Portuguese · Emotions & Descriptions
"Big" in Portuguese: grande
grande
Big in Portuguese is grande for both masculine and feminine singular. The plural is grandes. For bigger, use maior: uma casa maior.
Apartment hunt
Queremos um apartamento grande com varanda.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce grande
Say it
GRUN-jee
/ˈɡɾɐn.dʒi/
GRUN-jee in many Brazilian accents (d before e often softens). Stress GRAN.
"Big" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| grande | big, large Default size adjective. | Default size adjective. |
| grandes | big (plural) Plural agreement. | Plural agreement. |
| maior | bigger / biggest Comparative and superlative helper. | Comparative and superlative helper. |
| em grande estilo | in grand style Figurative set phrase. | Figurative set phrase. |
How to use grande in real life
- 1Apartment hunt
Queremos um apartamento grande com varanda.
We want a big apartment with a balcony.
Grande follows the noun here.
- 2Food portions
Me vê uma porção grande de batata, por favor.
I'll take a large portion of fries, please.
Menu talk uses grande for size.
- 3Comparing bags
Essa mala é maior, mas não é tão grande assim.
That suitcase is bigger, but it isn't that big.
Maior and grande can appear together.
Mistakes English speakers make with grande
Incorrect: uma casa granda
Correct: uma casa grande
Grande does not become granda. Same form for feminine singular.
Incorrect: mais grande
Correct: maior
The usual comparative of grande is maior, not mais grande.
Good to know
Grande also praises people and moments: um grande amigo, um dia grande. Size talk at markets is flexible—grande, médio, pequeno—so pointing still helps when portions look unclear.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a moving truck
ChatPal
Você acha que esse caminhão é grande o bastante?
Do you think this truck is big enough?
You
Não. Precisamos de um bem grande para o sofá.
No. We need a really big one for the sofa.
ChatPal
Certo. Vou pedir o modelo grande da locadora.
Right. I'll request the big model from the rental place.
You
Perfeito. Melhor sobrar espaço.
Perfect. Better to have space left over.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Big" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Big" in Portuguese
Does grande change for gender?
Not in the singular: o carro grande, a casa grande. Plural is grandes.
How do I say bigger?
Maior: um quarto maior.
Where does grande go in the sentence?
Usually after the noun: uma mesa grande. Before the noun it can sound more emphatic or figurative.
Is grandão okay?
Yes in casual Brazil: um cachorro grandão means a really big dog.
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
