This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #4,000 most common 17 min read

inquietar

Q: Does 'inquietar' always mean something bad?

Not necessarily. In intellectual or artistic contexts, being 'inquietado' can be positive, as it leads to questioning, discovery, and creativity. It shows you are not indifferent.

Q: Can I use 'inquietar' for a physical object?

Usually no. It is mostly used for people, their minds, or collective groups. However, you can say a storm 'inquieta o mar' (disturbs the sea) in a poetic sense.

Q: What is the difference between 'inquieto' and 'inquietante'?

'Inquieto' describes a person who is restless (e.g., a child). 'Inquietante' describes a thing or situation that makes YOU feel uneasy (e.g., a strange noise).

Q: Is 'inquietar' common in Brazil?

Yes, very common in news, formal writing, and among educated speakers. In very casual slang, other words like 'bolado' or 'tenso' might be used instead.

Q: How do I conjugate 'inquietar' in the past?

It's a regular -ar verb: eu inquietei, tu inquietaste, ele inquietou, nós inquietamos, vós inquietastes, eles inquietaram.

Q: Can I say 'inquietar sobre'?

It is grammatically possible but less natural than 'inquietar-se com' or 'inquietar-se por'. Use 'com' for the most native sound.

Q: Is 'inquietar' more formal than 'preocupar'?

Yes, it carries a slightly higher register and is preferred in literature, academic writing, and formal journalism.

Q: Does it mean 'to be quiet'?

No! This is a common false friend for English speakers. It means the opposite: to disturb peace or quiet.

Q: Can it be used for animals?

Yes, you can say an animal is 'inquieto' if it's moving around a lot and seems nervous.

Q: What is the most common use of the word?

The most common use is the reflexive 'inquietar-se' to express becoming worried or uneasy about a situation.

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips inquietar in 30 Seconds

Explanation inquietar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express feelings. While 'inquietar' might seem a bit advanced, you can understand it as a way to say someone is 'not quiet' or 'not calm.' Think of a baby who is crying and moving around; that baby is 'inquieto.' In simple sentences, you might use it to describe physical restlessness. For example, 'O menino está inquieto' (The boy is restless). At this stage, focus on the adjective 'inquieto' more than the verb. It helps you describe people who have too much energy or who are a bit nervous. You don't need to worry about the complex reflexive forms yet. Just remember that 'in-' often means 'not,' so 'inquieto' is the opposite of 'quieto' (quiet/still). This is a great way to start building your vocabulary for describing people's behavior in a simple way.

At the A2 level, you can begin using the verb 'inquietar' to talk about basic worries. You might say things like 'Isso me inquieta' (This worries me) when talking about simple problems like the weather or a small change in plans. You are also learning to use reflexive verbs, so you can start practicing 'inquietar-se.' For example, 'Não se inquiete' is a very polite and common way to tell someone 'Don't worry.' It sounds a bit more formal and softer than 'Não se preocupe.' At this level, you should also recognize the word in simple stories or news headlines. You are starting to see that Portuguese has many ways to express being 'un-calm,' and 'inquietar' is one of the most useful ones for sounding more natural and less like a beginner who only uses 'preocupado.'

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'inquietar' in a variety of contexts, including work and social situations. You can use it to express concern about more abstract topics, like the future, a project at work, or a social issue. You should be comfortable with the reflexive form and the prepositions that go with it, specifically 'inquietar-se com.' For example, 'Eu me inquieto com a poluição nas cidades.' You are also starting to understand the difference between 'inquietar' and 'preocupar.' You might use 'inquietar' when you want to sound a bit more serious or when the worry is more about a feeling of unease rather than a specific task. This is the level where you start using the word to add nuance to your conversations, showing that you can distinguish between different types of mental and emotional states.

At the B2 level, you can use 'inquietar' to participate in debates and more complex discussions. You understand its use in the news and can use it yourself to describe public sentiment or intellectual challenges. You might say, 'As novas políticas do governo inquietam a classe média.' You are also able to use the adjective 'inquietante' to describe situations, films, or books that are unsettling. At this level, you should be able to use the verb in different tenses, including the subjunctive mood. For example, 'É natural que o silêncio dela o inquiete.' You are moving beyond simple translations and starting to feel the 'weight' of the word, using it to express a deeper level of disturbance or a more sophisticated type of concern that is appropriate for professional and academic environments.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the literary and philosophical nuances of 'inquietar.' You can use it to discuss complex psychological states in literature or to describe subtle shifts in social dynamics. You understand the historical and cultural context of 'disquiet' in Portuguese literature and can use the word to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere in your own writing. You might use it in a phrase like 'A beleza inquietante daquela obra de arte,' where you are describing something that is both beautiful and disturbing. Your use of the verb is precise, and you can switch between 'inquietar,' 'perturbar,' and 'desassossegar' to convey exactly the right shade of meaning. You are also proficient in using the word in highly formal contexts, such as legal or academic papers, where precision of language is paramount.

At the C2 level, you use 'inquietar' with the same ease and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You can use it to explore existential themes, complex political theories, or the most subtle of human emotions. You might use it to describe the 'inquietude' of an entire era or a specific philosophical movement. Your mastery of the word includes all its forms, related words, and idiomatic uses. You can use it to create powerful rhetorical effects in speeches or to write sophisticated literary analysis. At this level, 'inquietar' is not just a word in your vocabulary; it is a tool that you use to probe the depths of thought and feeling, expressing the most complex disturbances of the human spirit with clarity and elegance. You understand its relationship to the Latin roots and its evolution within the Portuguese language perfectly.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

inquietar in 30 Seconds

Inquietar means to disturb peace, cause worry, or create restlessness in someone's mind or body.
It is a regular -ar verb in Portuguese, often used reflexively as 'inquietar-se' (to become worried).
Commonly found in news, literature, and formal discussions to describe serious or intellectual concerns.
It is more sophisticated than 'preocupar' and implies a deeper disruption of tranquility or status quo.

The Portuguese verb inquietar is a sophisticated and versatile term that goes beyond simple worry. At its core, it describes the act of depriving someone or something of 'quietude' or 'peace.' While in English we might simply say 'to worry' or 'to disturb,' the Portuguese inquietar carries a more profound sense of agitation, whether it be mental, emotional, or even physical. It is an essential word for learners because it bridges the gap between everyday concerns and more abstract, existential anxieties. In a daily context, a parent might be inquietado by a child's late return, but in a philosophical context, a thinker might be inquietado by the mysteries of the universe. The beauty of this word lies in its ability to describe the ripples on the surface of a calm pond; it is the disruption of the status quo.

Emotional Agitation: Inquietar is frequently used to describe a state of internal restlessness. It is that nagging feeling in the back of your mind that something is not quite right. Unlike 'preocupar,' which often implies a specific problem to solve, 'inquietar' can be more vague and pervasive.

As notícias sobre a economia começaram a inquietar os pequenos investidores, que temiam perder suas economias de uma vida inteira.

Furthermore, the word is often used in the reflexive form, inquietar-se. This version focuses on the person experiencing the feeling rather than the cause. When you say 'Eu me inquieto,' you are describing a process of becoming uneasy. It suggests a movement from a state of calm into a state of tension. This is particularly common in literature and high-level discourse, where authors explore the internal lives of their characters. The word suggests a certain sensitivity to the environment; someone who is 'inquietado' is someone who is paying attention and reacting to the subtleties of life. It is not a loud or violent disturbance, but a subtle, persistent one that demands attention.

Intellectual Curiosity: Interestingly, 'inquietar' can also have a positive connotation in academic and artistic circles. To be 'inquietado' by a question or a problem is the first step toward discovery and creativity. It implies a refusal to accept easy answers.

O cientista não conseguia dormir, pois aquela anomalia nos dados continuava a inquietar sua mente brilhante e curiosa.

In everyday interactions, you will hear this word in news broadcasts, political debates, and formal letters. It is a 'clean' word—meaning it isn't slang and doesn't carry heavy baggage, but it does carry weight. If a politician says they are 'inquietados' by a situation, they are signaling that they take it very seriously and that it is affecting their peace of mind. It is also used to describe physical restlessness, such as a child who cannot sit still in a chair. In this sense, 'inquietar' is related to 'inquieto' (restless/fidgety). When you inquietar someone physically, you are making them move or lose their physical comfort. It is a word that captures the essence of the human condition: our inability to remain completely still and untroubled for long periods of time.

Social and Political Context: Governments often use this word to describe public sentiment. If a new law 'inquieta a população', it means there is a general sense of unease or dissatisfaction brewing among the citizens.

A falta de transparência nas decisões do governo começou a inquietar os sindicatos e as associações civis.

Não deixe que esses pequenos problemas venham a inquietar o seu coração durante as férias.

Ultimately, inquietar is about movement—the movement from peace to agitation. Whether it is a thought that won't leave you alone, a noise that keeps you from sleeping, or a social injustice that calls you to action, the verb 'inquietar' is the perfect vehicle to express that shift. It is a word that demands a response, for once one is 'inquietado,' one must usually do something to find 'quiete' or peace again. This makes it a powerful rhetorical tool and a vital part of any Portuguese speaker's vocabulary, allowing for a precise expression of the various disturbances that life throws our way.

Using inquietar correctly involves understanding its transitivity and its reflexive forms. As a transitive verb, it requires an object—the person or thing being disturbed. For example, 'A situação inquieta os médicos.' Here, 'a situação' is the subject causing the unease, and 'os médicos' are the ones feeling it. This structure is very straightforward and follows the standard Subject-Verb-Object pattern common in both Portuguese and English. It is important to remember that the thing causing the unease can be abstract (a thought, a memory, a possibility) or concrete (a person, a noise, a physical sensation). The flexibility of the subject is one of the reasons the word is so common in various registers of the language.

Direct Object Usage: When using 'inquietar' directly, you are stating that X causes unease in Y. This is the most active form of the verb and is used to pinpoint the source of the disturbance.

O silêncio prolongado do filho começou a inquietar a mãe, que logo ligou para saber se estava tudo bem.

The reflexive form, inquietar-se, is arguably even more common in personal communication. In this case, the subject is performing the action on themselves, often translated as 'to become worried' or 'to get uneasy.' When you use the reflexive form, you often follow it with the preposition com (with/about) or por (because of/for). For instance, 'Não se inquiete com isso' (Don't worry about that). This structure allows you to focus on the emotional state of the person. It is a very natural way to express concern in Portuguese. Notice how the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) must agree with the subject. 'Eu me inquieto,' 'Tu te inquietas,' 'Nós nos inquietamos,' and so on. This adds a layer of grammatical complexity that learners must master to sound natural.

Reflexive Construction: The reflexive form emphasizes the internal process. It is often used in imperatives to offer comfort or in descriptions of a person's temperament.

Ela costuma inquietar-se por motivos banais, perdendo o sono com facilidade.

Another important aspect of using 'inquietar' is its placement in complex tenses. For example, in the present continuous, you might say 'A situação está inquietando a todos.' Or in the perfect tense, 'Isso sempre me inquietou.' The verb follows the regular conjugation for '-ar' verbs, making it relatively easy to use once you know the stem. However, pay attention to how it interacts with other parts of the sentence. Because 'inquietar' is a verb of emotion/influence, it can sometimes trigger the subjunctive mood in dependent clauses, though this is more common with verbs like 'querer' or 'temer.' For example, 'É possível que isso o inquiete' (It is possible that this worries him). Mastering these subtle shifts in mood will elevate your Portuguese from basic to advanced.

Passive Voice: While less common, the passive voice 'ser inquietado por' can be used in formal writing to emphasize the victim of the disturbance.

O vilarejo foi inquietado pela presença de estranhos durante a noite.

Por que você se deixa inquietar por comentários tão irrelevantes?

Finally, consider the nuances of tone. Using 'inquietar' instead of 'preocupar' can make a sentence sound more literary or more serious. If you are writing a formal report, 'inquietar' is often the better choice. If you are talking to a friend about a minor issue, 'preocupar' is more common. However, if you want to express that a friend's behavior is truly bothering you or making you uneasy on a deeper level, 'inquietar' provides that extra layer of meaning. It suggests that the peace of the relationship has been disturbed. By practicing both the transitive and reflexive forms in different contexts, you will gain a powerful tool for expressing complex human emotions and social dynamics.

In the real world, inquietar is a staple of news media and political discourse in both Brazil and Portugal. Journalists frequently use it to describe the public's reaction to economic shifts, health crises, or international conflicts. For example, a headline might read, 'A subida dos juros inquieta as famílias portuguesas' (The rise in interest rates worries Portuguese families). In this context, the word conveys a sense of collective anxiety that is more significant than just 'being worried'; it implies a disruption of the national sense of security. If you watch a news program like Jornal Nacional or Telejornal, you are almost certain to hear this verb used by anchors and reporters to set a serious tone for their stories.

News and Media: The word is a favorite in headlines because it is concise and carries strong emotional weight, signaling to the reader that the topic is of serious concern.

A nova variante do vírus voltou a inquietar as autoridades de saúde em todo o mundo.

Another place where 'inquietar' thrives is in the realm of literature and philosophy. Portuguese-speaking cultures have a long tradition of exploring 'desassossego' (disquiet), most famously exemplified by Fernando Pessoa's Livro do Desassossego. While 'desassossegar' is the primary verb there, 'inquietar' is its close cousin and is used throughout classic and modern literature to describe characters who are troubled by existential questions or moral dilemmas. If you pick up a novel by José Saramago or Machado de Assis, you will encounter 'inquietar' as a way to delve into the psychological depth of the protagonists. It is the word of choice for describing the 'torment' of the soul or the 'restlessness' of the spirit that leads to great changes or great tragedies.

Literary Depth: Authors use 'inquietar' to move beyond surface-level emotions, exploring the deeper, more persistent disturbances that define the human experience.

Naquela noite escura, uma dúvida cruel passou a inquietar o pensamento do velho filósofo.

In more personal and professional settings, 'inquietar' appears in formal emails and meetings. A manager might say, 'O que me inquieta neste projeto é o prazo apertado' (What worries/disturbs me in this project is the tight deadline). Here, it sounds more professional and focused than 'estou preocupado.' It suggests a strategic concern rather than a personal fear. Similarly, in medical or psychological contexts, a doctor might ask a patient, 'Há algo que o tenha inquietado ultimamente?' (Is there anything that has been making you uneasy lately?). This usage is gentle but probing, allowing the patient to describe a range of physical or mental discomforts. It is a word that invites a detailed explanation of one's state of being.

Professional and Medical Use: The word is used to express serious concerns in a controlled, professional manner, making it ideal for business and healthcare environments.

O comportamento agressivo do paciente começou a inquietar a equipe de enfermagem do hospital.

Nada deve inquietar sua mente enquanto você estiver em meditação profunda.

Finally, you will find 'inquietar' in the arts, specifically in song lyrics and film titles. It is a word that evokes mood and atmosphere. A song might talk about how 'teu olhar me inquieta' (your gaze makes me uneasy/excited), using the word to describe the tension of romantic attraction. In cinema, a psychological thriller might be described as 'um filme inquietante' (a disturbing/unsettling film). This adjective form, 'inquietante,' is incredibly common and useful for describing art that makes you think or feel uncomfortable. Whether you are reading the news, studying literature, or navigating a professional environment, 'inquietar' is a word that will consistently appear to describe the many ways our peace of mind can be challenged.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using inquietar is confusing it with the English word 'quiet.' While they share a Latin root, 'inquietar' means to *disturb* peace, not to *become* quiet. A learner might mistakenly say 'Eu quero inquietar' thinking they are saying 'I want to be quiet,' when they are actually saying 'I want to disturb/worry someone.' To say 'to be quiet,' you should use 'ficar quieto' or 'calar-se.' Understanding this distinction is crucial to avoid nonsensical sentences. The prefix 'in-' acts as a negator of 'quiete' (peace/rest), so 'inquietar' is the active process of removing that state.

Confusion with 'Quiet': Remember that 'inquietar' is an action of disturbance. It is the opposite of making someone quiet; it is making them restless.

Errado: Eu vou inquietar agora para estudar. (Incorrectly trying to say 'be quiet').
Correto: Eu vou ficar quieto agora para estudar.

Another common error involves the preposition used with the reflexive form. In English, we worry 'about' something. In Portuguese, while 'sobre' (about) can sometimes be used, the most natural prepositions are com (with) or por (for/because of). Many students translate directly from English and say 'inquietar-se sobre,' which sounds slightly awkward or non-native. For example, instead of 'Não se inquiete sobre o futuro,' it is much more common to say 'Não se inquiete com o futuro.' Learning the correct prepositional pairs is a key step in advancing from intermediate to advanced levels of Portuguese. It's about how the verb 'connects' to the rest of the thought.

Preposition Pitfalls: Always pair 'inquietar-se' with 'com' for the object of worry, or 'por' for the cause. Avoid the literal translation of 'about' as 'sobre' in this specific context.

Ele se inquieta com a facilidade com que as pessoas acreditam em mentiras na internet.

The third major mistake is the overuse of 'inquietar' in very casual situations where 'preocupar' or 'chatear' would be more appropriate. While 'inquietar' is not overly formal, it does have a certain weight. If you tell a friend that their choice of pizza 'me inquieta,' it might sound overly dramatic or like you are having an existential crisis over pepperoni. In casual conversation, stick to 'me preocupa' (worries me) or 'me incomoda' (bothers me). Use 'inquietar' when the disturbance is more significant, more persistent, or more intellectual. Understanding the 'register' or the social weight of a word is just as important as knowing its definition. Using a word that is too heavy for the situation can make you sound like you're reading from an old book rather than having a conversation.

Register and Context: Don't use 'inquietar' for trivial matters. Reserve it for things that truly disrupt peace of mind or for formal discussions.

O atraso do ônibus me preocupa (Normal).
O atraso do ônibus me inquieta (Sounds very serious/dramatic).

Não inquiete o seu pai enquanto ele está trabalhando no escritório.

Lastly, be careful with the adjective forms. 'Inquieto' means a person is restless or fidgety (like a child), while 'inquietante' means a situation or thing is unsettling or disturbing (like a horror movie). Mixing these up can lead to confusing descriptions. If you say 'O filme é inquieto,' you are saying the movie itself can't sit still, which makes no sense. You should say 'O filme é inquietante.' Conversely, if you say 'A criança está inquietante,' you are saying the child is unsettling or creepy, when you probably just meant they are 'inquieto' (fidgety). By paying attention to these common pitfalls, you will be able to use 'inquietar' and its related forms with the precision of a native speaker.

To truly master inquietar, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and alternatives. The most common alternative is preocupar. While both involve a lack of peace, 'preocupar' is more focused on a specific problem or a future event that might go wrong. It is the workhorse of Portuguese 'worry.' 'Inquietar,' on the other hand, is broader. It can be a physical restlessness or a vague feeling of unease. If you are 'preocupado,' you are thinking about a solution. If you are 'inquietado,' you are simply unable to be at rest. This subtle distinction allows you to choose the word that best fits the exact type of stress you are describing.

Inquietar vs. Preocupar: Preocupar = Focus on a specific task or problem. Inquietar = Focus on the loss of peace or general agitation.

Eu me preocupo com as contas. (I have a specific problem: bills).
Eu me inquieto com o rumo do mundo. (I have a broad, existential unease).

Another close relative is perturbar. This verb is often stronger and more negative than 'inquietar.' To 'perturbar' someone is to actively annoy, harass, or significantly disrupt them. It often implies an external force that is being intrusive. You might 'inquietar' someone by telling them bad news, but you 'perturbar' them by shouting while they are trying to sleep. 'Perturbar' is also used in legal contexts, such as 'perturbação do sossego' (disturbing the peace). While 'inquietar' can be an internal process, 'perturbar' almost always involves an external disruption. Using 'perturbar' when you mean 'inquietar' can make you sound more aggressive than you intend.

Inquietar vs. Perturbar: Perturbar is more intrusive and often implies an external annoyance. Inquietar is more internal and can be subtle or intellectual.

O barulho da obra perturba os vizinhos. (Physical, external disruption).
Aquelas ideias começaram a inquietar o jovem estudante. (Internal, intellectual unease).

For a more literary or dramatic flair, you can use desassossegar. This word is almost synonymous with 'inquietar' but carries a much heavier poetic weight. As mentioned before, it is the root of Pessoa's famous title. It literally means 'to remove the rest' (de-sossegar). It is a beautiful word that is perfect for writing or for expressing very deep, soul-stirring unease. In contrast, if you want something simpler and more focused on physical movement, use agitar. To 'agitar' someone is to make them physically restless or to stir up a crowd. It is less about the 'worry' and more about the 'shaking up.' A protest might 'agitar' a city, while the reasons for the protest 'inquietam' the government.

Inquietar vs. Agitar: Agitar is more about physical movement or stirring up activity. Inquietar is about the underlying feeling of unease.

O vento forte agitava as árvores. (Physical movement).
O vento uivante inquietava os moradores da casa antiga. (Emotional reaction to the sound).

Nada pode desassossegar uma mente que encontrou sua verdadeira paz.

Finally, consider atordoar (to stun/bewilder) or sobressaltar (to startle/shock). These are more sudden than 'inquietar.' If someone 'inquietar' you, it might take all day. If they 'sobressaltar' you, it happens in a second. By understanding this spectrum of 'un-peace'—from the mild 'preocupação' to the deep 'desassossego,' the intrusive 'perturbação,' the physical 'agitação,' and the sudden 'sobressalto'—you can use 'inquietar' with much greater precision. It sits right in the middle: a versatile, serious, and deeply human word for the many things that keep us from being truly at rest.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root 'quies' (rest) is the same one that gave us 'quiet' in English and 'cemitério' (cemetery - a place of rest) in Portuguese.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩ.kjɛ.'taɾ/

US /ĩ.kjɛ.'taʁ/

The stress is on the final syllable: in-quie-TAR.

Rhymes With

Acreditar Cantar Falar Lembrar Pensar Olhar Chegar Andar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' in 'quie' (it should be silent, like in 'quick').
Forgetting the nasalization of the 'in' syllable.
Stress on the wrong syllable (don't say in-QUIE-tar).
Treating it as a three-syllable word instead of four (in-quie-tar).
Confusing the 'ie' sound with a simple 'e' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to Latin roots, but requires context to distinguish from 'preocupar'.

Writing 4/5

Requires mastery of reflexive pronouns and correct preposition usage (com/por).

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of 'quie' and nasal 'in' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clearly articulated in news and formal speech, but can be fast in casual conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Quieto Paz Preocupar Medo Dúvida

Learn Next

Desassossegar Perturbar Agitar Sossego Inquietante

Advanced

Vicissitude Ontológico Dissonância Equilíbrio Status quo

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Em frases negativas, o pronome vem antes do verbo: 'Não se inquiete'.

Prepositional Verbs

O verbo 'inquietar-se' exige as preposições 'com' ou 'por'.

Subjunctive Mood

Usado após expressões de desejo ou dúvida: 'Espero que isso não te inquiete'.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Segue o modelo de 'falar': inquieto, inquietas, inquieta, inquietamos, inquietais, inquietam.

Adjective Formation

Adjetivos terminados em -ante indicam algo que causa a ação: 'inquietante' (que inquieta).

Examples by Level

O bebê está muito inquieto hoje.

The baby is very restless today.

Here 'inquieto' is an adjective describing the baby's state.

Por que você está tão inquieto?

Why are you so restless?

A simple question using the adjective 'inquieto'.

O cachorro inquieto corre pela casa.

The restless dog runs through the house.

Using the adjective to describe a pet's behavior.

Eu não gosto de lugares inquietos.

I don't like restless (busy/agitated) places.

Applying the adjective to a place.

Fique quieto, não se inquiete.

Stay still, don't get restless.

A simple imperative using the reflexive verb.

A noite está inquieta com o vento.

The night is restless with the wind.

Personifying the night with an adjective.

Ele é um aluno inquieto na sala.

He is a restless student in the classroom.

Describing a person's character trait.

Minha mente está inquieta agora.

My mind is restless right now.

Using the adjective for a mental state.

Essa notícia me inquieta um pouco.

This news worries/disturbs me a little.

Transitive use: the news (subject) affects me (object).

Não se inquiete com o exame de amanhã.

Don't worry about tomorrow's exam.

Reflexive imperative 'não se inquiete'.

O barulho da rua inquieta o meu sono.

The street noise disturbs my sleep.

Using the verb to describe a physical disturbance.

Muitas pessoas se inquietam com o futuro.

Many people worry about the future.

Reflexive plural: 'se inquietam'.

O que te inquieta tanto hoje?

What is worrying you so much today?

Questioning the cause of the unease.

As crianças se inquietam quando estão com fome.

Children get restless when they are hungry.

General statement using the reflexive form.

Essa dúvida não para de me inquietar.

This doubt doesn't stop worrying me.

Infinitive form after another verb.

Ele se inquieta facilmente com críticas.

He gets worried easily with criticism.

Describing a tendency using the reflexive.

A situação política do país inquieta os investidores.

The country's political situation worries the investors.

Formal transitive use in a business context.

Sempre me inquieto quando não recebo notícias dele.

I always get worried when I don't hear from him.

Expressing a recurring emotional state.

O professor tenta inquietar os alunos com perguntas difíceis.

The teacher tries to provoke/disturb the students with difficult questions.

Using the verb in a positive, intellectual sense.

Não vale a pena se inquietar por coisas tão pequenas.

It's not worth getting worried about such small things.

Idiomatic expression 'não vale a pena'.

A falta de água na região inquieta toda a população.

The lack of water in the region worries the whole population.

Describing a collective concern.

Ela se inquietou ao perceber que estava sendo seguida.

She became uneasy upon realizing she was being followed.

Past tense 'se inquietou' (Pretérito Perfeito).

O mistério daquela casa velha inquietava a vizinhança.

The mystery of that old house used to worry the neighborhood.

Imperfect tense 'inquietava' for a continuous state.

Precisamos agir antes que o problema nos inquiete ainda mais.

We need to act before the problem worries us even more.

Subjunctive mood after 'antes que'.

O relatório apresenta dados que inquietam a comunidade científica.

The report presents data that worries the scientific community.

Academic/Professional usage.

É uma obra inquietante que nos faz refletir sobre a vida.

It is a disturbing work that makes us reflect on life.

Using the adjective 'inquietante' for artistic impact.

Se eu soubesse da verdade, não me inquietaria tanto.

If I knew the truth, I wouldn't worry so much.

Conditional tense 'inquietaria'.

A desigualdade social é um tema que inquieta profundamente o autor.

Social inequality is a theme that deeply worries the author.

Using the adverb 'profundamente' for emphasis.

Os pais se inquietam com a segurança dos filhos na internet.

Parents worry about their children's safety on the internet.

Describing a common modern concern.

Nada me inquieta mais do que a injustiça.

Nothing worries/disturbs me more than injustice.

Comparative structure 'mais do que'.

A empresa foi inquietada por rumores de uma possível falência.

The company was disturbed by rumors of a possible bankruptcy.

Passive voice 'foi inquietada'.

Espero que as minhas palavras não o inquietem desnecessariamente.

I hope my words do not worry you unnecessarily.

Subjunctive mood after 'espero que'.

A transitoriedade da existência costuma inquietar o espírito humano.

The transience of existence usually disturbs the human spirit.

High-level philosophical usage.

O silêncio eloquente do réu começou a inquietar o júri.

The defendant's eloquent silence began to disturb the jury.

Literary use of oxymoron ('silêncio eloquente').

Busco uma arte que inquiete, que provoque e que transforme.

I seek an art that disturbs, that provokes, and that transforms.

Relative clauses in the subjunctive.

A possibilidade de um erro irreversível inquietava o cirurgião.

The possibility of an irreversible error worried the surgeon.

Describing high-stakes professional stress.

Não permitas que a inveja alheia inquiete a tua paz interior.

Do not allow others' envy to disturb your inner peace.

Formal imperative 'não permitas' (Tu form).

Aquelas descobertas arqueológicas inquietam as teorias vigentes.

Those archaeological discoveries disturb/challenge the current theories.

Using 'inquietar' as a synonym for 'challenging' a status quo.

Sua ausência de reação inquietou-me mais do que qualquer grito.

His lack of reaction worried me more than any scream.

Pronominal placement (enclisis) typical of European Portuguese.

O autor utiliza o desassossego para inquietar o leitor passivo.

The author uses disquiet to disturb the passive reader.

Literary criticism context.

A finitude da vida é o enigma que mais inquieta a metafísica.

The finitude of life is the enigma that most disturbs metaphysics.

Highly abstract/Academic usage.

O progresso tecnológico, embora benéfico, inquieta pela sua rapidez.

Technological progress, although beneficial, disturbs due to its speed.

Using 'pela sua' to indicate the cause of the unease.

Inquietar-se com a própria sombra é o destino dos tiranos.

To be worried by one's own shadow is the fate of tyrants.

Metaphorical and literary usage.

A dissonância cognitiva inquieta o indivíduo até que a harmonia seja restaurada.

Cognitive dissonance disturbs the individual until harmony is restored.

Psychological terminology.

Sua prosa inquieta pela crueza com que descreve a realidade.

His prose disturbs by the rawness with which it describes reality.

Analyzing literary style.

O que nos deve inquietar não é o barulho dos maus, mas o silêncio dos bons.

What should disturb us is not the noise of the bad, but the silence of the good.

Complex rhetorical structure.

A incerteza ontológica inquieta o ser na sua busca por sentido.

Ontological uncertainty disturbs the being in its search for meaning.

Existentialist philosophy context.

Nada o inquietava, como se estivesse acima das vicissitudes humanas.

Nothing disturbed him, as if he were above human vicissitudes.

Using 'vicissitudes' (changes/difficulties) in a formal sentence.

Common Collocations

Inquietar profundamente

Inquietar a mente

Inquietar o espírito

Inquietar a opinião pública

Deixar de inquietar

Inquietar os ânimos

Inquietar a vizinhança

Inquietar os investidores

Não se inquiete

Ficar inquieto

Common Phrases

O que te inquieta?

— A common way to ask someone what is bothering them or making them uneasy.

Você parece pensativo. O que te inquieta?

Isso não me inquieta.

— Used to say that a certain situation doesn't bother or worry you at all.

As críticas dele não me inquietam nem um pouco.

Inquietar-se à toa.

— To get worried or restless for no good reason or over something trivial.

Pare de se inquietar à toa, o problema já foi resolvido.

Sem se inquietar.

— Doing something calmly, without showing any signs of worry or agitation.

Ele enfrentou o perigo sem se inquietar.

Inquietar o coração.

— A poetic way to say that something is causing emotional distress or anxiety.

A saudade começou a inquietar o meu coração.

Uma mente que não se inquieta.

— Describes a person who is very calm, stoic, or perhaps indifferent.

Ele possui uma mente que não se inquieta com as crises mundiais.

Inquietar o silêncio.

— To break a silence in a way that creates tension or unease.

Um grito distante veio inquietar o silêncio da noite.

Nada o inquieta.

— Used to describe someone who is extremely calm or cool-headed in all situations.

Mesmo no meio do caos, nada o inquieta.

Isso deve nos inquietar.

— A call to attention, suggesting that a situation is serious and demands concern.

O aumento da pobreza é algo que deve nos inquietar.

Inquietar os sentidos.

— To stimulate or disturb one's physical senses (often used in artistic contexts).

A música experimental buscava inquietar os sentidos do público.

Often Confused With

inquietar vs Quietar

A rare variant of 'aquietar'. Means to calm down, the exact opposite of 'inquietar'.

inquietar vs Inquérito

Means an 'inquiry' or 'investigation'. Sounds similar but completely different meaning.

inquietar vs Inquieto

This is the adjective (restless). Don't confuse it with the verb 'inquieta' (disturbs).

Idioms & Expressions

"Inquietar as águas"

— To cause trouble or stir up a situation that was previously calm.

Ele adora inquietar as águas com comentários polêmicos.

Informal/Metaphorical

"Bicho carpinteiro"

— Not using the verb, but related to being 'inquieto'. Used for children who can't sit still.

Esse menino tem bicho carpinteiro, não para um segundo!

Informal

"Estar com a pulga atrás da orelha"

— To be suspicious or uneasy about something (related to the feeling of being inquietado).

O jeito que ele falou me deixou com a pulga atrás da orelha.

Informal

"Perder o sono"

— To be so 'inquietado' that one cannot sleep.

A dívida está me fazendo perder o sono.

Common

"Ficar em brasas"

— To be extremely restless or anxious (like being on hot coals).

Ela ficou em brasas esperando o resultado do teste.

Informal

"Não pregar o olho"

— To not sleep a wink due to restlessness or worry.

Inquieto com a viagem, ele não pregou o olho a noite toda.

Common

"Estar com os nervos à flor da pele"

— To be extremely edgy or easily disturbed.

Cuidado com o que diz, ele está com os nervos à flor da pele.

Common

"Cabelo em pé"

— To be so disturbed or worried that your hair stands on end.

Aquelas notícias de guerra deixam qualquer um de cabelo em pé.

Informal

"Dar tratos à bola"

— To worry excessively or overthink a problem (inquietar a mente).

Passei a noite dando tratos à bola para resolver o problema.

Informal (Portugal)

"Ficar com o coração nas mãos"

— To be extremely worried or anxious about someone.

Fiquei com o coração nas mãos até você chegar em casa.

Common

Easily Confused

inquietar vs Preocupar

Both mean to worry.

Preocupar is for specific problems; inquietar is for general unease or physical restlessness.

Eu me preocupo com o exame. / O barulho me inquieta.

inquietar vs Perturbar

Both mean to disturb.

Perturbar is more intrusive, external, and often annoying. Inquietar is more internal and psychological.

O vizinho perturba o meu sono. / O futuro me inquieta.

inquietar vs Agitar

Both involve a lack of calm.

Agitar is primarily physical or refers to mass movement. Inquietar is primarily emotional or mental.

Agite o frasco antes de usar. / A dúvida inquieta a sua mente.

inquietar vs Desassossegar

They are near-synonyms.

Desassossegar is much more literary and dramatic. Inquietar is more versatile and common.

O mistério desassossegava a vila. / As notícias inquietam o povo.

inquietar vs Acalmar

Learners sometimes use 'inquietar' when they mean 'to stop being quiet'.

Acalmar is the antonym. Inquietar is to make someone NOT calm.

Vou me acalmar. (I will calm down). / Vou me inquietar. (I will become worried).

Sentence Patterns

Isso me inquieta.

O barulho me inquieta.

Não se inquiete com [Substantivo].

Não se inquiete com o trânsito.

[Sujeito] se inquieta por [Motivo].

Ela se inquieta por qualquer motivo.

O que te inquieta é [Frase].

O que te inquieta é a falta de tempo.

É uma situação inquietante para [Alguém].

É uma situação inquietante para os pais.

A notícia veio inquietar [Objeto].

A notícia veio inquietar os moradores.

Inquietar-se ante [Situação].

Inquietar-se ante a injustiça social.

Nada parece inquietar [Objeto].

Nada parece inquietar a sua calma estoica.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media, literature, and formal speech. Moderate in daily casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'inquietar' to mean 'to be quiet'. → Ficar quieto.
Inquietar means to disturb or worry. It is the opposite of being quiet.
Saying 'Eu inquieto com o futuro'. → Eu me inquieto com o futuro.
When expressing your own feeling of worry, the verb must be reflexive.
Using 'inquietar sobre'. → Inquietar-se com / por.
While 'sobre' is understood, 'com' and 'por' are the standard prepositions for this verb.
Pronouncing the 'u' in 'quie'. → Pronouncing it as 'ki-eh'.
The 'u' after 'q' and before 'i' or 'e' is usually silent in Portuguese.
Using 'inquieto' to describe a scary situation. → Inquietante.
'Inquieto' is for a restless person; 'inquietante' is for an unsettling thing/situation.

Tips

Reflexive Pronouns

Always remember to match the pronoun: Eu me inquieto, Você se inquieta, Nós nos inquietamos. This is vital for the reflexive form.

Adjective Choice

Use 'inquietante' to describe a creepy movie or an unsettling news report. It's a very high-frequency adjective in reviews.

Pessoa's Disquiet

Mentioning 'desassossego' or 'inquietação' in a literary discussion will make you sound very culturally aware in Portugal.

Softer Imperative

Use 'Não se inquiete' instead of 'Não se preocupe' when you want to sound more formal, gentle, or elegant.

Silent U

The 'u' in 'quie' is never pronounced. It's just there to make the 'q' sound like a 'k'. Practice saying 'ki-eh'.

News Reading

When reading Portuguese news, look for 'inquietar' in headlines about the economy or public health to see it in action.

The Worry Spectrum

Remember: Preocupar (Specific) < Inquietar (General/Deep) < Desassossegar (Poetic/Existential).

Formal Emails

In a formal email, you can say 'Inquieta-me o fato de...' to express a professional concern without sounding too emotional.

In-Quiet

Just think: In (Not) + Quiet. It's the act of being not quiet/calm. Simple and effective!

Brazilian vs European

In Brazil, say 'se inquietar'. In Portugal, say 'inquietar-se'. Both are understood, but this small change helps you blend in.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In-Quiet-Ar'. You are putting someone 'In' a state where they are 'not Quiet'. It is the 'Ar' (action) of making someone un-quiet.

Visual Association

Imagine a calm lake (Quietude). Now imagine someone throwing a big stone into it. The ripples are the 'Inquietação'. The act of throwing the stone is 'Inquietar'.

Word Web

Inquietar Preocupar Perturbar Agitar Desassossegar Inquieto Inquietante Inquietação

Challenge

Try to use 'inquietar' in three different ways today: once for a physical movement, once for a worry, and once for something unsettling you saw in the news.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'inquietare', which is formed by the prefix 'in-' (not/negation) and the verb 'quietare' (to calm/to keep still).

Original meaning: The original Latin meaning was to deprive someone of rest or to cause physical agitation.

Romance (Latin root). Cognates exist in Spanish (inquietar), French (inquiéter), and Italian (inquietare).

Cultural Context

The word is safe to use in all contexts. It is not offensive, but avoid using it mockingly to describe someone's genuine anxiety.

English speakers often default to 'worry' for everything. Learning 'inquietar' helps you sound more nuanced and expressive in Portuguese.

Fernando Pessoa's 'Livro do Desassossego' (Book of Disquiet). The film 'O Inquietante' (The Unsettling). Songs by Brazilian artists like Chico Buarque that explore social 'inquietude'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching the News

A notícia inquieta...
O governo se inquieta com...
A situação volta a inquietar...
Há uma inquietação geral.

At the Doctor

Sinto-me inquieto.
Algo me inquieta o sono.
Não se inquiete com os exames.
Isso me inquieta fisicamente.

In a Business Meeting

O prazo me inquieta.
Os resultados inquietam a diretoria.
Não queremos inquietar os clientes.
Uma questão que nos inquieta é...

Talking to Friends

Não se inquiete com isso.
O que te inquieta?
Estou meio inquieto hoje.
Isso me inquieta bastante.

Reading Literature

O personagem se inquieta...
Uma dúvida inquietante...
Inquietar o espírito...
O desassossego o inquietava.

Conversation Starters

"Há alguma notícia recente que te inquieta?"

"Você costuma se inquietar com o futuro ou prefere viver o presente?"

"O que mais te inquieta no seu trabalho atualmente?"

"Você já assistiu a um filme que achou realmente inquietante?"

"Como você faz para se acalmar quando algo começa a te inquietar?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma situação que te inquietou esta semana e como você lidou com ela.

O que significa para você ter uma 'mente inquieta'? É algo positivo ou negativo?

Reflita sobre um tema social ou político que inquieta a sua comunidade.

Descreva um lugar que você considera inquietante e por que ele te faz sentir assim.

Como a palavra 'inquietar' se diferencia de 'preocupar' na sua experiência pessoal?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions