Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nojo | /ˈno.ʒu/ (Brazil) /ˈno.ʒu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| repugnância | /ʁe.pu.ɡiˈnɐ̃.sjɐ/ (Brazil) /ʁe.puɡˈnɐ̃.sjɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| desgosto | /dezˈɡos.tu/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒizˈɡos.tu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| asco | /ˈas.ku/ (Brazil) /ˈaʃ.ku/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
For visceral, physical revulsion, such as reacting to something smelly or gross, nojo or asco are the standard terms. To say that something or someone is disgusting or causes disgust, use the common expression dar nojo.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the feeling: nojo and asco are used for visceral, physical disgust. In contrast, desgosto refers to emotional distress, grief or disappointment. Repugnância is a more intense and deeply felt sense of disgust than other forms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
nojo is a masculine noun and must be used with masculine articles, such as o or um.
How do you pronounce it?
The word nojo is pronounced /ˈno.ʒu/. It has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use desgosto to describe physical revulsion. In Portuguese it specifically implies emotional sorrow or displeasure.
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that asco comes from the Latin eschăra, meaning 'scab' or 'scar', which is also a relative of the English word 'scar'.
- The term desgosto literally means 'without taste' or 'dis-taste', linking the emotional pain of disappointment to the physical loss of pleasure in flavor.
- The word nojo is closely related to the verb enojar, which in Spanish can mean 'to get angry', though in Portuguese it remains tied to disgust.
Examples in context
- Você me dá nojo.You disgust me.This sentence is useful for saying that someone is disgusting using nojo.Tatoeba #1211864 by alexmarcelo, translation #1895776 by CK
- Tom encarou Mary com nojo.Tom stared at Mary with disgust.This sentence shows how to describe staring at someone with nojo.Tatoeba #3812475 by piterkeo, translation #2958208 by CK
- Ele recusou a comida com nojo.He refused the food with disgust.This sentence demonstrates refusing food due to nojo.Tatoeba #3698795 by carlosalberto, translation #2258445 by _undertoad
- Sinto um grande asco por essa situaçãoI feel great disgust for this situation
- Aquele filme despertou uma repugnância profunda dentro de mimThat movie aroused a deep disgust within me
- Que nojo! Não posso acreditar no que acabei de verHow disgusting! I can't believe what I just saw
- Eca! Essa comida está horrívelYuck! This food is awful
- Que nojinho dessa coisa grudentaHow disgusting this sticky thing is
- Estou com um enjoo só de pensar em comer aquiloI feel disgusted just thinking about eating that
- Aquela atitude causa-me muito enjooThat behavior disgusts me a lot
- Tenho um enojo incrível por aquela pessoaI have an incredible disgust for that person
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are looking at a very dirty insect in the garden.
- CamilaOlha aquele bicho, que nojo!Look at that bug, how disgusting!
- GabrielNossa, eu também senti nojo agora.Wow, I felt disgust just now too.
- CamilaNão chega perto dele, Gabriel.Don't get close to it, Gabriel.
- GabrielPode deixar, vou manter a distância.Don't worry, I will keep my distance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disgust” translations and entries nojo, repugnância, desgosto, asco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asco, desgosto, nojo, repugnância, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
