Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Lion" in Portuguese: leão

o leão

leh-OWNgmasculine · o leãonoun/ˈleɐ̃.u/

Lion in Portuguese is o leão (masculine). A lioness is a leoa. Plural is leões. Sports fans call a fierce player um leão metaphorically.

Zoo visit

O leão dormia perto da cerca.

The lion was sleeping near the fence.

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How to pronounce leão

Say it

leh-OWNg

/ˈleɐ̃.u/

leh-OWNg. Stress OWNg; ão is nasal.

"Lion" in Portuguese: quick reference

Portuguese	English	When to use
o leão	the lion Male / default.	Male / default.
a leoa	the lioness Female.	Female.
os leões	the lions Plural.	Plural.
rugido do leão	the lion's roar Sound.	Sound.
coração de leão	lionheart Courage metaphor.	Courage metaphor.

How to use leão in real life

1Zoo visit
O leão dormia perto da cerca.
The lion was sleeping near the fence.
O leão as animal.
2Kids' book
A história fala de um leão corajoso.
The story is about a brave lion.
Storybook leão.
3Photo day
Conseguimos ver o leão bem de perto.
We managed to see the lion up close.
O leão as the clear singular form.

Mistakes English speakers make with leão

Incorrect: A leão rugiu.

Correct: O leão rugiu. (or A leoa…)

Leão is masculine; leoa is feminine.

Incorrect: Vi um lion ontem.

Correct: Vi um leão ontem.

Use leão, not English lion.

Good to know

Leão appears on sports clubs and carnival costumes. Horoscope readers talk about signo de leão. In zoos, feeding times draw crowds hoping for a rugido do leão.