alce
A large North American deer with broad, flattened antlers.
Overview
The Portuguese word 'alce' refers to a large species of deer, specifically the animal known in North America as a moose and in Europe as an elk. It's important to note this distinction, as the English word 'elk' can sometimes refer to a different animal (Cervus canadensis) in North America, which is known as 'wapiti' in some contexts, or simply 'veado' or 'cervo' in Portuguese, without the specific 'alce' designation.
The 'alce' (Alces alces) is characterized by its impressive size, being the largest living species in the deer family (Cervidae). Males are particularly notable for their distinctive, broad, and flattened antlers, which can span a significant width. These antlers are shed and regrown annually.
From a linguistic perspective, 'alce' is a masculine noun in Portuguese. The plural form is 'alces'. Its etymology can be traced back through Latin 'alces' to a Germanic source, reflecting the animal's native range in northern parts of the world.
Contextual usage:
- “Vimos um alce enorme atravessando a estrada.” (We saw a huge moose crossing the road.)
- “Os alces são conhecidos por seus chifres majestosos.” (Moose are known for their majestic antlers.)
- “A carne de alce é popular em algumas culinárias nórdicas.” (Moose meat is popular in some Nordic cuisines.)
When encountering 'alce' in Portuguese, particularly in a context describing an animal, it almost invariably refers to the animal with the broad, flattened antlers that is common in cold, northern climates. It would be highly unusual for 'alce' to refer to any other animal, especially not the smaller, more agile deer species often simply called 'veado' or 'cervo'.
例句
O alce macho tem galhadas grandes e largas.
natureThe male moose has large, broad antlers.
Vimos um alce a pastar na floresta durante a nossa caminhada.
wildlife observationWe saw a moose grazing in the forest during our hike.
A carne de alce é uma iguaria em algumas regiões.
culinaryMoose meat is a delicacy in some regions.
As galhadas de alce são impressionantes pelo seu tamanho.
animal featuresMoose antlers are impressive due to their size.
Um alce solitário atravessou a estrada à nossa frente.
everyday encounterA solitary moose crossed the road in front of us.
常见搭配
容易混淆的词
语法模式
如何使用
使用说明
The Portuguese word 'alce' is a masculine noun. The plural form is 'alces'. It is used to refer specifically to the large deer species known for its distinctive broad, flattened antlers. While 'cervo' is a more general term for deer in Portuguese, 'alce' is always used when referring to a moose or elk. For example, one would say 'um alce' (a moose/elk) rather than 'um cervo alce'. The word is straightforward and does not have many idiomatic expressions or nuanced meanings. It is primarily used in scientific contexts, nature descriptions, or when discussing animals from other parts of the world. There's no specific colloquial use that deviates from its literal meaning. When describing the animal's features, one might say 'chifres de alce' (moose/elk antlers) or 'pelo de alce' (moose/elk fur).
常见错误
A common mistake might be confusing 'alce' (moose) with 'cervo' (deer), as both are large cervids. While 'alce' specifically refers to a moose, 'cervo' is a more general term for deer. Another potential mistake could be mispronouncing the 'c' in 'alce'. In Portuguese, the 'c' before 'e' or 'i' is pronounced like an 's' sound, so it's 'ahl-see', not 'ahl-keh'. Additionally, some might mistakenly assume the word is masculine because of the 'e' ending, but 'alce' is a masculine noun. Finally, some non-native speakers might incorrectly conjugate it if trying to use it in a phrase or sentence, as Portuguese verb and noun agreements can be tricky.
小贴士
Dica de Pronúncia
Falso Cognato
Uso Comum
词源
From Old Portuguese 'alçe', from Arabic 'al-Hars' (the elk), ultimately from a Germanic source akin to Old Norse 'elgr'. It refers to a large species of deer with palmate antlers, native to northern Eurasia and North America.
文化背景
The word 'alce' in Portuguese refers to the animal known as a moose in North America or an elk in Eurasia. While the animal itself is not native to Portugal or Brazil, the word is commonly understood due to its presence in nature documentaries, literature, and general knowledge about wildlife. It often evokes images of large, powerful, and majestic creatures inhabiting cold, northern climates. In a broader cultural sense, 'alce' might be associated with wilderness, resilience, and sometimes even solitude, given the animal's natural habitat. It's not a word that carries significant cultural baggage or deep historical symbolism within Portuguese-speaking countries, but rather serves as a direct translation for the animal.
记忆技巧
The word 'alce' sounds like 'Alice'. Imagine Alice, a giant deer with huge antlers, wandering through a Portuguese forest.
常见问题
4 个问题自我测试
O caçador avistou um ____ enorme na floresta.
Os ____ são conhecidos por sua imponência e força.
Na natureza, um ____ pode ser um animal solitário.
得分: /3
Dica de Pronúncia
Falso Cognato
Uso Comum
例句
5 / 5O alce macho tem galhadas grandes e largas.
The male moose has large, broad antlers.
Vimos um alce a pastar na floresta durante a nossa caminhada.
We saw a moose grazing in the forest during our hike.
A carne de alce é uma iguaria em algumas regiões.
Moose meat is a delicacy in some regions.
As galhadas de alce são impressionantes pelo seu tamanho.
Moose antlers are impressive due to their size.
Um alce solitário atravessou a estrada à nossa frente.
A solitary moose crossed the road in front of us.
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à beira
B1On the edge or brink of.
à beira de
B1On the edge of; almost in a state of.
à distância
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B1In favor of; supporting.
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