Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ônibus | /ˈõ.ni.bus/ (Brazil) /ˈõ.ni.buʃ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
Brazil, masculine |
| machimbombo | /ma.ʃĩˈbõ.bu/ (Brazil) /mɐ.ʃĩˈbõ.bu/ (Portugal) |
Angola, Mozambique, masculine |
| autocarro | /ˌaw.toˈka.ʁu/ (Brazil) /ˌaw.toˈka.ʁu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
Portugal, masculine |
| horário | /oˈɾa.ɾju/ (Brazil) /ɔˈɾa.ɾju/ (Portugal) |
Madeira, Portugal |
Note that in specific contexts, one form may actually refer to a schedule rather than the vehicle itself.
Which one should you use?
While ônibus is the standard term in Brazil, autocarro is the standard term in Portugal. In Angola and Mozambique, the term machimbombo is commonly used. Be careful with horário, as this word means "schedule" rather than the vehicle itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, use ônibus. In Portugal, use autocarro. In Angola and Mozambique, use machimbombo. In Madeira and Portugal, horário is used to refer to a schedule.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you traveled by a specific mode of transport, such as "by bus", use the preposition de before the noun, for example de ônibus.
How do you pronounce it?
The word ônibus is pronounced /ˈõ.ni.bus/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use horário to refer to the vehicle. Use it only when you are talking about a schedule.
Did you know?
- In Mozambique and Angola, the word machimbombo is used for a bus, but its origins are a linguistic evolution of the English phrase 'machine pump'.
Examples in context
- É o meu ônibus.It's my bus.This sentence is useful for identifying your specific bus using ônibus.Tatoeba #1272301 by alexmarcelo, translation #1272300 by CK
- Lá vem o ônibus.There comes the bus.This sentence is useful for noting the arrival of the ônibus.Tatoeba #1201115 by alexmarcelo, translation #35414 by CK
- Eu vim de ônibus.I came by bus.This sentence is useful for explaining your method of travel using ônibus.Tatoeba #5052924 by Ricardo14, translation #2300215 by CK
- O autocarro para Lisboa sai em cinco minutosThe bus to Lisbon departs in five minutes
- Onde fica a paragem de autocarro?Where is the bus stop?
- Quanto custa um bilhete de autocarro?How much is a bus ticket?
- Hoje, vou apanhar o autocarro para Braga.Today, I will catch the bus to Braga.
- Vamos de autocarro para a praia amanhã?Are we going to the beach by bus tomorrow?
- 730 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are waiting at a bus stop in the city.
- JulianaO ônibus está atrasado hoje.The bus is late today.
- FelipeAcho que o ônibus já passou.I think the bus already passed.
- JulianaFelipe, você viu o ônibus azul?Felipe, did you see the blue bus?
- FelipeNão vi nenhum ônibus por aqui.I didn't see any bus around here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bus” translations and entries ônibus, machimbombo, autocarro, horário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries autocarro, horário, machimbombo, ônibus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
