gambá
/ɡɐ̃ˈba/masculine
The English word skunk is gambá in Portuguese. Wiktionary also lists cangambá and doninha-fedorenta.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gambá | /ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Brazil) /ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| cangambá | /kɐ̃.ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Brazil) /kɐ̃.ɡɐ̃ˈba/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| doninha-fedorenta | /doˌnĩ.ɲɐ.fe.doˈɾẽ.tɐ/ (Brazil) /dɔˌni.ɲɐ.fɨ.duˈɾẽ.tɐ/ (Portugal) |
Portugal, feminine |
The term is used to refer to the animal known as a skunk.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, gambá is the common word for a skunk, but it is also the word used for an opossum. This can lead to ambiguity when used in biological contexts. If you are in Portugal, use doninha-fedorenta to refer to a skunk.
Is it said differently in some regions?
doninha-fedorenta is the term used in Portugal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of gambá is gambás.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɐ̃ˈba/
Did you know?
- The term doninha-fedorenta used in Portugal literally translates to 'stinky weasel'. It relies on a descriptive compound rather than a unique noun for the animal.
- Despite common beliefs that gambá comes from Tupi words for 'belly' and 'hollow', no such words exist in that language.
Examples in context
- Quase tropecei num gambá noite passada.I almost stepped on a skunk last night.This sentence shows how to use gambá when talking about nearly stepping on one.Tatoeba #424011 by brauliobezerra, translation #423339 by CM
- Eu desviei para não atropelar um gambá.I swerved to avoid hitting a skunk.This sentence demonstrates using gambá in the context of avoiding a collision.Tatoeba #2571567 by marcospcruz, translation #2407157 by CK
- Provoque uma doninha-fedorenta no Minesota ou gargareje em público em Nova Orleães, na Luisiana, e eles podem mandá-lo para a prisão.Tease a skunk in Minnesota, or gargle in public in New Orleans, Louisiana, and they can haul you off to jail.This sentence illustrates the use of doninha-fedorenta in a sentence about Minnesota and New Orleans.Tatoeba #11294422 by Cangarejo, translation #11294421 by Cangarejo
- O gambá tem um cheiro característico bastante forte.The skunk has a very strong distinctive smell.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are walking in a park at night.
- LucasCuidado, eu vi um gambá ali.Watch out, I saw a skunk over there.
- CamilaOnde? Eu não estou vendo nada.Where? I don't see anything.
- LucasAtrás daquela árvore, o gambá está passando.Behind that tree, the skunk is passing by.
- CamilaNossa, vamos sair de perto dele rápido.Wow, let's get away from it quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skunk” translations and entries gambá, cangambá, doninha-fedorenta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cangambá, doninha-fedorenta, gambá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
