Is it summer where you are now? How hot is it? Here in Brazil summer temperatures can get pretty crazy.

This past summer Rio got as hot as 45C (113F) with thermal sensation of 50C (122F). Yes, that is pretty hot. So it is no surprise that we have colloquial expressions to talk about this.

Colloquial expressions are powerful. They help you get your point across in an effective way so that native speakers know exactly what you are communicating.

It also has the added benefit of making you sound really good in Portuguese 🙂

I will show you how to say “I am melting” in Portuguese. Just like in English, you can use this expression in two different situations:

1. To say that you are feeling very hot – think summer in Rio de Janeiro
2. To say that you feel moved by something sweet

Derreter = To melt

Derreter is a regular verb. It means to melt.

For example:

• O sorvete está derretendo. = The ice cream is melting.
• O gelo derreteu. = The ice melted.
• Coloque o chocolate na geladeira ou ele vai derreter. = Put the chocolate in the fridge or it will melt.

Situation 1: It’s hot! I am melting

It is summer time in Rio de Janeiro. Today it is 45C (113F). Felipe says:

• Tá quente demais! Tô derretendo!

= It’s too hot! I’m melting.

I have mentioned before that in spoken Brazilian Portuguese we drop the first syllable of the verb Estar. That is what I did in the example above when I wrote “tô”. When talking to your friends, use this form. In business writing, use the full verb.

Let’s see another example:

Ana: Quando é sua viagem ao Brasil?

Tom:  Semana que vem. Mal dá pra acreditar!

Ana: Leve roupas leves ou você vai derreter com o calor de lá.

Translation:

Ana: When is your trip to Brazil?

Tom:  Next week. I can hardly believe it!

Ana: Bring light clothes or you will melt with the heat there.

Situation 2: This is so sweet. I’m melting

With this meaning, the verb Derreter is sometimes used as a reflexive verb and sometimes not.

• Many grammars say to use Derreter as a reflexive verb when you use it without a complement. This usually happens when you are saying that someone is melting (or melted or will melt; any verb tense). See situations 1 and 2 below. With that said, many people use the verb without the reflexive pronoun. I think most people won’t care how you use it.
• Use Derreter without the reflexive pronoun when it has an object. See situation 3 below.

Example 1

Maria loves to watch cute kitty videos on YouTube. She often says:

• Que coisa mais fofa! Eu me derreto com esses vídeos.

= How cute. I melt with these videos.

Example 2

Maria is planning a beautiful surprise party to celebrate her parents’ 25th anniversary. She says:

• A família toda vem para a festa. Meus pais vão se derreter.

= The whole family is coming to the party. My parents will melt.

Example 3

Maria and her boyfriend Paulo had a fight. Paulo is planning to send her flowers and chocolate. He says:

• Isso vai derreter o coração dela.

= This will melt her heart.

Tip to Retain Your New Vocabulary

I hope you will have fun using the verb Derreter more often from now on.

The best way to retain new information when learning a language is to practice. So go ahead and use your new vocabulary in real-life situations. Remember to use spaced repetition. Make a note to yourself to use the expression again in a few days. 

Ideally you will have a regular weekly practice with a trained tutor who can help you practice while keeping you engaged and moving forward.

Street Smart Brazil has amazing Brazilian Portuguese instructors. We specialize in Brazilian Portuguese lessons via Skype. It is a simple, flexible, and effective way to learn Portuguese.

Book a Trial Lesson with us today to see how we can help you speak Portuguese comfortably.