pulgão
/puwˈɡɐ̃w̃/masculine
The English word aphid translates to Portuguese as pulgão. Wiktionary also lists afídeo.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pulgão | /puwˈɡɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /puˈɡɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| afídeo | /aˈfi.d͡ʒju/ (Brazil) /ɐˈfi.dju/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The word refers to the insect known as an aphid.
Which one should you use?
While pulgão is the common term, afídeo is a more formal or scientific term used in entomology or academic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural of the common term pulgão, add -ões to the end to get pulgões. For the scientific term afídeo, form the plural by adding -s to the end to get afídeos.
How do you pronounce it?
/puwˈɡɐ̃w̃/
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word pulgão is formed by taking pulga, meaning 'flea', and adding the suffix -ão.
- The suffix -ão in pulgão is an augmentative, suggesting the insect is a 'big flea'.
- Portuguese and Spanish share a very similar word for aphid, pulgón, reflecting their shared Galician-Portuguese roots.
Examples in context
- Pulgões estão infestando minha plantação. Preciso de uma solução imediata.Aphids are infesting my plantation. I need an immediate solution.
- A horta está sofrendo com uma praga de afídeos. Precisamos tomar medidas para controlá-los.The vegetable garden is suffering from an aphid infestation. We need to take measures to control them.
- Tem um pulgão na folha.There is an aphid on the leaf.
- O pulgão está destruindo a planta.The aphid is destroying the plant.
- Eu vi um pulgão no jardim.I saw an aphid in the garden.
Example conversation
In a garden, Juliana is looking at her plants.
- JulianaLucas, olha esse pulgão aqui.Lucas, look at this aphid here.
- LucasNossa, ele é bem pequeno.Wow, it is very small.
- JulianaPreciso tirar o pulgão das flores.I need to remove the aphid from the flowers.
- LucasEu te ajudo com isso.I will help you with that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aphid” translations and entries pulgão, afídeo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pulgão, CC BY-SA 4.0.
