Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| língua | /ˈlĩ.ɡwɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈlĩ.ɡwɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| idioma | /i.d͡ʒiˈõ.mɐ/ (Brazil) /iˈd͡ʒjõ.mɐ/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
Both words refer to a body of words used as a form of communication. However, língua also carries the meaning of the physical organ in the mouth, known as the 'tongue'.
Which one should you use?
Língua is the common term for both a language and the physical tongue. Idioma is a more formal or technical term for a language, frequently used in specific contexts such as 'idioma estrangeiro' (foreign language).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Portuguese-speaking African countries, such as Angola and Mozambique, the word fala is sometimes used informally to express the concept of 'language'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of língua is línguas, and the plural of idioma is idiomas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlĩ.ɡwɐ/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While língua means 'tongue', the expression ter a língua solta describes someone who talks too much or cannot keep a secret.
- The term idioma comes from a Greek word meaning 'peculiarity' or 'something unique'.
- In some contexts, língua can be used as an adjective to describe something that is 'sharp' or 'caustic', such as uma língua afiada.
Examples in context
- É um idioma feio.It's an ugly language.This sentence uses idioma to express a negative opinion about a language.Tatoeba #8076569 by MacGyver, translation #5615957 by mailohilohi
- Sei a sua língua.I know your language.This sentence uses língua to express knowledge of a language.Tatoeba #8883700 by Ricardo14, translation #656787 by janmato
- Que língua é essa?What language is this?This sentence uses língua to ask for identification of a language.Tatoeba #8995600 by lucasmg123, translation #4749473 by CK
- Eu estudo o idioma português.I study the Portuguese language.
- O idioma espanhol é lindo.The Spanish language is beautiful.
- Qual é o seu idioma materno?What is your mother tongue?
- Eu adoro a língua portuguesa.I love the Portuguese language.
- Como você aprendeu essa língua tão bem?How did you learn this language so well?
- Você tem facilidade para aprender línguas?Are you good at picking up languages?
- Você fala algum idioma estrangeiro?Do you speak any foreign language?
- Sim! Além do idioma português, eu também falo inglês e espanhol.Yes! Besides the Portuguese language, I also speak English and Spanish.
- Qual é a sua língua materna?What is your mother tongue?
- 982 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are talking about their hobbies.
- FelipeEu quero aprender uma língua nova.I want to learn a new language.
- MarianaQual língua você quer estudar, Felipe?Which language do you want to study, Felipe?
- FelipeEu acho a língua japonesa fascinante.I think the Japanese language is fascinating.
- MarianaEssa é uma ótima escolha!That is a great choice!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries língua, idioma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idioma, língua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
