Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| procurador | /pɾo.ku.ɾaˈdoʁ/ (Brazil) /pɾo.ku.ɾaˈdoɾ/ (São Paulo) |
masculine |
| laranja | /laˈɾɐ̃.ʒɐ/ (Brazil) /lɐˈɾɐ̃.ʒɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine, masculine |
A proxy refers to an agent or substitute authorized to act for another person. While the English word 'Proxy' can be understood by Portuguese speakers, particularly those familiar with the internet and technology, the Portuguese language offers several specific terms depending on the context. If you are referring to the legal document or instrument that grants authority, use procuração.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on whether you are describing a person or a document, and whether the context is legal or informal. Use procurador when referring to a legal proxy or someone holding a power of attorney. In contrast, laranja is a colloquial term used to describe a 'straw man' or a front person used to hide the identity of a real owner or beneficiary, often in the context of tax evasion or illegal activities. For a more general formal alternative, you can use representante, which translates to 'representative'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Procurador is the standard term for a legal proxy. Laranja is colloquial. If you need a formal way to say 'representative', use representante. In legal or bureaucratic contexts, the term procuração is used to refer to a proxy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is procurador. To refer to a female proxy or agent, use the feminine form procuradora.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɾo.ku.ɾaˈdoʁ/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the fourth syllable.
Did you know?
- The word laranja is a linguistic traveler, tracing its roots back through Arabic to the Sanskrit word for 'orange tree'.
- While procurador means 'proxy', in some contexts it can also refer to a public prosecutor.
- The legal document that creates a proxy, procuração, is a common requirement for almost any bureaucratic task in Brazil if the person is not present.
Examples in context
- O procurador assinou os documentos hoje.The proxy signed the documents today.
- Preciso contratar um procurador para o caso.I need to hire a proxy for the case.
- Ele atua como procurador da empresa.He acts as the proxy for the company.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “proxy” translations and entries procurador, laranja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laranja, procurador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
