Assombroso!
Wörtlich: Ghostly / Haunting / Appalling
Use `Assombroso` to express deep awe for something truly exceptional, grand, or surprisingly impressive.
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it for things that are truly breathtaking or mind-blowing.
- It is more intense and sophisticated than just saying 'cool'.
- Works for both visual beauty and impressive human talent.
Bedeutung
It is a powerful way to say something is astonishing, breathtaking, or incredibly impressive. Think of it as 'stunning' or 'mind-blowing' in a way that leaves you momentarily speechless.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Watching a beautiful sunset at the beach
O pôr do sol hoje está assombroso!
The sunset today is breathtaking!
Praising a colleague's presentation
Seu desempenho na reunião foi assombroso.
Your performance in the meeting was astonishing.
Reacting to a virtuoso piano performance
Assombroso! Nunca vi ninguém tocar assim.
Stunning! I've never seen anyone play like that.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The word derives from 'sombra' (shadow), originally implying something that casts a shadow over you. In Portuguese culture, it evolved from describing terrifying supernatural events to describing awe-inspiring human feats. It is often used by sports narrators in Brazil and Portugal to describe a 'superhuman' goal or play.
The Gender Swap
Don't forget to change the ending! Use 'assombroso' for masculine things (o livro) and 'assombrosa' for feminine things (a cidade).
The Brazilian Twist
In Brazil, people might use 'assombroso' to describe something scary in a horror movie context, but 'assustador' is more common for fear.
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it for things that are truly breathtaking or mind-blowing.
- It is more intense and sophisticated than just saying 'cool'.
- Works for both visual beauty and impressive human talent.
What It Means
Assombroso comes from the word assombro, which means shock or amazement. In a literal sense, it relates to shadows or ghosts (assombração). However, in modern Portuguese, it is almost always positive. It describes something so grand it feels supernatural. It is that 'wow' factor that hits you in the gut. Use it when 'good' or 'cool' just isn't enough.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone exclamation: Assombroso!. Or you can use it to describe a noun. If you are talking about a female noun, remember to change it to assombrosa. It works perfectly for talent, views, or achievements. It sounds a bit more sophisticated than just saying legal. It shows you are genuinely moved by what you see.
When To Use It
Use it when you see a sunset that looks like a painting. Use it after a world-class musical performance. It is perfect for professional praise when a colleague does something incredible. If you are visiting the Christ the Redeemer in Rio, this is the word. It fits any moment of genuine, high-level admiration. It makes you sound like someone with great taste.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, everyday things. If someone hands you a napkin, saying assombroso sounds sarcastic or weird. Avoid it in very tragic situations, even though the root means 'haunting.' It is too grand for a casual 'thanks' or a quick text about lunch. If the vibe is low-energy, this word will feel out of place. It requires a bit of drama and scale.
Cultural Background
Historically, this word was linked to fear and the dark. Over time, the Portuguese language shifted this 'fear' into 'awe.' It reflects the Lusophone love for intense, emotional adjectives. It captures that feeling of being 'haunted' by beauty. It is a favorite among art critics and sports commentators. It shows the bridge between the spiritual and the physical in the culture.
Common Variations
You might hear estupefaciente for something even more shocking. Incrível is the more common, younger sibling. Deslumbrante is a close cousin used for visual beauty. In Brazil, you might hear espetacular used in similar high-stakes moments. Assombroso remains the most 'weighty' and poetic of the bunch.
Nutzungshinweise
It sits in a 'sweet spot' of neutral formality. It is sophisticated enough for a book or a speech, but common enough for an enthusiastic text message.
The Gender Swap
Don't forget to change the ending! Use 'assombroso' for masculine things (o livro) and 'assombrosa' for feminine things (a cidade).
The Brazilian Twist
In Brazil, people might use 'assombroso' to describe something scary in a horror movie context, but 'assustador' is more common for fear.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is 'assombroso', nothing is. Save it for the top 5% of experiences to keep its impact strong.
Beispiele
6O pôr do sol hoje está assombroso!
The sunset today is breathtaking!
Used here to describe natural beauty that is overwhelming.
Seu desempenho na reunião foi assombroso.
Your performance in the meeting was astonishing.
A high-level professional compliment for excellence.
Assombroso! Nunca vi ninguém tocar assim.
Stunning! I've never seen anyone play like that.
Standalone exclamation showing pure amazement.
A energia do show foi assombrosa!
The energy of the concert was mind-blowing!
Describes a powerful atmosphere or vibe.
A sua bagunça é de uma escala assombrosa.
Your mess is of an appalling scale.
Using the 'grandeur' of the word to joke about a disaster.
A arquitetura desta catedral é assombrosa.
The architecture of this cathedral is stunning.
Focuses on the scale and detail of the work.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct form of the adjective for a female noun (a vista).
A vista do topo da montanha é ___.
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun. 'Vista' is feminine.
Which word best fits a situation of extreme awe?
O talento daquele jovem pianista é ___.
Assombroso conveys a high level of talent, whereas the others are mediocre.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality & Intensity Scale
Legal / Massa
That's cool.
Incrível
That's incredible.
Assombroso
That is astonishing/stunning.
Where to use Assombroso
Art Gallery
A masterpiece
Sports
A miracle goal
Nature
The Grand Canyon
Success
Breaking a record
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenWhile it comes from the word for 'ghost' or 'shadow', it usually means 'stunning' or 'amazing' today. If you want to say something is actually scary, use assustador.
Yes, but usually to describe their talent or beauty, like Ele tem um talento assombroso. It describes a quality they possess.
Not at all! It just sounds like you are very impressed. It is more 'dramatic' than 'formal'.
The meaning is the same in both. However, Brazilians might lean more towards maravilhoso or incrível in casual speech.
Technically yes, to describe a 'staggering' amount of something bad, like um erro assombroso (a staggering error). It emphasizes the scale.
No, it is a standard dictionary word, but it carries a lot of emotional weight and poetic flair.
The 'ss' sounds like a sharp 's' in 'sun'. It is never pronounced like a 'z'.
Something medíocre (mediocre) or comum (common) would be the opposite in terms of impact.
Only if it's the best meal of your life. For a normal good meal, delicioso is better.
Yes, they are cognates. In Spanish, 'asombroso' also means amazing or astonishing.
Verwandte Redewendungen
De cair o queixo
Jaw-dropping
Deslumbrante
Dazzling / Gorgeous
Incrível
Incredible
Espetacular
Spectacular
Kommentare (0)
Zum Kommentieren AnmeldenStarte kostenlos mit dem Sprachenlernen
Kostenlos Loslegen