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Glite Dictionary
Paulo Afonso

Paulo Afonso

7.7
A large waterfall on the São Francisco River in northeast Brazil with a dam that makes electricity
  • proper noun
translation icon : Paulo Afonso
  • Tourists flock to Paulo Afonso each year to see its impressive waterfalls and natural beauty.

Examples

  • The hydroelectric dam at Paulo Afonso plays a crucial role in Brazil's energy supply.

  • We took a boat tour to get a closer view of Paulo Afonso and the surrounding landscape.

  • Paulo Afonso is beautiful.

  • Visit Paulo Afonso!

  • The hydroelectric dam at Paulo Afonso plays a crucial role in Brazil's energy supply.

  • Tourists flock to Paulo Afonso each year to see its impressive waterfalls and natural beauty.

  • We took a boat tour to get a closer view of Paulo Afonso and the surrounding landscape.

Synonyms

Paulo Afonso Falls
vsPaulo Afonso
5.7

A large, famous waterfall on the São Francisco River in northeastern Brazil

is noted specifically for its height and hydroelectric power facilities

Surface Forms

Paulo Afonso main

Morphology

Paulo + Afonso

This is a toponym formed from personal names rather than a compositional phrase, so knowing the constituent names 'Paulo' and 'Afonso' does not convey the meaning 'a major waterfall with hydroelectric facilities.' The referent is culturally and encyclopedically specific (place name), making the meaning unpredictable for a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Paulo Afonso may come from the name of a man called Paulo Afonso, since many places are 'named after' people. When the São Francisco River makes a big drop there, people started calling the famous waterfalls and the nearby town Paulo Afonso, so today the name refers to the falls and the hydroelectric dam.