Portuguese · Body & Health

"Bandage (band-aid)" in Portuguese: curativo

o curativo

Say it: koo-rah-CHEE-voomasculine · o curativonoun/ku.ɾa.ˈtʃi.vu/

Note: PT-PT: o penso

A bandage or band-aid in Brazilian Portuguese is o curativo. In European Portuguese you will often hear o penso for the same idea.

Pharmacy counter

Preciso de um curativo impermeável, por favor.
I need a waterproof band-aid, please.
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How to pronounce curativo

Say it

koo-rah-CHEE-voo

/ku.ɾa.ˈtʃi.vu/

koo-rah-CHEE-voo

"Bandage (band-aid)" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
o curativothe bandage / band-aid

Default Brazilian word.

um curativoa band-aid

Pharmacy ask.

colocar um curativoto put on a bandage

First-aid action.

o penso (PT-PT)the plaster / bandage

European Portuguese from the entry note.

How to use curativo in real life

  1. 1Pharmacy counter

    Preciso de um curativo impermeável, por favor.

    I need a waterproof band-aid, please.

    Shopping ask.

  2. 2Kitchen cut

    Lava o dedo e põe um curativo agora.

    Wash your finger and put a bandage on now.

    Home first aid.

  3. 3Kids' soccer

    O joelho dele ganhou um curativo depois da queda.

    His knee got a bandage after the fall.

    Sports scrape.

Mistakes English speakers make with curativo

Incorrect: Me dá um band-aid.

Correct: Me dá um curativo.

In Brazil say curativo; English band-aid is widely understood but not the headword.

Incorrect: A curativo caiu.

Correct: O curativo caiu.

Curativo is masculine.

Good to know

Brazilian pharmacies sell curativos in every size near the checkout. In Portugal, penso is the everyday label on the box—same sticky rectangle, different word.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Treating a small cut

  1. ChatPal

    Tem um curativo na bolsa?

    Do you have a bandage in your bag?

  2. You

    Tenho. Esse curativo é pequeno, mas serve.

    I do. This bandage is small, but it works.

  3. ChatPal

    Coloca o curativo sem apertar demais.

    Put the bandage on without squeezing too hard.

  4. You

    Pronto. Melhor assim.

    Done. Better this way.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Bandage (band-aid)" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Bandage (band-aid)" in Portuguese

Curativo or penso?

Curativo in Brazil; penso is PT-PT.

How do I ask at a pharmacy?

Vocês têm curativo?

Gender?

Masculine—o curativo.

Larger medical bandage?

Still often curativo; a gauze wrap may be faixa or gaze.

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