Portuguese · Difficult words
How to pronounce bicicleta in Portuguese
bicicleta
Bicycle
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
bicicleta is pronounced /bi.siˈklɛ.tɐ/ in Portuguese. In bicicleta: The symbols /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ indicate more open vowel positions than /e/ and /o/. Keep the jaw relaxed and the vowel steady. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in bicicleta
Read bicicleta in these IPA segments: bi · si · ˈklɛ · tɐ. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.
1.Open vowels
In bicicleta: The symbols /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ indicate more open vowel positions than /e/ and /o/. Keep the jaw relaxed and the vowel steady.
Watch out: Do not assume every written e or o has the same vowel quality.
2.The open /ɛ/ vowel
In bicicleta: Keep the vowel open, like the vowel in many pronunciations of English “bed”, without a final glide.
Watch out: Avoid turning this vowel into English “ay”.
3.Front-vowel position
In bicicleta: Listen for the distinction between the closer /i/ and the more relaxed /ɪ/ when shown. Keep your tongue toward the front.
Watch out: Do not decide vowel quality from English spelling alone.
Hear it in context
Vou de bicicleta para o trabalho quando não chove.
I go by bicycle to work when it doesn't rain.
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
The recording uses a Brazilian Portuguese voice for bicicleta. Portuguese in Portugal and other regions can differ in vowel reduction and consonants. The reference may list several realizations; the transcription here is selected for a Brazilian or unmarked pronunciation.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Meaning and everyday use
Questions about bicicleta
How do you pronounce bicicleta?
bicicleta is pronounced /bi.siˈklɛ.tɐ/ in Portuguese. In bicicleta: The symbols /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ indicate more open vowel positions than /e/ and /o/. Keep the jaw relaxed and the vowel steady. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In bicicleta: The symbols /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ indicate more open vowel positions than /e/ and /o/. Keep the jaw relaxed and the vowel steady. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
