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A2 adjective #8,000 most common 14 min read

indigesto

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips indigesto in 30 Seconds

Explanation indigesto in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the literal meaning of indigesto. It describes food that makes your stomach feel bad. Think of it as the opposite of 'easy to eat' or 'light'. At this stage, you might use it in simple sentences about meals. For example, 'A comida é indigesta' (The food is hard to digest). You don't need to worry about the figurative meanings yet. Just remember that it ends in -o for masculine things like 'o pão' and -a for feminine things like 'a sopa'. It's a useful word to know if you are traveling and want to describe why you don't like a certain heavy dish. You can also use it to explain to a doctor or pharmacist if you feel sick after eating. Keep your sentences short and focus on the physical sensation of having a heavy stomach.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use indigesto to describe more than just food. You might start using it for simple unpleasant situations. For instance, if you have a lot of homework, you could say it's 'indigesto'. You should also be comfortable with plural forms: 'comidas indigestas'. At this level, you understand that 'indigesto' is a more specific and descriptive word than just 'ruim' (bad). It tells the listener that the 'badness' is something that stays with you and makes you feel uncomfortable. You can also start using it with verbs like 'parecer' (to seem): 'Este livro parece indigesto' (This book seems hard to process). Practice using it to describe things that are 'too much' to handle easily, whether it's a greasy meal or a long, boring meeting.

At the B1 level, you should be using the figurative meanings of indigesto regularly. You can use it to describe people who are difficult to get along with ('uma pessoa indigesta') or news that is hard to accept ('uma notícia indigesta'). You should also be aware of the difference between 'ser indigesto' (always difficult) and 'estar indigesto' (difficult right now). At this level, you can use 'indigesto' to add color to your stories and opinions. Instead of saying a situation was 'difficult', calling it 'indigesta' shows a better command of the language's metaphorical side. You can also start pairing it with adverbs like 'um pouco' or 'bastante' to refine your meaning. This word will help you express frustration or dissatisfaction in a way that feels very natural to native speakers.

At the B2 level, you can use indigesto in more complex social and professional contexts. You might use it to describe a political debate, a difficult business negotiation, or a complex piece of legislation. You understand the nuance it brings to a critique—that something isn't just bad, but it creates a lasting sense of unresolved tension or discomfort. You should be able to use it in written arguments to describe concepts that are 'hard to swallow' for certain groups of people. For example, 'As reformas propostas são indigestas para a classe média'. At this level, you also recognize 'indigesto' in literature and high-level journalism, understanding that it often carries a tone of sophisticated disapproval or critical assessment. You can use it to articulate why a certain creative work or social trend is problematic or difficult to engage with.

At the C1 level, your use of indigesto should be nuanced and precise. You can use it to describe subtle social dynamics or complex philosophical ideas that are difficult to 'digest' or reconcile. You might use it in a literary analysis to describe an author's 'estilo indigesto'—a style that is intentionally difficult or abrasive to challenge the reader. You understand how the word can be used ironically or with varying degrees of intensity to convey a specific rhetorical effect. You can also explore the historical and etymological roots of the word to enhance your understanding of its place in the Portuguese lexicon. Your use of 'indigesto' at this level reflects a deep understanding of Portuguese culture's tendency to use bodily metaphors for abstract experiences, allowing you to communicate with high-level sophistication and emotional resonance.

At the C2 level, indigesto becomes a tool for masterful expression. You can use it with complete spontaneity in any context, from a casual conversation to a formal academic lecture. You might use it to describe the 'indigesto' nature of modern life, the 'indigesto' complexities of geopolitical relations, or the 'indigesto' qualities of a postmodernist painting. You can play with the word, using it in puns or complex metaphors that only a near-native speaker would attempt. You understand the word's full range of synonyms and antonyms and can choose 'indigesto' specifically for its visceral, uncomfortable connotations. Your ability to use this word correctly in its most abstract and metaphorical senses demonstrates a profound mastery of the Portuguese language and an intimate familiarity with the psychological and cultural landscape of its speakers.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

indigesto in 30 Seconds

Indigesto means 'hard to digest' literally (food) and 'hard to swallow' metaphorically (situations/people).
It is a common A2-level adjective used to express physical or emotional discomfort.
The word must agree in gender (indigesto/a) and number (indigestos/as) with the noun it describes.
Commonly used in sports, politics, and daily life to describe unpleasant experiences.

The Portuguese word indigesto is a versatile adjective that primarily describes something that is difficult to digest or causes physical discomfort after consumption. While its literal meaning is rooted in the biological process of digestion, its usage in Portuguese culture extends far beyond the dining table into social, political, and emotional spheres. When a Portuguese speaker says a meal was 'indigesto', they are describing that heavy, bloated feeling that follows a poorly prepared or overly rich meal. However, the true richness of the word lies in its metaphorical application. Just as a heavy piece of pork might sit poorly in the stomach, an unpleasant piece of news, a difficult person, or an awkward social situation can be described as 'indigesto'. It implies something that is hard to 'swallow' or 'process' mentally and emotionally. Understanding this duality is crucial for reaching a natural level of fluency in Portuguese.

Literal Application: Refers specifically to food that causes indigestion or dyspepsia. It is often used to describe greasy, undercooked, or overly spiced foods that the body struggles to break down.

Figurative Application: Refers to news, events, or people that are unpleasant, annoying, or difficult to accept. A 'pessoa indigesta' is someone whose company is hard to tolerate, much like a bad meal is hard to digest.

Aquele jantar de ontem foi muito indigesto; não consegui dormir bem.

In everyday conversation, you might hear 'indigesto' used to describe a defeat in sports. If a team loses in the final minute, the result is considered 'indigesto'—a bitter pill to swallow. In the workplace, a new, complicated regulation might be called 'uma norma indigesta'. The word carries a nuance of lingering discomfort; it is not just that something is bad, but that it leaves a lasting, unpleasant impression that is difficult to move past. This makes it a powerful tool for expressing dissatisfaction in a way that emphasizes the internal struggle of dealing with the situation. Whether you are talking about a greasy 'pastel' or a harsh criticism from a boss, 'indigesto' perfectly captures that sense of unresolved discomfort.

O resultado das eleições foi indigesto para a oposição.

Furthermore, the word can be used to describe aesthetic choices or creative works. A movie with a very confusing plot or unnecessary violence might be described as 'indigesto'. In this context, it suggests that the work was not 'palatable' or easy to consume. It requires the audience to do too much work for too little reward, leaving them feeling unsatisfied or even slightly repulsed. This broad range of applications makes 'indigesto' a staple of the Portuguese vocabulary, appearing in everything from food reviews to political commentary and literary critiques. By mastering its use, you gain the ability to describe a wide array of negative experiences with a single, evocative term.

Ele tem um humor indigesto que afasta as pessoas.

Grammatical Note: As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: o prato indigesto, a comida indigesta, os pratos indigestos, as comidas indigestas.

Essa situação é muito indigesta para todos nós.

O filme trata de um tema indigesto, mas necessário.

In summary, 'indigesto' is a word that bridges the gap between physical sensation and abstract emotion. It captures the essence of discomfort, whether it originates in the stomach or the mind. Its frequent use in media and daily life highlights the Portuguese tendency to use visceral, body-related metaphors to describe the world around them. Whether you are avoiding a heavy meal or a difficult conversation, 'indigesto' remains the perfect descriptor for those things that we simply cannot easily process.

Using indigesto correctly requires attention to its position and the context of the sentence. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun, and 'indigesto' is no exception. Placing it after the noun provides a clear description: 'um alimento indigesto'. However, for stylistic emphasis, it can occasionally appear before the noun, though this is more common in literary or poetic contexts. The most important rule to remember is gender and number agreement. Since it ends in '-o', it follows the standard pattern of changing to '-a' for feminine nouns and adding '-s' for plurals. This flexibility allows it to describe everything from a single piece of fruit to a complex set of political circumstances.

Agreement Patterns: Masculine Singular: o pepino indigesto; Feminine Singular: a notícia indigesta; Masculine Plural: os comentários indigestos; Feminine Plural: as tarefas indigestas.

Comi uma carne indigesta no almoço e agora me sinto mal.

When using 'indigesto' in a sentence, it often pairs with verbs of state like 'ser' (to be) or 'estar' (to be). Use 'ser' when describing an inherent quality: 'Este tipo de comida é indigesto' (This type of food is [inherently] difficult to digest). Use 'estar' when describing a temporary state or a specific instance: 'O jantar de hoje estava indigesto' (Tonight's dinner was difficult to digest). This distinction is vital for conveying the right meaning. If you say a person 'é indigesta', you are attacking their character. If you say they 'estão indigestas' (though less common), you might mean they are currently being particularly difficult or unpleasant.

Aqueles comentários foram indigestos para a equipe.

In more advanced usage, you can pair 'indigesto' with adverbs of intensity like 'muito' (very), 'extremamente' (extremely), or 'bastante' (quite). For example, 'A situação tornou-se extremamente indigesta após a discussão'. This adds depth to your descriptions. You can also use it in comparative structures: 'Este prato é mais indigesto do que o outro'. This is particularly useful when discussing health or preferences. In writing, 'indigesto' is often used to provide a visceral critique of abstract concepts, making your prose more engaging and descriptive. It connects the reader's physical memory of discomfort to the topic you are discussing.

Receber aquela crítica foi um momento indigesto na minha carreira.

Common Verb Pairings: Parecer (to seem), tornar-se (to become), considerar (to consider), achar (to find/think).

A leitura deste contrato é indigesta devido aos termos técnicos.

O adversário de domingo será muito indigesto para o nosso time.

Finally, consider the emotional weight of the word. Because it relates to the body's internal state, using 'indigesto' implies that the subject has affected you personally. It's not just an objective observation; it's a statement about your reaction to something. This makes it an excellent word for expressive, personal communication. Whether you're complaining about a heavy lunch or a difficult boss, 'indigesto' conveys the specific kind of 'un-swallowable' quality that other adjectives like 'mau' or 'ruim' simply lack.

You will encounter indigesto in a wide variety of real-world scenarios across the Portuguese-speaking world. In the most literal sense, you will hear it in pharmacies, doctor's offices, and around the family dinner table. If someone is feeling unwell after a meal, they might say, 'Acho que comi algo indigesto'. This is a common way to explain stomach upset without being overly graphic. In restaurants, you might hear customers questioning a waiter about whether a particular dish is 'muito indigesto' if it contains heavy ingredients like fats, beans, or certain spices. It is a practical word used to navigate the culinary landscape safely.

At the Restaurant: Used to ask about the heaviness of food. 'Essa feijoada é muito indigesta para quem não está acostumado?'

Evite comer pepino à noite; para muitas pessoas ele é indigesto.

Beyond the kitchen, 'indigesto' is a favorite of journalists and political commentators. In news broadcasts and newspapers, you will frequently see it used to describe policies, scandals, or election results. A 'pacote de medidas indigesto' refers to a set of government actions that will be hard for the public to accept, such as tax hikes or spending cuts. In this context, the word highlights the friction between the government's actions and the people's willingness to 'digest' them. It suggests that the news will leave a 'bad taste in the mouth' of the citizenry. This figurative use is so common that it is often the first thing a native speaker thinks of when they hear the word in a professional setting.

A nova lei trabalhista foi considerada indigesta pelos sindicatos.

In social circles, 'indigesto' is used to gossip about difficult personalities. If someone is described as 'uma pessoa indigesta', it means they are arrogant, rude, or simply unpleasant to be around. You might hear this in an office setting or among friends when discussing someone who ruins the mood of a gathering. It's a way of saying that the person's 'vibe' doesn't sit well with others. Similarly, a 'conversa indigesta' is a difficult, awkward, or confrontational discussion that no one wants to have. It's the kind of talk that makes you feel uncomfortable long after it's over.

Aquele colega de trabalho é muito indigesto; ninguém gosta de almoçar com ele.

In Literature and Film: Critics use 'indigesto' to describe works that are overly dense, poorly paced, or gratuitously shocking. It implies the work is hard to 'consume' intellectually.

O livro é bom, mas o estilo do autor é um pouco indigesto para iniciantes.

Tivemos uma reunião indigesta sobre o orçamento da empresa.

In summary, 'indigesto' is everywhere. It moves from the physical reality of a heavy meal to the abstract reality of social and political life. Whether you are reading a newspaper in Lisbon, watching a 'novela' in Rio de Janeiro, or ordering food in Luanda, you will hear this word used to express the specific discomfort of things that are just too hard to handle. It is a essential word for anyone wanting to understand the nuances of Portuguese communication.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with indigesto is forgetting its gender and number agreement. Because English adjectives don't change, it's easy to say 'a comida é indigesto' instead of the correct 'a comida é indigesta'. Always look at the noun you are describing. If it's feminine (ending in -a, or words like 'notícia', 'situação'), the adjective must also be feminine. If it's plural, you must add an 's'. This is a fundamental part of Portuguese grammar that 'indigesto' follows strictly.

Agreement Error: Incorrect: As notícias são indigesto. Correct: As notícias são indigestas.

Muitas pessoas acham que o leite é indigesto para adultos.

Another common mistake is confusing 'indigesto' with 'indigente'. While they sound somewhat similar to a non-native ear, they have completely different meanings. 'Indigesto' relates to digestion and discomfort, while 'indigente' refers to someone who is destitute or homeless. Mixing these up can lead to very confusing, and potentially offensive, sentences. For example, saying someone is 'indigente' when you mean they are 'indigesta' (unpleasant) is a major lexical error. Always double-check your vocabulary when dealing with words that share the 'indi-' prefix.

Ele ficou indignado com o comentário indigesto do colega.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the nuance between 'indigesto' and 'ruim'. While all 'indigesto' things are 'ruins' (bad), not all 'ruim' things are 'indigestos'. 'Indigesto' specifies a particular kind of badness—the kind that is hard to process or swallow. If a movie is just boring, it's 'ruim'. If it's so disturbing or poorly made that it makes you feel uncomfortable, it's 'indigesto'. Using 'indigesto' when a simpler adjective would do can sometimes sound overly dramatic, so use it when you specifically want to convey that sense of internal discomfort.

Não é que a comida estava ruim, ela apenas era muito indigesta.

Misusing the Verb: Learners often try to use 'indigesto' as a verb. Remember that the verb is 'digerir' (to digest). 'Indigesto' is only the adjective. You cannot 'indigestar' something; you have an 'indigestão' (noun).

É difícil digerir uma notícia tão indigesta.

Aquele assunto é indigesto para discutir em família.

Finally, avoid overusing 'indigesto' in very formal academic writing unless you are specifically discussing biology or medicine. In formal essays, figurative uses might be seen as too colloquial or metaphorical. Instead, use more precise terms like 'desagradável' (unpleasant), 'inaceitável' (unacceptable), or 'complexo' (complex). However, in journalism, literature, and daily speech, 'indigesto' is perfectly acceptable and highly effective. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 'indigesto' like a native speaker, adding a layer of descriptive power to your Portuguese.

While indigesto is a powerful word, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. If you are talking about food that is heavy and makes you feel full or sluggish, the word pesado (heavy) is the most common synonym. While 'indigesto' implies the food is actually causing a problem with digestion, 'pesado' just describes the nature of the meal. A 'feijoada' is always 'pesada', but it is only 'indigesta' if it makes you feel sick. Understanding this distinction helps you describe your culinary experiences more accurately.

Indigesto vs. Pesado: 'Indigesto' focuses on the negative physical reaction. 'Pesado' focuses on the density or caloric richness of the food.

Esta lasanha está muito pesada, acho que vai ser indigesta.

For figurative uses, such as unpleasant news or situations, desagradável (unpleasant) is a more neutral and common alternative. While 'indigesto' is visceral, 'desagradável' is more intellectual and general. If you want to describe something that is impossible to tolerate or accept, the word intragável (literally 'un-swallowable') is a very close synonym. 'Intragável' is even stronger than 'indigesto'. If a person is 'indigesta', they are difficult; if they are 'intragável', they are absolutely unbearable. Using these words correctly allows you to scale the intensity of your descriptions.

A atitude dele foi intragável durante a festa.

In a social context, if you want to describe a person who is annoying or 'hard to swallow', you can also use the slang term mala (literally 'suitcase'). A 'pessoa mala' is someone who is a burden or a nuisance. While 'indigesto' sounds more serious and perhaps more related to the person's character, 'mala' is more informal and focuses on the annoyance they cause. Another related term is antipático (unfriendly/unpleasant). While 'indigesto' implies a deeper level of abrasive personality, 'antipático' simply means someone who isn't nice or welcoming. Choosing between these depends on the level of formality and the specific trait you want to highlight.

O novo chefe é um pouco antipático, mas não chega a ser indigesto.

Comparison Table

Indigesto: Difficult to process/swallow (visceral).
Pesado: Physically or metaphorically heavy.
Intragável: Impossible to swallow/tolerate (stronger).
Desagradável: Generally unpleasant (neutral).
Mala: Annoying/boring (informal/slang).

Aquelas mudanças no projeto foram desagradáveis mas não indigestas.

O relatório apresenta dados de difícil digestão para os investidores.

By exploring these synonyms, you can see how 'indigesto' sits at the center of a web of words related to discomfort and intolerance. Whether you need a strong, visceral term or a more neutral observation, knowing these alternatives will make your Portuguese more flexible and precise. Always consider the context—is it food, a person, or a piece of news?—before choosing the word that best fits the 'bad taste' you want to describe.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O relatório apresenta conclusões indigestas para a administração."

Neutral

"A comida estava um pouco indigesta."

Informal

"Aquele cara é muito indigesto, não aguento ele."

Child friendly

"Não coma muito doce, pode ser indigesto."

Slang

"Essa derrota foi indigesta demais, mano."

Fun Fact

In early Latin, 'indigestus' was often used to describe a chaotic pile of items or a poorly organized book, long before it was commonly used for food.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩ.di.ˈʒɛʃ.tu/

US /ĩ.di.ˈʒɛs.tu/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: in-di-GES-to.

Rhymes With

manifesto resto gesto modesto pretexto funesto honesto molesto

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' like 'goat' (it should be like 'measure').
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' (it should be more like 'u').
Stressing the wrong syllable (don't say IN-di-ges-to).
Forgetting to change the 'o' to 'a' for feminine words.
Pronouncing the 'in-' like 'een' (it's a nasal 'in' sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'digest' in English.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 'ge' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but can be fast in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

comida ruim difícil estômago ser/estar

Learn Next

intragável indigestão digerir pesado antipático

Advanced

dispepsia visceral enfadonho abjeto

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

A notícia (f) é indigesta (f).

Ser vs Estar

Ele é indigesto (personality) vs Ele está indigesto (feeling sick).

Position of Adjectives

Um prato indigesto (standard position).

Nasal Vowels

The 'in-' in 'indigesto' is a nasal vowel.

Soft 'G'

The 'g' in 'indigesto' before 'e' is always soft.

Examples by Level

A carne de porco é indigesta para mim.

Pork is hard to digest for me.

Indigesta agrees with 'carne' (feminine singular).

Não coma isso, é muito indigesto.

Don't eat that, it's very hard to digest.

Indigesto agrees with the implied masculine 'isso'.

Eu sinto o estômago pesado; o almoço foi indigesto.

I feel my stomach heavy; the lunch was hard to digest.

Indigesto agrees with 'almoço' (masculine singular).

Comida frita é muitas vezes indigesta.

Fried food is often hard to digest.

Indigesta agrees with 'comida' (feminine singular).

Este pão parece indigesto.

This bread seems hard to digest.

Indigesto agrees with 'pão' (masculine singular).

A sopa não é indigesta; é leve.

The soup is not hard to digest; it is light.

Indigesta agrees with 'sopa' (feminine singular).

O leite pode ser indigesto para algumas pessoas.

Milk can be hard to digest for some people.

Indigesto agrees with 'leite' (masculine singular).

Eu evito pepino porque é indigesto.

I avoid cucumber because it is hard to digest.

Indigesto agrees with 'pepino' (masculine singular).

Tivemos uma conversa indigesta sobre dinheiro.

We had an unpleasant conversation about money.

Indigesta here is figurative, agreeing with 'conversa'.

As notícias de hoje são muito indigestas.

Today's news is very hard to swallow/unpleasant.

Indigestas is feminine plural to agree with 'notícias'.

Aquele filme é um pouco indigesto.

That movie is a bit hard to process/unpleasant.

Indigesto agrees with 'filme'.

O resultado do jogo foi indigesto para os torcedores.

The game result was hard to swallow for the fans.

Indigesto agrees with 'resultado'.

Ele é um rapaz um pouco indigesto.

He is a somewhat unpleasant/difficult young man.

Indigesto describes the person's personality.

A tarefa de limpar a casa é indigesta.

The task of cleaning the house is unpleasant.

Indigesta agrees with 'tarefa'.

O clima na reunião estava indigesto.

The atmosphere in the meeting was unpleasant/tense.

Indigesto agrees with 'clima'.

Receber ordens dele é sempre indigesto.

Receiving orders from him is always unpleasant.

Indigesto agrees with the infinitive phrase/implied subject.

A situação política tornou-se indigesta para o governo.

The political situation became hard to handle for the government.

Indigesta agrees with 'situação'.

Engolir aquela crítica foi realmente indigesto.

Swallowing that criticism was truly difficult/unpleasant.

Indigesto describes the experience of receiving criticism.

Ele tem um modo de falar muito indigesto.

He has a very unpleasant way of speaking.

Indigesto agrees with 'modo'.

O livro trata de temas indigestos, como a guerra.

The book deals with difficult themes, like war.

Indigestos agrees with 'temas'.

Para a empresa, a nova taxa foi um prato indigesto.

For the company, the new tax was a bitter pill to swallow.

Metaphorical use of 'prato indigesto'.

Aquelas palavras foram indigestas para ela.

Those words were hard for her to swallow.

Indigestas agrees with 'palavras'.

O ambiente de trabalho ficou indigesto após a demissão.

The work environment became unpleasant after the firing.

Indigesto agrees with 'ambiente'.

A derrota por 5 a 0 foi indigesta demais.

The 5-0 defeat was too hard to swallow.

Indigesta agrees with 'derrota'.

A proposta do sindicato foi considerada indigesta pela diretoria.

The union's proposal was considered unacceptable/hard to swallow by the board.

Indigesta agrees with 'proposta'.

O autor utiliza uma linguagem indigesta para o grande público.

The author uses a language that is hard to process for the general public.

Indigesta agrees with 'linguagem'.

Foi um momento indigesto ter que admitir o erro publicamente.

It was a difficult moment having to admit the mistake publicly.

Indigesto agrees with 'momento'.

A convivência com pessoas arrogantes é sempre indigesta.

Coexisting with arrogant people is always unpleasant.

Indigesta agrees with 'convivência'.

O documentário apresenta uma realidade indigesta sobre a fome.

The documentary presents a hard-to-stomach reality about hunger.

Indigesta agrees with 'realidade'.

Aquelas medidas de austeridade são indigestas para a população.

Those austerity measures are hard for the population to swallow.

Indigestas agrees with 'medidas'.

O escândalo deixou um sabor indigesto na reputação do político.

The scandal left a bad taste in the politician's reputation.

Indigesto agrees with 'sabor'.

A leitura do relatório técnico revelou dados indigestos.

Reading the technical report revealed difficult/unpleasant data.

Indigestos agrees with 'dados'.

A obra de Kafka pode ser indigesta para quem busca finais felizes.

Kafka's work can be hard to process for those seeking happy endings.

Indigesta agrees with 'obra'.

A ironia dele é tão ácida que se torna indigesta.

His irony is so acidic that it becomes unpleasant/hard to swallow.

Indigesta agrees with 'ironia'.

O debate acadêmico tomou um rumo indigesto e pessoal.

The academic debate took an unpleasant and personal turn.

Indigesto agrees with 'rumo'.

Há uma certa indigesta complexidade na burocracia estatal.

There is a certain hard-to-stomach complexity in state bureaucracy.

Indigesta is used as an attributive adjective before 'complexidade'.

A verdade, por mais indigesta que seja, precisa ser dita.

The truth, however hard it may be to swallow, needs to be told.

Indigesta agrees with 'verdade'.

O filme confronta o espectador com imagens indigestas e cruas.

The movie confronts the viewer with hard-to-stomach and raw images.

Indigestas agrees with 'imagens'.

O sucessor herdou uma situação financeira indigesta.

The successor inherited a difficult/unpleasant financial situation.

Indigesta agrees with 'situação'.

A convivência forçada gerou um clima indigesto entre os herdeiros.

Forced coexistence created an unpleasant atmosphere among the heirs.

Indigesto agrees with 'clima'.

A fenomenologia do espírito pode ser uma leitura indigesta para o neófito.

The Phenomenology of Spirit can be a hard-to-process read for the novice.

Indigesta agrees with 'leitura'.

A estética do grotesco busca justamente esse efeito indigesto no público.

The aesthetics of the grotesque seeks exactly that unpleasant effect on the public.

Indigesto agrees with 'efeito'.

O realismo visceral do autor torna a narrativa indigesta, porém necessária.

The author's visceral realism makes the narrative hard to stomach, yet necessary.

Indigesta agrees with 'narrativa'.

A geopolítica contemporânea é um emaranhado indigesto de interesses conflitantes.

Contemporary geopolitics is a hard-to-process tangle of conflicting interests.

Indigesto agrees with 'emaranhado'.

O filósofo propõe uma ética que muitos considerariam indigesta.

The philosopher proposes an ethics that many would consider hard to swallow.

Indigesta agrees with 'ética'.

A crueza dos fatos revelados foi indigesta até para os mais cínicos.

The rawness of the revealed facts was hard to stomach even for the most cynical.

Indigesta agrees with 'crueza'.

A transição para o novo regime foi marcada por episódios indigestos.

The transition to the new regime was marked by unpleasant episodes.

Indigestos agrees with 'episódios'.

Sua retórica, embora brilhante, deixava um travo indigesto de arrogância.

His rhetoric, although brilliant, left an unpleasant aftertaste of arrogance.

Indigesto agrees with 'travo'.

Common Collocations

comida indigesta

notícia indigesta

pessoa indigesta

derrota indigesta

assunto indigesto

prato indigesto

clima indigesto

tarefa indigesta

momento indigesto

leitura indigesta

Common Phrases

Ser indigesto

— To be inherently difficult or unpleasant.

Aquele chefe é indigesto.

Estar indigesto

— To be currently difficult or causing discomfort.

O meu estômago está indigesto hoje.

Achar indigesto

— To find something unpleasant or hard to process.

Achei o comentário dele muito indigesto.

Tornar-se indigesto

— To become unpleasant over time or due to an event.

A festa tornou-se indigesta após a discussão.

Parecer indigesto

— To give the impression of being difficult or unpleasant.

Este projeto parece indigesto para a equipe.

Nada indigesto

— Used to say something is actually quite easy or pleasant (often ironic).

O teste não foi nada indigesto.

Um pouco indigesto

— Slightly unpleasant or heavy.

O almoço foi um pouco indigesto.

Bastante indigesto

— Very unpleasant or very hard to digest.

O resultado foi bastante indigesto.

Extremamente indigesto

— Extremely unpleasant or difficult.

Foi uma situação extremamente indigesta.

Sabor indigesto

— An unpleasant metaphorical aftertaste.

A vitória teve um sabor indigesto devido às lesões.

Often Confused With

indigesto vs indigente

Means poor or homeless, not hard to digest.

indigesto vs indignado

Means outraged, not hard to digest.

indigesto vs indireto

Means indirect, sounds vaguely similar.

Idioms & Expressions

"Engolir um sapo indigesto"

— To have to accept an extremely unpleasant or humiliating situation.

Tive que engolir um sapo indigesto e pedir desculpas.

Informal

"Prato indigesto"

— Something that is presented to you that is very hard to accept.

A nova política de preços é um prato indigesto.

Journalistic

"Pessoa de trato indigesto"

— Someone who is very difficult to deal with or talk to.

Cuidado com ele, é uma pessoa de trato indigesto.

Formal

"Notícia que não desce"

— Related idiom: news that is 'indigesta' and cannot be 'swallowed'.

Essa notícia simplesmente não desce.

Informal

"Ficar com algo atravessado"

— To have something 'stuck' in your throat (figuratively), similar to the feeling of something indigesto.

Aquele comentário ficou atravessado.

Informal

"Amargo como fel"

— Extremely bitter/unpleasant, often used alongside indigesto.

A derrota foi amarga como fel e indigesta.

Literary

"Cair como uma pedra"

— To be very heavy on the stomach, the ultimate indigesto feeling.

A feijoada caiu como uma pedra no meu estômago.

Informal

"Ter o estômago embrulhado"

— To feel nauseous, often the result of something indigesto.

Estou com o estômago embrulhado desde o almoço.

Neutral

"Pílula amarga"

— A bitter pill to swallow, synonymous with a 'notícia indigesta'.

A demissão foi uma pílula amarga.

Neutral

"Soco no estômago"

— A shock that feels physically uncomfortable, like something indigesto.

A notícia foi um soco no estômago.

Informal

Easily Confused

indigesto vs indigente

Similar prefix and length.

Indigente is about poverty; indigesto is about discomfort.

O homem indigente comeu algo indigesto.

indigesto vs indignado

Both start with 'indig-'.

Indignado is an emotion (anger/outrage); indigesto is a quality (unpleasantness).

Fiquei indignado com o jantar indigesto.

indigesto vs indigestível

Very similar meaning.

Indigestível means literally impossible to digest; indigesto means difficult/unpleasant to digest.

Plástico é indigestível; feijoada é indigesta.

indigesto vs pesado

Both describe heavy food.

Pesado is about weight/calories; indigesto is about the bad reaction.

A lasanha estava pesada e foi indigesta.

indigesto vs intragável

Both mean 'hard to swallow'.

Intragável is stronger and often means something can't even be tasted/tolerated.

A comida estava intragável, nem consegui provar.

Sentence Patterns

[Food] é indigesto.

O pão é indigesto.

[Situation] foi indigesta.

A aula foi indigesta.

Achei [something] muito indigesto.

Achei o comentário dele muito indigesto.

É um [noun] indigesto de se [verb].

É um livro indigesto de se ler.

Por mais [adjective] que seja, é indigesto.

Por mais real que seja, é indigesto.

Deixa um travo indigesto de [noun].

Deixa um travo indigesto de amargura.

Tornar o [noun] indigesto.

Isso tornou o clima indigesto.

Evitar [noun] indigesto.

Evite alimentos indigestos.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech and media.

Common Mistakes

A comida é indigesto. → A comida é indigesta.
Agreement error: 'comida' is feminine.
Eu sinto indigesto. → Eu me sinto indigesto.
Missing the reflexive pronoun 'me' with 'sentir'.
A notícia foi indigente. → A notícia foi indigesta.
Using the wrong word (indigente = poor/homeless).
O jogo foi muito indigestão. → O jogo foi muito indigesto.
Using a noun (indigestão) instead of an adjective (indigesto).
Eu não consigo indigestar isso. → Eu não consigo digerir isso.
Inventing a verb. The correct verb is 'digerir'.

Tips

Agreement

Always match the ending (-o, -a, -os, -as) to the noun. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Metaphor

Don't be afraid to use it for bad news. Native speakers do this all the time to sound more natural.

Nasal 'In'

The 'in' at the start is nasal. Don't pronounce the 'n' fully; it just changes the sound of the 'i'.

Food Sensitivity

In Portugal, calling a traditional dish 'indigesto' might offend a proud cook. Use 'pesado' if you want to be softer.

Intensity

Use 'muito indigesto' for emphasis. It's a very common pairing.

News Context

When you hear 'indigesto' on the news, it almost always refers to a new law or a political scandal.

Synonym Choice

Choose 'indigesto' over 'ruim' when you want to describe a lingering, uncomfortable feeling.

Sports Talk

Use 'derrota indigesta' when talking about your favorite team losing a close game.

Digest Link

Link it directly to the English word 'digest'. It makes it much easier to remember.

Avoid 'Indigente'

Be very careful not to say 'indigente' (homeless) when you mean 'indigesto'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN-DIGEST-O'. 'IN' (not) + 'DIGEST'. It's literally something that is 'NOT DIGEST-able'. If it's 'O', it's a masculine 'O-no' for your stomach!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, heavy, greasy brick on a dinner plate. That brick is 'indigesto'. Now imagine that same brick being handed to you as a 'news report'. Still 'indigesto'!

Word Web

estômago pesado notícia pessoa ruim comida difícil mal-estar

Challenge

Try to use 'indigesto' to describe one physical thing (food) and one abstract thing (a situation) today.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'indigestus', which means 'unarranged', 'disordered', or 'not digested'. The prefix 'in-' means 'not', and 'digestus' is the past participle of 'digerere' (to divide, distribute, or digest).

Original meaning: Originally referred to something that had not been properly sorted or broken down.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

Calling a person 'indigesta' is an insult. It's not a swear word, but it's a strong way to say someone is unpleasant or arrogant.

In English, we might say something is 'hard to swallow' or 'hard to stomach', which are perfect equivalents for the figurative use of 'indigesto'.

Often used in Brazilian sports journalism (Globo Esporte) to describe tough matches. Appears in the lyrics of some 'Samba' and 'Fado' songs to describe bitter life experiences. Commonly found in political editorials in newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S.Paulo'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

Este prato é indigesto?
A comida estava indigesta.
Sinto-me indigesto.
Evite algo indigesto.

Discussing politics

Uma notícia indigesta.
Medidas indigestas.
Resultado indigesto.
Proposta indigesta.

Socializing

Pessoa indigesta.
Clima indigesto.
Conversa indigesta.
Comentário indigesto.

Sports

Derrota indigesta.
Adversário indigesto.
Jogo indigesto.
Placar indigesto.

Health/Medicine

Alimento indigesto.
Sentir-se indigesto.
Digestão difícil.
Evitar o que é indigesto.

Conversation Starters

"Você já comeu algo muito indigesto em um restaurante?"

"Qual foi a notícia mais indigesta que você recebeu este ano?"

"Você acha que política é um assunto indigesto para o jantar?"

"Como você lida com uma pessoa indigesta no trabalho?"

"Qual filme você achou indigesto por ser muito triste ou violento?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação indigesta que você viveu recentemente e como você a superou.

Escreva sobre um tipo de comida que é indigesto para você e por que você a evita.

Reflita sobre uma decisão difícil que foi 'indigesta' de tomar.

Pense em um personagem de livro que você considera indigesto e explique o motivo.

Como você transforma um momento indigesto em algo mais leve?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's an insult. It means the person is very unpleasant or hard to tolerate. Use it carefully.

The feminine form is 'indigesta'. For example: 'uma comida indigesta'.

Yes, it is very common in both Portugal and Brazil, especially in the news and casual conversation about food.

Ruim is general (bad). Indigesto is specific (unpleasant in a way that is hard to process or swallow).

Absolutely. It's often used for a 'derrota indigesta' (a loss that is hard to accept).

It sounds like the 's' in 'pleasure' or 'vision'. It's a soft 'zh' sound.

The most common noun is 'indigestão' (indigestion).

Yes, it means you are feeling the effects of indigestion.

It's neutral. It can be used in a newspaper or at home with family.

The most common opposites are 'leve' (light) or 'digerível' (digestible).