ônibus escolar
/ˈõ.ni.buz is.koˈlaʁ/Brazil
The English phrase "school bus" is translated into Portuguese as ônibus escolar. Wiktionary also lists autocarro escolar.
Meaning: transport for schoolchildren (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ônibus escolar | /ˈõ.ni.buz is.koˈlaʁ/ (Brazil) /ˈõ.ni.buz es.koˈlaʁ/ (Brazil) |
Brazil |
| autocarro escolar | Portugal, masculine |
This phrase refers to transport specifically for schoolchildren.
Which one should you use?
While ônibus escolar is the standard term used in Brazil, autocarro escolar is used in Portugal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, use ônibus escolar. In the Northeast region of Brazil, Pau de Arara refers to a specific type of improvised open-truck transportation used for school. In some rural areas, the term caminhão escolar is used for a modified truck used as a school bus. In Portugal, use autocarro escolar.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, use ônibus escolares in Brazil and autocarros escolares in Portugal.
How do you pronounce it?
It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While ônibus escolar is the standard, the term Pau de Arara refers to open-truck school transport in Northeast Brazil, literally translating to 'macaw's perch'.
- The word ônibus comes from the Latin word 'omnibus', which literally means 'for everyone'.
- The Portuguese word escolar is a cognate of the English 'scholar', though in Portuguese it is used more broadly as an adjective for anything related to school.
Examples in context
- Tom está esperando o ônibus escolar.Tom is waiting for the school bus.This sentence shows how to use the phrase when someone is waiting for the vehicle.Tatoeba #8549442 by bill, translation #7732354 by CK
- Todas as crianças legais sentam-se na parte de trás do ônibus escolar.All the cool kids sit in the back of the school bus.This sentence describes where children sit within the vehicle.Tatoeba #8622066 by JGEN, translation #8599833 by CK
- Há um ônibus escolar?Is there a school bus?This sentence demonstrates how to ask if a vehicle is present.Tatoeba #347671 by tinacalysto, translation #52284 by CK
- Para garantir a segurança dos estudantes, é importante que haja ônibus escolares em todas as regiões do país.To ensure student safety, it is important to have school buses in all regions of the country.
- O transporte escolar é essencial para que os alunos possam chegar à escola com conforto e segurança.School transportation is essential for students to arrive at school comfortably and safely.
- Hoje o ônibus da escola chegou atrasado e perdi a primeira aula.Today the school bus arrived late, and I missed the first class.
- Na minha escola, a kombi escolar é amarela e tem desenhos animados nas janelas.In my school, the school van is yellow and has cartoons on the windows.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are waiting at a bus stop in the morning.
- FelipeO ônibus escolar já passou?Has the school bus already passed?
- MarianaAcho que não, Felipe.I think not, Felipe.
- FelipeEspero que o ônibus escolar não atrase.I hope the school bus is not late.
- MarianaNão se preocupe, ele deve chegar logo.Don't worry, it should arrive soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school bus” translations and entries ônibus escolar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries autocarro, escolar, ônibus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
