This is the 6624th most frequent Portuguese word.
ferra
"Ferra" is a form of the verb "ferrar" in Portuguese, meaning "to shoe (a horse)" or "to affix a horseshoe."
In this sentence, 'ferra' is used as the verb 'fixes' or 'attaches'.
Ele ferra o mecanismo com cuidado.
He fixes the mechanism carefully.
Here, 'ferra' is used colloquially meaning 'messes up' or 'affects badly'.
A situação negativa realmente o ferra.
The negative situation really messes him up.
In this case, 'ferra' refers to the act of attaching or fixing specifically to a horseshoe.