dire condition

[ˈdaɪər kənˈdɪʃən]
noun phrasepl: dire conditions
situação desesperada
1. a very serious, urgent, or desperate situation; a critical state of affairs that requires immediate attention
The hospital was in dire condition after the natural disaster.
O hospital estava em situação desesperada após o desastre natural.
2. an extremely poor or deteriorated physical state
The old building was in dire condition and needed extensive repairs.
O prédio antigo estava em condição terrível e precisava de reparos extensos.
3. a state of extreme distress or hardship
The refugee family found themselves in dire condition without food or shelter.
A família de refugiados se encontrava em situação desesperada sem comida ou abrigo.
The phrase 'dire condition' is commonly used in both American and Brazilian English to describe emergencies, whether related to infrastructure, health, or socioeconomic situations. In Brazil, it often appears in news reports about hospitals, public services, or disaster relief efforts. The term conveys urgency and calls for immediate action or intervention, making it prevalent in political discourse, journalism, and social commentary.
NYC Slang
rough shape / beat-up condition / in bad shape
Synonyms / Sinônimos
critical conditiondesperate situationemergency statesevere conditionprecarious situationcalamitous state
Antonyms / Antônimos
excellent conditiongood statestable situationfavorable circumstancesprosperous condition

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
situação desesperada / condição terrível
Most common and widely understood throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
situação crítica / em apuros
Often emphasizes the urgency and severity of the situation
São Paulo
situação desesperada / condição precária
Business and formal contexts prefer 'condição precária'
Portugal
situação desesperada / condição deplorável
Portuguese usage often uses 'deplorável' for physical deterioration

Related Words

dire straitscriticaldesperateemergencycrisisdeteriorationhardshipdistress

Related Idioms & Phrases

in dire straits
in dire need
dire times
things are dire
facing dire consequences
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