formiga
/foʁˈmi.ɡɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for ant is formiga.
The word formiga is used to refer to the insect known as an ant.
Meaning: insect (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
formiga is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/foʁˈmi.ɡɐ/. The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The term formiga is used in Portuguese to describe a 'pins and needles' sensation in a limb, often called 'formigamento'.
- In Brazil, the phrase formiga is used as a slang term for someone who is obsessed with sweets and constantly craves sugar.
- The word formiga originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *morwís, which is the ancestor of many 'ant' words across different European languages.
Examples in context
- A formiga era vermelha.The ant was red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a formiga.Tatoeba #6164075 by User75171, translation #6162778 by sundown
- Quem não conhece a fábula da cigarra e a formiga?Who does not know the fable of the cicada and the ant?This sentence mentions the well-known fable involving a formiga.Tatoeba #10047767 by carlosalberto, translation #10047791 by carlosalberto
- A fábula "A cigarra e a formiga" é muito instrutiva.The fable “The Cicada and the Ant” is very instructive.This sentence refers to the instructive nature of the fable featuring a formiga.Tatoeba #14029573 by carlosalberto, translation #14029588 by carlosalberto
- Hoje, encontrei uma formiga no meu jardim.Today, I found an ant in my garden.
- As formigas trabalham em equipe para carregar folhas gigantes.Ants work as a team to carry giant leaves.
- Olha só essa formiguinha fazendo seu caminho pela calçada!Look at that little ant making its way across the sidewalk!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a garden, a person notices an insect.
- JulianaOlhe aquela formiga no chão!Look at that ant on the ground!
- RodrigoEu vi, ela é bem pequena.I saw it, it is very small.
- JulianaCuidado para ela não subir em você.Be careful so it doesn't climb on you.
- RodrigoNão se preocupe, eu vou sair daqui.Don't worry, I will get out of here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ant” translations and entries formiga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries formiga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
