pérola
/ˈpɛ.ɾo.lɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for pearl is pérola.
The word refers to the rounded, shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks. You can use it to describe natural gems or imitation ones by using the phrase pérola de imitação.
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
pérola is a feminine noun, so it is used with feminine articles such as a or uma. The plural form of the word is pérolas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɛ.ɾo.lɐ/. The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In certain Brazilian Portuguese slang contexts, calling something a pérola can be a sarcastic way to describe something incredibly silly or ridiculous that someone has said.
- The word pérola shares its direct ancestry with the Italian word perla, following a common pattern where many high-value luxury goods entered Portuguese via Italian trade routes.
- The term pérola can be used in a poetic sense to describe a drop of dew or a tear on a face.
Examples in context
- Isto é um colar de pérolas.This is a pearl necklace.This sentence is useful for identifying a necklace made of pearls using pérola.Tatoeba #7140519 by iart61, translation #8169654 by lucasmg123
- É apenas uma pérola de imitação.It is merely an imitation pearl.This sentence shows how to specify an imitation pearl using pérola.Tatoeba #5388743 by carlosalberto, translation #42528 by CS
- Nunca vi uma pérola de tamanha dimensão!I've never seen a pearl of such magnitude!This sentence describes a pearl of impressive size using pérola.Tatoeba #924701 by alexmarcelo, translation #54732 by CM
- Eu vi uma linda pérola na joalheria.I saw a beautiful pearl at the jewelry store.
- O colar dela é feito de pérolas naturais.Her necklace is made of natural pearls.
- As pérolas são valiosas e raras.Pearls are valuable and rare.
- Eu achei um brinco com uma pérola falsa.I found an earring with a fake pearl.
- Olha só esse anel de plástico com uma pérola de mentirinha.Look at this plastic ring with an imitation pearl.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- MarianaOlha que bela pérola, Felipe!Look what a beautiful pearl, Felipe!
- FelipeSim, ela combina com você, Mariana.Yes, it suits you, Mariana.
- MarianaAcho que vou comprar esta pérola.I think I will buy this pearl.
- FelipeFicará ótima no seu colar.It will look great on your necklace.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries pérola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pérola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
