massa
/ˈma.sɐ/
In Portuguese, the English phrase 'pasta' is translated as massa.
The word massa is used to refer to the food item (pasta) as well as the substance itself (dough).
Meaning: dish or serving (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
While used for pasta, massa also literally means 'dough' or 'mass' in other contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term Macarrão is also used to mean pasta.
How do you pronounce it?
The word massa has two syllables and is pronounced /ˈma.sɐ/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In a professional or office setting, pasta refers to a folder or a briefcase rather than the food.
- In Brazilian slang, the word massa can be used as an adjective to mean 'cool' or 'awesome'.
- In Portuguese, massa is also the term used for the 'paste' used in construction, such as wall putty or plaster.
Examples in context
- A erva usada nesse molho para massa pode ser a salsa.The herb used in that pasta sauce might be parsley.This sentence shows how to talk about an herb used in a sauce for massa.Tatoeba #10673227 by carlosalberto, translation #781129 by AlanF_US
- Por falar nisso: desde ontem que só como massa, não é?Speaking of which, I've been eating nothing but pasta since yesterday, haven't I?This sentence describes a situation where someone has been eating only massa.Tatoeba #8099184 by pysmatic, translation #10221184 by lucasmg123
- O passador ou coador de massa, aquilo a que os italianos chamam "colapasta", é imprescindível em qualquer cozinha italiana ou ítalo-americana.The pasta strainer or colander, what Italians call a colapasta, is a must in every Italian and Italian-American kitchen.This sentence mentions a strainer or colander used for massa.Tatoeba #11294465 by Cangarejo, translation #11294463 by Cangarejo
- Que tal um macarrão com queijo hoje?How about some pasta with cheese today?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- RodrigoVocê quer comer massa hoje?Do you want to eat pasta today?
- CamilaSim, eu adoro massa com molho vermelho.Yes, I love pasta with red sauce.
- RodrigoEu vou cozinhar a massa agora.I am going to cook the pasta now.
- CamilaObrigada, Rodrigo!Thank you, Rodrigo!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry massa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
