labirinto
/la.biˈɾĩ.tu/masculine
The Portuguese word for maze is labirinto.
labirinto can refer to a physical structure, such as a hedge maze or it can be used metaphorically to describe complex, confusing situations or systems.
Meaning: puzzle to get through (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, mazes, use labirintos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /la.biˈɾĩ.tu/.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the term labirinto is commonly used in a medical context to describe the inner ear, specifically when someone suffers from labirintite or vertigo.
- Unlike English, which uses 'maze' and 'labyrinth' as separate concepts, Portuguese uses labirinto for both the puzzle with dead ends and the single-path spiritual journey.
- The word labirinto is a learned borrowing from the Latin labyrinthus, which itself came from the Ancient Greek labúrinthos.
Examples in context
- Eu me perdi no labirinto.I got lost in the maze.This sentence is useful for describing the experience of getting lost in a labirinto.Tatoeba #6205932 by bill, translation #3733647 by CK
- Este lugar é um labirinto.This place is a maze.This sentence is useful for stating that a specific place is a labirinto.Tatoeba #2634420 by alexmarcelo, translation #2633380 by meerkat
- Ontem nós fomos a um enorme labirinto.Yesterday we went into a huge maze.This sentence is useful for describing a visit to an enormous labirinto.Tatoeba #1188787 by alexmarcelo, translation #244630 by Eldad
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are at a theme park.
- BeatrizO labirinto é muito difícil!The maze is very difficult!
- GabrielNão se preocupe, Beatriz.Don't worry, Beatriz.
- BeatrizVocê sabe o caminho de saída?Do you know the way out?
- GabrielEu acho que sim.I think so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maze” translations and entries labirinto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries labirinto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
