boia
/ˈbɔj.ɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for buoy is boia.
boia refers to a moored float used in water.
Meaning: moored float (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun boia is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɔj.ɐ/. The word has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian slang, boia can be used to refer to 'food' or 'snacks'.
- If a Brazilian says they are boiando during a conversation, it means they are completely lost or confused.
- The verb boiar can mean 'to cheat' in a game by making an illegal move that goes unnoticed.
Examples in context
- O capitão seguiu a boia até chegar ao porto.The captain followed the buoy until reaching the port.
- A boia está flutuando no mar.The buoy is floating in the sea.
- Vi uma boia vermelha no porto.I saw a red buoy at the port.
- A boia marca o caminho do barco.The buoy marks the boat's path.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are on a boat looking for a place to stop.
- BeatrizFelipe, você vê a boia?Felipe, do you see the buoy?
- FelipeSim, ela está logo ali.Yes, it is right there.
- BeatrizVamos amarrar o barco naquela boia.Let's tie the boat to that buoy.
- FelipeTudo bem, eu faço isso.All right, I will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buoy” translations and entries boia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
