protetor solar
/pɾo.teˈtoʁ soˈlaʁ/masculine
Sunscreen in Portuguese is translated as protetor solar. Wiktionary also lists filtro solar and fotoprotetor.
Meaning: cream that protects the skin from the sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| protetor solar | /pɾo.teˈtoʁ soˈlaʁ/ (Brazil) | masculine |
| filtro solar | /ˈfiw.tɾu soˈlaʁ/ (Brazil, word by word) | |
| fotoprotetor | /ˌfɔ.to.pɾo.teˈtoʁ/ (Brazil) | masculine |
The term refers to a cream or substance that protects the skin from the sun. When you want to say 'to put on sunscreen', use the verb passar (to apply) rather than colocar (to put/place).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase protetor solar literally translates to 'solar protector'.
Which one should you use?
Protetor solar is the most common way to refer to sunscreen in everyday conversation. Filtro solar is often used in more technical, medical or commercial contexts, such as on product packaging.
How does it change in a sentence?
protetor solar is a masculine noun, so you should use masculine articles and adjectives with it, such as o protetor or um protetor.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾo.teˈtoʁ soˈlaʁ/
Did you know?
- The word solar in protetor solar comes from the Latin sōlāris, but it can also refer to a 'solar' (a noble family's manor house) in Portuguese history.
- In a medical setting, a doctor might use the more formal fotoprotetor instead of the common protetor solar.
- If you are at a beach in Brazil and ask for protetor, people will understand you, as the word 'solar' is often dropped in casual speech.
Examples in context
- Você tem protetor solar?Do you have any sunscreen?This example is useful for asking if someone has sunscreen.Tatoeba #5941984 by Ricardo14, translation #2545018 by CK
- Você passou filtro solar?Did you put on some sunscreen?This example shows how to ask if someone applied sunscreen.Tatoeba #4031153 by alexmarcelo, translation #3959848 by Deestor
- Tom passou protetor solar.Tom put on some sunscreen.This example demonstrates the use of the verb for applying sunscreen.Tatoeba #5941989 by Ricardo14, translation #1164295 by CK
- Onde posso encontrar um protetor solar confiável?Where can I find a reliable sunscreen?
- Não esqueça o filtro solar!Don't forget the sunscreen!
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the beach, Camila is preparing her bag.
- CamilaRodrigo, você trouxe o protetor solar?Rodrigo, did you bring the sunscreen?
- RodrigoSim, o protetor solar está na mochila.Yes, the sunscreen is in the backpack.
- CamilaÓtimo, não esqueça de passar em você.Great, don't forget to put some on yourself.
- RodrigoPode deixar, eu vou usar agora.Don't worry, I'll use it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunscreen” translations and entries protetor solar, fotoprotetor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (filtro, solar) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries filtro, protetor, solar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
