menino

Menino is a noun in Portuguese that denotes a male child or a young boy. It covers individuals from infancy through adolescence and is widely used in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking communities. The word can also appear in idiomatic expressions and in family speech, and diminutives such as menininho are used to express closeness or affection.

In terms of register and regional use, menino is the standard everyday term. Other words for a similar idea include garoto, which is more informal or regional in Brazil; rapaz, which often signals an older boy or young man; and moleque, a colloquial and sometimes rough slang term. The choice of word can reflect age, formality, and local speech patterns. The feminine counterpart is menina.

Cultural and historical usage includes religious and literary contexts, where the phrase Menino Jesus refers to the infant Jesus. The term also appears in expressions describing children in various social contexts, such as a boy in a neighborhood or a street child.

Etymology stems from Latin roots and reflects the long-standing role of the term in the Portuguese language to describe male children. The word remains a foundational term in descriptions of age, family, and youth within Portuguese-speaking communities.