mão
/ˈmɐ̃w̃/feminine
The English word "hand" is mão in Portuguese.
mão is the most widely used term for hand in Portuguese. Idiomatically, the expression dar uma mão is used to mean providing assistance or help, equivalent to "to lend a hand" in English.
Meaning: part of the fore limb (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of mão is mãos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɐ̃w̃/
Did you know?
- The word mão appears in the common expression mão de vaca, which literally means 'hand of cow' but is used to describe a person who is very stingy or cheap.
- The expression mão pesada describes someone who is clumsy or hits too hard, while mão leve is a euphemism for a pickpocket or thief.
- The word mão can also refer to a 'batch' or a 'handful' of something, such as a 'hand' of bananas, which is a common way to group certain fruits.
Examples in context
- Me dá uma mão.Lend me a hand.This sentence is useful for learning the idiom to lend a hand using mão.Tatoeba #7447342 by Ricardo14, translation #265939 by CK
- Me dê a sua mão.Give me your hand.This sentence is useful for practicing a request to give one's hand using mão.Tatoeba #4451578 by Ricardo14, translation #3151444 by CK
- Ele ergueu a mão.He raised his hand.This sentence is useful for describing the action of raising a hand using mão.Tatoeba #1295979 by brauliobezerra, translation #370607 by saeb
- Gostaria de estender-lhe minha mão em cumprimento.I would like to extend my hand in greeting.
- Vamos dar as mãos e atravessar a rua juntos?Let's hold hands and cross the street together?
- 437 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are washing dishes together.
- BeatrizFelipe, pode me passar o pano com a mão?Felipe, can you pass me the cloth with your hand?
- FelipeClaro, aqui está.Of course, here it is.
- BeatrizMinha mão está cheia de sabão.My hand is full of soap.
- FelipeEu te ajudo a limpar.I will help you clean it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hand” translations and entries mão, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
