enervar in 30 Seconds
- Enervar means to make someone nervous or agitated.
- It's about causing a feeling of unease or irritation.
- Use 'enervar' when one thing or person makes another feel stressed.
- The reflexive form 'se enervar' means 'to become nervous'.
- Meaning
- The Portuguese verb 'enervar' means to make someone feel nervous, anxious, or agitated. It describes the act of causing a state of unease or irritability in another person. Think of it as the action that leads to someone becoming 'on edge' or losing their composure due to a specific cause.
- Usage
- This verb is commonly used in situations where someone's behavior or a particular event causes another person to feel stressed or unsettled. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although its intensity might lean slightly more towards situations where there's a noticeable impact on someone's emotional state. For instance, a loud, unexpected noise might enervate someone who is trying to concentrate. Similarly, a person's incessant complaining could enervate their listener. It's about the direct cause-and-effect of one person or event making another person nervous or agitated.
- Examples of Context
- You might hear 'enervar' used when describing how a demanding boss affects their employees, how a suspenseful movie scene affects the audience, or how a child's constant questions can enervate a parent. It's particularly useful when you want to describe a subtle but persistent cause of nervousness or irritation.
O barulho constante da construção lá fora começou a enervar os moradores do prédio.
- Nuance
- While 'enervar' means to cause nervousness, it's important to note that the person experiencing the nervousness is the one being 'enervado' (if used reflexively or passively). The active form is used when one person or thing is doing the enervating. It's not just about feeling nervous, but about being actively made nervous by something external. This verb implies a more active instigation of the nervous feeling compared to simply feeling anxious.
- Related Concepts
- Think of situations where someone is losing patience, feeling stressed, or becoming irritable. These are all states that can be brought about by the action of 'enervar'. It’s a verb that captures the dynamic of causing psychological discomfort through external stimuli or actions.
A espera prolongada na fila de banco pode enervar qualquer pessoa.
- Emotional Impact
- The verb 'enervar' suggests a more active and often involuntary reaction from the person being affected. It's not just a mild feeling of unease; it's a state of being made nervous or agitated, often to the point of distraction or irritation. This could be due to a person's persistent actions, a stressful situation, or an unsettling environment.
- Everyday Scenarios
- Imagine a situation where someone is constantly tapping their foot, chewing loudly, or interrupting frequently. These actions can 'enervar' those around them, causing them to feel increasingly uncomfortable and agitated. The verb effectively describes this process of irritation building up.
- Basic Structure
- The most common structure is Subject + enervar + Object. The subject is the person or thing causing the nervousness, and the object is the person being made nervous. For example, 'A demora dele me enerva' (His delay enervates me).
- Reflexive Use
- 'Enervar' can also be used reflexively with 'se' to mean 'to become nervous' or 'to get agitated'. In this case, the subject is the person experiencing the nervousness. For example, 'Ele se enerva facilmente com críticas' (He gets easily enervated/agitated by criticism).
- Passive Voice
- You can also use the passive voice, where the person being made nervous is the subject, and the verb is conjugated with 'ser' or 'estar' followed by the past participle 'enervado/a/os/as'. For example, 'Eu me sinto enervado com essa situação' (I feel enervated/nervous because of this situation).
O constante zumbido do mosquito está a me enervar.
- Examples with Different Subjects
- * **People:** 'A impaciência dela me enerva.' (Her impatience enervates me.)
* **Things/Situations:** 'O trânsito lento da cidade costuma enervar os motoristas.' (The city's slow traffic usually enervates drivers.)
* **Abstract Concepts:** 'A injustiça pode enervar até a pessoa mais calma.' (Injustice can enervate even the calmest person.) - Examples with Reflexive Pronoun
- * 'Não se enerve com pequenas coisas.' (Don't get enervated/agitated by small things.)
* 'Ela se enerva quando não consegue o que quer.' (She gets enervated/agitated when she doesn't get what she wants.) - Examples in Different Tenses
- * **Present:** 'O barulho me enerva.' (The noise enervates me.)
* **Past (Pretérito Perfeito):** 'A espera me enervou muito.' (The wait enervated me a lot.)
* **Past (Pretérito Imperfeito):** 'Ele sempre se enervava com as interrupções.' (He always got enervated/agitated by interruptions.)
* **Future:** 'Espero que isso não me enerve amanhã.' (I hope this doesn't enervate me tomorrow.)
As notícias constantes sobre a crise econômica tendem a enervar a população.
- Everyday Conversations
- You'll hear 'enervar' in casual chats between friends or family, especially when discussing sources of annoyance or stress. For example, someone might complain, 'O meu vizinho não para de fazer barulho, isso me enerva!' (My neighbor won't stop making noise, it enervates me!). It's a common way to express mild to moderate irritation caused by someone else's actions or a persistent situation.
- Media and News
- In news reports or discussions about social issues, 'enervar' can be used to describe how certain events or policies affect public sentiment. For instance, a commentator might say, 'A falta de clareza nas políticas governamentais enerva os cidadãos.' (The lack of clarity in government policies enervates the citizens.) It's used to describe a general feeling of unease or agitation within a population.
- Literature and Film
- Authors and screenwriters use 'enervar' to add depth to character interactions and emotional states. A character might be described as 'enervado' (enervated/agitated) due to a stressful situation or the actions of another character. It's a verb that effectively conveys psychological tension and the feeling of being on edge.
A insistência dele em discutir o mesmo assunto me enerva profundamente.
- Workplace Discussions
- In professional settings, 'enervar' might be used, though perhaps less frequently than in informal contexts, to describe how certain procedures, deadlines, or difficult colleagues can affect morale and productivity. For example, 'A burocracia excessiva pode enervar os funcionários e diminuir a eficiência.' (Excessive bureaucracy can enervate employees and decrease efficiency.)
- Online Forums and Social Media
- People often express their frustrations online using 'enervar'. You might see comments like, 'Estou enervado com a demora da entrega do meu pedido!' (I'm enervated/annoyed by the delay in my order delivery!). It's a concise way to convey a feeling of being bothered or agitated.
- Confusing with 'Enervado' (Adjective)
- A common mistake is to confuse the verb 'enervar' with its adjective form 'enervado/a/os/as', which means 'nervous', 'agitated', or 'annoyed'. While related, the verb describes the action of causing this state, while the adjective describes the state itself. For instance, saying 'Eu enervo' when you mean 'Eu me sinto enervado' is incorrect. The correct way to express feeling nervous is 'Eu me sinto enervado' or 'Eu me enervo'.
- Incorrect Reflexive Use
- Sometimes learners might use 'enervar' without the reflexive pronoun 'se' when they intend to mean 'to get nervous'. Remember, 'enervar' itself means 'to make nervous'. To say 'I get nervous', you must use 'Eu me enervo'. Using just 'Eu enervo' implies you are making someone else nervous.
- Overuse or Misapplication
- While 'enervar' is a useful verb, it's not always the most appropriate. For milder feelings of unease, words like 'preocupar' (to worry) or 'ansioso' (anxious) might be better. Using 'enervar' for very minor annoyances could sound overly dramatic. Conversely, for extreme distress, stronger words might be needed. It's about finding the right level of intensity.
Ele disse 'Eu enervo' quando queria dizer 'Eu fico enervado'.
- Confusing with Similar Verbs
- While 'enervar' is specific, it can sometimes be confused with verbs like 'irritar' (to irritate) or 'agitar' (to agitate). While there's overlap, 'enervar' often implies a more internal, psychological effect of nervousness or anxiety, whereas 'irritar' might be more about annoyance, and 'agitar' about physical restlessness or disturbance.
- Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- As with any verb, incorrect conjugation is a common pitfall for learners. Ensure you are using the correct endings for different tenses and subjects. For example, conjugating 'enervar' in the present tense for 'eu' requires 'eu enervo', for 'ele/ela/você' it's 'ele/ela/você enerva', and for 'nós' it's 'nós enervamos'.
- Irritar (to irritate)
- 'Irritar' is a very common synonym. Both 'enervar' and 'irritar' can describe causing annoyance or discomfort. However, 'enervar' often leans more towards causing nervousness or agitation, a deeper psychological unease, while 'irritar' can be more about surface-level annoyance or vexation.
Example: 'O barulho me irrita' (The noise irritates me) vs. 'O barulho me enerva' (The noise enervates me - suggesting it makes me more nervous/agitated). 'Irritar' is generally more frequent and versatile. - Agitar (to agitate, to stir up)
- 'Agitar' can mean to make someone restless, unsettled, or physically agitated. It can overlap with 'enervar' when the agitation leads to nervousness. However, 'agitar' can also refer to physically shaking or stirring something, or inciting unrest.
Example: 'A notícia agitou a cidade' (The news agitated the city - implying unrest) vs. 'A notícia me enervou' (The news enervated me - implying personal nervousness). - Afligir (to afflict, to distress)
- 'Afligir' implies causing deeper emotional pain, suffering, or distress. It's a stronger word than 'enervar'. While someone who is 'afligido' might also be nervous, 'enervar' focuses more on the state of being made nervous or agitated, rather than profound sadness or suffering.
Example: 'A perda do emprego o afligiu profundamente' (The job loss deeply afflicted him) vs. 'A incerteza sobre o futuro o enervava' (The uncertainty about the future enervated him).
O comportamento dele me irrita mais do que me enerva.
- Preocupar (to worry)
- 'Preocupar' means to make someone feel worried about something. While worry can lead to nervousness, 'preocupar' is specifically about concern for future events or outcomes. 'Enervar' is a more direct cause of nervous agitation.
Example: 'As notícias preocupam a todos' (The news worries everyone) vs. 'A incerteza das notícias me enerva' (The uncertainty of the news enervates me). - Deixar nervoso/a (to make nervous)
- This is a direct and very common alternative. 'Deixar nervoso/a' literally translates to 'to make nervous'. It's less formal and perhaps more straightforward than 'enervar'.
Example: 'O exame vai deixar ele nervoso' (The exam will make him nervous) is a very common substitute for 'O exame vai enervá-lo'. - Descompor-se (to become upset/agitated)
- This reflexive verb means to lose one's composure, to become upset or agitated, often due to stress or a difficult situation. It describes the state of being affected, similar to 'se enervar'.
Example: 'Ele se descompôs com a notícia' (He became upset/agitated with the news) is similar in outcome to 'Ele se enervou com a notícia'.
How Formal Is It?
"A incerteza prolongada sobre o futuro econômico pode enervar a confiança dos investidores."
"O constante barulho da rua me enerva quando tento estudar."
"Esse cara me enerva com as piadas sem graça dele!"
"Quando o brinquedo não funciona, a criança pode ficar enervada."
Fun Fact
Interestingly, the original Latin meaning of 'enervare' was to weaken or disable by removing the 'nervus' (nerve or sinew). Over time, the meaning in Portuguese shifted to focus on the psychological effect of weakening someone's composure by making them nervous or agitated, rather than a physical weakening.
Pronunciation Guide
- Misplacing stress: Saying EN-er-var instead of en-ER-var.
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the beginning incorrectly: Saying it like the 'ee' in 'see' instead of the 'e' in 'bet'.
- Omitting the 'r' sound: Especially in faster speech, the 'r' might be softened, but it's important to include it for clarity.
Difficulty Rating
The word 'enervar' is moderately challenging for B1 learners. While its meaning is intuitive (related to nerves), distinguishing it from similar words like 'irritar' or 'preocupar' requires careful attention to nuance. Understanding its reflexive use ('se enervar') and its passive forms adds another layer of complexity.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reflexive Verbs
The verb 'enervar' often requires the reflexive pronoun 'se' when the subject is the one experiencing the nervousness (e.g., 'Eu me enervo' - I get nervous). This is distinct from the transitive use where one person causes another to be nervous (e.g., 'Ele me enerva' - He enervates me).
Verb Conjugation
Like all Portuguese verbs, 'enervar' must be conjugated according to tense, mood, and person. For example, in the present tense: 'eu enervo', 'tu enervas', 'ele/ela/você enerva', 'nós enervamos', 'vós enervais', 'eles/elas/vocês enervam'.
Use of 'Ser' vs. 'Estar' with Adjectives
When describing the state of being nervous, the adjective 'enervado' can be used with both 'ser' and 'estar'. 'Ser enervado' might imply a more permanent trait, while 'estar enervado' implies a temporary state. 'Ele é enervado' (He is a nervous person) vs. 'Ele está enervado' (He is currently nervous/agitated).
Modal Verbs
'Enervar' can be used with modal verbs like 'poder' (can/may), 'dever' (must/should), 'querer' (want to), etc. For instance, 'Isso pode me enervar' (This can enervate me).
Prepositional Phrases with Reflexive Verbs
When using the reflexive form 'se enervar', it is often followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the cause of the nervousness, commonly 'com' or 'por'. Example: 'Ele se enerva com facilidade' (He gets easily enervated with ease) or 'Ela se enerva por pouca coisa' (She gets enervated by little things).
Examples by Level
O barulho me enerva.
The noise makes me nervous.
Simple present tense, direct object.
Não se enerva.
Don't get nervous.
Imperative, reflexive verb.
A espera me enerva.
The wait makes me nervous.
Simple present tense, direct object.
Isso me enerva.
This makes me nervous.
Simple present tense, direct object.
Ele se enerva fácil.
He gets nervous easily.
Simple present tense, reflexive verb, adverb.
A demora enerva.
The delay enervates.
Simple present tense, subject is 'a demora'.
Não me enerve.
Don't enervate me.
Negative imperative, direct object.
O som me enerva.
The sound enervates me.
Simple present tense, direct object.
A insistência dele me enerva um pouco.
His insistence enervates me a bit.
Simple present tense, adverbial phrase 'um pouco'.
Ela se enerva quando o tempo está ruim.
She gets enervated when the weather is bad.
Simple present tense, reflexive verb, subordinate clause.
O trânsito lento pode enervar qualquer motorista.
Slow traffic can enervate any driver.
Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive, indefinite pronoun 'qualquer'.
Não se enerve com essas pequenas coisas.
Don't get enervated by these small things.
Negative imperative, reflexive verb, prepositional phrase.
O barulho da cidade me enerva durante a noite.
The city noise enervates me during the night.
Simple present tense, adverbial phrase of time.
Essa situação me deixa um pouco enervado.
This situation makes me a bit nervous.
Verb 'deixar' + adjective 'enervado'.
O som da campainha me enerva sempre.
The sound of the doorbell always enervates me.
Simple present tense, adverb 'sempre'.
Ele se enerva quando não entende.
He gets enervated when he doesn't understand.
Simple present tense, reflexive verb, subordinate clause.
A constante interrupção do colega começou a me enervar.
The colleague's constant interruption started to enervate me.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'começar' + infinitive.
Ele se enerva facilmente com críticas, mesmo que construtivas.
He gets easily enervated by criticism, even if constructive.
Reflexive verb, adverb 'facilmente', concessive clause.
O silêncio prolongado em uma reunião pode enervar os participantes.
Prolonged silence in a meeting can enervate the participants.
Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive, plural subject.
Não se enerve com a burocracia; tente ser paciente.
Don't get enervated by the bureaucracy; try to be patient.
Negative imperative, reflexive verb, imperative of 'tentar'.
A incerteza sobre o resultado do exame me enerva bastante.
The uncertainty about the exam result enervates me quite a bit.
Simple present tense, adverb 'bastante'.
Ela se enervou com a demora na resposta do e-mail.
She got enervated by the delay in the email response.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple), reflexive verb.
O comportamento imprevisível dele tende a enervar os colegas.
His unpredictable behavior tends to enervate his colleagues.
Verb 'tender a' + infinitive.
Fiquei enervado com a notícia inesperada.
I became enervated by the unexpected news.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'ficar' + adjective 'enervado'.
O constante questionamento sobre suas decisões começou a enervar o diretor.
The constant questioning of his decisions began to enervate the director.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'começar' + infinitive, possessive adjective.
Ele se enerva com facilidade quando sente que sua autoridade é questionada.
He gets enervated easily when he feels his authority is questioned.
Reflexive verb, subordinate clause with passive voice.
A falta de clareza nas instruções pode enervar até os funcionários mais experientes.
The lack of clarity in the instructions can enervate even the most experienced employees.
Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive, superlative adjective.
Não se enerve com a complexidade do problema; vamos resolvê-lo passo a passo.
Don't get enervated by the complexity of the problem; let's solve it step by step.
Negative imperative, reflexive verb, imperative of 'resolver'.
A incerteza sobre o futuro do projeto me enerva profundamente, pois investi muito tempo nele.
The uncertainty about the project's future enervates me deeply, as I invested a lot of time in it.
Simple present tense, adverb 'profundamente', causal clause.
Ela se enervou com a resposta evasiva do político durante o debate.
She got enervated by the politician's evasive answer during the debate.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple), reflexive verb.
O comportamento errático do líder da equipe tende a enervar todos os membros.
The team leader's erratic behavior tends to enervate all members.
Verb 'tender a' + infinitive, determiner 'todos'.
Ficamos enervados com a notícia de que o voo seria cancelado.
We became enervated by the news that the flight would be canceled.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'ficar' + adjective 'enervados', subordinate clause.
O método de ensino antiquado daquela instituição costumava enervar os alunos mais progressistas.
The outdated teaching method of that institution used to enervate the more progressive students.
Pretérito Imperfeito (past imperfect) of 'costumar' + infinitive, comparative adjective.
Ele se enerva com facilidade quando percebe que suas premissas estão sendo minadas por argumentos falaciosos.
He gets enervated easily when he perceives that his premises are being undermined by fallacious arguments.
Reflexive verb, subordinate clause with passive voice and gerund.
A ambiguidade inerente aos termos do contrato pode enervar as partes envolvidas, gerando litígios.
The inherent ambiguity in the contract terms can enervate the parties involved, generating litigation.
Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive, gerund phrase.
Não se enerve com as críticas infundadas; concentre-se em seus objetivos de longo prazo.
Don't get enervated by the unfounded criticisms; focus on your long-term goals.
Negative imperative, reflexive verb, imperative of 'concentrar-se'.
A precariedade da situação econômica global me enerva profundamente, dada a interdependência das nações.
The precariousness of the global economic situation enervates me deeply, given the interdependence of nations.
Simple present tense, adverb 'profundamente', causal phrase with 'dada'.
Ela se enervou com a falta de consideração demonstrada pelo seu superior durante a reunião de avaliação.
She got enervated by the lack of consideration shown by her superior during the performance review meeting.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple), reflexive verb, past participle used adjectivally.
O estilo de liderança autoritário do novo gerente tende a enervar os funcionários mais autônomos.
The new manager's authoritarian leadership style tends to enervate the more autonomous employees.
Verb 'tender a' + infinitive, comparative adjective.
Ficamos consideravelmente enervados com a notícia de que o projeto seria descontinuado sem justificativa clara.
We became considerably enervated by the news that the project would be discontinued without clear justification.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'ficar' + adverb 'consideravelmente' + adjective 'enervados', subordinate clause.
A recalcitrância da administração em abordar as questões sindicais mais prementes não fazia senão enervar ainda mais os trabalhadores.
The administration's recalcitrance in addressing the most pressing union issues did nothing but further enervate the workers.
Subjunctive in the past ('fazer senão'), comparative adverb 'ainda mais'.
Ele se enerva com uma facilidade desconcertante quando seus argumentos, por mais bem fundamentados que sejam, são refutados por falácias ad hominem.
He gets enervated with disconcerting ease when his arguments, however well-founded, are refuted by ad hominem fallacies.
Reflexive verb, adverbial phrase 'com uma facilidade desconcertante', concessive clause with subjunctive.
A proposital ambiguidade da legislação em matéria de propriedade intelectual pode enervar os criadores, cerceando sua capacidade de inovação.
The deliberate ambiguity of intellectual property legislation can enervate creators, curtailing their capacity for innovation.
Modal verb 'pode' + infinitive, gerund phrase acting as a consequence.
Não se enerve com as diatribes daqueles que se opõem ao progresso; mantenha a serenidade e a visão estratégica.
Don't get enervated by the diatribes of those who oppose progress; maintain serenity and strategic vision.
Negative imperative, reflexive verb, imperative of 'manter', possessive adjective.
A perpétua incerteza quanto à estabilidade do mercado financeiro global me enerva profundamente, especialmente considerando as complexas interconexões geopolíticas.
The perpetual uncertainty regarding the stability of the global financial market enervates me deeply, especially considering the complex geopolitical interconnections.
Simple present tense, adverb 'profundamente', participial phrase of consideration.
Ela se enervou com a desfaçatez com que o comitê rejeitou sua proposta, apesar de todo o trabalho árduo investido.
She got enervated by the brazenness with which the committee rejected her proposal, despite all the hard work invested.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple), reflexive verb, concessive clause with 'apesar de'.
O estilo de gestão maquiavélico do novo CEO tende a enervar os colaboradores que valorizam a transparência e a ética nos negócios.
The new CEO's Machiavellian management style tends to enervate collaborators who value transparency and business ethics.
Verb 'tender a' + infinitive, relative clause.
Ficamos irremediavelmente enervados com a notícia de que o projeto, após anos de desenvolvimento, seria arquivado sumariamente por motivos políticos.
We became irremediably enervated by the news that the project, after years of development, would be summarily shelved for political reasons.
Pretérito Perfeito (past simple) of 'ficar' + adverb 'irremediavelmente' + adjective 'enervados', subordinate clause with appositive phrase.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— It tests one's patience / makes one impatient.
Essa lentidão enerva a paciência.
Often Confused With
'Enervado' is the adjective form, meaning 'nervous' or 'agitated'. 'Enervar' is the verb, meaning 'to make nervous or agitated'. So, 'Ele está enervado' means 'He is agitated', while 'Isso o enerva' means 'That enervates him'.
'Irritar' means to irritate or annoy. While similar, 'enervar' often implies a deeper sense of nervousness or agitation, whereas 'irritar' can be a more surface-level annoyance.
'Preocupar' means to worry. Worry is a specific type of anxiety focused on future outcomes, while 'enervar' is a broader term for causing nervousness or agitation.
Idioms & Expressions
— To fray one's nerves; to make someone feel extremely nervous or agitated.
O barulho constante da sirene estava a enervar os meus nervos.
Informal— To try someone's patience; to make someone lose their patience due to annoyance or frustration.
A insistência dele em pedir dinheiro enerva a minha paciência.
Informal— To get agitated or annoyed by noise.
Eu me enervo com o barulho alto de música.
Neutral— To become impatient or anxious due to waiting.
Ela se enerva com a espera longa na fila do banco.
Neutral— Don't get agitated, take a deep breath.
Sei que a situação é difícil, mas não se enerve, respire fundo.
Informal/Advice— To overwhelm or agitate the senses, making it hard to focus.
As luzes piscantes e o som alto enervavam os seus sentidos.
Figurative/Literary— To demoralize or dishearten someone.
A sucessão de más notícias começou a enervar o espírito da equipa.
Figurative/Literary— To disturb someone's peace or calmness.
A sua chegada inesperada enervou a calma da tarde.
Neutral— To affect the nervous system, causing stress or agitation.
O estresse crônico pode enervar o sistema nervoso.
Medical/Figurative— To disrupt someone's ability to concentrate.
O zumbido constante enerva a minha concentração para estudar.
NeutralEasily Confused
Both verbs describe causing negative feelings in others.
'Irritar' typically refers to causing annoyance or vexation, a more surface-level feeling. 'Enervar' suggests causing a deeper state of nervousness, agitation, or unease, often affecting one's composure more significantly.
O barulho me irrita (annoyance), mas a situação me enerva (nervousness/agitation).
Both can describe causing unrest or making someone uneasy.
'Agitar' can also mean to shake or stir physically, or to incite unrest in a group. When used for people, it implies making them restless or disturbed. 'Enervar' specifically targets the feeling of nervousness or anxiety.
A notícia agitou a multidão (incited unrest), mas a incerteza me enerva (makes me nervous).
Both verbs describe causing distress or unease.
'Perturbar' means to disturb or upset, often implying a disruption of peace or order. 'Enervar' is more focused on the psychological reaction of nervousness and agitation caused by that disturbance.
A interrupção perturbou a reunião (disrupted it), e a falta de clareza me enervou (made me nervous).
This is a very direct translation and common alternative.
'Enervar' is a single verb, often considered slightly more formal or literary than the phrase 'deixar nervoso'. 'Deixar nervoso' is more colloquial and straightforward.
O filme me enervou. / O filme me deixou nervoso.
It's the adjectival form derived from the verb.
'Enervar' is the action of causing nervousness. 'Enervado' is the state of being nervous or agitated. You 'enervar' someone, and someone 'está enervado'.
A situação o enervou (verb). Ele ficou enervado (adjective).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + enerva + Object.
O barulho me enerva.
Subject + se + enerva.
Ele se enerva.
Subject + enerva + Object + (adverb).
A demora enerva-me bastante.
Subject + se + enerva + com + Cause.
Ela se enerva com o barulho.
Subject + pode + enervar + Object.
Isso pode me enervar.
Subject + se + enerva + quando + Clause.
Ele se enerva quando é criticado.
Subject + tende a + enervar + Object.
O trânsito tende a enervar os motoristas.
Gerund + enervar + Object.
O constante questionamento está enervando o diretor.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common, especially in spoken language and informal writing.
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Using 'enervar' when meaning 'to worry'.
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Use 'preocupar' for worry.
'Enervar' means to cause nervousness or agitation. 'Preocupar' means to cause worry about a specific future event or outcome. While worry can lead to nervousness, 'preocupar' is more specific.
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Forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'se' when the subject feels nervous.
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Eu me enervo.
If you are the one feeling nervous, you must use the reflexive form. 'Eu enervo' means 'I make someone else nervous'. So, 'Eu me enervo' is correct for 'I get nervous'.
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Confusing 'enervar' (verb) with 'enervado' (adjective).
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A situação o enerva. Ele está enervado.
'Enervar' is the action of causing nervousness. 'Enervado' is the state of being nervous. The first sentence describes the cause; the second describes the effect on the person.
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Using 'enervar' for very mild annoyance.
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Use 'incomodar' or 'irritar' for milder feelings.
'Enervar' implies a more significant level of nervousness or agitation than simple annoyance. For minor issues, 'incomodar' (to bother) or 'irritar' (to irritate) might be more appropriate.
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Incorrect conjugation in different tenses.
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Ensure correct verb endings for each tense and subject.
Like any verb, 'enervar' needs proper conjugation. For example, 'ele enerva' (present), 'ele enervou' (past simple), 'ele enervava' (past imperfect). Learners must practice these conjugations.
Tips
Active vs. Reflexive
Remember the distinction: 'X enerva Y' means X causes Y to be nervous. 'Y se enerva' means Y becomes nervous. Pay attention to who is doing the causing and who is feeling the effect.
Stress the Second Syllable
The stress in 'enervar' falls on the second syllable: en-ER-var. Practicing this rhythm will help you pronounce it correctly and sound more natural.
Use with Prepositions
When using the reflexive form 'se enervar', it's often followed by 'com' or 'por' to indicate the source of the agitation. For example, 'Ele se enerva com a demora' (He gets agitated with the delay).
Connect to 'Nerves'
The word 'enervar' is clearly related to 'nerves'. Think of it as directly affecting someone's nervous system, making them jumpy or agitated. This connection can aid recall.
vs. Irritar
While both mean to cause negative feelings, 'enervar' often implies a deeper nervousness or agitation, whereas 'irritar' is more about annoyance. Consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.
Create Your Own Sentences
Actively use 'enervar' in your own sentences, describing things that annoy or make you nervous. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
From 'Weakening' to 'Nervousness'
The word originally meant to weaken physically. Now it refers to weakening someone's composure by making them nervous. This evolution shows how word meanings can shift.
Listen for Reflexive Use
Pay attention to how native speakers use 'se enervar' to describe their own reactions to stress or annoyance. This is a very common construction.
Vary Your Vocabulary
Instead of always saying 'makes me nervous', try using 'enervar' to add variety and precision to your descriptions of agitation or unease.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone whose nerves are being 'pulled out' one by one. This intense feeling of having your nerves stressed and exposed makes you extremely nervous and agitated. So, 'enervar' is like pulling out nerves, making someone nervous.
Visual Association
Picture a tightly wound spring that is about to snap. The tension building up is the state of being enervated, and the action of someone pushing down on the spring is the act of 'enervar'. Or, imagine someone with visible nerves on the outside of their body, and someone poking them, making them jumpy and nervous.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'enervar' in at least three different sentences describing things that make you feel nervous or agitated. For example, 'The loud music enervates me,' 'His constant interruptions enervate my concentration,' and 'The uncertainty of the situation enervates her.'
Word Origin
The word 'enervar' comes from the Latin verb 'enervare', which itself is derived from 'nervus', meaning 'nerve' or 'sinew'. The prefix 'e-' means 'out' or 'away from'. Thus, the original sense was to 'take the sinews out of', implying to weaken or disable.
Original meaning: To weaken, to deprive of strength or vigor, to disable.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > PortugueseCultural Context
The verb 'enervar' describes a negative emotional state. When using it, be mindful of the context and the potential impact on the listener. It's generally appropriate for describing common human experiences of stress and annoyance, but avoid using it to trivialize serious psychological distress.
In English, synonyms like 'to make nervous,' 'to agitate,' 'to unnerve,' or 'to exasperate' capture similar meanings. The English word 'enervate' exists but primarily means to weaken or drain of energy, which is a related but slightly different concept from causing nervousness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Everyday Annoyances
- O barulho me enerva.
- Essa demora me enerva.
- Ele se enerva com facilidade.
Workplace Stress
- A burocracia enerva os funcionários.
- O chefe se enerva com atrasos.
- Não se enerve com o prazo.
Interpersonal Conflicts
- A insistência dele me enerva.
- Ela se enerva quando a interrompem.
- O comportamento dele enerva a todos.
Dealing with Problems
- A incerteza me enerva.
- Não se enerve com o problema.
- A situação pode me enervar.
Media and News
- As notícias enervam o público.
- A instabilidade política enerva a população.
- Fiquei enervado com o que li.
Conversation Starters
"What kind of things tend to enervate you?"
"Can you describe a time when someone's actions really enervated you?"
"How do you deal with situations that enervate you?"
"What's the difference between feeling 'enervado' and just 'irritado'?"
"Have you ever seen someone else get completely enervated by something?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a situation where you felt enervated. What caused it, and how did you react?
Think about someone you know who gets enervated easily. What triggers them, and how do they behave?
What are your personal strategies for not becoming enervated by everyday annoyances?
Write a short story where a character tries to enervate another character. What is their goal?
Reflect on the word 'enervar'. How does it compare to other words you know for nervousness or agitation?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Enervar' generally implies causing a deeper state of nervousness, agitation, or unease, affecting one's composure. 'Irritar' typically refers to causing annoyance or vexation, which can be a more surface-level feeling. While there's overlap, 'enervar' suggests a more pronounced psychological impact.
When you want to say that *you* are feeling nervous or agitated, you use the reflexive form: 'Eu me enervo' (I get nervous/agitated). For example, 'Eu me enervo com barulhos altos.' (I get nervous with loud noises).
Yes, 'enervar' is a common verb in Portuguese, particularly in spoken language and informal writing. It's frequently used to describe the causes of nervousness or agitation in everyday situations.
Yes, figuratively. While it primarily describes causing nervousness in people, you might hear it used poetically or metaphorically. For example, 'O vento uivante parecia enervar as árvores' (The howling wind seemed to agitate the trees). However, its primary use is for people.
The English word 'enervate' primarily means to weaken or drain of energy or vitality. While related to a loss of composure, the Portuguese 'enervar' specifically focuses on causing nervousness, agitation, or anxiety, rather than just a general weakening.
'Enervar' suggests a noticeable level of nervousness or agitation, more than mild annoyance. It implies that someone's state of calm is being disturbed, leading to discomfort or unease. It's not typically used for extreme distress but rather for moderate to significant feelings of being on edge.
Yes, absolutely. For example, 'A espera me enervou' (The wait enervated me - past simple), or 'Ele se enervava com as críticas' (He used to get enervated by criticism - past imperfect).
The noun form is 'enervação', which means the act or state of being enervated, or the feeling of nervousness/agitation itself.
You would say 'Não me enerve!' (This is the negative imperative, 'enervate me'). If you mean 'don't get enervated,' you'd say 'Não se enerve!'
Common examples include: loud noises, constant interruptions, long waits, uncertainty, criticism, and sometimes the unpredictable behavior of others.
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Summary
The verb 'enervar' is used to describe the action of causing nervousness, anxiety, or agitation in someone else. For example, 'The constant noise enervates me.' The reflexive form, 'se enervar', means 'to become nervous' or 'to get agitated', as in 'He gets enervated easily.'
- Enervar means to make someone nervous or agitated.
- It's about causing a feeling of unease or irritation.
- Use 'enervar' when one thing or person makes another feel stressed.
- The reflexive form 'se enervar' means 'to become nervous'.
Active vs. Reflexive
Remember the distinction: 'X enerva Y' means X causes Y to be nervous. 'Y se enerva' means Y becomes nervous. Pay attention to who is doing the causing and who is feeling the effect.
Stress the Second Syllable
The stress in 'enervar' falls on the second syllable: en-ER-var. Practicing this rhythm will help you pronounce it correctly and sound more natural.
Context is Key
While 'enervar' means to make nervous, the specific context will tell you *why*. Is it a loud noise, an annoying person, or a stressful situation? Understanding the cause helps you use the word more precisely.
Use with Prepositions
When using the reflexive form 'se enervar', it's often followed by 'com' or 'por' to indicate the source of the agitation. For example, 'Ele se enerva com a demora' (He gets agitated with the delay).
Example
O atraso constante começou a me enervar.
Related Content
More emotions words
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
