bem-vindo a
/ˌbẽj̃ˈvĩ.du a/word by word
The English phrase "welcome to" is translated into Portuguese as bem-vindo a.
bem-vindo a is a greeting used to make someone feel glad to have arrived at a place or a group.
What does it mean word for word?
The term bem-vindo is a compound of bem (well) and vindo (come), literally meaning "well-come".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change to agree with the gender and number of the people being welcomed. Use bem-vinda a for a woman, bem-vindos a for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and bem-vindas a for a group consisting only of women. Additionally, the preposition a often contracts with articles: use ao when welcoming someone to a masculine noun and à when welcoming someone to a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˌbẽj̃ˈvĩ.du a/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The preposition a in bem-vindo a has a lineage that traces back through Latin and Phoenician to an ancient Egyptian symbol of an ox.
- While bem-vindo is the standard greeting, Brazilians often use the word boas-vindas (good arrivals) to express the act of welcoming someone.
- In casual Brazilian Portuguese, the preposition a is frequently replaced by em (in) when welcoming someone to a place, such as saying bem-vindo ao versus bem-vindo no.
Examples in context
- Bem-vindo ao nosso lar.Welcome to our home.This sentence shows how to use bem-vindo a to welcome someone to a home.Tatoeba #1318866 by alexmarcelo, translation #247442 by CK
- Bem-vindo ao meu mundo.Welcome to my world.This sentence illustrates the use of bem-vindo a in a personal context.Tatoeba #12548879 by laetitiamg, translation #8078716 by Hybrid
- Bem-vindo a Boston, Tom.Welcome to Boston, Tom.This sentence demonstrates using bem-vindo a to welcome someone to a city.Tatoeba #5152785 by bill, translation #4502865 by CK
- Bem-vindo(a) ao nosso evento!Welcome to our event!
- Seja bem-vindo ao nosso hotel!Welcome to our hotel!
- Bem-vindo à nossa casa!Welcome to our house!
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas arrives at Beatriz's new office building.
- BeatrizBem-vindo a este escritório, Lucas.Welcome to this office, Lucas.
- LucasObrigado, Beatriz. É muito bonito.Thank you, Beatriz. It is very beautiful.
- BeatrizFico feliz que você tenha vindo.I am happy that you came.
- LucasEu também estou animado para começar.I am also excited to start.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bem-vindo, a) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, bem-vindo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
