Portuguese · Insults & Name-Calling
Vaca
VAH-kah · /ˈva.ka/
Bitch (aimed at a woman) — sometimes 'backstabber'
3/5 Watch your audience
genuinely rude; friends only, never at work
Literally
"Cow"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
A gendered insult for a woman seen as spiteful, disloyal, or a romantic rival — "aquela vaca me traiu." Roughly English "bitch," with the same double edge: among close female friends it can be reclaimed and joking ("sua vaca, não me contou!"). Directed at a stranger it's a real insult. Note the asymmetry — there's no equal male version.
Heard in the wild
Ela ficou com meu ex? Que vaca.
She hooked up with my ex? What a bitch.
Where it lands
Brazil (universal).
Quick answers
- What does "Vaca" mean?
- In Portuguese, "Vaca" means "Bitch (aimed at a woman) — sometimes 'backstabber'". Literally it's "Cow". A gendered insult for a woman seen as spiteful, disloyal, or a romantic rival — "aquela vaca me traiu." Roughly English "bitch," with the same double edge: among close female friends it can be reclaimed and joking ("sua vaca, não me contou!"). Directed at a stranger it's a real insult. Note the asymmetry — there's no equal male version.
- Is "Vaca" offensive?
- It's genuinely rude — a 3/5 (Watch your audience) on the Punch-o-Meter. Fine among friends, never at work or with people you've just met.
- How do you pronounce "Vaca"?
- Say it "VAH-kah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈva.ka.
Related in Portuguese
Filho da puta FEE-lyoo dah POO-tah Son of a bitch / bastard Otário oh-TAH-ree-oo Sucker / gullible fool / mug Babaca bah-BAH-kah Jerk / idiot / asshole (mild) Corno KOR-noo Cuckold — a man whose partner cheats on him Vagabundo vah-gah-BOON-doo Bum / lowlife / good-for-nothing (f. 'vagabunda' = slut) Burro BOO-hoo Dumb / stupid (person)
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "You idiot".
- French Con Idiot / dumbass — the single most useful insult in French
- German Arsch Arse / ass — and the second great compound-engine of German
- Greek μαλάκας Asshole / idiot — OR — dude / mate. The single most important word in Greek.
- Italian Stronzo! Asshole! / Bastard!
- Japanese ばか Idiot / dummy / stupid
- Korean 바보 Dummy / silly — the soft, safe, often affectionate 'idiot.'
- Polish debil Moron / idiot — the standard hard 'you idiot.'
- Russian Дурак! Idiot / fool
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