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A2 noun #4,000 most common 11 min read

ferimento

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ferimento in 30 Seconds

Explanation ferimento in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'ferimento' means 'injury'. It is a word you might use if you need help from a doctor or a pharmacist. You will usually see it in simple sentences like 'Eu tenho um ferimento' (I have an injury). At this stage, you don't need to know all the technical details, but you should recognize that it is a masculine word ('o ferimento'). You might also learn it alongside body parts, such as 'ferimento na mão' (injury on the hand). It is a basic survival word for health situations. You might confuse it with the verb 'ferir' (to hurt), but remember that 'ferimento' is the name of the thing itself. Practice saying 'Onde é o ferimento?' (Where is the injury?) to prepare for basic medical interactions. Even at this early stage, knowing the difference between a 'ferimento' and 'dor' (pain) is helpful, as one is physical damage and the other is a feeling.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'ferimento' in more descriptive ways. You should be able to use basic adjectives like 'leve' (light/minor) and 'grave' (serious). You will see this word in short news clips or simple health instructions. You should also start to understand the difference between 'ferimento' and 'machucado' (the more common, informal word). An A2 learner should be able to describe how an injury happened using simple past tenses, for example: 'Eu caí e sofri um ferimento no joelho' (I fell and suffered an injury to the knee). You will also notice the word in plural form ('ferimentos') when talking about accidents. This level requires you to correctly pair the masculine article 'o' or 'um' with the noun. You should also be comfortable using the preposition 'na' or 'no' to indicate where the injury is located on the body. This is a key word for building your vocabulary related to health and safety.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'ferimento' in more complex narratives and formal contexts. You will encounter it in newspapers and more detailed medical reports. You should understand the nuances of verbs that commonly accompany it, such as 'tratar' (to treat), 'ignorar' (to ignore), and 'cicatrizar' (to heal/scar). At this stage, you can discuss the consequences of an injury, like missing work or needing surgery. You should be able to distinguish between 'ferimento' and 'lesão' (internal injury/sports injury). A B1 learner can express empathy using the word: 'Sinto muito pelo seu ferimento, espero que melhore logo' (I'm sorry about your injury, I hope you get better soon). You will also start to see the word used in passive voice: 'O ferimento foi causado por um acidente' (The injury was caused by an accident). Your ability to use 'ferimento' correctly in a variety of tenses and structures is a sign of your growing intermediate proficiency.

At the B2 level, 'ferimento' becomes a tool for professional and technical communication. You should be able to use it in formal writing, such as an accident report for an employer or a detailed description for an insurance claim. You will understand its use in legal contexts, where the 'gravidade do ferimento' (severity of the injury) determines legal consequences. You should be familiar with more advanced collocations like 'ferimento por arma de fogo' (gunshot wound) or 'ferimento cortante' (incised wound). At this level, you can also understand and use the word in some metaphorical or literary contexts, although you recognize it's less common than physical usage. You should be able to follow a fast-paced news report about a major incident and identify how many people sustained 'ferimentos graves' versus 'ferimentos leves'. Your understanding of the word is now deep enough to recognize the register and tone it brings to a conversation or text.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'ferimento' and its synonyms. You can choose between 'ferimento', 'lesão', 'trauma', and 'ferida' based on the exact context and desired level of formality. You can use the word in academic or high-level professional discussions, such as a medical seminar or a legal debate about personal injury law. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Latin-based languages. You can appreciate the use of 'ferimento' in classic literature, where it might describe a wound to one's honor or soul. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you don't just use 'ferimento' as a general term, but you use it to set a specific tone—one that is objective, serious, and precise. You can also explain the subtle differences between regional uses in Portugal and Brazil, although the word is standard in both. Your mastery is reflected in your ability to use the word flawlessly in complex, high-register discourse.

At the C2 level, you use 'ferimento' with the same ease and precision as a highly educated native speaker. You are comfortable with all its technical, legal, and literary applications. You can use it in spontaneous, high-stakes communication, such as giving testimony in court or participating in a medical ethics board. You understand the most obscure idioms and historical uses of the word. You can write sophisticated texts where 'ferimento' is used to create specific rhetorical effects. You are also aware of the sociological implications of how 'ferimentos' are reported in the media and can critique the language used in public safety campaigns. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a building block for complex thought and expression. You can effortlessly switch between the formal 'ferimento' and the informal 'machucado' to perfectly suit your audience and purpose. Your command of the word and its entire semantic field is absolute.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ferimento in 30 Seconds

Ferimento is a masculine noun meaning 'injury' or 'wound', commonly used in medical and formal Portuguese contexts to describe physical damage to the body.
It differs from 'machucado' by being more formal and from 'lesão' by typically referring to external rather than internal or sports-related injuries.
Commonly paired with adjectives like 'grave' (serious) or 'leve' (minor), it is essential for reporting accidents or discussing health issues accurately.
Grammatically, it requires masculine articles and is frequently used with verbs like 'sofrer' (to suffer) and 'tratar' (to treat) in Lusophone daily life.

The Portuguese noun ferimento is a fundamental term in the medical, legal, and everyday lexicon of the Lusophone world. Derived from the verb ferir (to wound or to hurt), it specifically denotes the physical result of an injury or the act of being injured. While English speakers might use 'wound' or 'injury' interchangeably, ferimento often carries a slightly more formal or clinical weight than the common word machucado, making it the preferred choice for news reports, medical documentation, and formal police accounts. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone navigating healthcare settings or describing accidents in a Portuguese-speaking country.

Clinical Precision: In a medical context, a ferimento refers to a breach in the skin or damage to internal tissues caused by an external force. Doctors use this to categorize the trauma sustained by a patient.

O médico examinou o ferimento profundo no braço do paciente para decidir se pontos seriam necessários.

Beyond the physical, ferimento can occasionally be used in a metaphorical sense to describe emotional damage, although terms like mágoa or ferida are more common for psychological pain. When you hear a news reporter say 'houve ferimentos leves', they are informing the public that while people were hurt, the injuries were not life-threatening. This distinction between 'leve' (light/minor) and 'grave' (serious) is one of the most common pairings you will encounter with this noun.

Legal and Formal Use: Police reports use the term to document evidence of an assault or accident. It is a technical term that ensures clarity in legal proceedings regarding the extent of bodily harm.

Felizmente, o acidente de carro resultou apenas em um pequeno ferimento na testa do motorista.

The term is also highly prevalent in sports commentary. When a player is forced to leave the pitch, the commentator will often discuss the gravidade do ferimento (severity of the injury). It implies a physical disruption that prevents normal function. It is important to note that while lesão is often used for internal sports injuries like muscle tears, ferimento is more frequently associated with external trauma like cuts or abrasions.

Social Context: Discussing injuries is a way to express empathy. Asking 'Como está o seu ferimento?' shows concern for someone's recovery process.

O relatório policial indicava que o ferimento foi causado por um objeto cortante não identificado.

A enfermeira limpou o ferimento com cuidado para evitar qualquer tipo de infecção posterior.

In summary, ferimento is the bridge between the common 'ouch' and the surgical 'trauma'. It is versatile, ranging from a paper cut in a formal description to a significant wound in a medical emergency. Mastery of this word allows for precise communication in high-stakes situations where clarity about physical health is paramount.

Using ferimento correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common verbal pairings. Most frequently, you will see it as the direct object of verbs like sofrer (to suffer), causar (to cause), tratar (to treat), or limpar (to clean). Because it describes a physical state, it is often modified by adjectives that specify its severity, location, or origin.

Common Verb Pairings: 'Sofrer um ferimento' is the standard way to say 'to sustain an injury'. 'Tratar um ferimento' means 'to treat a wound'.

Muitos soldados sofreram ferimentos durante o treinamento militar intensivo na floresta.

When describing the nature of the injury, Portuguese speakers place the adjective after the noun. For example, 'ferimento grave' (serious injury) or 'ferimento superficial' (superficial injury). This follows the standard Portuguese rule for descriptive adjectives. If you want to specify the location on the body, you use the preposition 'em' or 'no/na'. For instance, 'um ferimento na perna' (an injury on the leg).

Adjective Placement: Adjectives like 'aberto' (open), 'infectado' (infected), or 'cicatrizado' (healed) provide essential details about the status of the ferimento.

O ciclista tinha um ferimento superficial no joelho após a queda na trilha de terra.

Não ignore nenhum ferimento, por menor que seja, pois ele pode inflamar rapidamente.

In more complex sentences, ferimento can act as the subject. For example, 'O ferimento não parava de sangrar' (The injury wouldn't stop bleeding). Here, the noun is the focus of the action. It can also be used in passive constructions, such as 'O ferimento foi causado por estilhaços' (The injury was caused by shrapnel). This is common in journalistic writing where the cause of the harm is the primary information being conveyed.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'com' to describe the tool: 'um ferimento com faca'. Use 'por' to describe the cause: 'um ferimento por queimadura'.

A gravidade do ferimento impediu que o atleta participasse da final do campeonato mundial.

O primeiro passo para o tratamento é a higienização completa do ferimento com soro fisiológico.

Mastering the use of ferimento in sentences requires a balance of vocabulary and grammar. By pairing it with the right verbs and adjectives, you can convey precise information about health and accidents, which is essential for effective communication in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

If you are in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will encounter the word ferimento in several distinct environments. The most common place is likely the evening news or digital newspapers. Journalists use this term to maintain a professional and objective tone when reporting on traffic accidents, natural disasters, or public safety incidents. You will often hear phrases like 'vítimas com ferimentos leves' or 'sem registro de ferimentos'.

In the Media: News anchors use 'ferimento' to describe the condition of people involved in events, providing a clear picture of the physical consequences.

O telejornal informou que não houve nenhum ferimento fatal durante a tempestade de ontem à noite.

Another primary location is the hospital or a local posto de saúde (health center). When checking in, a nurse might ask about the history of a ferimento. In this setting, the word is part of a technical dialogue between the healthcare provider and the patient. You might see it written on medical forms under 'natureza da lesão/ferimento'. It is the standard term for documenting physical trauma in a clinical record.

Healthcare Settings: Doctors and nurses use 'ferimento' when discussing treatment plans or assessing the healing process of a wound.

A enfermeira da triagem perguntou: 'Como ocorreu esse ferimento na sua mão?'.

O árbitro parou o jogo porque o atacante tinha um ferimento visível no rosto que sangrava.

In the workplace, safety briefings and accident reports are full of this word. Companies in Brazil and Portugal are required to document any ferimento no trabalho (workplace injury) for insurance and regulatory purposes. If you are working in a factory or a construction site, you will see posters about how to prevent ferimentos by using personal protective equipment (PPE). It is a key word in the context of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

Workplace Safety: Safety manuals use 'ferimento' to categorize risks and instruct employees on how to avoid physical harm.

O uso de luvas de proteção é obrigatório para evitar qualquer ferimento durante o manuseio de produtos químicos.

O herói da história ignorou o seu ferimento e continuou a lutar para salvar a vila.

Whether you are watching TV, visiting a clinic, or attending a safety meeting, ferimento is the go-to word for describing physical damage. Its presence across these various sectors highlights its importance as a versatile and necessary term for anyone living or working in a Portuguese-speaking society.

For English speakers learning Portuguese, the word ferimento can sometimes be confusing because of its close relationship with other similar terms like ferida, machucado, and lesão. The most common mistake is using ferimento when the speaker actually means ferida. While both relate to being hurt, they are used in different ways and have different grammatical properties.

Ferimento vs. Ferida: 'Ferimento' (masculine) is the act of being injured or the injury in a general sense. 'Ferida' (feminine) usually refers to the specific physical wound, like an open cut or a sore.

Errado: A ferimento está aberta. Correto: A ferida está aberta ou O ferimento é grave.

Another frequent error is gender agreement. Since ferimento ends in '-o', it is masculine. However, because learners often associate 'injury' with feminine words like dor (pain - though 'dor' is feminine in Portuguese, 'injury' in English has no gender), they might mistakenly use feminine articles. Always remember: O ferimento, UM ferimento. Mixing these up is a tell-tale sign of a beginner level.

Confusion with 'Machucado': 'Machucado' is more informal. Using 'ferimento' in a very casual setting (like a child tripping) might sound too formal, almost like a police report.

Ao falar com um amigo sobre um pequeno corte: 'Olha meu machucado' é mais natural que 'Olha meu ferimento'.

Não diga: 'Tive um ferimento no músculo'. Diga: 'Tive uma lesão muscular'.

A subtle mistake involves the use of prepositions. English speakers tend to say 'injury to the head', but in Portuguese, we say 'ferimento na cabeça'. Using 'para' or 'a' in this context is a common literal translation error. Prepositions in Portuguese are often tricky, and with body parts, the contraction of 'em' + article (no, na, nos, nas) is the standard requirement.

Overusing 'Ferimento' for Emotions: While technically possible, using 'ferimento' for a broken heart sounds like a 19th-century poem. Stick to 'mágoa' or 'ferida' for feelings.

Em vez de: 'Um ferimento no coração' (poético), use 'Uma ferida no coração' (comum).

O relatório descreveu os ferimentos múltiplos como a causa principal do sangramento.

By being aware of these common pitfalls—gender agreement, formal vs. informal registers, and the specific nuances between physical and emotional harm—you will use ferimento much more like a native speaker. Precision in these details reflects a deeper understanding of the Portuguese language's structure and social application.

Portuguese offers a rich variety of words to describe being hurt, each with its own specific nuance and register. While ferimento is the most general formal term, knowing when to use alternatives like ferida, lesão, machucado, or contusão will significantly improve your fluency and precision.

Ferimento vs. Lesão: 'Ferimento' is usually external (cuts, scrapes). 'Lesão' is more clinical and covers internal damage like muscle strains or organ trauma.

O jogador tem um ferimento na canela (corte) e uma lesão no ligamento (interno).

Machucado is the everyday, informal cousin of ferimento. It is what you use with family, friends, and children. It can be both a noun ('o machucado') and an adjective ('estou machucado'). If you fall while running and tell a friend, you would likely use machucado. If you are reporting the same fall to an insurance company, you would use ferimento.

Ferida vs. Chaga: 'Ferida' is the physical sore or cut. 'Chaga' is a much heavier, often religious or highly poetic word for a deep, painful wound or a societal 'ulcer'.

A ferida na perna dele está demorando muito para cicatrizar completamente.

Após a batida, ele não tinha nenhum ferimento aberto, apenas uma grande contusão no tórax.

For specific types of injuries, Portuguese has specialized terms. Arranhão means 'scratch'. Queimadura means 'burn'. Corte means 'cut'. While all of these are types of ferimentos, using the specific term makes your description much clearer. In a medical emergency, being able to say 'Ele tem uma queimadura grave' is more helpful than the general 'Ele tem um ferimento'.

Trauma: In very serious medical contexts, 'trauma' is used (e.g., trauma craniano). This is identical to the English 'trauma'.

O paciente foi levado à unidade de trauma devido à gravidade dos seus ferimentos internos.

Um simples arranhão pode ser limpo com água e sabão em casa mesmo.

Understanding these synonyms and specialized terms allows you to navigate everything from a playground scrape to a hospital emergency room with confidence. By choosing the word that fits the context—whether it's the formal ferimento, the informal machucado, or the specific queimadura—you demonstrate a high level of linguistic awareness.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'ferire' is also the ancestor of the English word 'interfere', which originally meant to strike against each other (like a horse's legs).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fɛ.ɾi.ˈmẽ.tu/

US /fe.ɾi.ˈmen.tu/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: fe-ri-MEN-to.

Rhymes With

sentimento momento pensamento movimento casamento nascimento alimento instrumento

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (it should be a single flap like 'tt' in 'better').
Missing the nasal sound on the 'en' syllable.
Stressing the wrong syllable (don't stress 'fe' or 'to').
Confusing the final 'o' with a strong 'o' (it usually sounds like a soft 'u').
Mixing up the 'e' sound with 'i' at the beginning.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its structure.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct gender agreement and spelling.

Speaking 3/5

The nasal 'en' and flap 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to pick out in news reports.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dor corpo mão médico sangue

Learn Next

cicatriz curativo infeccionar inflamação hospitalizar

Advanced

traumatismo laceração hemorragia contusão perícia

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Agreement

O ferimento (masculino) é grave (adjetivo).

Prepositional Contraction with Body Parts

Ferimento NA (em + a) cabeça.

Use of 'Ser' vs 'Estar' with Injuries

O ferimento É (característica) profundo. O ferimento ESTÁ (estado) limpo.

Pluralization of Nouns ending in -o

Um ferimento -> dois ferimentos.

Passive Voice with 'Ser'

O ferimento foi causado pelo acidente.

Examples by Level

O ferimento é na mão.

The injury is on the hand.

Uses the masculine article 'O'.

Eu tenho um ferimento pequeno.

I have a small injury.

Adjective 'pequeno' follows the noun.

Onde está o ferimento?

Where is the injury?

Basic question structure.

Não é um ferimento grave.

It is not a serious injury.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

O ferimento dói muito.

The injury hurts a lot.

Verb 'doer' in the third person.

Limpe o ferimento com água.

Clean the injury with water.

Imperative verb 'Limpe'.

Ele tem um ferimento no pé.

He has an injury on his foot.

Preposition 'no' (em + o).

O ferimento está limpo.

The injury is clean.

State verb 'estar' used for temporary conditions.

O ciclista sofreu um ferimento leve no joelho.

The cyclist suffered a minor injury to the knee.

Past tense 'sofreu'.

Você precisa tratar esse ferimento logo.

You need to treat that injury soon.

Modal verb 'precisa' + infinitive.

Houve muitos ferimentos após a queda.

There were many injuries after the fall.

Plural 'ferimentos'.

O ferimento não parece estar infectado.

The injury doesn't seem to be infected.

Negative construction with 'parece'.

Ela cobriu o ferimento com um curativo.

She covered the injury with a bandage.

Past tense 'cobriu'.

O ferimento foi causado por um vidro quebrado.

The injury was caused by broken glass.

Passive voice 'foi causado'.

O médico examinou o ferimento do menino.

The doctor examined the boy's injury.

Possessive 'do menino'.

Vários ferimentos foram registrados no hospital.

Several injuries were recorded at the hospital.

Plural passive construction.

Apesar do ferimento, ele continuou a correr a maratona.

Despite the injury, he continued to run the marathon.

Concessive phrase 'Apesar do'.

O ferimento começou a cicatrizar depois de uma semana.

The injury began to heal after a week.

Inchoative verb 'começou a'.

O relatório médico descreve o ferimento em detalhes.

The medical report describes the injury in detail.

Present tense 'descreve'.

Ele não pôde trabalhar por causa de um ferimento nas costas.

He couldn't work because of a back injury.

Causal phrase 'por causa de'.

O ferimento requer cuidados diários e limpeza constante.

The injury requires daily care and constant cleaning.

Verb 'requer' (requires).

Se o ferimento piorar, ligue para o médico imediatamente.

If the injury gets worse, call the doctor immediately.

Conditional 'Se' + future subjunctive.

O ferimento na cabeça causou uma leve tontura.

The head injury caused slight dizziness.

Causal relationship.

Ela sentiu uma queimação forte no local do ferimento.

She felt a strong burning sensation at the site of the injury.

Noun 'local' used as a position.

A gravidade do ferimento sugere que foi usada uma arma branca.

The severity of the injury suggests that a bladed weapon was used.

Subjunctive mood in 'sugere que'.

O ferimento por estilhaços foi tratado na unidade de emergência.

The shrapnel injury was treated in the emergency unit.

Compound noun 'ferimento por estilhaços'.

Não houve ferimentos fatais, mas as perdas materiais foram grandes.

There were no fatal injuries, but the material losses were great.

Contrast using 'mas'.

O ferimento exposto aumentou o risco de uma infecção generalizada.

The exposed injury increased the risk of a generalized infection.

Past participle 'exposto' as an adjective.

A perícia técnica analisou a trajetória que causou o ferimento.

The technical expert analysis analyzed the trajectory that caused the injury.

Formal vocabulary like 'perícia técnica'.

O ferimento interno não foi detectado no primeiro exame de raio-x.

The internal injury was not detected in the first x-ray exam.

Passive voice 'não foi detectado'.

Os ferimentos de guerra deixaram marcas profundas em sua pele.

The war injuries left deep marks on his skin.

Metaphorical and literal 'marcas'.

O tribunal avaliou a indenização com base na extensão do ferimento.

The court evaluated the compensation based on the extent of the injury.

Legal context.

A cicatrização do ferimento foi comprometida pelo diabetes do paciente.

The healing of the injury was compromised by the patient's diabetes.

Passive voice with agent 'pelo diabetes'.

O ferimento, embora superficial, demandava uma sutura cuidadosa.

The injury, although superficial, demanded careful suturing.

Concessive clause 'embora'.

A negligência no tratamento do ferimento resultou em complicações graves.

Negligence in treating the injury resulted in serious complications.

Abstract noun 'negligência'.

O ferimento de entrada era menor que o ferimento de saída da bala.

The entry wound was smaller than the exit wound of the bullet.

Comparative structure 'menor que'.

Sua alma carregava um ferimento que tempo nenhum poderia curar.

His soul carried an injury that no time could heal.

Metaphorical use in literature.

O ferimento lacerante exigiu uma intervenção cirúrgica de urgência.

The lacerating injury required an urgent surgical intervention.

Technical adjective 'lacerante'.

A morfologia do ferimento indicava uma queda de grande altura.

The morphology of the injury indicated a fall from a great height.

Scientific vocabulary 'morfologia'.

Houve uma rápida evolução no quadro do ferimento infeccionado.

There was a rapid evolution in the condition of the infected injury.

Formal medical phrasing 'quadro'.

A idiossincrasia do ferimento desafiou os protocolos médicos vigentes.

The idiosyncrasy of the injury challenged the current medical protocols.

High-level vocabulary 'idiossincrasia'.

O ferimento tornou-se o emblema de sua resiliência diante da adversidade.

The injury became the emblem of his resilience in the face of adversity.

Pronominal verb 'tornou-se'.

Analisou-se a profundidade do ferimento sob uma perspectiva forense.

The depth of the injury was analyzed from a forensic perspective.

Synthetic passive 'Analisou-se'.

O ferimento era apenas a manifestação física de um trauma sistêmico.

The injury was merely the physical manifestation of a systemic trauma.

Philosophical/Scientific tone.

A exacerbação do ferimento decorreu da falta de assepsia adequada.

The exacerbation of the injury resulted from the lack of proper asepsis.

Formal verb 'decorreu de'.

O ferimento, outrora purulento, apresentava agora sinais de remissão.

The injury, formerly purulent, now showed signs of remission.

Archaic/Formal adverb 'outrora'.

A literatura clássica amiúde utiliza o ferimento como metáfora para a honra maculada.

Classical literature often uses injury as a metaphor for stained honor.

Formal adverb 'amiúde'.

A gravidade intrínseca do ferimento impossibilitava qualquer prognóstico favorável.

The intrinsic severity of the injury made any favorable prognosis impossible.

Advanced noun 'prognóstico'.

Common Collocations

ferimento grave

ferimento leve

sofrer um ferimento

causar um ferimento

tratar um ferimento

ferimento na cabeça

ferimento aberto

ferimento superficial

ferimento por arma

limpar o ferimento

Common Phrases

Sem registro de ferimentos

— Used by news or police to say no one was hurt in an incident.

O incêndio foi controlado, sem registro de ferimentos.

Vítima com ferimentos

— A standard way to refer to someone hurt in an accident.

A vítima com ferimentos foi levada ao hospital.

Gravidade do ferimento

— The level of seriousness of the injury.

A gravidade do ferimento ainda é desconhecida.

Ferimento de guerra

— An injury sustained during military combat.

Ele carrega ferimentos de guerra até hoje.

Ferimento mortal

— An injury that causes death.

Infelizmente, o ferimento foi mortal.

Local do ferimento

— The specific place on the body where the injury is.

O local do ferimento estava muito inchado.

Histórico de ferimentos

— A record of past injuries.

O atleta tem um longo histórico de ferimentos.

Ferimento infeccionado

— An injury that has bacteria growing in it.

O ferimento infeccionado precisa de antibióticos.

Ferimento profundo

— An injury that goes deep into the tissue.

O ferimento profundo precisou de muitos pontos.

Risco de ferimento

— The possibility of getting hurt.

Use capacete para reduzir o risco de ferimento.

Often Confused With

ferimento vs ferida

Ferida is the physical sore/cut (feminine); Ferimento is the injury in general (masculine).

ferimento vs ferido

Ferido is the person who is injured (the victim); Ferimento is the injury itself.

ferimento vs ferir

Ferir is the verb (to wound); Ferimento is the noun (the wound).

Idioms & Expressions

"Pôr sal no ferimento"

— To make a bad situation even worse for someone.

Contar a verdade agora seria como pôr sal no ferimento.

Common

"Tocar na ferida"

— To talk about a sensitive or painful subject.

Ele tocou na ferida quando falou do divórcio.

Common

"Ferimento na alma"

— A deep emotional pain that is hard to heal.

A perda do filho foi um ferimento na alma.

Poetic

"Lamber as feridas"

— To try to recover from a defeat or a bad experience.

O time foi para casa lamber as feridas após a derrota.

Informal

"Abrir ferimentos antigos"

— To bring back old conflicts or painful memories.

Não vamos abrir ferimentos antigos nesta reunião.

Neutral

"Ferimento de estimação"

— A metaphorical hurt that someone clings to and won't let go of.

Ela guarda aquele rancor como um ferimento de estimação.

Colloquial

"Curar os ferimentos"

— To resolve conflicts or recover from trauma.

Precisamos de tempo para curar os ferimentos da guerra.

Neutral

"Ferimento invisível"

— Psychological trauma that doesn't show on the outside.

A depressão é um ferimento invisível.

Neutral

"Sangrar pelo ferimento"

— To suffer the consequences of a mistake.

A empresa ainda está sangrando pelo ferimento da crise.

Metaphorical

"Ferimento autoinfligido"

— Harm caused to oneself, often used for mistakes.

A falência foi um ferimento autoinfligido por má gestão.

Formal

Easily Confused

ferimento vs ferida

Similar root and meaning.

Ferida is feminine and refers to the visible open wound. Ferimento is masculine and refers to the injury as an event or medical condition.

A ferida está aberta. O ferimento foi grave.

ferimento vs machucado

Both mean injury.

Machucado is informal and used for everyday minor hurts. Ferimento is more formal and used in official or medical contexts.

O menino tem um machucado no joelho. O relatório cita um ferimento no joelho.

ferimento vs lesão

Both are medical terms for damage.

Lesão is often internal (muscles, bones) or used in sports. Ferimento is usually external (cuts, trauma).

Ele teve uma lesão no ligamento. Ele teve um ferimento por faca.

ferimento vs dor

Related to being hurt.

Dor is the sensation of pain (feeling). Ferimento is the physical damage (fact).

Eu sinto dor. Eu tenho um ferimento.

ferimento vs cicatriz

Related to the healing process.

Cicatriz is the mark left after a ferimento has healed.

O ferimento virou uma cicatriz.

Sentence Patterns

O ferimento é [adjetivo].

O ferimento é pequeno.

Eu tenho um ferimento no/na [parte do corpo].

Eu tenho um ferimento na mão.

Ele sofreu um ferimento enquanto [verbo no gerúndio].

Ele sofreu um ferimento enquanto trabalhava.

O ferimento foi causado por [substantivo].

O ferimento foi causado por um acidente.

A gravidade do ferimento impossibilitou [ação].

A gravidade do ferimento impossibilitou sua volta ao trabalho.

O ferimento, conquanto [adjetivo], exigia [substantivo].

O ferimento, conquanto superficial, exigia assepsia rigorosa.

Intermediate

Tratar o ferimento com [substantivo].

Tratar o ferimento com pomada.

Advanced

Apresentar ferimentos compatíveis com [causa].

Apresentar ferimentos compatíveis com queda de altura.

Word Family

Nouns

ferida

ferido

ferimento

Verbs

ferir

Adjectives

ferido

ferinte

lesão

machucado

trauma

cicatriz

curativo

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, medical, and legal contexts; moderate in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

A ferimento → O ferimento
Ferimento is a masculine noun ending in -o.
Ferimento no músculo → Lesão muscular
Internal muscle damage is usually called 'lesão', not 'ferimento'.
Ferimento para a cabeça → Ferimento na cabeça
Use the preposition 'em' (contracted to 'na') for locations on the body.
Tive um ferimento de coração → Tive uma mágoa / ferida no coração
Ferimento is rarely used for standard emotional pain in casual speech.
Os ferimento leve → Os ferimentos leves
Pluralize both the noun and the adjective.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always pair 'ferimento' with masculine articles and adjectives. 'O ferimento grave' is correct; 'A ferimento grave' is wrong.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'machucado' with your friends and 'ferimento' when writing an email to your boss about an accident.

Medical Use

In a hospital, use 'ferimento' to describe the physical damage and 'dor' to describe what you feel.

Nasal Sounds

Focus on the 'en' sound in 'ferimento'. It's nasal, like the 'an' in the French word 'enfant'.

Prepositions

When identifying the location, use 'no' or 'na'. Example: 'ferimento na perna', 'ferimento no braço'.

Empathy

Asking 'Como está o seu ferimento?' shows you are concerned about someone's recovery.

News Phrasing

Notice how news anchors say 'sem ferimentos'. It's a quick way to say no one was hurt.

Latin Roots

Knowing it comes from 'ferire' (to strike) helps you remember it involves physical force.

Specific Terms

If it's a burn, use 'queimadura'. If it's a scratch, use 'arranhão'. 'Ferimento' is the umbrella term.

Metaphors

Don't be surprised to hear 'pôr sal no ferimento'. It means the same as 'rub salt in the wound'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'FERRY' that had an 'ACCIDENT' (mento). The result is a 'FERIMENTO'.

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier (ferido) with a bandage on his arm; the bandage covers the 'ferimento'.

Word Web

hospital médico sangue dor curativo acidente cicatriz socorro

Challenge

Write three sentences describing a fictional accident using 'ferimento', 'grave', and 'sofrer'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'ferimentum', derived from the verb 'ferire' meaning 'to strike' or 'to wound'.

Original meaning: The act of striking or the result of being struck.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'ferimento' to describe someone's appearance; it is better to focus on their well-being.

English speakers often use 'injury' for everything; Portuguese speakers distinguish between 'ferimento' (formal/external) and 'machucado' (informal).

Reports on the 2014 World Cup injuries often used this term. Medical dramas like 'Sob Pressão' (Brazil) use it constantly. Historical accounts of the Portuguese Colonial War.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital

Onde dói?
É um ferimento profundo?
Precisa de pontos?
Vou limpar o ferimento.

News Report

Sem ferimentos graves.
Vítimas com ferimentos leves.
Ferimentos registrados.
Causa do ferimento.

Sports

Ferimento na canela.
O jogador saiu de campo.
Tratamento imediato.
Histórico de ferimentos.

Workplace Safety

Evitar ferimentos.
Equipamento de proteção.
Relatório de ferimento.
Primeiros socorros.

Daily Life

Como está seu ferimento?
Não toque no ferimento.
Passe pomada no ferimento.
O ferimento já fechou.

Conversation Starters

"Você já sofreu algum ferimento grave praticando esportes?"

"O que você faz primeiro quando tem um ferimento pequeno em casa?"

"Você acha que as notícias focam demais na gravidade dos ferimentos das pessoas?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de tratar um ferimento na sua opinião?"

"Você já teve que ir ao hospital por causa de um ferimento?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um ferimento que você teve na infância e como ele aconteceu.

Escreva sobre a importância de saber tratar ferimentos básicos em uma emergência.

Como você se sente quando vê alguém com um ferimento grave?

Relate um dia em que você ajudou alguém que sofreu um ferimento.

Reflita sobre a metáfora de 'ferimentos na alma' em um pequeno texto.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Ferimento é o termo mais geral e formal para a lesão (masculino). Ferida refere-se especificamente à abertura na pele ou ao corte (feminino). Exemplo: 'O ferimento causou uma ferida profunda'.

Diz-se 'ferimento leve'. É a expressão padrão usada em notícias e hospitais para descrever machucados que não trazem risco de vida.

Sim, mas é mais comum em contextos literários ou poéticos. No dia a dia, prefira 'ferida emocional' ou 'mágoa'. Exemplo: 'Ele tem ferimentos na alma'.

O plural é 'ferimentos'. Lembre-se de pluralizar também os adjetivos: 'ferimentos graves', 'ferimentos leves'.

É uma palavra masculina. Dizemos 'o ferimento' ou 'um ferimento'. Nunca use 'a ferimento'.

Usa-se para descrever as evidências físicas de violência ou acidente. Exemplo: 'A vítima apresentava ferimentos no rosto'.

Os verbos mais comuns são 'sofrer' (sofrer um ferimento), 'causar' (causar um ferimento) e 'tratar' (tratar o ferimento).

São próximos, mas 'lesão' é mais usado para danos internos ou em medicina esportiva, enquanto 'ferimento' foca em traumas externos.

Você pode perguntar: 'Houve algum ferimento?' ou 'Você sofreu algum ferimento?'.

É o termo técnico para uma pessoa que foi baleada (gunshot wound). É muito comum em notícias policiais.