pousada
/po(w)ˈza.dɐ/feminine
The English word 'inn' can be translated into Portuguese using several terms depending on the context, most commonly pousada. Wiktionary also lists albergue and estalagem.
Meaning: lodging (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pousada | /po(w)ˈza.dɐ/ (Brazil) /po(w)ˈza.dɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| albergue | /awˈbɛʁ.ɡi/ (Brazil) /awˈbɛɾ.ɡi/ (São Paulo) |
masculine |
| estalagem | /is.taˈla.ʒẽj̃/ (Brazil) /es.taˈla.ʒẽj̃/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
Which one should you use?
Pousada is the most common modern term for a small hotel or an inn, often implying a cozy, mid-range establishment. Estalagem is a more archaic or literary term for an inn, frequently used in historical fiction or poetry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pousada is commonly used across all regions of Brazil. The term estalagem is more common in Portugal. In Portugal, pensão is the term generally used for an inn or guesthouse.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'at the inn' using the feminine pousada, you use the contraction na (em + a). To say 'at the inn' using the masculine albergue, you use the contraction no (em + o).
How do you pronounce it?
pousada is pronounced /po(w)ˈza.dɐ/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on 2 of 3.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, pousada describes a cozy hotel, but in Portugal, the same word can refer to luxury state-run hotels located in historic castles or palaces.
- The word albergue shares a common ancestor with the English word 'harbor'. Both come from a Proto-West Germanic term meaning 'army shelter' or 'refuge'.
- Because pousada comes from the Latin pausāre, meaning 'to halt', it is etymologically linked to the English word 'pause'.
Examples in context
- Como já era tarde da noite e eu estava muito cansado, fiquei na pousada.Since it was late at night and I was very tired, I stayed at the inn.This sentence shows how to use pousada to say one stayed at the inn.Tatoeba #9082246 by JGEN, translation #9049863 by CK
- Considero a vida uma estalagem onde tenho que me demorar até que chegue a diligência do abismo.I consider life an inn where I have to wait until the stagecoach of the abyss arrives.This sentence uses estalagem in a metaphorical, literary sense.Tatoeba #10493898 by carlosalberto, translation #10493904 by carlosalberto
- Ele cavalgou até Wolf's Hope naquela noite e tomou abrigo na pequena estalagem, para que pudesse estar pronto para o seu encontro de manhã.He rode to Wolf's Hope, that night, and took up his abode in the little inn, in order that he might be ready for his rendezvous in the morning.This sentence uses estalagem to describe a small inn in a narrative context.Tatoeba #10737722 by Cangarejo, translation #7760912 by Hybrid
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are discussing their travel plans.
- JulianaVocê sabe se tem uma pousada por aqui?Do you know if there is an inn around here?
- RodrigoSim, tem uma pousada muito boa perto da praia.Yes, there is a very good inn near the beach.
- JulianaSerá que a pousada é muito cara?I wonder if the inn is very expensive?
- RodrigoNão, o preço da pousada é bem razoável.No, the price of the inn is quite reasonable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inn” translations and entries pousada, albergue, estalagem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries albergue, estalagem, pousada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
