Encorajado

Encorajado is a Portuguese adjective and the past participle of the verb encorajar. It describes someone who has received encouragement or inspiration to act, or a situation that has been influenced by encouragement. It is used in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese with the same core meaning, though tone and formality can vary by region and context.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is formed from the verb encorajar, which derives from the prefix en- combined with coragem (courage), conveying the sense of instilling courage or motivation in someone. Encouraçado can refer to a person who feels more confident due to support, or to actions taken because they were encouraged.

Examples: Ela ficou encorajada a apresentar o projeto. (She was encouraged to present the project.) Os estudantes ficaram encorajados pelo feedback positivo. (The students were encouraged by the positive feedback.)

Grammar and agreement: Encorajado agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: ele está encorajado (masc. singular), ela está encorajada (fem. singular), eles ficaram encorajados (masc. plural), elas ficaram encorajadas (fem. plural).

Related terms: encorajar (to encourage), encorajamento (encouragement), coragem (courage). Antonyms include desencorajado and desanimado, used to describe the opposite feeling of being discouraged.