tela
/ˈtɛ.lɐ/
The Portuguese word tela means screen.
tela is used to refer to a computer screen, a television screen or a smartphone screen.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tela is /ˈtɛ.lɐ/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word tela is used in Portuguese to describe a physical sieve or mesh screen used in construction or cooking, not just electronic displays.
- The word tela shares an ancient root with the English word 'textile', as both relate to the concept of weaving.
- While tela is used for digital screens, it is also the standard word for a 'canvas' used by painters.
Examples in context
- Na exposição de arte, havia belas telas dos artistas locais.At the art exhibition, there were beautiful canvases by local artists.
- Eu comprei uma tela grande e colorida para decorar minha sala.I bought a large and colorful canvas to decorate my living room.
- Vamos assistir a um filme na tela da TV.Let's watch a movie on the TV screen.
- Estou com os olhos cansados de ficar olhando para a tela do computador o dia todo.I'm tired from staring at the computer screen all day.
- A tela do computador está quebrada.The computer screen is broken.
- Eu limpei a tela do celular.I cleaned the phone screen.
- A tela da televisão é muito grande.The television screen is very large.
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are looking at a tablet.
- CamilaLucas, a tela deste tablet é ótima!Lucas, the screen of this tablet is great!
- LucasSim, as cores são bem vivas.Yes, the colors are very vivid.
- CamilaMas a tela parece ser bem frágil.But the screen seems to be very fragile.
- LucasÉ melhor usarmos uma capa protetora.It is better to use a protective cover.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
