gruta
/ˈɡɾu.tɐ/feminine
The English phrase "grotto" is translated into Portuguese as gruta.
The word gruta refers to a small cave. You can use it to describe something magical or impressive, such as a maravilhosa gruta (marvelous grotto) or a gruta encantadora (enchanting grotto). It is also used when referring to religious or sacred sites, such as grutas religiosas or grutas sagradas.
Meaning: small cave (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
gruta is a feminine noun. The plural form is grutas.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈɡɾu.tɐ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word gruta entered the language not directly from Latin, but via Catalan and then through Sicilian and Old Neapolitan dialects.
- In Brazil, the term gruta is frequently associated with the 'Gruta de Lourdes', a specific style of devotional shrine that mimics a cave.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, a gruta is not just a geological feature but is often a man-made architectural element used in elaborate garden fountains.
Examples in context
- A fonte estava situada num recanto semelhante a uma gruta, onde bancos de cimento decorados com conchas de vieira estavam dispostos à volta de uma bacia com as figuras de dois meninos a cavalgarem a de um cordeiro, todos ocupados em deixar a água escorrer da boca.The fountain was in a grotto-like nook, where benches of cement decked with scallop shells were set round a basin with the figures of two small boys in it bestriding that of a lamb, all employed in letting the water dribble from their mouths.This sentence describes a fountain located in a nook resembling a gruta.Tatoeba #12100662 by Cangarejo, translation #12100660 by Cangarejo
- No final do passeio, visitamos uma linda gruta repleta de estalactites e estalagmites.At the end of the tour, we visited a beautiful grotto full of stalactites and stalagmites.
- Eu e meus amigos exploramos uma caverna incrível durante nossas férias.My friends and I explored an incredible grotto during our vacation.
- Encontramos uma pequena gruta na montanha.We found a small grotto in the mountain.
Example conversation
Two friends are hiking in a forest.
- FelipeOlha, aquela gruta parece muito escura.Look, that grotto looks very dark.
- JulianaSim, vamos entrar para ver melhor.Yes, let's go inside to see better.
- FelipeTen cuidado com as pedras, Juliana.Be careful with the rocks, Juliana.
- JulianaEstá bem, Felipe, eu vou devagar.Okay, Felipe, I will go slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grotto” translations and entries gruta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gruta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
