Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asno | /ˈaz.nu/ (Brazil) /ˈaʒ.nu/ (Rio de Janeiro) /ˈaʒ.nu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| jerico | /ʒiˈɾi.ku/ (Brazil) /ʒeˈɾi.ku/ (Brazil) /ʒɨˈɾi.ku/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| jegue | /ˈʒɛ.ɡi/ (Brazil) /ˈʒɛ.ɡɨ/ (Portugal) /ˈʒɛ.ɡɨ/ (Portugal, Southern) |
masculine |
| jumento | /ʒuˈmẽ.tu/ (Brazil) /ʒuˈmẽ.tu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| burro | /ˈbu.ʁu/ (Brazil) /ˈbu.ʁu/ (Rio de Janeiro) /ˈbu.ʁu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The terms in Portuguese all refer to the domestic animal known as a donkey. While burro is the most common and standard term, it also carries a figurative meaning when used to describe a person's lack of intelligence.
Which one should you use?
Burro is the standard term for the animal, but it can also be used as a figurative insult regarding intelligence. Asno is a more formal way to refer to the animal. Jumento and jegue are also used for the animal, with jegue having a more colloquial tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Burro is the common, standard term. Asno is a formal term mostly used in literature, technical contexts or written materials. Jegue is a colloquial term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Northeast region of Brazil, it is common to use jegue instead of burro or jumento.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈbu.ʁu/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using burro to describe a person, be aware that you are calling them unintelligent rather than referring to the animal.
Did you know?
- The word jegue is believed by some to possibly originate from the English word 'jackass'.
- Portuguese has five distinct nouns for a donkey, allowing speakers to shift between technical, literary, standard and highly colloquial registers.
- While burro is used for the animal, it is also the root for the word burrice, which describes the abstract concept of stupidity.
Examples in context
- Eu não tenho um burro.I don't have a donkey.This sentence is useful for practicing the negation with burro.Tatoeba #8871816 by lucasmg123, translation #7113852 by CM
- Aquele não é um cavalo, é um burro.That's not a horse. It's a donkey.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between a horse and a burro.Tatoeba #1825464 by gleydin, translation #8819179 by shekitten
- Meu burro é mais rápido que seu carro.My donkey is faster than your car.This sentence is useful for comparing the speed of a burro to a car.Tatoeba #11632705 by carlosalberto, translation #11632680 by carlosalberto
- O animal abanava a cauda, parecia um burroThe animal wagged its tail, it looked like a donkey
- Os agricultores utilizam o asno para transportar cargaFarmers use the donkey for transporting goods
- O jumento é conhecido por sua teimosiaThe donkey is known for its stubbornness
- Olha só o burrinho, tão adorávelLook at the little donkey, so adorable
- Ele carregava a carga com a ajuda do jegueHe carried the load with the help of the donkey
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are visiting a farm.
- RodrigoOlha, Camila! Aquele burro é muito fofo.Look, Camila! That donkey is very cute.
- CamilaEle é, Rodrigo. Posso dar comida para ele?He is, Rodrigo. Can I feed him?
- RodrigoNão sei, melhor perguntar ao dono do burro.I don't know, better ask the owner of the donkey.
- CamilaVocê tem razão. Vou perguntar agora.You are right. I will ask now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations and entries asno, jerico, jegue, jumento, burro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asno, jegue, jerico, jumento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
