Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| igreja | /iˈɡɾe.ʒɐ/ (Brazil) /iˈɡɾɐ(j).ʒɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| templo | /ˈtẽ.plu/ (Brazil) /ˈtẽ.plu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The primary word for a house of worship is igreja. Another word used for church is templo, which is often used in more formal or generic religious contexts to refer to a place of worship.
Which one should you use?
igreja is the common word for a church, while templo is used for more formal or generic religious contexts. In certain regions, more specific terms are used: capela refers to a small church or chapel in rural Brazil and sé refers to a grand cathedral or a bishop's seat in Portugal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, particularly in rural areas, you may hear capela used to refer to a small church or chapel. In Portugal, the term sé is used specifically when referring to a grand cathedral or a bishop's seat.
How does it change in a sentence?
igreja is a feminine noun, so any accompanying articles or adjectives must also be feminine, such as a igreja (the church) or uma igreja (a church). When expressing the habit of attending religious services, Portuguese speakers use the contraction à (a + a) in the phrase ir à igreja.
How do you pronounce it?
The three-syllable word igreja is pronounced /iˈɡɾe.ʒɐ/. The stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of templo comes from an ancient word meaning 'to stretch' or 'string', likely referring to the way a sacred space was originally marked out on the ground.
- While igreja is the standard term, the word templo is frequently used by non-Catholic denominations in Brazil to avoid the specific Catholic connotations of igreja.
- While igreja refers to the institution or the building, the word culto is often used to refer to the specific religious service or act of worship itself.
Examples in context
- Eu vou à igreja.I go to church.This sentence shows the use of igreja with the contraction for going to church.Tatoeba #5228857 by ajdavidl, translation #3825730 by CK
- Eu fui à igreja.I went to church.This sentence shows the past tense of the expression using igreja.Tatoeba #8880838 by carlosalberto, translation #8880326 by CK
- Isso é uma igreja.That's a church.This sentence shows how to identify a building as igreja.Tatoeba #4455014 by Covered, translation #1706368 by marcelostockle
- Depois do casamento, eles foram à igreja para a cerimônia religiosa.After the wedding, they went to the church for the religious ceremony.
- Os fiéis se reuniram no templo para a celebração da missa.The faithful gathered at the church/temple for the Mass celebration.
- Vamos casar na igrejinha da minha cidade natal.We're getting married at the little church in my hometown.
- A capela do interior é frequentada pelos moradores do vilarejo.The chapel in the countryside is attended by the villagers.
- A Sé de Lisboa é um dos pontos turísticos mais importantes da cidade.The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city.
- 200 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are walking through the city center.
- JulianaOlha aquela igreja ali.Look at that church over there.
- GabrielÉ uma igreja bem antiga.It is a very old church.
- JulianaVocê quer entrar nela?Do you want to go inside it?
- GabrielSim, vamos entrar.Yes, let's go in.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “church” translations and entries igreja, templo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries igreja, templo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
