lixo
/ˈli.ʃu/masculine
The Portuguese word for garbage is lixo.
lixo is the most common and standard term for garbage in Portuguese. Related terms include resíduos for waste, refugo for refuse and lata de lixo for a trash can. When discussing where waste is disposed of, you might use the term aterro sanitário for landfill.
Meaning: waste material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While lixo is the standard term, other words are used depending on the context and tone. Porcaria refers to trash or junk, and tralha is used for trash or clutter. In Brazil, the colloquial term bagulho can be used to represent garbage or something of poor quality.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Bagulho is a colloquial term specifically noted for use in Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
lixo is a masculine noun. Although the plural form lixos exists, it is much more common to use the singular lixo to refer to garbage in a collective sense.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈli.ʃu/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While lixo is the standard term for waste, calling a person lixo is a severe insult, implying they are 'garbage' or a worthless human being.
- The word lixo might be related to the Latin word lixa, which refers to 'ashes' or 'lye'.
- In Brazil, the word bagulho can describe garbage but is also frequently used as a generic slang term for 'thing' or 'stuff'.
Examples in context
- Tom tirou o lixo.Tom took out the garbage.This sentence shows how to use lixo when talking about taking out the garbage.Tatoeba #5590701 by bill, translation #1141096 by CK
- Jogue o lixo fora.Put the garbage outside.This sentence demonstrates a command using lixo to tell someone to put the garbage outside.Tatoeba #9829435 by lucasmg123, translation #56406 by CK
- Não jogue lixo aqui.Don't dump garbage here.This sentence provides an example of using lixo in a warning against dumping garbage.Tatoeba #3995138 by ajdavidl, translation #1290714 by CK
- A cidade possui um sistema eficiente de coleta de lixo.The city has an efficient garbage collection system.
- Não compre esse produto, é pura porcaria!Don't buy that product, it's pure garbage!
- Meu quarto está cheio de tralha.My room is full of garbage/clutter.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Beatriz and Rodrigo are cleaning the kitchen.
- BeatrizRodrigo, você pode levar o lixo para fora?Rodrigo, can you take the garbage outside?
- RodrigoSim, eu levo agora mesmo.Yes, I'll take it right now.
- BeatrizObrigada, o lixo já está acumulado.Thank you, the garbage is already piling up.
- RodrigoDe nada, Beatriz. Vou fazer isso.You're welcome, Beatriz. I'll do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “garbage” translations and entries lixo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lixo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
