elétricos

Elétricos is the plural form of eléctrico in Portuguese, used as both an adjective and a noun to denote things related to electricity or powered by electric energy. The term is commonly applied to a broad range of items, including equipment, devices, and vehicles that operate on electrical power. It can appear in phrases such as produtos elétricos, equipamentos elétricos, or motores elétricos. In everyday language, elétricos often refer to items that rely on electricity, sometimes alongside non-electronic devices.

Etymology and scope: el éctrico derives from eletricidade, which in turn has roots in Greek and Latin origins related to amber and electricity. In Portuguese, the word functions as a general label for electrical power, but can also serve as a noun meaning an electric device or system. A related term, eletrônicos, typically denotes electronic devices that incorporate circuitry and semiconductors.

Contexts and examples: Within commerce and industry, elétricos label a wide set of products, from home appliances like a cafeteira elétrica or liquidificador to industrial equipment such as motores elétricos or geradores, and to vehicles such as automóveis elétricos or bicicletas elétricas. The distinction between elétricos and electronics (eletrônicos) is not always strict in casual use, but eletrônicos more specifically refers to electronic devices.

Regional usage: In Portugal and several Portuguese-speaking regions, elétrotráfico and urban transport can also be described as eléctricos, with eĺéctrico used to refer to trams or electric rail vehicles. Regional variations may influence how the term is applied.

See also: electricity, electrical engineering, electrical appliances, electric vehicles.