puta
What does puta mean? puta is a Portuguese severe that translates to “whore / bitch / slut” in English.
Literal Translation
whore / prostitute
Meaning & Usage
"whore / bitch / slut"
Woman who sells sex; highly offensive gendered slur.
Examples in the Wild
Filho da puta! (Son of a bitch!)
When to Use It
Context
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- Only among very close friends who share this register
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
- Mixed company or unfamiliar social groups
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Extremely offensive when directed at women. However, forms the basis of Brazil's most creative compound swear: 'puta que pariu' (the whore who gave birth). 'Puto' (masculine) means boy/kid in Portugal and 'angry' in Brazil, not necessarily offensive. Regional: 'puta' can be intensifier in some contexts ('puta merda' = holy shit).
More in Portuguese 🇧🇷
View all →buceta
“cunt / pussy”
Vulgar slang for female genitalia.
filho da puta
“son of a bitch / motherfucker”
Attack on parentage; implies illegitimacy and low birth.
imbecil
“imbecile / moron”
Stupid or incompetent person.
baitola
“faggot”
Another strong slur for gay men.
foda-se
“fuck it / fuck off / who cares”
Expression of dismissal or indifference.
merda
“shit / crap”
Excrement; standard exclamation for frustration.
bosta
“crap / shit”
Turd, especially animal excrement; less severe than 'merda.'
porra
“fuck / shit / damn / hell”
The most versatile word in Brazilian Portuguese. Literally 'cum/semen' but functions as noun, verb, adjective, and interjection.