perdedor
/peʁ.deˈdoʁ/masculine
The Portuguese word for loser is perdedor.
Perdedor refers to a person who fails to win a game or competition. Much like in English, it is also used colloquially to describe someone who is a failure in life.
Meaning: person who fails to win (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by combining the verb perder (to lose) with the suffix -dor, which denotes one who performs an action.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, specifically in Rio de Janeiro, the term mané is used to describe someone as a loser or a person lacking intelligence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form perdedor is masculine. For a feminine subject, use perdedora. For multiple people, use the masculine plural perdedores or the feminine plural perdedoras.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and the stress is on the third syllable: /peʁ.deˈdoʁ/.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone perdedor can sound like a translation from an American movie, as it is not a traditional organic insult in all Lusophone cultures.
- The word perder shares a common Proto-Indo-European ancestor with the English word 'perdition', which refers to a state of eternal loss or ruin.
- The word perder can be used in the phrase perder a linha, which means to lose one's temper or behave inappropriately.
Examples in context
- Tom é um perdedor.Tom is a loser.This sentence shows how to use perdedor to identify someone.Tatoeba #4837912 by Ricardo14, translation #2272825 by CK
- Você não é um perdedor.You're not a loser.This sentence provides a negative statement using perdedor.Tatoeba #2849256 by MarlonX19, translation #2548442 by CK
- Esse cara é um perdedor.This guy is a loser.This sentence uses perdedor to describe a guy.Tatoeba #7553407 by lucasmg123, translation #1750089 by Spamster
- Ele foi um perdedor no jogo de xadrez.He was a loser in the chess game.
- Não seja um trouxa, tome uma atitude!Don't be a loser, take action!
- O cara é um verdadeiro mané, nunca acerta nada!That guy is a real loser, he never gets anything right!
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are discussing a recent video game tournament.
- MarianaO campeão não é um perdedor.The champion is not a loser.
- LucasMas o Lucas é um perdedor hoje.But Lucas is a loser today.
- MarianaNão diga isso dele!Don't say that about him!
- LucasEu só estou brincando.I am only joking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loser” translations and entries perdedor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
