At the A1 level, you should focus on 'cinzenta' as a basic color word. You need to learn that it is the feminine version of 'cinzento'. At this stage, you will mostly use it to describe common objects like 'uma caneta cinzenta' (a grey pen) or 'uma t-shirt cinzenta' (a grey t-shirt). The most important thing for an A1 learner is the concept of agreement. In English, we say 'grey house' and 'grey car'. In Portuguese, because 'casa' is feminine, it's 'casa cinzenta', but because 'carro' is masculine, it's 'carro cinzento'. You should also learn the plural form 'cinzentas' for when you have more than one feminine object, like 'meias cinzentas' (grey socks). Focus on identifying the gender of the noun first, then applying the correct ending to the color. This is a foundational skill for all Portuguese learning. You will also encounter it when talking about the weather, such as 'está uma tarde cinzenta' (it's a grey afternoon). Don't worry about metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on literal colors and matching them to the nouns you know. Practice by looking around your room and naming feminine objects that are grey.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'cinzenta' in more descriptive and slightly more complex sentences. You are now expected to use it in the context of your daily routine and environment. For example, you might describe your favorite 'camisola cinzenta' (grey sweater) or a 'mochila cinzenta' (grey backpack) you want to buy. You will also start to see 'cinzenta' in simple stories or news snippets about the weather. You should be comfortable using it with the verb 'ser' (for permanent characteristics) and 'estar' (for temporary states). For instance, 'A minha gata é cinzenta' (My cat is grey - her permanent color) versus 'A rua está cinzenta por causa da poluição' (The street is grey because of pollution - a temporary state). You should also be aware that in Brazil, the word 'cinza' is often used as an invariable adjective in casual speech, but you should continue to practice 'cinzenta' to ensure you understand standard grammatical agreement. At this level, you might also learn the word 'cinzas' (ashes) and understand that 'cinzenta' is derived from it. Start trying to use 'cinzenta' to describe not just objects, but also places like 'uma cidade cinzenta' or 'uma sala cinzenta'.
By the B1 level, you can start using 'cinzenta' in more abstract and metaphorical ways. You understand that 'uma vida cinzenta' isn't literally the color grey, but rather a life that feels boring, monotonous, or sad. You can use the word to describe moods and atmospheres in your writing and speaking. For example, 'Sinto-me um pouco cinzenta hoje' (I feel a bit grey today) is a poetic way to express a low mood. You should also be familiar with common collocations like 'zona cinzenta' (grey area) to describe situations that are not clearly defined or are morally ambiguous. In your reading, you will notice authors using 'cinzenta' to set a specific tone—often one of realism, melancholy, or industrial coldness. You should also be able to compare 'cinzenta' with other shades like 'prateada' (silver) or 'clara' (light) and 'escura' (dark). For instance, 'uma tonalidade cinzenta clara'. At B1, you are expected to handle the plural feminine form 'cinzentas' effortlessly in longer sentences, such as 'As montanhas cinzentas no horizonte pareciam misteriosas'. You are moving from simple description to using color to convey emotion and nuance.
At the B2 level, your use of 'cinzenta' should be precise and varied. You can distinguish between 'cinzenta' and its synonyms like 'grisalha' or 'baça' depending on the context. You understand the socio-cultural implications of the word, such as using 'época cinzenta' to refer to a difficult historical period. You can use 'cinzenta' in formal writing, such as reports or essays, to describe 'matéria cinzenta' (grey matter) in a scientific context or 'áreas cinzentas' in legal or ethical discussions. Your grammar should be flawless, including the use of 'cinzenta' in complex sentence structures with relative clauses: 'A zona cinzenta de que falámos ontem continua a ser um problema'. You also start to recognize the word in more sophisticated media, such as political commentary where a 'política cinzenta' might refer to uninspiring or overly bureaucratic governance. You can use the word to create contrast in your descriptions, perhaps comparing a 'realidade cinzenta' with a 'sonho colorido'. At this stage, 'cinzenta' is no longer just a color; it is a tool for sophisticated expression, allowing you to describe the subtleties of the world and human experience with greater depth.
At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'cinzenta' and can use it with stylistic flair. You understand the subtle differences between 'cinzenta', 'plúmbea', 'gris', and 'parda'. You can use 'cinzenta' in high-level literary analysis or creative writing to evoke specific imagery. For instance, describing a 'névoa cinzenta' that 'abraça a cidade' (a grey mist that embraces the city). You are aware of the word's resonance in Lusophone literature, perhaps in the works of Fernando Pessoa or José Saramago, where the 'grey' of Lisbon is a character in itself. You can engage in debates about 'zonas cinzentas' in philosophy, law, or science, using the word to navigate complex nuances. You also understand the phonetics of the word perfectly, including the nasal 'in' sound and the open 'e' in some regional accents. You can use 'cinzenta' to describe the 'cinzenta monotonia do quotidiano' (the grey monotony of everyday life) with the appropriate emotional weight. Your use of the word is integrated into a wide range of idioms and cultural references, and you can switch between the literal and the figurative without hesitation. You might also explore the historical use of the word and how its meaning has evolved in different Portuguese-speaking countries.
At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of 'cinzenta'. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, from the most technical scientific paper to the most evocative poetry. You understand the deepest etymological roots of the word and how it connects to the Latin 'cinis'. You can play with the word in puns, double meanings, or complex metaphors. You are sensitive to the rhythmic qualities of the word in prose and verse. For a C2 speaker, 'cinzenta' is a versatile instrument. You might use it to describe the 'estética cinzenta' of a certain architectural movement or the 'cinzenta neutralidade' of a diplomatic stance. You are also fully aware of regional variations in how the word is used or perceived across the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). You can discuss the 'cinzenta' hues in a painting with the vocabulary of an art critic. There are no mistakes in agreement, even in the most convoluted sentences. You can use the word to capture the 'inefável'—the things that are hard to describe—by focusing on the 'cinzenta' spaces between certainties. At this level, your relationship with the word is intuitive, allowing you to use it as naturally as a native speaker while possessing the analytical depth to explain its every nuance.

Cinzenta 30秒了解

  • Cinzenta is the feminine singular form of the adjective for the color grey in Portuguese.
  • It must agree with feminine nouns like 'casa', 'nuvem', and 'camisola'.
  • Beyond color, it often represents melancholy, boredom, or ambiguity in metaphorical contexts.
  • It is derived from 'cinza' (ash) and is a foundational color word for A1 learners.

The Portuguese word cinzenta is the feminine singular form of the adjective meaning 'grey' or 'gray'. At its most basic level, it describes the color resulting from the mixture of black and white. However, in the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language, cinzenta carries weight far beyond a simple hex code on a color wheel. It is derived from the noun cinza, which means 'ash'. This etymological link is crucial because it informs the emotional and physical texture of the word. When you describe something as cinzenta, you aren't just identifying a wavelength of light; you are often evoking the qualities of ash—something burnt out, something muted, or something that remains after the fire of vibrant color has faded.

Visual Description
Used to describe feminine nouns like a nuvem (the cloud), a parede (the wall), or a cidade (the city) when they possess a grey hue.

A manhã está muito cinzenta hoje, acho que vai chover.

In everyday conversation, cinzenta is frequently used to describe the weather. A 'manhã cinzenta' (grey morning) or 'tarde cinzenta' (grey afternoon) implies an overcast sky, often associated with a sense of melancholy or impending rain. Unlike the English 'gray', which can sometimes feel neutral, the Portuguese cinzenta often leans into the atmospheric. In urban contexts, it describes the 'selva de pedra' (stone jungle) of cities like São Paulo or Lisbon on a cloudy day, where the concrete and the sky blend into one monochromatic experience.

Metaphorical Usage
It represents ambiguity or a lack of clarity. A 'zona cinzenta' is a gray area where rules are not clear-cut.

Esta é uma área cinzenta da lei que ninguém entende bem.

Furthermore, cinzenta is used to describe a person's mood or a period of history. A 'vida cinzenta' suggests a life lacking excitement, color, or joy—a monotonous existence. In literature, authors use the word to dampen the mood of a scene, stripping away the vibrancy to focus on internal struggle or social decay. It is a word of subtlety, used by native speakers to convey not just a color, but a specific vibration of stillness and sobriety.

Fashion and Style
In the world of clothing, 'uma camisola cinzenta' (a grey sweater) is considered a staple of neutrality and elegance.

Ela comprou uma saia cinzenta para a entrevista de emprego.

Using cinzenta correctly requires an understanding of gender and number agreement, which is the cornerstone of Portuguese grammar. Since cinzenta is the feminine singular form, it must exclusively accompany feminine singular nouns. When the noun becomes plural, the adjective becomes cinzentas. If the noun is masculine, you must switch to cinzento or cinzentos. This flexibility allows the speaker to paint precise pictures with their words.

Direct Description
The most common use is following a noun to describe its literal color.

A gata cinzenta dorme no sofá todos os dias.

In the sentence above, 'gata' (female cat) is feminine, so 'cinzenta' matches it perfectly. If we were talking about a male cat, it would be 'o gato cinzento'. Notice how the adjective typically follows the noun in Portuguese, which is the opposite of English. However, placing the adjective before the noun can sometimes add a poetic or emphatic flair, though this is less common with colors unless you are writing high literature.

Weather and Atmosphere
Portuguese speakers often use 'cinzenta' to set the scene or describe the environment.

Londres é conhecida por ser uma cidade cinzenta.

When describing cities or places, 'cinzenta' implies more than just the color of the buildings; it suggests the pervasive presence of clouds and a lack of bright sunlight. It's an atmospheric adjective. You can also use it with 'cor' (color) itself: 'A cor cinzenta da parede não me agrada' (The grey color of the wall doesn't please me).

Abstract and Figurative
Using the word to describe non-physical things like ideas, periods, or feelings.

Ela vive uma fase cinzenta após a demissão.

Here, 'fase cinzenta' (grey phase) describes a period of sadness or uncertainty. It conveys a lack of 'color' or excitement in one's life. Similarly, 'uma realidade cinzenta' suggests a bleak or grim reality. This figurative usage is very common in journalism and literature to evoke empathy or a sense of gravity.

Pluralization
To describe multiple feminine items, add an 's'.

As montanhas ao longe pareciam cinzentas sob a névoa.

In this case, 'montanhas' is feminine plural, so 'cinzentas' is the required form. Mastering these shifts in the word's ending is what separates a beginner from an intermediate speaker. It demonstrates that you are thinking in the structure of the Portuguese language, respecting the relationship between the object and its qualities.

The word cinzenta is ubiquitous across the Lusophone world, appearing in contexts ranging from the mundane to the highly artistic. You will hear it in the morning news during the weather forecast, in the lyrics of a melancholic Fado song in Lisbon, or in a casual conversation about home decor in Brazil. It is a word that bridges the gap between technical description and emotional expression.

In the Media
Meteorologists use it daily to describe 'céu encoberto' (overcast sky). You'll hear phrases like 'uma massa de ar cinzenta' (a grey air mass).

A previsão indica uma semana cinzenta em todo o litoral.

In political discourse, cinzenta is often used to describe bureaucracy or lack of transparency. A 'burocracia cinzenta' suggests a system that is dull, soul-crushing, and perhaps slightly opaque. It evokes the image of old, dusty offices filled with grey filing cabinets and uninspired workers. This usage is common in opinion pieces in newspapers like Público (Portugal) or Folha de S.Paulo (Brazil).

In Literature and Song
Portuguese culture has a deep connection to 'saudade' (longing), and 'cinzenta' is the perfect color for this emotion.

Naquela rua cinzenta, o fado ecoava com tristeza.

In Brazilian Bossa Nova or MPB, the word might be used to contrast the vibrant nature of Brazil with the internal 'grey' feelings of a lover. In Portuguese Fado, the 'cidade cinzenta' is a recurring motif, representing the heavy, historic walls of Alfama under a rainy night. When you hear this word in music, pay attention to the tempo; it's almost always slower and more contemplative.

Everyday Social Interactions
People use it to complain or to describe their surroundings without much fuss.

Que casa tão cinzenta! Precisamos de um pouco de cor aqui.

Finally, in the workplace, you might hear about 'matéria cinzenta' (grey matter), referring to the brain or intelligence. While 'matéria' is feminine, this is a technical term used in biology and psychology. Whether you are in a lab in Coimbra or a startup in Florianópolis, cinzenta remains a key adjective for describing both the world we see and the way we think.

For English speakers, the most frequent errors involving cinzenta stem from the fundamental differences between English adjectives (which are static) and Portuguese adjectives (which are dynamic and must agree with the noun). Understanding these pitfalls early will significantly improve your fluency and make your Portuguese sound more natural and polished.

Gender Mismatch
Using 'cinzenta' for masculine nouns or 'cinzento' for feminine ones.

Incorrect: O livro cinzenta.
Correct: O livro cinzento.

This is the 'number one' mistake. In English, 'gray' works for everything. In Portuguese, you must look at the article (o/a) and the noun ending. If it's a mesa (the table), it's cinzenta. If it's o sofá (the sofa), it's cinzento. Always check the gender of the noun before you speak the adjective.

Confusing 'Cinza' and 'Cinzenta'
Using the noun 'cinza' (ash) as an adjective without knowing when it's appropriate.

Uma camisa cinza (Common/Invariable) vs. Uma camisa cinzenta (Formal/Standard).

In casual Brazilian Portuguese, people often use 'cinza' as an adjective. It's invariable, meaning it doesn't change: 'camisas cinza', 'carros cinza'. However, 'cinzenta' is the standard adjective form. A common mistake is trying to pluralize 'cinza' as 'cinzas' when describing color (e.g., 'camisas cinzas' is technically incorrect in standard grammar because 'cinzas' means 'ashes'). Stick to 'cinzenta' and 'cinzentas' for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Word Order
Putting the adjective before the noun like in English.

Incorrect: A cinzenta nuvem.
Correct: A nuvem cinzenta.

While 'the grey cloud' is standard in English, 'a nuvem cinzenta' is the rule in Portuguese. Placing colors before the noun is very rare and usually reserved for poetry. If you do it in daily conversation, it will sound very strange to a native speaker. Remember: Noun first, Color second.

Overusing for Hair
Using 'cinzenta' to describe grey hair on a person.

Awkward: Ela tem uma cabeça cinzenta.
Natural: Ela tem cabelos grisalhos.

While 'cinzenta' can describe a grey wig or an object, we usually use the specific adjective grisalho (masculine) or grisalha (feminine) for human hair. Using 'cinzenta' for hair can sound a bit robotic or like you are describing a statue rather than a person. Pay attention to these context-specific adjectives to truly master the language.

To truly expand your Portuguese vocabulary, you should understand how cinzenta relates to other words in the same semantic field. Portuguese is a descriptive language with many synonyms that carry different 'shades' of meaning. Depending on whether you are describing a piece of clothing, a stormy sky, or an old photograph, there might be a better word than just cinzenta.

Gris / Grisalha
Often used for hair or specifically 'greyish' tones. 'Gris' is more common in literary contexts or in some dialects of Portuguese.

A barba dele está ficando grisalha.

While 'cinzenta' is the general term for the color, 'grisalha' is almost exclusively for hair. If you say a woman has 'cabelos cinzentos', it sounds like she dyed them that specific color. If you say 'cabelos grisalhos', it means they have turned grey naturally with age. This is a subtle but important distinction for social interactions.

Parda
A brownish-grey or 'drab' color. It is also a significant term in Brazilian census data to describe mixed-race individuals.

A cor parda daquela embalagem é muito discreta.

Use 'parda' when the grey has a hint of brown or earthiness. It's often used for animals (like a 'urso pardo' - brown bear, though it's technically a different species, the word 'pardo' covers that spectrum). In everyday life, 'papel pardo' is the term for brown kraft paper, but 'parda' as a color is very much in the grey-brown family.

Plúmbea
Literally 'leaden'. Used for a very dark, heavy grey, usually describing the sky or water before a storm.

O mar tinha uma tonalidade plúmbea naquela tarde fria.

This is a much more 'fancy' word. You won't hear it at a supermarket, but you will find it in novels. It evokes the weight of lead (chumbo). If 'cinzenta' is a light grey cloud, 'plúmbea' is the heavy, dark cloud that is about to burst. Using this word shows a very high level of Portuguese proficiency.

Baça
Dull, lackluster, or matte. Used when something should be shiny but is instead greyish and dim.

A prata estava baça e precisava de ser limpa.

Finally, 'baça' is great for describing surfaces. If a mirror is foggy or a metal is tarnished, it looks 'baça'. It's not just the color grey; it's the lack of reflection. Understanding these alternatives allows you to move beyond simple color identification and start describing the texture and quality of the world around you in Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

The word 'cinzenta' is directly related to the English word 'incinerate' and 'cinder', all tracing back to the same Latin root for ash.

发音指南

UK /sĩˈzẽ.tɐ/
US /sĩˈzẽ.tə/
The stress is on the penultimate syllable: cin-ZEN-ta.
押韵词
Pimenta Oitenta Sessenta Cinquenta Aguenta Tormenta Fermenta Apresenta
常见错误
  • Pronouncing the 'n' fully instead of making the vowel nasal.
  • Making the 'z' sound like an 's'.
  • Stress on the first or last syllable.
  • Not reducing the final 'a' in European Portuguese.
  • Confusing the nasal 'in' with a regular 'i' sound.

难度评级

阅读 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as a color word.

写作 2/5

Requires attention to gender agreement (ending in -a).

口语 2/5

Nasal vowels 'in' and 'en' can be tricky for beginners.

听力 2/5

Distinguishing from 'cinquenta' (50) might take a moment for new learners.

接下来学什么

前置知识

Cinza Cor Branco Preto Nuvem

接下来学习

Grisalho Plúmbeo Acinzentado Céu Triste

高级

Melancolia Burocracia Eminência Nuance Monotonia

需要掌握的语法

Gender Agreement

A casa (f) é cinzenta (f).

Number Agreement

As casas (f. pl) são cinzentas (f. pl).

Adjective Position

Uma mesa cinzenta (Adjective usually follows the noun).

Nasal Vowels

The 'in' in cinzenta is nasalized.

Invariable colors

Note that 'cinza' can be invariable, but 'cinzenta' is not.

按水平分级的例句

1

A minha camisola é cinzenta.

My sweater is grey.

Camisola is feminine, so we use cinzenta.

2

Eu tenho uma gata cinzenta.

I have a grey cat.

Gata is feminine singular.

3

A mesa da cozinha é cinzenta.

The kitchen table is grey.

Mesa is feminine singular.

4

Hoje a tarde está cinzenta.

Today the afternoon is grey.

Tarde is feminine.

5

Ela comprou uma mochila cinzenta.

She bought a grey backpack.

Mochila is feminine.

6

A parede do meu quarto é cinzenta.

My bedroom wall is grey.

Parede is feminine.

7

Eu vejo uma nuvem cinzenta no céu.

I see a grey cloud in the sky.

Nuvem is feminine.

8

As canetas são cinzentas.

The pens are grey.

Plural feminine form: cinzentas.

1

A cidade de Londres parece sempre cinzenta nos filmes.

The city of London always looks grey in movies.

Cidade is feminine.

2

Ela gosta de usar roupa cinzenta no inverno.

She likes to wear grey clothes in winter.

Roupa is feminine singular, used here as a general category.

3

A areia daquela praia é um pouco cinzenta.

The sand of that beach is a bit grey.

Areia is feminine.

4

Aquelas pedras cinzentas são muito bonitas.

Those grey stones are very beautiful.

Pedras (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

5

Onde está a minha caneta cinzenta?

Where is my grey pen?

Caneta is feminine.

6

A casa cinzenta na esquina é muito antiga.

The grey house on the corner is very old.

Casa is feminine.

7

Eu prefiro a cortina cinzenta para a sala.

I prefer the grey curtain for the living room.

Cortina is feminine.

8

As janelas do prédio são cinzentas.

The building windows are grey.

Janelas (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

1

Depois da festa, a sala ficou com uma atmosfera cinzenta.

After the party, the room had a grey atmosphere.

Atmosfera is feminine.

2

Existe uma zona cinzenta nas novas regras da empresa.

There is a grey area in the new company rules.

Zona cinzenta is a common idiom for ambiguity.

3

A vida dela tornou-se cinzenta após ele partir.

Her life became grey after he left.

Metaphorical use for sadness/monotony.

4

As águas cinzentas do rio corriam calmamente.

The grey waters of the river flowed calmly.

Águas is feminine plural.

5

Ela tem uma visão cinzenta sobre o futuro da economia.

She has a grey (pessimistic) view of the economy's future.

Visão is feminine.

6

A fotografia cinzenta capturou a essência do momento.

The grey (black and white) photograph captured the essence of the moment.

Fotografia is feminine.

7

Esta cor cinzenta é perfeita para esconder a sujidade.

This grey color is perfect for hiding dirt.

Cor is feminine.

8

As pombas cinzentas voavam sobre a praça.

The grey pigeons were flying over the square.

Pombas (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

1

A burocracia cinzenta impede o progresso do país.

The grey bureaucracy hinders the country's progress.

Burocracia is feminine.

2

O autor descreve uma sociedade cinzenta e sem esperança.

The author describes a grey and hopeless society.

Sociedade is feminine.

3

A matéria cinzenta do cérebro é responsável pelo processamento de informação.

The grey matter of the brain is responsible for processing information.

Matéria cinzenta is a scientific term.

4

Ela trabalha numa área cinzenta entre o marketing e as vendas.

She works in a grey area between marketing and sales.

Used to describe overlap or lack of definition.

5

As nuvens cinzentas e carregadas anunciavam a tempestade.

The grey, heavy clouds announced the storm.

Nuvens (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

6

Sinto uma nostalgia cinzenta sempre que visito a minha antiga escola.

I feel a grey nostalgia whenever I visit my old school.

Nostalgia is feminine.

7

A luz cinzenta do amanhecer entrava pela fresta da porta.

The grey light of dawn entered through the crack in the door.

Luz is feminine.

8

Muitas empresas operam numa zona cinzenta da legislação fiscal.

Many companies operate in a grey area of tax legislation.

Legislation/Law context.

1

A narrativa é tingida por uma melancolia cinzenta que permeia cada página.

The narrative is tinged by a grey melancholy that permeates every page.

Melancolia is feminine.

2

O realismo da obra reside na sua representação da vida cinzenta do operariado.

The work's realism lies in its representation of the grey life of the working class.

Vida is feminine.

3

A arquitetura brutalista é frequentemente criticada pela sua estética cinzenta.

Brutalist architecture is often criticized for its grey aesthetic.

Estética is feminine.

4

Há uma linha cinzenta e ténue entre a ambição e a ganância.

There is a thin grey line between ambition and greed.

Linha is feminine.

5

As manhãs cinzentas de Lisboa têm um encanto que os poetas adoram.

Lisbon's grey mornings have a charm that poets love.

Manhãs (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

6

O filme utiliza uma paleta cinzenta para evocar a solidão do protagonista.

The film uses a grey palette to evoke the protagonist's loneliness.

Paleta is feminine.

7

A neutralidade cinzenta do mediador foi crucial para o sucesso da negociação.

The mediator's grey neutrality was crucial for the negotiation's success.

Neutralidade is feminine.

8

As cinzentas paredes do castelo guardam segredos de séculos passados.

The castle's grey walls keep secrets from past centuries.

Paredes (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

1

A ontologia do ser, nesta obra, é descrita como uma névoa cinzenta e impenetrável.

The ontology of being, in this work, is described as a grey and impenetrable mist.

Névoa is feminine.

2

O autor explora as cinzentas nuances da moralidade humana em tempos de guerra.

The author explores the grey nuances of human morality in times of war.

Nuances (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

3

A prosa de Saramago é muitas vezes associada a uma lucidez cinzenta e despojada.

Saramago's prose is often associated with a grey and stripped-down lucidity.

Lucidez is feminine.

4

A cidade erguia-se como uma massa cinzenta e disforme sob o sol pálido.

The city rose as a grey and shapeless mass under the pale sun.

Massa is feminine.

5

A alma cinzenta do poeta refletia-se na sua recusa em usar cores vivas.

The poet's grey soul was reflected in his refusal to use bright colors.

Alma is feminine.

6

As cinzentas profundezas do oceano escondem criaturas ainda desconhecidas.

The grey depths of the ocean hide still-unknown creatures.

Profundezas (f. pl.) matches cinzentas.

7

Vivemos numa era de pós-verdade, onde a realidade se tornou uma amálgama cinzenta.

We live in a post-truth era, where reality has become a grey amalgam.

Amálgama is feminine.

8

A cinzenta monotonia da existência é o tema central deste ensaio existencialista.

The grey monotony of existence is the central theme of this existentialist essay.

Monotonia is feminine.

常见搭配

Zona cinzenta
Nuvem cinzenta
Manhã cinzenta
Matéria cinzenta
Cidade cinzenta
Roupa cinzenta
Área cinzenta
Luz cinzenta
Parede cinzenta
Realidade cinzenta

常用短语

Tudo está cinzenta

— Used to describe a situation where everything feels bleak or dull. Note that 'cinzenta' here must agree with a hidden feminine noun like 'a situação'.

Desde que perdi o emprego, tudo me parece uma situação cinzenta.

Eminência cinzenta

— A powerful decision-maker or advisor who operates behind the scenes. From the French 'éminence grise'.

Ele é a eminência cinzenta do governo.

Vida cinzenta

— A boring, repetitive, or unexciting life.

Ele cansou-se da sua vida cinzenta no escritório.

Tonalidade cinzenta

— A specific shade of grey.

A parede tem uma tonalidade cinzenta azulada.

Fase cinzenta

— A temporary period of sadness or lack of inspiration.

Todos passamos por uma fase cinzenta às vezes.

Economia cinzenta

— Unrecorded economic activity; informal economy.

A economia cinzenta é um desafio para o fisco.

Literatura cinzenta

— Information produced outside of traditional publishing and distribution channels.

O relatório técnico é considerado literatura cinzenta.

Barba cinzenta

— While 'grisalha' is better, 'cinzenta' is sometimes used to describe the color literally.

Ele tem uma barba cinzenta muito longa.

Cinzenta de dar dó

— An idiomatic way to say something is extremely grey and depressing (Brazilian).

A tarde está cinzenta de dar dó.

Cor cinzenta

— The grey color.

A cor cinzenta é muito versátil na decoração.

容易混淆的词

Cinzenta vs Cinquenta

Means fifty. Sounds similar but has a 'qu' sound instead of 'z'.

Cinzenta vs Cinzento

The masculine form. Must be used with masculine nouns.

Cinzenta vs Cinza

The noun for ash, or an invariable adjective for grey.

习语与表达

"Zona cinzenta"

— A situation where it is difficult to judge what is right or wrong, or what the rules are.

O uso de IA na arte é uma zona cinzenta.

General
"Matéria cinzenta"

— Intelligence or brainpower.

É preciso usar a matéria cinzenta para resolver isto.

Informal/General
"Eminência cinzenta"

— A person who exercises power or influence in a certain sphere without holding an official position.

Ela é a eminência cinzenta por trás do CEO.

Formal/Political
"Ver a vida cinzenta"

— To be pessimistic or depressed.

Para de ver a vida cinzenta e sorri!

Informal
"Mercado cinzento"

— While usually masculine (mercado cinzento), the concept of 'economia cinzenta' exists as a feminine equivalent.

A economia cinzenta cresceu durante a crise.

Economic
"Pantera cinzenta"

— Refers to active, politically engaged elderly people (from the Grey Panthers movement).

As panteras cinzentas protestaram no centro.

Social/Political
"Ouro cinzento"

— Sometimes used to refer to platinum or, metaphorically, to the wisdom of the elderly.

A experiência dos idosos é o nosso ouro cinzento.

Poetic
"Massa cinzenta"

— Synonym for brain tissue or intelligence.

Põe essa massa cinzenta a trabalhar!

Informal
"Peste cinzenta"

— A metaphorical term for the spread of concrete and urban sprawl.

A peste cinzenta está a destruir as florestas.

Environmental
"Nuvem cinzenta sobre alguém"

— To have bad luck or be in a bad mood.

Parece que há uma nuvem cinzenta sobre a Maria hoje.

Informal

容易混淆

Cinzenta vs Cinquenta

Phonetic similarity.

Cinquenta is a number (50); cinzenta is a color (grey).

Tenho cinquenta camisolas cinzentas.

Cinzenta vs Grisalho

Both mean grey.

Grisalho is specifically for hair; cinzenta is for general objects.

Ele tem cabelo grisalho e uma t-shirt cinzenta.

Cinzenta vs Pardo

Both are neutral, muted colors.

Pardo is brownish-grey; cinzenta is pure grey (black + white).

O papel é pardo, mas a caneta é cinzenta.

Cinzenta vs Sombrio

Both can describe a dark mood.

Sombrio means gloomy/shadowy; cinzenta is specifically the color grey.

Um dia sombrio com nuvens cinzentas.

Cinzenta vs Baço

Both describe a lack of brightness.

Baço means matte or tarnished; cinzenta is the hue itself.

A prata está baça e cinzenta.

句型

A1

A [noun] é cinzenta.

A gata é cinzenta.

A2

Eu tenho uma [noun] cinzenta.

Eu tenho uma mochila cinzenta.

B1

O dia está [adjective] e a tarde está cinzenta.

O dia está frio e a tarde está cinzenta.

B2

A [noun] tornou-se cinzenta com o tempo.

A parede tornou-se cinzenta com o tempo.

C1

Uma [noun] cinzenta de [noun].

Uma névoa cinzenta de incerteza.

C2

Não obstante a [noun] cinzenta, [clause].

Não obstante a realidade cinzenta, ele continuou a lutar.

A1

As [noun] são cinzentas.

As meias são cinzentas.

B1

É uma zona cinzenta.

É uma zona cinzenta da lei.

词族

名词

Cinza (ash/grey color)
Cinzeiro (ashtray)
Cinzento (grey - masculine form)

动词

Acinzentar (to turn grey/to make grey)

形容词

Acinzentado (greyish)
Cinzento (grey - masculine)
Cinza (grey - invariable)

相关

Chumbo (lead)
Nuvem (cloud)
Sombra (shadow)
Fumo (smoke)
Neblina (mist)

如何使用

frequency

Very common, especially in weather and fashion contexts.

常见错误
  • O carro cinzenta. O carro cinzento.

    Carro is masculine, so the adjective must be cinzento.

  • As nuvens cinzenta. As nuvens cinzentas.

    Nuvens is plural, so the adjective must be pluralized to cinzentas.

  • Ela tem cabelos cinzentos. Ela tem cabelos grisalhos.

    While 'cinzentos' is grammatically okay, 'grisalhos' is the natural word for grey hair.

  • A cinzenta nuvem. A nuvem cinzenta.

    In Portuguese, the color adjective almost always follows the noun.

  • Eu comprei duas camisas cinzas. Eu comprei duas camisas cinzentas.

    In standard grammar, 'cinza' as a color is invariable. Using 'cinzentas' is safer and more correct.

小贴士

Always Check Gender

Before saying 'cinzenta', look at the noun. If it's 'a' something, use 'cinzenta'. If it's 'o' something, use 'cinzento'.

Shades Matter

If you want to say 'light grey', use 'cinzenta-clara'. For 'dark grey', use 'cinzenta-escura'.

Nasal Vowels

The 'in' and 'en' are nasal. Practice by blocking your nose; if the sound changes, you are doing it right!

Atmospheric Use

Use 'cinzenta' to describe the mood of a rainy city to sound more like a native speaker.

Fashion Staple

Grey is a neutral color in Lusophone fashion. Use 'cinzenta' to describe elegant, understated clothing.

Smart Talk

Use 'matéria cinzenta' when talking about someone's intelligence to add a bit of flair to your conversation.

Setting the Scene

In stories, start with a 'manhã cinzenta' to immediately establish a somber or contemplative tone.

The Ash Connection

Remember that 'cinza' is ash. Ash is grey. This helps you remember the root of 'cinzenta'.

Cinzenta vs Grisalha

Don't call a person's hair 'cinzenta' unless they dyed it. Use 'grisalha' for natural aging.

Abstract Areas

When discussing ethics or law, 'zona cinzenta' is your best friend for describing ambiguity.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'Cinders' (like Cinderella). Cinders are 'cinzas'. A dress made of cinders would be a 'vestimenta cinzenta'.

视觉联想

Imagine a grey cat (gata) sitting in a pile of grey ash (cinza). The gata is cinzenta.

Word Web

Cinza Nuvem Chuva Tristeza Cidade Inverno Sombra Concreto

挑战

Try to find 5 feminine objects in your house and describe them using 'cinzenta' or 'cinzentas' out loud.

词源

Derived from the Portuguese noun 'cinza', which comes from the Latin 'cinis, cineris', meaning 'ashes'. The suffix '-enta' is used to form adjectives indicating a quality or state.

原始含义: Having the quality or color of ashes.

Romance (Indo-European)

文化背景

In Brazil, 'parda' is the official term for mixed-race individuals; 'cinzenta' is never used to describe skin color and would be considered very strange or offensive if used that way.

English speakers often use 'gray' for both genders. The biggest hurdle is remembering to use 'cinzenta' specifically for feminine nouns.

The song 'Lisboa Cinzenta' (Grey Lisbon). The 'Grey Matter' (Matéria Cinzenta) in scientific discussions. The aesthetic of 'Brutalismo' in Brazilian architecture.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Weather

  • Tarde cinzenta
  • Manhã cinzenta
  • Nuvem cinzenta
  • Céu cinzento (masc)

Fashion

  • Camisola cinzenta
  • Saia cinzenta
  • Calças cinzentas
  • Mochila cinzenta

Home Decor

  • Parede cinzenta
  • Mesa cinzenta
  • Cortina cinzenta
  • Cadeira cinzenta

Animals

  • Gata cinzenta
  • Pomba cinzenta
  • Baleia cinzenta
  • Ratazana cinzenta

Abstract/Idioms

  • Zona cinzenta
  • Matéria cinzenta
  • Vida cinzenta
  • Realidade cinzenta

对话开场白

"Achas que esta parede ficaria bem se fosse cinzenta?"

"Gostas de dias de chuva e tardes cinzentas?"

"Preferes esta camisola azul ou a cinzenta?"

"Já viste aquela gata cinzenta que anda sempre por aqui?"

"Achas que a economia está a passar por uma fase cinzenta?"

日记主题

Descreve uma manhã cinzenta na tua cidade. Como te sentes?

Quais são as vantagens de ter uma decoração cinzenta em casa?

Escreve sobre uma 'zona cinzenta' que encontraste recentemente na tua vida.

Se a tua vida fosse uma cor hoje, seria cinzenta ou colorida? Porquê?

Descreve a tua peça de roupa cinzenta favorita.

常见问题

10 个问题

Use 'cinzenta' when you want to be grammatically precise and follow gender agreement with a feminine noun. 'Cinza' is more common in casual Brazilian Portuguese as an invariable adjective, but 'cinzenta' is the standard form in both Portugal and formal Brazilian Portuguese. For example, 'uma camisa cinzenta' is always correct.

While technically possible to describe the color of a wig, for natural human hair, you should use 'grisalha'. For example, 'Ela tem cabelos grisalhos' is much more natural than 'cabelos cinzentos'.

Simply add an 's' at the end: 'cinzentas'. It must agree with plural feminine nouns, like 'as nuvens cinzentas' or 'as casas cinzentas'.

No. For masculine nouns, you must use the form 'cinzento'. For example, 'o carro cinzento' and 'a mota cinzenta'.

It means 'grey area'. It refers to a situation that is not clearly defined, where there is no clear right or wrong, or where the rules are ambiguous. It is a very common idiomatic expression.

Yes, it is extremely common. It is one of the basic color words that every Portuguese learner should know at the A1 level.

Not always, but it often carries a connotation of sadness, boredom, or melancholy when used figuratively. However, in fashion or decor, it is often seen as elegant and neutral.

'Cinzenta' is a flat grey color (like ash or concrete). 'Prateada' means 'silver' and implies a metallic, shiny quality.

It is a nasal vowel. Do not pronounce the 'n' as a separate consonant. Instead, let the air flow through your nose while pronouncing the 'i'.

Yes, it is used in Brazil, although 'cinza' is frequently used as an adjective in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. 'Cinzenta' remains the formal and grammatically standard adjective.

自我测试 190 个问题

writing

Write a sentence describing a grey house.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
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Translate: 'The grey clouds are in the sky.'

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writing

Describe a grey afternoon using the word 'tarde'.

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正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Use 'zona cinzenta' in a sentence about a rule.

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正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a sentence about a grey cat.

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writing

Translate: 'She has a grey sweater.'

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writing

Describe a city as grey.

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Use 'cinzenta' to describe a sad life.

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writing

Translate: 'The grey walls of the castle.'

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writing

Write a sentence with 'matéria cinzenta'.

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writing

Describe a grey morning.

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writing

Translate: 'I see grey pigeons.'

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writing

Use 'cinzenta' as a color for a table.

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writing

Translate: 'A grey phase.'

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writing

Describe your bedroom wall as grey.

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writing

Write a sentence about a grey backpack.

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writing

Translate: 'The grey sand.'

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writing

Use 'cinzenta' to describe a movie's aesthetic.

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writing

Translate: 'The grey pens are on the desk.'

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writing

Write a poetic sentence about a grey mist.

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speaking

Say 'The grey cat' in Portuguese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Grey clouds' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'A grey afternoon' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'The wall is grey' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey area' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Pronounce 'cinzenta' slowly.

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speaking

Say 'Grey matter' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'My sweater is grey' in Portuguese.

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Say 'Grey city' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey phase' in Portuguese.

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Say 'The pens are grey' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey light' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'The grey house' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey life' in Portuguese.

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Say 'The grey skirt' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey sand' in Portuguese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'Grey mist' in Portuguese.

Read this aloud:

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Say 'Grey stones' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey reality' in Portuguese.

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speaking

Say 'Grey mood' (figurative).

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listening

Listen and identify the color: 'A mochila é cinzenta.'

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listening

Is the noun plural or singular? 'As nuvens cinzentas.'

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listening

What object is being described? 'A parede cinzenta.'

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listening

Is it a person or an object? 'A gata cinzenta.'

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listening

Listen for the idiom: 'Estamos numa zona cinzenta.'

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listening

Identify the number of syllables in 'cinzenta'.

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listening

What is the mood? 'Uma vida cinzenta.'

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listening

Listen and spell the word: 'C-I-N-Z-E-N-T-A'.

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listening

Which word is spoken? 'Cinquenta' or 'Cinzenta'?

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listening

What is the weather? 'Tarde cinzenta.'

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listening

Is the word masculine or feminine? 'Cinzenta'.

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listening

What is the root word mentioned? 'Cinza'.

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listening

What birds are mentioned? 'Pombas cinzentas'.

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listening

Identify the stress: 'cin-ZEN-ta'.

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listening

What color is the 'matéria'? 'Matéria cinzenta'.

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/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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