Barbudo vs. barbado
The Portuguese words barbudo and barbado both translate to bearded but possess nuanced differences in their usage and application, particularly when referring to subjects beyond humans.
Barbudo
A2Barbudo primarily means bearded and is most commonly used to describe a person, typically a man, who has a beard. It often implies a noticeable, full, or characteristic beard and can also be used as a noun to refer to a bearded man.
O velho 'barbudo' sentou-se no banco da praça.
(The old bearded man sat on the park bench.)
Meu tio sempre foi 'barbudo'; nunca o vi sem barba.
(My uncle has always been bearded; I've never seen him without a beard.)
Quem é aquele 'barbudo' conversando com a Maria?
(Who is that bearded man (or bearded guy) talking to Maria?)
Ele tem um ar de intelectual 'barbudo' com seus óculos e sua barba espessa.
(He has the look of a bearded intellectual with his glasses and thick beard.)
Os piratas são frequentemente retratados como homens 'barbudos' e rudes.
(Pirates are often depicted as bearded and rough men.)
Barbado
B2Barbado also means bearded and can describe a person with a beard, similar to barbudo. However, barbado has a broader application and is frequently used to describe animals or plants that have beard-like appendages, filaments, or awns. It is the past participle of the verb barbar (to grow a beard), though the verb itself is not commonly used.
O ator apareceu 'barbado' na estreia do filme, surpreendendo os fãs.
(The actor appeared bearded at the movie premiere, surprising the fans.)
O bode 'barbado' é o líder do rebanho e impõe respeito.
(The bearded goat is the leader of the herd and commands respect.)
Certos tipos de trigo são chamados de trigo 'barbado' devido às suas longas aristas.
(Certain types of wheat are called bearded wheat due to their long awns.)
O peixe-gato é um peixe 'barbado', com filamentos sensoriais ao redor da boca que lembram uma barba.
(The catfish is a bearded fish, with sensory filaments around its mouth that resemble a beard.)
A espiga de milho está bem 'barbada' este ano, indicando uma boa colheita.
(The cob of corn is well bearded (referring to its silks) this year, indicating a good harvest.)
Summary
In essence, while both barbudo and barbado mean bearded and can often be used interchangeably for people, barbudo is more specifically and commonly used for humans, often implying a significant beard, and can function as a noun (e.g., o barbudo – the bearded man). Barbado, while also applicable to people, has a wider range and is the preferred term for describing animals (like goats, certain fish with barbels) or plants (like corn with its silks, or wheat with awns) that possess features resembling a beard. The choice for people can sometimes be stylistic, but barbado carries the broader biological or descriptive sense for non-humans.