catapora
/ka.taˈpɔ.ɾɐ/
The English term varicella is translated into Portuguese as catapora.
catapora is used to refer to the disease known in English as chickenpox.
Meaning: any of various similar diseases (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the medical term for the condition is varicela, catapora is the common word used by the general public to refer to chickenpox.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ka.taˈpɔ.ɾɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word catapora actually describes the physical appearance of the disease, tracing back to the Old Tupi words tatá meaning 'fire' and pora meaning 'to fall' or 'to scatter'.
- In some rural regions of Brazil, folk remedies for catapora include bathing in specific herbal infusions to 'cool the fire' of the skin.
- While varicela is the official medical term, using it in a casual conversation might make a speaker sound overly clinical or pretentious.
Examples in context
- O médico diagnosticou o paciente com varicela.The doctor diagnosed the patient with varicella.
- Meu irmão mais novo pegou varicela na escola.My younger brother caught varicella at school.
- Ele teve catapora quando era criança.He had chickenpox when he was a child.
- A catapora pode ser muito desconfortável.Chickenpox can be very uncomfortable.
- A criança está com sintomas de catapora.The child has symptoms of chickenpox.
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are talking about why a child is staying home.
- LucasPor que o seu sobrinho não veio?Why didn't your nephew come?
- JulianaEle está com catapora e precisa de repouso.He has chickenpox and needs to rest.
- LucasCoitado! Ele está sentindo muita coceira?Poor thing! Is he feeling very itchy?
- JulianaSim, mas o médico já passou um remédio.Yes, but the doctor already prescribed a medicine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry catapora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries catapora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
