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A1 noun 12 min read

laboratório

Examples
Explanation laboratório in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should recognize 'laboratório' as a place where science happens. It is a masculine noun ('o laboratório'). You will mostly use it to talk about school or simple medical visits. For example, 'O laboratório da escola é pequeno' (The school lab is small). Focus on the connection between the English word 'laboratory' and the Portuguese 'laboratório.' They look and sound very similar, making it an easy 'cognate' to remember. Remember that in Portuguese, we don't usually shorten it to 'lab' like in English. Always use the full word to be safe. You might also hear it when someone needs a blood test: 'Eu vou ao laboratório' (I am going to the lab). Practice saying it with the stress on the 'TÓ' syllable. It is a very useful word because it appears in many public signs in cities. If you see a sign that says 'Laboratório de Análises,' it means a place where they do medical tests. This is a great word to help you navigate a Portuguese-speaking city.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'laboratório' in more complex sentences with prepositions and adjectives. You should know that 'in the lab' is 'no laboratório' and 'to the lab' is 'ao laboratório.' You can describe the lab using common adjectives like 'novo' (new), 'limpo' (clean), or 'grande' (big). You might also start to see it used with specific subjects: 'laboratório de informática' (computer lab) or 'laboratório de química' (chemistry lab). At this level, you should be able to understand simple instructions involving the word, such as 'O resultado do laboratório sai amanhã' (The lab result comes out tomorrow). You are also learning to talk about professions, so you can learn 'técnico de laboratório' (lab technician). This level is about expanding your vocabulary to include the objects found in a lab, like 'microscópio' or 'computador.' Understanding that 'laboratório' is a masculine noun is crucial here, as you will be pairing it with articles and adjectives more frequently.
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At the B1 level, you are moving beyond simple descriptions. You can use 'laboratório' to talk about research, innovation, and processes. You might say, 'O laboratório está desenvolvendo uma nova vacina' (The lab is developing a new vaccine). You should be comfortable with the metaphorical use of the word, such as 'laboratório de ideias' (ideas lab) or using a project as a 'laboratório' for larger goals. You will encounter the word in news articles and more formal educational contexts. You should also be aware of the different types of laboratories, such as 'laboratório clínico' versus 'laboratório de pesquisa.' At this level, you can discuss the importance of laboratories in society, perhaps in a short essay or a conversation about technology. You should also pay attention to the plural form 'laboratórios' and ensure your adjectives agree in number and gender: 'Os laboratórios modernos são caros' (Modern labs are expensive). Your pronunciation should be more refined, clearly hitting the open 'ó' sound in the stressed syllable.
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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'laboratório' in academic and professional discussions. You can talk about 'normas de segurança no laboratório' (safety standards in the lab) or 'protocolos laboratoriais' (laboratory protocols). Notice the adjective form 'laboratorial' which is common at this level. You might read scientific abstracts or technical reports where 'laboratório' is a key term. You can express opinions about scientific investment: 'É fundamental que o governo invista em laboratórios de ponta' (It is essential that the government invests in cutting-edge labs). You should also understand more nuanced contexts, such as 'laboratório clandestino' (clandestine/illegal lab) in the context of news or crime dramas. Your vocabulary should include related verbs like 'experimentar,' 'analisar,' and 'comprovar.' You are now capable of following a detailed explanation of a scientific experiment performed in a 'laboratório' and can summarize the findings using appropriate terminology.
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At the C1 level, 'laboratório' becomes a tool for sophisticated discourse. You can use it to discuss the philosophy of science or the ethics of laboratory testing on animals ('testes em laboratório com animais'). You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in the industrial revolution. You can use the word in complex metaphorical senses, such as describing a political movement as a 'laboratório social.' You are familiar with technical jargon like 'certificação de laboratório' (lab certification) and 'controle de qualidade laboratorial' (laboratory quality control). You can engage in high-level debates about the funding of 'laboratórios nacionais' versus private ones. At this level, you should also be aware of the slight differences in usage between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, although the word 'laboratório' itself is used identically in both. You can read complex scientific papers in Portuguese where the methodology section describes the 'ambiente laboratorial' in great detail.
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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'laboratório' and all its connotations. You can use it in literary contexts or high-level academic writing with ease. You might analyze how the 'espaço do laboratório' is portrayed in literature or film. You can discuss the 'epistemologia do laboratório'—how the physical constraints of a lab affect scientific knowledge. You are comfortable with very specific technical terms like 'reagentes laboratoriais' or 'biossegurança nível 4.' You can switch effortlessly between the literal meaning and the most abstract metaphorical uses. You might write a thesis or a professional report where 'laboratório' is a central concept, handled with linguistic precision and stylistic variety. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a concept you can manipulate to express complex ideas about innovation, control, and discovery. You understand the deepest historical roots of the word and can use it to evoke specific cultural or scientific images in your audience's mind.
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Examples

The Portuguese word laboratório is a masculine noun that translates directly to the English 'laboratory.' At its core, it refers to any space specifically designed and equipped for scientific research, experiments, or technical measurements. However, its usage in Portuguese-speaking cultures spans from the purely academic to the everyday clinical experience. When you hear a Brazilian or a Portuguese person mention a laboratório, they might be referring to the high-tech facility of a pharmaceutical giant, the chemistry room in a high school, or, very commonly, a clinical analysis center where one goes to have blood tests drawn.

Scientific Context
In academic and industrial settings, the laboratório is the temple of the scientific method. It is where hypotheses are tested and data is gathered. For example, a university might have a laboratório de física (physics lab) or a laboratório de química (chemistry lab).
Medical Context
In daily life, most people interact with a laboratório de análises clínicas. If a doctor says, 'Você precisa ir ao laboratório,' they are instructing you to get diagnostic tests done. This is a very common use of the word in a healthcare context.
Metaphorical Context
Beyond physical rooms, the term is used metaphorically to describe a place of trial or innovation. A 'laboratório de ideias' (ideas lab) refers to a think tank or a creative workshop where new concepts are developed and tested before being released to the public.

'O cientista passou a noite inteira trabalhando no laboratório para concluir a pesquisa.'

Translation: The scientist spent the whole night working in the laboratory to finish the research.

The word is derived from the Latin laborare (to work), which emphasizes that this is a place of labor and effort. In Portuguese, the word maintains a formal tone but is accessible enough for A1 learners to use comfortably. It is important to note the gender: o laboratório. Using the feminine article 'a' is a common mistake for beginners. Additionally, the word is often shortened to 'lab' in informal English, but in Portuguese, while 'lab' is occasionally used in tech circles, the full word laboratório remains the standard in almost all situations.

'Este novo projeto servirá como um laboratório para as nossas futuras políticas urbanas.'

Translation: This new project will serve as a laboratory for our future urban policies.

'O laboratório de informática da escola foi renovado com computadores modernos.'

Translation: The school's computer lab was renovated with modern computers.
Types of Equipment
Within a laboratório, you will find specific tools like the microscópio (microscope), tubos de ensaio (test tubes), and balanças de precisão (precision scales). Knowing the word for the room is the first step in navigating a scientific environment in Portuguese.

'Para entrar no laboratório, é obrigatório o uso de jaleco e óculos de proteção.'

Translation: To enter the laboratory, the use of a lab coat and safety goggles is mandatory.

'Os resultados do laboratório confirmaram que a água estava contaminada.'

Translation: The laboratory results confirmed that the water was contaminated.

Using the word laboratório correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender, its placement in prepositional phrases, and the verbs it commonly pairs with. As a masculine noun, it always takes masculine articles (o, um, os, uns) and adjectives (novo, equipado, moderno). When you are talking about being inside a laboratory, the preposition em combines with the article o to form no (in the). If you are going toward a laboratory, you use para o or ao.

Basic Syntax
'O laboratório é grande' (The lab is big). Here, the subject is the lab, followed by the linking verb 'ser' and an adjective. Notice how the adjective 'grande' would change to 'pequeno' (masculine) if the lab were small.
Prepositional Use
'Eu trabalho no laboratório' (I work in the lab). 'Nós vamos ao laboratório' (We are going to the lab). These contractions are essential for natural-sounding Portuguese.

'Eles estão realizando uma experiência complexa dentro do laboratório de biologia.'

Translation: They are conducting a complex experiment inside the biology laboratory.

Verbs that frequently accompany laboratório include pesquisar (to research), analisar (to analyze), experimentar (to experiment/test), and equipar (to equip). In a more administrative sense, you might hear gerenciar (to manage) or limpar (to clean) a laboratory. In medical contexts, the verb colher (to collect) is often used in the phrase colher sangue no laboratório (to have blood drawn at the lab).

'O governo investiu milhões para construir um laboratório de ponta na universidade.'

Translation: The government invested millions to build a cutting-edge laboratory at the university.

'Preciso buscar meus exames no laboratório amanhã de manhã.'

Translation: I need to pick up my exam results at the laboratory tomorrow morning.

In plural sentences, remember that both the article and the noun must change: 'Os laboratórios desta cidade são muito eficientes.' If you are using a demonstrative pronoun, it would be 'este laboratório' (this lab) or 'aquele laboratório' (that lab over there). The word is versatile and maintains its meaning across different levels of formality, though in very technical writing, you might see it replaced by 'instalação de pesquisa' (research facility).

'O laboratório estava tão limpo que parecia uma sala de cirurgia.'

Translation: The laboratory was so clean it looked like an operating room.
Common Adjectives
Equipado (equipped), subterrâneo (underground), clandestino (clandestine/illegal), certificado (certified), avançado (advanced).

You will encounter the word laboratório in a variety of real-world settings in Portuguese-speaking countries. One of the most common places is in the news, especially during segments about health, technology, or science. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the names of major laboratórios like Pfizer or Butantan were spoken daily. Reporters would discuss the 'capacidade de produção do laboratório' (the lab's production capacity) or 'testes realizados em laboratório' (tests conducted in the lab).

At the Hospital or Clinic
If you are visiting a doctor in Brazil or Portugal, you will inevitably hear: 'Leve esta guia ao laboratório' (Take this form to the lab). In this context, the word refers to the diagnostic center where technicians collect samples. You might also hear 'técnico de laboratório' referring to the person who performs the tests.
In Educational Settings
From primary school to doctoral programs, the laboratório is a staple of student life. Teachers might say: 'A aula de hoje será no laboratório de ciências' (Today's class will be in the science lab). Students often talk about 'relatórios de laboratório' (lab reports).

'O laboratório farmacêutico anunciou a descoberta de um novo medicamento para a malária.'

Translation: The pharmaceutical laboratory announced the discovery of a new drug for malaria.

In the business world, especially in the tech and startup sectors, 'laboratórios de inovação' (innovation labs) are very popular. These are spaces within large companies dedicated to experimenting with new products or business models. You might hear a CEO say, 'Nosso laboratório de inovação em São Paulo está desenvolvendo uma nova IA' (Our innovation lab in São Paulo is developing a new AI). This usage highlights the creative and experimental aspect of the word.

'Muitos estudantes de cinema usam a cidade como um laboratório vivo para seus documentários.'

Translation: Many film students use the city as a living laboratory for their documentaries.

'O perito criminal encontrou evidências cruciais no laboratório de perícia.'

Translation: The forensic expert found crucial evidence in the forensic laboratory.

Finally, in pop culture, especially in dubbed sci-fi movies or series like 'Breaking Bad' (which is very popular in Brazil), the word laboratório is used constantly. Whether it's a 'laboratório secreto' (secret lab) or a 'laboratório de química,' the word carries connotations of mystery, science, and sometimes danger. If you watch the news in Portugal (RTP) or Brazil (Globo), listen for this word during segments about health crises or scientific breakthroughs.

Learning laboratório seems straightforward because it is a cognate, but there are several pitfalls that English speakers often fall into. The most frequent errors involve gender, pronunciation, and the incorrect use of abbreviations.

The Gender Trap
Many students assume that because 'laboratory' is neutral in English, they can guess the gender in Portuguese. Some mistakenly use 'a laboratório' because it ends in 'o' but sounds like it could be a place (like 'a escola'). Remember: it is ALWAYS o laboratório (masculine).
Pronunciation of the 'Ó'
The acute accent on the 'ó' (tó) means it is an open vowel sound, like the 'o' in 'hot' (American English) or 'pot.' English speakers often try to pronounce it as a closed 'o' (like 'go'), which sounds unnatural. It's la-bo-ra-TÓ-rio.

'Errado: Eu vou para a laboratório. Correto: Eu vou para o laboratório.'

Another mistake is the placement of the accent. Some learners forget the accent entirely (laboratorio), which changes the stress pattern of the word. In Portuguese, words ending in 'io' with an accent on the third-to-last syllable are common, and that accent is mandatory for correct spelling and pronunciation. Without the accent, a native speaker might not even recognize the word immediately.

'Errado: O lab está fechado. Correto: O laboratório está fechado.'

Note: While 'lab' is understood, it is much less common in Portuguese than in English.

Finally, be careful with the plural form. English speakers sometimes try to say 'laboratórios' but lose the stress on the 'tó.' The stress must remain consistent: la-bo-ra-TÓ-rios. Also, avoid using 'laboratório' to mean a 'study' (the result of research). For that, use 'estudo' or 'pesquisa.' The laboratório is the place where the estudo happens, not the study itself.

'Errado: Este laboratório diz que o café faz bem. Correto: Este estudo diz que o café faz bem.'

Spelling Check
Always include the 'i' before the final 'o'. Some learners spell it 'laboratôro' or 'laboratário' by mistake. It is la-bo-ra-tó-rio.

While laboratório is the most common term for a scientific space, there are several other words in Portuguese that might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation dictionary.

Laboratório vs. Centro de Pesquisa
A laboratório is usually a single room or a specific department. A centro de pesquisa (research center) is a larger institution that may contain many different laboratórios. Use 'centro de pesquisa' when referring to a whole organization.
Laboratório vs. Oficina
As mentioned before, an oficina is a workshop. If you are fixing a car, you are in an oficina mecânica. If you are mixing chemicals, you are in a laboratório. If you are doing a creative workshop, you might call it an oficina de escrita (writing workshop), though laboratório de escrita is also possible if the focus is on experimentation.
Laboratório vs. Clínica
In medical contexts, a clínica is where you see the doctor for a consultation. The laboratório is where you go to get your blood drawn or your X-rays analyzed. They are often in the same building but are distinct entities.

'O centro de pesquisa possui dez laboratórios especializados em biotecnologia.'

Translation: The research center has ten laboratories specialized in biotechnology.

In some specialized fields, you might hear the word ateliê (studio/workshop). This is common in the arts. While a photographer might have a 'laboratório fotográfico' to develop film (a chemical process), a painter has an 'ateliê.' The distinction lies in whether the work is perceived as scientific/technical or purely artistic.

'Antigamente, os fotógrafos passavam horas no laboratório revelando filmes.'

Translation: In the past, photographers spent hours in the lab developing films.

For computer-related spaces, 'laboratório de informática' is the standard, but in modern tech companies, you might just hear 'sala de servidores' (server room) or simply 'área técnica.' However, for educational purposes, laboratório remains the undisputed king of terms. Even in the digital age, a 'laboratório virtual' is a common way to describe a simulated environment for learning.

'A universidade lançou um laboratório virtual para alunos de química à distância.'

Translation: The university launched a virtual laboratory for distance chemistry students.
Summary Table
Laboratório: Science/Clinical. Oficina: Mechanical/Craft. Ateliê: Artistic. Centro de Pesquisa: Institutional/Large-scale.
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Examples by Level

1

O laboratório é novo.

The laboratory is new.

Masculine noun 'o laboratório' with masculine adjective 'novo'.

2

Eu vou ao laboratório.

I am going to the laboratory.

Contraction of 'a' (to) + 'o' (the) = 'ao'.

3

Onde fica o laboratório?

Where is the laboratory?

Asking for location using 'onde fica'.

4

O laboratório tem um microscópio.

The laboratory has a microscope.

Subject + verb 'ter' + object.

5

O laboratório da escola é grande.

The school laboratory is big.

Using 'da' (of the) to show possession/origin.

6

Eu trabalho no laboratório.

I work in the laboratory.

Contraction of 'em' (in) + 'o' (the) = 'no'.

7

O laboratório está aberto.

The laboratory is open.

Using 'estar' for a temporary state.

8

Este é o meu laboratório.

This is my laboratory.

Demonstrative pronoun 'este' and possessive 'meu'.

1

Preciso fazer um exame no laboratório.

I need to take a test at the lab.

Using 'precisar' + infinitive.

2

O laboratório de informática está cheio.

The computer lab is full.

Compound noun 'laboratório de informática'.

3

Os laboratórios são muito modernos.

The laboratories are very modern.

Plural agreement: 'os laboratórios... modernos'.

4

Ela estuda química no laboratório.

She studies chemistry in the lab.

Present tense 'estuda'.

5

O laboratório fecha às seis horas.

The lab closes at six o'clock.

Telling time with 'às'.

6

Não entre no laboratório sem permissão.

Do not enter the lab without permission.

Negative imperative 'não entre'.

7

O laboratório fica no segundo andar.

The lab is on the second floor.

Ordinal number 'segundo'.

8

O laboratório entregou os resultados.

The lab delivered the results.

Past tense 'entregou'.

1

O laboratório está desenvolvendo uma nova tecnologia.

The laboratory is developing a new technology.

Present continuous 'está desenvolvendo'.

2

Eles trabalham em um laboratório de pesquisa avançada.

They work in an advanced research laboratory.

Indefinite article 'um' + adjective 'avançada'.

3

O laboratório de línguas ajuda os alunos a praticar.

The language lab helps students practice.

Verb 'ajudar' followed by 'a' + infinitive.

4

É necessário manter o laboratório limpo e organizado.

It is necessary to keep the lab clean and organized.

Impersonal expression 'é necessário'.

5

O laboratório foi fundado há dez anos.

The laboratory was founded ten years ago.

Passive voice 'foi fundado' and time expression 'há'.

6

Muitas descobertas importantes ocorrem no laboratório.

Many important discoveries occur in the lab.

Plural subject and verb agreement.

7

O laboratório clínico aceita vários planos de saúde.

The clinical lab accepts various health plans.

Adjective 'clínico' modifying 'laboratório'.

8

O professor explicou as regras do laboratório.

The teacher explained the lab rules.

Possessive 'do' (de + o).

1

O laboratório deve seguir rigorosos protocolos de segurança.

The laboratory must follow strict safety protocols.

Modal verb 'deve' + infinitive.

2

Amostras foram enviadas para o laboratório central.

Samples were sent to the central laboratory.

Passive voice 'foram enviadas'.

3

O laboratório de inovação atrai muitos investidores.

The innovation lab attracts many investors.

Abstract usage of 'laboratório'.

4

Houve uma explosão acidental no laboratório de química.

There was an accidental explosion in the chemistry lab.

Existential 'houve' (past of haver).

5

O laboratório é certificado por órgãos internacionais.

The laboratory is certified by international bodies.

Agent of the passive 'por órgãos'.

6

O cientista publicou os dados obtidos no laboratório.

The scientist published the data obtained in the lab.

Past participle 'obtidos' as an adjective.

7

O laboratório subterrâneo realiza testes secretos.

The underground laboratory conducts secret tests.

Adjective 'subterrâneo' modifying 'laboratório'.

8

A manutenção do laboratório é feita mensalmente.

The maintenance of the lab is done monthly.

Adverb 'mensalmente'.

1

O laboratório atua como um catalisador para o desenvolvimento regional.

The laboratory acts as a catalyst for regional development.

Metaphorical usage of 'catalisador'.

2

A ética laboratorial é um tema recorrente nos debates científicos.

Laboratory ethics is a recurring theme in scientific debates.

Adjective 'laboratorial' derived from 'laboratório'.

3

O laboratório de simulação permite o treinamento de cirurgiões.

The simulation lab allows for the training of surgeons.

Complex noun phrase 'laboratório de simulação'.

4

A infraestrutura do laboratório precisa de uma atualização urgente.

The lab's infrastructure needs an urgent upgrade.

Noun 'infraestrutura' and adjective 'urgente'.

5

O laboratório de análises clínicas foi interditado por falta de higiene.

The clinical analysis lab was shut down due to lack of hygiene.

Passive voice 'foi interditado'.

6

Os pesquisadores passam a maior parte do tempo no ambiente laboratorial.

Researchers spend most of their time in the laboratory environment.

Adjective phrase 'ambiente laboratorial'.

7

O laboratório de biologia molecular é referência mundial.

The molecular biology lab is a world reference.

Noun as a complement 'referência'.

8

A precisão dos resultados depende da calibração do laboratório.

The accuracy of the results depends on the laboratory's calibration.

Verb 'depender' + 'de'.

1

O laboratório tornou-se o epicentro da revolução biotecnológica contemporânea.

The laboratory has become the epicenter of the contemporary biotechnological revolution.

Pronominal verb 'tornar-se'.

2

A desconstrução do conceito de laboratório revela tensões entre ciência e sociedade.

The deconstruction of the laboratory concept reveals tensions between science and society.

Abstract philosophical subject.

3

O laboratório de artes cênicas experimenta novas formas de interação com o público.

The performing arts lab experiments with new forms of interaction with the audience.

Artistic application of the term.

4

A transposição de modelos teóricos para o laboratório exige rigor metodológico.

The transposition of theoretical models to the laboratory requires methodological rigor.

Complex academic syntax.

5

O laboratório de políticas públicas simula o impacto de reformas socioeconômicas.

The public policy lab simulates the impact of socioeconomic reforms.

Governmental/Social science usage.

6

A automação laboratorial reduziu drasticamente a margem de erro humano.

Laboratory automation has drastically reduced the margin for human error.

Adverb 'drasticamente'.

7

O laboratório de nanofabricação opera em condições de vácuo absoluto.

The nanofabrication lab operates under absolute vacuum conditions.

Technical scientific terminology.

8

A soberania nacional depende da autonomia dos seus laboratórios de pesquisa.

National sovereignty depends on the autonomy of its research laboratories.

Political/Strategic context.

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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

laboratorio Spanish
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