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A2 adjective #4,500 most common 9 min read

fatal

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips fatal in 30 Seconds

Explanation fatal in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'fatal' means something very dangerous that causes death. It looks like the English word 'fatal', which makes it easy to remember. You might see it on signs or in very simple news headlines about accidents. Just remember: it means someone died or something is very, very bad. It does not change for boy or girl nouns. Example: 'O acidente foi fatal.' (The accident was fatal).

At the A2 level, you should start using 'fatal' to describe serious accidents or big mistakes. You should also learn the plural form 'fatais'. If you see 'vítima fatal' in a news story, you know it means a person who died. You can also use it for very strong things, like 'um veneno fatal'. It's a useful word for talking about safety and health in a basic way. It is a cognate, meaning it is similar to English, but be careful with the pronunciation in Portuguese.

At the B1 level, you can use 'fatal' in more figurative ways. You might talk about a 'erro fatal' in a project or a 'decisão fatal' in a story. You should understand that it implies finality—once something is fatal, you cannot fix it. You will also start encountering it in more complex texts, like newspaper articles or short stories, where it might describe a 'golpe fatal' (a fatal blow) to a plan or a business.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the nuances between 'fatal', 'letal', and 'mortal'. You understand that 'fatal' often refers to the outcome of an event. You are also likely to encounter the adverb 'fatalmente' (inevitably). You can use 'fatal' to discuss social issues, historical events, or literary themes, such as the 'mulher fatal' in cinema or literature. Your ability to use it in both literal and metaphorical contexts should be fluid.

At the C1 level, you explore the literary and philosophical depths of 'fatal'. You recognize its connection to 'fado' (fate) and destiny. You might see it in classical literature where 'o fatal destino' refers to an inescapable path. You can use it to describe complex systems where a single point of failure is 'fatal'. You also understand its use in formal legal and medical registers, distinguishing it from more common synonyms like 'mortífero' or 'funesto'.

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the word's etymological journey from Latin. You can appreciate the subtle irony or dark humor when 'fatal' is used in sophisticated discourse. You understand its role in creating atmosphere in high-level writing, such as 'um silêncio fatal'. You can effortlessly switch between its clinical, legal, literary, and colloquial uses, and you are aware of how its meaning has slightly shifted or remained stable in different Lusophone cultures over centuries.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

fatal in 30 Seconds

Fatal means causing death or total disaster.
It is a cognate of the English word 'fatal'.
The plural form in Portuguese is 'fatais'.
It is used for both masculine and feminine nouns.

The Portuguese word fatal is a powerful adjective that primarily describes something that causes death or leads inevitably to disaster. While its most common association is with physical mortality, it also carries a heavy weight in figurative contexts, signifying an error or event that is irreversible and destructive. In Portuguese, the word descends from the Latin fatalis, which relates to fate or destiny. This connection to destiny is still palpable in modern usage; when something is described as fatal, there is often an underlying sense that the outcome was unavoidable or determined by a chain of events that could not be stopped.

Primary Meaning: Causing death or lethality, often used in the context of accidents or illnesses.
Figurative Meaning: Describing a mistake or decision that leads to the total failure of a plan or project.
Philosophical Meaning: Relating to fate (fado) or the idea that events are predetermined and inescapable.

People use 'fatal' in professional reports, such as police or medical documents, to indicate that a victim did not survive. However, you will also hear it in everyday conversation when someone makes a 'fatal error' in judgment. For example, in a game of chess, a single move might be described as fatal if it leads to an immediate loss. The word is 'uniforme', meaning it does not change based on gender; you use 'fatal' for both masculine and feminine nouns.

Infelizmente, o acidente de carro foi fatal para o motorista.

In this context, it is clear that the driver passed away. In a more casual but still serious context, one might say, 'Cometer aquele erro na entrevista foi fatal para a minha candidatura.' Here, it means the mistake killed their chances of getting the job. Culturally, the term 'mulher fatal' (the equivalent of femme fatale) is well-understood in Portuguese-speaking countries, referring to a seductive woman who leads men into dangerous or compromising situations. This usage highlights the 'destiny' aspect of the word, where the attraction is seen as a force of nature that leads to a character's downfall.

A negligência médica provou ser fatal naquele caso específico.

Whether in literature, news, or daily life, 'fatal' is a word that demands attention because it signals an end point—whether that is the end of a life or the end of a possibility.

Using fatal correctly requires understanding its placement and its agreement rules. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. This is almost always the case with 'fatal'. You would say 'um erro fatal' or 'um golpe fatal'. Placing it before the noun, such as 'o fatal destino', is possible but creates a very poetic or archaic tone, common in classical Portuguese literature like Camões or Eça de Queirós.

Noun Agreement: The word is 'biforme' in number but 'uniforme' in gender. Masculine: O acidente fatal. Feminine: A falha fatal.
Pluralization: Words ending in -al change to -ais in the plural. Example: Erros fatais, consequências fatais.

When using 'fatal' to describe a cause of death, it is often paired with the verb 'ser' (to be) in the past tense, such as 'foi fatal'. This is because the death is a completed fact. However, if you are discussing potential risks, you might use 'pode ser fatal' (can be fatal). For instance, 'Misturar esses dois produtos químicos pode ser fatal.'

As consequências de ignorar o aviso foram fatais para a empresa.

Note how 'fatais' agrees with 'consequências'. In medical contexts, you might see 'vítima fatal', which means a person who died in an incident. This is a very standard term in Brazilian and Portuguese news media.

O veneno daquela cobra é fatal em poucos minutos.

Also, consider the adverbial form 'fatalmente', which means 'inevitably'. While 'fatal' describes the thing itself, 'fatalmente' describes how something happens. 'Se você não estudar, fatalmente reprovará no exame.' (If you don't study, you will inevitably fail the exam).

Aquele foi o seu erro fatal na competição de xadrez.

Use 'fatal' when you want to emphasize the finality and the gravity of a situation. It is a 'heavy' word, so avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

You will encounter fatal across various domains, ranging from the evening news to classic literature. In the media, 'fatal' is the standard term for reporting deaths in accidents, natural disasters, or violent crimes. News anchors might say, 'O temporal causou três vítimas fatais no Rio de Janeiro.' This formal usage is consistent across all Portuguese-speaking regions.

News Media: Used to report fatalities. Common phrases include 'vítima fatal' and 'acidente fatal'.
Literature and Cinema: The concept of 'mulher fatal' or the 'destino fatal' of a hero is a staple in storytelling.
Medical/Scientific: Describing the lethality of viruses, toxins, or physical traumas.

In a legal or forensic context, a 'laudo' (report) might describe a 'lesão fatal' (fatal injury). In these cases, the word is used with clinical precision. However, if you move into the realm of romance and drama, 'fatal' takes on a more seductive or tragic tone. A 'paixão fatal' is an overwhelming passion that leads to destruction, a theme common in 19th-century Portuguese romanticism.

Os jornais confirmaram que não houve vítimas fatais na explosão.

You might also hear it in sports commentary. If a team makes a mistake in the last minute of a game that results in their elimination, the commentator might call it a 'falha fatal'. This highlights that the mistake was the direct cause of their 'death' in the tournament. In everyday speech, people might use it to describe a very strong attraction or a very bad mistake. For example, 'Aquele olhar dela é fatal!' (That look of hers is lethal/stunning!). This is a more metaphorical and slightly informal way of using the word to describe something high-impact.

O herói da história enfrentou o seu fatal destino com coragem.

Lastly, in business, a 'golpe fatal' might refer to a competitor's move that puts another company out of business. It signifies the end of an entity.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with fatal is regarding its pluralization. Because it ends in '-al', many learners instinctively try to add an '-s' (fatals) or an '-es' (fatales), but the correct Portuguese plural is fatais. This applies to all adjectives ending in '-al', such as 'normal/normais' or 'central/centrais'.

Plural Error: Incorrect: Acidentes fatals. Correct: Acidentes fatais.
Confusing with 'Mortal': While similar, 'mortal' refers to the ability to die (humans are mortals) or cause death, while 'fatal' usually describes an event that *has* caused death.
Gender Over-correction: Learners might try to change the ending to 'fatala' for feminine nouns. This is wrong. It is 'o erro fatal' and 'a falha fatal'.

Another common issue is using 'fatal' for minor problems. In English, we sometimes say 'that was fatal' for a small mistake, but in Portuguese, 'fatal' remains a very heavy, serious word. Using it for a spilled coffee or a late bus might sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.

Muitos alunos escrevem 'fatals', mas o plural correto é fatais.

There is also a subtle difference between 'fatal' and 'letal'. 'Letal' (lethal) is more often used for substances like poison or weapons ('arma letal', 'veneno letal'), whereas 'fatal' is more common for outcomes like accidents ('acidente fatal'). Using 'letal' for an accident ('acidente letal') is technically understandable but sounds slightly unnatural.

Não diga 'a decisão fatala'; o correto é 'a decisão fatal'.

Finally, ensure you don't confuse 'fatal' with 'fetal'. 'Fetal' refers to a fetus (related to pregnancy), and a slip of the tongue here could lead to a very confusing sentence!

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is essential to know the synonyms and related words for fatal. Depending on the context, you might want to use a word that is more specific.

Mortal: Focuses on the capacity to cause death. 'Um golpe mortal'. It also means 'mortal' as in 'not immortal'.
Letal: Used primarily for toxins, weapons, or doses. 'Uma dose letal'.
Funesto: A more literary word meaning gloomy, mourning-related, or disastrous. 'Um presságio funesto'.
Decisivo: If you mean 'fatal' in the sense of a 'decisive' turning point, this is a safer, less 'deadly' alternative.

Comparing 'fatal' and 'mortal' is particularly useful. While 'acidente fatal' is the standard for an accident that killed someone, 'inimigo mortal' (mortal enemy) is the standard for a lifelong foe. You wouldn't say 'inimigo fatal'.

O médico disse que a dose do remédio não era letal, mas o erro na aplicação foi fatal.

This sentence shows the nuance: 'letal' refers to the substance's potential, while 'fatal' refers to the outcome of the action. In figurative use, 'catastrófico' or 'desastroso' are excellent alternatives if 'fatal' feels too extreme. 'A queda nas vendas foi desastrosa para a loja' sounds more natural than 'fatal' if the store is still open but struggling.

Aquele silêncio foi funesto, prevendo a tragédia que viria.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to adjust the intensity and tone of your speech, moving from the clinical 'fatal' to the literary 'funesto' or the practical 'decisivo'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word is closely related to 'fado', the traditional Portuguese music genre, which literally means 'fate'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK fɐ.ˈtaɫ

US fa.ˈtaw

The stress is on the last syllable: fa-TAL.

Rhymes With

animal central final geral legal normal real total

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'fatal' with a 'fay' sound.
Not stressing the last syllable.
Pronouncing the 'l' like a clear English 'l' in Brazil (it should be 'w').
Confusing the nasal vowels of other words with 'fatal'.
Saying 'fátal' (stress on the first syllable).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy as it is a cognate.

Writing 2/5

Pluralization 'fatais' can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of final 'l' varies by region.

Listening 1/5

Easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

morte erro acidente perigo ser

Learn Next

fatalidade fatalmente letal mortal destino

Advanced

inexorável funesto mortífero fatum predestinado

Grammar to Know

Plural of adjectives ending in -al

fatal -> fatais, legal -> legais

Adjective-Noun agreement

O erro (masc) fatal; A falha (fem) fatal.

Position of adjectives

Usually after the noun: 'acidente fatal'.

Uniform adjectives for gender

'Fatal' works for both 'homem' and 'mulher'.

Adverb formation with -mente

fatal + mente = fatalmente.

Examples by Level

O acidente foi fatal.

The accident was fatal.

Fatal is an adjective.

Este veneno é fatal.

This poison is fatal.

Used with the verb 'ser'.

Foi um erro fatal.

It was a fatal error.

Adjective follows the noun.

A queda não foi fatal.

The fall was not fatal.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

Cuidado, isso pode ser fatal!

Careful, that can be fatal!

Modal verb 'pode'.

O golpe foi fatal.

The blow was fatal.

Singular masculine noun.

Uma falha fatal no sistema.

A fatal failure in the system.

Singular feminine noun.

O resultado foi fatal.

The result was fatal.

Simple subject-verb-adjective.

Houve duas vítimas fatais ontem.

There were two fatalities yesterday.

Plural form 'fatais'.

O médico disse que a lesão era fatal.

The doctor said the injury was fatal.

Imperfect tense 'era'.

A dose de remédio foi fatal.

The dose of medicine was fatal.

Feminine noun 'dose'.

Eles cometeram erros fatais na viagem.

They made fatal mistakes on the trip.

Plural masculine agreement.

O incêndio teve consequências fatais.

The fire had fatal consequences.

Plural feminine agreement.

É um vírus fatal para os animais.

It is a fatal virus for animals.

Preposition 'para'.

Aquele silêncio pareceu fatal.

That silence seemed fatal.

Verb 'parecer'.

Não foi um ferimento fatal, felizmente.

It wasn't a fatal injury, fortunately.

Adverb 'felizmente'.

Um erro fatal de julgamento destruiu a carreira dele.

A fatal error of judgment destroyed his career.

Figurative usage.

A falta de água será fatal para a colheita.

The lack of water will be fatal for the harvest.

Future tense 'será'.

Ela se tornou uma mulher fatal no novo filme.

She became a femme fatale in the new movie.

Cultural idiom 'mulher fatal'.

O ataque foi fatal para a economia do país.

The attack was fatal for the country's economy.

Abstract usage.

Muitas doenças antigas eram fatais no passado.

Many old diseases were fatal in the past.

Historical context.

A decisão do juiz provou ser fatal para o réu.

The judge's decision proved to be fatal for the defendant.

Verb phrase 'provou ser'.

O esquecimento da chave foi fatal para o plano.

Forgetting the key was fatal to the plan.

Gerund/Noun usage.

Eles ignoraram o aviso fatal na entrada da caverna.

They ignored the fatal warning at the cave entrance.

Descriptive adjective.

O destino fatal do herói já estava escrito.

The hero's fatal destiny was already written.

Poetic placement (pre-noun).

A negligência fatal da empresa causou o desastre.

The company's fatal negligence caused the disaster.

Compound subject context.

Se não agirmos agora, o atraso será fatal.

If we don't act now, the delay will be fatal.

Conditional sentence.

O veneno daquela aranha raramente é fatal para humanos.

That spider's venom is rarely fatal to humans.

Adverb 'raramente'.

Foi um golpe fatal nas esperanças de paz.

It was a fatal blow to the hopes for peace.

Metaphorical 'golpe'.

As falhas fatais no projeto foram descobertas tarde demais.

The fatal flaws in the project were discovered too late.

Passive voice.

O clima extremo pode ter um efeito fatal na fauna local.

The extreme climate can have a fatal effect on local fauna.

Scientific context.

A ironia fatal da situação não passou despercebida.

The fatal irony of the situation did not go unnoticed.

Abstract noun phrase.

A aura fatal que a envolvia fascinava a todos.

The fatal aura that surrounded her fascinated everyone.

Literary description.

O desenlace fatal da trama surpreendeu os leitores.

The fatal outcome of the plot surprised the readers.

Advanced vocabulary 'desenlace'.

Houve uma conjunção fatal de eventos infelizes.

There was a fatal conjunction of unfortunate events.

Complex noun phrase.

O pensamento fatalista ignora o livre-arbítrio.

Fatalistic thinking ignores free will.

Related word 'fatalista'.

A precisão fatal do arqueiro era lendária.

The archer's fatal precision was legendary.

Nuanced positive/deadly attribute.

O laudo pericial confirmou que a pancada foi fatal.

The forensic report confirmed that the blow was fatal.

Formal register.

A tragédia grega frequentemente lida com o destino fatal.

Greek tragedy often deals with fatal destiny.

Cultural/Academic context.

O silêncio que se seguiu à notícia foi fatal e pesado.

The silence that followed the news was fatal and heavy.

Double adjective usage.

A inexorável e fatal marcha do tempo consome tudo.

The inexorable and fatal march of time consumes everything.

High-level literary style.

O erro, embora sutil, provou-se fatal para a integridade da estrutura.

The error, though subtle, proved fatal to the integrity of the structure.

Complex sentence structure.

O determinismo fatalista de certas filosofias é contestado.

The fatalistic determinism of certain philosophies is contested.

Philosophical terminology.

A beleza fatal daquelas paisagens escondia perigos mortais.

The fatal beauty of those landscapes hid mortal dangers.

Oxymoronic usage.

O veredito fatal ecoou pelo tribunal como um trovão.

The fatal verdict echoed through the courtroom like thunder.

Simile usage.

Sua arrogância foi o elemento fatal que precipitou sua queda.

His arrogance was the fatal element that precipitated his fall.

Metaphorical narrative.

A simbiose fatal entre os dois organismos levou à extinção.

The fatal symbiosis between the two organisms led to extinction.

Scientific/Biological context.

O fado, em sua essência, é a aceitação do destino fatal.

Fado, in its essence, is the acceptance of fatal destiny.

Deep cultural connection.

Common Collocations

acidente fatal

erro fatal

vítima fatal

dose fatal

golpe fatal

mulher fatal

ferimento fatal

consequência fatal

destino fatal

falha fatal

Common Phrases

foi fatal

— It was the cause of death or failure.

A queda foi fatal.

erros fatais

— Mistakes that lead to failure.

Eles cometeram erros fatais.

desfecho fatal

— A deadly ending.

A história teve um desfecho fatal.

atração fatal

— A dangerous attraction.

Eles sentiram uma atração fatal.

golpe fatal

— The final blow.

O golpe fatal veio no fim do jogo.

vítimas fatais

— People who died.

O terremoto deixou muitas vítimas fatais.

lesão fatal

— A deadly injury.

A lesão fatal ocorreu na cabeça.

arma fatal

— A deadly weapon.

Ele portava uma arma fatal.

negligência fatal

— Deadly carelessness.

Foi um caso de negligência fatal.

silêncio fatal

— A silence that implies disaster.

Houve um silêncio fatal na sala.

Often Confused With

fatal vs fetal

Related to a fetus/pregnancy. Do not confuse 'fatal' (deadly) with 'fetal' (baby).

fatal vs fatia

Means 'slice' (like a slice of cake). Sounds slightly similar to a beginner.

fatal vs facial

Related to the face. Also ends in -al.

Idioms & Expressions

"Mulher fatal"

— A seductive woman who causes trouble.

Ela é a típica mulher fatal dos filmes noir.

literary/cinematic

"Golpe fatal"

— The final action that causes something to fail completely.

A nova lei foi o golpe fatal na pequena empresa.

journalistic

"Erro fatal"

— A mistake that ruins everything.

Não conferir o contrato foi um erro fatal.

professional

"Atração fatal"

— A dangerous or obsessive love.

O relacionamento deles era uma atração fatal.

colloquial

"Destino fatal"

— An unavoidable tragic end.

Ele aceitou seu destino fatal com dignidade.

poetic

"Ponto fatal"

— The most vulnerable spot.

Aquele era o ponto fatal da sua argumentação.

rhetorical

"Dose fatal"

— Too much of something that leads to ruin.

Uma dose fatal de arrogância o destruiu.

metaphorical

"Encontro fatal"

— A meeting that leads to tragedy.

O encontro fatal ocorreu na encruzilhada.

narrative

"Beijo fatal"

— A deadly kiss (often metaphorical).

O beijo fatal da traição.

poetic

"Salto fatal"

— A jump or move that ends in death or ruin.

O salto fatal do penhasco.

literal/metaphorical

Easily Confused

fatal vs letal

Both mean deadly.

Letal is usually the potential of a substance; Fatal is the actual result of an event.

O veneno é letal; o acidente foi fatal.

fatal vs mortal

Both mean deadly.

Mortal can mean 'subject to death' (humans are mortal) or a quality of an enemy.

Ele é meu inimigo mortal.

fatal vs mortífero

Synonym.

Mortífero is more poetic or used for weapons/diseases.

Um gás mortífero.

fatal vs funesto

Synonym.

Funesto implies sadness, mourning, or an ill omen.

Um dia funesto.

fatal vs decisivo

Both imply a final result.

Decisivo is neutral/positive; Fatal is negative/deadly.

O golo decisivo.

Sentence Patterns

O [noun] foi fatal.

O acidente foi fatal.

Houve [number] vítimas fatais.

Houve três vítimas fatais.

Um erro fatal de [noun].

Um erro fatal de cálculo.

Se [verb], o resultado será fatal.

Se você beber isso, o resultado será fatal.

O fatal [noun] de [person].

O fatal destino de Édipo.

A [noun] provou-se fatal para [noun].

A negligência provou-se fatal para a paz.

Pode ser fatal para [noun].

Pode ser fatal para a empresa.

Não é um ferimento fatal.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in news and safety contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'fatals' as plural. → fatais
Adjectives ending in -al must change to -ais in the plural.
Saying 'a decisão fatala'. → a decisão fatal
'Fatal' is a uniform adjective and doesn't have a feminine form ending in -a.
Pronouncing it like 'fay-tal'. → fa-TAL
The 'a' is open and the stress is on the second syllable.
Using 'fatal' for a small error. → grande erro
'Fatal' implies death or total destruction; it is too strong for minor things.
Confusing 'fatal' with 'fetal'. → fatal
'Fetal' is related to a fetus; 'fatal' is related to death.

Tips

Plural Rule

Remember the -al to -ais transition. It is one of the most common plural patterns in Portuguese.

Seriousness

Only use 'fatal' for truly serious things. It carries a lot of weight.

Cognates

Use your English knowledge! 'Fatal' means exactly what you think it means, just watch the plural.

Final L

If you are in Brazil, say 'fat-OW'. If you are in Portugal, say 'fat-AL' with a dark L.

Fado

Think of the word 'Fado' to remember that 'fatal' is linked to destiny.

News Style

Use 'vítima fatal' when writing reports or news summaries for a professional tone.

Clinical Use

In medical contexts, 'fatal' is used for injuries that result in death.

Chess/Games

Use 'fatal' to describe a move that loses the game immediately.

Common Pairs

Learn 'acidente fatal' and 'erro fatal' as single units of meaning.

Latin Roots

Knowing it comes from 'fatum' (fate) helps understand the literary usage.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'FATAL' as 'FATE-AL'—something that is your fate or end.

Visual Association

Imagine a red 'X' over a heart or a skull and crossbones.

Word Web

morte destino erro letal fatais fado vítima perigo

Challenge

Try to use 'fatal' and 'fatais' in three different sentences describing a movie plot.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'fatalis', meaning 'ordained by fate'.

Original meaning: Destined, decreed by the gods.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word around grieving people; it is very blunt.

Similar to English, but slightly more formal in clinical settings.

Mulher Fatal (film trope) Os Lusíadas (fate themes) Fado music themes

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News Reporting

vítima fatal
acidente fatal
deixou feridos e fatais
confirmou a morte fatal

Medicine

dose fatal
lesão fatal
doença fatal
parada fatal

Business

erro fatal
golpe fatal
decisão fatal
estratégia fatal

Literature

Daily Life

Conversation Starters

"Você já ouviu falar de algum acidente fatal recentemente?"

"Você acha que um erro no trabalho pode ser fatal para a carreira?"

"O que define uma 'mulher fatal' na sua opinião?"

"Você acredita em destino fatal ou que nós criamos nosso caminho?"

"Quais doenças eram fatais no passado e hoje não são mais?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento em que você cometeu um erro que parecia fatal, mas você conseguiu resolver.

Escreva sobre um filme que tenha um desfecho fatal para o protagonista.

Como a ideia de um 'destino fatal' influencia a literatura do seu país?

Reflexão: A tecnologia pode prevenir acidentes fatais no futuro?

Descreva as qualidades de uma personagem que seria considerada uma 'mulher fatal'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'fatal' is a uniform adjective. You say 'o homem fatal' and 'a mulher fatal'.

The plural is 'fatais'. All Portuguese adjectives ending in -al follow this rule.

Yes, in literary contexts it can mean something determined by fate, but 'deadly' is more common.

The standard is 'erro fatal'. 'Fatal erro' is very poetic and rare.

It's better not to. It sounds very dramatic. Use 'erro bobo' or 'grande erro' instead.

Not always. It can mean a mistake that causes a total failure of a project or plan.

We usually say 'vítimas fatais' or 'mortes'.

Yes, it means 'inevitably' and is used in formal and semi-formal speech.

It is the Portuguese version of 'femme fatale', a dangerous, seductive woman.

Yes, it is very common in news reports and formal discussions about risks.