pingente
/pĩˈʒẽ.t͡ʃi/masculine
In Portuguese, a pendant is called pingente.
The word refers to a piece of jewellery that is hung from a chain worn around the neck.
Meaning: a piece of jewellery hung from a chain worn around the neck (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pingente is the standard term, pendente is used specifically in Portugal. Additionally, the colloquial term medalhinha is used to describe a small pendant or charm.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the term pendente is commonly used to mean pendant.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine. The plural form of pingente is pingentes.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /pĩˈʒẽ.tʃi/.
Did you know?
- While pingente refers to jewellery, a light fixture hanging from a ceiling is called a lustre or pendente, regardless of whether it is a luxury item.
- The affectionate term medalhinha is a diminutive of medalha, treating small pendants as if they were miniature commemorative medals.
- The word pingente entered the Portuguese language as a loanword from the Spanish word pinjante.
Examples in context
- Os representantes da Sotheby's em Genebra afirmaram que a venda de quarta-feira incluía um anel de diamantes branco pesando 51,85 quilates, um colar de diamantes francês dos anos 60 e brincos com pingentes de diamantes.Officials from Sotheby's in Geneva said Wednesday's sale included a white diamond ring weighing 51.85 carats, a 1960s French diamond necklace and diamond pendant earclips.This sentence shows the use of pingente in the context of describing high-end diamond jewellery.Tatoeba #11732388 by Cangarejo, translation #11732387 by Cangarejo
- A mãe dela lhe deu um pingente lindo de presente.Her mother gave her a beautiful pendant as a gift.
- A Diana adora a medalhinha que ganhou da avó.Diana loves the little pendant she received from her grandmother.
- Este pingente de prata é muito bonito.This silver pendant is very beautiful.
- Ela perdeu o pingente de ouro no mar.She lost the gold pendant in the sea.
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are looking at a jewelry box.
- MarianaLucas, você viu o meu pingente novo?Lucas, have you seen my new pendant?
- LucasAcho que ele está sobre a mesa.I think it is on the table.
- MarianaSim, o pingente está bem aqui!Yes, the pendant is right here!
- LucasQue sorte, Mariana.What luck, Mariana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pendant” translations and entries pingente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pingente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
