abafado (stuffy)

By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva 

 

The Portuguese word “abafado” is highly versatile and context-dependent. It's derived from the verb “abafar”, which means “to muffle,” “to smother,” or “to suppress.” Depending on the context, “abafado” can describe weather conditions, sound quality, emotions, atmospheres, and even environments.

 

In English, there's no single word that captures all the meanings of “abafado”, so we use different words depending on what’s being described. Some of the most common English equivalents include:

 

stuffy – used to describe a room or place with poor air circulation

 

muffled – sound that is suppressed or softened

 

airless – lacking fresh or moving air

 

smothered – literally or metaphorically covered or overwhelmed

 

stifled – when airflow is restricted; also used metaphorically

 

covered – physically hidden or wrapped, often related to food

 

sultry – hot and humid, often with a sensual connotation

 

muggy – warm, damp, and unpleasant

 

fuggy – British English; stuffy and humid

 

dull – lacking brightness or liveliness; also used for sound or atmosphere

 

Let’s explore these meanings with examples.

 

abafado: stuffy, sultry, muggy, fuggy, airless

 

When describing weather, abafado often refers to a hot, humid, and uncomfortable atmosphere, typically with little air movement. In this case, translations like muggy, sultry, fuggy, or airless are appropriate.

 

Hoje o dia está abafado.

Today is a muggy day.

 

O clima está tão abafado que parece que vai chover.

The weather is so sultry it looks like it's going to rain.

 

Estava um calor abafado dentro do ônibus.

It was stuffy and hot inside the bus.

 

O quarto estava abafado e sem ventilação.

The room was airless and had no ventilation.

 

O ar estava abafado, quase impossível de respirar.

The air was fuggy, almost impossible to breathe. (British English)

 

abafado: muffled, dull

 

In the context of sound, “abafado” describes something muffled, softened, or not clear, often due to distance, insulation, or being blocked by something.

 

Ouvi um barulho abafado vindo do porão.

I heard a muffled noise coming from the basement.

 

A voz dele saiu abafada por causa da máscara.

His voice was muffled because of the mask.

 

O som do rádio estava abafado.

The radio sound was dull.

 

abafado: stuffy, stifling, smothered

 

“Abafado” can also describe a closed environment where it feels stuffy or suffocating, both literally (like in a closed room) or emotionally (like a tense atmosphere).

 

A sala estava abafada e sem ar-condicionado.

The room was stuffy and had no air conditioning.

 

Estava tudo tão abafado que era difícil respirar.

Everything was so stifling it was hard to breathe.

 

O ambiente ficou abafado depois da discussão.

The atmosphere became smothered after the argument.

 

abafado: stifled, smothered

 

In emotional or psychological contexts, “abafado” can refer to feelings that are being repressed or held in — not expressed.

 

Ele ficou com a raiva abafada por dentro.

He held his anger in; it was stifled inside.

 

Sentia-se abafada naquela relação controladora.

She felt smothered in that controlling relationship.

 

abafado: covered

 

In cooking or everyday situations, “abafado” can mean something that is covered, often to preserve heat or moisture.

 

Deixe o arroz abafado por alguns minutos.

Let the rice sit covered for a few minutes.

 

Mantenha o prato abafado para não esfriar.

Keep the dish covered so it doesn’t get cold.

 

In conclusion, the word “abafado” in Brazilian Portuguese is rich in nuance and meaning. Whether you're describing a humid day, a muffled voice, a tense room, or a pot of rice, the translation will depend entirely on the context. Understanding this word and its many translations into English helps learners express themselves more precisely, both when interpreting or speaking.

 

Bibliographic References 

 

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Biber, D., Conrad, S., & Leech, G. (2002). Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Pearson.