peito
/ˈpej.tu/masculine
The English word 'chest' (referring to the thorax) is translated into Portuguese as peito or tórax.
Meaning: thorax (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| peito | /ˈpej.tu/ (Brazil) /ˈpɐj.tu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| tórax | /ˈtɔ.ɾaks/ (Brazil) /ˈtɔ.ɾaks/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
It can be used in idiomatic expressions such as encher o peito, which means to puff out one's chest to display confidence or bater no peito, which means to thump one's chest to boast or show off.
Which one should you use?
tórax is a formal term for chest used in medical and scientific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you have pain 'in the chest', Portuguese uses the contraction no (a combination of em and o), as in the phrase dor no peito.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpej.tu/
Did you know?
- When referring to a 'chest' as a piece of furniture for storage, Portuguese does not use peito or tórax but instead uses baú.
- The phrase ter peito does not refer to anatomy, but describes someone who has the courage or nerve to do something.
- The word tórax has a connection to ancient warfare, as it originates from the Greek word for a 'breastplate' or 'cuirass' worn by soldiers.
Examples in context
- Tenho dor no peito.I have a pain in my chest.This sentence is useful for expressing physical pain in the chest using peito.Tatoeba #964826 by alexmarcelo, translation #436637 by lukaszpp
- Tom levou um tiro no peito.Tom was shot in the chest.This sentence shows how to describe an injury to the chest using peito.Tatoeba #3433648 by piterkeo, translation #3431165 by CK
- Eu estou com uma dor aguda no peito.I have a sharp pain in my chest.This sentence illustrates how to describe a sharp pain in the chest using peito.Tatoeba #4246814 by KimiP, translation #18953 by CK
- O médico examinou o seu tóraxThe doctor examined your chest
- Ele colocou a mão no peito para verificar os batimentos cardíacosHe placed his hand on his chest to check his heartbeat
- Ai, meu peito dói muitoOuch, my chest hurts a lot
- O médico pediu um exame de imagem para avaliar o seu tóraxThe doctor requested an imaging test to evaluate your chest
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz is checking Rodrigo's injury after he fell.
- BeatrizVocê sentiu o impacto no peito?Did you feel the impact in your chest?
- RodrigoSim, meu peito está doendo um pouco.Yes, my chest is hurting a little.
- BeatrizVou examinar o seu peito com cuidado.I am going to examine your chest carefully.
- RodrigoObrigado, Beatriz.Thank you, Beatriz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chest” translations and entries peito, tórax, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries peito, tórax, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
