Portuguese · Body & Health
"Ankle" in Portuguese: tornozelo
o tornozelo
Ankle in Portuguese is o tornozelo. Point to o tornozelo direito or o tornozelo esquerdo when something hurts after walking or sport.
After a hike
Meu tornozelo esquerdo está inchado desde ontem.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tornozelo
Say it
tor-no-ZEH-loo
/toʁ.no.ˈze.lu/
tor-no-ZEH-loo. Stress on ZEH.
"Ankle" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o tornozelo | the ankle Neutral body noun. | Neutral body noun. |
| tornozelo direito / esquerdo | right / left ankle At the doctor or gym. | At the doctor or gym. |
| torci o tornozelo | I sprained my ankle Common injury line. | Common injury line. |
| nos tornozelos | on the ankles Plural body talk. | Plural body talk. |
How to use tornozelo in real life
- 1After a hike
Meu tornozelo esquerdo está inchado desde ontem.
My left ankle has been swollen since yesterday.
Inchado flags swelling.
- 2At urgent care
Doutora, dói quando eu giro o tornozelo.
Doctor, it hurts when I twist my ankle.
Giro o tornozelo describes the motion.
- 3Buying shoes
Esse tênis segura bem o tornozelo na corrida.
This sneaker supports the ankle well for running.
Shoe-fit talk.
Mistakes English speakers make with tornozelo
Incorrect: Minha tornozela dói.
Correct: Meu tornozelo dói.
Tornozelo is masculine: o / meu tornozelo.
Incorrect: Machuquei o ankle.
Correct: Machuquei o tornozelo.
Use tornozelo, not English ankle.
Good to know
Brazilians often say torci o tornozelo after beach volleyball or uneven sidewalks. Clinics and gyms expect left/right detail. Saying só uma torção keeps the story short without sounding dramatic.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking an injury after football
ChatPal
Você mexeu mal o tornozelo no jogo?
Did you twist your ankle badly in the game?
You
Acho que sim. O tornozelo está quente.
I think so. The ankle feels hot.
ChatPal
Gelo no tornozelo ajuda nas primeiras horas.
Ice on the ankle helps in the first hours.
You
Vou elevar a perna e esperar.
I'll elevate the leg and wait.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Ankle" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Ankle" in Portuguese
Is tornozelo masculine?
Yes: o tornozelo, os tornozelos.
How do I say I sprained my ankle?
Torci o tornozelo.
Right or left?
Tornozelo direito / tornozelo esquerdo.
Any slang?
People just say tornozelo; no common nickname.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
