Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Monkey" in Portuguese: macaco
o macaco
Monkey in Portuguese is o macaco. You will hear it at zoos and in jokes. Be careful: macaco can also be a rude insult in some contexts.
Zoo
O macaco subiu rápido no galho mais alto.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce macaco
Say it
mah-KAH-koo
/ma.ˈka.ku/
mah-KAH-koo. Stress on KAH.
"Monkey" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o macaco | monkey Default animal. | Default animal. |
| macacos | monkeys Plural. | Plural. |
| macaco-prego | capuchin monkey Common Brazilian species name. | Common Brazilian species name. |
| modo macaco | monkey mode (playful) Kids joking around. | Kids joking around. |
| fazer macaquice | to clown around Related playful verb phrase. | Related playful verb phrase. |
How to use macaco in real life
- 1Zoo
O macaco subiu rápido no galho mais alto.
The monkey climbed quickly onto the highest branch.
O macaco as subject.
- 2Nature park
Vimos um macaco perto da trilha de manhã.
We saw a monkey near the trail in the morning.
Wildlife sighting.
- 3Kids joking
Para de fazer cara de macaco na foto!
Stop making a monkey face in the photo!
Playful, among friends/kids.
Mistakes English speakers make with macaco
Incorrect: A macaco.
Correct: O macaco.
Macaco is masculine.
Incorrect: Olha o monkey!
Correct: Olha o macaco!
Use macaco, not English monkey.
Good to know
Brazil has many native monkeys, so macaco is everyday nature vocabulary, not only zoo talk. Among kids, cara de macaco is teasing; aimed at adults it can sting—keep it light and contextual.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At a wildlife park
ChatPal
Ali! Você viu o macaco na árvore?
There! Did you see the monkey in the tree?
You
Vi. O macaco está comendo fruta.
I did. The monkey is eating fruit.
ChatPal
Não ofereça comida ao macaco, tá?
Don't offer food to the monkey, okay?
You
Combinado. Só foto do macaco de longe.
Deal. Just a photo of the monkey 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"Monkey" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Monkey" in Portuguese
Masculine or feminine?
Masculine: o macaco.
Is macaco ever offensive?
It can be as an insult—avoid calling people that.
How do I say monkeys?
Macacos.
Common Brazilian species name?
Macaco-prego is one you will hear.
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
