Portuguese · Difficult words
How to pronounce diabetes in Portuguese
diabetes
Diabetes
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
diabetes is pronounced /d͡ʒi.aˈbɛ.t͡ʃis/ in Portuguese. In diabetes: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in diabetes
Read diabetes in these IPA segments: d͡ʒi · a · ˈbɛ · t͡ʃis. 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.A softened stop
In diabetes: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel.
Watch out: Use the recorded variety as your model; other Brazilian accents can keep a plain t or d here.
2.Open vowels
In diabetes: 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.
3.The open /ɛ/ vowel
In diabetes: 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”.
Hear it in context
Meu pai trata o diabetes com dieta e remédio.
My dad treats diabetes with diet and medicine.
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 diabetes. 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 diabetes
How do you pronounce diabetes?
diabetes is pronounced /d͡ʒi.aˈbɛ.t͡ʃis/ in Portuguese. In diabetes: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In diabetes: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

