gambá
/ɡɐ̃ˈba/masculine
The English word "opossum" is gambá in Portuguese. Wiktionary also lists sariguê and cuíca.
Meaning: marsupial of the Didelphidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gambá | /ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Brazil) /ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| sariguê | ||
| cuíca | /kuˈi.kɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈkwi.kɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| opossum | masculine | |
| saruê | /sa.ɾuˈe/ (Brazil) /saˈɾwe/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
The term refers to the marsupial of the Didelphidae family.
Which one should you use?
gambá is the most common term used across Brazil. Other variations like saruê, sariguê, mucura, timbu and cuíca also refer to the same animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
mucura is an informal term widely used in the Amazon region. timbu is an informal term used in some regions, especially in the northeastern states of Brazil. saruê is a common colloquial term used in many parts of Brazil, particularly in the Northeast and Southeast, while sariguê is a common regional variation of saruê used in several Brazilian states.
How does it change in a sentence?
gambá and saruê are masculine nouns. cuíca is a feminine noun. opossum is also a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɐ̃ˈba/
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the word cuíca refers both to the opossum and to a traditional friction drum used in samba music.
- A popular theory claiming gambá comes from the Tupi words for 'belly' and 'hollow' is a linguistic myth, as those specific words do not exist in Tupi.
Examples in context
- Depois das reuniões do Albergue Gambá, os membros recitavam a oração dos homens: "Sou um homem, mas posso mudar, se for preciso, provavelmente".After the Opossum Lodge meetings, the members recited the men's prayer: "I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."This example shows the use of gambá in a proper name.Tatoeba #10686753 by Cangarejo, translation #4297036 by Objectivesea
- Ela viu um gambá numa árvore do quintal da casa dela.She saw an opossum on a tree in her house's backyard.This example shows how to use gambá to describe seeing the animal in a yard.Tatoeba #1159886 by carlo, translation #14014931 by haomakk
- No Brasil, é possível encontrar diversos tipos de animais, desde pássaros exóticos até gambás.In Brazil, it's possible to find various types of animals, from exotic birds to opossums.
- Vi um timbu no quintal da minha casa.I saw an opossum in my backyard.
- Ontem à noite, um saruê entrou na minha cozinha!Last night, an opossum entered my kitchen!
- Hoje vi um cangambá no parque.Today, I saw an opossum in the park.
- O gambá passou pelo jardim ontem à noite.The opossum passed through the garden last night.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are talking in a garden after sunset.
- RodrigoVocê viu o gambá perto do portão?Did you see the opossum near the gate?
- BeatrizNão, eu só ouvi um barulho.No, I only heard a noise.
- RodrigoEle parece estar procurando comida.He seems to be looking for food.
- BeatrizEspero que ele não entre na casa.I hope he doesn't enter the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “opossum” translations and entries gambá, cuíca, saruê, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuíca, gambá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
