Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| doce | /ˈdo.si/ (Brazil) /ˈdo.sɨ/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
| confeito | /kõˈfej.tu/ (Brazil) /kõˈfɐj.tu/ (Portugal) |
|
| rebuçado | /ʁe.buˈsa.du/ (Brazil) | Portugal, masculine |
| bombom | /bõˈbõ/ (Brazil) /bõˈbõ/ (Portugal) |
Portugal, masculine |
| bala | /ˈba.lɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈba.lɐ/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, feminine |
The term doce refers to a piece of candy or a sweet. It can function as both a noun meaning 'candy' and an adjective meaning 'sweet'.
Which one should you use?
The specific word you choose depends on the type of candy and your location. In Brazil, doce is a general term for any sweet or candy, while bala specifically refers to hard candy or chewy sweets. In Portugal, doce is often used for sweets or desserts in general. However, rebuçado is the common term for hard candy and bombom refers specifically to chocolate-based candies or bonbons.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, doce and bala are common and jujuba may be used to refer to gummy candies or jelly beans. In Portugal, rebuçado and bombom are the preferred terms for specific types of candy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of doce is doces.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdo.si/
Did you know?
- The word bombom may actually be a reduplication of the word bom, meaning 'good', essentially making it a way of saying 'good-good'.
- While doce can be a noun, it is frequently used as an adjective to describe a person's personality as 'sweet'.
- In Brazil, doce is not just for candies but describes a wide range of sugary treats, including traditional fruit preserves and jams.
Examples in context
- Eu gosto de doce.I like candy.This sentence shows how to express a preference for doce.Tatoeba #2849281 by MarlonX19, translation #2745135 by CK
- Não toque o doce.Don't touch the candy.This sentence uses doce to indicate an action to avoid regarding the candy.Tatoeba #6455880 by heo598, translation #6454925 by OsoHombre
- Eu comi o seu doce.I ate your candy.This sentence uses doce to describe something that has been eaten.Tatoeba #5854825 by bill, translation #5852906 by CK
- Eu adoro comer doce!I love to eat candy!
- Você tem algum doce para sobremesa?Do you have any candy for dessert?
- Estou com vontade de comer um doce delicioso.I'm craving a delicious candy.
- Esse é um café que vende várias guloseimas.This is a café that sells various candies.
- Posso oferecer uma guloseima para você?Can I offer you a candy?
- Eu comprei um bombom de chocolate para o meu namorado.I bought a chocolate candy for my boyfriend.
- O bombom estava delicioso!The candy was delicious!
- Os bombons são ótimas opções de presente.Chocolates are great gift options.
- Você quer uma bala?Do you want a candy?
- Ele me deu uma bala de caramelo.He gave me a caramel candy.
- Eu adoro essa bala de limão.I love this lemon candy.
- As crianças adoram pirulitos!Kids love lollipops!
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are in the kitchen sharing a snack.
- FelipeBeatriz, você quer este doce?Beatriz, do you want this candy?
- BeatrizSim, eu adoro esse doce.Yes, I love this candy.
- FelipeEle é o meu doce favorito.It is my favorite candy.
- BeatrizO Felipe sempre traz coisas boas.Felipe always brings good things.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “candy” translations and entries doce, confeito, rebuçado, bombom, bala, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bala, bombom, doce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
