Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Cow" in Portuguese: vaca
a vaca
Cow in Portuguese is a vaca, feminine. A bull is o touro; ox is o boi. Milk talk uses leite de vaca.
On a farm visit
A vaca preta ficou perto da cerca.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce vaca
Say it
VAH-kah
/ˈva.ka/
VAH-kah — open a vowels.
"Cow" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a vaca | the cow Default noun. | Default noun. |
| leite de vaca | cow's milk Food labels. | Food labels. |
| pasto de vacas | cow pasture Farm scenes. | Farm scenes. |
| vaca leiteira | dairy cow Farming. | Farming. |
How to use vaca in real life
- 1On a farm visit
A vaca preta ficou perto da cerca.
The black cow stayed near the fence.
Color after vaca.
- 2At the store
Esse iogurte é de leite de vaca.
This yogurt is made from cow's milk.
Leite de vaca on labels.
- 3Road trip
Tivemos que parar porque uma vaca cruzou a estrada.
We had to stop because a cow crossed the road.
Countryside scene.
Mistakes English speakers make with vaca
Incorrect: O vaca come capim.
Correct: A vaca come capim.
Vaca is feminine: a vaca.
Incorrect: Vi um cow no pasto.
Correct: Vi uma vaca no pasto.
Use vaca, not English cow.
Good to know
Brazil’s cattle culture is huge, but restaurant menus say carne bovina or specific cuts, not vaca. Calling a person vaca is insulting, so keep the animal sense clear.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Kids visiting a petting farm
ChatPal
Olha a vaca com o filhote ali.
Look at the cow with the calf over there.
You
Que fofa. Posso chegar perto da vaca?
So cute. Can I get close to the cow?
ChatPal
Com calma. Essa vaca é mansa.
Slowly. That cow is gentle.
You
Ok. Vou só fotografar a vaca de longe.
Okay. I'll just photograph the cow from afar.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cow" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cow" in Portuguese
How do I say bull?
O touro. Boi is ox/steer in many contexts.
How do I say cow's milk?
Leite de vaca.
Is vaca feminine?
Yes: a vaca.
Is vaca ever an insult?
Yes, directed at a person. Stick to the animal meaning as a learner.
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
