graxa
/ˈɡɾa.ʃɐ/feminine
The English phrase 'grease' is graxa in Portuguese.
graxa refers to oily or fatty matter. In a common everyday context, it can also refer specifically to the shoe polish used to shine leather shoes.
Meaning: oily or fatty matter (noun)
Which one should you use?
While graxa is the noun for grease, the related verb engraxar is specifically used for the act of applying grease to a machine or polishing leather shoes.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈɡɾa.ʃɐ/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian slang, graxa can be used to describe someone who is acting overly flattering or 'slick' to get a favor, similar to the English 'greasing the palm'.
- The word graxa is a distant relative of the English word 'crass'. Both descend from the Latin crassus, which meant 'thick' or 'dense'.
- While graxa refers to thick grease, Portuguese uses a different word gordura for the fat found in food, meaning you would not call butter graxa.
Examples in context
- Estava a limpar o motor e fiquei com graxa no meu braço todo.I was cleaning the motor and I got grease all over my arm.This sentence shows how to describe getting graxa on one's arm while cleaning a motor.Tatoeba #10664859 by Luciferous, translation #9189282 by DJ_Saidez
- O Ministério das Finanças da China divulgou uma lista de 16 itens repartidos por duas tabelas que não estarão sujeitos a tarifas adicionais, incluindo camarão, graxa industrial, uma máquina de combate a cancros avançados, óleo lubrificante e vários outros produtos químicos.China's Finance Ministry released a list of 16 items spread across two lists that would not be subjected to additional tariffs, including shrimp, industrial grease, an advanced cancer fighting machine, lubricating oil and various other chemicals.This sentence mentions graxa in the context of industrial products.Tatoeba #11150875 by Cangarejo, translation #11150874 by Cangarejo
- Preciso remover a gordura da superfície antes de pintar a parede.I need to remove the grease from the surface before painting the wall.
- Não esqueça de lubrificar as peças com graxa regularmente.Don't forget to lubricate the parts with grease regularly.
- Coloque um pouco de banha para refogar os legumes.Put some grease to sauté the vegetables.
- A graxa do carro sujou o chão da garagem.The car grease stained the garage floor.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are fixing a bicycle in the garage.
- RodrigoCamila, você tem mais graxa para a corrente?Camila, do you have more grease for the chain?
- CamilaAcho que acabou, Rodrigo.I think it ran out, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoPreciso de graxa para a bicicleta parar de chiar.I need grease so the bike stops squeaking.
- CamilaVou comprar um tubo novo amanhã.I will buy a new tube tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grease” translations and entries graxa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries graxa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
