pessoas

Pessoas is the plural of pessoa, a noun in Portuguese that designates a human being or individual. It is used to refer to people in general—such as in statements about society or behavior—as well as to specific persons, and it appears in both formal and informal registers.

Etymology and grammar: pessoa derives from Latin persona, originally meaning mask or character, later referring to a person. In Portuguese, a pessoa is feminine in form, with the plural as pessoas. The phrase 'uma pessoa' means 'a person', while 'as pessoas' means 'the people' or 'people' in general. Although the word is grammatically feminine, pronouns for a person are chosen by the person’s gender identity, not by the word's gender.

Semantic and legal uses: beyond everyday talk, 'pessoa' features in legal and administrative language through contrasts such as 'pessoa física' (natural person) and 'pessoa jurídica' (legal entity). It also appears in expressions like 'pessoa de confiança' or 'pessoas físicas e jurídicas' to distinguish types of subjects in law or commerce.

Regional and social notes: the term is widely used across Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Brazil; pronunciation and rhythm can vary by region, but the core meaning remains stable. In discourse about groups, 'pessoas' can emphasize shared humanity or social diversity.

Related terms include indivíduo, ser humano, and the legal notions of pessoa física and pessoa jurídica.