ônibus
/ˈõ.ni.bus/Brazil, masculine
The Portuguese word for bus is ônibus. Wiktionary also lists machimbombo and autocarro.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
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 |
To indicate that you traveled by this mode of transport, you use the preposition de followed by the noun, forming the phrase de ônibus.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word used depends heavily on the region. In Brazil, the standard term is ônibus. In Portugal, autocarro is the traditional term, while in the Madeira region of Portugal, horário is used. In the African countries of Angola and Mozambique, the term machimbombo is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ônibus is a masculine noun. Note that the plural form of ônibus remains ônibus.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈõ.ni.bus/.
Did you know?
- The term machimbombo used in Mozambique and Angola actually traces its roots back to the English phrase 'machine pump'.
- If you call a bus an ônibus in Portugal, people will understand you, but it may sound quite foreign to their ears.
Examples in context
- É o meu ônibus.It's my bus.This sentence shows how to identify a specific bus.Tatoeba #1272301 by alexmarcelo, translation #1272300 by CK
- Lá vem o ônibus.There comes the bus.This sentence is useful for describing the arrival of a bus.Tatoeba #1201115 by alexmarcelo, translation #35414 by CK
- Eu vim de ônibus.I came by bus.This sentence demonstrates how to say you traveled by bus using the phrase de ônibus.Tatoeba #5052924 by Ricardo14, translation #2300215 by CK
- Qual é o horário do ônibus para o centro?What is the timetable for the bus to downtown?
- Eu peguei o ônibus para ir ao trabalho.I took the bus to go to work.
- 730 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are waiting at a bus stop.
- FelipeVocê sabe que horas passa o próximo ônibus?Do you know what time the next bus comes?
- JulianaAcho que o ônibus chega em cinco minutos.I think the bus arrives in five minutes.
- FelipeÓtimo, eu estou com muita pressa.Great, I am in a big hurry.
- JulianaNão se preocupe, Felipe, ele já está vindo.Don't worry, Felipe, it is already coming.
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.
