borboleta
/boʁ.boˈle.tɐ/feminine
The English word butterfly is translated into Portuguese as borboleta. Wiktionary also lists panapaná.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| borboleta | /boʁ.boˈle.tɐ/ (Brazil) /boɾ.boˈle.tɐ/ (São Paulo) |
feminine |
| panapaná | /pa.na.paˈna/ (Brazil) /pɐ.nɐ.pɐˈna/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
The term refers to the insect.
Which one should you use?
The feminine noun borboleta refers to a single butterfly. In contrast, the masculine noun panapaná is used in Brazil to describe a large group or swarm of butterflies.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word panapaná is specific to Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun borboleta is feminine. Its plural form is borboletas.
How do you pronounce it?
/boʁ.boˈle.tɐ/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that borboleta evolved from the Vulgar Latin word belbellita, which comes from bellus, meaning 'beautiful'.
- In some Portuguese-speaking contexts, calling someone a borboleta can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is flighty or lacks focus.
- The term panapaná is an example of a regionalism, as it is used in Brazil but not in Portugal.
Examples in context
- A borboleta é um inseto.The butterfly is an insect.This sentence shows how to identify the insect using borboleta.Tatoeba #11131638 by carlosalberto, translation #11131629 by carlosalberto
- Você é uma linda borboleta.You are a beautiful butterfly.This sentence uses borboleta in a metaphorical or complimentary way.Tatoeba #4580034 by carlosalberto, translation #68974 by CM
- Peguei uma borboleta linda.I caught a beautiful butterfly.This sentence demonstrates the use of borboleta when describing an action involving the insect.Tatoeba #5283709 by carlosalberto, translation #261436 by CK
- Eu vi uma linda borboleta no jardim.I saw a beautiful butterfly in the garden.
- As asas da borboleta eram coloridas e vibrantes.The butterfly's wings were colorful and vibrant.
- Olha só essa borboletinha voando por aqui!Look at this little butterfly flying around here!
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are walking in a garden.
- GabrielOlha aquela borboleta azul!Look at that blue butterfly!
- CamilaNossa, ela é muito pequena.Wow, it is very small.
- GabrielSerá que a borboleta vai pousar aqui?I wonder if the butterfly will land here?
- CamilaAcho que ela vai voar longe.I think it will fly far away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butterfly” translations and entries borboleta, panapaná, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries borboleta, panapaná, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
