susto
fright; scare; shock
Beginner Noun Masculine
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Pronunciation
/ˈsuʃ.tu/
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Cultural Note
'Pregar um susto' (to give someone a fright) is a playful Portuguese expression. In European Portuguese, 'apanhar um susto' (to catch a fright) is the standard way to describe being scared. 'Que susto!' is an everyday exclamation. In Brazilian folk medicine, 'susto' is sometimes considered a cause of illness, reflecting indigenous and African cultural influences on the language.
📝 Example Sentences
Que susto! Pensei que tinha acontecido algo grave.
What a fright! I thought something serious had happened.
Apanhei um susto enorme.
I got an enormous scare.
Ela pregou-me um susto quando apareceu de repente.
She gave me a fright when she appeared suddenly.