menina

See also: meniña

Portuguese

Etymology

From Old Portuguese menynna, from menynno.

Pronunciation

  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /mɨ.ˈni.nɐ/
  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /mi.ˈni.na/, /mi.ˈni.nɐ/
  • Hyphenation: me‧ni‧no

Noun

menina f (plural meninas)

  1. girl (female child)
    Doutor, é menino ou menina?
    Doctor, is it a boy or a girl?
  2. young lady, miss (a title of respect for an unmarried young woman)
    Pode sentar-se aqui, menina.
    You may sit here, miss.
  3. (derogatory) an effeminate boy
  4. (Portugal, euphemistic, usually in the plural) prostitute
    Ele tornou-se frequentador assíduo de casas de meninas.
    He became a regular frequenter of brothels.

Synonyms

Descendants


Spanish

Etymology

From Portuguese menina (girl), from Old Portuguese menynna, from menynno (boy).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /meˈnina/

Noun

menina f (plural meninas)

  1. a court maid of honour

Usage notes

  • Do not confuse with niña (girl).
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