perturbar
/peʁ.tuʁˈba(ʁ)/
To disturb in Portuguese is to say perturbar.
The verb perturbar is used to describe the act of confusing or irritating someone. It is also used in the common phrase perturbar o sono to describe something that disrupts or interferes with one's sleep.
Meaning: confuse or irritate (verb)
Which one should you use?
While perturbar can mean to disturb one's peace or mind, atrapalhar is more commonly used for physical or logistical interference, such as getting in someone's way or interrupting a task.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb perturbar is perturbação.
Did you know?
- While perturbar means to irritate, Portuguese speakers often use the verb encher o saco (literally 'to fill the bag') to express the same feeling in casual speech.
- In a legal context in Brazil, perturbação do sossego is a specific crime referring to the disruption of public peace, often used for loud music or construction noise.
- The word perturbar comes from the Latin word perturbāre, which combines the prefix for 'thoroughly' with the word for 'to shake' or 'to stir up'.
Examples in context
- Eu não queria perturbar o Tom.I didn't want to disturb Tom.This sentence demonstrates how to express the intention not to disturb someone using perturbar.Tatoeba #6470726 by heo598, translation #2013505 by CK
- Não sei por que ela não está em meus sonhos. Talvez não queira aparecer por lá para não me perturbar.I don't know why she isn't in my dreams. Maybe she doesn't want to be there in order not to disturb me.This sentence uses perturbar to describe a person potentially avoiding a situation to avoid disturbing someone.Tatoeba #9091001 by carlosalberto, translation #383688 by Dorenda
- Um homem de verdade só vai ao médico quando um fragmento de lança nas costas começa a perturbar seu sono.A real man only goes to the doctor when a spear fragment in his back begins to disturb his sleep.This sentence shows how perturbar can be used in the context of disrupting sleep.Tatoeba #8240327 by josivangoncalves, translation #8081244 by AlanF_US
- Desculpe, posso incomodar um momento? Preciso fazer uma pergunta.Excuse me, can I disturb you for a moment? I have a question.
- Lamento incomodar, mas o ruído está me atrapalhando bastante.I'm sorry to disturb, but the noise is bothering me a lot.
- A reunião foi perturbada pelos constantes telefonemas.The meeting was disturbed by the constant phone calls.
- Não quero chatear-te, mas precisamos conversar sobre isso.I don't want to disturb you, but we need to talk about this.
- Eu não quero importunar você, mas preciso pedir um favor.I don't want to disturb you, but I need to ask a favor.
- A notícia inquieta os moradores da região.The news disturbs the residents of the region.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are discussing a noisy neighbor.
- RodrigoO barulho do vizinho começou a me perturbar.The neighbor's noise started to irritate me.
- JulianaEu também acho que ele quer nos perturbar.I also think he wants to disturb us.
- RodrigoVou falar com ele agora mesmo.I am going to talk to him right now.
- JulianaTudo bem, Rodrigo, tente ser educado.That's fine, Rodrigo, try to be polite.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disturb” translations and entries perturbar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perturbar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
