marinho

Marinho is a Portuguese-language adjective meaning “relating to the sea” or “marine.” It is derived from Latin marinus, from mare, “sea”; the feminine form is marinha and is used to modify feminine nouns, as in vida marinha or fauna marinha.

Used widely in science and everyday language, marinho describes the ocean and its inhabitants, environments, and phenomena. Common expressions include vida marinha (marine life), fauna marinha, recifes marinhos, ecossistema marinho, and biologia marinha (marine biology). The term also appears in the phrases ambiente marinho or recursos marinhos (marine resources). The color azul-marinho meaning navy blue uses the same root.

Marinho differs from marítimo: marinho tends to refer to the sea itself, its life and environment, while marítimo relates to seafaring, ships, and navigation or port activities.

Marinho is also a surname and, less commonly, a given name in Portuguese-speaking countries. It is derived from the same root and is used across Brazil, Portugal, and other Lusophone communities.

Note: Marinha with a capital M refers to a nation’s navy (for example, the Marinha do Brasil), a distinct usage from the lowercase adjective marinho.