Which one should you use?
While parceiro can be used in both social and professional settings, it is primarily used as an informal way to address a friend, similar to the English terms buddy or mate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, parceiro serves as an informal way to address a friend. In certain urban areas of Brazil, you may also encounter the slang term mano used between friends or the informal term chapa in specific regions like Rio de Janeiro.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word chapa is an informal term used to address friends in some regions of Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number: use parceira when referring to a female buddy or partner, and use the plural parceiros when referring to a group of males or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /paʁˈse(j).ɾu/.
When do people say it?
In Brazil, people sometimes even use the English word brother to address their friends casually.
Did you know?
- If you are in Rio de Janeiro and want to sound like a local 'buddy', you might use cara instead. While it literally means 'face', it is used almost exactly like the English 'guy' or 'dude'.
- The word parceiro comes from the Latin 'partire', which means 'to divide'. This highlights the historical idea that a buddy is someone you divide or share things with.
- In some parts of Brazil, calling someone camarada is a way to say 'buddy', but it carries a much stronger connotation of political comrade or a very reliable companion.
Examples in context
- Que é isso, parceiro?What's that, buddy?This sentence is useful for seeing how to address a friend using parceiro.Tatoeba #1822502 by alexmarcelo, translation #2882360 by mervert1
- Bom dia, amigoGood morning, buddy
- E aí, brother?Hey, buddy?
- Vamos sair hoje à noite, parceiro?Are we going out tonight, buddy?
- E aí, mano? Como você está?Hey, buddy? How are you?
- Tudo bem, parceiro?Everything okay, buddy?
- Ele é um grande parceiro.He is a great buddy.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila meet at a coffee shop.
- GabrielOi, Camila! Como vai, parceiro?Hi, Camila! How's it going, buddy?
- CamilaTudo ótimo, Gabriel! E você?Everything is great, Gabriel! And you?
- GabrielTudo certo. Vamos tomar um café?All good. Shall we have a coffee?
- CamilaClaro, vamos sim!Sure, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry parceiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parceiro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
