Foz do Iguaçu
/ˈfɔz du iɡwaˈsu/noun
A Brazilian city and the famous waterfalls where the Iguaçu River meets the Paraná River.
Did you know?The name combines Portuguese foz, from Latin faux—“mouth” or “throat”—with Guarani Iguaçu, commonly interpreted as “big water.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷeh₂u-
“A reconstructed root associated with the mouth or throat; its exact relationship to later Latin faux is debated.”
Classical Latin
Latin
faux, faucēs
“Mouth, throat, or narrow entrance; the source of Portuguese foz.”
Medieval Portuguese
Portuguese
foz
“The mouth or outlet of a river, especially where it enters another body of water.”
Guarani
Guarani
y + guasu
“Water plus great or large; traditionally interpreted in Iguaçu as “big water.””
19th Century
Portuguese/Guarani
Foz do Iguaçu
““Mouth of the Iguaçu,” referring to the river’s outlet near its confluence with the Paraná.”
Modern English
English
Foz do Iguaçu
“The Brazilian municipality and tourism destination associated with Iguaçu Falls.”