maconheiro
/ma.kõˈɲe(j).ɾu/masculine
The English phrase 'pothead' can be translated into Portuguese as maconheiro.
maconheiro is an informal term used to describe a person who smokes cannabis frequently.
Meaning: a person who smokes cannabis frequently (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term maconheiro is generally used as a derogatory label or a slang term and is not a neutral way to describe a cannabis user in most social contexts. If you need a formal alternative in Portugal, you can use consumidor de cannabis.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form maconheiro changes to the feminine maconheira when referring to a woman, and the plural form is maconheiros.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ma.kõˈɲe(j).ɾu/.
Did you know?
- The term maconha is widely believed to have originated from a Kimbundu word brought to Brazil by enslaved people from Angola.
- In some Portuguese slang, the suffix -eiro in maconheiro functions similarly to 'job titles', jokingly treating cannabis use as a professional occupation.
- Despite the negative connotations of maconheiro, the word maconha is sometimes used in a poetic or nostalgic way in Brazilian 'Samba' and 'Bossa Nova' lyrics.
Examples in context
- O João é um maconheiro famoso na universidade.João is a well-known pothead at the university.
- Aquele cara é um maconheiro.That guy is a pothead.
- Não quero andar com um maconheiro.I don't want to hang out with a pothead.
- Ele é um maconheiro assumido.He is an out-and-out pothead.
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are talking about a neighbor.
- FelipeVocê conhece o vizinho novo?Do you know the new neighbor?
- BeatrizSim, ele é um maconheiro.Yes, he is a pothead.
- FelipeSério? Eu não percebi.Really? I didn't notice.
- BeatrizDá para notar pelo cheiro.You can tell by the smell.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pothead” translations and entries maconheiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
