acelerador
/a.se.le.ɾaˈdoʁ/masculine
The English word 'throttle' is translated into Portuguese as acelerador.
In the context of vehicles, acelerador is used to refer to both the throttle and the accelerator pedal. While the English word 'throttle' can sometimes refer to a mechanical valve, acelerador is the standard term for the control mechanism in cars and motorcycles.
Meaning: the lever or pedal that controls this valve (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word acelerador is literally an 'accelerator'. It is derived from the verb acelerar, which means 'to accelerate'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the term acelerador is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.se.le.ɾaˈdoʁ/. The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 5th syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the verb acelerar is often used colloquially to mean 'hurry up' when speaking to a person, rather than just referring to a vehicle's speed.
- In Portuguese, the word acelerar can be used metaphorically to describe a heart beating faster due to excitement or nervousness.
- While acelerador refers to the pedal, the act of 'flooring it' is often expressed as pisar fundo, which literally translates to 'stepping deep'.
Examples in context
- Certifique-se de pisar no acelerador suavemente.Make sure to press the throttle gently.
- Pressione o pedal do aceleradorPress the throttle pedal
- Pisa fundo no acelerador!Step on the throttle!
- O acelerador do carro está travado.The car's throttle is stuck.
- Pise no acelerador para ganhar velocidade.Step on the throttle to gain speed.
- O acelerador da moto é muito sensível.The motorcycle's throttle is very sensitive.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are inspecting a motorcycle in a garage.
- RodrigoO acelerador parece estar solto, Juliana.The throttle seems to be loose, Juliana.
- JulianaVocê tem razão, Rodrigo.You are right, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoPreciso apertar o parafuso do acelerador.I need to tighten the throttle screw.
- JulianaCuidado para não quebrar nada.Be careful not to break anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throttle” translations and entries acelerador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
