ritmo
/ˈʁit͡ʃ.mu/masculine
The Portuguese word for rhythm is ritmo.
ritmo refers to the tempo or speed of a beat, a song or a repeated event.
Meaning: tempo or speed of a beat, song, or repeated event (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ritmo is the general term, you might use cadência to describe a rhythmic flow, particularly in a formal context such as poetry. In Portugal, the word andamento can be used specifically to refer to the tempo or pace of a rhythm. In Brazil, the informal term balanço is used to describe a rhythm that makes you want to sway or move to the music.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, andamento may be used to refer to the tempo or pace of a rhythm. In Brazil, the informal term balanço is primarily used to describe music that makes you want to move.
How does it change in a sentence?
ritmo is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁitʃ.mu/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the word ritmo is often used in a slang sense to describe someone's social or sexual chemistry with another person.
- The word andamento in Portugal refers to tempo, but it also means 'progress' or 'movement' in a general administrative sense.
- Because ritmo is rooted in the Greek word for 'to flow', it is linguistically linked to the concept of water currents and liquid movement.
Examples in context
- Esta frase tem um ritmo quaternário.This phrase has a quaternary rhythm.This sentence is useful for describing the quaternary rhythm of a phrase using ritmo.Tatoeba #9979269 by carlosalberto, translation #9979272 by carlosalberto
- O samba é um ritmo brasileiro, não é?Samba is a Brazilian rhythm, isn't it?This sentence shows how to identify samba as a Brazilian ritmo.Tatoeba #5401709 by carlosalberto, translation #328891 by fcbond
- Se a frase tem bom ritmo, está certa.If the sentence has a good rhythm, it's alright.This sentence uses ritmo to explain that a sentence is correct if it has a good rhythm.Tatoeba #10001166 by carlosalberto, translation #10001169 by carlosalberto
- O ritmo da música é envolvente.The rhythm of the music is captivating.
- A cadência dos versos é essencial na poesia.The rhythm of the verses is essential in poetry.
- Essa música tem uma batida contagiante!This song has a contagious rhythm!
- O samba tem um balanço único.Samba has a unique rhythm.
- Aqui no Nordeste, a gente dança um forró com muito balanço.Here in the Northeast, we dance a forró with a lot of rhythm.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are talking about a new song they are listening to.
- JulianaEu adoro o ritmo desta música.I love the rhythm of this song.
- LucasSim, o ritmo é bem contagiante.Yes, the rhythm is very catchy.
- JulianaVocê consegue acompanhar o ritmo?Can you keep up with the rhythm?
- LucasSim, Juliana, eu consigo!Yes, Juliana, I can!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rhythm” translations and entries ritmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ritmo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
