janela
/ʒaˈnɛ.lɐ/feminine
The Portuguese word for window is janela.
janela refers to an opening for light and air. In some informal contexts, speakers may use the word vidro (which means glass) to refer to a window.
Meaning: opening for light and air (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
janela is a feminine noun. When you want to say "the window", you use the feminine definite article a, resulting in a janela. To express the plural "windows", use janelas.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʒaˈnɛ.lɐ/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word janela actually shares an ancestral root with the word 'door'. It comes from the Latin word iānuella, which is a diminutive form of iānua, meaning 'small door'.
- If you are talking about a shop window or a display window, you would not use janela but instead use the word vitrine.
- In certain Portuguese architectural traditions, particularly in rural areas, you may find janelas de sacada, which are windows that open into a small enclosed balcony.
Examples in context
- Eu abri a janela.I opened the window.This sentence shows how to use janela with a verb to say you opened it.Tatoeba #5918022 by bill, translation #2389577 by CK
- Não abra a janela!Don't open the window.This sentence uses janela in a negative command to not open it.Tatoeba #872960 by alexmarcelo, translation #274217 by CK
- Eu o vi da janela.I saw it from the window.This sentence demonstrates using janela to indicate a location where someone was seen from.Tatoeba #2288263 by akilez, translation #2253337 by _undertoad
- Por favor, feche a janela.Please close the window.
- A janela está aberta.The window is open.
- Gosto de olhar pela janela.I like to look through the window.
- Limpe todas as vidraças da casa.Clean all the windows in the house.
- Há uma rachadura na vidraça.There is a crack in the windowpane.
- As vidraças estão embaçadas.The glass panes are foggy.
- Abra os vidros para entrar ar.Open the windows to let air in.
- Mantenha os vidros fechados em dias frios.Keep the windows closed on cold days.
- Vi um pássaro batendo no vidro da janela.I saw a bird hitting the window glass.
- 428 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are in a hot living room.
- JulianaEstá muito quente aqui.It is very hot in here.
- FelipeVocê quer abrir a janela?Do you want to open the window?
- JulianaSim, por favor.Yes, please.
- FelipeVou abrir agora mesmo.I will open it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “window” translations and entries janela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries janela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
