calo
/ˈka.lu/masculine
The English phrase 'callus' is calo in Portuguese.
A calo is a hardened part of the skin. You can use the verb calejar to describe the process of skin hardening. This verb is also used figuratively to describe a person becoming emotionally toughened or desensitized.
Meaning: hardened part of the skin (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈka.lu/.
Did you know?
- In certain Portuguese expressions, to be calejado can imply being an 'old hand' or an expert at a difficult task through sheer repetition.
- The root of calo is found in the Proto-Indo-European reconstruction *kal, which is thought to be the same ancestor for words related to 'hard' or 'tough' across several different language families.
- In some Brazilian dialects, the term calo is used colloquially to refer to a clumsy or awkward person.
Examples in context
- Eu tenho um calo no pé.I have a callus on my foot.
- Ela sofre de calosidades nas mãos devido ao intenso trabalho manual.She suffers from calluses on her hands due to intense manual labor.
- Ele tem calos nos pés por causa da caminhada.He has calluses on his feet because of the hike.
- Esse calo está muito dolorido.This callus is very painful.
- O calo surgiu por causa do sapato.The callus appeared because of the shoe.
Example conversation
Juliana notices Rodrigo is walking with a limp.
- JulianaRodrigo, você está mancando de novo?Rodrigo, are you limping again?
- RodrigoSim, eu estou com um calo enorme.Yes, I have a huge callus.
- JulianaVocê deve usar um sapato mais confortável.You should wear more comfortable shoes.
- RodrigoEu vou tentar, Juliana.I will try, Juliana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “callus” translations and entries calo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
