reservado
/ʁe.zeʁˈva.du/
The English phrase "reserved" can be translated into Portuguese as reservado.
In Portuguese, reservado is used to describe something set aside for a particular person or purpose. When used to describe a person's personality, it carries the same meaning as the English word "reserved", referring to someone who is quiet or private.
Meaning: set aside for a particular person or purpose (adj)
Which one should you use?
While reservado can mean "set aside" (such as a seat being reserved), when it describes a person'aly, it specifically refers to their quiet or private temperament.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or object being described. Use the feminine form reservada for a female subject, the masculine plural reservados for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and the feminine plural reservadas for a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʁe.zeʁˈva.du/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, a person who is extremely reservado might be described as having a jeito (way/manner) that is na dele, which literally means 'in his own'.
- While reservado describes a quiet person, the term fechado (literally 'closed') is often used as a more colloquial synonym to describe someone who is emotionally guarded.
- In Portuguese, calling someone reservado is almost always a neutral or positive trait, whereas in some English contexts, 'reserved' can be perceived as being cold or unfriendly.
Examples in context
- Bill é muito reservado.Bill is quite reserved.This sentence is useful for describing a person using reservado.Tatoeba #742894 by brauliobezerra, translation #742046 by CP
- Não seja tão reservado.Don't be so reserved.This sentence is useful for giving a command using reservado.Tatoeba #913017 by alexmarcelo, translation #51055 by CK
- O Tom é bem reservado, não é?Tom is quite reserved, isn't he?This sentence is useful for asking for confirmation about someone's personality using reservado.Tatoeba #8971229 by Ricardo14, translation #3416951 by CK
- Joana é uma pessoa reservada, mas muito amigável quando se conhece melhor.Joana is a reserved person, but very friendly once you get to know her better.
- O Sr. Gonçalves é uma pessoa bastante discreta e reservada.Mr. Gonçalves is a very discreet and reserved person.
- João é meio na sua, prefere ficar em casa lendo um livro do que sair para festas.João is a bit reserved, he prefers staying home reading a book rather than going out to parties.
- O Pedro é um cara fechado, mas uma vez que você o conhece, ele é ótimo.Pedro is a reserved guy, but once you get to know him, he's great.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are arriving at a cafe.
- LucasMariana, este lugar está reservado?Mariana, is this place reserved?
- MarianaNão, Lucas, acho que está livre.No, Lucas, I think it is free.
- LucasQue bom, vamos sentar aqui.Great, let's sit here.
- MarianaSim, parece ótimo.Yes, it looks great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reserved” translations and entries reservado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
