The word 'frango' is one of the most essential nouns you will learn at the A1 level in Portuguese. It translates directly to 'chicken' in English and is used primarily to refer to the meat of the bird when prepared as food. As a beginner, you will encounter this word very frequently in everyday situations, especially when dining out, shopping at the supermarket, or discussing your dietary preferences. Learning how to use 'frango' correctly will significantly enhance your ability to navigate menus and order meals in Portuguese-speaking countries. In Brazil and Portugal, chicken is a staple protein, making this word indispensable. You will often see it paired with adjectives like 'assado' (roasted), 'frito' (fried), or 'grelhado' (grilled). Understanding these combinations is crucial for basic communication. Furthermore, 'frango' is a regular masculine noun, meaning it uses the definite article 'o' (o frango) and the indefinite article 'um' (um frango). When pluralized, it simply takes an 's' to become 'frangos'. This follows the standard rules of Portuguese grammar, making it an easy word to master. Practice using 'frango' in simple sentences such as 'Eu gosto de frango' (I like chicken) or 'Eu quero comer frango' (I want to eat chicken). These basic structures form the foundation of your conversational skills. Additionally, recognizing the word on a menu will help you avoid ordering something you might not want. Chicken dishes are ubiquitous, from the famous 'coxinha de frango' (a popular Brazilian street food) to simple grilled chicken breasts served with rice and beans. Therefore, memorizing 'frango' is not just a vocabulary exercise; it is a practical necessity for daily life. As you continue your A1 studies, try to associate the word 'frango' with its visual representation and its taste. This sensory connection will aid in long-term retention. Remember that while 'frango' refers to the meat or a young chicken, the word 'galinha' is used for a live adult female chicken. This distinction is important even at the beginner level to ensure accurate communication. Keep practicing, and soon using the word 'frango' will become second nature to you. It is a stepping stone to expanding your culinary vocabulary and immersing yourself more deeply in the rich gastronomic culture of the Portuguese-speaking world. Every time you practice, you reinforce your understanding and build confidence in your language abilities. Knowing 'frango' helps you survive and thrive in basic food contexts.
At the A2 level, your understanding of the word 'frango' expands beyond basic recognition to more practical and varied applications in daily life. You already know that 'frango' means chicken meat, but now you can start using it in more complex sentences and specific contexts. For instance, you can begin to specify the parts of the chicken you prefer, such as 'peito de frango' (chicken breast), 'coxa de frango' (chicken thigh), or 'asa de frango' (chicken wing). This vocabulary is incredibly useful when shopping at an 'açougue' (butcher shop) or a supermarket. You can practice asking questions like 'Quanto custa o quilo do peito de frango?' (How much is a kilo of chicken breast?). Additionally, at this level, you should be comfortable discussing how the chicken is prepared. You can express preferences using phrases like 'Eu prefiro frango assado do que frango frito' (I prefer roasted chicken over fried chicken). This demonstrates your ability to make comparisons and express detailed opinions about food. Furthermore, 'frango' is frequently used in recipes and cooking instructions, which are excellent reading practice for A2 learners. You might read instructions like 'Corte o frango em cubos' (Cut the chicken into cubes) or 'Tempere o frango com sal e alho' (Season the chicken with salt and garlic). Understanding these action verbs in conjunction with 'frango' broadens your practical vocabulary. It is also important to recognize cultural dishes that feature this ingredient. The 'coxinha de frango', a teardrop-shaped fried dough filled with shredded chicken, is an iconic Brazilian snack that you must know. Another popular dish is 'estrogonofe de frango' (chicken stroganoff), which is a staple in Brazilian households. By associating the word 'frango' with these specific cultural items, you deepen your connection to the language. Continue to practice the pronunciation, ensuring that the nasal 'an' sound is clear and distinct from the English 'n'. Remember to maintain the correct gender agreement, always using masculine articles and adjectives. As you build your A2 vocabulary, 'frango' remains a central pillar of your food-related lexicon, enabling you to participate in conversations about meals, diets, and grocery shopping with increasing confidence and accuracy. The more you use it in varied contexts, the more natural it will feel. Mastering these nuances prepares you for more advanced conversational topics.
Reaching the B1 level means you are becoming an independent user of Portuguese, and your use of the word 'frango' should reflect this growing fluency. At this stage, you are expected to handle a wider range of situations, including discussing dietary habits, cultural traditions, and even understanding colloquialisms. While you are already comfortable ordering 'frango grelhado' at a restaurant, you can now engage in conversations about the nutritional aspects of food. For example, you might say, 'O peito de frango é uma ótima fonte de proteína magra para quem faz academia' (Chicken breast is a great source of lean protein for those who go to the gym). This shows an ability to discuss health and lifestyle topics. Moreover, B1 is the perfect level to introduce the idiomatic and slang uses of 'frango'. In Brazil, soccer is a massive part of the culture, and the term 'frango' is famously used in sports contexts. When a goalkeeper makes a clumsy mistake and lets an easy ball into the net, it is called a 'frango'. You might hear or say, 'O goleiro tomou um frango inacreditável no jogo de ontem' (The goalkeeper let in an unbelievable blunder in yesterday's game). Understanding this secondary meaning is crucial for following sports conversations and integrating into social settings. You should also be aware of expressions like 'frango de padaria' (bakery chicken), which can be used humorously to describe someone who is very skinny or someone who spends too much time tanning (rotating like a chicken in an oven). While these slang terms are informal, knowing them enriches your cultural comprehension. In culinary contexts, you can explore more complex regional dishes, such as 'frango com quiabo' (chicken with okra), a traditional dish from the state of Minas Gerais. Discussing these regional specialties demonstrates a deeper appreciation of Brazilian culture. Grammatically, you should be flawless in your agreement and pluralization. You can also start using 'frango' in hypothetical or conditional sentences, such as 'Se eu tivesse tempo, faria um frango assado para o jantar' (If I had time, I would make a roasted chicken for dinner). By expanding your use of 'frango' into sports slang, cultural dishes, and complex sentence structures, you solidify your B1 proficiency and sound much more like a natural speaker. This multifaceted understanding is a hallmark of intermediate language acquisition.
At the B2 level, your command of Portuguese allows you to use the word 'frango' with high precision and cultural awareness. You are no longer just ordering food; you are discussing the nuances of gastronomy, agricultural practices, and idiomatic expressions with ease. In culinary discussions, you can articulate the differences between various types of chicken, such as 'frango caipira' (free-range chicken) versus 'frango de granja' (factory-farmed chicken). You can express complex opinions on these topics, for instance: 'O frango caipira tem uma carne mais firme e saborosa, embora o tempo de cozimento seja significativamente maior' (Free-range chicken has firmer and tastier meat, although the cooking time is significantly longer). This demonstrates an advanced vocabulary related to food quality and preparation. Furthermore, your understanding of the sports idiom 'tomar um frango' should be completely natural. You can use it in varied contexts and tenses, such as 'Se ele continuar tomando frangos assim, será substituído' (If he keeps making blunders like that, he will be replaced). You also understand the metaphorical extension of the word in informal settings. For example, calling someone a 'frango' in a gym context refers to a beginner or someone who is scrawny and doesn't lift heavy weights, though this is highly colloquial and slightly derogatory. Navigating these different registers—from formal culinary discussions to informal gym slang—is a key B2 skill. You should also be comfortable reading and understanding recipes in Portuguese without needing a dictionary, recognizing terms like 'marinar o frango' (marinate the chicken) or 'desfiar o frango' (shred the chicken). In social situations, you can share anecdotes or cultural observations, such as explaining the tradition of the 'frango de domingo' (Sunday chicken), a classic family meal in many Brazilian households. Your ability to weave the word 'frango' into complex narratives, debates about healthy eating, or passionate discussions about soccer matches shows that you have internalized the word beyond its literal translation. You are aware of its connotations, its collocations, and its cultural weight. This level of fluency means you can seamlessly integrate 'frango' into your active vocabulary, adapting your usage based on the audience and the context, whether you are writing a formal essay on agricultural economics or chatting with friends at a local bar.
As a C1 learner, your proficiency in Portuguese is advanced, and your use of the word 'frango' reflects a deep, almost native-like understanding of its cultural, idiomatic, and linguistic nuances. At this level, you are capable of engaging in sophisticated discussions where 'frango' might be a central or tangential topic. For instance, you can debate the socio-economic impacts of the poultry industry in Brazil, which is one of the world's largest exporters of chicken meat. You might construct arguments using advanced vocabulary: 'A exportação de carne de frango é um pilar fundamental do agronegócio brasileiro, impactando diretamente a balança comercial do país' (The export of chicken meat is a fundamental pillar of Brazilian agribusiness, directly impacting the country's trade balance). This demonstrates your ability to use a simple noun in highly academic and professional contexts. Furthermore, your grasp of idioms and colloquialisms is extensive. You understand the subtle humor and cultural references embedded in expressions like 'frango de padaria' or the sports term 'frango'. You can use these terms creatively and recognize them instantly in literature, journalism, or fast-paced conversation. You also appreciate the linguistic evolution of the word and its derivatives. For example, you know that 'frangar' is a colloquial verb derived from the noun, meaning to fail or to make a mistake (especially as a goalkeeper). You might say, 'O goleiro frangou na final do campeonato' (The goalkeeper blundered in the championship final). In culinary contexts, you can discuss the historical origins of dishes like 'frango ao molho pardo' (chicken in brown sauce, made with the bird's blood) and its significance in traditional Portuguese and Brazilian gastronomy. Your vocabulary includes highly specific culinary terms, and you can effortlessly follow complex, fast-paced cooking shows or read advanced culinary literature. At the C1 level, you do not just translate 'frango' to 'chicken'; you understand the entire semantic field surrounding the word. You know when to use 'ave', 'galinha', 'galeto', or 'frango' with absolute precision, never making the beginner mistake of confusing the live animal with the meat. Your fluency allows you to play with the language, using 'frango' in metaphors, jokes, and professional discourse seamlessly, proving that even the most basic vocabulary words possess layers of complexity that advanced learners can master and utilize effectively.
At the C2 level, your mastery of Portuguese is near-native, and your interaction with a fundamental word like 'frango' encompasses the entirety of its linguistic, cultural, and historical dimensions. You navigate the word's usage with absolute effortless precision across all possible registers, from the most colloquial street slang to the most elevated academic discourse. You are acutely aware of regional variations in the preparation and nomenclature of chicken dishes across the Lusophone world. For example, you understand the cultural nuances of the 'frango no churrasco' in Portugal versus the 'galeto' in southern Brazil, and you can discuss these differences in the context of regional identity and historical migration patterns. In terms of idiomatic usage, you not only use expressions like 'tomar um frango' flawlessly, but you also understand their etymological origins and how they reflect the national psyche, particularly the Brazilian obsession with soccer. You can employ derivatives like 'frangueiro' (a goalkeeper prone to making silly mistakes) in natural, fast-paced conversation: 'Aquele time nunca vai ganhar um título com um goleiro tão frangueiro' (That team will never win a title with such a blunder-prone goalkeeper). Furthermore, in professional or academic settings, you can analyze the economic and environmental implications of 'avicultura' (poultry farming). You might write or present on topics such as: 'Os desafios da sustentabilidade na produção intensiva de frango de corte no Brasil contemporâneo' (The sustainability challenges in the intensive production of broiler chickens in contemporary Brazil). Your vocabulary is incredibly rich, allowing you to discuss the anatomy of the bird, the specifics of industrial processing, and the intricacies of gourmet preparation without hesitation. You recognize the word 'frango' in classic literature, poetry, and modern media, understanding any metaphorical or symbolic weight it might carry in a specific text. At this pinnacle of language acquisition, 'frango' is not merely a vocabulary item to be memorized; it is a tool that you wield with complete autonomy. You can manipulate its meaning, invent new colloquial usages based on existing patterns, and appreciate the subtle humor or cultural resonance it brings to any conversation. Your comprehensive understanding of 'frango' exemplifies your total immersion in and mastery of the Portuguese language and its rich cultural tapestry.

Frango en 30 segundos

  • Translates to 'chicken' (meat or young bird).
  • Masculine noun: o frango, os frangos.
  • Slang: A silly mistake by a soccer goalkeeper.
  • Do not confuse with 'galinha' (live adult hen).

The Portuguese word frango primarily translates to chicken in English, specifically referring to the meat of the bird consumed as food, or a young domestic fowl. Understanding this word is absolutely fundamental for anyone learning Portuguese, as it represents one of the most common and widely consumed proteins in both Brazilian and Portuguese cuisines. When you visit a Portuguese-speaking country, you will encounter the word frango on almost every restaurant menu, in every supermarket, and in countless everyday conversations about meals, cooking, and food preferences. It is a masculine noun, meaning it is preceded by the article o (the) or um (a/an). The plural form is simply frangos. Beyond its literal culinary meaning, the word is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, appearing in various idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. For instance, in Brazilian sports slang, particularly in soccer, taking a frango refers to a goalkeeper making an embarrassing mistake and letting an easy ball slip through their hands into the goal. This dual usage—both literal and figurative—makes frango a versatile and essential vocabulary word. To truly master its usage, one must understand the contexts in which it is appropriate. While frango is used for the meat and the young bird, the word galinha is typically reserved for the live adult female chicken, and galo for the adult male (rooster). Confusing these terms is a common mistake for beginners, but distinguishing them is key to sounding natural. Whether you are ordering a classic frango assado (roasted chicken) at a local padaria (bakery), enjoying a traditional coxinha de frango (chicken croquette) at a party, or discussing sports highlights with friends, knowing how to use frango correctly will significantly enhance your communicative competence. The word is pronounced with a nasal 'an' sound, which is characteristic of the Portuguese language and provides excellent pronunciation practice for learners. By integrating frango into your daily vocabulary practice, you open the door to a broader understanding of Portuguese gastronomy and culture. It is not just a word; it is a cultural staple that reflects the daily life, dietary habits, and even the humor of the Portuguese-speaking world. As you progress in your language journey, you will discover even more nuances and regional variations associated with this seemingly simple noun.

Literal Meaning
Refers to the meat of a chicken prepared for consumption, or a young chicken.
Figurative Meaning
In sports, specifically soccer, it means a silly mistake made by a goalkeeper.
Grammatical Profile
Masculine noun (o frango), pluralizes by adding 's' (os frangos).

Eu vou comprar um frango assado para o almoço de domingo com a família.

O goleiro tomou um frango terrível no último minuto do jogo do campeonato.

Minha receita favorita leva peito de frango cortado em cubos e muitos temperos.

Eles vendem frango frito muito crocante naquela lanchonete da esquina.

Para a dieta, o nutricionista recomendou comer mais frango e menos carne vermelha.

Using the word frango correctly in Portuguese involves understanding its grammatical properties, its common collocations, and the specific contexts in which it is most appropriate. As a masculine noun, it must agree with the articles and adjectives that modify it. For example, you would say o frango delicioso (the delicious chicken) or um frango pequeno (a small chicken). When ordering food, frango is incredibly versatile and pairs with numerous preparation methods. You will frequently use it in phrases like frango assado (roasted chicken), frango frito (fried chicken), frango grelhado (grilled chicken), frango cozido (boiled/stewed chicken), and frango desfiado (shredded chicken). Knowing these combinations is essential for navigating menus and expressing your culinary desires accurately. In a supermarket setting, you might look for specific cuts, such as peito de frango (chicken breast), coxa de frango (chicken thigh), or asa de frango (chicken wing). When discussing diets or nutrition, frango is often highlighted as a lean protein, so you might hear or say sentences like O frango é uma excelente fonte de proteína (Chicken is an excellent source of protein). Beyond the kitchen and dining table, using frango in its slang form requires a different context entirely. If you are watching a soccer match with Brazilian friends and the goalkeeper makes a ridiculous error, letting the ball slowly roll past them, you can exclaim, Que frango! (What a chicken/blunder!). This will instantly make you sound more like a native speaker. It is important to note the register: the culinary use of frango is completely standard and appropriate in all formal and informal settings. However, the sports slang usage is strictly informal and should be reserved for casual conversations among friends or in sports commentary. Additionally, there is the expression frango de padaria, which literally means bakery chicken but is sometimes used humorously to describe someone who is very skinny or weak, though this is less common and highly colloquial. To practice using frango, try writing out your weekly grocery list in Portuguese, ensuring you include different cuts and preparations of chicken. You can also practice role-playing a restaurant scenario where you ask the waiter questions like, O prato principal vem com frango? (Does the main dish come with chicken?). By actively incorporating frango into various sentence structures and contexts, you will solidify your grasp of this essential vocabulary word and improve your overall fluency in Portuguese.

Culinary Context
Used to describe dishes, cuts of meat, and cooking methods related to chicken.
Sports Context
Used informally to describe a specific type of embarrassing mistake by a goalkeeper.
Grammar Agreement
Requires masculine articles (o, um) and masculine adjective endings (assado, frito).

Por favor, eu gostaria de uma porção de frango a passarinho com alho.

O frango grelhado é a opção mais saudável do cardápio de hoje.

Ele não sabe cozinhar, só sabe fazer frango congelado no micro-ondas.

Nossa, o goleiro do meu time tomou um frango imperdoável ontem à noite.

Preciso comprar peito de frango para fazer o estrogonofe no jantar.

The word frango is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking environments, and you will hear it in a wide variety of settings, reflecting its importance in daily life and culture. The most obvious and frequent place you will encounter this word is in restaurants, cafes, and lanchonetes (snack bars). When reviewing a menu, frango will be listed under main courses, sandwiches, salads, and traditional snacks. For example, the beloved Brazilian street food, the coxinha, is almost always filled with frango desfiado (shredded chicken). You will hear waiters reciting daily specials, often featuring frango assado com batatas (roasted chicken with potatoes). In supermarkets and açougues (butcher shops), you will hear shoppers asking for specific cuts of frango, discussing prices, or asking the butcher to clean and prepare the meat. The word is also a staple in domestic settings; if you are staying with a host family or visiting friends, conversations about what to cook for lunch or dinner will inevitably involve frango. Television cooking shows, food blogs, and recipe videos in Portuguese heavily feature frango due to its affordability and versatility. Beyond the culinary world, you will hear frango in sports broadcasts and casual conversations about soccer. If you tune into a Brazilian soccer match on the radio or TV, and a goalkeeper makes a glaring error, the announcer might dramatically shout, Que frango! or O goleiro aceitou um frango!. This usage is so common that it has become an integral part of the sports lexicon. Furthermore, you might hear the term in fitness centers and gyms, where health-conscious individuals discuss their meal prep, frequently mentioning peito de frango com batata doce (chicken breast with sweet potato) as the quintessential bodybuilder's diet. In everyday colloquial speech, you might occasionally hear the phrase frango de padaria used jokingly to describe someone who is overly tanned (like a roasted chicken rotating in a bakery oven) or someone who is scrawny. Because frango crosses so many domains—from high-end gastronomy to street food, from domestic life to national sports, and from fitness culture to everyday slang—it is a word that you will hear constantly. Paying attention to the context in which you hear it will help you understand whether the speaker is talking about their lunch, their diet, or their favorite soccer team's unfortunate defeat.

Restaurants & Menus
Ubiquitous in food service, from high-end dining to street vendors selling coxinhas.
Supermarkets & Butchers
Commonly heard when purchasing groceries, discussing cuts of meat, and planning meals.
Sports Broadcasts
Frequently used by commentators and fans to describe a specific goalkeeping error.

O garçom recomendou o prato do dia, que é frango ao molho pardo.

No açougue, pedi um quilo de coxa de frango sem osso e sem pele.

O narrador gritou na rádio que o goleiro do Flamengo engoliu um frango.

Na academia, todos falam sobre a dieta de peito de frango com batata doce.

Aos domingos, o cheiro de frango assado toma conta das ruas do bairro.

When learning the Portuguese word frango, students often make a few predictable mistakes, primarily related to vocabulary confusion, pronunciation, and contextual usage. The most prevalent error is confusing frango with galinha. In English, the word chicken serves as a catch-all term for the live animal, the species, and the meat on your plate. In Portuguese, however, there is a distinct separation. Frango is strictly used for the meat you eat or a very young bird, whereas galinha refers to the live adult female bird. If you go to a farm and point at the birds running around, you should call them galinhas. If you go to a restaurant and order a meal, you must ask for frango. Saying Eu quero comer galinha (I want to eat hen) sounds strange and slightly unappetizing to a native speaker, unless referring to a specific traditional stew like galinha caipira. Another common mistake is related to pronunciation. The nasal sound in the first syllable (fran) can be challenging for non-native speakers. Many learners pronounce it with a hard 'n' sound, like fran-go, rather than utilizing the nasal vowel sound where the 'n' simply nasalizes the preceding 'a'. Practicing the nasal 'ã' sound is crucial for being understood clearly. Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the gender of the word. Because it ends in 'o', it is a regular masculine noun, but students might mistakenly use feminine articles or adjectives if they are thinking of the feminine word galinha. It is always o frango, um frango, frango assado (never a frango or frango assada). Furthermore, learners might misuse the sports slang. Calling a person a frango to mean they are a coward (like calling someone a chicken in English) does not translate directly into Portuguese. In Portuguese, calling someone a coward is usually covarde or medroso. If you call someone a frango, they might think you are calling them scrawny or referencing the goalkeeper mistake, which leads to confusion. Understanding these nuances prevents awkward miscommunications. Finally, a minor mistake is not knowing the specific cuts of meat. Asking for a pedaço de frango (piece of chicken) is fine, but learning terms like peito (breast), coxa (thigh), and sobrecoxa (drumstick) will make your interactions at the butcher or restaurant much smoother and more precise. By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can use the word frango with the confidence and accuracy of a native speaker.

Frango vs. Galinha
Using 'galinha' (live hen) when you mean 'frango' (chicken meat for eating).
Pronunciation Error
Pronouncing a hard English 'n' instead of the Portuguese nasalized vowel sound.
False Friend (Coward)
Using 'frango' to call someone a coward, which does not translate from English.

Erro comum: Eu vi um frango botando ovo na fazenda. (Correto: galinha)

Erro comum: Ele não pulou de paraquedas porque é um frango. (Correto: covarde)

Erro comum: Eu quero uma frango assada. (Correto: um frango assado)

Erro comum: O prato tem carne de galinha. (Correto: carne de frango)

Atenção à pronúncia: O som é nasal, não pronuncie o 'N' como no inglês.

Expanding your vocabulary around the word frango involves learning related terms that describe different types of poultry, specific dishes, and variations of the word itself. A highly related term is galinha, which, as previously mentioned, refers to the adult female chicken, typically kept for laying eggs or making traditional, slow-cooked stews like galinhada. Another important word is galo, which is the adult male chicken, or rooster. If you are talking about a very small, young chicken, you might use the diminutive franguinho, or the word pinto/pintinho, which means chick. In culinary contexts, you will often encounter the word ave, which is the general term for bird or poultry. When a menu lists pratos de aves (poultry dishes), frango is almost certainly included, alongside peru (turkey) and pato (duck). Another interesting culinary term is galeto, which refers to a very young, small chicken that is typically grilled or roasted whole; it is a popular dish in certain regions of Brazil, especially in the South, where galeterias (restaurants specializing in galeto) are common. You might also hear the term chester, which is a trademarked name in Brazil for a special breed of large chicken with a high concentration of breast meat, traditionally eaten during Christmas instead of turkey. Understanding these related words allows you to navigate menus and recipes with much greater precision. For instance, knowing the difference between a standard frango assado and a galeto al primo canto will enhance your dining experience. Furthermore, in the realm of slang, while frango means a goalkeeping error, the word peru can also be used in some regions to describe a similar sports blunder, though frango is far more universal. By learning this cluster of related vocabulary—galinha, galo, pintinho, ave, galeto, peru, and chester—you build a comprehensive mental map of poultry-related terms in Portuguese. This interconnected knowledge not only helps you avoid common mistakes but also enriches your conversational skills, allowing you to discuss food, farming, and even sports with greater nuance and cultural accuracy. Building this vocabulary web is a highly effective strategy for language acquisition.

Galinha
Adult female chicken (hen), used for the live animal or specific traditional stews.
Galeto
A very young, small chicken, usually served roasted or grilled whole.
Ave
The general term for bird or poultry, often used as a category on menus.

No cardápio, a seção de aves inclui frango, pato e peru.

Fomos a uma churrascaria e comemos um galeto assado maravilhoso.

A galinha caipira da minha avó é o melhor prato do mundo.

No Natal, muitas famílias brasileiras preferem comer chester em vez de peru.

As crianças adoraram ver os pintinhos correndo pela fazenda.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Definite and indefinite articles (o/um).

Gender agreement with adjectives (frango assado, not assada).

Pluralization of regular nouns ending in a vowel (add 's').

Preposition 'de' for ingredients (sanduíche de frango).

Use of the verb 'preferir' for food choices.

Ejemplos por nivel

1

Eu gosto de comer frango.

I like to eat chicken.

Basic subject-verb-object structure. 'Frango' is a masculine noun.

2

O frango está muito quente.

The chicken is very hot.

Uses the definite article 'o' and the adjective 'quente'.

3

Eu quero um sanduíche de frango.

I want a chicken sandwich.

Uses 'de' to indicate the ingredient: 'sanduíche de frango'.

4

Nós comemos frango com arroz.

We eat chicken with rice.

Simple present tense of 'comer' (to eat) with the preposition 'com' (with).

5

Onde eu compro frango?

Where do I buy chicken?

Question word 'onde' (where) + present tense of 'comprar'.

6

Este frango é delicioso.

This chicken is delicious.

Demonstrative pronoun 'este' agrees with the masculine noun 'frango'.

7

Eu não como carne, só frango.

I don't eat meat, only chicken.

Negative sentence structure with 'não' and the adverb 'só' (only).

8

O frango frito é bom.

Fried chicken is good.

Adjective 'frito' (fried) follows the noun and agrees in gender.

1

Eu prefiro peito de frango porque é mais saudável.

I prefer chicken breast because it is healthier.

Uses 'preferir' (to prefer) and the comparative 'mais saudável'.

2

Você sabe como fazer sopa de frango?

Do you know how to make chicken soup?

Question using 'saber' + 'como' + infinitive verb.

3

Ontem nós jantamos frango assado com batatas.

Yesterday we had roasted chicken with potatoes for dinner.

Past tense (pretérito perfeito) of 'jantar' (to dine/have dinner).

4

Vou comprar dois quilos de coxa de frango no açougue.

I am going to buy two kilos of chicken thighs at the butcher.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive, and specific measurements (quilos).

5

A coxinha é um salgado recheado com frango desfiado.

The coxinha is a savory snack filled with shredded chicken.

Passive voice construction 'recheado com' (filled with).

6

O frango precisa cozinhar por mais vinte minutos.

The chicken needs to cook for twenty more minutes.

Modal verb 'precisar' + infinitive 'cozinhar'.

7

Eles vendem frango grelhado na lanchonete da esquina.

They sell grilled chicken at the snack bar on the corner.

Present tense of 'vender' and prepositional phrase 'na lanchonete'.

8

Meu prato favorito é estrogonofe de frango.

My favorite dish is chicken stroganoff.

Possessive pronoun 'meu' and vocabulary for a specific dish.

1

O goleiro tomou um frango no último minuto da partida.

The goalkeeper let in a blunder in the last minute of the match.

Idiomatic use of 'tomar um frango' in a sports context.

2

Para a receita, você deve marinar o frango no limão e alho.

For the recipe, you must marinate the chicken in lemon and garlic.

Imperative/instructional language using 'dever' + infinitive.

3

O frango caipira tem um sabor muito mais forte que o frango de granja.

Free-range chicken has a much stronger flavor than factory-farmed chicken.

Comparative structure 'muito mais... que' and specific vocabulary (caipira/granja).

4

Se eu tivesse comprado frango, faria um ensopado hoje.

If I had bought chicken, I would make a stew today.

Past perfect subjunctive + conditional tense for a hypothetical situation.

5

A carne de frango é uma das proteínas mais consumidas no Brasil.

Chicken meat is one of the most consumed proteins in Brazil.

Superlative construction 'uma das mais consumidas'.

6

Ele é tão magro que o pessoal da academia o chama de frango.

He is so skinny that the gym guys call him a chicken (weakling).

Slang usage of 'frango' to mean a weak or skinny person.

7

Desfie o frango com um garfo depois que ele esfriar.

Shred the chicken with a fork after it cools down.

Imperative 'desfie' and temporal conjunction 'depois que' + subjunctive/infinitive.

8

O restaurante serve um rodízio de massas e frango a passarinho.

The restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat pasta and garlic fried chicken.

Vocabulary related to dining out ('rodízio') and specific dishes ('frango a passarinho').

1

Apesar de o frango estar bem temperado, achei a carne um pouco seca.

Although the chicken was well-seasoned, I found the meat a bit dry.

Concessive clause with 'apesar de' + personal infinitive.

2

O comentarista esportivo criticou o goleiro por aquele frango imperdoável.

The sports commentator criticized the goalkeeper for that unforgivable blunder.

Advanced vocabulary ('comentarista', 'imperdoável') and idiomatic usage.

3

A avicultura brasileira exporta toneladas de carne de frango anualmente.

Brazilian poultry farming exports tons of chicken meat annually.

Specific industry vocabulary ('avicultura', 'exporta').

4

É imprescindível que o frango atinja a temperatura interna correta para evitar salmonela.

It is essential that the chicken reaches the correct internal temperature to avoid salmonella.

Impersonal expression 'É imprescindível que' + present subjunctive 'atinja'.

5

Ele ficou vermelho como um frango de padaria depois de dormir na praia.

He got as red as a bakery chicken after sleeping on the beach.

Colloquial simile 'como um frango de padaria' to describe sunburn.

6

O chef desossou o frango inteiro com uma habilidade impressionante.

The chef deboned the whole chicken with impressive skill.

Specific culinary verb 'desossar' (to debone) in the past tense.

7

Muitos nutricionistas recomendam substituir a carne vermelha por peito de frango.

Many nutritionists recommend substituting red meat with chicken breast.

Verb 'substituir' with preposition 'por'.

8

Aquele goleiro tem fama de frangueiro, sempre falha em jogos decisivos.

That goalkeeper has a reputation for making blunders; he always fails in decisive games.

Use of the derivative noun/adjective 'frangueiro' (blunder-prone).

1

A flutuação no preço da ração impacta diretamente o custo final do frango de corte.

The fluctuation in the price of feed directly impacts the final cost of broiler chickens.

Complex economic vocabulary ('flutuação', 'ração', 'frango de corte').

2

O frango ao molho pardo é uma iguaria controversa devido ao uso do sangue da ave.

Chicken in brown sauce is a controversial delicacy due to the use of the bird's blood.

Cultural/gastronomic vocabulary ('iguaria', 'controversa', 'molho pardo').

3

Não adianta chorar pelo leite derramado; o goleiro frangou e o time foi eliminado.

It's no use crying over spilled milk; the goalkeeper blundered and the team was eliminated.

Use of the colloquial verb 'frangar' derived from the noun, paired with an idiom.

4

A técnica de sous-vide garante que o peito de frango retenha toda a sua suculência.

The sous-vide technique ensures that the chicken breast retains all its juiciness.

Advanced culinary terminology and present subjunctive 'retenha'.

5

O escândalo na indústria frigorífica abalou a confiança dos importadores de frango brasileiro.

The scandal in the meatpacking industry shook the confidence of importers of Brazilian chicken.

Formal journalistic register and industry-specific terms ('indústria frigorífica').

6

Ele tentou dar uma de machão, mas no fundo é um tremendo de um frango.

He tried to act tough, but deep down he is a massive coward/weakling.

Highly idiomatic and colloquial phrasing ('dar uma de machão', 'tremendo de um').

7

A receita secular exige que o frango seja marinado em vinho d'alho por pelo menos 24 horas.

The centuries-old recipe requires the chicken to be marinated in garlic wine for at least 24 hours.

Passive voice in the subjunctive mood ('seja marinado').

8

O agronegócio defende que a produção intensiva de frangos é a única forma de suprir a demanda global.

Agribusiness argues that intensive chicken production is the only way to meet global demand.

Academic/professional discourse regarding agriculture and economics.

1

A hegemonia brasileira na exportação de carne de frango é um fenômeno multifacetado que transcende a mera vantagem comparativa.

Brazilian hegemony in the export of chicken meat is a multifaceted phenomenon that transcends mere comparative advantage.

Highly academic vocabulary ('hegemonia', 'multifacetado', 'vantagem comparativa').

2

O cronista esportivo imortalizou aquele frango histórico em uma crônica repleta de sarcasmo e lirismo.

The sports columnist immortalized that historic blunder in a column full of sarcasm and lyricism.

Literary/journalistic register discussing the idiomatic use of the word.

3

A desconstrução do clássico frango com quiabo pela alta gastronomia gerou debates acalorados entre os puristas.

The deconstruction of the classic chicken with okra by haute cuisine generated heated debates among purists.

Sophisticated culinary discourse ('desconstrução', 'alta gastronomia', 'puristas').

4

Em sua acepção mais chula, o termo 'frango' denota uma fragilidade física que beira o cômico nas academias de ginástica.

In its most vulgar sense, the term 'chicken' denotes a physical frailty that borders on the comical in gyms.

Metalinguistic analysis of the slang usage ('acepção mais chula', 'denota').

5

A transição para um modelo de criação de frangos 'cage-free' reflete uma mudança de paradigma no bem-estar animal.

The transition to a 'cage-free' chicken farming model reflects a paradigm shift in animal welfare.

Contemporary socio-political vocabulary ('mudança de paradigma', 'bem-estar animal').

6

O goleiro, outrora aclamado, viu sua carreira ruir após uma sucessão de frangos em partidas de mata-mata.

The once-acclaimed goalkeeper saw his career crumble after a succession of blunders in knockout matches.

Advanced narrative structure and sports terminology ('outrora aclamado', 'mata-mata').

7

A polissemia da palavra 'frango' ilustra perfeitamente a plasticidade e a riqueza do português falado no Brasil.

The polysemy of the word 'frango' perfectly illustrates the plasticity and richness of spoken Portuguese in Brazil.

Linguistic and academic terminology ('polissemia', 'plasticidade').

8

Conquanto o frango seja uma proteína onipresente, sua elevação a prato de resistência exige técnica apurada.

Even though chicken is an omnipresent protein, its elevation to a main course requires refined technique.

Use of the advanced concessive conjunction 'conquanto' + subjunctive.

Colocaciones comunes

frango assado
peito de frango
coxa de frango
caldo de frango
frango frito
filé de frango
frango caipira
frango desfiado
carne de frango
sopa de frango

Se confunde a menudo con

Frango vs galinha

Frango vs galo

Frango vs peru

Fácil de confundir

Frango vs

Frango vs

Frango vs

Frango vs

Frango vs

Patrones de oraciones

Cómo usarlo

literal

Used for the meat of the chicken or a young bird.

figurative

Used in sports to describe a specific goalkeeping error.

Errores comunes
  • Saying 'Eu quero comer galinha' instead of 'Eu quero comer frango'.
  • Pronouncing the 'n' in 'frango' like an English 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Using 'frango' to call someone a coward (false friend from English).
  • Saying 'a frango' or 'frango assada' (incorrect gender agreement).
  • Confusing 'frango' (chicken) with 'peru' (turkey) on holiday menus.

Consejos

Food vs. Animal

Always use 'frango' when talking about food. Use 'galinha' when talking about the live adult bird on a farm. This is the most important distinction to remember. Native speakers will find it funny if you say you want to eat 'galinha'.

Nasal Sounds

Practice the nasal 'ã' sound. Hold your nose while saying the first syllable to feel the vibration. Do not say 'fran-go' with a hard English 'N'. It should flow smoothly into the 'g'.

Masculine Agreement

Remember that 'frango' is masculine. It is always 'o frango' or 'um frango'. Adjectives must match: 'frango frito', 'frango assado', 'frango grelhado'. Never use feminine endings with this word.

Soccer Slang

If you watch Brazilian soccer, listen for the announcer shouting 'Frango!'. It means the goalkeeper made a terrible mistake. You can use this slang with your Brazilian friends to sound like a local.

Ordering Cuts

Learn the specific cuts to order exactly what you want. 'Peito' is breast, 'coxa' is thigh, and 'asa' is wing. This is very useful at the butcher or when reading a detailed restaurant menu.

Try a Coxinha

You cannot learn the word 'frango' without trying a 'coxinha de frango'. It is the ultimate Brazilian street food. Knowing this cultural reference will help you bond with locals.

Not a Coward

Do not translate the English idiom 'to be a chicken' directly to Portuguese. If you call someone a 'frango', they won't think you mean coward. Use 'covarde' instead.

Gym Context

In Brazilian gyms, a 'frango' is a slang term for a guy who is very skinny or doesn't lift heavy weights. It's informal and slightly mocking. Be careful using it unless you are joking with friends.

Reading Recipes

Look up Brazilian recipes for 'estrogonofe de frango' or 'frango com quiabo'. Reading recipes is a great way to learn verbs associated with cooking chicken, like 'cortar', 'temperar', and 'desfiar'.

Sunday Tradition

In Brazil, buying a 'frango assado' (roasted chicken) at the local bakery on a Sunday is a huge tradition. If you visit, try doing this for a truly authentic local experience.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a FRANtic GOalkeeper missing the ball (frango = goalkeeper mistake) while dreaming of eating roasted chicken.

Origen de la palabra

From Latin 'frangere' (to break), possibly referring to the bird breaking out of the egg, or of obscure origin related to the sound of the bird.

Contexto cultural

The 'coxinha de frango' is a national icon. Also, 'frango com quiabo' is a famous traditional dish from Minas Gerais.

'Frango no churrasco' (often with piri-piri sauce) is extremely popular, with the town of Guia being famous for its specific style of roasted chicken.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"Você prefere frango assado ou frito?"

"Qual é a sua receita favorita com peito de frango?"

"Você viu o frango que o goleiro tomou ontem?"

"Onde vende o melhor frango assado do bairro?"

"Você sabe fazer estrogonofe de frango?"

Temas para diario

Write a shopping list in Portuguese that includes different cuts of chicken.

Describe your favorite meal that includes 'frango'. How is it prepared?

Write a short story about a soccer game where the goalkeeper 'tomou um frango'.

Compare 'frango' with another type of meat you eat often.

Explain the difference between 'frango' and 'galinha' to a new Portuguese learner.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In Portuguese, 'frango' refers to the meat you eat or a very young chicken. 'Galinha' refers to the live adult female chicken (hen). You order 'frango' at a restaurant. You see 'galinhas' on a farm. Confusing the two is a common mistake for beginners.

The word 'frango' is a masculine noun. Therefore, it uses masculine articles like 'o' (the) and 'um' (a/an). Any adjectives describing it must also be masculine, such as 'frango assado' (roasted chicken). It never takes feminine modifiers.

It is a very common Brazilian slang phrase used in soccer. It means the goalkeeper made an embarrassing mistake and let an easy ball go into the goal. The imagery is of someone clumsily trying to catch a slippery, frantic chicken. It is strictly informal.

The 'an' is a nasal vowel sound, typical of Portuguese. You do not pronounce a hard English 'n'. Instead, you lower your soft palate to let air escape through your nose while saying the 'a' sound. It sounds somewhat like the French 'en'.

A 'coxinha' is a traditional and extremely popular Brazilian snack. It consists of shredded chicken meat covered in dough, molded into a shape resembling a chicken drumstick, battered, and fried. It is found in almost every bakery and party in Brazil.

No, this is a false friend from English. In English, calling someone a 'chicken' means they are a coward. In Portuguese, calling someone a 'frango' usually means they are physically weak or scrawny (gym slang). To say coward, use 'covarde' or 'medroso'.

It is a popular Brazilian dish, often served as a bar snack. It consists of a whole chicken cut into small, bite-sized pieces (bone-in), which are then deep-fried and typically tossed with lots of fried garlic and parsley. It translates literally to 'bird-style chicken'.

You should ask for 'peito de frango'. If you want it without bones or skin, you can add 'sem osso e sem pele'. For example: 'Eu queria um quilo de peito de frango, por favor'. This is very common in Brazilian supermarkets.

Literally, it means 'bakery chicken', referring to the whole roasted chickens sold in rotating ovens at local bakeries on Sundays. Humorously, it can be used as slang to describe someone who is very sunburned or someone who is very skinny.

Yes, the word 'frango' is used in both countries to mean chicken meat. In Portugal, 'frango no churrasco' (barbecued chicken) is a very famous dish. The culinary usage is identical, though some slang meanings (like the soccer one) are more prevalent in Brazil.

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