pombo
/ˈpõ.bu/masculine
The Portuguese word for pigeon is pombo. Wiktionary also lists pomba.
Meaning: bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pombo | /ˈpõ.bu/ (Brazil) /ˈpõ.bu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| pomba | /ˈpõ.bɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈpõ.bɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
Pombo refers to a bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae.
Which one should you use?
Use the masculine pombo to refer to the species in general or a male bird, and the feminine pomba to refer specifically to a female bird.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form of pombo is pombos, and the feminine plural form of pomba is pombas.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈpõ.bu/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the phrase pombo is sometimes used in urban slang to describe someone who is naive or easily fooled.
- The ancestor of pombo is the Proto-Indo-European word *pal-wo, which meant 'dark-colored' or 'gray'.
- Portuguese speakers use the feminine pomba specifically for the 'dove of peace', even when the bird is not biologically female.
Examples in context
- O pombo voou longe.The pigeon has flown away.The first sentence shows the use of pombo to describe a pigeon flying away.Tatoeba #918191 by alexmarcelo, translation #282732 by kebukebu
- O meu carro está coberto de cocô de pomba.My car is covered with pigeon poop.The second sentence uses pomba in a sentence about pigeon poop.Tatoeba #1539834 by alexmarcelo, translation #1540535 by Chevere33
- Este pombo voou de São Francisco a Nova York.This pigeon flew from San Francisco to New York.The third sentence demonstrates the use of pombo to describe a pigeon traveling between cities.Tatoeba #421807 by brauliobezerra, translation #421401 by Scott
- Vi um pombo na praça.I saw a pigeon in the square.
- Os pombos são aves urbanas comuns em todo o país.Pigeons are common urban birds throughout the country.
- Existem várias espécies de pombos.There are several species of pigeons.
- Olha que pombinho fofo!Look at that cute pigeon!
- Os pombos-correio foram amplamente utilizados durante as guerras.Carrier pigeons were widely used during the wars.
- Fui alimentar os pombinhos no parque.I went to feed the pigeons in the park.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are sitting on a park bench.
- JulianaOlhe aquele pombo, Rodrigo!Look at that pigeon, Rodrigo!
- RodrigoÉ um pombo muito grande.It is a very large pigeon.
- JulianaEle está tentando comer o meu lanche.He is trying to eat my snack.
- RodrigoCuidado para ele não voar em você.Be careful so he doesn't fly at you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pigeon” translations and entries pombo, pomba, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pomba, pombo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
