Portuguese · People & Family
"Police officer" in Portuguese: policial
o/a policial
Note: PT-PT: o/a polícia
Police officer in Portuguese (Brazil) is o policial or a policial. Ask Onde tem um policial? In European Portuguese people often say o/a polícia for the officer.
Lost
Perguntei ao policial o caminho da estação.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce policial
Say it
po-lee-see-AH-oo
/ˈo/
po-lee-see-AH-oo
"Police officer" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o policial | the police officer (m) BR default. | BR default. |
| a policial | the police officer (f) Feminine. | Feminine. |
| policiais | police officers Plural. | Plural. |
| pedir ajuda ao policial | to ask an officer for help Street. | Street. |
How to use policial in real life
- 1Lost
Perguntei ao policial o caminho da estação.
I asked the police officer the way to the station.
Directions.
- 2Event
Uma policial organizava a fila na entrada.
A police officer was organizing the line at the entrance.
Feminine.
- 3Report
Os policiais anotaram o número da placa.
The officers wrote down the license plate number.
Plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with policial
Incorrect: Chamei o police.
Correct: Chamei o policial.
Use policial in Brazilian Portuguese.
Incorrect: A policial chegou cedo (meaning force).
Correct: A polícia chegou cedo. / A policial chegou cedo.
A polícia is the force; a policial is one officer.
Good to know
In Brazil policial is one officer; a polícia is the institution. European Portuguese often uses o/a polícia for the person—note that if you travel. Stay polite: Com licença, policial…
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for a street
ChatPal
Tem um policial perto do ponto de ônibus?
Is there a police officer near the bus stop?
You
Sim. Aquele policial de colete amarelo.
Yes. That officer in the yellow vest.
ChatPal
Vou perguntar ao policial onde fica o museu.
I’ll ask the officer where the museum is.
You
Eu fico aqui te esperando.
I’ll wait here for you.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Police officer" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Police officer" in Portuguese
Police officer (BR)?
O/a policial.
PT-PT?
Often o/a polícia for the officer.
The police force?
A polícia.
Plural?
Policiais.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
