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A2 verb 12 min read

espantar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips espantar in 30 Seconds

Explanation espantar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'espantar', which is to surprise someone or to be surprised. Even though it's technically an A2 word, you can start using it in simple sentences. Think of it as a stronger version of 'surpreender'. You will mostly see it in the past tense when people talk about things that happened to them. For example: 'Eu me espantei com o gato' (I was surprised by the cat). At this stage, just remember that if you are the one feeling the surprise, you need to use 'me' before the verb. Also, learn the noun 'espantalho' (scarecrow) as a fun way to remember the verb. You don't need to worry about the complex literary uses yet. Focus on physical objects scaring things away or simple feelings of 'Wow!'. For instance, 'O barulho espantou o pássaro' (The noise scared the bird away). This is a great word to have in your 'reaction toolkit' when you want to express that something was more than just a little bit surprising. Keep your sentences short and focus on the 'me espantei' (I was surprised) pattern, as it is very common in daily life. Remember: espantar = big surprise or scaring something away.

At the A2 level, you are expected to understand that 'espantar' is a regular -ar verb and can be used in different tenses. You should be able to distinguish between the transitive use (scaring something away) and the reflexive use (being astonished). You will encounter this word in simple stories or news reports. A common phrase for this level is 'Não me espanta' (It doesn't surprise me). You should also start using the adjective 'espantado' (astonished/scared). For example: 'Ela ficou espantada com a notícia' (She was astonished by the news). You can use it to describe reactions to prices, weather, or people's behavior. At A2, you should also be comfortable using it to describe driving away pests, like flies or mosquitoes: 'Use o jornal para espantar as moscas'. This level is about expanding the contexts in which you use the word, moving from just 'feeling surprised' to 'causing surprise' or 'scaring things'. You should also notice how it changes in meaning slightly depending on whether you are talking about an animal (scare away) or a person (astonish). Practice the conjugation in the 'Pretérito Perfeito' (past) because that's where you'll use it most often to describe things that happened.

By B1, you should be using 'espantar' to express more abstract concepts. You might talk about 'espantar o tédio' (driving away boredom) or 'espantar a solidão' (driving away loneliness). This shows a deeper understanding of how the verb can be applied to mental and emotional states. You should also be familiar with the noun 'espanto' (astonishment) and use it in phrases like 'Para meu espanto...' (To my astonishment...). At this level, you should also start to recognize the difference between 'espantar' and 'assustar' more clearly. You can use 'espantar' to describe a shocking headline or a remarkable achievement. Your grammar should be more precise, ensuring that you use the correct prepositions like 'com' or 'de' after the reflexive verb. For example: 'Eles se espantaram de ver tanta gente na rua'. You can also use it in the future tense to predict reactions: 'Isso vai espantar os investidores'. The B1 level is where you start to see 'espantar' as a tool for more complex storytelling and expressing nuanced opinions about events. You might also encounter it in slightly more formal writing, such as emails or letters, where you express your astonishment at a certain situation.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of 'espantar'. You can use it to describe social and economic trends, such as 'O aumento dos impostos espantou o investimento estrangeiro' (The tax increase drove away foreign investment). You should also understand its use in negative constructions that imply predictability, such as 'Não é de espantar que a economia esteja em crise' (It's no surprise that the economy is in crisis). At this stage, you should be able to use the adjective 'espantoso' to describe something both amazing and shocking, depending on the context. You should also be able to handle the verb in the subjunctive mood: 'Espero que isso não te espante' (I hope this doesn't astonish you). You are expected to have a good grasp of the different registers; you know that 'afugentar' is a more formal alternative for scaring something away and can choose between them based on the situation. Your ability to use 'espantar' reflexively in complex sentences with multiple clauses should be well-developed. You might also use it to describe the reaction of a crowd or a public body to a major event, showing a broader social application of the word.

At the C1 level, you use 'espantar' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its philosophical connotations, especially in literature, where 'espanto' is seen as the beginning of wisdom or a deep reaction to the mystery of existence. You can use the verb in highly formal contexts, such as academic essays or professional reports, to describe the displacement of ideas or the shocking nature of data. You are familiar with literary expressions and can appreciate the use of 'espantar' in poetry and classic prose. You might use it to describe the 'deslocamento' (displacement) of a feeling: 'A nova paixão espantou as velhas mágoas'. Your use of the word is no longer just about surprise; it's about the profound impact of one thing upon another. You can also use it in complex rhetorical structures, such as 'O que mais me espanta não é a mentira, mas a facilidade com que ela foi aceita'. At this level, you have a deep sense of the word's history and its connection to other words in the family, like 'espantoso' or 'espantalho', and you use them to add color and depth to your speech and writing. You are also sensitive to the regional variations in its pronunciation and usage across the Lusophone world.

At the C2 level, 'espantar' is a tool for masterful expression. You can use it to convey the most subtle shifts in emotion and thought. You might employ it in a critique of a work of art, describing how a particular technique 'espanta o olhar' (startles the gaze) or 'espanta a tradição' (breaks away from tradition). You are capable of using it in highly sophisticated wordplay or in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of 'espanto' as a human condition. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots and how it has branched into its current meanings. You can use it to describe the scaring away of metaphysical concepts: 'A luz da razão espantou as sombras da superstição'. Your mastery allows you to use 'espantar' in any context, from the most colloquial slang to the most elevated formal discourse, always with the perfect nuance. You can navigate the subtle differences between 'espantar', 'chocar', 'estupefazer', and 'maravilhar' with ease, choosing the one that provides the exact emotional resonance required. For a C2 speaker, 'espantar' is not just a verb; it is a versatile brush in a rich linguistic palette, used to paint vivid and precise pictures of the human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

espantar in 30 Seconds

Espantar means to astonish or to drive away.
Use it reflexively (espantar-se) to say you are surprised.
It is stronger and more intense than 'surpreender'.
It also means to scare off animals or pests like flies.

The Portuguese verb espantar is a fascinating word that bridges the gap between fear and wonder. At its core, it describes a sudden reaction to something unexpected. For English speakers, it is best understood as having two primary branches of meaning: to drive something away (like scaring off a bird) and to cause a state of profound surprise or astonishment. In everyday life, you will encounter this word when someone is shocked by news, impressed by a feat, or simply trying to get rid of a nuisance. It carries a certain weight that the simple word 'surpreender' (to surprise) lacks; espantar implies a physical or emotional jolt that stops you in your tracks.

The Act of Driving Away: This is the literal, physical application. You 'espantar' flies from your food or 'espantar' birds from a garden. It suggests a movement meant to clear a space of something unwanted. In a metaphorical sense, you can 'espantar' bad thoughts or 'espantar' the blues.

O espantalho serve para espantar os pássaros da plantação de milho.

Translation: The scarecrow serves to scare away the birds from the corn plantation.

The State of Astonishment: When used reflexively as 'espantar-se', it describes the internal state of being amazed. It is that 'jaw-dropping' moment. If you see a magician perform an impossible trick, you 'se espanta' with the skill displayed. It is more intense than a mere surprise; it is a disruption of your expectation of reality.

Eu me espantei com a rapidez da sua resposta.

Translation: I was astonished by the speed of your response.

Cultural Nuance: In Lusophone cultures, expressing 'espanto' is often a social bonding mechanism. When someone tells a shocking story, responding with 'Não me espanta!' (It doesn't surprise me!) or 'Que espanto!' (How shocking/amazing!) shows you are engaged and following the emotional beat of the conversation.

A notícia de que ele se demitiu vai espantar muita gente no escritório.

Translation: The news that he resigned will astonish many people in the office.

Furthermore, espantar can be used in the negative to express a lack of surprise, often indicating that a certain outcome was predictable. 'Não é de espantar que...' (It is no surprise that...) is a common way to introduce a logical conclusion. This usage moves the word from the realm of emotion into the realm of logic and rhetoric, making it a versatile tool for any Portuguese speaker. Whether you are dealing with literal pests or metaphorical shocks, mastering 'espantar' allows you to navigate the unexpected with linguistic precision.

Não é de espantar que o time tenha perdido, pois não treinaram nada.

Translation: It's no surprise that the team lost, as they didn't train at all.

Ela usou um leque para espantar o calor excessivo da tarde.

Translation: She used a fan to drive away the excessive heat of the afternoon.

Using espantar correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures. As a regular -ar verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its meaning shifts significantly depending on whether it is used with a direct object or with a reflexive pronoun. Let's break down the mechanics of this verb to ensure you can use it fluently in various contexts, from the physical to the emotional.

The Transitive Form (Direct Action): In this form, the subject performs the action of scaring or astonishing someone or something else. The structure is: [Subject] + [espantar] + [Object]. For example, 'O barulho espantou o sono' (The noise drove away sleep). Here, the noise is the active agent that caused the sleep to disappear.

O preço alto do produto vai espantar os clientes em potencial.

Translation: The high price of the product will drive away potential customers.

The Reflexive Form (Espantar-se): When you want to say 'to be astonished' or 'to be surprised', you must use the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos). The structure is: [Subject] + [Reflexive Pronoun] + [espantar] + [com/de/que]. For example, 'Eu me espantei com a notícia' (I was astonished by the news).

Nós nos espantamos ao ver o tamanho daquela montanha.

Translation: We were astonished to see the size of that mountain.

Using the Adjective 'Espantado': The past participle 'espantado' functions as an adjective meaning 'astonished' or 'scared'. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. 'Ele está espantado' (He is astonished) vs 'Elas estão espantadas' (They are astonished).

A criança ficou espantada com os fogos de artifício.

Translation: The child was astonished by the fireworks.

One of the most common idiomatic uses is 'espantar o tédio' or 'espantar a preguiça'. This means to do something active to get rid of boredom or laziness. It’s a very proactive and energetic use of the verb. You might go for a run to 'espantar a preguiça' or watch a movie to 'espantar o tédio'. This highlights the 'driving away' aspect of the verb applied to mental states.

Vou dar uma caminhada para espantar o cansaço do dia.

Translation: I'm going for a walk to drive away the day's tiredness.

Não me espante enquanto estou concentrado no trabalho.

Translation: Don't startle/surprise me while I am concentrated on work.

In the Lusophone world, espantar is a word that echoes through various layers of society. You will hear it in the bustling markets of Luanda, the quiet cafes of Lisbon, and the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. Its usage is not limited to formal literature; it is a living part of the spoken language. Let's explore where you are most likely to encounter this versatile verb and its derivatives.

In the News and Media: Journalists love 'espantar'. Headlines often read like 'A inflação espanta os consumidores' (Inflation drives away consumers) or 'O desempenho da seleção espantou o mundo' (The national team's performance astonished the world). It provides a dramatic flair that captures the reader's attention immediately.

O novo recorde de temperatura espantou os cientistas climáticos.

Translation: The new temperature record astonished climate scientists.

In Daily Conversation: People use the reflexive 'espantar-se' constantly when discussing gossip or surprising events. If a friend tells you they won the lottery, your response might be 'Estou espantado!' (I am astonished!). It is also used in the negative to show skepticism or lack of surprise: 'Não me espanta que ele tenha chegado atrasado' (It doesn't surprise me that he arrived late).

Você não se espanta com nada, parece que já viu de tudo!

Translation: You aren't astonished by anything; it seems like you've seen it all!

In Literature and Song: Portuguese and Brazilian music often uses 'espantar' to talk about chasing away ghosts, bad memories, or loneliness. Fado and Bossa Nova lyrics frequently employ the verb to describe the emotional effort of clearing one's mind of sorrow.

Canto para espantar a tristeza que mora no meu peito.

Translation: I sing to drive away the sadness that lives in my chest.

Furthermore, the word 'espanto' (the noun) is a key concept in Portuguese literature, often used by poets like Fernando Pessoa to describe the metaphysical shock of existence. To 'estar em estado de espanto' is to be in a state of pure, raw wonder at the world. Whether you are reading a high-brow poem or a tabloid headline, espantar is there to express the impact of the unexpected on the human soul.

O brilho das estrelas sempre consegue espantar quem para para olhar.

Translation: The brightness of the stars always manages to astonish whoever stops to look.

Não use cores tão berrantes, você vai espantar as visitas.

Translation: Don't use such loud colors; you will drive away the visitors.

While espantar is a powerful word, it is easy for English speakers to stumble over its nuances. Because it maps to several different English concepts (scare, surprise, astonish), learners often use it in the wrong context or forget the necessary grammatical markers. Let's look at the most frequent pitfalls so you can avoid them and sound like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Confusing 'Espantar' with 'Assustar': While both can mean 'to scare', 'assustar' is specifically about fear or a jump-scare. 'Espantar' is more about driving something away or being amazed. If a ghost jumps out at you, you are 'assustado'. If a magician does a trick, you are 'espantado'. Using 'espantar' when you mean 'terrorized' will sound strange.

O filme de terror me assustou (Correct) vs me espantou (Incorrect for fear).

Tip: Use 'assustar' for fear and 'espantar' for astonishment or driving away.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: If you say 'Eu espantei com o preço', you are saying 'I scared [something] with the price'. To say 'I was astonished by the price', you MUST say 'Eu me espantei'. The pronoun indicates that the feeling is happening to you, not that you are doing it to something else.

Ela se espantou com o tamanho do bolo.

Translation: She was astonished by the size of the cake.

Mistake 3: Overusing it for Minor Surprises: 'Espantar' is a strong word. If someone gives you a small gift, saying 'Estou espantado' might seem like an overreaction. In those cases, 'surpreso' is more appropriate. Save 'espantado' for things that are truly remarkable, shocking, or unbelievable.

Fiquei surpreso com o presente (Better for small gifts) vs espantado (For a diamond ring!).

Another common error is the preposition. After 'espantar-se', you should use 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/at). Using 'por' or other prepositions is usually incorrect. For example, 'Espantei-me com a sua audácia' is the correct way to express astonishment at someone's audacity. Paying attention to these small grammatical links will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and polished.

Não se espante com o que ele vai dizer.

Translation: Don't be astonished by what he is going to say.

O vento forte espantou as nuvens negras.

Translation: The strong wind drove away the black clouds.

To truly master espantar, you must understand its neighbors in the Portuguese lexicon. There are several verbs that share its semantic space, but each has a specific 'flavor' or register. By knowing these alternatives, you can choose the exact word to match the intensity and context of your thought.

Espantar vs. Surpreender: 'Surpreender' is the neutral, all-purpose word for 'to surprise'. It can be positive, negative, or neutral. 'Espantar' is much more intense. If 'surpreender' is a light tap on the shoulder, 'espantar' is a loud clap right behind your head. Use 'espantar' when the surprise is significant enough to cause a visible reaction.

Espantar vs. Assustar: As mentioned before, 'assustar' is rooted in fear (fear of a ghost, fear of an accident). 'Espantar' is rooted in the reaction to the unexpected. While you can 'espantar' someone by jumping out at them, the focus is on the startle, not the lingering fear. 'Espantar' is also the only one of the two used for driving away flies or birds.

O preço da gasolina espanta qualquer um.

Translation: The price of gasoline astonishes/shocks anyone.

Espantar vs. Afugentar: 'Afugentar' is a more formal and precise synonym for the 'driving away' meaning of 'espantar'. If you want to sound more academic or literary, you might say 'O exército afugentou os invasores'. However, in daily life, 'espantar' is much more common for scaring off bugs or people.

Ela tentou afugentar os maus pensamentos com música clássica.

Translation: She tried to drive away/chase off bad thoughts with classical music.

Espantar vs. Maravilhar: 'Maravilhar' is strictly positive. It means to fill with wonder or marvel. While 'espantar' can be positive (astonished by talent), it often has a sharper, more shocking edge. If you are at the Grand Canyon, you are 'maravilhado'. if you see a car fly, you are 'espantado'.

A beleza do pôr do sol nos maravilhou.

Translation: The beauty of the sunset marveled us.

In summary, choose espantar when you want to emphasize the suddenness or the intensity of a reaction, or when you are physically driving something away. Use 'surpreender' for general surprises, 'assustar' for fear, and 'afugentar' for a more formal 'chase away'. Understanding these distinctions will give you a much more nuanced control over your emotional expression in Portuguese.

O mágico espantou a plateia com o truque do desaparecimento.

Translation: The magician astonished the audience with the disappearance trick.

Não deixe que os problemas te espantem, mantenha a calma.

Translation: Don't let the problems startle/daunt you; keep calm.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word is a direct cousin of the English word 'spook' through shared Indo-European roots, though 'spook' came via Dutch.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛʃ.pɐ̃.ˈtaɾ/

US /es.pɐ̃.ˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: pan-TAR.

Rhymes With

cantar amar andar falar olhar pensar chegar lugar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'n' fully instead of nasalizing the vowel.
Putting the stress on the first or second syllable.
Forgetting to nasalize the 'an' sound (it should sound like the 'un' in 'sung' but without the 'g').
Pronouncing 'es' as 'ex'.
Making the 'p' too aspirated.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially if you know 'espantalho'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the reflexive pronoun for internal feelings.

Speaking 3/5

Nasal vowels and 'sh/s' sounds require practice.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to catch in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

surpresa medo pássaro notícia ficar

Learn Next

maravilhar afugentar estupefazer pasmar chocar

Advanced

pasmaceira espantadiço assombro estupefação admiração

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronouns

Eu me espanto, tu te espantas, ele se espanta.

Preposition 'com' after emotional verbs

Espantei-me com a sua chegada.

Nasalization of 'an'

The 'an' in 'espantar' is a nasal vowel.

Adjective agreement

Elas ficaram espantadas.

Imperative of -ar verbs

Espante as moscas!

Examples by Level

Eu me espantei com o cachorro.

I was surprised by the dog.

Reflexive 'me' is used for 'I am surprised'.

O barulho espantou o pássaro.

The noise scared the bird away.

Transitive use: the noise acts on the bird.

Você se espantou?

Were you surprised?

Reflexive 'se' for 'you' (você).

Ela espanta as moscas.

She scares away the flies.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

O gato se espantou com a água.

The cat was startled by the water.

Reflexive use for an animal's reaction.

Não me espante!

Don't scare/surprise me!

Imperative mood (negative).

O espantalho está lá.

The scarecrow is there.

Noun related to the verb 'espantar'.

Nós nos espantamos com o presente.

We were surprised by the gift.

Reflexive 'nos' for 'we'.

A notícia espantou toda a cidade.

The news astonished the whole city.

Transitive use: the news affects the city.

Ele ficou espantado com o preço.

He was astonished by the price.

Adjective 'espantado' with the verb 'ficar'.

Não me espanta que você esteja cansado.

It doesn't surprise me that you are tired.

Common phrase 'Não me espanta'.

Vou usar este chapéu para espantar o sol.

I'm going to use this hat to drive away the sun.

Metaphorical use of 'driving away'.

Eles se espantaram com a beleza do lugar.

They were astonished by the beauty of the place.

Reflexive 'se' for 'they' (eles).

O barulho da moto espanta os animais.

The motorcycle noise scares the animals away.

General truth in the present tense.

Eu me espantei ao ver o tamanho da casa.

I was astonished to see the size of the house.

Reflexive with infinitive 'ao ver'.

As crianças se espantam facilmente.

Children are easily startled/astonished.

Reflexive use with an adverb.

Para meu espanto, ele chegou na hora certa.

To my astonishment, he arrived on time.

Noun 'espanto' used in a prepositional phrase.

Ela canta para espantar a solidão.

She sings to drive away loneliness.

Metaphorical use for emotional states.

O resultado do exame me espantou bastante.

The exam result astonished me a lot.

Transitive use with an adverb of intensity.

É espantoso como ela aprende rápido.

It's astonishing how fast she learns.

Adjective 'espantoso' used as a predicate.

Não se espante se ele não ligar hoje.

Don't be surprised if he doesn't call today.

Negative imperative with conditional 'se'.

O novo prédio vai espantar a vista do mar.

The new building will drive away/block the sea view.

Metaphorical use for obstructing a view.

Nós nos espantamos de como o tempo passou.

We were astonished at how time has passed.

Reflexive with 'de' + 'como'.

O preço alto espantou os compradores.

The high price drove away the buyers.

Economic context.

Não é de espantar que o projeto tenha falhado.

It's no surprise that the project has failed.

Fixed expression 'Não é de espantar'.

A coragem dele espantou até os seus inimigos.

His courage astonished even his enemies.

Intense emotional impact.

Tente espantar esses pensamentos negativos.

Try to drive away those negative thoughts.

Imperative with abstract object.

Fiquei espantado pela falta de educação dele.

I was astonished by his lack of manners.

Passive-like construction with 'pela'.

O sucesso repentino espantou a todos na família.

The sudden success astonished everyone in the family.

Transitive use with 'a todos'.

Ela se espanta com a facilidade com que ele mente.

She is astonished by the ease with which he lies.

Reflexive with a relative clause.

O vento espantou o calor da tarde.

The wind drove away the afternoon heat.

Metaphorical use for weather.

É um acontecimento espantoso para a época.

It's an astonishing event for the time.

Adjective 'espantoso' in a historical context.

O que me espanta é a sua indiferença diante do problema.

What astonishes me is your indifference to the problem.

Cleft sentence structure for emphasis.

A obra de arte espanta pela sua originalidade.

The work of art astonishes by its originality.

Intransitive use with 'pela' to indicate cause.

Não deixes que o medo te espante o sono.

Do not let fear drive away your sleep.

European Portuguese imperative with 'te'.

O filósofo vivia em constante estado de espanto.

The philosopher lived in a constant state of astonishment.

Philosophical use of the noun 'espanto'.

A rapidez das mudanças tecnológicas nos espanta.

The speed of technological changes astonishes us.

Abstract subject with transitive verb.

Ele tentava espantar os fantasmas do passado.

He tried to drive away the ghosts of the past.

Literary/metaphorical use.

Foi um erro de uma magnitude espantosa.

It was an error of astonishing magnitude.

Adjective used for negative intensity.

Espanta-me que ninguém tenha percebido o erro antes.

It astonishes me that no one noticed the error before.

Verb-subject inversion for emphasis.

O espanto é a gênese de toda a investigação científica.

Astonishment is the genesis of all scientific investigation.

Formal philosophical statement.

A sua escrita espanta pela economia de meios e profundidade.

Your writing astonishes by its economy of means and depth.

Literary criticism context.

Nada mais nos espanta nesta sociedade do espetáculo.

Nothing astonishes us anymore in this society of the spectacle.

Social commentary.

A luz matinal espantou as últimas sombras do vale.

The morning light drove away the last shadows of the valley.

Poetic/descriptive use.

Espantei-me de que tal proposta tivesse sido aceita.

I was astonished that such a proposal had been accepted.

Reflexive with subjunctive 'tivesse'.

O autor utiliza o grotesco para espantar o leitor.

The author uses the grotesque to startle/shock the reader.

Literary analysis.

A beleza da sinfonia espantou a melancolia que o abatia.

The beauty of the symphony drove away the melancholy that oppressed him.

Metaphorical displacement of emotion.

Não é de espantar que a verdade acabe por vir ao de cima.

It's no surprise that the truth eventually surfaces.

Sophisticated use of 'vir ao de cima'.

Common Collocations

espantar as moscas

espantar o sono

espantar a preguiça

espantar os pássaros

espantar a clientela

espantar o tédio

espantar a solidão

espantar os maus pensamentos

espantar o azar

espantar a tristeza

Common Phrases

Não me espanta.

— It doesn't surprise me. Used when something was expected.

Ele chegou tarde? Não me espanta.

É de espantar!

— It's astonishing! Used to express great surprise.

Ele terminou o trabalho em uma hora? É de espantar!

Que espanto!

— What a shock/surprise! Can be positive or negative.

Você aqui? Que espanto!

Para meu espanto...

— To my astonishment... Used to start a surprising story.

Para meu espanto, a porta estava aberta.

Não se espante.

— Don't be surprised. Used as a warning.

Não se espante com a bagunça.

Causar espanto.

— To cause astonishment or surprise.

A sua decisão causou espanto em todos.

Ficar em espanto.

— To be in a state of shock or wonder.

Ficamos em espanto diante daquela cena.

Sem espanto.

— Without surprise; naturally.

Ele aceitou a derrota sem espanto.

Espantar o mal.

— To drive away evil or bad luck.

As pessoas rezam para espantar o mal.

Um olhar de espanto.

— A look of astonishment.

Ela me lançou um olhar de espanto.

Often Confused With

espantar vs assustar

Assustar is about fear; espantar is about surprise or driving away.

espantar vs surpreender

Surpreender is neutral; espantar is intense.

espantar vs afugentar

Afugentar is more formal and only means to drive away.

Idioms & Expressions

"Espantar o freguês"

— To do something that drives away customers or potential interests.

Se você cobrar tão caro, vai espantar o freguês.

informal

"Espantar a caça"

— To ruin an opportunity by being too loud or obvious.

Não conte o segredo agora, você vai espantar a caça.

informal

"Espanta-neném"

— Used to describe something or someone very ugly or scary.

Aquele brinquedo velho é um verdadeiro espanta-neném.

slang (Brazil)

"Espantar o bicho-papão"

— To face one's fears or drive away imaginary threats.

Precisamos de coragem para espantar o bicho-papão da crise.

informal

"Espantar as moscas (idiom)"

— To be in a place where there are no customers or activity.

A loja está vazia, estamos aqui só espantando as moscas.

informal

"De espantar o queixo"

— Jaw-dropping; incredibly surprising.

A performance dela foi de espantar o queixo.

informal

"Espantar a morte"

— To survive a dangerous situation or live life intensely.

Ele viaja o mundo para espantar a morte.

literary

"Espantar os demônios"

— To get rid of inner struggles or bad vibes.

Fazer terapia ajudou a espantar os demônios dele.

metaphorical

"Não espanta ninguém"

— Something that is not impressive or scary at all.

Essa ameaça dele não espanta ninguém.

neutral

"Espantar o espírito"

— To refresh the mind or soul.

Um banho de mar serve para espantar o espírito.

informal

Easily Confused

espantar vs espantar

Multiple meanings (scare vs. astonish).

Context determines if it's 'chasing away' or 'feeling amazed'.

Espantar moscas vs. Espantar-se com a notícia.

espantar vs assustar

Both translate to 'scare' in English.

Assustar is the feeling of fright; espantar is the action of driving away or the shock of surprise.

O fantasma me assustou.

espantar vs espantoso

Can be positive or negative.

Like 'terrific' or 'awesome', it depends on the noun it modifies.

Um erro espantoso (bad) vs. Um talento espantoso (good).

espantar vs espantalho

Learners might not link it to the verb.

It is the noun form (scarecrow).

O espantalho está no campo.

espantar vs pasmado

Synonym for espantado.

Pasmado often implies being 'stuck' or 'gaping' with surprise.

Ele ficou pasmado olhando para o mar.

Sentence Patterns

Eu me espantei com [Noun].

Eu me espantei com o gato.

O [Subject] espantou o [Object].

O barulho espantou o pássaro.

É [Adjective] como [Clause].

É espantoso como ele corre.

Não é de espantar que [Subjunctive].

Não é de espantar que ele saiba.

O que me espanta é [Noun/Clause].

O que me espanta é a sua calma.

Espantar-se de que [Subjunctive].

Espantei-me de que ele viesse.

Any

Espantar a [Emotion/State].

Espantar a preguiça.

Any

Ficar espantado com [Noun].

Fiquei espantado com o preço.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Eu espantei com a notícia. → Eu me espantei com a notícia.
You need the reflexive pronoun 'me' to say you were surprised.
O filme de terror me espantou. → O filme de terror me assustou.
Use 'assustar' for fear/horror; 'espantar' is for surprise.
Espantei por o preço. → Espantei-me com o preço.
The correct preposition is 'com', and the reflexive pronoun is missing.
Ele é muito espantado. → Ele é muito espantadiço.
'Espantado' is temporary (surprised); 'espantadiço' is a personality trait (jumpy).
Espantei o pássaro de a árvore. → Espantei o pássaro da árvore.
Remember to contract the preposition 'de' with the article 'a'.

Tips

Reflexive Power

Always use 'se' when someone is surprised. 'Ele se espantou' = He was surprised.

The Scarecrow Link

Remember 'espantalho' to remember the 'scaring away' meaning of 'espantar'.

Stronger than Surpreender

Use 'espantar' for things that really shock you, not just small surprises.

Espantar a Preguiça

This is a great phrase to use when you're trying to get motivated!

Nasal Vowels

Make sure the 'pan' in 'espantar' sounds like it's coming through your nose.

Regional Sounds

In Lisbon, say 'esh-pan-tar'. In Rio, say 'es-pan-tar'.

Dramatic Opening

Start a story with 'Para meu espanto...' to grab the reader's attention.

Showing Engagement

Saying 'Não me espanta' shows you are following the logic of a conversation.

Expand Your Eyes

Associate 'espantar' with your eyes expanding in shock.

Pests vs. People

Remember that you 'espantar' pests (flies) but you 'espantar-se' with people.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Scarecrow' (Espantalho). What does it do? It ESPANTA the birds. It's an ESPANTA-pássaros!

Visual Association

Imagine a fly buzzing around your head and you waving your hand aggressively to 'espantar' it.

Word Web

Surpresa Medo Pássaro Moscas Astonished Scare Espantalho Espantoso

Challenge

Try to use 'espantar' in three different ways today: one for a surprise, one for scaring a bug, and one for driving away a bad mood.

Word Origin

Derived from the Vulgar Latin *expaventare, which is a frequentative form of expavere (to be terrified).

Original meaning: To terrify or to cause great fear.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

The word is generally safe, but avoid calling people 'espantadiço' (easily scared) as it can be slightly insulting, implying they are jumpy or weak.

English speakers often use 'scare away' or 'astonish'. Portuguese combines these into one powerful verb.

Fernando Pessoa often wrote about 'espanto' as a philosophical state. The song 'Espanta o Tédio' is a popular theme in Brazilian pop music. Scarecrows (Espantalhos) appear in many Portuguese children's books.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Reacting to news

Isso me espantou.
Estou espantado.
Não me espanta.
Que espanto!

Dealing with pests

Espanta essa mosca!
Como espantar formigas?
O cheiro espanta mosquitos.
Espante os pássaros.

Expressing emotions

Espantar a tristeza.
Espantar o medo.
Espantar a solidão.
Espantar a preguiça.

Shopping and prices

O preço espanta.
Espantou os clientes.
Me espantei com o valor.
Preço de espantar.

Nature and weather

O vento espantou as nuvens.
O sol espantou o frio.
A chuva espantou o calor.
Espantar a neblina.

Conversation Starters

"O que mais te espantou nas notícias ultimamente?"

"Você já se espantou com o preço de algo básico?"

"Como você faz para espantar a preguiça nas segundas-feiras?"

"Qual foi o lugar mais espantoso que você já visitou?"

"Alguma vez um animal te espantou na rua?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma vez que você se espantou com a atitude de um amigo.

O que você faz para espantar os pensamentos negativos em dias difíceis?

Descreva uma paisagem tão bela que te deixou em estado de espanto.

Pense em uma notícia recente que espantou o mundo. Por que foi tão chocante?

Se você pudesse espantar uma coisa da sua vida para sempre, o que seria?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but 'assustar' is more common for the feeling of fear. 'Espantar' would focus more on the sudden reaction.

No. It can mean 'frightful' or 'shocking' in a negative way, like 'um erro espantoso' (a shocking mistake).

They are synonyms for 'driving away', but 'afugentar' is more formal and precise. 'Espantar' is more common in daily speech.

Only if you are the one feeling the surprise. If you are scaring a bird, you don't use 'me'.

It is 'espantalho', which comes directly from the verb 'espantar'.

Yes, it is very common to say 'espantar a tristeza' or 'espantar o tédio'.

Yes, it is common in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though the pronunciation of the 's' differs.

Yes, it follows the regular -ar conjugation pattern (espanto, espantas, espanta...).

Usually 'com' (with) or 'de' (of/at). Example: 'Espantei-me com o preço'.

Yes, it means to do something to stop feeling sleepy, like drinking coffee.