Irmão 30秒で
- Irmão means 'brother' in Portuguese and is a core family vocabulary word.
- The plural 'irmãos' is used for siblings of both genders collectively.
- In Brazil, it is frequently used as casual slang for 'bro' or 'friend'.
- Grammatically, it is a masculine noun requiring agreement with 'o' or 'meu'.
The Portuguese word irmão is a fundamental pillar of the Portuguese language, primarily translating to 'brother' in English. At its most basic level, it describes a male sibling. However, the linguistic and cultural weight of this word extends far beyond mere biological relation. In Lusophone cultures, family is the cornerstone of social life, and the term reflects that intensity. Whether you are discussing your immediate family, your extended social circle, or even religious affiliations, irmão is the go-to term for expressing a bond that is deep, supportive, and enduring.
- Biological Sibling
- The primary usage refers to a male born of the same parents. If you have a younger brother, he is your irmão mais novo; an older brother is your irmão mais velho. Interestingly, the plural irmãos is used collectively for 'siblings' (brothers and sisters), similar to 'hermanos' in Spanish.
- Informal Brotherhood
- In casual contexts, particularly in Brazil, irmão (often shortened to 'mão' or 'mano' in slang) is used like 'bro', 'dude', or 'man'. It signals a high level of trust and camaraderie between friends. If a stranger calls you irmão on the street, they are often trying to establish a friendly, non-threatening rapport.
Meu irmão mora em Lisboa e trabalha como engenheiro.
In terms of register, irmão is versatile. It is appropriate in a formal legal document (e.g., inheritance papers) and equally at home in a rowdy football stadium. The distinction lies in the tone and the accompanying adjectives. For instance, irmão de consideração refers to a person who is not biologically related but is loved and treated as a brother—a 'brother from another mother'. This demonstrates the inclusive nature of the Portuguese concept of family, where emotional bonds are often given the same linguistic status as genetic ones.
Eles não são parentes, mas ele é como um irmão para mim.
- Plural Nuance
- When you say meus irmãos, you might be referring to five brothers, or four brothers and one sister. To specify only sisters, you must use irmãs. This gender-neutral pluralization is a key feature of Romance languages that learners must master early on.
Ultimately, the word encapsulates the warmth of Lusophone social structures. It is a word of protection, shared history, and mutual support. Whether used to describe the person you grew up with or the best friend who stood by you during a difficult time, irmão carries a weight of loyalty that is central to the Portuguese-speaking worldview.
Using irmão correctly requires an understanding of Portuguese noun-adjective agreement and possessive pronouns. Because it is a masculine noun, it must be paired with masculine articles (o, um) and masculine adjectives (querido, chato, alto). In this section, we will explore the syntactic patterns that will help you integrate this word naturally into your speech.
- Possessive Structures
- In Portuguese, possessives usually come before the noun and are often preceded by a definite article. For example: O meu irmão (My brother), O seu irmão (Your/His/Her brother). In Brazil, the article is often dropped in casual speech (Meu irmão), whereas in Portugal, it is almost always retained.
O seu irmão já chegou da escola?
When describing the order of birth, we use specific adjectives. Irmão primogênito is the first-born, though irmão mais velho is much more common in daily conversation. The youngest is the caçula (a term of Endearment) or irmão mais novo. If you have a middle brother, he is the irmão do meio.
- Using 'Irmão' as a Vocative
- When calling out to someone or getting their attention, irmão acts as a vocative. Example: 'Ei, irmão, você tem horas?' (Hey, brother, do you have the time?). This is very common in urban Brazilian Portuguese, serving as a social lubricant.
Escuta aqui, irmão, a gente precisa conversar.
Furthermore, irmão can be part of compound nouns or specific phrases. Meio-irmão refers to a half-brother. Irmão gêmeo is a twin brother. In these cases, the adjective gêmeo or the prefix meio- modifies the noun to provide specific familial context. Note that the plural of meio-irmão is meios-irmãos.
Eu descobri que tenho um meio-irmão que vive na França.
You will encounter the word irmão in almost every facet of Lusophone life. From the intimate setting of a family dinner to the rhythmic lyrics of a Samba song, it is omnipresent. Understanding the environment in which the word is spoken can help you grasp its emotional subtext.
- In the Household
- This is the primary domain. Parents will often tell their children, 'Divida o brinquedo com seu irmão' (Share the toy with your brother). In this context, it carries the weight of moral education and the importance of sharing within the family unit.
- Religious Contexts
- Walk into any Catholic or Protestant church in Brazil, Angola, or Portugal, and you will hear people addressing each other as irmão or irmã. It signifies a shared spiritual identity. A pastor might address the congregation with 'Meus irmãos em Cristo' (My brothers in Christ).
A paz do Senhor, irmão!
In the world of music and arts, irmão is a recurring theme. Brazilian music, in particular, often celebrates the 'brotherhood' of the people. Whether it's the MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) of Milton Nascimento or the modern rap of Emicida, the word is used to evoke solidarity among the marginalized or the shared joy of the Brazilian spirit.
Fala, irmão, tudo beleza?
Finally, in literature and cinema, irmão is used to explore themes of conflict and reconciliation. From the classic biblical story of Cain and Abel (Caim e Abel) to modern Brazilian films like 'City of God', the dynamics of brotherhood—both biological and metaphorical—are central to the narrative arc, often representing the broader struggles of society.
Learning to use irmão seems simple at first, but English speakers often fall into several predictable traps. Because the Portuguese gender system and pluralization rules differ significantly from English, precision is required to avoid sounding unnatural or being misunderstood.
- The 'Irmões' Error
- This is the most frequent mistake. Portuguese nouns ending in '-ão' have three possible plural endings: '-ões', '-ães', or '-ãos'. Many learners assume the most common one ('-ões', like 'corações') applies to all. However, 'irmão' belongs to the '-ãos' group. Saying 'meus irmões' is a clear sign of a beginner. Always remember: irmãos.
- Gender Confusion
- English uses 'siblings' to be gender-neutral. Portuguese uses the masculine plural irmãos for this. Beginners often try to invent a neutral word or mistakenly use irmãs (sisters) when they mean a mixed group. If you have one brother and one sister, you have dois irmãos.
Incorrect: Eu tenho duas irmãos.
Correct: Eu tenho dois irmãos.
Another mistake involves the use of possessives. In English, we say 'my brother'. In Portuguese, especially in Portugal, you must include the article: o meu irmão. Dropping the 'o' is acceptable in Brazil but can sound informal or incomplete in other dialects. Furthermore, ensure the possessive matches the gender: meu irmão (masculine) vs. minha irmã (feminine).
Não confunda meu (masculino) com minha (feminino).
Lastly, be careful with the slang usage. Calling an older, formal person irmão in a professional setting might be seen as overly familiar or disrespectful. Stick to Senhor unless the environment is clearly casual.
While irmão is the standard term, Portuguese offers a rich palette of alternatives depending on the region, the age of the speaker, and the level of intimacy. Knowing these synonyms will make your Portuguese sound more authentic and nuanced.
- Mano / Mana
- These are short forms of irmão and irmã. In Brazil, mano is ubiquitous as slang for 'bro'. In Portugal, it is also used, but often carries a slightly different, sometimes more literal 'sibling' connotation among youth. It is the ultimate casual alternative.
- Caçula
- While not a direct synonym for 'brother', caçula refers to the youngest sibling. Instead of saying meu irmão mais novo, you can simply say meu caçula. It sounds more affectionate and native.
- Brother (Loanword)
- In modern Brazilian urban centers, the English word 'brother' is actually used as slang! It is pronounced with a Portuguese accent ('bróder'). It is used exclusively for friends, never for biological brothers.
E aí, mano, vai pro jogo hoje?
For more formal or specific contexts, you might use fraterno (fraternal). This is an adjective, but it appears in phrases like amor fraterno (brotherly love). In a legal context, consanguíneo might be used to specify a 'blood brother'.
Understanding these variations allows you to navigate different social strata. Using irmão is safe, but using mano with a group of young Brazilians or caçula when talking about your family shows a deeper mastery of the language's social nuances.
How Formal Is It?
豆知識
The Spanish word 'hermano' and the Portuguese 'irmão' both come from 'germanus', whereas the French 'frère' and Italian 'fratello' come from 'frater'.
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing it like 'ir-mow' without the nasalization.
- Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a tap.
- Confusing the plural 'irmãos' with 'irmões'.
難易度
Very easy to recognize in text.
The nasal 'ão' and the plural 'ãos' can be tricky.
The nasal vowel is difficult for non-native speakers to master.
Distinct sound makes it easy to hear.
次に学ぶべきこと
前提知識
次に学ぶ
上級
レベル別の例文
Eu tenho um irmão.
I have one brother.
Simple subject-verb-object structure.
O meu irmão chama-se Pedro.
My brother is named Pedro.
Use of reflexive 'chamar-se'.
Você tem um irmão?
Do you have a brother?
Interrogative sentence structure.
Meu irmão é pequeno.
My brother is small.
Adjective agreement (masculine).
Onde está o seu irmão?
Where is your brother?
Use of 'onde' for location.
Eu amo meu irmão.
I love my brother.
Direct object usage.
Ele é meu irmão.
He is my brother.
Pronoun 'ele' for 'he'.
Nós somos irmãos.
We are brothers.
Plural form 'irmãos'.
O meu irmão trabalha num banco.
My brother works in a bank.
Preposition contraction 'em + um = num'.
Eu vou visitar o meu irmão amanhã.
I am going to visit my brother tomorrow.
Future with 'ir + infinitive'.
O irmão dela é muito inteligente.
Her brother is very intelligent.
Possessive 'dela' (hers).
Meus irmãos moram no Brasil.
My brothers live in Brazil.
Plural verb agreement.
Eu gosto de brincar com meu irmão.
I like to play with my brother.
Verb 'gostar' followed by 'de'.
O irmão dele é mais velho que eu.
His brother is older than me.
Comparative 'mais... que'.
Meu irmão está estudando agora.
My brother is studying now.
Present continuous tense.
Eu comprei um presente para o meu irmão.
I bought a gift for my brother.
Preposition 'para' indicating recipient.
Sempre que posso, converso com o meu irmão por vídeo.
Whenever I can, I talk to my brother via video.
Conjunction 'sempre que'.
O meu irmão e eu temos gostos muito diferentes.
My brother and I have very different tastes.
Compound subject with 'e'.
Eu pediria ajuda ao meu irmão se ele estivesse aqui.
I would ask my brother for help if he were here.
Conditional and imperfect subjunctive.
Meu irmão se tornou um grande médico.
My brother became a great doctor.
Reflexive verb 'tornar-se'.
Eu não vejo o meu irmão há dois anos.
I haven't seen my brother for two years.
Use of 'há' for duration of time.
O meu irmão caçula é o mais engraçado da família.
My youngest brother is the funniest in the family.
Superlative 'o mais... da'.
Apesar de sermos irmãos, somos muito diferentes.
Despite being brothers, we are very different.
Concession clause with 'apesar de'.
Eu herdei esta bicicleta do meu irmão.
I inherited this bike from my brother.
Verb 'herdar' (to inherit).
Meu irmão é um verdadeiro braço direito nos negócios.
My brother is a true right-hand man in business.
Idiom 'braço direito'.
Eles tratam-se como se fossem irmãos de sangue.
They treat each other as if they were blood brothers.
Subjunctive after 'como se'.
O meu irmão sempre foi o meu maior confidente.
My brother has always been my greatest confidant.
Past participle 'sido'.
Não é fácil ser o irmão de uma celebridade.
It's not easy being the brother of a celebrity.
Infinitive as subject.
Meu irmão envolveu-se em um projeto social importante.
My brother got involved in an important social project.
Pronominal verb usage.
Eu admiro a resiliência que o meu irmão demonstrou.
I admire the resilience my brother showed.
Relative clause with 'que'.
Meu irmão e eu dividimos as despesas da casa.
My brother and I share the household expenses.
Verb 'dividir' for sharing costs.
O sucesso do meu irmão é um orgulho para nós.
My brother's success is a source of pride for us.
Noun phrase 'um orgulho para'.
A relação entre os dois irmãos era permeada por uma rivalidade latente.
The relationship between the two brothers was permeated by a latent rivalry.
Passive voice with 'era permeada'.
Ele é meu irmão de consideração, um vínculo que transcende a biologia.
He is my brother by choice, a bond that transcends biology.
Abstract noun usage.
O autor explora a dicotomia entre o irmão pródigo e o virtuoso.
The author explores the dichotomy between the prodigal brother and the virtuous one.
Literary vocabulary.
A fraternidade entre os soldados era como a de irmãos de armas.
The fraternity between the soldiers was like that of brothers-in-arms.
Simile usage.
Meu irmão pautou sua vida por princípios éticos inabaláveis.
My brother guided his life by unwavering ethical principles.
Formal verb 'pautar'.
A ausência do irmão deixou uma lacuna irreparável em sua vida.
His brother's absence left an irreparable gap in his life.
Metaphorical 'lacuna'.
Apesar das divergências políticas, eles continuam sendo irmãos.
Despite political differences, they remain brothers.
Gerund 'sendo' for continuity.
O conceito de 'países irmãos' é fundamental na diplomacia lusófona.
The concept of 'sister nations' is fundamental in Lusophone diplomacy.
Adjective usage of 'irmãos'.
A mística da irmandade evoca um sentimento de pertença ancestral.
The mysticism of brotherhood evokes a sense of ancestral belonging.
High-level abstract terminology.
Subjaz a essa amizade uma lealdade própria de irmãos de sangue.
Underlying this friendship is a loyalty typical of blood brothers.
Inverted sentence structure with 'subjaz'.
O luto pelo irmão falecido manifestou-se em sua obra poética.
Mourning for his deceased brother manifested in his poetic work.
Formal 'manifestou-se'.
A querela entre os irmãos atingiu proporções épicas.
The quarrel between the brothers reached epic proportions.
Sophisticated noun 'querela'.
Ele via em cada concidadão um irmão a quem devia amparar.
He saw in every fellow citizen a brother whom he should support.
Relative pronoun 'a quem'.
A simbiose entre os gêmeos era tal que um sentia a dor do outro.
The symbiosis between the twins was such that one felt the other's pain.
Result clause 'tal que'.
O termo 'irmão' aqui assume uma conotação metafísica.
The term 'brother' here assumes a metaphysical connotation.
Precise linguistic analysis.
A herança deixada pelo irmão consistia mais em valores do que em bens.
The legacy left by the brother consisted more of values than of assets.
Comparative 'mais... do que'.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— Conjoined twins, or people who are inseparable.
Eles não se largam, parecem irmãos siameses.
— Brother-in-law (though 'cunhado' is the specific word).
Ele é meu irmão por afinidade.
— Members of a charitable religious order.
Os irmãos de caridade ajudam os pobres.
慣用句と表現
— Reference to a famous song about friendship being like brotherhood.
Nossa amizade é como na música, você é um irmão.
Poetic— Direct family, usually brothers.
Ele é meu irmão, sangue do meu sangue.
Emotional— Often used in contrast to the duty to help a brother.
Neste mundo, às vezes parece que não há irmãos, é cada um por si.
Proverbial— Loyalty in all circumstances.
Estaremos juntos, irmãos na alegria e na tristeza.
Formal— To betray a close person (metaphorical brother).
Ele teve a coragem de puxar o tapete do próprio irmão.
Informal— To have responsibility over others.
Na empresa, ele age como se fosse o irmão mais velho de todos.
Metaphorical語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of 'Ear-mow'. You use your 'Ear' to listen to your brother 'mow' the lawn.
視覚的連想
Imagine two boys holding a giant 'mão' (hand) to show they are brothers.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to name all the famous pairs of brothers you know using the word 'irmão' (e.g., Irmãos Grimm).
語源
Derived from the Latin 'germanus', which means 'of the same germ or stock' (full brother).
元の意味： A sibling from the same parents.
Romance (Indo-European).文化的な背景
Be aware that calling a stranger 'irmão' can be seen as too informal in some conservative Portuguese circles.
English speakers use 'brother' similarly, but 'irmão' is used more frequently as a casual greeting in Portuguese than 'brother' is in formal English.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
At home
- Cadê meu irmão?
- O meu irmão está no quarto.
- Pergunta ao seu irmão.
- Meu irmão é chato.
At a party
- Este é o meu irmão.
- Meu irmão não veio.
- Vocês conhecem meu irmão?
- Meu irmão adora música.
On the street
- Ei, irmão!
- Fala, irmão.
- Tudo bem, irmão?
- Obrigado, irmão.
In church
- A paz, irmão.
- Vamos orar, irmão.
- O irmão pode ajudar?
- Bem-vindo, irmão.
In a formal form
- Nome do irmão.
- Número de irmãos.
- Irmão falecido.
- Irmão legítimo.
会話のきっかけ
"Você tem quantos irmãos?"
"Como é o seu relacionamento com seu irmão?"
"O seu irmão mora perto de você?"
"Qual é a coisa mais engraçada que seu irmão já fez?"
"Você se parece com o seu irmão?"
日記のテーマ
Escreva sobre uma memória de infância com seu irmão.
Como o seu irmão influenciou quem você é hoje?
Se você não tem um irmão, como seria ter um?
Descreva a personalidade do seu irmão em detalhes.
Summary
The word 'irmão' primarily means brother but serves as a powerful symbol of solidarity and family in Portuguese culture. Example: 'Ele não é apenas meu amigo, ele é meu irmão' (He is not just my friend, he is my brother).
- Irmão means 'brother' in Portuguese and is a core family vocabulary word.
- The plural 'irmãos' is used for siblings of both genders collectively.
- In Brazil, it is frequently used as casual slang for 'bro' or 'friend'.
- Grammatically, it is a masculine noun requiring agreement with 'o' or 'meu'.
例文
O meu irmão mais velho vive em Londres.
関連コンテンツ
familyの関連語
à medida que
A2As; at the same time that.
abençoado
A2彼は祝福された男です。
abrigo
A2避難所は学校にあります。
acarinhar
A2愛情を込めて可愛がる、または愛撫すること。
aceito
A2受け入れられた、一般的に認められた、または合意された。「その提案は aceito された」（その提案は受け入れられた）。
acenar
A2挨拶や同意のために手や頭で合図すること（手を振る、うなずく）。
acolher
A2To receive (a guest or new member) with pleasure and hospitality.
acolhimento
A2温かい歓迎、受け入れ。 'その家族の温かい迎え入れ（アコリメント）に感動しました。'
acolitar
B2支援や付き添いを提供し、助け、サポート、または仲間意識を示すこと。 / 特定の取り組み、困難、または期間を通じて、積極的かつ協力的な姿勢で、個人またはグループに援助、サポート、または仲間意識を提供すること。
acomodar
A2'acomodar'は、誰かに宿泊場所を提供したり、物に場所を作ったりすることを意味します。
