homem das cavernas
/ˈõ.mẽj̃ das kaˈvɛʁ.nɐs/masculine
The English word "caveman" is translated into Portuguese as homem das cavernas. Wiktionary also lists cavernícola.
Meaning: early humans or related species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| homem das cavernas | /ˈõ.mẽj̃ das kaˈvɛʁ.nɐs/ (Brazil) | masculine |
| cavernícola | /ka.veʁˈni.ko.lɐ/ (Brazil) /ka.veɾˈni.ko.lɐ/ (São Paulo) |
feminine, masculine |
Both terms refer to early humans or related species.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase homem das cavernas is a literal translation of "man of the caves".
Which one should you use?
homem das cavernas is the standard way to say "caveman". In contrast, cavernícola is a more technical or descriptive term that means "cave dweller".
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of homem das cavernas, change the noun homem to homens to get homens das cavernas.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of homem das cavernas is /ˈõ.mẽj̃ das kaˈvɛʁ.nɐs/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, calling someone a cavernícola is a common slang term for a person who is outdated or lacks basic social manners.
- The word homem is etymologically linked to the concept of being an 'earthling' because it descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'earth'.
- The word cavernícola follows a pattern in Portuguese where the suffix -cola denotes an inhabitant, similar to the English word 'colonist'.
Examples in context
- Eu me pergunto quando um homem das cavernas disse algo assim.I wonder when a caveman said something like this.This sentence uses the form homem das cavernas.Tatoeba #10101841 by carlosalberto, translation #10101837 by carlosalberto
- Aquela frase é absolutamente intraduzível em Toki Pona. Um homem das cavernas não teria a mínima ideia do que ela significa.That phrase is absolutely untranslatable into Toki Pona. A caveman would have no idea what it means.Tatoeba #10099102 by carlosalberto, translation #10099100 by carlosalberto
- O evento retrata a vida pré-histórica do homem das cavernasThe event portrays the prehistoric life of cavemen
- Descobertas arqueológicas revelaram a presença de homens das cavernas na regiãoArchaeological discoveries revealed the presence of cavemen in the region
- Ele se comporta como um verdadeiro trogloditaHe behaves like a real caveman
- Os antigos habitantes da área eram conhecidos como homens das cavernas.The ancient inhabitants of the area were known as cavemen.
- Aquele cara é um verdadeiro troglodita!That guy is a real caveman!
- O filme mostra como vivia um homem das cavernas.The movie shows how a caveman used to live.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are visiting a natural history museum.
- BeatrizOlha que interessante este homem das cavernas!Look how interesting this caveman is!
- GabrielEle parece ser muito forte, Beatriz.He seems to be very strong, Beatriz.
- BeatrizImagine como era a vida dele.Imagine what his life was like.
- GabrielDevia ser bem difícil sobreviver naquela época.It must have been very hard to survive back then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “caveman” translations and entries homem das cavernas, cavernícola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries homem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
