SOW

[/soʊ/ (verb) /saʊ/ (noun)]
verb/nounN/A (verb); feminine (noun)pl: N/A (verb); sows (noun)
semear (verb); porca (noun)
1. (verb) To plant seeds in soil for growth
The farmer will sow the seeds in spring.
O agricultor semearà as sementes na primavera.
2. (verb) To scatter or spread something widely
He sowed doubt in everyone's minds.
Ele seminou dúvida nas mentes de todos.
3. (verb) To cause or create a situation (usually negative)
You sow what you reap.
Você colhe o que semeia.
4. (noun) An adult female pig
The sow gave birth to ten piglets.
A porca deu à luz dez leitões.
The phrase 'reap what you sow' is deeply rooted in both American and Brazilian cultures, often used as a moral lesson about consequences. In agricultural contexts, 'sow' is fundamental to farming vocabulary in both cultures. The noun 'sow' (female pig) is less commonly used in everyday conversation but remains important in farming communities.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
plantseedscatterspreaddisseminate
Antonyms / Antônimos
reapharvestgathercollect

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
semear
Most common translation for the verb; also used figuratively
Rio de Janeiro
semear/porca
Standard usage, no regional variation
São Paulo
semear/porca
Standard usage, no regional variation
Portugal
semear/porca
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; 'semear' is standard

Related Words

seedplantcropagriculturereapharvestfertile

Related Idioms & Phrases

reap what you sow (colher o que se semeia)
sow wild oats (viver desregradamente na juventude)
sow discord (semear discórdia)
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