foca
/ˈfɔ.kɐ/feminine
The English word seal refers to the pinniped animal as foca in Portuguese.
foca is the noun used to refer to the pinniped animal.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Which one should you use?
While foca refers specifically to the animal, do not confuse it with the verbs selar, which means to seal or stamp a document or vedar, which means to seal or close a gap in a container.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
foca is a feminine noun and is used with the feminine definite article a (a foca). The plural form is focas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈfɔ.kɐ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word foca is a learned borrowing from the Latin phōca, which originally came from the Ancient Greek word phṓkē.
- In Portuguese, you must be careful when using the word 'fofa', which sounds similar to foca, as it means 'cute' or 'fluffy'.
- Because foca sounds like the start of focal, it is sometimes used in puns in Portuguese science or photography circles involving the animal.
Examples in context
- Pode haver coisa mais linda que uma peluda cria de foca, branca como a neve?Could anything be more beautiful than a furry seal pup, white as snow?This sentence is useful for describing the beauty of a white seal pup using foca.Tatoeba #12995715 by carlosalberto, translation #12995859 by carlosalberto
- As progenitoras muitas vezes deixam os filhotes para trás enquanto se alimentam no mar. Mesmo uma lontra marinha ou cria de foca não acompanhada provavelmente não foi abandonada!Mothers often leave young behind while feeding offshore. Even a lone sea otter or seal pup is probably not abandoned!This sentence is useful for discussing the behavior of seal pups using foca.Tatoeba #10775766 by Cangarejo, translation #6604303 by Hybrid
- Este animal assemelha-se exteriormente à foca, mas é mais forte e muito maior. Tal como as focas, eles têm cinco dedos em cada pata, mas as suas garras são mais curtas e a sua cabeça mais curta e redonda.This animal externally resembles the seal, but he is stronger and much larger. Like the seals they have five toes to each paw, but their claws are shorter, and their head shorter and rounder.This sentence is useful for comparing different animals to the seal using foca.Tatoeba #12174032 by Cangarejo, translation #12174031 by Cangarejo
- O selo oficial será lançado na próxima semana.The official seal will be released next week.
- Por favor, coloque o carimbo ao lado da sua assinatura.Please place the seal next to your signature.
- O carimbo de autenticidade foi aplicado no documento.The authenticity seal was applied to the document.
- Meu irmão adora brincar com uma foca de pelúcia.My brother loves playing with a toy seal.
- Você já viu como uma foca nada graciosamente?Have you ever seen how gracefully a seal swims?
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- BeatrizOlha aquela foca no gelo!Look at that seal on the ice!
- GabrielEla é muito fofa.She is very cute.
- BeatrizA foca está a nadar agora.The seal is swimming now.
- GabrielO movimento dela é impressionante.Her movement is impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seal” translations and entries foca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries foca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
