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cheerless surroundings

[ˈtʃɪrləs səˈraʊndɪŋz]
noun phrase
arredores sem graça / ambiente deprimente
1. Surroundings or environment that lack warmth, brightness, or pleasant qualities; a dull, gloomy, or uninviting setting
The old factory stood in cheerless surroundings, surrounded by gray concrete and bare industrial buildings.
A velha fábrica estava em arredores sem graça, cercada por concreto cinzento e edifícios industriais nus.
2. An environment that feels bleak, dismal, or lacking in comfort and appeal
After moving to the city, she found herself in cheerless surroundings that made her feel depressed.
Depois de se mudar para a cidade, ela se viu em um ambiente deprimente que a deixava triste.
NYC Slang
Dead zone / concrete jungle
Synonyms
bleak surroundingsgloomy environmentdismal settingdreary surroundingsaustere environment
Antonyms
pleasant surroundingscheerful environmentwelcoming settingbeautiful surroundingswarm atmosphere

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
arredores sem vida / ambiente monótono
Common usage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
entorno deprimente / paisagem cinzenta
Often used when describing urban industrial areas
Rio de Janeiro
redondeza triste / ambiente árido
Regional variation emphasizing emotional response
Portugal
arredores desanimadores / ambiente sem alegria
European Portuguese preference for 'desanimadores'

Related Idioms & Phrases

four walls closing in
a gray and dreary place
the wrong side of the tracks
a colorless existence
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