filho da puta

ˈfi.ʎu dɐ ˈputɐcompound, familial, gendered

What does filho da puta mean? filho da puta is a Portuguese severe that translates to “son of a bitch / motherfucker” in English.

son of the whore

01

"son of a bitch / motherfucker"

Attack on parentage; implies illegitimacy and low birth.

Aquele filho da puta roubou meu celular! (That son of a bitch stole my phone!)

Context

  • Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
  • Only among very close friends who share this register

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Around elders or authority figures
  • Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

Universal insult across Lusophone world. Can be affectionate between very close friends ('Seu filho da puta!' = You sly dog!) but highly aggressive with strangers. In Portugal, sometimes shortened to 'filho da mãe' (son of the mother) as euphemism.

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