unfortunate circumstances

[/ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənət ˈsɜːrkəmstænsɪz/]
noun phrase
circunstâncias infelizes
1. A combination of unfavorable or unlucky conditions or events that lead to an undesirable outcome
Due to unfortunate circumstances, the wedding had to be postponed.
Devido a circunstâncias infelizes, o casamento teve que ser adiado.
2. Bad luck or misfortune resulting from factors beyond one's control
Unfortunate circumstances led to the company's bankruptcy.
Circunstâncias infelizes levaram à falência da empresa.
3. Difficult or adverse situations that create hardship or difficulty
The family faced unfortunate circumstances after the accident.
A família enfrentou circunstâncias infelizes após o acidente.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'circunstâncias infelizes' is a formal, euphemistic way to describe difficult situations while maintaining politeness and dignity. It's commonly used in both spoken and written Portuguese when discussing setbacks, delays, or misfortune. In American English, this phrase is often used in formal contexts such as business communications, legal documents, or formal apologies to maintain a respectful and professional tone.
NYC Slang
a bad break; tough luck; rough patch
Synonyms / Sinônimos
adverse circumstancesunfavorable conditionsmisfortunebad luckpredicamenthardship
Antonyms / Antônimos
fortunate circumstancesfavorable conditionsgood luckblessingadvantage

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
circunstâncias infelizes
Most common and neutral translation across Brazil
General Brazilian
circunstâncias desfavoráveis
More formal alternative, often used in official contexts
Colloquial Brazilian
azar
Informal, used to express bad luck in unfortunate circumstances
Portugal
circunstâncias infelizes
Same as Brazilian Portuguese, standard usage
Portugal
circunstâncias adversas
More formal variant used in Portugal

Related Words

circumstancemisfortuneadversitycalamitytragedyhardshipsetback

Related Idioms & Phrases

between a rock and a hard place
in a pickle
in hot water
storm clouds gathering
the writing is on the wall
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