Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cirurgia plástica | /si.ɾuʁˈʒi.ɐ ˈplas.t͡ʃi.kɐ/ (Brazil, word by word) | feminine |
| plástica | /ˈplas.t͡ʃi.kɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈplaʃ.t͡ʃi.kɐ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
feminine |
The term refers to cosmetic surgery. You may also use cirurgia estética when you want to place a specific emphasis on the aesthetic aspect of the procedure.
Which one should you use?
While cirurgia plástica is the full, standard term, people often use the shorthand plástica in casual conversation by dropping the noun cirurgia.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the formal term cirurgia plástica is the most commonly used. In Brazil, the informal term plástica is used frequently.
How does it change in a sentence?
cirurgia plástica is a feminine noun phrase, so any accompanying articles or adjectives must also be feminine, such as uma cirurgia plástica. To say someone 'got' or 'had' plastic surgery, use the verb fazer (to do/make) instead of ter (to have).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /si.ɾuʁˈʒi.ɐ ˈplas.tʃi.kɐ/. It has 7 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While cirurgia plástica is the standard term, Brazilians sometimes use the expression dar um tapa no visual to describe getting a quick cosmetic touch-up.
- The word cirurgia comes from the Ancient Greek words kheír meaning 'hand' and érgon meaning 'work'. It literally describes the process of 'hand work'.
- While cirurgia estética focuses on beauty, cirurgia plástica refers to the 'malleability' of the tissue, coming from the same root as 'plasticity'.
Examples in context
- Mennad fez uma cirurgia plástica.Mennad got plastic surgery.This sentence shows how to use cirurgia plástica to say someone 'got' the procedure.Tatoeba #10836737 by DavidDias, translation #8057721 by OsoHombre
- João será submetido a uma cirurgia plástica na bochecha.John will undergo a cheek plastic surgery.This sentence demonstrates undergoing a specific cirurgia plástica on the cheek.Tatoeba #1918131 by alexmarcelo, translation #2778706 by mervert1
- Até mesmo cirurgia plástica não adiantaria para sua feiura.Even plastic surgery won't do anything for your ugliness.This sentence uses cirurgia plástica in a context describing the limits of the procedure.Tatoeba #414980 by brauliobezerra, translation #6052 by Zifre
- Gostaria de obter informações sobre cirurgia plástica.I would like to obtain information about plastic surgery.
- Dr. Silva é um especialista em cirurgia estética.Dr. Silva is an expert in plastic surgery.
- Minha amiga fez uma plástica no nariz recentemente.My friend recently had a nose job.
- Quando você vai fazer a plástica dos sonhos?When are you going to have your dream surgery?
- Se não for indelicado, posso perguntar se você fez alguma cirurgia plástica?If it's not impolite, may I ask if you had any plastic surgery?
- Gostaria de marcar uma consulta com um cirurgião plásticoI would like to schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are discussing a celebrity's recent look.
- MarianaVocê acha que ela fez cirurgia plástica?Do you think she had plastic surgery?
- RodrigoParece que sim, o nariz mudou muito.It looks like it, her nose changed a lot.
- MarianaA cirurgia plástica dela ficou muito natural.Her plastic surgery looks very natural.
- RodrigoSim, ela ficou muito bonita.Yes, she looks very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plastic surgery” translations and entries cirurgia plástica, plástica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cirurgia, plástica) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cirurgia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
