1. Arousing pity, especially through sadness or weakness; deserving of sympathy
The pathetic cry of the abandoned dog moved everyone to tears.
O choro patético do cão abandonado comoveu todos às lágrimas.
2. Miserably or contemptibly inadequate; very poor in quality
Their performance was pathetic and embarrassing.
Seu desempenho foi patético e vergonhoso.
3. Relating to or expressing the emotions rather than reason
The pathetic fallacy in literature attributes human emotions to nature.
A falácia patética na literatura atribui emoções humanas à natureza.