luar
/luˈa(ʁ)/masculine
The Portuguese word for moonlight is luar.
The noun luar refers to the light reflected from the Moon. If you want to express being 'under the moonlight' or 'by moonlight', use the prepositional phrase ao luar.
Meaning: light reflected from the Moon (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
luar is a masculine noun. When referring to 'the moonlight', use the masculine definite article o, as in o luar.
How do you pronounce it?
/luˈa(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In Portuguese music and poetry, luar is often used as a romantic shorthand for a nighttime rendezvous or a secret meeting between lovers.
- In some regional Brazilian folklore, luar is associated with the 'Lobisomem' or werewolf, as the full moonlight is the catalyst for the transformation.
- The word luar is a doublet of the English word 'lunar'. Both originate from the Latin lūnāris, but luar evolved through Old Galician-Portuguese while 'lunar' entered English via French.
Examples in context
- O luar é bonito.The moonlight is beautiful.This sentence illustrates a simple description of luar.Tatoeba #8492049 by alexmarcelo, translation #2045786 by CK
- O luar é realmente lindo.The moonlight is really beautiful.This sentence shows an intensified description of luar.Tatoeba #2682074 by alexmarcelo, translation #2681534 by iainmb93
- Eles se beijaram ao luar.They kissed under the moonlight.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase ao luar to mean 'under the moonlight'.Tatoeba #3989254 by carlosalberto, translation #3989210 by Hybrid
- A noite estava maravilhosa sob o luarThe night was beautiful under the moonlight
- A praia estava iluminada pela luz lunarThe beach was illuminated by the lunar light
- Quando a luz do luar toca o rio, ele se transforma em prataWhen the moonlight touches the river, it turns into silver
- Caminhar sob o luar é como dançar com sombras prateadasWalking under the moonlight is like dancing with silver shadows
- O jardim ganha vida sob o luar românticoThe garden comes to life under the romantic moonlight
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are walking in a park at night.
- JulianaOlha como o luar ilumina o caminho.Look how the moonlight lights up the path.
- LucasÉ verdade, está tudo muito claro.It's true, everything is very clear.
- JulianaEu adoro caminhar sob o luar.I love walking under the moonlight.
- LucasEu também, Juliana. É muito relaxante.Me too, Juliana. It's very relaxing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moonlight” translations and entries luar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries luar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
