At the A1 level, 'barulhento' is one of the first descriptive adjectives you will learn to help you talk about your immediate environment. It is a vital word for basic survival and comfort. You will use it to describe common things like a noisy car (carro barulhento), a noisy dog (cachorro barulhento), or a noisy street (rua barulhenta). At this stage, your focus should be on the basic masculine and feminine forms: 'barulhento' for masculine things and 'barulhenta' for feminine things. You will likely use it with the verb 'ser' to describe a permanent quality, such as 'O rádio é barulhento'. You might also use it to express a simple preference or dislike, like 'Eu não gosto de lugares barulhentos'. Learning this word helps you communicate basic needs, such as asking for a quiet room in a hotel by saying 'Eu não quero um quarto barulhento'. It is a high-frequency word that appears in many beginner textbooks and children's stories because it describes a sensory experience that is easy to understand. Practice by pointing at things around you that make noise and saying the word out loud to get used to the 'nh' sound, which is often tricky for beginners. Remember that in Portuguese, the adjective usually comes after the noun, so keep that word order in mind as you build your first sentences. You will also start to notice the plural forms 'barulhentos' and 'barulhentas', which follow the standard rules of adding an 's' to the end of the word. This level is all about building the foundation, and 'barulhento' is a key brick in that wall of vocabulary.
As you progress to the A2 level, you will start using 'barulhento' in more varied contexts, such as describing your daily routine or your neighborhood. You will begin to move beyond simple 'noun + adjective' structures and start using it with adverbs of intensity like 'muito' (very) or 'um pouco' (a little). For example, 'A minha rua é um pouco barulhenta à noite'. You will also learn to use 'barulhento' with the verb 'estar' to describe temporary situations. If your quiet neighbor is having a party, you would say 'O meu vizinho está barulhento hoje', highlighting that this is not his usual state. This distinction between 'ser' and 'estar' is a major milestone at the A2 level. You might also encounter the word in the context of shopping and reviews, such as comparing two household appliances: 'Este ventilador é mais barulhento que aquele'. Using 'barulhento' in comparisons (mais... que) is a great way to practice your growing grammar skills. You will also start to see it used to describe groups of people more frequently, like 'alunos barulhentos' (noisy students). At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in both the singular and plural, and in both the masculine and feminine forms, without much hesitation. You might also start to recognize related words like 'barulho' (noise) and 'fazer barulho' (to make noise), helping you to expand your word family knowledge. Your ability to describe the world around you becomes more nuanced as you use 'barulhento' to express opinions and feelings about your environment.
At the B1 level, you are becoming an independent user of Portuguese, and your use of 'barulhento' will reflect this. You will use it to describe more abstract or complex situations, such as 'uma cidade barulhenta' and the social implications of living in one. You might discuss topics like noise pollution (poluição sonora) and how 'ambientes barulhentos' (noisy environments) affect stress levels or productivity. Your vocabulary will expand to include synonyms like 'ruidoso', and you will start to understand when to choose one over the other based on the context. At B1, you can also use 'barulhento' in more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses: 'Eu moro em um bairro que é muito barulhento'. You will also start to use the word in the superlative form, both with 'muito' and with the suffix '-íssimo' (barulhentíssimo), to add emphasis to your speech. You might use it in the context of travel, describing a 'viagem barulhenta' on a bus or train, or in a work context, describing a 'escritório barulhento'. You are also more likely to use the word to describe people's personalities in a more nuanced way, perhaps discussing how 'ser barulhento' can be seen as a positive trait in some social settings but a negative one in others. Your listening skills should allow you to catch the word in natural, fast-paced conversations, even when it is buried among other descriptive terms. This level is about moving from basic description to expressing more detailed thoughts and opinions, and 'barulhento' remains a core tool for doing so.
By the B2 level, you should be able to use 'barulhento' with a high degree of precision and cultural awareness. You will understand how the word fits into the broader social fabric of Portuguese-speaking countries. For instance, you might discuss the 'Lei do Silêncio' (Silence Law) in Brazil and how it targets 'festas barulhentas' or 'carros barulhentos' with modified exhausts. You will be able to use the word in more formal writing, perhaps in a letter of complaint or an essay about urban life. Your understanding of word order will be sophisticated enough that you might occasionally place 'barulhento' before the noun for stylistic emphasis in a literary context, although this remains rare. You will also be comfortable with idiomatic expressions and related words like 'barulheira' (a lot of noise) or 'fazer barulho' (to make a splash/fuss). At B2, you can engage in debates about the impact of 'trabalho barulhento' on health, using a variety of synonyms to avoid repetition. You will also be able to distinguish between 'barulhento' and more specific terms like 'estrepitoso' or 'ensurdecedor'. Your pronunciation should be near-native, correctly handling the nasal 'en' and the 'nh' sound in 'barulhento'. You can also use the word metaphorically, such as describing a 'política barulhenta' (noisy/chaotic politics). This level represents a transition to fluency where 'barulhento' is just one of many tools you use to paint a vivid picture of the world in Portuguese.
At the C1 level, your use of 'barulhento' is characterized by a deep understanding of nuance, register, and style. You will use the word effortlessly in both highly informal slang-filled conversations and in sophisticated academic or professional discourse. You will be aware of regional variations in how the word is used and pronounced across the Lusophone world. In a literary analysis, you might discuss how an author uses 'ambientes barulhentos' to create a sense of chaos or to reflect the internal state of a character. You will be able to use the word in complex rhetorical structures, such as 'Não é apenas um lugar barulhento; é uma cacofonia de sonhos e frustrações'. Your vocabulary will include rare or archaic synonyms that you might use for specific stylistic effects. You will also have a firm grasp of the etymology of the word and how it relates to other words in the Romance language family. At this level, you can use 'barulhento' to describe not just physical sound, but also 'noisy' data in a scientific context or 'noisy' visual patterns in art. Your ability to switch registers means you know exactly when to use 'barulhento' to sound relatable and when to use 'ruidoso' or 'estrepitoso' to sound authoritative. You are no longer just learning the word; you are mastering it as a tool for sophisticated expression and cultural commentary.
At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'barulhento' and all its connotations. You use it with the same ease and subtlety as a native speaker with a high level of education. You can appreciate and employ the word in the most complex linguistic contexts, such as puns, wordplay, and deep metaphorical explorations. You might write a philosophical treatise on the 'silêncio barulhento' (noisy silence) of modern existence or the 'vazio barulhento' of consumer culture. Your understanding of the word is integrated with a vast knowledge of Portuguese literature, history, and social dynamics. You can identify the subtle differences in how a 'barulhento' person is perceived in a small village in northern Portugal versus a bustling neighborhood in São Paulo. You can use the word in legal, scientific, and artistic contexts with absolute precision. For you, 'barulhento' is not just an adjective; it is a versatile instrument that can be used to evoke specific emotions, create vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas. You are able to mentor others in the fine points of its usage, explaining the historical evolution of the word and its various synonyms. At this level, your command of the language is so thorough that 'barulhento' is part of a seamless and intuitive flow of communication that reflects a profound connection to the Portuguese language and its many cultures.

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

UK /ba.ɾu.ˈʎẽ.tu/
US /ba.ɾu.ˈʎẽ.tu/
The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'lyen' (pronounced 'lyẽ').
Rhymes With
atento momento contento lento vento sedento talento sustento
Common Errors
  • 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

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize once you know the root 'barulho'.

Writing 2/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 'nh' sound and the tap 'r' can be challenging for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Easy to catch in clear speech due to its distinct rhythm.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

barulho muito ser estar rua

Learn Next

ruidoso silencioso ensurdecedor atrapalhar sossego

Advanced

estrepitoso algazarra cacofonia zoada estrépito

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

1

O rádio é muito barulhento.

The radio is very noisy.

Masculine singular agreement with 'rádio'.

2

A vizinha é barulhenta.

The neighbor (female) is noisy.

Feminine singular agreement with 'vizinha'.

3

Eu tenho um cachorro barulhento.

I have a noisy dog.

Adjective follows the noun 'cachorro'.

4

Eles são meninos barulhentos.

They are noisy boys.

Masculine plural agreement.

5

A rua não é barulhenta.

The street is not noisy.

Negative sentence structure.

6

O motor está barulhento hoje.

The motor is noisy today.

Use of 'estar' for a temporary state.

7

Minhas irmãs são barulhentas.

My sisters are noisy.

Feminine plural agreement.

8

O liquidificador é barulhento.

The blender is noisy.

Standard A1 descriptive sentence.

1

Este ventilador é mais barulhento que o outro.

This fan is noisier than the other one.

Comparative of superiority: 'mais... que'.

2

Eu não gosto de morar em lugares barulhentos.

I don't like living in noisy places.

Plural masculine agreement with 'lugares'.

3

A festa estava muito barulhenta ontem à noite.

The party was very noisy last night.

Past tense 'estava' for a temporary event.

4

Por que você está tão barulhento hoje?

Why are you so noisy today?

Interrogative sentence with 'estar'.

5

O restaurante era barulhento, mas a comida era boa.

The restaurant was noisy, but the food was good.

Contrast using 'mas'.

6

As crianças ficaram barulhentas depois do doce.

The children became noisy after the candy.

Verb 'ficar' used to show a change in state.

7

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.

8

O trânsito aqui é sempre barulhento.

The traffic here is always noisy.

Use of the adverb 'sempre' with 'ser'.

1

A poluição sonora em cidades barulhentas é um problema sério.

Noise pollution in noisy cities is a serious problem.

Noun phrase with adjective agreement.

2

Eu prefiro trabalhar em um escritório menos barulhento.

I prefer to work in a less noisy office.

Comparative of inferiority: 'menos... que'.

3

Aquele vizinho barulhento sempre faz obras no domingo.

That noisy neighbor always does construction on Sunday.

Adjective used as a defining characteristic.

4

Apesar de ser barulhento, o centro da cidade é fascinante.

Despite being noisy, the city center is fascinating.

Concessive clause with 'Apesar de'.

5

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.

6

Se o hotel for barulhento, nós vamos reclamar na recepção.

If the hotel is noisy, we will complain at the reception.

Future subjunctive 'for'.

7

Ela é a pessoa mais barulhenta que eu conheço.

She is the noisiest person I know.

Relative superlative structure.

8

As obras na rua tornaram o ambiente muito barulhento.

The roadworks made the environment very noisy.

Verb 'tornar' used to show result.

1

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.

2

A legislação atual visa punir proprietários de veículos barulhentos.

Current legislation aims to punish owners of noisy vehicles.

Formal vocabulary like 'legislação' and 'visa'.

3

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'.

4

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'.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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'.

8

Não suporto o comportamento barulhento de certos turistas.

I can't stand the noisy behavior of certain tourists.

Direct object with adjective modifier.

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

Ainda que barulhentas, as manifestações são essenciais para a democracia.

Even if noisy, demonstrations are essential for democracy.

Concessive 'Ainda que' with adjective.

8

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'.

1

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.

2

A cacofonia barulhenta da modernidade sufoca os sussurros da introspecção.

The noisy cacophony of modernity stifles the whispers of introspection.

Poetic and complex vocabulary.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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'.

8

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

vizinho barulhento
rua barulhenta
motor barulhento
criança barulhenta
restaurante barulhento
festa barulhenta
máquina barulhenta
ambiente barulhento
trânsito barulhento
brinquedo barulhento

Common Phrases

Que lugar barulhento!

— Used to express annoyance at the noise level of a location.

Que lugar barulhento! Vamos para outro bar.

Ele é um pouco barulhento.

— A polite way to describe someone who makes too much noise.

Ele é um pouco barulhento quando está animado.

A vizinhança é barulhenta.

— Describes a neighborhood where there is constant noise.

Infelizmente, a vizinhança é barulhenta por causa dos bares.

Não seja barulhento.

— A command given to someone to stay quiet.

Não seja barulhento, o bebê está dormindo.

O carro está barulhento.

— Suggests something might be wrong with the car's mechanics.

O carro está barulhento, acho que o escapamento quebrou.

Um grupo barulhento.

— Refers to a collective that is making a lot of noise.

Um grupo barulhento entrou no ônibus agora.

Trabalho barulhento.

— Refers to tasks or jobs that involve high noise levels.

Obras na rua são um tipo de trabalho barulhento.

Voz barulhenta.

— Describes a person's voice that is naturally loud and piercing.

Ela tem uma voz barulhenta que se ouve de longe.

Cachorro barulhento.

— A common complaint about pets that bark a lot.

O cachorro barulhento do vizinho não para de latir.

Escritório barulhento.

— An office environment with many distractions and sounds.

É impossível trabalhar neste escritório barulhento.

Often Confused With

barulhento vs alto

Often confused because 'loud' in English covers both volume and character. Use 'alto' for volume level and 'barulhento' for the source's nature.

barulhento vs ruído

Ruído is the noun (noise), barulhento is the adjective (noisy).

barulhento vs chato

Sometimes used interchangeably when someone is being annoying with noise, but 'chato' means boring or annoying in general.

Idioms & Expressions

"Fazer muito barulho por nada"

— To make a lot of fuss about something unimportant.

Eles estão fazendo muito barulho por nada, o problema é simples.

Neutral
"Fazer barulho"

— To gain attention or cause a sensation in a field.

O novo álbum da cantora está fazendo muito barulho no exterior.

Informal
"Sem fazer barulho"

— To do something discreetly or quietly.

Ele saiu da empresa sem fazer barulho.

Neutral
"Varrer para debaixo do tapete sem barulho"

— To hide a problem quietly.

Eles tentaram resolver a crise sem fazer barulho.

Informal
"Barulho de sabre"

— Threats of military intervention or force.

Ouvia-se um barulho de sabres na fronteira.

Formal/Political
"Muito barulho e pouca lã"

— Much ado about nothing (similar to 'all bark and no bite').

A promessa do político foi muito barulho e pouca lã.

Informal
"Cão que ladra não morde"

— 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
"Entrar com o pé na porta"

— To arrive in a noisy, forceful, or very noticeable way.

Ele entrou com o pé na porta na nova empresa.

Slang
"Fazer um escarcéu"

— To make a huge, noisy scene over something.

Ela fez um escarcéu porque o café estava frio.

Informal
"Armar um barraco"

— To start a loud, public argument or scene.

Eles armaram um barraco no meio do shopping.

Slang

Easily Confused

barulhento vs Alto

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).

barulhento vs Barulho

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!)

barulhento vs Ruidoso

They are synonyms.

'Ruidoso' is more formal and technical. 'Barulhento' is more common and informal.

O tráfego ruidoso (Formal). A rua barulhenta (Common).

barulhento vs Ensurdecedor

Both describe noise.

'Ensurdecedor' is much stronger, meaning 'deafening'.

O barulho da turbina foi ensurdecedor.

barulhento vs Espalhafatoso

Both describe loud people.

'Espalhafatoso' implies being loud and flashy/clumsy in a way that draws attention.

Ele é um homem espalhafatoso.

Sentence Patterns

A1

O [noun] é barulhento.

O gato é barulhento.

A2

Eu não gosto de [noun] barulhentos.

Eu não gosto de bares barulhentos.

B1

É um lugar muito barulhento para [verb].

É um lugar muito barulhento para estudar.

B2

Apesar de ser barulhento, [clause].

Apesar de ser barulhento, eu gosto deste bairro.

C1

O que torna o [noun] barulhento é [noun].

O que torna o motor barulhento é a falta de óleo.

A1

A [noun] é barulhenta.

A televisão é barulhenta.

A2

O meu [noun] está barulhento hoje.

O meu computador está barulhento hoje.

B1

Procuro algo que não seja barulhento.

Procuro um ar-condicionado que não seja barulhento.

Word Family

Nouns

barulho (noise)
barulheira (a lot of noise/racket)
barulhinho (little noise)

Verbs

barulhar (to make noise - less common)
atrapalhar (to disturb - related context)

Adjectives

barulhento (noisy)
barulhentíssimo (extremely noisy)

Related

ruído
som
silêncio
zoada
estrépito

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and descriptive writing.

Common Mistakes
  • 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

barulho ruído som alto festa vizinho motor cidade

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).

The song 'Chega de Saudade' mentions 'não há barulho' (there is no noise) in its lyrics. The concept of 'Antropofagia' in Brazilian art often embraces the 'barulhento' nature of the tropics. Literary descriptions of the 'cortiços' (tenements) in 19th-century Rio always emphasize how barulhentos they were.

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 questions

The 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

writing

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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writing

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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writing

Translate: 'It is a noisy environment.'

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speaking

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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speaking

How do you say 'The motor is noisy'?

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speaking

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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listening

Identify the adjective in: 'O motor é barulhento.'

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listening

Identify the gender in: 'A festa está barulhenta.'

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Identify the number in: 'Os vizinhos são barulhentos.'

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What is the noun form of 'barulhento'?

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listening

Is 'barulhento' used for silence or noise?

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listening

Translate the adjective heard in: 'Uma rua barulhenta.'

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Identify the root word of 'barulhento'.

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True or False: 'Barulhento' is used for a quiet library.

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Identify the adverb in: 'O rádio está muito barulhento.'

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listening

Which word is the synonym heard: 'O ambiente ruidoso.'

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listening

Translate the sentence: 'Não seja barulhento.'

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listening

Identify the subject: 'O cachorro barulhento latiu.'

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Is 'barulhenta' masculine or feminine?

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Identify the intensity: 'Está barulhento demais.'

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Translate: 'Crianças barulhentas.'

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/ 191 correct

Perfect score!

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