Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| afiado | /a.fiˈa.du/ (Brazil) /aˈfja.du/ (Brazil) |
| aguçado | /a.ɡuˈsa.du/ (Brazil) /ɐ.ɡuˈsa.du/ (Portugal) |
| agudo | /aˈɡu.du/ (Brazil) /ɐˈɡu.du/ (Portugal) |
In Portuguese, the word used for 'sharp' depends on whether you are describing a physical cutting edge, a sense/intellect or a sound/angle. Use afiado for objects that can cut, such as blades or teeth. Use aguçado to describe heightened senses or intellect. Use agudo for high-pitched sounds or acute angles.
Which one should you use?
afiado is used for physical edges that cut, such as knives or teeth. aguçado is used for senses or intellect that have been sharpened or heightened. agudo is used for high-pitched sounds or acute angles.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Portuguese must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, afiado becomes afiada for feminine nouns and agudo becomes agudos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word afiado is pronounced /a.fiˈa.du/ with four syllables and the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- In a medical context, a doctor might use agudo to describe a 'sharp' or sudden onset of a disease, distinguishing it from a chronic condition.
- The adjective afiado is actually a past participle, meaning it is formed from the verb afiar, which literally means 'to make sharp'.
- The term agudo is used for both a high-pitched musical note and a sharp, piercing pain, covering both auditory and physical sensations.
Examples in context
- Os cachorros têm dentes afiados.The dogs have sharp teeth.This sentence demonstrates the use of afiado with teeth.Tatoeba #8439715 by bill, translation #6403859 by captcrouton
- Na parte da manhã, gritos agudos de papagaios quebram o silêncio.In the morning sharp cries from parrots break the silence.This sentence shows how to use agudo to describe high-pitched cries.Tatoeba #5236280 by carlosalberto, translation #5234888 by Airvian
- O epigrama é um dito breve e agudo, em prosa ou verso, frequentemente caracterizado pela acidez ou acerbidade e às vezes pela sabedoria.An epigram is a short, sharp saying in prose or verse, frequently characterized by acidity or acerbity and sometimes by wisdom.This sentence illustrates the use of agudo in the context of a sharp, witty saying.Tatoeba #3158172 by carlosalberto, translation #3149996 by carlosalberto
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sharp” translations and entries afiado, aguçado, agudo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries afiado, agudo, aguçado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
