ferrugem
/feˈʁu.ʒẽj̃/feminine
The English phrase 'rust' is translated into Portuguese as ferrugem.
ferrugem is a noun used to describe the result of oxidation on metal. If you are speaking in a scientific or highly formal context, you might use oxidação for 'oxidation' or corrosão for 'corrosion'.
Meaning: result of oxidation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ferrugem is the noun for the substance itself, you may use the verb enferrujar for the common, everyday way to say 'to rust'. In contrast, oxidar is a more technical term meaning 'to oxidize'. To describe an object that is 'rusty', use the adjective enferrujado for masculine nouns or enferrujada for feminine nouns.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, ferrugem is the standard and widely accepted term to refer to 'rust'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ferrugem is a feminine noun. Therefore, it must be used with feminine articles and adjectives, such as a ferrugem (the rust) or ferrugem vermelha (red rust).
How do you pronounce it?
/feˈʁu.ʒẽj̃/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ferrugem is also the name for a common fungal disease that affects coffee plants and wheat, often referred to as 'coffee rust'.
- While ferrugem is the common word for rust, Portuguese speakers use zinabre specifically for the greenish crust that forms on copper or bronze.
- The root of ferrugem is closely tied to the Latin 'ferrum', which is the same root used for the chemical symbol 'Fe' in the periodic table.
Examples in context
- A ferrugem está corroendo o ferro.The rust is eating away the iron.This sentence shows how ferrugem can be described as eating away at iron.Tatoeba #9198266 by bill, translation #5914826 by astru
- A escada-de-mão estava coberta de pó e ferrugem.The ladder was covered with dust and rust.This sentence illustrates an object being covered in dust and ferrugem.Tatoeba #734700 by lenon_perez, translation #50024 by CK
- A ferrugem come o ferro, a preocupação, o homem.Rust eats iron, worries eat man.This sentence uses ferrugem in a metaphorical or poetic context regarding iron and man.Tatoeba #1154766 by tulio, translation #2857899 by mervert1
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are looking at an old bicycle in the garage.
- LucasOlha quanta ferrugem nesta bicicleta!Look how much rust is on this bicycle!
- CamilaDá para tirar a ferrugem com óleo?Can you remove the rust with oil?
- LucasAcho que precisamos de um produto forte.I think we need a strong product.
- CamilaVou comprar um removedor de ferrugem.I will buy a rust remover.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rust” translations and entries ferrugem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
