gemer
/ʒeˈme(ʁ)/
To moan in Portuguese is gemer.
The verb gemer is used to express sounds associated with pleasure, pain or dissatisfaction. It covers both physical sensations and emotional expressions of sorrow.
Meaning: to make a moan or similar sound (verb)
Which one should you use?
While gemer covers both physical and emotional sounds, the related noun gemido can refer to a physical moan or groan. In contrast, lamento is a noun used specifically to describe a vocal expression of grief, mourning or a lament.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, gemer is the most common and natural way to express the verb 'to moan'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb gemer is gemido.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒeˈme(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- The verb gemer is used in Brazilian Portuguese to describe the sound a heavy engine or a rusty door makes when it is forced to move.
- In Portuguese, someone might say they are gemendo if they are complaining about a bad situation, even if they are not making an actual sound.
- The verb gemer shares a direct ancestor with the English word 'groan', as both descend from the Latin gemere.
Examples in context
- O paciente soltou um gemido enquanto o médico verificava a ferida.The patient let out a moan as the doctor examined the wound.
- Quando o filme ficou emocionante, ela começou a gemer de ansiedade.When the movie became thrilling, she started moaning with anxiety.
- Ele começou a gemer de dor.He started to moan in pain.
- O paciente não parava de gemer.The patient wouldn't stop moaning.
- Eu ouvi o gato gemer no quintal.I heard the cat moan in the yard.
Example conversation
Juliana is checking on Felipe who is injured.
- JulianaFelipe, por que você começou a gemer?Felipe, why did you start to moan?
- FelipeMeu pé está doendo muito, Juliana.My foot is hurting a lot, Juliana.
- JulianaVou chamar o médico agora mesmo.I will call the doctor right now.
- FelipeObrigado, eu não aguento mais a dor.Thank you, I can't take the pain anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moan” translations and entries gemer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gemer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
