classe
/ˈkla.si/feminine
In Portuguese, the word for class (as in a group or category) is classe.
classe is used to refer to a group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes. It is commonly employed when referring to membership groups or societal classes, such as classe social (social class).
Meaning: group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes (noun)
Which one should you use?
While classe refers to a category or social group, use aula instead of classe when referring to a period of instruction or a lecture. In Portugal, the term cadeira is occasionally used as a synonym for class and is more prevalent within university contexts, referring to specific subjects or courses.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, cadeira is a term used to refer to university-level classes or subjects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of 'classe' is 'classes'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkla.si/ (two syllables, stress on the first syllable)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Use 'aula' instead of 'classe' when referring to a period of instruction or a lecture.
Did you know?
- In Portugal, the word cadeira, which means 'chair', is used to describe a university course or subject.
- The Latin root classis originally referred to a division of the Roman navy or a group of citizens for tax purposes.
- In Portuguese, 'classe' can be used to describe someone as having 'classe', which means they have elegance or sophistication.
Examples in context
- Sou de classe média.I'm middle class.This sentence shows how to use classe to describe social status.Tatoeba #3435913 by Ricardo14, translation #3330611 by CK
- Ele é da minha classe.He's in my class.This sentence demonstrates how to use classe to refer to a group of people one belongs to.Tatoeba #2758451 by Sitko, translation #2617269 by Prophete
- Nossa classe é pequena.Our class is a small one.This sentence uses classe to describe the size of a group.Tatoeba #871581 by alexmarcelo, translation #247378 by CS
- Eu tenho uma aula às 9hI have a class at 9 AM
- classe altaUpper class
- Estou fazendo uma cadeira de biologiaI'm taking a biology class
- Eu tive uma aulinha de matemática hojeI had a quick math class today
- Eu tenho uma aula de história hoje à tarde.I have a history class this afternoon.
- Precisamos nos inscrever na aula de dança.We need to register for the dance class.
- Estou fazendo uma aula de culinária aos sábados.I'm taking a cooking class on Saturdays.
- 129 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are discussing biology at a university.
- FelipeVocê sabe qual é essa classe?Do you know which class this is?
- BeatrizSim, essa classe é muito importante.Yes, this class is very important.
- FelipeBeatriz, você estudou sobre essa classe?Beatriz, did you study about this class?
- BeatrizEstudei, mas ainda tenho dúvidas.I studied, but I still have doubts.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “class” translations and entries classe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
