dormente
/doʁˈmẽ.t͡ʃi/
The English word 'numb' is translated into Portuguese as dormente. If unsure, use dormente. Wiktionary also lists entorpecido.
Meaning: physically unable to feel (adj)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| dormente | /doʁˈmẽ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /doɾˈmẽ.t͡ʃi/ (São Paulo) |
| entorpecido | /ẽ.toʁ.peˈsi.du/ (Brazil) /ĩ.toʁ.peˈsi.du/ (Brazil) |
Both dormente and entorpecido describe being physically unable to feel, but they are used in different contexts.
Which one should you use?
Dormente is typically used for localized physical numbness, such as a limb 'falling asleep'. In contrast, entorpecido is often used to describe a more profound or systemic state of numbness or a state of being stunned/stupefied.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dormente is an invariable adjective, meaning it does not change its form for masculine or feminine nouns. However, entorpecido must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to entorpecida for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of dormente is /doʁˈmẽ.tʃi/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The English word 'dormant', used to describe volcanoes or seeds, is a direct cognate of the Portuguese dormente.
- The word entorpecida is often used in Portuguese music and poetry to describe a lover who is 'numb' with passion or desire.
- The root of dormente is shared with the word dormitório, the Portuguese word for 'dormitory' or 'bedroom'.
Examples in context
- O meu pé está dormente.My foot is numb.This sentence shows how to use dormente to describe a foot.Tatoeba #6053823 by Ricardo14, translation #6464450 by heo598
- Eu me senti entorpecido.I felt numb.This sentence shows how to use entorpecido to describe a feeling.Tatoeba #8388477 by JGEN, translation #8385646 by CK
- Minha boca está dormente.My mouth is numb.This sentence shows how to use dormente to describe a mouth.Tatoeba #5482684 by ToinhoAlam, translation #1723816 by belgavox
- Após a cirurgia, a parte afetada permaneceu anestesiada durante horas.After the surgery, the affected part remained numb for hours.
- Depois de cortar o dedo, fiquei entorpecido e nem percebi.After cutting my finger, I became numb and didn't even notice.
- Após o acidente, minha perna ficou dormente por algum tempo.After the accident, my leg became numb for some time.
- Havia tanto frio que meus dedos ficaram insensíveis.It was so cold that my fingers became numb.
- Fui pescar sem luvas e voltei morto de frio, com as mãos completamente dormentes.I went fishing without gloves and came back dead from cold, with my hands completely numb.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are sitting on a cold bench in a park.
- BeatrizFelipe, o seu pé está dormente?Felipe, is your foot numb?
- FelipeSim, está completamente dormente por causa do gelo.Yes, it is completely numb because of the ice.
- BeatrizDeve ser muito desconfortável.It must be very uncomfortable.
- FelipeÉ, mas logo passa.It is, but it will pass soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “numb” translations and entries dormente, entorpecido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
