cabeça — meaning in English: head

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for head

subjetividade

apriorismo

possibilidade

cabeça

nunca

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Portuguese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native Portuguese speakers use the word 'cabeça' in everyday conversation to refer to the physical head, as well as metaphorically to discuss intelligence or ideas. For instance, one might say 'Ele tem uma boa cabeça para negócios' ('He has a good head for business') in a professional setting.

Synonyms & nuances

'Cabeça' is often used interchangeably with 'crânio' when discussing the anatomical aspect of the head. However, 'crânio' refers specifically to the skull, while 'cabeça' encompasses the entire head, including the face and hair.

Culture

The word 'cabeça' originates from the Latin 'capitia', which also means 'head'. In Brazilian culture, the head is often associated with wisdom, leading to idiomatic expressions like 'cabeça fria' (cool head) to describe someone calm under pressure. This connection between the head and mental faculties is a common theme in various languages.

FAQ

Q.What does 'cabeça' mean in English?

'Cabeça' translates to 'head' in English, referring to the upper part of the body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Q.How do you use 'cabeça' in a sentence?

You can use 'cabeça' in sentences like 'Eu bati minha cabeça na porta' ('I hit my head on the door') or use it metaphorically as in 'Ela é a cabeça do projeto' ('She is the head of the project').

Q.Are there any common phrases with 'cabeça'?

'Cabeça' appears in several expressions, such as 'dar uma cabeçada' (to butt heads) or 'estar com a cabeça nas nuvens' (to have one's head in the clouds), indicating distraction or daydreaming.

Learn portuguese with Maspeak →

Portuguese Vocabulary