Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using the word to mean 'every' versus 'all'. Use the singular todo to mean 'every' (for example, 'every day'). Use the plural form todos to mean 'all' (for example, 'all the people'). Additionally, distinguish between todo and tudo: use todo when referring to specific items or people, but use tudo when referring to 'everything' as an abstract concept.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the phrase todo mundo is a popular way to say 'everyone' or 'everybody'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, taking the forms todo, toda, todos or todas. To express the meaning 'the whole of' or 'all of the', todo is often used with a definite article as todo o or toda a.
How do you pronounce it?
todo is pronounced /ˈto.du/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word todo likely shares a common ancestor with the English word 'tribe' and the word 'totem', both stemming from a root meaning 'people'.
- In Brazil, todo mundo literally translates to 'all the world' but is used as the standard way to say 'everyone'.
- In Portuguese, todas is used specifically when referring to a group consisting only of females, a distinction English does not make with 'all'.
Examples in context
- Ele é todo seu.He's all yours.This sentence uses todo to show possession or availability.Tatoeba #3274555 by Ricardo14, translation #2335188 by Hybrid
- Esse é todo seu.This one's all yours.This sentence uses todo to indicate that something belongs entirely to someone.Tatoeba #5080955 by Ricardo14, translation #1122759 by Scott
- Eu os comi todos.I ate them all.This sentence uses the plural form of todo to indicate a total quantity.Tatoeba #3207466 by carlosalberto, translation #3207467 by Theocracy
- Todos os livrosAll the books
- Todas as pessoasAll the people
- Todas as maçãsAll the apples
- Vamos todos à praia com a galera!Let's all go to the beach with everyone!
- Todas as crianças adoram brincar no parque.All children love playing in the park.
- Vamos assistir todos os filmes indicados ao Oscar.Let's watch all the movies nominated for the Oscar.
- Amanhã é o dia de entregar todas as tarefas do projeto.Tomorrow is the day to submit all the project tasks.
- 2501 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are talking about a project at work.
- JulianaVocê já leu todo o relatório, Gabriel?Did you already read the whole report, Gabriel?
- GabrielAinda não, mas vou terminar agora.Not yet, but I will finish it now.
- JulianaPreciso que todo o texto esteja correto.I need all the text to be correct.
- GabrielPode deixar, eu vou revisar tudo.Don't worry, I will review everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “all” translations and entries todo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries todo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
