While these nouns aren’t as vital to daily conversation as some other nouns you’ll learn here, they’ll help you sound like a much more experienced speaker. Today, we’re going to learn about animal collectives, or coletivos.
alcateia = pack (of wolves, hyenas, wild dogs)
cáfila = caravan of camels
cardume = school of fish
enxame = swarm (of insects, like bees)
manada = herd of animals (including but not limited to elephants, cattle, donkeys, and horses)
matilha = pack of dogs
ninhada = litter (of baby dogs or cats); brood
rebanho = flock of sheep or goats
revoada, bando, nuvem = flock of birds
And my favorite…
panapaná = rabble/swarm of butterflies
Can you think of any other animal collectives in Portuguese?
Comments:
Ukuleledaddy:
Thanks for the new words. Could you list examples of the corresponding animals so we can see how to use them? I am wondering if they are always plural… Do I say, um cardume de peixes or um cardume de peixe?
Andorinha:
I had this topic on my classes, because I’m studying portuguese filology in Cracow, and I can share with some words,
vara- um grupo de porcos
canzoada-um grupo de cães de caça
récua – um grupo de bestas de carga
junta- uma parelha de bois ou vacas
Thanks a lot for your blog, it’s really intresting and helpful, so go on! Excellent work!
Boa sorte e beijinhos 🙂
Raphael Soares:
More collectives:
– Claque – Grupo de pessoas que são pagas para aplaudir
– Boada – grupo de borboletas
– Chusma – coletivo pessoas
– Multidão – também pessoas
– Choldra – grupo de marginais
– Tropa – grupo de soldados, cavalos ou burros
André:
caramba, eu que sou brasileiro, nunca ouvi falar desse panapaná.
que palava estranha.