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A2 adjective 16 min read

mordido

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips mordido in 30 Seconds

Explanation mordido in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic and literal meaning of 'mordido'. It is the word you use when teeth have touched something. Think of a simple fruit, like an apple. If you see an apple with a piece missing because someone ate it, you can say it is 'mordida'. This is a great way to practice gender agreement because 'maçã' is feminine, so you must use 'mordida'. You will also encounter this word when talking about pets. If a friendly dog accidentally nips you, you are 'mordido'. At this stage, don't worry about complex slang or metaphorical meanings. Just remember: teeth + object = mordido. You should also learn the basic conjugation of the verb 'morder' in the present tense (eu mordo, você morde) to see how the adjective relates to the action. It's a very physical, concrete word at this level, often found in children's books or basic health conversations. Remember the 'o' for boys and 'a' for girls. If a boy is bitten, he is 'mordido'. If a girl is bitten, she is 'mordida'. This is one of the first times you'll see how a verb can turn into a word that describes a person or thing. Keep it simple and focus on these physical examples.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand how you use 'mordido'. You will start using it in the passive voice, which is very common in Portuguese. For example, 'O gato foi mordido pelo cachorro' (The cat was bitten by the dog). This requires you to understand the verb 'ser' (to be) and how it works with 'mordido'. You will also learn to distinguish between 'mordido' and 'picado'. This is a very important distinction for A2 learners. If a mosquito or a bee hurts you, you must use 'picado'. If a dog, a cat, or a person hurts you with teeth, you use 'mordido'. You might also start hearing 'mordido' used in a slightly more emotional way in Brazil, meaning someone is a bit annoyed. However, your primary focus should be on physical descriptions and correct grammatical agreement in plural forms. If two apples are bitten, they are 'maçãs mordidas'. If two boys are bitten, they are 'meninos mordidos'. This level is all about building accuracy in these common, everyday scenarios. You will also see this word in basic news reports or safety warnings, such as 'Cuidado para não ser mordido'. This is a practical, useful word that helps you navigate social and safety situations.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable with the literal uses of 'mordido' and start exploring its more figurative and idiomatic expressions. This is where the word gets interesting. You will encounter phrases like 'mordido de ciúmes' (bitten by jealousy) or 'mordido de inveja' (bitten by envy). These expressions describe intense, gnawing emotions. You should also be aware of the regional differences in slang. In Brazil, 'ficar mordido' is a very common way to say someone is offended or resentful. You might use it to describe a friend who is upset because they weren't invited to a party. At B1, you should also be more precise with synonyms. Instead of just saying 'mordido', you might use 'roído' for something gnawed by a mouse, or 'mastigado' for something that has been chewed up. Your understanding of the passive voice should be solid, allowing you to use 'mordido' in various tenses, such as 'Ele teria sido mordido se não tivesse corrido' (He would have been bitten if he hadn't run). This level is about nuance and moving beyond the simple physical act of biting into the psychological and social implications of the word.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'mordido' and its related forms with a high degree of naturalness. You should understand how it fits into more complex grammatical structures, such as the 'ter + past participle' construction where 'mordido' remains invariable ('Eles tinham mordido a isca'). You will also encounter this word in more formal or technical contexts. For instance, in a legal or medical document, you might read about 'lesões por mordida' (bite injuries). You should be able to discuss the cultural implications of the word, such as how the 'maçã mordida' logo of Apple is discussed in Portuguese-speaking markets. Your vocabulary should also include more sophisticated alternatives like 'dentado' (toothed/jagged) or 'mordiscado' (nibbled). You should be able to distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning in slang—how 'mordido' differs from 'picado' or 'chateado' in a social context. At B2, you are not just using the word; you are choosing it because it provides the exact tone and imagery you want to convey. You can use it to describe a gritty, determined soccer player or a resentful colleague with equal ease.

By the C1 level, your use of 'mordido' should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You will understand the deep etymological roots of the word (from the Latin 'mordere') and how it has branched out into various meanings across the Lusophone world. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in high literature and poetry, where the act of biting can be a metaphor for time, passion, or decay. For example, a poet might write about 'o tempo mordido' (bitten time), implying that time is consuming our lives. You will also be familiar with very specific idioms and proverbs, such as 'Quem já foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça' (He who has been bitten by a snake is afraid of sausage), which is the Portuguese equivalent of 'once bitten, twice shy'. You should be able to navigate the most subtle register shifts, using 'mordido' in a gritty street conversation in Rio or in a formal academic discussion about animal behavior. Your mastery of the word includes its phonological nuances, regional variations, and its ability to act as a powerful anchor for vivid, metaphorical language.

At the C2 level, 'mordido' is just one small part of your vast linguistic repertoire, but you use it with absolute precision and creative flair. You can analyze the word's role in the development of the Portuguese language, discussing how the past participle evolved and its relationship to other Romance languages like Spanish (mordido) or Italian (morsicato). You are capable of using the word in highly specialized fields, such as forensic science (analyzing 'marcas de mordida') or advanced literary criticism. You understand the most obscure regionalisms and can play with the word's meanings in puns or complex wordplay. You might use 'mordido' to describe the texture of a specific type of fabric or the jagged skyline of a city in a piece of creative writing. For you, the word is no longer just a descriptor of a physical act; it is a versatile tool that can evoke a wide range of sensory and emotional responses. You can lead a discussion on the psychological profile of someone who is 'mordido de rancor' or write a technical report on the impact of 'mordidas de insetos' on local agriculture. Your command of 'mordido' is complete, covering every possible nuance from the most basic to the most abstract.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

mordido in 30 Seconds

Mordido means 'bitten' and describes anything from a snack to an injury.
It is the past participle of the verb 'morder' (to bite).
In Brazil, it is common slang for feeling 'annoyed' or 'offended'.
Remember to change the ending to match gender and number (mordido/a/os/as).

The word mordido is the past participle of the Portuguese verb morder (to bite), which functions primarily as an adjective in everyday conversation. At its most literal level, it describes the physical state of a person, animal, or object after teeth have been clamped down upon it. Whether you are talking about a child who was nipped by a puppy at the park or an apple that someone started eating and left on the table, mordido is your go-to descriptor. It is a fundamental word because it bridges the gap between simple physical descriptions and more complex emotional states. In Portuguese, the distinction between being 'bitten' and being 'stung' is crucial; while English often uses 'bitten' for spiders or mosquitoes, Portuguese speakers frequently prefer picado for insects, reserving mordido for creatures with actual teeth, like dogs, cats, or humans.

Physical State: Used to describe the result of dental impact on a surface, such as skin or fruit.
Slang Usage (Brazil): In informal Brazilian Portuguese, being 'mordido' can mean feeling offended, annoyed, or 'salty' about a situation.

O menino chegou em casa com o braço mordido pelo cachorro do vizinho.

Beyond the physical, mordido carries a significant metaphorical weight. In many Lusophone cultures, the act of biting is associated with intense emotion. If someone is 'mordido de ciúmes' (bitten by jealousy), it implies that the jealousy is gnawing at them from the inside. This figurative use is common in literature and pop music, where emotions are often personified as predatory animals. When using this word, you must always remember that it is an adjective, meaning it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. A girl is mordida, two boys are mordidos, and two girls are mordidas. This grammatical flexibility is key to sounding natural. In a medical context, a doctor might ask, 'Onde você foi mordido?' to pinpoint the location of an injury. In a casual social setting, a friend might say, 'Ele está mordido porque não foi convidado,' meaning he is annoyed or 'bitten' by the exclusion.

A maçã estava mordida e jogada no chão da cozinha.

In the realm of food, mordido helps distinguish between something that was cut with a knife and something that was bitten into. If you find a 'pão mordido,' it suggests a lack of etiquette or a quick snack taken on the go. This word also appears in various idioms. For instance, 'morder a língua' (to bite one's tongue) results in a 'língua mordida,' often used when someone regrets something they said. The versatility of mordido makes it an essential part of the A2 vocabulary, as it allows learners to describe common accidents, food states, and basic emotional reactions. It is a word that vibrates with the energy of the action that created it; to be mordido is to carry the mark of a past event, whether that mark is a physical scar or a bruised ego.

Agreement Rule: Masculine Singular: Mordido | Feminine Singular: Mordida | Masculine Plural: Mordidos | Feminine Plural: Mordidas.

Eles ficaram mordidos com o resultado final do jogo.

Cuidado para não ser mordido por esse cavalo bravo.

Finally, it is worth noting the phonetic satisfaction of the word. The 'mor-' sound starts deep, and the '-dido' ending is crisp. It sounds like the action it describes—a firm beginning followed by a sharp finish. For English speakers, the transition from 'bitten' to mordido is straightforward, but the cultural nuance of using it for 'resentment' in Brazil adds a layer of depth that enriches one's conversational ability. Whether you are at a vet clinic, a dinner party, or watching a football match, mordido will inevitably find its way into the conversation, marking a moment of impact, whether physical or emotional.

Common Contexts: 1. Animal attacks. 2. Eating fruit. 3. Feeling offended. 4. Accidental injuries during sports.

A criança chorava porque tinha sido mordida por outro colega.

Using mordido correctly requires an understanding of its role as both a past participle and an adjective. In Portuguese, the past participle is used with auxiliary verbs like ter (to have) or ser (to be) to form compound tenses or passive voice constructions. For example, 'O cachorro tinha mordido o osso' (The dog had bitten the bone). In this case, because it is part of a compound tense with ter, the word mordido remains in its masculine singular form regardless of the subject. However, when used with ser in the passive voice—'O homem foi mordido'—the word acts more like an adjective and must agree with the subject. This distinction is one of the most common hurdles for intermediate learners, but mastering it will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy.

The Passive Voice: Subject + Ser + Mordido/a/os/as. Example: 'As mãos foram mordidas' (The hands were bitten).
The Adjectival Use: Noun + Mordido/a. Example: 'Maçã mordida' (Bitten apple).

Eu vi um sanduíche mordido em cima da mesa do escritório.

When you want to describe someone's emotional state, mordido is often paired with the verb ficar (to become/to stay). Saying 'Ele ficou mordido com o comentário' means he became annoyed or took the comment personally. This is a very natural way to express resentment in Brazilian Portuguese. In contrast, in Portugal, you might hear 'picado' used in a similar metaphorical sense, though mordido is still understood. Another important structural pattern is the use of the preposition por (by) to indicate the perpetrator of the bite. 'Mordido por um cão' (Bitten by a dog), 'Mordido por uma cobra' (Bitten by a snake). Notice how the preposition remains the same, but the ending of mordido must match the gender of the person or thing that was bitten, not the animal that did the biting.

Nós fomos mordidos pela curiosidade de saber o final da história.

In more complex sentences, mordido can be part of a relative clause. 'O braço que foi mordido ainda dói' (The arm that was bitten still hurts). Here, the word provides essential information to identify which arm is being discussed. It is also used in the negative to reassure someone. 'Não se preocupe, o pão não está mordido' (Don't worry, the bread isn't bitten). This usage is common when sharing food or inspecting something for quality. Furthermore, in veterinary or medical reports, you will see it used as a technical descriptor: 'Paciente apresenta ferimento mordido na região lombar.' This formal application shows the word's range from the playground to the hospital.

Compound Tenses: Eu tinha mordido | Ela tinha mordido | Nós tínhamos mordido (Always 'o').
Participial Adjective: A fruta mordida | Os dedos mordidos (Agrees in gender/number).

Ela estava tão mordida de raiva que nem conseguia falar.

To truly sound like a native, practice the 'mordido de' construction for emotions. 'Mordido de inveja' (Bitten by envy) is a classic way to describe someone who is visibly jealous. It evokes the image of the emotion actually taking a chunk out of the person's composure. In summary, whether you are using it to describe a half-eaten snack, a dog attack, or a friend's grumpy mood, mordido requires you to pay attention to the surrounding nouns and the specific auxiliary verbs you use. It is a workhorse of the Portuguese language that brings vivid, tactile imagery to your sentences.

Aquele lápis está todo mordido; você deve estar muito ansioso.

In the real world, mordido is a word that pops up in a variety of high-stakes and mundane situations. One of the most common places you will hear it is in a household with pets. Owners frequently exchange stories about being 'mordidos' by their teething puppies or grumpy cats. In these contexts, the word is often used with a sense of endearment or mild frustration. You might hear a parent say to a child, 'Não chegue perto do cachorro, ou você vai ser mordido!' (Don't go near the dog, or you'll be bitten!). This warning is a staple of childhood in Portuguese-speaking countries, where street dogs or protective house pets are common.

At the Vet: Doctors and technicians use it to describe injuries sustained by animals during fights.
In the Kitchen: Mothers often complain about finding 'frutas mordidas' in the fridge, left by snack-seeking kids.

O veterinário disse que o gato foi mordido na orelha durante a briga.

Another frequent environment for this word is the sports arena, particularly in soccer-obsessed Brazil. Fans often use mordido to describe a player who is playing with intense aggression or who is clearly upset by a referee's decision. If a player loses the ball and immediately sprints to get it back with a fierce look on his face, a commentator might say, 'Ele está mordido!' This implies a state of being 'stung' or 'fired up' by a previous failure. It’s a very expressive way to capture the psychological momentum of a game. Similarly, in the world of gossip and social media, you might hear that a celebrity is 'mordida' because of a negative review or a rival's success. It suggests a lingering, gnawing resentment that is visible to others.

A torcida percebeu que o atacante estava mordido após o gol anulado.

In rural areas, mordido takes on a more serious tone. Conversations about livestock being 'mordido por cobras' (bitten by snakes) or 'mordido por morcegos' (bitten by bats) are common concerns for farmers. Here, the word is tied to livelihood and safety. You will also find it in the news, especially during the summer when reports of shark sightings or dog attacks increase. The headline might read, 'Surfista é mordido por tubarão em Recife.' In these instances, the word carries a heavy, dramatic weight, signaling a significant event. Whether it's the small annoyance of a bitten pencil or the tragedy of a shark attack, mordido is the essential link between the action of the teeth and the resulting state of the victim.

News Headlines: Common in reports of animal encounters or accidents.
Classroom Settings: Teachers might notice 'lápis mordidos' (bitten pencils) as a sign of a student's anxiety.

O fazendeiro perdeu um bezerro que foi mordido por uma cobra cascavel.

Lastly, you'll encounter mordido in the world of art and design. The famous 'Apple' logo is often described in Portuguese as 'a maçã mordida.' This iconic image has made the word a part of the global tech vocabulary for Portuguese speakers. When people talk about their iPhones or MacBooks, they might jokingly refer to 'a marca da maçã mordida.' This shows how a simple adjective can become a cultural shorthand for a massive brand. From the most primitive animal instincts to the heights of modern technology, the word mordido is an ever-present part of the linguistic landscape, capturing moments of contact, consumption, and conflict.

Todo mundo reconhece o logotipo da maçã mordida em qualquer lugar.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using mordido is failing to distinguish it from picado. In English, we 'get bitten' by mosquitoes, spiders, and bees. However, in Portuguese, the verb morder (and its adjective mordido) specifically refers to the action of jaws and teeth. If a mosquito gets you, you are picado (stung/pricked). If a dog gets you, you are mordido. Using mordido for a mosquito bite will sound strange to a native speaker, as it implies the mosquito has a tiny set of jaws that it used to take a chunk out of you. This distinction is vital for accurate communication, especially in medical situations where the type of wound matters.

Mordido vs. Picado: Use 'mordido' for teeth (dogs, humans, apples). Use 'picado' for stingers/proboscises (bees, mosquitoes, needles).
Gender Agreement Failures: Incorrect: 'A menina foi mordido'. Correct: 'A menina foi mordida'.

Eu fui picado por uma abelha, não mordido!

Another common pitfall involves the auxiliary verbs. As mentioned before, when mordido is used in a compound tense with ter (e.g., 'Ele tinha mordido'), it does not change its ending. Learners often try to make it agree with the object of the bite. For example, they might say 'Ele tinha mordida a maçã.' This is incorrect. It should be 'Ele tinha mordido a maçã.' The agreement only happens when mordido acts as an adjective or in the passive voice with ser. This subtle rule of Portuguese grammar is a frequent source of confusion, but once you internalize that ter + past participle is an unchangeable block, it becomes much easier.

Eles tinham mordido as iscas antes de pescarmos.

Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse the noun mordida (a bite) with the adjective mordido. If you want to say 'I took a bite,' you say 'Eu dei uma mordida.' You cannot say 'Eu dei um mordido.' The noun represents the act or the wound itself, while the adjective describes the state of the thing that was bitten. Mixing these up can lead to sentences that are grammatically incoherent. Additionally, be careful with the slang usage. While saying someone is 'mordido' to mean 'annoyed' is common in Brazil, it might be less common or have different connotations in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola or Mozambique. In Portugal, 'picado' is often the preferred slang for being 'miffed' or 'provoked.'

Noun vs. Adjective: Noun: Uma mordida (a bite). Adjective: Mordido (bitten).
Regional Slang: Brazil: 'Mordido' = Annoyed. Portugal: 'Picado' = Annoyed.

Ela deu uma mordida no bolo, e agora ele está mordido.

Lastly, pay attention to the pronunciation of the 'd' sounds. In English, 'bitten' has a very distinct 't' sound. In Portuguese, the 'd' in mordido should be soft. In many Brazilian dialects, the 'di' sound is palatalized, sounding like the 'j' in 'jeep' (mor-JEE-doo). If you pronounce it with a hard English 'd' (mor-DEE-doh), you will still be understood, but you will have a very strong foreign accent. Practice softening those dental sounds to blend in better. By avoiding these common errors—distinguishing from picado, mastering agreement, separating noun from adjective, and refining pronunciation—you will use mordido with the confidence of a native speaker.

O braço dele foi mordido por um colega na creche.

While mordido is the most direct way to say 'bitten,' Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the context and the intensity of the action. If you want to describe a more severe injury, you might use ferido (wounded) or machucado (hurt/injured). These words are broader and don't specify the cause of the injury, but they are useful if the bite was particularly bad. For a very small bite, like a nip, you might hear the diminutive mordidinho, which is often used when talking to children or about small pets. This adds a layer of 'cuteness' or minimizes the severity of the act.

Picado: The primary alternative for insects and snakes (in some contexts). It implies a puncture rather than a jaw-clamping action.
Dentado: A more technical or literary term meaning 'toothed' or 'having teeth marks.' Used for gears or jagged edges.

O papel ficou todo dentado depois que a criança usou a tesoura cega.

In a metaphorical sense, if mordido means 'annoyed,' you have many other options. Irritado (irritated) is the most neutral and common. Chateado (upset/annoyed) is very frequent in Brazil and carries a similar weight to the slang use of mordido. If someone is extremely angry, you might use furioso or P da vida (a common Brazilian slang for being very pissed off). Choosing mordido specifically adds a flavor of 'resentment' or 'feeling slighted' that these other words might lack. It suggests the person is dwelling on the cause of their anger, much like a bite mark lingers on the skin.

Ele não está apenas triste, ele está mordido com a injustiça.

When talking about food, comido (eaten) is the general term, but mordido is more specific. If you say a sandwich is 'comido,' it might be half-gone. If it's 'mordido,' you can see the specific teeth marks. Another interesting word is beliscado (pinched/nibbled). If you 'belisca' food, you are taking tiny bits, often with your fingers or just a small bite. This is common at parties where there are 'petiscos' (snacks). Understanding these nuances allows you to describe exactly how food has been consumed. For example, 'O queijo foi beliscado' sounds like someone was picking at it, while 'O queijo foi mordido' sounds like someone took a direct bite out of the block.

Mastigado: Chewed. Used for something that has been thoroughly crushed by teeth, like 'comida mastigada' (chewed food).
Roído: Gnawed. Used for the action of rodents, like 'fio roído por rato' (wire gnawed by a rat).

O cachorro deixou o brinquedo todo mastigado no quintal.

In conclusion, while mordido is a simple and essential word, it exists within a rich ecosystem of related terms. By learning when to use picado for insects, roído for rats, mastigado for chewing, and chateado for general annoyance, you can make your Portuguese much more precise and evocative. Each word carries its own 'bite' of meaning, and knowing which one to choose will help you navigate the complexities of daily life in a Portuguese-speaking environment with ease and accuracy.

O rato tinha roído o canto da caixa de papelão.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The Latin root 'mordere' is also the source of the English word 'morsel' (a small bite) and 'remorse' (the feeling of being 'bitten' again by guilt).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mɔːˈdiː.duː/

US /moʊrˈdi.du/

The stress is on the second syllable: mor-DI-do.

Rhymes With

pedido perdido vestido bandido sentido querido vivido partido

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd' in Brazil (should be more like 'j').
Stressing the first syllable (MOR-dido).
Not rounding the final 'o' into a soft 'u' sound.
Pronouncing the 'r' like a French 'r' (it should be a soft tap in most dialects).
Forgetting to change the ending for feminine subjects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, usually follows the noun.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'di' varies by region; slang use requires context.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with 'mordida' (noun).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

morder dente boca cachorro maçã

Learn Next

picado roído mastigado ferido chateado

Advanced

mordacidade remorso dentada mordaz peçonhento

Grammar to Know

Past Participle as Adjective

O osso (masc) está mordido; A maçã (fem) está mordida.

Passive Voice with Ser

Eles foram mordidos pelo cachorro.

Compound Tenses with Ter

Ela tinha mordido a maçã (No agreement with 'maçã' here).

Preposition 'por' with Passive Voice

Mordido POR um animal.

Diminutives of Adjectives

O brinquedo está mordidinho (suggests a small bite).

Examples by Level

A maçã está mordida.

The apple is bitten.

Maçã is feminine, so we use 'mordida'.

O menino foi mordido pelo cachorro.

The boy was bitten by the dog.

Menino is masculine, so we use 'mordido'.

Eu vi um pão mordido.

I saw a bitten bread.

Pão is masculine, so we use 'mordido'.

A menina está mordida.

The girl is bitten.

Agreement with 'menina' (feminine).

O lápis está mordido.

The pencil is bitten.

Lápis is masculine singular in this context.

O gato foi mordido.

The cat was bitten.

Gato is masculine.

Muitas frutas estão mordidas.

Many fruits are bitten.

Plural feminine agreement (frutas mordidas).

Você foi mordido?

Were you bitten?

Question form using the passive voice.

O surfista foi mordido por um tubarão.

The surfer was bitten by a shark.

Passive voice: Subject + foi + mordido + por...

Cuidado! Você pode ser mordido.

Watch out! You might be bitten.

Use of 'ser' in the infinitive after 'pode'.

Eles foram mordidos durante a brincadeira.

They were bitten during the play.

Plural masculine agreement (Eles foram mordidos).

A criança chegou com o braço mordido.

The child arrived with a bitten arm.

Mordido modifies 'braço' (masculine).

Eu não gosto de comer pão mordido.

I don't like to eat bitten bread.

Adjective following the noun.

Onde você foi mordido pelo cão?

Where were you bitten by the dog?

Interrogative sentence in the passive voice.

As mãos dela ficaram mordidas de frio.

Her hands were bitten by the cold (metaphorical/idiomatic).

Feminine plural agreement (mãos mordidas).

O brinquedo de borracha está todo mordido.

The rubber toy is all bitten.

Use of 'todo' as an intensifier.

Ele ficou mordido com o que eu disse.

He got annoyed with what I said.

Slang/Metaphorical use common in Brazil.

Ela estava mordida de ciúmes do namorado.

She was bitten by jealousy of her boyfriend.

Idiom: 'mordido de' + emotion.

O jogador saiu de campo muito mordido.

The player left the field very annoyed/fired up.

Describes a psychological state.

Se você for mordido, lave a ferida imediatamente.

If you are bitten, wash the wound immediately.

Conditional 'se' + future subjunctive of 'ser'.

Ninguém queria o resto do bolo mordido.

Nobody wanted the rest of the bitten cake.

Adjective modifying 'bolo'.

Fiquei mordido por não ter sido convidado.

I was annoyed for not having been invited.

Expressing resentment.

O cavalo estava mordido por moscas.

The horse was being bitten by flies.

Passive voice with an animal agent.

Aquelas iscas já foram mordidas pelos peixes.

Those baits have already been bitten by the fish.

Feminine plural agreement (iscas mordidas).

O atacante estava mordido para marcar um gol.

The striker was hungry/fired up to score a goal.

Metaphorical use for determination.

Ele é um homem mordido pelo destino.

He is a man bitten by fate.

Poetic/Literary usage.

A marca da maçã mordida é famosa mundialmente.

The brand of the bitten apple is famous worldwide.

Referring to the Apple Inc. logo.

O cão, tendo sido mordido antes, agora é agressivo.

The dog, having been bitten before, is now aggressive.

Gerund of the passive voice (tendo sido mordido).

Ela se sentiu mordida pela crítica do professor.

She felt stung/offended by the teacher's criticism.

Reflexive verb 'sentir-se' + adjective.

Os cabos foram mordidos por roedores no sótão.

The cables were bitten by rodents in the attic.

Passive voice with 'roedores' as agent.

Não fique mordido com bobagens.

Don't get annoyed by silly things.

Imperative negative.

O fruto mordido apodrece mais rápido.

The bitten fruit rots faster.

General statement/proverbial style.

O rancor o deixou mordido e amargurado.

Resentment left him bitten and embittered.

Using 'deixar' + object + adjective.

A legislação trata de ferimentos mordidos por animais peçonhentos.

The legislation deals with wounds bitten by venomous animals.

Technical/Legal register.

Ele é conhecido por seu estilo 'mordido' de jogar.

He is known for his 'aggressive' style of playing.

Adjective used in quotes to denote a specific nuance.

A alma mordida pela dor não encontra sossego.

The soul bitten by pain finds no peace.

High literary metaphor.

Muitos políticos ficaram mordidos com a nova lei.

Many politicians were annoyed/offended by the new law.

Journalistic/Political register.

O couro estava mordido pela ação do tempo.

The leather was bitten (worn down) by the action of time.

Metaphor for erosion/wear.

Sua resposta foi um tanto mordida, não acha?

Your response was a bit sharp/resentful, don't you think?

Using 'mordida' to describe communication style.

O bezerro foi mordido por um morcego hematófago.

The calf was bitten by a vampire bat.

Specific biological terminology.

A dialética do autor revela um pensamento mordido pela dúvida.

The author's dialectic reveals a thought bitten by doubt.

Abstract philosophical usage.

O tecido social encontra-se mordido por desigualdades abismais.

The social fabric is bitten (frayed) by abysmal inequalities.

Sociological metaphor.

Ele reagiu de forma mordida, evidenciando seu melindre.

He reacted in a resentful way, highlighting his touchiness.

Advanced psychological description.

A estrutura metálica estava mordida pela corrosão galvânica.

The metallic structure was bitten (eaten away) by galvanic corrosion.

Engineering/Technical context.

O texto, mordido por sucessivas revisões, perdeu sua alma.

The text, bitten (hacked away) by successive revisions, lost its soul.

Literary criticism.

A crônica descreve um Rio de Janeiro mordido pela nostalgia.

The chronicle describes a Rio de Janeiro bitten by nostalgia.

Cultural/Literary analysis.

Sua vaidade foi mordida pelo sucesso alheio.

His vanity was bitten (wounded) by others' success.

Describing human fallibility.

O terreno acidentado parecia mordido por gigantes.

The rugged terrain looked bitten by giants.

Mythological/Descriptive imagery.

Common Collocations

ser mordido por

maçã mordida

ficar mordido

mordido de ciúmes

lábio mordido

mordido de inveja

braço mordido

pão mordido

mordido pela curiosidade

dedo mordido

Common Phrases

Foi mordido pelo bicho da curiosidade.

— Used when someone becomes suddenly very interested in something.

Depois da viagem, ele foi mordido pelo bicho da curiosidade sobre história.

Não coma fruta mordida.

— A common piece of hygiene advice.

Jogue fora, não coma fruta mordida por animais.

Ele saiu mordido da reunião.

— He left the meeting feeling offended or angry.

A crítica foi pesada e ele saiu mordido da reunião.

Cuidado com o cachorro, ele já mordeu gente.

— Warning about a biting dog.

Não entre aí! Cuidado com o cachorro, ele já mordeu gente.

A maçã mordida da Apple.

— Referring to the famous tech company logo.

O design da maçã mordida é genial.

Ficou mordido à toa.

— Got annoyed for no reason.

Não disse nada demais, ele ficou mordido à toa.

Mordido de raiva.

— Extremely angry.

Ele estava mordido de raiva com o atraso.

O osso está todo mordido.

— The bone is covered in bite marks.

O cachorro adora esse osso, está todo mordido.

Quem foi mordido por cobra...

— Start of a famous proverb about being cautious.

Quem foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça.

Lápis mordido é sinal de ansiedade.

— Observation about a common habit.

Olha o estado do seu material! Lápis mordido é sinal de ansiedade.

Often Confused With

mordido vs picado

English 'bitten' covers both, but Portuguese separates teeth (mordido) from stings/punctures (picado).

mordido vs mordida

Don't use the noun 'mordida' when you need an adjective. 'O pão está mordida' is wrong; it should be 'mordido'.

mordido vs mastigado

Mastigado means chewed up; mordido means a single or few bites were taken.

Idioms & Expressions

"mordido de ciúmes"

— To be consumed by jealousy.

Ele ficou mordido de ciúmes quando viu a ex com outro.

Informal

"mordido de inveja"

— To be very envious.

Ela estava mordida de inveja do carro novo da amiga.

Informal

"mordido de raiva"

— Fuming with anger.

O chefe ficou mordido de raiva com o erro.

Informal

"mordido pelo bicho de..."

— To be suddenly obsessed or very interested in a hobby/topic.

Fui mordido pelo bicho da fotografia.

Informal

"quem foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça"

— Once bitten, twice shy.

Ele não quer investir de novo; quem foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça.

Proverbial

"ficar mordido"

— To take offense or feel resentful.

Não fique mordido com o que ele falou, ele estava brincando.

Slang (Brazil)

"mordido de remorso"

— Eaten up by regret or guilt.

Ele passou a noite mordido de remorso pelo que fez.

Literary

"mordido de frio"

— To be very affected by the cold.

Chegaram em casa com os narizes mordidos de frio.

Descriptive

"mordido de sono"

— Extremely tired (less common but used).

Estou mordido de sono, preciso dormir.

Informal

"estar mordido"

— To be in a bad mood or 'salty'.

O que aconteceu? Você parece estar mordido hoje.

Slang

Easily Confused

mordido vs picado

English uses 'bitten' for insects.

Mordido is for jaws/teeth; picado is for stingers/needles/insect mouths.

Fui picado por uma abelha (Not mordido).

mordido vs roído

Both involve teeth.

Roído is for the repetitive gnawing of rodents or constant wearing down.

O rato deixou o queijo roído.

mordido vs dentado

Both refer to teeth.

Dentado refers to having teeth-like shapes (like a saw), while mordido refers to the action of being bitten.

A folha tem uma borda dentada.

mordido vs chateado

Both mean annoyed in Brazil.

Mordido implies a sharper sense of resentment or being 'stung' by a comment.

Ele está chateado (sad/annoyed) vs Ele está mordido (resentful).

mordido vs mastigado

Both involve the mouth.

Mastigado is the process of chewing; mordido is the result of a bite.

A comida deve ser bem mastigada.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] está mordido.

O lápis está mordido.

[Subject] foi mordido por [Agent].

O menino foi mordido por um cão.

Ficar mordido com [Situation].

Fiquei mordido com o atraso.

Mordido de [Emotion].

Ela está mordida de ciúmes.

Tendo sido mordido, [Consequence].

Tendo sido mordido, o gato fugiu.

[Abstract Noun] mordido por [Metaphor].

Um orgulho mordido pelo fracasso.

[Noun] mordido de [Abstract Quality].

Um texto mordido de ironia.

General

Todo mordido.

O sapato está todo mordido.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily conversation, especially regarding food, pets, and informal emotional states.

Common Mistakes

Eu fui mordido por um mosquito. → Eu fui picado por um mosquito.
Insects sting or prick (picar), they don't bite with teeth (morder).
A menina foi mordido. → A menina foi mordida.
The adjective must agree with the feminine subject 'menina'.
Ela tinha mordida a maçã. → Ela tinha mordido a maçã.
In compound tenses with 'ter', the past participle does not change.
Eu dei um mordido no pão. → Eu dei uma mordida no pão.
'Mordida' is the noun (a bite); 'mordido' is the adjective (bitten).
O cachorro mordeu-me o braço mordido. → O cachorro mordeu o meu braço.
Redundancy: if the dog bit the arm, the arm is now bitten, but you don't use the adjective while the action is happening.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always look at the noun. If it's plural and feminine (as maçãs), the word must be 'mordidas'.

Insects vs Animals

Remember: Teeth = mordido. Stinger/Needle = picado. This is the #1 mistake English speakers make.

Brazilian Resentment

Use 'ficar mordido' when a friend is acting salty. It's very natural and idiomatic in Brazil.

The Soft 'D'

In most of Brazil, 'di' sounds like 'jee'. Try saying 'mor-JEE-du' to sound more local.

Metaphorical Bites

Use 'mordido de ciúmes' for jealousy. It's much more evocative than just saying 'com ciúmes'.

Passive Voice

Use 'foi mordido' to emphasize the victim of the bite. It's very common in news and storytelling.

Warnings

'Cuidado para não ser mordido' is a standard warning. Learn it as a fixed phrase.

Describing Objects

A 'lápis mordido' is a great detail to add to a story to show a character's nervousness.

Portugal vs Brazil

In Portugal, you might hear 'dentada' more for the noun, but 'mordido' is still the standard adjective.

Remorse Connection

Connect 'mordido' to 'remorse' (being bitten by guilt) to help remember the root 'morder'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'More-Dead-O'. If you get bitten by something dangerous, you might feel 'More Dead'. Mordido!

Visual Association

Imagine the Apple logo. It's a 'maçã mordida'. Associate the word with that famous image.

Word Web

morder dente boca maçã cachorro raiva ciúmes picada

Challenge

Try to use 'mordido' in three different ways today: once for food, once for an animal, and once for an emotion (slang).

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'mordere', which means 'to bite' or 'to take hold of'. The suffix '-ido' is the standard past participle ending for '-er' verbs in Portuguese.

Original meaning: To clamp down with teeth; to consume or wound using jaws.

Romance (Indo-European > Italic > Latino-Faliscan > Latin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'mordido' for people; in some contexts, it can imply a sexual 'love bite' (chupão), though 'mordida' is the more common term there.

English speakers often over-use 'bitten' for insects. In Portuguese, remember to switch to 'picado'.

The Apple logo (A maçã mordida). The song 'Mordida de Amor' by Yahoo (a famous 80s Brazilian rock ballad). Machado de Assis's frequent use of 'remorso' (related root) in his psychological novels.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical/First Aid

Fui mordido por um cão.
A ferida está mordida.
Onde você foi mordido?
É uma ferida mordida profunda.

Food/Kitchen

Quem deixou esta maçã mordida?
O pão está mordido.
Não coma nada que já esteja mordido.
A fruta apareceu mordida hoje.

Slang/Social

Ele ficou mordido com o comentário.
Não fique mordido comigo.
Ela saiu da festa mordida.
Você parece mordido hoje.

Pets/Animals

Meu gato foi mordido na briga.
O brinquedo está todo mordido.
Cuidado para não ser mordido pelo Totó.
O cavalo foi mordido por cobras.

Sports/Competition

O time voltou mordido para o segundo tempo.
Ele está mordido para ganhar.
O jogador ficou mordido com a falta.
A torcida está mordida com o resultado.

Conversation Starters

"Você já foi mordido por algum animal estranho?"

"Por que você acha que ele ficou tão mordido com aquela piada?"

"Você prefere o logotipo da maçã mordida ou de outras marcas?"

"O que você faz quando vê um pão mordido na mesa?"

"Você já ficou mordido de inveja de alguém, mesmo sem querer?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma vez que você ficou 'mordido' (chateado) com uma situação no trabalho ou na escola.

Escreva sobre um animal de estimação que era um pouco agressivo e sempre deixava tudo mordido.

Imagine que você é uma maçã mordida em uma cesta. Como você se sente?

Reflita sobre o provérbio: 'Quem foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça'. Isso se aplica à sua vida?

Como você reagiria se fosse mordido por um cachorro na rua? Descreva os passos que tomaria.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, no. In Portuguese, you should use 'picado'. Using 'mordido' implies the mosquito has teeth and took a chunk out of you, which sounds funny to natives.

Yes, when it's an adjective ('maçã mordida') or passive voice ('ela foi mordida'). No, when it's in a compound tense with 'ter' ('ela tinha mordido a maçã').

It's common slang for being annoyed, offended, or resentful because of something someone said or did.

No, 'mordidela' is a noun (a small bite/nip), common in Portugal. 'Mordido' is the adjective (bitten).

The Portuguese equivalent is 'Quem foi mordido por cobra tem medo de linguiça'.

Yes, because sharks have teeth. 'O surfista foi mordido por um tubarão'.

Yes, like a 'lápis mordido' (bitten pencil) or 'pão mordido' (bitten bread).

You can use 'inteiro' (whole) or 'intacto' (untouched).

It is neutral and can be used in any register, though the 'annoyed' meaning is informal.

'Mordido' specifies the cause (a bite), while 'ferido' is a general term for any injury.