legumes
The Portuguese word for vegetables is legumes.
legumes is used to refer to plants or parts of plants used as food.
Which one should you use?
While legumes is the standard general term, verduras specifically refers to green leafy vegetables or salad greens. In Brazil, you will often hear the phrase verduras e legumes used to encompass a broad range of vegetables.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the phrase verduras e legumes is frequently used to refer to a broad range of vegetables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid assuming that legumes only refers to pulses or beans, as English speakers often do. In Portuguese, it is the general term for most vegetables.
Did you know?
- While legumes is the general term, a Brazilian supermarket might label a section as hortifrúti, a portmanteau of hortaliças (garden vegetables) and frutas (fruits).
- The term hortaliças is the technical botanical term used in Portuguese to encompass both legumes and verduras.
- In traditional Portuguese cuisine, the phrase legumes cozidos often implies a specific side dish of boiled mixed vegetables, rather than just any cooked vegetable.
Examples in context
- Ponha os legumes no coador.Put the vegetables in the strainer.This sentence shows how to use legumes when giving instructions for a strainer.Tatoeba #3708653 by carlosalberto, translation #2267685 by _undertoad
- Tom comprou frutas e legumes.Tom bought some vegetables and fruit.This sentence illustrates the use of legumes when mentioning fruit and vegetables together.Tatoeba #4716024 by carlosalberto, translation #4715899 by CK
- Vocês devem comer mais legumes.You need to eat more vegetables.This sentence provides an example of using legumes when giving dietary advice.Tatoeba #4796348 by carlosalberto, translation #4664682 by CK
- BrócolisBroccoli
- EspinafreSpinach
- PimentõesPeppers
- AlfaceLettuce
- RepolhoCabbage
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- BeatrizO que vamos jantar hoje, Felipe?What are we having for dinner today, Felipe?
- FelipeEu quero comer legumes com peixe.I want to eat vegetables with fish.
- BeatrizTemos legumes frescos na geladeira?Do we have fresh vegetables in the fridge?
- FelipeSim, Beatriz, temos cenoura e brócolis.Yes, Beatriz, we have carrots and broccoli.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
