Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nojento | /noˈʒẽ.tu/ (Brazil) /nuˈʒẽ.tu/ (Portugal) |
| asqueroso | /as.keˈɾo.zu/ (Brazil) /aʃ.keˈɾo.zu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
| repulsivo | /ʁe.puwˈsi.vu/ (Brazil) /ʁe.puwˈsi.vu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
| nauseante | /naw.zeˈɐ̃.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /nawˈzjɐ̃.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
The term is used to describe things that are repulsive or distasteful. You can use the exclamation Que nojento! to react to something gross.
Which one should you use?
While all these forms mean disgusting, nojento is the most common, everyday way to express physical or moral disgust. Nauseante is more specific, often describing something that literally causes a sensation of nausea or a physical reaction. Asqueroso is more formal or literary and is frequently used for things that are intensely repulsive or morally vile. Repulsivo is also an option for expressing repulsion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the word Eca is used as an interjection to express disgust, similar to saying "Yuck!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. While nojento is the masculine singular form, it changes to nojenta for feminine nouns and nojentos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word nojento is pronounced /noˈʒẽ.tu/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
When encountering something gross or repulsive, Portuguese speakers commonly use the exclamation Que nojento!
Did you know?
- The word asqueroso originates from the Ancient Greek word eskhára, which referred to the scab left after a burn.
- The suffix '-ento' in nojento is a common way in Portuguese to turn a noun into an adjective that signifies 'full of' or 'characterized by' a certain quality.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, the term nojento can be used to describe a person's character or moral actions, not just a bad smell or a dirty object.
Examples in context
- O leite está nojento.The milk is disgusting.This sentence shows how to describe spoiled milk using nojento.Tatoeba #3605247 by alexmarcelo, translation #3600779 by dibdin
- Isso é bastante nojento.That's really disgusting.This sentence illustrates the use of nojento for emphasis.Tatoeba #12720018 by DavidDias, translation #3825319 by CK
- Tom acha que Vegemite é nojento.Tom thinks that Vegemite is disgusting.This sentence shows an opinion about a food item using nojento.Tatoeba #10324152 by victorhugosilvaspbr, translation #8644421 by Hybrid
- A situação era simplesmente repugnante!The situation was simply disgusting!
- O cheiro no quarto do hotel era absolutamente asqueroso!The smell in the hotel room was absolutely disgusting!
- A comida do restaurante tinha um sabor desagradável.The food at the restaurant had an unpleasant taste.
- Ah, que coisa nojenta!Oh, that's so disgusting!
- A atitude dele é simplesmente repulsiva!His attitude is simply repulsive!
- Olha esse inseto nojentinho!Look at this disgusting little bug!
- Eca! Essa comida está horrível!Yuck! This food is horrible!
- A atitude dele é absolutamente execrável!His behavior is absolutely disgusting!
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are looking at a messy public restroom.
- LucasEste banheiro está nojento, Mariana.This bathroom is disgusting, Mariana.
- MarianaSim, Lucas, é muito ruim.Yes, Lucas, it is very bad.
- LucasNão quero entrar aqui.I don't want to go in here.
- MarianaEu também não.Neither do I.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disgusting” translations and entries nojento, asqueroso, repulsivo, nauseante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asqueroso, nojento, repulsivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
