Portuguese · People & Family
"Chef (cook)" in Portuguese: cozinheiro / cozinheira
o cozinheiro / a cozinheira
Note: also: o chef
Chef (cook) in Portuguese is o cozinheiro or a cozinheira. Fancy restaurants also say o chef. Use cozinheiro/cozinheira as your base word.
Restaurant tour
O cozinheiro prepara o prato na sua frente.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cozinheiro / cozinheira
Say it
koh-zee-NYAY-roo
/ko.zi.ˈɲej.ɾu/
koh-zee-NYAY-roo
"Chef (cook)" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o cozinheiro | the cook (m) Default masculine. | Default masculine. |
| a cozinheira | the cook (f) Feminine. | Feminine. |
| o chef | the chef Restaurant title; related. | Restaurant title; related. |
| cozinheiro chefe | head cook Kitchen hierarchy. | Kitchen hierarchy. |
How to use cozinheiro / cozinheira in real life
- 1Restaurant tour
O cozinheiro prepara o prato na sua frente.
The cook prepares the dish in front of you.
Show kitchen.
- 2Home praise
Minha tia é uma cozinheira incrível.
My aunt is an amazing cook.
Feminine.
- 3Hiring
Precisamos de um cozinheiro pra o brunch.
We need a cook for brunch.
Job.
Mistakes English speakers make with cozinheiro / cozinheira
Incorrect: Ele é o cook da casa.
Correct: Ele é o cozinheiro da casa.
Use cozinheiro/cozinheira, not English cook.
Incorrect: A cozinheiro chegou.
Correct: A cozinheira chegou. / O cozinheiro chegou.
Match article and ending to gender.
Good to know
Cozinheiro is everyday; chef sounds more title-like in restaurants. Home cooks still get called boa cozinheira as a compliment. Don’t confuse with cozinha (kitchen).
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a catering cook
ChatPal
O cozinheiro traz o menu amanhã?
Is the cook bringing the menu tomorrow?
You
Sim. A cozinheira também vem pro teste.
Yes. The cook (f) is also coming for the tasting.
ChatPal
Quero um cozinheiro calmo na hora do serviço.
I want a calm cook at service time.
You
Combinado. Eu confirmo o horário.
Deal. I’ll confirm the time.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Chef (cook)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Chef (cook)" in Portuguese
Cook (m/f)?
O cozinheiro / a cozinheira.
Chef title?
O chef—common in restaurants.
Kitchen?
A cozinha—different word.
Head cook?
Cozinheiro chefe / chef.
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
