Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escola | /isˈkɔ.lɐ/ (Brazil) /esˈkɔ.lɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| colégio | /koˈlɛ.ʒju/ (Brazil) /kuˈlɛ.ʒju/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
escola is the most common and standard term used in Portuguese for school. In more formal contexts, you may also use instituição to refer to an educational institution.
Which one should you use?
While escola is the general term for any school, colégio is often used specifically to refer to secondary schools or private educational institutions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
colégio is a dated masculine form, though it can still be used to refer to secondary schools or private institutions. In formal contexts, instituição can be used to refer to an educational institution.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of escola is escolas. When expressing that someone is 'going to school' as a student, the contraction à (a + a) is used because escola is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /isˈkɔ.lɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word escola originally had nothing to do with studying. It comes from the Ancient Greek word skholḗ, which actually meant 'leisure' or 'spare time'.
- The word escola is also used to describe a particular style or philosophy in art and music, such as the escola de samba in Rio de Janeiro.
- In Brazil, colégio is frequently used for private K-12 schools, whereas in Portugal, it often refers to high schools or specific traditional institutions.
Examples in context
- Onde é a escola?Where is the school?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the escola.Tatoeba #8211646 by carlosalberto, translation #1054512 by Eldad
- Vá para a escola.Go to school.This sentence is useful for telling someone to go to the escola.Tatoeba #406526 by brauliobezerra, translation #21504 by CK
- Ela vai à escola.She goes to school.This sentence is useful for saying someone goes to the escola.Tatoeba #1303065 by alexmarcelo, translation #313002 by CK
- Eu estudei em uma escola pública.I studied in a public school.
- Ele ensina em uma escola particular.He teaches at a private school.
- Ela está no colégio estudando para o vestibular.She's at school, studying for the college entrance exam.
- Em qual escola você estudou?Which school did you attend?
- As aulas estão prestes a começar.Classes are about to start.
- Estou com muita lição de casa da escola.I have a lot of homework from school.
- Minha matéria preferida na escola é Matemática.My favorite subject at school is Math.
- 1447 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are talking about their childhood.
- FelipeEu gostava muito da minha escola.I liked my school very much.
- JulianaA sua escola era perto de casa?Was your school near your house?
- FelipeSim, a escola ficava na mesma rua.Yes, the school was on the same street.
- JulianaQue sorte a sua, Felipe!You were so lucky, Felipe!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school” translations and entries escola, colégio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colégio, escola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
