protesto
/pɾoˈtɛs.tu/
The English word 'protest' is protesto in Portuguese.
protesto is a noun referring to a collective gesture of disapproval or a demonstration. If you want to express the action of making a strong objection, use the verb protestar. When using this verb to express opposition to something, it is common to follow it with the preposition contra (to protest against).
Meaning: collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration (noun)
Which one should you use?
While protesto is a standard term, you might encounter other words depending on the context: manifestação is a formal term for a demonstration involving a gathering of people, while reclamação is a formal way to express a complaint, which acts as a milder form of protest. If you are describing a counter-protest, use the formal term contramanifestação.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, both protesto and manifestação are common terms used to describe a protest.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun protesto is protestos. The related verb meaning 'to protest' is protestar.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /pɾoˈtɛs.tu/.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, protesto has a specific legal meaning referring to a formal notary act used to prove that a debt was not paid. If a person is protestado, their credit is officially blocked.
- The verb protestar can be used without the preposition contra to mean simply 'to declare' or 'to affirm' something solemnly. This archaic or formal use is opposite to the modern meaning of disagreeing.
- While protesto is used for demonstrations, the word manifestação is often more common in news reports to describe street protests. It literally translates to 'manifestation' or 'making something manifest'.
Examples in context
- Houve uma avalanche de protestos.There was an avalanche of protest.This sentence shows the use of the plural form protestos.Tatoeba #12209704 by Advanced, translation #9435449 by sundown
- Protesto contra esta estúpida reforma!I protest against this stupid reform!This sentence demonstrates using the verb with the preposition contra to express opposition.Tatoeba #997136 by alexmarcelo, translation #3174418 by piterkeo
- Qual é a sua música de protesto favorita?What's your favorite protest song?This sentence uses the noun protesto to describe a specific type of music.Tatoeba #1061543 by bufo, translation #906849 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are talking about news on TV.
- JulianaVocê viu o protesto no centro da cidade?Did you see the protest downtown?
- RodrigoSim, parece que muita gente foi.Yes, it seems like a lot of people went.
- JulianaEu acho que esse protesto é necessário.I think this protest is necessary.
- RodrigoEu concordo com você, Juliana.I agree with you, Juliana.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry protesto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
