gaveta
/ɡaˈve.tɐ/feminine
The English word 'drawer' is translated into Portuguese as gaveta.
gaveta refers to an open-topped box in a cabinet used for storing. You may also encounter specific variations: Gavetão is used for a larger or deeper drawer, while Gavetinha is the diminutive form used to describe a small drawer.
Meaning: open-topped box in a cabinet used for storing (noun)
Which one should you use?
Gavetão is a synonym for gaveta that refers to a larger or deeper drawer. Conversely, Gavetinha is the diminutive form of gaveta used to describe a small drawer. In a colloquial context, you might hear Gavetãozinho to describe a small gavetão.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the phrase Gaveta de roupas is used to refer to a drawer used for storing clothes. Additionally, the expression Gavetinha de cabeceira is used to describe the small drawer found in a nightstand.
How does it change in a sentence?
gaveta is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /ɡaˈve.tɐ/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the expression engavetar means to put something in a gaveta, but it is often used figuratively to describe when a government or official ignores a legal case or delays a project indefinitely.
- The word gaveta shares a common ancestor with the Italian word gavetta, which actually means a 'mess tin' used for food.
- If you are looking for a 'drawer' in the sense of a person who draws pictures, you would never use the word gaveta, as that term is strictly for storage containers.
Examples in context
- Eu abri a gaveta.I opened the drawer.This sentence is useful for practicing the action of opening a gaveta.Tatoeba #8041687 by jvlopes91, translation #2389575 by CK
- Isto é uma gaveta.This is a drawer.This sentence is useful for identifying an object as a gaveta.Tatoeba #7140521 by iart61, translation #12999668 by araneo
- Tom abriu a gaveta.Tom pulled open the drawer.This sentence is useful for practicing the action of pulling open a gaveta.Tatoeba #5196305 by bill, translation #3486340 by CK
- Onde você colocou as meias? Na gaveta do armário.Where did you put the socks? In the cabinet drawer.
- Eu guardei as ferramentas no gavetão da garagem.I stored the tools in the garage's large drawer.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are looking for a pen in the office.
- CamilaOnde está a caneta?Where is the pen?
- LucasEstá na gaveta da mesa.It is in the desk drawer.
- CamilaEu não a vejo nesta gaveta.I don't see it in this drawer.
- LucasVerifique a gaveta de baixo, Camila.Check the bottom drawer, Camila.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drawer” translations and entries gaveta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gaveta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
