unfortunate situation

[/ʌnˈfɔːr.tʃə.nət ˌsɪt.ʃu.eɪ.ʃən/]
noun phrasefemininepl: unfortunate situations / situações infortunadas
situação infeliz
1. A circumstance or set of circumstances that is unlucky, adverse, or regrettable
It was an unfortunate situation when the flight was cancelled just before departure.
Foi uma situação infeliz quando o voo foi cancelado pouco antes da partida.
2. A difficult or problematic condition that causes difficulty or disappointment
The company found itself in an unfortunate situation after the product recall.
A empresa se viu em uma situação infortunada após o recall do produto.
3. An awkward or embarrassing circumstance
It was an unfortunate situation to arrive at the party in the same dress as the host.
Foi uma situação constrangedora chegar à festa com o mesmo vestido da anfitriã.
In Brazilian Portuguese, expressing empathy about an 'unfortunate situation' is common in conversation. The phrase 'que situação infeliz!' is a sympathetic response. In American English, this phrase is formal and often used to describe external circumstances rather than personal feelings. Brazilians may use more diminutive or emphatic expressions like 'situação complicada' (complicated situation) in casual speech.
NYC Slang
rough spot / tough break / pickle
Synonyms / Sinônimos
difficult situationpredicamentdilemmaawkward situationbad luckmisfortune
Antonyms / Antônimos
fortunate situationfavorable circumstanceslucky breakblessing

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
situação infeliz
Most common translation, widely understood across Brazil
General Brazilian
situação infortunada
More formal variant, used in official or literary contexts
Colloquial Brazilian
situação ruim
Informal, commonly used in everyday speech
Portugal
situação desfavorável
Preferred in European Portuguese, more neutral tone

Related Words

misfortuneadversityhardshippredicamentplightcircumstance

Related Idioms & Phrases

between a rock and a hard place
in a pickle
in a jam
caught in a bind
stuck in a rut
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