What do Brazilians call a roundabout?

roundabout

The official and safest nationwide name for a roundabout. In the ALiB inland survey it was strongest through central Brazil and also common in inland São Paulo and northern Paraná.

A rotatória ficou travada no horário de pico.The roundabout was jammed during rush hour.

roundabout

ALiB speakers used retorno for the circular junction itself, especially across the Northeast. In formal traffic language retorno usually means a U-turn or turning facility, so context matters.

Na entrada da cidade, o retorno tem três saídas.At the city entrance, the roundabout has three exits.

roundabout

The characteristic southern name for a roundabout, especially in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, with some influence in Paraná. ALiB also found isolated uses outside the South.

Na rótula, dê preferência a quem já está circulando.At the roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating.

roundabout

A regional name for a roundabout with its clearest concentration in Bahia, particularly the sertão. It also appeared more diffusely elsewhere, so the boundary is not exclusive.

Entre no contorno e saia depois do posto de gasolina.Enter the roundabout and exit after the gas station.

roundabout

A shape-based regional name for a roundabout recorded only in northern Brazil in this ALiB inland sample. This is a separate sense from the everyday word bola, “ball”.

Pegue a segunda saída da bola e siga em direção ao mercado.Take the second exit at the roundabout and head toward the market.