caneta
/kaˈne.tɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for pen is caneta.
caneta is the standard and most commonly used term for pen in Portuguese.
Meaning: writing tool (noun)
Which one should you use?
esferográfica is a formal term that specifically refers to ballpoint pens in Portuguese. In Brazil, canetinha is widely used to refer to a marker or a felt-tip pen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
caneta is a feminine noun. The plural form of caneta is canetas. Because caneta is a feminine noun, the contraction of the preposition 'de' (of) and the feminine article 'a' (the) becomes da caneta.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /kaˈne.tɐ/.
Did you know?
- In a football or soccer context, a 'caneta' is a specific skill where a player passes the ball between an opponent's legs.
- The word caneta actually comes from the word cana, meaning 'cane' or 'reed', because ancient writing tools were made from hollow reeds.
- In Portuguese, the word for a 'pen' as a writing tool is distinct from the word for a bird's 'feather' or 'quill', which is pena.
Examples in context
- Vejo a tua caneta.I see your pen.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of a caneta.Tatoeba #1912140 by alexmarcelo, translation #1912230 by CM
- Sua caneta é ruim.Your pen sucks.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about the quality of a caneta.Tatoeba #2442953 by alexmarcelo, translation #2443065 by MethodGT
- Isto é uma caneta.This is a pen.This sentence is useful for identifying an object as a caneta.Tatoeba #2615876 by marcospcruz, translation #55842 by CK
- Você poderia me emprestar uma caneta?Could you lend me a pen?
- Eu sempre uso uma esferográfica nas anotações.I always use a ballpoint pen for notes.
- Você tem algum lápis ou caneta que eu possa usar?Do you have a pencil or pen I can borrow?
- Eu sempre marcava com a canetinha colorida.I used to always mark with the colored pen.
- 183 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a desk in a classroom.
- GabrielMariana, você tem uma caneta?Mariana, do you have a pen?
- MarianaSim, eu tenho uma caneta preta.Yes, I have a black pen.
- GabrielPode me emprestar, por favor?Can you lend it to me, please?
- MarianaClaro, Gabriel, aqui está.Sure, Gabriel, here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries caneta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caneta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
