When something truly shocks or disgusts you in Portuguese, you can exclaim Que terrível! It's a versatile phrase that conveys strong negative emotion, similar to saying "How terrible!" or "How awful!" in English.
You might use it if you hear some really bad news, see an unfortunate event, or even react to something particularly unpleasant. Remember, it's about expressing a genuine sense of dismay or disapproval. It's a very common and natural way to react in Portuguese when faced with something truly dreadful.
When something truly awful or shocking happens, you can exclaim, “Que terrível!” This phrase literally translates to “How terrible!” or “How awful!” It’s a versatile expression you can use in many situations, from reacting to bad news to witnessing an unpleasant event. Imagine someone just told you their car broke down on the highway – a simple “Que terrível!” would be a perfectly natural and empathetic response.
It’s a strong expression, so reserve it for genuinely negative or shocking situations. Using it for minor inconveniences might sound a bit dramatic. Think of it as a way to convey genuine dismay or a strong negative reaction.
Que terrível! in 30 Seconds
- Expresses shock or disgust.
- Literally means 'How terrible!'
- Used in response to unpleasant news or events.
You're learning Portuguese, and sometimes you just need to express how awful something is. That's where "Que terrível!" comes in handy. It's a direct and common way to show shock or disgust.
- DEFINITION
- Expresses shock or disgust; How terrible! How awful!
§ How to use "Que terrível!"
"Que terrível!" is an exclamation. This means you use it to show strong emotion. It doesn't change based on gender or number because it's a fixed phrase.
You can use it in situations where you hear bad news, see something unpleasant, or witness an unfortunate event. Think of it like saying "How awful!" or "That's terrible!" in English.
Ela perdeu o emprego. Que terrível!
Translation hint: She lost her job. How terrible!
A comida estava estragada. Que terrível!
Translation hint: The food was spoiled. How awful!
§ Common scenarios for using "Que terrível!"
- When reacting to bad news.
- When expressing disapproval of a situation.
- When showing sympathy for someone's misfortune.
Here are more examples to help you get the hang of it:
Ele quebrou a perna jogando futebol. Que terrível!
Translation hint: He broke his leg playing soccer. How terrible!
O time perdeu o campeonato no último minuto. Que terrível para eles!
Translation hint: The team lost the championship in the last minute. How awful for them!
§ Alternatives and similar expressions
While "Que terrível!" is very useful, you might also hear or want to use some similar expressions depending on the nuance:
- Que horrível! (How horrible!) - Very similar to "Que terrível!" and often interchangeable.
- Que pena! (What a shame!) - Used for expressing pity or regret. It's a bit softer than "Que terrível!".
- Que desastre! (What a disaster!) - Used for more severe, disastrous situations.
Ele não conseguiu viajar. Que pena!
Translation hint: He couldn't travel. What a shame!
O acidente foi um desastre.
Translation hint: The accident was a disaster.
By adding "Que terrível!" to your vocabulary, you'll be able to express your reactions to unfortunate events more naturally in Portuguese. Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll master it in no time!
Examples by Level
Que terrível! O pneu furou bem no meio da estrada.
How terrible! The tire punctured right in the middle of the road.
Used to express dismay about an unexpected problem.
Que terrível! Choveu o dia todo e não pudemos ir à praia.
How awful! It rained all day and we couldn't go to the beach.
Expressing disappointment about bad weather.
O trânsito está parado. Que terrível, vou chegar atrasado ao trabalho.
The traffic is stopped. How terrible, I'm going to be late for work.
Showing frustration about a delay.
Que terrível! Perdi minha carteira no shopping.
How terrible! I lost my wallet at the mall.
Expressing distress over a lost item.
A comida está fria e sem sabor. Que terrível!
The food is cold and tasteless. How awful!
Used to complain about poor quality food.
Que terrível! Esqueci meu passaporte em casa e meu voo é em uma hora.
How terrible! I forgot my passport at home and my flight is in an hour.
Conveying panic about a serious oversight.
O jogo foi cancelado por causa da tempestade. Que terrível!
The game was canceled because of the storm. How terrible!
Expressing disappointment about a canceled event.
Que terrível! Meu celular caiu na água e não liga mais.
How awful! My cell phone fell in the water and won't turn on anymore.
Showing dismay over a broken item.
How to Use It
Que terrível! can be used as a standalone exclamation. In Portuguese, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. However, when used as an exclamation, terrível (terrible) doesn't change because it's expressing a general sentiment, not describing a specific noun.
A common mistake is trying to make terrível agree with an implied feminine noun, like saying 'Que terrívela!' This is incorrect because terrível is a two-ending adjective (it doesn't change for masculine or feminine singular). Another mistake is using it as an adjective to describe a noun directly without 'Que', e.g., 'A situação terrível!' while grammatically correct, doesn't carry the same exclamatory shock as 'Que terrível!'
Tips
Literal Translation
Literally, 'Que terrível!' means 'What terrible!'. This is a direct and strong way to express a negative reaction to something. Think of it like saying 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!' in English.
Pronunciation Practice
Focus on the 'qu' sound, which is like 'k' in 'key'. The 'rr' in 'terrível' is a rolled 'r' sound, which might take some practice for English speakers. The 'í' is like the 'ee' in 'see'. Practice saying it with emphasis to convey the emotion.
Versatile Reaction
You can use 'Que terrível!' in response to bad news, an unfortunate event, or even a truly unpleasant sight. It's a versatile phrase for expressing strong negative emotion.
Avoid Overuse
While a strong expression, avoid using 'Que terrível!' for every slightly negative situation. It can sound insincere or over-dramatic if used for minor issues. Save it for truly impactful moments.
Synonyms to Learn Later
For more advanced learners, you can explore other expressions of dismay like 'Que horror!' (How horrible!) or 'Que pena!' (What a shame!). For now, master 'Que terrível!' as your go-to for strong negative reactions.
Example Usage 1
Imagine someone tells you, 'Meu cachorro está doente.' (My dog is sick.) You can respond with, 'Que terrível!' to show your sympathy and concern.
Example Usage 2
If you see a terrible accident on the news, you might exclaim, 'Que terrível!' This expresses your shock and dismay at the situation.
Expressing Emotion
Brazilians tend to be quite expressive with their emotions. Using phrases like 'Que terrível!' is a natural way to show you are engaged and understanding of someone's situation. Don't be afraid to use it with genuine feeling.
Modifying the Adjective
While 'terrível' is already strong, you could theoretically use adverbs for emphasis, though 'Que terrível!' stands strong on its own. For instance, 'Que muito terrível!' (How very terrible!) is possible but less common. Stick to the basic phrase for now for most natural speech.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Reacting to bad news or an unfortunate event.
- Que terrível! Sinto muito por isso.
- Isso é terrível! Como aconteceu?
- Que notícia terrível!
Describing something unpleasant or of poor quality.
- O serviço foi terrível.
- A comida estava terrível.
- Que tempo terrível faz hoje!
Expressing disapproval or shock at someone's actions.
- Que terrível que ele fez isso!
- Isso é realmente terrível.
- Que comportamento terrível!
Responding to a story or situation that evokes sympathy or horror.
- Que terrível! Não posso acreditar.
- Sério? Que terrível!
- Que situação terrível!
Commenting on a difficult or challenging experience.
- A viagem foi terrível.
- A prova foi terrível.
- Foi uma experiência terrível.
Conversation Starters
"O que você faria se recebesse uma notícia terrível?"
"Qual foi a coisa mais terrível que você viu ou ouviu recentemente?"
"Você já teve uma experiência terrível que te ensinou algo?"
"Como você reagiria se alguém te contasse uma história terrível?"
"Qual é a sua opinião sobre notícias que parecem terríveis, mas que no final não são tão ruins?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva uma situação em que você usaria 'Que terrível!' e por quê. (Describe a situation where you would use 'Que terrível!' and why.)
Pense em um evento recente que você considerou 'terrível' e escreva sobre seus sentimentos. (Think about a recent event you considered 'terrible' and write about your feelings.)
Imagine que você está contando uma história a um amigo e ele responde 'Que terrível!'. O que você acha que ele está sentindo? (Imagine you are telling a story to a friend and they respond 'Que terrível!'. What do you think they are feeling?)
Escreva sobre uma vez em que você teve que dar ou receber uma notícia terrível. Como você lidou com isso? (Write about a time when you had to give or receive terrible news. How did you deal with it?)
Reflita sobre como diferentes culturas podem expressar choque ou desgosto. Há alguma diferença em como 'Que terrível!' é usado em comparação com expressões semelhantes em inglês? (Reflect on how different cultures might express shock or disgust. Are there any differences in how 'Que terrível!' is used compared to similar expressions in English?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Que terrível!' means 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!' It's used to express shock or disgust.
Yes, it's a very common and natural way to express strong negative feelings about a situation or event.
You would use it when something bad, shocking, or disgusting happens or is described. For example, if someone tells you about a car accident, you might say, 'Que terrível!'
While technically you could, it's a bit strong for minor inconveniences. It implies a significant negative impact. For something small, you might use 'Que chato!' (How annoying!) instead.
It's generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and your relationship with the person you're speaking to.
Yes, you could also say 'Que horror!' (How horrible!) or 'Que desgraça!' (What a disgrace/misfortune!). 'Que terrível!' is a good, versatile option.
Mostly, yes, in this context it means bad or awful. However, sometimes 'terrível' can be used informally to mean 'great' or 'awesome' in a sarcastic or exaggerated way, but that's less common for beginners. Stick to the negative meaning for now.
It's pronounced like 'keh teh-HEE-vel'. The 'rr' in 'terrível' is typically a rolled 'r' sound in European Portuguese and a 'h' sound (like the 'h' in 'hat') in Brazilian Portuguese.
No, it's an exclamation, not a question. You're stating an opinion or reaction, not asking for information.
If someone says, 'Meu cachorro fugiu!' (My dog ran away!), you could respond with, 'Ah, que terrível!' (Oh, how terrible!).
Test Yourself 66 questions
This sentence means 'I am well.' in Portuguese.
This sentence means 'Thank you for helping.' in Portuguese.
This sentence means 'Good morning everyone!' in Portuguese.
O acidente de carro foi horrível. Que ___!
'Que terrível!' means 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!' and fits the context of a horrible car accident.
Ele perdeu o emprego. Que ___!
Losing a job is generally a negative event, so 'Que terrível!' is an appropriate expression of shock or disgust.
A comida estava estragada. Que ___!
Spoiled food would elicit a reaction of disgust, making 'Que terrível!' the correct choice.
As notícias eram muito ruins. Que ___!
Bad news is often met with expressions of dismay, so 'Que terrível!' is fitting.
O time perdeu o jogo de novo. Que ___!
Repeated losses in a game can be frustrating or disappointing, making 'Que terrível!' a suitable expression.
Aquele filme foi horrível. Que ___!
If a movie is described as 'horrível' (horrible), 'Que terrível!' (How terrible!) is the correct expression of disgust or shock.
Choose the best English translation for 'Que terrível!'
'Que terrível!' is an expression used to convey shock or disgust, directly translating to 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!'
Which situation would most appropriately use the expression 'Que terrível!'?
'Que terrível!' is used to express shock or disgust, making it suitable for negative situations like a natural disaster.
Someone just told you they lost their pet. How would you respond to express sympathy and shock in Portuguese?
Losing a pet is a sad event, and 'Que terrível!' conveys the appropriate sentiment of shock and sympathy.
You can use 'Que terrível!' to express joy.
'Que terrível!' is used to express shock or disgust, not joy.
If you see a terrible accident, 'Que terrível!' is an appropriate response.
'Que terrível!' is used to express shock or disgust, making it suitable for responding to a terrible accident.
The phrase 'Que terrível!' means 'How wonderful!'.
'Que terrível!' means 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!', not 'How wonderful!'.
Imagine you just saw someone drop all their groceries. Write a short sentence in Portuguese expressing sympathy and shock.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Que terrível! Coitado!
You hear some bad news about a friend's trip being canceled. Write a simple Portuguese response showing you understand their disappointment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Que terrível notícia! Sinto muito.
Describe a small, unfortunate event you witnessed, using 'Que terrível!' to react.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Um copo caiu e partiu. Que terrível!
What is João's reaction to Ana's news?
Read this passage:
Ana: Meu cachorro está doente. Não comeu nada hoje. João: Que terrível! Sinto muito por isso. Ana: Sim, ele está muito fraco.
What is João's reaction to Ana's news?
João uses 'Que terrível!' and 'Sinto muito por isso,' which both express shock and sympathy.
João uses 'Que terrível!' and 'Sinto muito por isso,' which both express shock and sympathy.
Why did the person say 'Que terrível!'?
Read this passage:
A festa foi cancelada por causa da chuva forte. Todos estavam muito tristes. Uma pessoa disse: 'Que terrível! Estava esperando por esta festa.'
Why did the person say 'Que terrível!'?
The passage states that the party was canceled and everyone was sad, leading to the exclamation 'Que terrível!'
The passage states that the party was canceled and everyone was sad, leading to the exclamation 'Que terrível!'
What emotion does the mother express with 'Que terrível!'?
Read this passage:
O menino perdeu seu brinquedo favorito no parque. Ele começou a chorar. Sua mãe disse: 'Que terrível! Vamos procurar juntos.'
What emotion does the mother express with 'Que terrível!'?
The mother uses 'Que terrível!' in response to her son losing his favorite toy and crying, showing shock and concern.
The mother uses 'Que terrível!' in response to her son losing his favorite toy and crying, showing shock and concern.
This phrase is a common exclamation in Portuguese.
'Que' followed by a noun and adjective is a common way to express exclamations in Portuguese. 'Notícia' means 'news'.
'Acidente' means 'accident'. This construction is used to express strong feelings about an event.
O acidente na estrada foi ___. Muitas pessoas ficaram feridas.
A palavra 'terrível' se encaixa no contexto de um acidente grave, indicando algo muito ruim.
Quando vi o resultado do exame, pensei: 'Que ___! Não acredito que tirei uma nota tão baixa.'
A expressão 'Que terrível!' é usada para demonstrar choque ou desgosto, o que é apropriado para uma nota baixa inesperada.
A notícia sobre o desemprego crescente é ___. As pessoas estão preocupadas com o futuro.
O desemprego crescente é uma notícia ruim, portanto 'terrível' é a palavra correta para descrever a situação.
Perder o voo e as malas no mesmo dia? Que ___!
Perder o voo e as malas é uma situação muito negativa, o que pode ser expressa como 'Que terrível!' ou, neste caso, 'Que azar!'.
O filme de terror foi tão ___ que não consegui dormir à noite.
Filmes de terror são frequentemente 'terríveis' no sentido de causar medo ou ser muito chocante.
Receber uma multa por estacionamento proibido é sempre uma situação ___. Que chato!
Receber uma multa é uma experiência negativa, e 'terrível' descreve bem essa sensação de aborrecimento e desgosto.
Imagine you are watching the news and hear about a natural disaster. Write a short reaction expressing shock or dismay, using 'Que terrível!'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Acabei de ver as notícias sobre o terremoto. Que terrível! Muitas pessoas perderam as suas casas.
Your friend tells you about a terrible experience they had. Write a short response to show your sympathy and shock, including 'Que terrível!'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Sinto muito por ouvir isso. Que terrível! Espero que as coisas melhorem em breve.
You just read an article online about a shocking event. Write a comment for the article using 'Que terrível!' to express your strong disapproval.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Li este artigo e fiquei chocado. Que terrível! É inacreditável que algo assim possa acontecer.
O que Pedro está expressando ao dizer 'Que terrível!'?
Read this passage:
Ana: 'Sabias que o João perdeu o emprego ontem?' Pedro: 'Não, não sabia! Que terrível! Ele estava tão feliz com aquele trabalho.'
O que Pedro está expressando ao dizer 'Que terrível!'?
Pedro está surpreso com a notícia e expressa sua simpatia pelo João, que perdeu o emprego.
Pedro está surpreso com a notícia e expressa sua simpatia pelo João, que perdeu o emprego.
Qual é o sentimento principal da mulher ao usar a expressão 'Que terrível!'?
Read this passage:
A reportagem da televisão mostrava as consequências da tempestade: casas destruídas e ruas inundadas. 'Que terrível!', pensou a mulher, enquanto assistia às imagens.
Qual é o sentimento principal da mulher ao usar a expressão 'Que terrível!'?
A mulher está espantada e triste com a destruição causada pela tempestade.
A mulher está espantada e triste com a destruição causada pela tempestade.
Por que os adeptos usaram a expressão 'Que terrível!'?
Read this passage:
Durante o jogo, o jogador caiu e parecia ter-se magoado seriamente. Os adeptos gritaram: 'Que terrível!' ao ver a cena.
Por que os adeptos usaram a expressão 'Que terrível!'?
Os adeptos estão chocados e preocupados com a lesão do jogador.
Os adeptos estão chocados e preocupados com a lesão do jogador.
O acidente na rodovia foi terrível. ___ pessoas ficaram feridas.
The context implies a significant number of injuries due to a terrible accident.
A notícia de que o projeto foi cancelado foi ___ para toda a equipe.
The cancellation of a project is usually a very negative event for a team.
O cheiro que vinha da cozinha era ___. Tive que abrir todas as janelas.
A smell that makes you open all windows is likely an awful smell.
Ele teve um desempenho ___ na prova, o que o deixou muito triste.
A performance that makes someone very sad indicates a very bad performance.
A situação econômica do país é ___. Precisamos de mudanças urgentes.
A situation that requires urgent changes is typically a terrible or critical one.
Ver aquela cena de desespero foi ___ para todos os presentes.
A scene of desperation would evoke shock or disgust, thus being terrible.
Choose the best response to 'O acidente foi horrível!' (The accident was horrible!):
'Que terrível!' is used to express shock or disgust, which is appropriate for a horrible accident.
If someone tells you 'Perdi meu emprego ontem.' (I lost my job yesterday.), what would be an appropriate reaction?
Losing a job is a negative event, so 'Que terrível!' (How terrible!) is the suitable response.
Which phrase has a similar meaning to 'Que terrível!'?
'Que horror!' also expresses shock or disgust, making it similar in meaning to 'Que terrível!'.
You can use 'Que terrível!' to express happiness or joy.
'Que terrível!' specifically conveys shock or disgust, not happiness or joy.
If you hear about a natural disaster, 'Que terrível!' would be an appropriate expression.
Natural disasters are shocking and awful events, making 'Que terrível!' a suitable response.
'Que terrível!' can be translated as 'How wonderful!'
'Que terrível!' means 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!', not 'How wonderful!'.
This sentence describes the news of a tragedy being terrible for everyone. The phrase 'que terrível' emphasizes the severity.
This sentence expresses the feeling of how terrible it is to see so much suffering in the world nowadays. 'Que terrível' highlights the strong emotion.
This sentence describes a road accident as being terrible and shocking the community. 'Que terrível' is used to emphasize the horrific nature of the event.
A notícia do acidente foi verdadeiramente ___, chocando a todos.
The context implies a negative event (accident) that shocked everyone, so 'terrível' (terrible/awful) is the most fitting adjective to describe the news.
Após a revelação do escândalo, a reputação da empresa tornou-se ___.
An 'escândalo' (scandal) would negatively impact a company's reputation, making it 'horrível' (horrible/awful).
Que ___ situação! Não sei como vamos resolver este problema tão complicado.
The phrase 'Não sei como vamos resolver este problema tão complicado' (I don't know how we are going to solve this very complicated problem) indicates a negative and difficult situation, so 'terrível' (terrible) fits.
A condição de saúde do paciente piorou drasticamente, o que é ___.
A drastic worsening of a patient's health is a negative and regrettable situation, making 'lamentável' (lamentable/regrettable, implying awful) appropriate.
O cheiro que vinha do lixo acumulado era absolutamente ___.
Accumulated garbage would produce a foul smell, making 'repugnante' (repugnant/disgusting, implying awful) the correct choice.
A notícia da tragédia deixou a comunidade inteira em um estado ___ de choque e tristeza.
A tragedy would evoke a 'profundo' (deep) state of shock and sadness in a community, emphasizing the severity of the event, aligning with the idea of 'how terrible'.
/ 66 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'Que terrível!' to express your dismay or shock when something is awful or unfortunate.
- Expresses shock or disgust.
- Literally means 'How terrible!'
- Used in response to unpleasant news or events.
Literal Translation
Literally, 'Que terrível!' means 'What terrible!'. This is a direct and strong way to express a negative reaction to something. Think of it like saying 'How terrible!' or 'How awful!' in English.
Context is Key
This phrase is used for situations that are genuinely bad or upsetting. For example, if someone tells you about a car accident, you could say, 'Que terrível!' It's not for minor inconveniences. Use it for things that evoke real shock or disgust.
Pronunciation Practice
Focus on the 'qu' sound, which is like 'k' in 'key'. The 'rr' in 'terrível' is a rolled 'r' sound, which might take some practice for English speakers. The 'í' is like the 'ee' in 'see'. Practice saying it with emphasis to convey the emotion.
Versatile Reaction
You can use 'Que terrível!' in response to bad news, an unfortunate event, or even a truly unpleasant sight. It's a versatile phrase for expressing strong negative emotion.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More emotions words
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
