alho
/ˈa.ʎu/masculine
The Portuguese word for garlic is alho.
alho refers to the garlic plant. When you want to express the idea of something being cooked or seasoned 'with garlic', you can use the phrase com alho. If you are referring specifically to a single clove of garlic, the correct expression is dente de alho.
Meaning: plant (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form alhinho is used in some regions to express a sense of familiarity.
How does it change in a sentence?
alho is a masculine noun. Because of this, it is used with masculine articles such as o or um.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈa.ʎu/ (two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable)
Did you know?
- In Portuguese folklore, alho is traditionally believed to ward off the 'evil eye' and negative spirits, often being hung in doorways or worn as an amulet.
- In Portuguese culinary vocabulary, the phrase refogado describes the specific technique of sautéing alho and onion in oil, which is considered the 'soul' of the cooking process.
- The term dente de alho for a clove literally translates to 'tooth of garlic', a biological metaphor shared by many Romance languages but often striking to English speakers.
Examples in context
- Eu gosto de alho.I like garlic.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for alho.Tatoeba #8194275 by MacGyver, translation #6890571 by CK
- Tom esmagou o alho.Tom crushed the garlic.This sentence is useful for describing the action of crushing alho.Tatoeba #7481738 by Ricardo14, translation #7446766 by Hybrid
- O alho não é fruta.Garlic is not a fruit.This sentence is useful for stating that alho is not a fruit.Tatoeba #11142635 by carlosalberto, translation #11142633 by carlosalberto
- Eu comprei alho fresco para a receita.I bought fresh garlic for the recipe.
- Esse alhinho é bem perfumado!This garlic is very fragrant!
- arroz de tomate com alhoTomato rice with garlic
- Eu sou alérgico(a) a alhoI am allergic to garlic
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen while preparing a meal.
- MarianaVocê tem alho para o tempero?Do you have garlic for the seasoning?
- LucasSim, eu comprei o alho hoje.Yes, I bought the garlic today.
- MarianaO alho está na geladeira?Is the garlic in the refrigerator?
- LucasNão, está em cima da mesa.No, it is on the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “garlic” translations and entries alho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
