prateleira
/pɾa.t͡ʃiˈle(j).ɾɐ/feminine
The English word shelf is translated into Portuguese as prateleira or estante.
Meaning: structure (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prateleira | /pɾa.t͡ʃiˈle(j).ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /pɾa.teˈle(j).ɾɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| estante | /isˈtɐ̃.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /esˈtɐ̃.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
Both words describe structures used for holding items, but they are used in different contexts. While prateleira refers to a single surface, estante can refer to a larger piece of furniture, such as a bookcase. Specifically, the phrase estante de livros is used to mean bookshelf.
Which one should you use?
The main difference lies in scale: prateleira refers specifically to the individual horizontal surface or plank used for holding items, whereas estante refers to the entire piece of furniture or the unit that contains multiple shelves.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both prateleira and estante are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾa.tʃiˈle(j).ɾɐ/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While estante refers to the unit, calling a bookcase a biblioteca (library) is common in some Portuguese homes to describe the physical piece of furniture itself.
- The word estante is derived from the Latin word stantem, which means 'standing'. It shares a common root with the English verb 'to stand'.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the word estante is often used more broadly to describe various types of 'stands' or 'display racks' beyond just bookshelves.
Examples in context
- Está em qual prateleira?Which shelf is it on?This sentence is useful for asking which prateleira an item is located on.Tatoeba #8437518 by bill, translation #5270371 by mailohilohi
- Pegue um livro da estante.Take a book from the shelf.This sentence is useful for instructing someone to take a book from a estante.Tatoeba #3186584 by piterkeo, translation #2253320 by _undertoad
- Isto é daquela prateleira.This is from that shelf.This sentence is useful for identifying that an item belongs to a specific prateleira.Tatoeba #5361058 by Wagner1994, translation #3733664 by CK
- Por favor, coloque o livro na prateleira.Please, put the book on the shelf.
- Pode deixar o livro lá na prateleira.You can leave the book there on the shelf.
- Uma prateleira brancaA white shelf
- Aquele livro está na prateleira superior.That book is on the top shelf.
- O livro está na prateleira.The book is on the shelf.
- Os livros estão na estante.The books are on the bookshelf.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are organizing their new living room.
- LucasEssa prateleira está muito alta.This shelf is too high.
- MarianaEu posso ajudar a arrumar a prateleira.I can help organize the shelf.
- LucasObrigado, Mariana, você é muito gentil.Thanks, Mariana, you are very kind.
- MarianaNão tem de quê, Lucas.You're welcome, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shelf” translations and entries prateleira, estante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estante, prateleira, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
