Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rótulo | /ˈʁɔ.tu.lu/ (Brazil) /ˈʁɔ.tu.lu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| etiqueta | /e.t͡ʃiˈke.tɐ/ (Brazil) /i.tiˈke.tɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
Both words refer to a small ticket or sign that provides information. You can use the verb etiquetar to describe the physical act of attaching a label or tag to an object, while the verb rotular is often used to mean categorizing or assigning a descriptive label, sometimes in a figurative sense. For the act of categorizing or classifying, you can also use classificar.
Which one should you use?
While both refer to labels, etiqueta is typically used for a physical sticker, tag or a price label attached to an object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, rótulo is the most common translation for label and is used in both formal and informal situations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb etiquetar is used specifically for the physical act of attaching a label or tag to something.
How do you pronounce it?
The word rótulo is pronounced /ˈʁɔ.tu.lu/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The phrase sem etiqueta can be used to describe someone who lacks social manners or is uncouth.
- The word rótulo is a diminutive form of the Latin word 'rota', which means 'wheel'. It literally traces back to the idea of a 'little wheel' or a scroll that unrolls.
Examples in context
- Há uma etiqueta no pote.There's a label on the jar.This sentence is useful for showing the position of an etiqueta on an object.Tatoeba #4825273 by Ricardo14, translation #4824059 by mailohilohi
- Não remova esta etiqueta.Do not remove this label.This sentence is useful for using the command form with etiqueta.Tatoeba #2431066 by alexmarcelo, translation #12877242 by rul
- Ele prendeu uma etiqueta à bolsa.He attached a label to the bag.This sentence is useful for showing the action of attaching an etiqueta to an object.Tatoeba #3461516 by piterkeo, translation #294887 by CK
- Por favor, leia a etiqueta antes de usar o produtoPlease read the label before using the product
- Aquele rótulo da garrafa está muito bonitoThat bottle label looks very nice
- Leia a etiqueta do produtoRead the label of the product
- Remova o rótulo antes de consumirRemove the label before consuming
- Reveja a etiqueta de segurançaReview the safety label
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are looking at a bottle in a shop.
- LucasOnde está o rótulo deste produto?Where is the label of this product?
- CamilaEstá no verso da garrafa, Lucas.It is on the back of the bottle, Lucas.
- LucasNão consigo ler o rótulo direito.I cannot read the label clearly.
- CamilaDeixe-me ver esse rótulo para você.Let me see this label for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “label” translations and entries rótulo, etiqueta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries etiqueta, rótulo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
