52 Vegetables in Portuguese
Vegetables are fundamental to Portuguese and Brazilian cooking. Both cuisines utilize a wide array of vegetables, prioritizing fresh, locally available ingredients.
Therefore, if you aim to navigate the Portuguese language effectively, building a vocabulary of vegetable names is highly recommended. Enjoy learning these Portuguese words for vegetables.
Root Vegetables in Portuguese
Vegetais de raiz (root vegetables) such as potatoes, carrots, yams, and cassava are staples in both Portuguese and Brazilian cooking, adding substance to many classic meals.
For example, the Portuguese dish feijoada à transmontana is a stew that combines beans, different meats, and root vegetables such as carrots and turnips.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Beet | Beterraba |
| Carrot | Cenoura |
| Horseradish | Raiz-forte |
| Jicama | Jicama |
| Parsnip | Pastinaca |
| Potato | Batata |
| Radish | Rabanete |
| Rutabaga | Nabo-rábano |
| Sweet potato | Batata-doce |
| Taro | Taro |
| Turnip | Nabo |
| Yucca | Mandioca |
Leafy Greens in Portuguese
Vegetais de folhas (leafy greens) are even more prevalent in the traditional recipes of Portugal and Brazil.
You might already know some dishes, like the Portuguese caldo verde, which derives its name and green hue from kale, or the Brazilian couve à mineira, a dish of sautéed collard greens commonly served as a side in Brazilian meals.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Arugula | Rúcula |
| Bok choy | Acelga chinesa |
| Cabbage | Repolho |
| Collard greens | Couve |
| Endive | Endívia |
| Kale | Couve-galega |
| Lettuce | Alface |
| Spinach | Espinafre |
| Swiss chard | Acelga |
| Watercress | Agrião |
Alliums in Portuguese
Alliums (known by the same term in Portuguese) are a plant family that includes onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives. They are primarily used to enhance the aroma and taste of dishes, making them common in many culinary traditions.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Chive | Cebolinha |
| Garlic | Alho |
| Leek | Alho-poró |
| Onion | Cebola |
| Scallion | Cebolinha verde |
| Shallot | Chalota |
Legumes in Portuguese
Legumes, known as leguminosas in Portuguese, are a group of vegetables that include beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas. They are excellent sources of protein, fiber, and various essential nutrients.
Legumes feature prominently in many Portuguese and Brazilian dishes. Favas à algarvia, for example, is a recipe from the Algarve region of Portugal that uses broad beans, frequently prepared with chorizo or bacon. In Brazil, the national dish is feijoada, a stew based on black beans that usually includes a variety of meats and sausages.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Black beans | Feijão preto |
| Black-eyed peas | Feijão-fradinho |
| Chickpeas | Grão-de-bico |
| Kidney beans | Feijão vermelho |
| Lentils | Lentilhas |
| Peas | Ervilhas |
| Pinto beans | Feijão carioca |
| Soybeans | Soja |
| Split peas | Ervilhas partidas |
Other Vegetables in Portuguese
This section includes vegetables that do not fit neatly into the previous categories.
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Artichoke | Alcachofra |
| Asparagus | Aspargo |
| Avocado | Abacate |
| Bell peppers | Pimentão |
| Brussels sprouts | Couve de Bruxelas |
| Broccoli | Brócolis |
| Cauliflower | Couve-flor |
| Celery | Aipo |
| Corn | Milho |
| Cucumber | Pepino |
| Eggplant | Berinjela |
| Okra | Quiabo |
| Squash | Abóbora |
| Tomato | Tomate |
| Zucchini | Abobrinha |
Have you learned enough? These Portuguese vegetable terms will serve you well as you progress in learning the language!
Interested in discovering more vegetable vocabulary, along with many examples of these and other words in context? You might consider exploring the Lingflix program.
And One More Thing...
If you share my passion for learning Portuguese via movies and similar media, take a look at Lingflix. This platform allows you to transform subtitled videos from YouTube or Netflix into interactive language lessons.
Another great aspect is Lingflix's extensive video collection, curated especially for Portuguese students. Stop spending time searching for suitable material—it's all gathered in one spot!
A feature I particularly appreciate is the interactive subtitles. Tapping on any word brings up an image, definition, and sample sentences, significantly simplifying the process of understanding and memorizing new terms.
For those concerned about forgetting new vocabulary, Lingflix provides a solution. You'll engage in enjoyable exercises to strengthen your word knowledge and receive timely review reminders to help you retain what you've learned.
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