lousa
/ˈlo(w).zɐ/feminine
The English phrase "chalkboard" is translated into Portuguese as lousa. Wiktionary also lists quadro and quadro-negro.
Meaning: slate board for writing on with chalk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lousa | /ˈlo(w).zɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈlo(w).zɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| quadro | /ˈkwa.dɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈkwa.dɾu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| quadro-negro | masculine | |
| quadro de giz | /ˈkwa.dɾu d͡ʒi ˈʒis/ (Brazil, word by word) | masculine |
A chalkboard is a slate board used for writing with chalk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quadro de giz is a literal construction where giz means "chalk".
Which one should you use?
Lousa specifically refers to the writing surface used in classrooms. In contrast, quadro is a more generic term that can mean a chalkboard, a picture frame or a painting depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
Lousa is a feminine noun, while quadro, quadro-negro and quadro de giz are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word lousa is pronounced /ˈlo(w).zɐ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word lousa comes from a root meaning 'stone'. In some contexts, it still refers to a flat slab of stone used for grave markers.
- In a Portuguese classroom, the act of erasing the lousa is often linked to the phrase apagar a lousa, which can colloquially mean starting over or forgetting a mistake.
- Although quadro-negro means 'blackboard', many modern Portuguese classrooms use green boards while still calling them quadro-negro.
Examples in context
- No quadro está escrito o seu novo horário.On the chalkboard is written your new timetable.This sentence is useful for showing how to use quadro to refer to a chalkboard when mentioning a timetable.Tatoeba #952896 by gobr, translation #753329 by AlanF_US
- A lousa da sala de aula está limpa.The classroom chalkboard is clean.
- Ela escreveu o nome na lousa.She wrote the name on the chalkboard.
Example conversation
A teacher and a student are in a classroom.
- FelipeCamila, você pode escrever a data na lousa?Camila, can you write the date on the chalkboard?
- CamilaSim, Felipe. Onde está o giz?Yes, Felipe. Where is the chalk?
- FelipeO giz está logo ali na mesa.The chalk is right there on the table.
- CamilaPronto, já escrevi na lousa.Done, I already wrote it on the chalkboard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chalkboard” translations and entries lousa, quadro, quadro-negro, quadro de giz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (quadro, de, giz) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, giz, lousa, quadro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
