This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 8 min read

incômodo

Examples Notes & Tips incômodo in 30 Seconds
Explanation incômodo in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'incômodo' as part of a fixed polite phrase: 'Desculpe o incômodo'. This is like learning 'Excuse me' in English. You don't need to know all the complex grammar behind it yet. Just remember that if you are approaching a stranger to ask for directions, or if you are calling someone you don't know well, starting with 'Desculpe o incômodo' makes you sound very polite and respectful. It shows you recognize that you might be interrupting their day. You might also hear a doctor ask 'Sente algum incômodo?' which just means 'Do you feel anything weird or uncomfortable?'. Focus on the 'o' at the end (masculine) and the nasal sound at the beginning. It is a noun here, used with the article 'o'. Think of it as a 'bother'.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'incômodo' to describe physical sensations and basic inconveniences. You should be able to say things like 'Sinto um incômodo no braço' (I feel a discomfort in my arm) or 'O barulho é um incômodo' (The noise is a bother). You are moving beyond just fixed phrases and starting to build your own sentences. You will notice that 'incômodo' is often something that happens to you or something that a situation causes. You should also learn that the word can be an adjective ('O sapato é incômodo'), but focus on the noun usage first. It's a great word for traveling, as you can use it to complain politely about a hotel room or a seat on a bus without sounding too aggressive or angry.
At the B1 level, you start to use 'incômodo' for social and emotional contexts. You might describe a 'clima de incômodo' (an uncomfortable atmosphere) during a tense meeting or a family dinner. You should be able to differentiate between 'incômodo' and 'dor' (pain) or 'problema' (problem). You'll also encounter the verb 'incomodar' more frequently and should see how 'incômodo' is the result of that action. For example, 'O barulho me incomoda' (The noise bothers me) leads to 'O barulho é um incômodo' (The noise is a bother). You can also use it to express boundaries, such as 'Isso me causa um certo incômodo' (This causes me a certain discomfort/unease), which is a sophisticated way to express that you are not happy with a situation.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'incômodo' in more abstract and formal ways. You might use it in a debate or an essay to describe the 'incômodo' felt by a population during a period of political transition. You will understand the nuance between 'incômodo' and 'transtorno'. While an incômodo is a bother, a transtorno is a significant disruption to one's life. You can use 'incômodo' to describe subtle psychological states, like the 'incômodo' of cognitive dissonance. You should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like 'contrariedade' or 'moléstia' and know when 'incômodo' is the more natural choice. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of Brazilian or Portuguese social norms regarding politeness and indirectness.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, you use 'incômodo' with precision in professional, academic, and literary contexts. You can discuss the 'incômodo estético' (aesthetic discomfort) of a piece of modern art or the 'incômodo ético' (ethical unease) of a business decision. You are aware of the word's historical roots and how its usage has evolved. You can use it ironically or with great subtlety in conversation to signal your feelings without stating them bluntly. You'll recognize it in high-level literature where authors use 'incômodo' to describe the existential dread or the minor irritations of life that symbolize larger issues. Your pronunciation should be perfect, including the subtle nasalization and the correct stress on the second syllable.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, 'incômodo' is a tool you use to navigate the finest nuances of the Portuguese language. You can use it to describe the 'incômodo' of a silence that lasts a second too long, or the 'incômodo' of a word that is almost, but not quite, the right one. You understand the legal and technical implications of 'incômodos de vizinhança' in property law. You can swap it for archaic or highly regional synonyms to achieve specific stylistic effects. You understand how the word functions in the collective psyche of Lusophone cultures—how it balances the tension between the desire to be helpful and the desire for privacy. You use the word effortlessly, with a native-like grasp of its many layers of meaning.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples Notes & Tips

incômodo in 30 Seconds

  • Incômodo means annoyance, discomfort, or a slight bother in Portuguese.
  • It is used both for physical feelings and social inconveniences.
  • The phrase 'Desculpe o incômodo' is essential for polite daily interactions.
  • It is a masculine noun that can also function as an adjective meaning 'uncomfortable'.

The word incômodo is a fundamental noun in the Portuguese language, primarily translating to 'annoyance', 'discomfort', 'bother', or 'inconvenience'. While English speakers might use separate words for a physical ache and a social nuisance, Portuguese elegantly wraps these concepts into this single term. At its core, an incômodo is anything that disrupts your state of comfort, whether that disruption is physical, mental, or social. It is the pebble in your shoe, the loud neighbor at midnight, or the slight guilt you feel when asking a busy friend for a favor. Understanding this word is essential for navigating social etiquette in Brazil and Portugal, as it is the foundation of many polite apologies.

Physical Discomfort
In a medical or physical context, it refers to a sensation that isn't quite 'pain' (dor) but is definitely not comfortable. It's that nagging feeling in your lower back after sitting too long or the irritation caused by a tight collar.

Sinto um pequeno incômodo no meu dente quando bebo algo gelado.

Social Nuisance
Socially, it describes the act of being a burden or causing trouble for others. When you walk into a room and realize you've interrupted a meeting, that feeling of being an intruder is an incômodo.

Furthermore, the word can describe environmental factors. A flickering light in an office, the constant hum of an air conditioner, or a draft coming through a window are all examples of environmental incômodos. They are not catastrophic problems, but they are persistent enough to prevent full relaxation or focus. In legal terms, particularly in property law, 'incômodo' can refer to nuisances that affect a neighbor's quiet enjoyment of their home. This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used nouns in daily conversation, appearing in everything from doctor's visits to formal emails and casual complaints among friends.

Espero não estar sendo um incômodo ao ligar a esta hora.

Using incômodo correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its relationship with specific verbs. The most common verb paired with it is causar (to cause). You will often hear 'causar um incômodo' in professional settings when someone is apologizing for a delay or a change in plans. Another vital verb is sentir (to feel), used for physical or emotional sensations. If you have a scratchy throat, you 'sente um incômodo na garganta'. If you feel out of place at a party, you 'sente um certo incômodo'.

The Polite Apology
The phrase 'Desculpe o incômodo' (Sorry for the bother) is a set expression. It is used when knocking on a door, calling someone unexpectedly, or asking for information in a store. It is more formal and softer than simply saying 'Desculpe'.

Pedimos desculpas por qualquer incômodo causado pelas obras na rua.

Degree of Severity
You can modify the noun with adjectives like 'leve' (light), 'grande' (big), or 'insuportável' (unbearable). A 'leve incômodo' is a minor itch, while a 'grande incômodo' might be a total lack of privacy in a shared apartment.

Syntactically, 'incômodo' usually follows the definite article 'o' or the indefinite article 'um'. It can also be used in the plural 'incômodos', though this is less common and usually refers to a series of specific problems or physical ailments. In literature, you might see 'os incômodos da velhice' (the ailments of old age). In modern digital communication, if an app sends too many notifications, a user might complain about the 'incômodo das notificações constantes'. This noun is incredibly flexible, transitioning from the physical world to the digital and social realms with ease.

Para evitar incômodos, por favor, desligue o celular durante a sessão.

In the real world, you will encounter incômodo in a variety of specific environments. In Brazilian or Portuguese hospitals and clinics, doctors will rarely ask if you have 'pain' immediately; they might start by asking if you feel any 'incômodo'. This is a softer way to probe for symptoms without alarming the patient. It allows the patient to describe sensations like pressure, tingling, or stiffness that don't qualify as sharp pain. Similarly, in the hospitality industry—hotels, restaurants, and airplanes—staff are trained to use this word to ensure customer satisfaction.

Customer Service
If a waiter accidentally spills a drop of water on the table, they will say, 'Perdoe-me pelo incômodo'. If a hotel room is being cleaned later than expected, the manager might offer a discount for the 'incômodo'.

O barulho da construção vizinha é um incômodo constante para os moradores.

Public Spaces
On public transport, signs often remind passengers to avoid 'incômodo aos demais passageiros' by not playing loud music or blocking the doors. It serves as a polite but firm directive for civic behavior.

In personal relationships, the word is used to express boundaries. If a friend keeps calling during dinner, you might eventually say, 'Isso está se tornando um incômodo'. It is less aggressive than saying 'You are annoying me', focusing instead on the situation or the action itself. In academic and professional writing, 'incômodo' is used to describe theoretical friction or societal unease. A sociologist might write about the 'incômodo social' caused by economic inequality. This range—from a tiny physical itch to a massive societal problem—demonstrates why 'incômodo' is a pillar of the Portuguese vocabulary.

Não quero ser um incômodo, mas você poderia me emprestar uma caneta?

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the noun incômodo with its adjective counterpart or with related words like 'inconveniente'. While 'incômodo' can be an adjective (meaning uncomfortable), its use as a noun is much more specific. Beginners often forget the circumflex accent over the second 'o', which is crucial for both spelling and pronunciation. Without the accent, the word doesn't exist in Portuguese, or might be mistaken for a conjugated form of the verb 'incomodar' (though the stress would be different).

Noun vs. Adjective
'O sofá é incômodo' (The sofa is uncomfortable - Adjective). 'O sofá causou um incômodo nas minhas costas' (The sofa caused a discomfort in my back - Noun). Make sure you know which role the word is playing in your sentence.

Erro comum: 'Eu sou um incômodo' (meaning I am a bother) is grammatically correct but often sounds too heavy. Better: 'Não quero incomodar'.

False Friend: Inconvenience
While 'inconveniente' exists in Portuguese, it often describes a person who lacks social tact (someone 'awkward' or 'inappropriate'). If a flight is delayed, 'incômodo' or 'transtorno' are much better choices than 'inconveniente'.

Another mistake is using 'incômodo' for severe agony. If you have a broken leg, calling it an 'incômodo' is an extreme understatement and might lead to a misdiagnosis. Conversely, using 'dor' (pain) for a tiny itch is an overstatement. Native speakers are very precise with this distinction. Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the nasal 'in-'. Many students pronounce it like the English 'in', but in Portuguese, it’s a nasal vowel where the air comes out of the nose and mouth simultaneously, and the 'n' is not fully articulated as a consonant.

Correto: 'Sinto um incômodo na vista'. Incorreto: 'Sinto uma dor de vista' (unless it is actually painful).

Portuguese is rich with synonyms for incômodo, each carrying a slightly different weight or register. Depending on whether you are at a business meeting or a backyard barbecue, you might want to swap 'incômodo' for something more specific. The most common alternative in casual Brazilian Portuguese is chateação, which specifically refers to the annoyance caused by something boring or irritating. If the bother is more about a logistical mess, transtorno is the preferred term.

Incômodo vs. Transtorno
An 'incômodo' is a feeling or a minor event. A 'transtorno' is a major disruption. A late bus is an incômodo; a canceled bus route is a transtorno.

Essa burocracia é um verdadeiro transtorno para nós.

Incômodo vs. Amolação
'Amolação' is very informal. It comes from the verb 'amolar' (to sharpen/grind). It implies someone is 'grinding' your nerves. Use this with friends when complaining about a persistent telemarketer.

Other words include estorvo, which refers to a person or thing that is physically in the way (like a large box in a narrow hallway), and moléstia, which is more old-fashioned and often refers to a physical ailment or a serious disturbance. In Portugal, you might also hear maçada, which describes a bothersome task or a 'drag'. Understanding these nuances allows you to express your frustration—or your apologies—with the precision of a native speaker, ensuring you don't overstate a minor itch or understate a major logistical nightmare.

Desculpe a amolação, mas você tem um isqueiro?

Fun Fact

The root 'commodus' is also where we get the English word 'commodity' and the Portuguese word 'cômodo' (room/comfortable). So an 'incômodo' is literally something that doesn't 'fit' or isn't 'convenient'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɪnˈkɒmədəʊ/
US /ɪnˈkoʊmədoʊ/
The primary stress is on the second syllable: in-CÔ-mo-do.
Rhymes With
cômodo incômodo isômodo (rare) unímodo multímodo bímodo trímodo polímodo
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'n' as a hard consonant instead of nasalizing the 'i'.
  • Stressing the first or last syllable instead of the second.
  • Pronouncing the 'ô' as an open 'o' (like in 'hot') instead of a closed 'o' (like in 'go').
  • Mixing it up with the verb 'incomodar' which has a different stress pattern.
  • Forgetting the nasal quality of the first syllable entirely.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Desculpe o incômodo.

Sorry for the bother.

Fixed expression for politeness.

2

O barulho é um incômodo.

The noise is a bother.

Noun following the article 'um'.

3

Não quero causar incômodo.

I don't want to cause trouble.

Verb 'causar' followed by the noun.

4

O incômodo passou logo.

The discomfort passed quickly.

Subject of the sentence.

5

Sinto um pequeno incômodo.

I feel a small discomfort.

Direct object of 'sentir'.

6

É um incômodo para você?

Is it a bother for you?

Interrogative sentence.

7

Sem incômodo nenhum!

No bother at all!

Common response to an apology.

8

O incômodo é grande.

The bother is big.

Adjective 'grande' modifying the noun.

1

Sinto um incômodo no pé por causa do sapato.

I feel a discomfort in my foot because of the shoe.

Physical usage of the noun.

2

Este atraso é um grande incômodo para nós.

This delay is a big inconvenience for us.

Modified by 'grande'.

3

Desculpe o incômodo, mas onde fica o banheiro?

Sorry for the bother, but where is the bathroom?

Polite opener.

4

O incômodo da luz forte me deu dor de cabeça.

The discomfort of the bright light gave me a headache.

Environmental factor.

5

Não sinto mais nenhum incômodo na garganta.

I don't feel any more discomfort in my throat.

Negation with 'nenhum'.

6

O incômodo de esperar na fila é chato.

The bother of waiting in line is annoying.

Gerund phrase as a modifier.

7

Você pode evitar o incômodo se chegar cedo.

You can avoid the inconvenience if you arrive early.

Verb 'evitar' (to avoid).

8

O incômodo foi causado pela chuva.

The inconvenience was caused by the rain.

Passive voice.

1

Houve um certo incômodo durante a reunião de hoje.

There was a certain unease during today's meeting.

Social discomfort.

2

Ela expressou seu incômodo com a situação atual.

She expressed her discomfort with the current situation.

Abstract usage.

3

O incômodo de viver em uma cidade barulhenta é real.

The bother of living in a noisy city is real.

Generalizing a feeling.

4

Para não gerar incômodo, ele decidiu sair mais cedo.

To not cause trouble, he decided to leave earlier.

Purpose clause with 'gerar' (to generate/cause).

5

Senti um incômodo ao ver como eles tratavam o estagiário.

I felt a discomfort seeing how they treated the intern.

Moral/ethical discomfort.

6

O principal incômodo da viagem foi a falta de internet.

The main inconvenience of the trip was the lack of internet.

Identifying a specific problem.

7

Apesar do incômodo, o resultado final valeu a pena.

Despite the inconvenience, the final result was worth it.

Concessive phrase with 'apesar de'.

8

O incômodo constante me impediu de dormir bem.

The constant bother prevented me from sleeping well.

Adjective 'constante' modifying the noun.

1

A nova lei causou um incômodo generalizado na população.

The new law caused widespread unease among the population.

Political/societal context.

2

O incômodo estético da obra de arte era intencional.

The aesthetic discomfort of the artwork was intentional.

Specialized context (art).

3

Ele tentou disfarçar seu incômodo com um sorriso forçado.

He tried to hide his discomfort with a forced smile.

Psychological nuance.

4

O incômodo de ser observado o tempo todo é exaustivo.

The discomfort of being watched all the time is exhausting.

Complex noun phrase.

5

Evite qualquer incômodo desnecessário aos convidados.

Avoid any unnecessary inconvenience to the guests.

Imperative with 'evitar'.

6

O incômodo provocado pela divergência de opiniões foi visível.

The unease caused by the difference of opinions was visible.

Past participle 'provocado' as an adjective.

7

Há um incômodo latente que ninguém quer admitir.

There is a latent unease that no one wants to admit.

Abstract adjective 'latente'.

8

O incômodo burocrático atrasou o projeto em meses.

The bureaucratic bother delayed the project by months.

Compound concept (bureaucratic bother).

1

A narrativa explora o incômodo existencial do protagonista.

The narrative explores the protagonist's existential unease.

Literary analysis.

2

O incômodo causado pela dissonância cognitiva é poderoso.

The discomfort caused by cognitive dissonance is powerful.

Psychological terminology.

3

Sua presença trazia um incômodo indescritível ao ambiente.

His presence brought an indescribable unease to the room.

High-level vocabulary ('indescritível').

4

O incômodo da verdade muitas vezes supera o conforto da mentira.

The discomfort of the truth often outweighs the comfort of a lie.

Philosophical comparison.

5

A empresa busca minimizar o incômodo ambiental de suas fábricas.

The company seeks to minimize the environmental nuisance of its factories.

Technical/corporate usage.

6

O incômodo provocado pelo silêncio era quase palpável.

The unease caused by the silence was almost palpable.

Metaphorical language.

7

Não se pode ignorar o incômodo ético desta decisão.

One cannot ignore the ethical unease of this decision.

Formal argumentation.

8

O incômodo das pequenas coisas pode arruinar um grande dia.

The bother of small things can ruin a great day.

Aphoristic style.

1

O autor utiliza o incômodo como uma ferramenta de subversão.

The author uses discomfort as a tool of subversion.

Academic literary theory.

2

O incômodo de uma consciência pesada não conhece repouso.

The unease of a guilty conscience knows no rest.

Poetic/philosophical personification.

3

A legislação sobre o incômodo sonoro é bastante rigorosa aqui.

The legislation on noise nuisance is quite strict here.

Legal terminology.

4

Havia um incômodo sutil na cadência de sua fala.

There was a subtle unease in the cadence of his speech.

Extremely nuanced observation.

5

O incômodo visceral que sentiu foi um alerta instintivo.

The visceral discomfort he felt was an instinctive alert.

Strong descriptive adjective 'visceral'.

6

O incômodo da finitude humana permeia toda a sua obra.

The unease of human finitude permeates his entire work.

Philosophical abstraction.

7

Trata-se de um incômodo passageiro, sem maiores consequências.

It is a passing inconvenience, without major consequences.

Formal register ('Trata-se de').

8

O incômodo da dúvida é o motor da investigação científica.

The discomfort of doubt is the engine of scientific investigation.

Abstract metaphor.

Common Collocations

causar incômodo
sentir incômodo
leve incômodo
grande incômodo
desculpe o incômodo
evitar incômodo
sem incômodo
gerar incômodo
incômodo físico
incômodo social

Common Phrases

Desculpe o incômodo

— A standard way to say 'sorry for bothering you'. Used in almost any polite interaction.

Desculpe o incômodo, mas você tem horas?

Sem querer causar incômodo

— Used to introduce a request politely. 'Without wanting to cause trouble...'

Sem querer causar incômodo, você poderia baixar o som?

Um incômodo passageiro

— Describes a bother that will go away soon. 'A passing annoyance.'

A dor de cabeça é apenas um incômodo passageiro.

Causar o menor incômodo possível

— A promise to be as unobtrusive as possible. 'To cause the least bother possible.'

Vamos tentar causar o menor incômodo possível durante a reforma.

Qualquer incômodo

— Refers to any potential bother, often used in professional apologies.

Pedimos desculpas por qualquer incômodo.

Sentir um certo incômodo

— To feel a bit uneasy or uncomfortable about something.

Senti um certo incômodo com aquele comentário.

Evitar maiores incômodos

— To prevent more serious problems or annoyances later.

É melhor resolver isso agora para evitar maiores incômodos.

Ser um incômodo

— To be a person or thing that is annoying.

Não quero ser um incômodo para sua família.

Incômodos da vida

— A general way to refer to the small troubles of everyday life.

Temos que lidar com os pequenos incômodos da vida.

Livre de incômodos

— A situation or place where there are no bothers.

Queremos umas férias livres de incômodos.

Idioms & Expressions

"Pôr-se em incômodo"

— To go out of one's way to do something, often causing oneself trouble.

Não se ponha em incômodo por minha causa.

Neutral
"Dar-se ao incômodo"

— To take the trouble to do something. Similar to 'take the bother'.

Ele nem se deu ao incômodo de ligar.

Neutral
"Um incômodo de estimação"

— A persistent problem that one has become used to or even 'fond' of in a sarcastic way.

Esse barulho no carro já é meu incômodo de estimação.

Informal
"Tirar o incômodo"

— To remove the source of annoyance or discomfort.

O remédio tirou o incômodo rapidamente.

Neutral
"Incômodo zero"

— Used to describe a service or situation that is perfectly smooth.

A viagem foi incômodo zero.

Informal
"Sem o menor incômodo"

— Doing something very easily without any stress.

Ela resolveu o problema sem o menor incômodo.

Neutral
"Cheio de incômodos"

— A situation or person that is very problematic or complaining.

Aquele projeto está cheio de incômodos.

Informal
"Incômodo da idade"

— A polite way to refer to health issues that come with getting older.

São apenas os incômodos da idade, nada sério.

Neutral
"Viver no incômodo"

— To live in poor conditions or in a state of constant stress.

Eles vivem no incômodo desde que a obra começou.

Neutral
"Santo incômodo"

— An ironic expression for a bother that actually leads to a good result.

Aquele atraso foi um santo incômodo; evitamos o acidente.

Informal

Word Family

Nouns

incômodo
incomodidade
incomodador

Verbs

incomodar

Adjectives

incômodo
incomodado
incomodativo
incomodante

Related

comodidade
cômodo
acomodar
desacomodado
acomodação
Sign up free to see all examples

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'in-comfort-mode'. When you are NOT in comfort mode, you are in 'incômodo'. The 'cô' sounds like 'comfort'.

Visual Association

Imagine a tiny pebble inside a shoe. It's not a knife (pain), but it's an 'incômodo' that ruins your walk.

Word Web

dor chateação barulho desconforto inconveniente bother nuisance

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'incommodum', which is the neuter of 'incommodus'.

Original meaning: In Latin, it meant 'unsuitable', 'inconvenient', or 'troublesome'. It is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'commodus' (suitable/convenient).

Romance (Latin origin).
Sign up free for tips & notes

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

incómodo Spanish
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!