babar
/baˈba(ʁ)/
To drool in Portuguese is babar. Wiktionary also lists salivar.
Meaning: to secrete saliva (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| babar | /baˈba(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /baˈba(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| salivar | /sa.liˈva(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /sa.liˈva(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The primary meaning of these terms is to secrete saliva. The noun baba refers to the actual liquid (drool, spit or saliva) and serves as the root for the verb babar.
Which one should you use?
While both babar and salivar mean to secrete saliva, babar is the common, everyday way to say 'to drool'. In contrast, salivar is a more formal or technical term equivalent to 'to salivate' in English.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈba(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- The expression babar o ovo, which literally means 'to drool over the egg', is a common way to describe someone who is sycophantic or constantly flattering a boss.
- The word baba refers not only to drool but is also used in some regions to describe the sticky sap of certain plants.
- In Portuguese, you can use the verb babar to describe someone who is 'drooling' over an object or a person, meaning they are expressing extreme desire or admiration.
Examples in context
- Após a cirurgia, o paciente começou a salivar excessivamente.After the surgery, the patient began to drool excessively.
- O bebê começou a babar no berço.The baby started to drool in the crib.
- Cuidado para não babar no travesseiro.Be careful not to drool on the pillow.
- Ele costuma babar quando dorme profundamente.He tends to drool when he sleeps deeply.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are waiting for their food at a restaurant.
- RodrigoOlha o cheiro desse hambúrguer!Look at the smell of this burger!
- MarianaDá vontade de babar, não dá?It makes you want to drool, doesn't it?
- RodrigoCom certeza, estou com muita fome.For sure, I am very hungry.
- MarianaFinalmente a nossa comida chegou!Finally our food has arrived!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drool” translations and entries babar, salivar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
