caracol
/ka.ɾaˈkɔw/masculine
The Portuguese word for snail is caracol. Wiktionary also lists caramujo.
Meaning: any animal of the class Gastropoda having a shell (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| caracol | /ka.ɾaˈkɔw/ (Brazil) /kɐ.ɾɐˈkɔl/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| caramujo | /ka.ɾaˈmu.ʒu/ (Brazil) /kɐ.ɾɐˈmu.ʒu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
Both caracol and caramujo are used to describe animals of the class Gastropoda that possess a shell.
Which one should you use?
While both words refer to gastropods, caracol is the more common term used for land snails. In many contexts, caramujo is specifically used to refer to aquatic snails, such as those found in rivers or ponds.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Caracol is used in both European Portuguese (Portugal) and Brazilian Portuguese. Caramujo is particularly used in Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both caracol and caramujo are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.ɾaˈkɔw/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word caracol may share a common ancestor with the English word 'spoon', stemming from the Latin 'cochlea' which referred to both a snail and a spiral-shaped object.
- In Brazil, the caramujo is sometimes a delicacy. Certain species are cleaned and cooked as a street food or appetizer, often served with garlic and butter.
- The word caracol is used to describe a specific type of pastry in Portugal and Brazil. These are rolled cakes or cookies that mimic the spiral shape of a snail shell.
Examples in context
- Isto é um caracol.This is a snail.This sentence is useful for identifying a snail using caracol.Tatoeba #7088399 by iart61, translation #10450572 by alex_witoslawski
- Bob comeu o caracol e então vomitou.Bob ate the snail, then vomited.This sentence is useful for describing an action involving a snail using caracol.Tatoeba #3466054 by piterkeo, translation #542885 by FeuDRenais2
- Ó caracol, devagarinho, suba o monte Fuji!Snail, slowly, slowly, climb Fuji mountain!This sentence uses caracol in a poetic or metaphorical address.Tatoeba #13725651 by carlosalberto, translation #13724793 by terrywallwork
- Ontem, estudei sobre os caracóis marinhos.Yesterday, I studied about marine snails.
- Prefiro observar a anatomia dos caramujos.I prefer observing the anatomy of snails.
- Os caracóis terrestres pertencem à classe Gastropoda.Land snails belong to the class Gastropoda.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are walking through a wet garden.
- RodrigoBeatriz, olha aquele caracol no chão!Beatriz, look at that snail on the ground!
- BeatrizÉ verdade, ele é muito fofo.It's true, it is very cute.
- RodrigoEle parece estar a subir a pedra.It seems to be climbing the rock.
- BeatrizSim, ele é muito calmo.Yes, it is very calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snail” translations and entries caracol, caramujo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caracol, caramujo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
