peculiar
/pe.ku.liˈaʁ/
The English phrase peculiar can be translated into Portuguese using peculiar, estranho or esquisito.
Meaning: out of the ordinary (adj)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| peculiar | /pe.ku.liˈaʁ/ (Brazil) /pe.kuˈljaʁ/ (Brazil) |
| estranho | /isˈtɾɐ̃.ɲu/ (Brazil) /esˈtɾɐ̃.ɲu/ (Brazil) |
| esquisito | /is.kiˈzi.tu/ (Brazil) /es.kiˈzi.tu/ (Brazil) |
The term refers to something that is out of the ordinary.
Which one should you use?
While peculiar is neutral, esquisito is often used to describe something that is weird or odd in a way that is unpleasant or suspicious. Estranho is the most common way to say 'strange' and can mean both 'weird' and simply 'unfamiliar' or 'unknown'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective estranho must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to estranha for feminine nouns. The adjective esquisito must agree in number with the noun it modifies, changing to esquisitos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pe.ku.liˈaʁ/ and has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- In Latin, the root of peculiar was peku, meaning 'cattle'. This connects the idea of something 'particular' to the ancient practice of counting livestock as wealth.
- In Portuguese, estranho can describe a person who is not just 'weird' but simply a stranger or someone you have never met.
- While peculiar is used in both English and Portuguese, the Portuguese version is more likely to be used in formal writing or legal contexts to denote a specific characteristic.
Examples in context
- Tom é muito peculiar.Tom is very peculiar.This sentence is useful for describing a person using peculiar.Tatoeba #7901810 by piterkeo, translation #6661230 by CK
- É um povo peculiar e bem colorido.They're peculiar and colored people.This sentence is useful for describing a group of people using peculiar.Tatoeba #9133268 by JGEN, translation #9133642 by acell
- Este leite está com um cheiro estranho.This milk has a peculiar smell.This sentence is useful for describing a smell using estranho.Tatoeba #3557483 by carlosalberto, translation #60454 by CM
- Essa situação é bem estranhaThis situation is quite peculiar
- É um caso curiosoIt is a peculiar case
- O comportamento dele é insólitoHis behavior is peculiar
- Que coisa estranha!What a peculiar thing!
- Aquele filme é esquisitoThat movie is peculiar
- Felipe tem um jeito bastante peculiar de se vestirFelipe has a very peculiar way of dressing
- O comportamento dos gatos é sempre um pouco estranhoCats' behavior is always a bit peculiar
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are looking at a piece of modern art in a gallery.
- JulianaRodrigo, veja aquela escultura!Rodrigo, look at that sculpture!
- RodrigoSim, ela tem um formato peculiar.Yes, it has a peculiar shape.
- JulianaEu achei a cor dela muito bonita.I thought its color was very beautiful.
- RodrigoVerdade, é uma obra de arte única.True, it is a unique work of art.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peculiar” translations and entries peculiar, estranho, esquisito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esquisito, estranho, peculiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
