cavalo
/kaˈva.lu/masculine
The English phrase horse is translated into Portuguese as cavalo. Wiktionary also lists égua.
Meaning: members of the species ''Equus ferus'' (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cavalo | /kaˈva.lu/ (Brazil) /kɐˈva.lu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| égua | /ˈɛ.ɡwɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈɛ.ɡwɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
cavalo is the general noun used to refer to members of the species Equus ferus. Additionally, the colloquial expression Cavalo de Pau refers to a hobbyhorse or a wooden horse toy.
Which one should you use?
While cavalo is the general term for a horse, égua is used specifically to refer to a female horse or a mare.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one animal, the plural of cavalo is cavalos and the plural of égua is éguas.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈva.lu/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In some Portuguese speaking regions, the term égua is used as a general exclamation of surprise or amazement, similar to saying 'wow'.
- In Brazil, calling someone a cavalo can be a slang way of describing them as clumsy or lacking refinement.
- The Portuguese word cavalo comes from the Late Latin 'caballus', which specifically referred to a 'pack horse' rather than just any horse.
Examples in context
- O cavalo é meu.The horse is mine.This sentence is useful for practicing possession with cavalo.Tatoeba #1276896 by alexmarcelo, translation #672887 by Shishir
- Isso é um cavalo.This is a horse.This sentence is useful for identifying an object with cavalo.Tatoeba #1490791 by brauliobezerra, translation #983650 by Arraroak
- O cavalo é preto.The horse is black.This sentence is useful for describing a color with cavalo.Tatoeba #1914202 by alexmarcelo, translation #3138037 by Jesse
- Preciso de um cavalo para trabalhar na fazenda.I need a horse to work on the farm.
- Eu adoro cavalinhos. Eles são tão fofos!I love little horses. They are so cute!
- As crianças adoram brincar de cavalo de pau.Children love to play with hobbyhorses.
- Os equinos são animais nobres e inteligentes.Horses are noble and intelligent animals.
- Vamos passear de cavalo no fim de semana.Let's go horseback riding this weekend.
- A menina ganhou um cavalinho de brinquedo de aniversário.The girl received a toy horse for her birthday.
- 214 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are walking near a farm.
- LucasVeja aquele cavalo branco!Look at that white horse!
- BeatrizSim, o cavalo é muito bonito.Yes, the horse is very beautiful.
- LucasVocê quer montar nele?Do you want to ride it?
- BeatrizNão, tenho medo desse cavalo.No, I am afraid of that horse.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horse” translations and entries cavalo, égua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cavalo, égua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
