rough (voz)

[/rʌf/]
adjective
áspero, rouco, áspera
1. having a harsh, grating, or gravelly quality of sound; not smooth or melodious
He spoke in a rough voice after smoking all night.
Ele falava com uma voz rouca depois de fumar a noite toda.
2. coarse or unrefined in tone or manner of speaking
The singer's rough voice gave the song an authentic edge.
A voz áspera do cantor deu uma autenticidade à música.
3. lacking smoothness or refinement; raw quality
Her rough voice conveyed emotion and intensity.
Sua voz áspera transmitia emoção e intensidade.
In both Brazilian and American English contexts, describing a voice as 'rough' is often associated with authenticity, emotional depth, and character—particularly in music genres like blues, rock, and soul. A rough voice is frequently seen as an asset rather than a deficiency in artistic expression.
NYC Slang
gravelly voice, scratchy voice, or simply 'rough'
Synonyms / Sinônimos
hoarsegravellyhuskyraspycoarsegrating
Antonyms / Antônimos
smoothmelodiousmellowrefinedsilky

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
rouco; áspero
most common usage for describing rough voice quality
Rio de Janeiro
rouco
preferred term in casual speech
São Paulo
áspero
used in more formal contexts
Portugal
rouco; áspero
similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese with slight regional preference

Related Words

voicetonetimbrevocal qualityhoarseness

Related Idioms & Phrases

rough around the edges - referring to voice or character lacking polish
a rough patch - though typically used for situations, can apply to voice quality during illness
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