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A1 noun #8,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

colina

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces colina en 30 secondes

Explication colina in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'colina' is a simple noun used to describe the world around you. You learn it alongside words like 'casa' (house), 'árvore' (tree), and 'rio' (river). At this stage, you focus on basic identification: 'Isto é uma colina' (This is a hill). You use it with basic colors like 'verde' or 'amarela'. The goal is to understand that 'colina' is a feminine word and refers to a small mountain. You might use it in very simple sentences to describe a picture or a view from a window. It is one of the first geographical terms you encounter because it is common in many landscapes and is easy to visualize. You don't need to worry about complex metaphors yet; just focus on the physical object. For example, 'A colina é bonita' (The hill is beautiful) is a perfect A1 sentence. You should also learn the plural form 'colinas' and how to use the indefinite article 'uma' and the definite article 'a'. This helps you practice gender agreement, which is a fundamental skill at this level. By the end of A1, you should be able to point to a hill and name it correctly in Portuguese.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'colina' in more descriptive sentences. You start adding adjectives like 'alta' (high), 'baixa' (low), or 'distante' (distant). You also learn verbs of movement to use with it, such as 'subir' (to go up) and 'descer' (to go down). This allows you to describe simple activities: 'Nós subimos a colina ontem' (We climbed the hill yesterday). You will also learn the prepositional contractions like 'na colina' (on the hill) and 'da colina' (from the hill). At this stage, you might encounter 'colina' in short texts about travel or nature. You can start to differentiate it from 'montanha' (mountain) based on size. You might also learn about the 'Sete Colinas de Lisboa' as a cultural fact. Your ability to use 'colina' in a sentence becomes more fluid, and you can combine it with other nouns to create more complex descriptions, like 'a colina perto da minha casa' (the hill near my house). This level focuses on building a foundation for describing the environment and expressing simple actions involving the landscape.

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At the B1 level, you use 'colina' to provide more detailed information and express opinions. You can describe the appearance of a hill in detail: 'A colina estava coberta de flores silvestres e árvores verdes' (The hill was covered with wildflowers and green trees). You begin to use more sophisticated prepositions and adverbs of place, such as 'atrás de' (behind), 'além de' (beyond), or 'no topo de' (at the top of). You might also start using 'colina' in the context of comparing different landscapes or discussing travel experiences. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in various tenses, including the future and conditional: 'Se tivéssemos tempo, subiríamos aquela colina' (If we had time, we would climb that hill). You also begin to understand the difference between 'colina' and synonyms like 'morro' or 'monte' depending on the regional context (Portugal vs. Brazil). Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'encosta' (slope) or 'vale' (valley), allowing you to describe a whole scene rather than just a single object. B1 is where you start to feel more natural and descriptive with your language use.

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At the B2 level, 'colina' appears in more complex grammatical structures and more formal contexts. You might use it in passive voice constructions: 'A colina foi escalada por muitos turistas' (The hill was climbed by many tourists). You can also use it in more abstract or figurative ways, though this is still relatively rare for this specific word. You will encounter 'colina' in more advanced reading materials, such as news articles, travel essays, or regional literature. You understand the nuances of formality—knowing that 'colina' is a bit more formal than 'morro'. You can describe the historical or architectural significance of a hill, such as 'A colina onde se situa o castelo' (The hill where the castle is situated). At B2, your ability to discuss the impact of geography on culture or urban planning involves using words like 'colina' with precision. You might also use it in more complex conditional sentences or when reporting what someone else said about a landscape. Your use of adjectives becomes more varied and specific, using words like 'íngreme' (steep), 'suave' (gentle), or 'arborizada' (wooded).

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'colina' and its place in the Portuguese language. You can use it in highly descriptive, literary, or academic contexts. You might analyze the use of 'colina' in a poem or a novel, discussing how it contributes to the atmosphere or symbolism of the work. You are aware of archaic or very formal synonyms like 'outeiro' and can use them correctly to achieve a specific tone. You can discuss complex topics such as urban development on hillsides, environmental conservation of hilly regions, or the geological formation of hills using technical vocabulary. Your sentences are long and complex, using 'colina' as part of intricate descriptions: 'As colinas ondulantes do Alentejo, tingidas de dourado pelo sol de fim de tarde, oferecem um espetáculo de serenidade inigualável' (The rolling hills of Alentejo, tinged with gold by the late afternoon sun, offer a spectacle of unparalleled serenity). You understand the subtle cultural connotations of the word in different Lusophone countries and can adapt your speech accordingly. At this level, the word is just one tool in a vast and nuanced vocabulary.

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At the C2 level, you use 'colina' with the same ease and precision as a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in any context, from a casual conversation to a formal lecture or a piece of creative writing. You might use the word in sophisticated metaphors or as part of a complex rhetorical argument. You have a complete grasp of its etymology and its historical evolution within the language. You can effortlessly switch between 'colina', 'morro', 'monte', and 'outeiro' to convey the exact shade of meaning or level of formality required. Your understanding of the word is integrated with a deep knowledge of Portuguese history, geography, and literature. You might discuss the 'Sete Colinas' not just as a tourist fact, but as a mythical and historical construct that has shaped the identity of Lisbon over centuries. For a C2 learner, 'colina' is more than just a word for a hill; it is a point of connection to the entire landscape of the Portuguese-speaking world and its rich cultural heritage. You can use it to create evocative, beautiful, and precise language that captures the essence of the world you are describing.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

colina en 30 secondes

Colina is the Portuguese word for 'hill', a feminine noun (a colina).
It refers to a natural elevation smaller and gentler than a mountain (montanha).
Lisbon is famously known as the 'City of the Seven Hills' (Sete Colinas).
Commonly confused with 'coluna' (column/spine), so pay attention to the 'i'.

The Portuguese word colina refers to a natural elevation of the earth's surface that is smaller than a mountain. For an English speaker, the most direct translation is 'hill'. However, in the Lusophone world, the word carries a specific aesthetic and geographical weight. Unlike a 'montanha', which implies ruggedness, height, and often difficulty in climbing, a colina is usually seen as gentle, picturesque, and approachable. It is the kind of landform you would find in a pastoral landscape or defining the skyline of an ancient city. In Portugal, the word is inseparable from the identity of its capital, Lisbon, famously known as the 'Cidade das Sete Colinas' (City of the Seven Hills). This designation isn't just a geographical fact; it is a point of pride and a defining characteristic of the city's labyrinthine charm. When you use the word colina, you are often describing a viewpoint (miradouro), a place where people build houses to catch the breeze, or a green space where people go for a walk.

Visual Scale: A colina is characterized by its rounded top and gentle slopes, making it distinct from the jagged peaks of a mountain range.
Urban Context: In cities like Lisbon or Coimbra, the word describes the various levels of the city, where the history is literally built on top of these elevations.
Emotional Resonance: It often evokes feelings of peace, nostalgia, or the 'saudade' associated with looking down at a valley or the sea from a high point.

As casas coloridas estendem-se pela colina até ao rio Tejo.

Translation: The colorful houses stretch across the hill down to the Tagus River.

In daily conversation, you might hear a local say 'moro naquela colina' (I live on that hill) or 'vamos subir a colina para ver o pôr do sol' (let's go up the hill to see the sunset). It is a word used by hikers, geographers, real estate agents, and poets alike. While 'monte' is another common word for a small mountain or hill, colina is generally perceived as more elegant and formal. In the Alentejo region, 'monte' can also refer to a farmhouse on a hill, whereas colina remains strictly a geographical term. Understanding this word is essential for navigating Portuguese topography and literature, as it sets the stage for many descriptions of the country's rolling landscapes.

O castelo domina a colina mais alta da cidade.

Translation: The castle dominates the highest hill of the city.

Finally, remember that colina is a feminine noun. You will always use 'a colina' or 'uma colina'. This affects the adjectives you use with it, such as 'colina verde' (green hill) or 'colina íngreme' (steep hill). Whether you are reading a classic novel or booking a hotel with a view, this word will frequently appear to describe the beauty of the Portuguese terrain.

Using colina correctly involves understanding its relationship with prepositions and verbs of movement. Because it is a physical location, you will frequently use it with 'em' (in/on), 'a' (to), or 'de' (from). When combined with the definite article 'a', these become 'na' (em + a), 'à' (a + a), and 'da' (de + a). For example, 'Eu estou na colina' (I am on the hill) implies a state of being, whereas 'Eu vou à colina' (I am going to the hill) implies direction. Verbs like 'subir' (to go up), 'descer' (to go down), and 'avistar' (to sight/see from a distance) are natural partners for this noun. In Portuguese, the position of the adjective usually follows the noun, so you would say 'colina alta' (high hill) rather than 'alta colina', though the latter is possible in poetic contexts to emphasize the height.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'no topo da colina' for 'at the top of the hill' and 'ao pé da colina' for 'at the foot of the hill'.
Movement Verbs: 'Caminhar pela colina' means to walk through or across the hill, suggesting a leisurely pace.

Nós subimos a colina para ver as estrelas.

Translation: We climbed the hill to see the stars.

When describing a landscape, colina often acts as the subject of a sentence. You might say 'A colina está coberta de flores' (The hill is covered in flowers). It can also be used metaphorically, though this is more common in English ('a hill to die on'). In Portuguese, metaphorical usage is rarer; we prefer more direct terms for challenges. However, in literature, a colina can represent a barrier or a vantage point of wisdom. If you are describing a journey, 'atrás daquela colina' (behind that hill) is a common way to indicate that something is hidden or just out of sight. Pay attention to the plural form 'colinas', which is often used to describe entire regions, like 'as colinas do Douro' where the famous port wine grapes are grown.

O vento sopra forte no cimo da colina.

Translation: The wind blows hard at the top of the hill.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter the word in technical or scientific contexts, such as 'erosão da colina' (hill erosion) or 'assentamento em colina' (hillside settlement). Even in these cases, the word maintains its feminine gender and basic meaning. Practice using it with different adjectives to build your descriptive vocabulary: 'colina suave' (gentle hill), 'colina rochosa' (rocky hill), and 'colina arborizada' (wooded hill).

You will encounter the word colina in a variety of real-world situations in Portugal and Brazil. Perhaps the most frequent context is tourism. If you are taking a guided tour of Lisbon, the guide will inevitably mention the 'sete colinas'. In this context, the word is almost a proper noun, part of the city's brand. You'll see it on maps, postcards, and even the names of local businesses, such as 'Hotel Sete Colinas' or 'Pastelaria da Colina'. Beyond tourism, the word is a staple of weather and traffic reports. If a road is blocked due to a landslide on a hill, the reporter will use colina or 'encosta' (slope) to describe the location. In rural areas, farmers use the word to describe their land: 'as minhas ovelhas estão na colina' (my sheep are on the hill).

In Literature: Portuguese poets like Fernando Pessoa or Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen often use 'colina' to evoke the Mediterranean landscape.
In Real Estate: Advertisements for houses often highlight a 'vista para a colina' (view of the hill) as a selling point.

Lisboa é conhecida como a cidade das sete colinas.

Translation: Lisbon is known as the city of the seven hills.

In Brazil, the word is also common, though the vastness of the country means you might hear more specific regional terms for different types of elevations. However, in the lush, hilly regions of Minas Gerais or the coastal hills of Rio de Janeiro, colina is used just as it is in Portugal. If you enjoy hiking (trilhas), you will see signs pointing toward various colinas. In the news, you might hear about 'comunidades' (favelas) built on the colinas or 'morros' of Rio. While 'morro' is more common in Rio's urban slang, colina remains the standard, more formal term used in journalism and education.

O sol desapareceu por trás da colina.

Translation: The sun disappeared behind the hill.

Finally, you will hear this word in music. Fado, the traditional Portuguese music, often references the landscape of Lisbon, and the colinas are a recurring motif. They represent the climb of life, the vantage point of the lover, or the physical structure of the city that echoes the singer's voice. Whether in a song, a book, or a conversation with a neighbor, colina is a word that connects the speaker to the physical beauty of the Lusophone world.

For English speakers learning Portuguese, the most common mistake with colina is confusing it with the word coluna. While they sound similar, coluna means 'column' or 'spine' (backbone). Saying 'Eu moro numa coluna' would mean you live inside a pillar or a backbone, which is quite a funny image! Always remember the 'i' in colina for 'hill'. Another mistake is using colina when you actually mean a much larger mountain. If you are talking about the Himalayas or the Andes, colina is too small; you must use 'montanha'. Using the wrong word can make your description seem underwhelming or inaccurate.

Colina vs. Coluna: Colina = Hill. Coluna = Column/Spine. Watch the vowel in the middle!
Gender Agreement: Mistaking 'colina' for masculine. It is ALWAYS 'a colina', never 'o colino'.

Errado: O colina é alto. Correto: A colina é alta.

Common gender error correction.

Another nuance is the difference between colina and 'morro'. In Brazil, specifically in Rio de Janeiro, 'morro' is the everyday word for a hill. If you use colina in a very informal Brazilian setting, you might sound a bit too formal or like a textbook. However, colina is never 'wrong', just more formal. In Portugal, 'monte' and colina are often interchangeable, but 'monte' can feel more rural or rugged. A final mistake is with the preposition 'em'. English speakers often say 'on the hill'. In Portuguese, we use 'na colina'. Avoid saying 'em a colina' as two separate words; always contract them into 'na'.

Cuidado: Não confunda colina com coluna vertebral.

Translation: Careful: Don't confuse 'hill' with 'vertebral column'.

Lastly, ensure you don't over-nasalize the 'n'. In Portuguese, the 'n' in colina is quite clear and dental, unlike the nasalized vowels found in words like 'bom' or 'mão'. If you nasalize it too much, it might sound like you are trying to say a different word entirely. Keep the 'i' sharp and the 'na' clear to be perfectly understood.

Portuguese has several words to describe elevations, and choosing the right one depends on the size, shape, and region. The most common alternative to colina is morro. In Brazil, 'morro' is the ubiquitous term for any hill, especially those in urban areas like Rio. In Portugal, 'morro' is also used but is slightly less common than colina or monte. Monte is a versatile word; it can mean a hill, a small mountain, or even a large pile of something (like 'um monte de livros' - a pile of books). In the Alentejo region of Portugal, a 'monte' specifically refers to a traditional farmhouse situated on a hill.

Colina vs. Montanha: A colina is low and rounded. A montanha is high, steep, and often has a peak. Think 'The Sound of Music' for montanha and 'Teletubbies' for colina.
Outeiro: A more literary or archaic word for a small hill. You will see this in classic literature or old place names.
Cerro: Often used to describe a rocky or rugged hill, common in southern Portugal (Algarve) and parts of Brazil.

O monte alentejano é o coração da herdade.

Translation: The Alentejo farmhouse/hill is the heart of the estate.

If you are describing the side of a hill, use the word encosta (slope). For a very small, man-made or natural mound, you might use montículo. For a steep path going up a hill, the word is ladeira. In Lisbon, you don't just walk up colinas; you walk up 'ladeiras'. Understanding these distinctions helps you sound more like a native speaker who is aware of the specific geography of the Lusophone world. While colina is the safe, standard term, experimenting with these alternatives will enrich your descriptions and help you navigate different regional dialects.

Subimos a ladeira íngreme até ao miradouro.

Translation: We went up the steep slope/street to the viewpoint.

Finally, consider the word planalto (plateau) if the 'hill' is actually a high, flat area. Geography is a rich source of vocabulary in Portuguese, reflecting the diverse landscapes of Brazil's vast interior and Portugal's varied Atlantic coast. By mastering colina and its synonyms, you gain the tools to describe the world around you with precision and flair.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'colina' shares the same root as 'column' (coluna), which originally referred to a support but also something high and upright.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ku.ˈli.nɐ/

US /ko.ˈli.na/

The stress is on the second syllable: co-LI-na.

Rime avec

menina rotina cortina piscina doutrina neblina campina sina

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' as an open 'aw' in European Portuguese.
Confusing the 'i' with 'u' (coluna).
Over-nasalizing the 'n'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize for English speakers due to Latin roots.

Écriture 2/5

Easy, but must avoid the 'coluna' spelling mistake.

Expression orale 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but watch the European 'o' sound.

Écoute 1/5

Clear and distinct word in most dialects.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

terra montanha verde alto

Apprends ensuite

vale planície encosta miradouro

Avancé

orografia geologia ondulação declive

Grammaire à connaître

Gender Agreement

A colina (feminine) -> A colina altA (feminine adjective).

Preposition Contraction

Em + a colina = Na colina.

Pluralization

Colina -> Colinas (add 's').

Adjective Placement

Colina verde (standard) vs. Verde colina (poetic).

Crase

Vou à colina (a + a).

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Exemples par niveau

A colina é muito verde.

The hill is very green.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure with feminine agreement.

Eu vejo uma colina.

I see a hill.

Use of the indefinite article 'uma' with a feminine noun.

A casa está na colina.

The house is on the hill.

Contraction 'na' (em + a) used for location.

As colinas são bonitas.

The hills are beautiful.

Plural form 'colinas' and plural adjective 'bonitas'.

A colina não é alta.

The hill is not high.

Negation with 'não' before the verb.

Onde está a colina?

Where is the hill?

Basic question word 'onde'.

Gosto desta colina.

I like this hill.

Contraction 'desta' (de + esta) following the verb 'gostar'.

Uma colina pequena.

A small hill.

Adjective 'pequena' follows the noun.

Nós subimos a colina a pé.

We climbed the hill on foot.

Past tense 'subimos' and the phrase 'a pé'.

O sol nasce atrás da colina.

The sun rises behind the hill.

Prepositional phrase 'atrás da'.

Eles moram naquela colina distante.

They live on that distant hill.

Demonstrative 'naquela' (em + aquela).

A colina tem muitas flores na primavera.

The hill has many flowers in the spring.

Verb 'ter' used for possession/features.

Vamos descer a colina com cuidado.

Let's go down the hill carefully.

Verb 'descer' and the adverbial phrase 'com cuidado'.

A vista da colina é fantástica.

The view from the hill is fantastic.

Noun 'vista' followed by the origin 'da colina'.

Existem sete colinas em Lisboa.

There are seven hills in Lisbon.

Verb 'existir' used for 'there are'.

A colina fica perto do rio.

The hill is near the river.

Verb 'ficar' used for permanent location.

A colina estava coberta de neve durante o inverno.

The hill was covered with snow during the winter.

Imperfect tense 'estava' and the preposition 'de' for coverage.

Se você subir a colina, verá o mar.

If you climb the hill, you will see the sea.

Conditional 'if' clause with future tense 'verá'.

O caminho que leva à colina é muito estreito.

The path that leads to the hill is very narrow.

Relative clause 'que leva à' with crase (à).

Prefiro caminhar na colina do que na cidade.

I prefer walking on the hill than in the city.

Comparative structure 'preferir... do que'.

A colina parecia maior de longe.

The hill seemed bigger from afar.

Verb 'parecer' in the imperfect tense.

Há um castelo antigo no topo daquela colina.

There is an ancient castle on top of that hill.

Impersonal 'há' for 'there is' and 'no topo de'.

As ovelhas pastam calmamente na colina.

The sheep graze calmly on the hill.

Adverb 'calmamente' modifying the verb 'pastar'.

Ela tirou uma fotografia da colina ao pôr do sol.

She took a photograph of the hill at sunset.

Preposition 'de' indicating the subject of the photo.

Apesar de ser uma colina íngreme, a subida vale a pena.

Despite being a steep hill, the climb is worth it.

Concessive phrase 'apesar de' with gerund/infinitive.

A cidade foi construída sobre várias colinas ondulantes.

The city was built upon several rolling hills.

Passive voice 'foi construída' and adjective 'ondulantes'.

Diz-se que esta colina é habitada por lendas antigas.

It is said that this hill is inhabited by ancient legends.

Passive 'diz-se' and 'habitada por'.

A vegetação na colina mudou significativamente nos últimos anos.

The vegetation on the hill has changed significantly in recent years.

Present perfect equivalent (pretérito perfeito) and adverb.

Não acredito que tenhamos de subir toda esta colina.

I don't believe we have to climb this whole hill.

Subjunctive 'tenhamos' after a verb of doubt/disbelief.

O projeto prevê a construção de um parque na colina.

The project foresees the construction of a park on the hill.

Formal verb 'prever' and complex noun phrase.

As casas na encosta da colina correm risco de deslizamento.

The houses on the hillside run the risk of landslides.

Specific term 'encosta' and 'risco de'.

Sempre que olho para aquela colina, lembro-me da minha infância.

Whenever I look at that hill, I remember my childhood.

Pronominal verb 'lembrar-se de'.

A colina, outrora árida, floresce agora com uma biodiversidade renovada.

The hill, once arid, now flourishes with renewed biodiversity.

Use of 'outrora' (formerly) and elevated vocabulary.

A topografia da região caracteriza-se por uma sucessão de colinas e vales.

The topography of the region is characterized by a succession of hills and valleys.

Reflexive 'caracteriza-se' and technical term 'topografia'.

O miradouro oferece uma perspetiva privilegiada sobre as colinas circundantes.

The viewpoint offers a privileged perspective over the surrounding hills.

Formal adjective 'privilegiada' and 'circundantes'.

É imperativo preservar o ecossistema único destas colinas calcárias.

It is imperative to preserve the unique ecosystem of these limestone hills.

Impersonal 'é imperativo' and technical adjective 'calcárias'.

A luz crepuscular conferia às colinas uma tonalidade quase mística.

The twilight light gave the hills an almost mystical hue.

Literary 'conferia' and descriptive 'tonalidade'.

O romance descreve minuciosamente a vida nas colinas isoladas do interior.

The novel meticulously describes life in the isolated hills of the interior.

Adverb 'minuciosamente' and adjective 'isoladas'.

A erosão constante tem moldado a silhueta da colina ao longo dos séculos.

Constant erosion has been shaping the silhouette of the hill over the centuries.

Compound tense 'tem moldado' and 'ao longo de'.

Subjacente a esta paisagem de colinas, reside uma complexa estrutura geológica.

Underlying this landscape of hills lies a complex geological structure.

Advanced adjective 'subjacente' and inverted subject-verb order.

A colina ergue-se como um sentinela silencioso sobre a planície adormecida.

The hill rises like a silent sentinel over the sleeping plain.

Highly metaphorical and personified language.

A intersecção entre a urbe e a colina cria um tecido social sui generis.

The intersection between the city and the hill creates a unique social fabric.

Latin phrase 'sui generis' and academic term 'urbe'.

Nas entranhas da colina, escondem-se vestígios de civilizações há muito desaparecidas.

In the bowels of the hill, traces of long-vanished civilizations are hidden.

Metaphorical 'entranhas' and 'há muito' for 'long ago'.

A colina não é meramente um acidente geográfico, mas um repositório de memória coletiva.

The hill is not merely a geographical feature, but a repository of collective memory.

Philosophical use of 'repositório' and 'coletiva'.

A sutil ondulação da colina mimetiza o movimento rítmico das ondas do mar.

The subtle undulation of the hill mimics the rhythmic movement of the sea waves.

Advanced verb 'mimetizar' and specific noun 'ondulação'.

O autor utiliza a colina como um tropo literário para representar a ascensão espiritual.

The author uses the hill as a literary trope to represent spiritual ascension.

Literary criticism terminology 'tropo' and 'ascensão'.

A perenidade da colina contrasta com a efemeridade das construções humanas que a coroam.

The perenniality of the hill contrasts with the ephemerality of the human constructions that crown it.

Abstract nouns 'perenidade' and 'efemeridade'.

A colina, em sua imperturbável quietude, assiste ao desenrolar frenético da história.

The hill, in its imperturbable stillness, witnesses the frenetic unfolding of history.

Sophisticated adjectives 'imperturbável' and 'frenético'.

Collocations courantes

colina íngreme

colina suave

topo da colina

sopé da colina

colinas ondulantes

subir a colina

descer a colina

encosta da colina

vista da colina

atrás da colina

Phrases Courantes

Cidade das Sete Colinas

— A nickname for Lisbon. It refers to the seven historical hills the city was built on.

Lisboa é a Cidade das Sete Colinas.

No cimo da colina

— At the very top of the hill. Used for emphasis.

Há uma capela no cimo da colina.

Viver na colina

— To live in a hilly area, often implying a better view or status.

Ela sempre quis viver na colina.

Pelas colinas

— Through or over the hills. Suggests a journey.

Viajámos pelas colinas de Itália.

Atrás das colinas

— In a remote or hidden place. Often used in stories.

O tesouro está atrás das colinas.

Subir colinas

— To overcome obstacles (metaphorical) or physical exercise.

Subir colinas é bom para o coração.

Colina de esperança

— A poetic way to describe a place of optimism.

Aquela aldeia era uma colina de esperança.

Entre colinas

— Nestled between hills. Used for cozy locations.

A casa está escondida entre colinas.

Abaixo da colina

— In the area below the hill.

O lago fica abaixo da colina.

Rumo à colina

— Heading towards the hill.

Caminhamos rumo à colina.

Souvent confondu avec

colina vs coluna

Means column or spine. Common spelling/pronunciation error.

colina vs colino

Does not exist in this context; common gender error.

colina vs colina (biochemical)

The nutrient 'choline' is also 'colina' in Portuguese, but the context usually makes it clear.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Velho como as colinas"

— Extremely old. Just like the English 'old as the hills'.

Esse segredo é velho como as colinas.

informal

"Subir a colina"

— In some contexts, can mean getting older or passing a peak.

Ele já está a subir a colina da vida.

poetic

"Prometer mundos e colinas"

— To promise the world or impossible things. Similar to 'promise the moon'.

O político prometeu mundos e colinas.

informal

"Fugir para as colinas"

— To run away or retreat in the face of danger or stress.

Quando o trabalho aperta, apetece-me fugir para as colinas.

slang/humorous

"Ver de cima da colina"

— To have a broad perspective or look down on something.

Ele vê os problemas de cima da colina.

metaphorical

"A colina da dificuldade"

— A common literary trope for a challenge to overcome.

Estamos a enfrentar a colina da dificuldade.

literary

"Colina acima, colina abaixo"

— Doing something repeatedly or traveling extensively.

Andou o dia todo colina acima, colina abaixo.

neutral

"Morrer na colina"

— To fail just before reaching the goal.

Quase conseguimos, mas morremos na colina.

informal

"Em cima da colina"

— Being in a position of advantage.

Ele está sempre em cima da colina.

neutral

"Atrás da colina do tempo"

— Long ago, lost in history.

Isso aconteceu atrás da colina do tempo.

poetic

Facile à confondre

colina vs morro

Both mean hill.

'Morro' is more informal in Brazil; 'colina' is standard/formal.

Moro no morro vs. A colina é bela.

colina vs monte

Both refer to elevations.

'Monte' can be larger or refer to a farm in Alentejo.

O monte é alto.

colina vs montanha

Size difference.

'Montanha' is much larger and steeper than a 'colina'.

O Evereste é uma montanha.

colina vs outeiro

Synonyms.

'Outeiro' is archaic/literary.

O outeiro sagrado.

colina vs encosta

Part of a hill.

'Encosta' is the side/slope, 'colina' is the whole hill.

A encosta é íngreme.

Structures de phrases

A colina é [adjetivo].

A colina é verde.

Eu vejo a [colina].

Eu vejo a colina.

A casa fica na [colina].

A casa fica na colina.

Vamos subir a [colina].

Vamos subir a colina.

Há um [objeto] no topo da colina.

Há um castelo no topo da colina.

A colina está coberta de [substantivo].

A colina está coberta de flores.

Apesar de [verbo], a colina é [adjetivo].

Apesar de ser alta, a colina é bonita.

A colina oferece uma vista [adjetivo] sobre [lugar].

A colina oferece uma vista magnífica sobre o vale.

Famille de mots

Noms

colina

colinagem

encosta

Verbes

acolinar (rare)

Adjectifs

colinar

acolinado

Apparenté

montanha

monte

morro

outeiro

cerro

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High, especially in geography and tourism.

Erreurs courantes

O colina → A colina
'Colina' is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article.
Eu moro na coluna. → Eu moro na colina.
'Coluna' means column or spine; 'colina' means hill.
Uma colina muito grande (referring to Everest). → Uma montanha muito grande.
'Colina' is only for small elevations.
Subir no colina. → Subir a colina / na colina.
Use correct prepositional usage and gender.
Em a colina. → Na colina.
Always contract 'em + a' into 'na'.

Astuces

Learn Synonyms

Learning 'morro' and 'monte' alongside 'colina' will help you understand different regional dialects.

Watch Gender

Always use feminine articles and adjectives with 'colina' (a colina alta).

Lisbon Context

Remember the 'Sete Colinas' to connect with Portuguese history and culture.

The Letter I

Focus on the 'i' sound to avoid confusing it with 'coluna' (column).

Descriptive Writing

Use 'colina' when you want to evoke a sense of beauty and gentleness in a landscape.

Informal Brazil

If you are in Rio, try using 'morro' to sound more like a local.

Listen to Fado

Many Fado songs mention the hills of Lisbon; it's great practice.

Technical Terms

Use 'encosta' for the slope and 'cume' for the very top.

Mnemonic

Associate 'colina' with 'cool' and 'green' for a gentle hill.

Contractions

Practice 'na', 'da', and 'à' with 'colina' for natural speech.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'COLony' on a 'hIll' (col-ina). Or imagine a 'COoL' 'LINA' (a girl's name) walking on a hill.

Association visuelle

Imagine the rounded shape of the letter 'C' as the shape of the hill itself.

Word Web

verde Lisboa subir vista natureza terra céu caminho

Défi

Try to describe three things you can see from the top of a 'colina' using only Portuguese adjectives.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'collina', which is the feminine form of 'collinus' (pertaining to a hill).

Sens originel : Relating to a hill or high ground.

Romance (Italic).

Contexte culturel

The word is neutral. However, in Brazil, 'morro' can sometimes have social connotations related to favelas, while 'colina' remains purely geographical.

English speakers often use 'hill' for everything. Portuguese speakers are more specific about whether it is a 'colina', 'morro', or 'monte'.

As Sete Colinas de Lisboa The movie 'The Hill' (translated as A Colina) Various fado songs referencing the hills of Alfama.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Tourism

Onde ficam as sete colinas?
A vista da colina é boa?
Como subo a colina?
Há um miradouro na colina?

Nature/Hiking

A colina é íngreme?
Vamos caminhar pela colina.
Cuidado ao descer a colina.
A colina tem muitas árvores.

Real Estate

A casa tem vista para a colina.
É um terreno em colina.
O bairro fica na colina.
Gosto da paz da colina.

History

O castelo foi construído na colina.
As colinas protegiam a cidade.
A batalha ocorreu na colina.
Antigamente, as colinas eram desertas.

Weather

Há neblina na colina.
O vento é forte na colina.
A neve cobriu a colina.
Está sol na colina.

Amorces de conversation

"Já subiste a alguma das sete colinas de Lisboa?"

"Preferes viver num vale ou numa colina?"

"O que é que consegues ver da colina mais alta da tua cidade?"

"Achas que as colinas são mais bonitas no verão ou no inverno?"

"Qual é a colina mais famosa do teu país?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreve uma colina que visitaste recentemente. Como era a vista?

Escreve uma pequena história sobre um castelo escondido numa colina misteriosa.

Se fosses construir uma casa numa colina, como ela seria?

Compara a vida numa colina com a vida numa planície.

Explica por que razão Lisboa é chamada a cidade das sete colinas.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

A colina é menor e tem formas mais arredondadas, enquanto a montanha é muito alta e íngreme.

Sim, mas 'colina' ou 'monte' são mais comuns para descrever a paisagem natural.

Historicamente sim, mas geograficamente existem mais de sete elevações na cidade.

Diz-se 'encosta da colina'.

É um substantivo feminino: a colina.

Significa que algo é extremamente antigo.

Pronuncia-se com o 'o' fechado, soando quase como 'ku-lina'.

Sim, em biologia/química, pode referir-se à colina (nutriente).

O plural é 'colinas'.

Não, deve dizer 'o topo da colina' porque é feminino.

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