limão
/liˈmɐ̃w̃/Brazil
In Portuguese, the English word 'lime' is translated as limão or lima.
Meaning: green citrus fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| limão | /liˈmɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /liˈmɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
Brazil |
| lima | /ˈlĩ.mɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈli.mɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
The term refers to a green citrus fruit. Note that the word for 'orange' is Laranja and the word for 'grapefruit' is Toranja.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the region and the specific fruit being described. In Brazil, limão is the standard term for both 'lime' and 'lemon'. In Portugal, lima is the standard term for 'lime'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, limão is used to refer to both 'lemon' and 'lime'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
lima is a feminine noun, while limão is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/liˈmɐ̃w̃/
Did you know?
- The word lima in Portuguese can also refer to a 'file' used for nails or metal, depending on the context.
- The word limão traces a massive linguistic journey from the Sanskrit word nimbū through Persian and Arabic before reaching Portuguese.
- While limão is the general term, the phrase limão cravo refers to a specific, highly aromatic variety of lime common in Brazilian gardens.
Examples in context
- Seria ótimo se você tivesse uma fatia de limão para eu espremer na minha água gelada.It would be nice if you had a wedge of lime I could squeeze into my icewater.This sentence is useful for describing how to use a wedge of limão in a drink.Tatoeba #10728768 by carlosalberto, translation #1953487 by _undertoad
- As centenas de milhares de adeptos de futebol que visitam o Brasil para o Campeonato do Mundo estão a consumir grandes quantidades de caipirinhas, a bebida alcoólica nacional à base de lima macerada e de cachaça, a aguardente derivada da cana-de-açúcar.The hundreds of thousands of football fans visiting Brazil for the World Cup are consuming large quantities of caipirinhas, the national tipple based on muddled lime and the sugarcane-based spirit cachaça.This sentence is useful for describing the ingredients of a caipirinha, which uses muddled lima.Tatoeba #12135031 by Cangarejo, translation #12135030 by Cangarejo
- Numerosas lojas vendem trajes históricos, artigos artesanais e réplicas de armas e as opções gastronómicas são uma mistura do antigo e do novo: estandes a vender pernas de peru e hidromel (vinho de mel) ao lado de estandes a vender giros, crepes e tartes merengadas de lima em palitos.Numerous shops sell historical outfits, handcrafted wares, and replica weaponry, and the food options are a mix of old and new: booths selling turkey legs and mead (honey wine) stand next to booths selling gyros, crepes, and key lime pie on a stick.This sentence is useful for describing various food options, including desserts made with lima.Tatoeba #11582409 by Cangarejo, translation #11582408 by Cangarejo
- Você pode comprar um limão-tahiti no supermercado.You can buy a Tahitian lime at the supermarket.
- Poderia me passar um pouco de limão para o meu peixe?Could you pass me some lime for my fish?
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are preparing a drink in the kitchen.
- RodrigoVocê tem um limão aí?Do you have a lime there?
- JulianaTenho sim, estão na fruteira.Yes, I do, they are in the fruit bowl.
- RodrigoVou cortar o limão para a caipirinha.I'm going to cut the lime for the caipirinha.
- JulianaTudo bem, eu ajudo você.That's fine, I'll help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lime” translations and entries limão, lima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lima, limão, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
