Portuguese · Difficult words
How to pronounce meia-noite in Portuguese
meia-noite
Midnight
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
meia-noite is pronounced /ˌmej.ɐˈnoj.t͡ʃi/ in Portuguese. In meia-noite: 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 meia-noite
Read meia-noite in these IPA segments: ˌmej · ɐ · ˈnoj · 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.A softened stop
In meia-noite: 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.A steady /e/ vowel
In meia-noite: 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.
3.A steady /o/ vowel
In meia-noite: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription.
Watch out: Avoid automatically turning a single /o/ into the moving vowel of English “go”.
Hear it in context
O show termina à meia-noite.
The show ends at midnight.
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 meia-noite. 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 meia-noite
How do you pronounce meia-noite?
meia-noite is pronounced /ˌmej.ɐˈnoj.t͡ʃi/ in Portuguese. In meia-noite: 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 meia-noite: 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.
