assédio
/aˈsɛ.d͡ʒju/masculine
The English word 'harassment' is translated into Portuguese as assédio.
The term refers to persistent attacks and criticism that cause worry and distress. In legal and professional settings, it is commonly paired with other words to specify the type of conduct: assédio sexual is the standard term for sexual harassment, while assédio moral is used specifically to describe psychological harassment or bullying within a professional or hierarchical context.
Meaning: persistent attacks and criticism causing worry and distress (noun)
Which one should you use?
While assédio is a common formal term, perseguição is another formal word that can also be used to mean harassment.
How does it change in a sentence?
assédio is a masculine noun, meaning it must be used with masculine articles such as o or um.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈsɛ.dʒju/
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word assédio can occasionally be used in a non-criminal sense to describe intense pursuit or 'courting' by a romantic admirer, though this is becoming less common.
- The word assédio shares its roots with the English word 'siege'. Both come from the Latin 'obsidium', which originally described the act of surrounding or besieging a city.
- The term assédio moral refers to a specific legal category of psychological torture in the workplace that can result in mandatory severance pay and damages in Brazilian labor courts.
Examples in context
- Assédio sexual tornou-se uma questão social.Sexual harassment has now become a social issue.This sentence shows how assédio can be used when discussing sexual harassment as a social issue.Tatoeba #4719469 by anthrax26, translation #51336 by CM
- Isto é assédio.This is harassment.This sentence is useful for stating that a specific behavior is assédio.Tatoeba #4398556 by ajdavidl, translation #2548625 by CK
- O assédio sexual pode ser um problema sério no local de trabalho.Sexual harassment can be a serious problem in the workplace.This sentence illustrates how assédio relates to sexual harassment in a workplace setting.Tatoeba #4719472 by anthrax26, translation #4719471 by anthrax26
- O assédio moral no local de trabalho é inaceitável.Workplace harassment is unacceptable.
- A perseguição constante caracteriza um tipo de assédio.Constant stalking constitutes a type of harassment.
- Esse tipo de comportamento é uma importunação constante.This behavior is a constant harassment.
- Chega de abuso, isso é assédio!Enough with the abuse, this is harassment!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are discussing workplace policies at a coffee shop.
- BeatrizO assédio moral é proibido nesta empresa.Moral harassment is prohibited in this company.
- GabrielSim, a política é muito rigorosa.Yes, the policy is very strict.
- BeatrizÉ importante proteger todos os funcionários.It is important to protect all employees.
- GabrielCom certeza, a segurança vem primeiro.Certainly, safety comes first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “harassment” translations and entries assédio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries assédio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
