proeza
/pɾuˈe.zɐ/
The English word 'prowess' is translated into Portuguese as proeza.
proeza refers to skillfulness or extraordinary ability in a particular area of expertise. While 'proeza' can mean skill, it is very frequently used to mean a 'feat' or a 'great achievement' (an act of prowess).
Meaning: skillfulness or extraordinary ability in a particular area of expertise (noun)
Which one should you use?
The plural form of proeza is proezas, meaning 'prowesses / feats'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. It is pronounced /pɾuˈe.zɐ/.
Did you know?
- In many Portuguese-speaking contexts, proezas can carry a slightly ironic or playful tone. Calling someone's actions proezas can sometimes mock them for doing something unnecessarily difficult or showing off, rather than simply praising their skill.
- The English word 'prowess' and the Portuguese proeza are linguistic cousins, both tracing back to the same Old French roots. They share a common ancestry that links the two languages through the evolution of the word 'proece'.
- While proeza refers to a feat, Portuguese speakers often use the word destreza when they want to specifically highlight physical agility or manual dexterity.
Examples in context
- Ergueu-se a imagem do meu pai querido, / como ali vejo o monarca, banhado em sangue, / semelhante a ele em proeza e em idade seu par. / Ergueu-se Creúsa, desolada e sombria, / perigo de Júlio, e o saqueado lar.Uprose the image of my father dear, / as there I see the monarch, bathed in blood, / like him in prowess and in age his peer. / Uprose Creusa, desolate and drear, / Iulus' peril, and a plundered home.This sentence uses proeza to compare the prowess of a monarch to that of a father.Tatoeba #10634618 by Luciferous, translation #6853273 by carlosalberto
- O João demonstrou uma grande perícia no campo de batalha.João demonstrated great prowess on the battlefield.
- O Pedro demonstrou grande gabarito na resolução dos problemas.Pedro demonstrated great prowess in problem-solving.
- O surfista demonstrou competência nas ondas gigantes.The surfer demonstrated prowess in the giant waves.
- Os dançarinos mostraram destreza nos passos de dança.The dancers showed prowess in their dance moves.
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are discussing a colleague's skills.
- MarianaVocê viu a proeza do Felipe com a programação?Did you see Felipe's prowess with programming?
- FelipeSim, ele resolveu o problema rapidamente.Yes, he solved the problem quickly.
- MarianaÉ realmente um talento raro.It is truly a rare talent.
- FelipeEu ainda estou tentando aprender.I am still trying to learn.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry proeza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries proeza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
