velocidade
/ve.lo.siˈda.d͡ʒi/feminine
The English word 'speed' is translated into Portuguese as velocidade.
velocidade refers to the rate of motion. To describe something moving 'at high speed', the specific phrase em alta velocidade is used. If you wish to express the action of going fast, the related verb is acelerar.
Meaning: rate of motion (noun)
Which one should you use?
While velocidade is the noun for speed, veloz is the adjective used to describe something as being fast or speedy.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
velocidade is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ve.lo.siˈda.dʒi/. The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, you might hear the word pressa used to describe the 'speed' of a person's actions or a sense of urgency. While velocidade is for physics, pressa is for how fast a person is rushing to do something.
- The word velocidade shares its Latin root with the English 'velocity', but in Portuguese, it is the standard everyday term for any speed, whereas 'velocity' in English is often reserved for scientific contexts.
- While velocidade describes the rate of motion, if you want to say someone is 'speeding' in a car, you often use the verb correr. To say 'the car is running at high speed' is o carro está a correr a alta velocidade.
Examples in context
- Velocidade não é tudo.Speed isn't everything.This sentence shows how to use velocidade in the context of a general statement.Tatoeba #4897722 by bill, translation #2249998 by CK
- Não há limite de velocidade.There's no speed limit.This sentence uses velocidade to refer to a speed limit.Tatoeba #4727331 by anthrax26, translation #2300595 by Hybrid
- O ônibus tem baixa velocidade.The bus has a low speed.This sentence uses velocidade to describe the low speed of a vehicle.Tatoeba #11541494 by carlosalberto, translation #11541467 by carlosalberto
- A velocidade da luz é de aproximadamente 299.792.458 metros por segundo.The speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are watching a car race.
- FelipeA velocidade daquele carro é incrível!The speed of that car is incredible!
- MarianaSim, ele alcança uma velocidade muito alta.Yes, it reaches a very high speed.
- FelipeMariana, você viu a velocidade máxima dele?Mariana, did you see his top speed?
- MarianaVi, foi impressionante!I saw, it was impressive!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed” translations and entries velocidade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries velocidade, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
