most natural way to use the word.

The Strong R

Practice the 'rr' sound by clearing your throat slightly. It should be a strong sound, not a soft English 'r'.

Plural for emphasis

If something is really scary, use the plural 'arrepios'. It sounds much more dramatic and native.

Fado connection

If you are in Portugal, use this word to compliment a Fado singer. Saying 'Senti um arrepio' is a great compliment.

Gender check

Always use masculine articles. 'Um arrepio', 'O arrepio'. Never 'Uma arrepio'.

Literary flair

In writing, use 'um arrepio na espinha' to immediately tell the reader that a character is frightened or sensing danger.

Social reaction

When someone tells a touching story, say 'Nossa, me deu um arrepio' to show you are paying attention and are moved.

Home life

Use it when the air conditioning is too high. 'Que arrepio!' is a quick way to say you are cold.

Visual Link

Link the 'rr' in 'arrepio' to the word 'rrr-frio' (brrr-cold) to remember its primary meaning.

Arrepio vs Calafrio

Think of 'arrepio' as the skin and 'calafrio' as the whole body. This helps you choose the right word for the right level of cold.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A REal PIece Of' cold. 'A-RE-PI-O'. When you feel a real piece of cold, you get an arrepio.

Visual Association

Imagine a small 'R' shaped like a shivering person standing next to a 'P' shaped like a hair standing up.

Word Web

frio medo musica pele espinha nuca fantasma emoção

Challenge

Try to use 'arrepio' three times today: once for the weather, once for a song, and once for a scary thought.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese verb 'arrepiar', which comes from the combination of 'ad-' (to) and 're-pilo' (to pull back the hair). It shares roots with the word 'pilo' (hair).

Original meaning: To make the hair stand on end.

Romance (Latin roots).

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but be aware that in religious contexts, mentioning 'arrepios' might trigger discussions about spirits.

The word 'arrepio' covers both 'shiver' and 'goosebumps' in English, making it more versatile than its English counterparts.

Amália Rodrigues often spoke of the 'arrepio' of Fado. Clarice Lispector used the word to describe psychological states. The movie 'Arrepio' (1980) is a cult classic.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

Que arrepio de frio!
O vento dá arrepios.
Senti um arrepio agora.
Está de dar arrepios.

Music/Art

Essa música dá arrepios.
Senti um arrepio com a voz dela.
Arrepios de emoção.
Que voz arrepiante!

Horror/Fear

Um arrepio na espinha.
Me deu arrepios de medo.
A casa dá arrepios.
História de arrepio.

Health

Estou com arrepios e febre.
Sinto arrepios constantes.
Calafrios ou arrepios?
O corpo está com arrepios.

Romance

Seu toque me dá arrepios.
Um arrepio de desejo.
Senti um arrepio quando você chegou.
Arrepios de amor.

Conversation Starters

"Você já sentiu um arrepio ouvindo uma música específica? Qual?"

"O que te dá mais arrepios: filmes de terror ou o frio do inverno?"

"Você sentiu um arrepio quando visitou algum lugar histórico pela primeira vez?"

"Como você descreve a sensação de um arrepio para alguém que não conhece a palavra?"

"Você prefere o arrepio de uma aventura ou o conforto do calor?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento em que você sentiu um arrepio de pura alegria e o que causou isso.

Escreva sobre uma experiência assustadora que te deu arrepios na espinha por muito tempo.

Como o seu corpo reage ao frio intenso? Use a palavra arrepio na sua descrição.

Reflita sobre a última vez que uma obra de arte ou música te causou um arrepio estético.

Crie uma pequena história de mistério onde o personagem principal sente vários arrepios.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is very common for cold weather and even for positive emotions like hearing a beautiful song or feeling a romantic touch. It is a very versatile word in Portuguese.

The noun is 'arrepio', but the verb is 'arrepiar'. For example, 'Eu me arrepio' (I get shivers) or 'O frio me arrepiou' (The cold gave me shivers).

It is always masculine: 'o arrepio'. Even if a woman is speaking, the noun remains masculine because it describes the sensation, not the person.

The plural is 'arrepios'. It is often used in the plural to describe a strong or ongoing sensation, like 'Isso me dá arrepios'.

Yes, but 'calafrio' is more common when talking about fevers or the flu. 'Arrepio' is more general and often used for the first sign of being cold.

It is an idiomatic expression meaning 'chilling' or 'hair-raising'. You can use it for something scary or something impressively good.

Yes, it is extremely common in both Brazil and Portugal, though Brazilians might use the verb form 'me arrepiei' more often in casual talk.

You can say 'arrepios' or describe the skin as 'pele arrepiada'. There isn't a single common noun for the bumps themselves other than 'arrepios'.

Not necessarily. While it can be caused by fear or cold, it is frequently used to describe being moved by art or music, which is very positive.

It is neutral. It can be used in a medical report, a novel, or a conversation at a bar. It depends on the words you use around it.