Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escuridão | /is.ku.ɾiˈdɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /es.ku.ɾiˈdɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| trevas | /ˈtɾɛ.vɐs/ (Brazil) | feminine, plural |
| obscuridade | /obs.ku.ɾiˈda.d͡ʒi/ (Brazil) /o.bis.ku.ɾiˈda.d͡ʒi/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
The word describes the state of being dark. While escuridão is the standard term for the absence of light, other forms exist depending on the nuance you wish to convey, such as poetic darkness, lack of clarity or metaphorical obscurity.
Which one should you use?
Escuridão is the standard word for darkness. Trevas is a more poetic or dramatic term often used in literature and religious contexts, frequently implying a sense of evil or profound gloom. Obscuridade is used to describe a lack of clarity, which can be physical, such as dim light or metaphorical, such as the state of being unknown.
How does it change in a sentence?
Escuridão is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as escuridão profunda (deep darkness). Trevas is a plural-only noun in most contexts, meaning it is almost always used in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word escuridão has four syllables and is pronounced /is.ku.ɾiˈdɐ̃w̃/, with the stress on the fourth syllable.
Did you know?
- While escuridão refers to a lack of light, the word trevas is frequently used in Portuguese to describe the realm of the devil or the afterlife.
- The word trevas is a close linguistic relative of the English word 'tenebrous', which describes something dark or shadowy.
- In Portuguese, the word trevas functions as a plural-only noun, meaning it is almost never used in the singular form.
Examples in context
- Vampiros amam a escuridão.Vampires like darkness.This sentence shows how to use escuridão when talking about likes and dislikes.Tatoeba #13038157 by piterkeo, translation #6399633 by Hybrid
- Tom desapareceu na escuridão.Tom vanished into the darkness.This sentence demonstrates using escuridão to describe vanishing into a place.Tatoeba #8063634 by jvlopes91, translation #2958437 by CK
- A escuridão é a ausência de luz.Darkness is the absence of light.This sentence provides a definition of darkness using escuridão.Tatoeba #874767 by alexmarcelo, translation #28394 by CK
- Estou no escuroI am in the dark
- Eu amo a escuridão da noiteI love the darkness of the night
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are walking in a park after sunset.
- GabrielEu não gosto tanto da escuridão.I don't like the darkness that much.
- CamilaNão se preocupe, Gabriel, eu estou aqui.Don't worry, Gabriel, I am here.
- GabrielA escuridão deste parque é assustadora.The darkness of this park is scary.
- CamilaVamos encontrar uma luz logo.We will find a light soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darkness” translations and entries escuridão, trevas, obscuridade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escuridão, obscuridade, trevas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
