Portuguese · Food & drink
How to pronounce pão de queijo in Portuguese
pão de queijo
a small, baked tapioca cheese roll, which is a popular snack and breakfast food in Brazil
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
pão de queijo is pronounced /ˈpɐ̃w̃ d͡ʒi ˈke(j).ʒu/ in Portuguese. In pão de queijo: 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 pão de queijo
Read pão de queijo in these IPA segments: ˈpɐ̃w̃ d͡ʒi · ˈke(j) · ʒu. 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.Nasal resonance
In pão de queijo: 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.A softened stop
In pão de queijo: 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.A steady /e/ vowel
In pão de queijo: 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
No cardápio está escrito «pão de queijo».
The menu says “pão de queijo”.
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 pão de queijo. 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.
Questions about pão de queijo
How do you pronounce pão de queijo?
pão de queijo is pronounced /ˈpɐ̃w̃ d͡ʒi ˈke(j).ʒu/ in Portuguese. In pão de queijo: 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 pão de queijo: 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.
