sem cebola
/ˈsẽj̃ seˈbo.lɐ/word by word
In Portuguese, "no onions" is expressed as sem cebola.
This phrase is used to request that onions be excluded from a food order.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the phrase Sem cebola, se faz favor is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsẽj̃ seˈbo.lɐ/
Did you know?
- While sem cebola is a simple request, in some traditional Portuguese regions, requesting it for a caldo verde can be seen as a culinary faux pas because the onion is central to the dish.
- The Portuguese word cebola comes from the Latin cēpulla, which is a diminutive form of the word for onion. This literally means a 'little onion'.
- While sem cebola is clear, some regional Brazilian accents may soften the 'l' in cebola to sound more like a 'u', making it sound like cebo-u.
Examples in context
- Por favor, sem cebola na minha salada.Please, no onions in my salad.
- Pode ser, mas sem cebola mesmo.That sounds good, but definitely no onions.
- Eu quero um hambúrguer sem cebola.I want a hamburger without onions.
- Você pode fazer o sanduíche sem cebola?Can you make the sandwich without onions?
- Por favor, uma salada sem cebola.Please, a salad without onions.
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are ordering food at a restaurant.
- RodrigoPara mim, um omelete sem cebola.For me, an omelet without onions.
- BeatrizE para você, Beatriz?And for you, Beatriz?
- BeatrizEu também vou querer sem cebola.I will also want it without onions.
- RodrigoÓtimo, vou pedir para nós dois.Great, I will order for both of us.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sem, cebola) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cebola, sem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
