Portuguese · Travel & Places
Rio
[/ˈʀiu/]
River
Beginnernoun · m
Definition
A large natural stream of water flowing to the sea.
Grande curso natural de água que flui para o mar.
Example
O Rio Amazonas é o maior do mundo.
The Amazon River is the largest in the world.
Etymology
Deriving from the Latin 'rivus', meaning stream or brook, 'rio' has evolved in Portuguese to signify larger bodies of flowing water.
How & Where It’s Used
'Rio' is frequently used in both colloquial and formal contexts to describe rivers and is well recognized in various regions of the Portuguese-speaking world.
Cultural Note
Brazil has the world's largest river system by volume, the Amazon.