Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Rabbit" in Portuguese: coelho

o coelho

koo-EH-lyoomasculine · o coelhonoun/ˈkoe.ʎu/

Rabbit in Portuguese is o coelho (masculine). Coelha is a female rabbit. Coelho da Páscoa is the Easter bunny in Brazilian shops.

Pet store

O coelho branco come alface o dia todo.

The white rabbit eats lettuce all day.

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How to pronounce coelho

Say it

koo-EH-lyoo

/ˈkoe.ʎu/

koo-EH-lyoo. Stress EH; lh like lli in million.

"Rabbit" in Portuguese: quick reference

Portuguese	English	When to use
o coelho	the rabbit Default masculine.	Default masculine.
a coelha	the female rabbit When sex matters.	When sex matters.
os coelhos	the rabbits Plural.	Plural.
coelho da Páscoa	Easter bunny Holiday figure.	Holiday figure.
tocar o coelho	to pet the rabbit Petting zoo.	Petting zoo.

How to use coelho in real life

1Pet store
O coelho branco come alface o dia todo.
The white rabbit eats lettuce all day.
O coelho as a pet.
2Easter aisle
As crianças procuram o coelho da Páscoa.
The kids look for the Easter bunny.
Holiday collocation.
3Farm visit
Tem três coelhos atrás do galinheiro.
There are three rabbits behind the chicken coop.
Coelhos = plural.

Mistakes English speakers make with coelho

Incorrect: A coelho é rápido.

Correct: O coelho é rápido.

Coelho is masculine: o coelho.

Incorrect: Vi um rabbit ontem.

Correct: Vi um coelho ontem.

Use coelho, not English rabbit.

Good to know

Coelho da Páscoa chocolate fills Brazilian supermarket aisles in spring. As pets, coelhos need space and chewing toys—apartments sometimes struggle with that. Wild rabbits are less iconic in Brazilian cities than dogs and cats.