Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #5,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

lago

Top 5,000

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps lago in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung lago in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'lago' is a basic noun used to describe nature. You should know that it is a masculine word ('o lago') and how to use it in simple sentences like 'O lago é bonito' (The lake is beautiful). At this stage, focus on identifying the word in pictures and using it with basic colors and sizes. You might say 'Eu vejo um lago azul' (I see a blue lake). It is important to distinguish it from 'mar' (sea) and 'rio' (river). You will often find this word in early lessons about 'A Cidade' (The City) or 'A Natureza' (Nature) when describing what you see in a park.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'lago' with prepositions and verbs of movement. You should be able to say 'Eu vou ao lago' (I am going to the lake) or 'Nós caminhamos perto do lago' (We walk near the lake). You will also start to use the plural form 'lagos'. At this level, you can describe activities: 'Eu gosto de pescar no lago' (I like to fish in the lake). You should also be aware of the difference between 'lago' and 'lagoa', even if you use them somewhat interchangeably, knowing that 'lago' is generally larger.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

By B1, you can use 'lago' in more complex narratives and descriptions. You might describe a vacation: 'Decidimos acampar à beira do lago porque a vista era maravilhosa' (We decided to camp by the lakeshore because the view was wonderful). You can handle more specific adjectives like 'profundo' (deep), 'raso' (shallow), or 'poluído' (polluted). You should be comfortable using the word in the context of environmental discussions, such as 'O nível do lago baixou por causa da seca' (The lake level dropped because of the drought). You also start to recognize common phrases related to geography.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, 'lago' appears in technical, environmental, and literary contexts. You can discuss the 'ecossistema do lago' (lake ecosystem) or the 'biodiversidade' (biodiversity) found there. You should be able to understand news reports about 'represas' and how they function as artificial 'lagos'. Your vocabulary expands to include terms like 'margem' (shore), 'leito' (bed), and 'afluente' (tributary). You can also use 'lago' metaphorically in writing to describe peace or reflection, and you understand the nuance between 'lago' and 'albufeira' in European Portuguese.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you use 'lago' with precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in idiomatic expressions or complex literary descriptions. You understand the historical and cultural significance of specific lakes in the Lusophone world, such as 'Lago Paranoá' or 'Lagoa dos Patos'. You can debate the impact of hydroelectric plants on natural 'lagos' using sophisticated vocabulary. Your ability to use 'lago' in the passive voice or within complex grammatical structures (e.g., 'Tendo o lago sido contaminado, a pesca foi proibida') is well-developed. You also recognize regional variations in usage.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, 'lago' is a word you use with the nuance of a native speaker. You can appreciate and use it in high-level academic discourse, perhaps in limnology (the study of inland waters) or environmental law. You understand subtle poetic references where a 'lago' might represent the subconscious or a historical turning point. You can effortlessly switch between 'lago', 'lagoa', 'laguna', and 'albufeira' based on the precise geographical or legal context required. You possess a deep understanding of how the concept of a 'lago' has shaped the literature and national identity of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

lago in 30 Sekunden

A 'lago' is a large, inland body of water surrounded by land, typically freshwater and deeper than a pond.
It is a masculine noun in Portuguese ('o lago') and is used frequently in geography and travel contexts.
Common activities associated with a 'lago' include swimming, fishing, rowing, and camping by its shores.
Distinguishing it from 'lagoa' (smaller) and 'rio' (flowing water) is key for intermediate Portuguese learners.

The word lago refers to a significant body of water that is entirely surrounded by land. In the Portuguese language, understanding the nuances of 'lago' is essential for anyone wishing to describe nature, geography, or leisure activities. Unlike a river, which flows in a specific direction, or an ocean, which is vast and salty, a lago is typically a still or slow-moving body of fresh water, though salt-water lakes do exist. It is a masculine noun, preceded by the article 'o'. In daily conversation, you will use this word when talking about vacationing in the mountains, visiting a park with a central water feature, or discussing environmental issues. The term carries a sense of tranquility and permanence.

Physical Characteristics: A 'lago' is generally larger and deeper than a 'lagoa'. While a 'lagoa' might be a small pond or a shallow lagoon, a 'lago' implies a scale that might require a boat to cross and often has its own ecosystem.
Contextual Usage: Used frequently in tourism (o Lago de Como), sports (remo no lago), and science (estudo do ecossistema do lago).

Nós alugamos uma pequena casa de madeira bem em frente ao lago para as férias de verão.

When you are in a city like Brasília, you will hear about the 'Lago Paranoá', an artificial lake that defines the city's geography. In Portugal, you might hear about 'lago' in the context of the Alqueva, which is actually a reservoir (albufeira) but often referred to in terms of its lake-like qualities. The word evokes images of reflection, cold water, and weekend retreats. It is one of the first environmental nouns a student learns because of its high frequency in descriptive texts and travel guides.

O reflexo das montanhas no lago era simplesmente deslumbrante ao amanhecer.

Distinction from Rio: A 'rio' (river) flows toward the sea; a 'lago' is contained. This distinction is vital for giving directions in rural areas of Brazil or Portugal.

In literature, 'lago' is often used as a metaphor for a calm mind or a mirror of the soul. Poets describe the 'superfície do lago' (surface of the lake) to represent stillness. If the water is turbulent, it is usually due to a storm, which adds dramatic tension to the narrative. In a more practical sense, if you are looking for a place to swim that isn't the ocean, you would ask: 'Existe algum lago por aqui onde possamos nadar?'

Os patos nadavam calmamente pelo lago do parque central.

Using 'lago' correctly involves mastering the prepositions that accompany it. Most commonly, you will use 'no' (em + o) to mean 'in the' or 'at the'. For example, 'Eu nadei no lago' (I swam in the lake). If you are moving toward it, you use 'para o' or 'ao'. 'Vamos ao lago' (Let's go to the lake). It is also important to note how it interacts with adjectives. Since 'lago' is masculine, all adjectives must agree: 'lago profundo' (deep lake), 'lago gelado' (frozen/cold lake), 'lago cristalino' (crystal-clear lake).

Action Verbs: Nadar (to swim), pescar (to fish), remar (to row), mergulhar (to dive), e caminhar (to walk) are the most frequent verbs paired with 'lago'.

Eles decidiram acampar na margem do lago durante todo o fim de semana.

When describing the position of something relative to the lake, use 'perto do' (near the), 'longe do' (far from the), or 'ao redor do' (around the). For instance, 'Há muitas árvores ao redor do lago' (There are many trees around the lake). In more formal or scientific writing, you might encounter 'leito do lago' (lake bed) or 'nível do lago' (lake level). If you are referring to multiple lakes, simply add an 's': 'Os grandes lagos da América do Norte'.

O lago estava tão calmo que parecia um espelho gigante sob o céu azul.

Weather and Lakes: In winter, especially in Portugal or southern Brazil, you might say 'o lago congelou' (the lake froze). In summer, 'o lago secou' (the lake dried up).

Compound sentences often use 'lago' to set a scene. 'Enquanto o sol se punha, nós observávamos os barcos no lago.' This structure is common in storytelling. Additionally, if you are discussing property, you might see 'vista para o lago' (lake view), a highly desirable feature in real estate. Whether you are writing a postcard or a formal report on biodiversity, the word 'lago' remains stable in its meaning but versatile in its application.

You will encounter the word 'lago' in a variety of real-life settings. In a urban environment like Lisbon or São Paulo, you will hear it at the local park. 'Vamos nos encontrar perto do lago do Ibirapuera?' (Shall we meet near the Ibirapuera lake?). In this context, it refers to a managed, often artificial body of water that serves as a focal point for relaxation. On the news, 'lago' appears in reports about climate change—droughts affecting water levels or pollution levels in famous lakes like Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (which, despite the name, is often discussed in the context of being a 'lago').

Tourism and Travel: Travel agencies often advertise trips to 'Os Lagos Chilenos' or 'Região dos Lagos' in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the word to evoke beauty and leisure.

O guia turístico explicou que aquele lago é de origem vulcânica e muito profundo.

In school settings, children learn about the 'ciclo da água' (water cycle) and how water accumulates in 'lagos' and 'oceanos'. In sports, particularly during the Olympics or local competitions, commentators talk about 'provas de remo no lago' (rowing events on the lake). You might also hear it in weather forecasts: 'A névoa sobre o lago deve se dissipar até o meio-dia.' (The fog over the lake should dissipate by noon). The word is ubiquitous because it describes a fundamental geographic feature.

Cuidado! Não chegue muito perto da beira do lago, o chão está escorregadio.

Finally, in more rural or 'interior' regions, 'lago' is a part of everyday life. People fish for their dinner or use the water for irrigation. Conversations might revolve around the 'cheia do lago' (lake flooding) or the 'seca' (drought). Whether it is a place for a picnic or a vital resource, 'lago' is a word that connects people to the physical landscape of the Lusophone world.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 'lago' with 'lagoa'. While they are often interchangeable in casual English ('lake' vs 'pond'), in Portuguese, the distinction is usually based on size and depth. A 'lago' is much larger. Calling a massive body of water like Lake Michigan a 'lagoa' would sound strange to a native speaker. Another common error is the gender. Beginners often assume that because 'água' (water) is feminine, 'lago' must be too. This leads to the incorrect 'a lago'. Always remember: O lago.

False Cognates and Confusion: Do not confuse 'lago' with 'laguna'. A 'laguna' (lagoon) specifically refers to a body of water separated from the sea by a sandbar or coral reef.

Errado: Eu vi uma lago muito grande.
Correto: Eu vi um lago muito grande.

Prepositional errors are also common. Students often say 'dentro do lago' when they just mean 'at the lake'. While 'dentro' is correct if you are literally submerged in the water, if you are just hanging out by the shore, 'no lago' is the more natural choice. Additionally, avoid using 'lago' for man-made swimming pools, which are 'piscinas'. Even if a pool is very large, it never becomes a 'lago' unless it is designed to mimic a natural ecosystem.

Não diga 'o lagoa'. Lembre-se: o lago (masculino) e a lagoa (feminino).

Lastly, spelling can be an issue. Some learners try to spell it 'laggo' or 'lacgo' based on other Romance languages or phonetic guesses. In Portuguese, it is a simple four-letter word: L-A-G-O. Mastering these small details will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic and precise.

Depending on the size, location, and nature of the body of water, you might want to use a word other than 'lago'. The most common alternative is lagoa. As mentioned, a 'lagoa' is usually smaller and shallower. In Brazil, many famous bodies of water are called 'lagoas' (like Lagoa da Conceição), even if they are quite large. If the water is man-made for the purpose of a dam, the technical term is represa (common in Brazil) or albufeira (standard in Portugal).

Comparison: Lago vs. Lagoa: 'Lago' implies depth and significant size. 'Lagoa' often implies a smaller, more intimate body of water, sometimes connected to the sea or a river.
Comparison: Lago vs. Tanque: A 'tanque' is a small, usually artificial container or pond, often used for livestock or small garden features.

O pequeno tanque no quintal tinha alguns peixinhos dourados, mas o lago da fazenda era enorme.

Other related terms include pântano (swamp/marsh), which describes a wetland area, and charco (puddle/small pool), which is usually muddy and temporary. If you are talking about a very small body of water after rain, you would use poça. For a decorative water feature in a garden, espelho d'água (water mirror) is a sophisticated term often used in architecture. Knowing these distinctions allows you to be much more descriptive in your Portuguese.

Preferimos nadar na represa porque a água é mais limpa que a do lago da cidade.

In summary, while 'lago' is the general term for a lake, the Portuguese language offers a rich palette of words to describe every variation of water accumulation. Choosing the right one depends on the scale, the origin (natural vs. artificial), and the specific country you are in.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'lac-' is also where we get the English word 'lake' and the Italian 'lago'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈla.ɡu/

US /ˈla.ɡoʊ/

The stress is on the first syllable: LA-go.

Reimt sich auf

Mago Trago Vago Afago Pago Estrago Saramago Vira-lago

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'o' as a strong 'oh' like in 'no' (it should be softer, closer to 'u').
Adding an 'h' sound to the 'l'.
Making the 'g' sound like a 'j' (it is always hard before 'o').

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it is similar to English 'lake' and Spanish 'lago'.

Schreiben 1/5

Short word, easy to spell, no special characters.

Sprechen 2/5

Final 'o' pronunciation can be tricky for beginners to get the 'u' sound right.

Hören 1/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to catch in conversation.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

água terra grande azul natureza

Als Nächstes lernen

rio mar oceano montanha floresta

Fortgeschritten

limnologia sedimentação eutrofização afluente estratificação

Wichtige Grammatik

Contraction of 'em' + 'o'

Eu estou **no** (em + o) lago.

Masculine Adjective Agreement

O lago **profundo** (not profunda).

Contraction of 'de' + 'o'

A água **do** (de + o) lago.

Use of 'Haver' for existence

**Há** muitos peixes no lago.

Preposition 'para' for direction

Nós vamos **para o** lago.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

O lago é grande.

The lake is big.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adjective.

Eu vejo o lago.

I see the lake.

Direct object with 'o'.

O lago é azul.

The lake is blue.

Masculine agreement: azul.

Há um lago no parque.

There is a lake in the park.

Use of 'há' for existence.

Gosto do lago.

I like the lake.

Gostar + de + o = do.

A água do lago é fria.

The lake water is cold.

Possessive 'do' (of the).

O lago é calmo.

The lake is calm.

Adjective agreement.

Um pato está no lago.

A duck is in the lake.

Preposition 'no' (em + o).

Nós vamos caminhar perto do lago hoje.

We are going to walk near the lake today.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Você quer nadar no lago?

Do you want to swim in the lake?

Question structure.

O lago fica atrás da montanha.

The lake is located behind the mountain.

Verb 'ficar' for location.

Eles pescam no lago todos os domingos.

They fish in the lake every Sunday.

Present tense for habits.

O lago está muito limpo este ano.

The lake is very clean this year.

Temporary state with 'estar'.

Existem muitos peixes neste lago.

There are many fish in this lake.

Plural agreement with 'existem'.

Eu tirei muitas fotos do lago.

I took many photos of the lake.

Preterite tense.

O lago é mais bonito no outono.

The lake is more beautiful in the autumn.

Comparative structure.

Se o tempo estiver bom, faremos um piquenique à beira do lago.

If the weather is good, we will have a picnic by the lakeshore.

Future subjunctive with 'se'.

O lago que visitamos no verão passado era imenso.

The lake we visited last summer was immense.

Relative clause with 'que'.

É perigoso mergulhar neste lago sem supervisão.

It is dangerous to dive in this lake without supervision.

Impersonal expression 'É + adj'.

O nível da água do lago subiu bastante após a chuva.

The lake's water level rose significantly after the rain.

Compound subject.

Antigamente, as pessoas lavavam roupa na margem do lago.

In the past, people used to wash clothes on the lake bank.

Imperfect tense for past habits.

Eu gostaria de alugar um barco para explorar o lago.

I would like to rent a boat to explore the lake.

Conditional mood.

O lago reflete as luzes da cidade durante a noite.

The lake reflects the city lights during the night.

Verb 'refletir' usage.

Muitas aves migratórias param neste lago para descansar.

Many migratory birds stop at this lake to rest.

Adjective 'migratórias' agreement.

A poluição industrial afetou gravemente a fauna do lago.

Industrial pollution has seriously affected the lake's fauna.

Adverb 'gravemente' placement.

O governo planeja transformar a área ao redor do lago em um parque nacional.

The government plans to transform the area around the lake into a national park.

Verb 'transformar' + 'em'.

A profundidade do lago varia de acordo com a estação do ano.

The depth of the lake varies according to the season of the year.

Phrase 'de acordo com'.

Apesar do frio, o lago não chegou a congelar completamente.

Despite the cold, the lake did not quite freeze completely.

Concession with 'Apesar de'.

Foi construída uma barragem que deu origem a este lago artificial.

A dam was built that gave rise to this artificial lake.

Passive voice 'Foi construída'.

O lago é a principal fonte de água potável para a região.

The lake is the main source of drinking water for the region.

Noun phrase 'fonte de água potável'.

Pesquisadores encontraram novas espécies no fundo do lago.

Researchers found new species at the bottom of the lake.

Preterite plural.

A neblina matinal sobre o lago criava uma atmosfera misteriosa.

The morning mist over the lake created a mysterious atmosphere.

Descriptive imperfect tense.

A quietude do lago era apenas interrompida pelo canto solitário de um pássaro.

The stillness of the lake was only interrupted by the solitary song of a bird.

Passive voice with agent.

O projeto de despoluição do lago exigirá investimentos vultosos.

The lake's depollution project will require substantial investments.

Future tense with 'exigir'.

As águas límpidas do lago escondiam perigosas correntes subjacentes.

The clear waters of the lake hid dangerous underlying currents.

Literary vocabulary 'límpidas', 'subjacentes'.

O lago, outrora vibrante de vida, agora jazia silencioso e estéril.

The lake, once vibrant with life, now lay silent and sterile.

Use of 'outrora' and 'jazer'.

A sedimentação no leito do lago compromete a navegação de grandes embarcações.

Sedimentation in the lake bed compromises the navigation of large vessels.

Technical vocabulary 'sedimentação'.

Observar o pôr do sol no lago é uma experiência quase transcendental.

Watching the sunset on the lake is an almost transcendental experience.

Infinitive as subject.

A bacia hidrográfica que alimenta o lago abrange diversos municípios.

The hydrographic basin that feeds the lake covers several municipalities.

Complex geographical terms.

Dada a extensão do lago, é difícil patrulhar todas as suas margens.

Given the size of the lake, it is difficult to patrol all its shores.

Participle 'Dada' for cause.

A estratificação térmica do lago influencia diretamente a distribuição do oxigênio.

The lake's thermal stratification directly influences oxygen distribution.

Scientific register.

O lago servia como um espelho fidedigno da decadência da aristocracia local.

The lake served as a faithful mirror of the local aristocracy's decay.

Metaphorical and literary usage.

Fenômenos de eutrofização têm causado a proliferação de algas tóxicas no lago.

Eutrophication phenomena have been causing the proliferation of toxic algae in the lake.

Compound perfect tense.

A mística que envolve o lago remonta a lendas pré-coloniais esquecidas.

The mysticism surrounding the lake dates back to forgotten pre-colonial legends.

Verb 'remontar a'.

A oscilação do nível do lago é um indicador fidedigno das mudanças climáticas globais.

The oscillation of the lake level is a reliable indicator of global climate change.

Academic discourse.

O lago, em sua imobilidade absoluta, parecia desafiar o próprio conceito de tempo.

The lake, in its absolute immobility, seemed to defy the very concept of time.

Philosophical nuance.

A interconectividade entre o lago e os aquíferos circundantes é de suma importância.

The interconnectivity between the lake and the surrounding aquifers is of paramount importance.

Formal phrase 'de suma importância'.

A remediação dos sedimentos contaminados do lago é um desafio de engenharia sem precedentes.

The remediation of the lake's contaminated sediments is an unprecedented engineering challenge.

Complex nominalization.

Häufige Kollokationen

lago profundo

lago artificial

margem do lago

fundo do lago

superfície do lago

lago cristalino

beira do lago

lago gelado

pescar no lago

nível do lago

Häufige Phrasen

À beira do lago

— By the lakeside or at the edge of the lake.

Eles moram em uma casa à beira do lago.

No meio do lago

— In the middle of the lake.

O barco parou no meio do lago.

Vista para o lago

— A view overlooking the lake.

O hotel oferece quartos com vista para o lago.

Passeio de barco no lago

— A boat trip on the lake.

Fizemos um passeio de barco no lago ao entardecer.

Águas do lago

— The waters of the lake.

As águas do lago são muito calmas.

Ao redor do lago

— Around the lake.

Há uma trilha que vai ao redor do lago.

Lagos e rios

— Lakes and rivers (common pairing).

A região é rica em lagos e rios.

Mergulhar no lago

— To dive into the lake.

Não é permitido mergulhar no lago.

Lado do lago

— Side of the lake.

Fique deste lado do lago.

Cisne no lago

— Swan on the lake (common imagery).

Vimos um cisne majestoso no lago.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

lago vs lagoa

Lagoa is usually smaller or shallower than a lago.

lago vs laguna

Laguna is specifically a coastal lagoon separated by a reef or sandbar.

lago vs rio

Rio flows; lago is standing water.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Em águas de bacalhau"

— To come to nothing or fail (often used for plans that 'drown').

O nosso projeto do lago foi por água abaixo.

informal

"Chover no molhado"

— To do something redundant (like adding water to a lake during rain).

Tentar limpar o lago sozinho é chover no molhado.

informal

"Águas passadas não movem moinhos"

— The past is in the past (still waters don't move wheels).

Esqueça o que aconteceu no lago, águas passadas.

neutral

"Estar com a corda no pescoço"

— To be in a tight spot (metaphorically drowning).

Com a seca do lago, o fazendeiro está com a corda no pescoço.

informal

"Tempestade em copo d'água"

— A storm in a teacup (overreacting to small ripples).

Ele fez uma tempestade em copo d'água por causa de um peixinho no lago.

informal

"Ficar a ver navios"

— To be left disappointed (waiting at a lake for a ship that never comes).

Esperamos o barco no lago, mas ficamos a ver navios.

informal

"Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura"

— Persistence pays off (water erosion).

A água do lago esculpiu as pedras: água mole em pedra dura...

neutral

"Nadar, nadar e morrer na praia"

— To fail at the very last moment.

Ele tentou atravessar o lago, mas nadou e morreu na praia.

informal

"Lavar as mãos"

— To wash one's hands of a situation.

Sobre a poluição do lago, o prefeito lavou as mãos.

neutral

"Ser um peixe fora d'água"

— To be a fish out of water (uncomfortable).

Longe do meu lago, sinto-me um peixe fora d'água.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

lago vs Largo

Similar spelling.

'Largo' means 'wide' (adjective) or 'square' (noun), while 'lago' is a lake.

A rua é larga, mas o lago é fundo.

lago vs Logo

Similar spelling.

'Logo' means 'soon' or 'therefore'.

Eu vou ao lago logo mais.

lago vs Lodo

Similar spelling.

'Lodo' is mud or silt found at the bottom of a lake.

O fundo do lago tem muito lodo.

lago vs Lado

Similar spelling.

'Lado' means 'side'.

Eu moro do outro lado do lago.

lago vs Lagoa

Related meaning.

Usually implies a smaller size or a specific coastal formation.

O lago é maior que a lagoa.

Satzmuster

O lago é [adjetivo].

O lago é grande.

Eu vou ao lago [tempo].

Eu vou ao lago amanhã.

Gostaria de [verbo] no lago.

Gostaria de remar no lago.

O lago fica localizado em [lugar].

O lago fica localizado em Brasília.

Dada a [substantivo] do lago...

Dada a beleza do lago, todos ficaram maravilhados.

À medida que o lago [verbo]...

À medida que o lago seca, os problemas aumentam.

A despeito da poluição no lago...

A despeito da poluição no lago, a vida persiste.

Sob a superfície do lago jaz...

Sob a superfície do lago jaz uma história antiga.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

alagoa

alagadiço

alagamento

Verben

alagar

desalagar

Adjektive

lacustre

alagado

Verwandt

lagoa

laguna

pântano

represa

rio

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in geographical and travel contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'a lago' → o lago
Lago is masculine. This is a fundamental error for beginners.
Confusing 'lago' with 'largo' → o lago
'Largo' is an adjective meaning wide. 'O lago é largo' means 'The lake is wide'.
Using 'lago' for a swimming pool → piscina
Lakes are natural or large landscape features; pools are for swimming laps.
Saying 'dentro do lago' for 'by the lake' → no lago / à beira do lago
'Dentro' means you are physically inside the water.
Spelling it 'laggo' → lago
Portuguese doesn't use double 'g' in this context.

Tipps

Gender Agreement

Always pair 'lago' with masculine articles and adjectives. 'O lago gelado' is correct; 'A lago gelada' is wrong.

Size Matters

Use 'lago' for big lakes like the Great Lakes, and 'lagoa' for the small pond in your neighborhood park.

The Final O

Don't over-enunciate the final 'o'. Let it drift toward a 'u' sound for a more native-like accent.

Regional Terms

In Portugal, remember 'albufeira' for dams. In Brazil, 'represa' is the word you'll hear most for man-made lakes.

Descriptive Adjectives

Lakes are often described as 'sereno' (serene) or 'espelhado' (mirror-like) in Portuguese literature.

Prepositions

Use 'no' for location ('in the lake') and 'ao' for destination ('to the lake').

Context Clues

If you hear 'Região dos Lagos', someone is talking about a famous tourist area in Rio de Janeiro.

Visualizing

The 'o' at the end of 'lago' looks like a round lake. Use that visual to remember the word.

Common Verbs

Practice 'lago' with the verb 'ficar' to describe where it is: 'O lago fica ali'.

Warning Signs

Look for signs saying 'Proibido nadar no lago' (Swimming forbidden in the lake) when visiting parks.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a **LAG**o having a bit of a **LAG** because the water is so still and slow.

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a giant blue 'O' (the lake) sitting in the middle of a green square (the land). The 'o' in 'lago' is the lake itself.

Word Web

água peixe barco azul frio natureza montanha reflexo

Herausforderung

Try to name three famous 'lagos' in the world using Portuguese sentences today.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'lacus', which referred to a lake, tank, or basin.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A hollow place or basin filled with water.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Portuguese.

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities; 'lago' is a neutral geographic term.

English speakers often use 'lake' for everything from a small pond to Lake Superior. In Portuguese, be more specific: use 'lagoa' for the small stuff.

Lago de Como (Italy) Lago Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru) Lago Niassa (Mozambique)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Tourism

Onde fica o lago?
É permitido nadar?
Quanto custa o passeio de barco?
A vista do lago é linda.

Geography Class

O lago é de água doce.
A profundidade média do lago.
O lago foi formado por um glaciar.
A bacia do lago.

Fishing

Tem peixe no lago?
Vou pescar no lago.
A vara de pescar caiu no lago.
O lago está cheio de traíras.

Weather

O lago está calmo.
Há neblina sobre o lago.
O lago congelou no inverno.
O sol reflete no lago.

Real Estate

Casa com vista para o lago.
Terreno perto do lago.
O lago valoriza o imóvel.
Acesso privativo ao lago.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você prefere nadar no mar ou em um lago calmo?"

"Qual é o lago mais bonito que você já visitou na sua vida?"

"Você acha que é seguro nadar em um lago desconhecido?"

"Você já andou de caiaque ou canoa em algum lago?"

"Se você pudesse ter uma casa à beira do lago, onde seria?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Descreva um dia perfeito passando o tempo em um lago com seus amigos.

Escreva sobre a importância de preservar os lagos e as fontes de água doce.

Imagine que você descobriu um lago secreto na floresta. Como ele é?

Quais são as diferenças entre a vida em um lago e a vida no oceano?

Relate uma memória de infância que envolva um lago ou uma lagoa.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, 'lago' is a masculine noun. You must always use 'o lago', 'um lago', and masculine adjectives like 'lago bonito'.

In general, a 'lago' is larger and deeper than a 'lagoa'. However, in common speech, especially in Brazil, many large bodies of water are called 'lagoas' due to tradition.

No, a swimming pool is called a 'piscina'. 'Lago' refers to a natural or natural-looking body of water.

You can say 'margem do lago' or 'beira do lago'. Both are very common.

It is called a 'lago artificial', but in technical terms, it is a 'represa' (Brazil) or 'albufeira' (Portugal).

Yes, but in many Portuguese dialects, it is pronounced like a soft 'u' sound (/u/).

Yes, they are called 'lagos de água salgada', though 'laguna' is often used for coastal ones.

You say 'ir ao lago' or 'ir para o lago'.

Peixes (fish), patos (ducks), algas (algae), and sometimes jacarés (alligators) in tropical regions.

Yes, it is a basic (A1) word that every learner should know early on.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen