pau
/ˈpaw/masculine
In Portuguese, the English word stick is translated as pau. Wiktionary also lists vara.
Meaning: long piece of wood (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pau | /ˈpaw/ (Brazil) /ˈpaw/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| vara | /ˈva.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈva.ɾɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
Pau refers to a generic piece of wood or a thicker, more substantial stick/pole. If you are referring specifically to a walking stick or a staff, the word cajado is used.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two main forms depends on the shape and function of the object. Use pau for a generic piece of wood or a thicker, more substantial stick/pole. Use vara for a long, thin, flexible stick or a rod, often used for measuring, fishing or poking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
pau is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles and adjectives, such as o pau or um pau curto. vara is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles and adjectives, such as a vara or uma vara longa.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpaw/
Did you know?
- A pau-brasil or 'brazilwood' is the tree that gave the country of Brazil its name, as its heartwood produces a red dye resembling a glowing ember.
- While pau is a common word for a stick, in many Portuguese-speaking regions, using it in certain slang contexts can be quite vulgar, often referring to male anatomy.
- The word pau is derived from the Latin pālus, meaning 'stake', which is a cognate of the English word 'pile' as in a foundation pile.
Examples in context
- O pau está viscoso.The stick is sticky.This sentence describes the texture of the pau.Tatoeba #1648696 by alexmarcelo, translation #1648208 by Spamster
- Provocar Fadil era cutucar com vara curta um touro bravo.Provoking Fadil was poking a stick at an angry bull.This sentence uses the idiom involving the vara to describe provoking someone.Tatoeba #5908156 by sergiomelo, translation #5907415 by OsoHombre
- Você pode usar qualquer ingrediente que possa ser espetado num pau.You can use any ingredient that can be skewered on a stick.This sentence illustrates using a pau to skewer ingredients.Tatoeba #11495156 by Cangarejo, translation #11495155 by Cangarejo
- Ela encontrou um pedaço de pau para brincar com seu cachorro.She found a stick to play with her dog.
- Eles usaram uma vareta para remover a rolha da garrafa de vinho.They used a stick to remove the cork from the wine bottle.
- Ela colheu os frutos do cajueiro usando um pauzinho.She picked the cashew fruits using a small stick.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are walking in the woods.
- MarianaOlha que pau legal para caminhar!Look what a cool stick for walking!
- GabrielEle parece ser bem forte.It seems to be very strong.
- MarianaVou usar esse pau para me apoiar.I will use this stick to support myself.
- GabrielToma cuidado para não tropeçar.Be careful not to trip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stick” translations and entries pau, vara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pau, vara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
