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A2 noun #8,000 más común 11 min de lectura

espinho

Top 8,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos espinho en 30 segundos

Explicación espinho in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn espinho as a basic noun related to nature and plants. You will mostly use it to describe roses or to say that something is sharp. It is important to remember that it is a masculine word ('o espinho'). You might use it in simple sentences like 'A rosa tem um espinho' (The rose has a thorn). At this stage, just focus on the physical object you find in a garden. Don't worry about complex metaphors yet. Just remember: 'espinho' = thorn. Also, start noticing that it ends in 'nh', a sound you need to practice. It is like the 'n' in 'onion'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using espinho with more verbs. You should be able to say 'Eu me piquei em um espinho' (I pricked myself on a thorn) or 'Cuidado com os espinhos!' (Watch out for the thorns!). You will also encounter the plural form 'espinhos' more often. This is the stage where you must be very careful not to confuse 'espinho' with 'espinha'. Remember: 'espinho' is for roses, 'espinha' is for fish or pimples. You might also see the word in simple stories or descriptions of animals like the 'porco-espinho' (porcupine).

By B1, you should be comfortable using espinho in more descriptive contexts. You can use the adjective 'espinhoso' to describe a plant or a difficult situation. For example, 'Esta planta é muito espinhosa' or 'Temos um problema espinhoso para resolver'. You will also start to understand common idioms, like 'não há rosa sem espinhos' (there is no rose without thorns), meaning that everything good has some bad parts. You can use the word to describe different types of vegetation, like the cacti in a desert, and explain why they have thorns (for protection).

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At the B2 level, you should use espinho with nuance in both literal and figurative senses. You can discuss the 'coroa de espinhos' in a historical or religious discussion. You should be able to distinguish between 'espinho' and 'farpa' (splinter) or 'ferrão' (stinger). In writing, you can use 'espinho' as a metaphor for obstacles in a career or relationship. Your pronunciation should be clear, especially the 'nh' sound and the plural 'espinhos'. You might read news articles about environmental issues where 'espinhos' are mentioned in the context of invasive plant species.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the botanical nuances of espinho versus 'acúleo', even if you use the former in daily life. You can appreciate the word's use in classical Portuguese literature and fado lyrics, where it often symbolizes unrequited love or the pains of fate. You should be able to use idiomatic expressions like 'estar com um espinho atravessado na garganta' (to have a thorn stuck in one's throat/to have a grudge or unresolved issue). Your use of the word should be seamless, and you can switch between literal and metaphorical meanings effortlessly in complex debates.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of espinho. You can analyze its etymological roots from the Latin 'spinus' and its evolution in the Romance languages. You can use it in high-level academic or poetic contexts, perhaps discussing the 'estética do espinho' in modern art or literature. You understand regional variations in how the word is used across the Lusophone world, from the rural interior of Portugal to the dry caatinga of Brazil. You can use the word and its derivatives (espinhoso, espinheiro, desespinhado) with total precision in any register, from slang to formal scientific discourse.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

espinho en 30 segundos

Espinho is a masculine noun meaning 'thorn' or 'spine' of a plant/animal.
It is commonly used metaphorically to describe life's difficulties or obstacles.
Always distinguish it from 'espinha' (fishbone/pimple/backbone) to avoid confusion.
The word is essential for nature, gardening, and idiomatic Portuguese conversations.

The Portuguese word espinho is a masculine noun that primarily refers to the sharp, needle-like projections found on the stems or leaves of various plants, most famously roses and cacti. While English uses the word 'thorn' for plants and 'spine' for animals or books, Portuguese uses espinho as a versatile term for these sharp biological defenses. It is a word that every beginner learns early because it is deeply embedded in both nature and idiomatic language. When you are gardening in Portugal or Brazil, you must be careful with the espinhos of the rose bushes. If you are hiking in the semi-arid sertão of Northeast Brazil, the landscape is defined by cacti covered in formidable espinhos.

Botanical Context: In a strict botanical sense, there is a difference between a true thorn (a modified stem) and an 'acúleo' (a projection of the epidermis, like on a rose). However, in everyday Portuguese, everyone calls the sharp parts of a rose espinhos.

Cuidado para não se picar com o espinho daquela roseira antiga no fundo do jardim.

Beyond the literal meaning, espinho is used metaphorically to describe difficulties, irritations, or obstacles in one's life. If a project is 'cheio de espinhos' (full of thorns), it means it is fraught with complications. This usage mirrors the English expression 'a thorny issue.' It is also common in religious and historical contexts, such as the 'coroa de espinhos' (crown of thorns) mentioned in biblical texts, which adds a layer of suffering and sacrifice to the word's semantic field. In daily life, you might use it when a small splinter gets stuck in your skin, though 'farpa' is more specific for wood splinters, espinho is often used if the source was a plant.

In literature, the espinho serves as a symbol of the duality of beauty and pain. A rose is beautiful, but its espinhos remind us of the risks involved in pursuing that beauty. This is a common theme in Portuguese fado music and classical poetry. When speakers use the word, they evoke this sense of natural defense and inevitable discomfort. Whether you are talking about a hedgehog (porco-espinho) or a difficult path (caminho de espinhos), the word carries a weight of caution and resilience.

Zoological Context: Animals like the sea urchin (ouriço-do-mar) and the porcupine (porco-espinho) use these structures for protection. In these cases, espinho is the standard term for their quills or spines.

O ouriço-do-mar está coberto de espinhos pretos e muito afiados que podem perfurar a pele.

In summary, espinho is a fundamental noun for describing the physical world of flora and fauna, while providing a rich vocabulary for describing life's less pleasant challenges. It is essential for learners to master its gender and usage to avoid confusing it with its feminine counterpart, espinha.

Using espinho correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common verbal pairings. Most frequently, you will see it paired with verbs like 'picar' (to prick), 'ferir' (to wound), or 'arrancar/tirar' (to pull out/remove). Because it is a physical object, it often appears with definite articles (o, os) or indefinite articles (um, uns). For example, if you are walking through a forest and feel a sharp pain in your leg, you might say: 'Acho que me piquei em um espinho.'

The Verb 'Picar-se': This reflexive verb is the most common way to describe accidentally touching a thorn. 'Eu me piquei no espinho' translates to 'I pricked myself on the thorn.'

Ela tentou colher a flor, mas o espinho era tão grande que furou a sua luva de couro.

When describing plants, espinho is often used in the plural to characterize the species. Cacti are 'plantas com muitos espinhos.' Roses have 'muitos espinhos.' You can also use the adjective form 'espinhoso' (thorny) to describe the plant itself. In a sentence: 'O cacto é uma planta espinhosa.' This adjective is also the one used for metaphorical 'thorny' problems: 'Este é um assunto muito espinhoso' (This is a very thorny/delicate subject).

In more complex sentence structures, espinho can act as the subject or the object. 'Os espinhos protegem a planta de predadores' (The thorns protect the plant from predators). Here, it is the subject. In 'O jardineiro removeu todos os espinhos dos caules antes de vender as rosas' (The gardener removed all the thorns from the stems before selling the roses), it is the object. Note the use of 'dos' (de + os) to indicate origin or possession.

Common Prepositions: We usually use 'com' (with) or 'em' (in/on) with espinho. 'Cuidado com o espinho' (Watch out for the thorn) or 'Fiquei com um espinho preso no dedo' (I got a thorn stuck in my finger).

Não podemos ignorar os espinhos da vida se quisermos desfrutar das suas flores.

Finally, consider the register. In formal writing, you might see espinho used in philosophical treatises about the nature of pain. In informal speech, it's a practical word used when hiking or gardening. In both cases, the word remains the same, but the verbs around it might change from 'picar-se' (informal) to 'sofrer a perfuração de um espinho' (very formal/medical).

You will hear espinho in a variety of real-world settings across the Lusophone world. In the countryside of Portugal, especially in the Alentejo or the northern mountainous regions, farmers and hikers frequently use the word when navigating through 'silvas' (brambles). If you go for a walk in the woods and come back with scratches, someone might ask: 'Foi um espinho que te arranhou?'

In the Flower Shop (Floricultura): When buying roses for a romantic occasion, you might hear the florist say: 'Já tirei os espinhos para você não se machucar.' (I already removed the thorns so you don't hurt yourself.)

No sertão brasileiro, o mandacaru é famoso por seus espinhos longos que protegem a água em seu interior.

The word is also prominent in Brazilian culture, particularly in the Northeast. The 'caatinga' biome is characterized by thorny vegetation. In songs by Luiz Gonzaga, the 'King of Baião', espinhos are often mentioned as part of the harsh but beautiful landscape. Children are taught from a young age to identify which plants have espinhos to avoid painful accidents during play. If a child cries because they touched a cactus, a parent might say: 'Eu te avisei que esse cacto tem espinho!'

In religious settings, particularly during Holy Week (Semana Santa), the 'coroa de espinhos' is a central image in processions and sermons. This reinforces the word's association with sacrifice and endurance. You will also find the word in the titles of famous books and movies, such as 'O Pássaro Cantador e o Espinho' (The Thorn Birds), which was a very popular television miniseries in Brazil and Portugal.

In the Kitchen?: While you won't usually hear espinho regarding food (that would be 'espinha' for fish), you might hear it if someone is preparing prickly pears (figo-da-índia), which have tiny, irritating espinhos on their skin.

O pequeno príncipe amava sua rosa, apesar dos seus quatro espinhos inúteis contra o mundo.

Finally, in sports or competitive environments, a commentator might describe a difficult opponent as a ' espinho na garganta' (a thorn in the throat), meaning a persistent problem or a nuisance that is hard to get rid of. This idiomatic use shows how deeply the physical sensation of a thorn is used to describe psychological or social discomfort.

The most frequent and significant mistake English speakers make with espinho is confusing it with its feminine counterpart, espinha. In English, the word 'spine' can refer to a biological backbone, the sharp part of a plant, or the back of a book. In Portuguese, these concepts are strictly divided by gender and specific terms. If you say 'A rosa tem muitos espinhas,' a native speaker will likely understand you but might find it funny, as it sounds like the rose has pimples or fishbones.

Espinho vs. Espinha: Espinho (Masculine): Plant thorn, cactus spine, porcupine quill.
Espinha (Feminine): Fishbone, pimple/acne, or the human backbone (espinha dorsal).

Incorrect: Comi um peixe e engoli um espinho.
Correct: Comi um peixe e engoli uma espinha.

Another mistake involves the plural form. While most Portuguese nouns ending in '-o' simply add '-s', the pronunciation of the stressed vowel 'i' in espinhos is consistent, but the 'o' at the end changes from a closed sound to a slightly more open one in some dialects. Learners often struggle with the 'nh' sound, which is similar to the 'ny' in 'canyon' or the 'ñ' in Spanish. Practicing the transition from 'es-' to '-pi-' to '-nho' is crucial for sounding natural.

Confusion also arises with the word 'coluna'. English speakers often want to say 'spine' for the human back. While 'espinha dorsal' is correct, the most common medical and everyday term is 'coluna vertebral'. Using espinho to describe a human back is a major error. Similarly, the 'spine' of a book is the 'lombada'. Using espinho here would be nonsensical to a native speaker.

Register Errors: Don't use 'espinho' in a formal botanical report if the structure is technically an 'acúleo'. While common in speech, scientific contexts require precision. However, for 99% of learners, espinho is the correct choice.

Incorrect: Eu tenho um espinho no meu rosto.
Correct: Eu tenho uma espinha no meu rosto.

Lastly, be careful with the phrase 'pisar em espinhos'. It's a powerful metaphor for suffering, but if you literally step on something sharp on the beach, you likely stepped on a 'concha' (shell) or an 'ouriço' (sea urchin). Specify the source to be clear.

While espinho is the most common word for a thorn, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the context and the specific type of sharpness being described. Understanding these nuances will make your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and precise.

Acúleo: This is the technical botanical term for the 'thorns' on a rose. Unlike true thorns, which are modified branches with vascular tissue, acúleos are just outgrowths of the skin. You'll only hear this in biology class or from a very pedantic gardener.
Farpa: A 'farpa' is a splinter or a sliver of wood, metal, or glass. If you slide your hand along an old wooden fence and get a tiny piece of wood under your skin, that is a 'farpa', not an espinho.

O cavalo se assustou quando sentiu o espinho do arbusto, mas foi uma farpa de madeira que causou a infecção.

Another interesting alternative is 'aguilhão'. This word refers to a goad or a sting, like the stinger of a bee (though 'ferrão' is more common for bees) or a sharp point used to drive cattle. It carries a more aggressive, intentional connotation than the passive espinho. In religious texts, you might encounter 'aguilhão da morte' (the sting of death). 'Ferrão' is the specific word for the stinger of an insect like a wasp or scorpion.

If you are talking about the 'spines' on a book, the word is 'lombada'. If you are talking about the 'spines' of a comb, you would use 'dentes' (teeth). If you are referring to the 'spines' of a mountain range, you might use 'crista' (crest) or 'cume' (peak). As you can see, espinho is quite specific to the biological needle-like structures of plants and certain animals.

Pua: A more regional or archaic term for a sharp point or a prickle. It is rarely used in urban settings but might appear in older literature or specific rural dialects in Brazil.

Não use espinho para falar de peixe; para isso, use sempre 'espinha'.

In metaphorical contexts, instead of 'caminho de espinhos', you could say 'caminho tortuoso' (winding/difficult path) or 'mar de rosas' (sea of roses - usually used in the negative to mean the opposite). Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the physical sharpness, the biological origin, or the metaphorical difficulty.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'espinafre' (spinach) is thought by some to be related to 'espinho' because of the prickly nature of the seeds of certain spinach varieties.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /is.ˈpi.ɲu/

US /is.ˈpi.nju/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: es-PIN-ho.

Rima con

Caminho Carinho Vinho Ninho Vizinho Moinho Sozinho Passarinho

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'nh' as a plain 'n'.
Confusing the final 'o' with a strong 'oh' sound instead of a soft 'u'.
Adding an 's' sound at the beginning (it's 'is-pinho', not 's-pinho').
Confusing with 'espinha' (feminine).
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, often appearing in nature descriptions.

Escritura 3/5

The 'nh' spelling and gender choice (o vs a) require attention.

Expresión oral 4/5

The 'nh' sound is notoriously difficult for English speakers to master.

Escucha 3/5

Can be confused with 'espinha' if the final vowel is swallowed.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

Rosa Planta Cacto Afiado Dedo

Aprende después

Espinha Farpa Ferrão Espinhoso Jardinagem

Avanzado

Acúleo Morfologia Herbívoro Lignificado Vascular

Gramática que debes saber

Masculine nouns ending in -o usually form the plural by adding -s.

Um espinho -> Dois espinhos.

The 'nh' digraph represents a palatal nasal sound /ɲ/.

Espin-ho, Camin-ho.

Reflexive verbs are used when the subject performs an action on themselves.

Eu me piquei (I pricked myself).

Compound nouns with hyphens often only pluralize the first element, but 'porco-espinho' follows specific rules (porcos-espinhos).

Os porcos-espinhos estão na floresta.

Prepositional contraction 'no' (em + o) is used for location.

O espinho está no caule.

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Ejemplos por nivel

A rosa tem um espinho.

The rose has a thorn.

Uses the singular masculine article 'um'.

O espinho é pequeno.

The thorn is small.

Subject-adjective agreement with 'pequeno'.

Eu vejo um espinho no cacto.

I see a thorn on the cactus.

Preposition 'no' (em + o) indicates location.

Cuidado com o espinho!

Watch out for the thorn!

Imperative-like warning using 'Cuidado'.

Este espinho é muito afiado.

This thorn is very sharp.

Demonstrative pronoun 'este' matches masculine 'espinho'.

A planta tem espinhos.

The plant has thorns.

Plural form 'espinhos' without an article.

Não toque no espinho.

Do not touch the thorn.

Negative command 'Não toque'.

O espinho da rosa é verde.

The rose's thorn is green.

Possessive structure using 'da' (de + a).

Eu me piquei em um espinho de rosa.

I pricked myself on a rose thorn.

Reflexive verb 'picar-se'.

Os espinhos do cacto são longos.

The cactus thorns are long.

Plural agreement 'Os espinhos... são longos'.

Você pode tirar este espinho do meu dedo?

Can you take this thorn out of my finger?

Verb 'tirar' used for removal.

O porco-espinho usa espinhos para se defender.

The porcupine uses spines to defend itself.

Compound noun 'porco-espinho'.

A roseira está cheia de espinhos afiados.

The rose bush is full of sharp thorns.

Adjective phrase 'cheia de'.

Eu não gosto de flores com muitos espinhos.

I don't like flowers with many thorns.

Quantifier 'muitos' modifying 'espinhos'.

O espinho furou o meu sapato.

The thorn pierced my shoe.

Verb 'furar' (to pierce/puncture).

Existem muitos tipos de espinhos na natureza.

There are many types of thorns in nature.

Verb 'existir' in the plural.

Não há rosa sem espinhos, como diz o ditado.

There is no rose without thorns, as the saying goes.

Idiomatic use of 'não há... sem'.

O caminho para o sucesso tem muitos espinhos.

The path to success has many thorns.

Metaphorical use of 'espinhos' for obstacles.

Ele sentiu um espinho de inveja ao ver o prêmio.

He felt a thorn of envy upon seeing the prize.

Abstract usage describing a sharp feeling.

A vegetação da caatinga é marcada por espinhos resistentes.

The vegetation of the caatinga is marked by resistant thorns.

Passive voice 'é marcada por'.

Tivemos que atravessar um matagal cheio de espinhos.

We had to cross a thicket full of thorns.

Compound verb 'tivemos que'.

Aquele assunto ainda é um espinho para ela.

That subject is still a thorn for her.

Metaphor for a painful or sensitive topic.

O ouriço-do-mar tem espinhos que podem ser venenosos.

The sea urchin has spines that can be poisonous.

Relative clause 'que podem ser'.

Remover os espinhos das flores exige paciência.

Removing thorns from flowers requires patience.

Gerund-like infinitive 'Remover' as subject.

A discussão tornou-se um caminho de espinhos para os sócios.

The discussion became a path of thorns for the partners.

Idiomatic 'caminho de espinhos'.

A planta desenvolveu espinhos como mecanismo de defesa evolutivo.

The plant developed thorns as an evolutionary defense mechanism.

Scientific register.

A coroa de espinhos é um símbolo potente na arte sacra.

The crown of thorns is a potent symbol in sacred art.

Cultural/Historical context.

Apesar dos espinhos, ela decidiu continuar com o projeto.

Despite the thorns, she decided to continue with the project.

Concessive conjunction 'Apesar de'.

O autor descreve a vida no campo como bela, mas cheia de espinhos.

The author describes country life as beautiful but full of thorns.

Literary analysis.

Os espinhos da roseira brava são particularmente ganchudos.

The wild rose bush's thorns are particularly hooked.

Specific botanical adjective 'ganchudos'.

Ela removeu o espinho da pata do cachorro com cuidado.

She removed the thorn from the dog's paw carefully.

Direct object and prepositional phrase.

Sinto como se tivesse um espinho cravado na minha alma.

I feel as if I had a thorn driven into my soul.

Subjunctive mood 'tivesse'.

A prosa de Saramago é, por vezes, um arbusto de espinhos para o leitor incauto.

Saramago's prose is sometimes a bush of thorns for the unwary reader.

High-level literary metaphor.

Botanicamente, o que chamamos de espinho na rosa é, na verdade, um acúleo.

Botanically, what we call a thorn on a rose is actually an aculeus.

Technical distinction.

O diplomata teve que caminhar sobre espinhos para evitar um conflito internacional.

The diplomat had to walk on thorns to avoid an international conflict.

Idiom 'caminhar sobre espinhos'.

A herança revelou-se um espinho na convivência familiar.

The inheritance proved to be a thorn in the family's coexistence.

Pronominal verb 'revelar-se'.

Os espinhos do ouriço-cacheiro são pelos modificados e endurecidos.

The hedgehog's spines are modified and hardened hairs.

Biological description.

Há uma certa beleza trágica nos espinhos que protegem a flor mais rara.

There is a certain tragic beauty in the thorns that protect the rarest flower.

Complex sentence with relative clause.

O crítico apontou os espinhos da narrativa que impediam a fluidez da leitura.

The critic pointed out the thorns in the narrative that hindered the flow of reading.

Abstract literary metaphor.

Despojado de seus espinhos, o cacto torna-se vulnerável ao ambiente hostil.

Stripped of its thorns, the cactus becomes vulnerable to the hostile environment.

Participle phrase 'Despojado de'.

A fenomenologia do espinho remete-nos à dor como constituinte da experiência vital.

The phenomenology of the thorn refers us to pain as a constituent of the vital experience.

Philosophical register.

A lírica camoniana frequentemente justapõe a suavidade do amor aos espinhos do desengano.

Camões' lyrics often juxtapose the softness of love with the thorns of disillusionment.

Literary history/criticism.

O projeto de lei, embora necessário, é um espinho político que ninguém quer tocar.

The bill, although necessary, is a political thorn that no one wants to touch.

Metaphorical political jargon.

A meticulosa remoção de cada espinho micro-scópico exige ferramentas de alta precisão.

The meticulous removal of each microscopic spine requires high-precision tools.

Technical precision.

Na dialética entre a flor e o espinho, reside a essência da sobrevivência botânica.

In the dialectic between the flower and the thorn lies the essence of botanical survival.

Abstract philosophical structure.

Sua ironia era um espinho sutil, quase imperceptível, mas profundamente doloroso.

His irony was a subtle thorn, almost imperceptible, but deeply painful.

Psychological description.

O regime autoritário era um espinho cravado no coração da democracia nascente.

The authoritarian regime was a thorn driven into the heart of the nascent democracy.

Historical/Political metaphor.

A configuração morfológica dos espinhos varia drasticamente entre as subespécies de euforbiáceas.

The morphological configuration of the spines varies drastically among the subspecies of Euphorbiaceae.

Scientific/Academic register.

Colocaciones comunes

Espinho de rosa

Cheio de espinhos

Picar-se num espinho

Coroa de espinhos

Caminho de espinhos

Arrancar um espinho

Espinho encravado

Cerca de espinhos

Espinho afiado

Sem espinhos

Frases Comunes

Não há rosa sem espinhos.

— Everything beautiful or good has a downside or difficulty.

O emprego é ótimo, mas o trânsito é horrível; não há rosa sem espinhos.

Um espinho na carne.

— A constant source of irritation or suffering.

A dívida no banco era um espinho na carne para a família.

Pisar em espinhos.

— To go through a very difficult or painful period.

Desde que a empresa faliu, ele sente que está pisando em espinhos.

Estar sobre espinhos.

— To be in a state of great anxiety or discomfort.

Enquanto esperava o resultado do exame, ela estava sobre espinhos.

Tirar o espinho.

— To solve a nagging problem or resolve a grudge.

Finalmente conversamos e consegui tirar aquele espinho do meu coração.

Caminhar entre espinhos.

— To deal with many difficulties simultaneously.

O novo governo terá que caminhar entre espinhos para aprovar a lei.

Dar espinhos.

— To produce problems or to be ungrateful.

Ajudei-o muito, mas ele só me deu espinhos em troca.

Cercado de espinhos.

— Surrounded by dangers or enemies.

O rei vivia num palácio, mas estava cercado de espinhos.

Espinho de estimação.

— A problem one has grown accustomed to (humorous/ironic).

Aquele carro velho é o meu espinho de estimação.

Trocar flores por espinhos.

— To change from a good situation to a bad one.

Depois da briga, eles trocaram flores por espinhos.

Se confunde a menudo con

espinho vs Espinha

Feminine noun meaning fishbone, pimple, or backbone.

espinho vs Farpa

Refers to a splinter of wood or metal, not a natural plant growth.

espinho vs Ferrão

The stinger of an insect, which is used actively to attack.

Modismos y expresiones

"Um espinho na garganta"

— Something that prevents you from speaking or an unresolved issue that bothers you constantly.

Aquela injustiça ficou como um espinho na minha garganta por anos.

Informal

"Remover o espinho"

— To get rid of a persistent nuisance or a painful memory.

Pedir desculpas foi a única forma de remover o espinho daquela relação.

Neutral

"Caminho de espinhos"

— A life or journey full of suffering and hardship.

A infância do poeta foi um longo caminho de espinhos.

Literary

"Não há bela sem senão, nem rosa sem espinho"

— Perfect things do not exist; there is always a flaw or a difficulty.

A casa é maravilhosa, mas o vizinho é barulhento. Não há rosa sem espinho.

Proverbial

"Estar em espinhos"

— To be very restless or nervous, usually waiting for something.

Estou em espinhos para saber se fui aprovado no concurso.

Informal

"Espinho cravado"

— A deep-seated resentment or a recurring pain.

A derrota na final da Copa ainda é um espinho cravado no peito dos torcedores.

Emotional/Journalistic

"Coroa de espinhos"

— A heavy burden or a situation of great martyrdom.

Gerenciar essa crise tem sido a minha coroa de espinhos.

Metaphorical

"Colher espinhos"

— To face negative consequences for one's actions.

Quem semeia ventos, colhe espinhos.

Proverbial

"Sentar-se em espinhos"

— To be in an extremely uncomfortable or precarious position.

Com a auditoria chegando, o diretor sente que está sentado em espinhos.

Informal

"O espinho da dúvida"

— A nagging suspicion that causes mental discomfort.

O espinho da dúvida não o deixava dormir à noite.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

espinho vs Espinha

Almost identical spelling and sound.

Espinha is feminine and refers to bones (fish/back) or acne. Espinho is masculine and refers to thorns.

O espinho da rosa (thorn) vs. A espinha do peixe (fishbone).

espinho vs Farpa

Both cause a pricking sensation under the skin.

Farpa is an accidental fragment (splinter). Espinho is a natural part of a plant.

Tirei uma farpa da mesa de madeira.

espinho vs Pico

Both relate to sharpness.

Pico usually refers to a peak (mountain) or a brief sharp sensation/injection. Espinho is the object itself.

O pico da montanha é alto.

espinho vs Ferrão

Both are biological sharp defenses.

Ferrão is for insects (bees, wasps). Espinho is for plants and some mammals (porcupines).

O ferrão da abelha dói muito.

espinho vs Aguilhão

Similar meaning of sharp point.

Aguilhão is more formal and often refers to a tool or a metaphorical sting.

O aguilhão do remorso.

Patrones de oraciones

[Subject] tem [Number] espinho(s).

A rosa tem um espinho.

Cuidado com o [Noun]!

Cuidado com o espinho!

Não há [Noun] sem [Noun].

Não há rosa sem espinhos.

Apesar do(s) [Noun], [Clause].

Apesar dos espinhos, ela colheu a flor.

O que chamamos de [Noun] é, na verdade, [Technical Term].

O que chamamos de espinho é um acúleo.

A dialética entre [Noun] e [Noun] revela [Abstract Concept].

A dialética entre a flor e o espinho revela a dualidade da vida.

Eu me piquei no [Noun].

Eu me piquei no espinho.

Este [Noun] é muito [Adjective].

Este espinho é muito afiado.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Espinheiro (thorny bush)

Espinhadura (act of pricking)

Desespinhamento (removal of thorns)

Verbos

Espinhar (to prick, to irritate)

Desespinhar (to remove thorns)

Adjetivos

Espinhoso (thorny, difficult)

Espinhado (pricked, irritated)

Desespinhado (without thorns)

Relacionado

Espinha

Ouriço

Cacto

Rosa

Arame farpado

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High in nature, literature, and common idioms.

Errores comunes

Using 'espinho' for a fishbone. → Espinha
Fishbones are always 'espinhas' (feminine). 'Espinho' refers to plant thorns.
Saying 'a espinho'. → o espinho
The word is masculine. All adjectives and articles must match: 'o espinho afiado'.
Using 'espinho' for a pimple. → Espinha
Acne/pimples are 'espinhas'. Calling a pimple an 'espinho' sounds like you have a thorn in your face.
Pronouncing 'nh' as 'n'. → esp-i-nyo
The 'nh' sound is essential. 'Espino' is not a word in Portuguese (it is in Spanish, though).
Using 'espinho' for the spine of a book. → lombada
The back part of a book where the title is printed is the 'lombada'.

Consejos

Gender Matters

Always associate 'espinho' with 'o' (masculine). This helps you distinguish it from 'a espinha' (fishbone/pimple). Think of the 'o' as the round shape of a cactus.

Master the 'NH'

The 'nh' in espinho is like the 'n' in 'new' or 'onion'. Don't let it sound like a hard 'n'. Your tongue should touch the roof of your mouth.

Nature Context

When learning 'espinho', also learn 'roseira' (rose bush) and 'cacto' (cactus). Learning words in thematic groups makes them easier to recall during conversation.

Use Metaphors

Don't be afraid to use 'espinhoso' for difficult tasks. It makes you sound more like a native speaker. 'Essa tarefa é espinhosa' is a great B2-level sentence.

Proverb Power

Memorize 'Não há rosa sem espinhos'. It’s a perfect response when someone complains about a small problem in a generally good situation.

Avoid 'Coluna'

If you want to say 'spine' of a book, use 'lombada'. If you use 'espinho', people will think the book has actual thorns on it!

Listen for the 'U'

In many Brazilian accents, the final 'o' in 'espinho' is almost silent or sounds like a very light 'u'. Train your ear to hear 'is-pinyu'.

Action Verbs

Learn 'tirar' (to take out) and 'pinça' (tweezers). 'Preciso tirar o espinho com uma pinça' is a very practical sentence for real-life accidents.

Literary Symbols

When reading Portuguese poetry, 'espinhos' almost always symbolize pain, suffering, or the 'senão' (the 'but') in a situation.

Espinho vs. Farpa

If it's from a rose, it's an espinho. If it's from a wooden table, it's a farpa. This distinction is important for being precise in Portuguese.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Spin-yo' (espinho). If you spin yo-yo near a rose, you'll get pricked by a thorn!

Asociación visual

Imagine a bright red rose with a giant, needle-sharp green thorn pointing right at your thumb. Visualize the 'nh' as a hook.

Word Web

Rosa Cacto Picar Dor Jardim Proteção Afiado Espinheiro

Desafío

Write three sentences: one about a plant you saw today, one about a difficult problem you have, and one about a porcupine, all using 'espinho'.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'spinus', which referred to a thorn-bush or a blackthorn. The root is common to many Romance languages (Spanish 'espina', French 'épine').

Significado original: A sharp point on a plant.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Galician-Portuguese

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but be aware that 'espinhar-se' can also mean to get offended or irritated in a social context.

English speakers often use 'spine' for many things where Portuguese uses different words. Be careful not to translate 'book spine' or 'human spine' as 'espinho'.

The book 'O Pequeno Príncipe' (The Little Prince) and his rose with four thorns. The song 'Rosa' by Pixinguinha. The biblical 'Coroa de Espinhos'.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Gardening

Use luvas por causa dos espinhos.
Vou podar os espinhos desta roseira.
O espinho atravessou a luva.
Tome cuidado com os espinhos do cacto.

Hiking/Nature

A trilha está fechada por espinhos.
Fiquei com um espinho na meia.
Cuidado para não rasgar a roupa nos espinhos.
Essa planta tem espinhos venenosos?

Metaphorical/Emotional

Ela é um espinho no meu lado.
A vida não é só flores, tem espinhos também.
Tirei esse espinho da minha alma.
Foi um caminho cheio de espinhos.

First Aid

Tem um espinho cravado aqui.
Lave bem onde o espinho picou.
Use uma pinça para tirar o espinho.
O espinho saiu inteiro?

Animals

O porco-espinho solta espinhos?
Os espinhos do ouriço são duros.
O cão pisou num espinho.
Não toque nos espinhos do ouriço-do-mar.

Inicios de conversación

"Você já se machucou seriamente com um espinho de cacto?"

"Você prefere rosas com ou sem espinhos?"

"O que significa para você a expressão 'não há rosa sem espinhos'?"

"Você já viu um porco-espinho de perto na natureza?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de tirar um espinho do dedo?"

Temas para diario

Descreva uma situação na sua vida que foi como um 'caminho de espinhos' e como você superou.

Escreva sobre um jardim imaginário onde os espinhos são feitos de algo incomum (como cristal ou açúcar).

Reflita sobre a ideia de que a proteção (espinhos) é necessária para a beleza (flores) sobreviver.

Relate uma memória de infância envolvendo plantas, jardins ou um pequeno acidente com um espinho.

Como você lida com as 'pessoas-espinho' no seu ambiente de trabalho ou estudo?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, you must use 'espinha'. Using 'espinho' for a fishbone is a common mistake for English speakers. Remember: Espinho (masculine) = Plant. Espinha (feminine) = Fish.

Yes, in Portuguese, a porcupine is called a 'porco-espinho' and its quills are called 'espinhos'. It is the standard term for this animal's defense mechanism.

There isn't a single common collective noun like 'flock', but you can use 'espinheiro' to refer to a thicket or a place full of thorny bushes.

You use the adjective 'espinhoso'. So, 'a thorny problem' is 'um problema espinhoso'. This is very common in both formal and informal Portuguese.

No. For the human spine, use 'coluna vertebral' or 'espinha dorsal'. 'Espinho' alone never refers to the human back.

The most common verb is 'picar-se'. For example: 'Eu me piquei no espinho'. You can also use 'furar' if it goes deep: 'O espinho furou meu dedo'.

Colloquially, yes, but botanically they are 'acúleos'. Some modern cultivated roses are 'sem espinhos' (thornless), which you might see in a flower shop.

Usually, no. A splinter of wood is a 'farpa'. However, if you are in the woods and aren't sure what pricked you, you might say 'espinho' generically.

The word 'espinho' is a noun. The related verb is 'espinhar', which means to prick or to irritate. 'Eu espinho' would mean 'I prick' (first person present), but it is rare.

An 'espinho' is part of a plant or a porcupine. A 'ferrão' is the stinger of an insect like a bee or a scorpion. Ferrão implies an active sting.

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