taste bud

[/teɪst bʌd/]
nounpl: taste buds
papilas gustativas
1. A sensory organ on the tongue and in the mouth that detects the taste of food and drinks
Your taste buds help you distinguish between sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors.
Suas papilas gustativas ajudam você a distinguir entre sabores doces, salgados, azedos e amargos.
2. The ability or capacity to taste flavors
After the illness, his taste buds were not as sensitive as before.
Após a doença, suas papilas gustativas não eram tão sensíveis quanto antes.
The term 'taste bud' is commonly used in both American and Brazilian contexts when discussing food, culinary experiences, and sensory perception. In Brazil, 'papilas gustativas' is the formal/medical term, while colloquially people might say 'paladar' (palate) when referring to one's taste preferences more broadly. Health and food culture discussions frequently reference taste buds in both English and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
gustatory receptorstaste receptorssensory papillae

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
papilas gustativas
Standard term used in medical and everyday contexts
Rio de Janeiro
papilas gustativas
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
papilas gustativas
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
papilas gustativas / botões gustativos
Both terms are used in European Portuguese, with botões gustativos being slightly more technical

Related Words

tonguepalateflavortastesensory perceptionolfactory

Related Idioms & Phrases

acquire a taste for something
taste buds on fire
delight the taste buds
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