curioso
/ku.ɾiˈo.zu/masculine
The English phrase 'curious' is translated into Portuguese as curioso.
curioso is used to describe someone who is tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate. It can also be used to describe something that is strange or odd, such as a curious coincidence.
Meaning: tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate (adj)
Which one should you use?
While curioso can mean 'inquisitive' (a person wanting to know things), it can also mean 'strange' or 'odd' when describing a situation or object, similar to the English 'that's a curious coincidence'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person or object being described, so use the feminine form curiosa for women or feminine nouns. The masculine plural form curiosos is used when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The feminine plural form curiosas is used when describing a group consisting only of women or feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku.ɾiˈo.zu/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the phrase curioso can be used as a noun to describe a 'rubbernecker' or a bystander who stops to watch a car accident or street fight.
- In certain contexts, curioso can be used to mean 'skillful' or 'elaborate' when describing a piece of art or a handmade object.
- The word curioso is inherited from the Latin cūriōsus, which originally meant 'full of care' or 'careful' rather than 'inquisitive'.
Examples in context
- Eu não sou curioso.I am not curious.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form of curioso.Tatoeba #2440679 by MarlonX19, translation #1109699 by Leedihuzur
- Isso não é curioso?Isn't that curious?This sentence shows how to use curioso to describe a situation as strange.Tatoeba #3762997 by Ricardo14, translation #3738575 by CK
- Eu só estou curioso.I'm just curious.This sentence is useful for expressing a reason for asking a question using curioso.Tatoeba #2150465 by MarlonX19, translation #1654215 by Spamster
- Estou curioso para ver o resultado desse experimento.I'm curious to see the results of this experiment.
- Ele é um professor indagador, sempre fazendo perguntas instigantes aos alunos.He is an inquisitive teacher, always asking thought-provoking questions to his students.
- Fiquei curiosa para saber o que aconteceu.I got curious to know what happened.
- Ela é uma xereta nata, sempre querendo saber tudo sobre os outros.She is a born busybody, always wanting to know everything about others.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe asks Mariana about a mysterious package on the table.
- FelipeO que tem nessa caixa? Estou muito curioso!What is in that box? I am very curious!
- MarianaÉ um presente para o meu pai, Felipe.It is a gift for my father, Felipe.
- FelipeEu sou curioso, me deixa ver!I am curious, let me see!
- MarianaNão, você precisa ter paciência.No, you need to be patient.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curious” translations and entries curioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curioso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
