inestimável
/i.nes.t͡ʃiˈma.vew/
The English word 'priceless' is translated into Portuguese as inestimável.
Inestimável is an adjective used to describe something so precious as not to be sold at any price.
Meaning: so precious as not to be sold at any price (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix in- (not) and estimável (estimable/valuable), literally meaning 'not able to be estimated or valued'.
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse inestimável (priceless/of infinite value) with caríssimo (very expensive/high price), as the former implies a value that cannot be measured, while the latter refers to a high monetary cost.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the adjective plural to match a plural noun, add '-es' to the end: inestimáveis.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable. In IPA, it is pronounced /i.nes.tʃiˈma.vew/.
Did you know?
- To describe something 'priceless' in a sarcastic way, such as a funny face, a Portuguese speaker is more likely to use impagável rather than inestimável.
- While inestimável describes value, Portuguese speakers use the phrase não tem preço to describe something 'priceless' in a more casual or emotional sense.
- The root word estima can mean 'esteem' or 'affection' as well as a financial estimate, giving inestimável a double layer of emotional and monetary value.
Examples in context
- Este é um tesouro inestimável para a humanidade.This is a priceless treasure to mankind.This sentence is useful for describing a treasure that is inestimável to mankind.Tatoeba #1110941 by bufo, translation #1110215 by Scott
- O Tatoeba é uma fonte inestimável para quem quer aprender um novo idioma.Tatoeba is a priceless resource for anyone who wants to learn a new language.This sentence shows how a resource can be described as inestimável for language learners.Tatoeba #12206190 by kleberlucas, translation #12237453 by Miktsoanit
- Um bibliotecário italiano foi condenado pelo roubo da coleção que inclui textos de valor inestimável, como as primeiras edições de manuais científicos de Galileu e Copérnico.An Italian librarian has been convicted in the theft of the collection that includes such priceless texts such as the first editions of scientific manuals by Galileo and Copernicus.This sentence uses inestimável to describe the value of specific scientific texts.Tatoeba #11224201 by Cangarejo, translation #11224200 by Cangarejo
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are looking at old family photos.
- RodrigoOlhe esta foto da minha avó.Look at this photo of my grandmother.
- CamilaEla é linda! Esta lembrança é inestimável.She is beautiful! This memory is priceless.
- RodrigoSim, não tem preço para mim.Yes, it is priceless to me.
- CamilaVocê deve guardar isso com muito cuidado.You should keep this very carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priceless” translations and entries inestimável, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
