Ressentimento vs. rancor
While both ressentimento and rancor in Portuguese can be translated as resentment in English, they have subtle differences in usage and intensity.
Ressentimento
B1Ressentimento refers to a lingering feeling of displeasure or disappointment caused by a past event or treatment. It's often less intense and more passive than rancor.
Ela ainda tem ressentimento pela forma como foi tratada na festa.
(She still has resentment about how she was treated at the party.)
O ressentimento entre os irmãos diminuiu com o tempo.
(The resentment between the siblings diminished over time.)
Rancor
B2Rancor denotes a deeper, more bitter and long-lasting feeling of ill will or hatred. It's generally more intense and active than ressentimento.
O rancor que ele sentia pelo ex-chefe o consumia diariamente.
(The rancor he felt towards his former boss consumed him daily.)
Após anos de conflito, o rancor entre as duas famílias parecia impossível de superar.
(After years of conflict, the rancor between the two families seemed impossible to overcome.)
Summary
While ressentimento and rancor both express negative feelings stemming from past experiences, ressentimento is generally milder and more passive, often fading over time. Rancor, on the other hand, is more intense, long-lasting, and can lead to active feelings of bitterness or hatred.