manjericão
/mɐ̃.ʒe.ɾiˈkɐ̃w̃/masculine
The English word "basil" is manjericão in Portuguese. Wiktionary also lists alfavaca.
Meaning: herb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| manjericão | /mɐ̃.ʒe.ɾiˈkɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /mɐ̃.ʒɨ.ɾiˈkɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| alfavaca | /aw.faˈva.kɐ/ (Brazil) /al.fɐˈva.kɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
Both terms refer to the herb basil. You may also encounter manjericão-rajado to specifically describe basil with variegated leaves. Note that the related name Basílio refers to a male given name and is not the herb itself.
Which one should you use?
manjericão is the standard term for the herb, while alfavaca is a more traditional or regional synonym. manjericão is a masculine noun, whereas alfavaca is feminine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Brazil, the word alfavaca is used to refer to basil.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because manjericão is a masculine noun, it is preceded by the masculine article o (o manjericão) instead of the feminine article a used with alfavaca.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the fourth syllable: /mɐ̃.ʒe.ɾiˈkɐ̃w̃/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian folk traditions, planting manjericão near the front door is believed to attract prosperity and positive energy into the home.
- The term alfavaca comes directly from the Arabic word al-ḥabaq.
- The synonym alfavaca is frequently used in traditional Portuguese spiritual baths intended to cleanse the soul.
Examples in context
- Aqui, os miúdos cuidam de uma variedade de hortas, como o Jardim da Piza, onde eles cultivam alho, manjericão, tomate e outros ingredientes de piza.The kids here tend a variety of plots, such as the Pizza Garden, where they grow garlic, basil, tomatoes and other ingredients for pizza.This sentence shows how children might grow manjericão in a garden.Tatoeba #11113248 by Cangarejo, translation #11113245 by Cangarejo
- Em experiências de laboratório, o grupo de pesquisadores testou uma variedade de óleos essenciais derivados de oito plantas, incluindo o tomilho, o manjericão, a hortelã-pimenta e a canela.In laboratory experiments, the research group tested a variety of essential oils from eight plants, including thyme, basil, peppermint and cinnamon.This sentence illustrates the use of manjericão in a scientific context involving essential oils.Tatoeba #11372708 by Cangarejo, translation #11372707 by Cangarejo
- Desde 1 de junho, quando o programa começou, cerca de 500 frascos de manjericão, queijo, pinhões e molho de azeite já foram autorizados a passar através da segurança, disseram as autoridades aeroportuárias.Since June 1, when the program started, some 500 jars of the basil, cheese, pine nut and olive oil sauce have already been allowed to pass through security, airport officials said.This sentence describes the transport of manjericão through airport security.Tatoeba #11165200 by Cangarejo, translation #11165199 by Cangarejo
- Este prato é delicioso com manjericão.This dish is delicious with basil.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are cooking dinner in a kitchen.
- MarianaVocê precisa de manjericão para a massa?Do you need basil for the pasta?
- LucasSim, eu vou buscar o manjericão na horta.Yes, I am going to get the basil from the garden.
- MarianaO manjericão está bem fresco hoje.The basil is very fresh today.
- LucasÓtimo, ele vai ficar muito cheiroso.Great, it is going to smell wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basil” translations and entries manjericão, alfavaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alfavaca, manjericão, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
