Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dispositivo | /d͡ʒis.po.ziˈt͡ʃi.vu/ (Brazil) /d͡ʒiʃ.po.ziˈt͡ʃi.vu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| aparelho | /a.paˈɾe.ʎu/ (Brazil) /ɐ.pɐˈɾɐ(j).ʎu/ (Portugal) |
|
| aparato | /a.paˈɾa.tu/ (Brazil) /ɐ.pɐˈɾa.tu/ (Portugal) |
You can use aparelho for physical hardware or household appliances and aparato for large-scale machinery or complex sets of equipment. In some specific contexts, the word instrumento can also be used to mean 'device'. If you are speaking informally, you may also hear the English loanword 'gadget'.
Which one should you use?
Aparelho is the most common way to refer to physical hardware or household appliances, such as a telephone (aparelho telefônico) or a stereo system. Aparato is a more formal term often used to describe a complex set of equipment, a large-scale apparatus or even a metaphorical 'apparatus' like a state apparatus.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of these nouns, add -s to the end: dispositivos, aparelhos and aparatos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word dispositivo is pronounced /dʒis.po.ziˈtʃi.vu/. It has five syllables, with the stress on the fourth syllable.
Did you know?
- The word aparelho is also used to refer to a dental appliance, such as braces. If you tell a dentist you need an aparelho, they will know you are talking about your teeth, not an electronic device.
- The word aparelho comes from the verb aparelhar, which originally meant to prepare or outfit a ship for sea.
- While dispositivo describes a device, the word dispositivo can also refer to a legal clause or the final ruling section of a court judgment.
Examples in context
- Que faz esse aparelho?What does this device do?This sentence asks about the function of the aparelho.Tatoeba #2106035 by alexmarcelo, translation #1886752 by CK
- Tom desligou o aparelho.Tom turned off the device.This sentence describes turning off the aparelho.Tatoeba #4838309 by bill, translation #2644303 by CK
- Como se usa este aparelho?How is this device used?This sentence asks about the usage of the aparelho.Tatoeba #11623231 by carlosalberto, translation #11623198 by carlosalberto
- Preciso comprar um novo dispositivo para o meu computador.I need to buy a new device for my computer.
- O aparelho de ar-condicionado está quebrado.The air conditioning device is broken.
- Vou levar meu gadget preferido para a viagem.I'll take my favorite gadget on the trip.
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are looking at a new gadget in a store.
- LucasO que é esse dispositivo, Mariana?What is this device, Mariana?
- MarianaÉ um dispositivo de segurança.It is a security device.
- LucasEle parece ser muito útil.It seems to be very useful.
- MarianaSim, ele ajuda muito.Yes, it helps a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “device” translations and entries dispositivo, aparelho, aparato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aparato, aparelho, dispositivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
