lâmpada
/ˈlɐ̃.pa.dɐ/feminine
The English phrase light bulb is translated into Portuguese as lâmpada. Wiktionary also lists foco and bulbo.
Meaning: evacuated glass bulb containing a metal filament that produces light (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lâmpada | /ˈlɐ̃.pa.dɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈlɐ̃.pɐ.dɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| foco | /ˈfɔ.ku/ (Brazil) /ˈfɔ.ku/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| bulbo | /ˈbuw.bu/ (Brazil) /ˈbul.bu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The term refers to an evacuated glass bulb containing a metal filament that produces light.
Which one should you use?
lâmpada is the most common and standard term for a light bulb used in a lamp or fixture. foco can refer to a light bulb in a specific context, such as a spotlight or a bulb within a lamp fixture, but it can also mean 'focus'. bulbo refers specifically to the glass bulb part itself rather than the entire lighting unit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of lâmpada is lâmpadas. The plural of foco is focos. The plural of bulbo is bulbos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlɐ̃.pa.dɐ/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word bulbo comes from the Latin 'bulbus', which originally referred to an onion.
- The word bulbo is used in Portuguese to describe not just light bulbs, but also the parts of plants like onions or tulips.
- In some Brazilian contexts, the word lâmpada is used metaphorically to describe a 'bright idea' or a sudden moment of intelligence.
Examples in context
- Tom trocou a lâmpada.Tom changed the light bulb.This sentence is useful for describing the action of changing a lâmpada.Tatoeba #5539974 by bill, translation #5539975 by CM
- O bulbo da lâmpada estourou.The light bulb burst.This sentence is useful for describing how the lâmpada burst.Tatoeba #8834529 by RochaAr, translation #680452 by Source_VOA
- Edison inventou a lâmpada elétrica.Edison invented the light bulb.This sentence is useful for mentioning that Edison invented the lâmpada elétrica.Tatoeba #1136349 by alexmarcelo, translation #65331 by CK
- Eu preciso trocar a lâmpada da sala.I need to change the light bulb in the living room.
- Por favor, verifique se todas as lâmpadas estão funcionando corretamente.Please check if all the light bulbs are working properly.
- A lâmpadinha do meu quarto queimou, você pode me ajudar?The light bulb in my bedroom burned out, can you help me?
- Ei, esse lugar está muito escuro! Vamos trocar a lâmpadinha?Hey, this place is really dark! Shall we change the light bulb?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are in the living room.
- LucasMariana, a lâmpada da sala queimou.Mariana, the living room light bulb burned out.
- MarianaNós temos outra lâmpada na gaveta?Do we have another light bulb in the drawer?
- LucasAcho que não temos nenhuma lâmpada reserva.I don't think we have any spare light bulbs.
- MarianaEntão eu vou comprar uma lâmpada nova.Then I will buy a new light bulb.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light bulb” translations and entries lâmpada, foco, bulbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bulbo, foco, lâmpada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
