suspense
/susˈpẽ.si/
The English phrase 'suspense' translates to Portuguese as suspense.
The word suspense refers to the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement. While suspense is used, the term Expectativa (meaning 'expectation') can also encompass the element of suspense in certain contexts.
Meaning: pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The pronunciation is /susˈpẽ.si/.
Did you know?
- The word suspense is borrowed from English, despite both languages having access to the original French and Latin roots of the word.
- Portuguese uses the word angústia to describe a type of suspense that is painful or distressing, a distinction English often blends into the word 'anxiety'.
- In some contexts, suspense can be used as a synonym for a 'secret' or something being hidden, such as manter em suspense meaning to keep someone in the dark.
Examples in context
- O suspense do filme era insuportável.The suspense of the movie was unbearable.
- O livro cria bastante tensão ao longo da trama.The book creates a lot of suspense throughout the plot.
- O filme era cheio de suspense.The movie was full of suspense.
- Eu adoro o suspense de um bom livro.I love the suspense of a good book.
- A história mantém o suspense até o fim.The story maintains the suspense until the end.
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are discussing a new thriller novel.
- JulianaVocê já leu este livro novo?Have you read this new book yet?
- LucasSim, e o suspense é incrível.Yes, and the suspense is incredible.
- JulianaEu também gosto desse tipo de suspense.I also like that kind of suspense.
- LucasEle vai deixar você muito ansiosa.It will leave you very anxious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry suspense, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries suspense, CC BY-SA 4.0.
