Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| elite | /eˈli.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ɛˈli.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| escol | /isˈkɔw/ (Brazil) /esˈkɔw/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
The term is used to refer to a group with higher status. To describe someone or something as being of an elite level, you use the phrase de elite. For example, you might speak of an esporte de elite (an elite sport).
Which one should you use?
elite is the noun used to name the group itself, whereas de elite is the adjectival phrase used to describe a quality or status of something else.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun elite is feminine, meaning it is used with feminine articles such as a or uma.
How do you pronounce it?
/eˈli.tʃi/
When do people say it?
Portuguese speakers have several ways to refer to the elite or the top echelons of a group. You may hear the French expression Crème de la crème to mean the cream of the crop, or the Portuguese phrase O melhor dos melhores for the best of the best. Additionally, the phrase Gente poderosa, which literally means powerful people, is often used to refer to the elite or influential individuals.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the term elite is frequently used in a socio-economic sense to describe the 'top 1%' rather than just skill or merit.
- While elite refers to a high-status group, the word escol is a specialized back-formation from the verb escolher, which means 'to choose'.
- The word elite can be used in Portuguese to describe specific military units, such as tropas de elite, which carries a connotation of extreme discipline.
Examples in context
- Nosso futuro depende da boa vontade de uma pequena elite.Our future depends on the goodwill of a small elite.This sentence shows how the word elite can be used to describe a small group of people.Tatoeba #6061495 by bill, translation #6062111 by sergiomelo
- Embora ele já não seja presidente, ele continua a ter uma influência considerável entre a elite política.Though he is no longer president, he still holds considerable sway among the political elite.This sentence demonstrates the use of elite when discussing political influence.Tatoeba #10667202 by Luciferous, translation #587885 by darinmex
- A ginástica de elite é pouco comum nesta parte do mundo e a sua popularidade é ofuscada por desportos como o futebol, o râguebi e o críquete.Elite gymnastics is uncommon in this part of the world, and is dwarfed in popularity by sports like soccer, rugby and cricket.This sentence illustrates the use of elite in the context of sports.Tatoeba #12080434 by Cangarejo, translation #12080431 by Cangarejo
- A elite brasileira é reconhecida internacionalmente.The Brazilian elite is internationally recognized.
- A elite intelectual tem um papel importante na sociedade.The intellectual elite plays an important role in society.
- A elite financeira se reúne anualmente para discutir novas tendências.The financial elite gathers annually to discuss new trends.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are discussing the guests at a fancy gala.
- LucasEste evento é frequentado apenas pela elite.This event is attended only by the elite.
- CamilaSim, Camila percebeu que todos são muito ricos.Yes, Camila noticed that everyone is very rich.
- LucasVocê acha que a elite é sempre assim?Do you think the elite is always like this?
- CamilaNão, mas este grupo é bem exclusivo.No, but this group is quite exclusive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elite” translations and entries elite, escol, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
