Which one should you use?
While doce is the most common term for 'sweet', other words exist depending on the context. açucarado is a more formal term used to describe something with a high sugar content or a sugar-like taste. If you are describing a beverage or a dish that has been sweetened, the formal adjective adoçado is more appropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the term mimoso(a) may be used to express sweetness when referring to someone who is tender and caring.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, doce is invariable in gender, meaning it remains the same whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine. When using doce as a noun meaning 'a sweet' or 'a candy', the plural form is doces. The adverbial form of the word is docemente, which means 'in a sweet manner'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈdo.si/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word doce is a direct descendant of the Latin word dulcem, making it a close linguistic relative of the English word 'dulcet', which is used to describe sweet-sounding music or voices.
- While doce is the general term for 'sweet', Portuguese has distinct words for 'candy' depending on the country, such as bala in Brazil and rebuçado in Portugal.
- Portuguese speakers often use the word doce as a term of endearment, similar to 'honey' or 'sweetie', when addressing a loved one.
Examples in context
- A vida é doce.Life is sweet.This sentence uses doce to describe life.Tatoeba #1220268 by alexmarcelo, translation #270580 by CK
- Você é tão doce!You are so sweet!This sentence uses doce to describe a person.Tatoeba #1070405 by alexmarcelo, translation #973766 by jakov
- O açúcar é doce.Sugar is sweet.This sentence uses doce to describe sugar.Tatoeba #1588899 by alexmarcelo, translation #1588811 by CM
- O bolo estava muito doce.The cake was very sweet.
- Ela é uma pessoa muito doce.She is a very sweet person.
- O suco de laranja estava perfeitamente adoçado.The orange juice was perfectly sweetened.
- Esse cachorrinho é muito fofinho.This little dog is very sweet.
- Ela é uma pessoa muito meiga e carinhosa.She's a very sweet and affectionate person.
- Oi, meu xuxu! Como você está?Hi, sweetie! How are you?
- Ele é um rapaz muito mimoso.He is a very sweet guy.
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are tasting a new dessert at a cafe.
- RodrigoBeatriz, prove este bolo.Beatriz, try this cake.
- BeatrizNossa, é muito doce!Wow, it is very sweet!
- RodrigoVocê não gosta de coisas doces?Do you not like sweet things?
- BeatrizGosto, mas este está exagerado.I do, but this one is excessive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet” translations and entries doce, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
