trem
/ˈtɾẽj̃/
The Portuguese word for 'train' is trem.
trem refers to a series of connected railway carriages pulled by a locomotive. For a model train, you should use the phrase trem de brinquedo. Other related terms include locomotiva for locomotive and horário for schedule.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the word for train is trem. In Portugal, comboio is the preferred term.
How does it change in a sentence?
trem is a masculine noun. In Brazilian Portuguese, the plural form is trens. Both trem and comboio are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɾẽj̃/
Did you know?
- In the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the word trem has evolved beyond railways to become a generic noun for 'thing' or 'object', used in countless everyday expressions.
- The Portuguese trem was borrowed from the English word 'train', which originally came from an Old French word meaning 'a drawing out'.
- In certain Brazilian regional dialects, using trem can actually be a way to describe something as 'weird' or 'strange'. It moves far away from its literal meaning of a transport vehicle.
Examples in context
- O trem para São PauloThe train to São Paulo
- Pegue o comboio para LisboaTake the train to Lisbon
- As crianças adoram brincar com o trenzinhoKids love playing with the toy train
- A ferrovia é um meio de transporte incrível, com suas estações movimentadas e trens elegantes.The railway is an incredible mode of transportation, with its bustling stations and elegant trains.
- O trem chegou ao terminal.The train arrived at the terminal.
- Eu perdi o último trem da noite.I missed the last train of the night.
- O trem está muito lotado hoje.The train is very crowded today.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are planning their trip to the city.
- GabrielVamos de carro ou de trem?Shall we go by car or by train?
- MarianaO trem é mais rápido, Gabriel.The train is faster, Gabriel.
- GabrielVocê já comprou as passagens?Have you already bought the tickets?
- MarianaSim, Mariana comprou tudo ontem.Yes, Mariana bought everything yesterday.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
