cabo
/ˈka.bu/masculine
The Portuguese word for cable is cabo. Wiktionary also lists fio.
Meaning: assembly of wires for electricity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cabo | /ˈka.bu/ (Brazil) /ˈka.bu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| fio | /ˈfi.u/ (Brazil) /ˈfiw/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
cabo refers to a cable, specifically a thick, multi-wire assembly or heavy-duty cable. It is the standard term used in technical contexts, such as when referring to an HDMI or power cable. fio is used to refer to a wire or a single thin strand.
Which one should you use?
Use cabo when talking about a thick, multi-wire assembly or a heavy-duty cable. In contrast, use fio when referring to a single thin wire, a simple strand or a simple electrical cord.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both cabo and fio are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈka.bu/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use fio for everything, but calling a thick industrial cable a fio sounds unnatural in Portuguese. Use cabo for thicker assemblies.
Did you know?
- A Portuguese speaker might use the word cabo to refer to a military rank, specifically an ' corporal'.
- When talking about the handle of a tool, such as a broom or a knife, Portuguese speakers use the word cabo.
- Because of its origin from 'caput', meaning 'head', the word cabo is also used in Portuguese to mean 'promontory' or 'cape' in a geographical context.
Examples in context
- O fio não está eletrizado.The cable is not electrified.This sentence is useful for describing the state of an electrical wire using fio.Tatoeba #1157846 by alexmarcelo, translation #2758835 by mervert1
- Esta tevê não vem com cabo HDMI.This TV doesn't come with an HDMI cable.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific type of cable using cabo.Tatoeba #8471089 by bill, translation #3669232 by Hybrid
- Este cabo tem uma força tremenda.This cable has a tremendous strength.This sentence is useful for describing the strength of a cable using cabo.Tatoeba #3877529 by muriloricci, translation #3877523 by Amastan
- O cabo de alta tensão precisa ser substituído.The high-voltage cable needs to be replaced.
- Por favor, envie o orçamento para o cabo elétrico.Please send the quote for the electrical cable.
- Não consigo encontrar o fio do meu carregador.I can't find the cable for my charger.
- Onde está o cabo telefônico?Where is the telephone cable?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are setting up a computer in the living room.
- CamilaGabriel, você viu o cabo deste monitor?Gabriel, have you seen this monitor's cable?
- GabrielAcho que o cabo está na gaveta.I think the cable is in the drawer.
- CamilaEncontrei! Ele estava debaixo do papel.I found it! It was under the paper.
- GabrielÓtimo, agora podemos ligar tudo.Great, now we can plug everything in.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cable” translations and entries cabo, fio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
