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Portuguese Phrase

Sou o/a caçula da família.

/soʊ ˈa kaˈsu.lɐ da faˈmi.li.ɐ/
Meaning"I am the youngest child of the family."
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Meaning

Literally, “I am the youngest child of the family.” It is used to state one’s birth order, often with a tone of affection or modesty. The word ‘caçula’ can refer to a child of any gender, but the article (o/a) must match the speaker’s gender.

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When to use

Use this phrase when introducing yourself in a family context, answering questions about siblings, or explaining why you might be treated as the ‘baby’ of the family even as an adult.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Souoacaçuladafamília

1

Sou (ser)

‘Sou’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ser, used for permanent characteristics such as identity or family role.

2

Definite article o/a

The article agrees with the gender of the noun that follows; ‘o’ for masculine, ‘a’ for feminine.

3

Caçula (common gender)

‘Caçula’ means ‘the youngest child’; the word itself does not change, but the article does to match the speaker’s gender.

4

Contraction da

‘Da’ is the contraction of the preposition de + the feminine article a, meaning ‘of the’.

5

Família (feminine noun)

‘Família’ is a feminine noun, so it always takes the article ‘a’ (or its contraction ‘da’).

🗨In Conversation

A

Quantos irmãos você tem?

How many siblings do you have?

Eu sou a caçula da família.

I’m the youngest child in the family.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sou o caçula da família.

    Use ‘a’ if the speaker is female; ‘o’ is only for male speakers.

  • Sou a caçula da familia.

    ‘Família’ requires an accent on the first ‘i’.

  • Estou a caçula da família.

    Use ser (sou) for permanent identity, not estar (estou).

  • Sou a caçulinha da família.

    ‘Caçulinha’ is not standard; the correct word is ‘caçula’.

↔Alternatives

  • Sou o mais novo da família.

    I am the youngest (male) in the family.

  • Sou a mais nova da família.

    I am the youngest (female) in the family.

  • Sou o filho mais novo.

    I am the youngest son.

  • Sou a filha mais nova.

    I am the youngest daughter.

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, birth order often shapes family dynamics. The ‘caçula’ is usually the one who gets extra pampering and is affectionately called ‘o bebê da família’ (the family baby), even when they’re an adult. Using the term can convey humility or a playful self‑deprecation, so it’s best used in informal or semi‑formal settings.