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B1 verb 9 min read

Arrogantar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Arrogantar in 30 Seconds

Explanation Arrogantar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the verb 'arrogantar' yet. It is a complex word. Instead, you should focus on the basic idea of 'pride'. In Portuguese, we say 'orgulho' for pride. If someone is 'bad-proud', we call them 'arrogante'. For an A1 student, just remember that 'arrogante' is an adjective like 'feliz' or 'triste'. You can say 'Ele é arrogante' (He is arrogant). This is the foundation. The verb 'arrogantar' is like saying 'to do arrogance'. Even though you won't use it, knowing that 'ar-' at the beginning often comes from Latin words for 'claiming' can help you later. Focus on learning the opposite first: 'humilde' (humble). In A1, we keep things simple. We talk about people being nice (legal) or mean (chato). Being arrogant is a type of being 'chato'. So, if you see the word 'arrogantar', just think: 'This person is acting in a way that is not humble'. This will help you understand basic stories or descriptions of people's personalities without getting confused by the difficult verb ending.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to see how words change from adjectives to verbs. You know that 'feliz' (happy) can become 'felicitar' (to congratulate). Similarly, the adjective 'arrogante' can become the verb 'arrogantar'. At this level, you should recognize that 'arrogantar' means 'to act like an arrogant person'. You might see it in a simple story. For example: 'O homem rico começou a se arrogantar'. Here, 'se' is important. It means he is doing it to himself or showing it to others. You don't need to conjugate it in every tense yet. Just focus on the present tense: 'Eu me arroganto' (rarely used), 'Ele se arroganta'. It's more common to hear 'Ele é metido' in casual Portuguese at this level. However, learning 'arrogantar' helps you build a more 'adult' vocabulary. It shows you are moving past basic descriptions. Remember: 'arrogante' (adj) -> 'arrogância' (noun) -> 'arrogantar' (verb). Seeing these patterns is a key skill for A2 students. It helps you guess the meaning of new words without a dictionary.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more nuanced social descriptions, and 'arrogantar' fits perfectly here. You should understand that this verb is formal and used to describe a specific behavior. When you use 'arrogantar-se', you are describing a person who is actively choosing to look down on others. This is a great word to use in your B1 writing assignments when describing a villain in a story or a difficult boss. You should be able to conjugate it in the Pretérito Perfeito (Eu me arrogantei, ele se arrogantou) to describe past actions. You should also be aware of the difference between 'arrogantar' (to act arrogant) and 'arrogar' (to claim something). At B1, you are building the 'bridge' between everyday speech and formal speech. Using 'arrogantar' correctly shows that you understand Portuguese registers. If you are in a business meeting and you want to describe a competitor's aggressive and prideful behavior in a professional way, 'arrogantar' is a much better choice than slang. It sounds objective and sophisticated.

For B2 learners, 'arrogantar' is a tool for precise character analysis and social critique. You should be comfortable using it in the subjunctive mood, which is common in complex sentences. For example: 'Espero que ele não se arrogante após a promoção' (I hope he doesn't act arrogantly after the promotion). You should also understand the transitive use of the verb: 'A fama arroganta as pessoas' (Fame makes people arrogant). This shows a deeper understanding of how verbs can influence objects. At this level, you should also be comparing 'arrogantar' with its synonyms like 'ensoberbecer-se' or 'jactar-se'. You can explain the subtle differences: 'arrogantar' is about posture, while 'jactar-se' is about words. Your vocabulary should be expanding into these more literary areas so you can read newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S. Paulo' and understand the opinion pieces where such verbs are frequently used to criticize public figures. You should also recognize the historical and legal roots of the word, understanding that it implies an 'assumption' of status that isn't necessarily deserved.

At the C1 level, you should use 'arrogantar' with complete confidence in its most formal and literary contexts. You should be able to identify its use in classical Portuguese literature and explain how it contributes to the tone of a text. For a C1 student, the focus is on the elegance of the word. You might use it in a literary analysis or a high-level debate about ethics. You should also be aware of the pronominal placement nuances between Brazilian and European Portuguese (e.g., 'arrogantar-se' vs 'se arrogantar') and use the one appropriate for your context perfectly. Furthermore, you should understand the philosophical implications of the verb—how it relates to the concept of 'ego' and 'alterity'. A C1 learner can use 'arrogantar' to describe systemic issues, such as a government 'arrogantando para si' (arrogating to itself) powers that belong to the people. This demonstrates a mastery of both the behavioral and the legalistic/formal definitions of the word family. You are no longer just learning a word; you are mastering a concept that allows for sophisticated social and political commentary.

As a C2 learner, your mastery of 'arrogantar' should be indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker with a penchant for literature. You should be able to play with the word, perhaps using it ironically or in complex metaphorical structures. You understand its etymological journey from Latin 'arrogare' and can discuss how the verb form has survived in high-register Portuguese while being replaced by phrases in common speech. You should be able to use it in all tenses, including the more obscure ones like the 'Mais-que-perfeito' or the 'Futuro do Subjuntivo' in legalistic writing. At this level, you can also distinguish the rhythmic and stylistic impact of choosing 'arrogantar' over 'ensoberbecer' in a piece of creative writing. You might use it to describe the 'arrogantar-se' of an entire nation or an era. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but cultural and historical, allowing you to use it as a scalpel to dissect human vanity in your most advanced written and spoken communications. You recognize it as a hallmark of a refined vocabulary.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Arrogantar in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to act with arrogance or excessive pride.
Commonly used reflexively as 'arrogantar-se' to describe a person's haughty behavior.
Can also be used transitively to describe making someone else arrogant.
Found in literary, academic, and formal contexts rather than daily conversation.

The verb arrogantar is a fascinating entry in the Portuguese lexicon, primarily because it transforms a very common personality trait—arrogance—into a dynamic action. While most learners are familiar with the adjective arrogante, the verb form allows a speaker to describe the process of becoming arrogant, behaving with sudden pride, or treating others with a sense of unearned superiority. In the vast landscape of Portuguese communication, using a verb instead of an adjective-noun combination (like 'ele é arrogante') adds a layer of literary flair and specific intent to the description of human behavior.

The Semantic Core: To 'arrogantar' is to embody the spirit of the Latin 'arrogare', which originally meant to claim for oneself something that one is not entitled to. In a social context, it means projecting an image of being better, smarter, or more important than those around you.

You will typically encounter this word in formal writing, classical literature, or high-level academic discussions regarding psychology and social dynamics. It is not a word you would hear at a casual Sunday barbecue (churrasco), but rather in a courtroom, a philosophical debate, or a dense novel from the 19th century. It describes a shift in state; a person might start a conversation humbly but then begin to arrogantar as they discuss their achievements.

O sucesso repentino fez o jovem autor se arrogantar perante seus antigos colegas de escola.

Translation: The sudden success made the young author act arrogantly toward his old schoolmates.

Pragmatic Usage: When someone 'arrogantas', they are not just being annoying; they are actively asserting a hierarchy. It is a verb of posture. It implies a performance of pride that is often viewed negatively by the collective Portuguese culture, which tends to value 'humildade' (humility) as a core social lubricant.

Não devemos nos arrogantar pelas vitórias passageiras da vida.

The verb also carries a reflexive quality often. One 'arrogants oneself' (arrogantar-se), suggesting that the pride is an internal choice that manifests externally. This nuance is vital for B1 learners moving into B2, as it highlights the agency of the subject. You aren't just 'being' something; you are 'doing' something to your own persona.

Historical Context: Historically, 'arrogantar' was more common in legalistic or monarchical Portuguese, where claiming titles or rights (arrogating power) was a formal process. Today, that 'claiming' aspect has morphed into a general description of haughty behavior.

Ao arrogantar conhecimentos que não possui, o palestrante perdeu a credibilidade do público.

In summary, 'arrogantar' is a tool for precision. It allows you to pinpoint the exact moment or manner in which someone chooses to elevate themselves above others. It is a verb of action, reaction, and social positioning that enriches any description of human interaction.

Using arrogantar correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation as a regular '-ar' verb and its typical syntactic environments. Most frequently, it appears in its pronominal form (arrogantar-se), but it can also function as a transitive verb meaning 'to make someone arrogant' or 'to treat someone with arrogance'.

Reflexive Usage (To behave arrogantly): This is the most common way to use the word. It follows the standard reflexive pronoun patterns: me arroganto, te arrogantas, se arroganta, nos arrogantamos, se arrogantam.

Ele sempre se arroganta quando o assunto é política internacional.

Translation: He always acts arrogantly when the subject is international politics.

When used transitively, 'arrogantar' implies that an external force or situation is causing the arrogance. This is a subtle but powerful way to shift blame or describe the influence of power and money.

Transitive Usage (To make arrogant): The structure is [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object]. For example: 'O poder arroganta o homem' (Power makes the man arrogant).

A riqueza excessiva pode arrogantar até as almas mais simples.

In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), it often marks a specific turning point in a narrative. 'Ele se arrogantou' suggests that at a specific moment, his behavior changed for the worse.

Depois que ganhou o prêmio, ele se arrogantou de tal forma que ninguém mais o suportava.

The Imperative and Negative: When giving advice, the negative imperative is common: 'Não te arrogantes' or 'Não se arrogante' (Don't be arrogant).

Não se arrogante perante os mais humildes; a vida dá voltas.

Finally, consider the gerund form 'arrogantando'. It describes an ongoing process of behaving with pride. 'Ele está se arrogantando' implies a gradual change in character that is currently being observed. This is particularly useful for psychological descriptions or character development in storytelling.

While arrogantar is not a 'street word', its presence in the Lusophone world is marked by specific contexts that define its weight and meaning. Understanding these contexts helps a B1 learner know when to deploy it effectively.

1. Literary and Academic Texts: In the works of authors like Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis, the verb form is used to dissect the social climbing and vanity of the bourgeoisie. If you are reading a classic novel, 'arrogantar' is the perfect word to describe a character who has just come into money or status.

Naquele salão de festas, todos pareciam se arrogantar com seus títulos nobiliárquicos.

2. Political and Legal Discourse: In political commentary or legal arguments, 'arrogantar' is used to criticize an opponent's overstepping of their bounds. A lawyer might say a prosecutor is 'arrogantando para si' (arrogating to himself) powers that the law does not provide.

O ministro foi acusado de se arrogantar o direito de decidir sozinho o destino da verba.

3. Religious and Moral Sermons: In sermons or ethics lectures, 'arrogantar' is used to warn against the sin of pride. It serves as a more powerful, active warning than just saying 'be humble'.

Quem se arroganta diante de Deus acaba caindo em desgraça.

You might also hear it in news reports when a journalist is describing a dictator or a high-ranking official who behaves with impunity. In these cases, 'arrogantar' carries a heavy connotation of injustice and abuse of power. It is a word that demands respect and signals that the speaker is educated and observant.

A empresa se arrogantou a função de fiscalizar seus próprios crimes ambientais.

In essence, 'arrogantar' is found wherever there is a tension between power and humility, between individual ego and collective rules. It is a word of the 'high register' that provides a sharp edge to any critique of character.

When learning arrogantar, students often stumble over its rarity and its similarity to other words. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

1. Confusing 'Arrogantar' with 'Arrogar': This is the most common mistake. 'Arrogar' (usually 'arrogar-se') means to claim a right or power for oneself. 'Arrogantar' means to behave with arrogance or to make someone arrogant. While related, they are not interchangeable. Use 'arrogar-se' for rights and 'arrogantar-se' for personality/behavior.

Errado: Ele se arrogantou o direito de falar primeiro. (Better: arrogou)
Correto: Ele se arrogantou e parou de cumprimentar os vizinhos.

2. Overusing it in Casual Conversation: If you tell a friend 'Não te arrogantes!' while playing video games, they will probably laugh or look confused. In casual settings, use 'Não seja metido' or 'Não se ache'. 'Arrogantar' is too formal for most daily interactions.

3. Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: When you want to say someone is acting arrogantly, you must use 'se'. Writing 'Ele arroganta muito' sounds incomplete to a native ear. It should be 'Ele se arroganta muito'.

Incorrecto: O aluno arrogantou durante a prova.
Correcto: O aluno se arrogantou durante a prova.

4. Misspelling/Phonetic Confusion: Sometimes learners confuse it with 'arrotar' (to burp) because of the similar start. Be careful with the 'g' sound! Arro-GAN-tar vs Arro-TAR. These are very different social faux pas!

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the formal register and the reflexive nature—you will avoid the most common traps and use this sophisticated verb like a pro.

Portuguese is rich in synonyms for pride and arrogance. Depending on the nuance you want to convey, arrogantar might be replaced by several other verbs and expressions.

Ensoberbecer-se: This is perhaps the closest literary synonym. It comes from 'soberba' (pride/haughtiness). It implies becoming filled with pride to the point of looking down on others.

O rei se ensoberbeceu com suas conquistas militares.

Jactar-se / Vangloriar-se: These verbs focus on the 'boasting' aspect. While 'arrogantar' is about a general posture, 'jactar-se' is specifically about talking loudly about your own successes.

Ele vive a se vangloriar de sua inteligência.

Ufanar-se: This is a more positive version of pride, though it can become negative. It means to be extremely proud of something (like one's country or a child's achievement).

If you find 'arrogantar' too heavy or formal, the most common alternative is the phrase 'agir com arrogância' (to act with arrogance) or 'ser arrogante' (to be arrogant). These are safe, clear, and understood by everyone regardless of their education level.

Empavonar-se: A colorful verb derived from 'pavão' (peacock). It describes the visual and behavioral act of showing off, much like a peacock spreading its feathers. It is slightly more descriptive and less 'heavy' than arrogantar.

Choosing the right word depends on your audience. In a university thesis, 'arrogantar' is excellent. In a text message to a friend, 'se achar' is much better. Understanding these shades of meaning is what separates a student from a fluent speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'rogare' also gives us 'interrogative' and 'surrogate'. In ancient Rome, 'arrogatio' was a legal term for adoption.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.ʁu.ɡɐ̃.ˈtaɾ/

US /a.ʁo.ɡan.ˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'tar'.

Rhymes With

cantar amar falar andar olhar pensar chegar lugar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the nasal 'an' like a clear 'an' in 'man'.
Confusing the guttural 'r' with the English 'r'.
Stressing the second-to-last syllable instead of the last.
Making the 'g' sound like a 'j' (it should be hard like 'go').
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'r' in formal contexts.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

You will mostly see this in books or formal news.

Writing 5/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns and formal tone.

Speaking 6/5

Difficult to use naturally in conversation without sounding overly formal.

Listening 4/5

Recognizable if you know the adjective 'arrogante'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

arrogante orgulho ser se (reflexive) poder

Learn Next

ensoberbecer jactar-se prepotência humildade modéstia

Advanced

altivez empáfia petulância protervia soberba

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Ele se arroganta (BR) vs. Arroganta-se (PT).

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

O poder arroganta (transitive) vs. Ele se arroganta (reflexive).

Subjunctive Mood for Doubts

Duvido que ele se arrogante.

Personal Infinitive

Para não nos arrogantarmos, precisamos de amigos sinceros.

Adjective to Verb Formation

Arrogante (adj) + -ar = Arrogantar.

Examples by Level

Ele é um pouco arrogante.

He is a bit arrogant.

A1 uses the adjective 'arrogante' with 'ser'.

Não seja arrogante com seus amigos.

Don't be arrogant with your friends.

Imperative of 'ser' + adjective.

O menino arrogante não tem amigos.

The arrogant boy has no friends.

Adjective modifying a noun.

Ela parece arrogante, mas é legal.

She seems arrogant, but she is nice.

Using 'parecer' (to seem).

Por que você é tão arrogante?

Why are you so arrogant?

Simple question with 'ser'.

Eu não gosto de pessoas arrogantes.

I don't like arrogant people.

Plural adjective agreement.

O rei era muito arrogante.

The king was very arrogant.

Past tense (Imperfeito) of 'ser'.

Ser arrogante é ruim.

Being arrogant is bad.

Infinitive as a subject.

Ele começou a se arrogantar depois do jogo.

He started to act arrogantly after the game.

Infinitive 'arrogantar' after 'começar a'.

Ninguém gosta quando você se arroganta.

Nobody likes it when you act arrogantly.

Present tense reflexive 'se arroganta'.

Ela se arroganta por causa do dinheiro.

She acts arrogantly because of the money.

Reflexive verb usage.

Vocês se arrogantam demais!

You all act too arrogantly!

Plural reflexive 'se arrogantam'.

Eu não quero me arrogantar.

I don't want to act arrogantly.

Reflexive 'me' with 'querer'.

O sucesso pode nos arrogantar.

Success can make us arrogant.

Transitive use with 'nos'.

Ele se arrogantou na frente de todos.

He acted arrogantly in front of everyone.

Pretérito Perfeito (Past tense).

Não se arrogante, por favor.

Don't act arrogantly, please.

Negative imperative.

É comum as pessoas se arrogantarem quando sobem de cargo.

It is common for people to act arrogantly when they get promoted.

Personal infinitive 'se arrogantarem'.

Se ele se arrogantar de novo, eu vou embora.

If he acts arrogantly again, I'm leaving.

Future subjunctive 'se arrogantar'.

A diretora se arrogantou durante a reunião.

The director acted arrogantly during the meeting.

Reflexive past tense.

Não permitas que o poder te arrogante.

Don't allow power to make you arrogant.

Subjunctive 'arrogante' (transitive).

Nós nunca nos arrogantamos, apesar da fama.

We never acted arrogantly, despite the fame.

Reflexive 'nos arrogantamos' in the past.

Ela está se arrogantando cada vez mais.

She is acting more and more arrogantly.

Gerund 'arrogantando'.

O professor se arrogantou ao responder ao aluno.

The teacher acted arrogantly when answering the student.

Reflexive past with 'ao' + infinitive.

Sinto que você está tentando se arrogantar.

I feel like you are trying to act arrogantly.

Reflexive infinitive.

A vitória não deve servir para nos arrogantar perante os vencidos.

Victory should not serve to make us act arrogantly toward the defeated.

Transitive infinitive.

Caso ele se arrogante, perderá o apoio do grupo.

Should he act arrogantly, he will lose the group's support.

Subjunctive 'arrogante'.

Muitos se arrogantam sem ter qualquer motivo real.

Many act arrogantly without having any real reason.

Reflexive present plural.

O autor se arrogantou tanto que parou de aceitar críticas.

The author acted so arrogantly that he stopped accepting criticism.

Consecutive clause with 'tanto que'.

É perigoso arrogantar-se quando não se conhece a verdade.

It is dangerous to act arrogantly when one does not know the truth.

Impersonal reflexive 'arrogantar-se'.

Eles se arrogantaram de tal modo que foram isolados.

They acted arrogantly in such a way that they were isolated.

Pretérito Perfeito with 'de tal modo que'.

Não quero que você pense que estou tentando me arrogantar.

I don't want you to think I'm trying to act arrogantly.

Subjunctive after 'querer que'.

A posição social costuma arrogantar os mais fracos de espírito.

Social position usually makes those weak of spirit arrogant.

Transitive usage with direct object.

O diplomata, ao arrogantar-se mediador, causou um incidente.

The diplomat, by arrogating to himself the role of mediator, caused an incident.

Pronominal use meaning 'claiming a role'.

Embora se arrogantasse, no fundo sentia uma imensa insegurança.

Although he acted arrogantly, deep down he felt immense insecurity.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

A narrativa descreve como o protagonista se arrogantou ao longo do tempo.

The narrative describes how the protagonist became arrogant over time.

Reflexive past in literary analysis.

Não convém arrogantar conhecimentos que a ciência ainda não provou.

It is not fitting to claim (arrogantly) knowledge that science has not yet proven.

Transitive use in formal discourse.

Ao arrogantar o sucesso alheio, ele mostrou seu verdadeiro caráter.

By arrogantly claiming others' success, he showed his true character.

Transitive gerund-like construction.

Duvido que ele se arrogante após ouvir a verdade nua e crua.

I doubt he will act arrogantly after hearing the naked truth.

Subjunctive after 'duvidar que'.

A instituição se arrogantou a autoridade de julgar sem provas.

The institution arrogated to itself the authority to judge without proof.

Pronominal use with a direct object.

Se nos arrogantarmos, perderemos a essência da nossa missão.

If we act arrogantly, we will lose the essence of our mission.

Future subjunctive 'nos arrogantarmos'.

A história é pródiga em exemplos de tiranos que se arrogantaram divindades.

History is full of examples of tyrants who arrogated divinity to themselves.

Reflexive with predicative of the object.

O texto satírico visa ridicularizar aqueles que se arrogantam sábios.

The satirical text aims to ridicule those who act as if they are wise.

Reflexive with adjective complement.

Pudesse ele não se arrogantar, e talvez teria mantido o seu império.

Had he been able not to act arrogantly, and perhaps he would have kept his empire.

Past subjunctive 'pudesse' in a conditional sense.

A arrogância, ao arrogantar o ser, oblitera a visão da realidade.

Arrogance, by making the being arrogant, obliterates the vision of reality.

Transitive use in philosophical writing.

Não há quem se arrogante mais do que aquele que nada sabe.

There is no one who acts more arrogantly than he who knows nothing.

Negative relative clause requiring subjunctive.

O autor parece arrogantar uma erudição que mal consegue sustentar.

The author seems to claim an erudition that he can barely sustain.

Transitive use in literary critique.

Se tivessem se arrogantado menos, teriam sido melhores ouvidos.

If they had acted less arrogantly, they would have been better heard.

Pluperfect subjunctive 'tivessem se arrogantado'.

A modernidade parece arrogantar o direito de descartar a tradição.

Modernity seems to arrogate the right to discard tradition.

Transitive use with abstract subject.

Common Collocations

arrogantar-se o direito

arrogantar o poder

não se arrogante

arrogantar-se sábio

arrogantar a vitória

arrogantar o sucesso

arrogantar-se autoridade

arrogantar méritos

arrogantar a fala

arrogantar a posição

Common Phrases

Arrogantar-se de algo

— To take excessive pride in something specific.

Ele se arroganta de sua herança.

Arrogantar o tom

— To adopt a haughty or superior tone of voice.

Ao falar com o garçom, ele arrogantou o tom.

Não te arrogantes!

— A sharp warning telling someone to stop being proud.

Não te arrogantes, pois a vida é curta.

Arrogantar-se perante

— To act superior in front of a specific person or group.

Não se arrogante perante os pobres.

Arrogantar ares

— To put on airs of importance.

A moça arrogantou ares de grande dama.

Arrogantar títulos

— To claim or display titles with pride.

O conde gostava de arrogantar seus títulos.

Arrogantar conhecimentos

— To show off knowledge in an annoying way.

Ele arroganta conhecimentos que não possui.

Arrogantar a postura

— To physically adopt a proud or stiff posture.

O soldado arrogantou a postura diante do general.

Arrogantar o silêncio

— To use silence as a way to look down on others.

Ele arrogantou o silêncio para ignorar a pergunta.

Arrogantar a vontade

— To impose one's will arrogantly.

O tirano arrogantou sua vontade sobre o povo.

Often Confused With

Arrogantar vs arrogar

Arrogar means to claim a right; Arrogantar means to behave arrogantly.

Arrogantar vs arrotar

Arrotar means to burp; very different social context!

Arrogantar vs agarrar

Agarrar means to grab; sounds slightly similar but unrelated.

Idioms & Expressions

"Cair do pedestal"

— To lose one's arrogant position or be humbled.

Depois da falência, ele caiu do pedestal.

informal

"Estar com o rei na barriga"

— To think one is extremely important (very common).

Desde que foi promovido, ele está com o rei na barriga.

colloquial

"Subir à cabeça"

— When success makes someone arrogant.

O dinheiro subiu à cabeça dele.

neutral

"Olhar de cima para baixo"

— To look down on someone.

Ela olha todos de cima para baixo.

neutral

"Contar vantagem"

— To boast or brag about oneself.

Pare de contar vantagem sobre o seu carro.

informal

"Pôr-se em bicos de pés"

— To try to appear more important than one is.

Ele pôs-se em bicos de pés para impressionar o chefe.

informal

"Ter o nariz empinado"

— To be stuck-up or arrogant.

Aquela família tem o nariz muito empinado.

colloquial

"Cuspir para o alto"

— To act arrogantly only for it to backfire.

Ele cuspiu para o alto e agora precisa de ajuda.

proverbial

"Dar uma de..."

— To pretend to be something (often someone important).

Ele deu uma de importante na festa.

slang

"Baixar a bola"

— To stop being arrogant (command).

Baixa a bola, você não é o dono do mundo.

informal

Easily Confused

Arrogantar vs Arrogante

It is the adjective form.

Arrogante is a state (He is arrogant); Arrogantar is the action (He is acting arrogantly).

Ele é arrogante vs. Ele está se arrogantando.

Arrogantar vs Soberbo

Synonym for arrogant.

Soberbo is often more intense and literary than arrogante.

Um homem soberbo.

Arrogantar vs Presunçoso

Related meaning.

Presunçoso implies assuming you are more than you are; Arrogante implies looking down on others.

O jovem presunçoso.

Arrogantar vs Altivo

Can mean proud.

Altivo can be positive (noble pride); Arrogantar is always negative.

Uma postura altiva.

Arrogantar vs Orgulhoso

Common word for proud.

Orgulhoso can be good (proud of a son); Arrogantar is never good.

Pai orgulhoso.

Sentence Patterns

Ele se arroganta porque [reason].

Ele se arroganta porque é rico.

Não deixe o [noun] te arrogantar.

Não deixe o sucesso te arrogantar.

É feio se arrogantar perante [group].

É feio se arrogantar perante os outros.

Se ele se arrogantar, [consequence].

Se ele se arrogantar, perderá os amigos.

O [subject] arrogantou-se de tal modo que [result].

O diretor arrogantou-se de tal modo que a equipe saiu.

Arrogantar-se o direito de [verb].

Ele se arrogantou o direito de gritar.

Ao se arrogantar, ele [action].

Ao se arrogantar, ele esqueceu suas origens.

Tanto mais se arroganta quanto menos [verb].

Tanto mais se arroganta quanto menos sabe.

Word Family

Nouns

arrogância

arrogante (can be a noun: o arrogante)

Verbs

arrogantar

arrogar

Adjectives

arrogante

orgulho

soberba

vaidade

prepotência

presunção

How to Use It

frequency

Low in speech, Medium-Low in literature/news.

Common Mistakes

Ele arroganta muito. → Ele se arroganta muito.
The verb is usually reflexive when describing behavior.
Não arroguantes! → Não te arrogantes!
Incorrect spelling and missing the reflexive pronoun.
Ele se arrogantou o carro novo. → Ele se vangloriou do carro novo.
'Arrogantar' is about posture, not necessarily showing off an object.
O sucesso o arroguantou. → O sucesso o arrogantou.
Spelling mistake: no 'u' after 'g' is needed before 'a'.
Eu me arrogo de ser o melhor. → Eu me arroganto de ser o melhor.
Arrogar is for rights/titles; Arrogantar is for the behavior of being the best.

Tips

Writing Essays

Use 'arrogantar-se' when describing a character's downfall due to pride. It sounds very professional.

Reflexive Pronouns

Always remember the 'se'. 'Ele se arrogantou' is correct; 'Ele arrogantou' sounds like he made someone else arrogant.

Word Roots

Connect it to 'arrogante' to remember the meaning easily.

Social Cues

In Portugal, people value 'modéstia'. Using this verb helps you describe those who lack it.

Nasal Vowels

The 'an' in 'arrogantar' is nasal. Practice by saying 'ah' while closing your nose slightly.

Variety

Instead of saying 'Ele é arrogante' five times, use 'Ele se arrogantou' to vary your sentences.

Formal vs Slang

Don't say 'arrogantar' to a teenager; they will think you are a walking dictionary.

Contextual Learning

Read Machado de Assis to see this word and its family in their natural habitat.

Memory Hack

Imagine an 'Arrogant Tar' (the black sticky stuff) that sticks to people when they get rich.

Arrogar vs Arrogantar

Arrogar = Claiming rights. Arrogantar = Acting proud. Keep them separate!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Arrogant Star' (Arrogant-tar). A star that thinks it's the center of the universe and acts like it.

Visual Association

Imagine a man putting on a very heavy, golden crown that makes him walk stiffly and look down on everyone.

Word Web

Arrogância Orgulho Soberba Poder Status Vaidade Haughtiness Ego

Challenge

Try to use 'arrogantar-se' in a sentence describing a character from a movie you recently watched.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'arrogare', composed of 'ad-' (to) and 'rogare' (to ask/request).

Original meaning: To claim for oneself, to assume, or to demand.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful using this word directly toward someone, as it is a strong accusation of character flaw.

English speakers might use 'to act high and mighty' or 'to get on a high horse' where a Portuguese speaker would use 'arrogantar-se'.

Machado de Assis often describes characters who 'se arrogantam' after social gains. The concept of 'Ufanismo' in Brazil is a related, often criticized, form of national arrogance. The 'Jeitinho Brasileiro' is sometimes seen as the opposite of the rigid arrogance implied by 'arrogantar'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

Não se arrogante com os subordinados.
Ele arrogantou o cargo.
A chefia se arrogantou.
Arrogantar autoridade.

Literature

O personagem se arrogantou.
Ares de arrogantar.
Arrogantar ares de nobreza.
A riqueza o arrogantou.

Social Critique

A sociedade se arrogantou.
Arrogantar conhecimentos falsos.
Pessoas que se arrogantam.
O perigo de se arrogantar.

Legal/Political

Arrogantar para si funções.
Arrogantar o direito.
O governo se arrogantou.
Arrogantar competências.

Personal Growth

Evite se arrogantar.
Aprenda a não se arrogantar.
O sucesso não deve nos arrogantar.
Como não se arrogantar.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que o sucesso costuma arrogantar as pessoas ou depende do caráter?"

"Como você reage quando alguém começa a se arrogantar em uma conversa?"

"Você já viu algum famoso se arrogantar e depois perder a carreira?"

"Na sua cultura, é comum as pessoas se arrogantarem por causa de títulos acadêmicos?"

"Qual a diferença entre ter confiança e se arrogantar, na sua opinião?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um momento em que você sentiu vontade de se arrogantar, mas escolheu a humildade.

Descreva um personagem de um livro que se arrogantou após uma grande descoberta.

Como a sociedade pode evitar que líderes se arrogantem o poder absoluto?

Reflita sobre como o uso de redes sociais pode fazer as pessoas se arrogantarem.

Analise a frase: 'O conhecimento humilha os sábios e faz os tolos se arrogantarem'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to avoid it unless you are being intentionally formal or ironic. Use 'se achar' instead.

It is understood but rarely spoken. It appears more in formal writing and literature.

Arrogar is to claim a right (arrogar-se o direito). Arrogantar is to behave with pride (se arrogantar perante os outros).

It is a regular -ar verb: eu arrogantei, tu arrogantaste, ele arrogantou, nós arrogantamos, eles arrogantaram.

Not always, but 90% of the time it is used as 'arrogantar-se' to describe behavior.

No, 'arrogantar' is almost always negative, implying excessive and unearned pride.

Yes, but 'vangloriar-se' or 'jactar-se' are more specific for verbal boasting.

The closest opposite verb would be 'humilhar-se' or the phrase 'agir com humildade'.

Yes, it's a great word for B1 learners to start recognizing as they read more complex texts.

Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for people or institutions acting like people (e.g., a company).