Which one should you use?
While jantar is the standard word for the main evening meal (dinner), ceia often refers to a light late-night snack or a specific ceremonial meal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Portugal like Trás-os-Montes, ceia de João refers to a late-night supper during Saint John's Eve festivities. In Angola, jantar da meia-noite can be used to express a midnight supper or late dinner.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsej.ɐ/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
The term ceia is most commonly encountered in a religious context, such as referring to the Última Ceia (the Last Supper). Additionally, in Brazil and Portugal, ceia de Natal is the standard term used to describe the large festive meal eaten on Christmas Eve.
Did you know?
- The word ceia descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to cut' or 'to shear', which originally related to how food was partitioned.
- In Brazil and Portugal, the Christmas Eve feast is called ceia de Natal, even though it is usually a massive, multi-course meal rather than a light snack.
Examples in context
- Que horas é a ceia?What time is supper?This sentence is useful for asking about the time of supper.Tatoeba #10635084 by lucasmg123, translation #594684 by CK
- Eu assisti tv depois da ceia.I watched TV after supper.This sentence shows the use of ceia in a daily context.Tatoeba #8351281 by lucasmg123, translation #6354450 by CK
- Última CeiaLast SupperThis sentence refers to the religious 'Last Supper'.
- Seja bem-vindo ao jantar.Welcome to supper.
- Vamos desfrutar de uma refeição noturna deliciosa.Let's enjoy a delicious nighttime meal.
- A ceia será servida às 21 horas.Supper will be served at 9 PM.
- Vamos comer algo na janta?Shall we eat something for supper?
- Já cheguei a casa, vamos comer o jantar da meia-noite.I have arrived home, let's eat the midnight supper.
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are discussing their late-night meal plans.
- LucasVocê quer comer a ceia agora?Do you want to eat supper now?
- MarianaAinda não, Lucas. Estou sem fome.Not yet, Lucas. I am not hungry.
- LucasTudo bem, vamos preparar a ceia mais tarde.All right, let's prepare supper later.
- MarianaCombinado, Mariana concorda com isso.Agreed, Mariana agrees with that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ceia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ceia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
