Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| derrame | /deˈʁɐ̃.mi/ (Brazil) /deˈʁɐ̃.mi/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| acidente vascular cerebral | /a.siˈdẽ.t͡ʃi vas.kuˈlaʁ se.ɾeˈbɾaw/ (Brazil) | masculine |
The term refers to the loss of brain function that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.
Which one should you use?
derrame is the most common way to say stroke, though in other contexts it can also mean a 'spill' or an 'outpouring' of a liquid. acidente vascular cerebral is the specific medical term used for the condition.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
acidente vascular cerebral is a formal, medical term often used in clinical or official contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the term enfarte cerebral is used to correspond to 'brain attack' or 'cerebral infarction'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both derrame and acidente vascular cerebral are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word derrame has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /deˈʁɐ̃.mi/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the verb acariciar (to stroke or caress) when referring to the medical condition. Use the noun derrame instead.
Did you know?
- Because derrame can mean any 'outpouring', it is also used in Portuguese to describe an oil spill in the ocean, called a derrame de petróleo.
- The word acidente in acidente vascular cerebral comes from the Latin accidō, meaning 'to fall'. It describes the event as something that 'falls' or happens unexpectedly.
- Portuguese speakers use derrame to describe not only strokes but also the 'leakage' of fluid in other parts of the body, such as a derrame pleural in the lungs.
Examples in context
- O Tom teve um derrame.Tom had a stroke.This sentence is useful for saying that someone had a stroke using derrame.Tatoeba #8205026 by MacGyver, translation #2648707 by CK
- Eu tive um acidente vascular cerebral.I've had a stroke.This sentence is useful for stating you have had a stroke using acidente vascular cerebral.Tatoeba #2660257 by alexmarcelo, translation #5860576 by CK
- Os adultos com idade mais avançada podem vir a desenvolver epilepsia devido a uma infecção, acidente vascular cerebral ou doença de Alzheimer.Older adults may develop epilepsy because of an infection, stroke or Alzheimer's disease.This sentence is useful for discussing medical causes like a stroke using acidente vascular cerebral.Tatoeba #10792518 by Cangarejo, translation #10792517 by Cangarejo
- Ontem, meu avô sofreu um acidente vascular cerebral. Felizmente, ele está se recuperando bem.Yesterday, my grandfather had a stroke. Fortunately, he is recovering well.
- O derrame cerebral pode causar danos permanentes ao cérebro.A stroke can cause permanent brain damage.
- Precisamos chamar uma ambulância imediatamente. Parece que ele está tendo um derrame cerebral!We need to call an ambulance immediately. It looks like he is having a stroke!
- O acidente vascular cerebral é uma doença séria que requer atenção médica imediata.Stroke is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are talking about a neighbor's health.
- MarianaVocê soube que o vizinho teve um derrame?Did you hear that the neighbor had a stroke?
- GabrielNão, eu não sabia disso.No, I didn't know that.
- MarianaEle está no hospital agora.He is in the hospital now.
- GabrielEspero que ele se recupere logo.I hope he recovers soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stroke” translations and entries derrame, acidente vascular cerebral, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acidente, cerebral, vascular, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
