sorriso
/soˈʁi.zu/
The English phrase 'smile' is expressed in Portuguese as sorriso.
To describe the action of smiling, you would use the verb sorrir.
Meaning: to have a smile on one's face (verb)
Which one should you use?
While sorriso is the noun for 'a smile', other related words exist for different contexts: riso refers to 'laughter', risada refers to a 'laugh' and sorridente is used to describe someone who is 'smiling'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Portuguese, it is important to distinguish between the noun and the verb: sorriso is the noun (a smile), whereas the verb 'to smile' is sorrir.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /soˈʁi.zu/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, if someone tells you to dar um sorriso, they are often not asking for a real expression of joy, but simply asking you to pose for a photograph.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, people may use the word sorridente to describe not just a person, but also a bright and welcoming place or atmosphere.
- In Brazil, the expression sorriso no rosto is often linked to the cultural concept of 'simpatia', which describes a welcoming and friendly personality rather than just a facial expression.
Examples in context
- Seu sorriso é falso.His smile is fake.The first example shows how to use sorriso to describe a fake smile.Tatoeba #1126356 by alexmarcelo, translation #12530739 by rul
- Tens um belo sorriso.You have a beautiful smile.The second example shows how to use sorriso to compliment someone's smile.Tatoeba #5598716 by bill, translation #2045790 by CK
- Tom forçou um sorriso.Tom forced a smile.The third example shows how to use sorriso when describing a forced smile.Tatoeba #4398546 by ajdavidl, translation #2548611 by CK
- Por favor, sorria para a foto.Please smile for the photo.
- Ele é uma pessoa sempre sorridente.He is always a smiling person.
- Mandei uma mensagem com uma carinha sorridente.I sent a message with a smiling face.
- O filme me arrancou um riso espontâneo.The movie made me burst into spontaneous laughter.
- Sempre que a vejo, meu rosto se enche de riso.Whenever I see her, my face fills with a smile.
- Ela sorriu ao receber o elogio.She smiled upon receiving the compliment.
- Na fotografia, todos estavam sorrindo.In the photograph, everyone was smiling.
- O palhaço sempre traz alegria com seu riso.The clown always brings joy with his laughter.
- Eu adoro o desenho do emoji sorridente.I love the design of the smiling emoji.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are looking at a photo together.
- RodrigoGosto muito do teu sorriso nesta foto.I really like your smile in this photo.
- BeatrizObrigada, Rodrigo! Tu também tens um sorriso lindo.Thank you, Rodrigo! You also have a beautiful smile.
- RodrigoFoi um dia muito feliz para nós.It was a very happy day for us.
- BeatrizSim, o nosso sorriso diz tudo.Yes, our smile says it all.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sorriso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
