professor
/pɾo.feˈsoʁ/masculine
The Portuguese word for teacher is professor.
The term refers to a person who teaches. In many Portuguese-speaking contexts, professor implies a higher level of education than the English word teacher, which can range from primary school to university.
Meaning: person who teaches (noun)
Which one should you use?
While professor is the masculine form, you may use other forms depending on the gender of the person or the group.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The abbreviation prof is more typical in Brazil than in Portugal.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single female teacher, use professora. For the plural, use professores to refer to a group of male teachers or a mixed group of both genders and use professoras when referring specifically to a group of female teachers.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /pɾo.feˈsoʁ/.
Did you know?
- In a Portuguese classroom, students often address their teacher simply as professor or professora instead of using their name, which is a common way to show respect.
- The word professor is a direct descendant of the Latin word professus, which means 'to declare publicly' or 'to claim'.
- In some Portuguese-speaking contexts, if you use the term mestre instead of professor, you are implying the person is a 'master' of a specific craft or trade rather than an academic.
Examples in context
- Tom é o professor.Tom is the teacher.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific male teacher using professor.Tatoeba #11675130 by ajdavidl, translation #4502556 by CK
- Eu sou o professor.I'm the teacher.This sentence is useful for identifying yourself as the male teacher using professor.Tatoeba #5109449 by bill, translation #3154625 by CK
- Você é o professor.You're the teacher.This sentence is useful for identifying someone else as the male teacher using professor.Tatoeba #9948080 by Ricardo14, translation #2218439 by CK
- A professora Laura é muito dedicada.Teacher Laura is very dedicated.
- O professor Carlos ensina matemática.Teacher Carlos teaches mathematics.
- O mestre Paulo é um especialista em literatura.Master Paulo is an expert in literature.
- Ei, professor, você poderia me ajudar?Hey, teacher, could you help me?
- Ontem encontrei com a professora Ana no mercado.Yesterday, I bumped into teacher Ana at the market.
- 1023 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz are talking about their school schedule.
- GabrielO novo professor é muito bom.The new teacher is very good.
- BeatrizSim, ele explica tudo bem.Yes, he explains everything well.
- GabrielBeatriz, você tem a aula dele?Beatriz, do you have his class?
- BeatrizTenho sim, depois do almoço.Yes, after lunch.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teacher” translations and entries professor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries professor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
