Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| melhoras | /meˈʎɔ.ɾɐs/ (Brazil) | |
| as melhoras | /as meˈʎɔ.ɾɐs/ (Brazil, word by word) | feminine, plural |
The single word melhoras is the most common way to say "get well soon" in Portuguese. It is used to express hope that someone recovers soon.
What does it mean word for word?
The word melhoras is the plural form of melhora, which literally means "improvements".
Which one should you use?
While melhoras is the standard standalone exclamation, the form as melhoras is the grammatically feminine plural form of the noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a casual or informal setting, you can use Melhore logo. (get well soon) or Espero que você melhore logo. (I hope you get better soon). To be more formal, you can say Recupere-se logo. (Get well soon) or use the more elaborate Desejo-lhe uma rápida recuperação. (I wish you a speedy recovery). Using a full sentence like Desejo-lhe melhoras. is also a more formal way to express the sentiment than the single-word exclamation melhoras.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase as melhoras is the grammatically feminine plural form of the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of melhoras is /meˈʎɔ.ɾɐs/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In deeply religious contexts, melhoras is frequently paired with se Deus quiser, meaning 'if God wills it', regardless of whether the speaker is strictly observant.
- While melhoras is used for illness, Portuguese speakers often use the phrase estou melhor to describe not just physical health but also a mood shift from sadness to happiness.
- The root of melhoras shares a common ancestor with the Latin 'melior', meaning 'better'.
Examples in context
- Melhoras. Cuide-se.Get well soon. Take care.This sentence shows how to use melhoras as a standalone well-wish.Tatoeba #13890490 by carlosalberto, translation #13890489 by carlosalberto
Example conversation
Felipe calls Beatriz to see how she is feeling after a flu.
- FelipeOi Beatriz, você está se sentindo melhor?Hi Beatriz, are you feeling better?
- BeatrizAinda estou um pouco fraca, Felipe.I am still a bit weak, Felipe.
- FelipeEntendo, então desejo melhoras para você.I understand, so I wish you a speedy recovery.
- BeatrizMuito obrigada pelo carinho.Thank you very much for your kindness.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get well soon” translations and entries melhoras, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (as, melhoras) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
