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primal instinct

[ˈpraɪ.məl ˈɪn.stɪŋkt]
nounpl: primal instincts
instinto primitivo
1. A basic, innate behavioral or psychological drive that is fundamental to survival or reproduction, not learned or developed through experience
The primal instinct to protect one's offspring is found across many species.
O instinto primitivo de proteger sua prole é encontrado em muitas espécies.
2. An instinctive urge or desire arising from ancient evolutionary biology rather than conscious reasoning
Fear is a primal instinct that helped our ancestors survive dangerous situations.
O medo é um instinto primitivo que ajudou nossos ancestrais a sobreviver em situações perigosas.
Synonyms
basic instinctfundamental driveinnate urgeinstinto fundamentalimpulso primitivo
Antonyms
learned behavioracquired skillcomportamento aprendidohabilidade adquirida

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
instinto primitivo
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
instinto primitivo
Standard usage, sometimes shortened to 'instinto básico'
Portugal
instinto primitivo
Standard European Portuguese usage
Rio de Janeiro
instinto primitivo
Colloquially may also hear 'instinto animal'

Related Idioms & Phrases

follow one's primal instincts
primal instinct takes over
gut instinct
deixar os instintos falarem
obedecer ao instinto
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