Trecho

Trecho is a Portuguese noun with several related meanings centered on a portion or segment. It commonly denotes a passage extracted from a larger text (an excerpt or excerpto) as well as a stretch or segment of a physical path, such as a road, river, or railway line, between two points. The term can also refer to a span of time or a sequence within a process, especially when emphasizing a continuous portion rather than a discrete moment.

Etymology and status in Portuguese vary slightly by region. The word is typically traced to Latin roots associated with prolongation or extension, carried into modern Portuguese with the sense of something drawn out or extended. In everyday usage, trecho is widely employed in both Brazil and Portugal, though nuances may differ: in literary contexts it often marks a longer excerpt, while in geographic or logistical contexts it names a specific segment of infrastructure or route.

Usage and context. In literature and journalism, it is common to say “trecho de um livro” or “trecho citado,” indicating a passage selected from a larger work. In transportation and planning, “trecho” designates a part of a route or network, for example “trecho urbano” or “trecho de estrada,” sometimes specifying distance or geographic limits. The term is generally neutral and versatile, with synonyms such as excerto (more literary or formal), passagem, or fragmento depending on register and emphasis.

See also: excerto, passagem, fragmento, extrato.