Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cúpula | /ˈku.pu.lɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈku.pu.lɐ/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, feminine |
| cimeira | /siˈme(j).ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /siˈmɐj.ɾɐ/ (Portugal) |
Portugal, feminine |
Both cúpula and cimeira refer to an assembly or gathering of leaders from different countries to discuss issues of international significance. In formal contexts, you may also see the phrase Reunião de Cúpula used to mean a summit meeting or the expression Encontro de Chefes de Estado to mean a meeting of heads of state.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cúpula literally means 'dome', which is used metaphorically to refer to the 'top' or 'peak' of a gathering.
Which one should you use?
While both words describe a summit, cimeira is the standard term in European Portuguese, whereas cúpula is the standard term in Brazilian Portuguese for political summits.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the word for an international summit is cimeira. In Brazil, the word for an international summit is cúpula.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both cimeira and cúpula are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈku.pu.lɐ/
Did you know?
- Unlike English where 'summit' always implies a peak, cúpula in Portuguese can refer to a physical burial vault in historical contexts.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, cúpula is also used as a slang term for the highest level of management or the 'inner circle' of power within an organization.
- While cimeira refers to a political summit in Portugal, it can also describe the very top part of a tree or a hedge.
Examples in context
- Ela foi apelidada de cimeira do desânimo.It has been dubbed the summit of gloom.This sentence shows how cimeira can be used metaphorically to describe a low point.Tatoeba #10820418 by Cangarejo, translation #10820417 by Cangarejo
- Foi convocada para esta noite uma cimeira extraordinária de ministros das finanças.An extraordinary summit of finance ministers has been convened for this evening.This sentence demonstrates a formal use of cimeira regarding a meeting of finance ministers.Tatoeba #10645113 by Luciferous, translation #10629890 by sundown
- A cimeira do G20 terá início num dos locais mais bonitos de Pitsburgo um enorme jardim público encerrado em vidro que é uma fonte de orgulho cívico.The G20 will open its summit in one of the most beautiful spots in Pittsburgh a huge glass-enclosed public garden that is a source of civic pride.This sentence illustrates the use of cimeira in a news-style context regarding the G20.Tatoeba #12279653 by Cangarejo, translation #12279652 by Cangarejo
- Os líderes mundiais se reunirão na cúpula do G20.The world leaders will meet at the G20 summit.
- O presidente participará da reunião de cúpula da OTAN.The president will attend the NATO summit meeting.
- O encontro de líderes discutiu estratégias de cooperação.The leaders' meeting discussed cooperation strategies.
- Eles escalaram o pico mais alto da cordilheira.They climbed the highest peak of the mountain range.
- A jornada até o topo é longa, mas a vista no pico vale a pena.The journey to the top is long, but the view at the summit is worth it.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are discussing international news in a coffee shop.
- FelipeVocê viu a notícia sobre a cúpula?Did you see the news about the summit?
- JulianaVi, ela parece muito importante.I saw, it looks very important.
- FelipeSim, os líderes vão discutir a economia.Yes, the leaders are going to discuss the economy.
- JulianaEspero que a cúpula seja produtiva.I hope the summit is productive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “summit” translations and entries cúpula, cimeira, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cimeira, cúpula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
