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How to Say ‘The traffic lights’ in Portuguese

Os semáforos

oosh seh-MAH-foo-roosh

[oosh seh-MAH-foo-roosh]

💬 Usage Tip: Portuguese usually puts traffic lights in the plural, even when there's only one set at a junction. You'll rarely hear the singular o semáforo in directions.

Phrase Breakdown

[oosh]

the

Masculine plural definite article, used before plural masculine nouns.

Example

Os pontos estão alinhados no gráfico.

The points are aligned on the chart.

semáforos

[seh-MAH-foo-roosh]

traffic lights

Plural noun for the lights controlling traffic at junctions.

Example

Pare nos semáforos.

Stop at the traffic lights.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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