cama
/ˈkɐ̃.mɐ/feminine
The English phrase bed is translated into Portuguese as cama. Wiktionary also lists leito.
Meaning: piece of furniture (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cama | /ˈkɐ̃.mɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈkɐ.mɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| leito | /ˈlej.tu/ (Brazil) /ˈlɐj.tu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The word refers to a piece of furniture. To specify the size, you can use cama de casal for a double or matrimonial bed or cama de solteiro for a single bed. Related verbs include deitar, meaning to go to a sleeping bed and dormir com, which means to have sexual intercourse with.
Which one should you use?
While cama is the common word for a piece of furniture, leito is a more formal or literary term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Brazilian regions, such as the northeastern states, the word catre is used to refer to a simple or rustic bed.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of cama is camas and the plural of leito is leitos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word cama has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈkɐ̃.mɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word cama is used in the phrase cama de gato, which literally means 'cat's bed' but refers to a tangled mess of wires or a chaotic situation.
- When speaking about 'making the bed', a Portuguese speaker will use the verb arrumar (to tidy/arrange) rather than a verb that translates directly to 'make'.
- The word cama likely entered the language through an ancient Iberian substrate, meaning it may have existed in the region long before the Romans brought Latin.
Examples in context
- Faça a sua cama.Make your bed.This sentence is useful for practicing the verb with cama.Tatoeba #2716483 by Ricardo14, translation #33965 by CK
- Não fume na cama.Don't smoke in bed.This sentence shows how to use cama in a negative command.Tatoeba #3183312 by piterkeo, translation #3039923 by CK
- Ele molha a cama.He wets his bed.This sentence uses cama to describe an accidental action.Tatoeba #5498575 by bill, translation #2342497 by Hybrid
- Eu preciso comprar uma nova cama para o quarto de hóspedes.I need to buy a new bed for the guest room.
- O paciente foi transferido para o leito número 5.The patient was transferred to bed number 5.
- Meu cachorro adora dormir na caminha dele.My dog loves sleeping in his bed.
- Na fazenda, dormíamos em catres de palha.At the farm, we used to sleep on straw beds.
- Deite-se na cama e descanse um pouco.Lie down in bed and rest for a while.
- 538 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are in a hotel room.
- JulianaA cama é muito confortável.The bed is very comfortable.
- GabrielSim, ela é ótima.Yes, it is great.
- JulianaEu estou com muito sono.I am very sleepy.
- GabrielBoa noite, Juliana.Good night, Juliana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bed” translations and entries cama, leito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cama, leito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
