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How to Say ‘What a cute dog!’ in Portuguese

Que cão tão giro!

keh kowng towng ZHEE-roo

[keh kowng towng ZHEE-roo]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Complimenting someone's dog is one of the safest ways to chat with a stranger in Portugal, and owners usually respond warmly.

Phrase Breakdown

Que cão

keh kowng

What a dog

'Cão' means 'dog' in Portugal. Its nasal 'ão' sounds like 'kow' said through the nose.

Example

Que cão grande!

What a big dog!

Words in this phrase

Que

[keh]

what a

An exclamation used to show strong emotion or admiration.

Example

Que momento incrível, que golo!

What an incredible moment, what a goal!

cão

[kowng]

dog

Masculine noun for dog.

Example

O cão está a dormir.

The dog is sleeping.

tão giro!

towng ZHEE-roo

so cute!

'Giro' is very common in Portugal for 'cute' or 'nice'. The 'g' before 'i' sounds like the 's' in 'measure'.

Example

O bebé é tão giro!

The baby is so cute!

Words in this phrase

tão

[towng]

Used to intensify an adjective, like 'so' in 'so sweet'.

Example

Foi tão gentil, e Tão aumenta a emoção.

It was so kind, and 'Tão' increases the emotion.

giro

[ZHEE-roo]

cute (masculine)

Informal adjective for something cute or nice, very common in Portugal.

Example

O bebé é tão giro!

The baby is so cute!

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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