adorei

Adorei is the first‑person singular preterite form of the Portuguese verb adorar, meaning “I loved,” “I adored,” or “I revered.” It is used when the speaker describes a past experience or emotion that was intensely favorable, often conveying affection or admiration.

As a verb, adorê follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs in the third conjugation (-ar). The preterite tense is formed by adding the endings –ei, –aste, –ou, –amos, –estes, –eram. Thus, adoré is the first‑person form, while he adorou is the third‑person singular. The verb can also function transitively, requiring an object: “Eu adorei o restaurante,” or intransitively when the object is implied by context.

The root adorar derives from Latin adorare, meaning to worship or pay homage. The noun adoración, meaning devotion or love, shares the same root, and the verb is historically linked with religious contexts before acquiring a broader sensual use in contemporary Portuguese.

In contemporary speech, adorê is frequently used in informal contexts, such as “Adorei a festa!” or “Eu adorei o filme.” It often appears in written advertising copy to express enthusiasm. In literary Portuguese, the form may appear in poetic descriptions, e.g., “Adorei o olhar do poeta.”

The form is unrelated to the Portuguese noun adórea, a small bird, and should not be confused with the French adjective adoré, which means cherished. Adorê is also unrelated to the Romani or Sardinian varieties of the word, where meanings differ.

See also: adorar, adoração, Portuguese verb conjugation tables.