bainha
/baˈĩ.ɲɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for hem is bainha.
bainha refers to the border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together.
Meaning: border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
bainha is a feminine noun. When you want to say "the hems", use the plural form as bainhas. Because it is feminine, if you want to say "of the hem", the preposition de and the feminine article a contract to form da bainha.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /baˈĩ.ɲɐ/.
When do people say it?
In Brazil, people casually use né or né não at the end of sentences to seek agreement or confirmation, serving a similar purpose to 'hem'.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word bainha is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'vagina'. Both words descend from the Latin 'vāgīna', which means 'sheath' or 'cover'.
- While bainha describes the stitched edge, Portuguese uses the word barra to refer to the overall 'bottom' or 'length' of a garment's hem.
Examples in context
- A bainha da roupa dele ficou presa a um prego.The hem of his clothing got caught on a nail.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use bainha when discussing clothing getting caught.Tatoeba #10742476 by carlosalberto, translation #10519946 by AlanF_US
- Eu estava terminando ontem de costurar a bainha da saia.I was just finishing sewing the hem of the skirt yesterday.This sentence shows how to use bainha in the context of sewing a skirt.Tatoeba #10692006 by beatrixvasc, translation #10692003 by beatrixvasc
- Preciso levar este vestido para fazer a bainha.I need to take this dress to have the hem made.
Example conversation
Rodrigo is showing Camila a new pair of trousers.
- RodrigoVocê acha que a bainha está muito alta?Do you think the hem is too high?
- CamilaSim, Rodrigo, está curta demais.Yes, Rodrigo, it is too short.
- RodrigoEu preciso soltar a bainha então.I need to let out the hem then.
- CamilaEu posso te ajudar com isso.I can help you with that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hem” translations and entries bainha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bainha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
