Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vaqueiro | /vaˈke(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /vɐˈkɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| caubói | /kawˈbɔj/ (Brazil) /kawˈbɔj/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
Both terms refer to a person who tends cattle, but they are used in different contexts. Vaqueiro is the standard term for a traditional cattle herder or someone working in rural ranching. Caubói is a loanword used specifically when referring to the American Western archetype or pop culture figures.
Which one should you use?
Use vaqueiro when discussing traditional or rural cattle herders. Use caubói when referring to the American-style cowboy often seen in movies and pop culture.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Brazilian Midwest, the term Boiadeiro is used to refer to a cattle driver or cowboy. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the term gaúcho is used to refer to cowboys.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of vaqueiro is vaqueira. The plural form of the loanword caubói is caubóis.
How do you pronounce it?
The word vaqueiro has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /vaˈke(j).ɾu/.
Did you know?
- In some regions of Brazil, vaqueiro refers specifically to those who hunt cattle in the scrublands of the Northeast, often wearing thick leather armor for protection.
- In Brazil, the term vaqueiro is deeply tied to the 'vaquejada', a traditional sport where riders try to push a bull into a fenced area.
- The Portuguese vaqueiro is a close linguistic relative of the Spanish vaquero, sharing the same Latin root and basic meaning.
Examples in context
- O caubói entrou no saloon.The cowboy entered the saloon.This sentence illustrates the use of caubói in a fictional context.Tatoeba #14023277 by carlosalberto, translation #2327629 by Hybrid
- Tom estava usando um chapéu de vaqueiro.Tom wore a cowboy hat.This sentence shows how vaqueiro is used to describe a hat.Tatoeba #6844790 by ToinhoAlam, translation #6844528 by Hybrid
- Um par de botas de vaqueiro que pertenceu a Ronald Reagan, avaliado em $ 20 mil, foi vendido por quase $ 200 mil.A pair of Ronald Reagan's cowboy boots, which were valued at $20,000, sold for almost $200,000.This sentence shows how vaqueiro is used to describe boots.Tatoeba #5475286 by ToinhoAlam, translation #5464285 by Hybrid
- Eu admiro os vaqueiros pelo trabalho árduo que fazem nas fazendas.I admire the cowboys for the hard work they do on the farms.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A woman asks a man about his uncle's job.
- RodrigoO que o seu tio faz?What does your uncle do?
- MarianaEle é um vaqueiro muito experiente.He is a very experienced cowboy.
- RodrigoEle trabalha em qual fazenda?Which farm does he work on?
- MarianaEle trabalha na fazenda da família.He works on the family farm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cowboy” translations and entries vaqueiro, caubói, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caubói, vaqueiro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
