letra
/ˈle.tɾɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for lyrics is letra.
letra is used to refer to the words of a song. While it describes the lyrical content, it is distinct from the melodia, which refers to the melody of the song.
Meaning: the words to a song (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word letra literally means 'letter' (as in a character of the alphabet).
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the lyrics of a single song, you should use the singular form letra. The plural form letras is used only when you are referring to multiple sets of lyrics or the lyrics of several different songs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈle.tɾɐ/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the plural letras to translate the English word 'lyrics' when talking about a single song. In Portuguese, you should typically use the singular letra for one song.
Did you know?
- The word letra can also appear in a bank or a law office. In a financial context, it refers to a 'promissory note' or a 'bill of exchange', which is a legal document representing a debt.
- If you want to praise someone's handwriting in Portuguese, you would actually compliment their letra. Instead of saying they have good 'writing', you are literally saying they have good 'letters'.
- The linguistic journey of letra links it back to the Greek word διφθέρα, which referred to an ancient writing tablet. This connects the concept of a musical song's words to the physical surfaces once used to record language.
Examples in context
- Você sabe a letra?Do you know the lyrics?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows the letra.Tatoeba #8495704 by bill, translation #6631126 by Eccles17
- Eu sei a letra de cor.I know the lyrics by heart.This sentence is useful for saying you know the letra by heart.Tatoeba #10051929 by bill, translation #10051928 by osdedicados
- Nós não sabemos a letra.We don't know the lyrics.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not know the letra.Tatoeba #5146827 by bill, translation #2281801 by CK
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are listening to a new song in a cafe.
- RodrigoBeatriz, você gostou dessa letra?Beatriz, did you like these lyrics?
- BeatrizSim, a letra é muito emocionante.Yes, the lyrics are very moving.
- RodrigoEu quero aprender a música inteira.I want to learn the whole song.
- BeatrizEu também, Rodrigo.Me too, Rodrigo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lyrics” translations and entries letra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries letra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
