impacientar-se in 30 Seconds
- Impacientar-se: to become impatient.
- It's a reflexive verb, requires 'se' (me, te, se, etc.).
- Use when feeling restless due to waiting or delays.
- Different from 'estar impaciente' (to be impatient).
- Verb
- impacientar-se (reflexive verb)
- English Meaning
- To become impatient, to lose patience, to get restless.
- CEFR Level
- A2
The Portuguese verb impacientar-se is a reflexive verb that describes the process of losing one's patience. It's used when someone starts to feel annoyed, restless, or agitated because something is taking too long, is not happening as expected, or is causing a delay. Think of it as the moment when your calm demeanor begins to fray due to a lack of patience. This verb is particularly useful for describing internal feelings and outward signs of growing frustration.
People use impacientar-se in a variety of everyday situations. For instance, imagine waiting in a long queue at the supermarket, and after a while, you start to feel the urge to check your watch more frequently or sigh audibly. At that point, you are beginning to impacientar-se. Similarly, if a child is waiting for a promised toy and keeps asking 'When? When?', they are showing signs of becoming impatient. The reflexive nature of the verb ('se') emphasizes that the impatience is a state that the person is experiencing or allowing to develop within themselves.
It's common to hear impacientar-se in contexts involving waiting, delays, or situations where progress is slow. For example, someone might say they are starting to feel impatient while waiting for a bus that is running late, or a student might impacientar-se during a lengthy lecture that isn't engaging. The verb captures that transition from a state of calm or neutral waiting to one of growing annoyance and a desire for the situation to conclude sooner. It's a natural human reaction, and the verb provides a precise way to articulate it in Portuguese.
Ele começou a impacientar-se com a demora da reunião.
Understanding the nuances of impacientar-se allows for more expressive communication in Portuguese. It's more than just 'being impatient'; it's about the process of *becoming* impatient. This distinction is key to using the verb accurately and naturally. Whether you are the one experiencing the impatience or observing it in others, this verb provides a clear and common way to describe that feeling.
Consider the context of travel. If your flight is significantly delayed, you might hear other passengers sighing, pacing, or looking at their watches repeatedly. These are all signs that they are starting to impacientar-se. The verb helps to encapsulate this collective or individual shift in mood due to prolonged waiting. It's a very human experience, and the Portuguese language offers this specific verb to articulate it effectively.
The verb can also be used in more subtle situations. For example, if someone is trying to explain something complex and the listener isn't grasping it quickly, the speaker might start to impacientar-se. This doesn't necessarily mean they are angry, but rather that their patience is wearing thin, and they might begin to speak more quickly or use simpler terms, showing their growing impatience.
A criança começou a impacientar-se porque queria brincar.
In summary, impacientar-se is a vital verb for expressing the feeling and process of losing patience, commonly used in situations involving delays, slow progress, or frustrating circumstances. Its reflexive nature highlights the personal experience of this emotion.
- Example Sentences
- - Estou a começar a impacientar-me com esta espera interminável.
- Não se impaciente, o autocarro já deve chegar.
- Ele impacientou-se quando o computador travou pela terceira vez.
The verb impacientar-se is a reflexive verb, which means it always requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that agrees with the subject of the sentence. This pronoun indicates that the action of becoming impatient is happening to the subject itself. The conjugation follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs, with the reflexive pronoun attached or placed before the conjugated verb.
Let's break down its usage with various tenses and subjects:
- Present Tense
- Eu impaciento-me (I become impatient)
Tu impacientas-te (You become impatient - informal singular)
Ele/Ela/Você impacienta-se (He/She/You formal becomes impatient)
Nós impacientamo-nos (We become impatient)
Vós impacientais-vos (You all become impatient - informal plural, less common in Brazil)
Eles/Elas/Vocês impacientam-se (They/You all formal become impatient)
Example: Eu impaciento-me facilmente quando estou preso no trânsito. (I easily become impatient when I'm stuck in traffic.)
- Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito)
- Eu impacientei-me (I became impatient)
Tu impacientaste-te (You became impatient)
Ele/Ela/Você impacientou-se (He/She/You formal became impatient)
Nós impacientámo-nos (We became impatient)
Vós impacientastes-vos (You all became impatient)
Eles/Elas/Vocês impacientaram-se (They/You all formal became impatient)
Example: Ele impacientou-se quando o serviço demorou muito. (He became impatient when the service took too long.)
- Future Tense (Futuro)
- Eu impacientar-me-ei (I will become impatient)
Tu impacientar-te-ás (You will become impatient)
Ele/Ela/Você impacientar-se-á (He/She/You formal will become impatient)
Nós impacientar-nos-emos (We will become impatient)
Vós impacientar-vos-eis (You all will become impatient)
Eles/Elas/Vocês impacientar-se-ão (They/You all formal will become impatient)
Example: Se a espera continuar, nós impacientar-nos-emos. (If the wait continues, we will become impatient.)
- Gerund
- impacientando-se (becoming impatient)
Example: Ele estava impacientando-se com a falta de progresso. (He was becoming impatient with the lack of progress.)
- Imperative
- (Tu) Não te impacientes! (Don't become impatient!)
(Você) Não se impaciente! (Don't become impatient!)
(Nós) Não nos impacientemos! (Let's not become impatient!)
(Vocês) Não se impacientem! (Don't become impatient!)
Example: Por favor, não se impaciente, o voo foi apenas adiado. (Please, don't become impatient, the flight has only been delayed.)
A criança começou a impacientar-se porque não conseguia montar o brinquedo.
Common Sentence Structures:
- Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + impacientar-se
- Eu impaciento-me.
Ela impacienta-se.
- Subject + impacientar-se + (prepositional phrase indicating cause)
- Eles impacientam-se com a lentidão. (They become impatient with the slowness.)
Nós impacientámo-nos pela falta de notícias. (We became impatient due to the lack of news.)
- Imperative command + reflexive pronoun + impacientar
- Não te impacientes com o trânsito. (Don't get impatient with the traffic.)
Se ele continuar a impacientar-se, teremos que mudar de estratégia.
Mastering the reflexive pronoun is crucial for using impacientar-se correctly. Pay attention to the subject of the sentence to choose the appropriate pronoun and verb ending.
The verb impacientar-se is a common and widely used term in Portuguese, making it a staple in everyday conversations, media, and literature. You'll encounter it in a multitude of real-life scenarios where patience is tested.
- Everyday Conversations
- In casual chats with friends or family, people often use impacientar-se to describe their feelings when waiting for something or someone. For example, if you're meeting a friend who is always late, you might say, 'Estou a começar a impacientar-me.' (I'm starting to get impatient.) Or, when discussing a slow service at a restaurant: 'Nós impacientámo-nos porque o pedido demorou uma hora.' (We became impatient because the order took an hour.)
- Public Announcements and Signs
- You might hear announcements at train stations or airports that advise passengers not to impacientar-se during delays. For instance, 'Pedimos desculpa pelo atraso e agradecemos a sua paciência, por favor, não se impaciente.' (We apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience; please do not become impatient.)
- Media and Entertainment
- In movies, TV shows, and books, characters frequently express frustration by saying they are starting to impacientar-se. A character stuck in a difficult situation might exclaim, 'Já me impacientei o suficiente!' (I've become impatient enough!). News reports about traffic jams or long queues might also use this verb to describe the public's reaction.
- Workplace and Professional Settings
- Even in professional contexts, the verb is used. A manager might tell their team, 'Não se impacientem com este projeto; ele exige tempo e dedicação.' (Don't become impatient with this project; it requires time and dedication.) Or, someone might describe a colleague who easily gets agitated: 'Ele costuma impacientar-se quando os prazos são apertados.' (He usually becomes impatient when deadlines are tight.)
- Educational Materials
- As you are learning Portuguese, you will find impacientar-se in textbooks, language learning apps, and online courses, often used in example sentences to illustrate the concept of becoming impatient.
No aeroporto, muitos passageiros começaram a impacientar-se com o atraso do voo.
The ubiquity of impacientar-se makes it an essential verb to master for anyone aiming to communicate effectively and naturally in Portuguese. It reflects a common human emotion and is used across all demographics and situations.
When learning impacientar-se, English speakers often make a few common errors, primarily related to its reflexive nature and the distinction between 'becoming impatient' and 'being impatient'.
- Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
- The most frequent mistake is omitting the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se). Since impacientar-se means 'to become impatient' (an action directed at oneself), the pronoun is mandatory. For example, saying 'Eu impaciento' is incorrect. It should be 'Eu impaciento-me' or 'Eu me impaciento'.
- Confusing 'impacientar-se' with 'estar impaciente'
- Impacientar-se describes the *process* of becoming impatient, the transition from a patient state to an impatient one. In contrast, 'estar impaciente' means 'to be impatient,' describing the current state. Using impacientar-se when you simply mean 'to be impatient' is a mistake. For example, if you are currently feeling impatient, you should say 'Estou impaciente,' not 'Eu impaciento-me' (which implies you are in the process of becoming impatient right now).
- Incorrect Pronoun Agreement
- Ensuring the reflexive pronoun matches the subject is crucial. Forgetting this can lead to errors like 'Ele impacientam-se' instead of the correct 'Ele impacienta-se'.
- Overuse in Formal Contexts
- While impacientar-se is common, in very formal written contexts, you might sometimes see alternatives or more descriptive phrasing. However, for most situations, it's perfectly acceptable. The mistake arises if one tries to force it into a context where a simpler adjective like 'impaciente' (impatient) would be more natural, especially if the 'becoming' aspect isn't emphasized.
- Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- Like any verb, learners might struggle with conjugating impacientar-se correctly in different tenses. For instance, confusing the preterite form 'impacientou-se' with the present tense 'impacienta-se'.
Incorrect: Eu impaciento com a espera.
Correct: Eu impaciento-me com a espera.
To avoid these mistakes, practice conjugating the verb regularly and pay close attention to whether you are describing the act of becoming impatient or the state of being impatient.
While impacientar-se specifically denotes the process of becoming impatient, Portuguese offers several other words and phrases to express similar sentiments, each with slightly different nuances and contexts.
- Estar impaciente
- This is the most direct alternative, meaning 'to be impatient.' It describes the state of lacking patience rather than the process of acquiring it.
Example: Estou impaciente com este atraso. (I am impatient with this delay.) vs. Começo a impacientar-me com este atraso. (I am starting to become impatient with this delay.)
- Ficar impaciente
- Similar to impacientar-se, 'ficar impaciente' also signifies a change of state, meaning 'to become impatient.' It's a very common synonym and often interchangeable in everyday speech.
Example: Ele ficou impaciente quando a resposta demorou. (He became impatient when the answer took long.) This is very close to 'Ele impacientou-se quando a resposta demorou.'
- Perder a paciência
- This phrase means 'to lose one's patience.' It implies a more definitive loss of temper or control compared to simply becoming impatient. It suggests a stronger reaction.
Example: Depois de tanta espera, ele perdeu a paciência e foi embora. (After so much waiting, he lost his patience and left.)
- Irritar-se
- This verb means 'to get irritated' or 'to get annoyed.' While impatience can lead to irritation, irritar-se focuses more on the feeling of annoyance itself, which might be a consequence of impatience.
Example: Ela irritou-se com o barulho constante. (She got irritated by the constant noise.)
- Frustrar-se
- Meaning 'to become frustrated,' this verb describes the feeling of being upset or discouraged because one cannot achieve something. Impatience can certainly lead to frustration.
Example: Ele frustrou-se com a dificuldade do problema. (He became frustrated with the difficulty of the problem.)
- Ficar agoniado/a
- This phrase implies a feeling of distress, anxiety, or being bothered, often due to a prolonged or uncomfortable situation, which can include impatience.
Example: Fiquei agoniado esperando o resultado do exame. (I felt distressed/anxious waiting for the exam result.)
Impacientar-se (to become impatient) is about the process, while estar impaciente (to be impatient) is about the state.
Understanding these alternatives allows you to express varying degrees and types of impatience and related emotions more precisely in Portuguese.
How Formal Is It?
"Os negociadores começaram a impacientar-se com a falta de progresso nas conversações."
"Eu impaciento-me quando o serviço é muito lento."
"Não te impacientes, já estamos quase lá!"
"O bebé começou a impacientar-se porque queria comer."
Fun Fact
The concept of impatience is universal, but the specific way languages express the 'becoming' aspect varies. Portuguese's use of a reflexive verb like 'impacientar-se' highlights the internal process of losing patience.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly, like in English 'r'.
- Not stressing the correct syllable (EN).
- Adding extra sounds or misplacing the reflexive pronoun 'se'.
Difficulty Rating
The verb itself is straightforward, but understanding the reflexive aspect and its nuances requires practice. Recognizing its usage in context is key for comprehension.
Correctly conjugating the verb and using the appropriate reflexive pronoun can be challenging for learners. Distinguishing between 'impacientar-se' and 'estar impaciente' is also important for accuracy.
Producing the correct reflexive pronoun and verb conjugation in spontaneous speech can be difficult. Practicing with native speakers or in language exchange groups is beneficial.
The pronunciation is relatively standard, and the word is common, making it reasonably easy to recognize when spoken by native speakers, especially in contexts of waiting or delays.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reflexive Verbs
Verbs like 'impacientar-se' require a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that agrees with the subject. Example: Eu impaciento-me.
Verb Conjugation in Different Tenses
Understanding how to conjugate 'impacientar-se' in the present, past, and future tenses is crucial. Example: Ele impacienta-se (present), Ele impacientou-se (past), Ele impacientar-se-á (future).
Imperative Mood
Using the imperative form to tell someone not to impacientar-se. Example: Não te impacientes!
Subjunctive Mood after 'que'
When expressing doubt, possibility, or emotion after 'que', the subjunctive mood is used. Example: É importante que ele não se impaciente.
Gerund Usage
Using the gerund form to describe an ongoing action. Example: Ela estava a impacientar-se.
Examples by Level
Estou a começar a impacientar-me com esta espera.
I am starting to become impatient with this wait.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' agrees with the subject 'Eu' (implied in 'Estou').
Não te impacientes, o autocarro já deve chegar.
Don't become impatient, the bus should arrive soon.
The imperative form 'impacientes' is used with the informal 'tu' and its corresponding pronoun 'te'.
Ele impacientou-se com a demora do serviço.
He became impatient with the delay in service.
'Impacientou-se' is the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for the third-person singular subject 'Ele'.
A criança impacienta-se quando tem que esperar muito tempo.
The child becomes impatient when they have to wait a long time.
'Impacienta-se' is the present tense for the third-person singular subject 'A criança'.
Nós impacientamo-nos com a lentidão do processo.
We became impatient with the slowness of the process.
'Impacientámo-nos' is the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for the first-person plural subject 'Nós'.
Se não chegarem logo, eles vão impacientar-se.
If they don't arrive soon, they will become impatient.
The future construction 'vão impacientar-se' indicates a future action.
Por favor, não se impaciente com o trânsito.
Please, don't become impatient with the traffic.
'Não se impaciente' is a polite imperative for the formal 'você'.
O meu amigo sempre se impacienta quando o jogo está empatado.
My friend always becomes impatient when the game is tied.
'Se impacienta' is the present tense, with the reflexive pronoun preceding the verb, common in Brazilian Portuguese.
Comecei a impacientar-me com a falta de respostas claras.
I began to grow impatient with the lack of clear answers.
The past tense 'impacientar-me' combined with the preposition 'com' indicates the cause of impatience.
É importante não se impacientar perante os desafios inesperados.
It is important not to become impatient in the face of unexpected challenges.
The infinitive 'impacientar' is used after the preposition 'não' and the verb 'é importante'.
Ele impacientou-se e decidiu resolver o problema sozinho.
He became impatient and decided to solve the problem himself.
The past tense 'impacientou-se' leads into a subsequent action.
As crianças impacientam-se facilmente quando estão entediadas.
Children easily become impatient when they are bored.
The present tense 'impacientam-se' describes a general tendency.
Nós não nos impacientámos, apesar das dificuldades.
We did not become impatient, despite the difficulties.
The negative past tense 'não nos impacientámos' highlights resilience.
Se continuarem a atrasar, a equipa vai impacientar-se.
If they keep delaying, the team will become impatient.
The future construction 'vai impacientar-se' is used.
Peço desculpa por me impacientar, mas a situação é complicada.
I apologize for becoming impatient, but the situation is complicated.
'Me impacientar' is the infinitive used after 'por' to explain the reason for the apology.
É fácil impacientar-se quando os outros não cumprem o combinado.
It's easy to become impatient when others don't stick to what was agreed.
The infinitive 'impacientar-se' is used in a general statement.
A prolonged negotiation led him to impacientar-se com as exigências irracionais.
A prolonged negotiation led him to become impatient with the unreasonable demands.
The English sentence is provided for context, showing how the Portuguese verb translates. 'Impacientar-se' here describes the consequence of the negotiation.
Não se deve impacientar com quem está a aprender; a paciência é fundamental.
One should not become impatient with someone who is learning; patience is fundamental.
The impersonal 'se deve' combined with the infinitive 'impacientar' forms a general rule or advice.
Ele impacientou-se tanto que começou a falar alto e a gesticular exageradamente.
He became so impatient that he started speaking loudly and gesturing excessively.
The past tense 'impacientou-se' is followed by a clause introduced by 'que' describing the resulting behavior.
Os passageiros começaram a impacientar-se com o voo que já estava atrasado há três horas.
The passengers began to become impatient with the flight that had already been delayed for three hours.
'Começaram a impacientar-se' indicates the beginning of the process of becoming impatient.
Nós não nos impacientámos em momento algum, mantendo a calma.
We did not become impatient at any moment, maintaining our calm.
The negative past tense 'não nos impacientámos' is contrasted with 'mantendo a calma'.
Se a burocracia continuar assim, o povo irá impacientar-se.
If the bureaucracy continues like this, the people will become impatient.
The future tense 'irá impacientar-se' predicts a societal reaction.
Desculpa ter-me impacientado, mas a informação que me deram estava incorreta.
Sorry for having become impatient, but the information they gave me was incorrect.
'Ter-me impacientado' is the perfect infinitive, referring to a past action for which an apology is made.
É compreensível que os estudantes se impacientem com métodos de ensino antiquados.
It is understandable that students become impatient with outdated teaching methods.
'Se impacientem' is the present subjunctive used after 'que' in a subordinate clause expressing understanding or possibility.
A constante ausência de progresso na resolução do conflito fez com que os diplomatas começassem a impacientar-se.
The constant lack of progress in resolving the conflict caused the diplomats to begin to grow impatient.
'Fez com que... começassem a impacientar-se' is a complex structure showing causation and the beginning of a process.
É imperativo que os líderes não se impacientem perante a complexidade das questões globais.
It is imperative that leaders do not become impatient in the face of the complexity of global issues.
The subjunctive mood 'se impacientem' is used after 'que' following 'é imperativo'.
A sua impaciência transparecia; ele impacientou-se visivelmente ao ouvir a mesma desculpa pela quarta vez.
His impatience was evident; he visibly became impatient upon hearing the same excuse for the fourth time.
'Impacientou-se visivelmente' emphasizes the observable nature of his impatience.
Os investidores estavam a impacientar-se com a volatilidade do mercado, exigindo estratégias mais assertivas.
The investors were becoming impatient with the market volatility, demanding more assertive strategies.
'Estavam a impacientar-se' uses the continuous past tense to describe an ongoing process.
Apesar das adversidades, a equipa não se impacientou, focando-se na execução do plano.
Despite the adversities, the team did not become impatient, focusing on the execution of the plan.
The negative past tense 'não se impacientou' highlights steadfastness.
Se a situação não se resolver rapidamente, a população poderá impacientar-se e manifestar o seu descontentamento.
If the situation is not resolved quickly, the population may become impatient and express its discontent.
The future tense 'poderá impacientar-se' suggests a potential outcome.
Lamento ter-me impacientado, mas a falta de comunicação foi frustrante.
I regret having become impatient, but the lack of communication was frustrating.
'Ter-me impacientado' is used to express regret for a past action.
É natural que os cidadãos se impacientem quando os serviços públicos não funcionam de forma eficiente.
It is natural for citizens to become impatient when public services do not function efficiently.
'Se impacientem' is in the present subjunctive, expressing a general truth or natural occurrence.
A intransigência das partes envolvidas na negociação levou o mediador a impacientar-se com a falta de vontade de ceder.
The intransigence of the parties involved in the negotiation led the mediator to become impatient with the lack of willingness to yield.
'Levou o mediador a impacientar-se' uses a complex causal structure.
É crucial que os líderes políticos não se impacientem perante a lentidão inerente aos processos democráticos.
It is crucial that political leaders do not become impatient with the inherent slowness of democratic processes.
The subjunctive 'se impacientem' after 'que' following 'é crucial' is standard for expressing necessity or importance.
A sua fachada de calma desmoronou-se; ele impacientou-se de forma avassaladora quando percebeu a magnitude do erro.
His facade of calm crumbled; he became overwhelmingly impatient when he realized the magnitude of the error.
'Impacientou-se de forma avassaladora' uses an adverb to intensify the degree of impatience.
Os observadores internacionais estavam a impacientar-se com a falta de transparência nas eleições.
International observers were becoming impatient with the lack of transparency in the elections.
'Estavam a impacientar-se' emphasizes the ongoing nature of their growing impatience.
A equipa, apesar dos contratempos, não se impacientou, mantendo uma disciplina férrea.
The team, despite the setbacks, did not become impatient, maintaining iron discipline.
'Não se impacientou' is used to highlight a controlled and professional response.
Se as reformas não forem implementadas com celeridade, a população poderá impacientar-se a ponto de gerar instabilidade social.
If the reforms are not implemented with speed, the population may become impatient to the point of generating social instability.
'Poderá impacientar-se a ponto de' signifies a potential escalation of impatience leading to serious consequences.
Peço sinceras desculpas por ter-me impacientado; a complexidade da situação excedeu a minha capacidade de tolerância naquele momento.
I sincerely apologize for having become impatient; the complexity of the situation exceeded my capacity for tolerance at that moment.
'Ter-me impacientado' followed by an explanation of the circumstances.
É um equívoco pensar que se pode impacientar com a natureza, que opera em ciclos próprios e imutáveis.
It is a misconception to think one can become impatient with nature, which operates on its own immutable cycles.
'Se impacientar com a natureza' highlights the futility of impatience in certain contexts.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Don't become impatient! This is a common way to tell someone to remain calm and not let frustration take over.
Não se impaciente! O seu pedido já está a caminho.
— I am starting to become impatient. This phrase indicates the initial stages of losing patience.
Estou a começar a impacientar-me com esta espera longa.
— He became impatient with... This is used to state the specific reason or thing that caused someone to lose patience.
Ele impacientou-se com a falta de atenção do funcionário.
— Why are you becoming impatient? This is a question asking for the reason behind someone's growing impatience.
Por que te impacientas? Ainda temos tempo.
— Stop becoming impatient! This is a direct command to cease the process of losing patience.
Deixa de te impacientar! Vai acabar por chegar.
— They become impatient easily. This describes a tendency or characteristic of a person or group.
Crianças impacientam-se facilmente quando estão entediadas.
— Don't become impatient with others. This is advice encouraging patience in interpersonal interactions.
Não te impacientes com os outros, cada um tem o seu ritmo.
— To become impatient in the face of... This phrase is used to indicate the situation or challenge that triggers impatience.
É natural impacientar-se perante a burocracia.
— He doesn't become impatient. This states that someone has a high degree of patience.
Ele é muito calmo, ele não se impacienta.
— We are starting to become impatient. This indicates a shared feeling of growing impatience within a group.
Começamos a impacientar-nos com a demora da resposta.
Often Confused With
'Impaciente' is an adjective meaning 'impatient'. It describes a state. 'Impacientar-se' is a verb describing the process of becoming impatient. For example, 'Ele está impaciente' (He is impatient) vs. 'Ele impacienta-se' (He becomes impatient).
'Impaciência' is a noun meaning 'impatience'. It refers to the state or quality of being impatient. 'Impacientar-se' is the action of developing this state.
'Apressar-se' means 'to hurry' or 'to rush'. While impatience can lead someone to 'apressar-se', the verbs have different core meanings. One is about the feeling (impatience), the other is about the action (hurrying).
Idioms & Expressions
— Patience has a limit. This idiom suggests that even the most patient person will eventually lose their patience if pushed too far.
Depois de ouvir a mesma desculpa pela décima vez, lembrei-me que paciência tem limite.
— To lose one's head. This idiom means to lose control due to anger or frustration, often as a result of becoming extremely impatient.
Ele estava tão impaciente que acabou por perder a cabeça com o atendente.
— To have one's hair stand on end. This idiom describes a state of extreme agitation or anger, often brought on by impatience or a shocking situation.
A espera interminável deixou-me de cabelos em pé.
— To go crazy. This idiom implies acting irrationally or losing control, which can happen when someone becomes overwhelmingly impatient.
Se essa reunião durar mais uma hora, vou dar em louco.
— To not have cockroach blood. This idiom refers to someone who is not overly patient or passive, and who will eventually react negatively to prolonged irritation or injustice.
Ele não tem sangue de barata, vai acabar por reclamar da demora.
— To count the seconds. This describes the action of someone who is extremely impatient and is acutely aware of every moment passing.
Ela estava a contar os segundos para sair daquela reunião chata.
— To boil in little water. This idiom describes someone who gets angry or impatient very easily, over small things.
Ele ferve em pouca água, qualquer atraso o deixa impaciente.
— To have a short fuse. Similar to 'ferver em pouca água', this idiom refers to someone who gets angry or impatient very quickly.
Cuidado com ele, tem pavio curto e impacienta-se facilmente.
— To watch time pass. This phrase describes the idle and often impatient act of waiting.
Estávamos ali sentados, a ver o tempo passar e a impacientar-nos.
— To reach the limit. This means to be at the end of one's patience and about to react negatively.
Depois de tanta provocação, ele chegou ao limite e impacientou-se.
Easily Confused
Both 'impacientar-se' and 'estar impaciente' relate to the concept of impatience.
<strong>Impacientar-se</strong> is a verb describing the *process* of becoming impatient, the transition from a patient state to an impatient one. For example, 'Eu impaciento-me com a espera' (I am becoming impatient with the wait). <strong>Estar impaciente</strong> is a state of being, describing someone who *is already* impatient. For example, 'Eu estou impaciente' (I am impatient). The former describes the change, the latter describes the current condition.
Ele impacientou-se porque o comboio demorou muito. (He became impatient because the train took too long.) vs. Ele está impaciente com a demora. (He is impatient with the delay.)
Both are verbs that indicate a change of state towards impatience.
<strong>Impacientar-se</strong> is a reflexive verb, originating from Latin, and is often considered slightly more formal or literary. <strong>Ficar impaciente</strong> is a very common and natural alternative in everyday spoken Portuguese, meaning 'to become impatient'. They are often interchangeable, but 'impacientar-se' emphasizes the internal process more strongly.
Ela impacientou-se com o barulho. (She became impatient with the noise.) vs. Ela ficou impaciente com o barulho. (She became impatient with the noise.)
All relate to a lack of patience.
<strong>Impacientar-se</strong> describes the gradual process of becoming impatient. <strong>Perder a paciência</strong> implies a more definitive and often stronger loss of temper or control, suggesting that a threshold has been crossed. It's the endpoint of a long period of impacience.
Depois de esperar uma hora, ele impacientou-se. (After waiting an hour, he became impatient.) vs. Depois de esperar uma hora e ser mal atendido, ele perdeu a paciência. (After waiting an hour and being poorly served, he lost his patience.)
Impatience often leads to irritation.
<strong>Impacientar-se</strong> specifically refers to the feeling of growing restlessness or annoyance due to delays or slow progress. <strong>Irritar-se</strong> means 'to get irritated' or 'to get annoyed', focusing more on the feeling of annoyance itself, which can be caused by impatience but also by other factors like noise, rudeness, or frustration.
Ele impacientou-se com a lentidão do sistema. (He became impatient with the system's slowness.) vs. Ele irritou-se com a música alta. (He got irritated by the loud music.)
Both can describe a state of restlessness.
<strong>Impacientar-se</strong> focuses on the internal feeling of losing patience, often due to external circumstances like waiting. <strong>Agitar-se</strong> means 'to become agitated' or 'to get restless', describing the physical manifestation of impatience, anxiety, or excitement. Someone who is impacientando-se might also agitar-se.
A criança começou a impacientar-se e a agitar-se na cadeira. (The child started to become impatient and to fidget in the chair.)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + impacienta-se + com + Noun (Cause)
Eu impaciento-me com a demora.
Não + te/se + impacientes!
Não te impacientes!
Subject + impacientou-se + com + Noun (Cause)
Ele impacientou-se com a espera.
Começar a + impacientar-se
Comecei a impacientar-me.
Subject + impacienta-se + quando + Clause
Ela impacienta-se quando o trânsito está mau.
Estar a + impacientar-se
Estávamos a impacientar-nos.
Subject + impacientar-se + com + Adjective Phrase
Os pais impacientaram-se com a falta de cooperação.
Fazer com que + Subject + se impaciente
A demora fez com que os clientes se impacientassem.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
-
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun.
→
Eu impaciento-me.
The verb 'impacientar-se' is reflexive, meaning it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that agrees with the subject. Saying 'Eu impaciento' is incorrect.
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Confusing 'impacientar-se' (process) with 'estar impaciente' (state).
→
Ele está impaciente com a demora.
'Impacientar-se' describes the action of *becoming* impatient. 'Estar impaciente' describes the state of *being* impatient. Use the former for the transition and the latter for the current condition.
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Incorrect verb conjugation.
→
Eles impacientaram-se.
Learners might misconjugate the verb in different tenses. For example, confusing the past tense 'impacientaram-se' with the present tense 'impacientam-se'.
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Using 'impacientar' instead of 'impacientar-se'.
→
Não te impacientes!
The infinitive form used in commands or after certain prepositions is 'impacientar-se', not just 'impacientar'. The reflexive pronoun is essential.
-
Incorrect placement of the reflexive pronoun in Brazilian Portuguese.
→
Eu me impaciento com a espera.
While 'Eu impaciento-me' is standard, in Brazilian Portuguese, the pronoun often precedes the verb, especially in informal speech. Both are generally understood, but awareness of this variation is helpful.
Tips
Reflexive Pronoun is Key
Remember that 'impacientar-se' is a reflexive verb. This means it always needs a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that matches the subject. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incorrect. For example, 'Eu impaciento-me' is correct, but 'Eu impaciento' is not.
Process vs. State
Distinguish between 'impacientar-se' (the process of becoming impatient) and 'estar impaciente' (the state of being impatient). Use 'impacientar-se' when describing the moment or period when patience starts to run out, and 'estar impaciente' when describing someone who is currently impatient.
Context is King
Pay attention to the context. 'Impacientar-se' is often followed by prepositions like 'com' or 'pela' to indicate the cause of the impatience, such as 'impacientar-se com a demora' (to become impatient with the delay).
Stress the Right Syllable
The stress in 'impacientar-se' falls on the second-to-last syllable: im-pa-si-EN-tar-se. Practicing the pronunciation will help you sound more natural and be better understood.
Link to English 'Impatient'
Think of the English word 'impatient'. The 'im-' prefix and the root 'patient' are similar. The '-ar-se' ending in Portuguese often indicates a reflexive verb, so mentally translate it as 'to make oneself impatient'.
Create Your Own Sentences
The best way to master 'impacientar-se' is to use it. Try to write sentences about situations where you or someone else might experience impatience. Use different tenses and subjects.
Patience in Culture
While Portuguese culture values patience, expressing impatience (using 'impacientar-se') in situations of clear inefficiency or excessive delay is understood and accepted. It's a common human emotion.
Explore Alternatives
Learn related phrases like 'ficar impaciente' (to become impatient) and 'perder a paciência' (to lose patience). Understanding these nuances will enrich your vocabulary and allow for more precise expression.
Avoid Omission
A common mistake is forgetting the reflexive pronoun. Always include 'me', 'te', 'se', 'nos', 'vos', or 'se' after the verb (or before it in some constructions).
Use in Conversation
Try to incorporate 'impacientar-se' into your conversations when appropriate. Describing a situation where you started to feel impatient is a great way to practice using it actively.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone 'impatiently' trying to 'enter' a room ('entrar' sounds a bit like 'entar') but the door is stuck. They start to get annoyed and 'impatient'. The 'se' at the end reminds you it's reflexive, like they are doing it to themselves by getting worked up.
Visual Association
Picture a clock with rapidly spinning hands, symbolizing time passing too slowly, making someone feel impatient. Add a person sighing heavily next to it.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'impacientar-se' in at least three different sentences describing situations where you or someone else might lose patience. Focus on using the correct reflexive pronoun for each subject.
Word Origin
The word 'impacientar-se' derives from the Latin word 'impatientare', which itself comes from 'impatiens', meaning 'not enduring', 'not bearing', or 'not suffering'. This Latin root is formed from the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'patiens' (suffering, enduring), the present participle of 'pati', meaning 'to suffer, endure'. The reflexive form '-se' indicates that the action is directed towards oneself.
Original meaning: To make or become unable to suffer or endure; to become restless or agitated.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > PortugueseCultural Context
While expressing impatience is common, it's generally advisable to do so politely, especially in formal settings or when dealing with service personnel. Using phrases like 'Por favor, não se impaciente' can soften the message.
In English-speaking cultures, 'to become impatient' or 'to get impatient' are common phrases. The reflexive nature of 'impacientar-se' is a key grammatical difference that learners need to master.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Waiting in lines (supermarket, bank, post office)
- A fila está muito longa.
- Estou a impacientar-me com esta espera.
- Quando é que vai ser a minha vez?
Travel delays (flights, trains, buses)
- O voo está atrasado.
- Não te impacientes, vai chegar.
- Estou a impacientar-me com o atraso.
Slow service (restaurants, customer support)
- O serviço está muito lento.
- Começámos a impacientar-nos.
- Podem acelerar, por favor?
Learning a new skill or task
- Isto é mais difícil do que eu pensava.
- Não te impacientes, é normal.
- Vai correr tudo bem.
Dealing with bureaucracy or inefficient processes
- Este processo é muito burocrático.
- Impacientamo-nos com a lentidão.
- Precisamos de uma solução mais rápida.
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt so impatient that you started to impacientar-se?"
"What's the longest you've ever had to wait for something, and did you impacientar-se?"
"Describe a situation where you saw someone impacientar-se."
"In your culture, is it common to impacientar-se with public services?"
"What advice would you give to someone who tends to impacientar-se easily?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to wait for something important. Describe the feelings you experienced and if you started to impacientar-se. What did you do to cope?
Reflect on a situation where someone else impacientou-se. How did their behavior affect you and others around them?
Consider a skill you are currently learning. How do you manage your patience, and do you ever find yourself starting to impacientar-se?
Imagine you are in a very slow-moving queue. Write a short dialogue between yourself and another person in the queue, where one of you might impacientar-se.
What are the biggest triggers for you to impacientar-se? How can you work on managing these triggers better?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Impacientar-se' is a verb that describes the *process* of becoming impatient. It's the transition from being patient to feeling impatient. For example, 'Eu impaciento-me com a espera' (I am becoming impatient with the wait). 'Estar impaciente' is an adjective phrase that describes the *state* of being impatient. For example, 'Eu estou impaciente' (I am impatient). You use 'impacientar-se' to talk about the change, and 'estar impaciente' to talk about the condition.
Yes, 'impacientar-se' is a reflexive verb. This means it always requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that agrees with the subject of the sentence. You cannot say 'Eu impaciento' or 'Ele impacienta'. It must be 'Eu impaciento-me' or 'Ele impacienta-se'.
Yes, 'impacientar-se' is a standard verb and can be used in both informal and formal contexts. While there might be more descriptive ways to express extreme impatience in very formal writing, 'impacientar-se' is perfectly acceptable in most situations.
People typically impacientar-se when they have to wait for a long time (e.g., in queues, for appointments, for transportation), when things are happening too slowly (e.g., slow service, inefficient processes), when their plans are delayed, or when they are not getting the information or results they expect.
Yes, 'ficar impaciente' is a very common synonym that also means 'to become impatient'. 'Perder a paciência' means 'to lose one's patience', which is a stronger reaction. 'Irritar-se' means 'to get irritated', which can be a consequence of impatience. 'Agitar-se' means 'to become agitated or restless', which describes the physical manifestation of impatience.
In the Pretérito Perfeito (simple past), it conjugates as follows: Eu impacientei-me, Tu impacientaste-te, Ele/Ela/Você impacientou-se, Nós impacientámo-nos, Vós impacientastes-vos, Eles/Elas/Vocês impacientaram-se. For example: 'Ele impacientou-se com a espera.'
'Não se impaciente!' is an imperative phrase meaning 'Don't become impatient!'. It's a common way to tell someone to remain calm and not let frustration take over, especially when they are starting to show signs of impatience.
Yes, you can impacientar-se with abstract concepts or situations. For example, 'Ele impacientou-se com a falta de progresso' (He became impatient with the lack of progress) or 'Impacientamo-nos com a burocracia' (We became impatient with the bureaucracy).
The related noun is 'impaciência', which means 'impatience'. It refers to the state or quality of being impatient. The adjective form is 'impaciente', meaning 'impatient'.
The pronunciation of 'se' can vary slightly depending on the region and surrounding sounds. In many contexts, it's a reduced sound, similar to 'sih'. The important thing is to include it and ensure it agrees with the subject.
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Summary
Impacientar-se means to start losing patience, to become restless or annoyed because of delays or slow progress. Remember it's a reflexive verb, so always use a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, etc.) with it. For example, 'Eu impaciento-me' (I become impatient).
- Impacientar-se: to become impatient.
- It's a reflexive verb, requires 'se' (me, te, se, etc.).
- Use when feeling restless due to waiting or delays.
- Different from 'estar impaciente' (to be impatient).
Reflexive Pronoun is Key
Remember that 'impacientar-se' is a reflexive verb. This means it always needs a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that matches the subject. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incorrect. For example, 'Eu impaciento-me' is correct, but 'Eu impaciento' is not.
Process vs. State
Distinguish between 'impacientar-se' (the process of becoming impatient) and 'estar impaciente' (the state of being impatient). Use 'impacientar-se' when describing the moment or period when patience starts to run out, and 'estar impaciente' when describing someone who is currently impatient.
Context is King
Pay attention to the context. 'Impacientar-se' is often followed by prepositions like 'com' or 'pela' to indicate the cause of the impatience, such as 'impacientar-se com a demora' (to become impatient with the delay).
Stress the Right Syllable
The stress in 'impacientar-se' falls on the second-to-last syllable: im-pa-si-EN-tar-se. Practicing the pronunciation will help you sound more natural and be better understood.
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