Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | /ˈsɐ̃w̃ ˈpaw.lu/ (Brazil, word by word) | proper noun |
| Sampa | nickname, informal |
Use São Paulo in writing and in all normal speech. Sampa is an affectionate nickname that Brazilians use among themselves, as in Vamos para Sampa (let us go to São Paulo).
What does it mean word for word?
São is the short form of santo and means "Saint", so the name means "Saint Paul". The city was founded in 1554 by Jesuits, and its anniversary is on 25 January.
How does it change in a sentence?
Place prepositions follow the usual pattern: em São Paulo means "in São Paulo", de São Paulo means "from São Paulo" and para São Paulo means "to São Paulo". A person from the city is a paulistano and a person from the state is a paulista.
How do you pronounce it?
In Brazilian Portuguese São is one nasal syllable, with the vowel pronounced through the nose. Paulo sounds like POW-loo, with the final o pronounced u. The stress falls on Pau.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often write Sao Paulo without the tilde, which drops the nasal sound, or say São as two syllables.
Did you know?
- São Paulo was founded on 25 January 1554 by Jesuits, and the city still celebrates its anniversary on 25 January.
Examples in context
- Eu moro em São Paulo.I live in São Paulo.
- São Paulo é a maior cidade do Brasil.São Paulo is the biggest city in Brazil.
- Vamos para Sampa aproveitar o fim de semana!Let us go to São Paulo and enjoy the weekend!
- Ela é paulistana.She is from the city of São Paulo.
Example conversation
Ana and her friend Pedro talk about a weekend trip.
- AnaVocê já conhece São Paulo?Do you already know São Paulo?
- PedroNão, nunca fui.No, I have never been.
- AnaVamos para lá no fim de semana.Let us go there at the weekend.
- PedroBoa ideia! Eu quero ver a cidade.Good idea! I want to see the city.
