tubarão
/tu.baˈɾɐ̃w̃/masculine
The English word shark is translated into Portuguese as tubarão. Wiktionary also lists cação and escalho.
Meaning: fish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tubarão | /tu.baˈɾɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /tu.bɐˈɾɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| cação | /kaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /kɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| escalho | /isˈka.ʎu/ (Brazil) /esˈka.ʎu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| escalo | /isˈka.lu/ (Brazil) /esˈka.lu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
The primary way to refer to a shark is tubarão.
Which one should you use?
tubarão is the general term used for any type of shark. In contrast, cação is used to refer to smaller species of sharks, such as dogfish or is used specifically when referring to shark meat in a culinary context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cação is a term used mostly in Brazil to refer to smaller species of sharks or shark meat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tubarão is tubarões. All forms provided, including tubarão, cação, escalho and escalo, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu.baˈɾɐ̃w̃/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word tubarão appears to be an isolated term in Portuguese, as its supposed origins in indigenous Tupi are highly debated by historians.
- The term tubarão is used metaphorically in Brazil to describe someone who is a 'shark' in business or a predatory person.
- In some coastal regions of Brazil, calling someone a tubarão can be a compliment meaning they are powerful or dominant in their field.
Examples in context
- O Tom viu um tubarão.Tom saw a shark.This sentence is useful for practicing the word tubarão.Tatoeba #8588815 by Ricardo14, translation #8588809 by CK
- Você já viu um tubarão?Have you ever seen a shark?Tatoeba #5184660 by bill, translation #5182624 by CK
- O tubarão comeu o polvo.The shark ate the octopus.Tatoeba #11524523 by carlosalberto, translation #11524511 by carlosalberto
- Os tubarões são conhecidos por sua ferocidade no oceano.Sharks are known for their ferocity in the ocean.
- Aquele tubarãozinho é muito fofinho!That little shark is so cute!
- Ontem provei um delicioso prato de cação.Yesterday, I tried a delicious shark dish.
- Ao nadar na praia, fique atento à presença de tubarões.When swimming at the beach, be mindful of the presence of sharks.
- Os tubarões são uma das criaturas mais antigas e resistentes do planeta.Sharks are one of the oldest and most resilient creatures on the planet.
- Os tubarões são animais vulneráveis que precisam da nossa proteção.Sharks are vulnerable animals that need our protection.
- O filme "Tubarão" (Jaws) aterrorizou plateias em todo o mundo.The movie "Tubarão" (Jaws) terrified audiences worldwide.
- Os tubarões são fundamentais para o equilíbrio dos oceanos.Sharks are crucial for the balance of the oceans.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are visiting an aquarium.
- BeatrizOlha, Lucas! Aquele tubarão é enorme!Look, Lucas! That shark is huge!
- LucasNossa, ele é realmente assustador.Wow, it is really scary.
- BeatrizEu quero tirar uma foto do tubarão.I want to take a photo of the shark.
- LucasTira a foto rápido então!Take the photo quickly then!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries tubarão, cação, escalho, escalo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escalo, tubarão, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
