Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| torta | /ˈtɔʁ.tɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈtɔɾ.tɐ/ (São Paulo) |
Brazil, feminine |
| tarte | /ˈtaʁ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ˈtaɾ.t͡ʃi/ (São Paulo) |
Portugal, feminine |
This noun refers to an open-topped pie or pastry. While the English word 'tart' can also describe a sharp or sour taste, in Portuguese you must use the related adjective azedo to describe such a flavor.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, torta refers to a pie or pastry, though it can also mean a large cake or a savory pie depending on the context. In Portugal, the word used is tarte.
Is it said differently in some regions?
torta is the term used in Brazil, while tarte is used in Portugal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both torta and tarte are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɔʁ.tɐ/. The word has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use torta to mean 'sour' or 'sharp-tasting' because of the similarity to the English word 'tart'. However, you should use azedo for a sour taste.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word torta shares a root with the English word 'torture', as both derive from the Latin verb for twisting.
- In Portuguese, the word torta is also used as an adjective to describe something that is crooked or slanted.
- The Portuguese term tarte is actually a linguistic traveler, borrowed directly from the French language.
Examples in context
- Eu adoro tortas de frutas.I love fruit tarts.
- Você já experimentou essa tortinha de maçã?Have you tried this little apple tart?
- Hoje vou fazer uma quiche de legumes para o jantar.Today I'm going to make a vegetable quiche for dinner.
- Essa torta de limão está deliciosa.This lemon tart is delicious.
- Eu comprei uma torta de frutas.I bought a fruit tart.
- A torta de maçã é a minha favorita.The apple tart is my favorite.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are sharing dessert at a cafe.
- GabrielVocê quer um pedaço da minha torta?Do you want a piece of my tart?
- JulianaSim, por favor, ela parece ótima.Yes, please, it looks great.
- GabrielÉ uma torta de morango bem fresca.It is a very fresh strawberry tart.
- JulianaNossa, obrigada, Gabriel!Wow, thanks, Gabriel!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tart” translations and entries torta, tarte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tarte, torta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
