Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orelha | /oˈɾe.ʎɐ/ (Brazil) /ɔˈɾɐ(j).ʎɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| ouvido | /o(w)ˈvi.du/ (Brazil) /o(w)ˈvi.du/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
Portuguese distinguishes between the external part of the ear and the internal organ or the sense of hearing. The word orelha refers to the external, visible part of the ear, while ouvido refers to the internal organ or the sense of hearing. Additionally, the phrase no ouvido is used idiomatically in expressions related to listening or hearing, such as dar um toque no ouvido, which means to whisper or give someone a tip.
Which one should you use?
Orelha is used for the external anatomy (the pinna), whereas ouvido is the preferred term for medical or anatomical contexts involving the internal ear and the sense of hearing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Orelha is a feminine noun, and ouvido is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of orelha is /oˈɾe.ʎɐ/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use orelha for all contexts, but you should use ouvido when referring to medical contexts or the actual act of hearing.
Did you know?
- The expression estar com a pulga no ouvido literally means 'to have a flea in the ear' and describes someone who is suspicious or preoccupied with a secret.
- The word orelha also refers to the 'ear' of a book, which is the folded-over part of a hardcover dust jacket.
- The word ouvido is a direct descendant of the Latin audītus, making it a linguistic cousin to the English word 'audit'.
Examples in context
- Tira o dedo da orelha!Get your finger out of your ear.This sentence shows how to use orelha when referring to the external part of the ear.Tatoeba #8098856 by iT4LL, translation #8098858 by iT4LL
- Não grita no meu ouvido!Don't scream in my ear!This sentence illustrates the use of ouvido in the context of sound or hearing.Tatoeba #5040446 by Ricardo14, translation #5040444 by AlanF_US
- Meu ouvido não é penico!My ear is not a toilet!This sentence demonstrates the use of ouvido in a colloquial context.Tatoeba #5987911 by islandisto, translation #5987914 by islandisto
- O médico examinou minha orelha cuidadosamente.The doctor examined my ear carefully.
- Ow! Bati minha orelha na porta.Ow! I hit my ear on the door.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz is helping Lucas put on an earring.
- BeatrizFica parado, Lucas. Vou colocar o brinco na sua orelha.Stay still, Lucas. I'm going to put the earring in your ear.
- LucasTudo bem, mas faça com cuidado.Alright, but do it carefully.
- BeatrizPronto! A sua orelha ficou ótima com esse acessório.Done! Your ear looks great with this accessory.
- LucasObrigado, Beatriz. Eu gostei!Thanks, Beatriz. I like it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ear” translations and entries orelha, ouvido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orelha, ouvido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
