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indignação

A2 noun #5,000 most common 10 min read

indignação

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips indignação in 30 Seconds

Explanation indignação in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting your journey with Portuguese. You might not use the word indignação yourself very often, as it is a bit long and complex. However, it is good to recognize it because it appears in news and serious conversations. Think of it as a very strong 'I am not happy because this is not fair'.

At this stage, you mostly learn basic emotions like 'feliz' (happy), 'triste' (sad), and 'com raiva' (angry). Indignação is like a specialized version of 'raiva'. You can start by recognizing the '-ção' ending, which is very common in Portuguese and usually corresponds to '-tion' in English. This will help you guess the meaning of many words!

If you want to try using it, keep it simple. You can say 'Eu sinto indignação' (I feel indignation). It's a great way to express that you understand more than just basic survival Portuguese. Just remember that it is a feminine word, so you use 'a' or 'uma'.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to express your opinions and feelings about things that happen around you. This is the perfect time to add indignação to your vocabulary. It allows you to talk about things you see on the news or problems in your neighborhood in a more mature way.

You should focus on the preposition 'com'. For example: 'Estou com indignação com o trânsito' (I am indignant with the traffic). While 'raiva' is common, using indignação shows you are thinking about the 'why' behind your anger. You are not just mad; you think the traffic is a problem that should be fixed.

At this level, you should also learn the adjective form: indignado (for men) and indignada (for women). This is actually more common in spoken Portuguese than the noun. 'Eu estou muito indignada!' is a very natural sentence for an A2 learner to say when something unfair happens.

As a B1 learner, you are becoming an intermediate speaker. You can now use indignação to participate in discussions about social issues. You will notice this word frequently in newspapers and on social media. It's no longer just a 'big word'; it's a tool for social interaction.

You should start using more complex verbs with the word. Instead of just 'sentir', try 'expressar' (to express) or 'causar' (to cause). For example: 'O novo imposto causou muita indignação entre os cidadãos.' This shows you can describe cause and effect in a social context.

You can also start using the reflexive verb indignar-se. 'Eu me indigno quando vejo pessoas jogando lixo na rua.' This is a more sophisticated way to talk about your reactions. It moves the focus from the 'feeling' to the 'action' of becoming indignant.

At the B2 level, you should be able to understand the nuance between indignação and its synonyms like 'revolta' or 'exasperação'. You can use the word in formal letters, academic essays, or professional environments. Your use of the word should reflect a clear understanding of moral and ethical contexts.

Try using it with abstract concepts. 'A indignação ética é o motor da mudança social.' (Ethical indignation is the engine of social change). At this level, you are expected to handle the plural 'indignações' and use varied prepositions like 'perante' or 'diante de' to add gravity to your speech.

You should also be aware of common collocations like 'indignação seletiva'. This demonstrates that you understand not just the word, but the cultural and political discourse surrounding it. You are now using the word to analyze situations, not just to describe your own feelings.

At the C1 level, your use of indignação should be seamless and stylistically varied. You can use it to create emphasis in your writing. You might use it in a rhetorical question: 'Como não sentir indignação perante tamanha injustiça?' (How could one not feel indignation in the face of such injustice?).

You should explore the word's presence in Portuguese literature. Reading authors like Eça de Queirós or Clarice Lispector, you will see how indignação is used to build character depth and social critique. You should be able to discuss these texts using the word accurately.

Furthermore, you can use the word to describe subtle emotional states, such as 'indignação contida' (contained indignation) or 'indignação latente' (latent indignation). This level of precision shows that you have mastered the emotional landscape of the Portuguese language.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native or native-like command of the word indignação. You can use it in high-level academic discourse, legal contexts, or complex creative writing. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how they influence its current usage.

You might use the word in philosophical debates about the nature of justice and emotion. You can distinguish between 'indignação' as a fleeting emotion and as a permanent state of being in certain political philosophies. Your vocabulary around this word is rich and includes archaic or very formal related terms.

In this stage, you can also use the word ironically or with sophisticated humor. You understand the social 'performance' of indignação and can comment on it critically. Your mastery is such that you can play with the word's connotations to achieve specific rhetorical effects in any medium.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

indignação in 30 Seconds

Indignação is the specific Portuguese word for indignation or righteous anger caused by injustice.
It is a feminine noun, commonly used in news and social debates to describe public outrage.
Unlike general anger, it implies a moral judgment that something is ethically wrong or unfair.
Commonly paired with the preposition 'com' and verbs like 'sentir', 'expressar', or 'causar'.

The Portuguese word indignação is a powerful noun that translates directly to 'indignation' in English. However, in the Lusophone world, its usage is frequent and carries a specific emotional weight that combines moral offense with a reactive energy. It is not merely 'being mad' (raiva) or 'being annoyed' (chateado); it is the specific psychological and physiological response to a perceived lack of justice, fairness, or dignity. When a Portuguese speaker uses the word indignação, they are signaling that a boundary of respect or ethics has been crossed. This word is the cornerstone of social activism, consumer complaints, and personal arguments where one party feels their fundamental rights or common decency has been ignored. It is a word of high moral ground.

Emotional Core: The feeling of righteous anger triggered by injustice or mistreatment.
Social Context: Often used in political discourse, news reporting, and public protests to describe collective outrage.
Grammatical Gender: It is a feminine noun, always preceded by 'a' or 'uma'.

Imagine you are waiting in a long queue at a government office in Lisbon or São Paulo. You have been there for three hours. Suddenly, someone walks in and is immediately served because they know the clerk. The heat you feel in your chest, the immediate urge to speak up against this unfairness—that is indignação. It is a word that demands a resolution. In Portuguese culture, expressing indignação is often seen as a necessary civic duty rather than just 'venting'. It shows that you have character and a sense of right and wrong. It is widely used in the media to describe the public's reaction to corruption scandals or social inequality.

A população expressou sua profunda indignação com o aumento dos preços.

Furthermore, indignação is deeply rooted in the Latin 'indignatio', which refers to considering something 'unworthy' (indigno). Therefore, when you feel this, you are effectively saying: 'This situation is unworthy of me, of my country, or of humanity.' It is a very dignified form of anger. Unlike 'fúria' (fury), which can be blind and destructive, indignação is usually articulate and focused on a specific cause. It is common to see it paired with adjectives like 'profunda' (deep), 'geral' (general), or 'crescente' (growing).

In everyday conversation, you might hear a friend say, 'Eu não consigo esconder a minha indignação!' (I can't hide my indignation!) when talking about a rude boss or a broken promise. It provides a level of seriousness to the conversation that simple words for 'anger' do not provide. It elevates the complaint from a personal gripe to a matter of principle. This makes it an essential word for anyone moving beyond basic Portuguese into intermediate and advanced social interactions.

Using indignação correctly involves understanding the prepositions that typically follow it. The most common preposition used with this noun is 'com' (with), used to identify the source or the person/thing causing the feeling. For example, 'Sinto indignação com a corrupção' (I feel indignation with/at the corruption). Another frequent preposition is 'diante de' (in the face of), which gives a more formal and dramatic tone to the sentence, often used in writing or formal speeches.

Standard Structure: [Subject] + [Verb: sentir/expressar/mostrar] + [indignação] + [Preposition: com/por/perante].
Common Verbs: Sentir (to feel), causar (to cause), manifestar (to manifest/show), conter (to contain/hold back).

Não pude conter a minha indignação ao ouvir aquela mentira descarada.

When you want to describe the intensity of the feeling, Portuguese speakers often use powerful adjectives. 'Indignação seletiva' (selective indignation) is a common phrase in political debates to accuse someone of only being angry when it suits their agenda. 'Indignação muda' (silent indignation) describes a state where one is so shocked by an injustice that they cannot find the words to speak. Understanding these pairings helps you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation software.

In more complex sentences, indignação can act as the subject that drives an action. 'A indignação do povo levou às mudanças nas leis' (The people's indignation led to changes in the laws). Here, the word represents a collective force. It is also important to note the difference between 'indignação por' and 'indignação com'. While often interchangeable, 'por' usually points to the reason (e.g., por um motivo justo), while 'com' points to the object of the anger (e.g., com o sistema).

A indignação dele era totalmente compreensível dada a situação.

Lastly, in formal writing, you will see the word used in the plural: indignações. This refers to multiple instances or different types of grievances. 'As nossas indignações são muitas' (Our indignations/grievances are many). This is less common in spoken Portuguese but vital for reading newspapers like 'Público' or 'Folha de S. Paulo'. Master the use of this word to navigate the passionate world of Portuguese emotional expression.

You will encounter indignação in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the evening news to the dinner table. In the media, it is perhaps the most overused word to describe public sentiment. News anchors frequently start segments with: 'Cresce a indignação popular...' (Popular indignation is growing...). This immediately tells the viewer that the story is about a scandal, a crime, or a social failure. If you are watching a debate on Portuguese or Brazilian television, you will hear politicians accusing each other of causing indignação through their policies.

The Media: Headlines about corruption, environmental disasters, or human rights violations.
Social Media: Hashtags like #indignação are used to aggregate posts about viral injustices.
Workplace: In HR meetings or union strikes to describe employee dissatisfaction with working conditions.

O discurso do ativista foi um grito de indignação contra a desigualdade.

In a more personal setting, you might hear this word during a 'desabafo' (a venting session). When a friend is telling you about how they were treated poorly at a store, they might say, 'Você não imagina a minha indignação!' (You can't imagine my indignation!). Here, it serves to emphasize that they aren't just complaining for the sake of it, but because they felt their dignity was compromised. It is a way of seeking validation for one's anger. If you agree with them, you might respond, 'Eu entendo a sua indignação' (I understand your indignation).

Literature and music also heavily feature this word. Fado music in Portugal and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) in Brazil often use indignação as a theme to reflect on social struggles or the 'saudade' of a lost sense of justice. When reading classic authors like Machado de Assis or José Saramago, you will find indignação used to describe the internal state of characters who realize the absurdity or cruelty of the world around them. It is a word that transcends social classes; from the street vendor to the university professor, everyone knows and uses indignação to mark their stance against the 'errado' (wrong).

A carta aberta do professor transbordava indignação.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Portuguese is confusing indignação with general 'anger' (raiva). While all indignação is a form of anger, not all anger is indignação. If you drop your phone and it breaks, you feel 'raiva' or 'frustração'. If you say you feel 'indignação' at your phone for breaking, it sounds strange to a native speaker because the phone hasn't committed an ethical injustice. You only use indignação when there is a 'culpado' (guilty party) who has behaved unfairly.

Mistake: Using 'indignação' for accidents: Incorrect: 'Sinto indignação porque perdi o autocarro.' (Unless the bus driver saw you and intentionally drove away against the rules).
Mistake: Confusing with 'indigência': 'Indigência' means poverty or destitution. They sound similar but are completely different.

Another common error is the misuse of the verb forms. Students often say 'Eu indigno' trying to say 'I get indignant'. However, the verb is pronominal: indignar-se. The correct way to say 'I get indignant' is 'Eu me indigno' (Brazil) or 'Indigno-me' (Portugal). Failing to use the reflexive pronoun 'me', 'te', 'se' is a hallmark of a beginner. Similarly, confusing the noun indignação with the adjective indignado is common. Remember: 'A minha indignação' (noun) but 'Eu estou indignado' (adjective).

Ele indignou-se com a resposta do gerente.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. The 'gn' in Portuguese is pronounced differently than in English. In English 'indignation', the 'g' and 'n' are in separate syllables. In Portuguese, it is /ĩ.diɡ.na.ˈsɐ̃w̃/. The 'g' is a hard 'g' (like 'go') and the 'n' starts the next syllable. Some learners try to pronounce it like the Spanish 'ñ' (indignação), which is incorrect. Also, don't forget the nasal sound of the 'ção' ending, which is essential for being understood.

Finally, watch out for the intensity. Using indignação for very minor things can make you sound melodramatic. If someone takes your pen without asking, 'indignação' might be too strong unless you want to be funny. In that case, 'irritação' is more appropriate. Use indignação for things that truly matter to your sense of ethics or justice. This will ensure your Portuguese sounds natural and emotionally accurate.

While indignação is a very precise term, there are several other words in Portuguese that orbit the same emotional space. Understanding the nuances between them will greatly expand your vocabulary. The most common synonym is revolta. While indignação is the feeling, revolta often implies a desire to take action or a more chaotic sense of being upset. You feel indignação, which then leads to a state of revolta.

Indignação vs. Revolta: Indignação is the moral judgment; Revolta is the active rebellion against that judgment.
Indignação vs. Raiva: Raiva is purely emotional and often visceral; Indignação is intellectualized and ethical.
Indignação vs. Descontentamento: Descontentamento (dissatisfaction) is much milder and often relates to services or products.

A sua indignação transformou-se em uma revolta organizada.

Another alternative is exasperação. This is used when the indignation comes from a repeated series of annoying events. It’s the 'last straw' feeling. If a colleague makes the same mistake for the tenth time, you feel exasperação. Then there is estupefação, which is indignation mixed with absolute shock or disbelief. If you can't believe how someone could be so cruel, you are 'estupefacto' (shocked/indignant).

In more literary or formal contexts, you might find ascuridão (rare) or ira (wrath). Ira is much more biblical or epic in scale. You wouldn't usually feel ira about a parking ticket, but a god might feel ira against a city. For everyday situations where you are just slightly 'miffed', words like aborrecimento or incômodo are better suited. By choosing the right word from this spectrum, you demonstrate a high level of linguistic competence and emotional intelligence in Portuguese.

Havia um misto de indignação e tristeza em seu olhar.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root word 'digno' (worthy) is the same as in 'dignity'. So, indignation is literally the feeling that something is 'beneath dignity'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌɪn.dɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

US /ˌɪn.dɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

The primary stress in the Portuguese word 'indignação' is on the last syllable: 'ção'.

Rhymes With

coração nação estação canção atenção relação ação direção

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'gn' like the English 'gn' in 'sign' (silent g). In Portuguese, both 'g' and 'n' are heard.
Failing to nasalize the 'ção' ending, making it sound like 'sao' instead of 's-unh'.
Pronouncing the 'i' like the 'i' in 'bit' instead of the 'ee' in 'feet'.
Adding a vowel sound between the 'g' and 'n' (e.g., 'indiguinação').
Stressing the second-to-last syllable instead of the last one.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'indignation'.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct spelling of the '-ção' and 'gn' cluster.

Speaking 6/5

The nasal '-ção' and the 'gn' sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 4/5

Distinctive sound makes it relatively easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

raiva justiça sentir mal coisa

Learn Next

revolta ética manifestação corrupção direitos

Advanced

prevaricação improbidade conivência omissão insurgência

Grammar to Know

Substantivos terminados em -ção

Indignação, Nação, Estação (Most are feminine).

Verbos Pronominais

Eu me indigno, Tu te indignas, Ele se indigna.

Concordância de Adjetivos

O homem indignado / A mulher indignada.

Uso da preposição 'com'

Indignação com a mentira (Points to the object).

Uso da preposição 'por'

Indignação por um motivo justo (Points to the reason).

Examples by Level

Eu sinto muita indignação.

I feel a lot of indignation.

Feminine noun used with 'muita'.

A indignação é grande.

The indignation is great.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Ela tem indignação.

She has indignation.

Using the verb 'ter' (to have).

Não gosto de indignação.

I don't like indignation.

Negative sentence.

Onde está a sua indignação?

Where is your indignation?

Interrogative sentence.

A indignação dele é real.

His indignation is real.

Possessive 'dele' (his).

Sinto indignação hoje.

I feel indignation today.

Adverb of time 'hoje'.

Muita indignação no jornal.

Lots of indignation in the newspaper.

Locative 'no jornal'.

Estou indignado com o preço do pão.

I am indignant with the price of bread.

Adjective 'indignado' matching the masculine subject.

A indignação dela é por causa do lixo.

Her indignation is because of the trash.

Using 'por causa de' to show reason.

Eles sentem indignação com a notícia.

They feel indignation with the news.

Third person plural verb 'sentem'.

O povo mostra sua indignação nas ruas.

The people show their indignation in the streets.

Verb 'mostrar' (to show).

Sua indignação é justa.

Your indignation is fair/just.

Adjective 'justa' matching feminine 'indignação'.

Não vejo motivo para tanta indignação.

I don't see a reason for so much indignation.

Using 'para' to indicate purpose/reason.

A indignação começou ontem.

The indignation started yesterday.

Past tense 'começou'.

Estamos todos com muita indignação.

We are all with a lot of indignation.

Expression 'estar com'.

A indignação popular cresceu após o escândalo.

Popular indignation grew after the scandal.

Compound subject 'indignação popular'.

É impossível não sentir indignação diante desta situação.

It is impossible not to feel indignation in the face of this situation.

Impersonal 'É impossível' + infinitive.

O diretor expressou sua indignação em uma carta.

The director expressed his indignation in a letter.

Verb 'expressar'.

Muitos cidadãos manifestaram sua indignação nas redes sociais.

Many citizens manifested their indignation on social media.

Plural subject and 'nas redes sociais'.

A indignação dele foi motivada pela mentira.

His indignation was motivated by the lie.

Passive voice 'foi motivada'.

Sinto uma profunda indignação quando vejo injustiça.

I feel a deep indignation when I see injustice.

Adjective 'profunda' for intensity.

A falta de hospitais causa indignação na cidade.

The lack of hospitals causes indignation in the city.

Verb 'causar'.

Ela não conseguiu esconder a sua indignação durante a reunião.

She couldn't hide her indignation during the meeting.

Verb 'conseguir' + infinitive 'esconder'.

A indignação seletiva de alguns políticos é vergonhosa.

The selective indignation of some politicians is shameful.

Complex noun phrase with 'seletiva'.

O livro retrata a indignação de uma geração perdida.

The book portrays the indignation of a lost generation.

Verb 'retratar' (to portray).

Houve uma onda de indignação por todo o país.

There was a wave of indignation across the country.

Metaphorical 'onda de' (wave of).

Sua voz tremia de indignação ao relatar o ocorrido.

Her voice trembled with indignation while reporting what happened.

Preposition 'de' showing the cause of the trembling.

A indignação é um sentimento necessário para a mudança.

Indignation is a necessary feeling for change.

Abstract philosophical statement.

O artigo despertou a indignação de muitos leitores.

The article awakened the indignation of many readers.

Verb 'despertar' (to awaken/trigger).

A indignação não deve ser confundida com o ódio.

Indignation should not be confused with hate.

Passive structure 'deve ser confundida'.

Eles agiram movidos por uma forte indignação moral.

They acted moved by a strong moral indignation.

Participle 'movidos' (moved/driven).

A indignação, quando bem canalizada, pode gerar reformas profundas.

Indignation, when well channeled, can generate profound reforms.

Parenthetical clause 'quando bem canalizada'.

Subjaz a este protesto uma indignação latente há décadas.

Underlying this protest is a latent indignation that has existed for decades.

Sophisticated verb 'subjaz' (underlies).

O autor utiliza a indignação como fio condutor da narrativa.

The author uses indignation as the narrative's guiding thread.

Metaphorical 'fio condutor'.

Não há maior indignação do que aquela que nasce da traição.

There is no greater indignation than that which is born from betrayal.

Comparative 'maior... do que'.

A retórica do palestrante transbordava uma indignação legítima.

The speaker's rhetoric overflowed with a legitimate indignation.

Verb 'transbordar' used figuratively.

A classe média manifestou sua indignação perante o descaso público.

The middle class manifested its indignation in the face of public neglect.

Formal preposition 'perante'.

A indignação é o refúgio dos que ainda acreditam na ética.

Indignation is the refuge of those who still believe in ethics.

Complex philosophical sentence.

Sua obra é um monumento à indignação humana contra a opressão.

His work is a monument to human indignation against oppression.

Nouns used as metaphors.

A perquirição filosófica sobre a indignação remonta à antiguidade clássica.

Philosophical inquiry into indignation dates back to classical antiquity.

High-level vocabulary like 'perquirição' and 'remonta'.

O hiato entre a promessa e a realidade é o cadinho da indignação social.

The gap between promise and reality is the melting pot of social indignation.

Metaphorical use of 'cadinho' (crucible).

A indignação, desprovida de ação, queda-se em mero ressentimento estéril.

Indignation, devoid of action, falls into mere sterile resentment.

Literary verb 'quedar-se' and adjective 'estéril'.

É imperativo que a indignação não se transmute em niilismo.

It is imperative that indignation does not transmute into nihilism.

Subjunctive mood 'não se transmute'.

A polifonia de indignações na obra reflete a fragmentação do sujeito moderno.

The polyphony of indignations in the work reflects the fragmentation of the modern subject.

Academic term 'polifonia'.

O veredito foi recebido com uma indignação gélida e silenciosa.

The verdict was received with a cold and silent indignation.

Oxymoronic pairing 'indignação gélida'.

A gênese da sua indignação encontra-se na infância paupérrima.

The genesis of his indignation is found in his extremely poor childhood.

Superlative adjective 'paupérrima'.

O ensaio disseca as várias facetas da indignação contemporânea.

The essay dissects the various facets of contemporary indignation.

Verb 'dissecar' used analytically.

Common Collocations

profunda indignação

causar indignação

expressar indignação

indignação popular

indignação geral

misto de indignação

onda de indignação

gritar de indignação

indignação ética

conter a indignação

Common Phrases

Que indignação!

— What an outrage! Used as an exclamation when hearing bad news.

O hospital fechou? Que indignação!

Com toda a indignação

— With all the indignation. Used to emphasize the strength of the feeling.

Ele falou com toda a indignação do mundo.

Motivo de indignação

— Reason for indignation. Used to identify what is wrong.

Isso é um motivo de indignação para todos.

Alvo de indignação

— Target of indignation. Used for the person/thing people are mad at.

O político foi alvo de indignação pública.

Sentimento de indignação

— Feeling of indignation. A formal way to describe the emotion.

O sentimento de indignação é compartilhado por muitos.

Transbordar de indignação

— To overflow with indignation. Used for very intense feelings.

Seu coração transbordava de indignação.

Indignação crescente

— Growing indignation. Used for a situation getting worse.

Há uma indignação crescente na vizinhança.

Manifesto de indignação

— Manifesto/Statement of indignation. A formal protest document.

Os artistas assinaram um manifesto de indignação.

Voz de indignação

— Voice of indignation. Referring to someone speaking up.

Ela foi a única voz de indignação no grupo.

Puro estado de indignação

— Pure state of indignation. Total immersion in the feeling.

Ele estava em um puro estado de indignação.

Often Confused With

indignação vs indigência

Means extreme poverty, not anger. Very common confusion for beginners.

indignação vs indigesto

Means hard to digest (food) or an unpleasant person/situation.

indignação vs indicação

Means indication or recommendation. Sounds similar but unrelated.

Idioms & Expressions

"Subir o sangue"

— To have one's blood boil. Often leads to a state of indignação.

Quando vi o que ele fez, o sangue subiu.

informal

"Ficar com os cabelos em pé"

— To be shocked or outraged (literally: hair standing on end).

Fiquei com os cabelos em pé de tanta indignação.

informal

"Perder as estribeiras"

— To lose one's temper or self-control due to indignation.

Com tanta injustiça, ele perdeu as estribeiras.

informal

"Dar um murro na mesa"

— To bang one's fist on the table. A physical expression of indignação.

É preciso dar um murro na mesa e exigir mudanças.

idiomatic

"Engolir sapos"

— To swallow frogs (to endure unfairness without expressing indignação).

Estou cansado de engolir sapos no trabalho.

informal

"Pôr a boca no trombone"

— To blow the whistle or complain loudly about an injustice.

Ela pôs a boca no trombone e mostrou sua indignação.

informal

"Ficar cego de raiva"

— To be blind with rage (often used when indignation turns into fury).

Ele ficou cego de raiva com a traição.

neutral

"Soltar os cachorros"

— To let the dogs loose (to yell at someone out of indignation).

O chefe soltou os cachorros nos funcionários.

informal

"Estar com a corda no pescoço"

— To be in a desperate situation, which often causes indignação against the system.

O povo está com a corda no pescoço.

informal

"Virar o bicho"

— To turn into an animal (to become extremely angry/indignant).

Ela virou o bicho quando viu a bagunça.

slang

Easily Confused

indignação vs raiva

Both involve anger.

Raiva is general and visceral; indignação is moral and justified.

Tenho raiva de perder a chave, mas indignação com o roubo.

indignação vs revolta

Both imply being upset with a situation.

Revolta implies a more active, sometimes aggressive, rebellion.

A indignação levou o povo à revolta.

indignação vs ódio

Both are strong negative emotions.

Ódio is a deep, personal dislike; indignação is an ethical response.

Não sinto ódio por ele, apenas indignação pelo que ele fez.

indignação vs chateação

Both are forms of being upset.

Chateação is mild annoyance or boredom; indignação is serious and deep.

Isso não é uma chateação, é uma indignação nacional!

indignação vs desgosto

Both are negative reactions to an event.

Desgosto is more about sadness and disappointment.

Sinto um profundo desgosto e uma grande indignação.

Sentence Patterns

Eu sinto [indignação].

Eu sinto indignação.

Estou [indignado] com [algo].

Estou indignado com o preço.

A [indignação] cresceu após [evento].

A indignação cresceu após a notícia.

Não há [indignação] sem [justiça].

Não há indignação sem um senso de justiça.

Perante [situação], a [indignação] é inevitável.

Perante o crime, a indignação é inevitável.

A [indignação] transmuta-se em [conceito].

A indignação transmuta-se em ação política.

É um misto de [indignação] e [emoção].

É um misto de indignação e tristeza.

Isso causa muita [indignação].

Isso causa muita indignação.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, politics, and formal complaints.

Common Mistakes

O indignação → A indignação
Indignação is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine article 'a'.
Estou indignação → Estou indignado
You cannot 'be' the noun. You must use the adjective 'indignado' to describe your state.
Eu indigno com isso → Eu me indigno com isso
The verb is reflexive (indignar-se), so it needs the reflexive pronoun 'me'.
Indignação por o preço → Indignação com o preço
While 'por' is possible, 'com' is the standard preposition for the object of the anger.
Pronouncing 'gn' like 'ñ' → Pronouncing 'g' and 'n' separately
Portuguese 'gn' is not like Spanish 'ñ'. The 'g' is hard.

Tips

Cognate Power

Remember that 'indignação' is a cognate of 'indignation'. If you know the English word, you already know 90% of the meaning.

Watch the Gender

Always treat 'indignação' as feminine. This is a common mistake for English speakers who aren't used to gendered nouns.

The Nasal End

Practice the '-ção' sound. It's the most common ending in Portuguese and getting it right makes you sound much more native.

Social Context

Don't be afraid to use it when discussing politics with Portuguese speakers. It shows you care about social issues.

Formal Letters

If you need to complain to a company in Portugal or Brazil, use 'indignação' to get better results. It sounds serious.

News Keywords

Listen for this word in news broadcasts. It often signals the beginning of a report on a scandal.

Indignado vs Raiva

If you are mad at your cat for breaking a vase, use 'raiva'. If you are mad at a politician for stealing, use 'indignação'.

Visualizing Justice

Visualize a broken scale of justice every time you hear the word. It links the emotion to the cause.

Pronominal Verbs

Practice 'indignar-se'. Saying 'Eu me indigno' correctly will impress native speakers.

Adjective Pairing

Pair it with 'profunda'. It's the most natural-sounding collocation in Portuguese.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In-Dignity-Action'. Indignação is the Action you take when someone lacks Dignity or treats you without it.

Visual Association

Visualize a person standing tall with a pointed finger, protesting against a giant unfair scale. The word 'indignação' is written on their banner.

Word Web

Justiça Ética Raiva Protesto Direitos Respeito Dignidade Verdade

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a news story you saw recently using 'indignação', 'indignado', and 'indignar-se'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'indignatio, -onis', which comes from 'indignari' (to be angry at something unworthy).

Original meaning: The state of being angry because something is considered 'indignus' (unworthy).

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it in professional settings; ensure the cause of your indignation is objective to avoid sounding overly emotional.

English speakers might use 'outrage' or 'disgust' where a Portuguese speaker uses 'indignação'. Portuguese is more likely to use the 'indignation' cognate in everyday speech.

The book 'Indignai-vos!' by Stéphane Hessel (translated into Portuguese) became a bestseller and a slogan for activists. José Saramago often spoke of 'indignação' as a necessary human faculty in his interviews. The song 'Indignação' by the Brazilian band Skank.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Politics

Indignação com a corrupção
Manifesto de indignação
Voz de indignação
Causar indignação popular

Customer Service

Minha indignação com o serviço
Quero registrar minha indignação
Isso é uma indignação
Sinto-me indignado

Social Justice

Indignação perante a fome
Lutar com indignação
Grito de indignação
Indignação ética

Personal Relationships

Você me causa indignação
Estou indignado com você
Não escondo minha indignação
Sua atitude gera indignação

News/Media

Onda de indignação
Cresce a indignação
Alvo de indignação
Profunda indignação

Conversation Starters

"Você sentiu indignação com a notícia de hoje?"

"O que mais te causa indignação no mundo atual?"

"Você acha que a indignação pode mudar a sociedade?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você ficou realmente indignado?"

"Como você expressa a sua indignação quando algo é injusto?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você sentiu uma profunda indignação. O que aconteceu?

A indignação é um sentimento positivo ou negativo? Explique sua visão.

Como as redes sociais mudaram a forma como expressamos nossa indignação?

Descreva um herói de um livro ou filme que agiu por indignação.

O que você faz para acalmar sua indignação quando não pode mudar a situação?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a feminine noun. You should always use it with feminine articles and adjectives, like 'a indignação' or 'muita indignação'.

You can, but it might sound dramatic. For small annoyances, words like 'irritação' or 'chateação' are more common unless you want to emphasize that the small thing was very unfair.

'Indignação' is the noun (the feeling itself), while 'indignado' is the adjective (the person who feels it). For example: 'A minha indignação' vs 'Eu estou indignado'.

It is a hard 'g' followed by an 'n'. It sounds like the 'gn' in 'ignore'. It is NOT like the Spanish 'ñ'.

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

It's a common political term for when someone only gets angry about injustices that don't involve their friends or political allies.

No, you must use the reflexive form 'Eu me indigno' (Brazil) or 'Indigno-me' (Portugal) because the verb is 'indignar-se'.

'Revolta' or 'agastamento' can work, but 'indignação' is already quite appropriate for formal contexts.

Yes, the core of the word is the perception that something is 'indigno' (unworthy/unfair).

Very common. You will see it in news headlines almost every day in Brazil and Portugal.