Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asilo | /aˈzi.lu/ (Brazil) /ɐˈzi.lu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| casa de repouso | /ˈka.zɐ d͡ʒi ʁeˈpo(w).zu/ (Brazil, word by word) | feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase casa de repouso literally means "house of rest".
Which one should you use?
The term asilo can carry a negative or outdated connotation of a place for the destitute or abandoned, whereas casa de repouso is more neutral or euphemistic. 'Casa de repouso' is a more polite and modern way to refer to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas, the term Abrigo de idosos is used, which translates to "elderly shelter".
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun asilo becomes plural by adding -s to form asilos. The feminine phrase casa de repouso forms its plural by pluralizing the head noun casa to become casas de repouso.
How do you pronounce it?
The word asilo is pronounced /aˈzi.lu/ and has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word asilo shares the same root as the English word 'asylum'. While 'asylum' now often refers to psychiatric hospitals or political protection, the Portuguese asilo was originally used for any sanctuary of safety.
- While asilo refers to a home for the elderly, the term abrigo in abrigo de idosos is the same word used for a homeless shelter or a physical shelter from rain.
Examples in context
- Sua mãe não está num asilo, né?Your mother is in a nursing home, isn't she?This sentence uses asilo.Tatoeba #13816295 by tatiara6, translation #3417128 by CK
- Seja bom para seus flhos. Um dia eles vão escolher o seu asilo.Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home, after all.Tatoeba #1825492 by gleydin, translation #139278 by wonkk
- Enquanto ele sentava ao lado de sua mãe moribunda na casa de repouso, Tom arrependeu-se de não ter sido um melhor filho para ela.As he sat next to his dying mother in the nursing home, Tom regretted not having been a better son to her.This sentence uses casa de repouso.Tatoeba #10133699 by pedromarques, translation #3459879 by patgfisher
- Estou procurando um lar de idososI'm looking for a nursing home
- Ela trabalha em uma instituição geriátricaShe works in a geriatric institution
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are talking about a relative's care.
- RodrigoO asilo é muito caro, não é?The nursing home is very expensive, isn't it?
- CamilaSim, mas o asilo oferece cuidados excelentes.Yes, but the nursing home offers excellent care.
- RodrigoSerá que a sua tia gosta do asilo?Does your aunt like the nursing home?
- CamilaEla se adaptou muito bem ao asilo.She adapted very well to the nursing home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nursing home” translations and entries asilo, casa de repouso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (casa, de, repouso) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asilo, casa, de, repouso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
