# Janeiro

/dʒəˈnɛˌɹoʊ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/janeiro
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the first month of the year in Portuguese. It is the name for January in countries like Brazil and Portugal.

For teachers: the first month of the Gregorian calendar in the Portuguese language. When used in English contexts, it most frequently appears as part of the proper name 'Rio de Janeiro'.

## Examples

- The city of Rio de Janeiro is famous for its beaches.
- Many tourists travel to Brazil in Janeiro to enjoy the peak of the southern summer.
- While the English term is January, the Portuguese name Janeiro is globally recognized primarily through its association with the iconic coastal metropolis founded in the sixteenth century.

## Usage notes

- Usually capitalized as it is a proper name; in English, it is almost exclusively seen within the name of the Brazilian city.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.