foca
animal, Brazil
In Brazilian Portuguese the sea animal "seal" is foca. For a stamp or official seal, the word is selo, and a security seal on a package is a lacre.
Meaning: sea animal, and stamp (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| foca | animal, Brazil |
| selo | stamp or seal |
| lacre | security seal |
In Brazilian newsrooms, foca is also slang for a rookie journalist.
Which one should you use?
English "seal" covers several meanings, but Portuguese uses separate words. Foca is only the animal, selo is a postage stamp or a mark of approval, and lacre is the tamper-proof seal.
Did you know?
- Brazilian newsrooms use foca as a nickname for a beginner journalist.
Examples in context
- A foca nada no mar.The seal swims in the sea.
- Preciso de um selo para a carta.I need a stamp for the letter.
- O lacre da caixa estava quebrado.The seal on the box was broken.
Example conversation
Ana visits an aquarium with her son Davi.
- DaviMãe, olha a foca!Mom, look at the seal!
- AnaQue bonita! Ela está nadando.How pretty! She is swimming.
- DaviPosso dar peixe?Can I feed her fish?
