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A2 verb #9,500 most common 11 min read

lamber

Top 9,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips lamber in 30 Seconds

Explanation lamber in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'lamber' as a simple action verb. It is most useful when talking about pets or eating ice cream. You don't need to worry about the metaphorical uses yet. Focus on the present tense: 'O cão lambe a mão' (The dog licks the hand). It is a regular '-er' verb, which helps you practice the basic conjugation patterns you are learning. Think of it as a physical action word that describes what animals do to show love or what you do with a 'sorvete' (ice cream). It is a concrete word that is easy to visualize. Try to use it in short sentences about your daily life or your pets. Remember that the 'm' makes the 'a' sound through your nose, which is a key part of Portuguese pronunciation for beginners to practice.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'lamber' in different tenses like the past (Pretérito Perfeito) and the future. You should also become familiar with the reflexive form, 'lamber-se', which is how you describe a cat cleaning itself. This is a great way to practice reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos). You might also encounter the common expression 'lamber os beiços' (to lick one's lips) in the context of food. At this stage, you should be able to understand the word in simple stories or descriptions of nature. You can also start to see how it differs from 'chupar' (to suck). Practice saying 'O gato se lambeu todo' (The cat licked itself all over) to get comfortable with the reflexive and past tense combination.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with 'lamber' in all indicative tenses and start seeing it in the subjunctive. You'll likely encounter it in more idiomatic expressions and colloquial settings. For example, 'lamber as feridas' (to lick one's wounds) is a common metaphorical phrase you might hear in news or literature. You should also be aware of the regional differences: 'estou lambendo' (Brazil) vs 'estou a lamber' (Portugal). This level is about nuance. You understand that 'lamber' isn't just for animals but can describe the way fire moves or how a person might react to a delicious meal. You can use it to add descriptive flair to your speaking and writing, moving beyond simple facts to more vivid descriptions.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'lamber' with precision in various registers. You might use it in a formal context to describe animal behavior or in an informal context to criticize someone who is 'lamber as botas' (kissing up) to a superior. You should understand the subtle difference between 'lamber' and its variants like 'lambericar'. You can use the verb in complex sentence structures, such as conditional or future subjunctive: 'Se o cão lamber a ferida, pode causar uma infeção' (If the dog licks the wound, it might cause an infection). You should also be able to recognize the word in more sophisticated literature where it might be used to describe waves, wind, or light 'licking' a landscape.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the word's etymology and its place in the broader Romance language family. You can appreciate the poetic weight of 'lamber' in high literature, where it might symbolize greed, desire, or the relentless passage of time (like fire licking away at history). You should be able to use the word in all its metaphorical glory without hesitation. You also understand the social implications of using the word in different contexts—when it sounds vulgar, when it sounds clinical, and when it sounds poetic. Your mastery includes knowing related terms like 'lambuzar' and 'lambe-lambe' and the cultural history behind them. You can engage in debates about the ethics of certain idioms or the regionalisms associated with the verb.

At the C2 level, 'lamber' is a tool you use with the same ease as a native speaker. You can play with the word, using it in puns, creative writing, or high-level academic discourse. You understand the most obscure uses and historical contexts of the verb. You can identify the word in archaic texts or regional dialects that might use it slightly differently. For you, 'lamber' is part of a vast web of related concepts including sensory perception, animal biology, and social hierarchy. You can use it to express the finest shades of meaning, such as the difference between a 'lamber' that is affectionate and one that is predatory. You are fully aware of its phonetic beauty and how it can be used to create alliteration or rhythm in a sentence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

lamber in 30 Seconds

Lamber is the Portuguese verb for 'to lick', used for physical and metaphorical actions.
It is a regular -er verb, making conjugation straightforward for learners at all levels.
Commonly used with pets, food (like ice cream), and in idiomatic expressions about satisfaction.
Metaphorically, it describes flames, waves, or submissive behavior toward authority figures.

The Portuguese verb lamber is a fundamental action verb that every learner should master early in their journey. At its core, it describes the physical act of passing the tongue over a surface. This can range from a biological necessity in animals to a sensory experience in humans. In the Portuguese-speaking world, the word carries both literal and highly figurative meanings that vary significantly depending on the social context. For instance, while you might use it to describe a child enjoying a lollipop, you could also use it metaphorically to describe how flames consume a building or how a person might 'lick' their wounds after a failure. Understanding the nuances of lamber requires looking beyond the dictionary definition and observing how native speakers apply it to everyday life, from the kitchen to the animal kingdom.

Literal Usage: The most common use involves food or hygiene. Dogs lambem their owners to show affection, and children lambem ice cream cones on a hot summer day in Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro.
Figurative Usage: In a more abstract sense, lamber can describe something that barely touches or grazes a surface. It is also used in the expression 'lamber as feridas' (to lick one's wounds), meaning to recover from a setback or humiliation.

O cachorro não parava de lamber a mão do seu dono como sinal de amizade.

Furthermore, the verb is often associated with the culinary world. When a dish is exceptionally delicious, Portuguese speakers might say it is 'de lamber os beiços' (to lick one's lips/chops). This implies that the food was so good that not a single drop should be wasted. In technical or poetic contexts, you might hear about waves 'licking' the shore or fire 'licking' the walls of a house, emphasizing a slow, consuming, or repetitive motion. This versatility makes lamber a vibrant part of the language's descriptive palette.

As chamas começaram a lamber as vigas de madeira do velho celeiro.

Colloquialism: In some regions, 'lamber' can be used to describe a quick, superficial cleaning or even a 'kiss-up' behavior (lamber as botas), though the latter is quite derogatory.

A criança adora lamber a colher depois que a mãe faz o bolo de chocolate.

In summary, lamber is a verb that moves from the physical reality of the tongue to the metaphorical reality of fire, water, and human emotion. It is a regular '-er' verb, making its conjugation predictable and easy for students to integrate into their daily vocabulary. Whether you are describing your pet, your favorite dessert, or a poetic scene of nature, this word provides the specific imagery needed to convey a sense of touch through the tongue.

Using lamber correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb. This means it usually requires a direct object—the thing being licked. For example, 'Eu lambo o sorvete' (I lick the ice cream). However, it can also be used reflexively, especially when talking about animals cleaning themselves: 'O gato se lambe' (The cat licks itself). This reflexive form is crucial for describing natural animal behaviors and is a common sight in Portuguese literature and daily conversation.

Direct Object Usage: When you use 'lamber' with an object, you are focusing on the action performed upon that object. It is a direct relationship without the need for a preposition between the verb and the noun.

Ela deu um pirulito ao filho, e ele começou a lamber com alegria.

In the past tense, lamber follows the standard pattern for '-er' verbs. 'Eu lambi' (I licked), 'Você lambeu' (You licked), 'Nós lambemos' (We licked). This regularity makes it a safe verb for beginners to use in storytelling. If you want to describe a habit, you would use the imperfect tense: 'O cão sempre lambia as minhas feridas quando eu era pequeno' (The dog always used to lick my wounds when I was little).

Depois do jantar, todos ficaram a lamber os dedos de tão boa que estava a comida.

Another important aspect is the use of the infinitive after another verb. We often see 'começar a lamber' (to start licking) or 'parar de lamber' (to stop licking). These verbal periphrases are very common in Portuguese and help provide a sense of progression or cessation of the action. For instance, 'O gato parou de se lamber quando ouviu o barulho' (The cat stopped licking itself when it heard the noise).

Idiomatic Sentence Patterns: 'Lamber os beiços' is a set phrase. You don't usually change 'beiços' to 'lábios' in this specific idiom, even though they mean the same thing. It is a fixed expression of satisfaction.

Não adianta lamber a bota do chefe; ele não vai te dar um aumento agora.

Mastering the use of lamber in sentences also means knowing when *not* to use it. While in English you might 'lick' a stamp, in Portuguese you would more commonly use 'molhar' (to wet) or 'colar' (to stick), although 'lamber o selo' is understood. Being precise with your verb choices will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translator.

The word lamber is ubiquitous in domestic settings. You will hear it most frequently in homes with pets or children. Parents often tell their children 'Não lamba isso!' (Don't lick that!) when they pick up something dirty. Similarly, pet owners are constantly discussing the licking habits of their dogs or cats with veterinarians or friends. It is a word of the private sphere, of the kitchen, and of the backyard.

Domestic Context: In the house, 'lamber' is associated with cleaning plates (sometimes frowned upon!) or the way a cat grooms itself. It's a very tactile, physical word.

O cachorro veio lamber a minha ferida no joelho.

In the culinary world, particularly in television cooking shows or food blogs, lamber appears in the context of taste. A chef might say a sauce is so good that you'll want to lick the plate. In Brazil, the expression 'lamber os beiços' is a very common way to praise a meal, often heard at family Sunday lunches or at local 'botecos' (neighborhood bars).

A sobremesa estava tão deliciosa que quase chegamos a lamber o prato.

You will also encounter lamber in literature and music. Songwriters use it to evoke sensuality or raw nature. In fado or Brazilian MPB, the word might appear to describe a gentle touch or a consuming passion. Because it is such a physical word, it carries a lot of weight in artistic expression. It evokes the sense of taste and touch simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for writers.

Informal Settings: Among friends, you might hear it in a joking manner. If someone is being overly flattering to a boss, a friend might whisper, 'Ele está a lamber as botas do patrão' (He is licking the boss's boots).

Cuidado para não lamber o gelado rápido demais e ficar com dor de cabeça.

Finally, in sports, especially football (soccer), commentators might use 'lamber' to describe a ball that 'licks' the post—meaning it hit or passed very close to the goalpost. This adds a level of excitement and visual detail to the commentary that fans in Portugal and Brazil love.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with lamber is confusing it with other verbs that involve the mouth or tongue, such as limpar (to clean) or morder (to bite). While licking can be a way of cleaning for a cat, in Portuguese, you must use the specific verb for the action of the tongue. Don't say 'O gato limpa-se' when you specifically mean 'O gato lambe-se'. The latter is much more descriptive of the physical action.

False Friends and Confusion: Avoid using 'lamber' when you mean 'to taste'. For tasting food, use 'provar' or 'experimentar'. 'Lamber' is only the physical action of the tongue, not the sensory evaluation of flavor, though the two often happen together.

Erro comum: 'Eu lambe o sorvete' (Correto: Eu lambo o sorvete).

Pronunciation is another area where learners struggle. The 'am' in lamber is a nasal vowel. Many English speakers try to pronounce the 'm' as a distinct consonant, but in Portuguese, it serves to nasalize the 'a'. It should sound closer to 'luhm-BEHR' than 'lam-ber'. Practice the nasal sound to avoid sounding like you are saying 'lamber' with an English 'a' sound.

O menino lambeu a ferida, o que não é muito higiênico.

Another mistake involves the figurative use of 'licking wounds'. In English, we say 'lick your wounds'. In Portuguese, it is 'lamber as feridas'. Some learners try to translate 'lick' as 'chupar' (to suck). While you 'chupa' a lollipop, you 'lambe' an ice cream or a wound. Using 'chupar' for a wound would sound very strange and physically impossible in the intended sense.

Preposition Pitfalls: Learners sometimes add 'em' or 'de' after lamber. Remember: 'Lamber [object]'. No preposition is needed. It's 'Lamber o prato', not 'Lamber no prato'.

Eles lamberam os selos antes de os colarem nos envelopes.

Lastly, be aware of the register. Using lamber in a very formal academic paper about hygiene might be too graphic; instead, you might use 'contato bucal' or more clinical terms. However, for 95% of situations, lamber is the perfect, natural word to use.

While lamber is the most direct word for licking, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the intensity or the specific nature of the action. Knowing these will help you refine your descriptions and understand more complex texts. For example, lambericar or lamberetar are diminutive or frequentative forms, often meaning to lick repeatedly or to nibble/lick at something without much conviction.

Lamber vs. Chupar: 'Lamber' is to pass the tongue over; 'Chupar' is to suck. You 'lambe' an ice cream cone (the outside) but you 'chupa' a straw or a piece of hard candy. Mixing these up can lead to funny or confusing situations.
Lamber vs. Provar: 'Provar' is to taste or try food. If you want to see if the soup needs salt, you 'prova' the soup. If you are cleaning the spoon with your tongue, you 'lambe' the spoon.

O gato lambuzou-se todo com o leite que caiu no chão.

Another related word is lambuzar, which means to smear or get messy with something sticky (like chocolate or mud). It often happens as a result of licking. If a child licks a chocolate bar and gets it all over their face, they are 'lambuzados'. This is a very common word in Brazilian Portuguese and is essential for describing messy eaters.

Em vez de lamber, ele apenas tocou a ponta da língua no doce.

In poetic or highly formal contexts, you might see oscular (to kiss, but sometimes used for a graze) or percorrer com a língua (to traverse with the tongue). However, these are rare. More commonly, you might hear roçar (to graze or touch lightly) when describing something like fire or waves, which is a more elegant alternative to 'lamber' in literature.

Summary of Alternatives: Use 'lamber' for the basic action, 'lambuzar' for the mess it creates, and 'chupar' for suction. This trio covers almost all mouth-related interactions with food and objects.

Não é educado lamber a faca durante a refeição.

By comparing lamber with these other verbs, you can see how specific Portuguese is regarding physical actions. Each verb carries a different connotation of intent, result, and social acceptability. Mastery of these distinctions is what separates an intermediate learner from a truly fluent speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The Latin root 'lambere' is also the ancestor of the English word 'lambent' (running softly over a surface, like a flame).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /lɐ̃.'beɾ/

US /lɐ̃.'beʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: lam-BER.

Rhymes With

comer beber correr querer saber viver poder trazer

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'm' as a full consonant instead of nasalizing the vowel.
Using an English 'a' sound (like in 'lamb') instead of the Portuguese nasal 'ã'.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
Pronouncing the final 'r' as an English 'r' (retroflex).
Forgetting to pronounce the 'e' in 'ber' correctly (should be a closed 'e').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to its similarity to other Romance languages.

Writing 3/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy, but remember the nasal 'am'.

Speaking 4/5

The nasal vowel 'am' followed by 'b' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clearly audible, but can be confused with 'lambericar' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

língua comer gato cão doce

Learn Next

chupar morder mastigar engolir saborear

Advanced

sugestão adulação cicatrizar voracidade

Grammar to Know

Regular -er verb conjugation in the present tense.

Eu lambo, tu lambes, ele lambe, nós lambemos, eles lambem.

Reflexive pronoun placement with 'lamber-se'.

O gato se lambe (BR) / O gato lambe-se (PT).

Use of the infinitive after prepositions like 'a' or 'de'.

Ele parou de lamber o doce.

Nasalization of vowels before 'm' or 'n'.

The 'a' in 'lamber' is nasalized (/lɐ̃/).

Direct object pronouns with verbs ending in 'r'.

Vou lamber o sorvete -> Vou lambê-lo.

Examples by Level

O cão gosta de lamber a minha mão.

The dog likes to lick my hand.

Simple infinitive after 'gosta de'.

Eu lambo o meu sorvete de chocolate.

I lick my chocolate ice cream.

First person singular present tense.

O gato lambe o leite no prato.

The cat licks the milk on the plate.

Third person singular present tense.

Não lambas o pirulito agora!

Don't lick the lollipop now!

Negative imperative (informal 'tu').

O bebê lambe os dedos.

The baby licks his fingers.

Direct object 'os dedos'.

Nós lambemos a colher do bolo.

We lick the cake spoon.

First person plural present tense.

Você lambe o selo para a carta?

Do you lick the stamp for the letter?

Simple question in the present tense.

Eles lambem o gelado no parque.

They lick the ice cream in the park.

Third person plural present tense.

O gato se lambeu depois de comer.

The cat licked itself after eating.

Reflexive past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).

A criança lambeu todo o prato de sopa.

The child licked the whole soup plate.

Past tense 'lambeu'.

Eu vou lamber este doce delicioso.

I am going to lick this delicious sweet.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O cachorro lambia as feridas dele.

The dog used to lick his wounds.

Imperfect tense for habitual action.

Nós lambemos os beiços com aquele jantar.

We licked our lips with that dinner.

Idiomatic use in the past tense.

Se o gato se lamber muito, ele fica limpo.

If the cat licks itself a lot, it gets clean.

Conditional structure with 'se'.

Ela lambeu a tampa do iogurte.

She licked the yogurt lid.

Specific direct object 'a tampa'.

Vocês lambem as mãos quando comem frango?

Do you lick your hands when you eat chicken?

Second person plural (vocês).

É provável que o cão te lamba a cara.

It is likely that the dog will lick your face.

Present subjunctive after 'é provável que'.

Enquanto o gato se lambia, eu lia o jornal.

While the cat was licking itself, I was reading the newspaper.

Simultaneous actions in the imperfect tense.

Ele lambeu as feridas após a derrota no jogo.

He licked his wounds after the defeat in the game.

Metaphorical use of 'lamber as feridas'.

As chamas lambiam as paredes da casa antiga.

The flames were licking the walls of the old house.

Metaphorical use for fire.

Não lamba a faca, é perigoso!

Don't lick the knife, it's dangerous!

Negative imperative.

Eu tinha lambido o gelado antes de ele cair.

I had licked the ice cream before it fell.

Past perfect (Mais-que-perfeito composto).

Ela sempre lambe os dedos depois de cozinhar.

She always licks her fingers after cooking.

Habitual present tense.

O mar lambia a areia da praia deserta.

The sea was licking the sand of the deserted beach.

Poetic use of the verb.

O político passou o tempo todo a lamber as botas do presidente.

The politician spent the whole time licking the president's boots.

Idiomatic expression 'lamber as botas'.

Se o gato não se lamber, pode estar doente.

If the cat doesn't lick itself, it might be sick.

Future subjunctive in the 'if' clause.

A tinta ainda estava fresca quando o cão a lambeu.

The paint was still fresh when the dog licked it.

Temporal clause with 'quando'.

Desejo que lamba o prato se gostar da comida.

I wish that you lick the plate if you like the food.

Present subjunctive after 'desejo que'.

O vento parecia lamber as folhas das árvores.

The wind seemed to lick the leaves of the trees.

Literary personification.

Embora o cão lamba tudo, ele é muito limpo.

Although the dog licks everything, he is very clean.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

Ele lambeu o açúcar que restava no fundo da caneca.

He licked the sugar that remained at the bottom of the mug.

Relative clause with 'que'.

Não podemos permitir que as chamas lambam a floresta.

We cannot allow the flames to lick the forest.

Subjunctive after a verb of permission.

A prosa de Saramago lambe as feridas da história portuguesa.

Saramago's prose licks the wounds of Portuguese history.

Highly metaphorical/literary use.

É imperativo que o animal se lamba para manter a higiene.

It is imperative that the animal licks itself to maintain hygiene.

Impersonal expression + subjunctive.

O mar, num movimento perpétuo, lambia as rochas milenares.

The sea, in a perpetual movement, licked the millenary rocks.

Complex sentence with apposition.

Ele lambeu o selo com um gesto de quem guarda um segredo.

He licked the stamp with the gesture of someone keeping a secret.

Descriptive narrative style.

A lamber as botas de quem tem poder, ele nunca chegará longe.

By licking the boots of those in power, he will never get far.

Gerund/Infinitive phrase at the start of the sentence.

O fogo lambeu vorazmente a biblioteca, destruindo séculos de saber.

The fire greedily licked the library, destroying centuries of knowledge.

Use of adverb 'vorazmente'.

Caso o gato se lamba excessivamente, leve-o ao veterinário.

In case the cat licks itself excessively, take it to the vet.

Conditional 'caso' + subjunctive.

A língua do bezerro lambeu a mão áspera do camponês.

The calf's tongue licked the rough hand of the peasant.

Contrast of textures (língua vs mão áspera).

A luz do crepúsculo lambia as arestas dos edifícios de betão.

The twilight light licked the edges of the concrete buildings.

Abstract personification of light.

Não obstante o seu esforço por lamber as botas da elite, foi ostracizado.

Notwithstanding his effort to lick the boots of the elite, he was ostracized.

Formal connector 'não obstante'.

A cadela, num ato de instinto maternal, lambeu a cria recém-nascida.

The dog, in an act of maternal instinct, licked the newborn pup.

Scientific/Biological context.

O rio lambia as margens, ameaçando transbordar a qualquer momento.

The river licked the banks, threatening to overflow at any moment.

Metaphor for rising water levels.

Ele lambeu o lábio inferior, num tique nervoso que o denunciava.

He licked his lower lip, in a nervous tic that betrayed him.

Detailed character description.

A lamber as feridas do passado, a nação tentava encontrar o seu rumo.

Licking the wounds of the past, the nation tried to find its way.

Political/Social metaphor.

O gelado derretia-se, obrigando-o a lamber os dedos freneticamente.

The ice cream was melting, forcing him to lick his fingers frantically.

Causal relationship in the sentence.

As vagas lambiam o casco do navio com uma suavidade enganadora.

The waves licked the ship's hull with a deceptive smoothness.

Literary use for maritime description.

Common Collocations

lamber o prato

lamber os dedos

lamber a ferida

lamber o selo

lamber a mão

chamas a lamber

lamber o gelado

lamber a cria

lamber o chão

lamber a colher

Common Phrases

De lamber os beiços

— Something extremely delicious. It literally means 'to lick the lips'.

Esta feijoada está de lamber os beiços!

Lamber as botas

— To be a sycophant or a kiss-up. To behave submissively to get an advantage.

Ele passa o dia a lamber as botas do patrão.

Lamber as feridas

— To recover from a defeat or a bad experience. To brood over a failure.

Depois da derrota, a equipa foi para casa lamber as feridas.

Lamber o sabugo

— To lick something to the very end (often used for corn or bones).

Ele comeu o milho e lambeu o sabugo.

Lamber a poeira

— To fall face down or to be defeated (similar to 'bite the dust').

O lutador fez o adversário lamber a poeira.

Lamber o mel

— To enjoy the best part of something.

Ele só quer lamber o mel, mas não quer trabalhar.

Lamber-se todo

— To get messy or to groom oneself thoroughly (for animals).

O gato lambeu-se todo depois do banho.

Dar uma lambida

— To give a quick lick (using the noun form 'lambida').

O cão deu uma lambida no meu rosto.

Ficar a lamber os dedos

— To be left wanting more because it was so good.

O doce era tão pouco que ficamos a lamber os dedos.

Lamber o prato limpo

— To finish every bit of food on the plate.

As crianças lamberam o prato limpo.

Often Confused With

lamber vs limpar

Limpar is to clean in general; lamber is specifically using the tongue.

lamber vs chupar

Chupar is to suck; lamber is to pass the tongue over the surface.

lamber vs provar

Provar is to taste/test; lamber is the physical act.

Idioms & Expressions

"Lamber os beiços"

— To express that food is exceptionally tasty. It's used as an adjective for the meal.

O jantar estava de lamber os beiços.

Informal

"Lamber as botas"

— To act in a servile way toward someone powerful to gain favor.

Ninguém gosta de quem passa a vida a lamber as botas aos chefes.

Derogatory

"Lamber as feridas"

— To take time to recover from a setback, often in a solitary or brooding way.

A empresa está a lamber as feridas após a crise financeira.

Neutral

"Lamber o chão"

— To fall down hard or to be humiliated in a fight.

Cuidado para não escorregar e lamber o chão.

Colloquial

"Lamber o selo"

— To complete a task with a final, traditional touch (though becoming obsolete).

Só falta lamber o selo e enviar a carta.

Neutral

"Lamber a cria"

— To be overprotective or excessively doting on one's children.

Ela é uma mãe que adora lamber a cria.

Informal

"Lamber a faca"

— To take a risk or to show poor manners at the table.

Não lamba a faca, podes cortar-te!

Informal

"Lamber o prato"

— To show extreme appreciation for a meal, often literally.

O molho era tão bom que quase lambi o prato.

Informal

"Lamber o dedo"

— Used to check the wind or as a sign of tasting something small.

Ele lambeu o dedo para ver de onde vinha o vento.

Neutral

"Lamber a poeira"

— To be defeated or to suffer a great fall.

O exército inimigo foi obrigado a lamber a poeira.

Literary/Dramatic

Easily Confused

lamber vs lambuzar

Sounds similar and involves the same action.

Lamber is the action; lambuzar is the messy result or smearing something.

Ele lambeu o chocolate e lambuzou a cara toda.

lamber vs lembrar

Phonetically similar for beginners.

Lembrar means 'to remember'; lamber means 'to lick'.

Eu lembro-me de lamber o gelado.

lamber vs lombo

Similar root sound.

Lombo is a cut of meat (loin); lamber is a verb.

O cão lambeu o lombo de porco.

lamber vs lambericar

It is a derivative.

Lamber is the standard action; lambericar implies small, repetitive licks.

Ele lambe o sorvete, mas lamberica o pirulito.

lamber vs morder

Both involve the mouth.

Morder is to bite with teeth; lamber is with the tongue.

O cão não morde, ele só lambe.

Sentence Patterns

O [animal] lambe [object].

O cão lambe a bola.

O [animal] se lambeu.

O gato se lambeu.

Estar de lamber os beiços.

O bolo está de lamber os beiços.

Lamber as botas de [person].

Ele lambe as botas do diretor.

As chamas lambiam [object].

As chamas lambiam o telhado.

Gostar de lamber [object].

Eu gosto de lamber o gelado.

Lamber as feridas.

Ele foi lamber as feridas.

Lamber com [adverb].

O mar lambia a costa suavemente.

Word Family

Nouns

lambida (a lick)

lambidela (a quick lick)

lambuzadela (a messy lick/smear)

lambe-lambe (street photographer/poster)

Verbs

lambericar (to lick repeatedly)

lamberetar (to lick playfully)

lambuzar (to smear/get messy)

Adjectives

lambido (licked/neatly combed)

lambareiro (gluttonous/fond of sweets)

lambuzado (smeared/messy)

língua (tongue)

paladar (taste)

saliva (saliva)

sorvete (ice cream)

cachorro (dog)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily life, especially in domestic and culinary contexts.

Common Mistakes

Eu lambo de o prato. → Eu lambo o prato.
Lamber is a direct transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'de'.
O gato limpa-se com a língua. → O gato lambe-se.
While 'limpa-se' is grammatically correct, 'lambe-se' is the specific and more natural term for animal grooming.
Lamber os lábios. → Lamber os beiços.
In the idiom for delicious food, 'beiços' is the fixed word, even though 'lábios' means the same thing.
Chupar o sorvete. → Lamber o sorvete.
Chupar implies suction, while lamber is the action of the tongue on the surface of the ice cream.
Pronouncing 'lam-ber' with a hard 'm'. → Pronouncing it with a nasal 'ã'.
The 'm' is a nasal marker, not a distinct consonant sound in this position.

Tips

Master the Nasal 'A'

The 'am' in lamber is a nasal vowel. Practice by saying 'ah' and then letting the air go through your nose. It's the same sound as in 'campo' or 'samba'.

Ice Cream Rule

Always use 'lamber' for ice cream cones. If you use 'comer', it's okay, but 'lamber' is what you are actually doing!

Street Art Connection

In Brazil, look for 'lambe-lambe' posters. They are a huge part of the culture and will help you remember the word.

Reflexive Cats

Whenever you talk about a cat cleaning itself, use 'se lamber'. It's the most natural way to describe it in Portuguese.

Praising Food

If you want to impress a Brazilian cook, say 'Está de lamber os beiços!'. They will love the compliment.

Fire Imagery

Use 'lamber' when describing fire in a story. It makes the fire sound more alive and dangerous.

Avoid Prepositions

Don't say 'lamber em' or 'lamber de'. Just say 'lamber [object]'. The verb is direct.

Messy Eaters

If a child is making a mess while licking, use the word 'lambuzar'. It's more descriptive of the mess.

Be Careful with Boots

Only use 'lamber as botas' if you really mean to criticize someone. It's not a lighthearted phrase.

Listen for the Stress

Remember the stress is at the end: lam-BER. This helps you distinguish it from nouns like 'lombo'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'lamb' (the animal) that likes to 'lamber' (lick) a salt block. The words sound similar enough to create a mental link.

Visual Association

Visualize a giant tongue 'licking' (lamber) an ice cream cone that looks like the letter 'L'.

Word Web

língua sorvete cachorro ferida gato doce chamas beiços

Challenge

Try to use 'lamber' in three different contexts today: once for a pet, once for food, and once for a metaphorical use like 'lamber as feridas'.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'lambere', which also means 'to lick' or 'to lap up'. It has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning as it transitioned from Latin to the Romance languages.

Original meaning: To lick, to touch with the tongue, to taste.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Galician-Portuguese > Portuguese.

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'lamber as botas' as it is a strong insult regarding someone's character.

In English, 'licking' can have sexual connotations that are also present in Portuguese, so use it carefully in adult contexts.

The expression 'lamber os beiços' appears in many Brazilian folk songs. Clarice Lispector uses 'lamber' in her literature to describe raw, visceral experiences. The 'lambe-lambe' photography tradition in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Eating sweets

Lamber o gelado
Lamber o pirulito
Lamber o açúcar
Lamber a colher

Pets

O cão lambe
O gato lambe-se
Lamber a ferida
Dar uma lambidela

Cooking

Lamber os dedos
Lamber o prato
Estar de lamber os beiços
Lamber a espátula

Workplace (Metaphorical)

Lamber as botas
Lamber as feridas
Lamber o chefe
Adulação barata

Nature/Disaster

As chamas lambem
O mar lambe a areia
O vento lambe
Lamber as rochas

Conversation Starters

"O seu cachorro costuma lamber as pessoas quando as conhece?"

"Você acha que é falta de educação lamber o prato em casa?"

"Qual foi a última comida que você comeu que estava 'de lamber os beiços'?"

"Você já viu um gato a lamber-se por muito tempo?"

"O que você faz quando um cão tenta lamber a sua cara?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma memória de infância que envolva lamber um sorvete ou um doce.

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você teve que 'lamber as feridas' após um erro.

Como você se sente quando um animal de estimação vem lamber você?

Descreva uma cena de um incêndio ou do mar usando o verbo 'lamber' de forma poética.

O que você pensa sobre pessoas que 'lambem as botas' dos outros para conseguir o que querem?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually only in specific contexts like eating ice cream or in a romantic/sensual context. In general social situations, it might be seen as impolite or strange.

Yes, it is used in both Portugal and Brazil to describe delicious food, though Brazil uses it perhaps more frequently in daily speech.

Lamber is to pass the tongue over a surface (like an ice cream cone). Chupar is to create suction (like with a straw or a hard candy inside the mouth).

It is a regular -er verb: eu lambi, tu lambeste, ele lambeu, nós lambemos, vós lambestes, eles lamberam.

It is insulting because it calls someone a sycophant, but it's not a 'swear word'. It's a common way to criticize someone's behavior at work.

Because the wheatpaste used to stick them was traditionally applied in a way that looked like 'licking' the wall, or because photographers used to lick the negatives.

Yes, in Portuguese literature and journalism, 'as chamas lambem' is a very common way to describe fire spreading across a surface.

Both are used. 'Lamber o selo' is more literal, while 'molhar' (to wet) is a bit more formal/neutral.

You say 'lamber as feridas'. It is used exactly like in English to mean recovering from a setback.

No, the 'm' is not a separate consonant. It simply tells you to nasalize the 'a' vowel.