Feelings

1. Estou contente

   I'm pleased

   Usage

   For happiness about something that just happened — a gift, a kindness

   Grammar Note

   "Contente" has one form for both genders, so it does not change. The same in both countries

2. Estou feliz

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Deeper than "contente" — it can describe a state, not just the moment. Switching to "sou feliz" says you are a happy person by nature

   Grammar Note

   "Feliz" is the same for both genders. "Estar" marks a passing state, "ser" a lasting trait

3. Estou entusiasmado

   I'm excited

   Usage

   Looking forward to a trip or an event. In Brazil "estou animado" is the everyday version

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "estou entusiasmada"

4. Estou orgulhoso

   I'm proud

   Usage

   Works for your own achievement or as praise: "estou orgulhoso de ti" in Portugal, "de você" in Brazil

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "estou orgulhosa"

5. Que alívio

   What a relief

   Usage

   When lost luggage turns up or a test comes back clear. The same in both countries

6. Estou grato

   I'm grateful

   Usage

   Weightier than "obrigado" — for saying what someone's help meant to you

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says "estou grata" — the same rule behind "obrigado" for men and "obrigada" for women

7. Adoro isto

   I love this

   Usage

   Strong enthusiasm for food or a view. Used about a person it still stops short of a declaration of love. Brazil says "adoro isso"

8. Tenho saudades tuas

   I miss you

   Usage

   "Saudade" is the celebrated Portuguese word for an aching longing for what is far away or gone. Portugal says "tenho saudades tuas", Brazil "estou com saudades de você"

   Grammar Note

   Portugal prefers the plural "saudades" with "ter"; Brazil normally uses "estar com"

9. Estou triste

   I'm sad

   Usage

   The same in both countries, and "triste" does not change for gender

10. Que pena

    What a shame

    Usage

    For a closed shop or a cancelled plan, and equally as sympathy for someone else's bad luck. The same in both countries

11. Estou desiludido

    I'm disappointed

    Usage

    "Desiludido" is the Portuguese word; Brazil says "estou decepcionado". A calm way to register a complaint

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "desiludida" or "decepcionada"

12. Sinto-me sozinho

    I feel lonely

    Usage

    Portugal puts the pronoun after the verb — "sinto-me sozinho" — while Brazil puts it in front: "me sinto sozinho". Both are understood

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "sozinha". Pronoun placement is one of the most visible splits between European and Brazilian Portuguese

13. Tenho saudades de casa

    I'm homesick

    Usage

    For missing home part-way through a long trip. Brazil says "estou com saudades de casa"

14. Estou zangado

    I'm angry

    Usage

    "Zangado" in Portugal; Brazil says "estou bravo" and finds "zangado" a little old-fashioned. In a complaint, showing the card says enough without raising your voice

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "zangada" or "brava"

15. Que chatice

    What a nuisance

    Usage

    A very common, mild expression of annoyance in Portugal — a delayed train, a lost key. Brazil says "que saco", which is coarser and better avoided by visitors

16. Tenho medo

    I'm scared

    Usage

    Add "de" for the thing you fear: "tenho medo de alturas" — I am afraid of heights. The same in both countries

17. Que susto

    What a fright

    Usage

    The reflex line when something startles you. The same in both countries and carries no blame

18. Estou preocupado

    I'm worried

    Usage

    For luggage that has not arrived or family you cannot reach. The same in both countries

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "estou preocupada"

19. Estou stressado

    I'm stressed

    Usage

    Portugal keeps the English-looking "stressado"; Brazil adds an initial e and writes "estou estressado"

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "stressada" or "estressada"

20. Que vergonha

    How embarrassing

    Usage

    Use it about your own slip. Aimed at someone else's behaviour it becomes a sharp "shame on you", so keep it self-directed. The same in both countries

21. Estou envergonhado

    I'm embarrassed

    Usage

    For blushing at a compliment or fumbling in public. The same in both countries

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "estou envergonhada"

22. Estou aborrecido

    I'm bored

    Usage

    In Portugal this means bored. In Brazil the same word means annoyed or upset, so say "estou entediado" there instead — the mix-up genuinely misleads people

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "aborrecida" or "entediada"

23. Estou cansado

    I'm tired

    Usage

    Show it when your feet have had enough and you want to suggest a break. The same in both countries

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "estou cansada"

24. Estou exausto

    I'm exhausted

    Usage

    Stronger than "cansado" — after a long journey, or when you truly cannot walk further. The same in both countries

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "estou exausta"

25. Tenho sono

    I'm sleepy

    Usage

    Portuguese uses "ter" — to have — for sleepiness. Brazil more often says "estou com sono", meaning the same thing

26. Sinto-me bem

    I feel well

    Usage

    The answer when someone asks how you are feeling. Brazil fronts the pronoun: "me sinto bem"

27. Não me sinto bem

    I don't feel well

    Usage

    The opening line when you feel ill. The same in both countries — a negative pulls the pronoun forward even in Portugal

28. Estou confuso

    I'm confused

    Usage

    Signals that you have not followed the explanation, without blaming the other person. The same in both countries

    Grammar Note

    A female speaker says "estou confusa"

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