limão
/liˈmɐ̃w̃/masculine
The Portuguese word for lemon is limão. Wiktionary also lists limão siciliano.
Meaning: citrus fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| limão | /liˈmɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /liˈmɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| limão siciliano | Brazil |
limão is a masculine noun used to refer to the citrus fruit.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, limão is used for both the green lime and the yellow lemon, whereas in Portugal, limão usually refers to the yellow lemon and lima refers to the green lime. In Brazil, limão siciliano is specifically used to refer to the large, yellow, Mediterranean-style lemon to distinguish it from the common green lime.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, limão siciliano is used to specify the large yellow lemon. Additionally, in the northeast region of Brazil, the term limão-cravo is used to refer to the Rangpur lime.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
limão is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/liˈmɐ̃w̃/
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the phrase espremer o limão can be used metaphorically to describe extracting every last bit of value or effort from a situation.
- Adding a slice of limão to a beer is a common social habit in Brazil, a practice rarely seen in the United Kingdom or United States.
- The Portuguese word limão entered the language via Andalusian Arabic, which had borrowed it from Persian and then from the Sanskrit word nimbū.
Examples in context
- O limão é ácido.Lemon is sour.This sentence illustrates how to describe the acidity of a limão.Tatoeba #971656 by alexmarcelo, translation #29487 by al_ex_an_der
- O limão é azedo.The lemon is sour.This sentence shows how to describe the sourness of a limão.Tatoeba #973298 by alexmarcelo, translation #1079478 by keira_n
- O limão é amarelo.The lemon is yellow.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the color of a limão.Tatoeba #11150877 by carlosalberto, translation #2730909 by Hybrid
- Você pode me passar um limão?Can you pass me a lemon?
- Aqui está o limãozinho mais suculento da fruteira.Here's the juiciest little lemon from the fruit bowl.
- O prato de hoje vem com um toque de limão siciliano.Today's dish comes with a hint of Sicilian lemon.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are in the kitchen preparing lunch.
- GabrielCamila, tem um limão na geladeira?Camila, is there a lemon in the fridge?
- CamilaSim, Gabriel, tem um limão bem grande.Yes, Gabriel, there is one very large lemon.
- GabrielÓtimo, vou usar o limão no peixe.Great, I will use the lemon on the fish.
- CamilaPerfeito, vai ficar muito saboroso.Perfect, it will be very tasty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lemon” translations and entries limão, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries limão, siciliano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
