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Horrível vs. terrível vs. péssimo

Word practice demo
The Portuguese words horrível, terrível, and péssimo are all used to express negative qualities or situations, but they differ slightly in nuance and usage. Understanding these differences can enrich your expression in Portuguese.

Horrível

A2
Horrível means horrible or awful and is used to describe something extremely unpleasant, disgusting, or shocking. It can refer to physical characteristics, situations, or feelings.
Este filme é horrível! Não recomendo.
(This movie is horrible! I don't recommend it.)
O cheiro no quarto era horrível depois da festa.
(The smell in the room was horrible after the party.)
A condição da estrada é horrível, cheia de buracos.
(The condition of the road is horrible, full of potholes.)

Terrível

A2
Terrível translates to terrible or dreadful and often conveys a sense of danger, seriousness, or emotional intensity. It can describe events, attitudes, or feelings and sometimes implies fear or awe.
A tempestade de ontem foi terrível, destruiu várias casas.
(Yesterday's storm was terrible; it destroyed several houses.)
Ela sofreu um acidente terrível, mas está se recuperando.
(She had a terrible accident, but she is recovering.)
Foi um erro terrível que custou muito dinheiro à empresa.
(It was a terrible mistake that cost the company a lot of money.)

Péssimo

A2
Péssimo means awful or the worst and describes the highest level of negativity or a very poor quality. It often emphasizes something being extremely bad, whether it's a situation, mood, or performance.
O atendimento no restaurante foi péssimo, demorou horas.
(The service at the restaurant was awful; it took hours.)
Ele está de péssimo humor hoje, melhor deixar para amanhã.
(He is in an awful mood today; better leave it for tomorrow.)
A qualidade do vídeo é péssima, quase não dá para assistir.
(The video quality is awful; it's almost unwatchable.)

Summary

While horrível, terrível, and péssimo all express strong negativity, horrível often refers to something unpleasant or shocking, terrível conveys danger or emotional intensity, and péssimo emphasizes extreme poor quality or the worst condition. Choosing the right word depends on context and the nature of the negativity you wish to describe.