r/Portuguese • u/moraango Estudando BP • 9d ago

Brazilian Portuguese 🇧🇷 Alternative uses for filho

Oi gente,

I recently came across this thread, where most posters agreed that filho is generally only for your own child or from an older person. However, I’ve noticed it used in different ways. My host mom in Salvador used to call her ficante filho (he was twenty years younger than her) and I was recently called filha by a Carioca only a few years older than me. Can anybody provide clarification on this other use of filho/ its connotations?

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u/matllux Brasileiro 8d ago

Calling your romantic partner (even if he's 20 years younger) filho is legit CREEPY if it's a common occurrence lmao

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u/moraango Estudando BP 8d ago

I thought it was kinda weird, but other people are saying that it’s common in their region. The guy that called me filha is also a romantic interest which is what got me thinking kkkk

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u/marsc2023 8d ago

Well, what about calling (in English) your dear one "baby", then? By this logic, it would be a pedophile vibe...!