micro
/ˈmi.kɾu/masculine
The Portuguese word micro is used to mean microwave oven.
In Portuguese, micro is a shorthand way to refer to the kitchen appliance. It is a clipping of the full noun.
Meaning: microwave oven (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term micro is a shortened version of the standard noun micro-ondas.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
micro is an informal term. For more formal or standard contexts, you should use the full term micro-ondas.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, when you are referring to the appliance, micro is preceded by the masculine article o (e.g., o micro).
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈmi.kɾu/.
Did you know?
- If you ask someone to 'ligar o micro' (turn on the micro), they might be confused because 'micro' is also common shorthand in Brazil for 'microfone' (microphone) during video calls.
- In Brazil, the word micro was once common shorthand for microcomputador, meaning a personal computer.
- In some Portuguese dialects, using micro for an oven can be seen as a 'Brazilianism', as speakers in Portugal are more likely to use the full term or different phrasing.
Examples in context
- Tom e Maria moram num microapartamento.Tom and Mary live in a micro-apartment.This sentence shows how micro can also function as a prefix in other contexts like 'micro-apartment'.Tatoeba #5410245 by bill, translation #3387028 by Hybrid
- A doença foi causada devido à ação de um novo micro-organismo.The disease was caused by a new micro-organism.This sentence demonstrates the use of 'micro' as a prefix in the word 'micro-organismo'.Tatoeba #1075288 by alexmarcelo, translation #1398825 by Eldad
- As cicatrizes cirúrgicas no pescoço dele, onde o equipamento de microcomunicações tinha sido inserido, causavam uma comichão insuportável.The surgical scars on his neck where the micro-communications equipment had been inserted itched maddeningly.This sentence illustrates the use of 'micro' within the term 'microcomunicações'.Tatoeba #11813230 by Cangarejo, translation #11813229 by Cangarejo
- Aquele cachorrinho é bem miudinho!That little dog is so tiny!
- Eu ganhei um presentinho bem pequenino hoje!I received a tiny little gift today!
- As formigas são insetos miudinhos.Ants are tiny insects.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are in their kitchen.
- CamilaGabriel, você pode usar o micro?Gabriel, can you use the microwave?
- GabrielClaro, Camila. O que você quer esquentar?Sure, Camila. What do you want to heat up?
- CamilaSó o meu resto de sopa.Just my leftover soup.
- GabrielTudo bem, eu coloco no micro agora.Alright, I'll put it in the microwave now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “micro” translations and entries micro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
