Portuguese · People & Family
"Child" in Portuguese: criança
a criança
Child in Portuguese is a criança. The plural is as crianças. Brazilians also say o/a menino/a for a specific boy or girl.
Museum visit
A entrada da criança é mais barata.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce criança
Say it
kree-AHN-sah
/ˈkɾiɐn.sa/
kree-AHN-sah. Nasal an before s.
"Child" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a criança | the child Gender-neutral noun. | Gender-neutral noun. |
| as crianças | the children Plural. | Plural. |
| criança pequena | little child Age nuance. | Age nuance. |
| lugar para criança | place for children Signs and venues. | Signs and venues. |
How to use criança in real life
- 1Museum visit
A entrada da criança é mais barata.
The child's ticket is cheaper.
Da criança for of the child.
- 2Park
Aquela criança está perdida da mãe?
Is that child lost from her mom?
Aquela criança points someone out.
- 3Family size
Eles têm três crianças em casa.
They have three children at home.
Crianças as kids in general.
Mistakes English speakers make with criança
Incorrect: O criança está cansado.
Correct: A criança está cansada.
Criança is feminine as a noun form, even for a boy.
Incorrect: Tem um child aqui.
Correct: Tem uma criança aqui.
Use criança.
Good to know
Grammatically a criança is feminine, even when the child is a boy—adjectives often follow: a criança está feliz. Menino/menina name gender when it matters.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Helping at a family party
ChatPal
Tem uma criança chorando no corredor.
There's a child crying in the hallway.
You
Vou ver. Qual criança é?
I'll check. Which child is it?
ChatPal
A criança de vestido amarelo.
The child in the yellow dress.
You
Achei. A criança quer água.
Found her. The child wants water.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Child" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Child" in Portuguese
Child?
A criança.
Children?
As crianças.
Why feminine?
The noun criança is feminine grammatically.
Boy/girl specifically?
Menino / menina.
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
