Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| amaldiçoado | /a.maw.d͡ʒi.soˈa.du/ (Brazil) /ɐ.mal.diˈswa.du/ (Portugal) |
| maldito | /mawˈd͡ʒi.tu/ (Brazil) /malˈdi.tu/ (Portugal) |
The adjective amaldiçoado is used to describe something that has some sort of divine harm. It is frequently used with the preposition com to describe being burdened by an unfortunate trait or condition, much like the English expression "cursed with" (e.g., amaldiçoado com má sorte).
Which one should you use?
While amaldiçoado refers specifically to the state of being under a curse, maldito can also mean "damned" in a religious sense or be used as an intensifier to mean "wretched" or "damned" (for example, to say "that damned car"). Additionally, maldito can be translated as "cursed, damned or wretched."
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective amaldiçoado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to amaldiçoada for feminine nouns. It takes the plural form amaldiçoados when modifying masculine plural nouns or mixed-gender groups.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /a.maw.dʒi.soˈa.du/. It has 6 syllables and the stress is on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, maldito can be used ironically to describe someone who is 'lucky' in a way that seems suspicious or unfair.
- While amaldiçoado is the literal translation for a cursed object, using maldito in a casual setting can make you sound like you are swearing or using profanity.
- The root of amaldiçoado comes from the Latin malus, meaning 'bad' and dīcō, meaning 'to say'.
Examples in context
- O anel é amaldiçoado.The ring is cursed.This sentence uses amaldiçoado to describe a ring.Tatoeba #1648708 by alexmarcelo, translation #1647935 by Spamster
- Fadil e Layla pareciam amaldiçoados.Fadil and Layla seemed cursed.This sentence uses amaldiçoado to describe Fadil and Layla.Tatoeba #5885722 by sergiomelo, translation #5883001 by OsoHombre
- Estou amaldiçoado com uma pele realmente seca.I am cursed with really dry skin.This sentence uses amaldiçoado to describe being burdened with dry skin.Tatoeba #8750629 by mfschiavo, translation #8750601 by DostKaplan
- O castelo está amaldiçoadoThe castle is cursed
- Ele é malditoHe is cursed
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are discussing an old, creepy antique shop.
- RodrigoEste lugar parece ser amaldiçoado.This place seems to be cursed.
- MarianaEu também sinto um clima estranho aqui.I also feel a strange vibe here.
- RodrigoOlha aquele espelho amaldiçoado na vitrine.Look at that cursed mirror in the window.
- MarianaNão chegue perto dele, Rodrigo.Don't go near it, Rodrigo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cursed” translations and entries amaldiçoado, maldito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amaldiçoado, maldito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
