doce de alcaçuz
/ˈdo.si d͡ʒi aw.kaˈsu(j)s/word by wordmasculine
The English phrase licorice is translated into Portuguese as doce de alcaçuz.
doce de alcaçuz refers to the confection made from licorice. In scientific or medical contexts, the technical term Glicirrizina is used to refer to the active compound found in the plant.
Meaning: confection (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of doce (candy or sweet), de (of) and alcaçuz (licorice), literally meaning "candy of licorice".
Which one should you use?
While doce de alcaçuz refers specifically to the candy, the word alcaçuz on its own refers to the licorice plant or the flavor itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term doce de alcaçuz is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdo.si dʒi aw.kaˈsu(j)s/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word alcaçuz traces its roots back to the Arabic term ʕirq as-sūs, which literally translates to 'the root of the licorice'.
- Although doce de alcaçuz is the standard term, you will rarely see it in Brazilian supermarkets because licorice is far less common there than in Europe.
- In Portuguese, doce is a broad term that can describe anything from a small piece of candy to an entire dessert or a jam.
Examples in context
- Eu adoro doce de alcaçuz!I love licorice candy!
- Você já provou uma bala de regaliz?Have you ever tried a licorice candy?
- O chá de alcaçuz possui glicirrizina.Licorice tea contains glycyrrhizin.
- Eu gosto muito de doce de alcaçuz.I like licorice very much.
- Este doce de alcaçuz é muito amargo.This licorice candy is very bitter.
- Você quer um doce de alcaçuz?Do you want a licorice candy?
Example conversation
A couple is at a candy shop.
- BeatrizGabriel, veja este doce de alcaçuz!Gabriel, look at this licorice!
- GabrielParece bom, Beatriz.It looks good, Beatriz.
- BeatrizVou comprar um pacote para nós.I will buy a pack for us.
- GabrielObrigado, querida.Thank you, dear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “licorice” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (doce, de, alcaçuz) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcaçuz, de, doce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
