Portuguese · Words You'll Hear But Must Never Say
Traveco
trah-VEH-koo · /tɾa.ˈvɛ.ku/
Transphobic slur
5/5 Do not deploy
nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended
Literally
"(derogatory clipping of 'travesti')"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
A transphobic slur — listed only so you recognize it and never repeat it. The respectful words are "travesti" (a valid Brazilian identity term, not itself a slur), "pessoa trans," or "mulher trans." As a traveler, use those; never "traveco." Transphobic insult is treated as a hate crime in Brazil.
Heard in the wild
[comprehension only — do not use]
A transphobic slur; recognize it, never say it. Use 'pessoa trans'.
Where it lands
Brazil. Comprehension-only.
Quick answers
- What does "Traveco" mean?
- In Portuguese, "Traveco" means "Transphobic slur". Literally it's "(derogatory clipping of 'travesti')". A transphobic slur — listed only so you recognize it and never repeat it. The respectful words are "travesti" (a valid Brazilian identity term, not itself a slur), "pessoa trans," or "mulher trans." As a traveler, use those; never "traveco." Transphobic insult is treated as a hate crime in Brazil.
- Is "Traveco" offensive?
- Yes — very. It rates 5/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Do not deploy). nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
- How do you pronounce "Traveco"?
- Say it "trah-VEH-koo" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: tɾa.ˈvɛ.ku.
Related in Portuguese
Viado vee-AH-doo Homophobic slur (roughly 'f****t') Bicha BEE-shah Homophobic slur for a gay man Macaco mah-KAH-koo Racist slur aimed at Black people Crioulo kree-OH-loo Racial slur for a Black person (context-dependent, but treat as a slur) Filho da puta FEE-lyoo dah POO-tah Son of a bitch / bastard Otário oh-TAH-ree-oo Sucker / gullible fool / mug
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