palhinha
/paˈʎĩ.ɲɐ/
The Portuguese word for straw (a thin tube used for drinking) is palhinha.
The word refers to a thin tube used for sucking a liquid out of a glass or container.
Which one should you use?
In Portugal, palhinha is the standard term for a drinking straw, whereas in Brazil, the word canudo is more commonly used. Additionally, canudinho is an informal diminutive form of canudo, meaning "little straw".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the standard term is palhinha. In Brazil, canudo is the more common choice.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural, use palhinhas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /paˈʎĩ.ɲɐ/.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Brazil, the word palhinha refers to a type of small, thin cracker or snack rather than a drinking tool.
- The expression palha para boi dormir uses the root of palhinha to describe something useless or a waste of time.
- In Brazil, the word canudo is also used to describe the rolled-up wafer cookies served with ice cream, rather than just the tool for drinking.
Examples in context
- Por favor, você poderia trazer um canudo?Could you please bring a straw?
- Podes trazer uma palhinha para o meu sumo?Can you bring a straw for my juice?
- Eu prefiro beber com palhinha.I prefer drinking with a straw.
- A palhinha está suja.The straw is dirty.
Example conversation
At a cafe, Juliana is drinking a milkshake.
- FelipeJuliana, tu queres a minha palhinha?Juliana, do you want my straw?
- JulianaNão, obrigada, eu não uso palhinha.No, thanks, I don't use a straw.
- FelipeTudo bem, eu fico com ela então.That's fine, I'll keep it then.
- JulianaFelipe, o teu batido parece ótimo!Felipe, your milkshake looks great!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry palhinha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
