amém
/aˈmẽj̃/
The Portuguese word for amen is amém.
The term is primarily a religious expression used to conclude prayers. Colloquially, it is also used to express strong agreement with a statement, similar to the English phrase 'Amen to that!' It can also function as an adverb meaning 'truly' or 'verily', or as a masculine noun meaning 'an instance of saying amen'.
Meaning: expression of strong agreement (intj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a masculine noun meaning 'an instance of saying amen', it follows standard Portuguese gender rules (e.g., um amém).
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈmẽj̃/
When do people say it?
While primarily a religious term used to conclude prayers, it is also used colloquially to express strong agreement with a statement, much like 'Amen to that!' in English.
Did you know?
- While amém expresses agreement, Brazilians may use the phrase amém e aleluia together to signal an overwhelming sense of relief or joy that a long-awaited event has finally happened.
- In some Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé, Portuguese words like amém are sometimes integrated into chants alongside Yoruba terms to blend colonial and ancestral spiritualities.
- In traditional Portuguese choral music, the final amém is often extended into a long, melodic melisma where a single syllable is stretched across several notes for emotional effect.
Examples in context
- A moça engravidou antes que o padre pudesse dizer Amém.The girl was pregnant before the priest could say Amen.This sentence shows the use of amém in a narrative context.Tatoeba #7260536 by carlosalberto, translation #3368305 by Hybrid
- Amém! Que essa ideia dê certo.Amen! May that idea work out.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a positive wish for a colleague's new project.
- GabrielEspero que ele consiga o emprego.I hope he gets the job.
- MarianaAmém, ele merece muito.Amen, he really deserves it.
- GabrielEle se esforçou bastante.He worked very hard.
- MarianaCom certeza.For sure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “amen” translations and entries amém, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
