útero
/ˈu.te.ɾu/masculine
The English phrase womb is translated into Portuguese as útero. Wiktionary also lists matriz.
Meaning: uterus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| útero | /ˈu.te.ɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈu.tɨ.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| matriz | /maˈtɾis/ (Brazil) /maˈtɾiʃ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
feminine |
In Portuguese, the term for womb refers to the uterus.
Which one should you use?
While útero is the standard medical and anatomical term, matriz is used in more literary, poetic or archaic contexts to refer to the womb.
How does it change in a sentence?
útero is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles and adjectives, while matriz is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
útero is pronounced /ˈu.te.ɾu/. The stress is on the first of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, matriz also refers to a 'mother church' or the main headquarters of a bank or company.
- The term matriz shares the same root as the English word 'matrix', as both derive from the Latin word for 'mother'.
- In some traditional Portuguese rural dialects, matriz was used to refer to a female animal used for breeding.
Examples in context
- Com certeza ele não pode entrar pela segunda vez no útero de sua mãe para nascer!Surely he can not enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!Tatoeba #6045676 by Nordland, translation #31515 by RudeGuyGames
- A intervenção delicada que eles têm vindo a aperfeiçoar consiste em levantar o útero que contém o feto para fora da mãe entre as 20 e as 26 semanas de gravidez e operar o feto para reparar a medula espinal deformada.The delicate procedure they have been perfecting involves lifting the womb containing the fetus out of the mother at between 20 and 26 weeks of pregnancy, and operating on the fetus to repair the deformed spinal cord.Tatoeba #10789822 by Cangarejo, translation #10789820 by Cangarejo
- O bebê está se desenvolvendo bem no útero.The baby is developing well in the womb.
- O útero é um órgão fundamental para a reprodução.The uterus is a fundamental organ for reproduction.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are discussing a medical report.
- BeatrizO bebê está seguro no útero.The baby is safe in the uterus.
- LucasQue bom saber disso, Beatriz.It is good to know that, Beatriz.
- BeatrizO médico disse que o útero está saudável.The doctor said the uterus is healthy.
- LucasEstou aliviado, obrigado por avisar.I am relieved, thanks for letting me know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “womb” translations and entries útero, matriz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matriz, útero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
