Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| encomenda | /ẽ.koˈmẽ.dɐ/ (Brazil) /ĩ.koˈmẽ.dɐ/ (Brazil) |
|
| pacote | /paˈkɔ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /pɐˈkɔ.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
Both terms are used to describe a package wrapped for shipment, but they carry different nuances. Pacote is more commonly used for a physical package or a bundle, while encomenda specifically refers to a parcel that was ordered or commissioned.
Which one should you use?
Pacote refers more generally to a physical package or a bundle. In contrast, encomenda emphasizes the act of ordering something and is the preferred term for a shipment or a parcel that is being delivered from a store.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Brazil, the term remessa is used to refer to a parcel or a shipment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of encomenda is encomendas, and the plural form of pacote is pacotes. The related verb empacotar means to wrap into a package.
How do you pronounce it?
The word encomenda is pronounced /ẽ.koˈmẽ.dɐ/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- If a package is very large and heavy, a Brazilian might colloquially refer to it as a 'trambolho' instead of a 'pacote'.
- The term encomenda is also used in Portuguese to describe a 'commission' for a piece of art or a custom-made item.
- The word pacote is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pack', having traveled from Dutch to French and then into Old Galician-Portuguese.
Examples in context
- O pacote ainda não chegou?Hasn't the parcel arrived yet?This sentence is useful for asking if the pacote has arrived.Tatoeba #8006700 by lucasmg123, translation #372405 by ilayde
- A encomenda pesa mais de uma libra.The parcel weighs more than one pound.This sentence is useful for describing the weight of an encomenda.Tatoeba #1736946 by alexmarcelo, translation #46498 by CK
- Quero enviar um pacote para o Japão.I want to send a parcel to Japan.This sentence is useful for expressing the intent to send a pacote.Tatoeba #3085273 by Ricardo14, translation #281307 by CN
- Por favor, envie a encomenda para o endereço fornecido.Please send the parcel to the provided address.
- Recebi um pacote, mas não sei quem o enviou.I received a parcel, but I don't know who sent it.
- Meu irmão me enviou um pacotinho com doces do Brasil.My brother sent me a small parcel with candies from Brazil.
- Minha remessa chegou hoje, finalmente!My shipment arrived today, finally!
- Você sabe quanto tempo leva para entregar uma encomenda?Do you know how long it takes to deliver a parcel?
- Onde posso retirar o pacote que recebi?Where can I collect the package I received?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is waiting for a package to arrive at his home.
- GabrielVocê sabe se a encomenda chegou?Do you know if the parcel arrived?
- MarianaSim, deixaram a encomenda na recepção.Yes, they left the parcel at the reception.
- GabrielQue bom, vou buscar a encomenda agora.That's good, I will go get the parcel now.
- MarianaTome cuidado com a encomenda, parece pesada.Be careful with the parcel, it looks heavy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parcel” translations and entries encomenda, pacote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries encomenda, pacote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
