filhote de cão
masculine
The English word puppy is translated into Portuguese as filhote de cão. Wiktionary also lists cachorro and cachorrinho.
Meaning: young dog (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| filhote de cão | masculine | |
| cachorro | /kaˈʃo.ʁu/ (Brazil) /kaˈʃo.ʁu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| cachorrinho | /ka.ʃoˈʁĩ.ɲu/ (Brazil) /ka.ʃoˈʁĩ.ɲu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
While cachorro is the standard word for a dog of any age, it can mean puppy. To be explicitly clear that you are talking about a young animal and avoid confusion with an adult dog, you can use the phrase filhote de cachorro.
What does it mean word for word?
The word filhote literally means a baby, offspring or young one.
Which one should you use?
The term cachorro is the standard word for a dog of any age, though it can be used for a puppy. To specifically denote a puppy or a small dog, the most common way is to use cachorrinho. You can also use cãozinho to mean puppy. If you want to be very explicit to avoid any confusion with an adult dog, use the phrase filhote de cachorro.
When do people say it?
The term totó is an informal and endearing way to refer to a puppy.
Did you know?
- In many Portuguese-speaking contexts, calling a person a cachorro can be a slang insult rather than a term of endearment.
- The word cachorro is likely related to the Latin 'catulus', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'cub'.
- While cachorro is the standard word for a dog in Brazil, in Portugal it traditionally refers specifically to a male dog or a puppy.
Examples in context
- Tom quer um cachorrinho.Tom wants a puppy.This sentence shows the use of cachorrinho.Tatoeba #8591581 by bill, translation #8580930 by CK
- O cachorrinho bebe água?Does the puppy drink water?This sentence uses cachorrinho.Tatoeba #11152024 by carlosalberto, translation #11152012 by carlosalberto
- Você quer um cachorrinho?Do you want a puppy?Tatoeba #6317092 by bill, translation #3821319 by CK
- O cachorrinho é muito fofo!The puppy is very cute!
- Eu adotei um cãozinho abandonado.I adopted an abandoned puppy.
- Olha só que totó mais fofo!Look at that cute puppy!
- O cãozito dela é muito brincalhão.Her puppy is very playful.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are visiting a pet shop.
- LucasOlha aquele filhote de cão!Look at that puppy!
- JulianaEle é muito fofo, Lucas.He is very cute, Lucas.
- LucasPosso pegar o filhote de cão no colo?Can I hold the puppy in my arms?
- JulianaSim, mas com cuidado, por favor.Yes, but carefully, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puppy” translations and entries cachorro, cachorrinho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cachorrinho, cachorro, cão, de, filhote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
