avelã
/a.veˈlɐ̃/
The Portuguese word for hazel is avelã.
In Portuguese, avelã is used to mean hazel when describing eye color. It describes a shade that is light brown with greenish tones.
Meaning: colour (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word avelã literally means "hazelnut".
Which one should you use?
While avelã is used to describe the specific color hazel, the related noun castanho is used to refer to the color brown.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /a.veˈlɐ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word avelã is a linguistic fossil of the Oscan language, a group of extinct Italic languages that were spoken in Italy long before Latin became dominant.
- While avelã refers to 'hazel' eyes, the more general word for 'brown' is castanho, which is derived from the word for 'chestnut'.
- Even though 'hazel' describes a color in English, in Portuguese, using avelã to describe something other than eyes or the nut itself can sound strangely culinary.
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are talking about a new contact lens color.
- JulianaRodrigo, você acha que avelã combina comigo?Rodrigo, do you think hazel suits me?
- RodrigoSim, ficaria lindo nos seus olhos.Yes, it would look beautiful in your eyes.
- JulianaVou comprar a lente cor de avelã então.I'll buy the hazel colored lens then.
- RodrigoBoa escolha, Juliana!Good choice, Juliana!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry avelã, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avelã, CC BY-SA 4.0.
