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A2 adjective #3,400 most common 12 min read

excessivo

Top 3,400

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips excessivo in 30 Seconds

Explanation excessivo in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'excessivo' might seem a bit advanced, but it is very useful for expressing when something is 'too much'. Think of it as a more formal version of 'muito' (much/very). At this stage, you should focus on simple pairings with common nouns like 'calor' (heat) or 'sal' (salt). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that if the noun ends in 'o' (masculine), use 'excessivo', and if it ends in 'a' (feminine), use 'excessiva'. For example, if the weather is very hot, you can say 'O calor é excessivo'. This is a step up from 'O calor é muito', making your Portuguese sound more descriptive and precise. It helps you express discomfort or a problem clearly. Imagine you are in a restaurant and the music is too loud; you could say 'O barulho é excessivo'. This level is about building the foundation of the word's meaning: going past a limit. You will mostly use it to describe physical sensations or simple quantities that you observe in your daily life. It is an excellent word to add to your basic toolkit for making complaints or observations about your environment.

At the A2 level, you should start paying closer attention to the gender and number agreement of 'excessivo'. You are now expected to know that 'excessivo' changes to 'excessiva' for feminine nouns and 'excessivos/excessivas' for plural nouns. You will begin to see this word in short reading passages, news headlines, and simple health warnings. It is a key word for describing problems in a more adult and professional way. Instead of just saying 'too many people', you might say 'um número excessivo de pessoas'. This shows you are moving beyond the most basic vocabulary. You can use it to talk about your routine, such as 'trabalho excessivo' (too much work), or your health, like 'consumo excessivo de café'. At this level, you should also be able to recognize 'excessivo' when you hear it in simple dialogues, particularly when someone is expressing a grievance. You are building the ability to qualify nouns with more than just basic adjectives. Practice using it with common nouns you already know to reinforce the agreement rules. It is also helpful to start noticing how it differs from 'demais', which usually comes after the noun or adjective. For example, 'sal demais' vs 'sal excessivo'.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'excessivo' in a variety of contexts, including work, health, and social issues. You can now use it to express more abstract concepts, such as 'confiança excessiva' (excessive confidence) or 'preocupação excessiva' (excessive worry). Your ability to use the word in different sentence structures should improve; for example, using it after verbs like 'ser', 'estar', 'parecer', or 'tornar-se'. You will encounter 'excessivo' in more complex texts, such as newspaper articles or blogs, where it is used to critique social trends or economic conditions. You should also be able to distinguish 'excessivo' from its synonyms like 'demasiado' and 'exagerado'. At B1, you are expected to participate in discussions where you might need to justify why something is 'excessivo'. For instance, explaining why a law is 'excessiva' or why a price is 'excessivo'. This level requires you to use the word to add nuance to your opinions. You should also be aware of the adverbial form 'excessivamente', which you can use to modify verbs or adjectives, like 'Ele fala excessivamente'. This adds another layer to your descriptive capabilities.

At the B2 level, 'excessivo' becomes a staple in your academic and professional vocabulary. You should be able to use it fluently in formal writing, such as essays, reports, or business emails. You will encounter it in legal and technical documents, where precision is paramount. At this stage, you should understand the subtle connotations 'excessivo' carries in different registers. For example, in a legal context, 'uso excessivo de força' has a very specific meaning. You should also be able to use 'excessivo' to describe complex systems, such as 'burocracia excessiva' or 'carga tributária excessiva'. Your understanding of word families should be strong, allowing you to easily switch between 'excesso' (noun), 'excessivo' (adjective), and 'excessivamente' (adverb). You can also handle more complex sentence structures, such as 'Apesar do brilho excessivo da tela, continuei a trabalhar'. At B2, you are expected to understand the word even when it's used metaphorically or in more sophisticated rhetorical contexts. You should be able to debate the merits of 'excessivo' vs 'insuficiente' in various scenarios, demonstrating a high level of control over the word's application and its impact on the tone of your communication.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'excessivo'. You can use it with precision to convey subtle shades of meaning. You are familiar with its less common synonyms like 'desmedido', 'imoderado', or 'sobejo', and you know exactly when to choose 'excessivo' over them for the best stylistic effect. You can use the word in highly formal speeches or complex literary analyses. In professional settings, you use 'excessivo' to navigate delicate situations, such as critiquing a colleague's 'zelo excessivo' without causing offense. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in spoken Portuguese. You can identify and use 'excessivo' in idiomatic expressions or as part of a sophisticated rhetorical strategy. Your reading comprehension is such that you can pick up on the irony or sarcasm if someone uses 'excessivo' in a humorous or understated way. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, which informs your appreciation of its use in classical Portuguese literature. At this level, 'excessivo' is not just a word you know; it is a tool you wield with finesse to express exact boundaries of thought and action.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'excessivo' is complete. You use it with the same ease and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You can appreciate the word's role in the works of great Lusophone writers like Camões or Machado de Assis, where 'excessivo' might be used to describe the grandiosity of human emotion or the vastness of the empire. You are capable of using 'excessivo' in philosophical or scientific discourses to define the outer limits of a concept or a phenomenon. You can effortlessly switch between different regional variations of Portuguese, knowing how 'excessivo' might be favored in one area while 'demasiado' is preferred in another. Your use of the word is always contextually perfect, whether you are writing a supreme court brief, a poetic masterpiece, or delivering a keynote address. You understand the deep cultural implications of 'excesso' in Lusophone societies and how 'excessivo' serves as a linguistic marker for social and ethical boundaries. At this level, the word is a seamless part of your linguistic identity, allowing you to express the most complex and nuanced ideas with absolute clarity and stylistic elegance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

excessivo in 30 Seconds

Excessivo is a Portuguese adjective meaning 'excessive' or 'too much', used to describe quantities or behaviors that go beyond normal or healthy limits.
It requires gender and number agreement with the noun it modifies, becoming excessiva, excessivos, or excessivas depending on the context of the sentence.
The word is commonly found in health warnings, economic reports, and daily complaints about environmental factors like noise, heat, or heavy traffic.
While similar to 'demasiado' and 'exagerado', 'excessivo' is often preferred in formal writing and technical contexts to denote a measurable surplus.

The Portuguese adjective excessivo is a direct cognate of the English word 'excessive'. It originates from the Latin 'excessus', which signifies the act of going beyond or departing from a standard. In the Lusophone world, this word is the primary tool for describing any quantity, behavior, or physical property that transcends the boundaries of what is considered normal, healthy, or necessary. It is a word of measurement and judgment, often carrying a nuance of critique or concern. When you use 'excessivo', you are not merely saying there is 'a lot' of something; you are stating that the amount has become a problem or an anomaly.

Quantity and Measure: Used to describe physical volumes or numerical values that are too high, such as 'peso excessivo' (excessive weight) or 'velocidade excessiva' (excessive speed).

O consumo excessivo de açúcar pode causar sérios problemas de saúde a longo prazo.

In social and behavioral contexts, 'excessivo' describes personality traits or actions that are overbearing. For instance, 'zelo excessivo' (excessive zeal) refers to someone who is perhaps too careful or protective to the point of being intrusive. In the professional world, one might complain about 'trabalho excessivo' (excessive work), which is a common grievance in the fast-paced urban centers of Brazil and Portugal. It is important to note that 'excessivo' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: 'o brilho excessivo' (masculine singular), 'a carga excessiva' (feminine singular), 'os ruídos excessivos' (masculine plural), and 'as chuvas excessivas' (feminine plural).

Environmental Conditions: Commonly used to describe weather or sensory inputs, like 'calor excessivo' (excessive heat) or 'barulho excessivo' (excessive noise).

A professora notou um otimismo excessivo nos alunos antes do exame final.

Culturally, the term is frequently heard in news broadcasts regarding the economy, such as 'gastos excessivos do governo' (excessive government spending), or in legal contexts regarding 'uso excessivo de força' (excessive use of force). It is a versatile adjective that bridges the gap between everyday observation and technical reporting. It provides a level of precision that helps speakers articulate exactly why a situation is unsatisfactory. Whether you are describing a meal with 'sal excessivo' or a car with 'fumaça excessiva', you are utilizing a word that is fundamental to expressing limits in Portuguese. The word is ubiquitous in health warnings, environmental reports, and interpersonal feedback, making it an essential building block for any intermediate learner. By mastering 'excessivo', you move away from generic descriptors and begin to use language that reflects a nuanced understanding of boundaries and balance in the Lusophone world.

Economic Context: Refers to inflation, debt, or taxation, such as 'carga tributária excessiva' (excessive tax burden).

Eles enfrentaram uma burocracia excessiva para abrir a nova empresa.

O preço deste apartamento é claramente excessivo para esta região.

Using excessivo correctly requires a firm grasp of Portuguese adjective agreement rules. Unlike English, where 'excessive' remains unchanged, the Portuguese 'excessivo' must transform to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes. This is the most common area where learners stumble. The placement of 'excessivo' is typically after the noun, which is standard for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese. However, placing it before the noun can sometimes add a poetic or emphatic tone, though this is less common in everyday speech.

Masculine Singular: Used with masculine nouns like 'trabalho', 'gasto', or 'ruído'. Example: 'O barulho excessivo incomoda os vizinhos.'

O calor excessivo fez com que as plantas murchassem rapidamente.

When dealing with feminine nouns, the ending changes to '-a'. Common feminine pairings include 'velocidade', 'confiança', or 'chuva'. For example, 'A confiança excessiva pode levar a erros bobos' (Excessive confidence can lead to silly mistakes). In this case, 'excessiva' agrees with 'confiança'. If you are describing multiple items, you must add an '-s'. For example, 'Os preços excessivos assustaram os clientes' (The excessive prices scared the customers). Here, 'excessivos' matches the masculine plural 'preços'. If the plural noun is feminine, use 'excessivas', as in 'As cobranças excessivas foram contestadas na justiça' (The excessive charges were contested in court).

Feminine Singular: Used with feminine nouns like 'velocidade', 'preocupação', or 'taxa'. Example: 'Sua preocupação excessiva é desnecessária.'

O médico disse que o esforço excessivo foi a causa da lesão no joelho.

Furthermore, 'excessivo' is often used in comparative structures. You might say something is 'mais excessivo do que' (more excessive than), although it's more natural to use 'excessivo' as an absolute statement of being 'too much'. In academic writing, 'excessivo' is frequently paired with abstract concepts to define limits of research or theoretical frameworks. For instance, 'um rigor excessivo' (excessive rigor) might describe a study that is too focused on minute details at the expense of the big picture. In legal and bureaucratic Portuguese, you will see it in phrases like 'prazo excessivo' (excessive timeframe) or 'multa excessiva' (excessive fine). Understanding these patterns allows you to deploy the word across various registers of the language, from complaining about your soup to arguing a legal case.

Plural Usage: Agreement is key. 'Os gastos excessivos' (Masculine) vs 'As exigências excessivas' (Feminine).

Evite as luzes excessivas antes de dormir para ter um descanso melhor.

O brilho excessivo da tela do computador cansa a vista rapidamente.

You will encounter excessivo in a wide variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the highly technical. In a Portuguese-speaking city, you might hear a commuter complaining about the 'trânsito excessivo' (excessive traffic) during rush hour. In a restaurant, a patron might mention that the seasoning in a dish is 'excessivo', though it is more common to use 'salgado demais' (too salty) in informal settings. However, when reading a restaurant review or a culinary blog, 'tempero excessivo' is a standard term to describe a lack of balance in flavors.

In the Media: News anchors often report on 'chuvas excessivas' causing floods or 'uso excessivo de redes sociais' affecting mental health.

O jornal noticiou o uso excessivo de agrotóxicos nas plantações de soja.

The word is very common in the medical and health sectors. Doctors in Brazil and Portugal frequently warn patients about 'consumo excessivo de álcool' or 'exposição excessiva ao sol'. These warnings are printed on medicine labels, health posters in clinics, and discussed in health-related TV programs. In the corporate environment, 'excessivo' appears in performance reviews and project management reports. A manager might point out 'atrasos excessivos' (excessive delays) or 'custos excessivos' (excessive costs). It is a professional way to indicate that a boundary has been crossed without necessarily sounding overly aggressive, as it focuses on the quantity rather than the person.

In Legal and Official Documents: Contracts often mention 'atraso excessivo' as a grounds for termination, or 'penalidade excessiva' as something to be avoided.

A justiça considerou o valor da indenização excessivo e decidiu reduzi-lo.

In the arts and literature, 'excessivo' can describe a style that is too ornate or a performance that is 'over the top'. A critic might describe a movie's special effects as 'excessivos', suggesting they distract from the story. In sports, commentators might talk about 'agressividade excessiva' (excessive aggressiveness) on the field, leading to a red card. Essentially, anywhere there is a standard or a limit, 'excessivo' is the word used to describe what happens when you go past it. It is a fundamental part of the vocabulary for anyone looking to engage with Portuguese-language media, professional environments, or health-related discussions.

In Daily Life: Complaining about 'velocidade excessiva' in residential areas or 'luz excessiva' in a cinema.

Muitos turistas reclamam do calor excessivo no Nordeste durante o verão.

A burocracia excessiva é um dos maiores problemas para quem quer empreender.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using excessivo is failing to apply gender and number agreement. Since 'excessive' is invariable in English, it is easy to forget that in Portuguese, the word must change to 'excessiva', 'excessivos', or 'excessivas' depending on the noun. For example, saying 'o calor excessiva' is incorrect because 'calor' is masculine; it must be 'o calor excessivo'. Similarly, 'as taxas excessivo' is wrong; it should be 'as taxas excessivas'.

Agreement Errors: Mistaking the gender of the noun. 'A peso excessivo' (incorrect) vs 'O peso excessivo' (correct).

Erro comum: *Eles têm uma preocupação excessivo.* Correto: preocupação excessiva.

Another common error is confusing the adjective 'excessivo' with the adverb 'demasiado' or the phrase 'demais'. While they all relate to 'too much', they function differently in a sentence. 'Excessivo' describes a noun (e.g., 'trabalho excessivo'). 'Demasiado' can be an adjective or an adverb, but 'demais' is almost always an adverb that comes after the adjective or noun (e.g., 'trabalho demais'). A mistake would be saying 'Ele trabalha excessivo', where 'Ele trabalha demais' or 'Ele trabalha excessivamente' (the adverbial form) is required. Remember: adjectives modify nouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Spelling Pitfalls: Learners often forget the double 's'. Writing 'excesivo' (with one 's') is a common misspelling influenced by Spanish or English.

Cuidado: Não confunda o substantivo excesso com o adjetivo excessivo.

Pronunciation can also be a hurdle. The 'x' in 'excessivo' is pronounced like an 's' (es-se-SI-vu), not like the 'ks' in 'taxi' or the 'z' in 'exame'. Many learners mistakenly pronounce it as 'ek-ces-si-vo'. Mastering the 's' sound for this specific 'x' is crucial for sounding natural. Finally, avoid using 'excessivo' for positive 'very much'. While in English you might say 'excessive amounts of fun' as a joke, in Portuguese, 'excessivo' almost always implies a negative or problematic surplus. For positive abundance, use 'abundante' or 'muito'.

Register Mismatch: Using 'excessivo' in very casual slang situations might sound a bit stiff. In those cases, 'muito' or 'demais' is more natural.

Não diga: *A festa foi excessiva.* Diga: *A festa foi ótima, teve muita gente.*

Pronúncia: Lembre-se que o 'x' soa como 's'. /e-se-si-vu/.

To truly enrich your Portuguese, it is helpful to understand the synonyms and alternatives for excessivo. While 'excessivo' is precise and slightly formal, other words might fit better depending on the context. The most common synonym is 'demasiado', which is almost interchangeable with 'excessivo' but is perhaps slightly more common in European Portuguese than in Brazilian Portuguese. Another frequent alternative is 'exagerado', which implies that something is not just too much, but 'over the top' or theatrical.

Excessivo vs. Exagerado: 'Excessivo' is often quantitative (more than the limit), while 'exagerado' is often qualitative (more than is reasonable or tasteful).

O preço é excessivo (too high numerically). A reação dele foi exagerada (too dramatic).

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'imoderado' (immoderate) or 'desmedido' (unmeasured/boundless). 'Desmedido' is particularly beautiful and is often used to describe intense emotions, such as 'uma ambição desmedida' (a boundless ambition). On the other hand, 'sobejo' is a more archaic or formal term meaning 'leftover' or 'surplus', often used in the plural 'sobejos' to mean remains. For very informal situations, Brazilians might use 'demais' at the end of a sentence: 'Isso é caro demais!' (This is too expensive!).

Desmedido: Used for things that cannot be easily measured, like love, hate, or ambition. 'Um amor desmedido'.

A moderação é o oposto do comportamento excessivo.

Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right moment. If you are writing a technical report about soil acidity, 'acidez excessiva' is perfect. If you are telling a story about a friend who bought twenty pairs of shoes in one day, 'exagerado' captures the spirit better. If you are writing a poem about the infinite sea, 'desmedido' adds the necessary gravitas. By expanding your range of synonyms, you avoid repeating 'muito' and 'excessivo' and start to speak with the variety and color of a native speaker. This section provides a roadmap for moving beyond basic vocabulary into the richer layers of the Portuguese language.

Imoderado: Often used in health contexts, such as 'apetite imoderado' or 'uso imoderado de substâncias'.

Ele tem um apetite imoderado por doces, o que é excessivo.

O sobejo de produção foi doado para caridade, evitando o desperdício excessivo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'x' in 'excessivo' is a remnant of its Latin root 'excedere'. While many Latin 'x' sounds changed to 'z' or 's' in Portuguese spelling, 'excessivo' kept the 'x' but adopted the 's' sound, creating a spelling challenge for many learners.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ek.se.ˈsi.vu/

US /ek.se.ˈsi.vo/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: ex-ces-SI-vo.

Rhymes With

passivo ativo cativo motivo nativo vivido decisivo fugitivo

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'x' as 'ks' (like 'taxi'). In 'excessivo', it must sound like 's'.
Stressing the wrong syllable, like 'EX-ces-si-vo' or 'ex-ces-si-VO'.
Forgetting to reduce the final 'o' to a 'u' sound in natural speech.
Inconsistent vowel length on the 'e' sounds.
Failing to pronounce the double 's' (ss) clearly as a single 's' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it is a cognate of the English 'excessive'.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to double 's' and gender/number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 'x' pronunciation as 's' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Generally clear, but the final 'o' reduction to 'u' must be recognized.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

muito mais grande limite excesso

Learn Next

excessivamente exagerado demasiado moderado escasso

Advanced

exorbitante desmedido imoderado sobejo parcimônia

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

O barulho (M) é excessivo (M). A luz (F) é excessiva (F).

Pluralization of Adjectives

Os gastos são excessivos. As taxas são excessivas.

Adverb Formation with -mente

Excessivo becomes excessivamente (excessively).

Placement of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: calor excessivo.

Comparison of Superiority

Este preço é mais excessivo do que o outro.

Examples by Level

O calor é excessivo hoje.

The heat is excessive today.

Calor is masculine, so we use excessivo.

O sal é excessivo na sopa.

The salt is excessive in the soup.

Sal is masculine singular.

A música está com um volume excessivo.

The music is at an excessive volume.

Volume is masculine singular.

O preço do café é excessivo.

The price of the coffee is excessive.

Preço is masculine singular.

A chuva foi excessiva ontem.

The rain was excessive yesterday.

Chuva is feminine, so we use excessiva.

O barulho da rua é excessivo.

The street noise is excessive.

Barulho is masculine singular.

Ela tem uma preocupação excessiva.

She has an excessive worry.

Preocupação is feminine singular.

Os doces são excessivos nesta festa.

The sweets are excessive at this party.

Doces is masculine plural, so we use excessivos.

O uso excessivo do celular faz mal.

Excessive use of the cell phone is bad.

Uso is masculine singular.

As taxas do banco são excessivas.

The bank fees are excessive.

Taxas is feminine plural, so we use excessivas.

Ele tem um peso excessivo para a idade.

He has an excessive weight for his age.

Peso is masculine singular.

A velocidade excessiva causa acidentes.

Excessive speed causes accidents.

Velocidade is feminine singular.

O brilho da tela é excessivo para meus olhos.

The screen brightness is excessive for my eyes.

Brilho is masculine singular.

Eles enfrentam um trabalho excessivo no escritório.

They face excessive work at the office.

Trabalho is masculine singular.

A burocracia excessiva atrasa o processo.

Excessive bureaucracy delays the process.

Burocracia is feminine singular.

Os gastos excessivos foram cortados.

The excessive expenses were cut.

Gastos is masculine plural.

O consumo excessivo de álcool é perigoso.

Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous.

Consumo is masculine singular.

Sua confiança excessiva foi sua ruína.

His excessive confidence was his ruin.

Confiança is feminine singular.

O médico recomendou evitar o esforço excessivo.

The doctor recommended avoiding excessive effort.

Esforço is masculine singular.

A carga horária excessiva gera estresse.

The excessive workload generates stress.

Carga is feminine singular.

O barulho excessivo dos vizinhos é insuportável.

The neighbors' excessive noise is unbearable.

Barulho is masculine singular.

Houve uma demora excessiva na entrega do pedido.

There was an excessive delay in the order delivery.

Demora is feminine singular.

O otimismo excessivo pode ser irrealista.

Excessive optimism can be unrealistic.

Otimismo is masculine singular.

As multas excessivas foram perdoadas pelo juiz.

The excessive fines were pardoned by the judge.

Multas is feminine plural.

A exposição excessiva ao sol causa queimaduras.

Excessive sun exposure causes burns.

Exposição is feminine singular.

O rigor excessivo da lei gerou debates.

The excessive rigor of the law generated debates.

Rigor is masculine singular.

O uso excessivo de agrotóxicos preocupa ambientalistas.

The excessive use of pesticides worries environmentalists.

Uso is masculine singular.

A empresa sofre com uma rotatividade excessiva.

The company suffers from excessive turnover.

Rotatividade is feminine singular.

O autor utiliza um detalhamento excessivo na obra.

The author uses excessive detailing in the work.

Detalhamento is masculine singular.

Houve um aumento excessivo na inflação este mês.

There was an excessive increase in inflation this month.

Aumento is masculine singular.

As cobranças excessivas foram consideradas abusivas.

The excessive charges were considered abusive.

Cobranças is feminine plural.

O zelo excessivo dos pais pode sufocar os filhos.

The excessive zeal of parents can stifle children.

Zelo is masculine singular.

O formalismo excessivo prejudica a comunicação.

Excessive formalism hinders communication.

Formalismo is masculine singular.

A urbanização excessiva degradou o ecossistema local.

Excessive urbanization degraded the local ecosystem.

Urbanização is feminine singular.

O uso excessivo de adjetivos torna o texto cansativo.

The excessive use of adjectives makes the text tiring.

Uso is masculine singular.

A prudência excessiva impediu o avanço do projeto.

Excessive prudence prevented the project's advancement.

Prudência is feminine singular.

O consumo excessivo de recursos naturais é insustentável.

The excessive consumption of natural resources is unsustainable.

Consumo is masculine singular.

Houve um derramamento excessivo de óleo no oceano.

There was an excessive oil spill in the ocean.

Derramamento is masculine singular.

A dependência excessiva da tecnologia é um risco social.

Excessive dependence on technology is a social risk.

Dependência is feminine singular.

As exigências excessivas do mercado cansam os jovens.

The excessive market demands tire young people.

Exigências is feminine plural.

O niilismo excessivo da obra reflete a crise da época.

The excessive nihilism of the work reflects the crisis of the era.

Niilismo is masculine singular.

A minúcia excessiva do relatório ocultou os fatos principais.

The excessive detail of the report obscured the main facts.

Minúcia is feminine singular.

O subjetivismo excessivo impede uma análise imparcial.

Excessive subjectivism prevents an impartial analysis.

Subjetivismo is masculine singular.

A fragmentação excessiva do partido levou à sua dissolução.

The excessive fragmentation of the party led to its dissolution.

Fragmentação is feminine singular.

O hermetismo excessivo do poema afasta o leitor comum.

The excessive hermeticism of the poem alienates the common reader.

Hermetismo is masculine singular.

Houve uma volatilidade excessiva nos mercados financeiros.

There was excessive volatility in the financial markets.

Volatilidade is feminine singular.

A ortodoxia excessiva da instituição impede a inovação.

The excessive orthodoxy of the institution prevents innovation.

Ortodoxia is feminine singular.

As abstrações excessivas dificultam a aplicação prática.

The excessive abstractions make practical application difficult.

Abstrações is feminine plural.

Common Collocations

calor excessivo

uso excessivo

consumo excessivo

gasto excessivo

barulho excessivo

trabalho excessivo

velocidade excessiva

peso excessivo

brilho excessivo

zelo excessivo

Common Phrases

Nada em excesso é bom.

— A common proverb meaning nothing in excess is good. It emphasizes the importance of moderation.

Lembre-se: nada em excesso é bom, nem mesmo o trabalho.

Por excesso de zelo.

— Doing something because one is being too careful or protective. Often used as an excuse.

Ele conferiu os documentos três vezes por excesso de zelo.

Cometer um excesso.

— To overindulge in something, usually food, drink, or behavior. It implies a loss of control.

Nas férias, é comum cometer um excesso ou outro na alimentação.

Excesso de bagagem.

— Literally overweight luggage, but can also metaphorically mean emotional baggage.

Tive que pagar uma taxa por excesso de bagagem no aeroporto.

Em excesso.

— The adverbial phrase meaning 'in excess' or 'too much'. Very common after a noun.

Açúcar em excesso faz mal para os dentes.

Excesso de velocidade.

— The standard legal term for speeding. Used in traffic tickets and reports.

O motorista foi parado por excesso de velocidade na rodovia.

Sem excessos.

— Doing something with moderation or without going over the top. Often used in advice.

Aproveite a festa, mas divirta-se sem excessos.

Evitar o excessivo.

— To stay away from anything that is too much. A general principle of health or finance.

Devemos evitar o excessivo uso de plásticos no dia a dia.

Excesso de confiança.

— Overconfidence. Often cited as a reason for failure in sports or business.

O time perdeu o jogo por puro excesso de confiança.

Excesso de trabalho.

— Overwork. A major topic in modern discussions about mental health and burnout.

O excesso de trabalho está deixando a equipe exausta.

Often Confused With

excessivo vs excesso

Excesso is a noun (the surplus), while excessivo is an adjective (describing the surplus).

excessivo vs excessivamente

Excessivamente is an adverb used to modify verbs or other adjectives.

excessivo vs excedente

Excedente usually refers to a surplus quantity that is left over, while excessivo means 'too much' in a negative sense.

Idioms & Expressions

"Tudo o que é demais sobra."

— Everything that is too much is unnecessary. Similar to 'less is more'.

Não compre tanta comida; tudo o que é demais sobra.

informal

"Pecar pelo excesso."

— To fail or make a mistake by doing too much rather than too little. Often used when someone is too helpful or careful.

É melhor pecar pelo excesso de cuidado do que pela falta dele.

neutral

"Passar da conta."

— To cross the line or go beyond what is reasonable. Used for behavior or spending.

Ele bebeu um pouco e acabou passando da conta na festa.

informal

"Encher a cara."

— To drink an excessive amount of alcohol. Very informal and common.

Eles saíram para encher a cara na sexta-feira à noite.

slang

"Fazer tempestade em copo d'água."

— To make an excessive fuss about a small problem. A storm in a teacup.

Não se preocupe com isso, você está fazendo tempestade em copo d'água.

informal

"Chutar o balde."

— To give up or act excessively/recklessly after reaching a limit. Often related to diets or patience.

Ela estava de dieta, mas no fim de semana chutou o balde e comeu pizza.

informal

"Puxar a brasa para a sua sardinha."

— To act with excessive self-interest in a situation. To look out only for oneself.

Na reunião, cada um tentou puxar a brasa para a sua sardinha.

informal

"Dar um passo maior que a perna."

— To take an excessive risk or attempt something beyond one's capabilities.

Abrir três lojas de uma vez foi dar um passo maior que a perna.

informal

"Falar pelos cotovelos."

— To talk excessively or non-stop.

Minha tia é ótima, mas ela fala pelos cotovelos.

informal

"Gastar os tubos."

— To spend an excessive, huge amount of money.

Eles gastaram os tubos na reforma da casa nova.

informal

Easily Confused

excessivo vs demasiado

Both mean 'too much'.

Demasiado is slightly more common in Portugal; excessivo is slightly more formal and precise.

O barulho era demasiado / O barulho era excessivo.

excessivo vs exagerado

Both imply a surplus.

Exagerado often refers to an 'over the top' quality or behavior, while excessivo is more about quantity.

Ele é um ator exagerado.

excessivo vs demais

Both translate to 'too much'.

Demais is an adverb and usually comes after the noun or adjective. Excessivo is an adjective.

Sal demais (too much salt) vs Sal excessivo (excessive salt).

excessivo vs muito

Both refer to large amounts.

Muito means 'much/many/very'. Excessivo means it has gone past the limit (too much).

Tenho muito trabalho (I have a lot of work) vs Tenho trabalho excessivo (I have too much work).

excessivo vs vasto

Both imply large size.

Vasto is positive (vast/wide), while excessivo is usually negative (too much).

Um vasto oceano vs Um gasto excessivo.

Sentence Patterns

O [Noun] é excessivo.

O sal é excessivo.

A [Noun] é excessiva.

A velocidade é excessiva.

Evite o [Noun] excessivo.

Evite o esforço excessivo.

Devido ao [Noun] excessivo, [Result].

Devido ao calor excessivo, ficamos em casa.

O [Noun] excessivo de [Something] gera [Consequence].

O uso excessivo de plásticos gera poluição.

Apesar da [Noun] excessiva, [Counter-action].

Apesar da burocracia excessiva, conseguimos o visto.

Os [Noun Plural] são excessivos.

Os preços são excessivos.

As [Noun Plural] são excessivas.

As cobranças são excessivas.

Word Family

Nouns

excesso (excess)

excessividade (excessiveness)

Verbs

exceder (to exceed)

exceder-se (to overdo it)

Adjectives

excessivo (excessive)

excedente (surplus/extra)

excedido

excedível

excedência

exorbitante

demasiado

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in formal writing, news, and adult conversation.

Common Mistakes

O barulho excessiva. → O barulho excessivo.
Barulho is a masculine noun, so the adjective must be masculine.
Eu bebi excessivo. → Eu bebi excessivamente / Eu bebi demais.
You need an adverb to describe a verb, not an adjective.
Pronouncing 'x' as /ks/. → Pronouncing 'x' as /s/.
In 'excessivo', the 'x' is always a soft 's' sound.
As taxas é excessivo. → As taxas são excessivas.
The adjective must agree in both gender (feminine) and number (plural) with the noun 'taxas'.
Spelling it 'excesivo'. → Excessivo.
Don't forget the double 's' after the 'ce'.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always look at the noun first. If it's 'a chuva', it's 'excessiva'. If it's 'o som', it's 'excessivo'. This is the #1 mistake.

The 'S' Sound

Don't let the 'x' fool you. It's a soft 's' sound. Practice saying 'esse' and then 'excessivo' to get the transition right.

Formal vs Informal

In a text to your boss, use 'excessivo'. In a text to a friend about a loud party, use 'demais'.

Double 'S'

Remember the double 's'. In Portuguese, 'ss' between vowels always makes a soft 's' sound, which is what 'excessivo' needs.

Health Contexts

If you are talking about sugar, salt, or alcohol, 'excessivo' is the most natural word to use in a serious conversation.

Excessivo vs Muito

Use 'muito' for 'a lot' and 'excessivo' for 'too much'. If it's a problem, it's probably 'excessivo'.

Poetic Placement

If you want to sound like a poet, put it before the noun. 'O excessivo brilho das estrelas'. But for daily life, keep it after.

Word Family

Learn 'excesso' (noun) and 'exceder' (verb) at the same time. It helps reinforce the root meaning of the word.

Noise Complaints

In Brazil, 'barulho excessivo' is a serious legal complaint. Knowing this word helps you handle real-life neighbor issues.

News Keywords

When you hear 'excessivo' on the news, pay attention to the word right before it. It's usually the topic of the report.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'X' in excessivo as a 'cross' (X) that marks the line you shouldn't have crossed because you did 'too much'.

Visual Association

Imagine a glass of water overflowing onto a table. The water on the table is the 'excesso', and the amount in the glass is 'excessivo'.

Word Web

excesso exceder muito limite demais exagerado sobra barreira

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'excessivos' (too many books, too much dust, excessive light) and say them out loud with the correct agreement.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'excessivus', which comes from 'excessus' (the past participle of 'excedere'). The prefix 'ex-' means 'out' and 'cedere' means 'to go'. Thus, the root meaning is 'to go out' or 'go beyond'.

Original meaning: The original Latin sense referred to a departure or a going beyond a certain point or boundary.

Romance (Latin-based)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'excessivo' to describe people's characteristics directly to them, as it can sound quite critical or judgmental.

English speakers might use 'excessive' mostly in formal or legal settings, but in Portuguese, 'excessivo' is used more broadly in daily life to complain about heat, noise, or food.

The phrase 'Nada em excesso' is often attributed to the Seven Sages of Greece but is a staple of Portuguese wisdom. Legal documents in Brazil frequently cite 'uso excessivo de força' in human rights cases. Portuguese fado music often explores 'sofrimento excessivo' (excessive suffering) as a theme of 'saudade'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health and Diet

Consumo excessivo de açúcar.
Evite o sal excessivo.
Esforço físico excessivo.
Peso excessivo na infância.

Weather and Environment

Calor excessivo no verão.
Chuvas excessivas causaram enchentes.
Barulho excessivo na vizinhança.
Luz excessiva durante o dia.

Economics and Finance

Gastos excessivos do governo.
Preços excessivos no mercado.
Taxas bancárias excessivas.
Carga tributária excessiva.

Work and Professional Life

Trabalho excessivo no escritório.
Burocracia excessiva para abrir empresa.
Atrasos excessivos nas reuniões.
Zelo excessivo com os detalhes.

Technology and Media

Uso excessivo de redes sociais.
Brilho excessivo da tela.
Dependência excessiva de gadgets.
Volume excessivo dos fones.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que o uso excessivo de celulares está mudando a forma como conversamos?"

"Como você lida com o calor excessivo durante o verão na sua cidade?"

"Você já teve que pagar por excesso de bagagem em algum voo?"

"Na sua opinião, qual é a principal causa do trabalho excessivo hoje em dia?"

"Você prefere uma decoração simples ou acha que um detalhamento excessivo é melhor?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento em que você sentiu uma preocupação excessiva e como você resolveu essa situação.

Escreva sobre os perigos do consumo excessivo de notícias nas redes sociais para a nossa saúde mental.

Reflita sobre a burocracia excessiva no seu país. Como isso afeta a vida dos cidadãos comuns?

Imagine um mundo sem luz excessiva à noite. Como as cidades seriam diferentes e como nos sentiríamos?

Você acha que o otimismo excessivo pode ser prejudicial em tempos de crise? Justifique sua resposta.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In almost all cases, yes. In Portuguese, describing something as 'excessivo' implies it has surpassed a healthy or desirable limit. While in English you might say 'excessive fun' as a joke, in Portuguese, it sounds like a literal problem. For positive abundance, use words like 'abundante' or 'muito'.

The 'x' is pronounced exactly like an 's' in Portuguese. It is a common mistake for learners to pronounce it like 'ks'. The correct pronunciation is /e-se-si-vu/. Think of the 'x' as being invisible and replaced by an 's'.

'Excessivo' is an adjective and must agree with the noun (e.g., 'calor excessivo'). 'Demais' is an adverb that usually follows the noun or adjective (e.g., 'calor demais'). 'Excessivo' is more formal, while 'demais' is more common in casual speech.

Yes, absolutely. It must agree in number. For masculine plural nouns, use 'excessivos' (e.g., 'gastos excessivos'). For feminine plural nouns, use 'excessivas' (e.g., 'taxas excessivas').

Yes, but it sounds quite formal and judgmental. For example, 'Ele é excessivo' suggests someone who is overbearing or does everything too much. In casual conversation, 'Ele é exagerado' is much more common and natural.

It comes from the Latin 'excessivus', which means going beyond a limit. This Latin root is shared with the English word 'excessive', making it a cognate that is easy for English speakers to remember.

Neither is 'better', but 'demasiado' is very frequent in European Portuguese, while 'excessivo' is widely used across all Lusophone countries in formal, medical, and legal contexts. You can use both, but 'excessivo' sounds more precise in writing.

You use the adverbial form 'excessivamente'. For example: 'Ele trabalha excessivamente' (He works excessively). You simply add '-mente' to the feminine singular form 'excessiva'.

Yes, but it's less common. Placing it before the noun, like 'excessivo calor', adds a poetic or highly formal emphasis. In 95% of cases, you should place it after the noun: 'calor excessivo'.

The most common opposite is 'moderado' (moderate). Other opposites include 'escasso' (scarce), 'insuficiente' (insufficient), or 'comedido' (restrained).