Travesso vs. maroto vs. traquina
While travesso, maroto, and traquina all describe mischievous children in the Portuguese language, they carry distinct nuances regarding the type of behavior and vary significantly in frequency of use between Brazil and Portugal. Travesso relates to energy, maroto relates to cunning, and traquina relates to bothered restlessness.
Travesso
B1This word describes a restless, lively, and hyperactive child who constantly gets into minor trouble due to having too much energy. It is widely understood and used in both Brazil and Portugal, though in Brazil it can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary than slang terms like levado.
O menino travesso correu pela casa e quebrou um vaso.
(The mischievous boy ran through the house and broke a vase.)
Ela era tão travessa que a professora chamou os pais.
(She was so naughty that the teacher called her parents.)
Gosto da energia dele, mesmo sendo um pouco travesso.
(I like his energy, even though he is a little mischievous.)
Maroto
B2This term implies a clever, cheeky, or sly type of mischief, often suggesting the child is smart and acts like a charming rascal. It is frequently associated with a specific facial expression, such as a cheeky smile, and is used in both Portugal and Brazil to describe someone who breaks rules with intelligence or charm.
Ele deu um sorriso maroto antes de esconder o brinquedo.
(He gave a cheeky smile before hiding the toy.)
Aquele garoto maroto conseguiu pegar um doce sem ninguém ver.
(That sly boy managed to take a sweet without anyone seeing.)
Foi uma brincadeira marota, mas ninguém se machucou.
(It was a roguish prank, but nobody got hurt.)
Traquina
C1This refers to a child who is agitated, noisy, and bothersome because they cannot stay still and constantly touch things they shouldn't. There is a massive regional difference here: it is the standard word for a naughty child in Portugal (often used as traquinas even in the singular), whereas in Brazil, it is considered old-fashioned and rarely used in modern conversation.
O João é um traquinas que não para quieto um minuto.
(João is a troublemaker who does not stay still for a minute.)
Não seja traquina e deixe o gato em paz.
(Do not be mischievous and leave the cat alone.)
As crianças foram muito traquinas durante o jantar.
(The children were very naughty during dinner.)
Summary
In short, use travesso for high-energy mischief in both countries. Use maroto when the mischief involves cleverness, cunning, or a cheeky attitude. Use traquina primarily if you are in Portugal to describe a restless troublemaker; if you use traquina in Brazil, you will be understood, but you will sound like a grandparent or a character from an old book.