subterrâneo
/su.bi.teˈʁɐ̃.nju/
The English word 'underground' is translated into Portuguese as subterrâneo.
The term subterrâneo is used to describe things that are physically located below the ground. If you want to describe the movement or organization of people who resist artistic convention, you should use submundo.
Meaning: below the ground (adj)
Which one should you use?
While subterrâneo refers to a physical location below the ground, submundo is used to refer to the criminal underworld or a hidden, illicit social layer.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective subterrâneo changes to agree with the nouns it modifies: use the feminine form subterrânea for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form subterrâneos for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form subterrâneas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /su.bi.teˈʁɐ̃.nju/.
Did you know?
- Portuguese uses the word clandestino instead of subterrâneo when referring to 'underground' political movements or illegal parties.
- Because subterrâneo is a long word, Brazilians often shorten it to sub when referring to an underground parking level in casual conversation.
- While subterrâneo describes the physical space, Portuguese speakers use metrô in Brazil and metro in Portugal to refer to the underground train system itself.
Examples in context
- Sami saiu do estacionamento subterrâneo.Sami exited the underground parking lot.This sentence uses subterrâneo to describe an underground parking lot.Tatoeba #6725278 by carlosalberto, translation #6712943 by OsoHombre
- Onde fica a entrada para o estacionamento subterrâneo?Where's the entrance to the underground car park?This sentence uses subterrâneo to ask about the entrance to an underground car park.Tatoeba #12658434 by Castro5432, translation #9199960 by sundown
- O proteus só existe nos lagos subterrâneos da Carníola e numa ou duas outras partes da Europa Central.The olm, or proteus, is found only in the underground lakes of Carniola and one or two other parts of Central Europe.This sentence uses subterrâneo to describe underground lakes.Tatoeba #12059774 by Cangarejo, translation #12059773 by Cangarejo
- O metrô é famoso pelo seu sistema subterrâneo eficienteThe subway is famous for its efficient underground system
- Há estacionamentos subsolo nesse edifícioThere are underground parking lots in that building
- Vamos explorar as ruínas embaixo da terraLet's explore the ruins underground
- Vamos atravessar o túnel para chegar do outro ladoLet's go through the underground passage to reach the other side
- Quando estiver em Lisboa, não deixe de visitar o Chiado, um bairro com várias galerias de arte embaixo da terra.When in Lisbon, do not miss visiting Chiado, a neighborhood with various art galleries underground.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are walking through an old city.
- RodrigoVocê quer visitar o rio subterrâneo?Do you want to visit the underground river?
- JulianaSim, parece ser uma aventura incrível.Yes, it looks like an amazing adventure.
- RodrigoO guia disse que o rio é subterrâneo.The guide said that the river is underground.
- JulianaEntão vamos lá, Rodrigo.Then let's go, Rodrigo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “underground” translations and entries subterrâneo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
