palavrões
The English phrase "curse words" is translated into Portuguese as palavrões.
palavrões is used to refer to profanity, vulgarities or swear words. If you want to express the action of swearing or using curse words, you can use the phrase falar palavrão, which combines the verb falar (to speak) with the noun.
Which one should you use?
While the word palavras means "words" in a neutral, general sense, palavrões specifically denotes profanity or vulgar language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is palavrão, meaning "curse word".
Did you know?
- The word palavrão is a diminutive-turned-augmentative, where the suffix '-ão' literally means 'big' or 'large'. Therefore, a palavrão is etymologically a 'big word'.
- While 'palavrões' refers to the words themselves, the act of cursing is often described as 'xingar', a verb that carries a much more aggressive and personal connotation than simply 'falar palavrões'.
- In many Portuguese-speaking households, parents might use 'palavras feias' (ugly words) as a softer, more polite way to refer to 'palavrões' when speaking to young children.
Examples in context
- Que saco!What a drag!
- Isso é uma droga!This is awful!
- Estou de saco cheio!I'm fed up!
- Merda!Shit!
- Puta que pariu!Holy shit!
- Caraca!Wow!
- Caramba!Wow!/Damn!
- Ele não gosta de falar palavrões.He does not like to say curse words.
- Eu ouvi muitos palavrões no filme.I heard many curse words in the movie.
- Evite usar palavrões durante a reunião.Avoid using curse words during the meeting.
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are discussing a new TV show.
- JulianaRodrigo, você gostou da série?Rodrigo, did you like the series?
- RodrigoA história é boa, mas tem muitos palavrões.The story is good, but there are many curse words.
- JulianaEu também achei os palavrões um pouco exagerados.I also thought the curse words were a bit excessive.
- RodrigoÉ verdade, Juliana, incomoda um pouco.It's true, Juliana, it's a bit annoying.
