← Back to Fala2Me

poço negro

[ˈpɔ.su ˈne.ɡru]
nounmasculinepl: poços negros
cesspit, cesspool, black hole
1. An underground pit or tank used for the collection and disposal of sewage and waste water, typically without treatment
The old house had a cesspit in the backyard.
A casa antiga tinha um poço negro no quintal.
2. Figuratively, a place or situation that is dark, corrupt, or morally reprehensible
That nightclub is a black hole of crime and vice.
Aquela boate é um poço negro de criminalidade e vício.
Synonyms
fossa sépticasumidourofossa negrapoço de esgoto

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
poço negro, fossa séptica
Both terms are commonly used; poço negro is older, more traditional
São Paulo
poço negro
Standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
poço negro
Standard usage
Portugal
fossa séptica, fossa negra
Poço negro is less commonly used; fossa séptica is preferred in modern contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

um poço negro de corrupção - a pit of corruption
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →