Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| preto | /ˈpɾe.tu/ (Brazil) /ˈpɾe.tu/ (Portugal) |
| atro | /ˈa.tɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈa.tɾu/ (Portugal) |
| negro | /ˈne.ɡɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈne.ɡɾu/ (Portugal) |
These terms are used to describe the color black, which absorbs all light. As a noun, preto and negro can refer to the color itself. Additionally, the word fumo is used as a noun to describe black cloth hung up at funerals.
Which one should you use?
preto is the most common and neutral word for the color black in everyday speech. In contrast, negro is often used in formal, literary or poetic contexts to describe the color. If you want to describe an intense, deep or pitch-black darkness rather than just a color, use atro.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective preto must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use preta for feminine singular nouns, pretos for masculine plural nouns and pretas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word preto is pronounced /ˈpɾe.tu/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
While negro can mean the color black, it is also the standard term used in Brazil to refer to Black people in social and political contexts.
Did you know?
- The term preto evolved from the Latin word for 'chest', via a meaning of 'tight' or 'dense'.
Examples in context
- O preto é meu.The black one is mine.This sentence shows how to use preto as a noun to identify a specific object.Tatoeba #1235357 by alexmarcelo, translation #823527 by sacredceltic
- O meu é preto.Mine is black.This sentence shows the use of preto as an adjective describing a possessive.Tatoeba #7310274 by Ricardo14, translation #5342176 by Amittai
- O gato é negro.The cat is black.This sentence shows the use of negro as an adjective describing an animal.Tatoeba #1107316 by alexmarcelo, translation #1107280 by CK
- A cor preta desse carro é muito eleganteThe black color of that car is very elegant
- A pele dele é negraHis skin is black
- 297 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are choosing a new car.
- MarianaVocê prefere o carro preto?Do you prefer the black car?
- GabrielNão, eu prefiro o branco.No, I prefer the white one.
- MarianaMas o preto é muito elegante.But the black one is very elegant.
- GabrielSim, mas o branco é mais prático.Yes, but the white one is more practical.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries preto, atro, negro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atro, negro, preto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
