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B1 adjective #6,000 most common 10 min read

imundo

Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips imundo in 30 Seconds

Explanation imundo in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'imundo': very, very dirty. You probably already know the word 'sujo' (dirty). Think of 'imundo' as 'sujo' multiplied by ten. You might use it to describe a dog that played in the mud or a very messy bedroom. At this stage, just remember it's an adjective and it changes for gender: 'o menino imundo' (the filthy boy) but 'a menina imunda' (the filthy girl). It is a good word to express a strong feeling about something that needs cleaning. Don't worry about the metaphorical meanings yet; just use it for physical dirt that makes you want to say 'Yuck!' or 'Eca!' in Portuguese. Practice saying it with a nasal 'i' sound, like you are trying to say 'in' but through your nose. This will help you sound more natural from the start. Remember: 'sujo' is okay, but 'imundo' is extreme.

As an A2 learner, you can start using 'imundo' in more complete sentences and understand its placement. It usually comes after the noun: 'um quarto imundo' (a filthy room). You should also be comfortable using it with the verb 'estar' to describe temporary states: 'A cozinha está imunda' (The kitchen is filthy). At this level, you can also start to recognize the word in simple stories or news headlines about pollution. You might see it used to describe a city after a big festival or a beach covered in trash. It's also important to start distinguishing it from 'sujo'. If a plate has one small spot, it's 'sujo'. If it's covered in old food and mold, it's 'imundo'. This distinction helps you convey the correct level of intensity in your descriptions. You can also use it to describe clothes that are so dirty they need a very strong wash.

At the B1 level, which is where 'imundo' is officially categorized, you should be able to use the word with nuance. You can use it to describe not just physical dirt, but also the 'feeling' of a place. A 'bar imundo' might not just have dirt on the floor; it might feel neglected and unhygienic in general. You should also be aware of the moral usage, though you might not use it frequently yourself yet. For example, understanding a phrase like 'dinheiro imundo' (filthy/blood money) in a movie or book. You should be able to use adverbs to modify it, like 'completamente imundo' or 'absolutamente imunda'. This is also the stage where you should be careful not to confuse it with 'imune' or 'mundo'. You can use 'imundo' to complain effectively in Portuguese, such as when reporting a problem with a hotel room or a public facility. It shows you have the vocabulary to express strong dissatisfaction.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'imundo' in both physical and metaphorical contexts. You can use it to describe 'dirty politics' (política imunda) or a 'filthy conscience' (consciência imunda) with confidence. You understand that placing the adjective before the noun, like 'um imundo mentiroso' (a filthy liar), adds a layer of literary or dramatic emphasis. You can also compare it with synonyms like 'sórdido' or 'asqueroso' and choose the right one for the situation. For instance, you'd know that 'sórdido' sounds more formal and 'asqueroso' sounds more like you are physically nauseated. You should also be able to use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'Por mais imundo que o lugar estivesse, ele teve que entrar' (No matter how filthy the place was, he had to enter). Your pronunciation should be clear, especially the nasal vowels and the distinction between the 'm' and 'n' sounds in the middle of the word.

By the C1 level, 'imundo' is a tool for precise expression. You use it to create vivid imagery in your writing or speaking. You can discuss the social implications of 'bairros imundos' (filthy neighborhoods) in the context of urban planning or social inequality. You are familiar with the word's presence in classical Portuguese literature, where it might be used to describe the 'moral filth' of a decadent society. You can also use it in idiomatic ways or understand when someone is using it ironically. Your mastery of gender and number agreement is flawless, even in long, complex sentences where the noun and adjective are far apart. You might also use the noun form 'imundície' (filth/grime) or the verb 'enimundar' (to make filthy), showing a deep understanding of the word family. You can also navigate the register perfectly, knowing when 'imundo' is too strong and when it is exactly the word needed to make a point.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'imundo'. You understand the subtle historical and religious connotations of the word, such as its use in old translations of the Bible to describe 'spiritually unclean' things. You can use the word in high-level academic or political discourse to criticize corruption or neglect. You might use it in creative writing to evoke a specific atmosphere of decay or moral bankruptcy. You are also aware of regional variations in how the word is used across the Lusophone world (Portugal, Brazil, Angola, etc.). For you, 'imundo' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a building block for sophisticated rhetoric. You can play with the word's phonetics and rhythm in poetry or persuasive speech. You also understand the social taboos associated with the word and can use it to navigate delicate social situations where a strong but precise adjective is required to describe an unacceptable condition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

imundo in 30 Seconds

Imundo means 'filthy' or 'extremely dirty'. It is much stronger than the basic word 'sujo'.
It is a four-form adjective: imundo, imunda, imundos, imundas, agreeing with the noun it describes.
It can describe physical dirt (like mud or trash) or moral corruption (like dirty politics).
It comes from Latin roots meaning 'not clean' and is common in both casual and formal Portuguese.

The Portuguese word imundo is a powerful adjective that translates primarily to 'filthy,' 'extremely dirty,' or 'foul.' While the basic word for 'dirty' in Portuguese is sujo, imundo elevates the intensity to a level of repulsion. It is derived from the Latin immundus, where the prefix 'in-' (not) is combined with 'mundus' (clean/elegant). Therefore, to call something imundo is to say it is fundamentally lacking in cleanliness or purity. In a physical sense, it describes environments or objects covered in grime, mud, or waste. For instance, a kitchen that hasn't been cleaned in months isn't just suja; it is imunda.

Physical State: Refers to extreme lack of hygiene or the presence of excessive dirt and filth.
Moral Connotation: Used metaphorically to describe corrupt actions, scandalous behavior, or 'dirty' politics.
Emotional Intensity: Expresses strong disgust or disdain toward the subject being described.

Beyond physical grime, imundo carries a heavy moral weight. In literature and formal speech, it can describe a 'filthy' mind (mente imunda) or 'dirty' money (dinheiro imundo) obtained through illicit means. This duality makes it a versatile word for expressing strong disapproval. It is not a word used lightly; calling someone's house imunda is a severe insult, whereas calling it suja might just be a casual observation of clutter.

Depois da tempestade, o quintal ficou completamente imundo com lama e detritos.

In daily life, you will hear this word when people are complaining about public transport hygiene, neglected public spaces, or when a parent is shocked by a child's state after playing in a mud pit. It is also common in news reports discussing environmental disasters, such as oil spills that leave beaches imundas. The word demands attention due to its phonetic strength—the nasal 'im-' followed by the hard 'd' sound creates a percussive effect that mirrors the impact of the filth it describes.

Não toque nesse corrimão; ele está imundo!

Culturally, Brazilians and Portuguese people value cleanliness highly, so imundo is often used with a sense of social judgment. A person described as imunda is often seen as someone who has completely abandoned social norms of grooming or care. In religious contexts, it can also refer to things that are ritually 'unclean,' though this usage is more archaic or specific to biblical translations.

O escândalo revelou o jogo imundo da corrupção no governo.

Using imundo correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it is a standard four-form adjective. It changes its ending based on the noun it modifies: imundo (masculine singular), imunda (feminine singular), imundos (masculine plural), and imundas (feminine plural). Because it is a qualifying adjective, it usually follows the noun it describes, although placing it before the noun can add a poetic or highly emphatic tone, often seen in literature.

Masculine Singular: O banheiro está imundo. (The bathroom is filthy.)
Feminine Singular: A toalha ficou imunda após o uso. (The towel became filthy after use.)
Plural Forms: Os sapatos estão imundos; as ruas estavam imundas. (The shoes are filthy; the streets were filthy.)

In terms of sentence structure, imundo is frequently used with the verb estar (to be - temporary state) because filth is usually a condition that can be changed through cleaning. However, if you are describing a place that is perpetually filthy or a person's character, you might use ser (to be - permanent quality). For example, 'Aquele beco é imundo' suggests the alley is always in that state, whereas 'O meu carro está imundo' implies it simply needs a wash right now.

Você não pode entrar na sala com esses pés imundos!

Another common construction is using imundo with verbs of perception or change, such as ficar (to become/get) or parecer (to seem). 'A cidade ficou imunda depois do carnaval' (The city became filthy after Carnival). It can also be modified by adverbs for even more emphasis, though imundo is already an absolute adjective. You might hear 'completamente imundo' or 'absolutamente imundo,' but 'muito imundo' is slightly redundant since the word itself implies 'very dirty.'

Aquelas janelas estão tão imundas que não consigo ver nada lá fora.

When used in a moral context, the word often precedes the noun for rhetorical effect. Phrases like 'um imundo mentiroso' (a filthy liar) or 'negócios imundos' (filthy business) highlight the speaker's intense disgust. In these cases, the word functions as a pejorative epithet, stripping the subject of any dignity. It is a tool for strong condemnation in both written and spoken Portuguese.

You will encounter imundo in a wide variety of social and media contexts. In the household, it is a frequent guest in the vocabulary of parents and grandparents. If a child comes home covered in soot or grease, a common exclamation is: 'Menino, você está imundo! Vá direto para o banho!' (Boy, you are filthy! Go straight to the bath!). It serves as a linguistic 'red alert' for hygiene issues that have crossed a line.

News & Media: Used to describe polluted rivers (rios imundos), cities struggling with trash collection, or environmental crimes.
Literature & Drama: Found in descriptions of poverty-stricken settings or to characterize a villain's 'sordid' (imundo) nature.
Public Service Announcements: Warnings about stagnant water (which can be imunda) to prevent diseases like Dengue fever.

In the world of Brazilian telenovelas (soap operas), imundo is a staple for dramatic confrontations. A protagonist might accuse a villain of having a 'consciência imunda' (filthy conscience) or call their actions 'um plano imundo' (a filthy plan). This metaphorical use is very common in emotional or high-stakes storytelling to emphasize the lack of ethics or purity in a character's motivations.

O rio que corta a cidade está imundo devido ao descarte ilegal de esgoto.

Urban settings also provide plenty of opportunities to hear the word. Commuters might complain about an 'ônibus imundo' or 'estação imunda,' expressing their frustration with public maintenance. In these contexts, the word carries a tone of civic dissatisfaction. It is also used in the culinary world—negatively, of course. A restaurant with an 'imunda' kitchen is one that faces immediate closure by health inspectors (Vigilância Sanitária).

Aquele político tem um passado imundo cheio de escândalos financeiros.

Finally, in sports commentary, particularly soccer, a 'jogo imundo' might refer to a match filled with fouls, simulations, and unsportsmanlike conduct. Fans might call a rival team 'imunda' as a strong (and often offensive) insult. This shows how the word moves from the physical realm of dirt to the social realm of behavior and reputation.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is overusing imundo when they simply mean 'dirty.' In English, 'dirty' is a broad term, but in Portuguese, sujo is the standard. Using imundo for a slightly dusty table sounds dramatic and exaggerated, almost as if you are having an emotional breakdown over a bit of dust. Reserve imundo for things that are truly revolting or have a significant accumulation of filth.

Gender Agreement Errors: Saying 'A casa está imundo' instead of 'A casa está imunda'. Always check the noun's gender.
Confusion with 'Imundo' vs. 'Nojento': Imundo describes the state of dirt; nojento describes the feeling of disgust it causes (gross/disgusting).
Adverbial Overuse: Using 'muito imundo' is common but technically redundant since 'imundo' is already at the extreme end of the scale.

Another pitfall is the pronunciation of the nasal 'i'. English speakers often pronounce it like the 'ee' in 'seen', but in Portuguese, the 'im-' in imundo is a nasal vowel. If you don't nasalize it, you might sound like you're saying a different word or simply have a very thick accent. Practice by letting some air escape through your nose as you say the first syllable.

Errado: O carro está imunda. (Carro is masculine)
Correto: O carro está imundo.

Learners also sometimes confuse imundo with imune (immune). While they look similar, their meanings are entirely unrelated. Saying 'Eu sou imundo a essa doença' would mean 'I am filthy to this disease,' which makes no sense. The correct word for immune is imune. Pay close attention to the endings of these words to avoid embarrassing situations.

Cuidado: Não confunda imundo (filthy) com mundo (world). Adding the 'i' changes the meaning completely!

Finally, be careful with the intensity. Using imundo in a professional setting to describe a small mistake or a slightly messy desk can be seen as aggressive or unprofessional. Stick to desorganizado (disorganized) or desarrumado (untidy) unless there is actual, significant filth involved.

Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for describing various states of lack of cleanliness. Understanding the nuances between these words will help you sound more like a native speaker. While imundo is the 'heavy hitter' for filth, other words might be more appropriate depending on the specific type of dirt or the context.

Sujo: The standard word for 'dirty'. It is neutral and can describe anything from a smudge on a window to a dirty shirt.
Encardido: Specifically refers to dirt that has 'set in' or stained something, making it hard to clean (common for white clothes or old tiles).
Nojento / Asqueroso: Focuses on the reaction of disgust. Something can be imundo without being nojento (like an old engine), but they often go together.
Porco: Literally 'pig'. Used as an adjective for a person who has very poor hygiene habits or for a job done very sloppily.

If you are looking for a more formal or literary term, sórdido is a great choice. It translates to 'sordid' and is almost always used in a moral sense to describe corrupt environments, scandalous lives, or 'dirty' secrets. While imundo can be physical or moral, sórdido leans heavily toward the metaphorical and the unethical.

A roupa branca ficou encardida depois de tanto tempo guardada no porão.

On the slang side, in Brazil, you might hear seboso. This comes from sebo (tallow/grease) and describes something oily, greasy, and gross. It’s often used to describe someone who looks like they haven't showered or an object covered in a layer of sticky grime. Another slang term is podre (rotten), which can be used to describe something that is so dirty it's practically decaying.

Viver naquela casa sórdida era um pesadelo para a jovem.

When choosing an alternative, consider the 'texture' of the dirt. Is it dry dust? (Sujo). Is it wet, smelly mud? (Imundo). Is it grease from a pizza? (Seboso). Is it a permanent stain on a collar? (Encardido). Matching the specific word to the specific type of dirt shows a high level of Portuguese proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'mundo' (world) in Portuguese actually shares the same root because the Romans saw the world as an 'ordered' and 'clean' place (mundus). So, 'imundo' literally means something that is 'out of order' with the world.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /iˈmũ.du/

US /iˈmũ.du/

The stress is on the second syllable: i-MUN-do.

Rhymes With

mundo fundo segundo abundo profundo vagabundo rotundo fecundo

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'i' as a pure English 'ee' without nasalization.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'oo'.
Treating the 'm' and 'u' as separate syllables without the nasal connection.
Confusing the stress and putting it on the first syllable (I-mun-do).
Failing to pronounce the 'd' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'inmundo' in Spanish or 'immundus' in Latin.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement and correct spelling of the nasal 'im-'.

Speaking 4/5

The nasal 'i' is a classic challenge for English speakers to master.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'mundo' if the initial nasal 'i' is missed.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

sujo limpo muito estar coisa

Learn Next

imundície nojento asqueroso encardido saneamento

Advanced

sórdido abjeto degradante insalubre profano

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

O carro (m) está imundo (m). A casa (f) está imunda (f).

Nasal Vowels

The 'im-' in imundo is a nasal vowel /ĩ/.

Placement of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'um lugar imundo'.

Estar vs. Ser

Use 'estar' for temporary filth: 'A mesa está imunda'.

Superlative Formation

Imundíssimo is the absolute superlative.

Examples by Level

O meu cachorro está imundo.

My dog is filthy.

Masculine singular agreement with 'cachorro'.

A boneca está imunda.

The doll is filthy.

Feminine singular agreement with 'boneca'.

Seus pés estão imundos!

Your feet are filthy!

Masculine plural agreement with 'pés'.

As mãos dele estão imundas.

His hands are filthy.

Feminine plural agreement with 'mãos'.

O chão está imundo.

The floor is filthy.

Use of 'estar' for a temporary state.

Não coma com esse prato imundo.

Don't eat with that filthy plate.

Adjective following the noun 'prato'.

Este sapato está imundo.

This shoe is filthy.

Demonstrative 'este' matching 'sapato'.

A toalha ficou imunda.

The towel became filthy.

Verb 'ficar' showing a change of state.

O carro ficou imundo depois da viagem para a fazenda.

The car got filthy after the trip to the farm.

Prepositional phrase 'depois da viagem' provides context.

As janelas do prédio estão imundas por causa da poluição.

The building's windows are filthy because of the pollution.

Plural agreement with 'janelas'.

Eu não quero sentar nesse banco imundo.

I don't want to sit on that filthy bench.

Verb 'querer' followed by infinitive 'sentar'.

A cozinha estava imunda quando chegamos em casa.

The kitchen was filthy when we arrived home.

Imperfect tense 'estava' for description in the past.

Ele usa um boné imundo todos os dias.

He wears a filthy cap every day.

Adjective 'imundo' modifying 'boné'.

As ruas ficaram imundas após o desfile.

The streets became filthy after the parade.

Plural feminine agreement with 'ruas'.

O rio está imundo e cheio de lixo.

The river is filthy and full of trash.

Coordinated adjectives 'imundo' and 'cheio'.

Minha camiseta branca está imunda de café.

My white t-shirt is filthy with coffee.

Preposition 'de' used to indicate the cause of the filth.

O banheiro público estava tão imundo que eu preferi não entrar.

The public bathroom was so filthy that I preferred not to go in.

Consecutive clause with 'tão... que'.

Ele tem o hábito imundo de jogar lixo pela janela do carro.

He has the filthy habit of throwing trash out the car window.

Metaphorical use for a bad/disgusting habit.

A água da enchente deixou a casa completamente imunda.

The floodwater left the house completely filthy.

Adverb 'completamente' providing emphasis.

Não aguento mais esse ar imundo da cidade grande.

I can't stand this filthy big city air anymore.

Idiomatic expression 'não aguento mais'.

O mecânico saiu da oficina com o macacão imundo de graxa.

The mechanic left the shop with his overalls filthy with grease.

Specific type of dirt mentioned (graxa).

É um crime manter os animais em um ambiente tão imundo.

It is a crime to keep animals in such a filthy environment.

Infinitive 'manter' as the subject of the sentence.

Aquelas cortinas estão imundas; precisam ser lavadas urgentemente.

Those curtains are filthy; they need to be washed urgently.

Passive voice 'precisam ser lavadas'.

O restaurante foi fechado por estar em um estado imundo.

The restaurant was closed for being in a filthy state.

Gerund 'estar' following the preposition 'por'.

A corrupção é um jogo imundo que destrói a confiança do povo.

Corruption is a filthy game that destroys the people's trust.

Moral/political metaphorical use.

Ele sentiu-se imundo após ter participado daquela mentira.

He felt filthy after having participated in that lie.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se' with metaphorical adjective.

As paredes da cela eram imundas e úmidas.

The cell walls were filthy and damp.

Descriptive literary style.

O escândalo revelou os detalhes imundos da vida do empresário.

The scandal revealed the filthy details of the businessman's life.

Use of 'imundo' to describe scandalous information.

Apesar do luxo aparente, o hotel escondia um segredo imundo.

Despite the apparent luxury, the hotel hid a filthy secret.

Concessive clause with 'Apesar do'.

Ela lavou as mãos para tirar o cheiro imundo do peixe.

She washed her hands to remove the filthy smell of the fish.

Describing a foul smell using 'imundo'.

O pátio da escola estava imundo de papéis e restos de comida.

The school courtyard was filthy with papers and food scraps.

Specification of the filth with 'de'.

Ninguém queria tocar naquele trapo imundo encontrado na rua.

Nobody wanted to touch that filthy rag found in the street.

Demonstrative 'naquele' (em + aquele).

O autor descreve com realismo o cenário imundo das favelas do século XIX.

The author realistically describes the filthy setting of 19th-century slums.

Academic/literary analysis context.

A exploração do trabalho infantil é uma mancha imunda na nossa história.

The exploitation of child labor is a filthy stain on our history.

Abstract metaphorical use (mancha imunda).

Sua consciência imunda não o deixava dormir à noite.

His filthy conscience wouldn't let him sleep at night.

Adjective preceding the noun for emphasis.

O ambiente imundo daquela repartição pública era deprimente.

The filthy environment of that government office was depressing.

Noun phrase as the subject.

Eles vivem em condições imundas, sem acesso a saneamento básico.

They live in filthy conditions, without access to basic sanitation.

Social commentary context.

O filme retrata o submundo imundo do tráfico de drogas.

The film portrays the filthy underworld of drug trafficking.

Use of 'submundo' (underworld) with 'imundo'.

Não permitirei que suas palavras imundas manchem a minha reputação.

I will not allow your filthy words to stain my reputation.

Future tense 'permitirei' and subjunctive 'manchem'.

O rastro imundo deixado pela empresa petrolífera destruiu o ecossistema.

The filthy trail left by the oil company destroyed the ecosystem.

Participial phrase 'deixado pela empresa'.

A retórica imunda utilizada durante a campanha eleitoral feriu a democracia.

The filthy rhetoric used during the electoral campaign hurt democracy.

High-level political analysis.

O personagem é a personificação do que há de mais imundo na natureza humana.

The character is the personification of what is most filthy in human nature.

Superlative construction 'o que há de mais'.

Emergiu das profundezas imundas do esquecimento para reclamar seu trono.

He emerged from the filthy depths of oblivion to reclaim his throne.

Poetic/epic register.

A imundície física era apenas um reflexo da sua alma imunda.

The physical filth was merely a reflection of his filthy soul.

Contrast between physical and spiritual filth.

Trata-se de um negócio imundo, arquitetado nas sombras da ilegalidade.

It is a filthy business, architected in the shadows of illegality.

Formal 'Trata-se de' construction.

O poeta lamenta o destino imundo reservado aos miseráveis da terra.

The poet laments the filthy fate reserved for the wretched of the earth.

Literary reference and elevated vocabulary.

A cidade, outrora gloriosa, agora jaz imunda sob o peso do abandono.

The city, once glorious, now lies filthy under the weight of neglect.

Archaic verb 'jaz' (lies/rests).

A investigação expôs o conluio imundo entre a polícia e o crime organizado.

The investigation exposed the filthy collusion between the police and organized crime.

Complex noun phrase 'conluio imundo'.

Common Collocations

banheiro imundo

rio imundo

dinheiro imundo

consciência imunda

ar imundo

chão imundo

roupa imunda

passado imundo

corpo imundo

pensamento imundo

Common Phrases

Está imundo!

— It's filthy! Used as a direct exclamation of disgust.

Olha este tapete! Está imundo!

Ficar imundo

— To get filthy. Describes the process of becoming very dirty.

As crianças ficaram imundas no parque.

Deixar imundo

— To leave something filthy. Used when someone causes a mess.

Eles deixaram o quarto imundo.

Completamente imundo

— Completely filthy. Used for maximum emphasis.

O carro está completamente imundo.

Mais imundo que...

— Filthier than... Used for comparisons.

Este lugar está mais imundo que um chiqueiro.

Estado imundo

— Filthy state. Refers to the condition of a place or object.

A casa estava em um estado imundo.

Pés imundos

— Filthy feet. A very common complaint in households.

Tire esses pés imundos do sofá!

Jogo imundo

— Dirty game. Can refer to sports or unethical behavior.

A política pode ser um jogo imundo.

Mente imunda

— Filthy mind. Refers to someone with dirty or inappropriate thoughts.

Você tem uma mente imunda!

Cheiro imundo

— Filthy smell. Refers to a very foul or repulsive odor.

O que é esse cheiro imundo vindo do lixo?

Often Confused With

imundo vs mundo

Means 'world'. The extra 'i' in 'imundo' flips the meaning to 'filthy'.

imundo vs imune

Means 'immune'. Similar spelling, but totally different meaning.

imundo vs imundo (noun)

Sometimes used as a noun for a person, like 'you filthy person', but usually an adjective.

Idioms & Expressions

"Lavar a alma imunda"

— To cleanse a 'filthy soul'. Usually metaphorical for seeking redemption or relief after doing something wrong.

Ele precisava confessar para lavar sua alma imunda.

literary/dramatic

"Dinheiro imundo não traz felicidade"

— Filthy money doesn't bring happiness. A variation of the 'money can't buy happiness' proverb, specifically referring to ill-gotten gains.

Não aceite esse suborno; dinheiro imundo não traz felicidade.

neutral

"Cair no poço imundo"

— To fall into a filthy well. Metaphorical for hitting rock bottom or getting involved in a very bad situation.

Depois das drogas, ele caiu em um poço imundo.

dramatic

"Limpar o que está imundo"

— To clean what is filthy. Often used metaphorically about cleaning up corruption or a bad reputation.

O novo prefeito prometeu limpar o que está imundo na prefeitura.

neutral/political

"Boca imunda"

— Filthy mouth. Refers to someone who uses a lot of profanity or tells lies.

Cuidado com o que diz, você tem uma boca imunda!

informal/pejorative

"Trabalho imundo"

— Dirty work. Doing the unpleasant or unethical tasks that others avoid.

Ele sempre faz o trabalho imundo para o chefe.

neutral

"Rir do imundo"

— To laugh at the filthy. Sometimes used to mean laughing at someone else's misfortune or disgrace.

Não é certo rir do imundo.

rare/literary

"Vestir o pano imundo"

— To wear the filthy cloth. Metaphorical for accepting a bad reputation or a lowly position.

Ele teve que vestir o pano imundo da derrota.

poetic

"Coração imundo"

— Filthy heart. Refers to someone who is malicious or lacks kindness.

Somente um coração imundo faria tal coisa.

literary/religious

"Mãos imundas"

— Filthy hands. Usually metaphorical for being guilty of a crime or unethical act.

Ele não pode julgar ninguém com essas mãos imundas.

neutral/moral

Easily Confused

imundo vs sujo

Both mean dirty.

Sujo is basic; imundo is extreme and often implies disgust.

O prato está sujo (needs washing); O prato está imundo (covered in mold).

imundo vs encardido

Both describe dirt.

Encardido is specifically about stains that won't come out.

O colarinho da camisa está encardido.

imundo vs nojento

Both relate to filth.

Nojento is the feeling (gross); imundo is the state (filthy).

Esse lixo imundo está nojento.

imundo vs sórdido

Both mean filthy/dirty.

Sórdido is more formal and usually refers to moral or living conditions.

Um crime sórdido.

imundo vs imundície

Looks like the adjective.

Imundície is the noun (the filth itself).

Tire toda essa imundície daqui.

Sentence Patterns

O/A [noun] está imundo/a.

O cachorro está imundo.

Não toque em [noun] imundo/a.

Não toque nesse vidro imundo.

[Noun] está imundo/a de [substance].

A camisa está imunda de graxa.

É um/uma [noun] imundo/a.

É um hábito imundo.

Apesar de [condition], [noun] está imundo/a.

Apesar de novo, o prédio está imundo.

[Noun] revelou um/uma [noun] imundo/a.

O caso revelou um segredo imundo.

[Noun] imundo/a, [noun]...

Consciência imunda, sono leve.

O que há de mais imundo em [concept]...

O que há de mais imundo na política...

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both speech and writing when high intensity is needed.

Common Mistakes

O casa está imundo. → A casa está imunda.
Casa is feminine, so the adjective must be imunda.
Eu sou imundo a gripe. → Eu sou imune à gripe.
Confusing 'imundo' (filthy) with 'imune' (immune).
O carro está muito sujo, está imunda. → O carro está muito sujo, está imundo.
Carro is masculine; adjective must match.
O mundo está imundo. → O mundo está imundo.
This is actually correct, but students often forget the 'i' and just say 'mundo'.
Pronouncing 'imundo' like 'ee-moon-doh'. → Pronouncing with a nasal /ĩ/ sound.
The 'im' is a nasal vowel, not two separate sounds.

Tips

When to upgrade from 'sujo'

If you see something and your first reaction is 'Eca!' (Gross!), use 'imundo' instead of 'sujo'.

Agreement is key

Always check if the noun is plural. 'Os sapatos imundos' needs that 's' at the end!

Moral Filth

Use 'imundo' for things like 'dirty money' or 'dirty politics' to sound more advanced.

The Nasal I

Practice the nasal 'i' by humming while you say it. It's a key sound in Portuguese.

City Life

You'll often hear 'imundo' used for city streets or public transport. It's a very common complaint.

Brazilian Slang

In Brazil, 'imundo' can sometimes be used to describe a 'dirty' player in soccer.

Try 'Encardido'

If you are talking about a white shirt that has turned gray from dirt, use 'encardido'.

Immense Dirt

Remember: IMundo = IMmense dirt.

Reading Clues

In books, 'imundo' often sets a dark or realistic mood for a scene.

Don't insult!

Avoid calling a person 'imundo' to their face unless you want a big fight.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'I'm un-done' by the dirt. If something is 'imundo', it's so dirty it's 'un-clean' (im-mundus).

Visual Association

Imagine a white 'world' (mundo) globe being splashed with thick, black, 'inky' mud. The 'i' in 'imundo' is like that ink ruining the world.

Word Web

sujo lama lixo imundície porco nojento poluição banheiro

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you would describe as 'sujo' and one thing that is truly 'imundo'. Say the sentences out loud to practice the nasal 'i'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'immundus', composed of the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'mundus' (clean, neat, elegant). It has been used in Portuguese since the formation of the language to denote physical and moral uncleanness.

Original meaning: Not clean; impure; lacking elegance or order.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'imundo' to describe people. It is very offensive and suggests they are sub-human or completely lacking in dignity.

In English, we might use 'filthy' or 'squalid'. 'Imundo' covers both but is more common in everyday speech than 'squalid'.

The phrase 'dinheiro imundo' is common in Brazilian crime dramas like 'Tropa de Elite'. Biblical translations into Portuguese use 'animais imundos' for unclean animals. Many Fado songs use 'imundo' to describe the harsh, dirty reality of life in old Lisbon alleys.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Household cleaning

O chão está imundo.
Preciso limpar esse fogão imundo.
Não deixe a pia imunda.
A casa ficou imunda após a obra.

Personal hygiene

Seus sapatos estão imundos.
Você está imundo de suor.
Lave essas mãos imundas.
O cachorro está imundo.

Environmental issues

O rio está imundo.
O ar da cidade é imundo.
A praia ficou imunda de óleo.
O parque está imundo de lixo.

Politics and Ethics

Isso é um jogo imundo.
Dinheiro imundo da corrupção.
Ele tem um passado imundo.
Uma mentira imunda.

Public services

O ônibus estava imundo.
O banheiro público é imundo.
A rua está imunda.
O hospital parecia imundo.

Conversation Starters

"Você já entrou em um restaurante que parecia imundo?"

"O que você faz quando vê alguém deixando a rua imunda?"

"Você acha que o ar da nossa cidade está ficando imundo?"

"Qual é a coisa mais imunda que você já teve que limpar?"

"Como você reagiria se seu hotel estivesse imundo na chegada?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um lugar imundo que você visitou e como se sentiu.

Escreva sobre a importância de manter o meio ambiente longe de ficar imundo.

Reflita sobre a expressão 'dinheiro imundo' e o que ela significa para você.

Crie uma história sobre um personagem que vive em um porão imundo.

Como a limpeza (ou a falta dela, o estado imundo) afeta o seu humor?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it's not a swear word, but it is a very strong and potentially offensive adjective if used to describe a person or their home.

Yes, but it's very insulting. It suggests the person has terrible hygiene or is morally corrupt.

'Sujo' is simply dirty. 'Imundo' is filthy, repulsive, and extremely dirty.

It's a nasal 'i'. Try to say 'in' but keep your tongue away from the roof of your mouth, letting the sound go through your nose.

Yes, it becomes 'imunda'. For example: 'A rua imunda'.

Yes, if the food is spoiled or prepared in a very unhygienic way, but 'estragado' (spoiled) is more common for the food itself.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meaning.

The most direct opposite is 'limpo' (clean) or 'imaculado' (spotless).

You can, and people do, but it's slightly redundant because 'imundo' already means 'very dirty'.

Yes, especially in literature or news reports about pollution or corruption.