← Back to Fala2Me

contrair-se

[kõ.tɾa.ˈiɾ.sə]
verb
to contract; to shrink; to tense up
1. to become smaller or shorter in size or length
The muscle contracts when stimulated.
O músculo contrair-se quando estimulado.
2. to draw back or recoil in fear or disgust
He contracted himself in fear at the loud noise.
Ele contrair-se de medo com o barulho alto.
3. to become tense or tighten
Her face contracted with pain.
O seu rosto contrair-se de dor.
4. to assume or acquire (a habit, disease, debt)
He contracted a serious illness.
Ele contraiu uma doença grave.
Synonyms
encolher-seretrair-seapertar-setensionar-sediminuir
Antonyms
expandir-sedilatar-sealargar-serelaxar-se

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
contrair-se
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
contrair-se
common usage with emphasis on physical contraction
São Paulo
contrair-se
standard usage, often used in medical context
Portugal
contrair-se
standard usage, identical to Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

contrair-se de medo
contrair-se de frio
contrair-se de dor
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →