fresco
/ˈfɾes.ku/
The English word squeamish is translated into Portuguese as fresco.
The term is used to describe someone who is easily shocked, sickened or frightened. Tending to be nauseous or nauseated.
Meaning: easily shocked, sickened or frightened, tending to be nauseous or nauseated (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the word frescurento is also used to describe someone who is squeamish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use fresca for a female, frescos for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and frescas for a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈfɾes.ku/.
Did you know?
- The word fresco is a linguistic 'false friend' to the English 'fresco', which refers to a type of wall painting.
- Calling someone fresco in Brazil can be a sharp social critique, implying the person is 'high-maintenance' or acts as if they are above others.
- While fresco can mean 'squeamish', it is also the standard word for 'fresh' as in 'cold water' or 'fresh air'.
Examples in context
- Ele é muito sensível e não consegue lidar com cenas violentas nos filmes.He is very squeamish and can't handle violent scenes in movies.
- Julia não come carne crua porque se sente enjoada só de pensar nisso.Julia doesn't eat raw meat because she gets squeamish just thinking about it.
- O Gabriel é frescurento, não suporta ver feridas.Gabriel is squeamish, he can't stand to see wounds.
- A Sara fica de estômago virado só de pensar em agulhas.Sara gets squeamish just thinking about needles.
- Ele é muito fresco com sangue.He is very squeamish with blood.
- Não seja tão fresco, não é nada!Don't be so squeamish, it is nothing!
- Eu sou fresco para filmes de terror.I am squeamish when it comes to horror movies.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are watching a scary movie together.
- RodrigoEste filme é muito forte.This movie is too intense.
- MarianaVocê é muito fresco, Rodrigo.You are too squeamish, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoEu não aguento ver essas cenas.I can't stand watching these scenes.
- MarianaTudo bem, vamos mudar de canal.All right, let's change the channel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fresco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fresco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
