fosco
/ˈfos.ku/
The English word "matte" is translated into Portuguese as fosco.
fosco is an adjective used to describe surfaces that are not reflective of light.
Meaning: not reflective of light (adj)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of fosco is brilhante, which is used for surfaces that are shiny or glossy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes: use fosco for masculine singular, fosca for feminine singular, foscos for masculine plural and foscas for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈfos.ku/. The first of the two syllables is stressed.
When do people say it?
In some Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly in parts of Brazil and Paraguay, the term tereré refers to matte prepared with cold water and herbs. In southern Brazil and Uruguay, the term cuia is used to refer to the traditional gourd used to prepare matte.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word mate also functions as a verb meaning 'to kill'. This creates a stark contrast between the comforting drink and a violent action.
- The word fosco comes from the Latin word fuscus, which originally meant 'dark' or 'brown'.
- The cuia, the gourd used for mate, is often treated as a prized possession. Some collectors seek gourds with specific shapes or ages to improve the flavor of the brew.
Examples in context
- Vamos fazer um chimarrão para aproveitar o fim de tarde.Let's make mate to enjoy the late afternoon.
- Eu prefiro o acabamento fosco.I prefer the matte finish.
- Ela comprou um batom fosco.She bought a matte lipstick.
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are choosing a new table for their home.
- FelipeO que você acha desta mesa preta?What do you think of this black table?
- CamilaEu gosto, mas prefiro o modelo fosco.I like it, but I prefer the matte model.
- FelipeO fosco é melhor para não aparecer marcas.Matte is better so marks don't show.
- CamilaExatamente, Camila concorda com você.Exactly, Camila agrees with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fosco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fosco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
