pãozinho
/ˌpɐ̃w̃ˈzĩ.ɲu/
The Portuguese term for bread roll is pãozinho.
pãozinho is used to refer to a miniature round loaf of bread.
Meaning: miniature round loaf of bread (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a diminutive of pão (bread), created by adding the suffix -zinho, which literally translates to "little bread".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the northern regions of Portugal, the informal term carcaça is used to mean bread roll.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, pãezinhos is used. A z is added to the root to facilitate the transition to the suffix.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpɐ̃w̃ˈzĩ.ɲu/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The term carcaça used in northern Portugal literally means 'carcass' or 'shell', referring to the hollow, crunchy nature of the roll.
- In Brazil, pãozinho is often used as a shorthand for pão francês, which is the standard crusty roll found in every neighborhood bakery.
- Portuguese uses the diminutive -zinho far more frequently in daily speech than English uses 'little', often applying it to objects to make the tone more polite.
Examples in context
- Eu comprei um pãozinho fresquinho.I bought a fresh bread roll.
- Você quer um pãozinho para o café?Do you want a bread roll for breakfast?
- O pãozinho estava muito quentinho.The bread roll was very warm.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are at a bakery.
- BeatrizLucas, veja aquele pãozinho na vitrine!Lucas, look at that bread roll in the window!
- LucasEle parece delicioso, Beatriz.It looks delicious, Beatriz.
- BeatrizVamos levar um pãozinho para cada um?Shall we take one bread roll each?
- LucasSim, vamos pedir dois.Yes, let's order two.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pãozinho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
