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A2 adjective 9 min read

pouco gordo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips pouco gordo in 30 Seconds

Explanation pouco gordo in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on basic adjectives. You might know 'gordo' (fat) and 'pouco' (little). Putting them together as 'pouco gordo' helps you describe food simply. It is one of the first ways you learn to express a preference for healthier food. You use it primarily with nouns like 'carne' (meat) or 'queijo' (cheese). At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just remember that 'gordo' changes to 'gorda' for feminine things.

At A2, you are expected to handle routine tasks like grocery shopping. 'Pouco gordo' becomes a functional tool. You use it to ask for specific items at a market. You begin to understand that 'pouco' modifies the adjective 'gordo'. You should practice the plural forms ('pouco gordos' / 'pouco gordas') and be able to use the phrase in full sentences like 'Eu quero um bife pouco gordo.' This level is about practical application in daily life.

At B1, you can start to discuss health and lifestyle. You use 'pouco gordo' to explain why you choose certain foods. You might contrast it with 'muito gordo' (very fatty) or 'gorduroso' (greasy). You understand the social context—that using this phrase is a polite way to talk about diet. You can also use it to describe textures in a more nuanced way, perhaps discussing the Mediterranean diet and the role of 'peixes pouco gordos'.

At B2, you recognize that 'pouco gordo' is a descriptive phrase and might choose more technical terms like 'baixo teor lipídico' in formal writing. However, in conversation, you use 'pouco gordo' naturally to sound less like a textbook and more like a native. You can use it in hypothetical sentences: 'Se eu comesse menos alimentos pouco gordos, teria mais energia.' You understand the subtle difference between 'pouco gordo' and 'magro' in various Lusophone regions.

At C1, you use 'pouco gordo' with precision and stylistic flair. You might use it metaphorically or in complex descriptions of culinary arts. You understand the historical shift in Portuguese society from a diet rich in animal fats to one that emphasizes 'opções pouco gordas'. You can navigate the linguistic differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese regarding food labels and colloquial descriptions effortlessly.

At the C2 level, 'pouco gordo' is just one of many tools in your vast vocabulary. You might analyze the phrase's use in literature or media to convey specific character traits or social statuses. You are aware of the phonetic nuances and can use the phrase in any register, from a scientific discussion on nutrition to a casual joke among friends about a 'pouco gordo' cat. Your mastery allows for total flexibility.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

pouco gordo in 30 Seconds

Used to describe food with low fat content.
Requires gender and number agreement (gorda, gordos, gordas).
Commonly used in supermarkets, butcher shops, and health contexts.
A polite and descriptive way to talk about dietary choices.

The Portuguese phrase pouco gordo is a descriptive adjectival construction used to characterize items, primarily food or livestock, that contain a minimal or reduced amount of fat. While the word gordo typically translates to 'fat' or 'thick,' the modifier pouco (little/few) softens the attribute, shifting the meaning toward 'lean' or 'low-fat.' In the context of the CEFR A2 level, learners encounter this phrase most frequently when navigating grocery stores, reading menus, or discussing dietary preferences. It is a vital component of the vocabulary needed for healthy living and basic consumer transactions in Lusophone cultures.

Nutritional Context: When describing meat, such as beef or pork, pouco gordo indicates a cut that has been trimmed or naturally possesses less adipose tissue. It is synonymous with magro (lean) but often implies a relative comparison.

Eu prefiro comprar um corte de carne que seja pouco gordo para o jantar.

I prefer to buy a cut of meat that is low-fat for dinner.

Beyond the literal nutritional value, the phrase can also be used to describe people or animals, though with caution. In this sense, it means 'not very fat' or 'slightly chubby,' depending on the tone. However, its primary use for learners at this level remains firmly in the culinary and health domain. For example, when ordering at a talho (butcher shop) in Lisbon or a açougue in Brazil, specifying that you want something pouco gordo ensures you receive a healthier portion of protein.

Culinary Register: In recipes, this phrase might describe the desired consistency of a sauce or the type of cheese to be used. It suggests a preference for lightness over the richness typically associated with high-fat ingredients.

Este queijo é muito saboroso e, felizmente, é pouco gordo.

Understanding the nuance of pouco is essential. It doesn't mean 'fat-free' (which would be sem gordura or isento de gordura), but rather a moderate or low amount. This makes it a very practical phrase for those trying to maintain a balanced diet while still enjoying the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine, which often utilizes olive oils and various meats. Using this phrase shows a higher level of descriptive ability than simply using bom (good) or mau (bad).

Cultural Nuance: In many Lusophone cultures, food is a central part of social life. Being able to discuss the fat content of food—whether for health reasons or personal taste—is a common conversation topic during meals.

O peixe grelhado é uma opção pouco gorda e muito saudável.

Para esta dieta, você deve escolher alimentos pouco gordos.

Using pouco gordo requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it functions as an adjective phrase. The word gordo must agree with the noun it modifies. If you are talking about carne (meat - feminine), it becomes pouco gorda. If you are talking about alimentos (foods - masculine plural), it becomes pouco gordos. The adverb pouco remains invariable in this context as it modifies the adjective.

Gender Agreement: Masculine: O bife é pouco gordo. / Feminine: A sopa está pouco gorda.

Tente comer mais iogurte pouco gordo de manhã.

Try to eat more low-fat yogurt in the morning.

The position of the phrase is typically after the noun it modifies. This is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese. Placing it before the noun is rare and would sound overly poetic or archaic, which is not suitable for daily conversation. For example, 'um pouco gordo bife' is incorrect; 'um bife pouco gordo' is the natural way to say 'a low-fat steak.'

In more complex sentences, pouco gordo can be part of a comparison. You might say one thing is menos gordo (less fat) than another, but pouco gordo serves as a standalone description of quality. It is often paired with verbs like ser (to be - permanent characteristic) or parecer (to seem).

Pluralization: When the noun is plural, only the adjective changes: Alimentos pouco gordos são melhores para o coração.

Estas fatias de presunto parecem pouco gordas.

O médico recomendou uma dieta com peixes pouco gordos.

Finally, consider the emotional weight. When describing a person as pouco gordo, it is often a euphemism. It is more polite than calling someone gordo, but still refers to their weight. In a professional medical context, a doctor might use it to describe a patient's body composition in a non-judgmental way.

Common Verb Pairings: Comer (to eat), comprar (to buy), escolher (to choose), preferir (to prefer).

Eu sempre escolho o frango porque é pouco gordo.

The phrase pouco gordo resonates through various everyday environments in Portuguese-speaking countries. One of the most common places is the supermercado (supermarket). While commercial labels might use 'light' or 'magro,' shoppers often use pouco gordo when asking a clerk for advice or describing what they are looking for to a friend. It represents the 'natural' language of the consumer.

At the Butcher (O Talho): This is perhaps the most authentic setting. You might say: 'Queria um quilo de carne de vaca, mas que seja pouco gorda, por favor.'

No talho, pedi um bife pouco gordo.

Another frequent setting is the doctor's office or a consultation with a nutritionist (nutricionista). Health professionals use this phrase to provide clear, actionable dietary advice. Instead of using overly technical medical jargon, they might say, 'Deve optar por carnes brancas e peixes pouco gordos.' This makes the advice accessible and easy to follow for the general population.

You will also hear this in the kitchen among family members. When planning a meal, a parent might tell their children that they are making something pouco gordo to encourage them to eat their vegetables or leaner proteins. It carries a connotation of 'healthy' and 'light,' which is increasingly valued in urban centers like Lisbon, Porto, Luanda, or São Paulo.

In Restaurants: When asking a waiter about a dish: 'Este molho é muito pesado ou é pouco gordo?' (Is this sauce very heavy or is it low-fat?)

O garçom disse que o peixe do dia era pouco gordo.

Lastly, television cooking shows and health blogs are rife with this terminology. Chefs often emphasize the importance of choosing ingredientes pouco gordos to maintain the integrity of flavors without the heaviness of excess oil. It’s a term that bridges the gap between traditional home cooking and modern nutritional science.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate 'low fat' literally as 'baixo gordo.' In Portuguese, baixo (low) is rarely used directly with gordo in this way. Instead, we use pouco gordo or the more formal baixo teor de gordura. Using 'baixo gordo' will sound unnatural and may confuse native speakers who are used to specific collocations.

The 'Milk' Trap: Mistake: Asking for 'leite pouco gordo'. Correct: Ask for 'leite meio-gordo' (2%) or 'leite magro' (0%). 'Pouco gordo' is for meat/cheese/general food.

Errado: Eu quero leite pouco gordo. Correto: Eu quero leite magro.

Another common mistake is forgetting the gender agreement. Because gordo is an adjective, it must match the noun. Learners often stick to the masculine form by default. For example, saying 'carne pouco gordo' is grammatically incorrect because carne is feminine. It must be 'carne pouco gorda.' Consistency in gender agreement is a hallmark of moving from A1 to A2 proficiency.

Confusing pouco gordo with magro is also common. While they are similar, magro is more definitive (lean/thin), whereas pouco gordo is a bit more descriptive of the state of having 'not much fat.' Think of magro as the category and pouco gordo as the description. In a supermarket, you'll see 'Iogurte Magro' on the label, but you might describe it to a friend as being 'pouco gordo.'

Agreement Errors: Don't say: 'As sopas são pouco gordo.' Do say: 'As sopas são pouco gordas.'

Não diga 'peixes pouco gordo', diga 'peixes pouco gordos'.

Finally, avoid using pouco gordo to describe a situation or an abstract concept. It is strictly for physical matter—food, bodies, or substances. You wouldn't say a 'pouco gordo' conversation or a 'pouco gordo' day. Stick to tangible items that can actually contain fat or lipids.

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is helpful to know synonyms and related terms for pouco gordo. The most direct synonym in a food context is magro. For example, carne magra is the standard way to say 'lean meat.' While pouco gordo is descriptive, magro is the formal classification used by butchers and in nutrition.

Comparison: Pouco Gordo vs. Magro: Pouco gordo: Descriptive, 'not very fatty'.
Magro: Technical/Categorical, 'lean/skimmed'.

Esta carne é magra, ou seja, é pouco gorda.

Another alternative is ligeiro or light. The word 'light' has been adopted into Portuguese, especially on product packaging (e.g., queijo light). Ligeiro can mean light in weight but also light in fat content when referring to meals or ingredients. For a more technical or formal approach, use the phrase com baixo teor de gordura (with low fat content).

If you are describing a person, esguio (slender) or atlético (athletic) are more positive and specific alternatives than saying someone is pouco gordo. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if something has absolutely no fat, you would use isento de gordura. Understanding these variations allows you to tailor your speech to the specific context, whether you're at a formal dinner or a casual barbecue.

Alternative Phrases: Baixo em calorias (low in calories), saudável (healthy), sem gordura (fat-free).

O iogurte desnatado é uma opção pouco gorda.

Prefiro alimentos com baixo teor de gordura.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Latin, 'gurdus' actually meant 'stupid' or 'dull-witted' before it came to mean 'physically thick' or 'fat' in the Romance languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpo.ku ˈɡɔɾ.du/

US /ˈpoʊ.koʊ ˈɡɔɹ.doʊ/

Stress falls on the first syllable of 'pouco' (POU-co) and the first syllable of 'gordo' (GOR-do).

Rhymes With

pouco: rouco, louco, soco, troco, bloco, foco, sufoco gordo: tordo, bordo, acordo, recordo, transbordo, tordo, canoro

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ou' as a single 'o'.
Making the final 'o' sound like 'oh' instead of a soft 'u'.
Nasalizing the 'o' in 'gordo'.
Failing to open the first 'o' in 'gordo'.
Using a hard English 'r' in European Portuguese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know the two base words.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronouncing 'gordo' correctly with the open 'o' can be tricky.

Listening 2/5

Clear and distinct sounds.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

pouco gordo carne comida muito

Learn Next

magro baixo teor de gordura saudável nutritivo calorias

Advanced

adiposo lipídico colesterol triglicerídeos metabolismo

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Carne (f) -> gorda; Bife (m) -> gordo.

Adverb Invariability

'Pouco' does not change when modifying an adjective.

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'Alimento pouco gordo'.

Pluralization

Add 's' to 'gordo'/'gorda' for plural nouns.

Comparison

Este é 'menos gordo' que aquele.

Examples by Level

O bife é pouco gordo.

The steak is low-fat.

Masculine singular agreement.

A carne é pouco gorda.

The meat is low-fat.

Feminine singular agreement.

Eu como queijo pouco gordo.

I eat low-fat cheese.

Direct object usage.

O peixe é pouco gordo?

Is the fish low-fat?

Simple question structure.

Este presunto é pouco gordo.

This ham is low-fat.

Demonstrative pronoun + adjective.

Sopa pouco gorda é boa.

Low-fat soup is good.

Adjective modifying the subject.

Leite pouco gordo, por favor.

Low-fat milk, please.

Common request (though 'magro' is better).

O gato é pouco gordo.

The cat is slightly fat.

Describing an animal.

Quero comprar um frango pouco gordo.

I want to buy a low-fat chicken.

Infinitive verb + noun + adjective.

Estes iogurtes são pouco gordos.

These yogurts are low-fat.

Masculine plural agreement.

Ela prefere comida pouco gorda.

She prefers low-fat food.

Third person singular verb.

O médico diz para comer peixe pouco gordo.

The doctor says to eat low-fat fish.

Indirect speech.

Não gosto de carne muito gorda, prefiro pouco gorda.

I don't like very fatty meat, I prefer low-fat.

Contrast between 'muito' and 'pouco'.

As fatias são pouco gordas.

The slices are low-fat.

Feminine plural agreement.

É um prato saboroso e pouco gordo.

It is a tasty and low-fat dish.

Two adjectives joined by 'e'.

Você tem algum queijo pouco gordo?

Do you have any low-fat cheese?

Interrogative with 'algum'.

Para manter a dieta, escolho sempre opções pouco gordas.

To keep the diet, I always choose low-fat options.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

O nutricionista recomendou alimentos pouco gordos para o jantar.

The nutritionist recommended low-fat foods for dinner.

Past tense 'recomendou'.

Apesar de ser pouco gordo, este molho tem muito sabor.

Despite being low-fat, this sauce has a lot of flavor.

Concessive clause with 'apesar de'.

Se o bife for pouco gordo, eu vou aceitar.

If the steak is low-fat, I will accept it.

Future subjunctive 'for'.

Antigamente, não nos preocupávamos se a comida era pouco gorda.

In the past, we didn't worry if the food was low-fat.

Imperfect tense 'preocupávamos'.

É difícil encontrar um chouriço que seja pouco gordo.

It is hard to find a chorizo that is low-fat.

Present subjunctive 'seja'.

Esta receita requer um leite pouco gordo para não ficar pesada.

This recipe requires a low-fat milk so it doesn't get heavy.

Negative purpose with 'para não'.

Os atletas costumam comer apenas carne pouco gorda.

Athletes usually eat only low-fat meat.

Verb 'costumar' + infinitive.

A tendência atual é o consumo de produtos pouco gordos.

The current trend is the consumption of low-fat products.

Noun phrase subject.

Embora o queijo seja pouco gordo, deve ser consumido com moderação.

Although the cheese is low-fat, it should be consumed in moderation.

Conjunction 'embora' + subjunctive.

Verifique se a carne é realmente pouco gorda antes de comprar.

Check if the meat is really low-fat before buying.

Imperative 'verifique'.

Muitas pessoas confundem 'light' com 'pouco gordo'.

Many people confuse 'light' with 'low-fat'.

Verb 'confundir' with 'com'.

O sabor do leite pouco gordo é diferente do leite inteiro.

The taste of low-fat milk is different from whole milk.

Comparison with 'diferente de'.

Deveríamos incentivar a produção de alimentos pouco gordos.

We should encourage the production of low-fat foods.

Conditional 'deveríamos'.

A culinária moderna foca-se em pratos pouco gordos mas nutritivos.

Modern cuisine focuses on low-fat but nutritious dishes.

Pronominal verb 'focar-se'.

Não é por ser pouco gordo que o alimento deixa de ser calórico.

Just because the food is low-fat doesn't mean it stops being caloric.

Complex negation structure.

A indústria alimentar tem investido em alternativas pouco gordas para satisfazer o mercado.

The food industry has been investing in low-fat alternatives to satisfy the market.

Compound perfect tense.

A textura deste peixe, por ser pouco gordo, exige um tempo de cozedura menor.

The texture of this fish, being low-fat, requires a shorter cooking time.

Causal clause inserted in the subject.

Subsiste a ideia de que o que é pouco gordo não tem sabor, o que é um erro.

The idea persists that what is low-fat has no flavor, which is a mistake.

Relative pronoun 'o que'.

Ao optar por um regime pouco gordo, o paciente apresentou melhorias significativas.

By opting for a low-fat regimen, the patient showed significant improvements.

Gerund substitute 'ao' + infinitive.

A distinção entre um produto magro e um pouco gordo é, por vezes, meramente semântica.

The distinction between a lean product and a low-fat one is, at times, merely semantic.

Adverbial phrase 'por vezes'.

É imperativo que as escolas forneçam lanches pouco gordos aos alunos.

It is imperative that schools provide low-fat snacks to students.

Impersonal expression + 'que' + subjunctive.

O equilíbrio entre o que é gordo e o que é pouco gordo define a dieta mediterrânica.

The balance between what is fatty and what is low-fat defines the Mediterranean diet.

Parallelism in the subject.

A carne de aves é geralmente considerada pouco gorda em comparação com a carne vermelha.

Poultry meat is generally considered low-fat compared to red meat.

Passive voice 'é considerada'.

A obsessão contemporânea por um corpo pouco gordo reflete-se nos hábitos de consumo.

The contemporary obsession with a low-fat body is reflected in consumption habits.

Reflexive passive.

Sob uma perspetiva puramente biológica, o ser humano não evoluiu para preferir o pouco gordo.

From a purely biological perspective, humans did not evolve to prefer the low-fat.

Prepositional phrase 'sob uma perspetiva'.

A volatilidade do mercado de laticínios pouco gordos é um caso de estudo interessante.

The volatility of the low-fat dairy market is an interesting case study.

Abstract noun phrase.

Poder-se-ia argumentar que a gastronomia tradicional é inerentemente pouco gorda em certas regiões.

One could argue that traditional gastronomy is inherently low-fat in certain regions.

Conditional passive 'poder-se-ia'.

A subtileza com que o termo 'pouco gordo' é empregue no marketing engana o consumidor incauto.

The subtlety with which the term 'low-fat' is used in marketing deceives the unwary consumer.

Relative clause with 'com que'.

Raramente encontramos uma análise tão detalhada sobre o que constitui um alimento pouco gordo.

Rarely do we find such a detailed analysis of what constitutes a low-fat food.

Inversion for emphasis.

O paradoxo reside no facto de que o processamento para tornar algo pouco gordo pode ser prejudicial.

The paradox lies in the fact that processing to make something low-fat can be harmful.

Noun clause 'no facto de que'.

Quão pouco gordo deve ser um alimento para ser rotulado como saudável?

How low-fat must a food be to be labeled as healthy?

Exclamative/Interrogative 'quão'.

Synonyms

magro desnatado light baixo em gordura esguio seco saudável atlético

Antonyms

gordo gorduroso pesado rico

Common Collocations

carne pouco gorda

peixe pouco gordo

queijo pouco gordo

dieta pouco gorda

molho pouco gordo

leite pouco gordo

alimento pouco gordo

corte pouco gordo

opção pouco gorda

presunto pouco gordo

Common Phrases

Ser pouco gordo

— To be low in fat naturally.

O frango costuma ser pouco gordo.

Ficar pouco gordo

— To become low in fat (after cooking/trimming).

O bife ficou pouco gordo depois de tirar a gordura.

Parecer pouco gordo

— To look low in fat.

Este queijo parece pouco gordo.

Comer pouco gordo

— To eat a low-fat diet.

Estou a tentar comer pouco gordo.

Cozinhar pouco gordo

— To cook with little fat.

Ela cozinha sempre pouco gordo.

Escolher o pouco gordo

— To choose the low-fat option.

Entre os dois, escolhi o pouco gordo.

Mais ou menos gordo

— More or less fat (medium fat).

Quero um bife mais ou menos gordo.

Muito pouco gordo

— Very low in fat.

Este peixe é muito pouco gordo.

Nada gordo

— Not fat at all.

Isto não é nada gordo.

Um bocado gordo

— A bit fat (opposite).

Isto está um bocado gordo.

Often Confused With

pouco gordo vs magro

Magro is a category (lean), pouco gordo is a description (low-fat).

pouco gordo vs baixo gordo

Incorrect literal translation of 'low fat'.

pouco gordo vs pouca gordura

This means 'little fat' (noun phrase), not 'low-fat' (adjective phrase).

Idioms & Expressions

"Nem tanto ao mar, nem tanto à terra"

— Not too much, not too little. Used when someone is obsessed with 'pouco gordo' food.

Podes comer um bife gordo às vezes, nem tanto ao mar...

Informal

"Ficar em águas de bacalhau"

— To come to nothing. Often used when a 'pouco gordo' diet fails.

A minha dieta ficou em águas de bacalhau.

Colloquial

"Pão, pão, queijo, queijo"

— To be clear/straightforward. Used when asking for specifically 'pouco gordo' food.

Quero carne pouco gorda, pão, pão, queijo, queijo.

Informal

"Ter muita lata"

— To have a lot of nerve. (Unrelated to fat, but common in food contexts).

Ele tem muita lata para dizer que isto é pouco gordo!

Slang

"Comer com os olhos"

— To eat with one's eyes. Wishing for fatty food while eating 'pouco gordo'.

Estou a comer salada mas a comer o bife com os olhos.

Informal

"Dar graxa"

— To 'grease' someone up (flattery). Contrast to 'pouco gordo'.

Ele está a dar-me graxa porque quer o meu queijo pouco gordo.

Slang

"Estar com a gordura toda"

— To be full of energy/arrogance. (Opposite of pouco gordo).

Hoje ele está com a gordura toda.

Slang

"Meter o bedelho"

— To stick one's nose in. When someone comments on your 'pouco gordo' diet.

Não metas o bedelho no meu prato pouco gordo.

Informal

"Saber a pouco"

— To not be enough. Common complaint about 'pouco gordo' meals.

Este jantar pouco gordo soube-me a pouco.

Informal

"Encher o chouriço"

— To fill the sausage (waste time). Chouriço is never 'pouco gordo'.

Para de encher o chouriço e come a carne pouco gorda.

Slang

Easily Confused

pouco gordo vs gorduroso

Both relate to fat.

Gorduroso means greasy/oily, while gordo means fat/thick.

Batatas gordurosas vs Bife gordo.

pouco gordo vs pesado

Often used for fatty food.

Pesado means heavy (digestion), gordo refers to the fat content.

Um jantar pesado.

pouco gordo vs light

Borrowed from English.

Light is marketing; pouco gordo is descriptive.

Iogurte light.

pouco gordo vs meio-gordo

Specifically for milk.

Meio-gordo is semi-skimmed (commercial label).

Leite meio-gordo.

pouco gordo vs cheio

Can mean full/thick.

Cheio means full; gordo means fat.

Um copo cheio.

Sentence Patterns

O [Substantivo] é pouco gordo.

O bife é pouco gordo.

A [Substantivo] é pouco gorda.

A carne é pouco gorda.

Eu quero [Substantivo] pouco gordo.

Eu quero queijo pouco gordo.

Estes [Substantivos] são pouco gordos.

Estes iogurtes são pouco gordos.

É melhor comer [Substantivo] pouco gordo.

É melhor comer peixe pouco gordo.

Prefiro [Substantivo] que seja pouco gordo.

Prefiro frango que seja pouco gordo.

Apesar de ser pouco gordo, [Frase].

Apesar de ser pouco gordo, é delicioso.

A opção por alimentos pouco gordos [Verbo].

A opção por alimentos pouco gordos ajuda a saúde.

Word Family

Nouns

a gordura (fat)

o gorducho (chubby person)

o engorda (fattening)

Verbs

engordar (to get fat)

desengordurar (to degrease)

Adjectives

gordo (fat)

gorduroso (greasy)

gordinho (chubby)

magro

lipidios

calorias

dieta

saúde

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech and shopping.

Common Mistakes

Leite pouco gordo → Leite magro / meio-gordo
Commercial dairy has specific terms.
Carne pouco gordo → Carne pouco gorda
Gender agreement error.
Alimentos pouca gordos → Alimentos pouco gordos
Adverb 'pouco' should not be pluralized.
Baixo gordo bife → Bife pouco gordo
Incorrect word order and translation.
Ele é magro gordo → Ele é pouco gordo
Confusing two adjectives.

Tips

Agreement Matters

Always match 'gordo' to the noun's gender and number. Carne pouco gorda, bifes pouco gordos.

Use 'Magro' for Milk

While 'pouco gordo' works for meat, use 'magro' for skimmed milk to sound native.

Butcher Shop Etiquette

When at a 'talho', asking for 'carne pouco gorda' will get you a better, healthier cut.

The Open O

The first 'o' in 'gordo' is open. Practice saying it like 'aw' in 'saw'.

Healthy Recipes

Search for 'receitas pouco gordas' online to find healthy Portuguese meals.

Label Reading

Look for 'baixo teor de gordura' on labels; it's the formal version of 'pouco gordo'.

Polite Weight Talk

If you must talk about weight, 'pouco gordo' is slightly softer than 'gordo'.

Diphthong Check

Listen for the 'ou' in 'pouco'. It's two sounds sliding together.

Adverbial Pouco

Remember 'pouco' doesn't change! Don't write 'pouca gorda'.

Dieting

A 'dieta pouco gorda' is a common goal in modern nutrition.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'POKE' (pouco) at a 'GOURD' (gordo). A small poke at a fat pumpkin to see if it's 'pouco gordo'.

Visual Association

Visualize a bottle of milk with a small drop of oil instead of a large one, labeled 'pouco gordo'.

Word Web

saudável magro carne dieta baixo comida gordura leite

Challenge

Try to order a 'bife pouco gordo' at your next imaginary Portuguese dinner.

Word Origin

From Latin 'paucus' (little) and 'gurdus' (heavy/thick/dull).

Original meaning: Small/few and thick/heavy.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'pouco gordo' to describe people; it can be seen as a backhanded compliment or a polite way of saying someone is overweight.

Equivalent to 'low fat' or 'lean'. Unlike English, Portuguese uses two separate words rather than a compound like 'low-fat'.

Nutritional guidelines from the DGS (Direção-Geral da Saúde) in Portugal. Health blogs like 'A Pitada do Pai'. Jamie Oliver's Portuguese translated recipes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket Shopping

Onde está o queijo pouco gordo?
Este presunto é pouco gordo?
Quero iogurte pouco gordo.
Procuro opções pouco gordas.

At the Butcher

Quero um bife pouco gordo.
Pode tirar a gordura?
Esta carne é pouco gorda?
Prefiro o corte pouco gordo.

Health/Doctor

Devo comer pouco gordo?
A minha dieta é pouco gorda.
Quais são os peixes pouco gordos?
Evite alimentos muito gordos.

Cooking/Recipes

Use um leite pouco gordo.
A receita pede carne pouco gorda.
Para ficar pouco gordo, grelhe.
Este molho ficou pouco gordo.

Restaurants

O prato é pouco gordo?
Tem alguma opção pouco gorda?
O molho é pouco gordo?
Gostaria de algo pouco gordo.

Conversation Starters

"Você prefere carne gorda ou pouco gorda?"

"Acha que o queijo português é muito gordo ou pouco gordo?"

"Qual é o seu peixe pouco gordo favorito?"

"É fácil encontrar comida pouco gorda na sua cidade?"

"Você costuma ler os rótulos para ver se o alimento é pouco gordo?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva a sua refeição favorita que seja pouco gorda.

Por que é importante comer alimentos pouco gordos?

Escreva sobre uma vez que você foi ao talho e pediu carne pouco gorda.

Quais são as diferenças entre a comida gorda e a comida pouco gorda?

Como você pode transformar uma receita gorda numa receita pouco gorda?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is grammatically correct but rare. Usually, people say 'leite meio-gordo' or 'leite magro'.

It can be. It is more polite than 'gordo', but it still comments on weight. Use with caution.

You say 'sem gordura' or 'isento de gordura'.

No, 'pouco' is an adverb here and remains invariable.

The opposite is 'muito gordo' or simply 'gordo'.

No, that is incorrect. Use 'carne pouco gorda' or 'carne com baixo teor de gordura'.

They are close synonyms, but 'magro' is more common as a technical label for meat and dairy.

It is most common at the butcher shop (talho) and when discussing diets.

It becomes 'pouco gordos' (masculine) or 'pouco gordas' (feminine).

It is always 'pouco gordo'. The adverb comes before the adjective.