químico
/ˈkĩ.mi.ku/masculine
The English word chemist is translated into Portuguese as químico. Wiktionary also lists química.
Meaning: person working in chemistry (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| químico | /ˈkĩ.mi.ku/ (Brazil) /ˈki.mi.ku/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| química | /ˈkĩ.mi.kɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈki.mi.kɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
The term refers to a person who works in the field of chemistry. You can also use the formal expression especialista em química to mean a specialist in chemistry. Note that the terms farmacêutico/farmacêutica typically denote a professional who works in a pharmacy.
Which one should you use?
The form químico is used when referring to a male chemist or to the profession in a general sense. Use química to refer specifically to a female chemist. Be aware that química can also mean the field of 'chemistry' depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form química is used when referring to a female chemist.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈkĩ.mi.ku/.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, if you ask for a químico in a beauty salon, you are likely referring to a professional who specializes in chemical hair straightening.
- While químico refers to the scientist, the Portuguese word for 'chemistry' as a romantic spark between two people is also química.
- The term químico shares an ancient linguistic lineage with the Arabic word 'al-kīmiyāʔ', which was a key bridge for scientific terms entering Romance languages.
Examples in context
- O que o químico descobriu é assustador.What the chemist discovered is scary.This sentence shows the use of químico to describe a discovery.Tatoeba #11543693 by carlosalberto, translation #11543686 by carlosalberto
- O químico Charles Cantrell analisou as propriedades do fumo e identificou uma série de substâncias ativas que repelem os insetos, incluindo pela primeira vez, segundo ele triglicéridos, um tipo de gordura.Chemist Charles Cantrell analyzed properties of the smoke and identified a number of active compounds that repel insects, including for the first time, he says triglycerides, a type of fat.This sentence uses químico to identify a specific person's profession.Tatoeba #10899183 by Cangarejo, translation #10899182 by Cangarejo
- Cientistas da Universidade de Warwick em Inglaterra, liderados pelo químico David Haddleton, desenvolveram este penso quadrado com cinco centímetros que contém um adesivo polimérico especial impregnado com o analgésico.Scientists at the University of Warwick in England, led by chemist David Haddleton, developed the five-centimeter square bandage that contains a special polymer adhesive infused with the painkiller.This sentence uses químico to identify the leader of a group of scientists.Tatoeba #11180610 by Cangarejo, translation #11180609 by Cangarejo
- O João é um renomado químico.João is a renowned chemist.
- A Juliana é uma química de laboratório muito talentosa.Juliana is a very talented laboratory chemist.
- O Pedro é um conceituado químico orgânico.Pedro is a renowned organic chemist.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are talking about Gabriel's career goals.
- JulianaO que você quer ser quando crescer, Gabriel?What do you want to be when you grow up, Gabriel?
- GabrielEu quero ser um químico.I want to be a chemist.
- JulianaIsso é ótimo! Você gosta de ciência?That's great! Do you like science?
- GabrielSim, eu amo a química.Yes, I love chemistry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chemist” translations and entries químico, química, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries química, químico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
