Portuguese · Food & Drink
"Lemon" in Portuguese: limão
o limão
Lemon in Portuguese is o limão. In Brazil limão often covers tart green limes too. Lemonade is limonada; juice is suco de limão.
Cooking fish
Espremi limão fresco no peixe grelhado.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce limão
Say it
lee-MOWN
/li.ˈmɐ̃w̃/
lee-MOWN — nasal ão.
"Lemon" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o limão | lemon / lime (BR usage) Default citrus noun. | Default citrus noun. |
| suco de limão | lemon/lime juice Drinks and cooking. | Drinks and cooking. |
| limonada | lemonade Sweet drink. | Sweet drink. |
| limão siciliano | yellow lemon (Sicilian) When you need the yellow fruit. | When you need the yellow fruit. |
How to use limão in real life
- 1Cooking fish
Espremi limão fresco no peixe grelhado.
I squeezed fresh lemon on the grilled fish.
Espremer limão is the cook's verb.
- 2Ordering a drink
Quero um suco de limão bem gelado.
I want a really cold lemon juice.
Suco de limão keeps the headword visible.
- 3At the market
Esse limão está azedo na medida certa.
This lemon is tart in just the right way.
Azedo describes sourness.
Mistakes English speakers make with limão
Incorrect: A limão é amarelo.
Correct: O limão é amarelo.
Limão is masculine: o limão.
Incorrect: Preciso de lemon.
Correct: Preciso de limão.
Use limão, not English lemon.
Good to know
In much of Brazil the everyday green citrus is still called limão, while limão siciliano specifies the yellow lemon. Caipirinha recipes start with limão for a reason.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Making caipirinha at home
ChatPal
Você cortou o limão em pedacinhos?
Did you cut the lemon into little pieces?
You
Cortei. Esse limão está bem suculento.
I did. This lemon is really juicy.
ChatPal
Mete o limão no copo com açúcar.
Put the lemon in the glass with sugar.
You
Pronto. Mais um limão se precisar de azedinho.
Done. One more lemon if we need extra tartness.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Lemon" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Lemon" in Portuguese
Is limão lemon or lime in Brazil?
Often both in daily speech. Say limão siciliano for the yellow lemon.
How do I say lemonade?
Limonada.
Is limão masculine?
Yes: o limão, os limões.
How do I say lemon juice?
Suco de limão.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
