protetor
/pɾo.teˈtoʁ/masculine
In Portuguese, the word for protector is protetor.
The term refers to someone who protects or guards.
Meaning: someone who protects or guards (noun)
Which one should you use?
protetor is the masculine form used for a male protector or a group of mixed gender. Use protetora when referring specifically to a female protector.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, guardião is a less common but understood alternative to protetor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes form to match gender and number: protetora is the feminine singular, protetores is the masculine plural and protetoras is the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable. The IPA is /pɾo.teˈtoʁ/.
Did you know?
- The word protetor can also refer to a physical object, such as 'sunscreen' (protetor solar) or a 'screen protector' for a phone.
- In many Portuguese-speaking religious contexts, the term protetor is frequently used to refer to 'patron saints' who protect a specific city or group.
- While protetor is a general term, in a legal or formal context, the word tutor is often used to describe a person who acts as a legal protector for a minor.
Examples in context
- Ela é minha protetora.She is my protector.This sentence uses protetora to show a female subject is a protector.Tatoeba #11570376 by carlosalberto, translation #11570362 by carlosalberto
- Os grão-ducados da Alemanha foram assim separados do Império Germânico, e o Imperador de França foi declarado como sendo o protetor deles.The grand duchies of Germany were therefore separated from the Germanic Empire, and the Emperor of France was declared to be their protector.This sentence uses protetor to describe an official role.Tatoeba #11671109 by Cangarejo, translation #11671108 by Cangarejo
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are talking about a stray dog in their neighborhood.
- RodrigoO cachorro é um protetor fiel.The dog is a faithful protector.
- CamilaSim, ele cuida muito bem de nós.Yes, he takes very good care of us.
- RodrigoEle parece um protetor da casa.He seems like a protector of the house.
- CamilaEle é o nosso melhor amigo.He is our best friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “protector” translations and entries protetor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
