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A1 noun #6,000 más común 9 min de lectura

rodovia

Top 6,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos rodovia en 30 segundos

Explicación rodovia in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'rodovia' as a word for a big road where cars go fast. You will mostly use it when talking about traveling to another city. You need to know it is feminine ('a rodovia') and that you 'pegam' (take) a rodovia to go somewhere. Focus on simple phrases like 'A rodovia é longa' (The highway is long) or 'Eu vou pela rodovia' (I go by the highway). It is important to distinguish it from 'rua' (street), which is where you walk or live. You might see this word on signs when you are in a car or a bus. At this stage, don't worry about technical highway names; just understand that it's the place for long-distance travel.

At the A2 level, you can begin to describe the rodovia and use more prepositions. You should be able to say things like 'A rodovia está em boas condições' (The highway is in good condition) or 'Há muito trânsito na rodovia' (There is a lot of traffic on the highway). You will learn related words like 'pedágio' (toll) and 'posto' (gas station). You should also understand the difference between 'rodovia' and 'rodoviária' (bus station). You might use 'rodovia' to explain your travel plans to friends, mentioning which highway you will take. Practice using the plural 'rodovias' and matching it with adjectives like 'perigosas' or 'modernas'.

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At the B1 level, you can use 'rodovia' in more complex sentences involving conditions and results. You might discuss the 'malha rodoviária' (road network) of a region or compare different rodovias. You can express opinions about the privatization of rodovias and the cost of tolls. You should be comfortable understanding radio traffic reports that mention specific rodovias and their congestion levels. You can use verbs like 'percorrer' (to travel through) or 'evitar' (to avoid) in relation to highways. You might also talk about the 'Polícia Rodoviária' and the rules of the road, such as speed limits and safety regulations.

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At the B2 level, you can engage in discussions about the environmental impact of building new rodovias or the economic importance of the road system for a country's development. You can understand more technical descriptions of road engineering, such as 'rodovia duplicada' (dual carriageway) or 'trevo' (interchange). You can use 'rodovia' in more formal contexts, such as writing a report about logistics or debating public transport versus private road investment. You should be able to follow detailed news reports about infrastructure projects and understand the nuances of how 'rodovia' is used in different Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly the Brazil-Portugal distinction.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word 'rodovia' and its socio-economic implications. You can analyze complex texts about transport policy, the history of road expansion in Brazil (like the 'marcha para o oeste'), and the legal frameworks governing highway concessions. You can use the word accurately in professional or academic settings. You are familiar with more obscure related terms and can use the word metaphorically if necessary, though it remains primarily a concrete noun. Your vocabulary includes related idioms and technical jargon used by engineers, urban planners, and logistics experts.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'rodovia' is native-like. You understand the word within the broadest possible cultural and historical context. You can discuss the evolution of the term from its Latin roots to its modern usage. You are able to critique government white papers on national infrastructure, participate in high-level academic seminars on transportation, and understand the most subtle linguistic nuances in literature where the rodovia might symbolize progress, isolation, or connection. You can effortlessly switch between 'rodovia', 'autoestrada', and 'via rápida' depending on the regional context or the specific technical requirements of the conversation.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

rodovia en 30 segundos

Rodovia means highway or major road in Portuguese, used for long-distance travel between cities.
It is a feminine noun (a rodovia) and is essential for travel and logistics contexts.
Commonly heard in traffic reports, GPS navigation, and news about national infrastructure.
In Brazil, it is the primary term, while 'autoestrada' is more common in Portugal.

The Portuguese word rodovia refers to a major road, typically a highway or a motorway, designed for high-speed vehicular traffic over long distances. Unlike a local street (rua) or an avenue (avenida), a rodovia is part of the national or state infrastructure connecting cities, regions, or even countries. In Brazil, these are often identified by prefixes like 'BR' for federal highways or 'SP', 'RJ', 'MG' for state-specific ones. The term is essential for anyone planning a road trip, discussing logistics, or listening to traffic reports on the radio.

Infrastructure Context: In technical terms, a rodovia is a paved road intended for the movement of motor vehicles, characterized by multiple lanes and often including shoulders and median strips. It is the backbone of Brazilian transportation, as the country relies heavily on road transport for cargo.

A rodovia dos Bandeirantes é considerada uma das melhores do Brasil.

Translation: The Bandeirantes highway is considered one of the best in Brazil.

When you are in a city, you use streets; when you travel between cities, you use the rodovia. It is a feminine noun, so you always use feminine articles and adjectives with it: a rodovia longa (the long highway), esta rodovia (this highway). It is also synonymous with 'estrada' in casual conversation, though 'rodovia' sounds slightly more formal or technical.

Travel and Safety: Safety on the rodovia is a common topic in news reports. Terms like 'pedágio' (toll) and 'posto de gasolina' (gas station) are frequently associated with it. Driving on a rodovia requires attention to speed limits, which are usually higher than in urban areas.

O trânsito na rodovia está parado devido ao acidente.

The word is derived from 'rodo-' (relating to wheels/road) and 'via' (way/path). This etymology highlights its purpose: a path for wheels. In a metaphorical sense, one might talk about the 'rodovia da informação' (information highway), though this is less common today than it was in the early days of the internet.

Maintenance and Tolls: Many rodovias in Brazil are privatized. This means they are maintained by private companies and require the payment of 'pedágios'. Privatized rodovias are generally in better condition than those maintained solely by the state.

Precisamos pagar o pedágio antes de entrar na rodovia.

A rodovia federal cruza vários estados brasileiros.

Using rodovia correctly involves understanding its gender and how it interacts with prepositions. Since it is feminine, you will use 'a' (the), 'uma' (a/an), 'esta' (this), and 'aquela' (that). When combined with the preposition 'em' (in/on), it becomes 'na' (on the) or 'numa' (on a). When combined with 'a' (to), it becomes 'à' (to the) with the grave accent.

Location and Direction: To say you are driving on a highway, use 'na rodovia'. Example: 'Estou dirigindo na rodovia agora'. To indicate movement toward a highway, use 'para a rodovia' or 'à rodovia'.

O caminhão quebrou no meio da rodovia.

In plural form, it is 'rodovias'. Adjectives must agree in gender and number. For example, 'rodovias perigosas' (dangerous highways) or 'rodovias duplicadas' (dual-carriageway highways). The word 'duplicada' is very common in Brazil to describe a highway that has been expanded to have two lanes in each direction separated by a barrier.

Describing Conditions: You can describe the state of a rodovia using verbs like 'estar' or 'ser'. 'A rodovia está em obras' (The highway is under construction). 'Esta rodovia é muito movimentada' (This highway is very busy).

As rodovias estaduais costumam ter menos tráfego que as federais.

Another important aspect is the numbering system. In Portuguese, we say 'a rodovia BR-101' or simply 'a cento e um'. Note that even when referring to the number, the feminine gender of 'rodovia' is implied. You might also hear 'a rodovia Washington Luís' or other names honoring historical figures.

Common Verbs: Common verbs used with rodovia include: percorrer (to travel along), cruzar (to cross), pavimentar (to pave), and interditar (to block/close).

A polícia interditou a rodovia por causa da neblina.

Viajar por esta rodovia à noite é perigoso.

The word rodovia is ubiquitous in Brazilian daily life, especially for those who commute or travel. You will hear it most frequently in the following contexts: traffic reports on the radio, news broadcasts regarding infrastructure or accidents, and GPS navigation systems. When a radio host says, 'O trânsito na rodovia Anchieta está fluindo bem,' they are giving vital information to thousands of drivers.

Media and News: Journalists use 'rodovia' to describe the location of events. 'Houve um deslizamento de terra na rodovia Rio-Santos' is a typical headline during the rainy season. It conveys a sense of scale that 'rua' or 'estrada' might not.

A rodovia está congestionada no sentido capital.

In logistics and business, 'rodovia' is the primary term for the shipping routes used by 'caminhoneiros' (truck drivers). Since Brazil has a limited railway system, the 'malha rodoviária' (highway network) is the lifeblood of the economy. You will hear business analysts discussing the 'custo rodoviário' (road transport cost) when talking about inflation or the price of food.

Travel Planning: When talking to friends about a weekend trip, you might hear: 'Qual rodovia você vai pegar para ir à praia?' This is a standard way to ask about the route. People often have preferences based on toll prices or road conditions.

O GPS indicou que devemos sair da rodovia na próxima saída.

Public announcements at bus stations (rodoviárias) also use the term. 'O ônibus com destino a Curitiba seguirá pela rodovia Régis Bittencourt.' This confirms the path the bus will take, which is important for passengers who might need to be dropped off at intermediate points along the highway.

Government and Law: The 'Polícia Rodoviária Federal' (PRF) is the agency responsible for patrolling these roads. You will see their vehicles and stations (postos) all along the major rodovias. They enforce traffic laws and provide assistance to drivers.

A manutenção da rodovia é responsabilidade do governo estadual.

Muitos animais cruzam a rodovia durante a noite.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is confusing rodovia with other types of ways like 'rua' or 'avenida'. While all are paths for transport, their scale and location are strictly defined. You would never call a highway inside a city a 'rodovia' if it functions as a local street. Conversely, you wouldn't call a massive interstate a 'rua'.

Rodovia vs. Estrada: While often used interchangeably in casual speech, 'estrada' is more general and can refer to unpaved or smaller rural roads. 'Rodovia' specifically implies a paved, major artery. Calling a dirt road a 'rodovia' would sound incorrect and overly formal.

Não confunda a rodovia asfaltada com a estrada de terra.

Another error is gender agreement. Because 'rodovia' ends in '-ia', it is feminine. Many learners mistakenly use masculine articles like 'o rodovia' or 'um rodovia'. Always remember: a rodovia, as rodovias. This also applies to the numbers: we say 'a (rodovia) BR-101' because the noun it refers to is feminine.

False Friends and Pronunciation: English speakers might try to say 'autoestrada' (common in Portugal) while in Brazil. While understood, it sounds European. Also, ensure you pronounce the 'r' at the beginning correctly—it's a strong, aspirated sound like the English 'h' in 'house'.

O motorista errou a entrada da rodovia.

Confusing 'rodovia' with 'rodoviária' is also common. 'Rodoviária' is the bus terminal. If you tell a taxi driver 'Me leve à rodovia', he might drive you onto the highway and ask where you want to go. If you want to catch a bus, you must say 'Me leve à rodoviária'.

Preposition Pitfalls: Using 'em a rodovia' instead of the contraction 'na rodovia' is a sign of a beginner. Native speakers always contract the preposition with the article. Similarly, 'de a rodovia' becomes 'da rodovia'.

A velocidade máxima na rodovia é de 110 km/h.

Esta rodovia é muito escura à noite.

Understanding the nuances between rodovia and its synonyms will make your Portuguese sound much more natural. While they all relate to travel paths, their specific uses depend on location, size, and formality.

Estrada: The most common alternative. It is more general than 'rodovia'. In the countryside, any path for cars is an 'estrada'. It can be paved or unpaved. 'Rodovia' is usually reserved for the major, official, paved routes.
Autoestrada: Used primarily in Portugal to describe high-speed, multi-lane highways with controlled access. In Brazil, 'rodovia' covers this meaning, though 'via expressa' is also used for urban highways.
Via Expressa: Refers to a highway that passes through a city without traffic lights, designed for fast movement across urban zones. Example: 'A Marginal Pinheiros é uma via expressa em São Paulo.'

A rodovia é muito mais rápida que a estrada antiga.

For smaller paths, you have words like 'rua' (street), 'avenida' (avenue), and 'alameda' (a tree-lined street). In very rural areas, you might encounter a 'vicinal', which is a secondary road that connects to a main rodovia. Knowing these distinctions helps in providing or following directions accurately.

Pista: Technically refers to the lane or the asphalt itself. You might hear 'pista molhada' (wet track/road surface) on traffic signs. It's a part of the rodovia, not the whole thing.

Pegamos um atalho por uma estrada de terra para evitar a rodovia.

A rodovia Ayrton Senna liga a capital ao interior.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'rodovia' gained prominence in Brazil during the mid-20th century when the government shifted focus from railways to highways as the primary mode of national integration.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ʁo.do.ˈvi.ɐ/

US /hoʊ.doʊ.ˈvi.ə/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable 'vi'.

Rima con

via dia bacia guia melodia poesia alegria fantasia

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the initial 'r' like the English 'r' in 'red'. It should be a breathy 'h' sound.
Making the 'o' sounds too much like 'u'.
Stressing the wrong syllable, like 'RO-do-via'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read for beginners.

Escritura 2/5

Simple spelling, but remember the feminine gender.

Expresión oral 3/5

Initial 'r' can be tricky for English speakers.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to hear in news.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

carro estrada cidade rua grande

Aprende después

pedágio posto caminhão trânsito viagem

Avanzado

concessão pavimentação logística infraestrutura malha

Gramática que debes saber

Gender agreement

A rodovia (fem) está limpa (fem).

Contractions with 'em'

Em + a rodovia = Na rodovia.

Contractions with 'de'

De + a rodovia = Da rodovia.

Contractions with 'a' (preposition)

A + a rodovia = À rodovia.

Plural formation

Rodovia -> Rodovias (just add -s).

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Ejemplos por nivel

A rodovia é muito grande.

The highway is very big.

Feminine noun 'rodovia' matches feminine adjective 'grande'.

Eu vejo a rodovia.

I see the highway.

Direct object with definite article 'a'.

O carro está na rodovia.

The car is on the highway.

Contraction 'na' (em + a).

A rodovia vai para a cidade.

The highway goes to the city.

Preposition 'para' indicates direction.

Não tem carros na rodovia.

There are no cars on the highway.

Use of 'ter' meaning 'there is/are' in informal Portuguese.

A rodovia é nova.

The highway is new.

Feminine agreement: 'rodovia' and 'nova'.

Nós pegamos a rodovia.

We take the highway.

Verb 'pegar' used for taking a route.

A rodovia é rápida.

The highway is fast.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

A rodovia tem muitos caminhões.

The highway has many trucks.

Plural 'caminhões' with 'muitos'.

O pedágio da rodovia é caro.

The highway toll is expensive.

Possessive 'da' (de + a).

Nós paramos no posto da rodovia.

We stopped at the highway gas station.

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

A rodovia está em obras.

The highway is under construction.

Expression 'em obras' for construction.

Esta rodovia liga o Rio a São Paulo.

This highway connects Rio to São Paulo.

Verb 'ligar' for connecting places.

É perigoso andar na rodovia à noite.

It is dangerous to walk on the highway at night.

Infinitive 'andar' as a subject.

A rodovia é muito movimentada hoje.

The highway is very busy today.

Adjective 'movimentada' (busy/trafficked).

Qual é o nome desta rodovia?

What is the name of this highway?

Interrogative 'Qual' with demonstrative 'desta'.

A rodovia foi interditada devido ao acidente.

The highway was closed due to the accident.

Passive voice 'foi interditada'.

O asfalto da rodovia precisa de reparos.

The highway's asphalt needs repairs.

Verb 'precisar' followed by 'de'.

Viajamos por uma rodovia estadual muito bonita.

We traveled along a very beautiful state highway.

Preposition 'por' for movement through.

A rodovia estava coberta por neblina.

The highway was covered by fog.

Past tense 'estava' with 'coberta'.

As rodovias privatizadas costumam ser melhores.

Privatized highways tend to be better.

Verb 'costumar' + infinitive.

Há um radar de velocidade nesta rodovia.

There is a speed camera on this highway.

Existential 'Há'.

O motorista perdeu a saída da rodovia.

The driver missed the highway exit.

Noun 'saída' (exit).

A rodovia cruza uma reserva ambiental.

The highway crosses an environmental reserve.

Verb 'cruzar' (to cross).

A ampliação da rodovia visa reduzir o congestionamento.

The expansion of the highway aims to reduce congestion.

Verb 'visar' meaning 'to aim at'.

A rodovia é o principal eixo de transporte de carga.

The highway is the main axis for cargo transport.

Noun 'eixo' (axis/hub).

O governo anunciou novos investimentos em rodovias.

The government announced new investments in highways.

Plural 'rodovias' without article (general).

A rodovia sofreu danos graves com as chuvas.

The highway suffered serious damage from the rains.

Verb 'sofrer' (to suffer).

É necessário duplicar a rodovia para garantir a segurança.

It is necessary to double (expand) the highway to ensure safety.

Infinitive 'duplicar' used technically.

A rodovia contorna a serra em curvas fechadas.

The highway goes around the mountain range in sharp curves.

Verb 'contornar' (to bypass/go around).

Muitas rodovias brasileiras carecem de sinalização adequada.

Many Brazilian highways lack adequate signage.

Verb 'carecer de' (to lack).

O tráfego na rodovia foi desviado para uma via secundária.

Traffic on the highway was diverted to a secondary road.

Passive voice 'foi desviado'.

A concessão da rodovia à iniciativa privada gerou polêmica.

The concession of the highway to the private sector sparked controversy.

Noun 'concessão' (concession/granting).

A malha rodoviária é vital para o escoamento da produção agrícola.

The road network is vital for the flow of agricultural production.

Term 'escoamento' (outflow/drainage of goods).

A rodovia atua como um catalisador do desenvolvimento regional.

The highway acts as a catalyst for regional development.

Metaphorical use of 'catalisador'.

Houve uma saturação da rodovia devido ao crescimento urbano desordenado.

There was a saturation of the highway due to disorderly urban growth.

Noun 'saturação' (saturation).

O traçado da rodovia foi alterado para preservar o sítio arqueológico.

The highway's route was altered to preserve the archaeological site.

Noun 'traçado' (layout/route).

A precariedade das rodovias eleva o custo do frete.

The precariousness of the highways raises the cost of freight.

Noun 'precariedade' (precariousness).

A rodovia transamazônica é um marco da engenharia e do impacto ambiental.

The Trans-Amazonian highway is a milestone of engineering and environmental impact.

Noun 'marco' (milestone).

A manutenção preventiva da rodovia reduz gastos a longo prazo.

Preventive maintenance of the highway reduces costs in the long run.

Adjective 'preventiva'.

A rodovia, outrora símbolo de progresso, hoje enfrenta o descaso estatal.

The highway, once a symbol of progress, now faces state neglect.

Adverb 'outrora' (formerly).

A dicotomia entre rodovias e ferrovias pauta o debate sobre infraestrutura.

The dichotomy between highways and railways guides the debate on infrastructure.

Noun 'dicotomia' (dichotomy).

A rodovia serpenteia o litoral, revelando paisagens deslumbrantes.

The highway snakes along the coast, revealing stunning landscapes.

Literary verb 'serpentear' (to snake/wind).

O impacto antropogênico da rodovia na fauna local é devastador.

The anthropogenic impact of the highway on local fauna is devastating.

Technical adjective 'antropogênico'.

A rodovia tornou-se uma artéria pulsante da economia nacional.

The highway has become a pulsating artery of the national economy.

Metaphor 'artéria pulsante'.

A viabilidade econômica da rodovia depende do volume de tráfego diário.

The economic viability of the highway depends on the daily traffic volume.

Noun 'viabilidade' (viability).

A rodovia foi concebida sob uma lógica desenvolvimentista.

The highway was conceived under a developmentalist logic.

Adjective 'desenvolvimentista'.

A interdição da rodovia causou um efeito dominó no abastecimento.

The closure of the highway caused a domino effect on supplies.

Idiom 'efeito dominó'.

Colocaciones comunes

rodovia federal

rodovia estadual

rodovia pavimentada

trânsito na rodovia

acidente na rodovia

margem da rodovia

rodovia duplicada

pedágio da rodovia

saída da rodovia

malha rodoviária

Frases Comunes

Pegar a rodovia

— To start driving on a highway.

Vamos pegar a rodovia às seis da manhã.

Sair da rodovia

— To take an exit off the highway.

Saia da rodovia no quilômetro 40.

Cortar pela rodovia

— To take the highway as a shortcut or main path.

É melhor cortar pela rodovia para chegar rápido.

Rodovia em obras

— Highway under construction.

Atenção: rodovia em obras à frente.

Beira de rodovia

— Roadside.

Comemos em um restaurante na beira de rodovia.

Sentido da rodovia

— Direction of the highway.

O tráfego está lento no sentido interior.

Cruzamento de rodovias

— Highway interchange or crossing.

O acidente foi no cruzamento de rodovias.

Seguir pela rodovia

— To continue along the highway.

Siga pela rodovia por mais 20 quilômetros.

Entrar na rodovia

— To merge onto the highway.

Cuidado ao entrar na rodovia.

Rodovia de terra

— An unpaved highway (contradictory but used for rural routes).

A rodovia de terra estava cheia de lama.

Se confunde a menudo con

rodovia vs rodoviária

Rodoviária is the bus station; rodovia is the highway itself.

rodovia vs ferrovia

Ferrovia is a railway for trains.

rodovia vs hidrovia

Hidrovia is a water route for boats.

Modismos y expresiones

"Estar na rodovia da vida"

— To be on the journey of life, moving forward.

Estamos todos na rodovia da vida buscando felicidade.

poetic

"Rodovia da informação"

— Information superhighway (the internet).

A rodovia da informação mudou o mundo.

dated

"Pé na rodovia"

— To start a journey or hit the road.

Amanhã é pé na rodovia bem cedo!

informal

"Perdido na rodovia"

— To be confused or without direction in life.

Depois que perdeu o emprego, ele ficou perdido na rodovia.

metaphorical

"Rodovia sem fim"

— Something that seems never-ending.

Este projeto parece uma rodovia sem fim.

informal

"Abrir rodovia"

— To clear a path for something new.

Sua pesquisa abriu rodovia para novas curas.

metaphorical

"Trânsito de rodovia"

— A very busy or overwhelming situation.

Minha mente está um trânsito de rodovia hoje.

informal

"Rodovia do sucesso"

— The path to success.

Ele está na rodovia do sucesso com sua nova empresa.

cliché

"Pedágio da vida"

— The price or sacrifice one pays for their choices.

O cansaço é o pedágio da vida de quem trabalha muito.

philosophical

"Cruzamento perigoso"

— A critical or risky decision point.

Estamos em um cruzamento perigoso na nossa relação.

metaphorical

Fácil de confundir

rodovia vs estrada

Both mean road.

Estrada is general and can be unpaved; rodovia is a major, paved highway.

A rodovia é asfaltada, mas a estrada para o sítio é de terra.

rodovia vs rua

Both are paths for cars.

Rua is a street inside a city; rodovia connects cities.

Eu moro em uma rua calma, longe da rodovia barulhenta.

rodovia vs avenida

Both are large roads.

Avenida is a large street within a city; rodovia is between cities.

A avenida principal da cidade leva à rodovia.

rodovia vs pista

Often used interchangeably in traffic reports.

Pista refers to the actual lane or surface; rodovia is the whole infrastructure.

A rodovia tem três pistas em cada sentido.

rodovia vs via

Both mean way.

Via is a broader, more formal term for any transport route.

A rodovia é uma via de transporte terrestre.

Patrones de oraciones

A rodovia é [Adjetivo].

A rodovia é longa.

Eu vou pela [Rodovia].

Eu vou pela rodovia.

Há [Substantivo] na rodovia.

Há muitos carros na rodovia.

A rodovia liga [Lugar A] a [Lugar B].

A rodovia liga São Paulo a Santos.

A rodovia está em [Condição].

A rodovia está em obras.

Devido a [Motivo], a rodovia foi [Ação].

Devido ao acidente, a rodovia foi interditada.

O investimento na rodovia visa [Objetivo].

O investimento na rodovia visa melhorar o tráfego.

A malha rodoviária é fundamental para [Contexto].

A malha rodoviária é fundamental para a economia.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

rodoviária

rodoviarismo

rodoanel

Verbos

rodoviar

Adjetivos

rodoviário

Relacionado

estrada

asfalto

veículo

tráfego

viagem

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in travel and news contexts.

Errores comunes

O rodovia → A rodovia
The word is feminine, regardless of the 'o' in the first syllable.
Eu moro na rodovia. → Eu moro perto da rodovia.
You don't live 'on' a highway; you live 'near' it.
Confusing rodovia with rodoviária. → Vou à rodoviária para pegar o ônibus.
Rodoviária is the station, rodovia is the road.
Using 'rua' for a highway. → A rodovia liga as cidades.
Ruas are small and urban; rodovias are large and inter-city.
Pronouncing 'r' like English 'red'. → Pronounce like 'house'.
Initial 'r' in Portuguese is always aspirated.

Consejos

Check Gender

Always pair 'rodovia' with feminine words: 'A rodovia está perigosa'.

Rodoviária vs Rodovia

Don't confuse the bus station (rodoviária) with the highway (rodovia).

Strong R

Start the word with a strong 'H' sound.

Tolls

Expect to pay 'pedágio' on many Brazilian rodovias.

BR-101

This is the most famous rodovia in Brazil, running along the coast.

Acostamento

If your car breaks down, pull over to the 'acostamento' (shoulder) of the rodovia.

Traffic Reports

Listen for the word 'lentidão' (slowness) when hearing about rodovias.

Abbreviations

In maps, you might see 'Rod.' but always write 'rodovia' in full sentences.

Connecting Cities

Use 'ligar' to describe which cities the rodovia connects.

Pé na estrada

While 'pé na rodovia' works, 'pé na estrada' is the more common idiom for starting a trip.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Road' for 'Wheels' (Rodo) + 'Via' (Way). Rodo-Via.

Asociación visual

Imagine a long, black ribbon of asphalt stretching across a green landscape with a giant wheel rolling on it.

Word Web

highway cars trucks asphalt toll travel speed interstate

Desafío

Try to name three major rodovias in Brazil or your own country using the word in a sentence.

Origen de la palabra

From the prefix 'rodo-' (relating to wheels, from Latin 'rota') and the noun 'via' (way or path).

Significado original: A way or path specifically designed for wheeled vehicles.

Romance (Latin roots).

Contexto cultural

Be aware that road safety is a major concern on Brazilian rodovias; avoid making light of accidents.

Equivalent to 'highway' in the US, 'motorway' in the UK, or 'freeway' in Australia.

Rodovia Transamazônica (the ambitious project through the Amazon) Rodovia dos Imigrantes (famous for its tunnels and bridges) BR-101 (the longest highway in Brazil)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Driving

Qual rodovia pegamos?
Cuidado na rodovia.
A rodovia está livre.
Onde é a saída?

Travel Planning

A rodovia é perigosa?
Tem pedágio na rodovia?
A rodovia é duplicada?
Quanto tempo na rodovia?

News/Traffic

Acidente na rodovia.
Rodovia interditada.
Trânsito lento na rodovia.
Obras na rodovia.

Logistics

Transporte pela rodovia.
Custo da rodovia.
Frete rodoviário.
Rotas de rodovia.

Nature

Rodovia no meio da mata.
Animais na rodovia.
Vista da rodovia.
Neblina na rodovia.

Inicios de conversación

"Você prefere viajar pela rodovia ou de avião?"

"Qual é a rodovia mais bonita que você já conheceu?"

"As rodovias no seu país são bem cuidadas?"

"Você acha os pedágios das rodovias muito caros?"

"Você já teve algum problema mecânico em uma rodovia?"

Temas para diario

Descreva uma viagem inesquecível que você fez por uma rodovia.

Quais são as vantagens e desvantagens de viajar pela rodovia?

Como você imagina que serão as rodovias no futuro?

Escreva sobre a importância das rodovias para a economia do seu país.

Relate uma experiência de dirigir em uma rodovia com muita neblina ou chuva.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is feminine: 'a rodovia'.

Rodovia is specifically a major, paved highway. Estrada is a more general word for any road outside a city, including dirt roads.

You say 'Estou na rodovia'.

It means the bus station where long-distance buses arrive and depart.

Yes, but 'autoestrada' is more common for motorways.

BRs are federal highways in Brazil (e.g., BR-101).

It is slightly more formal than 'estrada', but very common in everyday speech.

It is a guttural sound, like the English 'h' in 'house'.

It is a highway with two or more lanes in each direction separated by a physical barrier.

No, that would be a 'rua'. 'Rodovia' is only for major inter-city roads.

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