modesto
/moˈdɛs.tu/
The English word 'modest' is translated into Portuguese as modesto.
The adjective is used to describe someone who does not brag or boast about themselves or their achievements.
Meaning: not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use the feminine form modesta for a woman, the masculine plural form modestos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and the feminine plural form modestas for a group consisting only of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /moˈdɛs.tu/.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the word modesto can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is actually being incredibly arrogant or flashy.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, being overly modesto in a social situation is seen as a crucial part of 'educação', or social politeness, rather than just a personality quirk.
- In older or more formal Portuguese, modesto was frequently used as a synonym for casto, referring specifically to sexual modesty or purity.
Examples in context
- Você é muito modesto.You're too modest.This sentence is useful for describing someone as being very modest using modesto.Tatoeba #4832776 by Ricardo14, translation #2218451 by CK
- Você não se acha modesto?Don't you think you're modest?This sentence is useful for asking if someone considers themselves to be modest using modesto.Tatoeba #8971230 by Ricardo14, translation #6102302 by CK
- Ah, não seja tão modesto.Oh, don't be so modest.This sentence is useful for telling someone not to be so modest using modesto.Tatoeba #14059932 by carlosalberto, translation #2396309 by CK
- Ele é um homem modesto.He is a modest man.
- Ela tem uma opinião modesta sobre suas habilidades.She has a modest opinion of her abilities.
- Ela se veste de forma discreta.She dresses modestly.
- Ele sempre age de maneira discreta.He always behaves modestly.
- É necessário ter um comportamento mais comedido.It is necessary to have a more modest behavior.
- Ele se vestiu na medida para a ocasião.He dressed modestly for the occasion.
- Ele gosta de manter um baixo perfil.He likes to keep a modest profile.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are talking about Felipe's recent promotion.
- JulianaParabéns pela promoção, Felipe!Congratulations on the promotion, Felipe!
- FelipeObrigado, mas eu não fiz nada demais.Thank you, but I didn't do anything special.
- JulianaVocê é modesto demais, você trabalhou muito.You are too modest, you worked very hard.
- FelipeEu apenas fiz o meu trabalho.I just did my job.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “modest” translations and entries modesto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
