Which one should you use?
Use senhoras when addressing or referring to more than one woman, and use the singular form senhora when referring to a single lady or madam.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Senhoras is a formal and respectful way to address women, equivalent to 'ladies' in a polite setting. For a more informal approach, especially when addressing a group of younger women, you can use meninas, which is equivalent to 'girls' or 'gals'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In European Portuguese, the colloquial or informal term gajas is used to refer to women. In Brazilian Portuguese, the term moças is used to refer to young ladies or girls, often carrying a slightly old-fashioned touch and used in more traditional contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of senhoras is senhora, used to mean 'lady' or 'madam'.
Did you know?
- When addressing a group of women in a very casual, youthful way in Portugal, you might hear raparigas, but be careful, as this term can carry different or even vulgar connotations in Brazil.
- In Brazil, senhora is often used as a pronoun for 'you' to show respect, rather than just as a title for 'lady'. This replaces the informal você when speaking to elders or superiors.
- The term senhora comes from senhor, which shares a root with the English word 'senior'. It originally denoted a lord or master of a house.
Examples in context
- Bom dia, senhoras e senhores.Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.This sentence is useful for practicing the greeting 'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.' using senhoras.Tatoeba #5405101 by carlosalberto, translation #5404494 by CK
- Boa tarde, senhoras e senhores.Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.This sentence is useful for practicing the greeting 'Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.' using senhoras.Tatoeba #5388749 by bill, translation #5386166 by CK
- Senhoras e senhores, boa noite!Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!This sentence is useful for practicing the greeting 'Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!' using senhoras.Tatoeba #11245412 by carlosalberto, translation #11245411 by carlosalberto
- Senhoras, bem-vindas à conferência de hoje.Ladies, welcome to today's conference.
- Senhoritas, estamos aqui para discutir os desafios da juventude.Ladies, we are here to discuss the challenges of youth.
- Mulheres, vocês são incríveis. Parabéns pelo trabalho realizado.Ladies, you are amazing. Congratulations on the work done.
- Moças, por favor, sejam respeitosas durante a cerimônia.Ladies, please be respectful during the ceremony.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe is greeting a group of women at a formal event.
- FelipeSejam bem-vindas, senhoras.Welcome, ladies.
- CamilaMuito obrigada, Felipe.Thank you very much, Felipe.
- FelipeAs senhoras gostariam de beber algo?Would the ladies like something to drink?
- CamilaSim, por favor.Yes, please.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
