Portuguese · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Whale" in Portuguese: baleia

a baleia

Say it: bah-LAY-ahfeminine · a baleianoun/ba.ˈlej.a/

Whale in Portuguese is a baleia. Whale-watching ads and biology class use it constantly.

Tour

Avistamos uma baleia longe da costa.
We spotted a whale far from the coast.
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How to pronounce baleia

Say it

bah-LAY-ah

/ba.ˈlej.a/

bah-LAY-ah

"Whale" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
a baleiathe whale

Default noun.

baleiaswhales

Plural.

observação de baleiaswhale watching

Tour activity.

baleia-jubartehumpback whale

Species.

How to use baleia in real life

  1. 1Tour

    Avistamos uma baleia longe da costa.

    We spotted a whale far from the coast.

    Sighting.

  2. 2Museum

    A exposição mostra o esqueleto de uma baleia.

    The exhibit shows a whale skeleton.

    Science.

  3. 3Kids

    Meu sobrinho desenhou uma baleia azul enorme.

    My nephew drew a huge blue whale.

    Drawing.

Mistakes English speakers make with baleia

Incorrect: O baleia é enorme.

Correct: A baleia é enorme.

Baleia is feminine.

Incorrect: Vimos uma whale ontem.

Correct: Vimos uma baleia ontem.

Use baleia.

Good to know

Parts of the Brazilian coast promote observação de baleias in season. Baleia also appears in playful compliments about size—careful with tone—and in cartoon names.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

On a whale-watching boat

  1. ChatPal

    Aquela sombra é uma baleia?

    Is that shadow a whale?

  2. You

    É! A baleia subiu de novo.

    It is! The whale came up again.

  3. ChatPal

    Incrível. Nunca vi baleia de perto.

    Amazing. I’ve never seen a whale up close.

  4. You

    Eu também não. Que sorte.

    Me neither. What luck.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Whale" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Whale" in Portuguese

Gender?

Feminine: a baleia.

Plural?

As baleias.

Whale watching?

Observação de baleias.

Humpback?

Baleia-jubarte.

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