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desesperadamente

B1 adverb 9 min read

desesperadamente

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips desesperadamente in 30 Seconds

Explanation desesperadamente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'desesperadamente' as a way to say 'very, very much' when someone is in a difficult situation. It is a long word, but you can see the word 'desperado' inside it, which looks like 'desperate' in English. Use it simply with verbs like 'precisar' (to need) or 'querer' (to want) to show you have a very strong feeling. For example, 'Eu preciso desesperadamente de água' means you are extremely thirsty. At this stage, focus on the '-mente' ending, which is how many Portuguese adverbs are made. It's like adding '-ly' to an English word. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just think of it as a 'power-up' word for your feelings.

At A2, you can start using 'desesperadamente' to describe actions in simple stories. If you are writing about someone who lost their dog, you can say 'Ele procurou desesperadamente pelo cão.' This adds more emotion to your writing than just saying 'Ele procurou muito.' You should also notice that the word doesn't change if you are talking about a man or a woman. Adverbs like this are 'invariable.' Also, start noticing where it goes in a sentence—usually right after the action word (the verb). This will make your Portuguese sound more natural and less like a direct translation from English.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'desesperadamente' to express nuances of urgency and hopelessness. You should be able to distinguish between literal despair (like in a rescue situation) and hyperbolic despair (like needing a vacation). You can use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Embora estivesse cansado, ele tentou desesperadamente terminar o trabalho.' This level is where you start using the word to connect emotions with actions in a more sophisticated way. You should also be aware of synonyms like 'aflitamente' and when one might be more appropriate than the other based on the context of the sentence.

At B2, you should have a firm grasp of the emotional weight 'desesperadamente' carries. You can use it in formal arguments or creative writing to evoke specific reactions from your audience. You should also understand the etymological roots (des-esperar) and how this word fits into the broader theme of 'Saudade' and Portuguese fatalism. You can experiment with word order for emphasis, such as 'Desesperadamente, ela tentou ligar para ele uma última vez.' At this level, you should also be careful not to over-use it, knowing that its power comes from its intensity. You can also pair it with other adverbs using the rule where only the last one gets the '-mente' suffix.

At C1, your use of 'desesperadamente' should be precise and stylistically appropriate. You should recognize its use in classical and modern Portuguese literature, understanding the existential connotations it can carry. You can use it to describe abstract concepts, like 'Um país que busca desesperadamente a sua identidade.' You should be able to discuss the subtle differences between 'desesperadamente,' 'agoniadamente,' and 'sofregamente' (greedily/frantically). Your understanding should include the cultural nuances of how 'desespero' is portrayed in Lusophone media and how acting 'desesperadamente' reflects certain social pressures or psychological states.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the word 'desesperadamente' in all its rhetorical and literary glory. You can use it with irony, sarcasm, or deep philosophical intent. You understand its place in the history of the Portuguese language and how its usage has evolved. You can analyze how a writer uses this adverb to create a specific atmosphere or to characterize a person's entire worldview. You are also capable of translating complex English nuances of 'desperately' into Portuguese using this word or more specific alternatives like 'a todo o custo' or 'por tudo e por nada,' depending on the exact shade of meaning required by a high-level text.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

desesperadamente in 30 Seconds

Desesperadamente means 'desperately' and describes actions done with urgency or no hope.
It is an adverb formed from the adjective 'desesperado' plus the suffix '-mente'.
Commonly used with verbs like needing, looking for, crying, or trying hard.
The word is invariable, meaning it never changes for gender or plural subjects.

The Portuguese word desesperadamente is a powerful adverb that translates directly to 'desperately' in English. It is formed by the adjective 'desesperado' (desperate) and the suffix '-mente' (equivalent to the English '-ly'). This word is used to describe actions performed with a sense of urgency, hopelessness, or extreme intensity. In the Lusophone world, it carries a heavy emotional weight, often appearing in literature, music (especially Fado), and daily conversation when expressing deep needs or dramatic situations.

Emotional Intensity: The word signifies a state where all other options seem exhausted. When someone acts desesperadamente, they are often at their wit's end.

Ela procurou pelas chaves desesperadamente antes de sair para o trabalho.

Beyond literal life-and-death situations, this adverb is frequently used hyperbolically. Much like in English, a Portuguese speaker might say they 'desperately need a coffee' or 'desperately want to travel.' In these contexts, the word emphasizes the strength of a desire rather than a true lack of hope. It’s a versatile tool for adding drama and emphasis to verbs. Whether you are describing a lover's plea or a student's last-minute cramming session, this word provides the necessary gravitas.

Grammatical Function: As an adverb of manner, it usually follows the verb it modifies, though it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for stylistic emphasis.

Desesperadamente, o náufrago acenou para o navio no horizonte.

In Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear this word used in romantic songs to describe a 'love that hurts' (um amor que dói). In European Portuguese, the usage remains the same, though the pronunciation of the unstressed vowels differs slightly. Understanding this word requires grasping the Portuguese concept of 'desespero' (despair), which is a common theme in the melancholic traditions of the culture. It is not just about being in a hurry; it is about the internal state of anxiety that drives the action.

Social Nuance: Using this word too often in casual settings can make you sound a bit melodramatic. Save it for moments of genuine intensity or when you want to be intentionally theatrical.

O país precisa desesperadamente de reformas econômicas.

Historically, the root 'espera' relates to 'hope' (esperança) and 'waiting' (esperar). Thus, 'des-esperar' is literally 'to un-hope' or 'to stop waiting.' Doing something 'desesperadamente' implies that the time for patient waiting has passed, and only frantic action remains. This etymological connection helps learners remember that the word isn't just about speed, but about the absence of the calm associated with hope.

Ele tentou desesperadamente salvar o seu casamento.

Using desesperadamente correctly involves placing it where it can best modify the verb to show intensity. It is most commonly found after the verb. For instance, 'Ele gritou desesperadamente' (He screamed desperately). However, because Portuguese is a flexible language, the position can shift to change the rhythm of the sentence.

With Verbs of Communication: When used with verbs like 'pedir' (to ask), 'gritar' (to scream), or 'implorar' (to beg), it heightens the urgency of the request.

A criança chamava desesperadamente pela mãe no meio da multidão.

It is also frequently paired with verbs of 'needing' or 'wanting.' This is the most common hyperbolic usage. 'Precisar desesperadamente de algo' (To desperately need something) is a standard phrase used when someone is under pressure or feels a strong craving.

Hyperbolic Need: Used to express a strong desire that feels like a necessity.

Depois de dez horas de viagem, eu precisava desesperadamente de um banho.

Another common context is 'searching' or 'looking for.' Whether it's a physical object or a solution to a problem, adding 'desesperadamente' implies that the search is frantic and perhaps a bit disorganized due to stress.

Frantic Searching: Describes a search conducted with high anxiety and speed.

O cientista buscava desesperadamente uma cura para a nova doença.

Finally, it can be used with verbs of movement, such as 'correr' (to run) or 'nadar' (to swim). This describes a physical effort made under the threat of danger or a strict deadline. 'Correr desesperadamente' suggests the person is running as if their life depends on it.

Eles correram desesperadamente para não perder o último comboio da noite.

In summary, 'desesperadamente' is your go-to word for adding a layer of 'last-ditch effort' or 'extreme emotion' to almost any action. It transforms a simple verb into a story of struggle, desire, or survival.

You will encounter desesperadamente in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly dramatic to the mundane. It is a staple of news reporting when describing rescue efforts or humanitarian crises. In these cases, it is used with total sincerity to convey the gravity of a situation.

News and Media: Journalists use the word to describe the actions of people in disaster zones or the urgency of political situations.

As equipes de resgate tentam desesperadamente encontrar sobreviventes sob os escombros.

In the arts, particularly in music and literature, 'desesperadamente' is a key ingredient for expressing 'Saudade' or 'Sofrimento' (suffering). If you listen to Fado, the traditional Portuguese music, you will often hear singers describe loving someone 'desesperadamente.' It conveys a love that is painful because it is so intense and perhaps unrequited.

Literature and Music: Poets and songwriters use it to evoke a sense of existential longing or romantic agony.

Amo-te desesperadamente, como se o mundo fosse acabar amanhã.

In everyday speech, the word is used for emphasis. If a friend says, 'Estou desesperadamente à procura de um emprego,' they are signaling that their job search has become their top priority and a source of stress. It’s a way of saying 'I really, really need this' while adding a touch of personal drama.

Daily Conversation: Used as an extreme intensifier for needs, wants, or searches.

Preciso desesperadamente de férias; não aguento mais este escritório!

You will also see it in advertising, though less frequently. Brands might use it to create a 'sense of urgency' for a sale, although this can sometimes come off as too aggressive. More often, it appears in movie titles or book translations where the English 'desperately' is used, such as 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (Procura-se Susan Desesperadamente).

Ultimately, whether it's a plea for help on a sinking ship or a teenager wanting the latest smartphone, 'desesperadamente' provides the linguistic 'volume knob' to turn an action up to its maximum emotional intensity.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Portuguese is the placement of desesperadamente. While English is quite flexible, placing the adverb before the verb (e.g., 'Eu desesperadamente preciso') can sound unnatural or overly poetic in Portuguese. The standard position is after the verb.

Word Order: Incorrect: Eu desesperadamente tentei. Correct: Eu tentei desesperadamente.

Ele procurava desesperadamente (Correct) vs. Ele desesperadamente procurava (Unnatural).

Another mistake is confusing the adverb with the adjective 'desesperado' or 'desesperada.' Remember that adverbs are invariable; they do not change to match the gender or number of the subject. Whether a man, a woman, or a group of people is acting, it is always 'desesperadamente.'

Invariability: Mistake: Elas correram desesperadasmente. Correct: Elas correram desesperadamente.

Eles lutaram desesperadamente para sobreviver.

A subtle mistake involves the 'over-dramatization' of mundane tasks. Using 'desesperadamente' for something very small might make you sound sarcastic or like you are exaggerating for comic effect. If you just want to say you are 'really' hungry, 'com muita fome' is better than 'desesperadamente com fome' (which is also grammatically slightly off, as it should modify a verb).

Register and Context: Using this word in a business email might be seen as unprofessional unless the situation is an actual emergency.

O cliente pediu desesperadamente um desconto (Sounds like he was crying/begging).

Lastly, learners sometimes forget the spelling of the '-mente' suffix. In Portuguese, unlike Spanish, there is no written accent on the adverb even if the original adjective had one (though 'desesperado' doesn't have one anyway). Also, ensure you don't drop the 'a' from 'desesperada' before adding 'mente'. It is 'desesperadamente', not 'desesperadomente'.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will be able to use this dramatic adverb with the precision of a native speaker, ensuring your emotional intensity is always expressed correctly.

While desesperadamente is a great word, sometimes you need a synonym to avoid repetition or to adjust the level of intensity. Depending on whether you want to emphasize the anxiety, the speed, or the hopelessness, there are several alternatives.

Aflitamente: This means 'anxiously' or 'distressedly.' It focuses more on the internal worry than the outward hopelessness.
Ansiosamente: Translates to 'anxiously' or 'eagerly.' It can be positive (waiting for a gift) or negative (waiting for news), whereas 'desesperadamente' is almost always negative or intense.

Ele esperava ansiosamente pelo resultado do exame.

If you want to emphasize the frantic nature of an action, 'freneticamente' (frenetically) is a strong choice. It implies high energy and speed, but not necessarily the 'despair' that comes with 'desesperadamente.'

Freneticamente: Focuses on the high speed and chaotic nature of the action.

As pessoas trabalhavam freneticamente para terminar o projeto.

For literary contexts, you might use 'agoniadamente' (in agony/anguish). This is even more intense and focuses on the physical or emotional pain involved in the action. On the other hand, if you just mean 'very much' in a casual way, 'muito' or 'demais' are much safer bets.

Loucamente: Literally 'madly.' Often used in romantic contexts like 'Estou loucamente apaixonado' (I'm madly in love).

Eles dançavam loucamente sob a chuva.

In summary, choose 'desesperadamente' when there is a sense of crisis or extreme emotional need. Use 'aflitamente' for worry, 'freneticamente' for speed, and 'loucamente' for passion. Each word adds a different flavor to your Portuguese sentences.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O país necessita desesperadamente de investimento estrangeiro."

Neutral

"Ela procurava desesperadamente as chaves do carro."

Informal

"Cara, eu preciso desesperadamente de uma cerveja gelada!"

Child friendly

"O coelhinho procurava desesperadamente a sua cenoura."

Slang

"Tô desesperadamente na bad hoje."

Fun Fact

The suffix '-mente' comes from the Latin word 'mens/mentis' (mind). Originally, phrases like 'desesperada mente' meant 'with a desperate mind'. Over time, it merged into a single word functioning as an adverb.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɨ.zɨʃ.pɨ.ˌɾa.ðɐ.ˈmẽ.tɨ/

US /de.zes.pe.ˌɾa.da.ˈmẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'mẽ', and there is a secondary stress on 'ra'.

Rhymes With

infelizmente rapidamente constantemente claramente gentilmente fortemente finalmente recentemente

Common Errors

Pronouncing the '-mente' as 'ment' like in English.
Forgetting the nasalization on the 'e' in '-mente'.
Stressing the 'ra' syllable too much (it's the secondary stress, not the primary).
In BP, not making the final 'e' sound like 'i' or 'chi'.
In EP, not reducing the unstressed vowels enough.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Long word but easy to recognize due to English cognate 'desperate'.

Writing 4/5

Spelling the suffix '-mente' and the middle 'e's correctly can be tricky.

Speaking 5/5

Requires good control of unstressed vowels and rhythm.

Listening 3/5

The '-mente' suffix is a very clear marker of an adverb.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

esperar esperança desesperado mente muito

Learn Next

aflitamente ansiosamente agoniadamente urgentemente sofrimento

Advanced

fatalismo saudade existencialismo sofridão insofismavelmente

Grammar to Know

Adverb Formation

Adjective (fem. sing.) + -mente = Adverb (e.g., Clara + mente = Claramente).

Invariability of Adverbs

Ele correu desesperadamente. Elas correram desesperadamente. (No change).

Adverb Placement

Usually follows the verb: 'Ele gritou desesperadamente'.

Double Adverbs

Only the second gets '-mente': 'Ele agiu calma e desesperadamente'.

Nasalization

The 'e' in '-mente' is always nasalized /ẽ/.

Examples by Level

Eu preciso desesperadamente de dormir.

I desperately need to sleep.

Uses 'precisar de' + infinitive.

Ela quer desesperadamente um gelado.

She desperately wants an ice cream.

Hyperbolic use of the adverb.

O gato chama desesperadamente pela comida.

The cat is calling desperately for food.

Adverb modifying the verb 'chamar'.

Preciso desesperadamente de ajuda com o TPC.

I desperately need help with my homework.

TPC stands for 'Trabalho Para Casa'.

Eles correm desesperadamente para o autocarro.

They are running desperately for the bus.

Shows physical urgency.

Eu procuro desesperadamente o meu telemóvel.

I am desperately looking for my phone.

Verb 'procurar' + direct object.

Ela chora desesperadamente no filme.

She cries desperately in the movie.

Expressing intense emotion.

O bebé quer desesperadamente o seu brinquedo.

The baby desperately wants his toy.

Simple subject-verb-adverb-object structure.

O homem procurava desesperadamente as suas chaves antes de sair.

The man was desperately looking for his keys before leaving.

Imperfect tense used for ongoing past action.

Ela tentou desesperadamente abrir a porta trancada.

She desperately tried to open the locked door.

Preterite tense for a completed attempt.

Nós precisamos desesperadamente de encontrar um hotel.

We desperately need to find a hotel.

Verb 'precisar de' + infinitive 'encontrar'.

O cão ladrava desesperadamente para o estranho.

The dog was barking desperately at the stranger.

Adverb modifying the verb 'ladrar'.

Eles pediram desesperadamente por um pouco de água.

They desperately asked for a little water.

Verb 'pedir por' to request something.

A menina gritou desesperadamente quando viu a aranha.

The girl screamed desperately when she saw the spider.

Temporal clause starting with 'quando'.

Eu tentei desesperadamente ligar para ti ontem à noite.

I desperately tried to call you last night.

Adverb used to emphasize the effort.

O condutor travou desesperadamente para evitar o acidente.

The driver braked desperately to avoid the accident.

Infinitive of purpose: 'para evitar'.

O náufrago acenava desesperadamente para o barco ao longe.

The shipwrecked man waved desperately to the boat in the distance.

Classic use of the word in a survival context.

Ela buscava desesperadamente uma solução para os seus problemas financeiros.

She was desperately seeking a solution to her financial problems.

Abstract usage of the verb 'buscar'.

O governo tenta desesperadamente controlar a inflação este ano.

The government is desperately trying to control inflation this year.

Used in a political/economic context.

Ele amava-a desesperadamente, apesar de saber que não era correspondido.

He loved her desperately, despite knowing it wasn't reciprocated.

Romantic/Literary use with a clitic pronoun 'a'.

A população fugia desesperadamente da zona de conflito.

The population was desperately fleeing the conflict zone.

Describing a mass movement under stress.

O aluno estudava desesperadamente na véspera do exame final.

The student was studying desperately on the eve of the final exam.

Colloquial hyperbolic use for academic stress.

Eles lutaram desesperadamente para manter a empresa aberta.

They fought desperately to keep the company open.

Metaphorical use of 'lutar' (to fight).

O médico tentava desesperadamente reanimar o paciente.

The doctor was desperately trying to resuscitate the patient.

High-stakes professional context.

O autor tentava desesperadamente encontrar a palavra certa para o seu poema.

The author was desperately trying to find the right word for his poem.

Reflects an internal creative struggle.

A empresa tentou desesperadamente recuperar a sua reputação após o escândalo.

The company desperately tried to recover its reputation after the scandal.

Used in a PR/business context.

Ela agarrou-se desesperadamente à última esperança que lhe restava.

She clung desperately to the last hope she had left.

Pronominal verb 'agarrar-se' + preposition 'a'.

O prisioneiro implorava desesperadamente por misericórdia perante o juiz.

The prisoner was desperately begging for mercy before the judge.

Formal legal setting with emotional intensity.

Os cientistas trabalham desesperadamente para travar as alterações climáticas.

Scientists are working desperately to stop climate change.

Global/Scientific context.

Ele tentava desesperadamente esconder o seu nervosismo durante a entrevista.

He was desperately trying to hide his nervousness during the interview.

Internal psychological state.

A cidade tentava desesperadamente reconstruir-se após o sismo devastador.

The city was desperately trying to rebuild itself after the devastating earthquake.

Reflexive verb 'reconstruir-se'.

Ela procurava desesperadamente um sentido para a sua vida após a reforma.

She was desperately looking for a meaning for her life after retirement.

Existential/Philosophical context.

A narrativa descreve um homem que se perde desesperadamente nos seus próprios labirintos mentais.

The narrative describes a man who loses himself desperately in his own mental labyrinths.

Literary analysis context.

O mercado financeiro reagiu desesperadamente aos rumores de uma nova recessão.

The financial market reacted desperately to rumors of a new recession.

Metaphorical personification of the market.

Ele tentava desesperadamente conciliar as suas crenças religiosas com as descobertas científicas.

He was desperately trying to reconcile his religious beliefs with scientific discoveries.

Intellectual/Philosophical struggle.

A peça de teatro explora a forma como as personagens se agarram desesperadamente ao passado.

The play explores the way characters cling desperately to the past.

Thematic description in arts.

O diplomata tentou desesperadamente evitar a rutura das negociações de paz.

The diplomat desperately tried to avoid the breakdown of peace negotiations.

High-level geopolitical context.

Ela sentia-se desesperadamente sozinha, mesmo rodeada por uma multidão de pessoas.

She felt desperately alone, even surrounded by a crowd of people.

Expressing profound existential loneliness.

O regime tentava desesperadamente silenciar as vozes da oposição através da censura.

The regime was desperately trying to silence opposition voices through censorship.

Political/Historical context.

A pintura capturava o momento em que a alma grita desesperadamente por libertação.

The painting captured the moment when the soul screams desperately for liberation.

Artistic interpretation.

A obra de Pessoa reflete um 'eu' que se desdobra desesperadamente na procura de uma unidade impossível.

Pessoa's work reflects an 'I' that unfolds desperately in the search for an impossible unity.

High-level literary criticism.

O filósofo argumenta que o ser humano foge desesperadamente do vazio da sua própria existência.

The philosopher argues that the human being desperately flees from the void of their own existence.

Philosophical discourse.

Havia na sua voz um tom de quem já desistiu, mas que ainda assim implora desesperadamente por um sinal.

There was in his voice a tone of someone who has already given up, but who nonetheless desperately begs for a sign.

Complex psychological portrait.

A economia global, desesperadamente dependente de recursos finitos, enfrenta um impasse civilizacional.

The global economy, desperately dependent on finite resources, faces a civilizational impasse.

Socio-economic critique.

As palavras, desesperadamente insuficientes, falhavam em descrever a magnitude da tragédia.

The words, desperately insufficient, failed to describe the magnitude of the tragedy.

Metalinguistic reflection.

Ele tentava desesperadamente manter as aparências, enquanto o seu mundo interior desmoronava.

He was desperately trying to maintain appearances while his inner world collapsed.

Contrasting external and internal states.

A música crescia desesperadamente até atingir um clímax de pura angústia sonora.

The music grew desperately until it reached a climax of pure sonic anguish.

Describing aesthetic experience.

O protagonista move-se desesperadamente entre a lucidez e a loucura ao longo do romance.

The protagonist moves desperately between lucidity and madness throughout the novel.

Literary character analysis.

Common Collocations

precisar desesperadamente

tentar desesperadamente

procurar desesperadamente

chorar desesperadamente

gritar desesperadamente

amar desesperadamente

correr desesperadamente

implorar desesperadamente

buscar desesperadamente

agarrar-se desesperadamente

Common Phrases

procura-se desesperadamente

— Used in ads or titles for something sought with urgency.

Procura-se desesperadamente um apartamento T2.

preciso desesperadamente de férias

— A very common hyperbolic expression of burnout.

Depois deste mês, preciso desesperadamente de férias.

gritar desesperadamente por socorro

— Standard phrase in emergency reporting.

Ouviram-no gritar desesperadamente por socorro.

tentar desesperadamente mudar

— Refers to a difficult personal transformation.

Ele está a tentar desesperadamente mudar os seus hábitos.

amar alguém desesperadamente

— To love someone with painful intensity.

É difícil amar alguém tão desesperadamente.

procurar desesperadamente uma saída

— Literally or figuratively looking for an escape.

Eles procuravam desesperadamente uma saída do edifício.

negar desesperadamente

— To deny something with frantic insistence.

Ele negou desesperadamente qualquer envolvimento.

trabalhar desesperadamente

— Working under extreme pressure/deadlines.

Trabalhou desesperadamente para entregar o relatório.

pedir desesperadamente ajuda

— A plea for assistance in a dire situation.

Pediu desesperadamente ajuda aos vizinhos.

olhar desesperadamente

— Looking with a gaze full of despair.

Ele olhou desesperadamente em volta.

Often Confused With

desesperadamente vs desesperado

This is the adjective. Use it to describe a person (e.g., 'Ele está desesperado'). Use the adverb for the action.

desesperadamente vs desesperante

This means 'infuriating' or 'making one lose hope' (e.g., 'Este trânsito é desesperante').

desesperadamente vs depressa

This just means 'quickly'. It doesn't have the emotional weight of 'desesperadamente'.

Idioms & Expressions

"estar desesperadamente apaixonado"

— To be head over heels in love in a way that feels overwhelming.

Ele está desesperadamente apaixonado pela melhor amiga.

informal

"agarrar-se desesperadamente a um prego a ferver"

— To cling to any hope, even if it's painful or unlikely to work (similar to 'clutching at straws').

Ele está a agarrar-se desesperadamente a um prego a ferver para salvar o negócio.

informal

"correr desesperadamente contra o tempo"

— To be in a frantic race against a deadline.

Estamos a correr desesperadamente contra o tempo.

neutral

"precisar desesperadamente de um milagre"

— To be in a situation where only divine intervention seems to help.

A equipa precisa desesperadamente de um milagre para ganhar.

colloquial

"buscar desesperadamente uma agulha num palheiro"

— To search frantically for something nearly impossible to find.

Procurar aquele documento é buscar desesperadamente uma agulha num palheiro.

neutral

"gritar desesperadamente no deserto"

— To plead or warn without anyone listening (similar to 'crying in the wilderness').

Sinto que estou a gritar desesperadamente no deserto.

literary

"estar desesperadamente por um fio"

— To be in a very precarious situation, hanging by a thread.

A sua paciência está desesperadamente por um fio.

neutral

"querer desesperadamente o mundo e o fundo"

— To want everything with extreme intensity (greedy desire).

Ela quer desesperadamente o mundo e o fundo.

informal

"lutar desesperadamente com unhas e dentes"

— To fight frantically with everything one has.

Lutou desesperadamente com unhas e dentes pela sua vida.

neutral

"esperar desesperadamente por um sinal"

— To be in a state of frantic waiting for any indication of what to do.

Esperava desesperadamente por um sinal do destino.

literary

Easily Confused

desesperadamente vs rapidamente

Both involve speed.

Rapidamente is just about speed; desesperadamente is about speed driven by despair or urgency.

Ele comeu rapidamente (He ate fast). Ele comeu desesperadamente (He ate like he was starving).

desesperadamente vs ansiosamente

Both involve anxiety.

Ansiosamente can be positive (eagerness); desesperadamente is always heavy or negative.

Espero ansiosamente pelo Natal. Procuro desesperadamente o meu cão.

desesperadamente vs fortemente

Both are intensifiers.

Fortemente is more objective and used in formal contexts; desesperadamente is emotional.

Recomendo fortemente este livro. Preciso desesperadamente de ajuda.

desesperadamente vs urgentemente

Both imply a need for immediate action.

Urgentemente is practical; desesperadamente is psychological.

Chame a polícia urgentemente! Ele tentava desesperadamente respirar.

desesperadamente vs loucamente

Both are extreme intensifiers.

Loucamente is often used for passion or fun; desesperadamente is used for crisis or pain.

Divertimo-nos loucamente. Ele gritou desesperadamente.

Sentence Patterns

Eu preciso desesperadamente de [noun].

Eu preciso desesperadamente de água.

Ele [verb in past] desesperadamente.

Ele correu desesperadamente.

Ela tentou desesperadamente [infinitive].

Ela tentou desesperadamente abrir a porta.

Embora [subjunctive], ele agiu desesperadamente.

Embora estivesse com medo, ele agiu desesperadamente.

A situação exige que [subjunctive] desesperadamente.

A situação exige que busquemos desesperadamente uma saída.

Desesperadamente, [clause].

Desesperadamente, ela tentou ligar uma última vez.

[Noun], desesperadamente [adjective], [verb].

O mercado, desesperadamente volátil, colapsou.

Trata-se de um [noun] que se [verb] desesperadamente.

Trata-se de um povo que se reconstrói desesperadamente.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese, especially in dramatic or urgent contexts.

Common Mistakes

Eu desesperadamente preciso. → Eu preciso desesperadamente.
In Portuguese, the adverb usually follows the verb it modifies.
Eles lutaram desesperadosmente. → Eles lutaram desesperadamente.
Adverbs do not have plural forms.
Ela gritou desesperadomente. → Ela gritou desesperadamente.
Adverbs are formed from the feminine form of the adjective (desesperada).
Estou desesperadamente com fome. → Estou com muita fome / Estou desesperado de fome.
Desesperadamente should modify a verb, not a prepositional phrase like 'com fome'.
Ele agiu desesperadamente e calmamente. → Ele agiu desesperada e calmamente.
When using two '-mente' adverbs, only the last one keeps the suffix.

Tips

Add Drama

Use this word when you want to make your story or request sound more dramatic and urgent.

Suffix Rule

Remember that almost any adjective can become an adverb by adding '-mente' to its feminine form.

Fado Feeling

Associate this word with the feeling of Fado music—intense, soulful, and a bit tragic.

Check the 'a'

Make sure you include the 'a' before 'mente': desesperad-A-mente.

Nasal Sounds

Practice the nasal 'ẽ' in '-mente' by humming slightly while you say it.

Cognate Alert

It looks like 'desperately', which makes it one of the easier long words to remember.

Avoid Overuse

If you use it three times in one paragraph, it loses its power. Save it for the climax.

Rhythm

Portuguese is syllable-timed. Practice saying 'de-ses-pe-ra-da-men-te' with an even beat until the end.

News Word

You'll see this often in headlines about the climate or economy. It's a 'serious' word too.

No Hope

Think: Des- (No) - Espera (Hope) - Mente (Mind/Way). No-hope-way.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Desperate Housewives' (a famous show). In Portuguese, they would be 'Donas de Casa Desesperadas'. If they act like that, they are acting 'desesperadamente'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person in a desert (deserto) looking for water. They are acting 'desesperadamente'. The 'des-' in 'deserto' and 'desesperadamente' can help you link the feeling of being in a barren, hopeless place.

Word Web

esperança esperar desespero aflito urgente pânico mente intensamente

Challenge

Try to use 'desesperadamente' in a sentence today to describe a strong craving you have, like for coffee or a specific food.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese adjective 'desesperado', which comes from the Latin 'desperatus', the past participle of 'desperare'.

Original meaning: The Latin 'desperare' is formed by 'de-' (expressing reversal or removal) and 'sperare' (to hope). Thus, its original meaning is 'to be without hope'.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

While not offensive, it is a 'heavy' word. Avoid using it in situations where it might seem like you are mocking someone's genuine suffering.

English speakers might find the word long, but it functions exactly like 'desperately'. Use it where you would use the English equivalent.

Procura-se Susan Desesperadamente (Portuguese title for 'Desperately Seeking Susan') Lyrics in many songs by Amália Rodrigues (Fado queen) Commonly used in the works of Brazilian author Clarice Lispector to describe inner turmoil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Emergency Situations

Gritar por socorro
Tentar salvar
Pedir ajuda
Correr para a saída

Strong Desires

Precisar de um café
Querer férias
Desejar um abraço
Precisar de dormir

Romantic Drama

Amar alguém
Sentir saudades
Estar apaixonado
Implorar por perdão

Work Stress

Procurar um erro
Tentar cumprir o prazo
Precisar de um bónus
Trabalhar no projeto

Searching for Objects

Perder as chaves
Procurar a carteira
Onde está o telemóvel?
Não encontro nada

Conversation Starters

"O que é que tu precisas desesperadamente de fazer este fim de semana?"

"Já alguma vez procuraste algo desesperadamente e depois estava à tua frente?"

"Qual é a comida que tu queres desesperadamente quando tens fome?"

"Tu achas que as pessoas hoje em dia vivem desesperadamente?"

"Quando foi a última vez que precisaste desesperadamente de ajuda?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre um momento em que tentaste desesperadamente aprender algo novo.

Descreve uma situação em que viste alguém agir desesperadamente.

O que significa para ti amar alguém desesperadamente? É algo positivo ou negativo?

Escreve uma pequena história sobre um explorador que procura desesperadamente um tesouro.

Faz uma lista de cinco coisas de que precisas desesperadamente neste momento da tua vida.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is very common. You will hear it in everyday conversations, movies, and news. It is the standard way to express 'desperately'.

Yes, but it adds a lot of drama. If you say 'Gosto desesperadamente de ti', it sounds like a line from a romantic movie.

No. Adverbs in Portuguese are invariable. You say 'Eles correm desesperadamente', not 'desesperadamentes'.

The 'e' is nasal, like the 'en' in the English word 'end' but without the 'd' sound. In Brazil, the final 'e' is often a 'chi' sound.

Usually after the verb. 'Ele tentou desesperadamente' is better than 'Ele desesperadamente tentou'.

The meaning is identical, but the pronunciation varies. Brazilians pronounce vowels more clearly, while Portuguese speakers reduce them.

The root is 'espera', which means 'hope' or 'wait'. 'Des-' means 'without'. So it means 'acting without hope'.

Only if there is a real emergency. Otherwise, use 'urgentemente' or 'com brevidade'.

Not really. You can use 'com desespero' (with despair), but 'desesperadamente' is the most natural adverb form.

'Desesperado' is an adjective (He is desperate). 'Desesperadamente' is an adverb (He acted desperately).