colher
/kuˈʎɛ(ʁ)/feminine
The Portuguese word for spoon is colher.
colher refers to a scooped utensil used for eating or serving food. It can also be used to refer to a measuring spoon.
Meaning: scooped utensil for eating (or serving) (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
colher is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈʎɛ(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- The word colher for 'spoon' shares the same Latin root as caracol, meaning 'snail'.
- Portuguese has two different words spelled colher that are pronounced differently. One is the noun for 'spoon' and the other is a verb meaning 'to gather' or 'to pick'.
- The word colher is a linguistic double: it can mean 'spoon' as a noun or 'to gather' as a verb.
Examples in context
- Me dê a colher.Give me the spoon.This sentence demonstrates how to ask for the spoon using colher.Tatoeba #431081 by brauliobezerra, translation #430660 by CM
- Me dê uma colher.Give me a spoon.This sentence shows how to ask for a spoon using colher.Tatoeba #4792875 by Ricardo14, translation #4788268 by NatsuDonkey
- Eu lambi a colher.I licked the spoon.This sentence uses colher to describe licking a spoon.Tatoeba #5860873 by bill, translation #5860691 by CK
- Eu preciso de uma colher para mexer o café.I need a spoon to stir the coffee.
- Ela pediu uma colher para comer a sopa.She asked for a spoon to eat the soup.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Beatriz is setting the table for lunch.
- LucasBeatriz, você viu a minha colher?Beatriz, did you see my spoon?
- BeatrizSim, a colher está perto do prato.Yes, the spoon is near the plate.
- LucasObrigado, eu não a encontrava.Thanks, I couldn't find it.
- BeatrizDe nada, Lucas.You're welcome, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spoon” translations and entries colher, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
