colcha
/ˈkow.ʃɐ/feminine
The English word quilt can be translated into Portuguese as colcha, edredom, edredão or frouxel.
Meaning: bed covering (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| colcha | /ˈkow.ʃɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈkol.ʃɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| edredom | /e.dɾeˈdõ/ (Brazil) /ɛ.dɾɨˈdõ/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| edredão | /e.dɾeˈdɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /ɛ.dɾɨˈdɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
masculine, alternative form |
| frouxel | masculine |
The term refers to a bed covering.
Which one should you use?
Use colcha for a lighter bedspread or decorative cover, whereas edredom refers specifically to a thick, heavy duvet or comforter. Use edredom when referring to a thick, padded and warm bed covering, similar to a comforter or duvet.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine noun colcha is colchas. The plural of the masculine noun edredom is edredons.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkow.ʃɐ/. The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In traditional Portuguese rural culture, colchas were often hand-embroidered with motifs that indicated the social status or the region of the bride's family.
- While many people use edredom for any heavy blanket, the word actually traces its ancestry back to Old Norse words for 'down' or 'feathers'.
- The difference between edredom and edredão is a matter of scale, where the suffix -ão is used to denote something much larger or heavier.
Examples in context
- A minha avó tem uma colcha linda na cama.My grandmother has a beautiful quilt on her bed.
- Eu admiro a arte de fazer cobertores de retalhos.I admire the art of making patchwork blankets.
- A colcha é de algodão.The quilt is made of cotton.
- Eu comprei uma colcha nova.I bought a new quilt.
- Esta colcha é muito colorida.This quilt is very colorful.
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are decorating their new bedroom.
- LucasBeatriz, você gostou desta colcha?Beatriz, do you like this quilt?
- BeatrizSim, a colcha é linda!Yes, the quilt is beautiful!
- LucasEla combina com o quarto.It matches the room.
- BeatrizVamos levá-la para o quarto.Let's take it to the bedroom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quilt” translations and entries colcha, edredom, edredão, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colcha, edredom, CC BY-SA 4.0.
