PISCA

Pisca is a term in Portuguese that centers on flashing or blinking lights and related actions. The noun sense denotes a brief flash of light, while the verb "piscar" means to blink or flicker. The word stems from this verb and is used to describe anything that flashes rapidly, from a lamp to a monitor indicator.

In everyday and automotive usage, "pisca" commonly refers to the vehicle’s turn signal indicator. People say "ligar o pisca" or "ativar o pisca" to indicate a turn. The front and rear lights that blink when signaling are described as "pisca" (or "piscas") or, depending on region, as "setas." The term also appears in "pisca-alerta" for hazard warning lights.

The expression "pisca-pisca" designates a string of decorative lights that blink in sequence, widely used in Christmas and festive decorations as well as in stage lighting. The phrase is common in both Portugal and Brazil.

In electronics and computing contexts, "pisca" can refer to a blinking LED indicator or to a test pattern where an LED alternates on and off. Usage is usually clear from context, but the core idea remains a repeated flash or blink.

Related terms include "piscar" (to blink), "pisca-pisca" (decorative lights), and regionally varying references to indicator lights in vehicles.