barulhento
barulhento in 30 Seconds
- Barulhento means 'noisy' and is used for anything making a lot of sound, from machines to people.
- It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: barulhento, barulhenta, barulhentos, barulhentas.
- It is commonly used with 'ser' for permanent traits and 'estar' for temporary noisy states.
- Common synonyms include 'ruidoso' (formal) and 'ensurdecedor' (deafening), while the opposite is 'silencioso'.
The Portuguese adjective barulhento is a descriptive powerhouse used to characterize anything that produces an excessive, unwanted, or simply high volume of sound. At its core, it translates to 'noisy' in English, but its application spans from describing inanimate objects like a malfunctioning refrigerator to the boisterous behavior of a group of children at a birthday party. Understanding this word requires a dive into the noun from which it is derived: barulho, which means noise, racket, or fuss. When you add the suffix -ento, which in Portuguese typically denotes a quality of being full of or having an abundance of something, you get a word that literally describes something 'full of noise'. This suffix is common in other adjectives like poeirento (dusty/full of dust) or gordurento (greasy/full of fat). In Lusophone cultures, especially in Brazil, the concept of being barulhento can carry different social weights. While it is often a complaint, in the context of a festa or a carnaval, a certain level of being barulhento is expected and even celebrated as a sign of animação (liveliness). However, in a professional or academic setting, being called barulhento is strictly a criticism of one's lack of decorum or consideration for others. It is important to note that the word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: barulhento for masculine singular, barulhenta for feminine singular, barulhentos for masculine plural, and barulhentas for feminine plural.
- Acoustic Quality
- Refers to the physical production of loud sounds that may be irritating or disruptive to the environment.
O motor deste carro antigo é extremamente barulhento e incomoda os vizinhos logo cedo.
- Personality Trait
- Describes a person who speaks loudly, laughs boisterously, or moves in a way that creates constant sound.
Aquelas crianças são muito barulhentas quando brincam no corredor do prédio.
- Environmental Description
- Used to categorize places like busy streets, construction sites, or crowded restaurants where the ambient noise level is high.
Viver perto do aeroporto é muito barulhento por causa das decolagens constantes.
O restaurante estava tão barulhento que não conseguíamos conversar direito.
Não compre esse liquidificador, ele é muito barulhento e assusta o gato.
Using barulhento correctly involves mastering the basic rules of Portuguese adjective placement and agreement. In most cases, the adjective follows the noun it describes. For instance, 'a noisy neighbor' becomes um vizinho barulhento. However, it can also be used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like ser (to be - permanent) or estar (to be - temporary). Choosing between ser and estar changes the meaning slightly: O cachorro é barulhento implies the dog is noisy by nature, whereas O cachorro está barulhento suggests the dog is being noisy right now, perhaps because someone is at the door. This distinction is vital for English speakers who are used to the single verb 'to be'. Furthermore, when describing a group of mixed gender, the masculine plural barulhentos is used. If the group is exclusively female, barulhentas is the correct choice. The word can also be intensified with adverbs like muito (very), extremamente (extremely), or demais (too much). For example, Este ventilador é barulhento demais (This fan is too noisy). In poetic or emphatic speech, you might occasionally see the adjective placed before the noun to emphasize the quality over the object itself, though this is much less common for this specific word compared to adjectives like belo or grande. Learners should also be aware of the diminutive form barulhentinho, which might be used ironically or to soften the complaint, though it is relatively rare. The superlative form barulhentíssimo is used to describe something that is exceptionally noisy, often for dramatic effect or when the speaker is significantly frustrated by the volume of sound.
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- The adjective must match the gender (o/a) and number (s/plural) of the subject it refers to.
As máquinas da fábrica são muito barulhentas durante o turno da noite.
- Positioning
- Typically follows the noun, but can appear after 'ser' or 'estar' to describe a state or characteristic.
Eu não aguento mais esse despertador barulhento toda manhã.
- Intensification
- Use adverbs like 'bastante' or 'muito' to qualify the level of noise being produced.
O centro da cidade de São Paulo é um lugar bastante barulhento.
Minha vizinha de cima é a pessoa mais barulhenta que eu já conheci.
O vento estava tão barulhento que as janelas tremiam sem parar.
In everyday life across the Lusophone world, barulhento is a frequent guest in conversations ranging from domestic complaints to city planning. You will hear it most often in urban environments. In cities like Luanda, Lisbon, or Rio de Janeiro, the hustle and bustle of traffic, public transport, and street vendors creates a symphony of sounds that locals often describe as barulhento. It is a staple word in real estate discussions; a potential tenant might ask if a flat is in a rua barulhenta (noisy street) before signing a lease. In the workplace, employees might complain about a colega barulhento who talks too much on the phone or eats loudly. At home, it is the go-to word for parents correcting their children: 'Não sejam tão barulhentos!' (Don't be so noisy!). You'll also encounter it in product reviews. If a Brazilian is buying a new air conditioner (ar-condicionado), the first thing they check in the comments is if the model is barulhento, as a loud unit can ruin a night's sleep in the tropical heat. In the news, you might hear about 'poluição sonora' (noise pollution) caused by obras barulhentas (noisy construction works) or festas barulhentas that violate local silence laws. Socially, it’s used to describe 'barulhentos' groups in public spaces like buses or trains. In literature and music, it might be used metaphorically to describe a 'noisy' mind or a chaotic situation. Understanding where this word pops up helps learners realize that it is not just a vocabulary item, but a reflection of how people interact with their environment and each other's personal space.
- Domestic Settings
- Used for appliances, pets, and family members who disrupt the peace of the home.
Este aspirador de pó é muito barulhento, prefiro usar a vassoura.
- Urban Life
- Refers to the constant background noise of modern cities and infrastructure.
O trânsito em frente ao meu apartamento é extremamente barulhento durante a hora do rush.
- Complaints & Reviews
- Commonly found in customer feedback regarding hotels, restaurants, and electronic devices.
O hotel era bom, mas o sistema de ventilação era um pouco barulhento.
Não suporto esse brinquedo barulhento que meu sobrinho ganhou.
A vizinhança ficou muito barulhenta depois que abriram aquele bar.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing barulhento with the adjective alto. In English, 'loud' can describe a voice, a radio, or a person. In Portuguese, alto primarily means 'high' or 'tall'. While you can say falar alto (to speak loudly) or som alto (loud sound), using alto to describe a person's general tendency to make noise is incorrect. If you say Ele é alto, people will think you are talking about his height. To describe him as a person who makes a lot of noise, you must use Ele é barulhento. Another mistake involves gender agreement. Because many common nouns for noisy things are masculine (like carro, motor, ventilador), learners often forget to switch to barulhenta for feminine nouns like cidade, pessoa, or máquina. Forgetting the plural -s is also common; remember that vizinhos requires barulhentos. A more subtle mistake is using barulhento when ruidoso would be more appropriate in a technical or formal context. While barulhento is perfect for a noisy neighbor, a scientific report on acoustics would likely use ruidoso or estrepitoso. Additionally, some learners confuse the noun barulho with the adjective. You cannot say 'O lugar é barulho'; you must say 'O lugar é barulhento' or 'Há muito barulho no lugar'. Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the 'r'. In many Brazilian dialects, the 'r' in 'barulhento' is a soft tap (like the 'tt' in 'better'), not the guttural 'r' found at the start of words like rato. Mispronouncing this can make the word hard to recognize for native speakers.
- Loud vs. Noisy
- Confusing 'alto' (tall/high) with 'barulhento' (producing noise).
Errado: O meu vizinho é muito alto (He is tall). Correto: O meu vizinho é muito barulhento (He is noisy).
- Noun vs. Adjective
- Mistaking the noun 'barulho' (noise) for the adjective 'barulhento'.
Errado: Esta rua é muito barulho. Correto: Esta rua é muito barulhenta.
- Gender Agreement Failures
- Using the masculine form for feminine nouns like 'cidade' or 'festa'.
Errado: A festa estava barulhento. Correto: A festa estava barulhenta.
Errado: Crianças barulhento. Correto: Crianças barulhentas.
Errado: Motores barulhenta. Correto: Motores barulhentos.
While barulhento is the most versatile and common word for 'noisy', Portuguese offers a rich palette of synonyms that allow for greater precision and stylistic variety. The most direct synonym is ruidoso. While interchangeable in many contexts, ruidoso often sounds slightly more formal or technical. You might see ruidoso in a newspaper article about traffic noise, whereas you'd use barulhento when complaining to a friend. For something that is not just noisy but deafeningly loud, ensurdecedor is the perfect choice (from surdo, meaning deaf). If you want to describe a noise that is sudden and crashing, like a thunderclap or a falling building, estrepitoso is an excellent, more literary option. When describing people who are loud and perhaps a bit flashy or causing a scene, espalhafatoso is a great alternative; it implies both noise and a lack of subtlety. In Brazilian Portuguese, you might encounter the slangier zoarento (from zoada, another word for noise), which is very informal. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you want to emphasize the chaos of the noise, algazarrento describes a 'hubbub' or a 'commotion'. Understanding these nuances helps a learner move from basic communication to expressive fluency. For example, instead of always saying 'o bar é barulhento', saying 'o bar é ensurdecedor' conveys a much stronger physical reaction to the volume. Comparing these words also involves looking at their antonyms. Silencioso is the direct opposite, but calmo, tranquilo, and sossegado are frequently used to describe the absence of noise in a more positive, peaceful sense.
- Ruidoso vs. Barulhento
- 'Ruidoso' is more formal and often used in technical or written contexts, while 'barulhento' is the everyday standard.
O relatório técnico descreveu o ambiente como altamente ruidoso para os trabalhadores.
- Ensurdecedor
- Used for sounds so loud they are practically deafening.
O som da explosão foi ensurdecedor e pôde ser ouvido a quilômetros.
- Espalhafatoso
- Describes someone who is not just noisy but also attention-seeking or clumsy.
Ele entrou na sala de forma espalhafatosa, derrubando várias cadeiras.
A vizinhança é muito sossegada durante os dias de semana.
O motor elétrico é muito mais silencioso que o de combustão.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The suffix '-ento' is a very old Latin-derived suffix (-entus) that was once extremely common for creating adjectives of abundance. While it's still used today, many modern Portuguese adjectives prefer the suffix '-oso' instead.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a tap.
- Pronouncing 'nh' as a simple 'n'.
- Forgetting the nasalization of the 'en' sound.
- Pronouncing the final 'o' as a hard 'o' instead of a soft 'u'.
- Stress on the wrong syllable.
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize once you know the root 'barulho'.
Requires attention to gender and number agreement.
The 'nh' sound and the tap 'r' can be challenging for English speakers.
Easy to catch in clear speech due to its distinct rhythm.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective-Noun Agreement
O menino barulhento / A menina barulhenta.
Pluralization of Adjectives
Os carros barulhentos / As ruas barulhentas.
Ser vs Estar with Adjectives
Ele é barulhento (always) vs Ele está barulhento (now).
Position of Adjectives
Usually after the noun: 'Um motor barulhento'.
Use of Intensifiers
Muito barulhento, bastante barulhento, barulhento demais.
Examples by Level
O rádio é muito barulhento.
The radio is very noisy.
Masculine singular agreement with 'rádio'.
A vizinha é barulhenta.
The neighbor (female) is noisy.
Feminine singular agreement with 'vizinha'.
Eu tenho um cachorro barulhento.
I have a noisy dog.
Adjective follows the noun 'cachorro'.
Eles são meninos barulhentos.
They are noisy boys.
Masculine plural agreement.
A rua não é barulhenta.
The street is not noisy.
Negative sentence structure.
O motor está barulhento hoje.
The motor is noisy today.
Use of 'estar' for a temporary state.
Minhas irmãs são barulhentas.
My sisters are noisy.
Feminine plural agreement.
O liquidificador é barulhento.
The blender is noisy.
Standard A1 descriptive sentence.
Este ventilador é mais barulhento que o outro.
This fan is noisier than the other one.
Comparative of superiority: 'mais... que'.
Eu não gosto de morar em lugares barulhentos.
I don't like living in noisy places.
Plural masculine agreement with 'lugares'.
A festa estava muito barulhenta ontem à noite.
The party was very noisy last night.
Past tense 'estava' for a temporary event.
Por que você está tão barulhento hoje?
Why are you so noisy today?
Interrogative sentence with 'estar'.
O restaurante era barulhento, mas a comida era boa.
The restaurant was noisy, but the food was good.
Contrast using 'mas'.
As crianças ficaram barulhentas depois do doce.
The children became noisy after the candy.
Verb 'ficar' used to show a change in state.
Eu procuro um apartamento que não seja barulhento.
I am looking for an apartment that isn't noisy.
Subjunctive 'seja' after 'que' in a search context.
O trânsito aqui é sempre barulhento.
The traffic here is always noisy.
Use of the adverb 'sempre' with 'ser'.
A poluição sonora em cidades barulhentas é um problema sério.
Noise pollution in noisy cities is a serious problem.
Noun phrase with adjective agreement.
Eu prefiro trabalhar em um escritório menos barulhento.
I prefer to work in a less noisy office.
Comparative of inferiority: 'menos... que'.
Aquele vizinho barulhento sempre faz obras no domingo.
That noisy neighbor always does construction on Sunday.
Adjective used as a defining characteristic.
Apesar de ser barulhento, o centro da cidade é fascinante.
Despite being noisy, the city center is fascinating.
Concessive clause with 'Apesar de'.
O barulho barulhento das máquinas me deu dor de cabeça.
The noisy sound of the machines gave me a headache.
Redundant but emphatic use of adjective and noun roots.
Se o hotel for barulhento, nós vamos reclamar na recepção.
If the hotel is noisy, we will complain at the reception.
Future subjunctive 'for'.
Ela é a pessoa mais barulhenta que eu conheço.
She is the noisiest person I know.
Relative superlative structure.
As obras na rua tornaram o ambiente muito barulhento.
The roadworks made the environment very noisy.
Verb 'tornar' used to show result.
É difícil manter a concentração em um ambiente tão barulhento.
It is difficult to maintain concentration in such a noisy environment.
Impersonal 'É difícil' structure.
A legislação atual visa punir proprietários de veículos barulhentos.
Current legislation aims to punish owners of noisy vehicles.
Formal vocabulary like 'legislação' and 'visa'.
Muitas pessoas sofrem com o estilo de vida barulhento das metrópoles.
Many people suffer from the noisy lifestyle of metropolises.
Adjective modifying the abstract noun 'estilo de vida'.
O filme retrata a vida barulhenta e caótica dos mercados populares.
The film portrays the noisy and chaotic life of popular markets.
Coordinated adjectives 'barulhenta e caótica'.
Caso o evento se torne barulhento demais, a polícia será chamada.
In case the event becomes too noisy, the police will be called.
Conditional 'Caso' with subjunctive.
A infância barulhenta é, muitas vezes, sinal de uma casa feliz.
A noisy childhood is often a sign of a happy home.
Abstract usage of the adjective.
O ar-condicionado, embora novo, revelou-se bastante barulhento.
The air conditioner, although new, proved to be quite noisy.
Concessive 'embora' and reflexive verb 'revelou-se'.
Não suporto o comportamento barulhento de certos turistas.
I can't stand the noisy behavior of certain tourists.
Direct object with adjective modifier.
A sinfonia urbana, por vezes barulhenta, compõe a identidade de São Paulo.
The urban symphony, at times noisy, composes the identity of São Paulo.
Metaphorical and sophisticated sentence structure.
O debate tornou-se barulhento, impedindo qualquer troca racional de ideias.
The debate became noisy, preventing any rational exchange of ideas.
Gerund 'impedindo' used for consequence.
Raramente encontramos um refúgio que não seja invadido pelo mundo barulhento.
Rarely do we find a refuge that is not invaded by the noisy world.
Inverted word order and negative subjunctive.
A crítica considerou o estilo do autor excessivamente barulhento e sem substância.
The critics considered the author's style excessively noisy and without substance.
Figurative use of 'barulhento' in literary criticism.
A coexistência entre o silêncio monástico e o entorno barulhento é um desafio.
The coexistence between monastic silence and the noisy surroundings is a challenge.
Contrast between high-level abstract nouns.
O marketing barulhento das redes sociais muitas vezes mascara a falta de conteúdo.
The noisy marketing of social media often masks a lack of content.
Metaphorical use in a business/tech context.
Ainda que barulhentas, as manifestações são essenciais para a democracia.
Even if noisy, demonstrations are essential for democracy.
Concessive 'Ainda que' with adjective.
O motorista foi multado por conduzir um veículo barulhento acima do limite permitido.
The driver was fined for driving a noisy vehicle above the permitted limit.
Passive voice 'foi multado'.
A ontologia do ser barulhento reside na sua necessidade intrínseca de validação externa.
The ontology of the noisy being resides in its intrinsic need for external validation.
Highly academic and philosophical usage.
A cacofonia barulhenta da modernidade sufoca os sussurros da introspecção.
The noisy cacophony of modernity stifles the whispers of introspection.
Poetic and complex vocabulary.
O autor utiliza o adjetivo barulhento para desconstruir a noção de paz doméstica.
The author uses the adjective noisy to deconstruct the notion of domestic peace.
Analysis of linguistic usage.
Em sua tese, ele argumenta que o silêncio é uma construção social em um universo barulhento.
In his thesis, he argues that silence is a social construct in a noisy universe.
Reported speech in an academic context.
A barulhenta efervescência cultural das periferias desafia os cânones estabelecidos.
The noisy cultural effervescence of the peripheries challenges established canons.
Complex noun phrase with abstract adjectives.
O fenômeno do 'ruído barulhento' em sistemas de processamento de dados foi analisado.
The phenomenon of 'noisy noise' in data processing systems was analyzed.
Technical usage in information theory.
A despeito de sua natureza barulhenta, o processo criativo exige momentos de quietude.
Despite its noisy nature, the creative process requires moments of stillness.
Prepositional phrase 'A despeito de'.
A intersecção entre o sagrado silencioso e o profano barulhento define esta festividade.
The intersection between the silent sacred and the noisy profane defines this festivity.
Sophisticated theological/sociological commentary.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Used to express annoyance at the noise level of a location.
Que lugar barulhento! Vamos para outro bar.
— A polite way to describe someone who makes too much noise.
Ele é um pouco barulhento quando está animado.
— Describes a neighborhood where there is constant noise.
Infelizmente, a vizinhança é barulhenta por causa dos bares.
— A command given to someone to stay quiet.
Não seja barulhento, o bebê está dormindo.
— Suggests something might be wrong with the car's mechanics.
O carro está barulhento, acho que o escapamento quebrou.
— Refers to a collective that is making a lot of noise.
Um grupo barulhento entrou no ônibus agora.
— Refers to tasks or jobs that involve high noise levels.
Obras na rua são um tipo de trabalho barulhento.
— Describes a person's voice that is naturally loud and piercing.
Ela tem uma voz barulhenta que se ouve de longe.
— A common complaint about pets that bark a lot.
O cachorro barulhento do vizinho não para de latir.
— An office environment with many distractions and sounds.
É impossível trabalhar neste escritório barulhento.
Often Confused With
Often confused because 'loud' in English covers both volume and character. Use 'alto' for volume level and 'barulhento' for the source's nature.
Ruído is the noun (noise), barulhento is the adjective (noisy).
Sometimes used interchangeably when someone is being annoying with noise, but 'chato' means boring or annoying in general.
Idioms & Expressions
— To make a lot of fuss about something unimportant.
Eles estão fazendo muito barulho por nada, o problema é simples.
Neutral— To gain attention or cause a sensation in a field.
O novo álbum da cantora está fazendo muito barulho no exterior.
Informal— To do something discreetly or quietly.
Ele saiu da empresa sem fazer barulho.
Neutral— To hide a problem quietly.
Eles tentaram resolver a crise sem fazer barulho.
Informal— Threats of military intervention or force.
Ouvia-se um barulho de sabres na fronteira.
Formal/Political— Much ado about nothing (similar to 'all bark and no bite').
A promessa do político foi muito barulho e pouca lã.
Informal— Someone who makes a lot of noise (threats) but isn't actually dangerous.
Não se preocupe com as ameaças dele, cão que ladra não morde.
Informal— To arrive in a noisy, forceful, or very noticeable way.
Ele entrou com o pé na porta na nova empresa.
Slang— To make a huge, noisy scene over something.
Ela fez um escarcéu porque o café estava frio.
Informal— To start a loud, public argument or scene.
Eles armaram um barraco no meio do shopping.
SlangEasily Confused
Both can translate to 'loud' in English.
'Alto' refers to the height or volume level, while 'barulhento' refers to something that produces noise.
O som está alto (The volume is high). O vizinho é barulhento (The neighbor is a noisy person).
Noun vs Adjective.
'Barulho' is the thing you hear; 'barulhento' is the quality of the thing making it.
Que barulho! (What a noise!) Que carro barulhento! (What a noisy car!)
They are synonyms.
'Ruidoso' is more formal and technical. 'Barulhento' is more common and informal.
O tráfego ruidoso (Formal). A rua barulhenta (Common).
Both describe noise.
'Ensurdecedor' is much stronger, meaning 'deafening'.
O barulho da turbina foi ensurdecedor.
Both describe loud people.
'Espalhafatoso' implies being loud and flashy/clumsy in a way that draws attention.
Ele é um homem espalhafatoso.
Sentence Patterns
O [noun] é barulhento.
O gato é barulhento.
Eu não gosto de [noun] barulhentos.
Eu não gosto de bares barulhentos.
É um lugar muito barulhento para [verb].
É um lugar muito barulhento para estudar.
Apesar de ser barulhento, [clause].
Apesar de ser barulhento, eu gosto deste bairro.
O que torna o [noun] barulhento é [noun].
O que torna o motor barulhento é a falta de óleo.
A [noun] é barulhenta.
A televisão é barulhenta.
O meu [noun] está barulhento hoje.
O meu computador está barulhento hoje.
Procuro algo que não seja barulhento.
Procuro um ar-condicionado que não seja barulhento.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in daily conversation and descriptive writing.
-
O vizinho é muito alto.
→
O vizinho é muito barulhento.
Using 'alto' (tall/high) instead of 'barulhento' to describe a person who makes noise.
-
A rua é muito barulhento.
→
A rua é muito barulhenta.
Failing to agree the adjective with the feminine noun 'rua'.
-
Eu não gosto de barulho lugares.
→
Eu não gosto de lugares barulhentos.
Using the noun 'barulho' instead of the adjective 'barulhento' and incorrect word order.
-
O motor faz barulhento.
→
O motor é barulhento or O motor faz barulho.
Mixing the verb 'fazer' (to make) with an adjective instead of a noun.
-
As crianças são barulhento.
→
As crianças são barulhentas.
Failing to use the feminine plural form for 'crianças'.
Tips
Gender Agreement
Always check if the noun is masculine (o) or feminine (a). A noisy party is 'uma festa barulhenta', but a noisy car is 'um carro barulhento'.
Noun vs Adjective
Don't confuse 'barulho' (noise) with 'barulhento' (noisy). Use 'fazer barulho' for the action and 'ser barulhento' for the description.
Brazilian Context
In Brazil, being 'barulhento' at a party is often seen as being 'animado' (lively). Don't always assume it's a harsh insult in social settings.
The Soft R
The 'r' in barulhento is a single tap, like the 'tt' in the American pronunciation of 'butter'. Avoid the English 'r' sound.
Ser vs Estar
Use 'ser' if the thing is always noisy (like a cheap fan) and 'estar' if it's noisy right now (like a crying baby).
Use Ruidoso
If you are writing a formal letter or an essay, 'ruidoso' is often a more sophisticated choice than 'barulhento'.
Zoarento
If you are in Brazil and want to sound very local and informal, you can use 'zoarento' to describe a noisy person or place.
Nasal Sounds
Pay attention to the 'en' in 'barulhento'. It's a nasal vowel, meaning the air should come out of your nose as you say it.
Fazer Barulho
Remember that 'fazer barulho' can also mean to make a splash or get a lot of attention in a professional sense.
Silencioso
To expand your vocabulary, always learn the opposite. 'Silencioso' is the most direct antonym for 'barulhento'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'BAR' that is 'FULL' (ent-) of 'NO' (o)ise. A BAR-FULL-ENT-O.
Visual Association
Imagine a bright red car with smoke coming out of its exhaust and giant music notes shaking the windows. Visualize the word BARULHENTO written in jagged, loud letters across the car.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three things in your current room that could be described as barulhento and say 'O [item] é barulhento' for each one.
Word Origin
The word 'barulhento' is derived from the Portuguese noun 'barulho'. The origin of 'barulho' is somewhat debated, but it is believed to come from the Vulgar Latin *barullium*, which referred to confusion or a messy pile of things. Over time, the meaning shifted from visual confusion to auditory confusion or noise. The suffix '-ento' was added to create the adjective form.
Original meaning: Full of confusion or mess, eventually becoming 'full of noise'.
Romance (Indo-European)Cultural Context
Be careful when calling a person 'barulhento' directly; it can be seen as an insult or a sign of being unrefined.
English speakers often use 'loud' as a catch-all, but must learn to distinguish between 'alto' (volume) and 'barulhento' (characteristic).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At Home
- O vizinho é barulhento.
- A geladeira está barulhenta.
- As crianças são barulhentas.
- Pare de ser barulhento!
In the City
- Esta rua é muito barulhenta.
- O trânsito é barulhento.
- Obras barulhentas.
- Centro barulhento.
Product Reviews
- O motor é barulhento?
- Aparelho muito barulhento.
- Não é barulhento.
- Silencioso ou barulhento?
At Work
- Escritório barulhento.
- Colega barulhento.
- Ambiente barulhento.
- Máquinas barulhentas.
Social Situations
- Festa barulhenta.
- Grupo barulhento.
- Restaurante barulhento.
- Pessoa barulhenta.
Conversation Starters
"Você acha que esta cidade é muito barulhenta para morar?"
"O seu vizinho de cima também é barulhento ou é silencioso?"
"Qual é o eletrodoméstico mais barulhento da sua casa?"
"Você prefere um restaurante barulhento e animado ou um calmo?"
"Como você lida com pessoas barulhentas no transporte público?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva o lugar mais barulhento onde você já esteve e como se sentiu.
Escreva sobre as vantagens e desvantagens de ter um animal de estimação barulhento.
Como a poluição sonora e os ambientes barulhentos afetam a sua saúde mental?
Imagine que você tem um vizinho extremamente barulhento. Escreva uma carta educada reclamando.
Você se considera uma pessoa barulhenta ou silenciosa? Explique o porquê.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common word is 'barulhento' for masculine nouns and 'barulhenta' for feminine nouns. For example, 'um carro barulhento' or 'uma rua barulhenta'.
'Alto' usually means 'tall' or 'high volume' (som alto). 'Barulhento' describes something that makes a lot of noise. You wouldn't call a noisy person 'alto' unless they were also tall.
Yes, you can use it to describe someone who talks a lot or makes a lot of noise. 'Ele é muito barulhento' means 'He is very noisy'.
Usually, yes. It implies that the noise is unwanted or excessive. However, in a party context, it might be neutral or even slightly positive if it implies energy.
The feminine form is 'barulhenta'. Remember to change it whenever you are describing a feminine noun like 'cidade' or 'máquina'.
It is pronounced like the 'ny' in the English word 'canyon' or the 'ñ' in Spanish. It's a palatal nasal sound.
Common synonyms include 'ruidoso' (more formal), 'ensurdecedor' (deafening), and 'zoarento' (informal Brazilian slang).
You would say 'A música está muito barulhenta' or 'A música está com o som muito alto'.
In standard Portuguese, it almost always comes after the noun. For example: 'um vizinho barulhento'.
Yes, you can use it metaphorically, such as 'uma discussão barulhenta' (a noisy/heated discussion) or 'marketing barulhento'.
Test Yourself 191 questions
Write a sentence in Portuguese describing a noisy neighbor.
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Translate to Portuguese: 'The city is very noisy.'
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Describe a noisy car in Portuguese.
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Write a sentence using the feminine plural form of barulhento.
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Write a sentence using 'estar barulhento'.
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Translate: 'I don't like noisy restaurants.'
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Write a sentence comparing two things using 'barulhento'.
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Write a sentence about a noisy dog.
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Use the word 'barulhento' to describe a party.
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Translate: 'Why are you being so noisy?'
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Write a sentence about a noisy street.
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Describe a noisy machine in Portuguese.
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Write a sentence using 'muito barulhento'.
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Translate: 'Noisy students are in the hallway.'
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Write a sentence using 'barulhenta' with 'cidade'.
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Translate: 'The fan is noisy.'
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Write a sentence about a noisy toy.
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Translate: 'The motor sounds noisy.'
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Write a sentence using 'barulhento' in a question.
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Translate: 'It is a noisy environment.'
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How do you say 'The dog is noisy'?
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How do you say 'The street is noisy'?
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How do you say 'Noisy children'?
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How do you say 'Noisy neighbors'?
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How do you say 'Too noisy'?
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How do you say 'Very noisy'?
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How do you say 'The motor is noisy'?
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How do you say 'A noisy party'?
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How do you say 'The fan is noisy'?
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How do you say 'I don't like noise'?
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How do you say 'The city is noisy'?
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How do you say 'A noisy place'?
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How do you say 'It's very noisy here'?
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How do you say 'Don't be noisy'?
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How do you say 'The radio is noisy'?
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How do you say 'Noisy machines'?
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How do you say 'A noisy environment'?
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How do you say 'Noisy office'?
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How do you say 'Noisy traffic'?
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How do you say 'The blender is noisy'?
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Identify the adjective in: 'O motor é barulhento.'
Identify the gender in: 'A festa está barulhenta.'
Identify the number in: 'Os vizinhos são barulhentos.'
What is the noun form of 'barulhento'?
Is 'barulhento' used for silence or noise?
Translate the adjective heard in: 'Uma rua barulhenta.'
Identify the root word of 'barulhento'.
True or False: 'Barulhento' is used for a quiet library.
Identify the adverb in: 'O rádio está muito barulhento.'
Which word is the synonym heard: 'O ambiente ruidoso.'
Translate the sentence: 'Não seja barulhento.'
Identify the subject: 'O cachorro barulhento latiu.'
Is 'barulhenta' masculine or feminine?
Identify the intensity: 'Está barulhento demais.'
Translate: 'Crianças barulhentas.'
/ 191 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'barulhento' is the standard Portuguese adjective for 'noisy'. It is essential for describing disruptive sounds in daily life, such as 'um vizinho barulhento' (a noisy neighbor) or 'uma rua barulhenta' (a noisy street). Always remember to match its ending to the gender of the noun.
- Barulhento means 'noisy' and is used for anything making a lot of sound, from machines to people.
- It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: barulhento, barulhenta, barulhentos, barulhentas.
- It is commonly used with 'ser' for permanent traits and 'estar' for temporary noisy states.
- Common synonyms include 'ruidoso' (formal) and 'ensurdecedor' (deafening), while the opposite is 'silencioso'.
Gender Agreement
Always check if the noun is masculine (o) or feminine (a). A noisy party is 'uma festa barulhenta', but a noisy car is 'um carro barulhento'.
Noun vs Adjective
Don't confuse 'barulho' (noise) with 'barulhento' (noisy). Use 'fazer barulho' for the action and 'ser barulhento' for the description.
Brazilian Context
In Brazil, being 'barulhento' at a party is often seen as being 'animado' (lively). Don't always assume it's a harsh insult in social settings.
The Soft R
The 'r' in barulhento is a single tap, like the 'tt' in the American pronunciation of 'butter'. Avoid the English 'r' sound.
Example
Os vizinhos são muito barulhentos à noite.
Related Content
More home words
à direita de
A2To the right side of something or someone.
à esquerda de
A2To the left side of something or someone.
a gás
B1Operating on or powered by gas.
a minha
B1My (feminine singular possessive determiner).
a nossa
B1Our (feminine singular possessive determiner).
a tua
B1Your (informal, feminine singular possessive determiner).
abafado
A2Lacking fresh air; stuffy.
abaixo de
A2Below, under, lower than.
abajur
A2A decorative cover for a light bulb, or a small lamp.
abrir à chave
A2To unlock something with a key.