pilha
/ˈpi.ʎɐ/feminine
The English phrase 'pile' can be translated into Portuguese as pilha. If unsure, use pilha. Wiktionary also lists monte (desordenado).
Meaning: mass of things heaped together, heap (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pilha | /ˈpi.ʎɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈpi.ʎɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| monte (desordenado) | masculine |
A 'pile' refers to a mass of things heaped together. Note that in many contexts, particularly regarding electronics, pilha is the standard word for a dry cell battery.
Which one should you use?
Use pilha when items are stacked or organized in a somewhat orderly fashion, whereas monte (desordenado) implies a more disordered heap.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you can use amontoado to express a pile, referring to objects that are piled up in a disorderly way.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
pilha is pronounced /ˈpi.ʎɐ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Examples in context
- Isso é só uma pilha de merda!This is just a pile of bullshit!Tatoeba #10699973 by MrJuice, translation #4384964 by Harinezumi
- A pilha de cadáveres embaixo da ponte era uma visão tão macabra.The pile of bodies under the bridge was such a macabre sight.Tatoeba #5455215 by ToinhoAlam, translation #4028919 by Lepotdeterre
- Adicione cal, pequenas quantidades de cinzas de madeira ou cascas de ovo esmagadas à pilha de compostagem.Do add lime, small amounts of wood ashes or crushed eggshells to the compost pile.Tatoeba #11602541 by Cangarejo, translation #11602539 by Cangarejo
- As folhas de papel estavam organizadas em uma pilha perfeita.The sheets of paper were organized in a perfect pile.
- Os brinquedos estavam todos espalhados. Resolvi arrumá-los e fiz um montinho.The toys were all scattered. I decided to tidy them up and made a small pile.
- Não consigo encontrar nada nessa pilha de coisas no meu armário.I can't find anything in that pile of things in my closet.
- Após a mudança, a sala estava cheia de caixas amontoadas.After the move, the living room was full of piled-up boxes.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas are cleaning their shared apartment.
- BeatrizLucas, o que você vai fazer com essa pilha de jornais?Lucas, what are you going to do with this pile of newspapers?
- LucasEu vou levar para a reciclagem, Beatriz.I am going to take them to recycling, Beatriz.
- BeatrizÓtimo, porque ela está ocupando muito espaço.Great, because it is taking up a lot of space.
- LucasPode deixar, eu resolvo isso agora.Don't worry, I'll take care of it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pile” translations and entries pilha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
