Portuguese · Difficult words
How to pronounce perna in Portuguese
perna
Leg
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
perna is pronounced /ˈpɛʁ.nɐ/ in Portuguese. In perna: 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 perna
Read perna in these IPA segments: ˈpɛʁ · nɐ. 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 perna: 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 perna: 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
Minha perna esquerda está cansada demais.
My left leg is too tired.
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 perna. 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 perna
How do you pronounce perna?
perna is pronounced /ˈpɛʁ.nɐ/ in Portuguese. In perna: 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 perna: 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.
