cabeça
/kaˈbe.sɐ/feminine
The English word 'head' is translated into Portuguese as cabeça.
cabeça refers to the part of the body. Related terms include the verb comandar, dirigir or liderar to mean 'to be in command of' and the phrase à cabeça to mean 'coming from in front'.
Meaning: part of the body (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cabeça is the general term for head, Crânio specifically means 'skull'. In a poetic context, Cabeleira is used to mean 'mane'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term cabeça is used in Portugal, Angola and Mozambique.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cabeça is a feminine noun, which means it must be used with feminine articles and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /kaˈbe.sɐ/.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, if someone is cabeça de bagre, they are considered foolish or simple-minded, literally calling them a 'catfish head'.
- Portuguese speakers use cabeça to describe a 'head of garlic' (cabeça de alho), whereas English speakers typically use the word 'bulb'.
- In Brazil, the expression estou com a cabeça a mil describes a state of extreme anxiety or hyperactivity, literally meaning 'my head is at a thousand'.
Examples in context
- A minha cabeça dóiMy head hurts.This sentence is useful for saying 'My head hurts' using cabeça.Tatoeba #5184807 by Ricardo14, translation #456425 by lukaszpp
- Tom usou a cabeça.Tom used his head.This sentence is useful for saying 'Tom used his head' using cabeça.Tatoeba #5232287 by ToinhoAlam, translation #3434255 by CK
- A minha cabeça dói.My head aches.This sentence is useful for saying 'My head aches' using cabeça.Tatoeba #5109187 by Ricardo14, translation #280125 by CK
- 274 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are at a pharmacy.
- JulianaGabriel, minha cabeça está muito quente.Gabriel, my head is very hot.
- GabrielVocê deve estar com febre, Juliana.You must have a fever, Juliana.
- JulianaSinto uma pressão na cabeça.I feel a pressure in my head.
- GabrielVamos comprar um remédio agora.Let's buy some medicine now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “head” translations and entries cabeça, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
