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A2 verb #7,500 most common 7 min read

enojar-se

Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips enojar-se in 30 Seconds

Explanation enojar-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the complex verb 'enojar-se' often. Instead, you should recognize the word 'nojo' which means 'disgust.' If you want to say something is gross, you say 'Que nojo!' (How gross!). 'Enojar-se' is the action of feeling that 'nojo.' Think of it as the 'feeling' version of the noun. You might see it in simple stories about food that tastes bad or a place that is very dirty. Focus on the reflexive pronoun 'me' (myself) that goes with it: 'Eu me enojo' (I get disgusted). It is a good word to learn early because it helps you express strong feelings about things you don't like at all.

At the A2 level, you are starting to use reflexive verbs like 'vestir-se' (to dress oneself). 'Enojar-se' works exactly the same way. You use it to describe your reaction to unpleasant things. At this level, you should be able to use it in the present tense to talk about things that bother you. For example, 'Eu me enojo com a sujeira' (I get disgusted with the dirt). You are also learning that Portuguese verbs often need a preposition after them. With 'enojar-se,' we usually use 'com' (with). It is a more formal way to say 'ficar com nojo.' Learning this word helps you sound more like a native speaker who can express emotions clearly.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'enojar-se' in different tenses, including the past (Pretérito Perfeito). You can now use it to describe past experiences, such as a bad meal or a disappointing social situation. 'Eu me enojei quando vi as notícias' (I felt revulsion when I saw the news). You should also understand the difference between the physical feeling of disgust and the moral feeling. At this level, you can start using it to discuss social issues in a simple way. You are moving beyond just 'bad food' and starting to talk about 'bad behavior' or 'injustice' using this verb.

At the B2 level, you can use 'enojar-se' to express nuanced opinions and arguments. You understand that this verb carries a certain weight and is often found in news articles or more formal debates. You should be able to use it in the subjunctive mood to express hypothetical feelings: 'Eu temo que o público se enoje com esta decisão' (I fear the public might feel revulsion at this decision). You can also distinguish it from similar verbs like 'repugnar' or 'abominar.' Your usage should reflect an understanding of register—knowing that 'enojar-se' is more formal than 'ficar com nojo' but very effective for emphasizing a point in a written essay or a serious conversation.

At the C1 level, you use 'enojar-se' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its literary connotations and can use it to describe complex psychological states. You might use it when analyzing a character in a book or discussing the ethical implications of a political policy. You are familiar with the placement of the reflexive pronoun in both Brazilian and European Portuguese (e.g., 'se enojar' vs 'enojar-se'). You also recognize the word in its more archaic or poetic contexts. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'enojar-se' is just one of several tools you have to describe negative reactions, and you choose it specifically when you want to emphasize a visceral, almost physical sense of rejection.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'enojar-se' and its place in the Portuguese language's history and various dialects. You can use it in highly formal speeches, academic papers, or creative writing to evoke a specific emotional response in your audience. You understand the subtle differences in how the verb might be perceived in Lisbon versus São Paulo or Luanda. You can use it in complex grammatical structures, such as the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive, without hesitation. For a C2 learner, 'enojar-se' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual tool for exploring the boundaries of human morality and sensory experience through the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

enojar-se in 30 Seconds

Enojar-se is a reflexive Portuguese verb meaning to feel disgust or revulsion toward something physical or moral.
It requires reflexive pronouns like 'me', 'se', or 'nos' to indicate who is feeling the disgust.
The verb is commonly followed by the prepositions 'com' or 'de' to link to the cause of the feeling.
While 'ter nojo' is more common in casual talk, 'enojar-se' is preferred in formal or literary contexts.

The Portuguese verb enojar-se is a reflexive verb that translates most directly to "to become disgusted" or "to feel revulsion." It is intrinsically linked to the noun nojo (disgust or nausea). While in English we might say "that grosses me out," the Portuguese pronominal form enojar-se describes the internal state of the person experiencing the feeling. It is a powerful word because it bridges the gap between a physical sensation—like the urge to vomit from a foul smell—and a moral or social reaction—like the feeling of deep disapproval toward a corrupt act. When you use enojar-se, you are communicating that something has crossed a boundary of decency or cleanliness to the point that it causes a visceral reaction.

Physical Disgust: This refers to the immediate sensory reaction to something unpleasant, such as rotting food, waste, or insects. For example: "Eu me enojei com o estado daquela cozinha antiga." (I felt disgusted by the state of that old kitchen.)
Moral Indignation: This describes a psychological or ethical revulsion. It is used when witnessing injustice or cruelty. For example: "O público enojou-se com as mentiras do político durante o debate." (The public felt revulsion at the politician's lies during the debate.)

Ao ver como os animais eram tratados, ela não pôde deixar de enojar-se profundamente com a situação.

In everyday conversation, Portuguese speakers might use the phrase "ter nojo de" more frequently for physical things, but enojar-se adds a level of literary weight and emotional depth. It suggests a process—a moment where the disgust takes hold of the subject. It is also important to note that the verb requires the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) to match the subject. Without the pronoun, enojar means "to cause disgust in someone else," but the pronominal form focuses on the person feeling the emotion.

Usage in Literature: Classical Portuguese authors often use this verb to describe characters who are disillusioned with society. It represents a total rejection of the environment surrounding them.

Muitos jovens acabam por enojar-se da política partidária tradicional.

Using enojar-se correctly requires attention to the reflexive pronouns and the tense of the action. Since it is a first-conjugation verb ending in -ar, it follows a regular pattern, but the pronominal aspect is crucial. When you want to express that you are currently feeling disgust, you would use the present tense: "Eu me enojo." If the feeling happened in the past, you use the preterite: "Eu me enojei."

Reflexive Pronoun Placement: In Brazilian Portuguese, the pronoun usually comes before the verb (Próclise): "Ele se enojou." In formal European Portuguese, it often comes after the verb (Ênclise): "Enojou-se."

Nós nos enojamos com o cheiro de comida estragada no fundo da geladeira.

When constructing sentences with more complex ideas, such as hypothetical scenarios, the future subjunctive or the conditional can be used. For instance, "Se você visse o que eu vi, você se enojaria também." (If you saw what I saw, you would feel revulsion too.) This shows how the verb functions as a reaction to external stimuli. It is almost always followed by the preposition 'com' (with) to indicate the source of the disgust.

Transitive vs. Reflexive: "O lixo enoja os pedestres" (The trash disgusts the pedestrians) vs. "Os pedestres se enojam com o lixo" (The pedestrians feel disgusted by the trash). The reflexive focus is on the feeling of the subject.

Eles enojaram-se tanto que decidiram sair do restaurante imediatamente.

You will encounter enojar-se in several specific contexts. In news reports, especially those dealing with corruption scandals, environmental disasters, or human rights abuses, journalists often use this verb to describe the public's reaction. It conveys a sense of collective moral outrage that words like 'irritar-se' (to get annoyed) simply cannot capture. In a courtroom setting, a lawyer might describe a witness's reaction to a crime by saying they 'enojaram-se' with the brutality of the act.

News and Media: Headlines like "A população se enoja com a nova taxa de impostos" imply that the tax is not just high, but morally offensive or absurd.
Literary and Academic Discourse: In essays discussing sociology or psychology, researchers use 'enojar-se' to describe the human response to 'the other' or to social decay.

É impossível não enojar-se diante de tamanha injustiça social no mundo moderno.

In casual conversation, while 'ter nojo' is more common for physical things, you might hear a more educated or older speaker use 'enojar-se' to emphasize their disdain. If someone says, "Eu me enojo só de pensar nisso," they are expressing that the mere thought of a situation is enough to make them feel physically or morally sick. It is a word that carries the weight of one's personal values and standards of hygiene or ethics.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is forgetting the reflexive pronoun. In English, "to disgust" is usually transitive (Something disgusts me), but in Portuguese, to express the feeling, you must use the reflexive form. Saying "Eu enojei com o filme" is grammatically incomplete; it should be "Eu me enojei com o filme." Without the 'me', the sentence feels like a verb waiting for an object that never arrives.

Confusing with 'Aborrecer-se': Learners often use 'aborrecer-se' (to get annoyed/bored) when they actually mean 'enojar-se'. Disgust is much stronger than annoyance. Use 'enojar-se' only for things that are truly repulsive.
Incorrect Preposition: Avoid using 'por' or 'para' after the verb. Use 'com' or 'de'. Example: "Enojou-se com a atitude" is correct. "Enojou-se para a atitude" is incorrect.

Errado: Eu enojei da comida.
Correto: Eu me enojei da comida.

Another mistake is overusing the word. Because it is a strong term, using it for minor inconveniences can make you sound overly dramatic. If your coffee is just cold, you aren't 'enojado'; you are 'desapontado' (disappointed). Reserve 'enojar-se' for situations where there is a genuine sense of filth, corruption, or deep moral failing. Finally, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'j'. In Portuguese, it sounds like the 's' in 'pleasure', not the 'j' in 'jump'.

While enojar-se is a precise word for revulsion, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Understanding the spectrum of disgust will help you choose the right term for the right situation.

Enojar-se vs. Ter nojo: 'Ter nojo' is the idiomatic way to say 'to feel disgust.' It is more common in speech. 'Enojar-se' is the formal verb form of this feeling.
Enojar-se vs. Repugnar: 'Repugnar' usually describes the object causing the feeling. "Isso me repugna" (This repulses me). 'Enojar-se' focuses on your internal reaction.
Enojar-se vs. Horrorizar-se: 'Horrorizar-se' implies shock and fear in addition to disgust. It is used for violent or terrifying events.

Em vez de apenas enojar-se, ele sentiu uma profunda tristeza pelo ocorrido.

If you are looking for a more casual Brazilian slang term, you might hear 'ficar com gastura', which describes a specific kind of physical discomfort or 'cringe' feeling, though it's not a direct synonym for 'enojar-se'. In Portugal, 'ficar mal disposto' can mean feeling sick to your stomach, which overlaps with the physical side of being 'enojado'. However, for moral revulsion, 'enojar-se' remains the most sophisticated and accurate choice.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'nojo' in Old Portuguese also meant 'grief' or 'sorrow.' This is why in some very old texts, 'enojar-se' might seem to mean becoming sad or tired of something.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /e.noˈʒaɾ.se/

US /e.noˈʒaɾ.si/

The primary stress is on the syllable 'jar'.

Rhymes With

cansar-se lembrar-se queixar-se sentar-se banhar-se magoar-se zangar-se calar-se

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'j' like the English 'j' in 'jump'. It should be soft.
Pronouncing the 'e' at the start too broadly like 'ay'. It's more neutral.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'r' in 'jar' (though it is often silent or aspirated in some Brazilian dialects).
Treating 'se' as a separate stressed word instead of an enclitic/proclitic.
Mistaking the 'o' for a 'u' sound too early.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'nojo', but reflexive forms can be tricky.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct pronoun placement and preposition usage.

Speaking 4/5

The 'j' sound and reflexive flow take practice for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clearly audible, but 'me enojo' can sound like one word.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Nojo Sujeira Sentir Com Mal

Learn Next

Repugnar Abominar Escandalizar-se Indignar-se Náusea

Advanced

Visceral Abjeção Pusilânime Torpe Putrefação

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Eu me enojo (Brazil) vs. Enojo-me (Portugal).

Prepositional Agreement

Enojar-se COM algo (standard preposition).

Subjunctive for Emotions

É triste que ele se enoje de tudo.

Infinitive Personal

Para nos enojarmos, basta olhar para o lado.

Passive Se vs Reflexive Se

Enoja-se com isso (Reflexive) vs Enoja-se o ambiente (Passive - rare for this verb).

Examples by Level

Eu me enojo com o lixo.

I get disgusted with the trash.

Simple present tense with reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Ela se enoja com insetos.

She gets disgusted with insects.

Third person singular 'se enoja'.

Você se enoja fácil?

Do you get disgusted easily?

Question form using the reflexive verb.

Nós nos enojamos aqui.

We get disgusted here.

First person plural 'nos enojamos'.

Eles se enojam do cheiro.

They get disgusted by the smell.

Using 'de' (of/by) as the preposition.

Não se enoje com isso.

Don't get disgusted by that.

Negative imperative form.

O gato se enoja com a água?

Does the cat get disgusted with the water?

Personification using the reflexive verb.

Eu me enojo com comida fria.

I get disgusted with cold food.

Expressing a personal preference/reaction.

Ontem, eu me enojei no restaurante.

Yesterday, I got disgusted at the restaurant.

Preterite tense of a reflexive verb.

Ele se enojou com a sujeira do hotel.

He got disgusted with the hotel's dirtiness.

Past tense 'se enojou'.

Nós nos enojamos com o comportamento dele.

We got disgusted with his behavior.

Using the verb for moral/social disapproval.

Você vai se enojar se entrar lá.

You are going to get disgusted if you go in there.

Future with 'ir' + reflexive infinitive.

Elas se enojaram com a notícia.

They got disgusted with the news.

Third person plural preterite.

Eu sempre me enojo com esse filme.

I always get disgusted with this movie.

Using 'sempre' to show a recurring reaction.

Por que você se enojou tanto?

Why did you get so disgusted?

Interrogative in the past tense.

A criança se enojou com os vegetais.

The child got disgusted with the vegetables.

Subject-verb agreement with a singular noun.

Se eu visse aquilo, eu me enojaria.

If I saw that, I would get disgusted.

Conditional tense 'enojaria'.

É normal se enojar com tamanha injustiça.

It is normal to feel revulsion at such injustice.

Impersonal expression with infinitive.

Espero que você não se enoje com o cheiro.

I hope you don't get disgusted by the smell.

Present subjunctive 'se enoje'.

Ela tinha se enojado com a atitude do chefe.

She had become disgusted with the boss's attitude.

Past perfect tense.

Nós nos enojaríamos se soubéssemos a verdade.

We would feel revulsion if we knew the truth.

Conditional mood with a 'se' clause.

Muitas pessoas se enojam com a corrupção.

Many people feel revulsion toward corruption.

General statement in the present tense.

Ele se enojou ao perceber a mentira.

He felt disgusted upon realizing the lie.

Preposition 'ao' + infinitive to indicate time.

Não quero que eles se enojem da nossa casa.

I don't want them to get disgusted with our house.

Subjunctive after 'querer que'.

O público enojou-se com o desfecho do escândalo.

The public felt revulsion at the outcome of the scandal.

Ênclise (pronoun after verb), common in formal writing.

É impossível não se enojar perante tal crueldade.

It is impossible not to feel revulsion in the face of such cruelty.

Use of 'perante' (in the face of) with the verb.

Caso ele se enoje, teremos que mudar o plano.

In case he gets disgusted, we will have to change the plan.

Future subjunctive 'se enoje'.

Ela se enojara com a vida urbana e mudou-se para o campo.

She had become disgusted with urban life and moved to the country.

Pluperfect tense (literary form).

Enojar-se com a própria sombra é sinal de depressão.

To be disgusted with one's own shadow is a sign of depression.

Infinitive as a subject.

Embora se enoje, ele continua trabalhando ali.

Although he feels revulsion, he continues working there.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

Eles se enojariam se vissem os bastidores da política.

They would feel revulsion if they saw the backstage of politics.

Conditional mood for hypothetical scenarios.

A sociedade enoja-se com a falta de ética.

Society feels revulsion at the lack of ethics.

Generic subject 'a sociedade' with formal pronoun placement.

O filósofo enojou-se da hipocrisia inerente ao discurso.

The philosopher felt revulsion at the hypocrisy inherent in the speech.

High-level vocabulary and formal syntax.

Tendo-se enojado com a situação, ele pediu demissão.

Having become disgusted with the situation, he resigned.

Gerund compound with reflexive pronoun.

É mister que a juventude não se enoje da participação cívica.

It is essential that the youth do not become disgusted with civic participation.

Formal expression 'é mister que' + subjunctive.

Enojar-se-ia qualquer um que presenciasse tal barbárie.

Anyone who witnessed such barbarity would feel revulsion.

Mesóclise (pronoun in the middle of the verb), very formal.

Sua alma enojou-se das vaidades mundanas.

His soul felt revulsion at worldly vanities.

Metaphorical use of the verb.

A crítica enojou-se com a mediocridade da obra premiada.

The critics felt revulsion at the mediocrity of the prize-winning work.

Collective noun 'a crítica' as the subject.

Quem quer que se enoje com a verdade, prefere a ilusão.

Whoever feels revulsion toward the truth prefers illusion.

Relative clause 'Quem quer que'.

Enojamo-nos com a facilidade com que se mente hoje em dia.

We feel revulsion at the ease with which people lie nowadays.

Formal first person plural with ênclise.

A fenomenologia do enojar-se revela as fronteiras do eu.

The phenomenology of feeling revulsion reveals the boundaries of the self.

Using the infinitive as a philosophical noun.

Oxalá não nos enojemos da nossa própria humanidade.

May we not feel revulsion at our own humanity.

Use of the archaic/poetic 'Oxalá' + subjunctive.

O autor descreve como o protagonista se enojou visceralmente da existência.

The author describes how the protagonist felt viscerally disgusted with existence.

Adverbial intensification 'visceralmente'.

Ainda que se enojasse, permanecia impávido diante do horror.

Even if he felt revulsion, he remained undaunted in the face of horror.

Imperfect subjunctive in a concessive clause.

Enojara-se outrora do que agora lhe parecia aceitável.

He had once felt revulsion at what now seemed acceptable to him.

Literary pluperfect and the adverb 'outrora'.

Não há quem não se enoje perante o descalabro ético da instituição.

There is no one who does not feel revulsion in the face of the institution's ethical collapse.

Double negative 'Não há quem não' for emphasis.

A estética do feio convida o espectador a enojar-se para depois transcender.

The aesthetics of the ugly invites the spectator to feel revulsion and then transcend.

Complex purpose clause.

Enojar-se-iam os ancestrais se vissem o desperdício de hoje.

The ancestors would feel revulsion if they saw today's waste.

Mesóclise with conditional mood.

Common Collocations

Enojar-se com a injustiça

Enojar-se com o cheiro

Enojar-se profundamente

Enojar-se com a corrupção

Enojar-se da vida

Enojar-se com a comida

Enojar-se com a mentira

Enojar-se com o lixo

Enojar-se com a hipocrisia

Enojar-se com o descaso

Common Phrases

Não se enoje!

— Don't get grossed out! Used as a warning.

Vou abrir a geladeira velha, mas não se enoje!

É de se enojar.

— It's enough to make one sick. Used to describe a situation.

A condição daquela escola é de se enojar.

Enojar-se por nada.

— To get disgusted over nothing. Used for sensitive people.

Ele é muito fresco, se enoja por nada.

Sinto-me enojado.

— I feel disgusted. A common way to state the current state.

Sinto-me enojado com o que você disse.

Para não se enojar...

— In order not to get disgusted... Used for advice.

Para não se enojar, não olhe para o chão.

Enojar-se com o mundo.

— To be disgusted with the world. Describes general cynicism.

Depois da guerra, ele se enojou com o mundo.

Começar a se enojar.

— To start feeling revulsion.

Comecei a me enojar com as promessas falsas.

Enojar-se de vez.

— To get disgusted once and for all.

Ele se enojou de vez daquela empresa e saiu.

Quase se enojar.

— To almost feel sick with disgust.

Eu quase me enojei ao ver o prato.

Enojar-se com a própria espécie.

— To be disgusted with mankind.

Às vezes, a gente se enoja com a própria espécie.

Often Confused With

enojar-se vs Enjoar-se

This means to get motion sick or bored. 'Enojar-se' is about disgust. One letter makes a big difference!

enojar-se vs Aborrecer-se

Means to get annoyed or bored. It is much weaker than the revulsion of 'enojar-se'.

enojar-se vs Zangar-se

Means to get angry. While you might be angry and disgusted, they are different emotions.

Idioms & Expressions

"Enojar o estômago"

— To make one's stomach turn. While the verb is 'enojar' (transitive), the feeling is the same.

Essa história enoja o estômago de qualquer um.

Colloquial

"De dar nojo"

— Disgusting enough to cause 'nojo'. Closely related to the verb.

Aquele comportamento é de dar nojo.

Common

"Virar o estômago"

— To turn the stomach. A more physical idiom for disgust.

Ver aquilo me virou o estômago.

Informal

"Não engolir"

— To not swallow something (metaphorically), to find it repulsive or unacceptable.

Eu não engoli aquela desculpa esfarrapada.

Colloquial

"Cheio até o pescoço"

— Full up to the neck, meaning one is fed up or disgusted with a situation.

Estou cheio até o pescoço de tanta mentira.

Informal

"Ter estômago forte"

— To have a strong stomach, the opposite of someone who 'se enoja' easily.

Para ser médico legista, é preciso ter estômago forte.

Common

"Lavar as mãos"

— To wash one's hands of something, often because they 'se enojaram' with it.

Enojei-me com a briga e lavei as mãos.

Neutral

"Ficar com o pé atrás"

— To be suspicious, sometimes after being 'enojado' by a previous experience.

Depois daquela fraude, fiquei com o pé atrás.

Informal

"Cuspir no prato que comeu"

— To spit in the plate you ate from. Used when someone 'se enoja' of something they used to benefit from.

Ele saiu da empresa falando mal; cuspiu no prato que comeu.

Colloquial

"Morder a língua"

— To bite one's tongue. Sometimes you 'se enoja' but have to stay quiet.

Eu me enojei com o que ele disse, mas tive que morder a língua.

Informal

Easily Confused

enojar-se vs Enjoar

Similar spelling and sound.

Enjoar relates to nausea from movement or boredom; Enojar relates to disgust or revulsion.

Eu enjoo no carro (I get car sick) vs Eu me enojo com o lixo (I get disgusted by the trash).

enojar-se vs Enganar-se

Reflexive verb with similar prefix.

Enganar-se means to make a mistake or be mistaken.

Eu me enganei de caminho (I took the wrong way).

enojar-se vs Enojar

Non-reflexive vs reflexive.

Enojar is 'to cause disgust in someone'; Enojar-se is 'to feel disgust yourself'.

Isso enoja as pessoas vs As pessoas se enojam com isso.

enojar-se vs Anojado

Related root.

Anojado can specifically mean 'in mourning' in archaic contexts, though now it's a synonym for 'enojado'.

Ele estava anojado (He was in mourning - old usage).

enojar-se vs Nojento

Adjective form.

Nojento is the quality of the object; Enojar-se is the action of the subject.

O rato é nojento vs Eu me enojo com o rato.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + [Reflexive Pronoun] + [Enojar (Present)] + com + [Noun].

Eu me enojo com a bagunça.

[Subject] + [Reflexive Pronoun] + [Enojar (Preterite)] + ao ver + [Noun].

Ela se enojou ao ver o inseto.

É [Adjective] que [Subject] se enoje com [Noun].

É natural que você se enoje com a mentira.

Se [Subject] visse [Noun], [Reflexive Pronoun] se enojaria.

Se ele visse a cozinha, ele se enojaria.

[Subject] + enojou-se + de + [Abstract Noun].

O autor enojou-se da futilidade humana.

Enojar-se-ia + [Subject] + se + [Condition].

Enojar-se-ia o povo se soubesse do roubo.

Tendo-se [Subject] enojado, [Result].

Tendo-se o juiz enojado, encerrou a sessão.

Não se enoje com [Noun]!

Não se enoje com o barro!

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Medium. It is common in media and literature, less so in very casual slang.

Common Mistakes

Eu enojei com o filme. → Eu me enojei com o filme.
You must use the reflexive pronoun 'me' because the disgust is felt by you.
Ele se enojou para a comida. → Ele se enojou com a comida.
The correct preposition after 'enojar-se' is 'com' or 'de', not 'para'.
Eu me enojar com isso. → Eu me enojo com isso.
Don't forget to conjugate the verb according to the tense and person.
Confusing 'enojar' with 'enjoar'. → Eu me enojo (disgust) vs Eu enjoo (sea sickness).
Enojar has an 'o' and means disgust. Enjoar means nausea or boredom.
Using 'enojar-se' for minor things. → Eu me aborreci (I got annoyed).
Enojar-se is a very strong word. Using it for a slightly cold coffee is too dramatic.

Tips

Reflexive Rule

Never forget the reflexive pronoun. In Portuguese, feelings are often things that happen 'to yourself', so 'me enojo' is the correct way to express your own disgust.

Root Knowledge

Connect the word to 'nojo'. If you know 'nojo' (disgust), 'enojar-se' is just the verb form of that noun.

Register Awareness

Use 'enojar-se' when you want to sound more serious or educated. For a casual 'eww' moment with friends, 'que nojo' is more appropriate.

The Soft J

The 'j' in 'enojar' is like the 's' in 'treasure'. Avoid the hard 'dge' sound found in English.

Adverb Pairing

Pair 'enojar-se' with 'facilmente' (easily) if you are a sensitive person, or 'profundamente' (deeply) for big events.

Moral vs Physical

Remember this verb covers both rotting food and rotting morals. It is a very versatile word for negative reactions.

Visual Cues

When you see something gross, think the word 'enojar-se' to lock it into your long-term memory.

Spelling Trap

Don't confuse 'enojar' (disgust) with 'enjoar' (nausea/boredom). The extra 'o' in 'enojar' is the key.

Intonation

When saying 'enojar-se', let your voice reflect the feeling. A bit of emphasis on the 'jar' syllable helps convey the emotion.

Preposition Choice

Stick with 'com' for 90% of cases. It's the safest and most natural-sounding preposition for learners.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Enojar' as 'Enough! Jar!'. Imagine someone puts something so gross in a jar that you say 'Enough!' because you 'enojar-se' (get disgusted).

Visual Association

Visualize a person pushing away a plate of green, fuzzy, rotting food with a look of horror. That feeling is 'enojar-se'.

Word Web

Nojo Sujeira Repulsa Estômago Reflexivo Moral Visceral Rejeição

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'enojar-se': one about a bad smell, one about a lie, and one about a messy room.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese noun 'nojo', which comes from the Latin 'inodium' (from 'in' + 'odium', meaning hatred or ill-will).

Original meaning: Originally, it referred to a state of grief or mourning (still found in the word 'luto'), but evolved to mean physical and moral disgust.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

This is a strong word. Avoid using it to describe people's appearances or cultures, as it can be very offensive.

English speakers often say 'I'm grossed out' or 'That's disgusting.' 'Enojar-se' is the more formal, reflexive equivalent.

Found in the works of Eça de Queirós to describe the decadence of the 19th-century bourgeoisie. Used in modern Brazilian music (MPB) to critique social inequality. Commonly appears in Portuguese translations of existentialist works like Sartre's 'Nausea'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Bad Hygiene

Me enojo com a sujeira.
É impossível não se enojar.
O cheiro me fez enojar.
Não se enoje, eu vou limpar.

Moral Corruption

Enojo-me com a mentira.
A política me faz enojar.
Ele se enojou com o crime.
Sociedade enojada.

Spoiled Food

Me enojei com o leite azedo.
Cuidado para não se enojar.
O aspecto da carne me enojou.
Enojei-me e perdi o apetite.

Social Situations

Me enojo com gente falsa.
Ela se enojou da festa.
Não se enoje com eles.
Todos se enojaram do comentário.

Personal Feelings

Eu me enojo fácil.
Nunca me enojei tanto.
Sinto que vou me enojar.
Tente não se enojar.

Conversation Starters

"Você se enoja facilmente com filmes de terror ou aguenta bem?"

"Qual é a coisa que mais faz você se enojar no dia a dia?"

"Você já se enojou tanto com um restaurante que nunca mais voltou?"

"Você acha que as pessoas se enojam mais com sujeira física ou moral?"

"Você se enojaria se tivesse que limpar um sótão abandonado?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que você se enojou profundamente com uma injustiça que presenciou.

Reflita sobre a diferença entre sentir nojo de algo físico e enojar-se de uma ideia ou comportamento.

Escreva sobre um lugar que você visitou e que te fez enojar-se por causa da falta de cuidado.

Como você reage quando percebe que alguém está tentando te fazer enojar-se de outra pessoa?

Pense em um livro ou filme que fez você se enojar. Por que a obra causou essa reação?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it is considered more formal or emphatic. In daily life, Brazilians often say 'ficar com nojo' or 'ter nojo'. However, you will see 'enojar-se' in newspapers, books, and serious TV news reports.

'Enojar' (without the 'se') is transitive, meaning 'to disgust [someone]'. For example: 'O cheiro enoja os vizinhos' (The smell disgusts the neighbors). 'Enojar-se' is reflexive, meaning 'to feel disgust'. For example: 'Os vizinhos se enojam com o cheiro' (The neighbors feel disgusted by the smell).

No, that would be 'enjoar-se' (without the 'o'). 'Enojar-se' is strictly for revulsion and disgust. If you are bored with a movie, use 'enjoar-se' or 'entediar-se'.

The most common and standard preposition is 'com' (with). You can also use 'de' (of/by) in many contexts, especially in European Portuguese or literary styles.

Both are correct. 'Me enojo' is the standard in Brazil (Próclise). 'Enojo-me' is the standard in Portugal and formal Brazilian writing (Ênclise).

No. For motion sickness (cars, boats), use 'enjoar' or 'ficar enjoado'. 'Enojar-se' is for the feeling of 'grossness'.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'falar' or 'cantar', just with the reflexive pronouns added.

You can say 'Não se enoje' or 'Não fique com nojo'. The first is slightly more formal.

Absolutely. It is very effective for expressing moral revulsion toward corruption, lying, or cruelty.

The most direct opposite would be 'encantar-se' (to be charmed) or 'agradar-se' (to be pleased).