macaco
standard
In Brazil "monkey" is macaco, and a female is a macaca. Small monkeys are often called mico or sagui.
Meaning: primate animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| macaco | standard |
| mico | small monkey |
| sagui | marmoset |
Macaco is the general word and also covers apes. Brazil has many species, including the golden lion tamarin, called mico-leão-dourado.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Calling a person macaco is a serious racial insult in Brazil, so avoid it outside talk about animals.
When do people say it?
The expression pagar mico means to embarrass yourself in public. It comes from mico, the small monkey.
Did you know?
- The golden lion tamarin, or mico-leão-dourado, lives only in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and was saved from near extinction by conservation work.
Examples in context
- Vi um macaco no parque.I saw a monkey in the park.
- Um sagui pulou na árvore.A marmoset jumped on the tree.
- Paguei o maior mico na festa.I embarrassed myself badly at the party.
Example conversation
Guide Luana shows the tourist Daniel a monkey in the forest near Rio de Janeiro.
- DanielOlha, um macaco!Look, a monkey!
- LuanaÉ um sagui, bem pequeno.It is a marmoset, very small.
- DanielPosso tirar uma foto?Can I take a photo?
- LuanaPode, mas não dê comida.You can, but do not feed it.
