alfabeto
/aw.faˈbɛ.tu/masculine
The English word alphabet is translated into Portuguese as alfabeto. Wiktionary also lists abc and abecê.
Meaning: an ordered set of letters used in a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| alfabeto | /aw.faˈbɛ.tu/ (Brazil) /al.fɐˈbɛ.tu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| abc | masculine | |
| abecê | masculine | |
| á-bê-cê | masculine | |
| abecedário | /a.be.seˈda.ɾju/ (Brazil) /absˈda.ɾju/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The term refers to an ordered set of letters used in a language.
Which one should you use?
While alfabeto refers to the concept of the alphabet, abecê is commonly used to refer to the act of reciting the letters or the letters themselves in a more colloquial way. Abecedário is often used in more formal or academic contexts, sometimes implying a primer or a book used to teach the alphabet.
How does it change in a sentence?
alfabeto is a masculine noun and is almost always used with the definite article o when referring to a specific language's alphabet.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /aw.faˈbɛ.tu/.
Did you know?
- Until 2009, the official Portuguese alfabeto only had 23 letters. The 2009 Orthographic Agreement officially added 'k', 'w' and 'y' to accommodate foreign loanwords.
- While the alfabeto is the same across Portuguese-speaking countries, the names of the letters are pronounced differently between Portugal and Brazil, particularly the letters 'c' and 'g'.
- The term abecedário can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is extremely simple or rudimentary.
Examples in context
- Quantas letras há no alfabeto?How many letters are there in the alphabet?This sentence is useful for asking about the quantity of letters in the alphabet using alfabeto.Tatoeba #1361127 by alexmarcelo, translation #67289 by CK
- Sami aprendeu o alfabeto árabe.Sami learned the Arabic alphabet.This sentence shows how to describe learning a specific writing system using alfabeto.Tatoeba #6562153 by bill, translation #6456652 by OsoHombre
- Escreva o alfabeto em maiúsculas.Write the alphabet in capitals.This sentence provides an instruction for writing the alphabet in capitals using alfabeto.Tatoeba #2180104 by alexmarcelo, translation #67288 by CM
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila is helping Lucas study a new language.
- CamilaVocê já conhece o alfabeto?Do you already know the alphabet?
- LucasAinda não, é muito difícil.Not yet, it is very difficult.
- CamilaEu posso te ensinar o alfabeto.I can teach you the alphabet.
- LucasObrigado, Camila! Vou adorar.Thank you, Camila! I would love that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alphabet” translations and entries alfabeto, abc, abecê, á-bê-cê, abecedário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
