machadinha
/ma.ʃaˈd͡ʒĩ.ɲɐ/feminine
The English phrase 'hatchet' is translated into Portuguese as machadinha.
The word machadinha refers to a small axe.
Meaning: small axe (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a diminutive of machado (axe), formed by adding the suffix -inha to create the meaning 'little axe'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine. Because of this, any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form, such as uma machadinha pequena.
How do you pronounce it?
machadinha is pronounced /ma.ʃaˈdʒĩ.ɲɐ/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word machadinha is a linguistic relative of the English word 'masculine' because both derive from the Latin masclus.
- The suffix -inha in machadinha can be a diminutivo afetivo, which is used to make the speaker sound more friendly or less aggressive when mentioning the tool.
- The palatal nasal sound /ɲ/ used in machadinha is the exact same consonant sound used in the Spanish word mañana.
Examples in context
- Você pode usar minha machadinha se você quiser.You may use my hatchet if you want to.This sentence shows how you might offer your machadinha to someone else.Tatoeba #6479291 by Mecamute, translation #6245668 by CK
- Eu preciso de uma machadinha para cortar lenha.I need a hatchet to chop firewood.
- Vou pegar o machadinho para abrir a caixa de madeira.I'll get the hatchet to open the wooden box.
- A machadinha está sobre a mesa.The hatchet is on the table.
- Eu comprei uma machadinha nova para o acampamento.I bought a new hatchet for the camping trip.
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are preparing for a camping trip in the backyard.
- JulianaGabriel, você trouxe a machadinha?Gabriel, did you bring the hatchet?
- GabrielSim, a machadinha está na minha mochila.Yes, the hatchet is in my backpack.
- JulianaÓtimo, precisamos cortar um pouco de lenha.Great, we need to cut some firewood.
- GabrielEu ajudo você com isso agora.I will help you with that now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hatchet” translations and entries machadinha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries machadinha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
