This is the 6292nd most frequent Portuguese word.
cuca
"Cuca" in Portuguese can mean "head" (slang), a type of cake, or refer to the folklore character "Cuca" (a witch or alligator monster).
Here, 'cuca' is used colloquially as a synonym for 'brain' or 'mind', indicating mental effort or thought.
Preciso usar a cuca para resolver este problema difícil.
I need to use my brain to solve this tough problem.
In this context, 'cuca' refers to a type of sweet pastry or cake popular in Brazilian cuisine.
A vovó fez uma cuca de banana para o lanche da tarde.
Grandma made a banana cuca for the afternoon snack.
Here, 'Cuca' is a proper name for a folklore character in Brazilian culture, frequently depicted as a scary figure.