meninos

Meninos is a Portuguese noun that designates male children and is used to refer to boys or to a group of boys. It is the plural form of menino; the feminine form is meninas. In everyday speech, meninos can also be used colloquially to address a group of younger people, depending on tone and region.

In formal contexts, crianças is more common for referring to children in general, while meninos denotes male children specifically. In sports and education, teams and groups are often labeled as meninos (boys) and meninas (girls). The term is widely used across Lusophone countries, including Brazil and Portugal, and is understood in other Portuguese-speaking communities.

Culturally, meninos appear in literature, music, and media as representations of boyhood and childhood, exploring themes such as play, family, education, and social life. The term can carry affectionate or familiar tones when used by adults addressing young people.

Examples: Os meninos brincam no parque. Os meninos da escola participaram da competição.