Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menina | /miˈnĩ.nɐ/ (Brazil) /meˈnĩ.nɐ/ (Brazil) |
|
| garota | /ɡaˈɾo.tɐ/ (Brazil) /ɡɐˈɾo.tɐ/ (Portugal) |
|
| moça | /ˈmo.sɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈmo.sɐ/ (Portugal) |
|
| rapariga | /ʁa.paˈɾi.ɡɐ/ (Brazil) /ʁa.paˈɾi.ɡɐ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
Portugal |
The Portuguese language has several ways to refer to a young female person. Menina is a simple and widely used term for girl that works in both formal and informal contexts. Garota is a common and slightly more informal way to say girl or young woman. Moça is used to refer to a girl or a young woman in a polite and respectful manner. If you are speaking about a very young girl or expressing fondness, you can use the affectionate term garotinha for little girl. For a formal way to address an unmarried young woman, use senhorita, which is equivalent to the English 'Miss'. Finally, jovem is a gender-neutral term meaning 'young person' that can be used in formal settings to address a young woman.
Which one should you use?
While menina is a standard term used across various contexts, garota is specifically more informal and friendly. In contrast, moça is the preferred choice when you wish to be polite or respectful toward a young woman or girl.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, rapariga is the standard word for girl. However, be careful with this word in Brazil, where it is often used as a derogatory term for a mistress or prostitute.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of menina, add an 's' to get meninas. To form the plural of garota, add an 's' to get garotas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word menina is pronounced /miˈnĩ.nɐ/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The origin of the word moça is considered an unknown mystery by linguists.
- The word moça is frequently used as a polite way to get a waitress's attention in Brazil, similar to saying 'excuse me, miss'.
- In some Brazilian contexts, garota is used to describe a 'cool' or 'trendy' young woman, moving beyond a simple description of age.
Examples in context
- A menina é feia.The girl is ugly.This sentence uses menina to describe a girl's appearance.Tatoeba #2105913 by alexmarcelo, translation #2002541 by bichodebola
- Quem é a menina?Who is the girl?This sentence uses menina to ask for the identity of a girl.Tatoeba #5279985 by alexmarcelo, translation #5974529 by CarpeLanam
- Ela é uma menina.She's a girl.This sentence uses menina to state that someone is a girl.Tatoeba #6015069 by alexmarcelo, translation #1807853 by AlanF_US
- A moça na loja foi muito prestativaThe girl at the store was very helpful
- Desculpe-me, jovem, você sabe onde fica a biblioteca?Excuse me, young lady, do you know where the library is?
- Oi garota, vamos ao cinema hoje?Hey girl, do you want to go to the movies today?
- Ei mina, vamos sair essa noite?Hey girl, do you want to go out tonight?
- Veja aquela menina bonita láLook at that pretty girl over there
- Você é uma garotinha muito inteligenteYou are a very smart little girl
- 648 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz are looking at a photo album.
- GabrielQuem é essa menina na foto?Who is this girl in the photo?
- BeatrizEssa menina é a minha prima.That girl is my cousin.
- GabrielEla parece muito simpática.She looks very nice.
- BeatrizSim, ela é uma menina muito alegre.Yes, she is a very cheerful girl.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girl” translations and entries menina, garota, moça, rapariga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries garota, menina, moça, rapariga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
