pá de lixo
/ˈpa d͡ʒi ˈli.ʃu/word by wordfeminine
The English word "dustpan" is pá de lixo in Portuguese.
pá de lixo refers to a flat scoop used for collecting dust or debris during cleaning. The term lixo (trash/garbage) is included to specify that this is a tool for cleaning debris rather than a shovel used for construction or gardening.
Meaning: flat scoop for assembling dust (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pá (shovel/scoop) and de lixo (of trash/garbage).
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, only the word pá is changed. For example, "the dustpans" is as pás de lixo.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The pronunciation is /ˈpa dʒi ˈli.ʃu/.
Did you know?
- In Portugal, the word pá is frequently used as a filler word or a way to address a friend, similar to saying 'man' or 'dude' in English.
- The word lixo may have originated from the Latin word lixa, which referred specifically to 'ashes' or 'lye' rather than general trash.
- Depending on the region, lixo can refer to the trash itself or the physical bin where it is kept.
Examples in context
- No depósito, você encontrará algumas pás de lixo, caso necessite.In the storage room, you'll find some dustpans, if you need them.
- Alguém pode passar-me a pá de varrer, por favor?Can someone pass me the dustpan, please?
- Eu preciso de uma pá de lixo.I need a dustpan.
- Onde você guardou a pá de lixo?Where did you store the dustpan?
- A pá de lixo está debaixo da mesa.The dustpan is under the table.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are cleaning the kitchen together.
- BeatrizRodrigo, você viu a pá de lixo?Rodrigo, have you seen the dustpan?
- RodrigoSim, ela está atrás da porta.Yes, it is behind the door.
- BeatrizObrigada, vou pegar a pá de lixo agora.Thanks, I will get the dustpan now.
- RodrigoDe nada, Beatriz.You are welcome, Beatriz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dustpan” translations and entries pá de lixo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (pá, de, lixo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lixo, pá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
