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B1 adjective #6,000 most common 12 min read

incrédulo

Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips incrédulo in 30 Seconds

Explanation incrédulo in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'incrédulo' often, as it is quite advanced. However, you might hear it in very simple contexts. Think of it as a way to say 'I don't believe it' using a single adjective. At this stage, just focus on the fact that it ends in -o for men and -a for women. If you see 'Ele está incrédulo', just remember it means 'He is shocked/skeptical'. You can stick to 'Não acredito' (I don't believe) for now, but knowing 'incrédulo' will help you understand when others are very surprised. It's like the word 'incredulous' in English, but used more commonly in Portuguese stories. Try to recognize it when you read simple news headlines or children's stories where a character is surprised by magic or a big secret. Remember: Incrédulo = Person. Inacreditável = Thing.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'incrédulo' to describe people's reactions. You are now learning more adjectives to describe emotions, and 'incrédulo' is a great one for 'extreme surprise'. You should practice the agreement: 'O meu pai ficou incrédulo' vs. 'A minha mãe ficou incrédula'. Notice that we often use the verb 'ficar' (to become/to be) with this word. You might use it when talking about sports results or surprising family news. It's a step up from 'surpreso' (surprised). If 'surpreso' is a 5/10 on the shock scale, 'incrédulo' is an 8/10. Start noticing it in YouTube videos or simple Portuguese podcasts. It often appears when someone tells a 'causo' (a tall tale or a funny story) and the listener can't believe what they are hearing. Just keep the gender agreement in mind!

At the B1 level, 'incrédulo' becomes a very useful word for your vocabulary. You are now moving beyond basic emotions and can describe more complex mental states. You should use 'incrédulo' to describe a state of skepticism or disbelief in discussions about news, history, or personal experiences. You should also learn the common prepositions that follow it: 'incrédulo com' or 'incrédulo diante de'. For example: 'Fiquei incrédulo com a sua atitude' (I was incredulous at your attitude). At this level, you can also start to distinguish between 'incrédulo' (the state of not believing something specific) and 'crédulo' (someone who is too gullible). This contrast helps you talk about personality types. You should be able to use it in both writing and speaking to show that you have a more nuanced grasp of the language than a beginner.

At the B2 level, you should use 'incrédulo' with precision and stylistic flair. You can use it appositively to add detail to actions: 'Ele assistiu ao vídeo, incrédulo, sem saber o que dizer' (He watched the video, incredulous, not knowing what to say). You should also be comfortable using it in more formal contexts, such as writing an essay or a formal email expressing disbelief at a situation. You should understand the difference between 'incrédulo' and 'cético' (skeptical), using 'cético' for long-term philosophical doubt and 'incrédulo' for situational disbelief. Your mastery of gender and number agreement should be automatic, even in complex sentences with multiple subjects. You might also encounter the adverbial form 'incredulamente', though using the adjective appositively (as in the example above) is often more natural and elegant in Portuguese.

At the C1 level, you should explore the literary and rhetorical uses of 'incrédulo'. It is a word that appears frequently in high-level journalism and classical literature. You should be able to analyze how the word is used to create tone—for instance, how a narrator might describe a crowd as 'incrédula' to build tension. You should also be aware of its religious connotations (a non-believer) and how that usage has evolved in modern secular society. In your own writing, use 'incrédulo' to convey sophisticated reactions to complex sociopolitical events. You should also be able to use related words like 'incredulidade' (the noun form) fluently. For example: 'A incredulidade da população era visível nas ruas'. At this level, you are not just using a word; you are choosing it for its specific weight and historical context within the Portuguese language.

At the C2 level, 'incrédulo' is a tool for subtle nuance in your most advanced communications. You understand its place in the history of Portuguese literature, from the skeptical realism of Machado de Assis to the modern political commentary of contemporary essayists. You can use it to describe not just people, but also an 'olhar incrédulo' (an incredulous look) or a 'silêncio incrédulo' (an incredulous silence), personifying abstract concepts with the adjective. You are also aware of rare or archaic synonyms and can navigate the most formal registers where 'incrédulo' might be used in legal or academic arguments to describe a lack of evidence or a failure of proof. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, utilizing the word to express the finest shades of doubt, shock, and intellectual skepticism.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

incrédulo in 30 Seconds

Incrédulo means incredulous or skeptical in Portuguese.
It changes endings based on gender and number (o/a/os/as).
It describes a person's reaction, not the event itself.
Commonly used with verbs like 'ficar', 'estar', and 'permanecer'.

The Portuguese adjective incrédulo is a powerful descriptor used to characterize a state of profound disbelief or skepticism. While its direct English translation is 'incredulous,' its application in Portuguese often carries a heavy emotional weight, ranging from simple doubt to complete shock. When you use this word, you are not just saying someone doesn't believe a fact; you are describing a psychological state where the reality presented is so far removed from expectation that the mind struggles to process it. It is a word of reaction, often triggered by news that is either too good to be true or too horrific to contemplate. In daily Portuguese, you will encounter this word in news reports, literary works, and deep conversations where people express their reaction to unexpected life events.

Semantic Range: The word encompasses both a temporary state (being shocked by a specific event) and a permanent personality trait (being a naturally skeptical person). If someone is 'incrédulo por natureza,' they are a habitual skeptic who requires empirical proof for everything.
Grammatical Agreement: As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the subject: incrédulo (masculine singular), incrédula (feminine singular), incrédulos (masculine plural), and incrédulas (feminine plural). This is a common point of focus for learners moving from English, where 'incredulous' is invariable.

O cientista olhou para os resultados, incrédulo com a descoberta que acabara de fazer.

Translation: The scientist looked at the results, incredulous at the discovery he had just made.

Beyond the physical reaction, 'incrédulo' is often paired with the verb 'ficar' (to become/stay) rather than 'ser' (to be) when referring to a reaction to a specific event. For instance, 'Eu fiquei incrédulo' suggests a transition into that state upon hearing news. Conversely, 'Ele é um homem incrédulo' suggests a permanent character trait of skepticism, often in a religious or philosophical context. This distinction is vital for B1 learners who are starting to master the nuances between temporary states and permanent characteristics in Portuguese.

A multidão permaneceu incrédula diante do anúncio inesperado do presidente.

Contextual Usage: In journalistic Portuguese, 'incrédulo' is frequently used to describe the public's reaction to scandals or tragedies. It conveys a sense of collective shock that 'surpreso' (surprised) cannot reach.

Ela balançou a cabeça, incrédula, sem conseguir proferir uma única palavra.

The word also appears in religious contexts. An 'incrédulo' can be a non-believer or someone who lacks faith. However, in modern secular usage, this religious connotation is secondary to the general meaning of being unable to believe a specific piece of information. Understanding this shift helps learners navigate both classical literature and contemporary social media posts where the word might appear in a meme or a serious news thread.

Os investidores ficaram incrédulos com a queda repentina da bolsa de valores.

Mesmo após ver as provas, ele continuava incrédulo.

Using incrédulo correctly involves more than just knowing its definition; it requires understanding its syntactical environment. Most commonly, it functions as a predicative adjective, following verbs like 'estar', 'ficar', 'permanecer', or 'parecer'. Because it describes a mental or emotional state, the choice of verb significantly alters the nuance of the sentence. 'Estar incrédulo' implies a current, possibly fleeting state, while 'permanecer incrédulo' suggests a prolonged period of disbelief despite being presented with evidence. This flexibility allows speakers to precisely calibrate the duration and intensity of the skepticism they are describing.

Agreement Patterns: Singular Masculine: O rapaz ficou incrédulo. | Singular Feminine: A moça ficou incrédula. | Plural Masculine: Os alunos ficaram incrédulos. | Plural Feminine: As vizinhas ficaram incrédulas.

Ao ouvir o resultado do sorteio, João ficou incrédulo; ele nunca ganhara nada antes.

Another important aspect is the use of prepositions. When you are incredulous *about* something, Portuguese speakers typically use 'com' or 'diante de'. 'Com' is more common in informal, everyday speech, whereas 'diante de' adds a layer of formality and dramatic flair, often used in journalism or literature to describe a person standing before a shocking reality. For example, 'incrédulo com a notícia' (incredulous with the news) versus 'incrédulo diante da tragédia' (incredulous in the face of the tragedy). Mastering these prepositions is a hallmark of reaching the B2 level of proficiency.

As testemunhas, ainda incrédulas, relataram o que viram à polícia.

Adverbial Usage: While 'incrédulo' is an adjective, it is often used appositively to describe how someone performs an action. 'Ele olhou incrédulo' means 'He looked incredulously'. In this case, it still agrees with the subject 'ele'.

O diretor leu a carta, incrédulo com a demissão de seu melhor funcionário.

In more complex sentence structures, 'incrédulo' can be modified by degree adverbs like 'meio' (somewhat) or 'bastante' (quite). 'Ela estava meio incrédula' (She was somewhat incredulous). Note that 'meio' as an adverb remains masculine even when modifying a feminine adjective in standard Portuguese, though you will hear 'meia incrédula' in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese—a common trap for students. Stick to 'meio' for the adverbial sense in formal writing.

Os especialistas estão incrédulos perante a rapidez da recuperação econômica.

Não seja tão incrédulo; às vezes, milagres acontecem.

The word incrédulo is a staple of Portuguese media, literature, and formal discourse. If you tune into a news broadcast on RTP (Portugal) or TV Globo (Brazil), you are likely to hear it whenever a reporter describes the public's reaction to a shocking event. It is the 'go-to' word for journalists who want to convey a sense of stunned disbelief without resorting to slang. For example, after a major sports upset, a commentator might say, 'O estádio inteiro ficou incrédulo quando o azarão marcou o gol da vitória' (The entire stadium was incredulous when the underdog scored the winning goal). This usage anchors the word in the realm of shared public experience and high-stakes emotion.

News & Media: Journalists use 'incrédulo' to describe the collective shock of a population. It appears in headlines like 'População incrédula com novos impostos' or 'Mundo incrédulo perante as imagens da guerra'.

O repórter entrevistou os moradores, que se mostravam incrédulos com o ocorrido.

In the world of literature and cinema, 'incrédulo' is used to build character depth. A character described as 'incrédulo' often serves as a foil to more idealistic or gullible characters. In classic Portuguese literature, such as the works of Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis, the term might be used to describe a cynical socialite or a skeptical scientist. It suggests a level of intellectual sophistication or a hardened worldview. When reading a novel, pay attention to which characters are described this way—it usually signals their role as the 'voice of doubt' or the person who requires the most convincing before the plot can advance.

'Estou incrédulo com o que você está me contando!', exclamou o apresentador.

Everyday Gossip: While 'incrédulo' is somewhat formal, it is perfectly natural in everyday conversation when discussing surprising news about friends or family. It adds a touch of emphasis that 'não acredito' (I don't believe) doesn't quite capture.

Quando soube que eles iam se casar, fiquei incrédula; eles viviam brigando!

Finally, in academic and philosophical discussions, 'incrédulo' is used to describe a position of systematic doubt. A professor might discuss 'o sujeito incrédulo' in the context of Cartesian doubt or scientific skepticism. Here, the word loses its emotional shock and becomes a technical descriptor for an intellectual stance. Whether you are in a classroom in Coimbra or a café in São Paulo, hearing 'incrédulo' tells you that the topic at hand involves a significant gap between what is being claimed and what is being accepted as truth.

A filosofia de Hume frequentemente aborda a mente do homem incrédulo.

O júri ouviu o depoimento com um olhar incrédulo.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using incrédulo is confusing it with the word inacreditável. While they share the same root (the Latin 'credere', to believe), they function very differently. 'Incrédulo' is an adjective that describes a person (the subject who is experiencing disbelief), whereas 'inacreditável' describes the thing or event (the object that is hard to believe). For example, you would say 'A notícia é inacreditável' (The news is unbelievable), but 'Eu estou incrédulo' (I am incredulous). Swapping these two will make your sentence sound nonsensical to a native speaker, as if you were saying 'I am unbelievable' when you meant to say you were shocked.

The 'Person vs. Thing' Rule: Always ask yourself: Am I describing a feeling or a fact? Feeling = incrédulo. Fact/Thing = inacreditável.

Errado: Eu sou inacreditável com isso.
Correto: Eu estou incrédulo com isso.

Another common pitfall is the misuse of gender and number agreement. Because the English word 'incredulous' doesn't change, learners often forget to change the ending in Portuguese. If you are a woman, you must say 'Eu estou incrédula'. If you are talking about a group of people, it must be 'Eles estão incrédulos'. This is a basic rule of Portuguese grammar, but in the heat of conversation, it is easy to default to the masculine singular form. Paying attention to this detail will immediately elevate your perceived fluency level from a beginner to an intermediate or advanced speaker.

As meninas ficaram incrédulas ao verem o presente.

Preposition Errors: Learners often try to use 'em' (in) after 'incrédulo' because they think of 'believing in'. However, 'incrédulo' takes 'com', 'perante', or 'diante de'. Saying 'incrédulo em a notícia' is incorrect.

Errado: Ele estava incrédulo na vitória.
Correto: Ele estava incrédulo com a vitória.

Lastly, don't confuse 'incrédulo' with 'cético' (skeptical). While they are synonyms, 'cético' is more about a permanent intellectual position, whereas 'incrédulo' is often about a temporary reaction to a specific event. If you tell a friend a wild story and they don't believe you, they are 'incrédulos'. If they never believe anything without seeing it, they are 'céticos'. Understanding this distinction helps you choose the word that best fits the emotional temperature of the situation.

Não confunda a reação momentânea de um incrédulo com a postura de um cético.

Os críticos permaneceram incrédulos apesar das evidências apresentadas.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use incrédulo and when another word might be more appropriate. The most common synonym is cético (skeptical). As mentioned before, 'cético' implies a more philosophical or habitual doubt. If you are talking about someone who doesn't believe in climate change or ghosts, 'cético' is the better fit. However, if you are talking about someone who just saw a magic trick and can't believe their eyes, 'incrédulo' is the word you want. Another close relative is desconfiado (distrustful or suspicious). While an 'incrédulo' person doesn't believe what they see/hear, a 'desconfiado' person suspects there is a hidden motive or a lie involved.

Incrédulo vs. Cético: Incrédulo: Reação a algo surpreendente. Cético: Postura constante de dúvida.
Incrédulo vs. Desconfiado: Incrédulo: 'I can't believe it's true!' Desconfiado: 'I think you're lying to me.'

Ele é um eterno cético, mas até ele ficou incrédulo com o show de mágica.

For more extreme versions of disbelief, you might use atônito (stunned) or estupefato (stupefied). These words move beyond simple disbelief into a state of shock where the person is almost paralyzed. If 'incrédulo' is 'I don't believe it,' then 'atônito' is 'I am so shocked I can't even move.' These are great words to use in creative writing or when describing a truly life-altering event. On the flip side, if you want something more informal, you could say someone is passado (slang in Brazil for 'shocked/blown away').

Ficamos incrédulos com a notícia, mas o pai dela ficou totalmente atônito.

Antonyms to Know: Crente: One who believes (often religious). | Crédulo: Gullible (one who believes too easily). | Confiante: Confident/Trusting.

O oposto de ser incrédulo é ser crédulo, ou seja, acreditar em tudo sem questionar.

Finally, consider the word perplexo (perplexed). This is used when the disbelief is mixed with confusion. If something happens that you don't believe *because you don't understand how it's possible*, 'perplexo' is a fantastic alternative. It adds a layer of intellectual curiosity to the disbelief. Choosing between 'incrédulo', 'cético', 'atônito', and 'perplexo' will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and nuanced, allowing you to express the exact flavor of your doubt or surprise.

O público saiu do cinema incrédulo com o final do filme.

Ela deu um sorriso incrédulo, achando que era uma piada.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root 'cred' is the same as in 'credit card'—it's all about whether someone is 'believable' or 'trustworthy'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩˈkɾɛ.du.lu/

US /ĩˈkɾɛ.du.lu/

Second syllable: in-CRÉ-du-lo.

Rhymes With

cédulo médulo pérdulo trédulo crédulo venerando passando falando

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'n' fully instead of nasally.
Using a closed 'e' sound instead of an open 'e' in 'cré'.
Stressing the first or last syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize if you know 'incredulous'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender/number agreement and preposition use.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the nasal 'in' and open 'e' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear stress on 'cré' makes it easy to spot in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

crer acreditar surpreso notícia ficar

Learn Next

incredulidade cético perplexo atónito estupefacto

Advanced

agnóstico dogmático empírico verossimilhança

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

A menina (f.s.) ficou incrédula (f.s.).

Prepositional Verbs

Ficar incrédulo COM algo.

Adverbs of Degree

Ele está MEIO incrédulo (meio is invariable here).

Predicative Adjectives

O povo PERMANECEU incrédulo.

Placement for Emphasis

INCRÉDULO, ele saiu da sala.

Examples by Level

Ele está incrédulo.

He is incredulous.

Subject 'Ele' matches masculine 'incrédulo'.

Ela ficou incrédula.

She became incredulous.

Subject 'Ela' matches feminine 'incrédula'.

O menino está incrédulo com o doce.

The boy is incredulous with the candy.

Simple use of 'com' as a preposition.

Eles estão incrédulos?

Are they incredulous?

Plural agreement 'incrédulos'.

Eu não sou incrédulo.

I am not incredulous.

Negation with 'não'.

Você parece incrédulo.

You look incredulous.

Verb 'parecer' (to seem).

A Maria está incrédula.

Maria is incredulous.

Proper noun with feminine agreement.

O gato olha incrédulo.

The cat looks incredulous.

Using the adjective to describe an action.

Ficamos incrédulos com a notícia da festa.

We were incredulous with the news of the party.

First person plural 'ficamos'.

O professor ficou incrédulo com a nota do aluno.

The teacher was incredulous with the student's grade.

Masculine singular agreement.

As vizinhas estão incrédulas com o barulho.

The neighbors are incredulous at the noise.

Feminine plural agreement.

Ele deu um grito incrédulo.

He gave an incredulous shout.

Adjective modifying the noun 'grito'.

Ela balançou a cabeça, incrédula.

She shook her head, incredulous.

Appositive use of the adjective.

O público permaneceu incrédulo após o truque.

The audience remained incredulous after the trick.

Collective noun 'público' is masculine singular.

Você ficou incrédula com o preço?

Were you (fem.) incredulous at the price?

Direct question to a female.

Não fique incrédulo, é a verdade!

Don't be incredulous, it's the truth!

Imperative negative.

Muitos ficaram incrédulos diante da decisão do juiz.

Many were incredulous in the face of the judge's decision.

Use of 'diante de' for formality.

Ela olhou para o anel, incrédula com o pedido.

She looked at the ring, incredulous at the proposal.

Complex sentence with a comma.

O cientista estava incrédulo perante os novos dados.

The scientist was incredulous before the new data.

Use of 'perante' as a preposition.

Apesar das provas, ele continuava incrédulo.

Despite the evidence, he remained incredulous.

Concessive clause with 'Apesar de'.

As crianças olhavam incrédulas para a neve.

The children looked incredulously at the snow.

Plural agreement with 'crianças'.

Ele é um homem incrédulo por natureza.

He is a naturally incredulous man.

Describing a character trait.

Fiquei incrédulo quando soube que ganhei a bolsa.

I was incredulous when I found out I won the scholarship.

Temporal clause with 'quando'.

O mundo assistiu incrédulo à queda do muro.

The world watched incredulously the fall of the wall.

Adjective modifying the collective 'mundo'.

A comunidade científica permanece incrédula quanto à eficácia do remédio.

The scientific community remains incredulous regarding the drug's efficacy.

Formal prepositional phrase 'quanto à'.

Ela soltou um riso incrédulo, achando que era uma brincadeira de mau gosto.

She let out an incredulous laugh, thinking it was a bad joke.

Gerund 'achando' adding context.

Os investidores, incrédulos, viram suas ações despencarem em poucas horas.

The investors, incredulous, saw their stocks plummet in a few hours.

Appositive placement for emphasis.

O historiador mostrou-se incrédulo diante de tamanha distorção dos fatos.

The historian showed himself to be incredulous in the face of such distortion of facts.

Pronominal verb 'mostrar-se'.

Ainda incrédulas, as sobreviventes relataram o horror que viveram.

Still incredulous, the survivors reported the horror they experienced.

Adjective starting the sentence.

Não sou incrédulo, apenas exijo evidências concretas antes de aceitar teorias.

I am not incredulous, I just demand concrete evidence before accepting theories.

Contrastive sentence structure.

O olhar incrédulo do pai dizia mais do que mil palavras.

The father's incredulous look said more than a thousand words.

Metaphorical use of 'olhar'.

A plateia ficou incrédula com a performance ousada do artista.

The audience was incredulous at the artist's bold performance.

Adjective describing a group reaction.

A opinião pública, inicialmente incrédula, passou a apoiar as reformas gradualmente.

Public opinion, initially incredulous, gradually began to support the reforms.

Adverb 'inicialmente' modifying the adjective.

É difícil não permanecer incrédulo perante tamanha audácia política.

It is difficult not to remain incredulous in the face of such political audacity.

Impersonal 'É difícil' structure.

O filósofo descreve o homem moderno como um ser inerentemente incrédulo.

The philosopher describes modern man as an inherently incredulous being.

Adverb 'inerentemente' modifying the adjective.

Diante da tragédia, o povo permaneceu em um silêncio incrédulo e doloroso.

In the face of tragedy, the people remained in an incredulous and painful silence.

Double adjectives modifying 'silêncio'.

A crítica literária mostrou-se incrédula com a qualidade da obra de estreia.

The literary critics were incredulous at the quality of the debut work.

Collective 'A crítica' as a singular subject.

Mesmo os mais incrédulos tiveram que admitir que o fenômeno era real.

Even the most incredulous had to admit that the phenomenon was real.

Adjective used as a noun ('os incrédulos').

O réu ouviu a sentença com um semblante incrédulo, como se não entendesse o veredito.

The defendant heard the sentence with an incredulous countenance, as if he didn't understand the verdict.

Subjunctive 'entendesse' after 'como se'.

A rapidez da mudança tecnológica deixa até os especialistas incrédulos.

The speed of technological change leaves even the experts incredulous.

Direct object 'os especialistas' followed by predicative adjective.

Subsiste na alma do povo um sentimento incrédulo quanto às promessas de mudança estrutural.

An incredulous feeling persists in the soul of the people regarding promises of structural change.

Inverted subject/verb order for literary effect.

A narrativa, embora fantástica, é conduzida de modo a convencer o leitor mais incrédulo.

The narrative, although fantastic, is conducted in a way to convince the most incredulous reader.

Concessive 'embora' and superlative 'mais incrédulo'.

O ceticismo metódico não deve ser confundido com a mera postura de um espírito incrédulo.

Methodical skepticism should not be confused with the mere posture of an incredulous spirit.

Passive voice 'ser confundido'.

Incrédulo, o explorador contemplou as ruínas da cidade que a história julgava perdida.

Incredulous, the explorer contemplated the ruins of the city that history judged lost.

Front-focused adjective for dramatic emphasis.

A reação incrédula dos mercados financeiros precipitou uma crise de liquidez sem precedentes.

The incredulous reaction of the financial markets precipitated an unprecedented liquidity crisis.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Persiste a dúvida se ele era genuinamente incrédulo ou se apenas simulava desconfiança.

The doubt persists whether he was genuinely incredulous or if he only simulated distrust.

Alternative question with 'se... ou se'.

Ao deparar-se com a vastidão do cosmos, o homem sente-se simultaneamente pequeno e incrédulo.

Upon encountering the vastness of the cosmos, man feels simultaneously small and incredulous.

Reflexive 'sente-se' with double adjectives.

Sua voz, tingida de um tom incrédulo, denunciava a decepção que tentava esconder.

His voice, tinged with an incredulous tone, betrayed the disappointment he tried to hide.

Participle 'tingida' and relative clause.

Common Collocations

ficar incrédulo

olhar incrédulo

totalmente incrédulo

permanecer incrédulo

incrédulo diante de

sorriso incrédulo

público incrédulo

silêncio incrédulo

meio incrédulo

incrédulo com

Common Phrases

Estou incrédulo!

— I can't believe it! Used as a direct reaction to shock.

Você ganhou? Estou incrédulo!

Olhar de modo incrédulo

— To look at someone with disbelief.

Ela me olhou de modo incrédulo quando menti.

Ficar incrédulo com tudo

— To be skeptical about everything.

Ele fica incrédulo com tudo o que lê na internet.

Reação incrédula

— A reaction characterized by disbelief.

A reação incrédula dele foi engraçada.

Mundo incrédulo

— The world in a state of shock (often in news).

O mundo incrédulo assistiu ao desastre.

Tom incrédulo

— An incredulous tone of voice.

Falou em um tom incrédulo.

Ainda estou incrédulo

— I'm still in shock/disbelief.

Passaram-se horas e ainda estou incrédulo.

Não seja incrédulo

— Don't be so skeptical.

Não seja incrédulo, a proposta é boa.

Gesto incrédulo

— An incredulous gesture (like shrugging).

Fez um gesto incrédulo com as mãos.

Expressão incrédula

— An incredulous facial expression.

Sua expressão incrédula disse tudo.

Often Confused With

incrédulo vs inacreditável

Inacreditável describes the thing; Incrédulo describes the person.

incrédulo vs crédulo

Crédulo is the opposite; it means someone who believes too easily.

incrédulo vs cético

Cético is a permanent trait; Incrédulo is often a temporary reaction.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ver para crer"

— Seeing is believing. Related to the state of being incrédulo.

Eu sou incrédulo, preciso ver para crer.

Common

"Cair o queixo"

— To have one's jaw drop (in disbelief).

Fiquei tão incrédulo que meu queixo caiu.

Informal

"Não acreditar nos próprios olhos"

— Not to believe one's own eyes.

Incrédulo, ele não acreditava nos próprios olhos.

Common

"Estar de queixo caído"

— To be stunned/incredulous.

Estou de queixo caído com essa notícia!

Informal

"Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha"

— To be suspicious/skeptical.

A notícia me deixou incrédulo e com a pulga atrás da orelha.

Informal

"Pôr em dúvida"

— To cast doubt on something (what an incrédulo person does).

Ele pôs em dúvida a minha história, estava incrédulo.

Neutral

"Santo Tomé"

— A 'Doubting Thomas' (someone who only believes what they see).

Ele é um verdadeiro Santo Tomé, muito incrédulo.

Cultural/Common

"Ficar sem fala"

— To be speechless (often due to being incrédulo).

Fiquei incrédulo e sem fala.

Common

"Deixar alguém boquiaberto"

— To leave someone open-mouthed (incredulous).

A mágica deixou o público incrédulo e boquiaberto.

Neutral

"Não dar crédito"

— To not give credit/belief to something.

Estava tão incrédulo que não deu crédito ao aviso.

Formal/Neutral

Easily Confused

incrédulo vs incrédulo

Sounds like 'incredible' in English.

Incrédulo means a person is skeptical, while 'incredible' (inacreditável) means something is amazing.

Eu estou incrédulo (I am skeptical).

incrédulo vs crédulo

Only differs by the 'in-' prefix.

Incrédulo is 'unbelieving'; Crédulo is 'gullible'.

Não seja tão crédulo, ele está mentindo.

incrédulo vs incréu

Very similar spelling and root.

Incréu is archaic and mostly religious; Incrédulo is modern and common.

O termo incréu raramente é usado hoje em dia.

incrédulo vs desconfiado

Both imply a lack of belief.

Desconfiado implies suspicion of a lie; Incrédulo implies shock at an unlikely truth.

Estou desconfiado desse vendedor.

incrédulo vs surpreso

Both involve unexpected events.

Surpreso is a general term; Incrédulo is specifically about not being able to believe it.

Fiquei surpreso, mas não incrédulo.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] está incrédulo.

Ele está incrédulo.

[Subject] ficou incrédulo com [Noun].

Ela ficou incrédula com o presente.

Diante de [Noun], [Subject] permaneceu incrédulo.

Diante da notícia, o homem permaneceu incrédulo.

[Subject], [incrédulo/a], [Verb]...

O diretor, incrédulo, leu a carta.

É impossível não ficar incrédulo perante [Noun].

É impossível não ficar incrédulo perante tal injustiça.

Tingido de um tom [incrédulo], [Noun]...

Tingido de um tom incrédulo, seu discurso convenceu a todos.

Apesar de [Verb/Noun], ele continua incrédulo.

Apesar das provas, ele continua incrédulo.

O que deixou [Subject] incrédulo foi [Noun].

O que deixou a plateia incrédula foi o final do filme.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in written media, moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

A notícia é incrédula. → A notícia é inacreditável.
You cannot describe a news story as 'incrédula' because a story doesn't have the capacity to believe or disbelieve.
Eu estou incrédulo na sua palavra. → Eu estou incrédulo com a sua palavra.
The preposition 'na' (em + a) is incorrect; use 'com' or 'diante de'.
Eles ficaram incrédulo. → Eles ficaram incrédulos.
The adjective must agree with the plural subject 'Eles'.
Ela está meio incrédula. → Ela está meio incrédula. (Mistake would be 'meia')
Learners often say 'meia incrédula' for a woman, but 'meio' as an adverb meaning 'somewhat' is invariable.
O homem é um incrédulo de tudo. → O homem é incrédulo em relação a tudo.
Using 'de tudo' is a direct translation from some English patterns; 'em relação a' is more natural.

Tips

Agreement Matters

Always check if your subject is male, female, or plural. 'Elas ficaram incrédulas' is a common test for B1 students.

News Context

Read Portuguese news headlines. You will see 'incrédulo' used to describe public reactions to politics and sports.

Synonym Choice

Use 'incrédulo' when you want to sound more sophisticated than just saying 'não acredito'.

The Nasal Start

Don't say 'in' like in English. Keep it nasal, like the 'i' in 'sing' but without the 'ng' at the end.

Appositive Use

Put 'incrédulo' between commas for a literary feel: 'João, incrédulo, fechou a porta.'

Incrédulo vs Inacreditável

If you remember nothing else, remember: People are incrédulos, things are inacreditáveis.

Daily Reaction

Next time you see a shocking meme, think 'Estou incrédulo!' to lock the word in your memory.

Podcast Cues

Listen for this word in talk shows when guests tell crazy stories. It's a high-frequency reaction word.

Formal Prepositions

Use 'perante' or 'diante de' in essays to sound more academic with 'incrédulo'.

The 'Thomas' Link

Associate 'incrédulo' with 'São Tomé' to remember the 'doubting' aspect.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In-' (not) and 'Crédulo' (credible). If you are incrédulo, you don't find it credible!

Visual Association

Imagine a person with their jaw dropped and eyebrows raised, looking at a flying pig. That person is incrédulo.

Word Web

Doubt Skepticism Shock Surprise Faithless Unbelieving Stunned Questioning

Challenge

Try to use 'incrédulo' in a sentence today to describe your reaction to a news headline or a weather report.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'incredulus', formed by the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'credulus' (believing).

Original meaning: Unbelieving, skeptical, or lacking faith.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but avoid calling someone 'incrédulo' in a deeply religious setting if you don't want to imply they lack faith.

English speakers often use 'unbelievable' for everything. In Portuguese, distinguish between the event (inacreditável) and your feeling (incrédulo).

Saint Thomas (São Tomé) - the ultimate 'incrédulo' in religious history. Machado de Assis characters often display an 'incrédulo' worldview. News headlines during the 2014 World Cup (7-1) frequently used this word.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Reacting to News

Estou incrédulo com a notícia.
Fiquei incrédulo ao ler o jornal.
A cidade está incrédula.
Ninguém acredita, todos estão incrédulos.

Sports Events

O estádio ficou incrédulo.
Torcida incrédula com o resultado.
O narrador parecia incrédulo.
Um lance de deixar qualquer um incrédulo.

Scientific Discovery

Cientistas estão incrédulos.
Diante dos dados, permaneço incrédulo.
Uma descoberta que deixa o mundo incrédulo.
Olhar incrédulo para o microscópio.

Personal Betrayal

Estou incrédulo com sua mentira.
Ela me olhou incrédula.
Como você pôde? Estou incrédulo.
Um silêncio incrédulo tomou conta da sala.

Religious/Philosophical Debate

Ele é um homem incrédulo.
A postura do incrédulo.
Dúvidas de um espírito incrédulo.
Não seja incrédulo quanto à fé.

Conversation Starters

"Você já ficou incrédulo com alguma notícia recentemente?"

"Qual foi o momento em que você ficou mais incrédulo na sua vida?"

"Você se considera uma pessoa incrédula ou acredita em tudo facilmente?"

"Como você reage quando alguém te conta algo inacreditável? Fica incrédulo?"

"Você acha que os cientistas devem ser sempre um pouco incrédulos?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que você ficou totalmente incrédulo. O que aconteceu?

Escreva sobre uma descoberta científica que deixou o mundo incrédulo.

Como a incredulidade pode ser positiva em certas situações da vida?

Reflexão: É melhor ser incrédulo ou ser uma pessoa que acredita em tudo?

Descreva a expressão facial de alguém que está incrédulo.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'incrédulo' is used for people or their attributes (like a look or a voice). For things, use 'inacreditável'.

The feminine is 'incrédula'. Example: 'Maria ficou incrédula'.

It is neutral to formal. It's common in news and literature but also used in everyday speech for emphasis.

Yes, but 'incrédulo' often implies a more immediate, shocked reaction, whereas 'cético' is a long-term mindset.

Usually 'com', 'diante de', or 'perante'. Example: 'Incrédulo com a vitória'.

Historically yes (meaning a non-believer), but today it's mostly used for general disbelief.

With an open 'e' sound, like in the English word 'met' or 'pet'.

Yes, if you mean you are a skeptical person by nature. If it's a temporary feeling, use 'estou'.

The noun form is 'incredulidade'. Example: 'Sua incredulidade me irrita'.

Yes, it is widely used and understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries.