leite frio
/ˈlej.t͡ʃi ˈfɾi.u/word by word
In Portuguese, "cold milk" is leite frio.
The phrase is used to describe milk that has a low temperature.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because leite is a masculine noun, the adjective must also be masculine. To express the plural "cold milks", both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix, resulting in leites frios.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈlej.tʃi ˈfɾi.u/. The stress is on the first syllable of the four total syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying leite fria. Because leite is a masculine noun, the adjective must be in the masculine form frio rather than the feminine fria.
Did you know?
- While leite frio describes temperature, the Portuguese word leite is used in the term leite de tigre, which is actually a spicy citrus marinade used for Peruvian ceviche and contains no milk at all.
- While leite is masculine in Portuguese and Italian, its close relative in Spanish leche is feminine.
- In Brazil, you will often find leite condensado as a staple in desserts, which is an incredibly sweet, thickened milk very different from leite frio.
Examples in context
- Por favor, um copo de leite frio, por gentileza.Please, a glass of cold milk, please.
- Eu gosto de leite frio no café.I like cold milk in my coffee.
- O leite frio está na geladeira.The cold milk is in the refrigerator.
- Você quer leite frio ou quente?Do you want cold milk or hot?
Example conversation
In a kitchen during breakfast.
- JulianaGabriel, você quer leite frio?Gabriel, do you want cold milk?
- GabrielNão, eu prefiro leite quente.No, I prefer hot milk.
- JulianaTudo bem, eu vou esquentar o seu.Alright, I will heat yours up.
- GabrielObrigado, Juliana.Thanks, Juliana.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (leite, frio) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frio, leite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
