curcuma
/kuʁˈkũ.mɐ/feminine
The English phrase "turmeric" is translated into Portuguese as curcuma. It is also spelled açafrão-das-índias. Wiktionary also lists açafrão-da-terra and açafrão-da-índia.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| curcuma | /kuʁˈkũ.mɐ/ (Brazil) | feminine |
| açafrão-da-terra | /a.saˌfɾɐ̃w̃.daˈtɛ.ʁɐ/ (Brazil) | |
| açafrão-da-índia | /a.saˌfɾɐ̃w̃.daˈĩ.d͡ʒjɐ/ (Brazil) /ɐ.sɐˌfɾɐ̃w̃.dɐˈĩ.djɐ/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| açafrão-das-índias | /a.saˌfɾɐ̃w̃.dazˈĩ.d͡ʒjɐs/ (Brazil) | masculine, alternative form |
The words in this pack all refer to the spice or the plant known as turmeric.
What does it mean word for word?
The term açafrão-da-índia literally means "saffron of India", while açafrão-da-terra means "saffron of the earth".
Which one should you use?
curcuma is a technical or scientific term used in botanical or culinary contexts. açafrão-da-índia (and its alternative spelling açafrão-das-índias) and açafrão-da-terra are common, everyday ways to refer to the spice.
How does it change in a sentence?
curcuma is a feminine noun. açafrão-da-índia and açafrão-das-índias are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /kuʁˈkũ.mɐ/.
Did you know?
- In some Brazilian regions, açafrão is used as a generic term for any yellow food coloring, even if the ingredient is synthetic and contains no curcuma at all.
- The word curcuma traces its lineage back to the Arabic word kurkum. This connection highlights the historical-cultural routes through which spices traveled from the East to the Iberian Peninsula.
- In Portuguese, the shift from the singular índia to the plural índias in açafrão-das-índias reflects an archaic way of referring to the East Indies as a collection of islands.
Examples in context
- Os nossos camarões são os tradicionais camarões ao estilo sul-indiano e são marinados com curcuma, gengibre, chalotas e malaguetas verdes.Our shrimp is a traditional South Indian style shrimp, and we marinate it with turmeric, ginger, shallots and green chilies.This sentence shows how to use curcuma in a culinary context regarding marinating shrimp.Tatoeba #12092083 by Cangarejo, translation #12092081 by Cangarejo
- Ela extrai cores lindíssimas da curcuma, ao passo que Rupa Trivedi em Mumbai, na Índia, cria uma variedade de cores a partir de tagetes, hibiscos e flores de rosa e de cascas de coco.She extracts beautiful colors from turmeric, while Rupa Trivedi in Mumbai, India, creates a range of colors from marigold, hibiscus and rose flowers and coconut husks.This sentence illustrates using curcuma when discussing the extraction of colors.Tatoeba #11056888 by Cangarejo, translation #11056887 by Cangarejo
- Na culinária tradicional indiana, o açafrão-da-terra é uma especiaria muito utilizada.In traditional Indian cuisine, turmeric is a widely used spice.
- Você tem açafrão-da-Índia na sua despensa? Preciso para esta receita.Do you have turmeric in your pantry? I need it for this recipe.
- A curcuma dá uma cor amarela bonita ao arroz.Turmeric gives a beautiful yellow color to the rice.
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are cooking a healthy dinner together.
- LucasMariana, onde está a curcuma?Mariana, where is the turmeric?
- MarianaEstá no armário de temperos, Lucas.It is in the spice cabinet, Lucas.
- LucasVou colocar um pouco no arroz.I'm going to put a bit in the rice.
- MarianaÓtima ideia, vai ficar bem amarelo.Great idea, it will be very yellow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turmeric” translations and entries curcuma, açafrão-da-terra, açafrão-da-índia, açafrão-das-índias, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curcuma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
