rapazes

Rapazes is the plural form of rapaz, a masculine noun in Portuguese that denotes a male who is young, typically a boy or a young man. It is used in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, and its precise age range varies by context and region.

As a descriptive noun, rapazes does not imply a fixed age. It can refer to children in their early teens as well as to older youths and young men. The definite plural article os rapazes is used for a specific group, for example os rapazes da escola (the boys/young men from the school).

In terms of tone, the word is generally neutral but can carry regional or stylistic connotations. In some contexts it may sound old-fashioned or rural in modern speech, especially in Portugal, while in Brazilian Portuguese it is relatively common and neutral for everyday use. The singular rapaz is used for a single male youth, with rapazes as the corresponding plural.

Etymology: The exact origin of rapaz is not firmly established; it appears in medieval Portuguese texts and has remained in use in the language through the present.