inquilino
/ĩ.kiˈlĩ.nu/masculine
The Portuguese word for tenant is inquilino.
A tenant is one who pays a fee in return for the use of land, etc.
Meaning: one who pays a fee in return for the use of land, etc. (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, locatário is a formal term used in legal documents to mean 'tenant'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is inquilino. To refer to a female tenant, use inquilina. For multiple male tenants, use inquilinos. If you are referring to a group of only female tenants, use inquilinas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ĩ.kiˈlĩ.nu/.
Did you know?
- In some Portuguese contexts, inquilino can be used metaphorically to describe a parasite or an organism that lives inside another.
- While inquilino is the common term, a person renting a room in a shared house is often called a repúblicano if they live in a república.
- A property owner is called a senhorio, a term that carries a historical connotation of 'lord' or 'master' of the land.
Examples in context
- Com nervos irrequietos, mas um propósito fixo, eu sentei-me no recesso escuro da cabana e esperei com paciência sombria pela vinda do seu inquilino.With tingling nerves, but a fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut and waited with sombre patience for the coming of its tenant.This example shows how to use inquilino in a descriptive sentence.Tatoeba #10686827 by Cangarejo, translation #6620632 by Hybrid
- O inquilino tem direitos e responsabilidades.The tenant has rights and responsibilities.
- O pagamento do aluguel deve ser feito pelo inquilino mensalmente.The rent payment should be made by the tenant monthly.
- Os moradores são responsáveis pela manutenção do jardim.The tenants are responsible for maintaining the garden.
- O novo inquilino chegou hoje.The new tenant arrived today.
- Eu sou o inquilino deste apartamento.I am the tenant of this apartment.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are discussing a rental agreement at home.
- RodrigoVocê já falou com o inquilino?Have you already spoken with the tenant?
- JulianaAinda não, Rodrigo.Not yet, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoEle precisa assinar o contrato logo.He needs to sign the contract soon.
- JulianaEu vou ligar para ele agora.I will call him now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tenant” translations and entries inquilino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
