Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| adorável | /a.doˈɾa.vew/ (Brazil) /ɐ.duˈɾa.vɛl/ (Portugal) |
| amável | /aˈma.vew/ (Brazil) /ɐˈma.vɛl/ (Portugal) |
| querido | /keˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) /kiˈɾi.du/ (Brazil) |
Adorável is used to describe something that is beautiful, charming or very pleasing in its form, looks, tone or manner.
Which one should you use?
While adorável focuses on being delightful or charming to experience, amável focuses more on a person's kind and pleasant disposition. Additionally, querido is used more as an affectionate term for a person (like 'dear') rather than a general adjective for a situation or object being 'lovely'. The word encantador can be used as a synonym for 'lovely' when describing something that is particularly charming or enchanting.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make adorável plural, add an 's' to get adoráveis.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /a.doˈɾa.vew/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word adorável can carry a much heavier emotional weight than the English 'lovely'. In certain contexts, it suggests a person is so charming they are almost worthy of worship.
- The word querido stems from the verb querer, meaning 'to want'. While in English 'lovely' or 'dear' suggests affection, the Portuguese root literally describes someone who is 'wanted' or 'desired'.
- The adjective amável is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'amiable', as both are derived from Latin roots describing someone worthy of being loved.
Examples in context
- A Grécia é um país adorável.Greece is a lovely country.This sentence shows how to use adorável to describe a country.Tatoeba #6672358 by Ricardo14, translation #5961615 by mailohilohi
- Leanne é uma menina adorável.Leanne is a lovely girl.This sentence uses adorável to describe a person.Tatoeba #5431845 by amico1, translation #3457391 by CN
- Isso seria adorável, não era?That would be lovely, wouldn't it?This sentence demonstrates using adorável to describe a hypothetical situation.Tatoeba #8428982 by JGEN, translation #2891961 by CK
- As suas palavras foram verdadeiramente encantadoras, muito obrigado(a).Your words were truly lovely, thank you very much.
- Que cena maravilhosa!What a lovely scene!
- O teu novo corte de cabelo está lindo!Your new haircut looks lovely!
- Aquele vestido é tão bonito!That dress is so lovely!
- Este lugar é realmente encantador!This place is truly lovely!
- A tua voz é maravilhosa e encantadora!Your voice is marvelous and lovely!
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are looking at a photo of a puppy.
- MarianaOlha este cachorrinho, ele é adorável!Look at this puppy, he is lovely!
- RodrigoÉ verdade, que coisa mais fofa.It's true, what a cute thing.
- MarianaAcho que seria um presente adorável.I think it would be a lovely gift.
- RodrigoCom certeza, a Mariana ia amar.For sure, Mariana would love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lovely” translations and entries adorável, amável, querido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adorável, amável, querido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
