espanto

[ɛʃ.ˈpɐ̃.tu]

nounmasculinepl: espantos

fright, astonishment, amazement

1. A sudden feeling of fear or shock

He felt a great espanto when he saw the accident.

Ele sentiu um grande espanto ao ver o acidente.

2. Something that causes surprise or astonishment

The news was an espanto to everyone.

A notícia foi um espanto para todos.

3. A ghost or phantom (archaic/literary usage)

The old house was haunted by an espanto.

A casa antiga era assombrada por um espanto.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

espanto

Common usage for astonishment and fright

São Paulo

espanto

Standard usage, sometimes used colloquially as 'que espanto'

Portugal

espanto

Standard usage, may be less common in favor of 'susto' or 'assombro'

para meu espanto (to my astonishment)

que espanto! (what a shock!)

levar um espanto (to get a fright)

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