Portuguese · People & Family

"Driver" in Portuguese: motorista

o/a motorista

Say it: moh-toh-REES-tahmasculine / feminine · o/a motoristanoun/ˈo/

Driver in Portuguese is o motorista or a motorista. Say O motorista do ônibus and Fale com a motorista. Gender shows in the article.

Bus

O motorista pediu pra todo mundo sentar.
The driver asked everyone to sit down.
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How to pronounce motorista

Say it

moh-toh-REES-tah

/ˈo/

moh-toh-REES-tah

"Driver" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
o motoristathe driver (m)

Masculine article.

a motoristathe driver (f)

Feminine article.

motorista de aplicativorideshare driver

Uber-style.

motoristasdrivers

Plural.

How to use motorista in real life

  1. 1Bus

    O motorista pediu pra todo mundo sentar.

    The driver asked everyone to sit down.

    Transit.

  2. 2Rideshare

    A motorista chegou em três minutos.

    The driver arrived in three minutes.

    Feminine.

  3. 3Trip

    Os motoristas conhecem bem essa rodovia.

    The drivers know this highway well.

    Plural.

Mistakes English speakers make with motorista

Incorrect: O driver atrasou.

Correct: O motorista atrasou.

Use motorista, not English driver.

Incorrect: O motorista (for a woman) chegou.

Correct: A motorista chegou.

Match the article to gender; the noun form stays motorista.

Good to know

Motorista is gender-neutral in form; o/a marks gender. Rideshare talk says motorista do app. Don’t confuse with dirigir (to drive).

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Catching a ride

  1. ChatPal

    O motorista está no mapa?

    Is the driver already on the map?

  2. You

    Sim. A motorista vem de carro branco.

    Yes. The driver is coming in a white car.

  3. ChatPal

    Avisa o motorista que estamos na portaria.

    Tell the driver we’re at the gate.

  4. You

    Mandei mensagem agora.

    I just sent a message.

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"Driver" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Driver" in Portuguese

Driver?

O/a motorista.

How to mark gender?

Change the article: o / a motorista.

Rideshare driver?

Motorista de aplicativo.

To drive?

Dirigir—separate verb.

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