When you travel on a big vehicle, like a ship or a plane, there are people who work on it. These people are called the tripulante. They help make sure everyone is safe and has what they need. For example, a flight attendant on an airplane is a tripulante.
When talking about people who work on a plane, ship, or even a train, the word tripulante is what you need. It refers to any crew member, not just the pilots or captains. Think of flight attendants, sailors, or even the staff on a cruise ship—they are all tripulantes.
For example, if you're on a plane, you might hear announcements from the tripulação, which is the collective term for the crew. Each individual person working there is a tripulante.
§ What 'tripulante' means
The Portuguese word tripulante (pronounced: tree-poo-LAHN-tee) is a noun. It refers to a member of a crew. This crew could be on a ship, an airplane, or any other type of vehicle.
- English Definition
- A member of the crew of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Think of it as someone who works on a vehicle to operate it or serve people on board. It's a common word, so it's good to know for daily conversations.
§ How to use it in a sentence
The word 'tripulante' is masculine or feminine depending on the gender of the person. However, the word itself doesn't change. You use the articles 'o' (the, masculine singular) or 'a' (the, feminine singular) before it.
Here are some common ways to use 'tripulante':
- O tripulante (The male crew member)
- A tripulante (The female crew member)
- Os tripulantes (The male/mixed crew members)
- As tripulantes (The female crew members)
O tripulante do avião ajudou os passageiros. (The crew member of the plane helped the passengers.)
In this sentence, 'do avião' (of the plane) tells you what kind of crew member it is. The preposition 'de' (of) combines with 'o' (the) to form 'do'.
A tripulante do navio serviu o jantar. (The crew member of the ship served dinner.)
Here, 'do navio' (of the ship) specifies the context. Again, 'de' + 'o' = 'do'.
When talking about multiple crew members:
Os tripulantes foram muito simpáticos. (The crew members were very friendly.)
Notice how 'foram' is the past tense of 'ser' (to be) for plural subjects.
As tripulantes do voo estavam prontas para o embarque. (The female crew members of the flight were ready for boarding.)
Here, 'do voo' (of the flight) tells you the context, and 'estavam' is the plural past tense of 'estar' (to be, for temporary states).
§ Related words
While 'tripulante' is quite specific, here are some related terms that might help you understand it better:
- Tripulação: (crew, the entire group of crew members)
- Comissário de bordo / Comissária de bordo: (flight attendant) – a specific type of 'tripulante' on an airplane.
- Marinheiro: (sailor) – a specific type of 'tripulante' on a ship.
'Tripulante' is a general term, useful when you don't need to be super specific about the role within the crew. If you want to say 'flight attendant', you'd use 'comissário/comissária de bordo'.
Fun Fact
The root 'tripul-' is related to 'equipe' (team) in Portuguese, highlighting the idea of a group working together.
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
O tripulante ajudou os passageiros.
The crew member (he) helped the passengers.
Ela é uma tripulante experiente.
She is an experienced crew member.
Os tripulantes prepararam o avião.
The crew members (they) prepared the plane.
Precisamos de mais um tripulante.
We need one more crew member.
Cada tripulante tem uma função.
Each crew member has a function.
Falei com o tripulante do navio.
I spoke with the ship's crew member.
O tripulante de voo serve bebidas.
The flight crew member serves drinks.
Seja um bom tripulante.
Be a good crew member.
Os tripulantes estão prontos.
The crew members are ready.
Pergunte ao tripulante.
Ask the crew member.
Often Confused With
A person traveling in a vehicle, not working on it.
A general term for any team member, not specific to vehicles.
The collective term for all 'tripulantes' on a vehicle.
Idioms & Expressions
"tripulação de cabine"
cabin crew (flight attendants)
Os passageiros foram recebidos pela simpática tripulação de cabine. (The passengers were greeted by the friendly cabin crew.)
neutral"membro da tripulação"
crew member
Cada membro da tripulação tem um papel importante. (Every crew member has an important role.)
neutral"tripulante de voo"
flight attendant
A tripulante de voo ajudou a passageira com a bagagem. (The flight attendant helped the passenger with the luggage.)
neutral"tripulante de bordo"
onboard crew member (can apply to ships or aircraft)
Os tripulantes de bordo estão sempre prontos para ajudar. (The onboard crew members are always ready to help.)
neutral"tripulante de navio"
ship's crew member / sailor
Ele sonhava em ser tripulante de navio e viajar pelo mundo. (He dreamed of being a ship's crew member and traveling the world.)
neutral"tripulante de carro de corrida"
racing car crew member (e.g., pit crew)
A equipe de tripulantes de carro de corrida trabalhou rápido no pit stop. (The racing car crew team worked fast in the pit stop.)
neutral"ser parte da tripulação"
to be part of the crew
Ele se sentia honrado em ser parte da tripulação. (He felt honored to be part of the crew.)
neutral"juntar-se à tripulação"
to join the crew
Muitos jovens querem juntar-se à tripulação de cruzeiro. (Many young people want to join the cruise crew.)
neutral"chefe de tripulação"
crew chief / lead crew member
O chefe de tripulação coordenou as tarefas. (The crew chief coordinated the tasks.)
neutral"treinar tripulantes"
to train crew members
A companhia aérea precisa treinar novos tripulantes. (The airline needs to train new crew members.)
neutralEasily Confused
Often confused with 'passageiro' (passenger) or 'membro da equipe' (team member), but it specifically refers to someone working on a vehicle.
A 'tripulante' is part of the operating staff of a vessel or aircraft. A 'passageiro' is someone being transported. 'Membro da equipe' is a more general term for any team member, not necessarily on a vehicle.
Os tripulantes do avião garantiram a segurança de todos. (The airplane's crew ensured everyone's safety.)
Sometimes mistakenly used for 'tripulante' by learners, but it has the opposite meaning.
A 'passageiro' is a person traveling in a vehicle, but not operating it. A 'tripulante' works on the vehicle.
Os passageiros esperavam no portão de embarque. (The passengers waited at the boarding gate.)
Can be confused with 'tripulação' (crew), but 'equipe' is a broader term.
'Equipe' refers to any group of people working together towards a common goal. 'Tripulação' specifically refers to the crew of a vessel or aircraft.
A equipe de marketing lançou a nova campanha. (The marketing team launched the new campaign.)
Can be confused with 'tripulante' when referring to staff, but 'pessoal' is more general.
'Pessoa' means people or staff in general. 'Tripulante' is a specific type of staff member on a vehicle.
O pessoal do hotel foi muito atencioso. (The hotel staff was very attentive.)
While a 'marinheiro' (sailor) is a type of 'tripulante', the terms are not interchangeable.
'Marinheiro' is specifically a crew member on a ship or boat. 'Tripulante' can be on any type of vehicle (ship, plane, etc.).
O marinheiro ajustou as velas do barco. (The sailor adjusted the boat's sails.)
Tips
Remembering 'tripulante'
Think of trip as in a 'trip' on a journey, and -ulante as a person. So, someone on a trip, a crew member!
Plural of 'tripulante'
The plural is tripulantes. Just add an 's' for regular nouns ending in 'e'.
Gender of 'tripulante'
It can be masculine or feminine depending on the person: o tripulante (the male crew member) or a tripulante (the female crew member). The word itself doesn't change.
Using 'tripulante' in context
It's often used with words like avião (plane), navio (ship), or veículo (vehicle).
Example: Plane Crew
Os tripulantes do avião foram muito gentis. (The crew members of the plane were very kind.)
Example: Ship Crew
O capitão agradeceu aos tripulantes. (The captain thanked the crew members.)
Example: Space Crew
Os tripulantes da nave espacial estão prontos. (The crew members of the spaceship are ready.)
Synonyms and related words
While tripulante is specific, you might hear membro da tripulação (member of the crew) as a more general phrase.
Don't confuse with 'passageiro'
A tripulante is working; a passageiro (passenger) is just traveling.
Listen for 'tripulante'
You'll often hear this word in announcements on planes or ships. Pay attention next time you travel to hear tripulante in action!
Word Origin
From 'tripular' (to crew) + '-ante' (suffix for agent noun)
Original meaning: One who crews
LatinCultural Context
In Portuguese-speaking countries, 'tripulante' is a common and practical term. You'll hear it frequently in contexts related to travel, such as 'tripulante de bordo' for flight attendants or 'tripulante de navio' for ship crew members. It emphasizes the collaborative nature of operating a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsA tripulante is a crew member, someone who works on the vehicle (like a flight attendant or sailor). A passageiro is a passenger, someone who is traveling in the vehicle but not working.
Example: A tripulante de cabine serve os passageiros. (The flight attendant serves the passengers.)
Yes, tripulante can refer to a crew member on a ship, an aircraft, or even other vehicles like a submarine or a space shuttle.
Example: Os tripulantes do navio prepararam-se para a tempestade. (The ship's crew prepared for the storm.)
No, tripulante is a common-gender noun. You use 'o tripulante' for a male crew member and 'a tripulante' for a female crew member.
Example: A nova tripulante é muito eficiente. (The new female crew member is very efficient.)
The collective noun for 'crew' is tripulação.
Example: A tripulação do avião foi muito amigável. (The plane's crew was very friendly.)
A common phrase is 'tripulante de cabine' (cabin crew/flight attendant).
Example: Pedi uma manta à tripulante de cabine. (I asked the flight attendant for a blanket.)
No, tripulante is a general term for any crew member. It doesn't specify a rank or a particular job, just that they are part of the working team on board.
Example: Cada tripulante tinha uma função importante. (Each crew member had an important role.)
While technically they are 'crew' of a vehicle, for bus drivers or train conductors, you would typically use more specific terms like motorista (driver) or condutor (conductor/driver). Tripulante is more often associated with ships, planes, and more complex transport systems.
Example: O motorista do ônibus parou na próxima estação. (The bus driver stopped at the next station.)
Tripulante is a standard, neutral term. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts. It's the correct word for a crew member.
Example: Os tripulantes receberam instruções claras. (The crew members received clear instructions.)
Yes, besides tripulação (crew, collective), you might hear capitão (captain) or comandante (commander), who are specific types of crew members. Also, viagem (journey/trip) is a related concept.
Example: O comandante e a tripulação saudaram os passageiros. (The commander and the crew greeted the passengers.)
It's pronounced 'tree-poo-LAHN-tee'. The 'u' is like 'oo' in 'moon', and the 'a' is open, like in 'father'.
Example: Pratique a pronúncia de tripulante. (Practice the pronunciation of tripulante.)
Test Yourself 36 questions
O ___ do avião é muito simpático. (The crew member of the airplane is very friendly.)
In this sentence, we are referring to a 'crew member' of an airplane, which is 'tripulante' in Portuguese.
Aquele ___ me ajudou com a minha mala. (That crew member helped me with my bag.)
Here, 'tripulante' fits because it refers to someone who works on a vehicle and can offer assistance.
Os ___ do navio trabalham muito. (The crew members of the ship work a lot.)
Since we are talking about multiple 'crew members' of a ship, the plural form 'tripulantes' is correct.
Ser um ___ é o meu sonho. (Being a crew member is my dream.)
'Tripulante' is the correct word for 'crew member' when talking about a profession.
Cada ___ tem uma função importante. (Each crew member has an important function.)
In this context, 'tripulante' refers to an individual member of a crew.
O novo ___ ainda está aprendendo as tarefas. (The new crew member is still learning the tasks.)
This sentence talks about a 'new crew member' who is learning, making 'tripulante' the appropriate choice.
O ___ do navio trabalhou muito durante a tempestade. (The ___ of the ship worked hard during the storm.)
Tripulante refers to a member of the crew. Passageiro is a passenger, capitão is a captain, and cozinheiro is a cook.
Cada ___ de voo deve estar pronto para ajudar em emergências. (Every flight ___ must be ready to help in emergencies.)
Tripulante refers to a crew member, which fits the context of a flight. Piloto is a pilot, passageiro is a passenger, and gerente is a manager.
Os ___ do submarino passaram meses no mar. (The ___ of the submarine spent months at sea.)
Tripulantes (plural of tripulante) are the crew members. Visitantes are visitors, pescadores are fishermen, and turistas are tourists.
Aquele ___ é responsável pela segurança dos passageiros. (That ___ is responsible for the safety of the passengers.)
A tripulante (crew member) is responsible for passenger safety. Passageiro is a passenger, diretor is a director, and médico is a doctor.
Precisamos de mais um ___ para a nossa equipe de navegação. (We need one more ___ for our navigation team.)
Tripulante fits the context of a navigation team. Amigo is a friend, cliente is a client, and professor is a teacher.
Cada ___ tem um papel importante no funcionamento do avião. (Every ___ has an important role in the airplane's operation.)
Tripulante refers to a crew member, who has a role in the plane's operation. Passageiro is a passenger, engenheiro is an engineer, and técnico is a technician.
Qual das seguintes opções descreve melhor a função de um tripulante de avião?
Um tripulante de avião é responsável pelo serviço e segurança dos passageiros durante o voo.
Num navio de cruzeiro, quem faz parte da tripulação?
A tripulação de um navio de cruzeiro inclui todos que trabalham nele, desde o capitão aos marinheiros e o pessoal de serviço.
Se fores trabalhar num avião, serás um...
Quem trabalha num avião e não é o piloto é geralmente um tripulante.
Um tripulante é sempre a pessoa que conduz o veículo.
Nem sempre. O tripulante é um membro da equipe, que pode incluir o condutor, mas não se limita a ele.
Todos os que estão a bordo de um avião são considerados tripulantes.
Os passageiros não são tripulantes. Os tripulantes são as pessoas que trabalham no avião.
A segurança dos passageiros é uma responsabilidade dos tripulantes.
Sim, a segurança dos passageiros é uma das principais responsabilidades dos tripulantes.
This sentence describes the crew preparing the plane for takeoff. 'Os tripulantes' is the subject, followed by the verb 'prepararam' (prepared), and then the object 'o avião' (the plane), and finally the purpose 'para a descolagem' (for takeoff).
This sentence highlights the crew's main priority. 'A segurança dos passageiros' (the safety of the passengers) is the subject, followed by the verb 'é' (is), and then the predicate 'a prioridade máxima dos tripulantes' (the maximum priority of the crew).
This sentence describes the crew's attentiveness during a sea voyage. 'Durante a viagem marítima' (During the sea voyage) sets the context, followed by the subject 'os tripulantes' (the crew members), the verb 'estavam' (were), and the adjective 'sempre atentos' (always attentive).
O ___ do navio trabalhou incansavelmente para garantir a segurança de todos a bordo.
The sentence refers to someone who works on the ship, making 'tripulante' (crew member) the best fit.
Cada ___ da equipe de resgate desempenhou um papel crucial na operação.
Although 'membro' could fit, 'tripulante' emphasizes their role as part of a working crew, especially in a rescue context.
A companhia aérea garante que cada ___ recebe treinamento rigoroso em procedimentos de segurança.
This sentence specifies training for safety procedures, which is a key responsibility of an airline crew member ('tripulante').
Após o pouso de emergência, todos os ___ foram elogiados por sua calma e profissionalismo.
The praise is for the individuals responsible for handling the emergency on board, referring to the 'tripulantes' (crew members).
O capitão agradeceu a cada ___ por seu serviço durante a longa viagem marítima.
The captain is thanking those who worked on the voyage, which accurately describes the 'tripulante' (crew member).
Para ser um bom ___, é essencial ter trabalho em equipe e resiliência.
The qualities of teamwork and resilience are particularly important for a 'tripulante' (crew member) working in a cohesive unit.
The crew member of the cruise ship welcomed the passengers with a warm smile.
Air safety is paramount, and every crew member undergoes rigorous training.
Even after a long flight, the cabin crew member's energy remained unwavering, attending to all travelers' needs.
Read this aloud:
O tripulante agiu com prontidão diante da emergência, demonstrando profissionalismo excepcional.
Focus: tripulante, prontidão, excepcional
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
É essencial que cada tripulante de uma embarcação conheça os procedimentos de segurança de cor.
Focus: essencial, embarcação, procedimentos
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
A comunicação eficaz entre cada tripulante é a chave para o sucesso de qualquer missão espacial.
Focus: comunicação, eficaz, missão
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Remembering 'tripulante'
Think of trip as in a 'trip' on a journey, and -ulante as a person. So, someone on a trip, a crew member!
Plural of 'tripulante'
The plural is tripulantes. Just add an 's' for regular nouns ending in 'e'.
Gender of 'tripulante'
It can be masculine or feminine depending on the person: o tripulante (the male crew member) or a tripulante (the female crew member). The word itself doesn't change.
Using 'tripulante' in context
It's often used with words like avião (plane), navio (ship), or veículo (vehicle).
Related Content
More travel words
a aterragem
A2The act of an aircraft descending to the ground; landing.
a conta, por favor
A2The bill, please.
a pé
A2on foot, walking
abarrotado
A2Filled to capacity; crowded or packed.
abastecer
A2To supply with something necessary, such as fuel.
abertura
A2Opening; the action of beginning or opening something.
acertado
A2Correct or accurate; well-chosen.
acessórios
A2Additional items, typically small, that complement something else.
acidente
A2An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
acolá
A2In, at, or to that place; over there.
