bruxa
everyday, Brazil
In Brazil "witch" is bruxa. A man with magic powers is a bruxo, and feiticeira is a more literary word for a sorceress.
Meaning: woman with magic powers (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| bruxa | everyday, Brazil |
| Feiticeira | literary |
| Bruxo | masculine |
Brazilians use bruxa in fairy tales and at Halloween, but calling a real woman bruxa is an insult.
When do people say it?
The folk festival of June is tied to many beliefs, and Halloween is celebrated in some places, though it is less common than in the United States.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese the feminine form bruxa is the base word and the masculine bruxo was formed from it.
Examples in context
- A bruxa voa numa vassoura.The witch flies on a broom.
- O bruxo fez uma poção.The wizard made a potion.
- A feiticeira estava na floresta.The sorceress was in the forest.
Example conversation
Dona Célia tells her granddaughter Alice a story at bedtime in Joinville.
- AliceVovó, conta da bruxa?Grandma, tell the story of the witch?
- Dona CéliaA bruxa morava na floresta.The witch lived in the forest.
- AliceEla era má?Was she bad?
