Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| azul | /aˈzuw/ (Brazil) /ɐˈzul/ (Portugal) |
| azulado | /a.zuˈla.du/ (Brazil) /ɐ.zuˈla.du/ (Portugal) |
| cerúleo | /seˈɾu.lju/ (Brazil) /sɨˈɾu.lju/ (Portugal) |
The primary term for the color blue is azul. This word can function as an adjective to describe something blue-coloured or as a noun to refer to the blue pigment itself. If you wish to describe the action of making something blue, you can use the verb azular.
Which one should you use?
While azul is used for the color blue, azulado is used to describe something that is 'bluish' or possesses a blue tint. Additionally, cerúleo refers specifically to a cerulean or sky-blue shade.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term cerúleo is a formal or poetic way to describe a shade of sky-blue. For informal situations, you might encounter the diminutive azulzinho, which means "little blue".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective azul is invariable in gender, so it remains the same whether it is describing a masculine or feminine noun. To make the adjective plural, you add -is to the end to form azuis.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈzuw/
Did you know?
- The word azul actually shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'yellow'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰelh₃-, which relates to bright or shining colours.
Examples in context
- O céu é azul.The sky is blue.This sentence is useful for describing the color of the sky using azul.Tatoeba #397634 by brauliobezerra, translation #18275 by CK
- O mar é azul.The sea is blue.This sentence is useful for describing the color of the sea using azul.Tatoeba #2700963 by alexmarcelo, translation #2396999 by Hayabusa
- A água é azul.The water is blue.This sentence is useful for describing the color of the water using azul.Tatoeba #4815096 by Ricardo14, translation #10192709 by ddnktr
- O céu está azul hoje.The sky is blue today.
- Comprei uma camiseta ciano muito bonita.I bought a beautiful cyan-colored shirt.
- Gosto muito da cor índigo nas minhas pinturas.I really like the indigo color in my paintings.
- 338 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are looking at a store window.
- RodrigoCamila, você viu aquele sofá azul?Camila, did you see that blue sofa?
- CamilaSim, eu achei ele lindo, Rodrigo.Yes, I thought it was beautiful, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoEle combina com a nossa sala.It matches our living room.
- CamilaVerdade, vamos anotar o preço.True, let's note down the price.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blue” translations and entries azul, azulado, cerúleo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azul, azulado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
