This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective 10 min read

avermelhado

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips avermelhado in 30 Seconds

Explanation avermelhado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just learning basic colors like 'vermelho' (red). 'Avermelhado' is a slightly more advanced word, but it is very useful. Think of it as 'red-ish'. You can use it to describe things that aren't perfectly red, like a sunset or someone's face after running. It helps you be more specific. Remember that adjectives in Portuguese change for boys and girls: 'avermelhado' for masculine things and 'avermelhada' for feminine things. For example, 'o carro' is masculine, so 'o carro avermelhado'. 'A maçã' is feminine, so 'a maçã avermelhada'. It's a great word to add to your basic list to sound more natural.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'avermelhado' to describe physical states and nature. You will often use it with the verb 'estar' because redness is often temporary. For example, if you have a sunburn, you can say 'A minha pele está avermelhada' (My skin is reddish). This is better than just saying 'vermelha' because it sounds more like a description of a condition. You will also see this word in simple stories describing the sky or autumn leaves. Notice the 'lh' sound—it's important to practice this! It's also useful when you are at the doctor and need to describe a small rash or irritation.

By B1, you can use 'avermelhado' more flexibly in your writing and speaking. You should understand that it describes a 'tint' or 'nuance'. You might use it in more complex sentences like 'O horizonte ficou avermelhado assim que o sol se pôs' (The horizon became reddish as soon as the sun set). You should also be comfortable using the plural forms ('avermelhados', 'avermelhadas'). At this level, you can start comparing it with other similar words like 'rosado' (pinkish) or 'alaranjado' (orangey). It's a key word for describing textures and materials, like different types of wood or wine.

At the B2 level, 'avermelhado' becomes part of your descriptive repertoire for more formal or literary contexts. You can use it to describe moods or subtle changes in appearance. For instance, 'Os seus olhos avermelhados denunciavam uma noite sem dormir' (Her reddish eyes gave away a sleepless night). You should also understand the word's formation: the prefix 'a-' and the suffix '-ado' added to 'vermelho'. This allows you to recognize and even create other color adjectives like 'esverdeado' or 'amarelado' on your own. You'll hear it in news reports about nature or in more detailed medical explanations.

At the C1 level, you use 'avermelhado' with precision, often modifying it with adverbs to show subtle degrees of color. You might say 'um tom tenuemente avermelhado' (a faintly reddish tone) or 'uma tonalidade intensamente avermelhada'. You understand its use in technical fields like geology (describing rocks), biology (describing plant life), or art history. You are also aware of its synonyms and when to choose them over 'avermelhado' for stylistic reasons. For example, choosing 'rubicundo' or 'eritematoso' in specific professional or poetic contexts. You notice how it's used in classical Portuguese literature to create atmosphere.

At the C2 level, 'avermelhado' is a word you use instinctively and perfectly within any context. You can appreciate the subtle difference between 'avermelhado' and other similar terms in high-level academic or scientific texts, such as astronomy (discussing 'desvio para o vermelho' vs 'aspeto avermelhado' of a star). You can use it metaphorically in complex philosophical or political discussions. You have a deep understanding of its etymology and how the circumfix 'a-...-ado' functions across the entire Portuguese lexicon. You can play with the word in creative writing to evoke specific, nuanced emotions or visual scenes.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

avermelhado in 30 Seconds

Means 'reddish' or 'ruddy'.
Agrees in gender and number (avermelhado/a/os/as).
Used for skin, nature, and materials.
Often used with 'estar' for temporary states.

The Portuguese word avermelhado is a descriptive adjective that translates to "reddish" or "ruddy" in English. It is a derivative of the base color word "vermelho" (red), modified by the circumfix a-...-ado. This linguistic structure is common in Portuguese to indicate that something possesses a quality or a tint of a specific color without being the pure, saturated version of that color. Understanding this word is crucial for moving beyond basic A1 vocabulary into more descriptive, natural-sounding Portuguese. While a child might say a ball is "vermelha," an adult describing a sunset, a skin irritation, or the hue of a particular wood would more likely use "avermelhado" to convey precision.

Visual Nuance: It describes a range of hues from a light pinkish-red to a deep, rusty orange-red. It is the go-to word for anything that has a red 'tint'.
Physical States: It is frequently used to describe human skin. If someone is blushing, has a fever, or has spent too much time in the sun, their skin becomes 'avermelhada'.

O céu ficou avermelhado durante o pôr do sol, criando uma paisagem maravilhosa.

Translation: The sky became reddish during the sunset, creating a wonderful landscape.

In terms of register, "avermelhado" is neutral. It is equally appropriate in a medical report ("a área afetada está avermelhada") as it is in a romantic poem or a casual conversation about home decor. Native speakers use it instinctively to avoid the bluntness of the word "vermelho." For example, describing someone's eyes as "olhos vermelhos" might imply they are bleeding or intensely bloodshot, whereas "olhos avermelhados" suggests tiredness or a slight irritation. This distinction is vital for social etiquette and clear communication.

Depois de correr a maratona, o seu rosto estava muito avermelhado.

Artistic Context: Painters and designers use this word to describe secondary tones in a composition, such as an 'avermelhado' undertone in a brown paint.

Beyond physical appearance, the word can sometimes imply a process. The verb 'avermelhar' means to turn red or to redden. Therefore, 'avermelhado' is the state resulting from that process. It is a word that captures transition—the transition of a fruit ripening, the transition of the day into night, or the transition of a person's emotional state reflected in their complexion. It is one of the most useful color modifiers in the Portuguese language because of its broad applicability across various domains of life.

Aquela madeira antiga tem um tom avermelhado que eu adoro.

Using "avermelhado" correctly requires attention to noun-adjective agreement, a cornerstone of Portuguese grammar. Since it is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the noun it describes. For masculine singular nouns, use avermelhado; for feminine singular, avermelhada; for masculine plural, avermelhados; and for feminine plural, avermelhadas. This word typically follows the noun it modifies, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese.

Describing Nature: "As folhas avermelhadas caem das árvores no outono." (The reddish leaves fall from the trees in autumn.)

A lua apresentava um brilho avermelhado durante o eclipse total.

When talking about temporary states—such as a person's face turning red due to embarrassment or heat—you will almost always use the verb estar. This is because the redness is a transient condition. For example, "Ela está avermelhada" means she is currently reddish (perhaps she is blushing). If you were to say "Ela é avermelhada" (using the verb ser), it would imply that her skin is naturally and permanently reddish in tone, which is a much less common thing to say.

O vinho tinha um reflexo avermelhado quando colocado contra a luz.

Medical and Health: "A cicatriz ainda parece um pouco avermelhada, mas está a curar bem." (The scar still looks a bit reddish, but it is healing well.)

In more complex sentences, "avermelhado" can be used to describe abstract concepts or metaphorical states, though this is rarer. You might hear it in literature to describe the "avermelhado tom da raiva" (the reddish tone of anger) manifesting in someone's gaze. It can also be modified by adverbs like "levemente" (slightly) or "intensamente" (intensely) to further refine the description: "um tom levemente avermelhado" (a slightly reddish tone). Mastery of these combinations allows you to paint vivid pictures with your words, which is the hallmark of a fluent speaker.

Notei que os seus olhos estavam avermelhados de tanto chorar.

You will encounter "avermelhado" in a variety of real-world settings in Portuguese-speaking countries. One of the most common places is in the weather forecast or news reports. Meteorologists often describe the sky or the sun using this term, especially during atmospheric phenomena like sandstorms or particularly vibrant sunsets. In Brazil or Portugal, if there is a forest fire nearby, the news might report that the "horizonte está avermelhado" due to the smoke and flames.

In the Kitchen: Cooks use it to describe the color of meat or sauces. "A carne deve ficar com um aspeto avermelhado por dentro." (The meat should have a reddish appearance on the inside.)

Ao refogar o tomate, o molho adquire uma cor avermelhada e rica.

Another frequent setting is the doctor's office or pharmacy. Patients will describe symptoms like "uma mancha avermelhada na pele" (a reddish spot on the skin) or "garganta avermelhada" (a reddened throat). Health professionals use this specific term because it is more clinical and descriptive than simply saying "red." It indicates inflammation or irritation without necessarily being a cause for immediate alarm.

O médico examinou a picada de inseto que estava bastante avermelhada.

In Literature and Art: Portuguese literature is rich with sensory descriptions. Authors like Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis often used 'avermelhado' to describe the cheeks of a character or the light in a room.

Finally, you'll hear it in beauty and fashion contexts. Hairdressers might talk about "reflexos avermelhados" (reddish highlights) in someone's hair, or a makeup artist might suggest an "avermelhado" lipstick for a specific skin tone. In these cases, it’s about finding the right shade. If you go to a hardware store (ferragem) to buy wood stain, the labels will often specify if the finish is "avermelhado" (like cherry or mahogany) or "amarelado" (like pine).

Ela decidiu pintar o cabelo com uns tons avermelhados para o inverno.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is forgetting to match the gender of the noun. Because "reddish" is gender-neutral in English, learners often default to "avermelhado" regardless of the noun. Remember: "A maçã (feminine) está avermelhada," not "avermelhado." This is a common slip-up that immediately marks someone as a beginner. Always identify the gender of the noun before choosing the ending of the adjective.

Confusing with 'Vermelho': Don't use 'avermelhado' when something is 100% solid red. A stop sign is 'vermelho', never 'avermelhado'. Using the latter would imply the sign is faded or poorly painted.

Errado: O sol é avermelhado (The sun is [naturally] reddish). Correto: O sol está avermelhado hoje (The sun looks reddish today).

Another mistake is the misuse of Ser vs. Estar. As mentioned before, "avermelhado" usually describes a state. If you say "O meu rosto é avermelhado," you are saying you have a naturally ruddy complexion as a permanent trait. If you say "O meu rosto está avermelhado," you mean you are blushing or have a temporary rash. Learners often use "ser" when they mean "estar," which can lead to confusion about whether a condition is permanent or temporary.

Cuidado com a concordância: "As nuvens avermelhadas" (Plural and Feminine).

Spelling Errors: Learners often forget the 'a' at the beginning. They might try to say 'vermelhado'. In Portuguese, the 'a-' prefix is essential to form this specific type of adjective from a color noun.

Lastly, avoid using "avermelhado" to describe hair color in most contexts. While technically possible, Portuguese has a specific word for red hair: "ruivo." Calling someone "um homem avermelhado" might imply he is sunburned or angry, while "um homem ruivo" clearly identifies him as a redhead. Using the wrong term here can lead to funny or slightly insulting misunderstandings. Always check if there's a more specific word for the context before defaulting to the general color-ish term.

Não confunda: "Cabelo ruivo" (Red hair) vs "Pele avermelhada" (Reddish skin).

Portuguese is a color-rich language with many alternatives to "avermelhado," depending on the intensity and the context. If you want to describe something that is a very light red, almost pink, you might use rosado (pinkish). If something is a deep, dark red like blood or wine, rubro is a more sophisticated and poetic choice. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation app.

Avermelhado vs. Rubro: 'Avermelhado' is common and descriptive. 'Rubro' is more intense and often used in literary or sports contexts (e.g., 'rubro-negro' for certain teams).
Avermelhado vs. Encarnado: In Portugal, 'encarnado' is often used instead of 'vermelho'. However, 'avermelhado' remains the standard for 'reddish' in both Brazil and Portugal.

O pôr do sol estava alaranjado (orangey) e não avermelhado.

For biological or medical descriptions, you might encounter eritematoso. This is a technical term used by doctors to describe skin that is red due to increased blood flow (erythema). While you wouldn't use this in a supermarket, you will see it on medical charts. On the other end of the spectrum, if you are describing a blush, you could use corado (flushed/colored). "Ele ficou corado" is a very common way to say someone turned red from embarrassment, often used as an alternative to "ele ficou avermelhado."

A fruta estava rosada, indicando que ainda não estava madura.

Carmesim and Escarlate: These refer to specific, intense shades of red (Crimson and Scarlet). They are much more specific than the general 'avermelhado'.

When describing wood or leather, acaju (mahogany) or ferrugem (rust-colored) are excellent alternatives that provide more specific imagery. If you say a leather jacket is "avermelhada," it's a bit vague. If you say it's "cor de ferrugem," the listener knows exactly what you mean. In summary, while "avermelhado" is a fantastic utility word, don't be afraid to explore the more specific color vocabulary of Portuguese to make your descriptions truly shine.

O céu purpúreo (purple-red) anunciava a chegada da tempestade.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The suffix '-ado' comes from the Latin past participle '-atus', which is why the word literally means 'having been made red' or 'red-ed'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɐ.vɨɾ.mɨ.ˈʎa.du/

US /a.veɾ.me.ˈʎa.du/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable 'la' (a-ver-me-LHA-do).

Rhymes With

molhado cansado telhado pintado alaranjado amarelado esverdeado passado

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'lh' as a simple 'l'.
Forgetting the initial 'a'.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of 'u'.
Misplacing the stress on the last syllable.
Confusing the 'e' sounds in different regions.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'vermelho'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the prefix 'a-' and the suffix '-ado'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'lh' sound is difficult for many English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Need to distinguish from 'vermelho' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

vermelho cor pele céu estar

Learn Next

amarelado esverdeado azulado arroxado esbranquiçado

Advanced

eritematoso rubicundo afogueado carmesim

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

O céu (m) avermelhado / A flor (f) avermelhada.

Circumfix Word Formation (a-...-ado)

A- + amarelo + -ado = amarelado.

Ser vs Estar with Adjectives

Ele é avermelhado (permanent) vs Ele está avermelhado (temporary).

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'um tom avermelhado'.

Pluralization of Adjectives in -o

-o becomes -os; -a becomes -as.

Examples by Level

O céu está avermelhado hoje.

The sky is reddish today.

Masculine singular agreement with 'céu'.

Eu tenho uma maçã avermelhada.

I have a reddish apple.

Feminine singular agreement with 'maçã'.

O seu rosto está um pouco avermelhado.

Your face is a little reddish.

Use of 'estar' for a temporary state.

O gato tem olhos avermelhados.

The cat has reddish eyes.

Masculine plural agreement with 'olhos'.

A flor é avermelhada.

The flower is reddish.

Feminine singular agreement.

Vemos tons avermelhados na pintura.

We see reddish tones in the painting.

Masculine plural.

O papel ficou avermelhado com a tinta.

The paper became reddish with the ink.

Past tense of 'ficar' (to become).

Ela usa uma blusa avermelhada.

She wears a reddish blouse.

Adjective following the noun.

A minha pele ficou avermelhada por causa do sol.

My skin became reddish because of the sun.

Feminine singular.

As folhas das árvores estão avermelhadas no outono.

The leaves of the trees are reddish in autumn.

Feminine plural agreement with 'folhas'.

O vinho tinto tem um tom avermelhado escuro.

The red wine has a dark reddish tone.

Adjective modifying 'tom'.

Ele estava com o nariz avermelhado devido ao frio.

His nose was reddish due to the cold.

Masculine singular.

A carne ainda parece um pouco avermelhada por dentro.

The meat still looks a bit reddish inside.

Feminine singular agreement with 'carne'.

Encontramos algumas pedras avermelhadas no rio.

We found some reddish stones in the river.

Feminine plural.

A luz avermelhada da lanterna iluminava o quarto.

The reddish light of the lantern illuminated the room.

Feminine singular.

Os seus lábios ficaram avermelhados depois de comer picante.

His/her lips became reddish after eating spicy food.

Masculine plural agreement with 'lábios'.

O horizonte avermelhado anunciava o fim do dia.

The reddish horizon announced the end of the day.

Poetic usage.

A madeira de cerejeira tem uma cor naturalmente avermelhada.

Cherry wood has a naturally reddish color.

Describing a permanent quality.

Notei uma mancha avermelhada no meu braço esta manhã.

I noticed a reddish spot on my arm this morning.

Common in medical contexts.

O metal ficou avermelhado quando foi aquecido no fogo.

The metal became reddish when it was heated in the fire.

Describing a physical change.

Ela ficou com as bochechas avermelhadas de vergonha.

Her cheeks became reddish with shame/embarrassment.

Idiomatic expression for blushing.

O molho de tomate deve ter um aspeto avermelhado e brilhante.

The tomato sauce should have a reddish and shiny appearance.

Culinary description.

As nuvens avermelhadas refletiam-se no lago calmo.

The reddish clouds were reflected in the calm lake.

Feminine plural.

Ele comprou um casaco de couro avermelhado muito elegante.

He bought a very elegant reddish leather jacket.

Fashion description.

A inflamação deixou a zona circundante bastante avermelhada.

The inflammation left the surrounding area quite reddish.

Formal medical description.

O planeta Marte é conhecido pelo seu aspeto avermelhado característico.

The planet Mars is known for its characteristic reddish appearance.

Scientific context.

O brilho avermelhado das brasas aquecia a sala fria.

The reddish glow of the embers warmed the cold room.

Atmospheric description.

A substância química tornou o líquido levemente avermelhado.

The chemical substance turned the liquid slightly reddish.

Laboratory context.

Aquelas rochas avermelhadas são típicas desta região do país.

Those reddish rocks are typical of this region of the country.

Geological description.

O tecido, de um tom avermelhado profundo, era de seda pura.

The fabric, of a deep reddish tone, was pure silk.

Describing material quality.

Após o exercício intenso, os seus olhos estavam avermelhados pelo esforço.

After intense exercise, his/her eyes were reddish from the effort.

Physical state description.

A pintura antiga revelava pigmentos avermelhados sob a camada de verniz.

The old painting revealed reddish pigments under the varnish layer.

Art conservation context.

O crepúsculo tingiu a cidade com uma luz avermelhada e melancólica.

The twilight dyed the city with a reddish and melancholy light.

High literary style.

A análise espectroscópica indicou um desvio avermelhado na luz da estrela.

The spectroscopic analysis indicated a reddish shift in the star's light.

Technical scientific terminology.

O verniz conferia ao móvel um brilho avermelhado que realçava os veios da madeira.

The varnish gave the furniture a reddish glow that enhanced the wood grain.

Detailed craftsmanship description.

A face do orador tornou-se avermelhada enquanto ele defendia a sua tese com fervor.

The speaker's face became reddish as he defended his thesis with fervor.

Describing emotional intensity.

Observou-se um exsudado avermelhado na periferia da ferida.

A reddish exudate was observed on the periphery of the wound.

Advanced medical vocabulary.

A paleta do artista era dominada por tons avermelhados e ocres.

The artist's palette was dominated by reddish and ochre tones.

Art criticism context.

O solo avermelhado desta planície é extremamente rico em ferro.

The reddish soil of this plain is extremely rich in iron.

Geographical/Agricultural context.

A luz filtrada pelas cortinas criava um ambiente avermelhado e acolhedor.

The light filtered through the curtains created a reddish and cozy environment.

Interior design description.

A semântica da cor na sua obra oscila entre o carmesim e o meramente avermelhado.

The semantics of color in his work oscillates between crimson and the merely reddish.

Philosophical art analysis.

O fulgor avermelhado do aço incandescente é um espetáculo de força bruta.

The reddish glow of glowing steel is a spectacle of brute force.

Evocative industrial description.

A patologia manifesta-se inicialmente através de um edema levemente avermelhado.

The pathology manifests initially through a slightly reddish edema.

Specialized clinical terminology.

O autor utiliza o termo 'avermelhado' para sublinhar a transitoriedade da paixão.

The author uses the term 'avermelhado' to underline the transience of passion.

Literary criticism.

A oxidação conferiu à estrutura metálica uma pátina avermelhada e decadente.

Oxidation gave the metal structure a reddish and decadent patina.

Architectural/Aesthetic description.

A difusão da luz solar nas camadas atmosféricas produz o matiz avermelhado do ocaso.

The diffusion of sunlight in the atmospheric layers produces the reddish hue of the sunset.

Physics explanation.

Havia uma subtil gradação avermelhada na cerâmica, fruto da técnica de cozedura.

There was a subtle reddish gradation in the ceramic, a result of the firing technique.

Artisanal technical description.

O semblante avermelhado do ancião contava histórias de uma vida ao ar livre.

The elder's reddish countenance told stories of a life outdoors.

Poetic characterization.

Common Collocations

céu avermelhado

tom avermelhado

rosto avermelhado

olhos avermelhados

mancha avermelhada

brilho avermelhado

reflexos avermelhados

líquido avermelhado

horizonte avermelhado

pele avermelhada

Common Phrases

ficar avermelhado

— To turn reddish or to blush.

Ele costuma ficar avermelhado quando fala em público.

um aspeto avermelhado

— A reddish appearance.

A fruta madura tem um aspeto avermelhado.

tonalidade avermelhada

— Reddish shade or hue.

A parede foi pintada com uma tonalidade avermelhada.

levemente avermelhado

— Slightly reddish.

O céu estava apenas levemente avermelhado.

profundamente avermelhado

— Deeply reddish.

O tecido era de um tom profundamente avermelhado.

área avermelhada

— Reddened area (usually on the body).

Aplique o creme na área avermelhada.

nuvens avermelhadas

— Reddish clouds.

As nuvens avermelhadas são lindas.

madeira avermelhada

— Reddish wood.

Prefiro móveis de madeira avermelhada.

vinho avermelhado

— Reddish wine (often describing a specific light red).

Este vinho avermelhado é muito suave.

olhar avermelhado

— Reddish gaze (often implying tiredness or crying).

Ele tinha um olhar avermelhado e triste.

Often Confused With

avermelhado vs vermelho

Vermelho is pure red; avermelhado is reddish/tinted.

avermelhado vs ruivo

Ruivo is used for red hair; avermelhado is for skin or objects.

avermelhado vs rosado

Rosado is pinkish; avermelhado is more red than pink.

Idioms & Expressions

"ficar vermelho como um tomate"

— To turn as red as a tomato (very red). While 'avermelhado' is more subtle, this is the extreme version.

Quando ele tropeçou, ficou vermelho como um tomate.

informal

"ver a vida cor-de-rosa"

— To see life through rose-colored glasses (optimism). Related to the 'red/pink' spectrum.

Desde que se apaixonou, ela vê a vida cor-de-rosa.

informal

"estar em brasa"

— To be glowing red (like embers) or to be very hot/angry.

O ferro estava em brasa.

neutral

"ficar roxo de raiva"

— To turn purple with rage. Interestingly, Portuguese uses 'purple' where English uses 'red'.

Ele ficou roxo de raiva com a notícia.

informal

"sangue na guelra"

— To have 'blood in the gills' (to be full of energy/vitality). Red-related idiom.

Aquele jovem tem muito sangue na guelra.

informal

"pôr-se vermelho"

— To turn red (blush).

Ela pôs-se vermelha quando ele a elogiou.

neutral

"estar com os nervos à flor da pele"

— To have one's nerves at the surface of the skin (very irritable). Often results in an 'avermelhado' face.

Hoje não fales com ele, está com os nervos à flor da pele.

informal

"ficar num estado"

— To get into a state (often implying getting red/angry/upset).

Ela ficou num estado quando viu a confusão.

informal

"corar até às orelhas"

— To blush up to the ears.

O rapaz corou até às orelhas.

informal

"estar com a cara de poucos amigos"

— To have a face of few friends (to look angry/grumpy).

O chefe hoje está com cara de poucos amigos.

informal

Easily Confused

avermelhado vs envermelhado

Sounds similar.

Envermelhado is less common and usually implies the result of an action (making red). Avermelhado is the standard adjective.

O metal envermelhado pelo calor.

avermelhado vs rubro

Both mean red.

Rubro is very formal or poetic and usually means a deep, strong red. Avermelhado is neutral and means 'red-ish'.

O pavilhão rubro daquela nação.

avermelhado vs encarnado

Both mean red.

Encarnado is a synonym for 'vermelho' (common in Portugal). Avermelhado is for 'reddish'.

Prefiro o vestido encarnado.

avermelhado vs alaranjado

Similar visual spectrum.

Alaranjado is orangey; avermelhado is reddish.

O pôr do sol estava mais alaranjado do que avermelhado.

avermelhado vs corado

Both used for faces.

Corado implies a healthy or embarrassed glow (flushed). Avermelhado is more generic.

Ele está muito corado hoje.

Sentence Patterns

O [noun] é avermelhado.

O carro é avermelhado.

A [noun] está avermelhada.

A pele está avermelhada.

Ficar com o [body part] avermelhado.

Ficar com o rosto avermelhado.

Apresentar um tom [adverb] avermelhado.

Apresentar um tom levemente avermelhado.

[Noun] de tonalidade avermelhada.

Madeira de tonalidade avermelhada.

A [noun] tingida de tons avermelhados.

A cidade tingida de tons avermelhados.

[Noun] com reflexos avermelhados.

Cabelo com reflexos avermelhados.

Ver um [noun] avermelhado.

Ver um céu avermelhado.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in descriptive speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'avermelhado' for red hair. → Use 'ruivo'.
'Ruivo' is the specific word for redheads. 'Avermelhado' implies the skin is red.
O céu está avermelhada. → O céu está avermelhado.
'Céu' is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine.
A maçã é avermelhado. → A maçã é avermelhada.
'Maçã' is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.
Eu estou avermelhado (meaning I am permanently red). → Eu sou avermelhado (if permanent) or Eu estou avermelhado (if temporary).
Confusing 'ser' and 'estar' changes the meaning from a permanent trait to a temporary state.
O sinal de trânsito está avermelhado. → O sinal de trânsito está vermelho.
Objects that are a solid, pure red should use 'vermelho', not 'avermelhado'.

Tips

Gender Match

Always check the noun. 'O sol avermelhado' but 'A lua avermelhada'.

Color Suffixes

Learn the '-ado' suffix. It works for many colors: amarelado, esverdeado, azulado.

The 'LH' Sound

Practice 'avermelhado' slowly to master the 'lh' sound. Don't let it sound like a plain 'l'.

Medical Situations

Use this word when describing a rash or inflammation to a doctor. It sounds professional.

Vivid Descriptions

Use 'avermelhado' to add depth to your descriptions of nature in journals or stories.

Sunburns

In summer, you will hear 'estás avermelhado' often as people comment on each other's sunburns.

Mnemonic

Red = Vermelho. Red-ish = A-vermelh-ado. The 'A' and 'ado' wrap around the word like a tint.

Poetic Touch

Combine with words like 'brilho' (glow) or 'reflexo' (reflection) for beautiful imagery.

Wine Tasting

When describing wine, 'avermelhado' is a common term for certain lighter red varieties.

Endings

Listen closely to the end of the word to know if the speaker is referring to one or many things.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A-VER-ME-LHA-DO'. 'Vermelho' is red. Adding 'A-' and '-ado' is like saying 'A-Red-ish-one'. Visualise an Apple that is Red-ish.

Visual Association

Imagine a sunset where the sky isn't solid red, but has thin reddish streaks. That is 'avermelhado'.

Word Web

vermelho cor pele pôr do sol vinho madeira inflamação outono

Challenge

Try to find 3 things in your room right now that are not red, but 'avermelhado', and describe them in a sentence.

Word Origin

From the Portuguese word 'vermelho' (red), which comes from the Latin 'vermiculus' (little worm), referring to the kermes insect used to make red dye.

Original meaning: Pertaining to the color of the kermes worm dye.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when describing people's skin; 'avermelhado' is usually neutral/medical, but can sometimes imply someone is drunk if used in a specific way.

English speakers use 'reddish' or 'ruddy'. 'Ruddy' is specifically for complexions, while 'avermelhado' is more general.

The 'Planeta Vermelho' (Mars) is often described as having an 'aspeto avermelhado'. The 'Mar Vermelho' (Red Sea). Traditional 'barro' (clay) pottery in Portugal.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Nature and Weather

pôr do sol avermelhado
nuvens avermelhadas
horizonte avermelhado
lua avermelhada

Health and Medicine

pele avermelhada
garganta avermelhada
olhos avermelhados
cicatriz avermelhada

Emotions

rosto avermelhado de vergonha
ficar avermelhado
bochechas avermelhadas
semblante avermelhado

Materials and Interior Design

madeira avermelhada
tom avermelhado
tecido avermelhado
brilho avermelhado

Food and Drink

vinho avermelhado
carne avermelhada
fruta avermelhada
molho avermelhado

Conversation Starters

"Já reparaste como o céu está avermelhado hoje?"

"Gostas mais de móveis de madeira clara ou avermelhada?"

"Achas que esta mancha na minha pele está muito avermelhada?"

"O que pensas dos vinhos com um tom mais avermelhado?"

"Porque é que o teu rosto ficou tão avermelhado de repente?"

Journal Prompts

Descreve o pôr do sol mais avermelhado que já viste.

Escreve sobre uma vez em que ficaste com o rosto avermelhado de vergonha.

Descreve as cores do outono usando a palavra 'avermelhado'.

Como descreverias uma irritação na pele a um médico português?

Quais são os sentimentos que associas à cor avermelhada?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. For natural red hair, use 'ruivo'. If you are talking about dyed hair with red tints, you can say it has 'reflexos avermelhados'. Using 'avermelhado' for a person usually means their skin is red.

'Vermelho' is the primary color red. 'Avermelhado' is an adjective meaning 'reddish' or 'having a red tint'. Use 'vermelho' for a red car, but 'avermelhado' for a reddish sunset.

It is a palatal lateral approximant. Place the middle of your tongue against your hard palate and let air flow around the sides. It sounds similar to 'million' in English.

Yes, the word is used identically in both countries, although the pronunciation of the vowels and the 'r' will vary slightly.

Yes, you can use adverbs like 'muito' (very), 'pouco' (little), or 'levemente' (slightly) to modify the intensity of the reddishness.

The feminine plural form is 'avermelhadas'. For example: 'As flores avermelhadas'.

Use 'estar' when the reddishness is a temporary state, like blushing, a sunburn, or the sky at sunset.

Yes, the verb is 'avermelhar', which means to turn red or to redden.

It is neutral. It is perfectly fine to use in casual conversation and also in formal writing like news reports or medical documents.

It is spelled 'avermelhados'.