Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| travesseiro | /tɾa.veˈse(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /tɾɐ.vɨˈsɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
| almofada | /aw.moˈfa.dɐ/ (Brazil) /aw.muˈfa.dɐ/ (Brazil) |
Portugal, feminine |
The term refers to a soft cushion used to support the head in bed. You might also encounter the specific phrase travesseiro de penas to describe a feather pillow.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the two main terms used: travesseiro specifically refers to a sleeping pillow, whereas almofada refers to a decorative or supportive cushion used on sofas or chairs.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the standard word for a pillow used for sleeping in a bed is travesseiro. In Portugal, almofada is commonly used to refer to a pillow, though it also means cushion. Additionally, in informal Brazilian Portuguese, the word almofadão is used to refer to a larger, soft pillow or cushion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine travesseiro is travesseiros. The plural of the feminine almofada is almofadas.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of travesseiro is /tɾa.veˈse(j).ɾu/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on 3 of 4.
Did you know?
- While both travesseiro and almofada mean pillow, they represent two different linguistic layers of Portuguese: one from Latin and one from Arabic.
- The word travesseiro shares a Latin root with the English word 'transverse', as it originally referred to something laid across the head.
- The word almofada has Arabic roots, originating from the word al-miḵadda which means 'the pillow'.
Examples in context
- Só tem um travesseiro.There's only one pillow.This sentence is useful for stating the quantity of the item using travesseiro.Tatoeba #8564542 by JGEN, translation #8553067 by CK
- Eu não sou um travesseiro.I am not a pillow.This sentence is useful for making a negative statement about oneself using travesseiro.Tatoeba #5006133 by alexmarcelo, translation #4987581 by Muelisto
- Seu travesseiro está sujo.Your pillow is dirty.This sentence is useful for describing the condition of a travesseiro.Tatoeba #11485781 by bill, translation #8392021 by Smoky
- Eu preciso de um travesseiro macio.I need a soft pillow.
- Você pode me emprestar o seu travesseiro?Can you lend me your pillow?
- Onde está a minha almofada?Where is my pillow?
- Essa almofada é muito confortável.This pillow is very comfortable.
- Gosto de dormir com um travesseiro de penas.I like to sleep with a feather pillow.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are preparing the guest room.
- RodrigoCamila, onde está o travesseiro novo?Camila, where is the new pillow?
- CamilaO travesseiro está dentro do armário.The pillow is inside the closet.
- RodrigoAchei! Esse travesseiro é bem macio.I found it! This pillow is very soft.
- CamilaSim, ele é ótimo para dormir.Yes, it is great for sleeping.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pillow” translations and entries travesseiro, almofada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries almofada, travesseiro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
