álcool
/ˈaw.kow/masculine
The Portuguese word for alcohol is álcool.
álcool refers to the general category of intoxicating beverages as well as the chemical substance itself.
Meaning: intoxicating beverage (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the term fino is used specifically for draft beer. In Brazil, the slang term pinga is used to refer to alcoholic beverages, particularly cachaça.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, álcool is used with the masculine definite article o (e.g., o álcool).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaw.kow/. The stressed syllable is the first of two.
Did you know?
- The word álcool traces its history back to the Arabic word for 'kohl', which was a fine black powder used for eyeliner.
- In Brazil, the word álcool is frequently used to describe a specific type of fuel for cars, as many vehicles there are designed to run on ethanol.
- While álcool is the general term, Brazilians use pinga as a slang term for alcohol, which literally translates to 'drip'.
Examples in context
- Eu não tomo álcool.I don't drink alcohol.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not consume the form álcool.Tatoeba #892241 by alexmarcelo, translation #258477 by CK
- Você fede a álcool.You reek of alcohol.This sentence is useful for describing someone who smells of the form álcool.Tatoeba #8115708 by jvlopes91, translation #2199755 by Hybrid
- Tom fedia a álcool.Tom reeked of alcohol.This sentence is useful for describing how someone smelled of the form álcool in the past.Tatoeba #8115709 by jvlopes91, translation #2803037 by Hybrid
- Não posso beber álcool, obrigado/a.I can't drink alcohol, thank you.
- Eu adoraria uma bebida. O que você recomenda?I'd love a drink. What do you recommend?
- Vamos tomar um goró/mé para celebrar?Let's have a drink to celebrate?
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are deciding what to drink at a party.
- MarianaVocê quer beber algo com álcool?Do you want to drink something with alcohol?
- FelipeNão, prefiro um suco agora.No, I prefer a juice right now.
- MarianaTudo bem, Felipe. Vou pedir uma cerveja.That's fine, Felipe. I'll order a beer.
- FelipeBoa ideia, Mariana. Aproveite sua bebida.Good idea, Mariana. Enjoy your drink.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alcohol” translations and entries álcool, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries álcool, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
