cobra
everyday, Brazil
In Brazil "snake" is cobra. The word serpente also exists, but it sounds literary or biblical and people rarely use it in daily talk.
Meaning: long legless reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| cobra | everyday, Brazil |
| Serpente | literary |
Cobra is feminine: a cobra. Brazilians also use it for a treacherous person, as in ele é uma cobra.
When do people say it?
Brazil has many snakes, including the large anaconda, called sucuri, and the venomous jararaca.
Did you know?
- The anaconda is called sucuri in Brazilian Portuguese, a word from the Tupi language.
Examples in context
- Vi uma cobra no jardim.I saw a snake in the garden.
- A serpente é um símbolo antigo.The serpent is an ancient symbol.
- Cuidado com a jararaca.Watch out for the jararaca.
Example conversation
Dona Lúcia and her grandson Pedro walk near their farm in Minas Gerais.
- PedroVovó, tem uma cobra ali!Grandma, there is a snake over there!
- Dona LúciaFica longe, meu filho.Stay away, my boy.
- PedroEla é grande?Is it big?
