Portuguese · Body & Health

"Brain" in Portuguese: cérebro

o cérebro

Say it: SEH-reh-broomasculine · o cérebronoun/ˈsɛ.ɾe.bɾu/

Brain in Portuguese is o cérebro (masculine). Doctors say lesão no cérebro; everyday people also say mente for mind. Usa a cabeça overlaps, but the organ word is cérebro.

Health documentary

O cérebro precisa de sono de verdade.
The brain needs real sleep.
Practice Portuguese out loud

Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free

How to pronounce cérebro

Say it

SEH-reh-broo

/ˈsɛ.ɾe.bɾu/

SEH-reh-broo. Stress SEH; c like s.

"Brain" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
o cérebrothe brain

Anatomical noun.

cérebro humanohuman brain

Science talk.

lesão no cérebrobrain injury

Medical.

exercitar o cérebroto exercise the brain

Study/habits.

lavagem cerebralbrainwashing

Figurative noun phrase.

How to use cérebro in real life

  1. 1Health documentary

    O cérebro precisa de sono de verdade.

    The brain needs real sleep.

    O cérebro as organ.

  2. 2Study tip

    Jogos leves ajudam o cérebro a relaxar.

    Light games help the brain relax.

    Cérebro in wellness talk.

  3. 3Hospital note

    O exame mostrou o cérebro sem alterações.

    The scan showed the brain without changes.

    Clinical phrasing.

Mistakes English speakers make with cérebro

Incorrect: A cérebro é complexo.

Correct: O cérebro é complexo.

Cérebro is masculine: o cérebro.

Incorrect: Meu brain doeu.

Correct: Meu cérebro doeu. / Minha cabeça doeu.

Use cérebro (or cabeça for headache), not English brain.

Good to know

Brazilians joke Quebrar a cabeça for puzzling something out, while cérebro stays more literal or medical. Self-help talk loves exercitar o cérebro. Mente covers thoughts and mood more than the organ itself.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

After a long study day

  1. ChatPal

    Seu cérebro pediu pausa?

    Did your brain ask for a break?

  2. You

    Pediu. O cérebro está cansado.

    It did. The brain is tired.

  3. ChatPal

    Água e caminhada ajudam o cérebro.

    Water and a walk help the brain.

  4. You

    Vou. Quero meu cérebro fresco amanhã.

    I will. I want my brain fresh tomorrow.

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

Practice this conversation in ChatPal

"Brain" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Brain" in Portuguese

Cérebro vs mente?

Cérebro is the organ; mente is mind.

Gender?

Masculine: o cérebro.

Headache?

Often dor de cabeça, not dor de cérebro.

Brain injury?

Lesão no cérebro.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

  1. Step 1: See it in context
  2. Step 2: Say it out loud
  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

Keep reading

Ready to say it out loud?

ChatPal is a voice-first app for practicing real conversations in Portuguese. Try real scenarios and get personalized feedback on your speaking.

Start with 7 days free.