finicky

[/ˈfɪnɪki/]
adjective
exigente, meticuloso, caprichoso
1. fussy about one's needs or requirements; hard to please
My cat is very finicky about her food.
Minha gata é muito exigente com sua comida.
2. requiring great attention to detail; requiring careful handling
This is a finicky repair job that requires precision.
Este é um trabalho de reparo exigente que requer precisão.
3. particular about details; fussy or particular
He is finicky about the temperature of his coffee.
Ele é caprichoso quanto à temperatura do seu café.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'finicky' is commonly used to describe picky eaters, especially children or pets. It conveys a slightly negative connotation of being unnecessarily difficult or demanding, though it can also indicate healthy attention to quality and standards. The term is widely understood in both cultures and frequently appears in discussions about food preferences, customer service, and personality traits.
NYC Slang
picky, hard to please
Synonyms / Sinônimos
fussypickyparticularchoosyfastidiousexacting
Antonyms / Antônimos
easygoingundemandingflexibleaccommodating

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
exigente, caprichoso, meticuloso
Commonly used in everyday speech to describe picky people or demanding situations
Rio de Janeiro
exigente, chato
May use 'chato' colloquially to mean bothersome or fussy
São Paulo
exigente, meticuloso
Tends toward more formal usage with 'meticuloso' in professional contexts
Portugal
exigente, casmurro, melindroso
Portuguese may use 'melindroso' for someone overly sensitive or particular

Related Words

fussymeticulousfastidiousdiscriminatingdemanding

Related Idioms & Phrases

finicky eater - someone who is difficult about what they eat
finicky about details - paying excessive attention to minor points
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →