Portuguese Genealogical Word List
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This list contains Portuguese words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Portuguese-English dictionary.
Portuguese is a Romance language and is very similar to Spanish. It is the national language of Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, and Angola. It is also spoken on the Chinese island of Macau and in the Goa region of India and used in some of the official records of these places. In the United States, Portuguese is spoken in places such as Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts, as well as many areas in California and Hawaii where Portuguese immigrants have settled.
Language Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Gender[edit | edit source]
Portuguese words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine, feminine, or, in some cases, neuter. O (the masculine form of the) is used with masculine words. A (the feminine form of the) is used with feminine words. Masculine nouns generally end in o, r, l, and ma. Feminine nouns generally end in a, ão, dade, tude, and ume. Nouns which end in or generally are masculine; an a is added to indicate the feminine version.
Adjectives which end in o or a reflect the same gender of the nouns they refer to. For example, the married son would be translated as o filho casado,while the married daughter would be translated as a filha casada.
Many adjectives do not end in o or a and so do not indicate gender. For example, the large book would be translated as o livro grande, while the large parish would be translated as a paróquia grande.
Variant Forms of Words[edit | edit source]
In Portuguese, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence.Who—whose—whom or marry—marries—married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives only the standard form of each Portuguese word. As you read Portuguese records, be aware that some words vary with usage.
Plural forms of Portuguese words usually add s to the singular noun as well as the article and adjective. Thus, o avô materno (the maternal grandparent) becomes os avôs maternos (the maternal grandparents).
Alphabetical Order[edit | edit source]
The Portuguese alphabet uses the same 26 letters and alphabetical used in English. The letters k and w are used only in words that are not of Portuguese origin.
Accent Marks[edit | edit source]
Some letters in Portuguese can carry accent marks that indicate how to pronounce the letter, or which syllable in a word is stressed. They do not affect alphabetical order. The accent marks include:
- agudo á, é, í, ó, ú
- cedilha ç
- circunflexo ê, ô
- grave à, è
- til ã, ẽ, õ, ũ
- trema ü
Spelling[edit | edit source]
Although Portuguese spelling was standardized by the mid-1700s, scribes usually spelled words the way they sounded. Generally, variations between old and modern spellings should not cause too much trouble for the researcher. The following words are examples of old and modern spelling variations:
| Variation | Ancient | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| y became i | Pereyra | Pereira |
| h became silent | hum, honze | um, onze |
| ã became am | tãpa | tampa |
| ẽ became em | bẽ | bem |
| ũ became um | hũ | um |
| ph became f | pharol | farol |
| nn became n | annos | anos |
| mpç became nç | assumpção | assunção |
| pt became t | baptismo | batismo (Brazilian usage only) |
Abbreviations[edit | edit source]
Many times you will come across abbreviated words in Portuguese Documents. The following resources can help you determine what an abbreviation means.
- Abreviaturas Paleograficas Portuguesas contains an alphabetical listing of Portuguese abbreviations, including examples of handwritten abbreviations.
- BYU Script Tutorials includes a page on Portuguese abbreviations that is also useful in determining their meaning. They also have a printable list of abbreviations.
| Name or Word | Abbreviation(s) |
|---|---|
| Antonio(a) | Anto/Anta |
| Fernandes | Friz |
| Figueira | Figra |
| filha | fa |
| Francisco(a) | Franco/Franca
Fco/Fca |
| Gonçalves | Glz |
| Manoel | Mel |
| Maria | Ma |
| Sebastião | Sebao |
| Teixeira | Teixra |
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
This word list includes words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Portuguese-English dictionary. Several Portuguese- English dictionaries are available at the Family History Library in the European collection. The call numbers begin with 469.321.
The following dictionary is on microfilm and available to Family History Centers:
- Dicionário Inglês-Português. Porto, Portugal: Editorial Domingos Barreira, 1978. (FHL book 469.321 F413d, film 1,181,702.)
Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject section of the FamilySearch Catalog under PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES. Most bookstores also sell inexpensive Portuguese-English dictionaries.
A helpful guide for reading Portuguese genealogical records is:
- Basic Portuguese Paleography (English Edition). Series H, no. 20. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Genealogical Department, 1978. (FHL book 467.17 B292, fiche 6001480.) This guide includes many examples of Portuguese records, handwriting, abbreviations, given names, and spelling variations. A PDF of this booklet is available in four sections: Basic-Portuguese-Paleography Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
- Paleografia Portuguesa Básica (Edição Portuguesa). Series H, no. 20. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Genealogical Department, 1978. Portuguese version of 'Basic Portuguese Paleography'. (PDF version)
- See the FamilySearch tutorials on "Reading Portuguese handwritten Records"
Portuguese Surnames
The following websites contain lists of common Portuguese Surnames
- Nos Portugueses Índice de Apelidos
- BYU Script Tutorial List of Surnames
- Behind the Name Lit of Surnames
Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:
- Portugal, Vila Real Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Portugal, Faro, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Portugal, Guarda, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Portugal, Leiria, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Portugal, Viseu, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
Key Words[edit | edit source]
To find and use specific types of Portuguese records, you will need to know some key words. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the Portuguese words with the same or similar meanings, including varying forms of the same word.
For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Portuguese words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, joined, and other words used in Portuguese records to indicate marriage. When a word has both a masculine and a feminine version, the feminine ending is given in parentheses.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| baptism | batismo, batisei, foi batisado(a) |
| birth | nascimento, nasceu, nascido(a), deu à luz, crisma |
| burial | enterro, enterrei, enterrado(a), sepultado(a), sepultura |
| Catholic Church | Igreja Católica |
| census | censo, rol |
| child | filho(a), criança, párvulo(a) |
| church record | registro paroquial |
| confirmation | crisma, confirmação |
| day | dia |
| death | morte, falecimento, óbito, falecido(a), defunto(a) |
| father | pai |
| grandparents | avós |
| husband | marido, esposo, homem |
| index | índice |
| marriage | casamento, matrimônio, recebimento |
| month | mês |
| mother | mãe |
| name, given | nome, alcunha, graça |
| name, surname | nome, sobrenome, apelido |
| parents | pais |
| parish | paróquia |
| wife | esposa, mulher |
| year | ano |
Numbers[edit | edit source]
In some genealogical records, numbers are written out. This is especially true with dates. The following list gives the cardinal (1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. In Portuguese, days of the month are written in ordinal form.
| Cardinal # | Cardinal (word) | Ordinal # | Ordinal (word) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | zero | ||
| 1 | um | 1st | primeiro |
| 2 | dois | 2nd | segundo |
| 3 | três | 3rd | terceiro |
| 4 | quatro | 4th | quarto |
| 5 | cinco | 5th | quinto |
| 6 | seis | 6th | sexto |
| 7 | sete | 7th | sétimo |
| 8 | oito | 8th | oitavo |
| 9 | nove | 9th | nono |
| 10 | dez | 10th | décimo |
| 11 | onze | 11th | décimo primeiro |
| 12 | doze | 12th | décimo segundo |
| 13 | treze | 13th | décimo terceiro |
| 14 | catorze | 14th | décimo quarto |
| 15 | quinze | 15th | décimo quinto |
| 16 | dezesseis | 16th | décimo sexto |
| 17 | dezessete | 17th | décimo sétimo |
| 18 | dezoit | 18th | décimo oitavo |
| 19 | dezenove | 19th | décimo nono |
| 20 | vinte | 20th | vigésimo |
| 21 | vinte e um | 21st | vigésimo primeiro |
| 22 | vinte e dois | 22nd | vigésimo segundo |
| 23 | vinte e três | 23rd | vigésimo terceiro |
| 24 | vinte e quatro | 24th | vigésimo quarto |
| 25 | vinte e cinco | 25th | vigésimo quinto |
| 26 | vinte e seis | 26th | vigésimo sexto |
| 27 | vinte e sete | 27th | vigésimo sétimo |
| 28 | vinte e oito | 28th | vigésimo oitavo |
| 29 | vinte e nove | 29th | vigésimo nono |
| 30 | trinta | 30th | trigésimo |
| 31 | trinta e um | 31st | trigésimo primero |
| 40 | quarenta | 40th | quadragésimo |
| 50 | cinqüenta | 50th | quinquagésimo |
| 60 | sessenta | 60th | sexagésimo |
| 70 | setenta | 70th | setuagésimo |
| 80 | oitenta | 80th | octogésimo |
| 90 | noventa | 90th | nonagésimo |
| 100 | cem, cento | 100th | centésimo |
| 200 | duzentos | 200th | ducentésimo |
| 300 | trezentos | 300th | tricentésimo |
| 400 | quatrocentos | 400th | quadringentésimo |
| 500 | quinhentos | 500th | quingentésimo |
| 600 | seiscentos | 600th | sexcentésimo |
| 700 | setecentos | 700th | setingentésimo |
| 800 | oitocentos | 800th | octingentésimo |
| 900 | novecentos | 900th | nongentésimo |
| 1000 | mil | 1000th | milésimo |
Dates and Time[edit | edit source]
In Portuguese records, dates are spelled out, for example:
- No vigésimo terceiro dia do mês de março do ano de mil oito centos e trinta e tres [On the twenty-third day of March of the year of one thousand eight hundred and thirty and three].
To understand Portuguese dates, use the following lists as well as the preceding "Numbers" section.
Months[edit | edit source]
| English | Portuguese |
| January | janeiro |
| February | fevereiro |
| March | março |
| April | abril |
| May | maio |
| June | junho |
| July | julho |
| August | agosto |
| September | setembro |
| October | outubro |
| November | novembro |
| December | dezembro |
Days of the Week[edit | edit source]
| English | Portuguese |
| Sunday | domingo |
| Monday | segunda-feira |
| Tuesday | terça-feira |
| Wednesday | quarta-feira |
| Thursday | quinta-feira |
| Friday | sexta-feira |
| Saturday | sábado |
General Word List[edit | edit source]
This general word list includes words commonly found in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections prior to this list.
In cases where significant spelling variations between old and modern Portuguese affect alphabetical order, words are listed twice (for example, batismo and baptismo). Optional versions of Portuguese words or variable endings (such as feminine endings) are given in parentheses. Parentheses in the English column clarify the definition.
|
A[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| a | the (feminine) |
| a | to, toward |
| à | to the, toward the (feminine) |
| abade | abbot |
| abaixo-assinado | undersigned |
| abcesso | abscess |
| abril | April |
| acordo | agreement |
| acougueiro | butcher |
| acre | acre |
| acta | record, document |
| açúcar | sugar |
| administração | administration |
| adotado (a) | adopted |
| adultério | adultery |
| adúltero (a) | adulterer |
| advogado (a) | lawyer |
| afogamento | drowning |
| agosto | August |
| ainda | still |
| alcunha | name |
| além | beyond |
| alemão (a) | German |
| alfaiate | tailor |
| algodão | cotton |
| algum (a) | some |
| ali | there |
| alma | soul, person |
| alto (a) | high |
| altura | height |
| aluguel | rent |
| amanhã | tomorrow |
| amarelo (a) | yellow |
| ambos (as) | both |
| amigo (a) | friend |
| ancestral | ancestor |
| aniversário | anniversary, birthday |
| anjo | angel, deceased child |
| ano | year |
| antepassado (a) | ancestor |
| anterior | former, previous |
| antes | before |
| antigo (a) | old, ancient |
| anual | annual |
| anuário | yearbook |
| ao | to the (masculine) |
| avó | grandmother |
| avô | grandfather |
B[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| baía | bay |
| baixo (a) | low |
| baptismo | baptism |
| baptizar | to baptize |
| barão | baron |
| barco | boat |
| batismo | baptism |
| batizar | to baptize |
| bem | good, well |
| bênção | blessing |
| biblioteca | library |
| bisavô | great-grandfather |
| bisavó | great-grandmother |
| bisavôs | great-grandparents |
| bisneta | great-granddaughter |
| bisneto | great-grandson |
| bisnetos | great-grandchildren |
| bispado | bishopric |
| bispo | bishop |
| boca | mouth |
| boda | wedding, marriage |
| boieiro | herdsman |
| bom (oa) | good |
| bosque | grove, forest, woods |
| braço | arm |
| branco (a) | white |
C[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| cabeça | head |
| caçador | hunter |
| cadastro | land census |
| cadeia | jail |
| café | coffee |
| cafezal | coffee plantation |
| campo | field, plain |
| camponês (a) | peasant, small farmer |
| cana de açúcar | sugarcane |
| câncer | cancer |
| capela | chapel |
| cara | face |
| carpinteiro | carpenter |
| cartório | archive |
| casa | house |
| casado (a) | married |
| casamento | marriage |
| casar-se | to marry |
| castelo | castle |
| catedral | cathedral |
| católico (a) | Catholic |
| cavalheiro | gentleman, knight, nobleman |
| cedo | early |
| cego (a) | blind |
| cem | one hundred |
| cemitério | cemetery |
| censo | census |
| centenário | centennial |
| cento | one hundred |
| cerca | near, approximate |
| certidão | certificate |
| cervejeiro | brewer |
| cidadão (ã) | citizen |
| cidade | city |
| cinco | five |
| cinqüenta | fifty |
| clérigo | clergyman |
| clero | clergy |
| coajutor | assistant of the parish priest |
| colheita | harvest |
| colina | hill |
| colônia | colony |
| colono | settler |
| comerciante | merchant |
| como | as, how |
| comunhão | communion |
| concelho | council, counsel |
| concernente | concerning |
| conde | count, earl |
| conhecido (a) | known, acquaintance |
| conhecido (a) como | known as |
| cônjuge | spouse |
| cônjuges | partners, couple |
| cônego | canon (cleric) |
| consangüinidade | blood relationship, kinship |
| consorte | spouse, partner |
| constipação | constipation |
| consunção | consumption |
| conta | account, bill |
| conteúdo | contents |
| contra | against |
| contraente | contracting party in a marriage |
| conversão | conversion |
| convulsão | convulsion |
| coqueluche | whooping cough |
| cordoeiro | rope maker |
| corrente | current |
| corte | court (in Portugal may refer to a pasture where a shepherd cared for his flock) |
| cortiça | cork |
| cova | grave |
| coxo (a) | lame |
| criada | maid |
| criança | child |
| cristão (ã) | Christian |
| cujo (a) | whose |
| cunhado (a) | brother-in-law, sister-in-law |
| cura | clergyman |
| cura interino | temporary priest |
| curato | parish |
| cúria | religious tribunal |
| curtidor | tanner |
D[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| da | of the (feminine) |
| daquele (a) | of that |
| data | date |
| de | from, of, belonging to |
| década | decade |
| décimo | tenth |
| décimo nono | nineteenth |
| décimo oitavo | eighteenth |
| décimo primeiro | eleventh |
| décimo quarto | fourteenth |
| décimo quinto | fifteenth |
| décimo segundo | twelfth |
| décimo sétimo | seventeenth |
| décimo sexto | sixteenth |
| décimo terceiro | thirteenth |
| declaração | declaration |
| declarado (a) | declared, stated |
| dedo | finger |
| defunto (a) | deceased |
| dele (a) | his, hers, its |
| dente | tooth |
| dentição | teething |
| dentro | within |
| denúncia | accusation, complaint |
| depois | after |
| derrame | seizure, stroke |
| derrame cerebral | stroke |
| descendente | descendant |
| desconhecido (a) | unknown |
| descrição | description |
| desde | since |
| desobriga | exemption from |
| desquitado (a) | legally separated |
| desquite | legal separation |
| desse (a) | of that |
| deste (a) | of this |
| dez | ten |
| dezembro | December |
| dezenove | nineteen |
| dezesseis | sixteen |
| dezessete | seventeen |
| dezoito | eighteen |
| diário | daily, diary |
| diarréia | diarrhea |
| dicionário | dictionary |
| digno (a) | worthy |
| digo | that is, I mean to say |
| diocese | diocese |
| direito | law |
| direito | right, privilege |
| disenteria | dysentery |
| dispensa | exemption, permission |
| disputa | disagreement |
| disso | of this |
| distrito | district |
| distrito de paz | peace district |
| dito (a) | stated, said, mentioned |
| divorciado (a) | divorced |
| dízimo | tithing, donation |
| do | of the (masculine) |
| doação | donation |
| documento | document |
| doença | disease |
| dois | two |
| doméstica | domestic, maid |
| domicílio | dwelling |
| domingo | Sunday |
| dono (a) | owner, master |
| doze | twelve |
| duque | duke |
| duquesa | duchess |
| duzentos | two hundred |
E[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| e | and |
| é | you are, he/she/it is |
| eclesiástico (a) | ecclesiastical |
| ela | she |
| ele | he |
| eles (as) | they |
| em | in |
| em face da igreja | before the church, full church marriage |
| emigração | emigration |
| emigrante | emigrant |
| empregada | maid |
| empregado (a) | employee |
| empresa | business |
| enfermidade | disease |
| engenho | sugar plantation, mill |
| enteado (a) | stepchild |
| enterrado (a) | buried |
| enterro | burial |
| entre | between, among |
| epidemia | epidemic, plague |
| epilepsia | epilepsy |
| era | was, were |
| eram | (they, you) were |
| éramos | (we) were |
| escarlatina | scarlet fever |
| escola | school |
| escravidão | slavery |
| escravo (a) | slave |
| escrevente | scribe |
| escudo de armas | coat of arms |
| esmola | alms, donation |
| espanhol (a) | Spanish |
| esposo (a) | husband, wife |
| esse (a) | that |
| está | you are, he/she/it is |
| estação | station, season |
| estado | state, status |
| estamos | (we) are |
| estância | ranch, estate |
| estão | (they, you) are |
| estar | to be |
| este | east |
| este (a) | this |
| estômago | stomach |
| estou | (I) am |
| estrada | road |
| estrangeiro (a) | foreigner, stranger |
| eu | I |
| evangélico (a) | evangelical |
| exército | military, army |
| exposto (a) | foundling |
| extrato | extract |
| extrema unção | last rites |
F[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| fábrica | factory |
| face | presence, front, surface |
| falecer | to die |
| falecido (a) | deceased |
| falecimento | death |
| família | family |
| fazenda | estate, farm |
| fazendeiro | farmer |
| febre | fever |
| febre tifóide | typhoid fever |
| feijão | beans |
| feito (a) | done, completed |
| fêmea | female |
| feminino (a) | feminine |
| feriado | holiday |
| férias | holidays |
| ferreiro | blacksmith |
| ferrovia | railroad |
| feudo | fee |
| fevereiro | February |
| ficar noivo (a) | to become engaged |
| ficheiro | card file |
| fidalgo | nobleman |
| filha | daughter |
| filho | child, son |
| filhos | children |
| floresta | forest, woods |
| fogo | fire, hearth |
| foi | you were, he she it was |
| folha | page |
| fomos | (we) were |
| fonte | fountain, source |
| fora | out, outside of |
| foram | (they, you) were |
| forasteiro (a) | foreigner, stranger |
| fortaleza | fortress |
| francês (a) | French |
| fraqueza | weakness |
| freguês (a) | parishioner, resident |
| freguesia | parish |
| frente | front, in front of |
| fronteira | border |
| fui | (I) was |
| fundos | funds |
| futuro | future |
G[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| gado | cattle |
| gazetário | gazetteer |
| gêmeo (a) | twin |
| gêmeos (as) | twins |
| genealogia | genealogy |
| genro | son-in-law |
| gente | people |
| gota | drop, gout |
| grande | great, large |
| grávida | pregnant |
| grêmio | fraternity, guild |
| gripe | influenza |
| guarda | guard, warden |
| guia | directory, guidebook |
H[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| hemorragia | bleeding |
| heráldica | heraldry |
| herança | inheritance |
| herdeiro (a) | heir |
| hidropisia | dropsy |
| história | history |
| hoje | today |
| holandês (a) | Dutch |
| homem | man, husband |
| honesto (a) | honest |
| hora | hour |
| hospedaria | hostel, shelter |
| hospedeiro | innkeeper |
I[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| icterícia | jaundice |
| idade | age |
| idioma | idiom |
| idoso (a) | elderly |
| igreja | church |
| Igreja Católica | Catholic Church |
| ilegítimo (a) | illegitimate |
| imigração | immigration |
| imigrante | immigrant |
| imóveis | real estate |
| impedimento | impediment |
| império | empire |
| imposto | tax |
| inchação | swelling |
| incógnito (a) | unknown |
| índice | index |
| indígena | indigenous, native, Indian |
| indigente | indigent |
| informação matrimonial | marriage papers, such as banns, declarations, consent, baptismal records, and such |
| inglês (a) | English |
| inocente | innocent, deceased child |
| inquilino (a) | renter |
| intestinos | intestines |
| inverno | winter |
| irmã | sister |
| irmandade | brotherhood, sisterhood |
| irmão | brother |
| irmãos | brothers, siblings |
| isso | that |
| isto | this |
| italiano (a) | Italian |
J[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| janeiro | January |
| jardineiro | gardener |
| jesuíta | Jesuit |
| jornal | newspaper |
| judeu (ia) | Jewish |
| juiz | judge |
| julho | July |
| junho | June |
| junto | together |
| jurado | jury man |
L[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| lá | there |
| lago | lake |
| lançamento | record, entry |
| lar | home |
| lavrador | agricultural worker, peasant |
| legal | legal |
| legítimo (a) | legitimate |
| lei | law |
| leiteiro | dairyman |
| leste | east |
| liberto (a) | freed slave |
| língua | language, tongue |
| livro | book |
| lugar | place |
| luterano (a) | Lutheran |
M[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| macho | male |
| madrasta | stepmother |
| madrinha | godmother |
| madrugada | early morning |
| mãe | mother |
| maio | May |
| maior | larger, elder |
| mais | more |
| mais jovem | youngest |
| mais novo (a) | youngest |
| mais velho (a) | eldest |
| manhã | morning |
| mão | hand |
| mapa | map |
| marceneiro | cabinetmaker |
| março | March |
| marido | husband |
| marinha | navy |
| marinheiro | sailor |
| marrano (a) | Jewish convert to Catholicism |
| mas | but |
| masculino (a) | masculine |
| materno (a) | maternal |
| mato | jungle, wilderness |
| matrimônio | marriage |
| matriz | main church, "mother" church |
| médico | doctor |
| meia irmã | half sister |
| meia noite | midnight |
| meio (a) | half |
| meio dia | noon, midday |
| meio irmão | half brother |
| membro | member |
| mendigo (a) | beggar |
| menino (a) | boy, girl |
| menonita | Mennonite |
| menor | younger, smaller |
| menos | less |
| mercado | market |
| mercadoria | goods, wares |
| mês | month |
| mesmo (a) | same |
| mestre | master |
| metade | half |
| meu | my (masculine) |
| mil | one thousand |
| milha | mile |
| milho | corn |
| mina | mine |
| mineiro | miner |
| minha | my (feminine) |
| ministro | minister |
| moça | young woman, youth |
| moço | young man, youth |
| moinho | mill |
| molestia | disease |
| Monsenhor | Monsignor |
| montanha | mountain |
| monte | mountain |
| morada | dwelling |
| morador (a) | resident |
| morar | to live (location) |
| morrer | to die |
| morte | death |
| móveis | furniture, household goods |
| mudo (a) | dumb |
| muitas vezes | often |
| muito (a) | many, very |
| mulato (a) | mulatto |
| mulher | woman, wife |
| município | municipality, city |
N[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| na | in the (feminine) |
| não | no |
| nariz | nose |
| nascido (a) | born |
| nascimento | birth |
| natimorto (a) | stillborn |
| natural | natural, illegitimate |
| navio | ship |
| negro (a) | black |
| nenhum (a) | none |
| nesta | in this (feminine) |
| neste | in this (masculine) |
| neta | granddaughter (in older documents nepta) |
| neto | grandson (in older documents nepto) |
| netos | grandchildren |
| no | in the (masculine) |
| nobre | noble, nobleman |
| nobreza | nobility |
| noite | night |
| noiva | bride, fiancée |
| noivado | engagement |
| noivados | betrothed |
| noivo | bridegroom, fiancé |
| noivos | betrothed |
| nome | name |
| nono (a) | ninth |
| nora | daughter-in-law |
| norte | north |
| nós | we |
| nosso (a) | our |
| notário | notary |
| nove | nine |
| novecentos | nine hundred |
| novembro | November |
| noventa | ninety |
| novo (a) | new |
| novo-cristão (ã) | New Christian, Jewish convert to Catholicism |
| número | number |
| nunca | never |
| núpcias | wedding, marriage |
O[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| o | the (masculine) |
| óbito | death |
| obreiro | worker, laborer |
| oeste | west |
| oferta | donation |
| ofício | office |
| oitavo (a) | eighth |
| oitenta | eighty |
| oito | eight |
| oitocentos | eight hundred |
| oleiro | brick mason |
| óleo | oil |
| olho | eye |
| onde | where |
| onomástico (a) | onomastic—referring to names |
| ontem | yesterday |
| onze | eleven |
| operário | worker |
| oração | prayer |
| orelha | ear |
| orfanato | orphanage |
| órfão (ã) | orphan |
| ou | or |
| ouro | gold |
| outono | autumn |
| outro (a) | other, another |
| outubro | October |
P[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| paço | palace, government offices |
| paço municipal | city hall |
| padeiro | baker |
| padrasto | stepfather |
| padre | priest |
| padrinho | godfather |
| padrinhos | godparents |
| página | page |
| pai | father |
| pais | parents |
| país | country |
| palácio | palace |
| pão | bread |
| para | for, to |
| pardo (a) | mulatto |
| parente | relative |
| parentesco | kinship |
| pároco | parish priest, vicar, rector, curate |
| paróquia | parish |
| parteira | midwife |
| parto | birth |
| párvulo (a) | child, deceased child |
| passado | past |
| passageiro (a) | passenger |
| passar a ser | to become |
| pastor | pastor, minister |
| pastor | shepherd |
| paterno (a) | paternal |
| patrão | employer, master |
| pé | foot |
| pedreiro | stonemason, brick mason |
| pelo (a) | by the, by way of |
| penitenciária | penitentiary |
| periódico | periodical, journal, magazine |
| permissão | consent, permission |
| perna | leg |
| perto | near |
| pescador | fisherman |
| peso | weight |
| pesquisa | research |
| peste | plague |
| pleito | lawsuit, plea |
| pneumonia | pneumonia |
| polaco (a) | Polish |
| ponte | bridge |
| população | population |
| por | by, for |
| porque | why |
| porto | port |
| português (a) | Portuguese |
| possuir | to have, to possess |
| povo | people |
| povoação | town, village |
| povoado | town, village |
| praça | city square |
| prata | silver |
| prazo | term |
| prece | prayer |
| prefeito | mayor |
| prefeitura | city hall |
| presente | present |
| pretérito | past |
| preto (a) | black |
| prévio (a) | former, previous |
| primavera | spring |
| primeiro (a) | first |
| primo (a) | cousin |
| princesa | princess |
| príncipe | prince |
| prisão | prison |
| professor (a) | teacher |
| profissão | profession, occupation |
| progenitor | progenitor |
| prole | progeny |
| propriedade | property, land |
| proprietário | proprietor, owner |
| protestante | Protestant |
| próximo (a) | next |
| pulmão | lung |
| pus os santos óleos | I placed the holy oil |
Q[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| quadro genealógico | genealogical chart |
| qual | which |
| quando | when |
| quarenta | forty |
| quarta-feira | Wednesday |
| quarto | room |
| quatorze | fourteen |
| quatro | four |
| quarto (a) | fourth |
| quatrocentos | four hundred |
| que | that, what |
| quem | who, whom |
| quilômetro | kilometer |
| quinhentos | five hundred |
| quinta | farm, ranch |
| quinta-feira | Thursday |
| quinto (a) | fifth |
| quinze | fifteen |
R[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| rainha | queen |
| rapaz | boy |
| real | royal |
| realizar | accomplish |
| receber | to receive |
| recebimento | receipt |
| recursos | resources |
| registro civil | civil registration |
| registros | registers |
| registros civis | civil registers |
| rei | king |
| reino | kingdom |
| religião | religion |
| residência | residence |
| residente | resident |
| retrato | portrait |
| reverendíssimo | Right Reverend |
| riacho | stream |
| rio | river |
| rito | rite |
| rol | list |
| rosto | face |
| rua | street |
| rúbrica | rubric |
| russo (a) | Russian (a) |
S[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| sábado | Saturday |
| sacerdote | priest |
| sacristão | sexton |
| sagrado (a) | holy, sacred |
| sala | room |
| Santa Casa da Misericórdia | Catholic charitable hospital |
| santo (a) | holy, sacred, saint |
| santos óleos | holy oil |
| são | (they, you) are |
| são | holy, sacred, saint, healthy, sound |
| sapateiro | shoemaker |
| sarampo | measles |
| secenta | sixty |
| século | century |
| segunda-feira | Monday |
| segundo (a) | second |
| seicentos | six hundred |
| seis | six |
| semana | week |
| sempre | always |
| sendo | because, being |
| senhor | mister, lord |
| senhora | madam, lady |
| separado (a) | separated |
| sepultado (a) | buried |
| sepultamento | burial |
| sepultura | grave, sepulchre |
| ser | to be |
| serra | mountain range, ridge |
| serralheiro | locksmith |
| servente | servant |
| sete | seven |
| setecentos | seven hundred |
| setembro | September |
| setenta | seventy |
| sétimo (a) | seventh |
| seu | his, her, their (masculine) |
| sexo | sex, gender |
| sexta-feira | Friday |
| sexto (a) | sixth |
| sim | yes |
| sítio | place, site |
| sobre | about, above, concerning |
| sobrenome | surname |
| sobrevivente | surviving |
| sobrinho (a) | nephew, niece |
| sociedade | society |
| sogro (a) | father-in-law, mother-in-law |
| solar | manor house |
| soldado | soldier |
| solenemente | solemnly |
| solteiro (a) | single |
| somente | only |
| somos | (we) are |
| sou | (I) am |
| sua | his, her, their (feminine) |
| subdistrito | subdistrict |
| sueco (a) | Swedish |
| suíço (a) | Swiss |
| sul | south |
| surdo (a) | deaf |
T[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| talvez | maybe |
| também | also |
| tanoeiro | cooper |
| tanto quanto | as much as |
| tarde | afternoon, evening, late |
| taxa | fee |
| tecedor | cloth maker |
| tecelão | weaver |
| tem | (you, he, she, it) has |
| têm | (they, you) have |
| temos | (we) have |
| tempo | time |
| tenho | (I) have |
| ter | to have |
| terça-feira | Tuesday |
| terceiro (a) | third |
| termo | record, entry |
| terreno | tract of land |
| testamenteiro | executor |
| testamento | will, testament |
| testemunha | witness |
| testemunho | testimony |
| tia | aunt |
| tintureiro | dyer |
| tio | uncle |
| título | title |
| todos (as) | all, everyone |
| tomo | volume |
| tornar-se | to become |
| tosse | cough |
| trabalhador | laborer, farmhand |
| três | three |
| treze | thirteen |
| trezentos | three hundred |
| trigésimo | thirtieth |
| trigésimo primeiro | thirty-first |
| trigo | wheat |
| trinta | thirty |
| trinta e um | thirty-one |
| tuberculose | tuberculosis |
| tudo | all |
| tumor | tumor |
| tutela | guardianship |
V[edit | edit source]
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| vale | valley |
| variola | smallpox |
| velho (a) | old |
| vender | to sell |
| verão | summer |
| verde | green |
| vereador | town councilman |
| vermelho (a) | red |
| vez | turn, time, occasion |
| vigário | vicar, cleric |
| vigésimo | twentieth |
| vigésimo nono | twenty-ninth |
| vigésimo oitavo | twenty-eighth |
| vigésimo primeiro | twenty-first |
| vigésimo quarto | twenty-fourth |
| vigésimo quinto | twenty-fifth |
| vigésimo segundo | twenty-second |
| vigésimo sétimo | twenty-seventh |
| vigésimo sexto | twenty-sixth |
| vigésimo terceiro | twenty-third |
| vila | village, town, community |
| vinha | vineyard |
| vinhedo | vineyard |
| vinte | twenty |
| vinte e cinco | twenty-five |
| vinte e dois | twenty-two |
| vinte e nove | twenty-nine |
| vinte e oito | twenty-eight |
| vinte e quatro | twenty-four |
| vinte e seis | twenty-six |
| vinte e sete | twenty-seven |
| vinte e três | twenty-three |
| vinte e um | twenty-one |
| visitação | pastoral visit |
| viúva | widow |
| viúvo | widower |
| viver | to live |
| vivo (a) | alive |
| vizinhança | neighborhood |
| vizinho (a) | neighbor |
| você | you |
| volume | volume, book |
| vossa mercê | your grace |
