Exquisite vs. Esquisito: Does It Mean ‘Elegant’ or ‘Strange’?
Esquisito often means odd or strange. Use refinado, excelente, or delicioso for the intended meaning of exquisite.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
In Brazilian Portuguese, esquisito commonly means strange, odd, or unusual. It can describe a smell, taste, sound, or situation that feels unexpected. Tone matters: it may sound mildly curious or openly negative.
Use esquisito for something odd or unusual
Esse cheiro está esquisito. Você sabe o que é?
This smell is strange. Do you know what it is?
Foi esquisito encontrar todo mundo na mesma rua.
It was odd to find everyone on the same street.
Choose a Portuguese word for ‘exquisite’
For refined or elegant, try refinado or elegante. For exceptionally good food, excelente or delicioso may be more natural. Choose the adjective that expresses whether you mean quality, beauty, or taste.
O restaurante tem uma decoração refinada.
The restaurant has exquisite decor.
A sobremesa estava deliciosa.
The dessert was exquisite.
Check whether you are praising or reacting to something unusual
If you want to praise a meal, design, or performance, avoid choosing esquisito only because it resembles exquisite. Ask whether your meaning is refined, excellent, delicious, or unusual, then pick the matching adjective.
A apresentação foi excelente.
The performance was exquisite.
A combinação de sabores é diferente, mas não esquisita.
The flavor combination is unusual, but not strange.
Put it into practice
Esquisito usually means strange; exquisite is better expressed with refinado, excelente, or delicioso.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The performance was exquisite”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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