gastroenterite
/ˌɡas.tɾo.ẽ.teˈɾi.t͡ʃi/feminine
The English word gastroenteritis is gastroenterite in Portuguese.
gastroenterite refers to the medical condition involving inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.
Meaning: inflammation of the stomach and small intestine (noun)
Which one should you use?
While gastroenterite is the precise medical term, people in everyday conversation, especially in Brazil, are more likely to use the term virose to describe similar symptoms.
How does it change in a sentence?
gastroenterite is a feminine noun, meaning that any adjectives used with it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɡas.tɾo.ẽ.teˈɾi.tʃi/. The word has 6 syllables and the stress is on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- If a Brazilian says they are com virose, they are often signaling a social expectation to eat canja de galinha, a specific type of chicken soup used as a recovery food.
- In Brazilian households, rather than using the medical term gastroenterite, families often simply refer to the ailment as a dor de barriga, which literally translates to 'belly pain'.
- While gastroenterite is the diagnosis, Brazilians often use the word virose as a generic catch-all term for any sudden illness involving a fever or stomach upset, regardless of whether a virus is actually present.
Examples in context
- Tenho sintomas de gastroenterite e preciso de uma consulta médica.I have symptoms of gastroenteritis and need a doctor's appointment.
- Estou com uma virose estomacal e não me sinto muito bem.I have a stomach virus and I don't feel well.
- Sinto uma forte dor de barriga, acho que pode ser uma intoxicação alimentar.I have a severe bellyache, I think it might be food poisoning.
- Ele está com uma gastroenterite forte.He has a strong case of gastroenteritis.
- O médico confirmou que é gastroenterite.The doctor confirmed that it is gastroenteritis.
- A gastroenterite causa muita náusea.Gastroenteritis causes a lot of nausea.
- Ele está se recuperando da gastroenterite.He is recovering from gastroenteritis.
Example conversation
Camila tells Lucas why she cannot go to dinner.
- CamilaLucas, não posso ir jantar hoje.Lucas, I can't go to dinner today.
- LucasO que aconteceu, Camila?What happened, Camila?
- CamilaEstou com uma gastroenterite terrível.I have a terrible case of gastroenteritis.
- LucasSinto muito, espero que melhore logo.I'm sorry, I hope you feel better soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gastroenteritis” translations and entries gastroenterite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
