feira
/ˈfe(j).ɾɐ/
The English phrase "street market" is translated into Portuguese as feira.
The standard term for an outdoor street market selling fresh produce, flowers or household goods is feira. You may also use the expressive phrase Feira a céu aberto, which literally translates to "open-air fair".
Meaning: outdoor market (noun)
Which one should you use?
While feira typically refers to a street market, the word can also mean a "fair" or "trade exhibition" depending on the context. To specifically emphasize that the market is an open-air street market, you can use the phrase feira livre.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈfe(j).ɾɐ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word feira is a direct relative of the English word 'fair'. Both evolved from the Latin 'feriae' which referred to religious holidays when markets were traditionally held.
- In many Brazilian cities, a feira is not just a place to shop but a weekly social ritual where specific vendors, known as feirantes, have held the same exact street corner for decades.
- When shopping at a feira, it is culturally expected to engage in pechincha, which is the art of haggling or bargaining for a better price.
Examples in context
- Você sabe onde posso encontrar um mercado de rua? Preciso comprar algumas lembranças.Do you know where I can find a street market? I need to buy some souvenirs.
- Vamos dar uma olhada na feirinha que montaram na praça? Sempre tem coisas interessantes por lá.Let's check out the street market they set up in the square? There are always interesting things there.
- Vou à feira comprar frutas.I am going to the street market to buy fruit.
- A feira de domingo é muito grande.The Sunday street market is very large.
- Eu gosto de passear na feira.I like to stroll through the street market.
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are planning their Saturday morning.
- LucasMariana, você quer ir à feira?Mariana, do you want to go to the street market?
- MarianaSim, eu preciso de legumes frescos.Yes, I need fresh vegetables.
- LucasA feira está aberta agora?Is the street market open now?
- MarianaSim, vamos logo, Lucas.Yes, let's go now, Lucas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry feira, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries feira, CC BY-SA 4.0.
