Portuguese · Insults & Name-Calling
Arrombado
ah-hom-BAH-doo · /a.ʁõ.ˈba.du/
Asshole (strong) / piece of shit
4/5 Fighting words
aimed at a person, will start something
Literally
"Broken open / busted (of a lock or an anus)"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
A serious, aggressive insult — the crude image is of a "busted" backside. This is a fighting word, thrown in road rage and real arguments, not a playful jab. Much heavier than "babaca." Between very close male friends it can flip to rough affection, but as a traveler assume it starts fights. Do not aim it at strangers.
Heard in the wild
Sai da frente, seu arrombado!
Get out of the way, you asshole!
Where it lands
Brazil (universal).
Quick answers
- What does "Arrombado" mean?
- In Portuguese, "Arrombado" means "Asshole (strong) / piece of shit". Literally it's "Broken open / busted (of a lock or an anus)". A serious, aggressive insult — the crude image is of a "busted" backside. This is a fighting word, thrown in road rage and real arguments, not a playful jab. Much heavier than "babaca." Between very close male friends it can flip to rough affection, but as a traveler assume it starts fights. Do not aim it at strangers.
- Is "Arrombado" offensive?
- Yes — very. It rates 4/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Fighting words). aimed at a person, will start something. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
- How do you pronounce "Arrombado"?
- Say it "ah-hom-BAH-doo" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: a.ʁõ.ˈba.du.
Related in Portuguese
Filho da puta FEE-lyoo dah POO-tah Son of a bitch / bastard Otário oh-TAH-ree-oo Sucker / gullible fool / mug Babaca bah-BAH-kah Jerk / idiot / asshole (mild) Corno KOR-noo Cuckold — a man whose partner cheats on him Vagabundo vah-gah-BOON-doo Bum / lowlife / good-for-nothing (f. 'vagabunda' = slut) Burro BOO-hoo Dumb / stupid (person)
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "Screw you".
- French Enculé ! Motherf***er / bastard (one of the hardest personal insults)
- German Verpiss dich! Piss off! / Clear off (with force)!
- Greek άντε γαμήσου Go fuck yourself / get lost / piss off.
- Italian Vaffanculo! Fuck off! / Go to hell!
- Japanese クソ野郎 Piece of shit / shitty bastard
- Korean 개새끼 Son of a bitch / bastard — a real insult with no soft reading.
- Polish ty kurwo You whore / you bitch — the aimed kurwa, a different animal entirely.
- Russian Средний палец Screw you / the finger
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