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Most common adjectives in Portuguese

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Among the most common adjectives in Portuguese, word order can change meaning. Grande after a noun usually describes size; before it, it can express admiration or importance. Novo after a noun often means young or newly made; before it, it can mean new to the person concerned. Velho before a noun can suggest a long-standing relationship.

Pobre after a noun usually describes a lack of money; before it, it can express sympathy. Bom and Mau can describe quality or character, so their meaning depends on the noun and the context.

  1. Duvidoso /duviˈdozu/ Doubtful B2Intermediate#
  2. Bom /ˈbõ/ Good A1Elementary#
  3. Mau /ˈmaw/ Bad A1Elementary#
  4. Grande /ˈɡɾɐ̃dɨ/ Large A1Elementary#
  5. Pequeno /pɨˈkenu/ Small A1Elementary#
  6. Novo /ˈnovu/ New A1Elementary#
  7. Velho /ˈvɛʎu/ Old A1Elementary#
  8. Egoísta /iɡuˈiʃtɐ/ Selfish B1Intermediate#
  9. Sociável /suˈsjavɛɫ/ Sociable A2Intermediate#
  10. Passivo /pɐˈsivu/ Passive B1Intermediate#
  11. Interessante /ĩtɨɾɨˈsɐ̃tɨ/ Interesting A1Elementary#
  12. Desagradável /dɨzɐɡɾɐˈdavɛɫ/ Unpleasant A2Intermediate#
  13. Desconhecido /dɨʃkuɲɨˈsidu/ Unknown A2Intermediate#
  14. Barulhento /bɐɾuˈʎẽtu/ Noisy A2Intermediate#
  15. Silencioso /silẽˈsjozu/ Silent A2Intermediate#
  16. Inteiro /ĩˈtɐjɾu/ Whole A2Intermediate#
  17. Amplo /ˈɐ̃plu/ Spacious B1Intermediate#
  18. Superficial /supɨɾfiˈsjaɫ/ Superficial B2Intermediate#
  19. Feliz /fɨˈliʃ/ Happy A1Elementary#
  20. Imaginário /imɐʒiˈnaɾju/ Imaginary B1Intermediate#
  21. Triste /ˈtɾiʃtɨ/ Sad A1Elementary#
  22. Desnecessário /dɨʒnɨsɨˈsaɾju/ Unnecessary B1Intermediate#
  23. Prático /ˈpɾatiku/ Practical A2Intermediate#
  24. Teórico /tiˈɔɾiku/ Theoretical B2Intermediate#
  25. Abstrato /ɐbʃˈtɾatu/ Abstract B2Intermediate#
  26. Calmo /ˈkalmu/ Calm A2Elementary#
  27. Concreto /kõˈkɾɛtu/ Concrete B1Intermediate#
  28. Racional /ʁɐsjuˈnal/ Rational B2Intermediate#
  29. Emocional /imusiuˈnaɫ/ Emotional B1Intermediate#
  30. Ético /ˈɛtiku/ Ethical B2Intermediate#
  31. Antiético /ˌɐ̃tiˈɛtiku/ Unethical B2Intermediate#
  32. Eficaz /ɨfiˈkaʃ/ Effective B1Intermediate#
  33. Ineficaz /inɨfiˈkaʃ/ Ineffective B2Intermediate#
  34. Estratégico /ɨʃtɾɐˈtɛʒiku/ Strategic B2Intermediate#
  35. Artificial /ɐɾtifiˈsjaɫ/ Artificial B1Intermediate#
  36. Inovador /inuvɐˈdoɾ/ Innovative B2Intermediate#
  37. Tradicional /tɾɐdisjuˈnal/ Traditional A2Intermediate#
  38. Avançado /ɐvɐ̃ˈsadu/ Advanced B1Intermediate#
  39. Global /ɡluˈbaɫ/ Global B1Intermediate#
  40. Limitado /limiˈtadu/ Limited B1Intermediate#
  41. Acessível /ɐsɨˈsivɛɫ/ Accessible B1Intermediate#
  42. Responsável /ʁɨʃpõˈsavɛl/ Responsible A2Intermediate#
  43. Independente /ĩdɨpẽˈdẽtɨ/ Independent B1Intermediate#
  44. Flexível /flɛkˈsivɛɫ/ Flexible B1Intermediate#
  45. Rígido /ˈʁiʒidu/ Rigid B2Intermediate#
  46. Eficiente /ɨfiˈsjẽtɨ/ Efficient B1Intermediate#
  47. Equilibrado /ɨkiliˈbɾadu/ Balanced B1Intermediate#
  48. Desigual /dɨziˈɡwal/ Uneven B1Intermediate#
  49. Exclusivo /ɨʃkluˈzivu/ Exclusive B1Intermediate#
  50. Frequente /fɾɨˈkwẽtɨ/ Frequent B1Intermediate#
  51. Constante /kõʃˈtɐ̃tɨ/ Constant B1Intermediate#
  52. Dinâmico /diˈnɐmiku/ Dynamic B1Intermediate#
  53. Estático /ɨʃˈtatiku/ Static B2Intermediate#
  54. Frio /ˈfɾiu/ Cold A1Elementary#
  55. Branco /ˈbɾɐ̃ku/ White A1Elementary#
  56. Castanho /kɐʃˈtɐɲu/ Brown A1Elementary#
  57. Preto /ˈpɾetu/ Black A1Elementary#
  58. Cinzento /sĩˈzẽtu/ Gray A1Elementary#
  59. Vermelho /vɨɾˈmɐʎu/ Red A1Elementary#
  60. Azul /ɐˈzul/ Blue A1Elementary#
  61. Verde /ˈveɾdɨ/ Green A1Elementary#
  62. Amarelo /ɐmɐˈɾɛlu/ Yellow A1Elementary#
  63. Rosa /ˈʁɔzɐ/ Pink A1Elementary#
  64. Curto /ˈkuɾtu/ Short A1Elementary#
  65. Alto /ˈaltu/ High A1Elementary#
  66. Baixo /ˈbajʃu/ Low A1Elementary#
  67. Bonito /buˈnitu/ Beautiful A1Elementary#
  68. Feio /ˈfɐju/ Ugly A1Elementary#
  69. Lindo /ˈlĩdu/ Lovely A1Elementary#
  70. Longo /ˈlõɡu/ Long A2Elementary#
  71. Quente /ˈkẽtɨ/ Hot A1Elementary#
  72. Rápido /ˈʁapidu/ Fast A1Elementary#
  73. Lento /ˈlẽtu/ Slow A1Elementary#
  74. Fácil /ˈfasiɫ/ Easy A1Elementary#
  75. Difícil /diˈfisiɫ/ Difficult A1Elementary#
  76. Caro /ˈkaɾu/ Expensive A1Elementary#
  77. Barato /bɐˈɾatu/ Cheap A1Elementary#
  78. Aberto /ɐˈbɛɾtu/ Open A1Elementary#
  79. Fechado /fɨˈʃadu/ Closed A1Elementary#
  80. Ocupado /ukuˈpadu/ Busy A1Elementary#
  81. Livre /ˈlivɾɨ/ Free A2Elementary#
  82. Certo /ˈsɛɾtu/ Correct A1Elementary#
  83. Errado /ɨˈʁadu/ Wrong A1Elementary#
  84. Transparente /tɾɐ̃ʃpɐˈɾẽtɨ/ Transparent B1Intermediate#
  85. Chato /ˈʃatu/ Annoying A2Elementary#
  86. Divertido /divɨɾˈtidu/ Fun A1Elementary#
  87. Sério /ˈsɛɾju/ Serious A2Elementary#
  88. Inteligente /ĩtɨliˈʒẽtɨ/ Smart A1Elementary#
  89. Complicado /kõpliˈkadu/ Complicated A2Elementary#
  90. Molhado /muˈʎadu/ Wet A2Elementary#
  91. Horrível /ɔˈʁivɛɫ/ Horrible A2Elementary#
  92. Colorido /kuluˈɾidu/ Colorful A2Elementary#
  93. Confuso /kõˈfuzu/ Confused A2Elementary#
  94. Seco /ˈsɛku/ Dry A2Elementary#
  95. Claro /ˈklaɾu/ Light-coloured A1Elementary#
  96. Escuro /ɨʃˈkuɾu/ Dark A1Elementary#
  97. Estreito /ɨʃˈtɾɐjtu/ Narrow A2Elementary#
  98. Largo /ˈlaɾɡu/ Wide A2Elementary#
  99. Atrasado /ɐtɾɐˈzadu/ Delayed A1Elementary#
  100. Moderno /muˈðɛɾnu/ Modern A2Elementary#
  101. Clássico /ˈklasiku/ Classic B1Elementary#
  102. Necessário /nɨsɨˈsaɾju/ Necessary A2Elementary#
  103. Forte /ˈfɔɾtɨ/ Strong A1Elementary#
  104. Fraco /ˈfɾaku/ Weak A2Elementary#
  105. Rico /ˈʁiku/ Rich A1Elementary#
  106. Pobre /ˈpɔbɾɨ/ Poor A1Elementary#
  107. Limpo /ˈlĩpu/ Clean A1Elementary#
  108. Sujo /ˈsuʒu/ Dirty A1Elementary#
  109. Simples /ˈsĩplɨʃ/ Simple A1Elementary#
  110. Pesado /pɨˈzadu/ Heavy A1Elementary#
  111. Leve /ˈlɛvɨ/ Light A1Elementary#
  112. Útil /ˈutiɫ/ Useful A2Elementary#
  113. Inútil /iˈnutiɫ/ Useless B1Elementary#
  114. Antigo /ɐ̃ˈtiɣu/ Ancient A2Elementary#
  115. Perigoso /pɨɾiˈɡozu/ Dangerous A2Elementary#
  116. Seguro /sɨˈɡuɾu/ Secure A2Elementary#
  117. Vazio /vɐˈziu/ Empty A1Elementary#
  118. Cheio /ˈʃɐju/ Full A1Elementary#
  119. Agradável /ɐɡɾɐˈdavɛɫ/ Pleasant A2Elementary#
  120. Famoso /fɐˈmozu/ Famous A2Elementary#
  121. Infeliz /ĩfɨˈliʃ/ Unhappy A2Elementary#
  122. Quebrado /kɨˈbɾadu/ Broken A2Elementary#
  123. Preguiçoso /pɾɨɡiˈsozu/ Lazy A2Elementary#
  124. Trabalhador /tɾɐbɐʎɐˈdoɾ/ Hard-working A2Elementary#
  125. Pronto /ˈpɾõtu/ Ready A1Elementary#
  126. Saudável /sɐwˈdavɛl/ Healthy A2Elementary#
  127. Doente /duˈẽtɨ/ Sick A1Elementary#
  128. Comum /kuˈmũ/ Common A2Elementary#
  129. Raro /ˈʁaɾu/ Rare A2Elementary#
  130. Igual /iˈɡwal/ The same A1Elementary#
  131. Diferente /difɨˈɾẽtɨ/ Different A1Elementary#
  132. Local /luˈkaɫ/ Local A2Elementary#
  133. Internacional /ĩtɨɾnɐsjuˈnal/ International A2Elementary#
  134. Nacional /nɐsjuˈnaɫ/ National A2Elementary#
  135. Doce /ˈdosɨ/ Sweet A1Elementary#
  136. Profundo /pɾuˈfũdu/ Deep B1Elementary#
  137. Curioso /kuɾiˈozu/ Curious A2Elementary#
  138. Tímido /ˈtimidu/ Shy A2Elementary#
  139. Gentil /ʒẽˈtiɫ/ Courteous A2Elementary#
  140. Real /ʁiˈal/ Real A2Elementary#
  141. Terrível /tɨˈʁivɛl/ Terrible A2Elementary#
  142. Grosseiro /ɡɾuˈsɐjɾu/ Coarse B1Intermediate#
  143. Entediante /ẽtɨdiˈɐ̃tɨ/ Boring B1Intermediate#
  144. Agitado /ɐʒiˈtadu/ Agitated B1Intermediate#
  145. Ambicioso /ɐ̃biˈsjozu/ Ambitious B1Intermediate#
  146. Solitário /suliˈtaɾju/ Solitary B1Intermediate#
  147. Pontual /põtuˈaɫ/ Punctual A2Intermediate#
  148. Radiante /ʁɐdiˈɐ̃tɨ/ Radiant B2Intermediate#
  149. Apagado /ɐpɐˈɣaðu/ Off A2Intermediate#
  150. Maduro /mɐˈduɾu/ Mature B1Intermediate#
  151. Imaturo /imɐˈtuɾu/ Immature B2Intermediate#
  152. Burro /ˈbuʁu/ Dumb A2Elementary#
  153. Salgado /sɐɫˈɡadu/ Salty A2Elementary#
  154. Amargo /ɐˈmaɾɡu/ Bitter A2Elementary#
  155. Azedo /ɐˈzedu/ Sour A2Elementary#
  156. Belo /ˈbɛlu/ Gorgeous A2Elementary#
  157. Básico /ˈbaziku/ Basic A2Elementary#
  158. Duro /ˈduɾu/ Hard A2Elementary#
  159. Macio /mɐˈsiu/ Soft A2Elementary#
  160. Honesto /uˈnɛʃtu/ Honest A2Elementary#
  161. Mentiroso /mẽtiˈɾozu/ Deceitful A2Elementary#
  162. Natural /nɐtuˈɾaɫ/ Natural A2Elementary#
  163. Variável /vɐɾiˈavɛɫ/ Variable B1Intermediate#
  164. Sem cor /sɐ̃j ˈkoɾ/ Colorless A2Elementary#
  165. Generoso /ʒɨnɨˈɾozu/ Generous A2Elementary#
  166. Ativo /ɐˈtivu/ Active A2Elementary#
  167. Criativo /kɾiɐˈtivu/ Creative B1Elementary#
  168. Positivo /puziˈtivu/ Positive A2Elementary#
  169. Negativo /nɨɡɐˈtivu/ Negative A2Elementary#
  170. Fácil de usar /ˈfasiɫ dɨ uˈzaɾ/ Easy to use A2Elementary#
  171. Inclusivo /ĩkluˈzivu/ Inclusive B2Intermediate#
  172. Sustentável /suʃtẽˈtavɛɫ/ Sustainable B2Intermediate#
  173. Renovável /ʁɨnuˈvavɛɫ/ Renewable B1Intermediate#

Rules to remember

  • Adjectives agree with the noun in gender and number. For many words ending in -o, such as Calmo and Bonito, the feminine ending is -a.
  • Grande, Feliz and Egoísta have the same form for masculine and feminine nouns.
  • Feliz adds -es in the plural. Simples has the same form in the singular and plural.

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