sutil
/suˈt͡ʃiw/
The English word subtle is translated into Portuguese as sutil.
sutil is used to describe an action or movement that is very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable.
Meaning: of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA pronunciation for sutil is /suˈtʃiw/.
Did you know?
- The word sutil is a direct descendant of the Latin word for a 'web', meaning that a 'subtle' thing is etymologically as fine and delicate as a spider's web.
- Portuguese uses sutil in a theological context to describe the nature of the soul or spiritual entities, which are considered 'subtle' matter.
- In legal or academic Portuguese, sutil can describe an argument that is cleverly deceptive or 'slippery' rather than just delicate.
Examples in context
- Há uma diferença sutil entre as duas palavras.There is a subtle difference between the two words.This sentence shows how to describe a slight difference between words using sutil.Tatoeba #651920 by brauliobezerra, translation #50727 by CM
- Tom não entendia a sutileza do humor de Maria.Mary's subtle brand of humour was lost on Tom.This sentence uses the concept of subtlety to describe a person's humour.Tatoeba #6183586 by carlosalberto, translation #6175556 by sundown
- Ninfa sutil, és a expressão mais fina da energia vital, do amor, da flor do Ser.Subtle nymph, you are the finest expression of vital energy, of love, of the flower of Being.This sentence uses sutil to describe a nymph.Tatoeba #13752009 by carlosalberto, translation #13752025 by carlosalberto
- A sutileza da mensagem passou despercebida.The subtlety of the message went unnoticed.
- Ele usou uma tática subtil para persuadi-los.He used a subtle tactic to persuade them.
- Foi uma resposta bem discreta, mas ele entendeu.It was a very discreet response, but he understood.
- Ele usou uma tática subtil para resolver a situação.He used a subtle tactic to resolve the situation.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- RodrigoO detalhe nesta pintura é muito sutil.The detail in this painting is very subtle.
- JulianaSim, é um movimento sutil do artista.Yes, it is a subtle movement by the artist.
- RodrigoEu quase não percebi a mudança.I almost didn't notice the change.
- JulianaÉ uma técnica de efeito sutil.It is a technique for a subtle effect.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sutil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sutil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
