This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb #3,500 most common 12 min read

irritar-se

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips irritar-se in 30 Seconds

Explanation irritar-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to express basic feelings. While 'irritar-se' is a bit advanced because it is reflexive, you can learn it as a set phrase to say how you feel. You might simply learn 'Eu me irrito' (I get annoyed) or 'Eu não me irrito' (I don't get annoyed). At this stage, don't worry too much about complex grammar. Just focus on the fact that 'me' or 'se' must be there. You can use it to talk about simple things like 'Eu me irrito com o barulho' (I get annoyed with the noise). It is a useful word for your first conversations because everyone gets annoyed sometimes! Think of it as a step up from 'Eu estou triste' (I am sad) or 'Eu estou feliz' (I am happy). It helps you describe a specific reaction to things happening around you. Practice saying it with common nouns like 'trânsito' (traffic) or 'chuva' (rain). This will help you build a foundation for more complex sentences later on. Remember, at A1, the goal is to be understood, so even if your pronoun placement is a bit off, using the word correctly in context is a great achievement.

At the A2 level, you should begin to understand the reflexive nature of 'irritar-se' more clearly. You are learning that the pronoun (me, te, se, nos) changes depending on who is getting irritated. For example, 'Nós nos irritamos' (We get irritated) or 'Eles se irritam' (They get irritated). You are also starting to use the past tense, so you can say 'Ontem eu me irritei' (Yesterday I got irritated). At this level, you can start adding more detail to your sentences by using the preposition 'com' more effectively. You might say, 'Eu me irrito com o meu irmão quando ele não limpa o quarto' (I get annoyed with my brother when he doesn't clean the room). This shows you can connect an emotion to a specific reason. You should also notice the difference in how people from Brazil and Portugal place the pronoun, even if you only choose one style to use yourself. A2 learners should focus on consistency and basic conjugation in the present and past tenses. You are moving beyond simple adjectives and using verbs to describe your emotional life, which is a big step in your Portuguese journey.

At the B1 level, 'irritar-se' is a core part of your vocabulary. You are expected to use it fluently in various tenses, including the imperfect ('Eu me irritava muito quando era criança') and the future ('Eu vou me irritar se eles chegarem atrasados'). You understand that this verb is reflexive and that the pronoun placement can change based on the word that comes before it, such as 'não', 'que', or 'quem'. For example, you know to say 'Eu não me irrito' instead of 'Eu não irrito-me'. You can also use the verb to describe personality traits, such as saying someone is 'irritável' (irritable) or that they 'se irritam facilmente'. B1 learners can use 'irritar-se' to participate in discussions about daily life, work, and social issues. You are also beginning to recognize synonyms like 'chatear-se' and 'aborrecer-se' and can choose the one that best fits the context. This level is about building nuance and moving away from repetitive sentence structures. You can now explain *why* something is irritating in more detail, using connectors like 'porque', 'visto que', or 'devido a'. Your ability to use 'irritar-se' correctly shows that you have a solid grasp of Portuguese reflexive verbs and emotional vocabulary.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'irritar-se' in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive mood. For example, 'É provável que ele se irrite com a notícia' (It is likely that he will get irritated with the news) or 'Caso você se irrite, tente respirar fundo' (In case you get irritated, try to breathe deeply). You are also aware of the subtle differences between 'irritar-se' and its synonyms across different Lusophone cultures. You know that in Portugal, 'zangar-se' might be a stronger alternative, while in Brazil, 'ficar bravo' or 'se chatear' are very common in informal speech. You can use 'irritar-se' in professional contexts to describe frustrations with processes or policies without sounding overly emotional. Your pronoun placement should be near-perfect, respecting the rules of proclisis and enclisis even in more difficult sentences. You can also use the verb in the personal infinitive, such as 'O fato de nos irritarmos com isso é normal' (The fact that we get irritated by this is normal). At B2, you are not just using the word; you are playing with it, using it to express subtle shades of meaning and reacting to the nuances of others' speech.

At the C1 level, you use 'irritar-se' and its related forms with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the philosophical and psychological implications the verb can carry in literature or high-level academic discourse. You can distinguish between 'irritar-se' as a fleeting emotion and 'irritação' as a chronic state or a physical condition (like skin irritation). You are comfortable using the verb in highly formal structures, such as 'Irritar-se-ia se soubesse a verdade' (He would get irritated if he knew the truth), using the mesoclisis which is rare but used in formal European Portuguese. You can also use the verb metaphorically or in complex idiomatic ways. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you only use 'irritar-se' when it is the exact right word, opting for 'indignar-se', 'exasperar-se', or 'revoltar-se' when the situation demands a different emotional weight. You can analyze the use of this verb in a text to understand a character's motivations or a writer's tone. At this level, your mastery of the verb reflects a deep immersion in the language and an ability to navigate its most complex stylistic and grammatical layers.

At the C2 level, 'irritar-se' is just one small tool in an immense linguistic toolkit. You have a profound understanding of the word's etymology from the Latin 'irritare' and how it has evolved across the centuries in various Romance languages. You can use it in any register, from the most colloquial street slang to the most elevated poetic prose. You are capable of debating the nuances between 'irritar-se' and similar concepts in other languages, explaining why the Portuguese reflexive structure carries a specific weight that 'to get annoyed' might not. You can use the verb in complex rhetorical structures, employing it for irony, sarcasm, or profound empathy. Your command of pronoun placement is instinctive, even in the most convoluted sentences found in legal documents or classical literature. You can also identify and use rare derived forms or related archaic terms if the context requires it. For a C2 learner, 'irritar-se' is not just a verb to be conjugated; it is a concept to be wielded with total control and artistic flair, reflecting a complete integration into the Portuguese-speaking world's culture and thought patterns.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

irritar-se in 30 Seconds

A reflexive verb meaning 'to get irritated' or 'to become annoyed' by an external cause.
Requires reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos) and usually the preposition 'com'.
Pronoun placement differs between Brazil (Eu me irrito) and Portugal (Irrito-me).
Essential for expressing frustration in daily life, work, and social situations.

The Portuguese verb irritar-se is a fundamental pronominal verb that translates to 'to get irritated,' 'to become annoyed,' or 'to lose one's temper' in English. It describes an internal emotional transition where an individual moves from a state of calm or neutrality into a state of frustration or anger due to an external stimulus or an internal thought process. In the vast landscape of Portuguese emotional expression, this verb occupies a middle ground; it is more intense than simply being slightly bothered (incomodar-se) but often less explosive than becoming truly enraged (enfurecer-se). Understanding this word requires a grasp of its reflexive nature, as the action is directed back toward the subject. You are not just irritating someone else; you are the one experiencing the irritation. This distinction is vital for English speakers who might confuse the transitive use 'to irritate someone' with the reflexive 'to get irritated.'

Emotional Reflexivity: The use of the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) indicates that the subject is the one undergoing the emotional change. It highlights the personal experience of the emotion rather than the cause itself.
Contextual Versatility: This verb is used in professional settings, casual conversations, and formal literature. Whether you are talking about a slow internet connection or a colleague's repetitive habits, 'irritar-se' is the appropriate choice for expressing that rising sense of annoyance.
Frequency of Use: In daily life, people frequently use this verb to describe their reactions to the small injustices or inconveniences of modern existence, making it a high-frequency word for B1 learners and above.

When you use irritar-se, you are often identifying a specific trigger. In Portuguese, this trigger is typically introduced by the preposition com (with). For example, you don't just get irritated; you get irritated 'with' the noise, 'with' the delay, or 'with' a person. This grammatical structure mirrors the English 'annoyed with' or 'irritated by,' making it relatively intuitive for English speakers once the reflexive pronoun placement is mastered. The psychological weight of the word implies a certain loss of patience, a flickering of the internal fuse that suggests the person might soon need to step away or express their frustration more overtly.

Não vale a pena irritar-se por coisas tão pequenas e insignificantes do dia a dia.

Eu tento não me irritar quando o comboio está atrasado, mas é difícil manter a calma.

Ela costuma irritar-se com o barulho constante das obras na rua ao lado da sua casa.

Eles irritaram-se bastante com a falta de organização durante o evento internacional.

Se você continuar a fazer isso, ele vai acabar por irritar-se e a conversa não terminará bem.

In conclusion, irritar-se is a versatile tool for describing the human experience of frustration. It captures that moment when patience wears thin and the emotional temperature begins to rise. By mastering its conjugation and the use of the preposition 'com,' learners can accurately convey their feelings in a wide variety of social and professional scenarios across the Portuguese-speaking world.

Using irritar-se correctly involves understanding three main components: the reflexive pronoun, the verb conjugation, and the prepositional phrase that follows. Because it is a regular -ar verb, the conjugation follows a standard pattern, but the placement of the reflexive pronoun varies significantly between European Portuguese (EP) and Brazilian Portuguese (BP). In EP, the pronoun usually follows the verb (enclisis), while in BP, it almost always precedes it (proclisis) in spoken language. This distinction is one of the first things native speakers will notice about your fluency level.

Reflexive Pronoun Placement: In Brazil, you will most commonly hear 'Eu me irrito.' In Portugal, 'Irrito-me' is the standard. However, after negative words like 'não,' 'nunca,' or 'jamais,' both dialects place the pronoun before the verb: 'Não me irrito.'
Prepositional Connection: To specify the cause of the irritation, use the preposition 'com.' Example: 'Ela irritou-se com o atraso.' If the cause is an action, use 'com' followed by an infinitive or a noun phrase: 'Irrito-me com o fato de ele chegar tarde.'
Tense Variations: The verb is frequently used in the present tense for general habits ('Eu me irrito facilmente') and the preterite for specific past events ('Ontem, ele se irritou na reunião').

Let's look at how the verb adapts across different sentence structures. In a conditional sentence, you might say, 'Se você fizer isso, eu vou me irritar' (If you do that, I will get irritated). Notice how the auxiliary verb 'vou' (from 'ir') changes the dynamics of pronoun placement. In BP, the 'me' can sit between 'vou' and 'irritar' or before 'vou.' In EP, it would likely be 'vou irritar-me.' These nuances are what elevate a learner from B1 to B2 proficiency. Furthermore, the verb can be used in the imperative, though it is less common to tell someone to get irritated; more often, you tell them not to: 'Não te irrites!' (Don't get irritated - informal/Portugal) or 'Não se irrite!' (Don't get irritated - formal/Brazil).

É perfeitamente normal irritar-se quando as coisas não correm como planeado no trabalho.

Nós nos irritamos com a burocracia excessiva necessária para abrir uma conta bancária.

Tu te irritas com muita facilidade, devias tentar praticar um pouco de meditação.

Finally, consider the intensity. You can modify irritar-se with adverbs like 'profundamente' (deeply), 'facilmente' (easily), or 'raramente' (rarely). For instance, 'Ele raramente se irrita' conveys a person with high emotional intelligence or a very calm demeanor. Conversely, 'Ela se irrita por qualquer coisa' describes someone who is very sensitive or short-tempered. These modifiers allow you to paint a detailed picture of someone's personality or a specific reaction to a situation.

You will encounter irritar-se in almost every corner of Lusophone life. In the bustling streets of São Paulo, you might hear a driver shouting about how they 'se irritam' with the traffic. In a quiet café in Lisbon, you might overhear a conversation about a friend who 'irritou-se' with a waiter's service. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the dramatic, used whenever the friction of life becomes palpable. It is common in media, literature, and daily speech, making it an essential part of your active vocabulary.

In the Workplace: Managers might use it to describe team dynamics: 'A equipa irritou-se com a mudança repentina de prazos.' It is a professional yet clear way to express dissatisfaction.
In News and Media: Headlines often use the verb to describe political reactions: 'O Primeiro-Ministro irritou-se com as perguntas dos jornalistas.' It suggests a loss of composure that is noteworthy.
In Personal Relationships: Couples and friends use it to navigate boundaries: 'Não te irrites, eu só estava a brincar!' It helps define the emotional limits of social interaction.

Beyond these formal and semi-formal contexts, irritar-se is also a staple of soap operas (telenovelas), where emotional outbursts are a key plot driver. Characters are constantly 'se irritando' with each other's secrets and betrayals. In literature, the verb is used to provide internal monologue, showing a character's internal struggle before they speak or act. It provides a window into their psychology, revealing what they value and what they find intolerable. Whether you are reading a classic novel by Machado de Assis or a modern blog post about travel frustrations, 'irritar-se' will appear as a primary descriptor of human annoyance.

Durante a entrevista, o ator irritou-se visivelmente quando lhe perguntaram sobre a sua vida privada.

Muitos passageiros irritaram-se com o cancelamento do voo sem qualquer aviso prévio ou explicação.

É impossível não irritar-se com a injustiça social que vemos todos os dias nos jornais.

In summary, listening for irritar-se is a great way to gauge the emotional temperature of a conversation. It tells you that someone's patience is tested. By paying attention to the context in which it is used—whether it is a minor grievance or a major confrontation—you will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural norms surrounding the expression of anger and frustration in Portuguese-speaking societies.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning irritar-se is the omission of the reflexive pronoun. In English, we can say 'I irritate easily,' but in Portuguese, you must say 'Eu me irrito facilmente.' Without the pronoun, the verb 'irritar' implies that you are the one causing irritation to someone else. This can lead to significant confusion. If you say 'Eu irrito,' you are saying 'I irritate [someone],' which leaves the sentence incomplete and changes the meaning entirely from your intended 'I get irritated.'

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun: Mistake: 'Ele irritou com o barulho.' Correct: 'Ele se irritou com o barulho.' Always remember that the emotion happens to the subject.
Wrong Preposition: Mistake: 'Irrito-me por ele.' (I get irritated 'for' him - usually wrong context). Correct: 'Irrito-me com ele.' (I get irritated 'with' him). Use 'com' for the source of irritation.
Pronoun Placement Errors: In European Portuguese, placing the pronoun before the verb at the start of a sentence is considered a grammatical error (e.g., 'Me irrito' is incorrect in formal EP; it should be 'Irrito-me'). In Brazil, however, 'Me irrito' is standard in speech.

Another common error is confusing irritar-se with similar-sounding or similar-meaning verbs. For example, 'chatear-se' is often used interchangeably with 'irritar-se' in Brazil, but in Portugal, 'chatear-se' can also mean 'to have a falling out' with someone. If you tell a Portuguese person 'Eu me chateei com ele,' they might think you are no longer on speaking terms, whereas 'Eu me irritei com ele' simply means he annoyed you in that moment. Understanding these subtle regional differences prevents social awkwardness and ensures your message is received as intended.

Errado: Eu irrito com o meu irmão. (Missing 'me')

Correto: Eu me irrito com o meu irmão quando ele mexe nas minhas coisas.

Errado: Ela irritou-se de você. (Wrong preposition)

Lastly, learners often struggle with the conjugation in more complex tenses, such as the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive. For example, 'Para não nos irritarmos, decidimos sair mais cedo' (To not get irritated, we decided to leave earlier). The personal infinitive 'irritarmos' is a unique feature of Portuguese that requires practice. By focusing on these common pitfalls—pronoun usage, preposition choice, and regional nuances—you will develop a much more natural and accurate command of the verb irritar-se.

While irritar-se is a fantastic all-purpose verb, Portuguese offers a rich palette of synonyms that can express different shades of annoyance, anger, and frustration. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity of the feeling and the context of the situation. For instance, if you are just slightly bothered, incomodar-se might be more appropriate. If you are boiling with rage, you might use enfurecer-se. Understanding these alternatives will allow you to be more precise in your emotional expression.

Zangar-se: Very common in Portugal. It means 'to get angry.' It is often used for more significant anger than a simple irritation. 'Ele zangou-se com a esposa.'
Chatear-se: Extremely common in Brazil. It can mean to get annoyed, bored, or upset. In Portugal, it often implies a conflict or 'falling out' between two people.
Aborrecer-se: This verb can mean 'to get annoyed' but also 'to get bored.' The context usually makes the meaning clear. 'Aborreci-me com a demora do serviço.'
Enervar-se: This specifically implies that the irritation is getting on your nerves, making you feel anxious or jittery. 'Não te enerves, tudo vai correr bem.'

In addition to these verbs, you can use idiomatic expressions to convey irritation. In Brazil, you might hear someone say they are 'com o saco cheio' (fed up), which is quite informal. In Portugal, someone might say they are 'pelos cabelos' (up to their hair/fed up). These idioms add a layer of native-level flavor to your speech that a single verb cannot always capture. However, irritar-se remains the most reliable and safe choice for most situations, as it is neither too formal nor too slangy.

Ao contrário de irritar-se, que é passageiro, zangar-se pode implicar um estado de espírito mais duradouro.

Se você quer ser mais enfático, pode dizer que está fulo da vida, uma expressão brasileira para muita irritação.

Em contextos formais, prefira indignar-se se a irritação for causada por uma injustiça moral ou ética.

Learning to distinguish between these synonyms is a hallmark of an advanced learner. It shows that you understand not just the literal meaning of words, but also their emotional weight and cultural connotations. By practicing with irritar-se and its alternatives, you will be able to navigate the complex world of Portuguese emotions with confidence and precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In medical Latin, 'irritare' was also used to describe physical inflammation or sensitivity, which is why we still use 'irritation' for skin rashes today.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /i.ʁi.ˈtaɾ.sɨ/

US /i.ʁi.ˈtaʁ.si/

The primary stress is on the last syllable of the verb root: 'tar'.

Rhymes With

cansar-se sentar-se lembrar-se queixar-se zangar-se olhar-se achar-se calmar-se

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' as an English 'r' (it should be more like a French 'r' or an 'h').
Forgetting to pronounce the reflexive pronoun 'se' as a separate syllable.
In Portugal, failing to reduce the final 'e' properly.
Misplacing the stress on the pronoun instead of the verb.
Pronouncing 'irritar' without the reflexive 'se' when the meaning requires it.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to similarity with 'irritate'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct reflexive pronoun and placement knowledge.

Speaking 4/5

Pronoun placement in speech varies by region.

Listening 3/5

The reflexive pronoun can be swallowed in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Eu Com Não Zangado Sentir

Learn Next

Enfurecer-se Indignar-se Paciência Chatear-se Acalmar-se

Advanced

Irascibilidade Iracundo Exasperação Mesóclise Fleuma

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Eu me irrito (BP) vs Irrito-me (EP).

Proclisis with Negative Words

Não me irrito (Always correct).

Preposition 'Com' with Emotions

Irritar-se com alguém.

Future Subjunctive in Conditional Clauses

Se ele se irritar, avise-me.

Personal Infinitive after Prepositions

Para não nos irritarmos...

Examples by Level

Eu me irrito com o barulho.

I get irritated with the noise.

Basic present tense with reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Você se irrita com a chuva?

Do you get irritated with the rain?

Question form using 'se' for 'você'.

Ele não se irrita facilmente.

He doesn't get irritated easily.

Negative sentence; the 'não' pulls the pronoun 'se' before the verb.

Nós nos irritamos com o trânsito.

We get irritated with the traffic.

Reflexive pronoun 'nos' for 'nós'.

Ela se irrita com o calor.

She gets irritated with the heat.

Reflexive 'se' for 'ela'.

Eles se irritam com a espera.

They get irritated with the wait.

Reflexive 'se' for 'eles'.

Eu me irrito quando estou com fome.

I get irritated when I am hungry.

Using 'quando' to set a condition for the irritation.

Você se irrita com o computador?

Do you get irritated with the computer?

Direct object of irritation introduced by 'com'.

Ontem, eu me irritei muito no trabalho.

Yesterday, I got very irritated at work.

Preterite (past) tense of the verb.

Nós não nos irritamos com a sua pergunta.

We didn't get irritated with your question.

Negative preterite with 'não' and 'nos'.

Ela se irritava sempre com o mesmo problema.

She used to always get irritated with the same problem.

Imperfect tense expressing a habit in the past.

Vocês se irritaram com o atraso do ônibus?

Did you all get irritated with the bus delay?

Preterite tense for 'vocês'.

Eu vou me irritar se você não me ouvir.

I am going to get irritated if you don't listen to me.

Near future construction (ir + reflexive verb).

Ele se irritou porque perdeu as chaves.

He got irritated because he lost the keys.

Preterite tense with a causal clause.

Tu te irritaste com o que eu disse?

Did you get irritated with what I said?

Preterite tense for 'tu' (common in Portugal).

Ninguém se irritou com a mudança.

Nobody got irritated with the change.

Negative pronoun 'ninguém' requires the reflexive pronoun before the verb.

É normal irritar-se quando as coisas não funcionam.

It is normal to get irritated when things don't work.

Infinitive reflexive form used as a subject/complement.

Eu tento não me irritar por motivos fúteis.

I try not to get irritated for trivial reasons.

Negative infinitive with reflexive pronoun.

Se ele se irritar, é melhor deixá-lo sozinho.

If he gets irritated, it's better to leave him alone.

Future subjunctive (se + se irritar).

Ela tem o hábito de se irritar com pequenos detalhes.

She has the habit of getting irritated with small details.

Reflexive pronoun following 'de' in BP style.

Nós nos irritamos profundamente com a falta de ética.

We get deeply irritated with the lack of ethics.

Use of adverb 'profundamente' to modify intensity.

Sempre que me irrito, prefiro ir dar um passeio.

Whenever I get irritated, I prefer to go for a walk.

Temporal conjunction 'sempre que' triggers proclisis (me irrito).

Não vale a pena irritar-se com o que não podemos mudar.

It's not worth getting irritated with what we can't change.

Infinitive reflexive in an impersonal expression.

Eles irritaram-se com a má qualidade do serviço.

They got irritated with the poor quality of service.

Preterite tense with enclisis (Portuguese style).

Duvido que ela se irrite com uma coisa tão pequena.

I doubt that she will get irritated with such a small thing.

Present subjunctive triggered by 'duvido que'.

Se eu me irritasse com tudo, não teria amigos.

If I got irritated with everything, I wouldn't have friends.

Imperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

O gerente irritou-se ao perceber o erro nas contas.

The manager got irritated upon noticing the error in the accounts.

Preterite with enclisis and a temporal infinitive clause.

Para não se irritarem, os pais decidiram não discutir.

In order not to get irritated, the parents decided not to argue.

Personal infinitive (se irritarem) after 'para'.

Ele costuma irritar-se quando é interrompido.

He usually gets irritated when he is interrupted.

Reflexive infinitive after the auxiliary 'costuma'.

É importante que vocês não se irritem durante a negociação.

It is important that you all don't get irritated during the negotiation.

Negative present subjunctive for 'vocês'.

Mesmo que eu me irrite, tentarei ser educado.

Even if I get irritated, I will try to be polite.

Concessive conjunction 'mesmo que' with the subjunctive.

Quem se irrita por nada acaba por sofrer mais.

Whoever gets irritated for nothing ends up suffering more.

Relative pronoun 'quem' triggers proclisis (se irrita).

A irritabilidade dele faz com que se irrite por qualquer ninharia.

His irritability causes him to get irritated over any trifle.

Use of 'faz com que' triggering the subjunctive.

Raramente o verás irritar-se, pois ele possui um autocontrolo invejável.

You will rarely see him get irritated, as he possesses enviable self-control.

Future tense and reflexive infinitive.

Seria de esperar que o público se irritasse com tamanha negligência.

One would expect the public to get irritated with such negligence.

Conditional followed by imperfect subjunctive.

Irritar-me-ia profundamente se soubesse que me mentiste.

It would irritate me deeply if I knew you lied to me.

Mesoclisis (irritar-me-ia) - highly formal European Portuguese.

O autor descreve como a personagem se vai irritando ao longo do capítulo.

The author describes how the character gradually gets irritated throughout the chapter.

Progressive construction with 'ir' + gerund (BP) or 'ir' + a + infinitive (EP).

Não obstante o seu esforço, acabou por irritar-se com a situação.

Despite his effort, he ended up getting irritated with the situation.

Concessive phrase 'Não obstante' and phrasal verb 'acabar por'.

Oxalá eles não se irritem com as nossas sugestões de melhoria.

Hopefully they won't get irritated with our suggestions for improvement.

Use of 'Oxalá' with the present subjunctive.

A sua tendência para se irritar é um obstáculo à sua carreira.

His tendency to get irritated is an obstacle to his career.

Noun + preposition + reflexive infinitive.

A propensão do ser humano para irritar-se perante o desconhecido é um tema recorrente na filosofia.

The human propensity to get irritated in the face of the unknown is a recurring theme in philosophy.

Reflexive infinitive in a formal, abstract noun phrase.

Pudesse ele não irritar-se, e a vida seria decerto mais plácida.

If only he could not get irritated, life would certainly be more placid.

Inverted conditional structure with the imperfect subjunctive.

A instabilidade política faz com que os mercados se irritem e a volatilidade aumente.

Political instability causes the markets to get 'irritated' (volatile) and volatility to increase.

Metaphorical use of 'irritar-se' applied to inanimate entities (markets).

Não há quem não se irrite ao deparar-se com tamanha injustiça social.

There is no one who does not get irritated when encountering such social injustice.

Double negative construction with relative pronoun triggering proclisis.

Irritar-se-ão decerto aqueles que não compreendem a profundidade da obra.

Those who do not understand the depth of the work will certainly get irritated.

Mesoclisis in the future tense (irritar-se-ão).

É imperativo que não nos irritemos perante as provocações mais vis.

It is imperative that we do not get irritated in the face of the vilest provocations.

Formal imperative/subjunctive structure.

A personagem, num solilóquio, confessa irritar-se com a sua própria indecisão.

The character, in a soliloquy, confesses to getting irritated with their own indecision.

Reflexive infinitive describing an internal state.

Malgrado a sua fleuma habitual, irritou-se sobremaneira com o comentário sarcástico.

Despite his habitual phlegm (calmness), he got exceedingly irritated with the sarcastic comment.

Use of advanced vocabulary like 'malgrado', 'fleuma', and 'sobremaneira'.

Common Collocations

irritar-se com facilidade

irritar-se profundamente

irritar-se com o trânsito

irritar-se com o barulho

irritar-se à toa

começar a irritar-se

tentar não irritar-se

irritar-se visivelmente

irritar-se por nada

irritar-se com a injustiça

Common Phrases

Não se irrite!

— Don't get annoyed! Used to calm someone down.

Calma, não se irrite com isso!

Irrito-me só de pensar.

— I get annoyed just thinking about it.

Irrito-me só de pensar naquela reunião.

Ele irrita-se com tudo.

— He gets annoyed with everything. Describes a grumpy person.

O meu avô irrita-se com tudo o que vê na televisão.

Não vale a pena irritar-se.

— It's not worth getting annoyed. A common piece of advice.

O voo está atrasado, mas não vale a pena irritar-se.

Começo a irritar-se.

— I'm starting to get annoyed.

Começo a irritar-me com o teu comportamento.

Irritar-se por dá cá aquela palha.

— To get annoyed for no reason at all (idiomatic).

Ele irrita-se por dá cá aquela palha, é muito sensível.

Evite irritar-se.

— Avoid getting annoyed. Often used in health contexts.

Para baixar a tensão, evite irritar-se.

Quem se irrita perde a razão.

— Whoever gets angry loses their argument/logic.

Mantenha a calma, pois quem se irrita perde a razão.

Irritar-se com o óbvio.

— To get annoyed with the obvious.

Às vezes irrito-me com o óbvio.

Sinto-me a irritar-se.

— I feel myself getting annoyed.

Sinto-me a irritar-me com estas perguntas.

Often Confused With

irritar-se vs irritar

The non-reflexive 'irritar' means to annoy someone else. 'Irritar-se' is to get annoyed yourself.

irritar-se vs chatear-se

In Portugal, this often means to have an argument. In Brazil, it is just to get annoyed.

irritar-se vs enfurecer-se

This is much stronger than 'irritar-se', meaning to become truly furious.

Idioms & Expressions

"Estar com os azeites"

— To be in a bad mood or irritated (Portugal).

Não fales com ele agora, ele está com os azeites.

Informal

"Estar com o saco cheio"

— To be completely fed up or very irritated (Brazil).

Estou com o saco cheio deste trabalho!

Slang

"Perder as estribeiras"

— To lose one's temper completely.

Ele perdeu as estribeiras e começou a gritar.

Neutral

"Saltar a tampa"

— To 'blow a fuse' or suddenly get very angry.

Quando vi o que fizeram, saltou-me a tampa.

Informal

"Estar pelos cabelos"

— To be fed up or extremely irritated.

Estou pelos cabelos com esta situação!

Informal

"Ficar fulo"

— To get very angry or irritated (Brazil).

Ele ficou fulo quando soube da notícia.

Informal

"Subir o sangue à cabeça"

— To have the blood rush to one's head in anger.

Subiu-me o sangue à cabeça quando ele me insultou.

Neutral

"Ficar com os nervos em franja"

— To have one's nerves on edge.

Este barulho deixa-me com os nervos em franja.

Informal

"Dar tratos à bola"

— To worry or get irritated thinking too much about something.

Não dês tratos à bola com isso, não vale a pena.

Informal

"Virar o bicho"

— To become extremely angry or 'turn into a beast'.

Se mexerem nas coisas dele, ele vira o bicho.

Informal

Easily Confused

irritar-se vs Irritante

It is an adjective, not a verb.

Irritante is the quality of something (annoying), while irritar-se is the action of feeling annoyed.

O barulho é irritante; por isso, eu me irrito.

irritar-se vs Zangado

It is an adjective meaning 'angry'.

Zangado is a state (to be angry), while irritar-se is the process (to get angry/irritated).

Eu me irritei e agora estou zangado.

irritar-se vs Incomodar

Similar meaning of 'bother'.

Incomodar is usually less intense than irritar. It's more about being inconvenienced.

A luz incomoda-me, mas não me irrita.

irritar-se vs Aborrecer

Can mean to annoy or to bore.

Aborrecer focuses more on the lack of interest or a dull annoyance.

Aborreço-me com este filme lento.

irritar-se vs Enervar

Often translated as 'to get on nerves'.

Enervar implies a loss of nervous control or becoming jittery.

O café enerva-me, mas o trânsito irrita-me.

Sentence Patterns

Eu me irrito com [noun].

Eu me irrito com o barulho.

Ele se irritou porque [clause].

Ele se irritou porque perdeu o ônibus.

Sempre que [subject] se irrita, [result].

Sempre que ela se irrita, ela sai do quarto.

Não vale a pena irritar-se com [noun].

Não vale a pena irritar-se com o tempo.

Duvido que [subject] se irrite com [noun].

Duvido que ele se irrite com isso.

Para não se irritarem, [subject] [verb].

Para não se irritarem, eles pararam de falar.

Irritar-me-ia se [imperfect subjunctive].

Irritar-me-ia se ele não viesse.

Malgrado [noun], [subject] irritou-se.

Malgrado a calma, ele irritou-se.

Word Family

Nouns

irritação (irritation)

irritabilidade (irritability)

irritante (irritant/annoying thing)

Verbs

irritar (to irritate someone)

irritar-se (to get irritated)

Adjectives

irritado (irritated)

irritante (annoying)

irritável (irritable)

irritadiço (short-tempered)

ira (ire/wrath)

irado (angry/furious)

irritativo (irritating - medical)

irascível (irascible)

iracundo (prone to anger)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

Eu irrito com o trânsito. → Eu me irrito com o trânsito.
You forgot the reflexive pronoun 'me'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.
Não irrito-me. → Não me irrito.
The word 'não' must pull the pronoun to the front of the verb.
Ela se irritou de você. → Ela se irritou com você.
The correct preposition to use with 'irritar-se' is 'com', not 'de'.
Eu me irritei quando ele me irritou. → N/A (This is correct, but redundant).
Learners often use the same verb twice. Try: 'Eu me irritei quando ele me provocou.'
Me irrito com facilidade. → Irrito-me com facilidade.
In formal European Portuguese, you cannot start a sentence with a reflexive pronoun.

Tips

Pronoun Power

Always pair the verb with its reflexive pronoun. 'Me' for 'Eu', 'Te' for 'Tu', 'Se' for 'Ele/Ela/Você', 'Nos' for 'Nós', and 'Se' for 'Eles/Elas/Vocês'.

Regional Styles

If you are in Brazil, put the pronoun before the verb (Eu me irrito). In Portugal, put it after (Eu irrito-me) unless there is a 'negative' word like 'não'.

Modifier Magic

Use 'facilmente' (easily) to describe someone's temperament. 'Ele se irrita facilmente' is a very common way to describe a short-tempered person.

The 'Com' Connection

Always use 'com' to link the feeling to the cause. 'Eu me irrito COM o barulho.' It mirrors the English 'annoyed WITH'.

Don't Overdo It

'Irritar-se' is for annoyance. If you are really, really angry, use 'enfurecer-se'. If you are just a bit bothered, use 'incomodar-se'.

The Double R

The 'rr' in 'irritar' is strong. Imagine you are clearing your throat slightly or making an 'h' sound deep in your throat.

Negative Attraction

Words like 'não', 'nunca', 'ninguém', and 'sempre' attract the pronoun to the front of the verb. 'Nunca me irrito' is the correct form.

Watch the 'Se'

In fast speech, 'se' might sound like it's attached to the previous word. Listen for the 's' sound right before the 'i' of 'irrito'.

Softening the Blow

To sound less aggressive, you can say 'Estou a começar a irritar-me' (I'm starting to get irritated) instead of a direct 'Estou irritado'.

Daily Reflection

At the end of the day, think of one thing that made you 'irritar-se' and say it out loud in Portuguese to build muscle memory.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'irritar' as sounding like 'irritate.' The '-se' at the end is like 'self.' So, 'irritar-se' is 'irritate-self' or 'to get irritated yourself.'

Visual Association

Imagine a tea kettle starting to whistle. The 'irritar-se' is the process of the water getting hotter and hotter until it whistles.

Word Web

Emoção Raiva Paciência Trânsito Barulho Trabalho Reflexivo Sentimento

Challenge

Try to identify three things that made you 'irritar-se' today and write them down in Portuguese using the structure: 'Eu me irritei com...'

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'irritare,' which meant to incite, stimulate, or provoke. It shares roots with words related to 'raising' or 'stirring up.'

Original meaning: To provoke or incite to anger or action.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to describe someone else's feelings, as calling someone 'irritável' (irritable) can be seen as an insult or a comment on their character.

English speakers often use 'get annoyed' or 'get on my nerves.' 'Irritar-se' covers both, but is more formal than 'get on my nerves.'

Machado de Assis frequently uses the verb to describe the internal psychological states of his cynical characters. Fernando Pessoa's 'Livro do Desassossego' mentions the irritation with the banality of existence. Commonly heard in Brazilian 'telenovelas' during dramatic confrontations.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Trânsito (Traffic)

Irrito-me com o trânsito.
Não se irrite no carro.
O trânsito irrita qualquer um.
Ele irritou-se com a fila.

Trabalho (Work)

Irrito-me com prazos curtos.
O chefe irritou-se hoje.
Não te irrites com o cliente.
Irritar-se na reunião.

Família (Family)

Irrito-me com o meu irmão.
Não se irritem, crianças!
Ela irritou-se com o marido.
Irritar-se por coisas pequenas.

Tecnologia (Technology)

Irrito-me com a internet lenta.
O computador irritou-o.
Não te irrites com o telemóvel.
Irritar-se com atualizações.

Saúde (Health)

Irritar-se faz mal ao coração.
Tente não se irritar tanto.
A pele pode irritar-se.
Irritabilidade constante.

Conversation Starters

"O que é que te faz irritar-se com mais facilidade no dia a dia?"

"Você costuma irritar-se quando as pessoas chegam atrasadas aos compromissos?"

"Como você reage quando sente que vai começar a irritar-se?"

"Você acha que os motoristas na sua cidade se irritam muito no trânsito?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você se irritou profundamente com alguma notícia?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação recente em que você se irritou. O que causou isso e como você lidou com o sentimento?

Escreva sobre as diferenças entre irritar-se e ficar verdadeiramente furioso. Onde você traça a linha?

Reflexão: Vale a pena irritar-se com coisas que não podemos controlar? Por que sim ou por que não?

Como a sua cultura lida com pessoas que se irritam em público? É aceitável ou malvisto?

Faça uma lista de cinco coisas que nunca te fazem irritar-se, mesmo que irritem outras pessoas.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, if you are the one feeling the emotion. If you say 'Eu irrito,' people will wait for you to say who you are irritating. To say 'I get irritated,' you must use 'Eu me irrito' or 'Irrito-me'.

'Irritar-se' is like getting annoyed or losing patience. 'Zangar-se' is more about getting truly angry. In Portugal, 'zangar-se' is very common, while Brazilians might prefer 'ficar brabo' or 'se irritar'.

Yes, you can. For example, 'A minha pele irritou-se com o creme' (My skin got irritated with the cream). It works for both emotions and physical reactions.

The most common preposition is 'com'. You get irritated 'with' something. Sometimes 'por' is used to explain the reason ('irritar-se por nada'), but 'com' is the safest bet for learners.

In informal speech, you might hear it, but grammatically it is considered incorrect to start a sentence with a reflexive pronoun in European Portuguese. You should say 'Irrito-me'.

You say 'Eu não me irrito.' Note that the 'não' pulls the pronoun 'me' to the front of the verb in both Brazil and Portugal.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. You conjugate it just like 'falar' or 'cantar,' adding the reflexive pronouns.

No, that would be 'aborrecer-se' or 'entediar-se.' 'Irritar-se' always implies a level of frustration or anger, not just boredom.

The most direct opposite is 'acalmar-se' (to calm down) or 'tranquilizar-se'.

Yes, but be careful. It's better to use 'lamentar' (to regret) or 'estar preocupado' (to be concerned) to sound more professional, unless you are describing a serious issue.