vaca
/ˈva.kɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for cow is vaca.
The term vaca refers to the adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Which one should you use?
While vaca is used for the female, the term touro is used to refer to a bull.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In many Portuguese-speaking regions, vaca is used as an informal and highly offensive insult directed at women, similar to the English word 'bitch'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the word plural, change vaca to vacas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈva.kɐ/.
When do people say it?
Be aware that calling a woman vaca is a common, highly offensive insult in many regions.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the phrase vaca is sometimes used in a non-offensive way to describe a 'potluck' fund or a communal pool of money, known as fazer uma vaca.
- The word vaca shares the same Latin root as the English word 'vaccine', which comes from vacca because the first vaccines were derived from cowpox.
- The expression tirar leite de pedra describes trying to get something from someone who has nothing, literally meaning 'to milk stone' instead of a vaca.
Examples in context
- Tom tem uma vaca.Tom has a cow.This sentence shows how to express possession of a vaca.Tatoeba #4230454 by ajdavidl, translation #2915483 by sabretou
- Eu tenho uma vaca.I have a cow.Tatoeba #2777850 by Ricardo14, translation #2777841 by CM
- Eu ordenhei a vaca.I milked the cow.This sentence demonstrates an action performed on a vaca.Tatoeba #4230449 by ajdavidl, translation #2719515 by Amastan
- Eu vi uma vaca no campo.I saw a cow in the field.
- É tão dócil quanto uma vaca.It's as docile as a cow.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are visiting a farm.
- JulianaFelipe, olhe aquela vaca!Felipe, look at that cow!
- FelipeEla é muito bonita, Juliana.She is very beautiful, Juliana.
- JulianaA vaca parece estar com fome.The cow looks like she is hungry.
- FelipeSim, ela está comendo grama.Yes, she is eating grass.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries vaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
