ceceio
The English word 'lisp' is translated into Portuguese as ceceio.
ceceio is a noun referring to the habit or the act of lisping. If you wish to describe the action of pronouncing the sibilant letter ‘s’ imperfectly, you use the related verb cecear.
Meaning: The habit or an act of lisping. (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, ceceio is the most frequently used term for 'lisp'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ceceio can be converted into the verb cecear, which means 'to lisp'.
Did you know?
- The word ceceio is closely linked to the word for 'to hiss', creating a linguistic connection between a lisp and the sound of a snake.
- In Portuguese literature, the verb cecear is sometimes used as a subtle code to signal that a character belongs to a lower social class or lacks a formal education.
- In Portuguese, there is a linguistic distinction between ceceio and sigmatismo. While ceceio is the general term for a lisp, sigmatismo specifically refers to the inability to pronounce the 's' sound correctly.
Examples in context
- A criança precisa de acompanhamento para tratar o ceceio.The child needs support to treat the lisp.
- O terapeuta do Joaquim está ajudando-o a superar o seseio.Joaquim's therapist is helping him overcome the lisp.
- O paciente apresenta um ceceio.The patient presents a lisp.
- O seu ceceio é muito leve.Your lisp is very slight.
- O médico notou um pequeno ceceio.The doctor noticed a small lisp.
- Ela não gosta do próprio ceceio.She does not like her own lisp.
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are talking about speech therapy.
- FelipeVocê acha que eu tenho ceceio?Do you think I have a lisp?
- CamilaSim, Felipe, mas é quase imperceptível.Yes, Felipe, but it is almost imperceptible.
- FelipeEu gostaria de resolver isso logo.I would like to resolve this soon.
- CamilaUm fonoaudiólogo pode te ajudar.A speech therapist can help you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ceceio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
