Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aldeia | /awˈdej.ɐ/ (Brazil) /alˈdɐj.ɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| vila | /ˈvi.lɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈvi.lɐ/ (Portugal) |
feminine |
| povoado | /po.voˈa.du/ (Brazil) /puˈvwa.du/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
All three terms refer to a rural habitation with a size between a hamlet and a town, though they carry different nuances regarding the nature and status of the settlement.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on the context of the settlement. aldeia often carries a connotation of a small, traditional or historical settlement, such as a medieval hamlet or an indigenous village. vila is used for settlements with a more established or administrative character, often functioning as a small town. povoado is a more generic, descriptive term for a small cluster of houses or a tiny settlement that may lack official status.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the word cidadezinha can be used to refer to a small town or village.
How does it change in a sentence?
aldeia and vila are feminine nouns. Their plurals are aldeias and vilas respectively. povoado is a masculine noun, and its plural is povoados.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aldeia is /awˈdej.ɐ/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word aldeia comes from the Arabic word aḍ-ḍayʕa, which means 'village'.
- The term vila can also describe a specific type of residential architecture in Brazil consisting of a group of houses facing a shared common courtyard.
- In Portugal, a vila is not just a size of settlement but can be a specific legal administrative status granted to a town.
Examples in context
- A vila é muito perto.The village is really close.This sentence shows the proximity of the vila.Tatoeba #10712168 by carlosalberto, translation #10712152 by carlosalberto
- É uma aldeia saxônica.It's a Saxon village.This sentence describes the type of aldeia.Tatoeba #11065408 by Advanced, translation #10532366 by maaster
- A casa fica na aldeia.The house is in the village.This sentence indicates the location of a house within the aldeia.Tatoeba #11361086 by carlosalberto, translation #3742897 by sundown
- Há uma linda aldeia no norte do país.There is a beautiful village in the north of the country.
- Gostaria de visitar aquela pitoresca aldeia no litoral.I would like to visit that picturesque village on the coast.
- Naquela aldeia remota, as tradições se mantêm vivas.In that remote village, traditions are kept alive.
- Vamos passar as férias em um tranquilo vilarejo no campo.We will spend our vacation in a peaceful village in the countryside.
- Ele nasceu e cresceu nesse pequeno vilarejo.He was born and raised in this small village.
- Os moradores dessa cidadezinha são extremamente amigáveis.The residents of this small town/village are extremely friendly.
- A povoação junto ao rio é muito pitoresca.The village by the river is very picturesque.
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are looking at an old map.
- FelipeEsta aldeia é muito pequena.This village is very small.
- CamilaEla fica perto do rio, Felipe?Is it near the river, Felipe?
- FelipeSim, a aldeia fica ao lado do rio.Yes, the village is next to the river.
- CamilaQue bom que a aldeia é calma.It is good that the village is calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “village” translations and entries aldeia, vila, povoado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aldeia, vila, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
