Which one should you use?
While queijo refers to the food, Portuguese speakers use xis or giz when they want to prompt someone to smile for a photograph, rather than using the word for the dairy product.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, Queijo de Azeitão is a notable sheep's milk cheese. In Brazil, requeijão is a common creamy spreadable cheese and Queijo Minas is a white, semi-soft cheese.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
queijo is a masculine noun. Consequently, it is preceded by the masculine definite article o (as in o queijo) rather than the feminine a. The plural form of the word is queijos. You can also use the diminutive queijinho to express affection or playfulness.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈke(j).ʒu/.
When do people say it?
When prompting someone to smile for a photograph, do not use queijo. Instead, use xis or giz.
Did you know?
- The word queijo is a cognate with the Italian cacio, which appears in the name of the famous 'cacio e pepe' pasta dish.
- The Latin root cāseum also gave rise to the Romanian word caș, showing how the word for 'cheese' spread across the entire Roman Empire.
- In Portugal, Queijo de Azeitão is protected by a designation of origin, meaning it must be produced in a specific region using traditional methods.
Examples in context
- Eu comi o queijo.I ate the cheese.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of the noun queijo in a simple past tense context.Tatoeba #421918 by brauliobezerra, translation #416554 by Scott
- Ela traz o queijo.She brings the cheese.This sentence shows how to use the noun queijo with the third-person singular verb.Tatoeba #11665991 by carlosalberto, translation #7798564 by sharris123
- O queijo é amarelo.The cheese is yellow.This sentence demonstrates how to use the noun queijo with the verb 'to be' and an adjective.Tatoeba #2778916 by Ricardo14, translation #2771791 by carlosalberto
- Amo um bom queijo!I love a good cheese!
- Queijo derretido é uma maravilha!Melted cheese is a delight!
- Queijo é o meu petisco favorito!Cheese is my favorite snack!
- 116 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are making a sandwich in the kitchen.
- MarianaRodrigo, você viu o queijo?Rodrigo, did you see the cheese?
- RodrigoSim, está na geladeira.Yes, it is in the fridge.
- MarianaVou pegar o queijo para o sanduíche.I will get the cheese for the sandwich.
- RodrigoÓtimo, eu preparo o pão.Great, I'll prepare the bread.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries queijo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
