bebé
/bɛˈbɛ/Portugal, masculine
In Portuguese, the word for baby is bebé. Wiktionary also lists neném.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bebé | /bɛˈbɛ/ (Portugal) /bɛˈbɛ/ (Portugal, Southern) |
Portugal, masculine |
| neném | /neˈnẽj̃/ (Brazil) | Brazil, masculine |
The term refers to a very young human being.
Which one should you use?
bebé is the standard term in Portugal, whereas neném is used more frequently in a colloquial or affectionate sense in Brazil.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
neném is a familiar and informal term. For a more formal way to say baby, you can use recém-nascido, which translates to newborn.
Is it said differently in some regions?
bebé is the standard term used in Portugal. In Brazil, neném is a common way to refer to a baby.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of bebé is bebés and the plural of neném is nenéns.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɛˈbɛ/
When do people say it?
In informal and affectionate contexts, Brazilians may use bebêzinha when referring to a baby girl.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, you might hear people call their romantic partners bebê or neném as a term of endearment, much like 'baby' in English.
- The word bebé was borrowed into Portuguese from the French word bébé.
- The word neném is a reduplicative form, likely deriving from the repetitive babbling sounds infants make.
Examples in context
- O bebé está a dormir.The baby is sleeping.This sentence shows how to use bebé.Tatoeba #1056062 by alexmarcelo, translation #272329 by CK
- Queremos ter um bebé.We want to have a baby.This sentence shows the use of bebé.Tatoeba #7025950 by iart61, translation #3774679 by Hybrid
- O bebé nasceu saudável.The baby was born healthy.This sentence demonstrates using bebé.Tatoeba #7006587 by iart61, translation #9678986 by DJ_Saidez
- Maria é uma linda bebê.Maria is a beautiful baby.
- O hospital tem uma ala especialmente para os recém-nascidos.The hospital has a ward specifically for newborns.
- Olha só o bebêzinho sorrindo!Look at the little baby smiling!
- Essa bebêzinha é uma gracinha!This little baby girl is adorable!
- Que coisa mais fofa esse pequenino!How cute is this little one!
- Pega a mamadeira pra essa pequenina.Get the bottle for this little girl.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are visiting a friend's house to meet a new arrival.
- MarianaOnde está o bebé?Where is the baby?
- RodrigoO bebé está no berço.The baby is in the crib.
- MarianaQue bebé tão lindo!What a beautiful baby!
- RodrigoSim, ele é muito calmo.Yes, he is very calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries bebé, neném, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bebé, neném, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
