gregário
/ɡɾeˈɡa.ɾju/
The English word gregarious is translated into Portuguese as gregário.
gregário describes a person who enjoys being in crowds. In everyday conversation to describe a person's personality, the word sociável is much more common than gregário.
Meaning: of a person who enjoys being in crowds (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gregário is a direct cognate, it is often used in biological or technical contexts (like animal gregário). For describing a person's personality in everyday conversation, sociável is much more common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, people sometimes use sociável pra caramba to emphasize extreme gregariousness. In Portugal, people may use the term convivial to convey a meaning similar to gregarious.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective is gendered. Use the feminine form gregária when describing a woman or a feminine noun. The plural masculine form is gregários. The plural feminine form is gregárias.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /ɡɾeˈɡa.ɾju/.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, gregário is used to describe 'locusts' in their swarming phase, though these insects do not have social preferences.
- The adjective gregário comes from the Latin 'grex', which means a 'flock' or 'herd'.
- While 'gregarious' is a common personality descriptor in English, using gregário for a person in Brazil or Portugal can make you sound like a biologist.
Examples in context
- João é uma pessoa sociável e adora fazer novos amigos.João is a gregarious person and loves making new friends.
- Maria é uma profissional muito comunicativa, o que facilita suas relações de trabalho.Maria is a very gregarious professional, which facilitates her work relationships.
- Carlos é a alma da festa, sendo sempre muito extrovertido e alegre.Carlos is the life of the party, always being very gregarious and cheerful.
- O Pedro é uma pessoa cheia de vida. Ele adora estar rodeado de amigos.Pedro is a lively person, he loves being surrounded by friends.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are talking about a new coworker.
- GabrielVocê já conheceu o novo colega?Have you met the new colleague yet?
- CamilaSim, ele parece ser bem gregário.Yes, he seems to be quite gregarious.
- GabrielEle não para de falar com todos.He doesn't stop talking to everyone.
- CamilaÉ verdade, ele gosta de multidões.That's true, he likes crowds.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gregarious” translations and entries gregário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gregário, CC BY-SA 4.0.
