Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| soletração | /so.le.tɾaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Brazil) /su.lɨ.tɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| ortografia | /oʁ.to.ɡɾaˈfi.ɐ/ (Brazil) /oɾ.to.ɡɾaˈfi.ɐ/ (São Paulo) /oʁ.to.ɡɾaˈfi.ɐ/ (Rio de Janeiro) /oɻ.to.ɡɾaˈfi.ɐ/ (Caipira) /ɔɾ.tu.ɡɾɐˈfi.ɐ/ (Portugal) /ɔɾ.tu.ɡɾɐˈfi.ɐ/ (Portugal, Southern) |
The term used depends on whether you are talking about the system of written rules or the physical act of saying letters. Ortografia refers to orthography, the system of written rules and the correctness of how words are written. In contrast, soletração refers to the practice of reciting or naming the letters of a word one by one.
Which one should you use?
Use ortografia when referring to the system of written rules or the correctness of written words. Use soletração when referring specifically to the act of reciting the letters of a word one by one, such as in a spelling bee.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun soletração is feminine and requires feminine articles and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
/oʁ.to.ɡɾaˈfi.ɐ/ (5 syllables, stress on the 4th syllable)
Did you know?
- Portuguese speakers may use the verb soletrar (to spell) when they are not just reciting letters, but when they are speaking very slowly and deliberately to emphasize a point.
- The suffix -grafia is a common way to name different types of writing or recording, such as fotografia for 'writing with light'.
- The term ortografia comes from the Ancient Greek words orthós, meaning 'correct', and gráphō, meaning 'write'.
Examples in context
- Estamos corrigindo erros de ortografia.We are correcting spelling mistakes.This sentence shows how to use ortografia when talking about correcting spelling mistakes.Tatoeba #1700945 by alexmarcelo, translation #1700600 by Amastan
- Ela cometeu muitos erros de ortografia.She made a lot of spelling mistakes.This sentence demonstrates the use of ortografia regarding spelling mistakes made by a person.Tatoeba #2602816 by carlosalberto, translation #311532 by CK
- A ortografia inglesa aborrece muita gente.English spelling bothers many people.This sentence uses ortografia to discuss the subject of English spelling rules.Tatoeba #1466464 by alexmarcelo, translation #1464257 by nonong
- Certifique-se de verificar a ortografia das palavras antes de enviar o documento.Make sure to check the spelling of the words before submitting the document.
- A grafia dessas palavras é crucial em um documento oficial.The spelling of these words is crucial in an official document.
- A escrita dessas palavras está errada. Você deve prestar mais atenção.The spelling of these words is wrong. You should pay more attention.
- Desculpe, como se escreve "exceção"?Sorry, how do you write "exceção"?
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are reviewing a written report together.
- BeatrizFelipe, você pode revisar a ortografia deste texto?Felipe, can you check the spelling of this text?
- FelipeSim, eu olho agora para você, Beatriz.Yes, I will look at it for you now, Beatriz.
- BeatrizObrigada, pois eu sempre erro a ortografia.Thank you, because I always get the spelling wrong.
- FelipeNão se preocupe, eu corrijo tudo.Don't worry, I'll correct everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spelling” translations and entries soletração, ortografia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ortografia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
