fones de ouvido
The English phrase 'headphones' is translated into Portuguese as fones de ouvido.
The term refers to a pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound. In Portugal and other European Portuguese-speaking countries, Auscultadores is the most commonly used term for headphones.
Meaning: pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase fones de ouvido literally translates to 'ear phones'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Portuguese, you can use the singular fone de ouvido to refer to a single unit or a single earphone, whereas English treats the device as plural.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the word fone is often used as a shorthand for fones de ouvido. In some casual contexts, it can even be used to refer to the phone itself, though this is less common now.
- The term auscultadores, common in Portugal, comes from the same root as the medical term 'auscultation', referring to the act of listening to internal body sounds with a stethoscope.
- In some Portuguese-speaking regions, you might hear auriculares instead of fones de ouvido. This term is more common in Spain but appears in certain formal or technical Portuguese contexts.
Examples in context
- Tom tirou os fones de ouvido.Tom took off his headphones.This sentence is useful for showing the action of taking off fones de ouvido.Tatoeba #5100738 by bill, translation #2643513 by CK
- Estes fones de ouvido não funcionam.These headphones don't work.This sentence is useful for describing whether fones de ouvido are working.Tatoeba #4609466 by KimiP, translation #3457084 by AlanF_US
- Nós viemos aqui para comprar fones de ouvido.We came here to buy headphones.This sentence is useful for expressing the intent to purchase fones de ouvido.Tatoeba #4239012 by KimiP, translation #3150536 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are at home in the living room.
- CamilaFelipe, você viu meus fones de ouvido?Felipe, have you seen my headphones?
- FelipeAcho que estão em cima da mesa.I think they are on the table.
- CamilaNão estão aqui, que estranho.They are not here, how strange.
- FelipeDeixe que eu procuro para você, Camila.Let me look for them for you, Camila.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fones de ouvido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
