Encantado vs. enfeitiçado
While both encantado and enfeitiçado can be translated as enchanted or bewitched, they carry distinctly different connotations in Portuguese. Encantado is overwhelmingly positive, suggesting delight and wonder, whereas enfeitiçado implies being under a spell, often with a controlling or negative undertone.
Encantado
A1This word means to be charmed, delighted, or enchanted in a positive and wonderful way. It describes a feeling of great pleasure and admiration, as if touched by something magical and beautiful. It is also the standard polite expression for Pleased to meet you.
Fiquei encantado com a beleza da paisagem.
(I was enchanted by the beauty of the landscape.)
Prazer em conhecê-la. Igualmente, encantado.
(Nice to meet you. Likewise, pleased to meet you.)
As crianças ouviram a história do castelo encantado.
(The children listened to the story of the enchanted castle.)
Ela ficou encantada com o presente que recebeu.
(She was delighted with the gift she received.)
O público aplaudiu, encantado com a performance do artista.
(The audience applauded, charmed by the artist's performance.)
Enfeitiçado
B1This word means to be bewitched, spellbound, or put under a spell. It derives from feitiço (a magic spell or hex) and implies a loss of control or free will due to magical influence. Figuratively, it describes an obsessive and powerful attraction that feels controlling.
A lenda diz que o marinheiro foi enfeitiçado pelo canto da sereia.
(The legend says the sailor was bewitched by the siren's song.)
Ele age como se estivesse enfeitiçado, fazendo tudo o que ela pede.
(He acts as if he's been put under a spell, doing everything she asks.)
No conto, a princesa foi enfeitiçada por uma bruxa má.
(In the tale, the princess was hexed by an evil witch.)
Sinto-me enfeitiçado por aquela melodia; não consigo tirá-la da cabeça.
(I feel spellbound by that melody; I can't get it out of my head.)
Os aldeões temiam a floresta, acreditando que era um lugar enfeitiçado.
(The villagers feared the forest, believing it was a bewitched place.)
Summary
In summary, use encantado to express positive delight, charm, and wonder, like being pleased to meet someone or admiring a beautiful view. Use enfeitiçado to describe being under a spell, often with a negative or controlling sense of losing one's free will, whether literally by magic or figuratively by an obsessive fascination.