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A2 verb #9,500 mais comum 11 min de leitura

apimentar

Top 9,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas apimentar em 30 segundos

Explicação apimentar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic, literal meaning of apimentar. This word comes from pimenta, which means 'pepper'. In Portuguese, we use this verb when we want to say we are adding pepper to our food. Imagine you are in a kitchen. You have a bowl of soup, but it tastes a bit plain. You take the pepper shaker and you apimentar the soup. It is a regular verb ending in -ar, so it follows the same pattern as falar (to speak) or comer (Wait, comer is -er, so focus on falar!). For example: 'Eu apimento a comida' (I spice the food). In A1, you don't need to worry about the figurative meanings like 'spicing up a relationship'. Just think about the kitchen and the taste of black pepper or chili. This verb is very useful when talking about your cooking habits or ordering food at a restaurant if you want to ask the chef to add some heat to your meal. Remember: pimenta is the thing, apimentar is the action.

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At the A2 level, you can start to use apimentar in more complete sentences and understand its connection to other culinary verbs. You should know that apimentar is specifically for pepper and heat, while temperar is the general word for seasoning with salt or herbs. A2 learners should be able to use the imperative form, which is very common in recipes: 'Apimente o frango antes de fritar' (Spice the chicken before frying). You might also start to see the word used in very simple figurative ways in social contexts, like 'apimentar a conversa' (to spice up the conversation). This level is about expanding your vocabulary to describe specific actions in the kitchen and beginning to recognize that some words have a 'hidden' meaning that isn't just about food. You should practice conjugating it in the present and the simple past (Pretérito Perfeito): 'Ontem, eu apimentei a massa' (Yesterday, I spiced the pasta).

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using apimentar in its figurative sense. This is where the word becomes really interesting. You will hear it in discussions about lifestyle, relationships, and entertainment. For example, 'Eles precisam de apimentar o casamento' (They need to spice up their marriage). At this level, you understand that the word implies adding excitement or 'flavor' to a situation that has become boring. You should also be able to use the verb with different tenses, including the imperfect and the future. 'Se nós apimentarmos a festa com música, as pessoas vão dançar' (If we spice up the party with music, people will dance). You can also distinguish between apimentar and synonyms like animar or estimular. You recognize that apimentar has a slightly more provocative or playful tone. It's about adding that 'extra' something that makes a situation stand out.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of apimentar in various registers. You can use it in professional contexts—like marketing or creative writing—to describe making a project more appealing. You should be able to use it in the passive voice: 'A narrativa foi apimentada com reviravoltas inesperadas' (The narrative was spiced up with unexpected twists). B2 learners should also be aware of the cultural context of the word in different Portuguese-speaking countries. For instance, how the level of 'pimenta' (and thus the frequency of the verb) might vary between Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. You can also use the noun form apimentado as an adjective to describe not just food, but also jokes or stories that are a bit 'risqué' or 'saucy'. Your use of the verb should feel natural and well-integrated into complex sentence structures involving conditional and subjunctive moods.

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For C1 learners, apimentar is a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in tone or atmosphere. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss how an author 'apimenta' their prose to evoke specific emotions. At this level, you are sensitive to the fact that apimentar can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it implies adding unnecessary drama or 'sensationalizing' a factual report. You can use the verb in complex idiomatic expressions and understand its role in wordplay. For example, you might use it ironically in a political critique: 'O político tentou apimentar o seu discurso, mas a substância continuou insossa' (The politician tried to spice up his speech, but the substance remained bland). Your mastery of the word includes knowing exactly when *not* to use it, choosing instead more sophisticated verbs like exacerbar, intensificar, or ornamentar depending on the precise meaning intended.

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At the C2 level, you use apimentar with the same ease and precision as a native speaker. You understand the deep etymological roots and the historical significance of pepper in the Lusophone world, which adds a layer of cultural richness to your use of the verb. You can use it in the most formal settings, perhaps as a metaphor for innovation or strategic disruption in business, or in the most informal slang, understanding its flirtatious undertones. You are capable of using the word in sophisticated puns and can detect the slightest nuances in how others use it—for example, recognizing when a speaker uses apimentar to subtly indicate that a story might be slightly exaggerated for effect. Your command of the verb is part of a broad, flexible vocabulary that allows you to manipulate the 'heat' and 'flavor' of your own Portuguese communication with absolute confidence.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

apimentar em 30 segundos

Apimentar literally means adding pepper to food to make it spicy and flavorful.
Figuratively, it means adding excitement, zest, or provocation to a situation or relationship.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
Commonly heard in kitchens, cooking shows, and lifestyle advice contexts across Portugal and Brazil.

The Portuguese verb apimentar is a fascinating word that bridges the gap between the culinary world and the metaphorical realm of human emotions and social interactions. At its most literal level, it originates from the noun pimenta (pepper). Therefore, the primary definition is to add pepper or spicy seasonings to a dish to enhance its flavor or increase its heat level. In the context of Portuguese history, this word carries significant weight because the search for spices, including pepper, was a primary driver of the Age of Discovery. When a Portuguese person says they are going to apimentar the soup, they are literally reaching for the spice rack. However, the word is rarely confined to the kitchen. In modern conversational Portuguese, it is frequently used figuratively to mean 'to make something more exciting, interesting, or provocative.' Just as pepper changes the profile of a bland meal, apimentar changes the profile of a situation. You might hear people talking about apimentar a relationship that has become routine, or a writer might apimentar a story with scandalous details to keep the readers engaged. It implies adding a certain 'kick' or 'zest' that was previously missing. This dual nature makes it an essential verb for intermediate learners who want to move beyond basic descriptions and start expressing nuance in both their cooking and their social observations.

Literal Culinary Use: This refers to the physical act of adding ground pepper, chili flakes, or spicy oils to food during or after the cooking process to achieve a specific pungent taste. It is commonly used in recipes and kitchen environments.
Metaphorical Enhancement: This describes the act of making a conversation, a relationship, a performance, or a piece of writing more lively, spirited, or even slightly controversial to avoid boredom or stagnation.
Social Context: Often used in the context of romance or entertainment. In gossip or media, it might imply adding 'juicy' details that are intended to provoke a reaction or increase interest.

O chef decidiu apimentar o molho para dar um toque especial ao prato principal da noite.

Eles viajaram para o estrangeiro para tentar apimentar o casamento que estava a ficar monótono.

The word is versatile across various registers. In a formal culinary school, a teacher might instruct students on how to apimentar a dish without overpowering the other ingredients. In a casual conversation among friends, someone might joke about how a new rumor will apimentar the office atmosphere. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—you spice *something* up. Understanding the balance of this word is key; too much literal pepper ruins the food, and too much metaphorical 'spice' can lead to conflict. This cultural nuance is deeply embedded in the Portuguese psyche, where food and passion are often intertwined. Whether you are reading a cookbook or a lifestyle magazine, apimentar will appear as a call to action to move away from the bland and toward the vibrant. It is essentially about transformation—taking something basic and giving it a sharp, memorable edge.

Using apimentar correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as a regular -ar verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy for learners to master once they know the stem apiment-. The most common structure is [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Direct Object]. For example, 'Eu apimento a carne' (I spice the meat). To add more detail, you can use the preposition com (with) to specify what you are using: 'Eu apimento a carne com malagueta' (I spice the meat with chili). When using the word figuratively, the structure remains the same, but the object becomes abstract. 'Nós precisamos de apimentar a nossa rotina' (We need to spice up our routine). Here, the 'routine' is the object being transformed. It's also important to note that the verb can be used in the infinitive form after other verbs like querer (to want), poder (can/may), or precisar (to need).

Present Tense Usage: Used for habits or current actions. 'Ela sempre apimenta os seus pratos' (She always spices her dishes). It suggests a consistent preference for spicy food.
Imperative (Commands): Very common in recipes. 'Apimente a gosto' (Spice to taste). This gives the reader the freedom to choose the intensity of the heat.
Past Tense (Preterite): Used for completed actions. 'Eu apimentei demais o jantar e ninguém conseguiu comer' (I spiced the dinner too much and nobody could eat).

Se achas que a história está seca, deves apimentar o enredo com um pouco de mistério.

O cozinheiro está a apimentar as batatas antes de as levar ao forno.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter the passive voice or reflexive-like structures, though they are rarer. For example, 'A discussão foi apimentada por comentários sarcásticos' (The discussion was spiced up by sarcastic comments). This shows how the verb can be used to describe the influence of external factors on a situation. Furthermore, the gerund form apimentando is useful for describing ongoing processes: 'Eles estão apimentando a relação com novas atividades' (They are spicing up the relationship with new activities). Notice how the preposition com is the bridge to the 'spice' being used. Whether literal or figurative, the verb maintains a sense of intentionality. Someone is making a conscious choice to change the status quo from bland to bold. As you practice, try to alternate between culinary examples and social ones to fully grasp the word's flexibility in daily Portuguese life.

You will encounter the word apimentar in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from the mundane to the sensational. In the domestic sphere, it is a staple of Portuguese kitchens. Portugal has a deep love for piri-piri, and you will often hear family members asking if they should apimentar the grilled chicken or the seafood rice. In restaurants, especially those serving traditional or fusion cuisine, waiters might ask if you would like to apimentar your dish further with house-made spicy oils. Beyond the dining table, the word is a favorite in the Portuguese media and entertainment industry. On popular reality TV shows like 'Big Brother' or 'MasterChef Portugal', the hosts frequently use apimentar to describe upcoming challenges or twists designed to create conflict and excitement among contestants. They might say, 'Vamos apimentar o jogo com uma nova regra!' (Let's spice up the game with a new rule!).

Culinary Shows & Blogs: Used constantly to describe flavor enhancement. It's a key verb for anyone following recipes in Portuguese or watching cooking tutorials on YouTube.
Lifestyle & Relationship Advice: Magazines and podcasts often use it when discussing how to keep long-term relationships from becoming boring. It's a polite, slightly playful way to talk about intimacy and excitement.
Political & Social Commentary: Journalists might use it to describe a heated debate or a controversial statement that 'spiced up' an otherwise dull political campaign.

O apresentador prometeu apimentar o debate com perguntas polémicas sobre o passado dos candidatos.

Nas redes sociais, muitos influenciadores dão dicas de como apimentar as fotos com filtros e legendas criativas.

Another common place to hear this word is in the context of literature and storytelling. A book reviewer might comment that the author needed to apimentar the second chapter because the pacing was too slow. In social circles, if a group of friends is gossiping, one might say, 'Não quero apimentar as coisas, mas ouviste o que ele disse?' (I don't want to spice things up, but did you hear what he said?). This uses the word as a disclaimer before introducing a potentially controversial or exciting piece of information. Finally, in marketing and advertising, brands use apimentar to suggest that their products will bring a new level of excitement to the consumer's life. Whether it's a new spicy burger at a fast-food chain or a travel agency promoting an exotic getaway, the word serves as a powerful call to experience something more intense and less ordinary.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with apimentar is confusing it with the more general verb temperar. While all apimentar is a form of temperar (seasoning), not all seasoning is apimentar. If you add salt, garlic, or parsley to a dish, you are temperando it. You only use apimentar when you are specifically adding heat or pepper. Using apimentar when you simply mean 'to season' can lead to confusion, as the person you are talking to might expect the food to be spicy. Another common error is using the word as an adjective. Learners often try to say 'a comida é apimentar' when they should say 'a comida está apimentada' (the food is spiced/spicy). Remember that apimentar is the action, and apimentado is the state or quality resulting from that action.

Confusing with 'Picante': 'Picante' is an adjective meaning 'spicy'. You cannot say 'eu vou picante a sopa'. You must use the verb: 'eu vou apimentar a sopa'.
Overusing the Figurative Sense: While common, using apimentar for every minor excitement can sound repetitive. For professional settings, words like 'dinamizar' or 'enriquecer' might be more appropriate.
Preposition Errors: Sometimes learners forget the preposition 'com' when specifying the spice. 'Apimentar o peixe malagueta' is incorrect; it must be 'apimentar o peixe com malagueta'.

Errado: Eu vou apimentar com sal. (Incorreto porque sal não é pimenta).

Correto: Eu vou temperar com sal, mas vou apimentar com pimenta preta.

Additionally, be careful with the register. While apimentar is safe in most contexts, using it in a very formal academic paper to mean 'making the data more interesting' might be seen as too colloquial or even suggestive of scientific misconduct (falsifying data to make it 'spicier'). Stick to culinary or social/romantic contexts for the best results. Another subtle mistake is the pronunciation of the 'm'. In Portuguese, the 'm' in apimentar nasalizes the preceding 'i', so it sounds more like [ɐ.pi.mẽ.ˈtaɾ]. Learners often pronounce the 'm' too clearly as a labial sound, which can sound foreign. Finally, remember that apimentar is a regular verb. Some students try to conjugate it like mentir (to lie) because of the shared 'ment' string, but they are unrelated. Apimentar follows the regular -ar paradigm: eu apimento, tu apimentas, ele apimenta.

To truly master the nuances of apimentar, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for describing the act of modifying or enhancing things. The most direct alternative in a culinary sense is condimentar. While apimentar focuses on heat, condimentar is broader and refers to adding any kind of condiment or spice (like mustard, herbs, or vinegar) to enhance flavor. Another important word is temperar, which is the general term for seasoning food, most commonly associated with salt and basic herbs. If you are in a professional kitchen, you might hear sazonar, which is a more technical, slightly Spanish-influenced term for seasoning. In metaphorical contexts, the synonyms shift toward words that imply movement or life.

Temperar vs. Apimentar: 'Temperar' is 'to season' (general). 'Apimentar' is 'to pepper' (specific heat). Example: 'Tempero a carne com sal e depois apimento-a'.
Animar vs. Apimentar: 'Animar' means 'to liven up' or 'to cheer up'. 'Apimentar' implies adding a provocative or sharp edge. You 'animar' a party with music, but you 'apimentar' a conversation with a secret.
Estimular vs. Apimentar: 'Estimular' is 'to stimulate'. It is more clinical and neutral. 'Apimentar' is more colorful and suggests a sensory or emotional 'kick'.

Podemos condimentar a salada com ervas, mas não precisamos de a apimentar.

O diretor quis dinamizar a reunião, mas acabou por apimentar o conflito entre os sócios.

Other figurative alternatives include esquentar (to heat up) and atiçar (to stir up/stoke). Esquentar is often used when a situation is becoming more intense or even aggressive: 'A discussão começou a esquentar'. Atiçar is used for feelings like curiosity or desire: 'Atiçar a curiosidade'. In contrast, apimentar remains unique because it carries the specific connotation of 'adding flavor' to the intensity. It suggests that the added excitement makes the experience better or more interesting, not just 'hotter'. For instance, in a romantic context, apimentar is almost always the preferred term over esquentar because it sounds more playful and intentional. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the exact 'spice' level for your Portuguese sentences, ensuring you convey not just the action, but the intended atmosphere.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

Pepper was so valuable during the Age of Discovery that it was known as 'black gold'. The verb 'apimentar' carries this history of adding value and intensity.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɐ.pi.mẽ.ˈtaɾ/

US /a.pi.mẽ.ˈtaʁ/

The stress is on the final syllable '-tar'.

Rima com

cantar falar jantar olhar andar pensar gostar estar

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'm' too clearly as a lip-closing sound instead of nasalizing the 'i'.
Stressing the 'pi' instead of the 'tar'.
Pronouncing the first 'a' like the 'a' in 'apple' instead of a neutral 'uh' sound.
Forgetting to nasalize the 'e' in '-men-'.
Making the 'r' too hard, like an English 'r'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the root 'pimenta'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and preposition 'com'.

Expressão oral 3/5

Nasalization of the 'i' can be tricky for beginners.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

pimenta comida gostar fazer mais

Aprenda a seguir

temperar condimentar picante ardente sabor

Avançado

esquentar atiçar provocar intensificar exacerbar

Gramática essencial

Regular -ar verbs in the present tense.

Eu apimento, tu apimentas, ele apimenta...

Use of 'com' for instruments or ingredients.

Apimentar com pimenta.

Object pronoun placement with infinitives.

Vou apimentá-la (a comida).

Imperative forms for recipes.

Apimente a carne.

Nasalization of vowels before 'm' or 'n'.

The 'i' in 'apimentar' is nasal.

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Exemplos por nível

Eu apimento a minha sopa.

I spice my soup.

Simple present tense, first person singular.

Tu apimentas o peixe?

Do you spice the fish?

Interrogative sentence, second person singular.

Ela apimenta a carne com pimenta.

She spices the meat with pepper.

Use of 'com' to indicate the instrument/ingredient.

Nós apimentamos o arroz.

We spice the rice.

First person plural conjugation.

Eles apimentam a comida todos os dias.

They spice the food every day.

Present tense indicating a habit.

Você apimenta a salada?

Do you spice the salad?

Formal address 'você' in the present tense.

O cozinheiro apimenta o molho.

The cook spices the sauce.

Third person singular subject.

Eu não apimento o meu ovo.

I don't spice my egg.

Negative sentence structure.

Podes apimentar um pouco mais o frango?

Can you spice the chicken a bit more?

Use of the infinitive after the modal verb 'poder'.

Ontem, eu apimentei o jantar para os meus amigos.

Yesterday, I spiced the dinner for my friends.

Pretérito Perfeito (simple past) conjugation.

Não apimentes muito a massa, as crianças não gostam.

Don't spice the pasta too much, the children don't like it.

Negative imperative (prohibition).

Ela gosta de apimentar todas as suas receitas.

She likes to spice all of her recipes.

Infinitive after the verb 'gostar de'.

Nós vamos apimentar o molho de tomate.

We are going to spice the tomato sauce.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Apimenta a carne antes de a colocar no forno.

Spice the meat before putting it in the oven.

Affirmative imperative form.

Eles apimentaram a conversa com piadas divertidas.

They spiced up the conversation with funny jokes.

Introduction to figurative usage in the past tense.

Tu apimentaste a sopa com malagueta?

Did you spice the soup with chili?

Second person singular in the simple past.

Se quiseres apimentar a tua vida, deves viajar mais.

If you want to spice up your life, you should travel more.

Conditional sentence with future subjunctive 'quiseres'.

O autor decidiu apimentar o livro com um final surpreendente.

The author decided to spice up the book with a surprising ending.

Figurative use meaning 'to make more interesting'.

Nós costumávamos apimentar as nossas reuniões com jogos.

We used to spice up our meetings with games.

Imperfect tense indicating a past habit.

Ela está a tentar apimentar a relação, mas ele é muito tímido.

She is trying to spice up the relationship, but he is very shy.

Present continuous construction.

É importante apimentar o discurso para não aborrecer o público.

It is important to spice up the speech so as not to bore the audience.

Impersonal expression with 'É importante'.

Eles apimentariam o evento se tivessem mais orçamento.

They would spice up the event if they had more budget.

Conditional mood with 'apimentariam'.

Espero que tu apimentes a festa com a tua energia.

I hope that you spice up the party with your energy.

Present subjunctive after 'espero que'.

O jornalista apimentou a notícia com detalhes polémicos.

The journalist spiced up the news with controversial details.

Figurative use in a professional/media context.

A discussão foi apimentada por revelações inesperadas de ambos os lados.

The discussion was spiced up by unexpected revelations from both sides.

Passive voice construction.

Para apimentar a campanha, o candidato propôs um debate público.

To spice up the campaign, the candidate proposed a public debate.

Infinitive of purpose at the beginning of the sentence.

Não creio que apimentar a situação vá ajudar a resolver o problema.

I don't believe that spicing up the situation will help solve the problem.

Subjunctive use after a negative opinion verb.

O realizador quis apimentar o filme com cenas de ação intensas.

The director wanted to spice up the movie with intense action scenes.

Use of 'querer' in the past followed by the infinitive.

Sempre que ela conta uma história, gosta de a apimentar um pouco.

Whenever she tells a story, she likes to spice it up a bit.

Placement of the object pronoun 'a' before the verb.

Se tivéssemos apimentado o projeto, talvez tivéssemos ganho o concurso.

If we had spiced up the project, maybe we would have won the contest.

Past unreal conditional (Pluperfect Subjunctive).

O marketing da empresa foca-se em apimentar a experiência do utilizador.

The company's marketing focuses on spicing up the user experience.

Reflexive verb 'focar-se' followed by 'em' + infinitive.

Ela apimentou o seu guarda-roupa com acessórios coloridos.

She spiced up her wardrobe with colorful accessories.

Metaphorical use in the context of fashion.

A sua escrita é exímia, mas por vezes peca por apimentar em demasia os factos.

His writing is excellent, but sometimes it fails by over-spicing the facts.

Use of 'pecar por' + infinitive to indicate a flaw.

Deveríamos apimentar a nossa estratégia de mercado para enfrentar a concorrência.

We should spice up our market strategy to face the competition.

Conditional 'deveríamos' for a formal suggestion.

O moderador tentou apimentar o debate, mas os intervenientes mantiveram-se cordiais.

The moderator tried to spice up the debate, but the participants remained cordial.

Contrastive sentence using 'mas'.

É perigoso apimentar rumores sem ter provas concretas do que aconteceu.

It is dangerous to spice up rumors without having concrete proof of what happened.

Impersonal 'É perigoso' + infinitive.

Caso decidam apimentar a narrativa, façam-no com subtileza.

Should you decide to spice up the narrative, do so with subtlety.

Subjunctive 'decidam' following 'caso'.

O chef recusa-se a apimentar os pratos tradicionais para não desvirtuar a receita.

The chef refuses to spice up the traditional dishes so as not to distort the recipe.

Negative purpose clause 'para não'.

Ela apimentou o seu percurso profissional com experiências em diversos países.

She spiced up her professional career with experiences in various countries.

Abstract metaphorical use in a formal context.

Embora tenha tentado apimentar a relação, o divórcio foi inevitável.

Although she tried to spice up the relationship, the divorce was inevitable.

Concessive clause with 'Embora' + subjunctive.

A propensão do autor para apimentar o quotidiano com elementos fantásticos é notável.

The author's propensity to spice up daily life with fantastic elements is remarkable.

Noun phrase 'A propensão... para' followed by infinitive.

Não convém apimentar a retórica política num clima de tanta instabilidade social.

It is not advisable to spice up political rhetoric in a climate of such social instability.

Formal impersonal 'Não convém'.

O historiador foi criticado por apimentar as crónicas com anedotas de veracidade duvidosa.

The historian was criticized for spicing up the chronicles with anecdotes of doubtful veracity.

Passive voice 'foi criticado por' + infinitive.

Ao apimentar o seu estilo oratório, ele conseguiu cativar até os mais céticos.

By spicing up his oratory style, he managed to captivate even the most skeptical.

Temporal/causal 'Ao' + infinitive.

Resta-nos apimentar a nossa existência com pequenos prazeres enquanto o tempo passa.

It remains for us to spice up our existence with small pleasures as time passes.

Pronominal verb 'Resta-nos' + infinitive.

A estratégia visava apimentar a imagem da marca junto do público mais jovem.

The strategy aimed to spice up the brand's image among the younger audience.

Verb 'visar' (to aim) followed by infinitive.

Ele tem o dom de apimentar qualquer jantar com a sua presença efervescente.

He has the gift of spicing up any dinner with his effervescent presence.

Noun 'o dom de' + infinitive.

Seria imprudente apimentar a negociação com exigências de última hora.

It would be imprudent to spice up the negotiation with last-minute demands.

Conditional 'Seria' expressing a hypothetical warning.

Colocações comuns

apimentar a comida

apimentar a relação

apimentar a conversa

apimentar o debate

apimentar a gosto

apimentar a vida

apimentar o enredo

apimentar com piri-piri

apimentar a rotina

apimentar as coisas

Frases Comuns

Apimentar o casamento

— To take actions to revive romance and excitement in a marriage.

Eles foram a um retiro para apimentar o casamento.

Apimentar a noite

— To make an evening more fun or romantic.

Um bom vinho pode apimentar a noite.

Apimentar o discurso

— To add provocative or interesting elements to a speech.

Ele apimentou o discurso com algumas críticas.

Apimentar a receita

— To add more heat to a traditional cooking method.

Vou apimentar a receita da minha avó.

Apimentar o jogo

— To introduce new rules or stakes to a game.

Vamos apimentar o jogo de cartas com apostas.

Apimentar a discussão

— To say something that makes a debate more intense.

O seu comentário serviu apenas para apimentar a discussão.

Apimentar o visual

— To add bold elements to one's appearance.

Ela usou um batom vermelho para apimentar o visual.

Apimentar as férias

— To plan exciting activities during a holiday.

Desportos radicais podem apimentar as férias.

Apimentar a curiosidade

— To make someone more curious about something.

O trailer do filme serviu para apimentar a curiosidade.

Apimentar com moderação

— To add excitement or spice carefully without overdoing it.

Deves apimentar as tuas piadas com moderação.

Frequentemente confundido com

apimentar vs temperar

Temperar is general seasoning; apimentar is specifically for heat/pepper.

apimentar vs picante

Picante is the adjective (spicy); apimentar is the verb (to spice).

apimentar vs pimentar

Pimentar is a rare variant; apimentar is the standard form.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Apimentar o caldo"

— To make a situation more complicated or intense, often used negatively.

A intervenção dele só serviu para apimentar o caldo.

informal

"Pôr pimenta na língua"

— Literally 'to put pepper on the tongue', used to tell someone to stop talking or swearing (related to 'apimentar').

Se continuares a dizer asneiras, ponho-te pimenta na língua!

child-friendly

"Estar com a pimenta"

— To be very angry or irritated (related context).

Não fales com o chefe agora, ele está com a pimenta.

slang

"Apimentar a fofoca"

— To add exaggerated or scandalous details to a piece of gossip.

Ela adora apimentar a fofoca do escritório.

informal

"Dar um toque de pimenta"

— To add a small amount of excitement or heat.

Este acessório dá um toque de pimenta ao teu estilo.

neutral

"Cozinha apimentada"

— Refers to a style of cooking that is consistently spicy.

Eu adoro a cozinha apimentada do México.

neutral

"Relação apimentada"

— A relationship that is passionate and full of excitement.

Eles têm uma relação apimentada há anos.

informal

"Apimentar a imaginação"

— To stimulate someone's creativity or fantasy.

O livro apimenta a imaginação dos leitores.

neutral

"Apimentar o ambiente"

— To change the mood of a room to be more lively or tense.

A chegada dele apimentou o ambiente da festa.

neutral

"Apimentar a notícia"

— To sensationalize a story.

Os tablóides vivem de apimentar a notícia.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

apimentar vs condimentar

Both involve adding things to food.

Condimentar includes mustard, vinegar, etc. Apimentar is just for pepper/heat.

Eu condimento a salada, mas apimento o bife.

apimentar vs animar

Both can mean making something better/livelier.

Animar is for happiness/energy; apimentar is for intensity/excitement.

A música anima a festa; a fofoca apimenta a conversa.

apimentar vs salgar

Both are seasoning actions.

Salgar is specifically for salt.

Cuidado para não salgar o peixe ao tentar apimentá-lo.

apimentar vs atiçar

Both can mean provoking interest.

Atiçar is like stoking a fire; apimentar is like adding flavor.

Ele atiçou o fogo e apimentou o jantar.

apimentar vs esquentar

Both involve 'heat'.

Esquentar is temperature or anger; apimentar is flavor or excitement.

Esquenta a sopa antes de a apimentares.

Padrões de frases

Eu [apimento] o/a [comida].

Eu apimento o frango.

Vou [apimentar] com [pimenta].

Vou apimentar com malagueta.

Precisamos de [apimentar] a nossa [relação/rotina].

Precisamos de apimentar a nossa rotina.

O [sujeito] decidiu [apimentar] o/a [objeto] com [detalhe].

O realizador decidiu apimentar o filme com ação.

A [coisa] foi [apimentada] por [causa].

A discussão foi apimentada por mentiras.

Ao [apimentar] o/a [objeto], o [sujeito] conseguiu [resultado].

Ao apimentar o discurso, ele cativou o público.

Não [apimentes] muito o/a [comida].

Não apimentes muito a sopa.

Se [apimentares] a [coisa], ela fica melhor.

Se apimentares a carne, ela fica melhor.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

pimenta (pepper)

pimentão (bell pepper)

pimenteiro (pepper plant/shaker)

apimentação (the act of spicing)

Verbos

apimentar (to spice up)

pimentar (rarely used variant of apimentar)

Adjetivos

apimentado (spiced/spicy)

pimentado (peppery)

picante (spicy/hot)

Relacionado

piri-piri

malagueta

tempero

condimento

ardência

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Como usar

frequency

Common in daily life, especially in culinary and lifestyle contexts.

Erros comuns

Eu vou apimentar com sal. → Eu vou temperar com sal.
Sal is salt, which is not a pepper. Apimentar is specifically for pepper/heat.
A comida é apimentar. → A comida está apimentada.
You need the adjective form (apimentada) to describe the state of the food, not the infinitive verb.
Eu apimento o peixe malagueta. → Eu apimento o peixe com malagueta.
You must use the preposition 'com' to introduce the ingredient.
Eu quero picante a sopa. → Eu quero apimentar a sopa.
Picante is an adjective. You need the verb 'apimentar' for the action of adding spice.
Nós apimentamos o casamento com música. → Nós animamos o casamento com música.
While 'apimentar' can be figurative, 'animar' is better for 'cheering up' or 'livening up' a party with music. 'Apimentar' usually implies romance or provocation.

Dicas

Regular Conjugation

Remember that 'apimentar' is a regular -ar verb. If you know how to conjugate 'falar', you know how to conjugate 'apimentar'. This makes it a very 'safe' verb for A2 learners to use in various tenses.

Specific Heat

Only use 'apimentar' when you mean adding heat. If you are adding salt, use 'temperar'. If you are adding many different spices like cumin or curry, 'condimentar' is a better choice.

Figurative Use

Don't be afraid to use 'apimentar' to describe making a conversation or a party better. It makes you sound more like a native speaker who understands the 'flavor' of the language.

Nasalization

Focus on the 'men' part of 'apimentar'. The 'e' should sound like the 'e' in 'pen' but spoken through your nose. This nasalization is key to sounding Portuguese.

Preposition 'Com'

Always follow 'apimentar' with 'com' if you are naming the spice. Example: 'Apimentar com malagueta'. Without 'com', the sentence will feel incomplete.

Recipe Recognition

When reading recipes, 'apimentar a gosto' is a very common phrase. It means 'spice to your liking' or 'to taste'. This gives you the freedom to choose the heat level.

Piri-Piri Connection

In Portugal, 'apimentar' almost always implies adding piri-piri. Understanding this cultural link will help you understand why people use the word so often.

Tone Matters

When using the word figuratively in romance, your tone should be playful. In a kitchen, it should be practical. The word changes its 'vibe' based on how you say it.

Word Family

Learn 'pimenta' (noun) and 'apimentado' (adjective) alongside the verb. Learning the whole family makes it much easier to remember the meaning and usage.

Don't Overdo It

Just as you shouldn't put too much pepper in food, don't over-apimentar your sentences. Use it when it really fits the situation to keep its impact.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'A PI-menta' as adding 'A PIece of pepper' to your food. The 'A' at the start and 'AR' at the end turn the noun 'pimenta' into an action.

Associação visual

Imagine a chef with a giant pepper grinder (pimenteiro) adding a huge amount of pepper to a pot, causing a small explosion of flavor.

Word Web

pimenta picante temperar comida relação excitação piri-piri calor

Desafio

Try to use 'apimentar' three times today: once for something you eat, once for a movie you watched, and once for a plan you have.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Portuguese noun 'pimenta', which comes from the Latin 'pigmentum' (pigment/color).

Significado original: In Latin, 'pigmentum' referred to color or paint, but later evolved in Vulgar Latin to refer to spices used for coloring and flavoring food.

Romance (Latin origin).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'apimentar a relação' in professional settings as it has strong romantic/sexual undertones.

English speakers often say 'to spice up' for everything from cinnamon in a latte to adding drama. In Portuguese, 'apimentar' is more specific to pepper-like heat.

MasterChef Portugal (frequent use by judges) Portuguese Fado songs (metaphorical spice of life) Brazilian Telenovelas (using the word for romantic intrigue)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

In the Kitchen

Apimentar a gosto.
Não apimentes muito.
Queres apimentar o frango?
Vou apimentar com piri-piri.

In a Relationship

Apimentar a relação.
Como apimentar o casamento?
Precisamos de apimentar as coisas.
Uma surpresa para apimentar a noite.

In Storytelling

Apimentar o enredo.
Apimentar a narrativa.
Um detalhe para apimentar a história.
Apimentar com mistério.

In Social Events

Apimentar a festa.
Apimentar o ambiente.
Apimentar a conversa.
Apimentar o jogo.

In Media/News

Apimentar a notícia.
Apimentar o debate.
Apimentar a polémica.
Apimentar a campanha.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Gostas de apimentar muito a tua comida?"

"O que fazes para apimentar a tua rotina quando estás aborrecido?"

"Achas que é necessário apimentar as histórias para elas serem interessantes?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de apimentar uma festa que está parada?"

"Costumas apimentar os teus pratos com pimenta preta ou malagueta?"

Temas para diário

Escreve sobre uma vez que apimentaste demais uma comida e o que aconteceu.

Como poderias apimentar o teu dia de amanhã para ser mais produtivo e divertido?

Descreve um livro ou filme que precisava de ser apimentado. O que mudarias?

Reflete sobre a importância de apimentar as relações de amizade ao longo do tempo.

Se fosses um chef, qual seria o teu ingrediente secreto para apimentar os teus pratos?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Generally, no. 'Apimentar' implies heat from pepper. If you add cinnamon or sugar to spice up a dessert, use 'condimentar' or 'adocicar'. However, if you are adding chili to chocolate, then 'apimentar' is correct!

Yes, it is very common in Brazil, used in both literal culinary contexts and figurative romantic ones, just like in Portugal.

They mean the same thing, but 'apimentar' is much more common and is the standard form used in modern Portuguese. 'Pimentar' might be found in older texts.

You can say 'apimentar a tua vida'. It sounds natural and is a common expression in lifestyle magazines.

The correct preposition is 'com'. For example: 'Apimentar com pimenta preta'.

Yes, if you 'apimentar' a conflict or a rumor, it implies you are making a bad situation more intense or complicated.

Literally, yes. Figuratively, it means adding anything that creates excitement or interest, not necessarily physical pepper.

The past participle is 'apimentado', which also serves as the adjective for 'spicy' or 'spiced'.

Yes, but use it carefully. You might 'apimentar uma apresentação' (spice up a presentation), but don't use it for serious data analysis.

It is a neutral word. It is perfectly fine to use in formal writing (like literature) and informal speech (like cooking at home).

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