At the A1 level, you should learn 'ventoinha' as a basic household object. It is a 'fan'. You use it when it is 'calor' (hot). You should know how to say 'A ventoinha' (the fan) and 'uma ventoinha' (a fan). Focus on simple sentences like 'Eu tenho uma ventoinha' (I have a fan). It is an important word for surviving your first summer in a Portuguese-speaking country. You will see this word in supermarkets on price tags during the summer. Just remember it is a feminine word, so use 'a' and 'ela'.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'ventoinha' with common verbs like 'ligar' (to turn on) and 'desligar' (to turn off). You can describe where the fan is: 'a ventoinha está na mesa' (the fan is on the table). You also learn the difference between types of fans, like 'ventoinha de teto' (ceiling fan) or 'ventoinha de pé' (standing fan). You should be able to ask someone to turn the fan on because you are hot. This level focuses on daily communication and basic needs, and a fan is a primary need in many Lusophone climates.
At the B1 level, you can handle more complex situations involving a 'ventoinha'. You might need to explain that one is broken ('está avariada' or 'está quebrada') and ask for a repair. You can discuss the features of a fan, such as its speed ('velocidade') or if it makes too much noise ('faz muito barulho'). You also start to encounter the word in technical contexts, like your computer's cooling system. You can compare a fan to air conditioning, discussing the pros and cons of each in terms of price and comfort.
At the B2 level, you use 'ventoinha' in technical or specific discussions. For instance, you might talk about the 'ventoinha do radiador' when discussing car maintenance or the 'fluxo de ar' (air flow) in a room. You understand the regional differences between Portugal and Brazil perfectly. You can use the word in more abstract ways or in detailed descriptions of a setting. You might read about 'ventoinhas' in a news article about energy consumption or heatwaves. Your vocabulary expands to include related technical parts like the 'motor' and 'rolamentos' (bearings).
At the C1 level, you understand the nuances of the word in professional environments. An architect might discuss the placement of 'ventoinhas de extração' (extractor fans) in a building's ventilation plan. You can follow complex technical instructions for assembling or fixing high-end cooling systems. You notice the word in literature where it might be used to set a mood—the rhythmic clicking of a fan in a quiet room. You are comfortable using the word in any register, from slang to technical jargon, without hesitation.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'ventoinha'. You can discuss the physics of blade design or the historical evolution of mechanical cooling in Portuguese. You understand subtle metaphors that might involve spinning or air movement. You can switch between 'ventoinha' and 'ventilador' based on the specific dialect of your interlocutor without even thinking about it. You might even know obscure regionalisms or archaic terms for air circulation. The word is just one small part of your vast, flexible vocabulary.

ventoinha en 30 secondes

  • Ventoinha means 'fan'. It is a feminine noun in Portuguese.
  • In Portugal, it refers to household fans. In Brazil, it's mostly technical (car/PC).
  • It comes from 'vento' (wind) and is essential for cooling.
  • Commonly used with verbs like 'ligar' (on) and 'desligar' (off).

The Portuguese word ventoinha is a noun that primarily refers to a mechanical device used to circulate air—what English speakers call a fan. While the word 'ventilador' also exists in Portuguese, ventoinha is exceptionally common in European Portuguese (Portugal) to describe the standard electric fans used in homes during the summer. In Brazilian Portuguese, however, ventoinha is more frequently reserved for smaller, technical fans, such as those found inside a computer (cooling fans) or the radiator fan of a car engine. Understanding this geographic nuance is key for any learner. In Portugal, if you are sweating in a bedroom, you ask for a ventoinha. In Brazil, you would likely ask for a ventilador, but if your laptop is overheating, you'd talk about the ventoinha.

Category
Household Appliances / Electronics
Gender
Feminine (a ventoinha)

The term is derived from vento (wind), combined with the suffix -oinha. This suffix often implies something smaller or more specific than the root word. When you think of a ventoinha, imagine the spinning blades (pás) creating a localized breeze. It is the quintessential object of the Mediterranean summer, often found oscillating in the corner of a room or sitting on a desk. Beyond the home, the word is indispensable in the world of technology. Every modern PC has multiple ventoinhas to dissipate heat from the CPU and GPU. If these fail, the system crashes, making the word vital for IT professionals and gamers alike.

Comprei uma ventoinha nova porque o meu quarto está muito quente.

Translation: I bought a new fan because my room is very hot.

In a car, the ventoinha do radiador is a critical component. If you hear a loud whirring sound after parking on a hot day, that is the ventoinha continuing to work to cool the engine coolant. This technical application is universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries. The word evokes a sense of relief from heat, but also the mechanical sound of spinning plastic or metal blades. It is a functional, everyday object that lacks the luxury of air conditioning (ar condicionado) but provides a practical and energy-efficient alternative.

A ventoinha do computador está cheia de pó.

Translation: The computer fan is full of dust.

Using ventoinha correctly involves understanding its role as a feminine noun and its common associations with verbs of action like 'ligar' (to turn on), 'desligar' (to turn off), and 'limpar' (to clean). Because it is a physical object, it often takes definite articles (a ventoinha) or indefinite articles (uma ventoinha). In a domestic setting, you will frequently hear it used with adjectives describing its state or speed.

Common Verbs
Ligar (turn on), Desligar (turn off), Funcionar (to work/function), Arrefecer (to cool down).

When discussing speed, Portuguese speakers use 'velocidade'. For example, 'Põe a ventoinha na velocidade máxima' (Put the fan on maximum speed). If the fan is making too much noise, you might say it is 'barulhenta'. Conversely, a high-quality fan might be 'silenciosa'. In technical contexts, the ventoinha is often the subject of sentences regarding maintenance. 'A ventoinha parou de girar' (The fan stopped spinning) is a common complaint when a component fails. Note that the blades of the fan are called 'pás', and you might need to 'limpar as pás da ventoinha' to ensure it moves air efficiently.

Podes ligar a ventoinha? Está um calor insuportável aqui dentro.

Translation: Can you turn on the fan? It is unbearably hot in here.

In a more formal or technical setting, such as a garage or a server room, the word is used with precision. A mechanic might tell you: 'A ventoinha do radiador não está a disparar' (The radiator fan isn't kicking in). This usage highlights the automatic nature of technical fans compared to the manual operation of household ones. Furthermore, in the plural form, ventoinhas, it describes systems with multiple units, like a high-end gaming PC or an industrial cooling rack.

Esta ventoinha de teto é muito mais silenciosa do que a de pé.

Translation: This ceiling fan is much quieter than the floor one.

The word ventoinha resonates differently depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on. In Portugal, you will hear it everywhere during the summer months (June to September). In local shops known as 'lojas de eletrodomésticos', signs will advertise 'ventoinhas em promoção'. You'll hear neighbors complaining about the heat and mentioning they had to leave the ventoinha on all night to sleep. It is a word associated with domestic comfort and the struggle against the Iberian heatwaves.

Portugal Context
Standard term for any household cooling fan (desk, floor, or ceiling).
Brazil Context
Technical term for internal cooling units in cars, computers, or machinery.

In Brazil, the auditory landscape of the word changes. You are less likely to hear it in a living room and more likely to hear it at a 'mecânico' (mechanic) or a 'técnico de informática' (IT technician). If your car is overheating on a busy street in São Paulo, the mechanic will check the ventoinha. If your PlayStation is making a loud noise, the technician will say the ventoinha needs cleaning. This distinction is one of the classic 'shibboleths' that distinguish European Portuguese from Brazilian Portuguese speakers. However, both will understand you regardless of which word you use, as the roots are shared.

O mecânico disse que a ventoinha do motor está avariada.

Translation: The mechanic said the engine fan is broken.

You might also encounter this word in weather reports or discussions about renewable energy, though 'aerogerador' or 'turbina eólica' are more common for wind turbines. Occasionally, people might colloquially refer to the small propellers on drones as ventoinhas, although 'hélices' is the technically correct term. Hearing the word often implies a context of air movement, cooling, or mechanical rotation. It is a functional word, devoid of poetic pretension, focusing instead on the practical necessity of moving air to prevent overheating—whether of a human or a machine.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using ventoinha is confusing it with its larger cousin, the ventilador, or with the root word vento (wind). While a ventoinha creates wind, you cannot use the words interchangeably. You can say 'Está muito vento' (It is very windy), but you cannot say 'Está muita ventoinha' to describe the weather. Ventoinha is always the machine, never the natural phenomenon.

Mistake #1
Using 'ventoinha' to mean 'wind' (natural air movement).
Mistake #2
Confusing 'ventoinha' with 'ventilador' in Brazil (where 'ventilador' is preferred for room fans).

Another common error is gender agreement. Since ventoinha ends in '-a', many learners correctly identify it as feminine, but they sometimes forget to apply this to the adjectives. You must say 'a ventoinha ligada' (the fan turned on) and not 'o ventoinha ligado'. Additionally, learners often confuse the 'nh' sound with a simple 'n'. The 'nh' in Portuguese is similar to the 'ny' in 'canyon' or the 'ñ' in Spanish. Pronouncing it as 'vent-o-ina' instead of 'vent-o-ee-nya' can make it difficult for locals to understand you.

Errado: O ventoinha está quebrado. (Incorrect gender and Brazilian preference).

Correct: A ventoinha está avariada (PT-PT) or O ventilador está quebrado (PT-BR).

Finally, be careful with technical terms. While ventoinha is used for cooling fans in electronics, it is not used for large industrial blowers or the turbines of a jet engine (those are 'turbinas'). Using ventoinha for a massive industrial exhaust system might sound a bit childish or imprecise, as the diminutive suffix '-oinha' suggests a smaller scale. Stick to using it for household items and internal mechanical parts to stay within the natural bounds of the language.

While ventoinha is the go-to word for fans in many contexts, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more nuance depending on the size, purpose, and location of the air-moving device. Understanding these alternatives will make your Portuguese sound more sophisticated and natural.

Ventilador
The most direct synonym. In Brazil, it's the standard for house fans. In Portugal, it often refers to larger or medical ventilation devices.
Hélice
Refers specifically to the propeller or the set of blades. A 'ventoinha' has an 'hélice' inside it.
Abano / Leque
A hand-held fan. 'Leque' is the folding decorative kind, while 'abano' is any object used to swat air toward oneself.

If you are looking for something more powerful than a ventoinha, you might mention ar condicionado (air conditioning). In technical drawing or engineering, you might encounter extrator (extractor fan), which is a ventoinha designed to pull air out of a room, like in a kitchen or bathroom. Another related term is soprador (blower), used for devices that push a concentrated stream of air, like a leaf blower or a hair dryer (though a hair dryer is specifically 'secador de cabelo').

A ventoinha apenas move o ar, mas o ar condicionado baixa a temperatura.

Translation: The fan only moves the air, but the air conditioning lowers the temperature.

In summary, choose ventoinha for small-to-medium mechanical fans. Use ventilador if you are in Brazil or talking about medical/industrial equipment. Use hélice when focusing on the spinning blades themselves, and leque if you are manually waving a piece of paper or fabric to cool down. This precision helps you navigate both technical manuals and casual summer conversations with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The suffix '-oinha' is a variation of the diminutive '-inha', but in this case, it evolved into a standard name for the machine rather than just meaning 'little wind'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /vẽ.tu.ˈi.ɲɐ/
US /vẽ.tu.ˈi.ɲə/
The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'i' (vẽ-tu-I-nha).
Rime avec
cozinha (kitchen) galinha (chicken) rainha (queen) sozinha (alone) andorinha (swallow) farinha (flour) vizinha (neighbor) linha (line)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'nh' as a plain 'n' (it should be nasal/palatal).
  • Missing the nasalization on the first 'e' (it's not 'ven' like English, but 'vẽ').
  • Stressing the 'tu' instead of the 'i'.
  • Pronouncing the 'oi' as a single diphthong (it is usually broken up: tu-i).
  • Treating it as a masculine noun.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'vento'.

Écriture 4/5

The 'nh' and 'oi' combination can be tricky for spelling.

Expression orale 5/5

Requires good control of nasal sounds and the 'nh' palatal.

Écoute 3/5

Distinctive sound, but can be confused with 'ventania' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

vento calor máquina casa ligar

Apprends ensuite

ar condicionado temperatura eletrodoméstico radiador processador

Avancé

convecção aerodinâmica hélice rolamento termostato

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine Noun Endings

A ventoinha (ends in -a).

Diminutive-like Suffixes

Vento -> Ventoinha.

Verbs of Electronics

Ligar/Desligar a ventoinha.

Adjective Agreement

A ventoinha está limpa.

Prepositional Phrases

Ventoinha de teto.

Exemples par niveau

1

A ventoinha é pequena.

The fan is small.

Subject + Verb + Adjective (feminine).

2

Eu tenho uma ventoinha.

I have a fan.

Indefinite article 'uma' matches feminine 'ventoinha'.

3

A ventoinha está aqui.

The fan is here.

Using 'estar' for location.

4

Onde está a ventoinha?

Where is the fan?

Question word 'Onde'.

5

A ventoinha é branca.

The fan is white.

Adjective 'branca' is feminine.

6

Está calor, usa a ventoinha.

It's hot, use the fan.

Imperative 'usa'.

7

Uma ventoinha nova.

A new fan.

Adjective following the noun.

8

A ventoinha não funciona.

The fan does not work.

Negation with 'não'.

1

Podes ligar a ventoinha?

Can you turn on the fan?

Modal verb 'podes' + infinitive 'ligar'.

2

A ventoinha faz muito barulho.

The fan makes a lot of noise.

Verb 'fazer' + noun 'barulho'.

3

Prefiro a ventoinha de teto.

I prefer the ceiling fan.

Compound noun with 'de'.

4

Desliga a ventoinha antes de sair.

Turn off the fan before leaving.

Preposition 'antes de' + infinitive.

5

A ventoinha de pé é azul.

The standing fan is blue.

'De pé' describes the type of fan.

6

Comprei esta ventoinha ontem.

I bought this fan yesterday.

Preterite tense 'comprei'.

7

A ventoinha ajuda a dormir.

The fan helps with sleeping.

Verb 'ajudar a' + infinitive.

8

Limpa o pó da ventoinha.

Clean the dust off the fan.

Imperative 'limpa'.

1

A ventoinha do meu computador avariou.

My computer fan broke down.

Specific use for electronics.

2

Se estiver calor, a ventoinha liga-se sozinha.

If it's hot, the fan turns on by itself.

Conditional 'se' + future subjunctive.

3

A ventoinha não é tão fria como o ar condicionado.

The fan is not as cold as the air conditioning.

Comparison 'tão... como'.

4

Precisamos de uma ventoinha mais potente.

We need a more powerful fan.

Comparative 'mais potente'.

5

A ventoinha está a gastar muita eletricidade?

Is the fan using a lot of electricity?

Present continuous 'está a gastar'.

6

Esqueci-me da ventoinha ligada o dia todo.

I forgot the fan on all day.

Reflexive 'esqueci-me'.

7

Onde posso consertar esta ventoinha?

Where can I fix this fan?

Infinitive 'consertar'.

8

A ventoinha oscila de um lado para o outro.

The fan oscillates from one side to the other.

Verb 'oscilar'.

1

A ventoinha do radiador disparou assim que estacionei.

The radiator fan kicked in as soon as I parked.

Technical automotive context.

2

A substituição da ventoinha exige ferramentas específicas.

Replacing the fan requires specific tools.

Abstract noun 'substituição'.

3

O ruído da ventoinha incomoda-me durante o trabalho.

The noise of the fan bothers me during work.

Direct object pronoun '-me'.

4

Verifica se as pás da ventoinha estão limpas.

Check if the fan blades are clean.

Noun 'pás' (blades).

5

A ventoinha auxilia na circulação do ar quente.

The fan helps in the circulation of hot air.

Formal verb 'auxiliar'.

6

O sistema de arrefecimento depende desta ventoinha.

The cooling system depends on this fan.

Verb 'depender de'.

7

A ventoinha parou devido a um curto-circuito.

The fan stopped due to a short circuit.

Causal 'devido a'.

8

Existem ventoinhas sem pás, que são muito seguras.

There are bladeless fans, which are very safe.

Relative clause 'que são'.

1

A eficácia da ventoinha é comprometida pelo excesso de pó.

The fan's effectiveness is compromised by excess dust.

Passive voice 'é comprometida'.

2

O técnico sugeriu a instalação de uma ventoinha suplementar.

The technician suggested installing a supplementary fan.

Complex noun phrase.

3

A ventoinha gira a uma velocidade angular constante.

The fan rotates at a constant angular velocity.

Scientific terminology.

4

O zumbido da ventoinha era o único som na sala vazia.

The hum of the fan was the only sound in the empty room.

Literary description.

5

A ventoinha de exaustão remove os odores da cozinha.

The exhaust fan removes smells from the kitchen.

Specific type 'de exaustão'.

6

É imperativo que a ventoinha esteja operacional.

It is imperative that the fan be operational.

Subjunctive mood 'esteja'.

7

A ventoinha dissipa o calor gerado pelo processador.

The fan dissipates the heat generated by the processor.

Technical verb 'dissipar'.

8

Apesar da ventoinha, a temperatura continuou a subir.

Despite the fan, the temperature continued to rise.

Concessive 'Apesar de'.

1

A obsolescência programada manifestou-se na falha da ventoinha.

Planned obsolescence manifested in the fan's failure.

High-level sociological concept.

2

O design aerodinâmico das pás da ventoinha reduz a turbulência.

The aerodynamic design of the fan blades reduces turbulence.

Specialized engineering vocabulary.

3

A ventoinha, outrora silenciosa, agora range com o esforço.

The fan, once silent, now creaks with the effort.

Archaic/Literary 'outrora'.

4

A regulação da ventoinha é feita por um sensor de temperatura.

The fan's regulation is performed by a temperature sensor.

Complex passive structure.

5

A ventoinha serve como metáfora para a estagnação do ar.

The fan serves as a metaphor for the stagnation of air.

Metaphorical usage.

6

O fluxo laminar produzido pela ventoinha é quase impercetível.

The laminar flow produced by the fan is almost imperceptible.

Fluid dynamics terminology.

7

Substituímos a ventoinha por um sistema de arrefecimento líquido.

We replaced the fan with a liquid cooling system.

Substitution 'por'.

8

A ventoinha girava freneticamente, tentando em vão arrefecer o ambiente.

The fan spun frantically, trying in vain to cool the environment.

Adverb 'freneticamente' and idiom 'em vão'.

Collocations courantes

ventoinha de teto
ventoinha de pé
ventoinha de mesa
ventoinha do radiador
ventoinha do processador
limpar a ventoinha
ligar a ventoinha
ventoinha barulhenta
ventoinha silenciosa
velocidade da ventoinha

Phrases Courantes

Está a dar a ventoinha

— The fan is running or blowing air. Common in Portugal.

A ventoinha está a dar no máximo.

A ventoinha não dispara

— The (car) fan isn't turning on automatically. Technical.

O carro aqueceu porque a ventoinha não disparou.

Vento de ventoinha

— Artificial wind from a fan (sometimes seen as less healthy than natural wind).

Não gosto de dormir com vento de ventoinha na cara.

Pôr a ventoinha a oscilar

— To set the fan to turn side to side.

Põe a ventoinha a oscilar para refrescar toda a gente.

Ventoinha de exaustão

— An exhaust fan used to remove air.

A ventoinha de exaustão da casa de banho está ligada.

Fazer de ventoinha

— To act like a fan (e.g., waving arms frantically).

Ele estava a fazer de ventoinha com as mãos.

Barulho de ventoinha

— The specific white noise a fan makes.

Gosto do barulho de ventoinha para adormecer.

Ventoinha auxiliar

— An extra fan for additional cooling.

O computador precisa de uma ventoinha auxiliar.

Grade da ventoinha

— The protective mesh/grill around the blades.

O bebé não pode tocar na grade da ventoinha.

Pás da ventoinha

— The individual blades of the fan.

As pás da ventoinha são de plástico.

Souvent confondu avec

ventoinha vs Ventilador

In Brazil, this is the main word for room fans. In Portugal, it's more industrial/medical.

ventoinha vs Vento

Vento is the natural wind; ventoinha is the machine.

ventoinha vs Ventania

This means a strong wind or gale, not a fan.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Girar como uma ventoinha"

— To turn very fast or to be very busy/active. Used figuratively.

Ele anda a girar como uma ventoinha com tanto trabalho.

Informal
"Ter uma ventoinha na cabeça"

— To be flighty, changeable, or 'air-headed' (less common, regional).

Ela não se decide, parece que tem uma ventoinha na cabeça.

Informal
"Ir à ventoinha"

— To go very fast (slang/regional in some parts of Portugal).

Aquele carro ia à ventoinha!

Slang
"Estar na ventoinha"

— To be in the direct path of the fan's air.

Sai da frente, eu quero estar na ventoinha.

Casual
"Falar para a ventoinha"

— To talk to someone who isn't listening (like talking into a fan).

Estou a falar para a ventoinha? Presta atenção!

Informal
"Cabeça de ventoinha"

— Someone who changes their mind constantly.

Não contes com ele, é um cabeça de ventoinha.

Informal
"Ventoinha de navio"

— Large propeller (technical but sometimes used jokingly for big fans).

Esta ventoinha de teto parece uma ventoinha de navio!

Humorous
"Mudar como a ventoinha"

— To change direction or opinion as easily as a fan turns.

A opinião dele muda como a ventoinha.

Colloquial
"Dar à ventoinha"

— To start the fan or start moving air.

Dá lá à ventoinha que está calor.

Casual
"Fazer vento com a ventoinha"

— To create a breeze using the device.

A ventoinha faz um vento ótimo.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

ventoinha vs Ventilador

Both mean fan.

Regional preference (BR vs PT) and scale (Domestic vs Industrial).

No Brasil, ligo o ventilador. Em Portugal, ligo a ventoinha.

ventoinha vs Hélice

Both refer to spinning parts.

Hélice is just the blade; ventoinha is the whole machine.

A ventoinha tem três hélices (pás).

ventoinha vs Aerogerador

Both involve wind and spinning.

Aerogerador produces energy from wind; ventoinha uses energy to make air move.

Aquele aerogerador é gigante.

ventoinha vs Ar condicionado

Both cool rooms.

AC changes temperature; ventoinha just moves air.

A ventoinha é mais barata que o ar condicionado.

ventoinha vs Turbina

Both are rotating machines.

Turbina is high-power/industrial; ventoinha is low-power/domestic.

O avião tem turbinas, o PC tem ventoinhas.

Structures de phrases

A1

A ventoinha é [adjective].

A ventoinha é branca.

A2

Podes [verb] a ventoinha?

Podes ligar a ventoinha?

B1

A ventoinha do [object] está [state].

A ventoinha do PC está suja.

B2

Se [condition], a ventoinha [result].

Se o motor aquecer, a ventoinha dispara.

C1

O ruído da ventoinha [verb] [complement].

O ruído da ventoinha impede a concentração.

C2

Apesar de [condition], a ventoinha [action].

Apesar de velha, a ventoinha ainda funciona.

B1

É necessário [verb] a ventoinha.

É necessário limpar a ventoinha.

A2

Prefiro [noun] a [noun].

Prefiro ventoinha a ar condicionado.

Famille de mots

Noms

ventilador
ventilação
vento
ventania
ventoinha

Verbes

ventilar
ventar

Adjectifs

ventilado
ventoso

Apparenté

arrefecimento
refrigeração
climatização
hélice
pás

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High (especially in summer or technical contexts).

Erreurs courantes
  • O ventoinha A ventoinha

    The word is feminine.

  • Ventilador (in Portugal home) Ventoinha

    In Portugal, 'ventilador' sounds more like a medical device.

  • Ventoinha (natural wind) Vento

    Don't use the machine name for the natural weather.

  • Ventina Ventoinha

    Make sure to include the 'o' and the 'h'.

  • Ligar o vento Ligar a ventoinha

    You turn on the machine, not the wind itself.

Astuces

Regional Choice

In Portugal, say 'ventoinha'. In Brazil, say 'ventilador'. You will sound like a native if you follow this rule.

PC Cooling

If you are talking about computers, 'ventoinha' is the correct term in both countries.

Gender Agreement

Always pair it with feminine adjectives: 'ventoinha ligada', 'ventoinha suja'.

Cleaning

Use the verb 'limpar' (to clean) because 'ventoinhas' collect a lot of 'pó' (dust).

Blades

Be careful with the 'pás' (blades). Use the word 'grade' for the protective cage.

Buying

Look for 'silenciosa' (quiet) if you want to sleep with it on.

Heatwaves

During a 'onda de calor', the 'ventoinha' is essential.

Consumption

A 'ventoinha' consumes much less energy than 'ar condicionado'.

The NH Sound

The 'nh' is like the 'ny' in onion. Don't skip it!

Related Words

Learn 'oscilar' (to oscillate) to describe how the fan moves.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'VENT' that is 'TOO' (tu) 'IN' (i) a 'NYA' (nha) - A vent that is too in a nya! Ventoinha.

Association visuelle

Imagine a tiny wind (vento) trapped in a small machine (oinha) that spins to get out.

Word Web

vento calor pás eletricidade motor frio girar verão

Défi

Try to use 'ventoinha' three times today: once when you feel hot, once when you see a computer, and once when you see a car.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'ventus' meaning 'wind', with the Portuguese suffix '-oinha'.

Sens originel : A small wind or a device that creates a small wind.

Romance (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral household and technical term.

English speakers might be tempted to use 'ventilador' everywhere, but using 'ventoinha' in Portugal will make you sound much more like a local.

Commonly mentioned in Portuguese summer pop songs. A standard item in any 'casa da avó' (grandma's house) in Portuguese literature. Technical manuals for Brazilian-made cars (like Volkswagen Gol).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Summer at Home

  • Está calor
  • Liga a ventoinha
  • Põe no máximo
  • Está barulhenta

Fixing a PC

  • Ventoinha do CPU
  • Massa térmica
  • Limpar o pó
  • Sobreaquecimento

At the Mechanic

  • O motor aqueceu
  • Ventoinha do radiador
  • Fusível queimado
  • Líquido de refrigeração

Shopping

  • Quanto custa?
  • É silenciosa?
  • Tem comando?
  • Garantia

Office Work

  • Ar condicionado avariado
  • Ventoinha de mesa
  • Circulação de ar
  • Corrente de ar

Amorces de conversation

"Está tanto calor! Tens uma ventoinha que me emprestes?"

"Achas que as ventoinhas de teto são melhores que as de pé?"

"A ventoinha do meu portátil faz um barulho horrível, o que achas que é?"

"Onde é que compraste essa ventoinha tão silenciosa?"

"Preferes dormir com a ventoinha ligada ou com a janela aberta?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreve um dia de verão muito quente em que a ventoinha foi a tua melhor amiga.

Quais são as vantagens e desvantagens de usar uma ventoinha em vez de ar condicionado?

Já tiveste problemas com a ventoinha de um computador ou de um carro? Conta a história.

Como seria a vida no verão sem eletricidade para ligar as ventoinhas?

Imagina que inventas a ventoinha perfeita. Como é que ela funciona?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'ventoinha' is for small fans. A wind turbine is an 'aerogerador'.

Yes, but mostly for car radiators or computer fans. For a room fan, say 'ventilador'.

It is always feminine: 'a ventoinha'.

They are called 'pás' or sometimes 'hélices'.

You say 'ligar a ventoinha'.

Yes, 'ventoinhas'.

It is a ceiling fan.

Pode estar suja (dirty) or the bearings (rolamentos) might be old.

Extremely common, it's the standard word for a house fan.

Usually no, that is a 'leque' or 'abanador'.

Teste-toi 204 questions

writing

Translate: 'I need a fan because it is hot.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe your fan in Portuguese (3 sentences).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The computer fan is making a strange noise.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Explain how to clean a fan in Portuguese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Can you put the fan on maximum speed?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'A ventoinha é silenciosa.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Liguei a ventoinha ontem.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: 'A ventoinha está ligada.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Turn off the fan before you go.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Onde está a ventoinha?'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence using 'ventoinha' and 'calor'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan blades are dirty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I prefer a fan to air conditioning.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is broken.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Is the fan on?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I sleep with the fan on.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is in the corner.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is rotating fast.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'There is no fan in this room.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'My laptop fan is very loud.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I am going to buy a standing fan.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is on the table.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Do you have a fan?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is spinning slowly.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is not working.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The white fan is mine.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I am looking for a quiet fan.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Put the fan in the bedroom.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan has a timer.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is too small for this room.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I need to buy a new fan.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is very efficient.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is rotating in reverse.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is heavy.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I can't find the fan remote.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is wobbling.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan blades are made of wood.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is very old but works.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan noise is relaxing.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is oscillating too much.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I need to fix the fan.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is on the floor.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is blowing towards me.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is very powerful.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan has a metal grill.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is vibrating.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The fan is pointed at the window.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 204 correct

Perfect score!

C'tait utile ?
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !