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B1 verb #8,500 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

relinchar

Top 8,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces relinchar en 30 secondes

Explication relinchar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'relinchar' is the word for the sound a horse makes. Think of it like 'The horse says neigh'. You will see this word in basic books about animals or in children's songs. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' (to speak). You might see sentences like 'O cavalo relincha' (The horse neighs). At this stage, focus on associating the word with the image of a horse. Don't worry about complex grammar or figurative meanings yet. Just remember: Cavalo -> Relinchar. It's an essential part of basic animal vocabulary in Portuguese, just like 'cão' (dog) and 'latir' (bark).

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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'relinchar' in simple past and future sentences. You might describe a trip to a farm: 'Eu vi um cavalo e ele relinchou' (I saw a horse and it neighed). You are also learning to use the present continuous: 'O cavalo está a relinchar' (Portugal) or 'O cavalo está relinchando' (Brazil). You should understand that this verb is specifically for horses and not for other animals like dogs or cats. You might also encounter the noun form 'relincho' (a neigh). Practice using it to describe actions in the past, such as 'O cavalo relinchava quando tinha fome' (The horse used to neigh when it was hungry).

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At the B1 level, you can use 'relinchar' in more complex narratives. You might use it to set the scene in a story or to describe a specific event with more detail. For example, 'O cavalo começou a relinchar assim que percebeu a presença do lobo' (The horse began to neigh as soon as it noticed the presence of the wolf). You are becoming familiar with using adverbs to describe how the horse neighs (e.g., 'relinchar alto', 'relinchar suavemente'). You should also be aware that the word can occasionally be used to describe a person's laugh, although you should know this is usually meant as a joke or a slight insult. You are moving beyond simple identification to using the word to add flavor to your descriptions.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'relinchar' in all its nuances. You can use it in hypothetical situations (conditional tense) like 'Se o cavalo visse o perigo, ele relincharia' (If the horse saw danger, it would neigh). You are also able to understand it in literary texts where it might be used more metaphorically to describe sounds in nature or human emotions. You can distinguish between 'relinchar' and its synonyms or related words like 'bufar' (to snort) or 'zurrar' (to bray). You understand the cultural context of the word in rural traditions and can use it correctly in discussions about animal behavior or equestrian sports.

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At the C1 level, you recognize 'relinchar' in sophisticated literature and formal contexts. You understand its etymological roots and how it fits into the broader Romance language family. You can use the word to create vivid, sensory-rich descriptions in your own writing. You are comfortable with the metaphorical use of the word to describe human laughter or other sharp, resonant sounds, and you understand the social implications of using such a term. You might also encounter rare or archaic synonyms in classical Portuguese literature and be able to relate them back to the standard 'relinchar'. Your use of the verb is precise, and you can manipulate it to fit various registers and styles.

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At the C2 level, 'relinchar' is a word you know as well as a native speaker. You understand its subtle connotations in different regional dialects of the Portuguese-speaking world. You can appreciate how a poet might use the sound of a horse neighing to symbolize themes like freedom, war, or the passage of time. You are aware of the word's history and its role in the development of onomatopoeic verbs in Portuguese. You can use the word with absolute precision in any context, from a scientific report on equine behavior to a highly stylized piece of creative writing. You are also capable of explaining the nuances of the word to others, including its various synonyms and its figurative potential.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

relinchar en 30 secondes

Relinchar is the primary Portuguese verb for the sound a horse makes, equivalent to the English 'to neigh' or 'to whinny'.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and is used almost exclusively for horses.
The word can be used metaphorically to describe a loud, uncontrolled human laugh, though this is often considered impolite or humorous.
Common subjects for this verb include 'cavalo' (horse), 'égua' (mare), 'potro' (foal), and 'garanhão' (stallion).

The Portuguese verb relinchar is a specific onomatopoeic term used to describe the vocalization of horses, known in English as 'to neigh' or 'to whinny'. It is a regular verb ending in '-ar' and belongs to the category of animal sounds (vozes dos animais). While it primarily identifies the high-pitched, vibrating sound produced by an equine, its usage extends beyond simple biology into literature, rural descriptions, and occasionally, metaphorical human behavior. When a horse relincha, it is often communicating excitement, fear, or a greeting to other horses or its owner. Understanding this word is essential for anyone reading Portuguese literature or engaging in conversations about nature and rural life.

Literal Meaning: To emit the characteristic sound of a horse, usually characterized by a sharp, resonant vibration of the vocal cords.
Figurative Usage: Used derogatorily to describe a person's loud, uncontrolled, or horse-like laughter that lacks social grace.
Grammatical Category: Intransitive verb, meaning it does not typically require a direct object to complete its meaning.

Ao ver o dono se aproximar com o feno, o cavalo começou a relinchar de alegria.

In a broader sense, relinchar is part of a rich vocabulary of animal sounds in Portuguese, such as 'latir' (to bark) or 'miar' (to meow). It carries a sense of wildness and raw energy. In rural Portugal or Brazil, you will hear this word used frequently in the context of 'vaquejadas', 'rodeios', or simply on a farm ('fazenda' or 'quinta'). The sound itself is often transcribed in Portuguese comics or children's books as 'I-h-h-h-h!'.

O silêncio da noite foi quebrado pelo som do potro a relinchar no estábulo.

Culturally, the sound of a horse relinchando is associated with freedom, the open plains of the Alentejo or the Pampas, and the nobility of the animal. It is a word that evokes sensory imagery—the smell of hay, the sight of dust rising, and the piercing sound of the animal's voice. In poetry, a horse's neigh might symbolize a call to battle or a longing for the wild.

As éguas costumam relinchar quando sentem a falta de seus potros.

Common Subjects: Cavalo (horse), égua (mare), potro (foal), garanhão (stallion).

O garanhão branco parou no topo da colina e pôs-se a relinchar para o horizonte.

Historically, the word has roots in Vulgar Latin and has remained remarkably stable in the Romance languages. In Spanish, it is 'relinchar', and in Italian, 'nitrire'. This consistency highlights the fundamental human experience of observing and naming the sounds of domestic animals throughout history.

Não aguento mais ouvir esse homem relinchar em vez de rir educadamente.

Using relinchar correctly requires understanding its conjugation as a regular '-ar' verb. Since it is an intransitive verb, you don't 'relinchar' something; rather, the subject (usually a horse) performs the action. It is most frequently found in the third person singular or plural, as we are usually talking about what animals are doing. However, in fables or personified stories, you might find it in other forms.

Present Tense: O cavalo relincha toda manhã às seis horas. (The horse neighs every morning at six o'clock.)
Preterite (Past): Ontem, o animal relinchou quando ouviu o trovão. (Yesterday, the animal neighed when it heard the thunder.)
Imperfect (Past): Antigamente, os cavalos relinchavam alto durante as batalhas. (In the past, horses used to neigh loudly during battles.)

Se você assustar o animal, ele vai relinchar e talvez fugir.

In European Portuguese, you will often see the construction 'estar a' + infinitive. For example, 'O cavalo está a relinchar'. In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund is preferred: 'O cavalo está relinchando'. Both forms are correct and convey the idea of an ongoing action. The verb can also be used in the infinitive after modal verbs like 'querer' (to want) or 'poder' (can/may).

Ouvimos o animal relinchar desesperadamente no meio da tempestade.

When describing a scene, relinchar can be modified by adverbs to provide more detail. You can say a horse neighs 'suavemente' (softly), 'estridentemente' (shrilly), or 'furiosamente' (furiously). These modifiers help paint a clearer picture of the animal's state of mind or the atmosphere of the setting.

O cavalo selvagem parecia relinchar um desafio para os intrusos.

Negative Sentences: O cavalo está tão cansado que nem consegue relinchar. (The horse is so tired it can't even neigh.)

Por que o cavalo está a relinchar tanto hoje?

While you might not hear relinchar in a modern tech office in Lisbon or São Paulo, it is a staple of several specific environments. The most obvious is the rural setting. In the countryside, farmers, stable hands, and veterinarians use this word daily to describe animal behavior. If a horse is sick or agitated, the way it 'relincha' is a vital clinical sign.

Literature and Poetry: Portuguese literature is rich with rural themes. Authors like Eça de Queirós or Guimarães Rosa often use 'relinchar' to create atmosphere in their descriptions of the countryside.
Children's Media: In cartoons, books, and songs for children, animals are always vocalizing. 'O cavalo faz i-h-h-h, o cavalo relincha' is a common line in educational materials.

No filme de faroeste dobrado em português, ouvimos o cavalo do herói relinchar antes da partida.

Another place you will frequently encounter this word is in 'dubbing' (dobragem or dublagem). Whenever a classic Western or an adventure film featuring horses is translated into Portuguese, 'relinchar' is the term used in the scripts. It also appears in sports commentary related to equestrian events like horse racing (turfe) or show jumping (hipismo).

O locutor descreveu como o campeão começou a relinchar ao cruzar a linha de chegada.

In a metaphorical sense, you might hear it in a social context, though usually as an insult. If someone is laughing extremely loudly and in a way that sounds like a horse, a bystander might say, 'Pare de relinchar!'. This is considered rude and should be used with caution, as it compares the person's behavior to that of an animal.

Aquela gargalhada dela parece mais um cavalo a relinchar.

News and Media: News reports about agricultural fairs or animal welfare often feature this verb to describe the state of the animals being discussed.

Os animais começaram a relinchar assim que sentiram o cheiro do fogo.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Portuguese is confusing animal sounds. In English, we have many words like neigh, whinny, snort, and bray. In Portuguese, while synonyms exist, relinchar is the primary and most correct term for a horse's neigh. A frequent error is using 'gritar' (to shout) or 'chorar' (to cry) for animals when a specific verb like 'relinchar' is required.

Confusion with 'Zurrar': 'Zurrar' is the sound a donkey (burro) makes (to bray). While horses and donkeys are related, using 'relinchar' for a donkey is technically incorrect.
Confusion with 'Rir': As mentioned before, using 'relinchar' to mean 'to laugh' in a neutral context is a mistake. It is only used metaphorically and usually with a negative connotation.

Errado: O cavalo está a gritar. / Correto: O cavalo está a relinchar.

Another mistake involves the spelling. Some learners might confuse it with 'relicário' or other words starting with 're-'. It is important to remember the 'linch' part, which is phonetically similar to the sound it describes. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with 'linchar' (to lynch), which is a completely different and much darker verb!

Cuidado para não confundir relinchar com linchar; a diferença de um prefixo muda tudo.

In terms of grammar, remember that 'relinchar' is usually not used with a direct object. You wouldn't say 'O cavalo relinchou um som'. You simply say 'O cavalo relinchou'. Adding an object makes the sentence sound unnatural to native speakers. If you want to describe the sound, use an adverb or a prepositional phrase like 'com força' (strongly).

Ele não parava de relinchar de dor após a queda.

Preposition Usage: Often used with 'para' (to/at) when the horse is communicating with someone. 'O cavalo relinchou para o cavaleiro'.

Não é comum o cavalo relinchar sem um motivo aparente.

While relinchar is the standard term, there are other words you might encounter that describe similar sounds or actions. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to appreciate the richness of the Portuguese language when describing nature.

Rinchar: A direct synonym of 'relinchar', though slightly less common in formal writing. It is more informal and often used in regional dialects.
Bufar: To snort. This is the sound a horse makes through its nose when it is annoyed, tired, or clearing its nostrils. It is a lower, more huffing sound than a neigh.
Zurrar: To bray. Specifically for donkeys and asses. It is a much more discordant and 'hee-haw' sound compared to the horse's neigh.

O cavalo pode relinchar ou apenas bufar se estiver impaciente.

In literary contexts, authors might use 'rechiar' or 'fremir' to describe the vibrating quality of the sound, though these are more poetic and less literal. 'Gargalhar' (to laugh loudly) is the human equivalent when 'relinchar' is used metaphorically. If you want to avoid the animal comparison but still describe a loud laugh, 'gargalhar' is your best bet.

Em vez de relinchar, o burro começou a zurrar bem alto.

When discussing the sound as a noun, 'relincho' is the only common option. Using 'grito' or 'barulho' is too vague. In a technical or veterinary context, you might hear 'vocalização equina', but this is strictly professional and never used in daily conversation.

O relincho do animal ecoou por todo o vale.

Synonym Table: Relinchar: Standard horse sound. / Rinchar: Informal/Regional horse sound. / Nitrir: Rare, very formal/literary synonym.

O cavalo parou de relinchar quando recebeu a cenoura.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word is onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound the horse makes. You can almost hear the 'i-h-h-h' in the 'linch' syllable.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ʁe.lĩ.ˈʃaɾ/

US /re.lĩ.ˈʃaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: relin-CHAR.

Rime avec

cantar falar andar olhar achar ganhar chegar passar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'ch' like 'k' (it should be 'sh').
Ignoring the nasal sound in 'lin'.
Making the 'r' at the beginning too soft (like an English 'r').
Confusing the stress and putting it on the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'e' too openly (like 'é').

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its specific meaning.

Écriture 3/5

Regular conjugation but spelling 'ch' and 'nh' can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 4/5

The initial 'r' and nasal 'in' require practice for non-native speakers.

Écoute 3/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with other animal verbs if heard quickly.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

cavalo som animal falar ouvir

Apprends ensuite

mugir latir miar zurrar cacarejar

Avancé

equitação adestramento garanhão crina casco

Grammaire à connaître

Animal sound verbs are usually intransitive.

O cavalo relincha. (No object needed.)

-ar verbs in the present tense follow the pattern: -o, -as, -a, -amos, -ais, -am.

Eles relincham.

Nasal vowels (in) are formed by the air passing through the nose.

re-LIN-char

The 'ch' digraph in Portuguese always sounds like 'sh'.

relin-CHAR

Personal infinitive can be used after prepositions.

Para os cavalos relincharem, eles precisam de fôlego.

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Exemples par niveau

O cavalo branco gosta de relinchar.

The white horse likes to neigh.

Simple infinitive after the verb 'gostar de'.

O cavalo relincha no campo.

The horse neighs in the field.

Present tense, third person singular.

Eu ouço o cavalo relinchar.

I hear the horse neigh.

Infinitive used after a verb of perception (ouvir).

O pequeno cavalo relincha alto.

The little horse neighs loudly.

Adverb 'alto' modifying the verb.

Cavalos relincham muito.

Horses neigh a lot.

Present tense, third person plural.

Você pode relinchar como um cavalo?

Can you neigh like a horse?

Interrogative sentence with modal verb 'poder'.

O cavalo não quer relinchar hoje.

The horse doesn't want to neigh today.

Negative sentence with 'querer'.

Mãe, o cavalo está a relinchar!

Mom, the horse is neighing!

Present continuous (European Portuguese style).

Ontem, o cavalo relinchou o dia todo.

Yesterday, the horse neighed all day.

Preterite tense indicating a completed action.

Os cavalos relinchavam quando o fazendeiro chegava.

The horses used to neigh when the farmer arrived.

Imperfect tense for habitual past actions.

O cavalo vai relinchar se você chegar perto.

The horse will neigh if you get close.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Nós ouvimos o relincho do cavalo.

We heard the horse's neigh.

Using the noun form 'relincho'.

O cavalo parou de relinchar quando comeu.

The horse stopped neighing when it ate.

Verb 'parar de' followed by infinitive.

Por que o seu cavalo está relinchando tanto?

Why is your horse neighing so much?

Present continuous (Brazilian Portuguese style).

Eu nunca ouvi um cavalo relinchar assim.

I have never heard a horse neigh like that.

Negative adverb 'nunca' with preterite.

O cavalo relinchou para a égua.

The horse neighed at the mare.

Use of preposition 'para' to indicate direction.

O cavalo começou a relinchar assim que a tempestade começou.

The horse began to neigh as soon as the storm started.

Conjunction 'assim que' linking two actions.

Se o cavalo estivesse com fome, ele estaria a relinchar.

If the horse were hungry, it would be neighing.

Conditional sentence with imperfect subjunctive.

É normal um cavalo relinchar quando vê outro animal.

It is normal for a horse to neigh when it sees another animal.

Impersonal expression followed by personal infinitive.

O relinchar do cavalo assustou os pássaros.

The neighing of the horse scared the birds.

The infinitive 'relinchar' used as a verbal noun.

Dizem que o cavalo relincha para avisar sobre o perigo.

They say the horse neighs to warn about danger.

Passive 'dizem que' construction.

O cavalo ferido não conseguia mais relinchar.

The injured horse could no longer neigh.

Negative 'não... mais' with imperfect tense.

Sempre que ele monta, o cavalo relincha de prazer.

Whenever he rides, the horse neighs with pleasure.

Adverbial phrase 'sempre que' for repeated actions.

O som do cavalo a relinchar ecoava pelas montanhas.

The sound of the horse neighing echoed through the mountains.

Participle-like use of 'a' + infinitive.

O garanhão relinchou furiosamente ao ver o intruso no pasto.

The stallion neighed furiously upon seeing the intruder in the pasture.

Adverb 'furiosamente' adding descriptive depth.

Embora o cavalo relinchasse, ninguém vinha ajudá-lo.

Although the horse neighed, no one came to help it.

Concessive clause with 'embora' and subjunctive.

O cavaleiro acalmou o animal, que parou de relinchar imediatamente.

The rider calmed the animal, which stopped neighing immediately.

Relative clause introduced by 'que'.

Não aguentávamos mais o vizinho a relinchar de rir na varanda.

We couldn't stand the neighbor neighing with laughter on the porch anymore.

Metaphorical use of 'relinchar'.

O cavalo relincharia se sentisse o cheiro de fumaça.

The horse would neigh if it smelled smoke.

Second conditional structure.

O treinador observava o modo como o potro tentava relinchar.

The trainer observed the way the foal tried to neigh.

Noun phrase 'o modo como'.

A égua relinchou baixinho para acalmar o seu filhote.

The mare neighed softly to calm her foal.

Diminutive adverb 'baixinho'.

O silêncio era tal que se podia ouvir um cavalo relinchar a quilômetros.

The silence was such that one could hear a horse neigh miles away.

Consecutive clause with 'tal que'.

A literatura regionalista frequentemente descreve o relinchar dos cavalos como um símbolo de liberdade.

Regionalist literature often describes the neighing of horses as a symbol of freedom.

Abstract academic subject and complex predicate.

Ao longe, o relinchar intermitente dos animais denunciava a presença do acampamento.

In the distance, the intermittent neighing of the animals gave away the presence of the camp.

Use of 'denunciar' in a figurative sense.

O autor utiliza o verbo relinchar para enfatizar a natureza selvagem da personagem.

The author uses the verb 'relinchar' to emphasize the character's wild nature.

Metalinguistic usage of the verb.

Caso o animal volte a relinchar dessa forma, chame o veterinário imediatamente.

Should the animal neigh that way again, call the vet immediately.

Conditional clause with 'caso' and subjunctive.

O relinchar estridente quebrou a monotonia da tarde quente no sertão.

The shrill neighing broke the monotony of the hot afternoon in the backlands.

Rich descriptive adjectives and specific regional setting.

Não convém que o orador comece a relinchar durante o discurso solene.

It is not fitting for the speaker to start neighing (laughing loudly) during the solemn speech.

Formal 'não convém que' with subjunctive.

A onomatopeia do relinchar varia ligeiramente entre as diferentes culturas lusófonas.

The onomatopoeia of neighing varies slightly among different Lusophone cultures.

Linguistic observation.

O cavalo parecia relinchar uma canção de despedida ao seu antigo dono.

The horse seemed to neigh a song of farewell to its former owner.

Poetic personification.

A polifonia do campo era composta pelo mugir das vacas e o constante relinchar dos equinos.

The polyphony of the countryside was composed of the lowing of cows and the constant neighing of the equines.

High-level vocabulary like 'polifonia' and 'equinos'.

Subjaz ao ato de relinchar uma complexa rede de comunicações intraespecíficas.

Underlying the act of neighing is a complex network of intraspecific communications.

Scientific/Academic register with 'subjaz'.

O cavalo, num ímpeto de brio, relinchou desafiadoramente perante a tempestade que se avizinhava.

The horse, in an impulse of pride, neighed defiantly before the approaching storm.

Sophisticated literary phrasing ('ímpeto de brio').

É imperativo distinguir o relinchar de alarme daquele que meramente expressa contentamento.

It is imperative to distinguish the neigh of alarm from that which merely expresses contentment.

Formal directive using 'é imperativo'.

A crueza do som, aquele relinchar quase humano, gelou o sangue dos que o ouviram.

The rawness of the sound, that almost human neigh, chilled the blood of those who heard it.

Gothic literary style and metaphorical impact.

A despeito de sua domesticação, o cavalo mantém o instinto de relinchar para marcar território.

Despite its domestication, the horse maintains the instinct to neigh to mark territory.

Complex prepositional phrase 'A despeito de'.

O tropel dos cascos era acompanhado pelo relinchar sinfônico de centenas de animais em debandada.

The thundering of hooves was accompanied by the symphonic neighing of hundreds of stampeding animals.

Highly descriptive and metaphorical ('relinchar sinfônico').

Não houve quem não se sobressaltasse quando o garanhão decidiu relinchar no meio do funeral.

There was no one who didn't startle when the stallion decided to neigh in the middle of the funeral.

Double negative construction for emphasis.

Collocations courantes

relinchar alto

relinchar de alegria

relinchar de medo

ouvir o cavalo relinchar

começar a relinchar

parar de relinchar

relinchar suavemente

relinchar estridentemente

relinchar para o dono

fazer relinchar

Phrases Courantes

Relinchar de rir

— To laugh very loudly and uncontrollably, like a horse.

Eles começaram a relinchar de rir da piada.

O cavalo relincha, o burro zurra

— A common saying to distinguish between the two animals.

Lembre-se: o cavalo relincha, o burro zurra.

Relinchar ao vento

— To neigh freely or without a specific target, often poetic.

O garanhão selvagem relinchava ao vento.

Um relincho na noite

— A common trope in stories to indicate a sudden sound.

Um relincho na noite quebrou o silêncio.

Relinchar de dor

— To make a sound out of physical suffering.

O animal ferido relinchava de dor.

Relinchar de fome

— To vocalize because of the need for food.

Os cavalos já estão a relinchar de fome.

Relinchar por socorro

— To neigh as if asking for help.

O cavalo preso relinchava por socorro.

Relinchar de excitação

— Vocalizing due to high energy or anticipation.

O cavalo de corrida relinchava de excitação.

Relinchar em resposta

— To neigh back to another horse.

O outro cavalo relinchou em resposta.

Ouvir um relinchar

— To perceive the sound of a neigh.

Ouvi um relinchar vindo do estábulo.

Souvent confondu avec

relinchar vs linchar

Means to lynch. Missing the 're-' prefix entirely changes the meaning to something violent.

relinchar vs relicário

A reliquary. Similar start but completely different meaning and category.

relinchar vs rinchar

A synonym, but 'relinchar' is more standard. Some might think 'rinchar' is a mistake, but it's a valid regionalism.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Rir até relinchar"

— To laugh so hard that you sound like a horse.

A comédia foi tão boa que rimos até relinchar.

informal

"Mais vale um relincho do que um silêncio"

— A made-up or rare rural idiom suggesting communication is better than nothing.

Na fazenda, mais vale um relincho do que um silêncio total.

regional

"Relinchar como um potro"

— To be young, energetic, and noisy.

Ele é jovem e vive a relinchar como um potro.

informal

"Dar um relincho"

— To make a quick, sharp neigh; sometimes used for a sudden shout.

O menino deu um relincho de susto.

informal

"Relinchar para a lua"

— To do something useless or to complain to no one.

Não adianta relinchar para a lua, ninguém vai ajudar.

poetic/informal

"Boca de relincho"

— Someone who has a very wide mouth when laughing.

Lá vem o boca de relincho com suas piadas.

slang

"Relinchar de barriga cheia"

— To complain despite having everything you need.

Você está a relinchar de barriga cheia, tem uma vida ótima.

informal

"Segurar o relincho"

— To try to suppress a loud laugh.

Foi difícil segurar o relincho durante a reunião.

informal

"Relincho de ouro"

— A very valuable horse, known for its spirit.

Aquele cavalo é um relincho de ouro para o haras.

rural

"Trocar um relincho"

— To have a brief interaction or greeting (between horses).

Os dois animais trocaram um relincho amigável.

neutral

Facile à confondre

relinchar vs zurrar

Both are animal sounds for equines.

Relinchar is for horses; zurrar is for donkeys. They sound very different in reality.

O cavalo relincha, mas o burro zurra.

relinchar vs mugir

General animal sound confusion.

Mugir is for cows (to moo). Relinchar is much higher in pitch.

A vaca muge no pasto, o cavalo relincha no estábulo.

relinchar vs bufar

Both involve horse noises.

Bufar is snorting through the nose; relinchar is vocalizing through the throat.

O cavalo bufou de cansaço antes de relinchar para o outro.

relinchar vs balir

Animal sound vocabulary.

Balir is for sheep or goats (to bleat).

A ovelha baliu, o cavalo relinchou.

relinchar vs ganir

Animal sound vocabulary.

Ganir is for dogs yelping or howling in pain.

O cão ganiu de dor, o cavalo relinchou de susto.

Structures de phrases

O [animal] relincha.

O cavalo relincha.

O cavalo está a [verbo].

O cavalo está a relinchar.

Eu ouvi o cavalo [verbo].

Eu ouvi o cavalo relinchar.

Se o cavalo visse o dono, ele [verbo-condicional].

Se o cavalo visse o dono, ele relincharia.

O [substantivo] do cavalo era [adjetivo].

O relinchar do cavalo era ensurdecedor.

A despeito do [substantivo], o animal [verbo-passado].

A despeito do frio, o animal relinchou.

O cavalo começou a [verbo] de [emoção].

O cavalo começou a relinchar de medo.

O cavalo [verbo-passado] ontem.

O cavalo relinchou ontem.

Famille de mots

Noms

relincho (the neigh)

relinchada (a long or loud neigh)

Verbes

relinchar (to neigh)

rinchar (synonym)

Adjectifs

relinchante (neighing/vibrant)

Apparenté

cavalo

égua

potro

estábulo

hípica

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in rural/nature contexts; rare in urban/business contexts.

Erreurs courantes

O cavalo está a zurrar. → O cavalo está a relinchar.
Zurrar is for donkeys, not horses.
Eu gosto de ouvir o relincho de o cão. → Eu gosto de ouvir o latido do cão.
Relincho is only for horses; dogs bark (latir/latido).
O cavalo relinchou uma música. → O cavalo relinchou.
Relinchar is intransitive; it doesn't take a direct object like 'música'.
Pare de linchar! → Pare de relinchar!
Linchar means to lynch. Relinchar means to neigh. The 're-' is vital.
O cavalo relinchou alto. → O cavalo relinchou alto.
Wait, this is correct! A common mistake is using 'alto' as an adjective when it should be an adverb, but in Portuguese 'alto' works for both.

Astuces

Learn Related Animals

When you learn 'relinchar', also learn 'égua' (mare) and 'potro' (foal) to complete your stable of words.

Regular Conjugation

Don't stress about irregular forms; 'relinchar' follows the standard -ar pattern perfectly. Just learn the stem 'relinch-'.

Rural Context

This word is your best friend if you're visiting a 'fazenda' in Brazil or a 'quinta' in Portugal. It shows you know your animals!

Nasal 'IN'

The 'in' in 'relinchar' is nasal. Practice by saying 'in' while lightly pinching your nose; the sound should vibrate there.

Be Careful with Metaphors

Calling someone's laugh a 'relincho' is a quick way to be rude. Only use it with very close friends who have a good sense of humor.

Listen to Westerns

Watch a Western movie dubbed in Portuguese; you'll hear the word 'relinchar' every time a horse appears on screen.

Sensory Details

In your writing, combine 'relinchar' with adverbs like 'estridentemente' or 'suavemente' to create better imagery.

The 'Linch' Pin

Imagine a horse's neigh is the 'linchpin' of all farm sounds to remember 're-linch-ar'.

Horse vs Donkey

Always remember: Horses 'relincham', Donkeys 'zurram'. Mixing them up is a common beginner mistake.

Onomatopoeia

Try making the sound 'I-h-h-h' while saying 'relinchar' to help the word stick in your memory.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a horse named 'Linch' who loves to 'RE-Linch' (neigh) all day long.

Association visuelle

Imagine a horse standing on its hind legs, mouth open, with the word 'RELINCHAR' coming out in a speech bubble.

Word Web

cavalo animal som fazenda natureza voz égua campo

Défi

Try to say 'O cavalo relincha no rancho' five times fast without messing up the 'r' and 'ch' sounds.

Origine du mot

From the Vulgar Latin *relinnitiare, which is a frequentative form of 'relinnire', which in turn comes from 'hinnire' (to neigh).

Sens originel : To neigh repeatedly or intensely.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful using 'relinchar' for people; it is almost always an insult regarding their lack of manners or loud volume.

English speakers might find it interesting that Portuguese has a single common word for both 'neigh' and 'whinny', whereas English often distinguishes between the two based on intensity.

The sound effects in Brazilian 'Western' films (Cangaço movies). Descriptions in the works of Guimarães Rosa, a famous Brazilian author. Traditional 'Fado' songs that occasionally mention horses in rural settings.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

On a farm

O cavalo está a relinchar.
Ouça o relincho.
Ele relincha de fome.
Cavalos relincham alto.

In a story

O relinchar quebrou o silêncio.
Um cavalo relinchou ao longe.
O som do relinchar.
O animal relinchava de medo.

At a horse race

Os cavalos relincham na largada.
Relinchos de excitação.
O campeão relinchou.
Muitos animais a relinchar.

Socially (metaphorical)

Pare de relinchar!
Ela relincha de rir.
Que relincho é esse?
Rindo feito um cavalo a relinchar.

Veterinary visit

O cavalo relincha ao toque?
Relinchar constante.
Parou de relinchar?
Vocalização excessiva.

Amorces de conversation

"Você já ouviu um cavalo relinchar de perto? É muito alto!"

"No seu país, como vocês escrevem o som do cavalo a relinchar?"

"Você acha que os cavalos relincham quando estão felizes ou tristes?"

"Qual animal você acha que tem o som mais bonito: o cavalo a relinchar ou o pássaro a cantar?"

"Você sabia que em português 'relinchar' também pode ser usado para uma risada alta?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva uma cena em uma fazenda onde o som de um cavalo a relinchar é o elemento principal.

Escreva sobre uma vez que você riu tanto que parecia estar a relinchar.

Imagine o que um cavalo está tentando dizer quando começa a relinchar para o seu dono.

Compare o som de relinchar com o som de zurrar. Qual você prefere e por quê?

Crie uma pequena fábula sobre um cavalo que perdeu a capacidade de relinchar.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, since zebras are part of the equine family, 'relinchar' is the most appropriate Portuguese verb for their sound, although their sound is a mix of a bark and a neigh.

Yes, especially in rural areas and in states with a strong horse culture like Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais.

'Relinchar' is the standard, more formal form. 'Rinchar' is a common variation used in informal speech and certain regional dialects, but both are understood.

The noun form is 'relincho'. For example: 'O relincho foi alto.'

Yes, but it is metaphorical and usually derogatory. It implies the person is laughing in a loud, unrefined, or 'animalistic' way.

Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb. It follows the conjugation of 'falar' or 'cantar'.

Technically no. The specific verb for a donkey's sound is 'zurrar'. Using 'relinchar' for a donkey would be considered incorrect by native speakers.

It is often written as 'I-h-h-h-h!' or 'I-h-i-h-i-h!'. Each culture transcribes it slightly differently.

No, its primary and almost only meaning relates to the horse's sound, with the exception of the metaphorical use for laughter.

Yes, particularly in 'regionalismo' (regionalist literature) which focuses on life in the countryside.

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