girafa
/ʒiˈɾa.fɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for "giraffe" is girafa.
girafa is a noun used to refer to the long-necked mammal. You may also encounter the diminutive form Girafinha, which translates to "little giraffe" and is used to express affection.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Which one should you use?
Girafinha means little giraffe and is used to express affection.
How does it change in a sentence?
girafa is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. It is pronounced /ʒiˈɾa.fɐ/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the word girafa is sometimes used as a slang term to describe a very tall person.
- The Portuguese word girafa actually traces its lineage back to the Arabic word zurāfa, which refers to the animal.
- Portuguese uses feminine nouns for animals regardless of the animal's actual sex, meaning a male giraffe is still called a girafa.
Examples in context
- Eu vejo uma girafa.I see a giraffe.This sentence shows how to use girafa to state what you see.Tatoeba #4922295 by carlosalberto, translation #1841662 by CK
- Nunca vi uma girafa.I've never seen a giraffe.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have never seen a girafa.Tatoeba #1457032 by alexmarcelo, translation #1455348 by CK
- Que som a girafa faz?What sound does a giraffe make?This sentence asks about the sound a girafa makes.Tatoeba #3704640 by Ricardo14, translation #2921563 by CK
- Eu adoro girafas. São animais majestosos.I love giraffes. They are majestic animals.
- Olha só essa girafinha fofa!Look at this cute little giraffe!
- Segundo a pesquisa científica, a girafa é o animal terrestre mais alto.According to scientific research, the giraffe is the tallest land animal.
- As girafas são conhecidas por sua longa língua preênsil.Giraffes are known for their long, prehensile tongue.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are visiting the zoo.
- MarianaOlha, Lucas! Aquela girafa é enorme!Look, Lucas! That giraffe is huge!
- LucasNossa, o pescoço dela é muito longo.Wow, her neck is very long.
- MarianaA girafa está comendo as folhas da árvore.The giraffe is eating the leaves of the tree.
- LucasEla é realmente um animal impressionante.She is truly an impressive animal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “giraffe” translations and entries girafa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries girafa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
