Portuguese · People & Family

"Baby" in Portuguese: bebê

o bebê

Say it: beh-BEHmasculine · o bebênoun/be.ˈbe/

Note: PT-PT: o bebé

Baby in Portuguese is o bebê, with an accent on the last e. Brazilians also say neném for a little one. In Portugal the spelling is often bebé.

Family visit

O bebê dormiu o voo inteiro.
The baby slept the whole flight.
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How to pronounce bebê

Say it

beh-BEH

/be.ˈbe/

beh-BEH. Stress the last syllable.

"Baby" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
o bebêthe baby

Standard Brazilian spelling.

nenémbaby (affectionate)

Very warm, everyday.

meu bebêmy baby

Family talk; also romantic nickname.

o bebéthe baby (PT-PT)

Portugal spelling.

How to use bebê in real life

  1. 1Family visit

    O bebê dormiu o voo inteiro.

    The baby slept the whole flight.

    O bebê is masculine as a noun.

  2. 2Compliment

    Que bebê lindo! Quantos meses?

    What a beautiful baby! How many months?

    Common soft reaction.

  3. 3Babysitting plan

    Posso ficar com o bebê até as seis?

    Can I stay with the baby until six?

    Practical schedule talk.

Mistakes English speakers make with bebê

Incorrect: O bebe sem acento.

Correct: O bebê.

Brazilian spelling needs the accent: bebê.

Incorrect: Comprei presente para o baby.

Correct: Comprei presente para o bebê.

Use bebê, not English baby.

Good to know

Bebê takes the Brazilian circumflex (ê). Portugal often writes bebé. Neném is pure affection—grandparents use it nonstop.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Visiting friends with a newborn

  1. ChatPal

    Shh… o bebê acabou de dormir.

    Shh… the baby just fell asleep.

  2. You

    Que fofo. O bebê tem quantos meses?

    How cute. How many months is the baby?

  3. ChatPal

    Três. O bebê sorri bastante.

    Three. The baby already smiles a lot.

  4. You

    Adorei. Posso ver o bebê de longe?

    I love it. Can I see the baby from afar?

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Baby" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Baby" in Portuguese

How do I say baby?

O bebê in Brazil.

Portugal spelling?

Often bebé.

Cute synonym?

Neném.

Accent?

Yes—bebê, stress on the end.

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