veterinário
/ve.te.ɾiˈna.ɾju/
The Portuguese word for vet is veterinário.
This noun refers to a veterinary surgeon or veterinarian.
Meaning: short form of veterinary surgeon (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term veterinário is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number: use veterinária for a female vet, veterinários for a group of male vets or a mixed-gender group and veterinárias for a group of only female vets.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable: /ve.te.ɾiˈna.ɾju/.
Did you know?
- The word veterinário originates from the Latin veterīnum, which referred specifically to a 'beast of burden'.
- In Brazil, the profession is often grouped under the broader academic title Medicina Veterinária, making the doctor a médico veterinário.
- In Brazil, people often use the slang term vet just like in English, especially among students and professionals in the field.
Examples in context
- Meu irmão é veterinário.My brother is a vet.This sentence is useful for stating someone's profession using veterinário.Tatoeba #4926856 by carlosalberto, translation #756704 by CM
- Tom não é veterinário, é?Tom isn't a vet, is he?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone's profession using veterinário.Tatoeba #9046132 by JGEN, translation #9018238 by CK
- Tenho um cãozinho no veterinário.I have a puppy at the vet.This sentence is useful for describing a location or situation involving a vet using veterinário.Tatoeba #12036712 by carlosalberto, translation #12036685 by carlosalberto
- Eu preciso marcar uma consulta para meu cachorro com o médico veterinário.I need to schedule an appointment for my dog with the veterinary doctor.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are talking about a pet's appointment.
- MarianaO veterinário ligou para você?Did the vet call you?
- FelipeSim, o veterinário disse que está tudo bem.Yes, the vet said everything is fine.
- MarianaQue bom que o veterinário deu boas notícias.It's good that the vet gave good news.
- FelipeFico muito mais tranquilo agora.I feel much more relieved now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry veterinário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries veterinário, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
