desabafar

Senses

1. 1.

   to vent, to get something off one's chest

   to express pent-up feelings, frustrations, or worries to someone

2. 2.

   to confide, to open up

   to share personal problems or emotions with someone you trust

3. 3.

   to relieve, to unburden

   to release emotional tension or pressure

Examples

• "Preciso desabafar com alguém sobre o que aconteceu no trabalho."

  I need to vent to someone about what happened at work.

• "Ela desabafou comigo sobre os problemas com o namorado."

  She opened up to me about her problems with her boyfriend.

• "Às vezes é bom desabafar para aliviar o estresse."

  Sometimes it's good to get things off your chest to relieve stress.

Usage

Very common in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. Typically used with the preposition "com" (desabafar com alguém = to vent to someone) or "sobre" (desabafar sobre algo = to vent about something). The noun form is "desabafo" (a venting session, an outpouring).