A cognate is a word that can be found in two or more different languages with similar, though not always exact, spellings and the same meaning. These words are similar often because they have the same root or origin. There are many Portuguese/English cognates. Becoming aware of these cognates can help the beginning Portuguese language student to increase vocabulary quickly.
The following Portuguese/English cognates are grouped into categories to help the Portuguese language student more quickly learn them in a useful context. A Note: Remember that even though a Portuguese word may look similar to its English counterpart, it generally won’t sound the same. It is a good idea to hear a native Portuguese speaker say the words
Cognates Describing People
These words describe a variety of occupations in which people might be engaged.
- artista – artist
- atleta – athlete
- barbeiro – barber
- cientista – scientist
- dentista – dentist
- mecânico – mechanic
- médico – (medical person) doctor
- resepcionista – receptionist
- professor – professor/teacher
- militares – military
- policia – police
- politicos – politicians
This vocabulary lists has other categories generally associated with people.
- bebé – baby
- adolescentes – adolescents / teenagers
- juvenis - juveniles
- adulto – adult
- classe – class
- operador – operator
- capitâo – captain
- passageiro(a) – passenger
- terroristas – terrorists
- turista – tourist
- vegetariano(a) – vegetarian
- Católicao(a) – Catholic
- multidão – (multitude) crowd
Sports Related Cognates
Sports words are always useful in conversations or when reading or watching the news.
- desporto – sport
- bola – ball
- competir – to compete
- basquetebol – basketball
- beisebol - baseball
- ginastica – gymnastics
- golfe – golf
- hóquei – hockey
- tênis – tennis
- Olimpíadas – Olympics
Food and Drink Cognates
Portuguese and English have many food-related words in common. Here is a sampling.
- alcool – alcohol
- banana – banana
- café – coffee
- limão - lemon
- porco – pig/pork
- sopa - soup
- piquenique – picnic
Cognates That Describe Places
Some places describe stores, businesses and other establishments in a city setting.
- centro – center (downtown)
- café – coffee shop
- antiquário – antiques shop
- joalheria – jewelry shop
- banco – bank
- clinica médica – medical clinic
- universidade – university
These are attractions that a visitor or turista might be interested in seeing.
- museu – museum
- galeria de arte – art gallery
- teatro – theater
- ópera – opera
- palácio – palace
- catedral – cathedral
- monestério – monastery
- ruinas – ruins
These cognates relate to a home, living quarters, or the interiors of buildings.
- interíor – interior
- kitchenete – kitchenette
- apartamento
- corridor – corridor / aisle
- varanda – veranda/balcony - apartment
- garagem – garage
These vocabulary words relate to transportation.
- aeroporto - airport
- porto – port
- túnel – tunnel
- canal – canal (channel)
The following are cognates designating natural areas.
- cave – cave
- costa – coast
- montanha – mountain
- oceano – ocean
- parquet - park
- vale – valley
Transportation-Related Cognates
It is always helpful for travelers, especially, to know the names of various modes of transportation. With these cognates, the learning is easy.
- ambulância - ambulance
- bicicleta – bicycle
- canoa - canoe
- carro – car
- motocicleta – motor scooter
- ônibus – bus
- táxi - taxi
- tráfico – traffic
General Nouns That are Cognates
These Portuguese/English cognates are vocabulary words that describe things found in a home, an office, a classroom or other places.
- caprete – carpet / rug
- tabela – table
- ar – air
- ar-condicionado – air-conditioned
- calendário – calendar
- cheque – check
- jornal – (journal) newspaper
- página - page – dictionary
- papel – paper
- dicionarío
- clip – paper clip
- guitarra – guitar
- elevador – elevator
- gás – gas
- plástico – plastic
- diamante - diamond
- rock – rock(n)
- planta – plant
These are common items of clothing.
- pijamas – pajamas
- sandálias – sandals
- jeans – jeans
- pullover – (pullover) sweater
- joalheria – jewelry
And of course the traveler will need something to wash those clothes with, along with additional personal items.
- detergente – (laundry) detergent
- xampú - shampoo
- crème – cream (lotion)
And of course it is important to have...
- repelente de insectos – insect repellent
...to get rid of the...
- mosquito – mosquito
- insecto - insect
Be sure to pack these items as well!
- bagagem – baggage (luggage)
- passaporte – passport
- bateria - battery
- camara – camera
- foto – photo
- cartão de crédito – credit card
- cartão de postal – postcard
- mapa – map
- presente – present/gift
There are many technology related words that are common to both English and Portuguese. Here are a few.
- computador – computer
- acesso a Internet – Internet access
- telefone – telephone
- televisão – television/TV
- rádio – radio
- video – video
- audioguia – audio guide
Identifying cognates can help the Portuguese language student build usable vocabulary quickly. The above cognate inventory is by no means a complete list, but it provides a starting place from which the student can increase functional vocabulary. The list can be added to as new cognates are discovered.
To learn even more cognates, specifically verbs, adjectives and adverbs, as well as concept words, go to Portuguese/English Cognates Build Vocabulary.
Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
Join the Conversation