leite
/ˈlej.t͡ʃi/masculine
The English word "milk" is translated into Portuguese as leite.
You can use it in various combinations, such as leite de coco for coconut milk or leite condensado for condensed milk.
Meaning: liquid (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, leite is the standard term for milk.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun leite is masculine. Because it is masculine, it is used with the masculine definite article o (e.g., o leite).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlej.tʃi/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use the feminine article a with leite, but you must use the masculine article.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word leite is a linguistic cousin of the Italian latte, which is why many English speakers recognize the 'latte' coffee drink but not the word for milk in Portuguese.
- While leite is masculine in Portuguese and Italian, its closest relative in Spanish, leche, is feminine.
- In Brazil, leite condensado is so culturally iconic that it is often used as a base for desserts like brigadeiro, making it a staple of celebrations rather than just a baking ingredient.
Examples in context
- Bebe o teu leite.Drink up your milk.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to drink leite.Tatoeba #1191776 by alexmarcelo, translation #32206 by CK
- Tome o seu leite!Drink your milk!This sentence shows how to use leite in an imperative command.Tatoeba #5281637 by alexmarcelo, translation #5360664 by CarpeLanam
- O gato bebe leite.The cat drinks milk.This sentence demonstrates how to use leite with a subject and a verb.Tatoeba #958659 by alexmarcelo, translation #44564 by CM
- Eu gostaria de um copo de leite, por favor.I would like a glass of milk, please.
- Você tem leite?Do you have milk?
- Um café com leite, por favor.A coffee with milk, please.
- Eu sempre tomo leitinho com pão pela manhã.I always have milk with bread in the morning.
- Quer um pouco de leitinho?Would you like some milk?
- 382 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- CamilaLucas, ainda temos leite?Lucas, do we still have milk?
- LucasAcho que acabou o leite.I think the milk is finished.
- CamilaVou comprar leite agora.I will buy milk now.
- LucasTraz leite integral, por favor.Bring whole milk, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “milk” translations and entries leite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
