altar
/awˈtaʁ/masculine
The English word 'altar' is altar in Portuguese.
altar is the commonly used term in Portuguese to refer to a sacred, flat-topped structure used for religious rites.
Meaning: flat-topped structure used for religious rites (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
altar is a masculine noun, meaning it is used with the masculine definite article o (e.g., o altar). The plural form of the word is altares.
How do you pronounce it?
/awˈtaʁ/
Did you know?
- In Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé, an altar may take the form of a peji, a specific sacred space for offerings that differs significantly from the European style of altar.
- The Portuguese word altar shares a root with outeiro, which refers to a small hill or elevation. This reflects the ancient practice of building sacred sites on high ground.
- In certain traditional folk practices in Brazil, people create temporary altares at home for the Dia de Nossa Senhora or other saints, mixing official Catholic rites with domestic customs.
Examples in context
- O sacerdote pode sacrificar no altar.The priest can sacrifice on the altar.This sentence is useful for describing where a priest can perform a sacrifice on the altar.Tatoeba #10703050 by carlosalberto, translation #10703045 by carlosalberto
- No altar em ruínas sacerdotes fantasmagóricos oficiavam, passando silenciosamente de um lado para o outro, com vénias e genuflexões.At the ruined altar ghostly priests officiated, passing quietly from side to side, with bows and genuflections.This sentence is useful for describing ghostly priests officiating at a ruined altar.Tatoeba #11653468 by Cangarejo, translation #11653467 by Cangarejo
- Numa esquina no exterior da Embaixada dos Estados Unidos na Cidade do México há um altar cheio de flores, velas, artigos alimentares e fotografias.On a corner outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City there is an altar full of flowers, candles, food items and pictures.This sentence is useful for describing an altar located outside an embassy that is filled with various items.Tatoeba #11140231 by Cangarejo, translation #11140228 by Cangarejo
- O padre está diante do altar rezando.The priest is in front of the altar praying.
- Ela acendeu uma vela no altarete do quarto.She lit a candle on the small altar in the bedroom.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are visiting an old cathedral.
- MarianaO altar de ouro é lindíssimo.The golden altar is beautiful.
- RodrigoSim, o altar parece muito antigo.Yes, the altar looks very old.
- MarianaRodrigo, veja as flores sobre o altar.Rodrigo, look at the flowers on the altar.
- RodrigoSão flores muito bonitas.They are very beautiful flowers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “altar” translations and entries altar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries altar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
