ponte
/ˈpõ.t͡ʃi/feminine
The Portuguese word for bridge is ponte.
ponte is a feminine noun used to describe a construction or a natural feature that spans a divide. You can also use the related verb superar to express the action of spanning something as if with a bridge.
Meaning: construction or natural feature that spans a divide (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the word pinguela is used to refer specifically to a rustic or improvised bridge.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of ponte is pontes. Because ponte is a feminine noun, you will often see it used in contractions: to say 'of the bridge', combine the feminine contraction 'de' + 'a' into da ponte. To say 'on the bridge', combine the preposition 'em' + the feminine article 'a' into na ponte.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpõ.tʃi/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, a ponte can refer to a long holiday weekend. This happens when a single holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, and people 'bridge' the gap to the weekend by taking the intervening day off.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, the term ponte aérea refers specifically to a high-frequency shuttle flight between two cities, rather than a physical structure in the sky.
- The Portuguese word ponte shares the exact same Latin root as the English word 'pontoon', which is a type of floating bridge used in engineering.
Examples in context
- A ponte é alta.The bridge is high.This sentence is useful for describing the height of the ponte.Tatoeba #2105927 by alexmarcelo, translation #2002552 by bichodebola
- A ponte é baixa.The bridge is low.Tatoeba #3185985 by piterkeo, translation #2002553 by bichodebola
- A ponte é segura?Is the bridge safe?This sentence is useful for asking about the safety of the ponte.Tatoeba #4834552 by carlosalberto, translation #2985623 by sharptoothed
- Para chegar ao outro lado do rio, precisamos atravessar a ponte.To get to the other side of the river, we need to cross the bridge.
- Vamos nos encontrar na pontezinha perto do parque amanhã!Let's meet at the little bridge near the park tomorrow!
- 175 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are walking in a city park.
- JulianaOlha aquela ponte de madeira, Lucas!Look at that wooden bridge, Lucas!
- LucasSim, ela é muito charmosa.Yes, it is very charming.
- JulianaVamos passar por cima da ponte?Shall we go over the bridge?
- LucasClaro, vamos por esse caminho.Sure, let's go this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bridge” translations and entries ponte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ponte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
