alface
/awˈfa.si/feminine
The Portuguese word for lettuce is alface.
The term refers to the leaves of the lettuce plant eaten as a vegetable or as part of a dish, such as a salada (salad). Common ingredients used alongside it include tomate (tomato), cenoura (carrot) and pepino (cucumber).
Meaning: the leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable or dish (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term alface is universally used to refer to lettuce.
How does it change in a sentence?
While some dictionaries categorize alface as a feminine noun, it is frequently treated as masculine in Brazil.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /awˈfa.si/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may be confused by the gender of alface. Even though it is listed as feminine in some dictionaries, it is frequently used as a masculine noun (o alface) in Brazil.
Did you know?
- In some Brazilian slang, the term alface can be used to describe someone who is extremely pale.
- The word alface actually traces its roots back to the Arabic word al-ḵass, reflecting the historical influence of the Moors on the Iberian Peninsula.
Examples in context
- Ela lava o alface.She washes lettuce.This sentence shows the action of washing the lettuce.Tatoeba #11858133 by ajdavidl, translation #5254804 by Airvian
- Eu gosto de alface.I like lettuce.This sentence expresses a personal preference for lettuce.Tatoeba #11858134 by ajdavidl, translation #6922551 by CK
- Devo lavar a alface?Should I wash the lettuce?This sentence is a question about whether the lettuce should be washed.Tatoeba #3932669 by carlosalberto, translation #3932276 by jm
- Eu gostaria de uma salada de alfaceI would like a lettuce salad
- Por favor, poderia me passar a alface?Please, could you pass me the lettuce?
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are preparing a salad in the kitchen.
- MarianaVocê pode cortar a alface?Can you cut the lettuce?
- LucasClaro, eu corto agora.Of course, I'll cut it now.
- MarianaA alface parece muito fresca.The lettuce looks very fresh.
- LucasSim, ela é ótima para a salada.Yes, it is great for the salad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lettuce” translations and entries alface, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alface, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
