penca

[PEN-kuh]
nounfemininepl: pencas
bunch, cluster, or large quantity
1. a bunch or cluster of fruits or flowers hanging together, especially bananas
The banana tree produced several large bunches this season.
A bananeira produziu várias pencas grandes nesta estação.
2. a large quantity or collection of something
He received a bunch of complaints about the service.
Ele recebeu uma penca de reclamações sobre o serviço.
3. colloquial: a stupid or foolish person
That guy is such a fool.
Esse cara é uma penca.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'penca' is frequently used in informal speech to describe large quantities or collections of items, particularly in agricultural contexts. The colloquial insult usage (calling someone 'uma penca') is common in casual speech but considered somewhat derogatory. The word is deeply rooted in Brazilian agricultural vocabulary, reflecting the country's strong banana production heritage.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
cachomolhobuquêquantidademonte
Antonyms / Antônimos
unidadesingular

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
penca
most common usage for bunches of bananas or grapes
Northeast Brazil
penca
commonly used for large quantities of anything
Portugal
cacho
Portuguese prefer 'cacho' for bunches of fruit; 'penca' is less common
São Paulo
penca
standard usage, also used colloquially for foolish people

Related Words

bananafrutacachobuquêaglomerado

Related Idioms & Phrases

uma penca de gente (a whole bunch of people)
uma penca de problemas (a whole bunch of problems)
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