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B1 noun 12 min read

picos

Examples picos in 30 Seconds
Explanation picos in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn picos as the plural of pico, meaning the top of a mountain. Think of it as a very simple word to describe nature. If you see a drawing of a mountain with a sharp top, that is a pico. In the plural, picos refers to many of these tops. You might use it in simple sentences like 'As montanhas têm picos' (Mountains have peaks). It's a masculine word, so you use 'o' for one and 'os' for many. At this stage, don't worry about the metaphorical meanings. Just focus on the physical world. You might also hear it when people talk about the weather, like 'picos de neve' (snowy peaks). It's a good word to know for describing landscapes during your first trips to Portugal or Brazil.
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At the A2 level, you can start using picos to describe more than just mountains. You might encounter it when talking about tools or sharp objects. For example, a fence with sharp points might have picos. You will also begin to see it in descriptions of intensity. If you are talking about the weather, you might say 'picos de calor' to describe very hot moments in the day. You should also be aware of the island of Pico in the Azores, which is a famous part of Portuguese geography. Agreement with adjectives becomes more important here: 'picos altos' (high peaks), 'picos brancos' (white peaks). You are building the foundation to use this word in more descriptive ways.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use picos in more abstract and colloquial ways. This is where you learn the very common expression 'e picos' to mean 'and some'. For example, 'Ele tem quarenta e picos anos' (He is forty-something). This is a very natural way to speak. You also use picos to talk about 'peak hours' or 'spikes' in data, like 'picos de trânsito' (traffic spikes) or 'picos de audiência' (audience peaks). You should understand that 'picos' implies a sudden increase or a maximum point. In a business or school setting, you might describe 'picos de trabalho' (peaks of work/busy periods). This level is about moving from the literal mountain top to the metaphorical peaks of life and data.
At the B2 level, your use of picos should be precise. You will use it in professional or technical contexts. For example, in an economics discussion, you might talk about 'picos de inflação' or 'picos de procura' (demand spikes). In a medical context, you could discuss 'picos de febre' or 'picos de tensão arterial'. You should also be able to distinguish picos from synonyms like cumes, cristas, or auges. You understand that picos often carries a connotation of volatility or sharpness. You can also use it in sports contexts, like 'picos de forma' (peak fitness) or 'sapatilhas de picos' (track spikes). Your vocabulary is becoming more specialized and nuanced.
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At the C1 level, you use picos with stylistic flair. You might use it in literary descriptions to evoke sharp imagery, or in complex socio-economic analyses. You are comfortable with all its colloquialisms and can use 'e picos' in various settings to sound like a native speaker. You understand the historical and geographical significance of the word in the Lusophone world, such as the 'Picos da Europa' or the volcanic history of the Atlantic islands. You can discuss the 'picos' of a career or a historical era with sophistication. You also recognize the word in technical fields like audio engineering (clipping/peaks) or advanced mathematics (local maxima). Your command of the word is total, including its most subtle connotations.
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At the C2 level, picos is a tool for absolute precision and rhetorical effect. You can use it to describe the 'picos' of human emotion, the 'picos' of architectural styles, or the 'picos' of philosophical thought. You are aware of archaic or highly regional uses of the word. You can navigate the most complex puns or wordplay involving 'picos', 'bicos', and 'espinhos'. You might use the term in geological or glaciological contexts with scientific accuracy. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile instrument in your linguistic orchestra, used to denote extremity, sharpness, and the very limits of any measurable or perceivable phenomenon.
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Examples

picos in 30 Seconds

  • Mountain peaks or summits.
  • Spikes or sharp points on objects.
  • Maximum points of intensity or value.
  • Colloquial 'and something' (e.g., age).
The word picos is the plural form of pico, a term deeply embedded in the Portuguese language to describe the highest, most pointed parts of geographical features, objects, or abstract concepts. Primarily, it refers to mountain peaks or summits. When you look at a mountain range like the Serra da Estrela in Portugal or the Andes in South America, the sharp, pointed tops that pierce the sky are the picos. However, the utility of picos extends far beyond physical geography. In a metaphorical sense, it represents the highest point of intensity, activity, or value in a given period. For instance, in economics, one might speak of picos de inflação (inflation spikes), or in telecommunications, picos de tráfego (traffic spikes).
Geographical Usage
Used to describe the summits of mountains, especially those that are sharp or jagged. Example: 'Os picos nevados dos Alpes são deslumbrantes.'

Conseguimos avistar os picos da cordilheira através das nuvens.

Another fascinating usage is colloquial and relates to numbers. In Portugal and Brazil, people often use e picos to denote 'and a bit more' or 'and something,' particularly regarding age or money. If someone says they are 'trinta e picos anos,' they are in their early thirties, likely between 31 and 34. This usage adds a layer of vagueness that is common in casual conversation. In technical contexts, such as electronics or health, picos refers to sudden surges. A 'pico de tensão' is a voltage spike that can damage appliances, while a 'pico de febre' is a sudden high temperature in a patient. This versatility makes it a crucial word for B1 learners to master, as it bridges the gap between descriptive physical language and abstract data representation.
Temporal/Abstract Usage
Refers to the maximum point of a curve in a graph or a period of maximum demand. Example: 'Os picos de consumo de energia ocorrem ao início da noite.'

A empresa registou vários picos de vendas durante a época natalícia.

Geographically, the word is also a proper noun in the Azores, where 'Pico' is an island named after its massive volcano, the highest point in Portugal. When referring to the mountain ranges of Europe, you will often hear about the 'Picos de Europa' in northern Spain, a term well-known to Portuguese travelers and hikers. Understanding picos requires recognizing whether the speaker is discussing a physical height, a statistical surge, or a colloquial approximation.
Colloquial Approximation
Used after a number to indicate a small, unspecified additional amount. Example: 'O bilhete custou vinte e picos euros.'

Cuidado com os picos daquela vedação; são muito afiados.

Throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, from the peaks of the Serra do Mar in Brazil to the volcanic summits of Cape Verde, picos remains a fundamental term for describing the heights of our world and the surges in our lives.
Using picos correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine plural noun. It follows standard Portuguese agreement rules: adjectives and articles must be masculine and plural. For example, 'os picos altos' (the high peaks). When using it to describe geographical features, it often appears with the preposition 'de' (of) to specify the location or type, such as 'picos de granito' (granite peaks) or 'picos da cordilheira' (peaks of the mountain range).
Agreement with Adjectives
Always use masculine plural modifiers. Example: 'Estes picos são perigosos para escaladores inexperientes.'

Os picos mais elevados da região estão sempre cobertos de gelo.

In metaphorical contexts, picos is frequently paired with nouns related to time or measurement. 'Picos de audiência' (audience peaks) is a common phrase in media, referring to the moments when a television show has the most viewers. In medicine, 'picos de glicemia' (blood sugar spikes) is used to describe rapid increases in glucose levels. Notice how the word conveys a sense of suddenness and extremity.
Describing Intensity
Use 'picos' to highlight the maximum points in a data set. Example: 'O gráfico mostra vários picos de poluição durante a tarde.'

Durante a maratona, o atleta atingiu vários picos de frequência cardíaca.

The colloquial 'e picos' structure is unique. It always follows the number and the noun (if present). For age: 'Ele tem cinquenta e picos anos.' For price: 'Custou cem e picos reais.' It functions as an adverbial phrase of quantity. It is important to note that this is informal; in a formal report, you would use 'pouco mais de' or 'aproximadamente'.
Colloquial Quantity
Place 'e picos' after the main number. Example: 'A viagem demorou duas horas e picos.'

Já passava das dez e picos quando eles finalmente chegaram a casa.

When describing tools, 'picos' can refer to pickaxes or pointed hammers used in construction or mining. 'Trabalhar com picos' implies heavy manual labor involving breaking stones or hard soil. In this sense, the word is synonymous with 'picaretas' in some regions. Finally, in the context of sports, 'picos' can refer to the spikes on the soles of athletic shoes (sapatilhas de picos), used by sprinters to gain traction on the track. This variety of use cases demonstrates that 'picos' is a versatile tool in the Portuguese speaker's vocabulary, adapting its meaning based on the noun it modifies or the context of the surge.
You will encounter picos in several distinct environments, ranging from the natural world to the newsroom. In a geographical context, if you are watching a travel documentary about Portugal, the narrator will inevitably mention the picos of the Azores or the Serra da Estrela. Hikers and mountain climbers use the word constantly to discuss their objectives. 'Qual é o próximo dos picos que vamos subir?' (Which of the peaks are we climbing next?).
In the News
Journalists use 'picos' to describe record-breaking data. Example: 'A temperatura atingiu picos históricos este verão.'

Os picos de poluição nas grandes cidades preocupam as autoridades de saúde.

In the business world, during quarterly meetings, you will hear about 'picos de produtividade' (productivity peaks) or 'picos de procura' (demand spikes). If a company sells ice cream, they expect picos in sales during the summer months. Similarly, utility companies monitor 'picos de consumo' to ensure the power grid doesn't fail during heatwaves when everyone turns on their air conditioning.
In Sports
Athletes use 'picos' to refer to their peak physical condition. Example: 'Ele está a tentar atingir os picos de forma para os Jogos Olímpicos.'

O surfista viajou pelo mundo à procura dos melhores picos de ondas.

On the street, specifically in Portugal, the colloquial use regarding age or price is everywhere. You might hear a vendor at a market saying, 'Isso custa dez e picos' (That costs ten and something). It’s a way of being imprecise but indicating that the value is just slightly over the round number. In a medical setting, a doctor might ask a patient if they have experienced 'picos de dor' (peaks of pain), meaning intermittent but intense sharp pains rather than a constant ache.
In Technology
Engineers discuss 'picos de carga' when evaluating server performance. Example: 'O servidor não aguentou os picos de acesso simultâneo.'

Houve picos de interferência no sinal de rádio durante a tempestade.

Whether you are looking at a mountain, a graph, or a medical chart, picos is the word used to identify the extremes. It is a word of movement and intensity, signaling that something has reached its limit or is surging upward.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with picos is confusing it with the English word 'peaks' in contexts where Portuguese uses a different term. For instance, while we say 'mountain peaks' (picos de montanha), we don't usually use 'picos' for the 'peak' of a hat (which is aba) or the 'peak' of a cap (which is pala). Using picos in these cases would sound very strange to a native speaker.
Confusing with 'Bicos'
A common phonetic error. 'Bicos' are bird beaks or nozzles. Example: 'Os pássaros têm bicos, não picos.'

Ela comprou sapatos com picos (spikes) em vez de sapatos de bico fino (pointed toes).

Another error involves the colloquial 'e picos'. Learners often try to translate 'and some' literally as 'e alguns', but for age or prices, 'e picos' is the idiomatic standard. Saying 'Eu tenho trinta e alguns anos' is grammatically correct but lacks the natural flavor of 'trinta e picos'. Conversely, don't use 'e picos' for things that aren't countable in a linear way, like 'I have three and some books'. It’s strictly for values, ages, and time.
Overusing for 'Spikes'
In biology, use 'espinhos' for roses or hedgehogs. 'Picos' is more for man-made or geographical spikes. Example: 'A rosa tem espinhos, não picos.'

O gráfico não tem 'topos', tem picos de crescimento.

Gender agreement is another pitfall. Since pico is masculine, the plural picos must always take masculine articles ('os') and adjectives ('altos', 'agudos', 'perigosos'). A common mistake is thinking it might be feminine because it ends in 's', but the root 'o pico' is masculine. Finally, be careful with 'pico' in slang. In some Portuguese-speaking regions, 'dar um pico' can have drug-related connotations (injecting), so use it carefully in informal settings to avoid unintended meanings.
Preposition Errors
Don't say 'picos em montanha'; use 'picos de montanha' or 'picos das montanhas'.

Evite as horas de ponta para não ficar preso no trânsito.

By paying attention to these nuances—especially the distinction between physical spikes, statistical peaks, and colloquial approximations—you will avoid the most common traps and speak more like a native.
To enrich your Portuguese, it's helpful to know words similar to picos and when to use them instead. While picos is common, several synonyms offer more precision depending on the context.
Cumes vs. Picos
'Cume' (summit) is more formal and often refers to the very highest point of a single mountain. 'Picos' can refer to many pointed tops within a range. Example: 'O cume do Everest' is more common than 'o pico do Everest'.

Eles atingiram o cume da montanha ao meio-dia.

Another alternative is cristas (crests/ridges). While a pico is a single point, a crista is a long, narrow elevated part of a mountain or a wave. If you are describing the foam on top of a wave, you would use 'cristas das ondas', not 'picos', unless you are a surfer describing the 'peak' of the break.
Topos vs. Picos
'Topo' is a generic word for 'top'. Use it for the top of a building, a page, or a list. 'Pico' is reserved for something pointed or a statistical maximum. Example: 'O topo da tabela classificativa'.

O gato subiu ao topo do armário.

In the context of intensity or surges, you might use auges (heights/zeniths). 'O auge da carreira' (the peak of the career) sounds more prestigious and permanent than 'um pico de carreira', which might imply a temporary surge. Similarly, clímax is used for the most intense point of a story or event.
Pontas vs. Picos
'Ponta' means 'tip' or 'end'. Use it for the tip of a pencil ('ponta do lápis') or the tip of your finger ('ponta do dedo'). 'Pico' is too large or too sharp for these small objects.

A ponta da faca está partida.

When discussing tools, picaretas is the specific term for pickaxes. If you want to sound more technical in a hardware store, ask for a 'picareta' rather than 'um pico', though 'pico' is sometimes used for the pointed end of the tool itself. By choosing the right synonym, you show a deeper understanding of the nuances of the Portuguese language.
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Examples by Level

1

Eu vejo os picos das montanhas.

I see the mountain peaks.

Picos is masculine plural.

2

Os picos são muito altos.

The peaks are very high.

Adjective 'altos' agrees with 'picos'.

3

A montanha tem três picos.

The mountain has three peaks.

Number 'três' modifies 'picos'.

4

Gosto de desenhar picos nevados.

I like to draw snowy peaks.

Nevados is the adjective for snowy.

5

Onde estão os picos?

Where are the peaks?

Question word 'onde' used with 'estar'.

6

Os picos ficam longe daqui.

The peaks are far from here.

Verb 'ficar' used for location.

7

Olha para aqueles picos!

Look at those peaks!

Demonstrative 'aqueles' agrees with 'picos'.

8

Os picos são bonitos.

The peaks are beautiful.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

1

A vedação tem picos afiados.

The fence has sharp spikes.

Picos here refers to physical spikes.

2

Esta planta tem muitos picos.

This plant has many spikes.

Colloquial use for plant spines.

3

Hoje houve picos de calor.

Today there were heat spikes.

Picos used for intensity.

4

Os sapatos têm picos para não escorregar.

The shoes have spikes to not slip.

Picos as traction spikes.

5

O sol brilha nos picos da serra.

The sun shines on the mountain range peaks.

Serra is a common word for mountain range.

6

Cuidado com os picos no chão.

Watch out for the spikes on the ground.

Imperative 'cuidado' with 'com'.

7

Os picos das tendas são visíveis.

The tops of the tents are visible.

Picos used for pointed tops of objects.

8

Eles subiram aos picos mais baixos.

They climbed the lower peaks.

Superlative 'mais baixos'.

1

Ele tem quarenta e picos anos.

He is forty-something years old.

Colloquial use of 'e picos' for age.

2

Evite os picos de trânsito na cidade.

Avoid the traffic peaks in the city.

Picos referring to peak hours.

3

O café custou dois euros e picos.

The coffee cost two euros and something.

Colloquial use for money.

4

A rádio teve picos de audiência ontem.

The radio had audience peaks yesterday.

Statistical usage.

5

Temos tido picos de trabalho ultimamente.

We have been having work peaks lately.

Referring to busy periods.

6

O gráfico mostra vários picos de vendas.

The graph shows several sales peaks.

Standard business context.

7

Houve picos de energia durante a trovoada.

There were power spikes during the thunderstorm.

Electrical context.

8

O atleta atingiu picos de velocidade.

The athlete reached speed peaks.

Referring to maximum performance.

1

Os picos de inflação afetaram a economia.

The inflation spikes affected the economy.

Economic terminology.

2

O paciente apresenta picos de febre alta.

The patient shows peaks of high fever.

Medical context.

3

A equipa técnica analisou os picos de carga.

The technical team analyzed the load peaks.

Computing/Engineering context.

4

Os picos de adrenalina são comuns no paraquedismo.

Adrenaline spikes are common in skydiving.

Physiological context.

5

A sapatilha de picos é essencial para a pista.

The spiked shoe is essential for the track.

Specific sports equipment.

6

O vulcão tem vários picos secundários.

The volcano has several secondary peaks.

Geological description.

7

Houve picos de poluição sonora na zona industrial.

There were noise pollution peaks in the industrial zone.

Environmental context.

8

A procura atingiu picos inesperados no verão.

Demand reached unexpected peaks in the summer.

Market demand context.

1

A narrativa atinge picos de tensão dramática.

The narrative reaches peaks of dramatic tension.

Literary/Artistic context.

2

Os picos glaciares estão a derreter rapidamente.

The glacial peaks are melting rapidly.

Environmental/Scientific context.

3

O ensaio discute os picos da criatividade humana.

The essay discusses the peaks of human creativity.

Philosophical/Academic context.

4

A flutuação cambial registou picos de volatilidade.

The currency fluctuation recorded peaks of volatility.

Advanced finance terminology.

5

A cordilheira é composta por picos de quartzito.

The mountain range is composed of quartzite peaks.

Specific geological material.

6

O compositor explorou picos de intensidade sonora.

The composer explored peaks of sound intensity.

Music theory context.

7

Os picos de radiação foram detetados pelos sensores.

Radiation spikes were detected by the sensors.

Scientific monitoring.

8

A história da região é marcada por picos de conflito.

The history of the region is marked by peaks of conflict.

Historical analysis.

1

A exegese revela picos de erudição teológica.

The exegesis reveals peaks of theological erudition.

Highly formal/Academic.

2

A topografia da região é definida por picos íngremes.

The topography of the region is defined by steep peaks.

Technical geographic description.

3

O fenômeno manifesta-se em picos de periodicidade errática.

The phenomenon manifests in peaks of erratic periodicity.

Complex scientific phrasing.

4

A obra atinge picos de virtuosismo técnico inigualáveis.

The work reaches peaks of unparalleled technical virtuosity.

High-level artistic critique.

5

Os picos de pressão hidrostática foram calculados.

The hydrostatic pressure peaks were calculated.

Advanced physics/engineering.

6

A análise espectral identificou picos de absorção.

The spectral analysis identified absorption peaks.

Chemistry/Physics technicality.

7

A dialética do autor explora os picos do idealismo.

The author's dialectic explores the peaks of idealism.

Philosophical discourse.

8

Os picos de demanda energética exigem gestão algorítmica.

Energy demand peaks require algorithmic management.

Modern technical management.

Common Collocations

picos de neve
picos de trânsito
picos de audiência
picos de febre
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