lã
/ˈlɐ̃/feminine
The Portuguese word for wool is lã.
lã refers to the hair of sheep and similar animals. It is the standard and most common word used for wool in Portuguese.
Meaning: hair of sheep, etc. (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
lã is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlɐ̃/
Did you know?
- The word lã shares the same Latin root as the English word 'lanolin', the wax found in sheep's wool.
- Portuguese uses lã for wool, but when talking about the 'wool' of a caterpillar or a moth, the word is often replaced by pelos meaning 'hairs'.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, the term for wool is also used metaphorically in certain regional expressions to describe something thick, soft, or even a person with very curly hair.
Examples in context
- Os preços da lã estão caindo.Wool prices are falling.This sentence is useful for discussing the market value of wool.Tatoeba #6990833 by ajdavidl, translation #6990822 by Hybrid
- Eu preciso costurar uma saia de lã.I need to sew a wool skirt.This sentence shows how to describe a garment made of wool.Tatoeba #10692065 by beatrixvasc, translation #10692064 by beatrixvasc
- Não tente puxar a lã dos meus olhos.Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes.This sentence illustrates an idiomatic expression involving the word lã.Tatoeba #9035808 by JGEN, translation #9009774 by CK
- Eu comprei um suéter de lã hoje.I bought a wool sweater today.
- Adoro usar roupa de lã no inverno.I love wearing wool clothes in winter.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are shopping for winter clothes in a boutique.
- JulianaFelipe, você viu este cachecol de lã?Felipe, did you see this wool scarf?
- FelipeSim, a lã parece ser de ótima qualidade.Yes, the wool looks to be of great quality.
- JulianaEu vou levar este para você.I will take this one for you.
- FelipeObrigado, Juliana, ele é muito bonito.Thank you, Juliana, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wool” translations and entries lã, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
