besouro
/biˈzo(w).ɾu/masculine
The Portuguese word for beetle is besouro. Wiktionary also lists escaravelho.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| besouro | /biˈzo(w).ɾu/ (Brazil) /beˈzo(w).ɾu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| escaravelho | /is.ka.ɾaˈve.ʎu/ (Brazil) /es.ka.ɾaˈve.ʎu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
Both besouro and escaravelho are used to refer to the insect known as a beetle.
Which one should you use?
Besouro is the general and most common term used for any beetle. In contrast, escaravelho specifically refers to a scarab beetle or is used in more formal and literary contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the word carocha is a regional variation for beetle.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural, use besouros for beetles and escaravelhos for scarab beetles.
How do you pronounce it?
The word besouro is pronounced /biˈzo(w).ɾu/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word besouro may have originated from the Latin phrase avis aurea, which means 'golden bird'.
Examples in context
- Em turco, "cigarra" é "besouro de agosto".In Turkish, “cicada” means “August beetle.”This sentence is useful for seeing how besouro is used in a comparative context.Tatoeba #14029589 by carlosalberto, translation #14029629 by carlosalberto
- O Escaravelho era cego e o Morcego era ainda mais cego e eles foram tomar chá com a Cigarra.The Beetle was blind, and the Bat was blinder, and they went to take tea with the Scissors-grinder.This sentence shows the use of escaravelho in a literary context.Tatoeba #10792513 by Cangarejo, translation #10792512 by Cangarejo
- Há quase um século atrás, este pequeno e voraz besouro migrou em direção ao norte vindo da América Central, consumindo pelo caminho os campos de algodão dos EUA.Almost a century ago, this small, voracious beetle migrated north from Central America, eating its way through U.S. cotton fields.This sentence demonstrates the use of besouro when describing the behavior of a specific insect.Tatoeba #11059047 by Cangarejo, translation #11059046 by Cangarejo
- Hoje, vi um besouro raro no jardim.Today, I saw a rare beetle in the garden.
- O escaravelho é conhecido por suas cores vibrantes.The beetle is known for its vibrant colors.
- As crianças adoram joaninhas por causa de suas cores vivas.Children love ladybugs because of their vivid colors.
- Esses besourinhos são inofensivos.These little beetles are harmless.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are hiking in a forest.
- RodrigoOlha aquele besouro azul na árvore!Look at that blue beetle on the tree!
- CamilaNossa, ele é muito grande.Wow, it is very big.
- RodrigoVocê quer tirar uma foto?Do you want to take a photo?
- CamilaNão, o besouro voou para longe.No, the beetle flew away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beetle” translations and entries besouro, escaravelho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries besouro, escaravelho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
