Why ‘Pão’ Comes From the Same Root as Companion

The Portuguese word for bread — pão — is simple, everyday vocabulary.

But did you know it shares a root with the English word companion?

🧠 The Latin Connection

Both words trace back to Latin panis, meaning “bread.”

The word companion comes from the Latin com (with) + panis (bread) — literally, “someone you share bread with.”

In Portuguese:

• pão = bread
• companheiro = companion
• companhia = company

So every time you talk about pão, you’re also touching on ideas of friendship and togetherness.

🍞 Practical Use

• Queres um pedaço de pão? → Do you want a piece of bread?
• Gosto da tua companhia. → I enjoy your company.
• O meu companheiro fala português. → My partner speaks Portuguese.

Learn how to pronounce pão.

🧭 Final Thought

Portuguese and English may sound different, but their roots often intertwine.

Words like pão are everyday reminders of how languages and people are connected.