saudade

longing; nostalgic yearning; missing someone deeply

Intermediate Noun Feminine
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Pronunciation

/saw.ˈda.dɨ/

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Cultural Note

Saudade is often described as an untranslatable Portuguese word — a deep emotional state of melancholic longing for someone or something absent. In romantic contexts, it conveys missing a loved one with bittersweet intensity. It is central to Portuguese and Brazilian identity, music (fado, bossa nova), and literature. The plural 'saudades' is very common: 'tenho saudades tuas' (PT) or 'tenho saudades de você' (BR).

📝 Example Sentences

Tenho muita saudade de ti.

I miss you so much.

A saudade que sinto é enorme.

The longing I feel is enormous.

Morro de saudades tuas.

I'm dying of missing you.

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