Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aplicativo | /a.pli.kaˈt͡ʃi.vu/ (Brazil) /ɐ.pli.kɐˈti.vu/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
| app | /ˈɛ.pi/ (Brazil) /ˌaˌpeˈpe/ (Brazil) |
feminine, masculine |
| aplicativo móvel | /a.pli.kaˈt͡ʃi.vu ˈmɔ.vew/ (Brazil, word by word) | Brazil, masculine |
| aplicação | /a.pli.kaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /ɐ.pli.kɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
Portugal, feminine |
| aplicação móvel | /a.pli.kaˈsɐ̃w̃ ˈmɔ.vew/ (Brazil, word by word) | Portugal, feminine |
The term refers to a small computer or mobile application. To refer to a mobile app specifically, you can use aplicativo móvel or app móvel. You can also specify the platform by saying aplicativo para Android or aplicativo para iOS. When you want to say 'to download' an app, the verb baixar is commonly used.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, the standard term is the masculine aplicativo, while in Portugal, the standard term is the feminine aplicação. Both regions also use the English loanword app.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form app is used informally in both Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, aplicativo is used widely in both formal and informal contexts. In Portugal, aplicação is often used as a formal alternative, though the English term app remains highly prevalent even in formal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, aplicativo is the most common and widely understood term and you can also use aplicativo móvel for a mobile app. In Portugal, aplicação is the standard term and you can also use aplicação móvel for a mobile app.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term aplicativo is a masculine noun. The shortened form app is also treated as a masculine noun, appearing as o app. In contrast, the Portuguese term aplicação is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aplicativo is /a.pli.kaˈtʃi.vu/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When speaking in Portugal, be careful not to use the masculine aplicativo. Instead, use the feminine aplicação to refer to software.
Did you know?
- The verb baixar, used to describe downloading an app, literally means 'to lower'.
- The word aplicação follows a pattern where the suffix -ção is a very common way to turn verbs into nouns, similar to the English '-tion'.
- The term móvel in aplicativo móvel comes from the Latin 'mōbilis', which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'mobile'.
Examples in context
- O aplicativo é gratuito.The app is free.This sentence is useful for stating that an app is free using aplicativo.Tatoeba #4956663 by bill, translation #10655172 by shekitten
- Este aplicativo é gratuito.This app is free.Tatoeba #11035430 by bill, translation #10655174 by shekitten
- Esse aplicativo pode ajudar.This app can help.This sentence is useful for saying an app can be helpful using aplicativo.Tatoeba #5100443 by ToinhoAlam, translation #4499350 by CK
- Eu baixei um aplicativo para aprender idiomas.I downloaded an app to learn languages.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are talking about a new tool for organizing tasks.
- JulianaLucas, você conhece esse aplicativo de tarefas?Lucas, do you know this task app?
- LucasNão, o que esse aplicativo faz?No, what does this app do?
- JulianaEle organiza a agenda de um jeito simples.It organizes the schedule in a simple way.
- LucasLegal, vou baixar agora mesmo!Cool, I'll download it right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “app” translations and entries aplicativo, app, aplicação, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (aplicativo, móvel, aplicação) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aplicativo, aplicação, app, móvel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
