causa
/ˈkaw.zɐ/feminine
In Portuguese, the English phrase 'sake' can be translated as causa or interesse.
Meaning: cause, interest or account (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| causa | /ˈkaw.zɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈkaw.zɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| interesse | /ĩ.teˈɾe.si/ (Brazil) /ĩ.tɨˈɾe.sɨ/ (Portugal) |
These words are used to express the idea of a cause, interest or account (noun).
Which one should you use?
causa is a feminine noun. interesse is used when referring to a personal or general interest in something.
How does it change in a sentence?
causa is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word causa is pronounced /ˈkaw.zɐ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word causa shares an ancient ancestry with the Portuguese word coisa, which means 'thing'.
- The word interesse describes both a personal curiosity and the financial 'interest' paid on a loan.
- In legal Portuguese, causa is frequently used to refer to a specific 'lawsuit' or 'court case', rather than just an abstract reason.
Examples in context
- A combinação de um antropólogo irlandês com um interesse pela olaria, uma pequena aldeia ao sul no Japão e muito saquê ou vinho de arroz para beber, inevitavelmente não produziria outra coisa senão uma grande história.The mix of an Irish anthropologist with an interest in pottery, a small southern village in Japan and plenty of sake or rice wine to drink would inevitably produce none other than a great story.This sentence shows how interesse is used to express an interest in a subject.Tatoeba #10923817 by Cangarejo, translation #10923816 by Cangarejo
- Um homem pode viver e ser saudável sem matar animais para comer, portanto, se ele come carne, ele participa do assassinato de um animal por causa de um capricho de seu apetite. E agir assim é imoral.A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food, therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.This sentence demonstrates how causa can be used to express the reason or sake for an action.Tatoeba #1172931 by lazymoose, translation #411069 by Scott
- No jantar de negócios, o convidado pediu um saquê para acompanhar o sushi.At the business dinner, the guest ordered a sake to pair with the sushi.
- Você poderia me trazer a garrafa de saquê, por favor?Could you bring me the bottle of sake, please?
- Eu adoro degustar uma boa aguardente de arroz.I love tasting a good rice liquor.
- Conhece algum lugar onde podemos comprar aguardente de arroz de alta qualidade?Do you know any place where we can buy high-quality rice liquor?
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are discussing why they are volunteering.
- BeatrizVocê quer ajudar nesta causa?Do you want to help with this cause?
- LucasSim, Beatriz. Eu acho isso muito importante.Yes, Beatriz. I think this is very important.
- BeatrizQue bom que você se importa com a causa.It is great that you care about the cause.
- LucasCom certeza, Lucas quer ajudar no que for preciso.Definitely, Lucas wants to help with whatever is needed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sake” translations and entries causa, interesse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries causa, interesse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
