Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| droga | /ˈdɾɔ.ɡɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈdɾɔ.ɡɐ/ (Portugal) |
| maldição | /maw.d͡ʒiˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /mal.diˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
| poça | /ˈpo.sɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈpɔ.sɐ/ (Brazil) |
| meleca | /meˈlɛ.kɐ/ (Brazil) /mɨˈlɛ.kɐ/ (Portugal) |
| lasqueira | /lasˈke(j).ɾɐ/ (Brazil) |
| pindarolas | /pĩ.daˈɾɔ.lɐs/ (Brazil) |
| arre! |
The most common non-vulgar way to express frustration, annoyance or dissatisfaction is to use droga, which is similar to saying 'shoot' or 'darn' in English. You can also use Poxa! as an informal exclamation to express surprise, disappointment or dissatisfaction.
What does it mean word for word?
The word droga literally means 'drug', but it is used as a mild interjection for 'damn' or 'shoot'.
Which one should you use?
While droga is a common colloquialism used for everyday frustration, maldição is more literal and carries a much heavier, more dramatic or theological weight of a 'curse'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Droga is a non-vulgar expression. In contrast, merda de is a much more vulgar and aggressive way to say 'damn' or 'shitty'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term Porra! is commonly used to express anger or frustration.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the concept of condemning or cursing in a theological sense, use the verbs amaldiçoar, danar or condenar. To use 'damn' as a generic intensifier (adjective), you may use maldito or the more vulgar merda de and porra de. Other available forms for expressions of contempt include poça, meleca, lasqueira, pindarolas and arre!
How do you pronounce it?
droga is pronounced /ˈdɾɔ.ɡɐ/. It has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The term meleca literally refers to nasal mucus, yet it is used as a mild expression of contempt or annoyance.
- The word droga may have its origins in the Middle Dutch word droge, which means 'dry'.
- The word poça is a non-vulgar way to express frustration, but it is actually a softened version of the much more offensive term porra.
Examples in context
- Fecha a droga da porta!Close the damn door!This sentence shows how droga can be used as an intensifier for an object.Tatoeba #1268694 by alexmarcelo, translation #1042720 by GPHemsley
- Droga! Esqueci minha senha!Damn it! I forgot my password!This sentence demonstrates using droga as an interjection to express frustration over a forgotten password.Tatoeba #4657483 by Ricardo14, translation #4657435 by Lazovic
- Droga! Ele escapou outra vez!Damn it! He's escaped me again.This sentence shows droga being used to express frustration when someone escapes.Tatoeba #1567925 by alexmarcelo, translation #876050 by papabear
- Caramba! Fiquei preso no trânsito por uma hora!Damn! I got stuck in traffic for an hour!
- Droga! Esqueci meu guarda-chuva em casa e vai chover hoje.Damn! I forgot my umbrella at home, and it's going to rain today.
- Poxa! Que azar, perdi meu voo.Damn! What bad luck, I missed my flight.
- Caramba! O autocarro já partiu.Damn! The bus already left.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are trying to cook a meal together.
- CamilaDroga, o arroz queimou!Damn, the rice burned!
- FelipeNão se preocupe, Camila.Don't worry, Camila.
- CamilaMas o jantar está arruinado.But the dinner is ruined.
- FelipeEu vou pedir uma pizza.I will order a pizza.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “damn” translations and entries droga, maldição, poça, meleca, lasqueira, pindarolas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries droga, maldição, meleca, poça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
