Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| abençoado | /a.bẽ.soˈa.du/ (Brazil) /ɐ.bẽˈswa.du/ (Portugal) |
| bendito | /bẽˈd͡ʒi.tu/ (Brazil) /bẽˈdi.tu/ (Portugal) |
| bem-aventurado | /ˌbẽj̃.a.vẽ.tuˈɾa.du/ (Brazil) /ˌbɐ̃j̃.ɐ.vẽ.tuˈɾa.du/ (Portugal) |
The terms used to express being blessed generally describe someone or something that has received divine aid, protection or a blessing.
What does it mean word for word?
abençoado is the past participle of the verb abençoar, which means "to bless".
Which one should you use?
abençoado is the most common way to express being blessed in everyday contexts. In contrast, bendito often carries a more archaic, poetic or religious connotation. bem-aventurado is a highly formal or theological term, frequently used in the context of the Beatitudes or to refer to someone who has been beatified by the Church.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use abençoado for masculine singular nouns, abençoada for feminine singular nouns and abençoados for masculine plural groups.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.bẽ.soˈa.du/
Did you know?
- In Brazil, abençoado is often used as a noun to describe a person who is naive, overly trusting or easily fooled.
- The word 'bendito' can be used sarcastically in Portuguese to describe someone who is 'too' perfect or behaves with an annoying sense of moral superiority.
- The Portuguese name 'Bento' is a direct, shortened derivative of the word bendito, following the same Latin root of 'speaking well' of someone.
Examples in context
- Eu me sinto abençoado.I feel blessed.This sentence is useful for expressing personal feelings of being blessed using abençoado.Tatoeba #8366369 by JGEN, translation #3374199 by CK
- Moro num país tropical abençoado por Deus.I live in a tropical country that's been blessed by God.This sentence is useful for describing a place receiving divine favor using abençoado.Tatoeba #9133353 by JGEN, translation #9133631 by acell
- Sou abençoado.I'm blessed.This sentence is useful for stating one's status of being blessed using abençoado.Tatoeba #8540912 by Capistrano, translation #2283724 by CK
- Ele é uma pessoa abençoadaHe is a blessed person
- Estamos em uma terra abençoadaWe are in a blessed land
- Ela é uma pessoa afortunadaShe is a blessed person
- Temos tido um ano muito afortunadoWe have had a very blessed year
- Sentimo-nos abençoados por estar aquiWe feel blessed to be here
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are talking about their families.
- MarianaEu sou muito grata por ter um filho abençoado.I am very grateful for having a blessed son.
- RodrigoCom certeza, ele é um menino especial.For sure, he is a special boy.
- MarianaSinto que nosso lar é abençoado.I feel that our home is blessed.
- RodrigoEu também sinto essa paz aqui.I also feel this peace here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blessed” translations and entries abençoado, bendito, bem-aventurado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abençoado, bem-aventurado, bendito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
