Portuguese · Body & Health
"Tongue" in Portuguese: língua
a língua
Tongue in Portuguese is a língua, feminine. The same word means language: língua portuguesa. Context tells body part from language.
After hot food
Queimei a língua no chá quente.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce língua
Say it
LEEN-gwah
/ˈlin.ɡua/
LEEN-gwah — stress LEEN.
"Tongue" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a língua | the tongue / a language Body and language. | Body and language. |
| morder a língua | to bite one's tongue Accident or holding back words. | Accident or holding back words. |
| língua portuguesa | Portuguese language Language name. | Language name. |
| ponta da língua | tip of the tongue Memory moments. | Memory moments. |
How to use língua in real life
- 1After hot food
Queimei a língua no chá quente.
I burned my tongue on the hot tea.
Body-part sense.
- 2At the dentist
A língua está um pouco inchada hoje.
The tongue is a bit swollen today.
Clinic description.
- 3Language class
Estudo a língua portuguesa todo dia.
I study the Portuguese language every day.
Language sense of língua.
Mistakes English speakers make with língua
Incorrect: O língua dói.
Correct: A língua dói.
Língua is feminine: a língua.
Incorrect: Machuquei meu tongue.
Correct: Machuquei a língua.
Use língua, not English tongue.
Good to know
Língua for language is everywhere in school names and apps. For the body part, Brazilians also joke about língua afiada (sharp tongue) for witty or biting speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Cooling down after spicy food
ChatPal
A pimenta pegou na língua?
Did the chili catch your tongue?
You
Pegou. A língua está pegando fogo.
It did. My tongue is on fire.
ChatPal
Toma iogurte. Ajuda a língua.
Have yogurt. It helps the tongue.
You
Valendo. Minha língua agradece.
Worth it. My tongue thanks 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"Tongue" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Tongue" in Portuguese
Does língua mean language too?
Yes. Same word for tongue and language.
How do I say tip of the tongue?
Na ponta da língua.
Is língua feminine?
Yes: a língua.
How do I say I bit my tongue?
Mordi a língua.
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
