Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 adjective #1,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

Branco

Top 1,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Branco en 30 secondes

Explication Branco in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'branco' is one of the first colors you will learn. You will use it to describe basic objects in your immediate environment. The focus here is on simple noun-adjective agreement. You will learn that 'o carro é branco' but 'a casa é branca'. You will also use it to describe basic clothing items, like 'uma camisa branca' or 'meias brancas'. The goal is to identify the color and apply the correct gender and number ending. You might also learn it in the context of food, such as 'arroz branco' (white rice), which is a staple in many Portuguese-speaking countries. At this stage, you don't need to worry about idiomatic expressions; just focus on getting the physical descriptions right. You will practice saying 'Eu tenho um gato branco' or 'O livro é branco'. It is a building block for more complex descriptions later on.

As you move to A2, you will start to see 'branco' in more varied contexts. You will learn to use it in common shopping scenarios, such as asking for 'vinho branco' (white wine) or 'pão branco' (white bread). You will also begin to use it to describe people's physical characteristics in a basic way, such as 'ele tem cabelos brancos' (he has white/grey hair). This level also introduces the concept of 'ficar branco' (to turn white) when someone is scared or surprised. You will start to notice that 'branco' can also be a noun, as in 'Eu gosto do branco' (I like white). Your sentences will become slightly more complex, perhaps combining 'branco' with other adjectives: 'Eu quero uma mesa branca e grande'. You will also become more comfortable with the plural forms 'brancos' and 'brancas' in everyday conversation.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you will begin to encounter the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of 'branco'. The most important one is 'dar um branco', which means to have a memory lapse. You will use this in sentences like 'Eu estudei muito, mas na hora da prova me deu um branco'. You will also learn the phrase 'em branco', meaning blank or unfilled, which is common in school or office settings: 'Deixei o formulário em branco'. You will start to understand the cultural significance of wearing white, especially in Brazil for New Year's Eve. Your vocabulary will expand to include related words like 'claro' (light) and 'pálido' (pale), and you will learn to distinguish when 'branco' is the better choice. You will also be able to describe more abstract things, like 'uma mentira branca' (a white lie), though this is less common in Portuguese than in English (we often say 'mentirinha').

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you will use 'branco' with greater precision and in more formal contexts. You will understand political terms like 'voto em branco' (blank vote) and 'cheque em branco' (blank check), both literally and figuratively. You will be able to discuss racial and social issues where 'branco' is used as a demographic category. You will also start to appreciate the use of 'branco' in literature and media, where it might symbolize peace, purity, or even emptiness. Your ability to use the word in complex grammatical structures will improve, such as using it in the passive voice or in subordinate clauses: 'As paredes, que eram brancas, foram pintadas de azul'. You will also become familiar with more specific shades like 'branco-gelo' or 'branco-sujo' (off-white).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you will have a nuanced understanding of 'branco' and its synonyms like 'alvo', 'niveo' (snow-white), or 'cândido' (candid/pure white). You will be able to use these words to add stylistic flair to your writing and speech. You will understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it has shaped Portuguese culture. You can engage in deep discussions about the sociology of race in the Lusophone world, using 'branco' as a technical term. You will also be able to interpret complex metaphors in poetry or high-level prose where 'branco' might represent a 'tabula rasa' or a state of existential nothingness. Your use of idiomatic expressions will be natural and perfectly timed, such as using 'passar em branco' to mean something went unnoticed or was ignored.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'branco' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in all its registers, from the most informal slang to the most formal academic or legal language. You will understand the subtle differences in how 'branco' is used across different Portuguese-speaking countries, such as the specific cultural connotations in Angola, Mozambique, or Cape Verde compared to Brazil or Portugal. You can play with the word in puns, wordplay, and creative writing. You will be familiar with archaic uses of the word in classical Portuguese literature. Your understanding of the word is no longer just linguistic; it is deeply cultural and conceptual, allowing you to use 'branco' to express the finest shades of meaning in any context.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Branco en 30 secondes

Branco is the Portuguese adjective for the color white, requiring gender and number agreement with the noun it modifies (branca, brancos, brancas).
Beyond color, it is used in common idioms like 'dar um branco' (to have a memory lapse) and 'em branco' (blank or unfilled).
It serves as a key racial and demographic category in Lusophone countries, particularly in official census data and social descriptions.
In Portuguese culture, wearing white is a significant tradition for New Year's Eve, symbolizing peace and a fresh start for the year.

The Portuguese word branco is a fundamental adjective used primarily to describe the color white. In its most literal sense, it refers to the visual appearance of objects that reflect all visible wavelengths of light, such as snow, milk, or a clean sheet of paper. However, the utility of this word in the Portuguese language extends far beyond simple color identification. It is deeply embedded in the cultural, social, and psychological fabric of Lusophone societies. When you first encounter this word at the A1 level, you will likely use it to describe physical objects around you. You might talk about a white car, a white shirt, or a white wall. As you progress in your language journey, you will discover that branco also plays a crucial role in describing people, specifically those of European or Caucasian descent. In countries like Brazil and Portugal, the term is used in census data and daily conversation to categorize racial identity, though the nuances of this classification can vary significantly between regions. Furthermore, the word is frequently used in idiomatic expressions to describe a lack of information or a sudden loss of memory. For instance, if you are taking a test and suddenly cannot remember a single fact, you would say you had a 'branco'. This metaphorical use of 'white' to represent a 'blank space' in the mind is a common thread in Portuguese communication. Whether you are ordering a glass of white wine at a restaurant in Lisbon or describing the clouds over Rio de Janeiro, branco is a versatile tool that every learner must master.

Literal Color: Used to describe the physical property of being white. Example: 'O papel é branco' (The paper is white).

Cognitive State: Used to describe a mental block or memory lapse. Example: 'Deu-me um branco' (I had a brain freeze).

Racial Identity: Used to describe people of Caucasian descent. Example: 'Ele é um homem branco' (He is a white man).

Eu comprei um casaco branco para o inverno.

O céu está cheio de nuvens brancas.

Ele ficou branco de susto quando viu o acidente.

Você prefere vinho tinto ou vinho branco?

O quadro negro agora é um quadro branco.

Using branco correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of Portuguese adjective placement and agreement. In Portuguese, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. Therefore, instead of saying 'the white house' as in English, you would say 'a casa branca'. Notice how the word changed from branco to branca because 'casa' is a feminine noun. This is the most critical rule for beginners to internalize. When describing multiple items, the adjective must also become plural. For example, 'os sapatos brancos' (the white shoes) or 'as camisas brancas' (the white shirts). Beyond physical description, branco is used in various syntactic structures to convey different meanings. It can function as a noun itself, as in 'O branco desta parede é muito brilhante' (The white of this wall is very bright). In this case, it represents the color as a concept. Another common usage is in the phrase 'em branco', which means 'blank' or 'unfilled'. You might hear a teacher say, 'Não deixe nenhuma questão em branco' (Do not leave any question blank). This highlights the word's role in describing the absence of content. Additionally, branco is used to describe states of being, often with the verb 'ficar' (to become/stay). If someone is scared or ill, they might 'ficar branco' (turn white/pale). This usage is very similar to the English expression 'to turn white as a sheet'. Understanding these patterns allows you to move from simple descriptions to more complex and idiomatic communication.

Gender Agreement: The word changes to 'branca' for feminine nouns. Example: 'A neve é branca' (The snow is white).

Pluralization: Add an 's' for plural nouns. Example: 'Os dentes brancos' (The white teeth).

Adjective Placement: Usually follows the noun. Example: 'Um urso branco' (A white bear).

Ela escreveu o seu nome com um giz branco.

As paredes da sala são brancas e limpas.

Ele entregou a prova em branco porque não estudou.

You will encounter the word branco in almost every corner of daily life in a Portuguese-speaking country. In the morning, you might hear someone at a café ordering 'um café com leite, por favor, mas com pouco leite para não ficar muito branco' (a coffee with milk, please, but with little milk so it doesn't get too white). At the supermarket, the word is ubiquitous in the beverage aisle where 'vinho branco' (white wine) is a staple. In the context of fashion and shopping, you will hear people discussing 'roupas brancas' (white clothes), especially around New Year's Eve in Brazil, where it is a tradition to wear white to bring peace and good luck for the coming year. In a professional or academic setting, the term 'espaço em branco' (white space/blank space) is used when discussing design, documents, or forms. If you are watching the news, you might hear reports about 'votos em branco' (blank votes), which refers to voters who choose not to select any candidate during an election. This is a significant political concept in many Lusophone democracies. In more informal settings, you will hear the expression 'dar um branco' constantly. Friends will say to each other, 'Nossa, me deu um branco agora, esqueci o que eu ia falar!' (Wow, I just had a brain freeze, I forgot what I was going to say!). You might also hear it in nature, describing 'areia branca' (white sand) on the famous beaches of the Algarve or Northeast Brazil. The word is so common that it often goes unnoticed, yet it is essential for navigating everything from basic needs to complex social interactions.

No Ano Novo, todos os brasileiros vestem branco.

O garçom serviu um vinho branco gelado com o peixe.

Muitas pessoas votaram em branco na última eleição.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using branco is forgetting the gender and number agreement. In English, 'white' never changes, whether you are talking about one white cat or ten white houses. In Portuguese, however, you must be vigilant. Saying 'a casa branco' is a classic error; it must be 'a casa branca'. Similarly, 'os carros branca' is incorrect; it should be 'os carros brancos'. Another common pitfall involves the placement of the adjective. While English puts the color before the noun ('white bread'), Portuguese puts it after ('pão branco'). Reversing this order ('branco pão') sounds archaic or poetic and is generally avoided in daily speech. Another mistake is confusing branco with other words that might seem similar in meaning but have different contexts. For example, 'alvo' also means white or target, but it is usually reserved for something exceptionally pure or bright white, or used in literary contexts. Using 'alvo' to describe a common white shirt would sound strange. Additionally, learners often struggle with the prepositional phrase 'em branco'. They might try to translate 'a blank sheet' literally as 'uma folha vazia' (an empty sheet). While 'vazia' is not technically wrong, 'uma folha em branco' is the much more natural and common way to express this. Finally, be careful with the expression 'dar um branco'. Some learners try to say 'ter um branco' (to have a white), which is understandable but less common than 'dar um branco' (to give a white) in Brazilian Portuguese. Mastering these small details will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic and less like a direct translation from English.

Agreement Error: Incorrect: 'As flores branco'. Correct: 'As flores brancas'.

Word Order Error: Incorrect: 'O branco gato'. Correct: 'O gato branco'.

Não diga 'uma branca casa', diga sempre 'uma casa branca'.

While branco is the standard word for white, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the shade, intensity, or context. Understanding these synonyms will enrich your vocabulary and allow for more precise descriptions. One common alternative is alvo. This word carries a connotation of purity, cleanliness, or extreme whiteness. It is often used in literature or to describe things like 'nuvens alvas' (snow-white clouds) or 'dentes alvos' (pearly white teeth). Another word is claro, which means 'light' or 'clear'. While not a direct synonym for white, it is often used to describe light shades of other colors (e.g., 'azul claro' for light blue) or to describe a room that has a lot of white or light-colored surfaces. For describing skin tone, besides branco, you might hear pálido (pale), which usually implies that someone looks sick or frightened. In technical or artistic contexts, you might encounter gelo (ice), used to describe a very cool, slightly greyish white, or marfim (ivory), for a warmer, yellowish white. There is also leitoso (milky), used to describe liquids or translucent materials that have a white, cloudy appearance. On the opposite end, the primary antonym is preto (black) or negro (black/dark). Knowing when to use branco versus these alternatives is key to achieving a more natural flow in your speech. For example, you wouldn't call a glass of milk 'alvo'; you would just call it 'branco'. But you might describe a bride's dress as 'alvo' to emphasize its beauty and purity.

Branco vs. Alvo: 'Branco' is the general color. 'Alvo' is poetic or emphasizes extreme purity/whiteness.

Branco vs. Claro: 'Branco' is a specific color. 'Claro' refers to the luminosity or a light version of any color.

Branco vs. Marfim: 'Branco' is pure white. 'Marfim' is a creamy, off-white color like ivory.

O vestido da noiva era de um branco alvo deslumbrante.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Before 'branco' became the standard word, the Latin word 'albus' was used. 'Albus' survives in words like 'alvura' (whiteness) and 'álbum' (album).

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈbɾɐ̃.ku/

US /ˈbɾɐ̃.ku/

The stress is on the first syllable: BRAN-co.

Rime avec

banco (bank/bench) manco (lame/limping) tranco (jolt) estanco (watertight) tamanco (clog shoe) barranco (ravine) ancora (anchor - partial rhyme) franco (frank/free)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'n' as a full consonant instead of nasalizing the vowel.
Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' (retroflex) instead of a tap or trill.
Not reducing the final 'o' to a 'u' sound (common in most dialects).
Making the 'an' sound like the 'an' in 'bank'.
Stressing the second syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it is a basic color word.

Écriture 2/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Expression orale 2/5

Nasal vowel 'an' can be tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 1/5

Clear and distinct sound in most contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

cor (color) preto (black) ser (to be) ter (to have) coisa (thing)

Apprends ensuite

preto (black) azul (blue) vermelho (red) amarelo (yellow) verde (green)

Avancé

alvura (whiteness) imaculado (immaculate) branquear (to whiten) chiaroscuro (light/dark contrast) tabula rasa (blank slate)

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

O carro branco / A casa branca

Pluralization of Adjectives

Os carros brancos / As casas brancas

Adjective Position

Um livro branco (not 'um branco livro')

Nasal Vowels

The 'an' in 'branco' is nasalized.

Substantivization of Adjectives

O branco é uma cor pura (using 'branco' as a noun).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

O meu gato é branco.

My cat is white.

Masculine singular agreement with 'gato'.

Eu tenho uma camisa branca.

I have a white shirt.

Feminine singular agreement with 'camisa'.

O papel é branco.

The paper is white.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

As nuvens são brancas.

The clouds are white.

Feminine plural agreement with 'nuvens'.

Eu gosto de arroz branco.

I like white rice.

Common food collocation.

O leite é branco.

The milk is white.

Basic descriptive sentence.

Os sapatos são brancos.

The shoes are white.

Masculine plural agreement with 'sapatos'.

A neve é branca.

The snow is white.

Feminine singular agreement.

Você prefere vinho tinto ou branco?

Do you prefer red or white wine?

Using 'branco' as a specific type of wine.

Ele ficou branco de susto.

He turned white with fright.

Idiomatic use of 'ficar' + color.

O urso polar é muito branco.

The polar bear is very white.

Use of intensifier 'muito'.

Minha avó tem cabelos brancos.

My grandmother has white hair.

Describing physical features.

A casa branca fica naquela rua.

The white house is on that street.

Adjective following the noun.

Eu comprei um pão branco hoje.

I bought a white bread today.

Common shopping context.

O quadro branco está limpo.

The whiteboard is clean.

Compound-like noun phrase.

As paredes brancas refletem a luz.

The white walls reflect the light.

Plural agreement.

Na hora da prova, deu-me um branco.

During the exam, I had a brain freeze.

Idiomatic expression 'dar um branco'.

Não deixe o formulário em branco.

Do not leave the form blank.

Prepositional phrase 'em branco'.

Ela vestiu branco para o Ano Novo.

She wore white for New Year's.

Using 'branco' as a noun for clothing color.

O relatório passou em branco pela diretoria.

The report went unnoticed by the board.

Idiomatic use of 'passar em branco'.

Ele é um homem branco de meia-idade.

He is a middle-aged white man.

Racial/demographic description.

A bandeira da paz é branca.

The peace flag is white.

Symbolic use of the color.

Eu prefiro o chocolate branco ao preto.

I prefer white chocolate over dark.

Comparison of types.

O teto foi pintado de branco-gelo.

The ceiling was painted off-white (ice white).

Specific shade name.

Muitos cidadãos optaram pelo voto em branco.

Many citizens opted for a blank vote.

Political terminology.

Ele assinou um cheque em branco para o sócio.

He signed a blank check for his partner.

Idiomatic and literal use.

A pureza do branco simboliza a inocência.

The purity of white symbolizes innocence.

Abstract noun usage.

O crime não pode passar em branco.

The crime cannot go unpunished/unnoticed.

Figurative use for justice.

A luz branca é a soma de todas as cores.

White light is the sum of all colors.

Scientific context.

Ela tem uma pele muito branca e sensível.

She has very white and sensitive skin.

Descriptive adjective.

O espaço em branco no design é fundamental.

White space in design is fundamental.

Technical term in design.

Os picos das montanhas estão brancos de neve.

The mountain peaks are white with snow.

Adjective phrase.

O autor utiliza o branco como metáfora para o vazio.

The author uses white as a metaphor for emptiness.

Literary analysis.

A brancura das vestes era quase ofuscante.

The whiteness of the garments was almost blinding.

Using the noun 'brancura'.

É um erro histórico tratar o grupo como um bloco branco monolítico.

It is a historical error to treat the group as a monolithic white block.

Sociological context.

O mármore branco de Carrara é mundialmente famoso.

Carrara white marble is world-famous.

Specific material description.

Suas palavras foram um lençol branco sobre a verdade.

His words were a white sheet over the truth.

Poetic metaphor.

O projeto foi aprovado, mas alguns detalhes passaram em branco.

The project was approved, but some details were overlooked.

Professional idiom.

A estética minimalista privilegia o branco e as linhas retas.

The minimalist aesthetic favors white and straight lines.

Artistic register.

O cavaleiro montava um corcel branco como a espuma do mar.

The knight rode a steed as white as sea foam.

Literary simile.

A alvura das pétalas contrastava com o verde sombrio da folhagem.

The whiteness of the petals contrasted with the dark green of the foliage.

High-level vocabulary ('alvura').

O conceito de 'raça branca' é uma construção social complexa.

The concept of 'white race' is a complex social construct.

Academic discourse.

Nada mais restava senão o branco absoluto do esquecimento.

Nothing remained but the absolute white of oblivion.

Philosophical register.

O diplomata agiu com uma cautela que não deixou passar nada em branco.

The diplomat acted with a caution that let nothing go unnoticed.

Advanced idiomatic usage.

A neve caía, cobrindo a cidade com um manto branco e silencioso.

The snow fell, covering the city with a white and silent mantle.

Descriptive prose.

O uso do branco na pintura barroca servia para destacar o chiaroscuro.

The use of white in Baroque painting served to highlight the chiaroscuro.

Art history context.

A brancura nívea das montanhas desafiava os alpinistas.

The snowy whiteness of the mountains challenged the climbers.

Archaic/Poetic adjective 'nívea'.

Ele entregou a alma ao Criador, deixando um rastro branco de bondade.

He gave his soul to the Creator, leaving a white trail of kindness.

Metaphorical/Religious register.

Collocations courantes

vinho branco

arroz branco

pão branco

quadro branco

urso branco

casa branca

papel branco

cabelo branco

ouro branco

luz branca

Phrases Courantes

Em branco

— Blank or unfilled. Used for documents, tests, or spaces.

Deixei a última questão em branco.

Dar um branco

— To have a sudden memory lapse or brain freeze.

Me deu um branco e esqueci o nome dele.

Voto em branco

— A blank vote in an election, indicating no preference.

Muitos eleitores votaram em branco.

Cheque em branco

— A blank check, literally or figuratively meaning total freedom.

O chefe deu um cheque em branco para o projeto.

Passar em branco

— To go unnoticed or to be ignored.

O meu aniversário passou em branco este ano.

Ficar branco

— To turn pale, usually due to fear, shock, or illness.

Ela ficou branca quando viu a barata.

Armas brancas

— Cold weapons, like knives or swords (as opposed to firearms).

É proibido portar armas brancas no estádio.

Magia branca

— White magic, usually associated with good intentions.

Dizem que ela pratica magia branca.

Bandeira branca

— White flag, a universal symbol of surrender or peace.

Eles levantaram a bandeira branca.

Pôr o preto no branco

— To put something in writing, to make it official.

Vamos pôr o preto no branco e assinar o contrato.

Souvent confondu avec

Branco vs banco

Sounds similar but means 'bank' or 'bench'. The 'r' in 'branco' is the differentiator.

Branco vs branca

The feminine form. Learners often use 'branco' for everything.

Branco vs claro

Means 'light'. A light blue is 'azul claro', not 'azul branco'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Dar um branco"

— To experience a sudden loss of memory or inability to think clearly.

Estava a falar e, de repente, deu-me um branco.

Informal

"Passar em branco"

— To happen without being noticed or celebrated.

Não quero que esta data passe em branco.

Neutral

"Cheque em branco"

— Unlimited authority or freedom to act.

O treinador recebeu um cheque em branco para contratar jogadores.

Neutral

"Voto em branco"

— An act of protest or neutrality in an election.

Votar em branco é um direito do cidadão.

Formal

"Pôr o preto no branco"

— To clarify something by putting it in writing.

É melhor pôr o preto no branco para evitar confusões.

Informal

"Em branco"

— Without any content or information.

A página estava completamente em branco.

Neutral

"Ficar branco como a cal"

— To become extremely pale (white as lime/chalk).

Ele ficou branco como a cal de tanto medo.

Informal

"Elefante branco"

— A useless or troublesome possession that is expensive to maintain.

Aquele estádio novo é um elefante branco.

Informal

"Mentira branca"

— A harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

Foi apenas uma mentira branca para não a preocupar.

Neutral

"Dia branco"

— A day when nothing happens or a day of peace.

Hoje foi um dia branco, sem novidades.

Poetic

Facile à confondre

Branco vs alvo

Both mean white.

Branco is the general color. Alvo is poetic, emphasizes purity, or means 'target'.

O alvo da flecha era branco.

Branco vs claro

Both relate to brightness.

Branco is a color. Claro is a level of luminosity or a modifier for other colors.

O quarto é claro porque as paredes são brancas.

Branco vs pálido

Both describe lack of color in skin.

Branco is a racial category or a temporary state of shock. Pálido is usually about health.

Ele é branco, mas hoje está pálido.

Branco vs vazio

Both can mean 'blank'.

Vazio means 'empty' (like a glass). Em branco means 'blank' (like a paper).

O copo está vazio e a folha está em branco.

Branco vs limpo

White is often associated with cleanliness.

Limpo means 'clean'. Something can be white but dirty.

O meu avental branco não está limpo.

Structures de phrases

O [noun] é branco.

O cachorro é branco.

A [noun] é branca.

A gata é branca.

Eu tenho [noun] [branco/a].

Eu tenho um carro branco.

Me deu um branco em [context].

Me deu um branco na aula.

Deixar em branco.

Não deixe o teste em branco.

Ficar branco de [emotion].

Ele ficou branco de medo.

O [noun] branco como [comparison].

O papel branco como a neve.

Passar em branco por [reason].

O erro passou em branco pela revisão.

Famille de mots

Noms

brancura (whiteness)

alvura (whiteness/purity)

branqueamento (whitening/bleaching)

branqueador (whitener/bleach)

Verbes

branquear (to whiten/bleach)

embranquecer (to turn white/grey)

desbranquear (to remove white color)

Adjectifs

esbranquiçado (whitish)

branquela (pejorative for a very white person)

brancoso (whitish - rare)

Apparenté

alvo (white/target)

claro (light)

neve (snow)

leite (milk)

paz (peace)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 500 words in Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

A casa branco → A casa branca
Adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun. 'Casa' is feminine.
O branco carro → O carro branco
In Portuguese, the color adjective almost always follows the noun.
Eu tenho cabelos cinzas → Eu tenho cabelos brancos
Portuguese uses 'branco' (white) to describe what English calls 'grey hair'.
Deixei a folha vazia → Deixei a folha em branco
'Em branco' is the idiomatic way to say a paper is blank.
Tive um branco → Me deu um branco
While 'tive um branco' is understood, 'me deu um branco' is much more common in Brazil.

Astuces

Gender Check

Always match 'branco' to the noun. 'O livro branco' but 'A caneta branca'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

Beyond Color

Learn the phrase 'em branco'. It's essential for filling out forms or talking about tests in Portuguese-speaking countries.

New Year's Eve

If you are in Brazil for New Year's, wear white! It's almost mandatory and represents a wish for peace in the new year.

Nasal Vowel

The 'an' in 'branco' is nasal. Don't say 'bran' like in 'brandy'. It's more like the 'an' in 'sang' but through the nose.

Brain Freeze

Use 'deu um branco' when you forget something. It's a very natural way to explain a memory lapse and makes you sound more fluent.

Descriptive Flair

In creative writing, use 'alvo' instead of 'branco' to describe something pure, like snow or a bride's dress.

Racial Terms

Be aware that 'branco' is a standard racial descriptor in Brazil and Portugal, used without the same historical baggage as in some other cultures.

Ordering Wine

When ordering, you can just say 'um branco' if the context of wine is already established. The waiter will understand.

White Space

In design, 'espaço em branco' is the term for negative space. It's a useful technical term to know.

Distinguish from Banco

Listen for the 'r'. 'Banco' (bank) is common, but 'branco' (white) has that extra tap/trill that changes the meaning entirely.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'blank' sheet of paper. 'Blank' sounds like 'Branc-o'. A blank sheet is white.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant white 'B' made of snow (branco) sitting on a park 'banco' (bench).

Word Web

neve leite nuvem paz papel arroz vinho casamento

Défi

Try to find five objects in your room that are 'branco' or 'branca' and name them aloud with the correct agreement.

Origine du mot

The word 'branco' comes from the Germanic 'blank', which meant 'shining', 'bright', or 'white'. It entered the Ibero-Romance languages during the period of Germanic invasions.

Sens originel : Shining or bright.

Germanic origin, adapted into Vulgar Latin and then Portuguese.

Contexte culturel

When discussing race, 'branco' is a neutral term, but like any racial descriptor, it should be used with awareness of the social context in Brazil and Portugal.

English speakers use 'white' similarly for color and race, but the idiom 'dar um branco' (brain freeze) is unique to Portuguese.

The 'Casa Branca' (White House) in Washington D.C. The song 'Bandeira Branca' (White Flag), a famous Brazilian carnival marchinha. The book 'Ensaio sobre a Cegueira' by José Saramago, which features a 'white blindness'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping for clothes

Você tem esta camisa em branco?
Eu prefiro o vestido branco.
O branco fica bem em você.
Esta blusa branca é transparente?

At a restaurant

Um copo de vinho branco, por favor.
Eu quero arroz branco.
O peixe é servido com molho branco.
Você tem chocolate branco?

In a classroom

Escreva no quadro branco.
Não deixe a resposta em branco.
Me deu um branco na pergunta três.
Preciso de um giz branco.

Describing people

Ele tem cabelos brancos.
Ela ficou branca de susto.
Ele é um homem branco.
Sua pele é muito branca.

Weather and Nature

As nuvens estão brancas.
A areia da praia é branca.
A neve é branca e fria.
O topo da montanha está branco.

Amorces de conversation

"Qual é a sua cor favorita? A minha é o branco."

"Você prefere vinho tinto ou vinho branco no jantar?"

"Você já teve um 'branco' durante uma apresentação importante?"

"O que você acha da tradição de vestir branco no Ano Novo?"

"Você prefere chocolate preto ou chocolate branco?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva um lugar onde tudo é branco. Como você se sente lá?

Conte uma vez que você teve um 'branco' e o que aconteceu depois.

Por que você acha que o branco simboliza a paz em tantas culturas?

Descreva a sua roupa branca favorita e por que você gosta dela.

Imagine um mundo sem a cor branca. O que mudaria no seu dia a dia?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In 95% of cases, yes. Putting it before the noun (e.g., 'o branco cavalo') is very poetic or archaic. Stick to putting it after for normal conversation.

You can say 'branco-sujo' (literally dirty white) or 'branco-gelo' (ice white) or 'marfim' (ivory) depending on the specific shade.

Both mean black. 'Preto' is more common for objects. 'Negro' is often used for people, in poetic contexts, or for abstract things like 'buraco negro' (black hole).

Yes, 'Branco' is a relatively common surname in Portugal and Brazil. There was even a famous Brazilian footballer named Branco.

You use it with indirect object pronouns: 'Me deu um branco' (I had a brain freeze), 'Te deu um branco?' (Did you have a brain freeze?).

Linguistically, yes, it is called 'chocolate branco'. Technically, it is made of cocoa butter, but in Portuguese, the name is the same as in English.

It means a mistake or a detail was overlooked by someone, or that an event was not celebrated or acknowledged.

Both words become plural: 'vinhos brancos'. This applies to most noun-adjective pairs.

Yes, in Portuguese we say 'cabelos brancos' for what English speakers call 'grey hair' or 'white hair'.

It literally means 'white gold' (the metal), but it is also the name of a very famous Brazilian chocolate bonbon.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes