Portuguese · Difficult words

How to pronounce inteligente in Portuguese

inteligente

Smart

ee-teh-lee-ZHEH-chee/ĩ.te.liˈʒẽ.t͡ʃi/

Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.

inteligente is pronounced /ĩ.te.liˈʒẽ.t͡ʃi/ in Portuguese. In inteligente: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in inteligente

Read inteligente in these IPA segments: ĩ · te · li · ˈʒẽ · t͡ʃi. 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. 1.Nasal resonance

    In inteligente: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape.

    Watch out: Do not add a strong n or m just because an English respelling uses one to suggest nasality.

  2. 2.A softened stop

    In inteligente: 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.

  3. 3.A steady /e/ vowel

    In inteligente: Keep the tongue toward the front and sustain a single /e/ vowel. Listen for its exact height in the recording.

    Watch out: English “ay” often ends with a glide; do not automatically carry that glide into this vowel.

Hear it in context

Sua explicação foi inteligente e bem clara.

Your explanation was smart and really clear.

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 inteligente. 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 inteligente

How do you pronounce inteligente?

inteligente is pronounced /ĩ.te.liˈʒẽ.t͡ʃi/ in Portuguese. In inteligente: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In inteligente: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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