retrato
/ʁeˈtɾa.tu/masculine
The English word 'portrait' is translated into Portuguese as retrato.
Retrato is a versatile term used to refer to both a painted portrait and a photographic portrait. If you wish to be highly precise when referring specifically to a painted portrait, you can use the formal phrase Pintura de retrato.
Meaning: painting of a person (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Retrato is a masculine noun. To form the plural, change the ending to retratos.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable: /ʁeˈtɾa.tu/.
Did you know?
- The word retrato is used in the common idiom retrato falado, which refers to a composite sketch used by police to identify a suspect.
- The word retrato shares a root with the English word 'retract'. Both come from the Latin retractus, meaning to withdraw or draw back.
- In Portuguese literature, a retrato can refer to a detailed written character description in a novel, not just a visual image.
Examples in context
- Você vê o retrato?Do you see the portrait?This sentence is useful for asking if someone sees the retrato.Tatoeba #1917150 by alexmarcelo, translation #1917174 by Eldad
- Este é um retrato de meu falecido pai.This is a portrait of my late father.This sentence is useful for describing a retrato of a late father.Tatoeba #6171675 by carlosalberto, translation #55402 by papabear
- O retrato parece exatamente igual ao real.The portrait looks exactly like the real thing.This sentence is useful for noting that a retrato looks identical to the real person.Tatoeba #937108 by alexmarcelo, translation #46264 by Archibald
- O museu possui uma galeria dedicada a retratos famosos.The museum has a gallery dedicated to famous portraits.
- Eu adoro aquele retratinho que você pintou de mim!I love that little portrait you painted of me!
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are at an art gallery.
- LucasVeja aquele retrato ali, Juliana.Look at that portrait over there, Juliana.
- JulianaÉ um retrato incrível!It is an incredible portrait!
- LucasO retrato parece muito realista.The portrait looks very realistic.
- JulianaSim, o artista é muito talentoso.Yes, the artist is very talented.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “portrait” translations and entries retrato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries retrato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
