filho
/ˈfi.ʎu/masculine
The Portuguese word for son is filho.
filho is a masculine noun used to refer to a male person in relation to his parents.
Meaning: a male person in relation to his parents (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use the masculine form filho to refer to a single male child, and the feminine form filha to refer to a single female child. Additionally, the masculine plural form filhos can mean either 'sons' or a mixed-gender group of 'children'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of filho is filha.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfi.ʎu/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word filho is distantly related to the English word 'suck', as both trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to suck'.
- Portuguese speakers sometimes use filhote as a diminutive for filho, which is also the general word for a baby animal.
- In some regions, meu filho can be used as a mild expression of frustration or a way to patronize someone during an argument.
Examples in context
- Vês o meu filho?Do you see my son?This sentence is useful for asking if someone sees your filho.Tatoeba #1914321 by alexmarcelo, translation #6882575 by CarpeLanam
- Ele é meu filho.He's my son.This sentence is useful for stating that he is your filho.Tatoeba #9824677 by lucasmg123, translation #4703087 by CH
- Você é meu filho.You're my son.This sentence is useful for telling someone that they are your filho.Tatoeba #2363726 by alexmarcelo, translation #1895593 by CK
- O senhor tem um filho muito talentoso.You have a very talented son, sir.
- O meu pimpolho adora brincar no parque.My little son loves to play at the park.
- 526 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are talking about their family in a cafe.
- RodrigoO seu filho é muito educado.Your son is very polite.
- MarianaObrigada, Rodrigo. Ele é um bom menino.Thank you, Rodrigo. He is a good boy.
- RodrigoQuantos anos tem o seu filho?How old is your son?
- MarianaEle tem apenas cinco anos.He is only five years old.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “son” translations and entries filho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries filho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
