Legend vs. Legenda: A Myth, a Famous Person, or Movie Subtitles?
In Brazilian Portuguese, legenda commonly means subtitles. Use lenda for a traditional story or legend.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Legenda commonly means subtitles or captions on a video. On a map or chart, it can also mean the key that explains its symbols. Context shows which kind of legend is meant.
Use legenda for subtitles or a map key
O filme está legendado em português.
The movie has Portuguese subtitles.
A legenda do mapa mostra as linhas de ônibus.
The map key shows the bus lines.
Use lenda for a traditional legend
A traditional or mythical legend is a lenda. A famous person can be called uma lenda in an informal or admiring sense, much as “a legend” can be used in English.
A lenda conta como a montanha recebeu esse nome.
The legend tells how the mountain got its name.
Aquela cantora é uma lenda da música brasileira.
That singer is a legend of Brazilian music.
Use the media or story context as a clue
If the word appears with a film, video, or map, legenda likely refers to subtitles or a key. If it introduces a traditional tale, choose lenda. Notice the final syllable: legenda and lenda are related-looking but distinct words.
Prefiro assistir ao filme com legendas.
I prefer to watch the movie with subtitles.
Minha avó contou uma lenda sobre o rio.
My grandmother told a legend about the river.
Put it into practice
Legenda is often subtitles; lenda is a story or an admired figure.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “My grandmother told a legend about the river”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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