This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #12,000 most common 15 min read

poliban

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips poliban in 30 Seconds

Explanation poliban in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'poliban' is a basic noun you might learn when studying 'The House' (A Casa). You should understand that it refers to a shower stall. At this stage, you don't need to know the technical details, but you should be able to identify it in a bathroom. You will use it in very simple sentences with the verb 'ter' (to have) or 'ser' (to be). For example: 'A casa de banho tem um poliban' (The bathroom has a shower stall). You should also know that it is a masculine word, so you use 'o' or 'um'. It is a practical word for when you are looking for a place to stay or describing your own home to a friend. Learning this word early helps you build your 'domestic vocabulary' and makes you feel more comfortable in a Portuguese environment. Just remember: poliban = shower stall.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'poliban' in more descriptive contexts. You can talk about your daily routine, such as 'Eu tomo duche no poliban todas as manhãs' (I take a shower in the shower stall every morning). You might also start using adjectives to describe it, like 'o poliban é pequeno' (the shower stall is small) or 'o poliban está limpo' (the shower stall is clean). You should be aware of the difference between European Portuguese ('poliban') and Brazilian Portuguese ('box'). At this level, you can also use prepositions like 'dentro de' or 'ao lado de' to describe where things are in relation to the poliban. It is a very useful word for practical situations, like staying in a hotel and asking if the room has a shower or a tub. You are moving from just identifying the object to describing its state and how you use it.

By the B1 level, you can use 'poliban' in more complex situations, such as discussing home improvements or reporting problems. You might say, 'O poliban está a deitar água por fora' (The shower stall is leaking water outside) or 'Quero substituir a banheira por um poliban' (I want to replace the bathtub with a shower stall). You should be comfortable using the plural 'polibãs' and understanding more specific related terms like 'resguardo' (screen) and 'base' (tray). At this stage, you can explain *why* you prefer a poliban (e.g., for saving water or space). You can also handle more nuanced conversations with a landlord or a repair person. Your vocabulary is expanding to include the maintenance of the poliban, such as 'desentupir o ralo' (unclogging the drain) or 'limpar o calcário' (cleaning the limescale).

At the B2 level, you can discuss the technical and aesthetic aspects of a 'poliban'. You might talk about the materials it is made of (acrylic, ceramic, stone) or the design of the enclosure. You can use the word in more formal contexts, like reading a rental contract or a technical manual for a new apartment. You understand the cultural shift in Portugal from bathtubs to polibãs and can participate in a debate about the pros and cons of each. You can use idiomatic expressions or more sophisticated verbs like 'instalar', 'vedar' (to seal), or 'remodelar'. You are also aware of the generic trademark nature of the word. Your ability to use 'poliban' fluently in a variety of registers—from casual gossip about a friend's tiny bathroom to a professional discussion about bathroom renovations—shows a high level of linguistic competence.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word 'poliban' and its place in Portuguese culture. You can use it effortlessly in any context, and you might even use it metaphorically or in very specific architectural discussions. You understand the nuances between 'poliban', 'base de duche', and 'cabine de duche' and can choose the most precise term for any given situation. You can discuss the history of the word as a brand name and how it reflects the modernization of Portuguese society in the mid-20th century. You are comfortable with all grammatical structures involving the word, including complex passive constructions or hypothetical scenarios. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, and you can even pick up on regional variations in its use or pronunciation across different parts of Portugal.

At the C2 level, you master the word 'poliban' with total precision and cultural depth. You can analyze its use in literature or media, noting how it can be used to signal a character's social status or the setting of a story. You might use the word in an academic or professional presentation about urban planning, interior design, or the evolution of the Portuguese language. You understand the most obscure technical terms related to shower stall construction and can discuss them with experts. Your command of the word includes its most subtle connotations and its relationship with other words in the same semantic field. At this level, 'poliban' is just one small part of a vast and perfectly integrated linguistic system, used with absolute ease, accuracy, and stylistic flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

poliban in 30 Seconds

A 'poliban' is a shower stall or cubicle, common in Portuguese homes.
It is a masculine noun ('o poliban') and the plural is 'polibãs'.
Primarily used in Portugal; in Brazil, the term 'box' is preferred.
It refers to the physical hardware (tray and screen), not the act of showering.

The term poliban is a quintessential piece of Portuguese household vocabulary, specifically in Portugal (European Portuguese). It refers to what English speakers call a shower stall, a shower cubicle, or a shower tray with an enclosure. Unlike the general word 'chuveiro', which often refers to the shower head or the act of showering itself, or 'duche', which is the shower as a concept or an action, the poliban is the physical hardware consisting of the waterproof base and usually the glass or plastic screens that surround it. In many Portuguese homes, especially those built or renovated from the late 20th century onwards, the poliban has replaced the traditional 'banheira' (bathtub) due to space constraints and a modern preference for efficiency and water conservation.

Physical Components: A standard poliban includes the 'base de duche' (shower tray), the 'ralo' (drain), and the 'cabine' or 'resguardo' (the enclosure/screen). It is designed to contain water within a specific area, preventing the bathroom floor from becoming soaked.

Ao reformar a casa de banho, decidi trocar a banheira antiga por um poliban moderno e espaçoso para ganhar mais área livre.

The word itself is an interesting example of a brand name becoming a generic term, a phenomenon known as a proprietary eponym. Much like 'Kleenex' for tissues or 'Hoover' for vacuum cleaners in English, 'Poliban' was originally a brand of shower trays that became so dominant in the Portuguese market that the name stuck for all similar products. You will hear this word most frequently when discussing home improvements, staying at a hotel or Airbnb, or when dealing with plumbing issues. It is a word of the domestic sphere, intimate yet practical, representing a shift toward modern living standards where the luxury of a long bath is often sacrificed for the speed and accessibility of a shower.

O poliban está com uma fuga de água no silicone lateral, por isso precisamos de vedá-lo novamente.

Usage Contexts: Real estate listings often specify if a bathroom has a 'banheira' or a 'poliban'. In smaller apartments ('T0' or 'T1'), a poliban is almost guaranteed because it saves significant square footage.

When you are shopping for a home, the presence of a poliban can be a selling point for accessibility. For the elderly or those with limited mobility, a poliban—especially a 'walk-in' style with no step—is significantly safer than a bathtub. This has led to a massive industry in Portugal dedicated specifically to 'troca de banheira por poliban' (exchanging a bathtub for a shower stall). Understanding this word helps you navigate the practicalities of Portuguese daily life, from explaining a problem to a landlord to choosing the right room in a guesthouse. It is a word that grounds you in the physical reality of a Portuguese home.

Limpar o vidro do poliban é a tarefa que eu mais detesto nas limpezas domésticas.

Materiality: Modern polibãs are made from various materials including acrylic, ceramic, resin, or even natural stone. The choice of material affects the price, durability, and how slippery the surface becomes when wet.

Este hotel é muito simples; o quarto só tem uma cama e um pequeno poliban no canto.

In summary, the poliban is more than just a place to wash; it is a symbol of the modernization of the Portuguese domestic interior. It reflects a move away from the time-consuming baths of the past toward a faster, more hygienic, and more space-conscious way of living. Whether you are dealing with a clogged drain or admiring a sleek new bathroom design, the word poliban will be your constant companion in the world of Portuguese real estate and home maintenance. It is a specific, useful, and culturally embedded term that every learner of European Portuguese should master early on.

Cuidado para não escorregar ao sair do poliban, o tapete não é antiderrapante.

Using 'poliban' correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender (masculine) and its role as a concrete noun. Because it refers to a physical object, it is most often used with definite articles ('o poliban'), indefinite articles ('um poliban'), and various prepositions that describe location or movement. When you are describing a bathroom, 'poliban' serves as the anchor for the shower area. It is important to distinguish it from the action of showering. For example, you don't 'take a poliban'; you 'take a shower' (tomar um duche) *inside* the poliban.

Describing Location: To say something is inside or on the shower tray, use 'no' (em + o). For example: 'O champô está no poliban' (The shampoo is in the shower stall).

Podes colocar a esponja dentro do poliban, por favor?

In a professional or technical context, such as talking to an architect or a contractor, you might use 'poliban' to discuss dimensions. Common phrases include 'poliban de canto' (corner shower) or 'poliban retangular' (rectangular shower). You might also discuss the 'resguardo do poliban' (the shower screen/curtain). When constructing sentences about home maintenance, the word often pairs with verbs like 'instalar' (to install), 'limpar' (to clean), 'reparar' (to repair), or 'substituir' (to replace). These combinations are essential for practical communication in a Portuguese-speaking environment.

O canalizador disse que é necessário substituir o poliban porque a base está rachada.

Comparisons: When comparing bathroom fixtures, use 'do que'. For example: 'Prefiro um poliban do que uma banheira' (I prefer a shower stall over a bathtub).

In everyday storytelling or complaints, 'poliban' appears when discussing the inconveniences of small spaces. You might hear someone say 'O poliban é tão pequeno que nem me consigo virar' (The shower stall is so small I can't even turn around). Or in a positive light, 'O novo poliban tem jatos de massagem' (The new shower stall has massage jets). By using the word in these varied contexts—from technical to emotional—you build a more nuanced command of the language. It transitions from being a simple noun to a tool for expressing comfort, frustration, or aesthetic preference.

Comprei um tapete novo para colocar à saída do poliban.

Pluralization: The plural of 'poliban' is 'polibãs'. While not used every day, you might hear it when discussing a house with multiple bathrooms: 'A casa tem dois polibãs e nenhuma banheira'.

Os polibãs modernos são feitos de materiais muito fáceis de lavar.

Finally, consider the register. While 'poliban' is neutral and used by everyone, in very formal architectural documents, you might see 'recinto de duche'. However, using 'poliban' in such a setting is still perfectly acceptable and widely understood. It is a robust word that bridges the gap between technical jargon and everyday speech. By practicing these sentence patterns, you ensure that you can handle a variety of real-life situations in Portugal with confidence and precision.

Não te esqueças de fechar bem a porta do poliban para não molhar o chão.

The word 'poliban' is woven into the fabric of Portuguese life, primarily in the context of the home. You will hear it most frequently in places where living spaces are discussed or maintained. If you are walking through a 'bairro' (neighborhood) and see a construction van, it is highly likely that one of the services offered is the 'conversão de banheira em poliban'. This is a massive trend in Portugal as the population ages and people look for more practical bathroom solutions. Real estate agents are also a prime source for this word; when touring a flat, they will point out whether the bathroom features a 'poliban' or a 'banheira', as this affects the perceived modernity and utility of the space.

Real Estate Ads: Look at websites like Idealista or Imovirtual. Descriptions will often list 'casa de banho com poliban' as a feature, especially for apartments in historic centers like Lisbon or Porto.

O anúncio dizia que o apartamento tinha sido renovado e incluía um poliban com hidromassagem.

Another common place to encounter 'poliban' is in hardware stores and home improvement centers like Leroy Merlin or Maxmat. Here, you will see entire aisles dedicated to 'bases de poliban' and 'resguardos de poliban'. The staff will use the word naturally when asking about your preferences for size or shape. If you have a plumbing emergency, the 'canalizador' (plumber) will use the term when identifying the source of a leak. 'A infiltração vem da base do poliban' (The leak is coming from the shower base) is a sentence no homeowner wants to hear, but it is a common one nonetheless.

Fomos ao Leroy Merlin escolher um novo poliban para a casa de banho social.

Hospitality and Travel: In budget hotels or smaller 'pensões', the room description might specify 'quarto com poliban' to indicate there is no bathtub. This is useful information for travelers who have a strong preference for one or the other.

In television commercials, you might see advertisements for cleaning products specifically designed to remove 'calcário' (limescale) from 'polibãs'. These ads often show the glass screens of the shower stall becoming sparkling clean. In literature or movies set in contemporary Portugal, 'poliban' might be mentioned in passing to set the scene of a modern, perhaps slightly cramped, urban apartment. It is a word that signals a certain level of domestic reality. It is not a poetic word, but it is a necessary one for anyone living in or visiting Portugal.

Vi um anúncio na televisão de um produto fantástico para tirar o calcário do vidro do poliban.

Service Industry: Cleaning services (empresas de limpeza) will often include 'limpeza de polibãs' in their list of standard tasks for bathrooms, emphasizing the removal of mold and soap scum from the corners.

A senhora que limpa a casa deixou o poliban a brilhar como se fosse novo.

Ultimately, the word 'poliban' is a marker of your integration into Portuguese life. Using it correctly shows that you understand the specific terminology of the Portuguese home. It is a word that you will find yourself using more often than you might expect, whether you are asking for a room upgrade, fixing a household problem, or simply describing your day-to-day life. It is practical, common, and uniquely descriptive of the Portuguese domestic environment.

O ralo do poliban está cheio de cabelos e a água não escoa bem.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'poliban' with 'chuveiro'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 'Chuveiro' refers to the actual device that sprays the water (the shower head), or it can refer to the act of showering. If you say 'O chuveiro está partido', you mean the head is broken. If you say 'O poliban está partido', you mean the tray or the enclosure is broken. Using the wrong word can lead to confusion when talking to a plumber or a landlord. Another common error is using 'poliban' in Brazil. While Brazilians will likely understand you, it will sound very 'European' or even slightly archaic. In Brazil, the term 'box' is the standard for the shower enclosure.

Gender Confusion: Many learners assume words ending in 'n' or 'a' might be feminine, but 'poliban' is strictly masculine. Saying 'a poliban' is a common mistake that immediately marks you as a non-native speaker.

Errado: A poliban é nova.
Correto: O poliban é novo.

Another mistake involves prepositions. Learners often struggle with whether to use 'no', 'em', or 'dentro'. To say you are in the shower stall, 'no poliban' is the most natural. To say something is inside the enclosure, 'dentro do poliban' is also correct. However, using 'em' on its own (e.g., 'Estou em poliban') is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, some students confuse 'poliban' with 'banheira'. Remember: Poliban = Shower stall (standing); Banheira = Bathtub (lying down). If you ask for a 'quarto com banheira' and get a 'poliban', you might be disappointed if you were planning a long soak!

Não confundas: Eu tomo banho na banheira, mas tomo duche no poliban.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: The stress is on the last syllable: po-li-BAN. Many English speakers tend to stress the first or second syllable, which can make the word hard for locals to recognize. Also, the final 'n' is a nasal sound, not a hard 'n'.

A more subtle mistake is using 'poliban' when you actually mean just the shower tray. While 'poliban' often encompasses the whole stall, technically the tray is the 'base de duche'. If you are buying parts separately, specifying 'base' vs 'resguardo' (the screen) is important. However, in casual talk, 'poliban' covers both. Finally, avoid overusing the word. If you've already established you're talking about the shower, you can just say 'o duche' or 'lá dentro'. Constant repetition of 'poliban' can sound a bit mechanical. Use it to define the object, then use pronouns or related terms to keep the flow of conversation natural.

Se disseres que vais 'limpar o poliban', toda a gente percebe que vais limpar a zona do duche.

Spelling Errors: Occasionally people spell it 'polyban' or 'polibã' (singular). The correct singular spelling is always 'poliban' with an 'i' and an 'n'. The 'ã' only appears in the plural: 'polibãs'.

Escreve-se poliban, mas diz-se com um som nasal no fim, quase como se houvesse um 'm'.

By keeping these common pitfalls in mind, you can avoid the most frequent errors and speak about Portuguese bathrooms like a pro. Remember the gender, the specific European Portuguese context, and the distinction between the hardware (poliban) and the action (duche). This precision will not only make your Portuguese sound more natural but also prevent practical misunderstandings in your daily life in Portugal.

O erro mais comum é dizer 'a poliban', lembre-se sempre que é 'o poliban'.

Exploring the synonyms and related terms for 'poliban' helps you refine your vocabulary and adapt to different social and regional contexts. While 'poliban' is the most common everyday term in Portugal, there are several alternatives that might be used depending on formality or technicality. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that best fits the situation, whether you are chatting with a friend or reading a technical specification for a bathroom renovation.

Base de Duche: This is the more formal or technical term for the shower tray itself. In a catalog or a construction quote, you will almost always see 'base de duche' instead of 'poliban'. It focuses on the floor part of the shower.

O orçamento para a obra inclui uma base de duche em pedra natural.

Another frequent term is 'cabine de duche'. This refers specifically to the entire enclosed unit, often including the walls and doors. While a 'poliban' might just be a tray and a curtain, a 'cabine de duche' implies a more complete, often pre-fabricated, structure. In Brazil, as mentioned before, the standard term is 'box'. If you are speaking with Brazilians, using 'box de banheiro' will be much more effective than 'poliban'. It's also worth noting 'resguardo', which refers specifically to the screen or glass door that keeps the water in. You might have a 'poliban' with a 'resguardo de vidro'.

Esta cabine de duche tem rádio e luzes LED incorporadas.

Box (Brazil): In Brazil, 'o box' is used for the shower enclosure. It is an anglicism that has become the standard term across the country.

For more abstract or action-oriented contexts, 'duche' is the word of choice. You 'tomar um duche' (take a shower), but you do it 'no poliban'. If you are talking about the water pressure, you talk about the 'pressão do duche', not the 'pressão do poliban'. Understanding these distinctions helps you avoid 'clunky' sentences. For instance, 'O poliban tem muita água' sounds like the stall is flooding, whereas 'O duche tem muita água' sounds like the water flow is strong. These small differences are what separate intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

O resguardo do poliban está manchado com restos de sabão.

Comparison Table: Poliban: Common, everyday term (Portugal).
Base de duche: Technical/Formal tray only.
Cabine de duche: The whole unit/box.
Box: Brazilian term.
Duche: The act or the water flow.

Em vez de cortina, prefiro um resguardo de vidro no meu poliban.

In conclusion, while 'poliban' is your 'go-to' word for a shower stall in Portugal, knowing its synonyms and related terms like 'base de duche', 'cabine', and 'resguardo' gives you a much richer vocabulary. It allows you to navigate everything from a casual conversation about housework to a formal negotiation with a contractor. By mastering these alternatives, you ensure your Portuguese is flexible, accurate, and culturally appropriate, no matter where you are or who you are talking to.

A diferença entre um poliban e uma banheira é fundamental na escolha de um apartamento.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

It is one of the most successful examples of a generic trademark in Portugal, similar to how 'Gillette' is used for razors or 'Tupperware' for plastic containers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌpɒlɪˈbæn/

US /ˌpɑliˈbæn/

The stress is on the final syllable: 'ban'.

Rhymes With

divã amanhã lã irmã maçã sutã talismã clã

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (PO-li-ban).
Stressing the middle syllable (po-LI-ban).
Pronouncing the 'n' like a hard English 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
Confusing the 'i' with an 'e' sound.
Forgetting that the 'n' is not silent.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in real estate or home ads.

Writing 3/5

The plural 'polibãs' can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 3/5

The nasal ending and stress on the last syllable require practice.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to hear in domestic contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

casa banho água limpar quarto

Learn Next

resguardo ralo torneira azulejo canalizador

Advanced

infiltração impermeabilização misturadora antiderrapante vidro temperado

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Agreement

O poliban (masculine) -> O poliban é novo (not nova).

Pluralization of -an nouns

Poliban ends in -an, so the plural is -ãs (polibãs).

Contractions with 'em'

Em + o = no. 'Estou no poliban'.

Adjective Placement

Adjectives usually come after the noun: 'poliban moderno'.

Preposition 'de' for materials

Poliban de acrílico, poliban de pedra.

Examples by Level

O poliban é branco.

The shower stall is white.

Simple subject-adjective agreement.

A casa de banho tem um poliban.

The bathroom has a shower stall.

Use of the indefinite article 'um'.

Onde está o poliban?

Where is the shower stall?

Basic question structure.

O poliban é pequeno.

The shower stall is small.

Descriptive adjective.

Eu vejo o poliban.

I see the shower stall.

Basic SVO sentence.

O poliban está ali.

The shower stall is over there.

Adverb of place.

Este poliban é novo.

This shower stall is new.

Demonstrative pronoun 'este'.

O poliban não tem cortina.

The shower stall doesn't have a curtain.

Negative sentence structure.

Eu limpo o poliban todos os sábados.

I clean the shower stall every Saturday.

Present tense verb 'limpar'.

O poliban do hotel é muito moderno.

The hotel's shower stall is very modern.

Possessive structure 'do hotel'.

Precisamos de comprar um tapete para o poliban.

We need to buy a mat for the shower stall.

Infinitive after 'precisamos de'.

O poliban está um pouco sujo.

The shower stall is a bit dirty.

Use of 'um pouco' to modify an adjective.

Não gosto de polibãs pequenos.

I don't like small shower stalls.

Plural form 'polibãs'.

A água do poliban está muito quente.

The water in the shower stall is very hot.

Noun-noun relationship with 'da'.

Podes fechar a porta do poliban?

Can you close the shower stall door?

Request using 'podes'.

O meu champô está dentro do poliban.

My shampoo is inside the shower stall.

Prepositional phrase 'dentro do'.

O poliban está entupido e a água não desce.

The shower stall is clogged and the water won't go down.

Participial adjective 'entupido'.

Vou substituir a minha banheira antiga por um poliban.

I'm going to replace my old bathtub with a shower stall.

Future 'vou' + infinitive.

O vidro do poliban partiu-se durante a mudança.

The shower stall glass broke during the move.

Reflexive verb 'partir-se'.

Este poliban tem um resguardo de plástico muito barato.

This shower stall has a very cheap plastic screen.

Specific vocabulary 'resguardo'.

Tens de esfregar bem os cantos do poliban.

You have to scrub the corners of the shower stall well.

Obligation with 'tens de'.

O poliban é mais prático para pessoas idosas.

A shower stall is more practical for elderly people.

Comparative 'mais ... para'.

O canalizador veio arranjar a fuga no poliban.

The plumber came to fix the leak in the shower stall.

Past tense 'veio' + infinitive.

Não há espaço para uma banheira, por isso pus um poliban.

There's no room for a bathtub, so I put in a shower stall.

Conjunction 'por isso'.

A infiltração no teto do vizinho vem do teu poliban.

The leak in the neighbor's ceiling is coming from your shower stall.

Complex sentence with multiple nouns.

O poliban de canto economiza imenso espaço na casa de banho.

The corner shower stall saves a lot of space in the bathroom.

Adverb 'imenso' as an intensifier.

É fundamental aplicar silicone novo à volta do poliban.

It is essential to apply new silicone around the shower stall.

Impersonal expression 'é fundamental'.

Os polibãs modernos costumam ter bases antiderrapantes.

Modern shower stalls usually have non-slip bases.

Compound verb 'costumam ter'.

O resguardo do poliban é de vidro temperado e muito resistente.

The shower screen is made of tempered glass and is very resistant.

Technical adjective 'temperado'.

A manutenção do poliban exige produtos específicos contra o calcário.

Maintaining the shower stall requires specific anti-limescale products.

Subject-verb agreement with 'manutenção'.

O design deste poliban é minimalista e elegante.

The design of this shower stall is minimalist and elegant.

Abstract nouns and adjectives.

Se o poliban não for bem selado, a água vai infiltrar-se nas paredes.

If the shower stall isn't well-sealed, water will seep into the walls.

Conditional sentence with future subjunctive.

A transição da banheira para o poliban reflete uma mudança nos hábitos de higiene.

The transition from the bathtub to the shower stall reflects a change in hygiene habits.

Sophisticated abstract vocabulary.

O termo 'poliban' tornou-se uma marca generalizada na língua portuguesa.

The term 'poliban' became a generalized brand in the Portuguese language.

Passive-like structure with 'tornou-se'.

A instalação de um poliban à face do chão facilita a acessibilidade.

Installing a walk-in shower stall (flush with the floor) facilitates accessibility.

Technical phrase 'à face do chão'.

Houve uma falha estrutural na base do poliban que causou danos graves.

There was a structural failure in the shower base that caused serious damage.

Noun phrase 'falha estrutural'.

A escolha entre poliban e banheira é frequentemente um dilema em remodelações.

Choosing between a shower stall and a bathtub is often a dilemma in renovations.

Adverbial use of 'frequentemente'.

O poliban, embora funcional, retira o elemento de relaxamento de um banho de imersão.

The shower stall, though functional, removes the relaxation element of a soak bath.

Concessive clause with 'embora'.

A porosidade do material do poliban pode propiciar o aparecimento de fungos.

The porosity of the shower stall material can promote the appearance of fungi.

Scientific/Technical vocabulary.

Ao optar por um poliban personalizado, o custo da mão de obra aumenta significativamente.

When opting for a custom shower stall, the cost of labor increases significantly.

Gerund phrase 'ao optar'.

A onipresença do poliban nas habitações modernas atesta a primazia da funcionalidade sobre o ócio.

The omnipresence of the shower stall in modern dwellings attests to the primacy of functionality over leisure.

Highly formal/Academic register.

A etimologia de 'poliban' remete-nos para uma era de industrialização dos componentes domésticos.

The etymology of 'poliban' takes us back to an era of industrialization of domestic components.

Reflexive verb 'remete-nos'.

Subjacente à escolha de um poliban está, muitas vezes, uma preocupação com a sustentabilidade hídrica.

Underlying the choice of a shower stall is often a concern with water sustainability.

Inverted sentence structure for emphasis.

A integração estética do poliban no design de interiores exige uma harmonização de texturas e cores.

The aesthetic integration of the shower stall in interior design requires a harmonization of textures and colors.

Complex noun-based subject.

A patologia das infiltrações decorrentes de polibãs mal isolados é um tema recorrente na engenharia civil.

The pathology of leaks resulting from poorly insulated shower stalls is a recurring theme in civil engineering.

Professional jargon 'patologia'.

O poliban transcendeu a sua utilidade básica para se tornar um elemento de diferenciação arquitetónica.

The shower stall has transcended its basic utility to become an element of architectural differentiation.

Perfect tense with 'transcendeu'.

A versatilidade dos polibãs contemporâneos permite a sua adaptação a espaços exíguos e desafiantes.

The versatility of contemporary shower stalls allows their adaptation to cramped and challenging spaces.

Adjectives 'exíguos' and 'desafiantes'.

Criticar o poliban por falta de conforto é ignorar a evolução pragmática da arquitetura doméstica.

To criticize the shower stall for a lack of comfort is to ignore the pragmatic evolution of domestic architecture.

Inflected infinitive usage.

Common Collocations

limpar o poliban

poliban de canto

base do poliban

resguardo de poliban

trocar banheira por poliban

fuga no poliban

poliban moderno

poliban pequeno

entrar no poliban

ralo do poliban

Common Phrases

O poliban está a verter.

— The shower stall is leaking. Used when water is escaping the enclosure.

Chama o canalizador, o poliban está a verter.

Poliban com hidromassagem.

— A shower stall with hydromassage jets. A common luxury feature.

O meu sonho é ter um poliban com hidromassagem.

Base de poliban em resina.

— A shower tray made of resin. Refers to a specific material choice.

As bases de poliban em resina são mais resistentes.

Resguardo de poliban em vidro fosco.

— Frosted glass shower screen. Describes the privacy level of the screen.

Prefiro o resguardo de poliban em vidro fosco.

Poliban à face do chão.

— Walk-in shower (flush with the floor). Describes a modern, accessible style.

Para a avó, o ideal é um poliban à face do chão.

Limpeza profunda do poliban.

— Deep cleaning of the shower stall. Refers to removing all grime and mold.

O poliban precisa de uma limpeza profunda.

Poliban retangular.

— Rectangular shower stall. Describes the shape of the unit.

O poliban retangular é mais espaçoso.

Vedar o poliban.

— To seal the shower stall. Usually with silicone to prevent leaks.

Temos de vedar o poliban antes de o usar.

Poliban de acrílico.

— Acrylic shower stall. Refers to a common, lightweight material.

O poliban de acrílico é mais barato.

A saída do poliban.

— The exit of the shower stall. Often used when talking about bath mats.

Põe o tapete à saída do poliban.

Often Confused With

poliban vs chuveiro

Chuveiro is the shower head; poliban is the stall.

poliban vs banheira

Banheira is a bathtub; poliban is for standing.

poliban vs bidé

Bidé is a bidet, a separate fixture entirely.

Idioms & Expressions

"Cair no poliban"

— To fall in the shower. Not a fixed idiom, but a common household accident reference.

Ele escorregou e caiu no poliban.

Informal

"Ficar retido no poliban"

— To get stuck in the shower stall. Often used jokingly if a door jams.

A porta encravou e fiquei retido no poliban!

Informal

"Um poliban para dois"

— A shower for two. Used to describe a very large shower stall.

Este poliban é enorme, é um poliban para dois.

Neutral

"Banho de poliban"

— A shower (as opposed to a tub bath). Used to emphasize the method.

Hoje só tenho tempo para um banho de poliban rápido.

Informal

"Poliban de luxo"

— A luxury shower. Used to describe high-end fixtures.

O hotel tinha um poliban de luxo com luzes.

Neutral

"Guerra no poliban"

— War in the shower. Used jokingly to describe bathing a reluctant pet or child.

Dar banho ao cão foi uma verdadeira guerra no poliban.

Informal

"Cantar no poliban"

— To sing in the shower stall. A universal habit.

Adoro cantar no poliban quando estou sozinho.

Informal

"Poliban de plástico"

— A plastic shower. Often used dismissively for cheap constructions.

Aquele apartamento era horrível, tinha um poliban de plástico.

Informal

"Refazer o poliban"

— To redo the shower. Refers to a complete renovation.

Decidimos refazer o poliban para mudar os azulejos.

Neutral

"Encher o poliban"

— To fill the shower tray. Usually implies a clog or a problem.

A água começou a encher o poliban porque o ralo estava tapado.

Neutral

Easily Confused

poliban vs duche

Both relate to showering.

Duche is the act or the water flow; poliban is the physical enclosure.

Vou tomar um duche no poliban.

poliban vs box

They mean the same thing.

Box is used in Brazil; poliban is used in Portugal.

No Brasil dizem box, em Portugal dizem poliban.

poliban vs base

Often used interchangeably.

Base is specifically the tray at the bottom; poliban includes the whole stall.

A base do poliban está suja.

poliban vs resguardo

Part of the same unit.

Resguardo is only the screen/door; poliban is the whole unit.

O resguardo do poliban é de vidro.

poliban vs banho

General term for bathing.

Banho is the concept; poliban is the specific fixture.

O meu banho no poliban foi rápido.

Sentence Patterns

O [noun] é [adjective].

O poliban é grande.

Eu [verb] no [noun].

Eu tomo duche no poliban.

Preciso de [verb] o [noun].

Preciso de limpar o poliban.

O [noun] está [adjective].

O poliban está entupido.

Vou trocar o/a [noun] por um [noun].

Vou trocar a banheira por um poliban.

O [noun] tem uma [noun].

O poliban tem uma fuga.

Apesar de [adjective], o [noun]...

Apesar de pequeno, o poliban é funcional.

A [abstract noun] do [noun]...

A estanquicidade do poliban é crucial.

Word Family

Nouns

poliban

polibãs

duche

banheira

chuveiro

casa de banho

ralo

How to Use It

frequency

Common in European Portuguese daily life.

Common Mistakes

A poliban → O poliban
The word is masculine, even though it ends in a sound that some learners mistake for feminine.
Polibans → Polibãs
The plural of words ending in -an in Portuguese typically changes to -ãs.
Tomar um poliban → Tomar um duche
You take a shower (duche), you don't 'take' the physical stall (poliban).
O poliban está a deitar água pela cabeça → O chuveiro está a deitar água
Confusing the stall with the shower head.
Poliban de banheira → Banheira com resguardo
You can't have a 'shower stall of a bathtub'; you have a bathtub with a screen.

Tips

Nasal Sounds

Practice the nasal ending of 'poliban'. It sounds a bit like the 'un' in 'sun' but with the air going through your nose. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n'.

Real Estate Hack

When looking for apartments in Portugal, searching for 'poliban' instead of 'duche' might give you more specific results for modern or renovated flats.

Sealant Check

Always check the silicone around a poliban in a new rental. If it looks black or peeling, ask the landlord to fix it to avoid 'infiltrações' (leaks).

Anti-Slip

Many older polibãs are very slippery. Buy a 'tapete antiderrapante' (non-slip mat) to put inside the tray for safety.

Generic Trademark

Remember that 'Poliban' was once a brand. This is a great conversation starter about how language evolves through commerce.

Plural Rule

The plural -an to -ãs is rare. Other examples include 'sutã' (bra) to 'sutãs'. Mastering this makes you sound very advanced.

Squeegee Power

In Portugal, many people use a small 'rodo' (squeegee) to clean the poliban glass after every use to prevent limescale buildup.

Hotel Preferences

If you have a physical disability, always ask for a 'poliban à face do chão' to ensure there is no step to climb.

Brazilian Friends

If you use 'poliban' with a Brazilian friend, they will understand, but they might tease you for sounding like a 'tuga' (slang for Portuguese person).

Check the Measurements

Polibãs come in standard sizes (70x70, 80x80, 120x70). Always measure your bathroom space before going to the store.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'POLISHED' 'BAN' (bath). A poliban is a polished, modern way to take a bath (banho) while standing up.

Visual Association

Imagine a tall, transparent glass box in the corner of a room with a white square base. That square base is the heart of the poliban.

Word Web

banho duche água limpeza casa vidro ralo silicone

Challenge

Try to describe your bathroom using the word 'poliban' three times today. Mention its size, its color, and when you last cleaned it.

Word Origin

The word 'poliban' originated as a brand name for shower trays produced by a Portuguese company. Over time, it became so popular that it was adopted as the generic term for the product itself.

Original meaning: A specific brand of sanitary ware (shower trays).

Romance (Portuguese), derived from a commercial trademark.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in Brazil, using this word might make you sound like you are trying too hard to speak like a person from Portugal.

English speakers might call this a shower stall, cubicle, or walk-in shower. The concept is identical, but the word 'poliban' is much more specific than just 'shower'.

Commonly seen in Portuguese real estate shows like 'Querido, Mudei a Casa!' Often mentioned in Portuguese interior design magazines like 'Caras Decoração'. A staple term in Portuguese DIY (bricolage) culture.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Home Renovation

Quero trocar a banheira por um poliban.
Quanto custa instalar um poliban?
Qual é o melhor material para o poliban?
Preciso de um poliban por medida.

Cleaning

Como tirar o calcário do poliban?
O poliban tem bolor nos cantos.
Usa este spray para o poliban.
O vidro do poliban está baço.

Plumbing Issues

O poliban está entupido.
A água sai por baixo do poliban.
O silicone do poliban descolou.
O ralo do poliban cheira mal.

Hotel/Accommodation

O quarto tem banheira ou poliban?
O poliban não tem água quente.
A porta do poliban não fecha.
O poliban é muito pequeno.

Shopping

Onde estão os polibãs?
Este poliban inclui o resguardo?
Têm polibãs em promoção?
Quero um poliban retangular.

Conversation Starters

"Preferes tomar banho numa banheira ou num poliban?"

"Já alguma vez tiveste problemas com infiltrações no poliban?"

"Achas que um poliban de vidro é difícil de manter limpo?"

"Na tua casa, tens um poliban ou uma banheira?"

"Qual é, para ti, o tamanho ideal de um poliban?"

Journal Prompts

Descreve o poliban da tua casa ideal. Que materiais usarias?

Escreve sobre uma situação engraçada ou difícil que tenhas tido com um poliban (ex: porta encravada).

Explica as vantagens de ter um poliban em vez de uma banheira num apartamento pequeno.

Faz uma lista de tarefas domésticas e descreve como limpas o teu poliban.

Imagina que és um vendedor de casas de banho. Tenta convencer um cliente a comprar o teu melhor poliban.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Um poliban é uma cabine ou base de duche, comum em casas de banho onde não há banheira. É composto por uma base impermeável e, geralmente, por portas de vidro ou plástico.

O chuveiro é a peça por onde sai a água (a cabeça do duche). O poliban é a estrutura onde você entra para tomar o duche.

No Brasil, a palavra mais comum para designar o poliban é 'box' (ou box de banheiro).

O plural de poliban é polibãs. É uma formação irregular comum em palavras terminadas em -an.

Não. Uma banheira é para deitar e encher de água. Um poliban é para estar de pé e tomar duche.

É um substantivo masculino. Dizemos 'o poliban' e 'um poliban'.

Pode usar um produto específico para calcário ou uma mistura de vinagre e água para manter o vidro do poliban transparente.

É um poliban desenhado para ser instalado num canto da casa de banho, geralmente com uma forma quadrada ou arredondada para poupar espaço.

Deve limpar o ralo, removendo cabelos e resíduos de sabão, ou usar um produto desentupidor líquido.

A instalação exige conhecimentos de canalização e isolamento (silicone) para evitar fugas, por isso é recomendável contratar um profissional.