What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of casal, meaning "couple" and fofo, which means "cute" or "fluffy".
Which one should you use?
While casal fofo specifically means "cute couple", you may also see casal bonitinho used as an expression to refer to a cute couple. In Brazil, it is very common to use casal lindo (beautiful couple) instead of fofo to express that a couple is lovely or attractive.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both casal fofo and casal bonitinho are informal expressions. Similarly, using casal lindo to mean a lovely couple is an informal choice.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you must change both the noun and the adjective to their plural forms: casais fofos.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of casal fofo is /kaˈzaw ˈfo.fu/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone fofo in Portuguese can be perceived as slightly condescending, similar to calling an adult 'precious' in English.
- The root of casal comes from the Latin casāle, which originally referred to a country house or a farm rather than a pair of people.
- The term casal is used for both heterosexual and same-sex couples in Portuguese without needing any additional modifiers.
Examples in context
- Eu tive o prazer de conhecer um casal encantador hoje.I had the pleasure of meeting a charming couple today.
- O casal adorável estava muito elegante na festa de gala.The adorable couple looked very stylish at the gala party.
- Awww, olha só esse casal fofo!Awww, look at this cute couple!
- Eles são um casal bonitinho, né?They are such a cute couple, right?
- Vi um casal bonitinho caminhando de mãos dadas no parque.I saw a cute couple strolling hand in hand in the park.
- Vocês formam um casal fofo!You guys make a cute couple!
- Vi um casal fofo no parque.I saw a cute couple in the park.
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are looking at a photo on social media.
- MarianaOlha essa foto, Gabriel!Look at this photo, Gabriel!
- GabrielNossa, eles são um casal fofo.Wow, they are a cute couple.
- MarianaVerdade, são muito bonitos.True, they are very beautiful.
- GabrielEu concordo com você.I agree with you.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (casal, fofo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries casal, fofo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
