How to Say "Railroad" in Portuguese

ferrovia

/ˌfɛ.ʁoˈvi.ɐ/

The English phrase "railroad" is translated into Portuguese as ferrovia.

ferrovia refers to the system of tracks and trains used for transporting passengers and goods.

What does it mean word for word?

The word is a compound of ferro (iron) and via (way/path).

The plural form is created by adding -s to the end to get ferrovias. To say "of the railroad", you combine the contraction de + a into da ferrovia.

The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ˌfɛ.ʁoˈvi.ɐ/.

The term ferrovia is a linguistic imitation of the German word 'Eisenbahn', having been passed through Italian to reach Portuguese.
While ferrovia is the technical term for the system, Brazilians almost always use the word trem ('train') to refer to the railroad itself in casual conversation.
The Portuguese language uses ferrovia for the infrastructure, but the specific term estrada de ferro is often used when referring to the romantic or historical era of steam trains.

Os rebeldes sabotaram a ferrovia.
The rebels sabotaged the railroad.
This sentence shows how to use ferrovia in the context of sabotage.
Tatoeba #5180090 by Ricardo14, translation #2163170 by Source_VOA
O custo da construção da ferrovia foi muito alto.
The cost of building the railroad was very high.
This sentence uses ferrovia to discuss the high cost of construction.
Tatoeba #5874526 by sergiomelo, translation #807629 by Source_VOA
Um homem que nunca foi à escola pode roubar de um vagão de carga, mas, se ele tiver educação superior, ele pode roubar toda a ferrovia.
A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car, but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.
This sentence uses ferrovia to illustrate a comparison between stealing from a car and stealing an entire system.
Tatoeba #2456044 by marcospcruz, translation #21495 by CM
O governo está investindo na melhoria das ferrovias nacionais.
The government is investing in the improvement of national railroads.
O projeto de modernização do caminho de ferro contempla a construção de novas linhas.
The railroad modernization project includes the construction of new lines.

Juliana and Rodrigo are discussing travel options for their trip.

Juliana

Podemos viajar pela ferrovia para ver a paisagem.
We can travel by railroad to see the landscape.
Rodrigo

A ferrovia é uma opção muito tranquila.
The railroad is a very peaceful option.
Juliana

Você sabe se o trem passa por perto?
Do you know if the train passes nearby?
Rodrigo

Sim, a rota da ferrovia é bem perto daqui.
Yes, the railroad route is very close to here.

Sources

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