Portuguese · Body & Health
"Cold (illness)" in Portuguese: resfriado
o resfriado
Note: PT-PT: a constipação
A cold (illness) in Portuguese is o resfriado. Say estou com um resfriado when you’re sniffling. In European Portuguese, a constipação often means a cold—not constipation.
Canceling a run
Estou com um resfriado e vou ficar em casa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce resfriado
Say it
hes-free-AH-doo
/ʁes.ˈfɾia.du/
hes-free-AH-doo
"Cold (illness)" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o resfriado | the cold (illness) Default Brazilian noun. | Default Brazilian noun. |
| estar resfriado | to have a cold Adjective state. | Adjective state. |
| resfriado forte | bad cold Intensity. | Intensity. |
| a constipação (PT-PT cold) | cold (Portugal) European Portuguese. | European Portuguese. |
How to use resfriado in real life
- 1Canceling a run
Estou com um resfriado e vou ficar em casa.
I have a cold and I’m staying home.
Excuse.
- 2Pharmacy
Preciso de algo para resfriado e dor de garganta.
I need something for a cold and a sore throat.
Ask.
- 3Office
Metade da equipe pegou o mesmo resfriado.
Half the team caught the same cold.
Spread.
Mistakes English speakers make with resfriado
Incorrect: Estou com um cold.
Correct: Estou com um resfriado.
Use resfriado, not English cold.
Incorrect: Estou constipado. (in Brazil, meaning I have a cold)
Correct: Estou resfriado. / Estou com um resfriado.
In Brazil constipado usually means constipated; PT-PT constipação can mean a cold.
Good to know
Resfriado is the Brazilian everyday cold. Gripe feels heavier (flu-like). In Portugal, constipação often means a cold, which confuses Brazilians who hear constipation. Vitamin C jokes are mandatory.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calling a friend
ChatPal
Você pegou aquele resfriado do escritório?
Did you catch that office cold?
You
Peguei. O resfriado me derrubou ontem.
I did. The cold knocked me out yesterday.
ChatPal
Descansa. Resfriado some mais rápido com sono.
Rest. A cold goes away faster with sleep.
You
Vou tentar. Já fiz chá.
I’ll try. I already made tea.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cold (illness)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cold (illness)" in Portuguese
Brazil word?
O resfriado.
Portugal?
Often a constipação for a cold.
I have a cold?
Estou com um resfriado / estou resfriado.
Cold vs flu?
Resfriado lighter; gripe heavier.
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
