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Portuguese (Brazilian) Level 2 noun

ombro

/ˈõ.bɾo/

Definition

The part of the body where your arm joins your torso; the shoulder.

Example

Ela apoiou a cabeça no ombro dele.

Show translation

She rested her head on his shoulder.

Etymology

From Latin *humerus* ("upper arm, shoulder"), which also gives English "humerus" (the upper-arm bone). The Latin /h/ was lost in Vulgar Latin, and the word evolved through Old Portuguese *omro/ombro* into modern *ombro*.

Cultural note

In Brazilian Portuguese, *ombro* is common in both literal and figurative expressions. "Dar o ombro" (to give one's shoulder) means to offer emotional support to someone — the equivalent of "being a shoulder to cry on." It's also used in idiomatic phrases like "encolher os ombros" (to shrug one's shoulders), conveying indifference.

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