pré-escola
The English word "preschool" is translated into Portuguese as pré-escola.
When describing a child who is currently attending this level of education, you should use the phrase na pré-escola to mean "in preschool".
Meaning: relating to years before primary school (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of the prefix pré- (pre-) and escola (school).
Which one should you use?
While pré-escola is the noun used for the institution itself, the adjective pré-escolar is used to describe things relating to that period, such as educação pré-escolar (preschool education).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cape Verde and Mozambique, the term Escola Maternal is used for preschool.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say a child is "in preschool", use the preposition na (in the) before pré-escola.
Did you know?
- The word escola in pré-escola shares a root with the English word 'scholar', both descending from the Ancient Greek word skholē, which originally meant 'leisure'.
- In Portugal, the period of pré-escola is often integrated into the Jardim de Infância, which literally translates to 'Children's Garden'.
- While pré-escola is the formal term, parents in Brazil often use the slang escolinha to affectionately refer to their child's preschool.
Examples in context
- Meu filho está na pré-escola.My son is in preschool.This sentence is useful for saying a child is attending pré-escola.Tatoeba #2442618 by alexmarcelo, translation #2442505 by MethodGT
- Ensinar línguas estrangeiras na pré-escola não faz muito sentido.Teaching foreign languages at preschool level does not make much sense.This sentence is useful for discussing the concept of foreign language instruction at the pré-escola level.Tatoeba #11068494 by alexmarcelo, translation #9323741 by bandeirante
- O material da pré-escola é muito colorido.The preschool materials are very colorful.
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are talking about their daughter's school.
- FelipeMariana, a nossa filha vai para a pré-escola amanhã?Mariana, is our daughter going to preschool tomorrow?
- MarianaSim, Felipe, ela está muito animada com a pré-escola.Yes, Felipe, she is very excited about preschool.
- FelipeQue bom que ela já está adaptada.It's good that she is already adjusted.
- MarianaEla adora as atividades de lá.She loves the activities there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
