gostoso
/ɡosˈto.zu/
The Portuguese word for yummy is gostoso.
Gostoso is used to express that food is tasty or yummy. When you are describing the taste of a specific dish that you are currently eating, you should use the verb estar (e.g., está gostoso) rather than the verb ser.
Meaning: delicious (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gostoso is a common way to say something is yummy, be aware that in many Brazilian dialects, it can also be used as slang to describe a person as 'attractive' or 'hot'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the food being described. Use the feminine form gostosa for feminine nouns, and the masculine plural form gostosos when describing multiple masculine food items. For multiple feminine food items, use the feminine plural form gostosas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. It is pronounced /ɡosˈto.zu/.
Did you know?
- The word gostoso can also describe a pleasant feeling or sensation, such as a banho gostoso for a relaxing bath.
- While gostoso is common in Brazil, people in Portugal more frequently use saboroso to describe food that tastes good.
- Because gostoso can mean 'hot' or 'sexy' when describing people, you might accidentally flirt with a waiter if you use it to describe their service instead of the food.
Examples in context
- O arroz está gostoso.The rice is yummy.This sentence shows how to use gostoso to describe the taste of rice.Tatoeba #1235353 by alexmarcelo, translation #2590434 by VirtuOZ
- Um! Mousse de chocolate. Gostoso.Ooh! Chocolate mousse. Yummy.This sentence shows how to use gostoso as an exclamation for chocolate mousse.Tatoeba #4168154 by vicsantos, translation #2082629 by halfb1t
- Eu gostei bastante dessa lasanha. Está deliciosa!I really enjoyed this lasagna. It's delicious!
- Essa torta estava muito saborosa.This pie was very tasty.
- Essa pizza estava muito gostosa!This pizza was really yummy!
- Este bolo está muito gostoso.This cake is very yummy.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are eating at a local bakery.
- RodrigoMariana, esse doce é muito gostoso!Mariana, this sweet is very yummy!
- MarianaÉ verdade, Rodrigo. Eu adorei.It's true, Rodrigo. I loved it.
- RodrigoVocê quer comer mais um pouco?Do you want to eat a little more?
- MarianaSim, por favor.Yes, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gostoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
