canal
[kəˈnæl (English) / kaˈnaw (Portuguese)]
nounmasculinepl: canals (English) / canais (Portuguese)
canal
1. An artificial waterway constructed to allow navigation, irrigation, or drainage
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
O Canal do Panamá conecta os oceanos Atlântico e Pacífico.
2. A natural or artificial narrow passage or tube in an organism, especially in anatomy
The ear canal transmits sound waves to the eardrum.
O canal auditivo transmite ondas sonoras ao tímpano.
3. A television or radio station/broadcaster or streaming service
What channel are you watching? (informal usage of canal in Portuguese media)
Qual canal você está assistindo?
4. A groove, furrow, or ridge in a surface
The river had carved a canal through the landscape over centuries.
O rio tinha cavado um canal na paisagem ao longo dos séculos.
In Brazil, 'canal' is extensively used in both everyday and technical contexts. Historically significant canals like those in Venice are culturally referenced. In modern usage, 'canal' for television/streaming is universal in Brazilian Portuguese, equivalent to 'channel' in English. Brazilian cities like Rio de Janeiro have intricate canal systems that are part of urban infrastructure and cultural heritage.
Related Idioms & Phrases
canal de distribuição (distribution channel)
canal de comunicação (channel of communication)
abrir um canal (to open a line of communication)
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →