jardim zoológico
/ʒaʁˈd͡ʒĩ zoˈlɔ.ʒi.ku/masculine
The Portuguese word for 'zoo' is jardim zoológico. If unsure, use jardim zoológico. Wiktionary also lists zoo.
Meaning: park where live animals are exhibited (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jardim zoológico | /ʒaʁˈd͡ʒĩ zoˈlɔ.ʒi.ku/ (Brazil) /ʒaʁˈd͡ʒĩ zo.oˈlɔ.ʒi.ku/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| zoo | /ˈzo.u/ (Brazil) /ˈzo(w)/ (Brazil) |
masculine, uncommon |
A zoo is a park where animals are exhibited. While the full phrase jardim zoológico is used, the shortened form zoológico is the most common way to refer to a zoo in everyday speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase jardim zoológico literally translates to 'zoological garden'.
Which one should you use?
The form zoo is much less common than zoológico and is often perceived as an anglicism or an abbreviation used in specific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word zoológico is a masculine noun, so you must use masculine articles like o (the) or um (a) when referring to it.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒaʁˈdʒĩ zoˈlɔ.ʒi.ku/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, zoo can be used as a slang term to describe a place of complete chaos or a loud and disorganized situation.
- The term jardim zoológico reflects an older European tradition of viewing zoos as botanical gardens that also housed animals.
- The root of the word jardim is shared with the English word 'yard', both coming from a common ancestor meaning 'enclosure'.
Examples in context
- Não ia ao zoológico.I didn't go to the zoo.This sentence is useful for expressing a past lack of movement to the zoológico.Tatoeba #5973656 by Ricardo14, translation #4719914 by dhirensahu
- Onde fica o zoológico?Where's the zoo located?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the zoológico.Tatoeba #844922 by brauliobezerra, translation #687690 by lukaszpp
- Nós fomos ao zoológico.We went to the zoo.This sentence is useful for stating that a group went to the zoológico.Tatoeba #6567040 by bill, translation #4054942 by CK
- Eu vou visitar o jardim zoológico este fim de semana.I am going to visit the zoo this weekend.
- O parque zoológico tem uma grande variedade de animais.The zoo has a wide variety of animals.
- Eles estão indo para o zoológico hoje.They are going to the zoo today.
- Sabia que há um novo zoo na cidade?Did you know there's a new zoo in town?
- 125 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are planning their weekend activity.
- GabrielMariana, vamos ao jardim zoológico amanhã?Mariana, shall we go to the zoo tomorrow?
- MarianaSim, eu adoraria ir com você, Gabriel.Yes, I would love to go with you, Gabriel.
- GabrielO jardim zoológico fica perto daqui?Is the zoo near here?
- MarianaSim, é bem perto.Yes, it is quite close.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zoo” translations and entries jardim zoológico, zoo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jardim, zoo, zoológico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
