mel
/ˈmɛw/masculine
The Portuguese word for honey is mel.
mel refers to the sweet substance produced by bees.
Meaning: sweet substance produced by bees (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the words lindo (masculine) or linda (feminine) are commonly used as terms of endearment.
How does it change in a sentence?
mel is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɛw/
When do people say it?
While mel refers to the food, Portuguese speakers use different words for the English term of endearment 'honey'. You might use amor informally to mean 'love', or use amado (masculine) or amada (feminine) to express 'dear' or 'beloved'. Other informal options include querido (masculine) or querida (feminine).
Did you know?
- In some Brazilian regional dialects, the word mel is used in the expression mel de coco to refer to a syrup made from coconut palms rather than bees.
- The Portuguese word mel is a direct descendant of the Latin mel, making it a cognate of the English word 'mellifluous', which describes a sound as sweet as honey.
- The Portuguese word for 'honey-colored' is melado, which can also mean 'sticky' or 'cloying' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- As abelhas fazem mel.Bees make honey.This sentence demonstrates that bees make mel.Tatoeba #1338873 by alexmarcelo, translation #32263 by CK
- Não goteja mel do céu.Honey doesn't drip from the sky.This sentence uses mel in a metaphorical context regarding things dripping from the sky.Tatoeba #1154818 by tulio, translation #2756708 by mervert1
- As abelhas nos dão mel.Bees provide us with honey.This sentence shows how bees provide us with mel.Tatoeba #1396284 by alexmarcelo, translation #322669 by CK
- Obrigado, amor. Você sempre cuida tão bem de mim!Thank you, honey. You always take such good care of me!
- Oi, querida! Como está seu dia?Hi, honey! How's your day going?
- Vamos sair para jantar, xuxu?Shall we go out for dinner, honey?
- Oi, linda! Quer ir ao cinema hoje?Hi, beautiful! Do you want to go to the cinema today?
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a breakfast table at home.
- LucasCamila, você quer mel no iogurte?Camila, do you want honey in your yogurt?
- CamilaSim, por favor, Lucas.Yes, please, Lucas.
- LucasEste mel é de uma fazenda nova.This honey is from a new farm.
- CamilaÉ uma delícia!It is delicious!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “honey” translations and entries mel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
