This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Portuguese
Vocabulary
infeccionado

A2 adjective #7,000 most common 10 min read

infeccionado

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips infeccionado in 30 Seconds

Explanation infeccionado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that infeccionado means 'infected.' You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Meu dedo está infeccionado' (My finger is infected) when talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Focus on the fact that it ends in '-o' for masculine things and '-a' for feminine things. You don't need to worry about the complex medical definitions yet. Just think of it as a word for when a wound looks bad and needs medicine. It is helpful for basic survival, like explaining a health problem. You might hear a doctor ask, 'Está infeccionado?' (Is it infected?). Your goal at this level is simply to recognize the word and use it with 'estar' to describe a body part. Remember: 'infeccionado' is a long word, but it sounds very similar to the English 'infected,' which makes it easier to remember. Just add the 'o' at the end! Also, try to notice if the 'c' sound feels like a small 'k' in the middle of the word. Don't worry if your pronunciation isn't perfect; the context of a wound will make your meaning clear.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use infeccionado in more complete sentences and understand the difference between 'estar' (temporary state) and 'ficar' (to become). You should know that 'A ferida ficou infeccionada' means 'The wound became infected.' You are also learning to agree the word with plurals: 'Os cortes estão infeccionados.' At this stage, you might start to encounter the word in simple health brochures or news headlines. You should also be aware that 'infeccionado' is usually for biological things, while 'contaminado' is for things like water or food. If you go to a pharmacy in a Portuguese-speaking country, you should be able to say, 'Preciso de algo para este machucado infeccionado.' You are building the ability to describe symptoms more accurately. You should also start to notice the word 'infecção' (the noun) and how it relates to this adjective. Practice saying the word slowly: in-fec-cio-na-do. Pay attention to the nasal 'on' sound, which is common in Portuguese. This word will help you navigate basic medical interactions with more confidence.

At the B1 level, you can use infeccionado to describe more complex health situations and understand its use in slightly more formal contexts. You should be comfortable using it with adverbs, such as 'gravemente infeccionado' (severely infected) or 'levemente infeccionado' (slightly infected). You can now explain *why* something is infected: 'Ficou infeccionado porque eu não lavei bem.' You are also starting to see the word used in metaphorical ways, though it's still primarily medical. You should understand the difference between 'infeccionado' and 'infectado,' knowing that they are mostly interchangeable but 'infectado' is more common in Portugal and for computer viruses. At B1, you can read a simple medical report and understand phrases like 'tecido cutâneo infeccionado.' You should also be able to follow advice from a healthcare professional about how to treat an 'área infeccionada.' Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'antibiótico,' 'curativo,' and 'inflamação.' You can now participate in a conversation about health and hygiene, expressing concern about something becoming infected and asking for preventative measures.

At the B2 level, you have a firm grasp of infeccionado and its various nuances. You can use it in professional or academic discussions about health. You understand the specific medical distinction between an infection and an inflammation. You are capable of using the word in the passive voice: 'A zona foi infeccionada por uma bactéria rara.' You can also use it in hypothetical situations: 'Se o hospital fosse mais limpo, menos pacientes seriam infeccionados.' Your pronunciation should be quite natural, handling the 'cc' and the nasal vowels without much thought. You might also start to see the word in literature or more advanced journalism, where it might describe a 'sociedade infeccionada pelo crime' (a society infected by crime), using the biological term to create a strong image of decay. You are aware of regional differences in spelling and usage between Brazil and Portugal. You can compare and contrast 'infeccionado' with synonyms like 'supurado' or 'séptico' in a medical context, showing a deeper level of lexical precision. You are comfortable using the word in both spoken and written Portuguese, maintaining the correct register.

At the C1 level, you use infeccionado with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the subtle stylistic choices between 'infeccionado,' 'infectado,' and 'contaminado.' You can discuss the etymology of the word, linking it to the Latin 'infectio.' In your writing, you use the word to create specific atmospheres, perhaps using it metaphorically to describe a 'discurso infeccionado de ódio' (a speech infected with hate). You are familiar with technical medical jargon where 'infeccionado' might be part of a larger diagnosis. You can effortlessly switch between formal medical registers and colloquial talk about a 'dedo infeccionado.' You also understand the legal implications of the word in contexts like 'negligência médica' where a patient becomes 'infeccionado' due to poor hospital conditions. Your ability to use the word is no longer just about the word itself, but about how it fits into the broader tapestry of the Portuguese language and culture. You can engage in deep debates about public health, using 'infeccionado' to discuss statistics, transmission rates, and the socio-economic factors that lead to populations being more frequently infected.

At the C2 level, your mastery of infeccionado is absolute. You can appreciate its use in high-level medical research papers, classical literature, and philosophical treatises. You might analyze how the concept of being 'infeccionado' has changed throughout history, from the miasma theory to modern germ theory, and how the language reflects these shifts. You can use the word with extreme subtlety, perhaps in a poem or a complex piece of fiction, to evoke feelings of decay, vulnerability, or transformation. You are fully aware of the most obscure synonyms and related terms, and you can explain the historical reasons for the 'cc' spelling in Brazil versus the 't' spelling in Portugal. You can critique translations that use 'infected' where a more specific Portuguese word like 'contaminado' or 'eivado' would be more appropriate. At this level, the word is a tool you wield with total control, whether you are writing a scientific article, a legal brief, or a literary masterpiece. You understand the word not just as a label for a condition, but as a concept that intersects with science, sociology, and art.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

infeccionado in 30 Seconds

Infeccionado means 'infected' in Portuguese, used for biological wounds or illnesses.
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (o/a/os/as).
In Brazil, it is common; in Portugal, 'infetado' is the standard spelling.
It is primarily a medical term but can be used metaphorically for corruption.

The Portuguese word infeccionado is an adjective derived from the verb 'infeccionar' (to infect). At its core, it describes a state where a living organism, a wound, or an organ has been invaded by pathogenic agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. For an English speaker, the most direct translation is 'infected.' However, the nuance in Portuguese often carries a heavy medical or biological weight, though it can occasionally be used metaphorically. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, you will hear this word frequently in pharmacies, hospitals, or when discussing domestic injuries. It is essential to distinguish between a simple 'inflamação' (inflammation), which is redness and swelling, and an 'infecção' (infection), which implies the presence of a germ. When a doctor says a wound is infeccionado, they are usually preparing to prescribe antibiotics.

Medical Context: Used to describe tissues or organs compromised by pathogens. Example: 'O pulmão está infeccionado' (The lung is infected).
Common Usage: Relating to small cuts or skin conditions that have worsened. Example: 'Cuidado para o corte não ficar infeccionado' (Be careful so the cut doesn't get infected).

In terms of register, 'infeccionado' is slightly more formal or technical than 'com infecção.' While a layperson might say 'meu dedo está com infecção,' a medical report would likely use 'dedo infeccionado.' It is also important to note the spelling variation: in Portugal, following the Orthographic Agreement, the 'c' is often dropped, resulting in 'infetado.' In Brazil, 'infeccionado' remains widely used, especially in formal writing, though 'infectado' is also very common.

O ferimento parecia infeccionado devido à vermelhidão e ao pus.

Beyond the physical, the word can describe a computer system compromised by a virus, though 'infectado' is much more common in the tech world. If you use 'infeccionado' for a computer, people will understand you, but it sounds like you are treating the computer like a biological patient. Understanding this word is crucial for health safety in a Lusophone country. If you have a fever and a sore throat, knowing how to describe your 'garganta infeccionada' can help a pharmacist or doctor provide the right care quickly.

Metaphorical Use: Rarely used for corrupt systems or 'infected' ideas, where 'contaminado' or 'corrompido' is preferred.

A área infeccionada deve ser limpa com álcool imediatamente.

Finally, remember that 'infeccionado' implies a process that has already occurred. It is the result of 'infecção.' If you are talking about the potential to cause infection, you would use 'infeccioso' (infectious). This distinction is the same as in English: an 'infected' person has the disease, while an 'infectious' person can spread it.

Using infeccionado correctly involves mastering adjective-noun agreement and understanding its position in a sentence. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun. Thus, 'an infected wound' becomes 'uma ferida infeccionada.' Notice the change from 'o' to 'a' because 'ferida' is feminine.

Subject-Verb-Adjective: Often used with the verb 'estar' (to be - temporary state). Example: 'Meu olho está infeccionado' (My eye is infected).

When discussing multiple items, the adjective must become plural. 'Os tecidos infeccionados foram removidos' (The infected tissues were removed). It is less common to use 'infeccionado' before the noun unless you are writing poetry or highly stylized prose, which is rare for medical terms.

Não toque no local infeccionado sem luvas.

Another common structure is 'parecer' (to seem) or 'ficar' (to become). 'Se você não lavar o corte, ele vai ficar infeccionado' (If you don't wash the cut, it will get infected). This 'ficar' + adjective structure is the standard way to express the transition into an infected state. In more complex sentences, you might see it combined with adverbs of degree. 'O paciente chegou com o pé gravemente infeccionado' (The patient arrived with a severely infected foot). Here, 'gravemente' modifies the intensity of the infection.

Prepositional Phrases: You can specify the cause: 'Infeccionado por bactérias' (Infected by bacteria).

Vários animais foram encontrados infeccionados pelo vírus da raiva.

For learners, the biggest challenge is often the pronunciation of the 'cc' or the nasal 'on'. In Brazil, both 'c's are often pronounced softly or the first is silent depending on the dialect, but in 'infeccionado,' the 'cc' is usually treated like a 'ks' sound or a hard 'k' followed by 's' (in-fek-sio-na-do). However, many Brazilians simplify it to 'infecionado' (one 'c' sound).

O dente infeccionado causou muita dor ao menino.

Compare this with the word 'contagiado' (infected/contagiously affected). While 'infeccionado' is medical, 'contagiado' is often used for emotions: 'Ele estava contagiado pela alegria' (He was infected/overcome by joy). You would almost never say 'infeccionado pela alegria' unless you were being very sarcastic or dark.

You will encounter infeccionado in a variety of real-world settings, primarily those related to health and hygiene. If you are watching a Brazilian medical drama like 'Sob Pressão,' the doctors will use this term constantly while assessing patients in the ER. It is the go-to word for describing any wound that has 'gone bad.'

At the Pharmacy (Farmácia): When asking for an antibiotic ointment: 'Acho que meu machucado está infeccionado' (I think my injury is infected).
In News Reports: During outbreaks or health crises: 'O número de pessoas infeccionadas subiu esta semana' (The number of infected people rose this week).

In school settings, teachers might use it when teaching biology or health education. 'Lavem as mãos para não ficarem infeccionados com germes.' Parents use it frequently with children: 'Não morda a cutícula, senão vai ficar infeccionado!'

O médico confirmou que o ouvido estava infeccionado.

You might also hear it in the context of veterinary care. If you take a pet to the 'veterinário,' they might describe a 'pata infeccionada' (infected paw). In these contexts, the word carries a sense of urgency. It’s not just 'dirty'; it’s biologically compromised and requires treatment. In literature, specifically in the Naturalism movement (like Aluísio Azevedo), you might find 'infeccionado' used to describe the 'sickly' or 'corrupt' atmosphere of urban slums, reflecting the era's obsession with social pathology.

O ambiente infeccionado da pensão preocupava os moradores.

Modernly, in podcasts or YouTube videos about health and fitness, experts use 'infeccionado' to discuss the dangers of improper piercing aftercare or tattoo healing. If you're getting a tattoo in Brazil, the artist will give you 'orientações para não deixar o local infeccionado.'

Social Media: Often found in 'story' captions when people show their recovery from surgery or illness.

A água daquele lago está infeccionada e imprópria para banho.

Lastly, in historical contexts, you'll hear it in documentaries about the 'Peste Negra' (Black Death) or other pandemics, describing 'corpos infeccionados.' It is a word that spans from the smallest splinter to the largest global health crisis.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is the confusion between infeccionado and 'inflamado.' While they are related, they are not synonyms. 'Inflamado' (inflamed) refers to the body's response (swelling, heat), whereas 'infeccionado' requires the presence of a foreign pathogen. If you tell a doctor your wound is 'infeccionado' but there are no bacteria, you are technically incorrect, though they will understand the worry.

Infeccionado vs. Infectado: 'Infectado' is more versatile and common in Portugal and in technical computer contexts. 'Infeccionado' is more common in Brazil for biological/medical states. Using one for the other is rarely a 'mistake' but can sound slightly off-register.

Another mistake is failing to agree the adjective with the gender of the noun. Portuguese learners often default to the masculine '-o' ending. Saying 'uma ferida infeccionado' is a clear grammatical error; it must be 'infeccionada.'

Errado: A garganta está infeccionado. Correto: A garganta está infeccionada.

Pronunciation is also a pitfall. The 'cc' in Brazilian Portuguese can be tricky. Some learners try to pronounce both 'c's distinctly like 'k-k', which is incorrect. It usually sounds like 'ks' (like 'action' in English) or just a single soft 's' sound in some casual dialects. However, the standard is a clear 'ks' sound. Confusion also arises with 'contaminado.' While an 'infeccionado' person has a disease growing in them, a 'contaminado' object (like a needle or water) simply has the pathogen on its surface. You wouldn't usually say a person is 'contaminada' unless they have toxic chemicals on them or are being used as a carrier in a very specific sense.

False Cognate Warning: Don't confuse with 'infetado' (the European Portuguese spelling) if you are in Brazil, though it's understood. In Brazil, 'infeccionado' is the traditional choice for medical conditions.

O uso de 'infeccionado' para computadores é raro; prefira 'infectado'.

Lastly, learners often forget the nasal sound on the 'on'. If you say 'infecionado' without the nasal 'n', it might sound like a different word or simply be hard to understand. Practice the nasal 'o' by blocking your nose slightly; the sound should vibrate in your nasal cavity.

Não confunda infeccionado (infected) com afetado (affected).

To summarize: watch your gender agreement, don't confuse it with inflammation, and keep the 'ks' sound crisp.

When you want to describe something that isn't quite infeccionado or when you want to vary your vocabulary, Portuguese offers several alternatives. The most common is infectado. While nearly identical, 'infectado' is often perceived as more modern and is the standard in Portugal.

Infectado: The direct synonym. Used for people, animals, and computers. 'O sistema foi infectado.'
Contaminado: Used for environments or objects. 'Água contaminada' is more common than 'água infeccionada.'

If you want to describe a wound that is specifically filled with pus, you might use supurado or purulento. These are much more descriptive and medical.

A ferida está supurada (The wound is festering/discharging pus).

For a more general 'sick' feeling, you would use doente (sick) or enfermo (ill/infirm). These don't necessarily imply an infection, just a lack of health. In a figurative sense, if a situation is 'toxic' or 'corrupt,' you might use viciado (tainted/corrupted) or corrompido. For example, 'um processo viciado' (a tainted process). Using 'infeccionado' here would sound very dramatic, as if the process itself had a biological disease.

Comparison: Infeccionado vs. Inflamado: Infeccionado: Bacteria/Viruses present. Requires antibiotics. Inflamado: Swollen/Red response. Requires anti-inflammatories.

O sangue septicêmico é um estado extremo de ser infeccionado.

Another related word is mórbido, which describes something related to disease or an unhealthy interest in death. While not a direct synonym, it belongs to the same semantic field of pathology. If you are describing a place that makes people sick, you could use insalubre (unhealthy/unsanitary). This is a very common legal and labor term in Brazil (adicional de insalubridade).

O local de trabalho era insalubre e cheio de agentes infecciosos.

Knowing these alternatives allows you to be more precise. If you have a small red bump, it's 'inflamado.' If it starts leaking pus, it's 'infeccionado.' If the whole room is dirty, it's 'insalubre.' If the water has germs, it's 'contaminada.' This precision is the hallmark of an advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'fec' in 'infeccionar' is the same as in 'factory' or 'perfect' (from 'facere', to make). So, to infect is literally to 'make into' or 'put into' something else.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩ.fe.ksi.o.ˈna.du/

US /in.fek.si.o.ˈna.doʊ/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'na'.

Rhymes With

apaixonado abandonado determinado iluminado destinado condenado alucinado combinado

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'n' in 'in' as a hard English 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
Missing the nasal sound in the 'on' syllable.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a hard 'oh' instead of a soft 'u' (common in Brazil).
Ignoring the gender agreement (always using 'o').
Treating the 'cc' like a single 'c' (though this happens in some dialects, it's better to aim for 'ks').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English similarity.

Writing 4/5

Tricky spelling with 'cc' and 'n'.

Speaking 5/5

Nasal vowels and 'cc' pronunciation are challenging.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear in context, but can be confused with 'infectado'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dor ferida médico estar ficar

Learn Next

antibiótico inflamação contaminado curativo cicatriz

Advanced

septicemia patologia imunossuprimido necrose supuração

Grammar to Know

Adjective-Noun Gender Agreement

O dedo (m) infeccionado / A mão (f) infeccionada.

Adjective-Noun Number Agreement

Os dedos infeccionados / As mãos infeccionadas.

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'ferimento infeccionado'.

Nasal Vowel 'o' before 'n'

The 'on' in 'infeccionado' is a single nasalized vowel.

Use of 'Estar' vs 'Ser'

Always use 'estar' for a current infection state: 'Está infeccionado'.

Examples by Level

Meu pé está infeccionado.

My foot is infected.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state and masculine agreement with 'pé'.

A ferida está infeccionada?

Is the wound infected?

Feminine agreement with 'ferida'.

O dedo dele está infeccionado.

His finger is infected.

Possessive 'dele' follows the noun.

Não está infeccionado.

It is not infected.

Negative 'não' before the verb.

O gato tem um olho infeccionado.

The cat has an infected eye.

Adjective following the noun 'olho'.

Meu dente está infeccionado.

My tooth is infected.

Masculine singular agreement.

Está muito infeccionado.

It is very infected.

Adverb 'muito' modifies the adjective.

O corte está infeccionado.

The cut is infected.

Basic subject-verb-adjective structure.

Se você não limpar, vai ficar infeccionado.

If you don't clean it, it will get infected.

Use of 'ficar' to show becoming a state.

Os dois braços estão infeccionados.

Both arms are infected.

Plural agreement 'infeccionados'.

A criança está com o ouvido infeccionado.

The child has an infected ear.

'Estar com' + noun + adjective construction.

A médica disse que está infeccionado.

The doctor said it is infected.

Reported speech using 'disse que'.

Este machucado parece infeccionado.

This injury looks infected.

Verb 'parecer' (to seem).

Minhas unhas ficaram infeccionadas.

My nails became infected.

Feminine plural agreement.

O lugar infeccionado dói muito.

The infected place hurts a lot.

Adjective used as a modifier within the subject.

Você tem um piercing infeccionado?

Do you have an infected piercing?

Question form with 'ter'.

O paciente chegou com o pulmão gravemente infeccionado.

The patient arrived with a severely infected lung.

Use of the adverb 'gravemente'.

É perigoso deixar um ferimento infeccionado sem tratamento.

It is dangerous to leave an infected wound without treatment.

Impersonal expression 'É perigoso'.

A água da represa estava infeccionada por bactérias.

The dam water was infected by bacteria.

Passive-like structure with 'por'.

Ele tomou antibióticos para o dente infeccionado.

He took antibiotics for the infected tooth.

Preposition 'para' showing purpose/target.

A pele ao redor da picada parece infeccionada.

The skin around the bite looks infected.

Complex subject 'A pele ao redor da picada'.

Muitos animais foram infeccionados durante a epidemia.

Many animals were infected during the epidemic.

Passive voice 'foram infeccionados'.

O médico limpou a área infeccionada com cuidado.

The doctor cleaned the infected area carefully.

Prepositional phrase 'com cuidado'.

Senti que meu dedo estava ficando infeccionado.

I felt that my finger was getting infected.

Progressive aspect 'estava ficando'.

A cirurgia foi cancelada porque o local estava infeccionado.

The surgery was canceled because the site was infected.

Causal conjunction 'porque'.

O tecido infeccionado precisou ser removido cirurgicamente.

The infected tissue needed to be surgically removed.

Compound verb 'precisou ser removido'.

Amostras do sangue infeccionado foram enviadas ao laboratório.

Samples of the infected blood were sent to the laboratory.

Noun phrase as subject with plural verb agreement.

O sistema imunológico luta contra o órgão infeccionado.

The immune system fights against the infected organ.

Verb 'lutar contra'.

Ela teme que o filho seja infeccionado na escola.

She fears that her son might be infected at school.

Subjunctive mood 'seja infeccionado' after a verb of emotion.

O ferimento, embora pequeno, estava profundamente infeccionado.

The wound, although small, was deeply infected.

Concessive clause 'embora pequeno'.

Não se deve tocar em material infeccionado sem proteção.

One should not touch infected material without protection.

Impersonal 'se' with 'dever'.

O diagnóstico confirmou que o rim estava infeccionado.

The diagnosis confirmed that the kidney was infected.

Subordinate clause 'que o rim estava...'.

A narrativa descreve um ambiente infeccionado pela corrupção moral.

The narrative describes an environment infected by moral corruption.

Metaphorical use of the adjective.

O gado infeccionado foi sacrificado para conter o surto.

The infected cattle were culled to contain the outbreak.

Infinitive of purpose 'para conter'.

A ferida mostrava sinais de estar seriamente infeccionada.

The wound showed signs of being seriously infected.

Gerund phrase 'de estar...'.

A pesquisa foca em como tecidos infeccionados reagem ao novo fármaco.

The research focuses on how infected tissues react to the new drug.

Relative clause 'como tecidos... reagem'.

O discurso político estava infeccionado por ideologias extremistas.

The political discourse was infected by extremist ideologies.

Metaphorical passive construction.

A biópsia revelou que o nódulo não estava infeccionado, mas inflamado.

The biopsy revealed that the node was not infected, but inflamed.

Contrast using 'não... mas...'.

É imperativo que qualquer objeto infeccionado seja descartado corretamente.

It is imperative that any infected object be disposed of correctly.

Subjunctive mood after 'É imperativo que'.

A zona rural permaneceu infeccionada por meses após a inundação.

The rural area remained infected for months after the flood.

Verb 'permanecer' indicating duration.

O autor utiliza a metáfora do corpo infeccionado para criticar o Estado.

The author uses the metaphor of the infected body to criticize the State.

Complex literary analysis structure.

A septicemia ocorre quando o organismo inteiro se torna infeccionado.

Septicemia occurs when the entire organism becomes infected.

Temporal clause 'quando...'.

O tratado discute a gestão de resíduos infeccionados em larga escala.

The treaty discusses the management of infected waste on a large scale.

Technical/Legal register.

Subjacente à febre, havia um sistema linfático severamente infeccionado.

Underlying the fever, there was a severely infected lymphatic system.

Inverted sentence structure for emphasis.

A mente, infeccionada pelo trauma, lutava para distinguir a realidade.

The mind, infected by trauma, struggled to distinguish reality.

Appositive adjective phrase used metaphorically.

Não obstante os esforços, o local continuava infeccionado por esporos.

Despite the efforts, the site remained infected by spores.

Formal conjunction 'Não obstante'.

A proliferação de tecidos infeccionados desafiava a equipe médica.

The proliferation of infected tissues challenged the medical team.

Subject is a complex noun phrase.

O solo, outrora fértil, agora jazia infeccionado por detritos químicos.

The soil, once fertile, now lay infected by chemical debris.

Poetic/High-literary register using 'jazia'.

Common Collocations

ferida infeccionada

dente infeccionado

ouvido infeccionado

altamente infeccionado

tecido infeccionado

sangue infeccionado

pulmão infeccionado

local infeccionado

gravemente infeccionado

animal infeccionado

Common Phrases

estar infeccionado

— To be currently in an infected state.

Meu dedo parece estar infeccionado.

ficar infeccionado

— To become infected over time.

Se não cuidar, vai ficar infeccionado.

parecer infeccionado

— To show visual signs of infection.

O machucado parece infeccionado.

área infeccionada

— The specific part of the body that has the infection.

Limpe a área infeccionada.

ferimento infeccionado

— An injury that has germs in it.

Ele tem um ferimento infeccionado na perna.

olho infeccionado

— An eye with a bacterial or viral infection.

Acordei com o olho infeccionado.

garganta infeccionada

— A sore throat caused by an infection.

Minha garganta está muito infeccionada.

material infeccionado

— Medical waste or objects carrying pathogens.

Descarte o material infeccionado no lixo hospitalar.

ser infeccionado por

— To be infected by a specific agent.

Ele foi infeccionado por uma bactéria comum.

evitar ficar infeccionado

— To take steps to prevent infection.

Use álcool para evitar ficar infeccionado.

Often Confused With

infeccionado vs inflamado

Means swollen/red but not necessarily with germs.

infeccionado vs infectado

Very similar, but 'infectado' is used for computers and in Portugal.

infeccionado vs infeccioso

Means 'infectious' (can spread), not 'infected'.

Idioms & Expressions

"infeccionado até a alma"

— Used metaphorically to describe someone who is deeply corrupt or 'rotten' to the core.

Aquele político está infeccionado até a alma.

Literary/Informal

"clima infeccionado"

— Describes a social atmosphere full of tension, hate, or negativity.

O clima na reunião estava infeccionado.

Metaphorical

"mente infeccionada"

— Having thoughts corrupted by bad influences or trauma.

Ele tem uma mente infeccionada por mentiras.

Poetic

"ambiente infeccionado"

— A place where corruption or bad behavior is rampant.

A empresa era um ambiente infeccionado.

Business/Informal

"discurso infeccionado"

— A speech full of toxic or harmful rhetoric.

O discurso dele estava infeccionado de preconceito.

Political

"sangue infeccionado"

— Metaphor for bad lineage or inherent bad character (archaic/offensive).

Diziam que ele tinha sangue infeccionado.

Historical

"olhar infeccionado"

— A look full of malice or sickness.

Ele me deu um olhar infeccionado.

Literary

"sociedade infeccionada"

— A society suffering from widespread social ills.

Vivemos em uma sociedade infeccionada pela violência.

Sociological

"palavras infeccionadas"

— Words meant to hurt or spread 'poison'.

Suas palavras infeccionadas destruíram a amizade.

Literary

"memória infeccionada"

— A memory tainted by pain or regret.

Minha memória daquela viagem está infeccionada.

Poetic

Easily Confused

infeccionado vs afetado

Sounds slightly similar.

Afetado means affected, which is much broader than infected.

O braço foi afetado pelo acidente.

infeccionado vs contaminado

Synonym in some contexts.

Contaminado is for objects/water; infeccionado is for living tissue.

A água está contaminada.

infeccionado vs viciado

Metaphorical overlap.

Viciado means addicted or corrupted in a legal sense.

O ar está viciado.

infeccionado vs podre

Describes decay.

Podre means rotten; it is much more informal and extreme.

A fruta está podre.

infeccionado vs doente

General health term.

Doente means sick; infeccionado is the specific cause.

Eu estou doente.

Sentence Patterns

Meu [body part] está infeccionado.

Meu dedo está infeccionado.

A [noun] ficou infeccionada.

A ferida ficou infeccionada.

É preciso cuidar do [noun] infeccionado.

É preciso cuidar do corte infeccionado.

Ele está com o [noun] infeccionado.

Ele está com o ouvido infeccionado.

O [noun] foi infeccionado por [agent].

O pulmão foi infeccionado por bactérias.

Apesar de [condition], o local estava infeccionado.

Apesar da limpeza, o local estava infeccionado.

O [abstract noun] jazia infeccionado por [agent].

O solo jazia infeccionado por detritos.

Infeccionado pelo [noun], o [subject] sucumbiu.

Infeccionado pelo vírus, o paciente sucumbiu.

Word Family

Nouns

infecção

infeccionamento

infectologista

Verbs

infeccionar

infectar

Adjectives

infeccionado

infeccioso

infectado

infectante

bactéria

vírus

germes

patógeno

sepsia

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical and daily health contexts.

Common Mistakes

A ferida está infeccionado. → A ferida está infeccionada.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'ferida'.
Meu computador está infeccionado. → Meu computador está infectado.
While understandable, 'infectado' is the standard term for digital viruses.
O corte está inflamação. → O corte está infeccionado (ou inflamado).
Don't use the noun 'inflamação' where an adjective is needed.
Estou com um dente infeccionoso. → Estou com um dente infeccionado.
'Infeccioso' means infectious (able to spread disease), not infected.
O local está infetado (in Brazil). → O local está infeccionado.
In Brazil, 'infeccionado' is the more traditional spelling for medical issues, though 'infectado' is rising.

Tips

Gender Check

Always check the noun ending. FeridA = InfeccionadA. DedO = InfeccionadO.

The Double C

In Brazil, remember the 'cc'. It helps to think of the word 'action' (ação) which also has a similar root structure in some related words.

Medical Accuracy

Use this word when you see pus or extreme redness. It signals to a doctor that you might need antibiotics.

Nasal Vowels

Don't forget the nasal sound in 'in-' and '-on-'. Without them, the word sounds incomplete to native ears.

Portugal vs Brazil

If you are in Lisbon, say 'infetado'. If you are in Rio, say 'infeccionado'.

Word Family

Learn 'infecção' (noun) and 'infeccionar' (verb) together with 'infeccionado'.

Emergency Use

This is a key word for travel. Knowing it can help you get the right medical help quickly.

Infected vs Infectious

Remember: 'infeccionado' = I have it. 'infeccioso' = I can give it to you.

Poetic Use

Use it to describe a 'corrupt' atmosphere for a more dramatic effect in your writing.

Look for Pus

Usually, if there is pus, the word 'infeccionado' is the correct one to use.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Infected' 'Section' of your skin. IN-FECC-IONADO. It sounds like 'infection' + 'ado' (the common adjective ending).

Visual Association

Imagine a red, glowing 'X' over a wound. The 'X' in 'infeccionado' (the 'cc' sound) marks the spot where the germs are.

Word Web

Saúde Médico Dor Remédio Bactéria Hospital Ferida Pus

Challenge

Try to describe three different things that can be 'infeccionados' (e.g., a finger, a tooth, an ear) to a friend in Portuguese.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'infectio' (a staining, dyeing, or infection), which comes from 'inficere' (to put into, to stain, to corrupt).

Original meaning: To dip into, to dye, or to taint with something harmful.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it metaphorically for people's ideas, as it can be quite insulting.

English speakers use 'infected' for both biological and digital contexts, whereas Portuguese speakers prefer 'infectado' for digital.

Used in medical dramas like 'Sob Pressão' (Brazil). Common in public health campaigns by SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). Found in the lyrics of some dark Brazilian rock songs describing a 'sick' world.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

Doutor, está infeccionado?
Sinto que está infeccionado.
Como tratar o local infeccionado?
Está muito infeccionado?

At the Pharmacy

Preciso de pomada para algo infeccionado.
Isso evita ficar infeccionado?
Meu corte ficou infeccionado.
O que é bom para dente infeccionado?

First Aid at Home

Lave bem para não ficar infeccionado.
Não toque, está infeccionado.
Passe álcool no local infeccionado.
Parece que está ficando infeccionado.

Veterinary

A pata do cachorro está infeccionada.
O gato está com o olho infeccionado.
O animal foi infeccionado na rua.
Remédio para ouvido infeccionado de pet.

Technical/Metaphorical

O sistema foi infectado (preferred over infeccionado).
O clima político está infeccionado.
Ideias infeccionadas por ódio.
Ambiente de trabalho infeccionado.

Conversation Starters

"Você já teve um piercing que ficou infeccionado?"

"O que você faz quando um corte parece infeccionado?"

"Você acha que este machucado está infeccionado ou só inflamado?"

"Qual é o melhor remédio para uma garganta infeccionada?"

"Como evitar que uma ferida fique infeccionada durante uma trilha?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma vez que você ficou doente ou teve algo infeccionado.

Como você cuida da sua saúde para não ficar infeccionado com vírus?

Escreva sobre a importância da higiene para evitar locais infeccionados.

Imagine que você é um médico e descreva um paciente com o braço infeccionado.

Reflita sobre a metáfora de uma 'mente infeccionada' por pensamentos negativos.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Brazil, 'infeccionado' is often used for medical/biological states (like a wound), while 'infectado' is used for people or computer viruses. In Portugal, 'infetado' is the standard for everything.

Em Portugal, escreve-se 'infetado' sem o 'c' e sem o 'ci', de acordo com o Acordo Ortográfico.

Pode, mas soa estranho. O termo técnico correto para tecnologia é 'infectado'.

Não. Inflamado é a reação do corpo (dor, calor, rubor). Infeccionado significa que há germes ou bactérias no local.

Basta adicionar um 's': 'ferimentos infeccionados' ou 'gargantas infeccionadas'.

É uma palavra neutra a formal. No dia a dia, as pessoas usam muito.

Sim, o verbo é 'infeccionar', e 'infeccionado' é o seu particípio passado usado como adjetivo.

No Brasil, geralmente soa como 'ks', como na palavra 'táxi'.

Sim, mas é um uso literário ou metafórico, significando que o sentimento é tóxico ou ruim.

O antônimo mais comum é 'saudável' ou simplesmente 'não infeccionado'.