roteiro
/ʁoˈte(j).ɾu/masculine
The English word 'screenplay' is translated into Portuguese as roteiro. Wiktionary also lists argumento.
Meaning: script for a movie or a television show (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| roteiro | /ʁoˈte(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /ʁoˈte(j).ɾu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| argumento | /aʁ.ɡuˈmẽ.tu/ (Brazil) /aɾ.ɡuˈmẽ.tu/ (São Paulo) |
masculine |
The term roteiro refers to a script for a movie or a television show. The activity of writing a screenplay is referred to as escrita de roteiro.
Which one should you use?
While roteiro refers to the full screenplay with dialogue and technical directions, argumento refers to the story outline or the narrative summary without the detailed script format.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term guião is predominantly used in European Portuguese to mean 'screenplay'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of roteiro is roteiros.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʁoˈte(j).ɾu/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word roteiro is also commonly used to describe a travel itinerary or a planned route for a trip.
- While an English speaker uses 'argument' to mean a disagreement, a Portuguese speaker using argumento refers to the narrative structure or plot outline of a script.
- The suffix in roteiro, -eiro, is the same one used to denote professions, such as in pedreiro for 'mason' or carteiro for 'postman'.
Examples in context
- Ela ficou famosa depois de escrever o roteiro para aquele filme.She became famous after having written the screenplay for that movie.This sentence illustrates the use of roteiro in the context of writing a movie script.Tatoeba #1841141 by nowasky, translation #1297600 by jesuisunmonstre
- O roteiro desse filme é excepcional.The screenplay of this movie is exceptional.
- Li o guião do próximo filme do realizador português.I read the screenplay for the upcoming film by the Portuguese director.
- Este filme foi baseado num argumento original.This film was based on an original screenplay.
- Já leste o script deste novo filme?Have you read the screenplay for this new movie?
- O roteiro deste filme é muito emocionante.The screenplay for this movie is very moving.
- Eles ainda estão revisando o roteiro da série.They are still revising the screenplay for the series.
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are discussing a project at a production studio.
- LucasBeatriz, você já terminou o roteiro?Beatriz, have you finished the screenplay yet?
- BeatrizAinda não, Lucas, falta um detalhe.Not yet, Lucas, one detail is missing.
- LucasO roteiro precisa estar pronto amanhã.The screenplay needs to be ready tomorrow.
- BeatrizEu vou me esforçar para entregar.I will make an effort to deliver it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “screenplay” translations and entries roteiro, argumento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
