gema
/ˈʒẽ.mɐ/feminine
The English word "yolk" is translated into Portuguese as gema.
gema is a feminine noun used to refer to the yellow part of an egg. It can also mean "gem" in the sense of a precious stone. While gema can stand alone to mean yolk, it is frequently used in the specific phrase gema de ovo to clarify that you are talking about an egg yolk.
Meaning: yellow of egg (noun)
Which one should you use?
In a culinary context, gema is the counterpart to clara, which refers to the egg white.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈʒẽ.mɐ/.
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, the phrase gema de ovo is used to describe something that is the 'best' or 'cream of the crop'.
- The word gema shares its history with the English word 'gem' through the Latin 'gemma', which originally meant a 'bud' on a plant.
- In Portuguese, the word for egg white is clara, which also means 'clear'.
Examples in context
- Coloque-as na assadeira, então unte-as com gema de ovo.Place them on the baking sheet, then glaze them with egg yolk.This example shows how to use gema when describing glazing items with egg yolk.Tatoeba #904538 by alexmarcelo, translation #453592 by FeuDRenais
- Na gema do ovo, há mais proteínas do que na clara.In the egg yolk, there are more proteins than in egg whites.This sentence contrasts the protein content of gema with that of the egg white.Tatoeba #1779449 by alexmarcelo, translation #1778763 by belgavox
- A gema do ovo é uma das principais fontes de vitamina A.Egg yolk is one of the major sources of vitamin A.This sentence describes the nutritional value of the egg gema.Tatoeba #1608454 by alexmarcelo, translation #2753579 by mervert1
- A receita pede três gemas de ovo.The recipe calls for three egg yolks.
- Ela adicionou uma gema ao bolo.She added one yolk to the cake.
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are cooking breakfast in their kitchen.
- FelipeVocê prefere o ovo cozido com a gema mole?Do you prefer boiled eggs with a soft yolk?
- CamilaEu gosto da gema bem cozida, Felipe.I like the yolk well cooked, Felipe.
- FelipeTudo bem, eu faço do seu jeito.Alright, I will make it your way.
- CamilaObrigada, você é um ótimo cozinheiro.Thank you, you are a great cook.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yolk” translations and entries gema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gema, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
