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B1 adjective #8,000 most common 10 min read

intocado

Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips intocado in 30 Seconds

Explanation intocado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 'intocado' as a way to say 'not touched.' Imagine you have a plate of food and you don't eat it. The plate is 'intocado.' It is important to learn the masculine 'intocado' and feminine 'intocada.' You might use it in very simple sentences like 'O bolo está intocado' (The cake is untouched) or 'A água está intocada' (The water is untouched). At this stage, focus on the physical meaning—literally not touching something with your hands. Don't worry about the complex figurative meanings yet. Just remember: if no one touched it, it is 'intocado.' It comes from the word 'tocar' (to touch), which you already know. So 'in-' (not) + 'tocado' (touched) = 'not touched.' This makes it very easy to remember!

For A2 learners, 'intocado' starts to appear in descriptions of places and things. You can use it to talk about nature or a clean room. 'O quarto está intocado' means the room is exactly as it was, perhaps very clean and organized because nobody has used it. You should also start noticing the plural forms: 'Os livros estão intocados' (The books are untouched). This is a good time to practice the difference between 'intocado' and 'novo' (new). Something can be old but still 'intocado' if it has been sitting in a box for years. Try to use it when you see something that looks perfect and original. You might also hear it in simple news stories about beautiful beaches in Brazil that are 'intocadas'—meaning they are quiet and have no tourists.

At B1, you are expected to use 'intocado' in more varied contexts, including figurative ones. You might talk about a 'poupança intocada' (untouched savings account) to explain that you haven't spent any of your saved money. You should also understand that 'intocado' carries a nuance of 'pristine' or 'preserved.' It is not just about physical touch, but about maintaining the original state. This is the level where you distinguish 'intocado' from 'intacto.' Remember: 'intacto' means nothing is broken, but 'intocado' means no one has even tried to use it. You can use it to describe a crime scene in a story or a historical site. It adds a more descriptive, 'intermediate' feel to your Portuguese, moving beyond basic adjectives like 'limpo' (clean) or 'original'.

B2 learners should use 'intocado' to discuss environmental issues and abstract integrity. You might write an essay about 'áreas intocadas da Amazônia' and the importance of keeping them that way. You should be comfortable with the word in formal registers, such as in legal or scientific contexts where 'inalterado' might be a synonym. At this level, you can also use 'intocado' to describe a person's reputation or a plan that hasn't been changed despite many meetings. 'O plano original permaneceu intocado' (The original plan remained untouched). You understand that the word implies a certain 'purity' or 'resistance to change.' You should also be able to recognize it in literature, where it might be used to create a specific atmosphere of stillness or ancient mystery.

C1 learners use 'intocado' with precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in a literary analysis to describe a character's 'alma intocada' (untouched soul), implying innocence or a lack of worldly corruption. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'intocado,' 'imaculado,' and 'íntegro.' In a professional environment, you might use it to describe data that has not been tampered with: 'Os dados brutos devem permanecer intocados para garantir a integridade da pesquisa.' You can also use it sarcastically or ironically in complex social situations. Your mastery of gender and number agreement is flawless, even in complex sentences with multiple clauses. You understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries in a country like Brazil, where 'natureza intocada' is a central part of the national identity and a major political topic.

At the C2 level, 'intocado' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can weave it into philosophical discussions about the 'estado de natureza' or the 'inevitabilidade da mudança.' You recognize the word in the most dense Portuguese literature, from Camões to Machado de Assis, and understand its archaic or poetic connotations when placed before a noun. You can use it to describe the 'silêncio intocado' of a morning, where the word describes an auditory experience rather than a physical one. You are a master of its collocations and can switch between 'intocado,' 'virgem,' and 'incólume' depending on the exact shade of meaning required. For you, 'intocado' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a concept of preservation and the sublime that you can manipulate to achieve specific rhetorical effects in both speech and writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

intocado in 30 Seconds

Means 'untouched' or 'pristine'.
Used for nature, food, money, and reputations.
Must agree in gender and number (intocado/a/os/as).
Commonly paired with verbs like 'estar' and 'permanecer'.

The Portuguese word intocado is a powerful adjective that translates primarily to 'untouched,' 'pristine,' or 'unaltered.' At its core, it describes something that has not been handled, modified, or corrupted by external forces. In a literal sense, you might use it to describe a landscape that human hands have never reached, such as a remote part of the Amazon rainforest or a snowy field before the first footprint is made. However, its utility extends far beyond physical touch. It carries a heavy connotation of purity and preservation. When a Portuguese speaker says something is 'intocado,' they are often implying a sense of awe or respect for its original state. For example, a crime scene might be 'intocado' if the evidence has not been moved, or a bank account might be 'intocado' if the savings have not been spent. The word is derived from the verb 'tocar' (to touch) with the negative prefix 'in-', making it very intuitive for English speakers who recognize the 'un-' or 'in-' prefixes. In social contexts, it can describe food left on a plate, suggesting that the person didn't even try a single bite. This versatility makes it a B1 level word because while the base meaning is simple, the contextual nuances—ranging from environmental conservation to financial discipline—require a deeper understanding of Portuguese life.

Literal Usage: Refers to physical objects or places that have not been physically contacted. 'A neve permaneceu intocada durante a noite' (The snow remained untouched during the night).

A natureza naquela ilha permanece completamente intocada pelo homem.

Figurative Usage: Refers to abstract concepts like reputation, funds, or feelings. 'Sua honra saiu intocada daquela discussão' (His honor came out untouched from that discussion).

Understanding 'intocado' also involves understanding what it is not. It is not just 'new'; it is 'original.' A new car is new, but a vintage car in a museum that has never been driven is 'intocado.' This distinction is vital for intermediate learners. Use it when you want to emphasize that something is exactly as it was meant to be, without the interference of time, people, or chaos. It is a word of stillness and perfection. In the modern world, where everything seems interconnected and often degraded, calling something 'intocado' is a high compliment. It suggests a rare find, a hidden gem, or a steadfast character. Whether you are describing a 'prato intocado' (untouched plate) because you weren't hungry, or a 'território intocado' (untouched territory) in a historical context, you are communicating a lack of intervention that defines the object's current value.

Using intocado correctly requires attention to the noun it modifies. In Portuguese, adjectives must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun. For 'intocado', the forms are: intocado (masc. sing.), intocada (fem. sing.), intocados (masc. plur.), and intocadas (fem. plur.). This is the most common hurdle for English speakers who are used to the invariable 'untouched'.

Placement: Usually, 'intocado' follows the noun. However, placing it before the noun can add a poetic or literary emphasis, though this is less common in everyday speech. 'Um lugar intocado' is standard; 'Um intocado lugar' sounds like poetry.

Eles encontraram um baú com o tesouro ainda intocado após séculos.

When discussing nature, 'intocado' is the go-to word. 'Florestas intocadas' (untouched forests) is a common collocation. In financial contexts, you might hear 'O capital inicial permanece intocado' (The initial capital remains untouched), meaning no money has been withdrawn. In a restaurant, if a waiter asks if there was a problem with the food because the plate is full, you might say 'O prato está intocado porque perdi o apetite' (The dish is untouched because I lost my appetite).

Agreement Examples: 1. O livro (masc) -> intocado. 2. A carta (fem) -> intocada. 3. Os documentos (masc plur) -> intocados. 4. As áreas (fem plur) -> intocadas.

In formal writing, such as legal or police reports, 'intocado' is used to describe the integrity of a scene: 'O local do crime deve ser mantido intocado'. Here, it is non-negotiable and carries the weight of law. In casual conversation, it might be used hyperbolically: 'Minha paciência está intocada', though this is rarer and usually sarcastic. To master this word, practice describing things around you that are in their original state. Look at a new notebook: 'As páginas estão intocadas'. Look at a glass of water no one drank: 'A água está intocada'. This constant association helps bridge the gap between knowing the word and using it naturally. Remember that 'intocado' implies a lack of change; if something has been cleaned or repaired, it is no longer 'intocado', even if it looks new. It must be 'virgin' or 'unaltered'.

You will encounter intocado in several specific domains of Lusophone life. First and foremost is in environmental discourse. Brazil, being home to the Amazon, uses this word frequently in news reports about conservation. You will hear journalists talk about 'áreas intocadas da floresta' (untouched areas of the forest) when discussing satellite imagery or new discoveries of isolated tribes. It conveys a sense of sacredness and the need for protection.

O documentário mostrava praias intocadas no nordeste brasileiro.

Another common setting is in literature and storytelling. Authors use 'intocado' to describe the atmosphere of a place frozen in time. Think of a dusty library in a gothic novel where the books remain 'intocados' for decades. It evokes a feeling of mystery and stillness. In the news, particularly regarding economics, you will hear about 'fundos intocados' (untouched funds). If a government declares that the education budget will remain 'intocado' despite cuts elsewhere, it means the money is safe and won't be reduced.

News & Media: Commonly used in headlines about heritage sites, environmental protection, or budget freezes. It sounds professional and definitive.

In daily life, you might hear it at home. If a mother sees her child hasn't eaten their vegetables, she might say, 'Sua salada está intocada!' (Your salad is untouched!). This is a more colloquial, slightly frustrated usage.

Legal/Police Context: 'Preservar o estado intocado das provas' (Preserve the untouched state of the evidence) is a standard instruction in forensic investigations.

Finally, in the world of antiques and collecting, 'intocado' describes an item in its 'original condition.' A toy still in its box from the 1980s is 'intocado.' Collectors value this above all else. When browsing Portuguese-speaking online marketplaces like OLX or Mercado Livre, you might see descriptions like 'Estado de colecionador, tudo intocado' (Collector's condition, everything untouched). This signals high value and authenticity. Hearing this word should immediately trigger a mental image of something pure, safe, and exactly as it was at the moment of its creation.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with intocado is failing to adjust for gender and number. Because 'untouched' never changes in English, learners often forget that 'a floresta' requires 'intocada' and 'os pratos' require 'intocados'. This is a hallmark of the A2-B1 transition.

Errado: A comida estava intocado. Correto: A comida estava intocada.

Another mistake is confusing intocado with intacto. While they are synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. 'Intacto' (intact) implies that something is whole and not broken, even if it has been handled. 'Intocado' implies it hasn't been handled at all. For example, a car can be 'intacto' after an accident (it didn't get a scratch), but it isn't 'intocado' because you've been driving it for years.

Intocado vs. Intacto: Use 'intocado' for 'not handled/not started'. Use 'intacto' for 'not broken/not damaged'.

A third mistake is using 'intocado' when 'virgem' (virgin) might be more appropriate in a geographical sense. While 'floresta intocada' is correct, 'mata virgem' is a more common idiomatic expression in Brazil for primary forests. However, using 'intocada' is never 'wrong' here; it just sounds slightly more descriptive and less like a fixed term.

Pronunciation Pitfall: Ensure you pronounce the 'o' at the end clearly. In some Brazilian dialects, it might sound like a soft 'u' (intocadu), but the spelling remains 'o'. Avoid stressing the 'in-'; the stress is on 'ca' (in-to-CA-do).

Learners also sometimes use 'intocado' for people. While you can say someone's reputation is intocada, calling a person 'intocado' can sound very strange or even suggest they are 'untouchable' in a caste sense or a social sense, which is usually expressed by 'intocável'. Be careful: 'intocado' is for things/states; 'intocável' is for things/people that *cannot* or *must not* be touched. If you mean 'the untouchables' (the social group), you must use 'os intocáveis'. If you mean 'I haven't touched the cake,' you use 'o bolo está intocado.' Confusing these two adjectives is a common B1-level error.

To truly master intocado, you should know its neighbors in the Portuguese lexicon. The most direct synonym is intacto, which we've discussed as meaning 'undamaged.' Another close relative is imaculado (immaculate), which adds a layer of religious or moral purity. While 'intocado' is neutral, 'imaculado' implies that something is perfectly clean, often used for white clothes or a person's record.

Imaculado: Usage: 'Uma camisa branca imaculada' (A spotless white shirt). It is more intense than 'intocado'.

A pureza daquela água era absoluta, um recurso virgem e intocado.

For nature, virgem is the most frequent alternative. 'Mata virgem' or 'território virgem' refers to land never explored or exploited. In a more technical or formal sense, you might use inalterado (unaltered). This is common in scientific or legal contexts where the focus is on the lack of change rather than the lack of physical touch. 'Os resultados da pesquisa permaneceram inalterados' (The research results remained unaltered).

Comparison: Intocado vs. Puro: 'Puro' (pure) refers to the quality of the substance (no mixtures). 'Intocado' refers to the history of the object (no one has messed with it). You can have pure water that has been touched/bottled, but intocado water is still in the spring.

In the context of feelings or abstract things, íntegro (integral/whole) is a great alternative. It suggests that something has kept its integrity. 'Seu caráter permanece íntegro' means his character is whole and uncorrupted, similar to 'intocado' but more focused on moral strength. Finally, preservado (preserved) is used when the 'intocado' state is the result of effort. An 'intocado' forest might be that way by luck, but a 'preservado' park is that way because of laws. Understanding these subtle shifts in meaning allows you to choose the exact word for the emotion or fact you want to convey.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'tangere' is also the source of the English words 'tangible', 'tangent', and 'tact'. So 'intocado' is a distant cousin of 'intangible'!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩ.tu.ˈka.du/

US /ĩ.tu.ˈka.du/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'ca'.

Rhymes With

pecado passado mercado cuidado obrigado lado estado chamado

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'in' like the English 'in' instead of a nasal vowel.
Stressing the first syllable 'IN-to-ca-do'.
Forgetting the 'o' at the end sounds like a soft 'u' in Brazil.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the 'in-' prefix and similarity to 'touch'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering gender/number agreement (intocado vs intocada).

Speaking 3/5

Nasal 'in' and soft 'd' require practice for a native sound.

Listening 2/5

Usually clear in speech, though the final 'o' may sound like 'u'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

tocar puro novo limpo coisa

Learn Next

intocável inalterado imaculado preservação integridade

Advanced

incólume imputrescível estático imediato

Grammar to Know

Gender Agreement

A casa (f) está intocada (f).

Number Agreement

Os livros (m.pl) estão intocados (m.pl).

Position of Adjectives

Um lugar intocado (standard) vs Um intocado lugar (poetic).

Prefix 'In-'

In- + feliz = infeliz; In- + tocado = intocado.

Stative Verbs with Adjectives

Ele 'está' (state) intocado vs Ele 'é' (permanent trait) intocado.

Examples by Level

O bolo está intocado.

The cake is untouched.

'Bolo' is masculine singular, so we use 'intocado'.

A água está intocada.

The water is untouched.

'Água' is feminine singular, so we use 'intocada'.

Os brinquedos estão intocados.

The toys are untouched.

'Brinquedos' is masculine plural, so we use 'intocados'.

As frutas estão intocadas.

The fruits are untouched.

'Frutas' is feminine plural, so we use 'intocadas'.

Meu prato continua intocado.

My plate remains untouched.

'Prato' is masculine singular.

A neve estava intocada.

The snow was untouched.

'Neve' is feminine singular.

O presente ficou intocado.

The gift stayed untouched.

'Presente' is masculine singular.

As flores estão intocadas.

The flowers are untouched.

'Flores' is feminine plural.

O quarto dele está intocado há dias.

His room has been untouched for days.

Uses 'há dias' to indicate duration.

Encontramos uma praia intocada no sul.

We found an untouched beach in the south.

'Praia' is feminine, so 'intocada'.

Os documentos ficaram intocados na gaveta.

The documents remained untouched in the drawer.

'Documentos' is masculine plural.

A floresta aqui é quase intocada.

The forest here is almost untouched.

'Floresta' is feminine singular.

Ela deixou o café intocado sobre a mesa.

She left the coffee untouched on the table.

'Café' is masculine singular.

As cartas permanecem intocadas na caixa.

The letters remain untouched in the box.

'Cartas' is feminine plural.

O dinheiro da poupança está intocado.

The savings money is untouched.

'Dinheiro' is masculine singular.

Aquelas montanhas são intocadas pelo homem.

Those mountains are untouched by man.

'Montanhas' is feminine plural.

A cena do crime deve permanecer intocada.

The crime scene must remain untouched.

'Cena' is feminine; 'permanecer' is a common verb with 'intocado'.

Apesar da crise, o orçamento da saúde ficou intocado.

Despite the crisis, the health budget remained untouched.

'Orçamento' is masculine singular.

Eles descobriram uma tumba intocada no Egito.

They discovered an untouched tomb in Egypt.

'Tumba' is feminine singular.

Sua reputação saiu intocada do escândalo.

His reputation came out untouched from the scandal.

Figurative use: reputation as something that can be 'touched' or damaged.

As tradições daquela vila permanecem intocadas.

The traditions of that village remain untouched.

'Tradições' is feminine plural.

O arquivo original está intocado no servidor.

The original file is untouched on the server.

'Arquivo' is masculine singular.

Deixamos a natureza intocada durante a trilha.

We left nature untouched during the hike.

'Natureza' is feminine singular.

A herança da família continua intocada.

The family inheritance remains untouched.

'Herança' is feminine singular.

O ecossistema local permanece intocado por séculos.

The local ecosystem has remained untouched for centuries.

'Ecossistema' is masculine singular.

O projeto de lei passou pela câmara quase intocado.

The bill passed through the chamber almost untouched.

'Projeto' is masculine singular.

Sua fé permaneceu intocada mesmo nos momentos difíceis.

His faith remained untouched even in difficult moments.

Abstract usage of 'intocada' for emotions/beliefs.

Zonas intocadas são essenciais para a biodiversidade.

Untouched zones are essential for biodiversity.

'Zonas' is feminine plural.

O mistério em torno do caso continua intocado.

The mystery surrounding the case remains untouched.

'Mistério' is masculine singular.

A pureza daquelas águas é um tesouro intocado.

The purity of those waters is an untouched treasure.

'Tesouro' is masculine singular.

Ele manteve seu orgulho intocado durante a derrota.

He kept his pride untouched during the defeat.

'Orgulho' is masculine singular.

As relíquias foram encontradas em estado intocado.

The relics were found in an untouched state.

'Estado' is masculine singular.

A integridade dos dados foi mantida intocada durante a transferência.

The integrity of the data was kept untouched during the transfer.

'Integridade' is feminine, modifying the state of the data.

O autor preservou sua visão artística intocada pelas exigências do mercado.

The author preserved his artistic vision untouched by market demands.

'Visão' is feminine singular.

Há um certo romantismo na ideia de uma terra intocada.

There is a certain romanticism in the idea of an untouched land.

'Terra' is feminine singular.

Sua consciência permaneceu intocada, apesar das pressões políticas.

His conscience remained untouched, despite political pressures.

'Consciência' is feminine singular.

O patrimônio histórico deve ser deixado intocado pelas reformas modernas.

The historical heritage must be left untouched by modern renovations.

'Patrimônio' is masculine singular.

A beleza intocada da alvorada trazia uma paz profunda.

The untouched beauty of the dawn brought a deep peace.

Poetic usage; 'beleza' is feminine.

Eles buscam um refúgio intocado pela civilização.

They seek a refuge untouched by civilization.

'Refúgio' is masculine singular.

A essência da obra de arte permanece intocada pelo tempo.

The essence of the work of art remains untouched by time.

'Essência' is feminine singular.

A dialética do autor deixa a premissa fundamental intocada.

The author's dialectic leaves the fundamental premise untouched.

High-level academic usage.

O silêncio intocado da biblioteca era interrompido apenas pelo virar das páginas.

The untouched silence of the library was interrupted only by the turning of pages.

Synesthetic usage: 'silêncio' (sound) described as 'intocado'.

Permanece intocada a questão da legitimidade do novo governo.

The question of the new government's legitimacy remains untouched.

Inverted sentence structure for formal emphasis.

Sua soberania intelectual permaneceu intocada pelas modas acadêmicas.

His intellectual sovereignty remained untouched by academic fashions.

'Soberania' is feminine singular.

O manuscrito, intocado por séculos, revelou segredos surpreendentes.

The manuscript, untouched for centuries, revealed surprising secrets.

Appositive use of the adjective.

A vastidão intocada do cosmos desafia a compreensão humana.

The untouched vastness of the cosmos defies human understanding.

'Vastidão' is feminine singular.

Ele mantinha uma reserva emocional intocada, mesmo com os amigos mais íntimos.

He maintained an untouched emotional reserve, even with his closest friends.

'Reserva' is feminine singular.

A pureza original do mito permanece intocada pelas reinterpretações modernas.

The original purity of the myth remains untouched by modern reinterpretations.

'Pureza' is feminine singular.

Common Collocations

floresta intocada

prato intocado

poupança intocada

natureza intocada

reputação intocada

capital intocado

cena intocada

tesouro intocado

neve intocada

arquivos intocados

Common Phrases

deixar intocado

— To leave something alone without touching or changing it.

É melhor deixar esse assunto intocado por enquanto.

permanecer intocado

— To stay in the original state over time.

O mistério permanece intocado.

manter intocado

— To actively ensure something is not handled or changed.

Devemos manter o meio ambiente intocado.

quase intocado

— Used when something is very close to its original state.

O vilarejo é quase intocado pelo turismo.

completamente intocado

— Emphasizes total lack of interference.

O deserto é completamente intocado.

sair intocado

— To emerge from a situation without being harmed or changed.

Ele saiu intocado da polêmica.

ficar intocado

— To remain untouched (often in a specific location).

O livro ficou intocado na estante.

solo intocado

— Refers to land that has never been farmed or built upon.

Eles pisaram em solo intocado.

patrimônio intocado

— Refers to preserved cultural or financial heritage.

O patrimônio da família está intocado.

legado intocado

— An inheritance or reputation that hasn't been tarnished.

Seu legado permanece intocado.

Often Confused With

intocado vs intacto

'Intacto' means whole/not broken; 'intocado' means not handled/not started.

intocado vs intocável

'Intocável' means untouchable (cannot be touched); 'intocado' means untouched (hasn't been touched yet).

intocado vs entocado

'Entocado' means hiding in a hole/den; 'intocado' means pristine.

Idioms & Expressions

"mexer no que está quieto"

— Similar to 'don't fix what isn't broken' or 'don't touch what is untouched'.

Não mexa no que está quieto; deixe o projeto intocado.

informal

"em estado de graça"

— Often used for something pristine or untouched by sin/worry.

A paisagem parecia em estado de graça, intocada.

poetic

"santo do pau oco"

— Someone who looks 'intocado' (pure) but is actually a hypocrite.

Ele parece intocado, mas é um santo do pau oco.

slang/informal

"limpo como um espelho"

— Used for something so 'intocado' it shines.

O carro novo estava limpo como um espelho, intocado.

informal

"virgem de tudo"

— Completely untouched or inexperienced.

Ele é virgem de tudo nessas negociações, totalmente intocado.

informal

"de mãos limpas"

— Emerging 'intocado' from a corruption scandal.

O político saiu de mãos limpas, com a imagem intocada.

journalistic

"pérola escondida"

— An untouched place of great beauty.

Aquela praia é uma pérola escondida e intocada.

travel

"fundo do baú"

— Something 'intocado' for a long time at the bottom of a chest.

Achei essa foto no fundo do baú, estava intocada.

informal

"folha em branco"

— A metaphorical 'intocado' start.

Sua vida agora é uma folha em branco, intocada.

poetic

"ouro de tolo"

— Something that looks 'intocado' and valuable but isn't.

A promessa era ouro de tolo, nada ficou intocado.

informal

Easily Confused

intocado vs intacto

Both imply something is original.

Intacto focuses on lack of damage (e.g., a car after a crash). Intocado focuses on lack of use (e.g., a car that hasn't been driven).

O vaso caiu mas ficou intacto. O presente ainda está intocado.

intocado vs intocável

They share the same root.

Intocável is an ability/rule (cannot touch). Intocado is a state (has not been touched).

O líder é intocável. A floresta é intocada.

intocado vs virgem

Both are used for nature.

Virgem is more idiomatic for forests (mata virgem). Intocado is more descriptive.

Eles entraram na mata virgem. A neve estava intocada.

intocado vs imaculado

Both mean pure.

Imaculado implies cleanliness and perfection (no spots). Intocado simply means no one touched it.

Sua camisa branca está imaculada. O prato de sopa está intocado.

intocado vs inalterado

Both mean no change.

Inalterado is more formal and technical. Intocado is more physical and evocative.

O cronograma está inalterado. O local permanece intocado.

Sentence Patterns

O [substantivo] está intocado.

O bolo está intocado.

Eu encontrei um [substantivo] intocado.

Eu encontrei um livro intocado.

Apesar de [situação], o [substantivo] permaneceu intocado.

Apesar da chuva, o papel permaneceu intocado.

[Substantivo] intocado pelo [agente].

Natureza intocada pelo homem.

É necessário manter o [substantivo] intocado.

É necessário manter o orçamento intocado.

Sua [abstração] saiu intocada da [situação].

Sua honra saiu intocada da crise.

O [substantivo], intocado por [tempo], revelou...

O manuscrito, intocado por séculos, revelou segredos.

Resta intocada a questão de [conceito].

Resta intocada a questão de quem é o culpado.

Word Family

Nouns

toque (touch)

tocado (the touched one)

Verbs

tocar (to touch)

retocar (to retouch)

Adjectives

tocado (touched)

intocado (untouched)

intocável (untouchable)

tato (sense of touch)

contato (contact)

táctil (tactile)

tatear (to grope/feel)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news and literature; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

A comida estava intocado. → A comida estava intocada.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'comida'.
Os livros estava intocado. → Os livros estavam intocados.
Both the verb and the adjective must be plural to match 'livros'.
Ele é um homem intocado. → Ele é um homem íntegro / Sua reputação está intocada.
Using 'intocado' for a person directly is rare and sounds odd. Use it for their traits.
O carro está intocado depois do acidente. → O carro está intacto depois do acidente.
If it was in an accident, it was 'touched'. Use 'intacto' to mean it wasn't damaged.
Eu intocado o bolo. → Eu não toquei no bolo / O bolo está intocado.
'Intocado' is an adjective, not a verb. You cannot use it as a past tense action.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always check if your noun is masculine or feminine. 'A neve' (f) is 'intocada'. 'O gelo' (m) is 'intocado'.

Nature's Best Friend

Use 'intocado' when describing beautiful landscapes to sound more like a native speaker.

Nasal 'In'

Practice saying 'in' while holding your nose. That nasal vibration is essential for 'intocado'.

Formal Tone

Use 'permanecer intocado' in essays to sound more sophisticated than just using 'estar'.

Money Talk

Use 'intocado' when talking about savings to emphasize discipline. 'Minha reserva de emergência está intocada'.

Amazon Context

Remember that in Brazil, 'intocado' often has a political and environmental nuance regarding the rainforest.

Intocado vs Intacto

Remember: 'Intacto' = not broken. 'Intocado' = not even started.

Poetic Flair

In creative writing, use 'intocado' for abstract things like 'silêncio' or 'paz'.

Endings

Listen for the 's' in 'intocados' to know if the speaker is talking about multiple things.

The 'In-Touch' Rule

Just think: In (Not) + Tocado (Touched). It's a direct translation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In-Touch-Ad-O'. 'In' (not) + 'Touch' + 'Ad' (ending for adjectives). If it's not touched, it's intocado.

Visual Association

Imagine a pristine, white snowy field with no footprints. That is 'intocada'.

Word Web

natureza pureza limpo original dinheiro segredo floresta crime

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house right now that are 'intocados' (maybe a gift you haven't opened or a book you haven't read).

Word Origin

From the Latin 'in-' (negative prefix) + 'tactus' (past participle of 'tangere', to touch).

Original meaning: Not touched; not reached.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities. It is a neutral, descriptive word.

English speakers often use 'untouched' or 'pristine'. 'Intocado' maps perfectly to these.

'O Mundo Intocado' (The Untouched World) is a common title for nature documentaries in Portuguese. Legião Urbana, a famous Brazilian band, often used themes of purity and things that should remain 'intocadas' in their lyrics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Environmentalism

proteção de áreas intocadas
biodiversidade intocada
ecossistema intocado
natureza intocada

Finance

capital intocado
poupança intocada
investimento intocado
fundo intocado

Law/Crime

cena do crime intocada
provas intocadas
evidência intocada
estado intocado

Dining

prato intocado
comida intocada
bebida intocada
sobremesa intocada

Personal Integrity

reputação intocada
honra intocada
caráter intocado
consciência intocada

Conversation Starters

"Você conhece alguma praia que ainda seja intocada pelo turismo?"

"Por que você deixou seu almoço intocado hoje?"

"Você acha que ainda existem lugares intocados no mundo?"

"Como você mantém sua poupança intocada durante o mês?"

"Qual é a importância de manter áreas da Amazônia intocadas?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um lugar intocado que você gostaria de visitar.

Escreva sobre uma vez que você deixou algo intocado por muito tempo.

Como você se sente quando vê a natureza intocada sendo destruída?

O que na sua vida você considera 'intocado' ou sagrado?

Se você encontrasse um tesouro intocado, o que faria?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is rare. You can use it for a person's reputation or honor ('reputação intocada'), but calling a person 'intocado' sounds strange. Use 'intocável' if you mean they cannot be touched, or 'puro' for innocence.

The feminine plural is 'intocadas'. For example: 'As praias intocadas'.

It is used equally in both, though the contexts might differ slightly (nature in Brazil, history in Portugal).

In a casual setting, especially for food, you can say 'nem mexeu' (didn't even move/touch it). 'Ele nem mexeu na comida'.

Indirectly, yes. If money is 'intocado', it is safe from being spent. If a forest is 'intocado', it is safe from destruction.

Usually, yes. 'Um lugar intocado'. Placing it before ('um intocado lugar') is poetic and formal.

'Limpo' means clean (no dirt). 'Intocado' means no one has used it. Something can be clean but used; 'intocado' must be unused.

Yes, it is a very common B1-level word used in news, nature documentaries, and daily life.

Yes! 'O arquivo original está intocado' means the file hasn't been edited or opened.

The most direct opposite is 'tocado', but 'alterado' (altered) or 'mexido' (messed with) are often more natural.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a simple sentence in Portuguese saying 'The cake is untouched'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective construction.