portuguesa

Portuguesa is the feminine form of the adjective and noun that denotes something or someone from Portugal. In Portuguese, the masculine form is português, the feminine form portuguesa; the masculine plural is portugueses, and the feminine plural is portuguesas. It is used to refer to a Portuguese woman (uma portuguesa) and to describe feminine nouns associated with Portugal, as in comida portuguesa (Portuguese food).

Etymology and usage context reflect the history of the Portuguese language. The term derives from Latin Portucalensis, itself linked to Portus Cale, the ancient harbor that contributed to the formation of the name Portugal.

Beyond language, the word appears in cultural and national contexts. The best-known instance is the title of Portugal’s national anthem, A Portuguesa, which translates to The Portuguese.

In other Romance languages, such as Spanish, a similar feminine form portuguesa is used to denote a Portuguese woman or things related to Portugal, illustrating shared linguistic roots across the Iberian Peninsula.