vermelho
/veʁˈme.ʎu/masculine
The English word red is translated into Portuguese as vermelho. Wiktionary also lists rubro and vermelha.
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vermelho | /veʁˈme.ʎu/ (Brazil) /veɾˈme.ʎu/ (São Paulo) |
masculine |
| rubro | /ˈʁu.bɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈʁu.bɾu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| vermelha | /veʁˈme.ʎɐ/ (Brazil) /veɾˈme.ʎɐ/ (São Paulo) |
feminine |
| rubra | feminine | |
| encarnado | /ẽ.kaʁˈna.du/ (Brazil) /ĩ.kaʁˈna.du/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| escarlate | /is.kaʁˈla.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /es.kaʁˈla.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
The word vermelho can function as both a noun to name the color and an adjective to describe an object. It can also be used as an adjective to describe someone or something as left-wing, socialist or communist.
Which one should you use?
While vermelho is the common term, rubro is a more literary or poetic way to say red. The term encarnado is also used to mean red.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, encarnado is frequently used to refer to the color red, whereas in Brazil, vermelho is the more standard term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form vermelho becomes vermelhos in the masculine plural, and the feminine singular form vermelha becomes vermelhas in the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/veʁˈme.ʎu/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word vermelho is etymologically linked to the word for 'worm'. It descends from the Latin vermiculus, referring to the tiny scale insects used to produce red dye.
- While vermelho is used for red, the word encarnado literally relates to the word 'carne' meaning 'meat' or 'flesh'.
- The word rubro comes from the Latin ruber and is often used in the names of sports clubs in Brazil and Portugal.
Examples in context
- O Sol é vermelho.The sun is red.This sentence uses vermelho to describe the sun.Tatoeba #1006093 by alexmarcelo, translation #477369 by BlueLagoon
- O meu é vermelho.Mine is red.This sentence uses vermelho to describe a possession.Tatoeba #8219997 by josivangoncalves, translation #8219999 by josivangoncalves
- Vi a luz vermelha.I saw the red light.This sentence uses vermelha to describe a light.Tatoeba #1373808 by tulio, translation #4958677 by CarpeLanam
- A bandeira de Portugal tem vermelho.The flag of Portugal has red.
- Ela sempre usa vestidos vermelhos em ocasiões formais.She always wears red dresses on formal occasions.
- A fogueira ficou com um brilho vermelhão.The bonfire had a bright red glow.
- 495 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are looking at a car.
- RodrigoVocê gosta deste carro vermelho?Do you like this red car?
- JulianaSim, eu adoro vermelho.Yes, I love red.
- RodrigoÉ a minha cor favorita também.It is my favorite color too.
- JulianaEntão vamos comprá-lo!Then let's buy it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red” translations and entries vermelho, rubro, vermelha, rubra, encarnado, escarlate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rubro, vermelho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
