basquete
/basˈkɛ.t͡ʃi/masculine
Basketball in Portuguese is translated as basquete. Wiktionary also lists basquetebol and bola ao cesto.
Meaning: the sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| basquete | /basˈkɛ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /baʃˈkɛ.t͡ʃi/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| basquetebol | /basˌkɛ.t͡ʃiˈbɔw/ (Brazil) /baʃˌkɛ.t͡ʃiˈbɔw/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| bola ao cesto | feminine |
The term refers to the sport of basketball. When expressing the action of playing the sport, you use the verb jogar followed directly by basquete, as in jogar basquete.
Which one should you use?
basquetebol is a more formal version. The term bola ao cesto is obsolete.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Angola and Mozambique, the term basquete may be used to refer to the sport. In Cape Verde, the term basquetebol is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
basquete is a masculine noun. When referring to the sport specifically, it is preceded by the masculine article o, as in o basquete.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /basˈkɛ.tʃi/.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom não joga basquete.Tom doesn't play basketball.This sentence shows how to negate the action of playing basquete.Tatoeba #5251434 by alexmarcelo, translation #5250547 by CK
- Você joga basquete bem?Do you play basketball well?This sentence asks if someone plays basquete well.Tatoeba #2854303 by MarlonX19, translation #69204 by CK
- Você gosta de basquete?Do you like basketball?This sentence asks about a person's preference for basquete.Tatoeba #5513664 by bill, translation #1766752 by CK
- O basquetebol é um esporte muito popular no mundo.Basketball is a very popular sport worldwide.
- Ele joga basquete há mais de dez anos.He has been playing basketball for over ten years.
- Você quer jogar basquete com a gente no parque hoje?Do you want to play basketball with us at the park today?
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are talking about sports at a cafe.
- GabrielVocê prefere futebol ou basquete?Do you prefer soccer or basketball?
- JulianaEu prefiro basquete, Gabriel.I prefer basketball, Gabriel.
- GabrielEu também gosto muito de basquete.I also like basketball a lot.
- JulianaPodemos jogar uma partida amanhã?Can we play a match tomorrow?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basketball” translations and entries basquete, basquetebol, bola ao cesto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basquete, basquetebol, bola, bola ao cesto, cesto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
