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B2 adjective 10 min read

requintado

Examples
Explanation requintado in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, the word 'requintado' is not a priority for you to use in your daily conversations. When you are just starting to learn Portuguese, you usually focus on basic adjectives like 'bom' (good), 'bonito' (beautiful), or 'caro' (expensive). However, it is very useful to recognize this word if you see it. You might see 'requintado' written on the menu of a very nice restaurant, or you might hear it in a television commercial for a luxury car or perfume. If you hear it, just remember that it means something is very fancy, very beautiful, and probably very expensive. It means 'refined' or 'sophisticated'. For example, if your Portuguese friend points to a beautiful, expensive cake and says 'Que bolo requintado!', they are simply saying 'What a fancy, exquisite cake!'. You don't need to try and use this word yourself yet. Stick to simpler words to express that you like something. But knowing what it means will help you understand menus, advertisements, and descriptions of nice places when you travel in Portugal or Brazil. As you learn more, you will start to see how Portuguese has many different words to describe things that are beautiful, and 'requintado' is one of the highest compliments you can give to an object or a meal.
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As an A2 learner, you are starting to build a larger vocabulary and can describe things with more detail. You already know words like 'lindo' (gorgeous), 'delicioso' (delicious), and 'chique' (fancy). The word 'requintado' is a step up from these. It means 'refined' or 'sophisticated'. You can start practicing this word when you want to sound a little more advanced. Imagine you go to a very nice dinner party or a beautiful hotel. Instead of just saying 'O hotel é muito bom' (The hotel is very good), you can say 'O hotel é muito requintado' (The hotel is very refined). It shows that you appreciate the details, the decoration, and the high quality. Remember that 'requintado' is an adjective, so it must match the word it describes. If the word is feminine, like 'comida' (food), you say 'comida requintada'. If it is masculine plural, like 'pratos' (dishes), you say 'pratos requintados'. Try to use it when talking about food, decoration, or special events like weddings. It is a great word to have in your vocabulary because it instantly makes your Portuguese sound more polite and educated. Native speakers will be impressed if you use 'requintado' correctly instead of always relying on the basic adjectives.
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At the B1 intermediate level, you are capable of having longer conversations and expressing more nuanced opinions. 'Requintado' is a fantastic word to add to your active vocabulary now. It translates to 'refined', 'exquisite', or 'sophisticated'. At this stage, you should understand the difference between 'caro' (expensive) and 'requintado'. Something can be expensive without having good taste, but 'requintado' implies excellent taste, high quality, and attention to detail. You will often see this word in travel blogs, restaurant reviews, and magazines. You should use it to describe gastronomy ('um prato requintado'), interior design ('uma decoração requintada'), or personal style ('um gosto requintado'). It is also important to know its synonyms, such as 'sofisticado' and 'elegante'. While 'elegante' is often used for people, 'requintado' is usually reserved for things, experiences, or abstract concepts like taste. Start incorporating it into your writing and speaking when you want to describe luxury or high culture. For example, if you are writing a review of a restaurant for a class assignment, describing the menu as 'requintado' will earn you extra points for vocabulary. It shows you are moving beyond basic descriptions and starting to understand the cultural weight of words in Portuguese.
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Welcome to the B2 level, where 'requintado' officially belongs. As an upper-intermediate learner, you are expected to understand and use vocabulary that deals with abstract concepts, aesthetics, and cultural nuances. 'Requintado' is the perfect tool for this. It means 'refined', 'sophisticated', or 'exquisite', but it carries a connotation of meticulous craftsmanship and elevated taste. You should be comfortable using it in professional or formal settings, such as discussing art, high-end real estate, or gourmet cuisine. At this level, you should also be aware of the verb 'requintar' (to refine) and the noun 'requinte' (refinement), which belong to the same word family. You can say 'um ambiente de grande requinte' (an environment of great refinement) as an alternative to 'um ambiente requintado'. Pay attention to collocations: 'paladar requintado' (refined palate) and 'acabamento requintado' (exquisite finish) are highly native-sounding phrases. You should also understand its antonyms, like 'grosseiro' (crude) or 'rústico' (rustic), to create contrasts in your arguments or descriptions. Using 'requintado' correctly demonstrates that you have a firm grasp of Portuguese register, knowing when to elevate your language from casual ('chique') to formal and descriptive.
At the C1 advanced level, your use of 'requintado' should be effortless and precise. You understand that this word is not merely a synonym for 'expensive' or 'fancy', but a descriptor of aesthetic perfection, subtlety, and cultural elevation. You can employ it in complex literary, academic, or professional discourse. For instance, when analyzing a piece of literature, you might discuss the author's 'estilo requintado' (refined style) or 'ironia requintada' (sophisticated irony). In gastronomy, you can debate the merits of a 'menu requintado' versus a more traditional approach. You are also capable of using it in less obvious contexts, such as describing a 'crueldade requintada' (refined/calculated cruelty) in a historical or political analysis, showing your mastery of the word's deeper implications of meticulous, almost obsessive, attention to detail. At this stage, you seamlessly navigate between 'requintado', 'sofisticado', 'primoroso', and 'apurado', choosing the exact synonym that fits the rhythm and tone of your sentence. Your awareness of register ensures that you use 'requintado' to elevate your prose without sounding pretentious, perfectly balancing your advanced vocabulary with natural fluency.
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At the C2 mastery level, your understanding of 'requintado' encompasses its full etymological depth and its subtle socio-cultural implications in the Lusophone world. You recognize its origins in the word 'quinto', relating to the historical metallurgical process of refining metals a fifth time to achieve absolute purity. This historical resonance informs your usage; you apply 'requintado' to phenomena that have undergone a rigorous process of selection and perfection. You can deconstruct its usage in contemporary media, recognizing when it is used earnestly by critics to denote genuine artistic or culinary merit, and when it is employed as a marketing buzzword by luxury brands to artificially inflate perceived value. You manipulate the word effortlessly in complex rhetorical structures, perhaps using it ironically to critique bourgeois pretension, or sincerely to laud an overlooked masterpiece. You are entirely comfortable with its derivatives and compound forms, and you instinctively know how it interacts with the sociolinguistic markers of class and education in both Portugal and Brazil. For a C2 speaker, 'requintado' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual tool for articulating the highest tiers of aesthetic and cultural critique in the Portuguese language.
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Examples
The Portuguese adjective 'requintado' is a beautiful and sophisticated word that translates directly to 'refined', 'exquisite', or 'sophisticated' in English. It is a term primarily used to describe things that demonstrate a high level of taste, careful preparation, and an almost artistic attention to detail. When you use this word, you are signaling that the object, person, or experience in question is not just good or expensive, but has been curated or crafted with an exceptional degree of elegance.
Gastronomy
In culinary contexts, it describes food that is prepared with rare ingredients, complex techniques, and stunning presentation.

O chef preparou um prato extremamente requintado para o jantar de gala.

You will often hear this word in high-end environments, such as luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and exclusive art galleries. It is a word that belongs to the B2 level because it requires an understanding of nuance; it is not just a synonym for 'caro' (expensive) or 'bom' (good). Something can be expensive without being 'requintado', and something can be 'requintado' without necessarily costing a fortune, provided it shows exceptional taste and refinement.
Interior Design
Used to describe spaces that are decorated with elegance, harmony, and high-quality materials.

A sala de estar possui uma decoração requintada, com móveis de época e lustres de cristal.

In social contexts, describing someone's manners or vocabulary as 'requintado' is a high compliment. It implies they are cultured, polite, and well-educated. However, using it to describe everyday, mundane things can sound sarcastic or overly dramatic. For instance, you wouldn't typically describe a fast-food hamburger as 'requintado', unless you were making a joke about its unexpected presentation.
Personal Style
Refers to a manner of dressing or behaving that exudes class, subtlety, and sophistication.

Ela sempre teve um gosto requintado para roupas, preferindo seda e linho.

The root of the word comes from 'quinto' (fifth), referring to the historical process of refining metals a fifth time to achieve absolute purity. This historical context perfectly encapsulates the modern usage: something that has been refined over and over until only the best quality remains.

O acabamento do carro é requintado, com costuras feitas à mão.

Eles organizaram um banquete requintado para celebrar o aniversário de casamento.

When learning Portuguese, integrating 'requintado' into your active vocabulary allows you to express appreciation for the finer things in life with precision and grace. It elevates your language skills from intermediate to advanced, demonstrating a deep understanding of cultural nuances and aesthetic values.
Using 'requintado' correctly requires an understanding of Portuguese sentence structure, specifically adjective placement and noun-adjective agreement. As a descriptive adjective, 'requintado' almost always follows the noun it modifies. This is the standard rule in Portuguese for adjectives that classify or describe a physical or objective quality.
Basic Agreement
The word changes to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun.

Os vinhos servidos na degustação eram muito requintados.

For example, you say 'um restaurante requintado' (a refined restaurant) but 'uma festa requintada' (a refined party). If you are talking about multiple items, it becomes 'restaurantes requintados' or 'festas requintadas'.
With Adverbs of Intensity
It pairs excellently with adverbs like 'muito' (very), 'extremamente' (extremely), or 'altamente' (highly) to emphasize the level of sophistication.

A arquitetura do palácio é extremamente requintada.

You can also use it with verbs of state, such as 'ser' (to be - permanent), 'estar' (to be - temporary), or 'parecer' (to seem). When describing an event that has passed, you might say 'O casamento foi requintado' (The wedding was exquisite). If you are looking at a display window, you might say 'Esta vitrine está requintada' (This window display looks exquisite right now).
Negative Sentences
When expressing that something lacks refinement, simply place 'não' before the verb.

Apesar de caro, o ambiente não era nada requintado.

Let's look at more examples across different contexts. In fashion: 'Ela escolheu um vestido requintado para a premiação.' In literature: 'O autor usa um vocabulário requintado.' In behavior: 'Ele tem modos requintados à mesa.'

O hotel oferece um serviço requintado aos seus hóspedes mais exigentes.

Compramos móveis requintados para o novo escritório da empresa.

By mastering the placement and agreement of 'requintado', you will sound much more natural and fluent. It is a powerful adjective that instantly elevates the register of your conversation, making your Portuguese sound more polished and native-like.
The word 'requintado' is not typically heard in casual, everyday street slang, nor is it common in informal texts between friends unless used ironically. Instead, it thrives in specific domains where aesthetics, quality, and luxury are paramount.
Media and Advertising
Luxury brands use this word extensively in commercials, brochures, and social media to sell high-end products.

Descubra o sabor requintado do nosso novo chocolate suíço.

You will frequently encounter it in restaurant reviews. Food critics and lifestyle bloggers in Brazil and Portugal love this word. When reading a review of a new bistro in São Paulo or a classic seafood restaurant in Lisbon, the critic might describe the 'menu requintado' or the 'atmosfera requintada'.
Real Estate
Real estate agents use it to describe premium properties, focusing on the finishes and architectural details.

Apartamento de luxo com acabamento requintado no centro da cidade.

In literature and journalism, it is used to denote high culture. A journalist might describe a diplomatic event as having a 'cerimonial requintado'. In novels, particularly those dealing with the upper classes or historical settings, authors use it to paint a picture of wealth and good taste.
Event Planning
Wedding planners and event organizers use it to promise a high-quality experience to their clients.

Nossa equipe garante um evento requintado e inesquecível para seus convidados.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in art and music critique. A musician's technique might be described as 'requintada' if it shows great subtlety and mastery.

A exposição apresenta obras de um gosto muito requintado.

O pianista demonstrou uma técnica requintada durante o concerto.

Understanding the contexts where 'requintado' naturally appears helps you gauge the appropriate register for your own speech. It is a word that wears a tuxedo; use it when the occasion calls for elegance.
When English speakers learn the word 'requintado', they often make a few predictable mistakes related to context, grammar, and pronunciation. Because the word translates to 'refined' or 'sophisticated', learners sometimes overuse it in situations where a native speaker would choose a different word.
Overusing for People
While you can say someone has a 'gosto requintado' (refined taste), directly calling a person 'requintado' (Ele é requintado) can sound a bit strange or overly formal.

Em vez de dizer que a pessoa é requintada, diga que ela é elegante ou sofisticada.

It is much more common to apply 'requintado' to inanimate objects, experiences, or specific abstract qualities (like taste, manners, or style) rather than directly to human beings. Another common error is a simple grammatical one: failing to agree the adjective with the noun.
Gender and Number Agreement
English adjectives do not change, but in Portuguese, you must say 'comida requintada' (feminine) and 'pratos requintados' (masculine plural).

As sobremesas servidas eram requintadas e deliciosas.

Pronunciation can also be a stumbling block. The 'qu' in 'requintado' is pronounced like a 'k' sound, and the 'i' is a nasal vowel because it is followed by an 'n'. The stress falls on the penultimate syllable: re-quin-TA-do.
Confusing with 'Caro'
Learners sometimes use 'requintado' just to mean something is expensive. This is incorrect. A gold-plated toilet might be expensive, but it is not 'requintado'.

O relógio era caro, mas o design não era nada requintado.

Finally, using 'requintado' in overly casual contexts can make you sound unnatural.

Não use requintado para descrever um lanche rápido na padaria.

Mantenha o uso de requintado para situações que realmente exigem elegância.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you ensure that when you do use this beautiful word, it lands with the perfect impact, showcasing your advanced command of the Portuguese language.
To truly master the nuances of 'requintado', it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms. While 'requintado' is excellent, Portuguese offers a rich variety of words to describe elegance and high quality. Knowing when to use which synonym will make your vocabulary much more dynamic.
Sofisticado
This is the closest synonym. 'Sofisticado' means sophisticated and can be used interchangeably with 'requintado' in almost all contexts, though 'sofisticado' is slightly more common in everyday speech.

O sistema de som do carro é muito sofisticado e requintado.

Another great alternative is 'elegante' (elegant). 'Elegante' is highly versatile and is the preferred word when describing a person's physical appearance or demeanor.
Elegante vs. Requintado
Use 'elegante' for people and simple grace; use 'requintado' for objects, food, or experiences that show complex refinement.

Ela é uma mulher elegante com um gosto requintado.

For food, a specific synonym is 'apetitoso' (appetizing) or 'delicioso' (delicious), but these only refer to taste, whereas 'requintado' includes presentation and culinary technique. If you want to emphasize the careful craftsmanship of an object, you can use 'primoroso' (exquisite/flawless).
Chique
A more informal, everyday word meaning fancy or stylish. It lacks the depth of 'requintado' but is very popular.

A festa não foi apenas chique, foi verdadeiramente requintada.

Understanding antonyms is equally important. The opposite of 'requintado' would be 'rústico' (rustic), 'grosseiro' (coarse/crude), or 'vulgar' (common/vulgar).

Eles preferiram um estilo rústico em vez de algo requintado.

O material grosseiro contrastava com o design requintado da sala.

By building this web of related vocabulary, you can express exact shades of meaning, ensuring your Portuguese is as refined as the word 'requintado' itself.
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Examples by Level

1

O restaurante é muito requintado.

The restaurant is very refined.

Adjective 'requintado' agrees with masculine singular noun 'restaurante'.

2

A comida é requintada.

The food is exquisite.

Adjective 'requintada' agrees with feminine singular noun 'comida'.

3

É um hotel requintado.

It is a refined hotel.

Used with the verb 'ser' (to be) to describe a permanent quality.

4

O vestido dela é requintado.

Her dress is sophisticated.

Masculine singular agreement with 'vestido'.

5

Eles têm um gosto requintado.

They have refined taste.

Used with the noun 'gosto' (taste).

6

O bolo estava requintado.

The cake was exquisite.

Used with the verb 'estar' in the past tense (estava).

7

É uma festa muito requintada.

It is a very fancy party.

Feminine singular agreement with 'festa'.

8

Os pratos são requintados.

The dishes are refined.

Masculine plural agreement with 'pratos'.

1

Nós fomos a um jantar requintado ontem à noite.

We went to a refined dinner last night.

Used to describe an event (jantar).

2

A decoração da sala é bastante requintada.

The living room decoration is quite sophisticated.

Modified by the adverb 'bastante' (quite/very).

3

Ela comprou sapatos requintados para o casamento.

She bought exquisite shoes for the wedding.

Masculine plural agreement with 'sapatos'.

4

O chefe preparou um menu requintado para nós.

The chef prepared a refined menu for us.

Direct object description.

5

Este vinho tem um sabor muito requintado.

This wine has a very exquisite taste.

Describing the abstract noun 'sabor' (taste).

6

Eles moram em uma casa requintada no centro.

They live in a sophisticated house in the center.

Feminine singular agreement with 'casa'.

7

O presente que ele me deu foi muito requintado.

The gift he gave me was very refined.

Used in a relative clause describing 'presente'.

8

Prefiro lugares requintados para comemorar meu aniversário.

I prefer refined places to celebrate my birthday.

Masculine plural agreement with 'lugares'.

1

O ambiente do restaurante era incrivelmente requintado e acolhedor.

The restaurant's atmosphere was incredibly refined and welcoming.

Paired with another adjective (acolhedor) for a richer description.

2

Para ter um paladar requintado, é preciso provar muitos pratos diferentes.

To have a refined palate, you need to taste many different dishes.

Common collocation: 'paladar requintado'.

3

A arquitetura do museu exibe um estilo requintado do século dezenove.

The museum's architecture exhibits a refined 19th-century style.

Used to describe artistic or architectural style.

4

Apesar de ser uma refeição simples, a apresentação foi muito requintada.

Despite being a simple meal, the presentation was very exquisite.

Contrasting 'simples' with 'requintada' for emphasis.

5

Ela sempre se veste de maneira requintada, mesmo para ir ao trabalho.

She always dresses in a sophisticated manner, even to go to work.

Used in the phrase 'de maneira requintada' (in a refined manner).

6

O autor utiliza um vocabulário requintado para descreve

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