At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'taxista' means 'taxi driver'. You should be able to identify the word in a simple sentence like 'O taxista é bom' (The taxi driver is good). You should recognize that it describes a job. At this stage, focusing on the basic pronunciation (tah-KSEE-stah) is key. You might use it when arriving at an airport or hotel. It is a very useful word for travelers who need to navigate a new city. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just the basic noun and its article 'o' or 'a'. Remember that the word ends in 'a' but can be masculine.
At the A2 level, you should understand that 'taxista' is a 'common gender' noun. This means the word stays the same for men and women. You should be able to form simple questions like 'Onde posso encontrar um taxista?' (Where can I find a taxi driver?). You should also know related words like 'táxi' (the car), 'corrida' (the ride), and 'gorjeta' (the tip). You are expected to use 'taxista' in the context of daily routines and travel. You can describe a taxista using basic adjectives like 'simpático' (friendly) or 'rápido' (fast). You should also be aware that 'táxi' has an accent, but 'taxista' does not.
At the B1 level, you can use 'taxista' to describe experiences and narrate past events. For example, 'O taxista me contou sobre a história da cidade enquanto dirigia' (The taxi driver told me about the city's history while driving). you should be comfortable with the plural 'taxistas' and using the word in more complex sentence structures involving conjunctions and relative pronouns. You might discuss the pros and cons of taking a taxi versus public transport. You understand the professional context, such as 'ponto de táxi' (taxi stand) and 'taxímetro' (meter). You can handle more nuanced conversations about the profession.
At the B2 level, you can discuss the socio-economic impact of the profession. You might talk about 'o sindicato dos taxistas' (the taxi drivers' union) and their role in urban planning or protests. You can understand news reports about regulations and the competition between taxistas and ride-sharing apps. Your vocabulary extends to technical terms like 'licença' (license) and 'tarifa' (fare). You can express opinions on the quality of service and the changing nature of urban mobility. You are aware of regional differences in how taxistas operate across the Lusophone world.
At the C1 level, you can use 'taxista' in metaphorical or idiomatic contexts, although they are rare. You have a deep understanding of the cultural archetype of the taxista in Portuguese-speaking societies—often seen as a philosopher of the streets. You can follow fast-paced, slang-heavy dialogues involving taxistas in films or contemporary literature. You understand the subtle differences in register when a passenger speaks to a taxista in different social settings. You can write detailed essays or reports on transport policies that include the role of taxistas.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of the word and its various connotations. You can appreciate the word's use in poetry, song lyrics (like those of Chico Buarque), and complex social satires. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots to its modern digital-age challenges. You can navigate any linguistic situation involving a taxista, from a heated argument about a fare to a deep philosophical discussion about the city's future. You are aware of the most obscure regionalisms and historical slang associated with the profession.

taxista 30초 만에

  • Taxista means taxi driver in Portuguese.
  • The word is gender-neutral (common gender).
  • The 'x' is pronounced like 'ks'.
  • It is a common profession in all Portuguese-speaking cities.
The word taxista is a fundamental noun in the Portuguese language, referring to a professional individual who operates a taxi for public transport. In the linguistic landscape of Portuguese, the term is categorized as a 'comum de dois gêneros,' meaning the spelling of the word remains identical regardless of whether the driver is male or female; the gender is instead indicated by the preceding article, such as o taxista for a man or a taxista for a woman. Historically, the taxista has been a central figure in the urban fabric of major Lusophone cities like Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Luanda, and Maputo. Before the advent of ride-sharing applications, the taxista was the primary navigator of the city, known for an encyclopedic knowledge of streets, shortcuts, and local history.
Professional Context
A taxista is not merely a driver but a licensed professional who often undergoes specific training and background checks to operate a metered vehicle. They are expected to know the most efficient routes to avoid traffic congestion, which is a constant challenge in cities like São Paulo.

Eu perguntei ao taxista se ele aceitava cartão de crédito antes de entrar no carro.

In modern usage, while the rise of platforms like Uber and 99 has introduced the term 'motorista de aplicativo,' the word taxista still carries a specific weight of tradition and officiality. In Portugal, taxistas are easily recognizable by their beige or black-and-green cars. In Brazil, they are often associated with the classic white or yellow cars depending on the municipality. Understanding the role of the taxista involves recognizing their cultural status as 'conhecedores da cidade' (knowers of the city). They are frequently portrayed in soap operas (telenovelas) and literature as characters who hear many secrets and possess a unique perspective on society. . Use this word when you are specifically looking for a car with a 'TAXI' sign on top, usually found at designated 'pontos de táxi' (taxi stands). The term is also used in collective bargaining and political discussions regarding urban mobility regulations.
Linguistic Nuance
The suffix '-ista' in Portuguese often denotes a profession or a follower of a specific ideology. Thus, taxista fits into a large family of words like dentista, artista, and jornalista, all of which are gender-neutral in their noun form.

A taxista foi muito gentil e me ajudou com as malas pesadas.

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Using taxista correctly requires an understanding of basic Portuguese syntax, specifically the agreement of articles and adjectives. Since the word itself doesn't change for gender, the surrounding words do the heavy lifting. For example, 'O taxista é simpático' (The taxi driver is friendly - masculine) versus 'A taxista é simpática' (The taxi driver is friendly - feminine). Note how both the article 'o/a' and the adjective 'simpático/simpática' change.
Direct Address
When talking directly to the driver, you might say: 'Bom dia, senhor taxista, quanto custa a corrida até o aeroporto?' This demonstrates respect and clarity.

Chamei um taxista pelo aplicativo porque estava chovendo muito forte.

In the plural form, it becomes 'taxistas'. For instance, 'Os taxistas de Lisboa estão em greve hoje' (The taxi drivers of Lisbon are on strike today). This is a common headline in Portuguese news. When discussing the profession in general, you use the masculine plural as the default: 'Os taxistas enfrentam muita concorrência' (Taxi drivers face a lot of competition).
Descriptive Usage
You can use adjectives to describe the driver's behavior: um taxista apressado (a hurried driver), um taxista experiente (an experienced driver), or um taxista mal-humorado (a grumpy driver).

Aquele taxista conhece todos os atalhos para evitar o trânsito da Avenida Paulista.

Os taxistas geralmente esperam por passageiros na porta do hotel.

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You will encounter the word taxista in a myriad of daily situations in any Portuguese-speaking country. The most common location is at a 'ponto de táxi' (taxi stand), where you might hear people asking, 'Quem é o próximo taxista da fila?' (Who is the next taxi driver in line?). At airports (aeroportos) and bus stations (rodoviárias), the word is shouted by touts or displayed on official signage: 'Siga as indicações para os taxistas credenciados' (Follow the signs for authorized taxi drivers).
News and Media
On the radio or TV news, you will hear about 'o sindicato dos taxistas' (the taxi drivers' union) when they are negotiating fuel prices or protesting against unregulated transport services. This is a very common topic in Brazilian media.

Ouvi no rádio que um taxista encontrou uma mala cheia de dinheiro e a devolveu ao dono.

In casual conversation, friends might discuss their experiences: 'O taxista ontem me contou uma história incrível sobre a cidade.' Because taxistas are often talkative, they are seen as a source of local gossip and 'dicas' (tips) for the best restaurants or hidden spots. In films and literature, the 'taxista' often serves as a narrator or a witness to the city's nightlife.
Travel Situations
When you are lost, someone might suggest: 'É melhor perguntar a um taxista, eles conhecem esta zona como a palma da mão.'

O taxista parou o carro bem em frente à entrada principal do teatro.

Muitos taxistas agora usam o GPS, mas os mais velhos ainda preferem os mapas mentais.

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One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Portuguese is trying to change the ending of taxista based on gender. You might be tempted to say 'taxisto' for a man, but this word does not exist and sounds quite humorous to native speakers. Always remember: 'o taxista' and 'a taxista'.
Pronunciation Pitfalls
The pronunciation of the 'x' is another hurdle. In Portuguese, 'x' can represent four different sounds (/ʃ/, /s/, /z/, or /ks/). For 'taxista', it is strictly /ks/. Avoid saying 'tashista' or 'tazista'.

Não diga 'o taxisto'; o correto é sempre o taxista.

Another mistake is confusing taxista with 'motorista'. While all taxistas are motoristas (drivers), not all motoristas are taxistas. If you call an Uber driver a 'taxista', they might correct you, as the professions have different legal statuses and often a bit of a rivalry.
Spelling Errors
Some learners forget the 'i' after the 'x' or the 's' before the 't'. Ensure you spell it T-A-X-I-S-T-A. Also, remember that 'táxi' (the car) has an accent, but 'taxista' (the person) does not because the stress shifts.

O taxista (sem acento) dirige o táxi (com acento).

Eu vi uma taxista dirigindo um carro elétrico pela primeira vez.

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If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several words related to taxista. The most general term is motorista (driver). This applies to anyone behind the wheel, from a bus driver (motorista de ônibus) to a truck driver (caminhoneiro).
Professional Alternatives
Condutor: A more formal or technical term for driver, often used in legal contexts or driving tests. Chofer: An older, more elegant term often referring to a private driver for a wealthy family.

O motorista do aplicativo chegou em cinco minutos, mas eu preferia um taxista.

In the context of ride-hailing apps, you will hear 'motorista de app' or 'parceiro'. In some regions, specific slang might exist. For example, in parts of Brazil, a 'taxisbeiro' might be used jokingly, but 'taxista' remains the standard.
Comparison Table
Taxista: Official, metered, can use bus lanes in some cities. Motorista Particular: Private, usually works for one person or company. Uber/99: App-based, dynamic pricing, usually private cars.

Antigamente, ser taxista era uma das profissões mais cobiçadas nas grandes cidades.

O condutor do veículo deve estar sempre atento às leis de trânsito.

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How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The suffix '-ista' is one of the most productive in Portuguese for professions, and it almost always results in a gender-neutral noun.

발음 가이드

UK /tæksˈiːstə/
US /tæksˈistə/
The stress is on the second syllable: ta-XIS-ta.
라임이 맞는 단어
artista dentista jornalista pessimista otimista florista turista ciclista
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'x' as 'sh' (tashista).
  • Pronouncing 'x' as 'z' (tazista).
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable (TA-xista).
  • Putting the stress on the last syllable (taxis-TA).
  • Changing the ending to 'o' (taxisto).

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize because of the international root 'taxi'.

쓰기 2/5

Easy, but remember not to put an accent on the 'a'.

말하기 3/5

The 'x' pronunciation /ks/ requires practice for some learners.

듣기 2/5

Clear and distinct word in most dialects.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

carro cidade rua pessoa trabalho

다음에 배울 것

motorista passageiro viagem destino tarifa

고급

mobilidade urbana permissionário contingenciamento taxímetro cooperativismo

수준별 예문

1

O taxista é muito legal.

The taxi driver is very cool.

O (masculine article) + taxista.

2

Eu vejo um taxista.

I see a taxi driver.

Direct object.

3

A taxista é rápida.

The taxi driver is fast.

A (feminine article) + taxista.

4

Onde está o taxista?

Where is the taxi driver?

Question form.

5

O taxista tem um carro branco.

The taxi driver has a white car.

Verb 'ter' (to have).

6

Bom dia, senhor taxista.

Good morning, Mr. taxi driver.

Polite address.

7

Ela é uma taxista.

She is a taxi driver.

Indefinite article 'uma'.

8

O taxista parou aqui.

The taxi driver stopped here.

Past tense 'parou'.

1

O taxista conhece bem a cidade.

The taxi driver knows the city well.

Verb 'conhecer' in present tense.

2

Preciso chamar um taxista agora.

I need to call a taxi driver now.

Infinitive 'chamar'.

3

Quanto o taxista cobra até o centro?

How much does the taxi driver charge to downtown?

Verb 'cobrar' (to charge).

4

Os taxistas esperam no aeroporto.

The taxi drivers wait at the airport.

Plural noun.

5

A taxista foi muito gentil comigo.

The taxi driver was very kind to me.

Preterite of 'ser'.

6

Não encontrei nenhum taxista na rua.

I didn't find any taxi driver on the street.

Negative sentence with 'nenhum'.

7

O taxista ligou o taxímetro.

The taxi driver turned on the meter.

Direct object 'taxímetro'.

8

Você é taxista há muito tempo?

Have you been a taxi driver for a long time?

Present tense for continuous action.

1

O taxista me deu um recibo da viagem.

The taxi driver gave me a receipt for the trip.

Indirect object 'me'.

2

Se o taxista não vier, vamos de metrô.

If the taxi driver doesn't come, we'll go by subway.

Future subjunctive 'vier'.

3

O taxista sugeriu um restaurante excelente.

The taxi driver suggested an excellent restaurant.

Verb 'sugerir'.

4

Eu sempre converso com o taxista sobre o trânsito.

I always talk to the taxi driver about the traffic.

Preposition 'com'.

5

Aquele taxista trabalha durante a noite toda.

That taxi driver works all night long.

Prepositional phrase of time.

6

Os taxistas reclamam do preço da gasolina.

The taxi drivers complain about the price of gasoline.

Verb 'reclamar de'.

7

Esqueci meu celular no carro do taxista.

I forgot my phone in the taxi driver's car.

Possessive 'do taxista'.

8

O taxista dirigiu com muito cuidado na chuva.

The taxi driver drove very carefully in the rain.

Adverbial phrase 'com muito cuidado'.

1

O taxista foi multado por excesso de velocidade.

The taxi driver was fined for speeding.

Passive voice.

2

Os taxistas protestaram contra os novos aplicativos.

The taxi drivers protested against the new apps.

Verb 'protestar contra'.

3

É difícil ser taxista em uma cidade tão grande.

It is difficult to be a taxi driver in such a large city.

Impersonal expression 'é difícil'.

4

O taxista devolveu a carteira que eu perdi.

The taxi driver returned the wallet that I lost.

Relative clause 'que eu perdi'.

5

Muitos taxistas estão mudando de profissão agora.

Many taxi drivers are changing professions now.

Present continuous 'estão mudando'.

6

O taxista explicou que a rota principal estava bloqueada.

The taxi driver explained that the main route was blocked.

Reported speech.

7

O sindicato dos taxistas anunciou uma nova tarifa.

The taxi drivers' union announced a new fare.

Collective noun 'sindicato'.

8

O taxista demonstrou um conhecimento profundo das ruas.

The taxi driver demonstrated a deep knowledge of the streets.

Abstract noun 'conhecimento'.

1

O taxista tornou-se um confidente inesperado durante o trajeto.

The taxi driver became an unexpected confidant during the journey.

Pronominal verb 'tornar-se'.

2

A vida de um taxista é repleta de histórias pitorescas.

A taxi driver's life is full of picturesque stories.

Adjective 'repleta'.

3

O taxista manobrou habilmente por entre o engarrafamento.

The taxi driver skillfully maneuvered through the traffic jam.

Adverb 'habilmente'.

4

Seria injusto generalizar o comportamento de cada taxista.

It would be unfair to generalize the behavior of every taxi driver.

Conditional 'seria'.

5

O taxista, cujas mãos eram calejadas, dirigia com firmeza.

The taxi driver, whose hands were calloused, drove firmly.

Relative pronoun 'cujas'.

6

Apesar do cansaço, o taxista manteve o profissionalismo.

Despite the fatigue, the taxi driver maintained professionalism.

Conjunction 'apesar de'.

7

O taxista discorreu sobre a política nacional com eloquência.

The taxi driver spoke about national politics with eloquence.

Verb 'discorrer' (to discourse).

8

Nenhum taxista ousaria entrar naquela favela à noite.

No taxi driver would dare enter that favela at night.

Verb 'ousar' (to dare).

1

O taxista personifica a resiliência da classe trabalhadora urbana.

The taxi driver personifies the resilience of the urban working class.

Verb 'personificar'.

2

A crônica descreve o taxista como um filósofo do asfalto.

The chronicle describes the taxi driver as a philosopher of the asphalt.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Sob a égide do sindicato, os taxistas pleiteiam melhores condições.

Under the aegis of the union, the taxi drivers are pleading for better conditions.

High-register vocabulary 'égide', 'pleiteiam'.

4

O taxista, alheio ao caos externo, ouvia música clássica.

The taxi driver, oblivious to the external chaos, was listening to classical music.

Adjective 'alheio'.

5

A obsolescência da profissão de taxista é um tema recorrente.

The obsolescence of the taxi driver profession is a recurring theme.

Complex noun phrase.

6

O taxista perscrutava o horizonte em busca de um passageiro.

The taxi driver scrutinized the horizon in search of a passenger.

Verb 'perscrutar' (to scrutinize).

7

Houve uma querela entre o taxista e o fiscal de trânsito.

There was a quarrel between the taxi driver and the traffic inspector.

Noun 'querela' (dispute).

8

A destreza do taxista ao volante é fruto de décadas de prática.

The taxi driver's dexterity at the wheel is the result of decades of practice.

Noun 'destreza'.

자주 쓰는 조합

ponto de táxi
chamar um taxista
sindicato dos taxistas
licença de taxista
taxista experiente
taxista mal-humorado
taxista de confiança
corrida de taxista
frota de taxistas
cooperativa de taxistas

자주 쓰는 구문

O senhor taxista sabe onde fica...?

— Asking the driver for directions.

O senhor taxista sabe onde fica o Museu do Azulejo?

Pode parar aqui, taxista.

— Telling the driver to stop.

Pode parar aqui, taxista, já chegamos.

Quanto deu, taxista?

— Asking for the total fare.

Quanto deu, taxista? Aqui está o dinheiro.

O taxista aceita cartão?

— Asking about payment methods.

O taxista aceita cartão ou só dinheiro?

Vou de táxi.

— Deciding to take a taxi.

Está tarde, vou de táxi para casa.

Pega um taxista na saída.

— Suggesting someone find a driver.

Pega um taxista na saída do aeroporto.

O taxista foi pelo caminho mais longo.

— Complaining about the route.

Acho que o taxista foi pelo caminho mais longo de propósito.

Fala com o taxista.

— Telling someone to communicate with the driver.

Fala com o taxista para ligar o ar-condicionado.

O taxista está vindo.

— Confirming the driver's arrival.

O taxista está vindo, espere um minuto.

O taxista é gente boa.

— Saying the driver is a nice person.

Pode ir tranquilo, esse taxista é gente boa.

관용어 및 표현

"Conversa de taxista"

— Small talk or common urban legends often shared by drivers.

Isso parece conversa de taxista.

Informal
"Rádio de taxista"

— Referring to someone who talks a lot or spreads news quickly.

Ele é pior que rádio de taxista.

Slang
"Vida de taxista"

— A hard, repetitive life on the road.

A vida de taxista não é fácil para ninguém.

Neutral
"Saber mais que taxista"

— To know a city or a topic extremely well.

Ele conhece o centro e sabe mais que taxista.

Informal
"Caminho de taxista"

— A clever shortcut.

Ele pegou um caminho de taxista e chegou rápido.

Informal
"História de taxista"

— An exaggerated or unlikely story.

Não acredite nisso, é história de taxista.

Informal
"Dormir no ponto (like a taxi)"

— To miss an opportunity (often used for drivers at stands).

Não durma no ponto, chame o taxista logo.

Informal
"Bandeira dois"

— Metaphor for something being more expensive or late at night.

Depois da meia-noite é tudo bandeira dois.

Informal
"Taxista de aplicativo"

— A modern contradiction used to describe Uber drivers.

Ele se chama de taxista de aplicativo.

Colloquial
"Segurar o taxista"

— To ask a driver to wait.

Pode segurar o taxista por cinco minutos?

Neutral

어휘 가족

명사

táxi
taxímetro
taxação

동사

taxiar
taxar

형용사

taxista (as a modifier)

관련

motorista
carro
passageiro
transporte
trânsito

암기하기

기억법

Think of a 'Taxi' + 'Artist'. A taxista is an artist at navigating the city streets.

시각적 연상

Imagine a bright yellow car with a driver wearing a cap, holding a map of the city.

Word Web

táxi motorista ruas passageiro dinheiro cidade carro trânsito

챌린지

Try to describe your last taxi ride in three sentences using the word 'taxista' at least twice.

어원

From the word 'táxi' (taxi) combined with the suffix '-ista' (denoting a professional or agent). 'Táxi' itself is a shortening of 'taxímetro', which comes from German 'Taxameter', from Medieval Latin 'taxa' (tax/charge) and Greek 'metron' (measure).

원래 의미: A person who operates a vehicle equipped with a device to measure the fare based on distance.

Romance (Portuguese), with roots in Latin and Greek.

문화적 맥락

Be respectful; taxistas are hardworking professionals. Avoid stereotypes about them being 'esperpertos' (tricky) with fares.

Unlike in English where 'taxi driver' is two words, in Portuguese it is one. We don't say 'táxi motorista'.

The song 'Vou de Táxi' by Angélica. The movie 'Taxi Driver' (translated as 'Motorista de Táxi' but often discussed by taxistas). The character Agostinho Carrara from 'A Grande Família'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

At the Airport

  • Onde ficam os taxistas?
  • Qual taxista está livre?
  • O taxista aceita malas?
  • O taxista vai para o centro?

In a Telenovela

  • O taxista ouviu tudo.
  • Ele é apenas um taxista.
  • O taxista é o herói.
  • O segredo do taxista.

City Navigation

  • Pergunte ao taxista.
  • O taxista sabe o caminho.
  • Siga aquele taxista.
  • O taxista errou a rua.

Payment

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