Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Snake" in Portuguese: cobra
a cobra
Note: also: a serpente
Snake in Portuguese is usually a cobra in everyday Brazilian speech. A serpente sounds more formal or biological.
Trail warning
Não coloque a mão no mato — pode ter cobra.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cobra
Say it
KOH-brah
/ˈko.bɾa/
KOH-brah. Open o.
"Snake" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a cobra | the snake Everyday word. | Everyday word. |
| a serpente | the serpent / snake Formal / scientific. | Formal / scientific. |
| picada de cobra | snakebite Emergency talk. | Emergency talk. |
| cobra venenosa | venomous snake Warning. | Warning. |
How to use cobra in real life
- 1Trail warning
Não coloque a mão no mato — pode ter cobra.
Don’t put your hand in the brush — there might be a snake.
Safety.
- 2Zoo visit
A cobra do viveiro estava enrolada na pedra.
The snake in the enclosure was coiled on the rock.
Sighting.
- 3Kids’ fear
Meu filho tem medo de qualquer cobra de brinquedo.
My son is afraid of any toy snake.
Playful fear.
Mistakes English speakers make with cobra
Incorrect: O cobra apareceu.
Correct: A cobra apareceu.
Cobra is feminine in this animal sense.
Incorrect: Vi um snake no caminho.
Correct: Vi uma cobra no caminho.
Use cobra.
Good to know
In Brazil cobra is the default animal word; it is not the English drink. Serpente appears in textbooks and nature docs. Trail signs and parks talk about cobra for quick public warnings.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A countryside walk
ChatPal
Cuidado com a cobra perto da pedra.
Watch out for the snake near the rock.
You
Nossa — a cobra é pequena, mas ainda assim.
Wow — the snake is small, but still.
ChatPal
Vamos desviar. Melhor não assustar a cobra.
Let’s detour. Better not startle the snake.
You
Concordo. Sigo atrás de você.
Agreed. I’ll follow behind 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"Snake" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Snake" in Portuguese
Cobra or serpente?
Cobra everyday; serpente more formal.
Gender?
Feminine: a cobra.
Snakebite?
Picada de cobra.
Plural?
As cobras.
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
