cafuné

Language: Brazilian Portuguese · [kafuˈnɛ] · Pronunciation: kah-foo-NEH

Meaning

tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair — a slow caress

The story

The word probably crossed the Atlantic from Kimbundu, an Angolan language, and settled in Brazil. A cafuné is unhurried by definition: fingertips through someone's hair until their eyes close. English makes do with the all-purpose caress.

The four rounds

Which language is it from?

Brazilian Portuguese

Which feeling does it carry?

Drowsy, safe and loved

Where would you hear it?

On the sofa, a head in someone's lap

What does it mean?

Gently running fingers through hair

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2026-09-15 · Next word › · ‹ Previous word · All words