capitão
/ka.piˈtɐ̃w̃/masculine
The English word "captain" is translated into Portuguese as capitão.
capitão refers to a person who is lawfully in command of a sea-going vessel. If you wish to describe the action of exercising command, you can use the related verb pilotar.
Meaning: the person lawfully in command of a sea-going vessel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While capitão is the standard term for a sea captain, the term comandante is often used to address the person in charge in maritime or aviation contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term comandante is commonly used in the context of aviation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is capitão, and its plural is capitães. If the captain is female, use the feminine form capitã.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.piˈtɐ̃w̃/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese phrase dar o braço ao capitão is sometimes used to describe following orders without question.
- The word capitão shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'capital', as both stem from the Latin 'caput', meaning 'head'.
- If you are talking about a captain of a soccer team in Brazil or Portugal, you would use capitão rather than a term related to sailing.
Examples in context
- Tom é o capitão.Tom is the captain.This sentence is useful for identifying Tom as the capitão.Tatoeba #4822783 by Ricardo14, translation #2273543 by CK
- Este é o capitão.This is the captain.This sentence is useful for pointing out the capitão.Tatoeba #3490214 by piterkeo, translation #2548145 by CK
- Você é o capitão.You're the captain.This sentence is useful for addressing someone as the capitão.Tatoeba #4850487 by Ricardo14, translation #2218423 by CK
- Bom dia, Capitão. Estou aqui para lhe entregar o relatório do incidente.Good morning, Captain. I'm here to give you the incident report.
- Capitão, podemos prosseguir com a próxima etapa da operação?Captain, can we proceed with the next phase of the operation?
- Senhor Comandante, a tripulação está pronta para decolar.Mr. Captain, the crew is ready for takeoff.
- Comandante, solicito a autorização para atracar no porto.Captain, I request permission to dock at the port.
- Obrigado por liderar a equipe, capitão!Thank you for leading the team, captain!
- Capitão, qual é a jogada para o próximo jogo?Captain, what's the plan for the next game?
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are talking about a historical movie.
- GabrielO capitão é o herói do filme.The captain is the hero of the movie.
- MarianaEle parece um capitão muito bravo.He looks like a very angry captain.
- GabrielSim, o capitão é muito sério.Yes, the captain is very serious.
- MarianaEu gosto da história do capitão.I like the captain's story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “captain” translations and entries capitão, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries capitão, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
