rato
/ˈʁa.tu/masculine
The Portuguese word for rat is rato. If unsure, use rato. Wiktionary also lists ratazana.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rato | /ˈʁa.tu/ (Brazil) /ˈʁa.tu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| ratazana | /ʁa.taˈzɐ̃.nɐ/ (Brazil) /ʁa.taˈzɐ̃.nɐ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
feminine |
The term is used to refer to the rodent.
Which one should you use?
rato is the masculine form, while ratazana is a feminine form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term rato de telhado is used to denote the black rat, known in English as a roof rat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular rato becomes ratos in the plural. If you are specifically referring to female rats, you use the feminine plural form ratas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁa.tu/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word rato can also mean 'a short while' or 'a moment' in Portuguese. This is a homonym that comes from the Latin word raptus.
- Calling someone a rato in certain contexts can be a slang term for a snitch or a traitor. This moves the word from a biological description to a personality trait.
- In Portuguese, the word rato is used for both 'rat' and 'mouse'. This means the same word describes both the larger pest and the smaller rodent.
Examples in context
- Eles viram um rato.They saw a rat.This sentence shows how to use the form rato to indicate seeing the animal.Tatoeba #11210949 by omniglotman, translation #11252436 by piterkeo
- O gato comeu o rato.The cat ate the rat.This sentence demonstrates how to use the form rato in the context of a cat eating it.Tatoeba #1312469 by alexmarcelo, translation #7779325 by sharris123
- Isso é carne de rato.It's rat meat.This sentence illustrates how to use the form rato when discussing meat.Tatoeba #11588449 by DavidDias, translation #2697098 by CM
- Os ratos são animais inteligentes e adaptáveis.Rats are intelligent and adaptable animals.
- Cuidado! Uma ratazana entrou na cozinha!Be careful! A rat entered the kitchen!
- No Brasil, é comum encontrar ratos de telhado em áreas urbanas.In Brazil, it is common to find roof rats in urban areas.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is talking in their kitchen about a pest problem.
- MarianaRodrigo, eu vi um rato na cozinha!Rodrigo, I saw a rat in the kitchen!
- RodrigoUm rato? Que susto, Mariana!A rat? What a scare, Mariana!
- MarianaEle correu para debaixo do armário.It ran under the cupboard.
- RodrigoVou pegar uma armadilha agora.I'll get a trap now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations and entries rato, ratazana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ratazana, rato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
