You're standing in a tile-covered plaza in Lisbon, the smell of grilled sardines is wafting through the salty air, and you realize you aren't actually sure how to address the locals. It's a common stumble. Most folks just guess. But if you want to be accurate, Portugal people are called Portuguese.
Simple, right? Well, sort of.
While "Portuguese" is the standard English term, the layers of identity behind that word go back nearly a thousand years. It’s not just a label on a passport. It’s a connection to a seafaring history that literally reshaped the map of the world. If you want to get technical—and the Portuguese often do—the demonym for someone from Portugal is Português (for a man) or Portuguesa (for a woman).
Why the name matters more than you think
Names carry weight. When we talk about what Portugal people are called, we're tapping into a Roman legacy. The name "Portugal" itself stems from the Roman-Celtic place name Portus Cale. "Portus" is Latin for port, and "Cale" was an ancient settlement at the mouth of the Douro River. So, essentially, the people are "of the port."
It’s a gritty, seafaring identity.
You’ll occasionally hear the term "Luso" or "Lusitanian" tossed around in academic circles or sports broadcasts. This refers to the Lusitanians, an Indo-European tribe that lived in the western Iberian Peninsula before the Romans showed up and started building roads. If you see the prefix "Luso-," like in "Lusophone," it’s just a fancy way of describing things related to the Portuguese-speaking world. Brazil, Angola, Mozambique—they’re all part of that Lusophone family.
Honestly, calling someone a Lusitanian today is like calling a Londoner a Celt. It’s historically cool, but a bit dramatic for a casual Tuesday.
The "Luso" connection and the global spread
The reach of the Portuguese identity is massive. Because of the Age of Discovery—led by guys like Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator—the label "Portuguese" isn't confined to a small rectangle of land on the edge of Europe.
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There are actually more people who identify with Portuguese heritage living outside of Portugal than inside it.
Take the "Luso-Americans" in places like New Bedford, Massachusetts, or Newark, New Jersey. They might have been born in the States, but they’ll tell you they’re Portuguese before they tell you they’re American. They’ve kept the language alive, the bacalhau (salt cod) recipes flowing, and the Fado music playing in the background.
Beyond the basics: Regional nicknames
If you really want to sound like an expert, you have to look at how people in Portugal call each other. It’s not a monolith. Just like you might call someone a "New Yorker" or a "Southerner," Portugal has its own internal vibe.
People from Porto? They are often called Tripeiros.
Why? Because back in the 15th century, the citizens of Porto gave all their high-quality meat to the sailors heading off to conquer Ceuta. All they had left for themselves was the offal—the stomach lining. Instead of complaining, they invented Tripas à moda do Porto, a tripe stew that’s now a legendary dish. They wear the nickname with a weird amount of pride. It’s a badge of sacrifice.
Then you have the Lisboetas from Lisbon. They’re sometimes jokingly called Alfacinhas (little lettuces). The origin of this one is a bit fuzzy, but the most popular theory is that Lisbon was once famous for its lush lettuce gardens during the Moorish occupation. Imagine being named after a salad green. It’s a bit of a contrast to the "tripe eaters" up north.
The language is the glue
What Portugal people are called is inextricably linked to their tongue. Portuguese is the ninth most spoken language in the world. It’s a Romance language, so it sounds a bit like Spanish if you’re listening from three rooms away, but once you get close, it’s entirely different.
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It’s nasal. It’s shushing. It’s melodic in a way that feels heavy with saudade.
Saudade is that famous Portuguese word that doesn't have a direct English translation. It’s a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone. It’s a defining characteristic of the Portuguese soul. When you call someone Portuguese, you’re acknowledging a culture built on the beauty of missing something.
Common misconceptions about the identity
A big mistake people make—and this will definitely get you a side-eye in a Lisbon cafe—is assuming that Portuguese people are basically Spanish.
Don't do that.
The two countries share a border and a peninsula, but the identities are fiercely distinct. Portugal has been an independent kingdom since 1139, making it one of the oldest nation-states in Europe. Their history is defined by looking away from Spain and toward the Atlantic Ocean. While Spain was focused on Mediterranean and continental politics, the Portuguese were focused on the horizon.
There’s also the question of ethnicity. Because of its history as a global empire, the Portuguese identity is quite diverse. You’ll find Portuguese citizens with roots in Cape Verde, Goa, or Macau. What makes them "Portuguese" is a shared history, the language, and a specific set of cultural values—mostly centered around family, coffee, and a very specific way of viewing the world.
How to use the terminology correctly
If you’re writing a formal paper or just trying to be precise in conversation, stick to these rules:
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- Portuguese: The standard noun and adjective for everything related to Portugal.
- Portugueses: The plural form of the people in the Portuguese language.
- Luso/Lusophone: Use this when talking about the language group or historical roots.
- Iberian: Use this only when referring to the entire peninsula (Portugal and Spain combined).
It’s worth noting that "Portugee" is often considered a slur or at least very outdated and offensive in many contexts, particularly in the US. It’s best to avoid it entirely. Just stick to the proper "Portuguese."
Cultural nuances you should know
When we talk about what Portugal people are called, we’re also talking about their temperament. Generally, they are humbler than their neighbors. There’s a reserved nature to the Portuguese that you won't find in the more boisterous parts of Italy or Spain. They aren't loud. They don't rush.
If you’re invited to a Portuguese home, don't just call them by their name. Often, titles matter. Senhor or Senhora followed by the surname is the standard of respect. If they have a degree, they might even go by Doutor or Engenheiro. It’s a bit old-school, but it’s part of the social fabric.
Final practical takeaways for travelers and researchers
Understanding the terminology is the first step toward respecting the culture. If you’re planning a trip or writing about the region, remember that the identity is rooted in the sea and the soil.
Next Steps for Your Research:
- Check the context: Are you talking about the nationality (Portuguese) or the linguistic group (Lusophones)? Use the latter for more academic depth.
- Learn the regionalisms: If you're visiting Porto, refer to the locals as Tripeiros in a friendly way to win some instant respect.
- Respect the independence: Never use "Spanish" as a catch-all for the Iberian Peninsula.
- Explore the diaspora: Look into the "Luso-descendants" in Brazil or the US to see how the identity survives across oceans.
The Portuguese are a people of the "long goodbye." They left their shores centuries ago to find new worlds, and that sense of exploration is still baked into what they call themselves today. Whether it’s a Lisboeta eating a pastel de nata or a Tripeiro working the docks, the name "Portuguese" carries the weight of the Atlantic. Use it with a bit of that respect.