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How to Say ‘A small child’ in Portuguese

Uma criança pequena

OO-muh kree-AHN-sah puh-KAY-nah

[OO-muh kree-AHN-sah puh-KAY-nah]

💬 Usage Tip: criança is always feminine, even for a boy, so it takes uma and pequena.

Phrase Breakdown

Uma

[OO-muh]

Feminine singular indefinite article before 'família'.

Example

Uma empresa pode ter uma cultura muito acolhedora.

A company can have a very welcoming culture.

criança

[kree-AHN-sah]

child

Feminine noun used for any child, boy or girl.

Example

A criança quer sopa.

The child wants soup.

pequena

[puh-KAY-nah]

small / young

Feminine of 'pequeno'; with a child it means young.

Example

Tenho uma filha pequena.

I have a young daughter.

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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