desabafar
/de.za.baˈfa(ʁ)/
To vent in Portuguese is to say desabafar. If unsure, use desabafar. Wiktionary also lists extravasar.
Meaning: to express a strong emotion (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| desabafar | /de.za.baˈfa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒi.za.baˈfa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| extravasar | /is.tɾa.vaˈza(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /es.tɾa.vaˈza(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
The verb forms describe the act of releasing strong emotions. While the verb forms relate to emotional expression, the noun respiradouro refers to a physical opening through which gases or air can pass.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the two main forms based on how the emotion is released. Use desabafar when you are venting through talking to someone to relieve sadness or emotional pressure. Use extravasar when you are venting intense energy or intense emotion, such as through physical activity, shouting or a sudden outburst.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of desabafar is /de.za.baˈfa(ʁ)/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, 'venting' your sadness through tears is often described as lavar a alma, which means 'to wash the soul'.
- The verb desabafar is built on the root of abafar, which means 'to suffocate' or 'to stifle'. To vent your emotions is, etymologically, to stop the process of suffocating them.
- While an English speaker might 'vent' a feeling, a Portuguese speaker uses extravasar to imply that the emotion was 'leaking' or 'overflowing' from their internal boundaries.
Examples in context
- Escrevo para desabafar, quando não tem ninguém para me ouvir.I write to vent when there is no one to listen to me.This sentence is useful for showing how one might use desabafar when there is no one to listen.
- É importante expressar minha frustração de forma construtiva.It's important to vent my frustration constructively.
- Preciso desabafar sobre o meu dia no trabalho.I need to vent about my day at work.
- Estou estressado! Vamos soltar a franga no fim de semana.I'm stressed! Let's blow off some steam this weekend.
- Eu só preciso desabafar com alguém.I just need to vent to someone.
- Ela foi ao café para desabafar sobre o trabalho.She went to the cafe to vent about work.
Example conversation
Gabriel looks stressed while talking to Camila in a cafe.
- GabrielCamila, posso desabafar com você um pouco?Camila, can I vent to you for a bit?
- CamilaClaro, Gabriel. O que aconteceu?Of course, Gabriel. What happened?
- GabrielMeu chefe está sendo muito difícil hoje.My boss is being very difficult today.
- CamilaSinto muito. Pode falar tudo.I'm sorry. You can say it all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vent” translations and entries desabafar, extravasar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desabafar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
