messing

[/ˈmɛsɪŋ/]
verb (gerund/present participle)
bagunçando, sujando, mexendo
1. Making something untidy, dirty, or in a state of disorder
Stop messing around with my things!
Para de mexer nas minhas coisas!
2. Engaging in playful or silly behavior; joking around
They were just messing with us the whole time.
Eles estavam só brincando com a gente o tempo todo.
3. Interfering or tampering with something
Don't go messing with the computer settings.
Não mexe nas configurações do computador.
4. Ruining or damaging something
You're messing up the plan.
Você está estragando o plano.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'messing' is commonly expressed as 'bagunçando' in formal contexts and 'mexendo' or 'zoando' in casual speech. In American English, especially NYC slang, 'messing with' often implies playful teasing rather than actual disruption, which is an important cultural distinction. The term is widely understood in both cultures but carries slightly different connotations depending on context.
NYC Slang
buggin' out, trippin'
Synonyms / Sinônimos
tamperingtinkeringfiddlingmuckingdisrupting
Antonyms / Antônimos
organizingtidyingrespectingleaving alone

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
bagunçando, mexendo, sujando
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
zoando, mexendo
Colloquial variant emphasizing joking or teasing
São Paulo
bagunçando, estragando
Emphasis on disruption or damage
Portugal
bagunçando, mexendo, desarrumando
Similar usage but with slight pronunciation differences

Related Words

messmessymess upmess aroundmess with

Related Idioms & Phrases

messing around - brincando, perdendo tempo
messing with someone - provocando alguém, brincando com alguém
messing up - estragando, fracassando
don't mess with - não se meta com
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